The nonprofit SkyART, which provides free arts programming to young people on Chicago’s South and West sides, aims to reduce the waitlist for its programs through a recently announced expansion of its South Side studio space.

SkyART Is Expanding South Side Studio, Celebrating 25 Years of Free Youth Arts Programming

The planned expansion comes as SkyART gears up to host a free community block party on Sept. 12 in celebration of the organization’s 25th anniversary. The celebration will be held at SkyART West in Ga...

news.wttw.com

Gary residents have been in survival mode after severe storms swept through two weeks ago, leaving behind uprooted sidewalks, fallen power lines, streetlights out of service and snapped trees. The mega popular Keith Lee brought some much needed respite on Monday, as thousands are still without power

Food influencer Keith Lee brings aid to Gary, where thousands have been without power for two weeks

Food influencer and critic Keith Lee partnered with the Salvation Army and the city of Gary for a large-scale relief effort at Roosevelt HIgh School.

chicagotribune.com

My latest: The ripple effect of SNAP on local grocers. "If you cut benefits, it does impact our potential because that lowers the dollars spent in the trade area, so there’s less dollars for us to go for and we’re then competing even harder for the dollars that are here."

Chicago grocers are severely affected by reductions to SNAP: ‘We need to bail out this industry’

In Illinois, the implications threaten not only individual households but also the viability of the Chicago area’s independent authorized SNAP retailers.

chicagotribune.com

“Hundreds of longtime customers of Fresh Market Place [a grocery store in Belmont Cragin] have been kicked off SNAP after President Donald Trump’s sweeping domestic policy law, known as the “Big Beautiful Bill,” added newer, stricter work requirements for the program’s recipients in February.”

Chicago grocers are severely affected by reductions to SNAP: ‘We need to bail out this industry’

In Illinois, the implications threaten not only individual households but also the viability of the Chicago area’s independent authorized SNAP retailers.

chicagotribune.com

Single-handedly proving that governments can actually improve everyday lives for everyday people and it's not some wishful far away concept

Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani@mayor.nyc.gov · last mo.

Today, for the first time in New York City history, 2,000 two year-olds received offers for FREE 2-K. A big step for those who take baby steps. A big step towards a City every New Yorker can afford.

Restaurant news: Wishbone to close — and Ann Sather to move into former Stella’s Diner space

Restaurant news: Wishbone to close — and Ann Sather to move into former Stella’s Diner space

chicagotribune.com

Justice for Taco Bell

Cyclospora outbreak tied to shredded lettuce now linked to Illinois and 3 more states

Federal health officials said they have linked cases of a diarrhea-causing parasite tied to shredded lettuce to Illinois and an additional three states.

chicagotribune.com

From earlier this week: Navigating dining out/eating in with a diarrheal parasite on the loose (🚨 Taylor Farms sources to hundreds of restaurants and has lines of salad kits in grocery stores. CDC is name dropping Taco Bell, but that's not entirely fair I think.)

What to know about eating at home and dining out during the cyclospora outbreak

As cases tick up in Illinois, here’s how to avoid consuming produce with cyclospora that can cause explosive diarrhea.

chicagotribune.com

The front page of today's Chicago Tribune. Read the e-edition here: chicagotribune.com/enewspaper

Chicken coup? Family flap over control of famous Harold’s Chicken Shack brand lands in court.

Chicken coup? Family flap over control of famous Harold’s Chicken Shack brand lands in court

chicagotribune.com

NEW: 6 months after the death of Harold’s Chicken CEO Kristen Pierce-Sherrod, the future of the empire may unfold in probate court. Her children say it’s their birthright, pointing to a contested Will. while her widower enlisted former Mayor Lori Lightfoot to argue that the purported will is fake.

Chicken coup? Family flap over control of famous Harold’s Chicken Shack brand lands in court

Six months after the death of Harold’s Chicken Shack CEO Kristen Pierce-Sherrod, the question remains: Who owns the iconic Chicago restaurant brand?

chicagotribune.com

Though “The Bear,” is ending with its final chapter airing June 25, fans can find solace in that it was driven by real-life places and people.

‘The Bear’ was a love letter to Chicago. For the final season, here’s every local restaurant that was featured.

chicagotribune.com

JUST IN: Lawyers for the “Broadview Six” are asking a federal judge to appoint special counsel to investigate alleged wrongdoing by the U.S. attorneys office — and possibly prosecute for contempt of court. Background: www.chicagotribune.com/2026/06/10/b...

Judge in fraud case orders evidentiary hearing into grand jury issues as ‘Broadview Six’ fallout intensifies

A federal judge overseeing a high-profile COVID-19 testing fraud case has ordered what promises to be a bombshell evidentiary hearing into grand jury issues involving the same prosecutor whose alleged...

chicagotribune.com

A deeper look at what led to Michelin-starred Atelier's abrupt closing, with @robertchannick.bsky.social Thousands of investors who financed Atelier's recent relocation with $485,340 in small business bonds learned Friday that their money could be lost as Atelier considers filing for bankruptcy ⬇️

Atelier considers bankruptcy after announcing closure, months after moving into new space with crowdsourced funds

Thousands of retail investors who bought nearly a half-million dollars in small business bonds learned Friday that their money could well be lost as Atelier considers filing for bankruptcy.

chicagotribune.com

After Operation Midway Blitz last fall, Chicago’s local hospitality scene has become a central front in resistance against ramped-up federal immigration enforcement, combining community-driven economic support with food and shared meals or beverages.

Chicago restaurants and bars become spaces for political protesting: ‘Everyone’s experiencing some level of rage’

chicagotribune.com

The Anti-ICE supper club series that had a stint in Chicago May 4-7 was launched by Roads and Kingdoms, a company whose sole investor was Anthony Bourdain. “We don’t know what he would say now, but we did know one thing — he really did not like Trump.” www.chicagotribune.com/2026/05/18/c...

Chicago restaurants and bars become spaces for political protesting: ‘Everyone’s experiencing some level of rage’

Chicago’s local hospitality scene has become a central front in resistance against ramped-up federal immigration enforcement, combining community-driven economic support with food and shared meals or ...

chicagotribune.com

A postcard for protest event and an anti-ICE supper club embody the booming new role of some Chicago restaurants: A place to express collective rage over good food. More: www.chicagotribune.com/2026/05/18/c...

Chicago restaurants and bars become spaces for political protesting: ‘Everyone’s experiencing some level of rage’

Chicago’s local hospitality scene has become a central front in resistance against ramped-up federal immigration enforcement, combining community-driven economic support with food and shared meals or ...

chicagotribune.com

Kennedy-King College market offers students fresh food for free in an area with limited grocery options

Kennedy-King College market offers students fresh food for free in an area with limited grocery options

chicagotribune.com

Never met Jeff, but exchanged many slacks through the years and his patience was unmatched. I tend to hop in and out of the WP file even after it's sent to the copy desk and knew Jeff always understood the ways of annoying perfectionists. Will miss his careful edits. RIP ❤️‍🩹

Gregory Pratt@royalpratt.bsky.social · 5mo ago

Jeff Carlson, the @chicagotribune.com’s chief copy editor, died. Our managing editor Stacy St. Clair said it best: He was “a top-notch journalist and a fantastic colleague throughout his three decades with the paper.” He made us all better and served our readers well. RIP.

Chicago’s Tomato Man on the impacts of erratic spring temperatures on his beloved heirlooms

Chicago’s Tomato Man on the impacts of erratic spring temperatures on his beloved heirlooms

chicagotribune.com

Family-run Italian Express, a pioneer of halal American fast-food in Chicagoland, celebrates 40 years

Family-run Italian Express, a pioneer of halal American fast-food in Chicagoland, celebrates 40 years

chicagotribune.com

A horse stranded in an overflowing creek in Marengo was rescued by first responders on Saturday morning following overnight storms.

Nearly two dozen help rescue horse stranded in flooded Marengo creek

chicagotribune.com

such a breathtaking picture! everything we've ever known is inside this big beautiful planet. makes the world feel so itty bitty

Culture Crave 🍿@culturecrave.co · 5mo ago

NASA releases a new look at Earth 🌎 📷 Artemis II

♥️ Ms. Rachel has been such a tireless and powerful advocate for children, whether it's speaking up and fighting for children in Gaza or children right here in the U.S. It's incredible to see her impact, especially when she's also a form of entertainment/learning for your toddler!

Mother Jones@motherjones.com · 6mo ago

Two young boys were locked up inside ICE's notorious detention center in Texas. Then Ms. Rachel shared their stories.

Chicago Tonight | Week in Review: Election Day Preview, Tornado Recovery and Special Prosecutor Calls, with @zareensyed.bsky.social @vimiller.bsky.social @monicaeng.bsky.social @michaeljliptrot.bsky.social & host @ndblumberg.bsky.social

Week in Review: Election Day Preview, Tornado Recovery and Special Prosecutor Calls

Three leading candidates in a contentious Senate fight and a host of other races make their closing arguments as Election Day fast approaches.

news.wttw.com

Focused on a suburban food pantry for an end of Ramadan story ✨ Though the ICNA Relief pantry in Glendale Heights is Muslim-run, it serves a 50% non-Muslim clientele, who also often ask for halal meat.

Muslim-run food pantry in Glendale Heights helps neighbors but faces halal meat shortage during Ramadan

ICNA Relief Chicago sees staggering numbers of families in need of food aid throughout the year, but Ramadan often brings new challenges.

chicagotribune.com

Meet The Female Journalist Risking Her Life To Report On Women In Afghanistan

Meet The Female Journalist Risking Her Life To Report On Women In Afghanistan

An interview with Sana Atef, a reporter with the Zan Times who covers the lives and work of women in Afghanistan.

forbes.com

The last few years have seen broad changes in the Muslim student experience at Northwestern, specifically during the month of Ramadan, when observing students are fasting from dawn to dusk.

Muslim students at Northwestern University carve out a homey Ramadan with iftars and free meals program

The last few years have seen broad changes in the Muslim student experience at Northwestern, specifically during the month of Ramadan, when observing students are fasting from dawn to dusk.

trib.al

A lot of thoughts on this. If all Americans should hope for a better future for Iranians then maybe we should be a little more outraged that US/Israel's proposed "liberation" of Iran started with an airstrike on a school full of young girls.

Chicago Tribune@chicagotribune.com · 7mo ago

From the Editorial Board: All Americans should hope for a better future for the Iranian people after the killing of Ali Khamenei. But will the repressive Iranian regime actually change?

The allegations have brought scrutiny to plans for a second restaurant & highlighted long-running issues in how the restaurant industry addresses problematic behavior. After a routine court hearing, Fleming told the Tribune: "Think we’re going to name the restaurant Allegedlys now." More on Warlord:

After chef-owner of Warlord restaurant in Avondale arrested, new Humboldt Park project faces backlash

The allegations have brought scrutiny to plans for a second restaurant and highlighted long-running issues in how the restaurant industry addresses problematic behavior.

chicagotribune.com