Stories by Kristen Thometz

Food trucks, street festivals, the Chicago blues and green gooey slime usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.

The former Chicago mayor completed the more than 900-mile trip Tuesday, according to a post on Facebook.

In Chicago, Black and Latinx residents are three times more likely than whites and Asians to live in areas located at least 3 miles from LGBTQ service providers, according to a new study. 

Miguel del Valle, a former Illinois state senator, will serve as the president of the Chicago Board of Education. Mayor Lightfoot announced his appointment and six others Monday morning.

Prosecutors say Mohammed Shariff, who illegally dispensed hundreds of thousands of opioid pills, “showed an abject disregard of patients and perverted his companies into engines of unlawful profit.”

In need of a vacation, but don’t want to travel too far? We share our favorite local activities and weekend getaways for a last-minute road trip or a city staycation. 

Music festivals, German beer, an art fair and alternative comics usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in Chicago.

Children have a better chance at reaching their full potential now than at any other time in history, according to a new report released by Save the Children. But there’s more work ahead – particularly in the U.S.

The infant mortality rate among African Americans in Cook County is twice the county average. Health officials seek to close that gap with the help of a new five-year grant.

Ditch the gym and take your fitness routine outside this summer with free classes at Millennium Park, Navy Pier and Gallagher Way. With morning and evening classes, there are plenty of opportunities to get in shape.

Nobel Prize-winning economist James Heckman tells us how early childhood education can impact a person’s life well into middle age.

Street fests, an unusual estate sale, wearable technology and a massive bike ride usher in the long holiday weekend. Here are a dozen things to do in and around Chicago.

Artificial intelligence outperformed radiologists in identifying lung cancer as part of first-time screenings, according to a new study. The technology also produced fewer false positives and negatives.

Former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel has at least two new gigs after wrapping up his second term in office. He joins the broadcast network as a contributor and The Atlantic as a contributing editor.  

An individual with a confirmed measles infection took public transportation and visited several stores in the Loop late last week, according to health officials. 

A new bill aims to fix the state’s “ambiguous” law over syringe exchange programs. Public support for such programs remains low, but advocates say they can offer critical help to those in need.

Historic homes, art fairs, cover bands and water lanterns usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.

In Illinois, African American women are six times as likely to die of pregnancy-related conditions than white women. A new initiative aims to close that gap in three Chicago communities, with the help of a $4.7 million grant.

Last year, about 5,400 detainees at Cook County Jail received treatment for opioid use – an average of 375-400 each month. The county will be able to expand its services for opioid use disorder, thanks to a new grant. 

Existing tests for the deadly virus are inaccurate, expensive and can be challenging to administer, but new research from Loyola University Chicago could lead to a simple filter paper test that changes color if Ebola is present.

A native plant sale, nerdy comedy, a craft fair and a house walk usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.

The state is better equipped to deal with natural disasters, disease outbreaks and other large-scale emergencies than it was six years ago, according to the latest edition of an annual report.

The Illinois Department of Public Health said it was investigating two cases of Legionnaires’ disease in patients who had received treatment at the University of Chicago Medical Center.

Mikah Meyer’s cross-country trip came to an end this week when he ascended the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. He’s the first person to visit all National Park Service sites in one continuous trip – and is challenging stereotypes along the way.

Colorful kites, vinyl records, adoptable animals and antique maps usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.

A new statewide poll released by the Illinois Education Association shows that residents have a pessimistic view of the state and public schools – but a favorable view of teachers.