Stories by Emily Soto
Lunar Eclipse, Moon Occultation and a Parade of Planets: What’s Coming to Chicago Skies in 2025
| Emily Soto
In Chicago, the skyline can light up the night — but look a little higher and the stars will put on a show, too.
New Law Requires Many Illinois Companies to List Salary Range in Job Postings
| Amanda Vinicky
In addition to requiring the salary range being made public, the law also requires companies to internally post opportunities for advancement.
FBI Releases New Video of a Suspect Planting a Pipe Bomb Near DNC Offices on Eve of the 2021 Capitol Riot
| Associated Press
Hoping to generate new tips from the public, the FBI is releasing more information about its pipe bomb investigation, including an estimate that the unidentified suspect is about 5 feet 7 inches tall. The bureau also is posting previously unreleased video of the suspect placing one of the bombs.
Participating in Dry January? Here Are Some NA Options Offered in Chicago’s Bar Scene
| Nicole Cardos
WTTW News visited a few of the city’s bars and restaurants to see which NA, or non-alcoholic, options are being offered. Here’s some of what we found.
From Theater to New History Exhibitions, Here’s 5 Things to See This Weekend
| Marc Vitali
If you’ve made it to 2025, make a resolution to take a leap and dive deep into the cultural pool of Chicago. Here are a few ideas to start the year with a splash.
Chicago Police Increasing Patrols Near Trump Tower After Explosion Outside Las Vegas Hotel
| Matt Masterson
The Chicago Police Department has said that although it has received “no actionable intelligence” regarding any possible incidents near the downtown skyscraper, it will conduct additional patrols in the immediate area.
COVID First Appeared 5 Years Ago. Here’s 5 Things We Know and Still Don’t Know About the Virus
| Associated Press
The virus is still with us, though humanity has built up immunity through vaccinations and infections. It’s less deadly than it was in the pandemic’s early days and it no longer tops the list of leading causes of death. But the virus is evolving, meaning scientists must track it closely.
FBI Now Says Driver Responsible for Deadly New Orleans Rampage Acted Alone
| Associated Press
The attack killed 14 people, including an 18-year-old woman who had ambitions of becoming a nurse. Authorities initially put the death toll at 15, which included Jabbar, who was fatally shot in a firefight with police.
Highly Decorated US Soldier Shot Self Before Cybertruck Exploded Outside Donald Trump’s Las Vegas Hotel: Officials
| Associated Press
Two law enforcement officials identified the man inside the futuristic-looking pickup truck as Matthew Livelsberger. The officials spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss an ongoing investigation.
More From WTTW’s Rediscovered Interview With Steve Albini: The Music Maker on Cheap Trick, Punk Rock and ‘Art That Offends’ — Part 2
| Marc Vitali
WTTW News interviewed Steve Albini on Aug. 30, 2001, for the “Artbeat Chicago” series. He was 39 years old and already a legend. As a recording engineer, he had recorded Nirvana, Robert Plant and Jimmy Page, the Breeders, the Pixies and PJ Harvey. As a musician, he made his mark with the bands Big Black and Shellac.
Dec. 30, 2024 - Full Show
| WTTW News
Which new state laws you should know about in the new year. Remembering President Jimmy Carter. And how avian flu is affecting local wildlife.
Jimmy Carter Talks About His Relationship With Richard J. Daley in 2006 ‘Chicago Tonight’ Appearance
| WTTW News
Former President Jimmy Carter appeared on “Chicago Tonight” a number of times. In this 2006 conversation with John Callaway, Carter talks about his relationship with Mayor Richard J. Daley, and how Daley helped him get the 1976 Democratic nomination for president.
Illinois Officials Have Issued a Warning About Bird Flu. Here’s What to Know
| Shelby Hawkins
While the flu poses minimal immediate risk to humans, experts warn that the virus’ rapid spread among birds and mammals could increase the likelihood of mutations, potentially creating a strain more transmissible to humans.
Millennium Park Stray Cat Gets Adopted by Indiana Resident Who Met Him While Ice Skating
| Eunice Alpasan
Buddy the cat had previously avoided capture from concerned residents for months. He was eventually captured and taken in by PAWS Chicago on Dec. 23.
CTA, Pace and Metra Offer Free Rides on New Year’s Eve
| Eunice Alpasan
Local public transit agencies are encouraging residents to celebrate the holiday responsibly by taking advantage of free late-night transit services. Here’s how to hitch a ride.
Illinois Could Adopt ‘Kin-First’ Approach to Foster Care
| Medill Illinois News Bureau
Child welfare experts have long touted the benefits of foster children staying with kin. Advocates say those arrangements offer children more stability, decrease the trauma they experience, improve their mental health and reduce the number of times the child is moved from home to home.
Donald Trump Endorses Mike Johnson to Stay On as House Speaker Despite Government Funding Turmoil
| Associated Press
The signal of support from Trump comes despite his frustration with a spending deal Johnson pushed through the House days before Christmas that failed to achieve his central goal of raising the debt limit.
Appeals Court Upholds a $5 Million Award in a Sexual Abuse Verdict Against President-Elect Donald Trump
| Associated Press
The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued a written opinion upholding the $5 million award that the Manhattan jury granted to E. Jean Carroll for defamation and sexual abuse.
Funeral Details Released for Jimmy Carter, Including National Day of Mourning
| CNN
The official state funeral in Washington, D.C. for former President Jimmy Carter will be held on Jan. 9, the White House confirmed Monday.
In Resurfaced 2001 Interview, Music Maker Steve Albini Talks Motivation and What Sets Chicago Apart — Part 1
| Marc Vitali
On Aug. 30, 2001, Steve Albini was 39 years old and already a legend. As a recording engineer, he had recorded Nirvana, Robert Plant and Jimmy Page, the Breeders, the Pixies and PJ Harvey. As a musician, he made his mark with the bands Big Black and Shellac.
Chicago’s 2025 Budget Takes Effect, Forcing Chicagoans to Dig Deeper to Cover Everything From Parking to Netflix
| Heather Cherone
The city’s spending plan relies on tax and fees hikes of $165.5 million, including a 2% increase in the tax levied on software licenses, cloud services and other digital goods as well as a 1.25% increase on subscriptions to streaming and cable television services.
Jimmy Carter, the Peanut Farmer Who Became the 39th US President, Has Died at 100
| Associated Press
The longest-lived American president died on Sunday, more than a year after entering hospice care, at his home in the small town of Plains, Georgia, where he and his wife, Rosalynn, who died at 96 in November 2023, spent most of their lives, The Carter Center said.
‘Home Alone’ Director Chris Columbus Explains How the McCallisters Were Able to Afford That House
| CNN
Audiences have wondered for years how the family in “Home Alone” was able to afford their beautiful Chicago-area home and now we know.
Abortions Are up in the US. It's a Complicated Picture as Women Turn to Pills, Travel
| Associated Press
Abortion has become slightly more common despite bans or deep restrictions in most Republican-controlled states, and the legal and political fights over its future are not over yet.
Inmates Are Learning to Code in Prison. Jobs May be Hard to Come by
| CNN
Study after study shows incarcerated education helps do what citizens and policymakers alike say they want: keep people from committing more crimes. However, getting education for many people behind bars remains a challenge.
Sportscaster Greg Gumbel Dies From Cancer at Age 78
| Associated Press
Greg Gumbel, the older brother of sportscaster Bryant Gumbel, grew up in Chicago. He won local Emmy Awards during his long career and was the recipient of the 2007 Pat Summerall Award for excellence in sports broadcasting.
Thanks to our sponsors:
Trending
Meet the Scientist Who’s Spent Decades Making Sure Birds Killed in Chicago Building Collisions Don’t Die in Vain
Family of Chicago Police Officer Krystal Rivera Suing Department, Partner Who Fatally Shot Her
Pritzker Signs ‘Medical Aid in Dying’ Bill
Trump’s Face Will Replace Images of National Parks on Some Annual Passes, Environmental Group Sues to Stop Change
Man Charged in Blue Line Arson Attack Also Accused of Attempted Sexual Assault on CTA in March
Sign up for the WTTW News newsletter