Happy Friday, Chicago. 

Public safety remains one of Chicago's defining issues. The board revisits the topic today through a political lens, arguing that elected officials should spend less time sparring with one another and more time making communities safer after another crime-driven clash between the president and our governor. 

On a decidedly less consequential note, as a loyal Mac user, I'm taking extra precautions to keep my laptop safe after Apple announced hefty price hikes on many of its devices, the subject of today's lead editorial.

An impassioned Gary Grasso urges journalists to stop invoking the Outfit when someone of Italian descent appears in a crime story.

The nursing profession is facing a growing shortfall as demand for care rises, writes Barb Clapp, who argues that investing in certified nursing assistant training and workforce pipelines is essential to meeting the nation's healthcare needs.

Finally, columnist Elizabeth Shackelford argues that civil servants should refuse to carry out policies they believe are immoral — even if it means leaving government service.

Don’t forget to check out reader letters, including on Saturday. A Tribune story about a committed same-sex penguin pair at Lincoln Park Zoo has sparked a lively discussion.

— Hilary Gowins, editorial board member

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