Stories by Joanna Hernandez

The Chicago Department of Family and Support Services says one of its goals is to empower the next generation of young women.

In Louisiana, two infants have died of pertussis in the past six months, according to the state health department, the first deaths from the disease in the state since 2018.

President Donald Trump declared on Wednesday a 10% baseline tax on imports from all countries and higher tariff rates on dozens of nations that run trade surpluses with the United States, threatening to upend much of the architecture of the global economy and trigger broader trade wars.

Each Wednesday, WTTW News producer Josh Terry presents must-see live music shows from indie rock to jazz, country, hip-hop and more.

Waves of rainstorms are expected to move through Chicago Wednesday, prompting an “overflow action day” alert from the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District.

Mayor Brandon Johnson called Cook County Commissioner Anthony Quezada, 29, a “progressive champion.”

The Chicago Fair Trade Museum is hosting what it's billing as “Chicago's biggest community clothing swap,” Friday through Sunday.

A new study found shingles vaccination cut older adults’ risk of developing dementia over the next seven years by 20%. The research is part of growing understanding about how many factors influence brain health as we age – and what we can do about it.

The double-digit drop is likely due to a combination of factors, including its aging lineup, competition from rivals and a backlash from Musk’s embrace of right wing politics. It also is a warning that the company’s first-quarter earnings report later this month could disappoint investors.

Val Kilmer, the brooding, versatile actor who played fan favorite Iceman in “Top Gun,” donned a voluminous cape as Batman in “Batman Forever” and portrayed Jim Morrison in “The Doors,” has died. He was 65.

In the marquee race for a Wisconsin Supreme Court seat, the conservative judge endorsed by Trump and backed by Musk and his groups to the tune of $21 million lost by a significant margin in a state Trump won in November.

Irvin, who was first elected as mayor in 2017, garnered 47.5% of the vote to Laesch’s 52.5%, according to the unofficial results available late Tuesday night.

U.S. Sen. Cory Booker took to the Senate floor on Monday evening, saying he would remain there as long as he was “physically able.” More than 24 hours later, the 55-year-old senator, a former football tight end, was still going.

The Chicago Teachers Union reaches a tentative contract deal — we explore what’s in it. And Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle on her decision to run for a fifth term.

CTU leaders called the four-year deal a “historic achievement” that represents the fulfillment of promises Mayor Brandon Johnson made to transform CPS into a school district that offers a well-rounded education to every Chicago child and security to its employees.

Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter Ronan Farrow has uncovered stories of sexual harassment and assault, chronicled the decline of America’s soft power and explored how powerful people try to track and manipulate journalists.

“If I didn’t do this job, I’d pick another one and it wouldn’t be as interesting or challenging or as impactful,” said Toni Preckwinkle, who has led Cook County since 2010.

Chicago drivers with eligible ticket debt will be able to pay off their debt in the next three months without incurring any late penalties, interest or additional fees as part of a new program launched Tuesday by the mayor’s office.

“Working to relocate or displace the problem is not how we solve the problem,” Mayor Brandon Johnson said. “Of course, we’re going to continue to make sure that there are accountability mechanisms in place to keep people safe.”

The center, at 24,000 square feet, is nearly five times the size of the office’s former Chicago Central DMV on LaSalle Street, which closed Friday and often experienced long lines and wait times because of its small size, according to a news release.

Six years ago, Illinois became the second state in the nation to offer subsidies to farmers for planting cover crops in the fall, an effort to reverse its status as one of the worst states for agriculture runoff.

A recent study highlighted continued barriers to entry into the trades, including unpaid internships and minority-based disparities, such as low participation from female and non-white apprentices in certain fields.

Attorney General Pam Bondi said Tuesday the Justice Department will seek the death penalty for Luigi Mangione, who is accused of killing an insurance company CEO.

Employees across the massive U.S. Health and Human Services Department began receiving notices of dismissal on Tuesday in an overhaul ultimately expected to lay off up to 10,000 people.

After a 30-day warning period without fines and a 14-day blackout period, citations will begin being issued to the registered owners of vehicles going over the speed limit by six miles per hour or more.

For weeks, Trump has promoted April 2 as “Liberation Day” in America, when a number of hefty tariffs will be unveiled to implement his administration’s radical economic agenda. The United States has already announced a sharp increase in tariffs on all imports of steel, aluminum and cars.