Stories by Kristen Thometz

Marijuana may produce pleasurable affects in people, but for pets, the mind-altering substance can be dangerous and even lethal, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. “We don’t want people to think it’s benign or harmless,” said Michael San Filippo of the AVMA.

The former first lady’s 2020 workout playlist includes hits by Beyonce, Lizzo, Childish Gambino, Frank Ocean, BJ the Chicago Kid and more. Get the full list.

On Friday, the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office reported two new cold-related deaths in the county, including those of a 47-year-old man and a 71-year old woman. 

Regular physical activity is vital for your health, but a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention finds nearly a quarter of Illinois residents aren’t getting any exercise at all.

A monthslong E. coli outbreak linked to romaine lettuce harvested in Salinas, California, appears to be over. The outbreak sickened 167 people in 27 states, including Illinois, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

Tributes to Martin Luther King Jr., hot jazz, theater festivals and dumplings usher in the weekend. Here are a dozen things to do in and around Chicago.

Cancer treatment can be costly, but new findings from Rush University Medical Center suggest an inexpensive, effective treatment could be within reach. 

Two residents at Balmoral Nursing Home and one resident at Admiral at the Lake have been diagnosed with Legionnaire’s disease, according to state health officials, who say the cases at the two facilities don’t appear to be related. 

What’s it like to work in the marijuana industry? How do you start and grow a cannabis business? The city is gathering experts, advocates and others to answer these questions and more at a free event next month.

A Chicago child is one of 2,900 people across the U.S. who have died from the flu so far this season, and the first pediatric death in Illinois, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The city is on high alert after two coyote attacks Wednesday, but a wildlife expert says such incidents are very rare. “I don’t think people need to be panicked or alarmed,” said Seth Magle, director of the Urban Wildlife Institute at Lincoln Park Zoo.

Winter beers, bucking bulls, a pants-free CTA ride, vegan fare and comedy sketches usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.

The toll of gun violence from school shootings extends beyond victims. A new study finds local exposure to fatal shootings increases youth antidepressant use by 21% in the two years following a shooting.

With recreational marijuana now legal, city and state officials are working to educate consumers about what’s permitted under the new law and how to use cannabis responsibly.

Starting in early February, the Food and Drug Administration will prohibit the sale of some flavored e-cigarette cartridges, including fruit, mint and candy flavors, as part of an effort to curb youth use.

A winter wonderland, fitness classes, bald eagles and a classic fairy tale usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.

New HIV diagnoses have been dropping in Chicago for years, reaching a record low in 2018. Yet as HIV rates decline, city health officials say other sexually transmitted infections are reaching record highs.

Ready to ring in the ‘20s with a roar? Whether you’re feeling sporty or prefer to go glam (or do both!) we’ve got 10 ideas for your big night out.

Winter birds, beer steins, poinsettias and bicycles usher in the post-holiday weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.

Health officials believe puppies purchased from pet stores are the likely source of an outbreak that has sickened 30 people across more than a dozen states, including Illinois. What you need to know about the outbreak.

Holiday trees, Christmas tubas, Hanukkah goblins and a winter solstice bonfire usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.

From legal pot to a ban on animal-tested cosmetics, more than 250 new laws take effect in Illinois on Jan. 1. Here are 20 you should know.

As part of an effort to steer youth away from vaping, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin and Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi are proposing a new fee on e-cigarette manufacturers and importers to fund prevention programs.

Medical providers at Catholic hospitals face multiple barriers to providing contraceptive care to women, and such restrictions have prompted workarounds that can be harmful to patients, a new report from the University of Chicago finds.

Juul Labs, the largest manufacturer of e-cigarettes in the nation, intentionally marketed its products to minors and misrepresented the potency of nicotine in its products, according to a lawsuit filed by Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul. 

Millions of holiday lights, a seasonal double feature, art fairs and carols usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.