Stories by Kristen Thometz

Street fests, sudsy beverages, acrobatic acts and printmaking usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.

A statewide initiative aims to move the dial on child health policy by addressing issues such as infant mortality, violent injury and death, and barriers to health care.

Health officials are reporting a confirmed case of measles in a Cook County resident who visited a restaurant and grocery store in the city and suburbs earlier this month. 

Next time you step outside to mentally recharge, leave your phone at your desk. A new study finds using electronics outdoors counteracts nature’s restorative properties.

A new outbreak this week of an intestinal illness has prompted an expanded investigation of possible sources of contamination.

“This crisis touches the lives of so many – almost everyone knows someone struggling with an opioid addiction,” said Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart. “I hope this podcast opens eyes and minds to how easily an opioid addiction can happen and how hard it can be to stop.”

Grammy-winning musicians, indie acts, Mexican fare and superheroes usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.

From traditional smileys and beyond, emoji are ubiquitous in today’s culture. But just when are they appropriate for use in the workplace?

A 162-year-old Chicago home rumored to have once been a stop on the Underground Railroad is now the site of an excavation. What archaeologists are hoping to unearth.

So far this year, nearly a dozen bats have tested positive for rabies in Cook and Will counties alone.

Burgers, country music and secret gardens usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.

“When parents are incarcerated, children are serving a life sentence as well, and unfortunately, it shows up in their health behaviors,” said Dr. Nia Heard-Garris, a pediatrician and lead author of the study.

The president is expected to announce his pick to replace retiring Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy on Monday night.

A wellness center’s program addresses the unique needs of pregnant women with substance use disorders. This week, the group celebrated a milestone.

Rather than tell you what to eat, FoodSwitch tells you how healthy the products you choose are, in easy-to-digest terms.

Neighborhood fests, dance music and global fare usher in the holiday weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.

A celebration of pride, a massive block party, vintage baseball and scores of strawberries usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.

Meet a Loyola University Chicago oncologist who co-authored a new study on breast cancer and chemotherapy – and a patient already benefiting from its findings.

Celebrations of pride, feats of athleticism, art fairs and global fare usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.

Finger-licking festivals, dance music and a bounty of books usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.

When it comes to road safety, Illinois is one of the top states in the country, according to a report from personal finance website WalletHub. But the state got poor marks in other safety categories.

Many studies on breast cancer have shown racial disparities in diagnosis and survival rates. New research suggests characteristics of a woman’s neighborhood could be contributing to those disparities.

UChicago Medicine began offering level-one adult trauma care on May 1—something it hadn’t offered since 1988. 

Illinois will become the sixth state in the country to raise the minimum age for purchasing tobacco products from 18 to 21, if legislation is signed by Gov. Bruce Rauner.

In response to Roseanne Barr’s racist tweet, the former senior advisor to President Barack Obama said, “We need to turn it into a teaching moment.”

Global fare, gospel choirs, craft beer and outdoor art fairs usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in Chicago.