Stories by Patty Wetli

The zoo’s seven bottlenose dolphins will spend the next six weeks getting used to their new and improved digs.

Freshwater mussels can be a river system’s best friend, but they’re missing from long stretches of the Chicago River. Here’s a look at one effort to reintroduce them.

From catching walleye to bringing restoration work out of the dark ages to passage of a groundbreaking tax hike, Arnold Randall reflects on his 13 years as general superintendent of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County.

Snowprah Windfrey and Micicle Jordan are among the pun-heavy contenders just announced as finalists in Chicago’s second annual Name a Snowplow contest.

Experts said the pest’s eggs, which will hatch in spring, are able to withstand the recent arctic blast.

Sundogs form when waves of sunlight pass through ice crystals suspended in clouds. They resemble rainbows or halos, or can even resemble a second sun.

The Chicago region remains under a wind chill warning Tuesday morning as bitterly cold temperatures persist.

The first of two rounds of snow made for a snowy morning commute Friday, with a second round set to hit overnight into Saturday. 

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for Chicago and the surrounding region, in effect from 3 a.m. Friday through noon on Saturday.

The National Weather Service is still refining its forecast in terms of snow totals, but is certain that a storm system and arctic blast will hit Chicago this weekend.

Trees from Brookfield Zoo’s Holiday Magic display were repurposed as enrichment activities for several animals. 

The second of two rounds of storms is still expected to dump significant amounts of snow in the northwest portions of the greater metro area Tuesday afternoon and early evening, according to the weather service.

In addition to a special four-day celebration of Millennium Park, city officials announced dates for major summer events including an earlier-than-usual Air and Water Show.

Parts of the Chicago region could get socked with upwards of 8 inches of snow while areas closest to the lake could see just an inch or two, forecasters said.

The trains are running at reduced speeds of 35 miles per hour “out of an abundance of caution,” officials said.

Illinois boasts the largest population of wintering bald eagles outside of Alaska. They’re attracted to our not-quite-frozen waterways.

Billy Joel and Stevie Nicks will headline a double-bill at Soldier Field on June 21, officials said Thursday morning.

Celebrate the golden-winged warbler while it’s still around. It’s suffered one of the steepest population declines of any songbird in the last half century.

Before the deep chill hits, make sure to disconnect the barrel, unhook the hoses and spigot, and drain the barrel completely.

In fact, Dec. 25 isn’t going to feel particularly wintry at all.

Fireworks will launch from six bridges, with a countdown to midnight projected on the Merchandise Mart. 

Chicago has touted the tens of thousands of trees it’s planted in recent years. But the city’s volunteer TreeKeepers say too many saplings die for lack of a maintenance plan.

“Our work is part of the sweep of human history. It’s very humbling,” said Quilen Blackwell, co-founder of Southside Blooms.

The submission deadline is Jan. 12. Six new names will be chosen for Chicago’s fleet of plows.

This latest seismic activity was centered near the small town of Waltonville (population 432), roughly 110 miles south of Springfield.

Clear skies, a new moon and relatively warm temperatures will make for a great opportunity to catch the peak of the Geminid meteor shower Thursday — even in Chicago.