Stories by patty wetli

Millennium Park opening, 2004. (Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events / Terry Evans)

Chicago Announces Big Plans for Millennium Park’s 20th Anniversary, Sets Dates for Major Summer Fests

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.

(WTTW News)

2 Rounds of Snow Heading for Chicago, Accumulation Totals Will Vary Widely

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 derailed train. (Credit: Chicago Fire Department)

Yellow Line Trains Running Again 7 Weeks After Crash Injured Nearly 40 People

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

(Courtesy Illinois Tourism Office)

Look Who’s Here: Bald Eagle Watch is on in Illinois as Winter Population Swells

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

Soldier Field. (WTTW News)

Billy Joel and Stevie Nicks Coming to Soldier Field in June

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

Golden-winged warbler. (Alan Schmierer / Flickr Creative Commons)

Meet the ‘Bird of the Year’: The Golden-Winged Warbler is a Vibrant Great Lakes Native in the Midst of a Conservation Crisis

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.

(RainBarrel.ca / Facebook)

Real Winter is Coming, Make Sure Your Rain Barrel is Ready — and by ‘Ready’ We Mean in Storage

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

(Pixabay)

Who’s Dreaming of a Wet Christmas? Chicago Holiday Forecast Looking Warm and Rainy

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

(Courtesy of Barry Butler, Arena Partners)

Chicago Announces New Year’s Eve Fireworks Along the River

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

Trees awaiting planting as part of the Lawrence Avenue streetscape project in Lincoln Square, December 2023. (Patty Wetli / WTTW News)

Chicago TreeKeepers Raise the Alarm About ‘Cemetery of Saplings’ to City’s Urban Forestry Advisory Board

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.

This bouquet, grown and arranged by Englewood-based Southside Blooms, is now part of the Field Museum’s permanent Economic Botany collection. (Patty Wetli / WTTW News)

Southside Blooms is Now Part of Chicago’s Official History, Entering the Field Museum’s Botanical Collection

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

(WTTW News)

Streets & San Announces Second Annual Snowplow Naming Contest. You’ll Need to Dig Deep for Fresh Puns, Chicago

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

A 3.1 magnitude earthquake was reported in southern Illinois, roughly 100 miles south of Springfield. (U.S. Geological Survey)

3.1 Magnitude Earthquake Rocks Southern Illinois, Second Tremor To Hit State in 2 Months

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

A Geminid meteor streaks across the sky. (Stephen Rahn / Flickr Creative Commons)

The Stars Are Aligning for Chicagoans To Catch the Geminid Meteor Shower Tonight. Yes, Really.

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.

Actors Leonardo DiCaprio and Lily Gladstone in "Killers of the Flower Moon." (Courtesy of Apple TV+ Originals)

Chicago Film Critics Name ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ the Year’s Best Picture. Will Oscar Agree?

In what could be a preview of the 2024 Academy Awards, “Killers of the Flower Moon” and “Oppenheimer” received top honors from the Chicago Film Critics Association.

New rendering of the planned changes to the Thompson Center, December 2023. (Courtesy of Google)

Google Unveils New Rendering of Thompson Center Renovation, Says the Atrium is Staying

Google intends to bring the Thompson Center’s design into the 21st century “while maintaining its iconic form,” the company said.

Invasive carp seining operation in action. (Courtesy of Illinois Department of Natural Resources)

This Fish Story Is a Whopper, But True: Record-Breaking 750,000 Pounds of Invasive Carp Hauled From Illinois River

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is reporting an intensive 10-day “harvest” operated that netted 750,000 pounds of invasive silver carp, pulled from the Illinois River near Starved Rock.

(unkowgayle / Pixabay)

Could Ice Scrapers Become Obsolete? UIC Researchers Study What Makes Ice Stick

A team of researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago set out to explore what makes ice tick. Specifically, how does ice stick to surfaces?

(WTTW News)

Friends of the Parks Says ‘No Way’ To Chicago Bears Building New Stadium on Lakefront

As reports surfaced Thursday that the Bears were exploring Soldier Field’s south parking lot as a potential site for a new stadium, opposition immediately mobilized.

Pup EL2306 is Shedd Aquarium’s newest charmer. The sea otter was rescued in Alaska at the end of October and arrived at Shedd in late November. (Brenna Hernandez / Shedd Aquarium)

End Your Week on a Cute Note With a Look at Shedd Aquarium’s New Rescued Sea Otter Pup

Shedd is one of only 11 institutions in North America with the resources to give a rescued sea otter pup a home.

Arnold Randall appears on "Chicago Tonight" on Nov. 10, 2022. (WTTW News)

Arnold Randall, Transformational Leader of Cook County Forest Preserves, Stepping Down in January

Arnold Randall has announced he will step down at the end of the year as general superintendent of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, a position he's held since 2010.

Juanita Irizarry appears on “Chicago Tonight” on June 29, 2023. (WTTW News)

Juanita Irizarry, Who Took on George Lucas and Won, Is Stepping Down From Friends of the Parks

After eight years as executive director of Friends of the Parks, Juanita Irizarry is stepping down at the end of the year, telling WTTW News, “I’m looking forward to radical rest.”

Voodoo is known for its exuberant doughnuts, including the namesake Voodoo Doughnut (top). (Courtesy of Voodoo Doughnut)

Voodoo Doughnut Sets Dec. 16 Opening Date in Fulton Market, Get Ready for a Taste of West Coast Weirdness

Voodoo Doughnut has announced a Dec. 16, 8 a.m., opening date for its Fulton Market shop at 945 W. Randolph St.

(Patty Wetli / WTTW News)

Big Win for Grasslands as Openlands, Wetlands Initiative Celebrate $1.5M Federal Grant to Restore 1,000 Acres at Midewin

The grant was awarded through the America the Beautiful Challenge. The program, now in its second year, is funded in part by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

(Chicagoland Toys for Tots Motorcycle Parade / Facebook)

Annual Toys for Tots Motorcycle Parade Will Roar Through Chicago on Sunday

Imagine if Santa wore leather and had reindeer named Harley and Davidson — that’s the annual Chicagoland Toys for Tots Motorcycle Parade.

Graceland Cemetery’s new entry plaza is designed to lure people into the 120-acre green space. (Patty Wetli / WTTW News)

Graceland Cemetery Debuts Visitor-Friendly Entryway Designed to Breathe New Life Into This Historic Treasure

Graceland Cemetery has debuted a new entryway designed to draw people in rather than keep people out, embracing its status as one of Chicago’s great green spaces.