Columns

Former Indiana U,S. Rep. Lee Hamilton, who was co-chair of the Iraq Study Group, in his office at the Woodrow Wilson Center in Washington on Nov. 24, 2006. (Pete Souza/baiduhai)

John T. Shaw: We need Congress to ponder the long term with a new future-focused group

By John T. Shaw

October 14, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Half a century ago, many lawmakers viewed their responsibilities differently and created a forum to...

This image from CCTV video released by Saudi Arabia's Media Ministry shows passengers taking cover as flames and smoke fill part of King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, during what authorities described as a strike at the airport on Oct. 10, 2026. (Saudi Media Ministry via AP)

Daniel DePetris: Resumption of war between Houthis and Saudis is bad timing for Donald Trump

By Daniel DePetris

October 12, 2026 at 1:27 p.m.

The attacks in Saudi Arabia come when Donald Trump is in a standoff over the...

Attorneys for Christa Pike hold a news conference after a judge ruled the Tennessee Department of Corrections must preserve all evidence related to the failed execution of Pike, on Oct. 7, 2026, in Nashville, Tennessee. (George Walker IV/AP)

Clarence Page: A botched execution shakes our death penalty presumptions

By Clarence Page

October 12, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

The botched execution of Christa Pike offers a gross illustration of the cruelty that capital...

Anthony Bourdain in Detroit in January 2009.

Commentary: ‘Roadrunner’ uses AI to create an Anthony Bourdain soundalike. Here’s why that’s ethically squishy

By Michael Phillips

July 19, 2021 at 11:32 a.m.

With movies, we often wonder: Can I believe my own eyes? Did I just see...

Robert Swiderski snacks on ice cream while making his way around Chicago City Hall on July 15, 2021. Swiderski is halfway through a 28 hours straight combination run and walk to raise awareness for mental health and suicide prevention of police officers.

Column: Police suicides remind us that our folks in blue get the blues, too — to a deadly degree

By Clarence Page

July 16, 2021 at 4:58 p.m.

Reports this past week of the death of a Chicago police officer from a self-inflicted...

U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., right, speaks during a news conference as U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., looks on at the U.S. Capitol on June 23, 2021, in Washington, D.C.

Column: COVID-19 vaccine misinformation from Fox News & GOP is killing people, with an assist from Big Tech

By Rex W. Huppke

July 16, 2021 at 5:00 a.m.

These recent headlines tell the story of a crime: "COVID-19 infections are rising again in...

$60 million film production studio in South Shore wins preliminary zoning approval

By Ryan Ori

July 15, 2021 at 4:48 p.m.

A $60 million film studio could soon be under construction in the South Shore area,...

The S.Y.B.s play the Woodridge Knights in the March of Dimes Snowball 16-inch softball tournament in Lincoln Park on Jan. 28, 1984.

Column: 16-inch coed softball sounds dull, Chicago. Let’s try ’48-Inch SoftSHOCKball Death Challenge 5000′

By Rex W. Huppke

July 15, 2021 at 5:00 a.m.

Exciting news for Chicagoans who love baseball but wish the ball had a greater circumference:...

The Central Steel & Wire plant in Chicago's Southwest Side is pictured on March 2, 2021. Amazon has paid $35 million for the plant, completing a deal for one of the largest sites in the e-commerce company's ever-growing distribution network in the Chicago area.

Amazon buys Central Steel plant for $35 million, plans delivery station on sprawling Southwest Side site

By Ryan Ori

July 14, 2021 at 5:33 p.m.

Amazon has paid $35 million for the Central Steel & Wire plant on the Southwest...

Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams talks to reporters outside the White House July 12, 2021, following a meeting with President Joe Biden. Adams is joined by, from left, Chicago police Superintendent David Brown, Memphis police Chief C.J. Davis and Wilmington police Chief Robert Tracy.

Column: Hey, Chicago, New York Democrats sent you a message: Fund the police, but wisely

By Clarence Page

July 13, 2021 at 2:37 p.m.

Civic pride prevents me from looking too often to New York for political guidance. Chicago's...

Virgin Galactic founder Richard Branson, left, sprays Champagne at his crew members while celebrating their flight to space from Spaceport America near Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, on July 11, 2021.

Column: Let’s guilt Branson, Bezos and space tourists into making charitable donations before they leave Earth

By Rex W. Huppke

July 13, 2021 at 5:00 a.m.

We need to talk about rich people traveling into space. On Sunday, Virgin Galactic founder...

Former President Donald Trump announces a class-action lawsuit against big tech companies at the Trump National Golf Club Bedminster on July 7, 2021, in Bedminster, New Jersey.

Column: Donald Trump vs. Big Tech: If you can’t beat ’em, raise money off of ’em

By Clarence Page

July 10, 2021 at 10:48 a.m.

Former President Donald Trump's lawsuit against Facebook, Twitter and Google's YouTube social networks is a...

Developer seeks approval for 39-story apartment plan on the Near North Side, but neighboring condo owners continue to fight

By Ryan Ori

July 9, 2021 at 4:00 p.m.

A Chicago developer hopes to nail down city approval for a Near North Side apartment...

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