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

A graduate student in Chicago is taking on an extraordinary challenge: running every street in all 77 neighborhoods of the city. Joabe Barbosa, who studies at Roosevelt University, treats the sprawling urban landscape as his personal treadmill, running at all hours and in all kinds of weather. “I run 1 a.m., 3 a.m., 7 a.m., 5 p.m. — any time of the day, any weather,” Barbosa said. “I’m always safe and I always meet lovely people.” Barbosa’s journey began in August 2024 a

The state of Texas has given the city of Dallas until the end of January to remove several decorative pavement markings, including rainbow-painted crosswalks in the Oak Lawn neighborhood and a large “Black Lives Matter” street mural on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. State officials have warned that failure to comply could put millions of dollars in transportation and infrastructure funding at risk. The dispute traces back to an order issued on Oct. 8, 2025, when Texas Gov. Gr

Hundreds of homeowners in the Berkeley Hills are being directed to remove vegetation surrounding their homes as part of a newly enforced wildfire prevention measure that took effect at the beginning of the year. The regulation, which became active on January 1, requires properties to maintain a clear buffer zone to reduce the risk of fire spreading in residential areas prone to wildfires. Under the new fire safety rules, all combustible vegetation and growth must be cleared within f

As egret season approaches, city officials in Fort Worth are urging residents to prepare ahead of the annual migration to reduce the impact these birds can have on neighborhoods. Each year, large numbers of egrets arrive to nest, often settling in residential areas where their presence can create challenges for homeowners. To address concerns before the birds arrive, local animal care authorities have launched an outreach effort focused on education, prevention, and community cooperation.

Thousands of nurses across several major hospital systems in New York City went on strike Monday after labor negotiations failed to produce a new contract before the deadline. The walkout, which began early January 12, involves nurses from Mount Sinai Hospital and two affiliated campuses, as well as staff at New York-Presbyterian and Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx. Union officials say the action represents one of the largest nursing strikes in the city’s history, both in scale and i

ADELPHI, Md. — Thelma Beall, co-founder of the Maryland-based restaurant institution Ledo Pizza and a defining figure in the region’s culinary history, died on New Year’s Eve at the age of 101. Her passing marks the end of an era for a brand that began as a small neighborhood restaurant and grew into one of the most recognizable names in Maryland-style pizza. Beall was born in 1924 in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, and spent her early years rooted in Prince George’s County. After

Mass transit agencies across the tri-state area have announced special service schedules for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, with adjustments aimed at accommodating holiday celebrations while maintaining essential transportation access. Riders are advised to plan ahead and review schedules carefully, as service levels will vary by mode and day. In New York City, subway service will largely operate on a regular schedule on New Year’s Eve, with additional overnight service on

Eurostar suspended all of its train services on Tuesday after a power supply failure in the Channel Tunnel forced operations to a halt during one of the busiest travel periods of the year. The disruption came as thousands of passengers were travelling between Christmas and New Year, with services to and from London particularly affected. The sudden suspension triggered widespread delays and uncertainty for travellers relying on high-speed rail connections between the United Kingdom and mainla

The Ohio Department of Agriculture has released the official schedule for the 2026 fair season, giving communities across the state an early look at one of Ohio’s most anticipated summer and fall traditions. The announcement confirms dates for fairs in all 88 counties, along with independent fairs, bringing the total number of events scheduled statewide to nearly 100. The calendar allows families, exhibitors, and fair organizers to begin planning months in advance for a season rooted in agr

In Woodbridge Township, a significant crack that first appeared weeks ago along Smith Street remains unrepaired, leaving local residents in the Keasby section frustrated and anxious. The roadway serves as a crucial link between Woodbridge and Perth Amboy and provides access to major arteries such as the Garden State Parkway. County and township officials have confirmed the damage was triggered by a nearby construction project, but as of now no firm start date for permanent repairs has been an

After more than 15 years of evading justice, a man has pleaded guilty in connection with a deadly crash that took place in 2009. The case, which had remained unresolved for over a decade, finally moved forward after the fugitive was arrested at an international airport late last year. His admission of guilt marks the end of a lengthy search and offers long-awaited accountability in a tragic incident that claimed a life. According to prosecutors, the fatal crash occurred when Chaud

For many homeowners planning a new kitchen, one recurring question arises: should I install a chimney, an exhaust fan, or both? While modern kitchens lean towards sleek chimney installations, traditional exhaust fans still hold their place. The answer, however, isn’t one-size-fits-all—it depends on your home type, cooking habits, and kitchen design. In vegetarian kitchens, which typically produce less grease and meat-based smoke, some might assume basic ventilation is enough. But

Pleasanton residents looking to enjoy the summer season outdoors now have a unique opportunity to grow their own produce or flowers through the Pleasanton Community Garden. Located within Val Vista Community Park, the garden offers a welcoming space for individuals and families to cultivate their own plots even if they don’t have access to a backyard at home. The community garden features a total of 41 rentable

Commuters in Prince William County faced significant delays Thursday morning following a traffic crash that resulted in multiple lane closures on a major thoroughfare. Authorities confirmed that only one lane remained open on the Prince William County Parkway as police responded to the incident. The Prince William County Police Department issued a public advisory just after 7:15 a.m., alerting drivers through social media that a crash had severely impacted the flow of traffic.

In a forceful rebuke of President Donald Trump’s proposed tax and immigration legislation, Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin has issued a stark warning about its potential impact on blue states like New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. Speaking during his first interview in the tri-state region since becoming DNC chair, Martin described the bill as devastating and accused Republican lawmakers of targeting essential health care and economic protections under the guise of fisc

As the weather warms and the average last spring frost passes, Columbus residents are gearing up for the busiest weekend of the year for planting. With Mother's Day weekend upon us, local gardeners are flocking to nurseries, anticipating large crowds eager to add vibrant annuals to their gardens. These nurseries are prepared to help locals transform their outdoor spaces with expert advice and a wide selection of plants. Shawn Schilling, the general manager at a local nursery i

The economic disparity among US states has been sharply illustrated by new data showing that more than half of the nation’s billionaires reside in just four states, while three states do not have a single billionaire. Out of a total of 902 billionaires across the country, 528 live in California, New York, Florida, and Texas. This geographic clustering of immense wealth reveals growing inequality in wealth distribution across the United States. California tops the list with 1