U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a longtime vaccine critic, canceled $500 million in government-funded research projects to create new mRNA vaccines against respiratory illnesses that might trigger another health emergency.

Burnett represented parts of the West Side and the West Loop for 30 years on the Chicago City Council. He retired July 31.

A zoo in Denmark made headlines when it solicited donations of pets to feed to its predators. WTTW News asked Lincoln Park Zoo and Brookfield Zoo Chicago to share their policies regarding feed sources.

Authorities are investigating after a threat was allegedly made Wednesday against Texas House Democrats who fled to Illinois in an effort to block a Republican redistricting effort in their home state.

Health care leaders across Illinois are sounding the alarm over a new federal law slashing Medicaid, warning it could force hospital closures and gut care for vulnerable residents. They’re now racing to protect services and preserve access in the face of deep funding cuts.

Each Wednesday, WTTW News producer Josh Terry presents must-see live music shows from indie rock to jazz, country, hip-hop and more.

Armadillos have been making a slow but steady push north. At this point, it’s a matter of when, not if, they’ll turn up in Chicago, according to one expert.

Texas Democrats are seeking refuge in Illinois — we hear from some of the lawmakers directly. And what a pension boost means for the city’s finances.

More than 50 Democratic lawmakers from Texas fled the state for Illinois, New York and Massachusetts to block an effort by Republicans to redraw congressional districts. The plan, backed by President Donald Trump, would increase the number of Republican-leaning congressional seats by five.

The Chicago House Music Festival and Conference will be held Aug. 21-24. Events are set to take place at Millennium Park and other areas of downtown. Events are free and open to the public.

A city analysis warned the bill “would increase the city’s pension liabilities by more than $11 billion” in the two funds that pay pensions to retired police officers and firefighters.

Experts say the increases are driven by warmer temperatures due to climate change and the expanding presence of ticks in more areas in the U.S. and Canada — including places where people are less familiar with the risks and how to prevent disease.

A key split is whether the treaty should require cutting plastic production, with powerful oil-producing nations opposed; most plastic is made from fossil fuels. They say redesign, recycling and reuse can solve the problem, while other countries and some major companies say that’s not enough.

The word “gerrymander" was coined in America more than 200 years ago as an unflattering means of describing political manipulation in legislative map-making. The word has stood the test of time, in part, because American politics has remained fiercely competitive.

The Republican-controlled committee issued subpoenas for depositions with former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and eight former top law enforcement officials.