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

Multiple people were killed after a small private jet crashed shortly after takeoff near Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina, according to local law enforcement officials. The incident occurred late Thursday morning and prompted an immediate response from emergency crews and federal aviation authorities. Iredell County Chief Deputy Bill Hamby said the crash took place shortly after 10:15 a.m. local time. While authorities confirmed fatalities, officials said the exact num

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

The race for Texas State Senate District 9 in Tarrant County is headed to a runoff after none of the three candidates managed to secure a majority in Tuesday’s election. With 100% of precincts reporting, Democrat Taylor Rehmet and Republican Leigh Wambsganss emerged as the top two contenders, setting the stage for what is expected to be a highly competitive second round. Taylor Rehmet, a military veteran and union leader, finished with 48% of the total vote. Wambsganss, a conserva

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

In a strong and nationally broadcasted address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today outlined a dramatic shift in India's defense and anti-terror strategy, declaring that Operation Sindoor is not just a military operation, but a new doctrine that defines how India will respond to state-sponsored terrorism going forward. The speech comes amid a tense ceasefire with Pakistan, following India's targeted strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK

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

  Where you live in the United States can still strongly determine how long you live, according to a comprehensive study by researchers at Yale. Despite remarkable medical and technological advances over the last century, several U.S. states, particularly in the South, have seen almost no progress in life expectancy—especially among women. This revelation comes from an extensive analysis of death data from 179 million people born between 1900 and 2000, shedding light on how geo

The Golden State Warriors are officially back in the NBA Playoffs, securing the No. 7 seed after a strong play-in victory and setting up a first-round showdown with a familiar postseason rival — the Houston Rockets, who hold the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference. This matchup rekindles one of the more competitive playoff rivalries in recent years, with Golden State previously besting Houston in all four playoff series between 2015 and 2019. Now, in 2025, the two sides are meeting for