Stories by Associated Press

The Ocean Observatories Initiative is a network of more than 900 ocean sensors built at a cost of $386 million. Over the last decade it has tracked ocean circulation, marine ecosystems, climate change and extreme weather.

Get ready for fun with this guide to neighborhood street fests, art shows, outdoor concerts, cultural celebrations and events of all sizes across Chicago and the suburbs.

The tentative agreement to end the war in Iran and reopen the Strait of Hormuz would be good news for the global economy. But even as the price of oil dropped Monday, many questions remain.

As cleanup continues from last week's storms, more severe weather is in the forecast for this week, with the greatest threat on Wednesday.

It is not clear how — or why — Benchmark Analytics was selected by officials in the Johnson administration in the fall of 2024 to create the system required by the federal court order known as the consent decree.

More than 100 former federal prosecutors slam Chicago’s U.S. attorney. And the Chicago Public Schools CEO defends district policy from GOP attacks in Congress.

Illinois libraries are funded by a mix of property taxes and state and federal grants. Librarians have said it’s often difficult to decide what to prioritize when budgets get tight, and many Illinois libraries have reported they don’t offer online database subscriptions.

The National Weather Service will be surveying damage from multiple reported tornadoes that touched down Thursday, while recovery efforts continue from the derecho that walloped Chicago on Wednesday.

Eligible pharmacies in rural and medically underserved communities will receive over $56,000 on Friday, aimed at keeping doors open and expanding services.

Earlier this month, acting Attorney General Todd Blanche told Congress that the government is scrapping its plans for the fund in the face of fierce bipartisan backlash. President Donald Trump, meanwhile, has not publicly and unequivocally endorsed the fund’s cancellation.

The new law will close a “loophole” that contributed to children, teens and young adults ingesting misleading or poorly labeled products, Gov. JB Pritzker said.

Federal prosecutors will toss out felony charges against two men accused in connection with a massive COVID-19 fraud scheme amid ties to the same prosecutor and grand jury from the botched “Broadview Six” protester case.

If Mayor Brandon Johnson and his allies on the Chicago City Council have their way, those bars and restaurants will never get to plug in video poker and slot machines.

While events for the community are planned for the entire weekend to celebrate Puerto Rican pride and culture, this year also honors the history of Chicago’s Boricua community — marking the 60-year anniversary of the first Division Street riot.

Storm cleanup is underway in the Chicago area as thousands remain without power. Chicago U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros is under fire — we hear from two former federal prosecutors.

More than 100 former federal prosecutors published an open letter blasting Chicago’s U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros, claiming he “tarnished the reputation” of the office in the wake of the botched “Broadview Six” case.

State and national test scores have shown proficiency rates in math are consistently below those in English language arts.

David Jones’ federal lawsuit accuses four Chicago police officers, including convicted former Officer David Salgado, of conspiring to frame him in March 2015 for selling drugs in Lawndale.

Nurses at Saint Mary of Nazareth Hospital rallied outside the hospital Thursday in a planned one-day strike after they allege nurses were fired by management in retaliation for trying to form a union. The hospital denied retaliating against employees.

Since January 2025, Chicago taxpayers spent at least $103.1 million to resolve 14 lawsuits brought by people who were injured or on behalf of those killed during police pursuits, according to an analysis of city data by WTTW News.

The National Weather Service is tracking two rounds of severe weather Thursday.

Advocates argue the legislation will secure legal protections for Illinois children if they are placed in other states. Republican legislators fought the bill, arguing it infringes on other states and might deepen administrative burdens on DCFS.

The grants come as thousands of Illinoisans are losing access to federal food assistance, placing more strain in local food pantries.

U.S. President Donald Trump threatened Thursday to launch major strikes on Iran and seize control of its oil industry as escalating attacks between the countries pushed the Middle East closer to the resumption of a full-scale war.

Every Thursday, WTTW News newsletter producer Josh Terry highlights his picks for the week’s must-see cultural events.

The Chicago Public Schools CEO testifies on Capitol Hill. And three former “Broadview Six” defendants reflect on the case.