During the fall and spring equinoxes, the sun rises due east and sets due west, creating an effect dubbed “Chicagohenge.”
Stories by patty wetli
Did You Forget To Make Plans for National Public Lands Day This Weekend? We’ve Got You Covered
Created back in 1994, the day is meant to celebrate the connection between people and the green space in their community.
The Pelicans Have Landed. Here’s Where to See Them Near Chicago
The Forest Preserve District of Will County is celebrating the birds’ fall arrival during Saturday’s Pelican Watch event at Four Rivers Environmental Education Center in Channahon.
Chicago’s Looking for Its Next Official Millennium Park Christmas Tree. Think You’ve Got What It Takes?
The selected tree will serve as the centerpiece of Chicago’s official holiday celebrations in Millennium Park. Here’s how to submit yours for consideration.
Openlands Announces Michael Davidson as CEO, First New Leader at the Conservation Organization in 35 Years
The last time the conservation organization experienced a changing of the leadership guard, the year was 1988, Ronald Reagan was president, Mike Tyson was heavyweight champ, and floppy disks were still a thing.
After Recent Rains Flooded Ant Colonies, They Formed Their Own Life Rafts
If their nests become waterlogged, ants will evacuate and form a waterproof ball that floats on the surface until the waters recede.
Brookfield Zoo Has More Big News to Celebrate: A Record-Setting $40M Donation
Brookfield Zoo has received a historic $40 million gift from a donor who wishes to remain anonymous, the largest single private contribution in the zoo's 89-year history, officials announced Tuesday.
Nearly a Foot of Rain Devastates Calumet City With Second Flash Flood This Year: ‘All My Stuff Is Gone’
Residents of Calumet City are recovering from a second round of flooding in less than three months after more than half a foot of rain fell on the area Sunday.
Invasive Plants Threaten Illinois Beach’s Native Ecosystems. Volunteers Needed to Join the Defensive Line
A kick-off event Sept. 16 is aimed at recruiting more volunteer stewards, whose work helps safeguard the nature preserve’s endangered and threatened species.
These Baby Shark Rays Are Among the Most Threatened Marine Life on the Planet. Shedd Aquarium is Providing Safe Harbor
Bowmouth Guitarfish, also called Shark Rays, are hunted for their fins and thorns. Three rescued pups have arrived at Shedd Aquarium.
Brookfield Zoo’s Baby Giraffe Makes Her Public Debut, and She Has a Name
The zoo’s three-week-old baby giraffe is making her debut Friday and can now be seen daily, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
‘There There,’ an Exploration of the Urban Native American Experience, Announced as 2023 One Book, One Chicago
Author Tommy Orange will take part in a discussion of his debut novel on Nov. 15 at Harold Washington Library Center.
2 Dead, 1 Critical, 1 Missing As Chicago's Summer Swim Season Ends on Tragic Note
A pair of water rescues on Chicago's lakefront over the holiday weekend resulted on one person dead and another in critical condition, according to the Chicago Police Department. Indiana officials report a teen drowned in East Chicago.
It’s Beetle Mania! Field Museum Scientist Says It’s Time to Give These Unsung Pollinator Heroes Their Due
Beetles, and weevils in particular, are thought of as destructive pests. Bruno de Medeiros, assistant curator of insects at the Field Museum, is upending those preconceptions.
Tonight’s Blue Super Moon Will Be Year’s Biggest and Brightest, But Its Impact on Tides Is Cause for Concern
The super blue moon also means unusually high tides, which could worsen the impact of Hurricane Idalia.
Is Seafood Radioactive After Japan’s Nuclear Wastewater Release? Rahm Emanuel Says He’ll Eat Fukushima Fish in Show of Support: Report
Now U.S. ambassador to Japan, Rahm Emanuel plans to travel to Fukishima prefecture and eat some local catch of the day to quell concerns about the release of treated radioactive wastewater into the Pacific Ocean.
Chicago Officially Hit 100 Degrees for First Time in More Than a Decade, And It Felt Even Hotter
On Thursday, Chicago notched its first official 100-degree day since 2012 and tied a daily high set nearly 80 years ago, according to the National Weather Service.
Dangerous Heat That Could Feel Like 115 Degrees Hits Chicago, Here’s How To Keep Your Cool
Cooling centers and splash pads are open to help people cope with oppressive heat that will feel like 115 degrees.
Illinois’ Nature Preserve System Is Turning 60. Celebrate By Visiting the State’s Rarest Landscapes
This weekend, you’re invited to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the creation of Illinois’ state nature preserves by touring some of state’s rarest and most endangered landscapes.
It’s a (Very Tall) Girl! Brookfield Zoo Welcomes Baby Giraffe
The 6-foot, 130-pound calf was born Aug. 19, Brookfield Zoo announced Monday.
It Could Feel Like 115 Degrees This Week as Weather Service Issues Excessive Heat Watch for Chicago
The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat watch for Wednesday and Thursday, when the combination of high temperatures and oppressive humidity are expected to create dangerous conditions.
WTTW News Explains: What Happened With Chicago’s Parking Meter Deal?
Maybe you’ve heard of the infamous Chicago parking meter deal. Here’s why it’s so unpopular and why it became a case study in worst practices.
Chicago’s Air Quality Reaches ‘Very Unhealthy’ Levels as Smoke From Canada Wildfires Moves In
Air quality hit unhealthy levels, with the Department of Public Health encouraging people to limit their time outdoors and avoid strenuous activities.
‘Rocky’ the Coyote Moving Into Roomier Forest Preserve Digs Next Week, Activists Say Upgrades Aren’t Good Enough
The coyote’s new home is 10 times larger than his old one, but animal rights activists still want Rocky transferred to an animal sanctuary.
Chicago Business and Civic Leader Jim Crown Killed in Car Racing Accident
"Jim gave back to the city through philanthropy and leadership on a number of civic and academic boards as he was deeply committed to investing in Chicago and its people," Mayor Brandon Johnson said.
This Week in Nature: Swarm of Bees in Daley Plaza Has Got Nothing on Nevada’s Crickets
Thousands of bees settled in Daley Plaza this week, but the prize for craziest infestation goes to tiny Elko, Nev., which has been overrun by millions of crickets.
