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Illinois is cracking down on high-speed e-bikes and e-scooters, especially for teens, as emergency rooms see a surge in injuries—now three to five kids nightly—after a tragic teen death. Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias warns that some “e-bikes” are actually mini-motorcycles hitting 40-50 mph, demanding driver’s licenses, registration, and insurance. New rules would ban sidewalk use for high-s...

Mars might have once been a warm, wet world eerily similar to Earth—thanks to new data from the Curiosity rover revealing a thicker ancient atmosphere. Scientists are rethinking the Red Planet’s history, with implications for the potential existence of ancient life. Future missions are now racing to find geological clues that could confirm this radical shift in our understanding of Mars. Listen in...

Chicago Law School is launching a bold new policy: no phones or laptops in first-year classrooms starting fall 2026, aiming to combat AI’s growing influence and sharpen critical thinking. This pilot program seeks to deepen student engagement and build essential lawyering skills, with exceptions still being defined. Dean Adam Chilton calls it a vital step in preparing future legal leaders for an ev...

An Illinois ban on semiautomatic weapons is staying in place after a federal appeals court upheld the law—despite gun rights groups’ pushback. The Protect Illinois Communities Act blocks over 100 firearm types and limits magazine capacity, citing a strong link between these weapons and mass shootings. In a 2-1 ruling, judges affirmed the ban aligns with historical gun regulations and doesn’t viola...

A heartfelt gathering honored Private First Class Chrys Carvajal on his 25th birthday, remembering the 19-year-old hero killed in 2021. The FBI now offers up to $50,000 for info leading to the arrest of Joseph Matos, aka “Troubles,” a Chicago-area suspect still at large. Carvajal’s mother, relentless in her pursuit of justice, shares her son’s dreams and pleads for anyone with knowledge to come fo...

Deep-sea explorers have uncovered a glowing, never-before-seen anglerfish dubbed the Phantom Anglerfish, thriving in crushing darkness over two thousand feet below the Pacific. With eerie bioluminescent lures and a bizarre skeleton, this creature challenges everything we know about deep-sea life. Found during a daring submersible mission to Earth’s uncharted abyss, it’s sparking excitement among s...

Your brain is basically a rhythm DJ—new research reveals how your mind predicts every beat before it hits, turning music into a high-stakes neurological game where anticipation, not just sound, drives the groove. Scientists are now mapping how different genres and musical training tweak this brain’s predictive power, proving that your love of music is wired deep in your cortex. Listen in comfort:...

A terrifying multi-vehicle crash on the Dan Ryan Expressway Thursday night left at least six people injured, including a young child in serious condition at Comer Children’s Hospital. Five others were taken to various hospitals. Authorities are investigating the cause as the situation unfolds — a sobering reminder to stay focused and alert behind the wheel. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a S...

Chicago Killer Caught in LA Chase | Chicago News

FBI offers $50,000 reward for info on fugitive Joseph Matos, aka “Troubles,” wanted for the 2021 murder of 19-year-old Army National Guardsman Chrys Carvajal. Prosecutors believe Matos and Gary Roberson killed Carvajal to elevate their status in the Milwaukee Kings gang. Despite family pressure and mounting evidence, charges were delayed—until now. With renewed urgency, authorities urge the public...

Chicago Law School just banned phones and laptops for first-years — not to punish tech use, but to fight AI’s grip on learning. They’re rethinking education to build critical thinking while preparing students to wield AI responsibly in the legal world. New strategies include AI-resistant teaching, sharpening human lawyering skills, and launching courses on legal AI. Professors get flexibility — sc...

ICE is ramping up enforcement in Chicago’s Southwest Side, with community organizers sounding the alarm over a surge in secret detentions—20 last week, 17 this week—targeting people with no criminal records. As part of a national crackdown, over 10,000 arrests were made in five days nationwide. Advocates warn that while operations may be less visible, the impact is real: families, workers, and nei...

Caleb Durbin’s two-run homer sparked a dominant Red Sox win, capping a three-game sweep of the struggling White Sox with a 2-1 victory. Boston’s offense was minimal—just four hits—but their pitching, led by Patrick Sandoval’s solid return after elbow surgery and a lights-out bullpen featuring Chapman’s 19th save, shut down Chicago. The Red Sox are on fire, outscoring foes 35-10 in their last 13 ga...

Ethan Conrad, the Cubs’ 17th overall pick in 2025, is already crushing it—just 17 at-bats into his pro career, he’s been fast-tracked to Single-A Myrtle Beach after smacking seven hits, five runs, and two RBIs, including a 105 mph rocket for his first pro hit. Despite setbacks like shoulder surgery and a back issue delaying his debut, he’s now healthy and flashing elite power, mirroring the breako...

Get ready to laugh and gasp—Iceboy! is a wild, musical hit at the Goodman Theatre, starring Emmy winners Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally, whose real-life chemistry makes the chaos even sweeter. When a Neanderthal thawed from the Arctic becomes a Broadway sensation, it sparks a hilarious battle for fame—and yes, there’s music, magic, and mayhem. Offerman also drops gems about his Chicago theater r...

Chicago’s Southwest Side is in turmoil as community leaders report a surge in ICE activity, sparking fear and disruption across neighborhoods like Back of the Yards and Gage Park. Families are avoiding schools, stores, and hospitals for fear of detention, while legal aid requests have nearly doubled. Though DHS says ICE is simply enforcing immigration laws, locals say the shift to more targeted op...

Chicago’s North Center Trader Joe’s just became the first unionized store in Illinois — a historic win after a two-year battle that culminated in a 71-70 victory after a disputed vote was finally resolved in favor of the workers. This marks the fifth Trader Joe’s to unionize nationwide, with the first happening in Hadley, Massachusetts, in 2022. Despite the company’s progressive reputation, union...

Chicago’s City Council just cleared four hot-button ballot questions for November, including cashing in on federal immigration funds, reviving gunshot detection tech, and creating a festival district — but a fiery showdown erupted when Mayor Brandon Johnson pushed his own proposals, sparking accusations of rule-breaking and a “circus” atmosphere. Two of his items were blocked, one passed, while th...

Your brain treats music like a dopamine-packed treat—activating the same reward centers as food or sex. New research reveals specific brain regions light up during pleasurable music, especially when it’s something you love, blending rhythm, emotion, and anticipation into a biological high. This deep dive into music’s neural magic not only explains why it’s woven into every culture—but also hints a...

Bryn Mawr Historic District just got a major boost toward official landmark status, with the Commission on Chicago Landmarks giving it a green light — a move that could unlock vital funding for restoration. Nestled between Broadway and Sheridan Road, this area boasts some of Edgewater’s oldest buildings, dating back to the 1890s, and is already on the National Register. The decision comes as the n...

Survivors of domestic violence in Cook County are trapped in a broken court system that re-victims them by forcing repeated retellings of their trauma across fragmented courts—no clear path to justice, no consistent court reporters, and mounting financial ruin. One woman, Sarah Brown, has endured nine judges, spent over $30,000, and even faced jail threats for not affording appointed attorneys. A...

Seventy-one-year-old sailing legend Rich Stearns is racing across Lake Michigan not just for glory, but to fight prostate cancer — using his boat, his story, and his fifty-plus race experience to remind men that a diagnosis doesn’t mean the end of adventure. Diagnosed a decade ago, he’s now thriving, thanks to Rush University Hospital, and he’s turning his journey into a rallying cry for early scr...

Chicago’s new public health commissioner, Dr. Garth Walker, is poised to lead the city’s fight against gun violence and expand mental health access after a deeply personal loss. Nominated by Mayor Johnson, Walker brings frontline medical experience and a powerful story — the 2018 shooting death of his friend, Dr. Tamara O’Neal — that fuels his mission. Returning from Washington D.C. to serve his h...

New research reveals the average person spends over six hours daily glued to screens—equivalent to a full workday—sparking urgent concerns about eye strain, sleep disruption, and mental health. While the pandemic turbocharged this digital habit, it’s now sticking around even as life returns to normal. Parents and adults alike are grappling with the need for balance, as younger adults lead in scree...

The White Sox got swept at home by the Red Sox in a brutal three-game series, scoring just two runs and striking out 25 times—manager Will Venable blamed their struggles against left-handed pitching. Patrick Sandoval made a strong return from Tommy John surgery, and the bullpen sealed the win. Despite their home dominance this season, the Sox are facing a tough stretch. Bright spots ahead: Tanner...