Chicago News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now!

The U.S. is poised to remove Syria from its state sponsors of terrorism list—a designation it’s held since 1979—after a 45-day review period, signaling a major shift in policy aimed at rebuilding ties, unlocking foreign investment, and easing economic restrictions. While Congress can block the move, if approved, Syria would join Iraq, Libya, and Sudan as former list members, leaving only Iran, Nor...

Ticks aren’t just pesky backyard hitchhikers—they’re disease carriers with serious health risks, especially Lyme disease. In places like Lake County, more tick species mean more potential threats. Health departments are tracking them through grassy areas, testing for pathogens, and urging outdoor adventurers to report symptoms like fatigue or fever. Early detection is vital, as Lyme can damage you...

Homer Glen is cracking down on tobacco and vape sales to minors with steeper fines, license suspensions, and mandatory employee training—aiming to turn the tide on underage access before it becomes a bigger problem. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN: advertise@thednn.ai This is an automated, high-level news summary based on pub...

Niles West High School teacher Nathan Gray has been immediately fired after a damning district investigation found he violated multiple policies by creating a hostile, racially charged environment — including making harmful comments to a student. Despite a prior 2021 warning for similar behavior, Gray argued his recent remarks during homeroom weren’t in class, a defense the Board rejected as showi...

The MLB Draft is heating up this Saturday, with the White Sox rumored to target just two elite prospects, as MLB Network prepares live cameras for reactions from potential picks Roch Cholowsky and Grady Emerson — while others join remotely. This historic draft, airing live on NBC for the first time, could see top picks like those of the White Sox and Rays — perennial bottom-feeders — land generati...

Chicago’s mayoral candidates are being forced to confront a ticking financial bomb: a $100 billion pension debt that threatens the city’s stability. To hold them accountable, voters are demanding five concrete pledges on how each candidate plans to fix it—balancing retirees’ needs with fiscal responsibility. This isn’t just campaign talk; it’s a make-or-break moment for Chicago’s future, and voter...

Step back in time and ride the rails of history this July as the South Shore Line celebrates 100 years of electrification with a free, hands-on exhibit at Pullman National Historical Park. Discover how the iconic Pullman cars revolutionized Chicago transit in 1926, offering direct downtown service after a major AC-to-DC tech shift. Explore refurbished vintage trains, interactive exhibits, and rail...

A devastating storm at Geneva Lake in Wisconsin turned a family outing into tragedy when a sailboat capsized, claiming the lives of three young cousins—10-year-old Kathryn Schmidt, 6-year-old Caleb Oswald, and 7-year-old Abigail Oswald. Remembered for their vibrant spirits and big dreams, the children’s loved ones are now rallying to honor them through fundraisers supporting kids’ sports and anima...

A 30-year-old driver in Bloomingdale suffered major injuries after his vehicle veered off Route 25, crashing into a mailbox, a parked car, and a utility pole—forcing an emergency airlift to Loyola Medical Center. The wreck triggered a citywide response, shutting down the road for hours and requiring power crews to safely isolate the pole, with police, fire, and neighboring county units all on scen...

A chilling case in Plainfield unfolds as authorities investigate the alleged dismemberment and hidden remains of 38-year-old Dalewayne Turner, with his body parts found in a freezer and dumped in Lake Mattoon. Both Robin Turner and James Adams now face serious charges, including concealing a homicide and dismembering a human body. James claims self-defense after allegedly stabbing Dalewayne, and h...

The “Evil Dead” franchise roars back with “Evil Dead Burn,” a fresh, blood-soaked entry directed by French filmmaker Sébastien Vaníček, proving the iconic horror series still thrives. Born from 1981’s cult classic, the franchise now serves as a launchpad for new talent while preserving its signature gore and supernatural thrills. With six films, a TV series, and more on the way by 2028, the “Evil...

Wales and Greece are revolutionizing healthcare by weaving art into treatment—Wales drives policy research on creativity’s healing power, while Greece officially prescribes cultural activities to patients. Meanwhile, the Art Institute unleashes a lineup of jaw-dropping shows: Rothko and Kusama’s abstract masterpieces, Lee Miller’s haunting photography, Mary Cassatt’s groundbreaking work, and fresh...

Jake La Botz drops a hauntingly beautiful new collection, “Your Place in This World,” where blues roots meet literary grit. This isn’t just music—it’s a 100-page novella following a Chicago kid named Steve, surviving in a housing project with a drug-addled dad, through begging, theft, and raw resilience. With prose that echoes Nelson Algren and Charles Dickens, La Botz paints a world both brutal a...

Theater’s buzzing with fresh hits and classics: “Hair” drops July 2nd with 60s energy, American Players Theatre’s Tony-winning “As You Like It” runs through October 4th, and Oak Park’s “Hamlet” kicks off July 1st in a unique setting. Broadway in Chicago’s got “& Juliet” (July 22nd) reimagining Shakespeare with pop anthems and “Water for Elephants” wowing with circus spectacle. Don’t miss the final...

Sophie Rivera, a pioneering Puerto Rican photographer whose work captured the soul of New York’s marginalized communities, is finally getting the retrospective she deserves — “Double Exposures” at El Museo del Barrio. Through nearly 200 hauntingly honest photographs, writings, and personal artifacts, this exhibition unveils her groundbreaking “Nuyorican Portraits” and iconic subway series, reveali...

Kahil El’Zabar’s powerful new piece “America The Beautiful” emerges from the ashes of George Floyd’s murder, challenging America’s 250-year legacy of inequality and asking if change is still possible. Moving beyond questions of why things are broken, he’s focused on solutions — infusing his art with love, purpose, and hope to inspire a collective vision for justice. Amid noise and division, El’Zab...

Sean Dunlap, a top-tier catcher from Crown Point, stands at a crossroads this weekend as the MLB draft kicks off—offering him a shot at the pros or a scholarship to Tennessee. Despite recovering from two surgeries and playing sparingly as a sophomore, he’s bounced back with elite stats, including a .450 batting average and 15 homers. Coaches and teammates rave about his relentless work ethic and d...

Dogs in Winnetka are back in the spotlight as a new pilot program aims to give them off-leash freedom at Tower Road Beach—just during early mornings, with a twist: the Park District and Village are locked in a tug-of-war over the rules, with the Village’s stricter safety measures rejected and the ball now back in their court to finalize a compromise that keeps tails wagging and neighbors happy. Li...

A bike rider heading to work at Dante’s Pizzeria was struck by a fleeing Jeep in Logan Square, leaving him with road rash, stitches, and no health insurance. The driver, who looked back at him before speeding away, remains at large. Thanks to a viral GoFundMe launched by a friend, over $5,000 has poured in within days — funding medical bills, a new bike, and even helping a cancer-stricken single m...

Lung transplants for cancer patients just got a major upgrade—new Northwestern research shows they can save lives where chemo or surgery can’t, flipping decades of medical dogma. Meanwhile, Chicago’s Red Line is seeing a dramatic crime drop thanks to smarter policing, and food lovers are in for a treat as the cashless Taste of Chicago returns with 80+ global flavors. Listen in comfort: Get a disco...

Tattoo Factory turns 50 this year, celebrating five decades of ink, community, and Chicago grit. Opened in 1976, it’s the city’s second-oldest tattoo parlor—and still thriving thanks to owner Paul Collurafici’s blend of old-school charm and modern flair. From dodging gentrification to pioneering the “Drink & Ink” bar (the only tattoo shop with its own tavern), Collurafici’s legacy is built on inno...

Once a bustling Chicago hub for day laborers, this vital corner now echoes with silence as fear, police crackdowns, and immigration enforcement have driven workers away—leaving many struggling to survive, while new support networks rise to protect and empower them. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN: advertise@thednn.ai This is...

Federal immigration agents are ramping up targeted arrests in Chicago, appearing in neighborhoods and courthouses despite local laws and court orders meant to shield individuals from detention on courthouse grounds. Many detainees have no criminal history or are parents of U.S. citizens, with entire families being swept up during routine check-ins. Critics warn that some arrests may occur without...

A year after Marcela Herrera was fatally struck in a hit-and-run on South Ashland Avenue, the city is moving forward with safety upgrades—including a pedestrian island at Cullerton—thanks to relentless advocacy from her family and a petition that gathered 600 signatures. The improvements, spanning from Cullerton to Eighteenth Place, also include curb bumpouts, some temporary and others permanent,...

Edgebrook’s traffic nightmare is getting a fix—crashes and Metra trains are gridlocking the Devon-Caldwell-Central-Lehigh intersection, and Chicago DOT is finally stepping in to untangle the chaos with community input. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN: advertise@thednn.ai This is an automated, high-level news summary based on...