Dozens of schools, libraries, museums, and local businesses across the Chicago area closed Friday as extreme cold grips northeastern Illinois. The region is under an Extreme Cold Warning, with wind chills expected to drop as low as -35 degrees, creating dangerous conditions for travel and outdoor activity. Public safety officials have urged residents to remain indoors and avoid exposure to the frigid temperatures whenever possible. More than 100 schools, including the city’s largest

Global K-pop sensation BTS has officially announced its highly anticipated return to live performances with a massive world tour scheduled across 2026 and 2027. This will be the group’s first major tour in several years, drawing excitement from fans worldwide and marking the largest tour of their career. The tour will include more than 70 stops across multiple continents, with Chicago confirmed as one of the major North American dates, highlighting the group’s enduring global appeal.

Brookfield Zoo is offering Chicago-area residents and visitors an excellent opportunity to explore one of the region’s most popular attractions without paying an admission fee, as the zoo has announced free entry on most days throughout January and February. The expanded winter free admission schedule gives families, students, and animal enthusiasts a chance to enjoy a meaningful outdoor experience during the colder months while keeping expenses low. With a wide variety of exhibits and thousan

The 91st annual Chicago Thanksgiving Parade will take place on Thursday, marking the start of a major holiday weekend as visitors and residents prepare for several days of celebrations across the city and surrounding suburbs. The long-running event, known for drawing tens of thousands of spectators, will once again fill the downtown corridor with floats, dancers, marching bands, specialty performers and an array of local and national talent. Organizers expect a strong turnout as families make

Chicago is set to officially open its holiday season this weekend as several of the city’s most recognizable Christmas traditions return across multiple neighborhoods. The start of these annual events is expected to draw large crowds, increased traffic and a series of planned road closures, according to city officials. The Office of Emergency Management and Communications advised residents, visitors and motorists to prepare for heavier travel conditions throughout the weekend as celebration

Chicago’s annual wave of holiday spirit is arriving just a little later this year. Popular radio station 93.9 LITE FM has announced that it will officially begin broadcasting nonstop Christmas music on Tuesday, November 4, marking the start of its 25th year as Chicago’s go-to station for festive tunes. The station confirmed that the seasonal switch will take place at 3 p.m., when it transitions to “around-the-clock holiday music.” Listeners across the Chicago area can tune i

CVS Health has announced plans to close 16 Oak Street Health primary care clinics across the United States by the end of February 2026, citing the move as part of a broader effort to strengthen its financial position and long-term sustainability. The closures follow a comprehensive review of the company’s clinic operations and come amid a changing healthcare landscape that has placed significant pressure on medical providers. The decision arrives two years after CVS Health acquire

Flight operations at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport were disrupted on Saturday after an equipment malfunction caused significant slowdowns and delays throughout the day. The issue led to the implementation of a ground delay program, resulting in average delays of nearly 40 minutes as air traffic controllers worked to safely manage aircraft movements. According to official information from the Federal Aviation Administration, the issue began in the late morning when a techn

The streets of Chicago’s Little Village turned tense on Thursday morning as heavily armed federal agents clashed with residents during an enforcement operation near the Discount Mall at 26th and Troy. The scene unfolded amid growing public concern over the expanding presence of federal officers in local neighborhoods. Witnesses reported the use of chemical irritants, including tear gas and pepper bullets, while helicopters hovered overhead and residents recorded the confrontation on their p

After closing its downtown location last year, a Chicago cultural landmark is set to make a celebrated comeback. The Chicago Museum of Broadcast Communications, one of the nation’s few institutions dedicated to preserving the history of television and radio, is reopening with a new pop-up space in the city’s West Loop. The museum, which had been closed since 2023 following more than four decades of operation, will welcome visitors once again starting this week. The new pop-up lo

A new wave of indoor entertainment is coming to the Chicago suburbs as Slick City, billed as the world’s first indoor slide park, is set to open its second Illinois location in Orland Park next week. The park, located at 66 Orland Square Drive, will host its grand opening event on Thursday, October 16, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The celebration will feature a live DJ, face painting, giveaways, and special promotions for attendees. According to the company, the event marks another miles

The Deccan Derby 2025, presented by the Race2Win Foundation, was an unforgettable evening that masterfully combined the thrill of horse racing with the glamour of high fashion and the power of philanthropy. Hosted at the iconic Hyderabad Race Club, the event was a celebration of not just the prestigious Derby, but also the timeless elegance of fashion, culture, and the foundation’s unwavering commitment to social impact.

National Guard troops from Texas were seen on Tuesday at a U.S. Army training facility in Illinois, marking the most visible step yet in the Trump administration’s controversial plan to deploy military personnel to the Chicago area. The move has ignited a wave of political opposition and legal challenges from state and city officials who argue that the action is unconstitutional and politically motivated. Military personnel wearing uniforms with the Texas National Guard insignia w

President Donald Trump has directed the deployment of 400 members of the Texas National Guard to Illinois, Oregon, and other states, according to an announcement from Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker on Sunday night. The decision has drawn strong criticism from Pritzker and other state officials, who accuse the administration of overstepping its authority and disregarding state sovereignty. The governor revealed that the federal government did not coordinate with Illinois before the decision w

Amid the continuing federal government shutdown, $2.1 billion in funding designated for Chicago’s infrastructure projects has been withheld. The announcement has cast doubt on the future of several major transit improvements that were expected to reshape the city’s transportation network and provide long-term benefits to residents. This freeze on financial support will have direct consequences for projects such as the planned extension of the Red Line, which was designed to reach fur

Wrigley Field is preparing for a historic night next summer as Chicago native John Mulaney will become the first comedian to ever headline a show at the iconic ballpark. The comedian announced his upcoming performance during a Chicago Cubs game, revealing that the event is set for July 11, 2026. While the official start time has not yet been shared, excitement is already building for what promises to be a landmark moment in both the venue’s and Mulaney’s career. Known

The Department of Homeland Security has announced a new initiative called Operation Midway Blitz, aimed at stepping up immigration enforcement in the Chicago area with a specific focus on individuals it described as criminal illegal aliens. The announcement came only days after reports indicated that several federal agencies were preparing to surge manpower into the city. The operation was highlighted in a DHS social media post that cited the tragic case of Katie Abraham, a 20-year-old woman

One of Chicago’s most beloved summer traditions is back this weekend as the Taste of Chicago kicks off its 45th year. The popular food festival begins at 11 a.m. on Friday in Grant Park and runs through Sunday, welcoming thousands of visitors eager to sample a wide variety of dishes, desserts and drinks from dozens of vendors across the city. The event will be open daily until 9 p.m., giving attendees three full days to enjoy Chicago’s vibrant culinary scene and a packed lineup of

The iconic Goodguys West Coast Nationals is back at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton, CA, for its 38th year, bringing with it an incredible collection of 3,500 hot rods, muscle cars, trick trucks, and custom vehicles. The event, set to take place this weekend, is a must-visit for car enthusiasts, offering a spectacular showcase of some of the coolest cars on the planet. In addition to the massive car disp

The Indian government has made its position clear regarding sports engagements with Pakistan, especially in the context of upcoming international events. In a new policy unveiled by the Sports Ministry, the government declared that India will not participate in any bilateral sporting events with Pakistan, even if hosted at neutral venues. The policy, which has been implemented immediately, aims to limit interactions with Pakistan in sports following the strai