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A dimly lit Chicago street scene with a small memorial, symbolizing the tragic loss of a beloved chef in a mass shooting incident.
Food & Drink

South Side chef killed in mass shooting, community mourns

A 23-year-old woman was shot in the head and remains in critical condition after a mass shooting on Chicago's South Side early Friday.

Aisha Patel·Jun 6
A vibrant outdoor stage production of 'Brokeback Mountain' in Chicago during Pride Month, with a cheering crowd and rainbow flags.
Arts & Culture

Chicago's Pride Month Features 'Brokeback Mountain' Stage Show

In Chicago, the stage adaptation of 'Brokeback Mountain,' featuring openly gay actors and a queer playwright, anchors a vibrant Pride Month theater scene.

Caitlin O'Malley·Jun 6
A Major Life Transition Can Be the Right Time to Revisit Your Financial Plan With John Mateyko
Business & Economy

A Major Life Transition Can Be the Right Time to Revisit Your Financial Plan With John Mateyko

Major life transitions like a new job, marriage, or inheritance are ideal times to revisit your financial plan, as they change the underlying facts of your financial situation. John Mateyko, a Fiduciary Financial Planner, emphasizes identifying what changed, rebuilding cash-flow, and reviewing new benefits to update your plan effectively.

Sponsored by John Mateyko·Sep 2
Diverse group of people holding hands in front of a community center, symbolizing support for Chicago's LGBTQ+ community.
Arts & Culture

Chicago LGBTQ+ groups seek ongoing support for services

Howard Brown Health alone provides affirming health and wellness care to over 40,000 people annually, offering services from primary care to youth support across Chicago's LGBTQ+ communities, accordin

Caitlin O'Malley·Jun 5
Pasadena City Hall with protestors holding signs, under a stormy, dramatic sky, symbolizing the denial of a housing development.
Neighborhoods

Pasadena Council Denies Housing, Resists 2026 Code Goals

Despite state laws allowing projects to receive up to 50% additional residential density, the Pasadena City Council recently denied an appeal for a 133-unit affordable housing development at 600 North

Aisha Patel·Jun 5
Split image: A lively Pride celebration crowd at Wrigley Field contrasted with a silent, empty social media feed, symbolizing the Chicago Cubs' digital detachment from Pride Month.
Business & Economy

Chicago Cubs Social Media Silent on Pride Month in 2026

As of Tuesday afternoon, the Chicago Cubs' social media accounts remained silent on Pride Month 2026, a stark departure from previous years.

Rafael Mendoza·Jun 4
5 Boutique Villa Rentals Actually Worth Trying, Luxury Unique Places Included
Local Spotlights

5 Boutique Villa Rentals Actually Worth Trying, Luxury Unique Places Included

As travelers plan for 2026, the demand for private, exclusive, and unforgettable stays is higher than ever. Standard hotels are making way for curated experiences that offer both luxury and a sense of place. For those se…

Sponsored by Luxury Unique Places·Aug 31
Diverse group of teenagers enjoying free summer memberships at a Chicago YMCA, participating in sports, swimming, and study groups.
Neighborhoods

Chicago YMCAs offer free summer memberships to teens

This summer, 5,000 teens in the North region alone will gain free access to YMCA facilities, part of a growing trend of local YMCAs offering no-cost memberships.

Chloe Jenkins·Jun 4
Diverse urban community members discussing safety concerns and solutions in a meeting, with a city skyline in the background.
Neighborhoods

Rising urban violence: Community concerns and solutions

A man was hospitalized after a shooting in the West Oaks Corner neighborhood on Thursday afternoon, May 28, OregonLive reports.

Aisha Patel·Jun 2
Illinois State Capitol building at dusk with politicians discussing a stadium blueprint, symbolizing the uncertain future of the Chicago Bears stadium deal.
Business & Economy

Pritzker leaders adjourn session, leaving Bears stadium deal uncertain

Illinois legislative leaders adjourned their spring session in 2026 without a final vote on a critical 'megaprojects bill,' effectively stalling the Chicago Bears' $2 billion stadium investment.

Rafael Mendoza·Jun 2
Get Matched With a Bergen County Real Estate Agent Through BergenRealEstate.com
Real Estate & Development

Get Matched With a Bergen County Real Estate Agent Through BergenRealEstate.com

BergenRealEstate.com offers a tailored service to match users with Bergen County real estate agents based on specific goals, neighborhood, and property type. This approach refines the search beyond general browsing, focusing on relevant local expertise for buying, selling, or investing.

Sponsored by BergenRealEstate.com·Aug 25
Students in an Illinois classroom with a subtle focus on the potential for cellphone distractions, representing the new bill restricting their use.
Business & Economy

Illinois lawmakers pass bill restricting school cellphone use

By the 2027-2028 school year, every K-12 public and charter school in Illinois will be required to adopt policies restricting student cellphone use during the school day, following a bill sent to Gove

Rafael Mendoza·Jun 2
Illinois State Capitol building at dusk with silhouettes of politicians, symbolizing the legislative defeat of the Chicago Bears stadium bill.
Local Spotlights

Illinois Senate blocks Bears stadium bill, session adjourns

With just over 24 hours left in the legislative session, the Chicago Bears' 'megaprojects bill' lacked the votes to pass the Illinois Senate, effectively killing the team's public-private stadium fina

Caitlin O'Malley·Jun 1
A diverse group of Chicago residents reflecting on the community impact and legacy of Spencer Leak Jr., illuminated by a hopeful light.
Neighborhoods

Spencer Leak Jr. biography and career: A life of community impact

The Leak family, led by figures like Spencer Leak Jr.

Aisha Patel·Jun 1
As Payments Get Integrated, Why PayTrac Offers the Most Scalable Business Solution
Business & Economy

As Payments Get Integrated, Why PayTrac Offers the Most Scalable Business Solution

As payments become increasingly integrated into broader business ecosystems, choosing a scalable payment solution is crucial for growing businesses. PayTrac positions itself as a growth partner, offering solutions that accommodate higher volumes, new locations, and diverse payment channels without disruption.

Sponsored by PayTrac·Aug 25
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson presents a key to the city to Pope Leo XIV inside the Vatican, following the Pope's apology for slavery.
Neighborhoods

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson meets Pope Leo XIV at Vatican

In a striking display of ideological unity, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson presented Pope Leo XIV with a key to the city, moments after the Pope's historic apology for the Catholic Church's role in sla

Chloe Jenkins·Jun 1
Elegant dark green Parisian-style chairs are strategically placed near Buckingham Fountain in Chicago, enhancing the landmark's aesthetic for a 2026 pilot program.
Local Spotlights

Parisian-style chairs planned for Buckingham Fountain pilot

The Chicago Park District just shelled out $54,438 for 100 new green metal chairs, destined to grace Buckingham Fountain in 2026.

Caitlin O'Malley·May 31
Host the Perfect Fiesta: How the Cinco De Mayo Ready-To-Go Cup Case Solves Your Party Prep Hassles
Food & Drink

Host the Perfect Fiesta: How the Cinco De Mayo Ready-To-Go Cup Case Solves Your Party Prep Hassles

The Cinco de Mayo Ready-to-Go Cup Case simplifies party preparation for Micheladas by providing pre-rimmed 24oz cups, individual Michelada mix, and Tamarindo straws. This all-in-one solution makes serving Micheladas easier for hosts, allowing more time to enjoy the fiesta.

Sponsored by CDM Brands·Aug 25
The exterior of the Lucky Strike Wrigleyville building, showing its closed doors and darkened interior with visible empty bowling lanes and arcade machines.
Business & Economy

Lucky Strike Wrigleyville Permanently Closes Its Doors

Employees at Lucky Strike Wrigleyville received little to no warning before the popular bowling alley and arcade permanently closed its doors, leaving many suddenly jobless, according to Block Club Ch

Rafael Mendoza·May 30
The Trump Tower Chicago building at dusk, with a small Mediterranean cafe sign illuminated in a ground-floor window along the Chicago River.
Business & Economy

Trump Tower Chicago Lands Tiny First Retail Tenant After 17 Years

Trump Tower Chicago's 70,000-square-foot riverfront commercial space secured its first tenant in 17 years, a 2,800-square-foot Mediterranean café.

Rafael Mendoza·May 30
Chicago's 31st Street Beach with a yellow swim advisory flag flying, indicating high bacteria levels in the water.
Business & Economy

31st Street Beach Swim Advisory Issued Due to High Bacteria

At Chicago's 31st Street Beach, a yellow swim advisory flag was implemented on Thursday, May 28, 2026, when bacteria levels exceeded 235 CFU, according to City of Chicago Beach Lab Data .

Rafael Mendoza·May 30
5 Practical Ways FinanceCorp Cockburn Helps WA Homebuyers Secure Loans
Real Estate & Development

5 Practical Ways FinanceCorp Cockburn Helps WA Homebuyers Secure Loans

Navigating the path to homeownership in Western Australia presents unique challenges, with market dynamics often driven by high housing prices and a strong aspiration for owning a home. For many prospective buyers, secur…

Sponsored by FinanceCorp Cockburn·Aug 24
The Cortland Street Bridge in Chicago, showing active pedestrian and cyclist use on one sidewalk while car lanes are closed for rehabilitation, extending access until winter 2025.
Transportation & Transit

Cortland Street Bridge maintains pedestrian access until winter 2025

For Chicagoans who bike or walk, the Cortland Street Bridge, closed to cars since September, will surprisingly keep one sidewalk open until winter 2025, offering a crucial lifeline through a major reh

Chloe Jenkins·May 28
A gavel striking down on legal documents in a courtroom, symbolizing the reforms in grand jury rules following the Broadview 6 case.
Local Spotlights

US Attorney's Office Reforms Grand Jury Rules After Broadview 6

Charges against the 'Broadview Six' were dismissed after federal prosecutors were found to have redacted grand jury transcripts and misled jurors, prompting sweeping reforms from the U.

Caitlin O'Malley·May 28