Chicago News

FILE – Brandon Dawson, left, celebrates after winning the Safeway 52nd annual World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off in Half Moon Bay, Calif., Oct. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez, File)

3,156-pound pumpkin grown in Rhode Island is inspected for possible world record

By Terry Chea

October 12, 2026 at 6:32 p.m.

A pumpkin named Rocky won a major annual pumpkin-weighing contest in Northern California, tipping the...

Emergency vehicles arrive at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution after the execution of Christa Pike was halted Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Emergency help was delayed by confusion after failed execution of Christa Pike, 911 calls reveal

By Gene Johnson

October 12, 2026 at 7:15 p.m.

Emergency help for Christa Pike was delayed by confusion among first responders and Tennessee prison...

Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., takes questions during a news conference at the Capitol in Washington, Jan. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

What to know about the search of Democratic US Rep. Ilhan Omar’s home

By Nicholas Riccardi

October 12, 2026 at 5:54 p.m.

What to know about the search of Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar’s Washington, D.C. home on...

Fashion designer Sarah Staudinger and husband agent Ari Emanuel leave the Gritti Palace hotel on the wedding day of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez in Venice on June 27, 2025. (Stefano Rellandini/Getty-AFP)

Column: What does the youngest Emanuel brother, Ari Emanuel, have to say in ‘Roll the Calls’?

By Rick Kogan

September 22, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

In the memoir from the Hollywood agent and brother of former Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel,...

Benito Juarez Community Academy student Rogelio Mendeola works on his calavera figure during art class on Sept. 21, 2026. A calavera is a small skeleton figurine used during the holiday Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, to honor deceased loved ones. (Antonio Perez/baiduhai)

Benito Juarez students honor loved ones in Día de los Muertos celebration

By Kate Perez

September 22, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Students at Benito Juarez high school craft calaveras to honor loved ones for Día de...

Patrons at "The Pump" yell and scream as the White Sox win their first pennant in 40 years on Sept. 22, 1959. The Pump was a tavern and restaurant at 3712 S. Halsted St. in Chicago. (Al Phillips/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: ‘Go-Go’ White Sox clinch American League pennant

By Kori Rumore

September 22, 2026 at 4:00 a.m.

Here's a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on Sept. 22, according...

John Cougar Mellencamp performs both on stage and on one of two large screen television screens set up at the University of Illinois Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill. on Sept. 22, 1985 during the Farm Aid concert. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman)

Today in History: First Farm Aid concert held in Champaign

By Associated Press

September 22, 2026 at 3:30 a.m.

On Sept. 22, 1985, rock and country music artists participated in Farm Aid, a concert...

People walk by the Arch on the Northwestern University campus in Evanston on March 31, 2025. (Brian Cassella/baiduhai)

Northwestern and University of Chicago drop in U.S. News college rankings

By Kate Perez

September 21, 2026 at 11:01 p.m.

Some of Illinois’ most notable universities shifted slightly in national rankings while remaining among the...

Four beluga whales relocated from a facility in Canada swim in a habitat at the Shedd Aquarium on July 23, 2026, in Chicago. Osiris, one of the four whales, has died. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)

A third beluga whale rescued from Canada has died at Shedd; a fourth died last week in Spain

By Adriana Pérez

September 21, 2026 at 8:14 p.m.

In a blog post, Shedd staff said that Osiris, a 26-year-old female beluga, had been...

Fans walk through muddy Douglass Park on the final day of Riot Fest in Chicago on Sept. 20, 2026. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)

Soaked Riot Fest forces restoration plans for swampy Douglass Park

By Robert McCoppin

September 21, 2026 at 6:32 p.m.

Riot Fest will be financially responsible for “reasonable costs,” to restore Douglass Park, a Chicago...

In this photo taken with a smartphone, people opposed to a congressional redistricting plan rally outside the Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City, Mo., Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/David A. Lieb)

Appeals court favors Trump-backed Missouri congressional map, but Supreme Court will have final say

By David A. Lieb

September 21, 2026 at 6:26 p.m.

A long-running legal fight over Missouri’s congressional map took another turn Monday when a federal...

Earl Wilson, center, listens during the start of his jury trial for the 2017 fatal shooting of Cook County Judge Raymond Myles and the shooting of his girlfriend, at the Cook County courthouse in Bridgeview, Jan. 13, 2026. (Antonio Perez/baiduhai)

Family of slain Cook County judge recalls loss ahead of sentencing

By Sam Charles

September 21, 2026 at 7:28 p.m.

During a hearing Monday ahead of his killer’s sentencing, Cook County Judge Raymond Myles’ closest...

Yadira Escamilla sits inside her church,
Unity Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church in Austin, on June 2, 2026. (Eileen T. Meslar/baiduhai)

Chicago woman ‘felt relief’ as troubled South Side foster facility’s manager sentenced to 30 years in prison

By Rebecca Johnson

September 21, 2026 at 5:46 p.m.

A young woman who was sexually assaulted by a manager at a troubled South Side...