DOWNTOWN CHICAGO

Apr 07 2026ENTERTAINMENT

A New Magic Spot Is Turning Chicago’s Old Mansion into a Party Hub

Chicago’s famous McCormick Mansion, once home to Lawry’s Prime Rib and a quirky Scandinavian buffet, is getting a fresh makeover. A 66‑year‑old entrepreneur who made his money in health tech is pouring about $50 million into a 36, 000‑sq‑ft entertainment center called The Hand & The Eye. He wants th

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Apr 06 2026RELIGION

Easter Mass in Chicago Draws Crowds While Global Tensions Rise

Chicago’s Holy Name Cathedral filled to overflowing on Easter Sunday as crowds gathered for a special service. The mood inside contrasted sharply with the day’s earlier events. Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born pope, had just delivered a global message urging people to reject violence and embrac

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Apr 03 2026BUSINESS

Cincinnati’s Riverfront: A Success Story at Risk

Downtown Cincinnati once struggled to attract people after work hours, with empty streets and old buildings. But over the past 25 years, the city transformed its riverfront into a lively area with parks, homes, shops, and entertainment. Families now picnic by the river, kids splash in fountains, and

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Mar 31 2026HEALTH

HIV Cases Rise in Chicago, Funding Cuts Threaten Latino Health Programs

Chicago is seeing a sharp increase in new HIV infections, especially among Latino residents. In the two years from 2022 to 2024, cases grew by almost a third, reaching 818 new diagnoses in 2024. Half of these were Latino, marking the first time this group has accounted for more than half of all new

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Mar 23 2026WEATHER

Cold Wind Hits Chicago After Sunny Weekend

Chicago residents enjoyed warm 70‑degree days on Friday and Saturday, but a sudden shift will bring cooler temperatures by Sunday. City readings are expected to drop into the low 40s, while farther south suburbs may stay around 50 degrees. Strong winds from the north will make it feel even colder,

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Mar 20 2026WEATHER

Chicago welcomes warmer days with a spring surprise

Chicago is trading its winter coat for sunshine this week as temperatures climb into the 60s and 70s. The city’s last full day of winter started crisp, with lakefront areas stuck in the 40s while inland spots like Kankakee flirted with 60. But the real change arrives Friday, when spring officially b

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Mar 05 2026WEATHER

Fog Hits Chicago, Cancels Over 100 Flights

Chicago woke to a blanket of thick mist that made driving feel like navigating through smoke. The city’s traffic cameras revealed streets shrouded in almost zero visibility, making the morning commute a risky affair. Meteorologists warned that the fog would linger until noon and could last all

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Feb 15 2026POLITICS

Valentine Vibes, Sports Wins, and City Politics in One Week

Chicago celebrates love with a bright sports highlight. An American skier got engaged after winning gold at the Milan Cortina Games, while ice dancers Madison Chock and Evan Bates earned silver. The U. S. team also saw Lindsey Vonn crash and miss the Games, but Jordan Stolz won gold in speedskati

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Feb 14 2026BUSINESS

Downtown Duluth: A Tale of Struggle and Change

Downtown Duluth is going through big changes. The mayor has promised to make it better. He wants to bring more people and businesses there. The city is working on rules to make it easier to build new things. They also want to bring more homes and shops to the area. This could help bring more people

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Feb 13 2026FINANCE

Chicago's Bold Move: Selling Unpaid Debt to Investors

Chicago is taking a big step. It wants to sell about $1 billion in debt. This debt comes from things like unpaid parking tickets. The city is hoping investors will buy this debt. But there's a catch. A top finance official says this is risky. The official warns it might be costly. Investors might no

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