A viral clip shows someone in a Santa suit subway‑surfing on the CTA holiday train in the Loop, reigniting safety concerns as federal scrutiny on transit safety grows.

A Cook County Sheriffs traffic stop in Chatham produced a loaded gun and two felony charges; the 32yearold driver was ordered held.

The Chicago Police issued an alert after an armed robbery in South Shore, seeking a suspect described in a grey jacket and red hoodie. Residents are asked to report suspicious activity.

Chicago experiences a warm spell with temperatures rising above freezing and is expected to see rain overnight followed by a return to colder conditions with highs in the 20s on Friday.

DePaul University laid off 7.6% of its staff due to a budget shortfall, affecting 114 employees. The school faces financial challenges and has launched a strategic plan to address them.

A Chicago gang leader, LaBar Spann, was found guilty of racketeering and murder, facing life in prison for leading 20 years of crime on the city's West Side.

An early morning fire at a Chicago apartment building injured a woman and a firefighter, displacing residents. Fire crews extinguished the blaze, and the cause is under investigation.

Herman Williams, an exonerated Navy veteran wrongfully convicted for his ex-wife's murder, has been awarded a $13 million settlement after new DNA evidence led to his release.

A judge handed Diontay Kimberly a life sentence for the 2021 killing of South Side dance coach Verndell Smith, a beloved mentor whose studio served local children.

Surveillance footage and a decision not to seek the death penalty were released Dec. 15, renewing the hunt for a second suspect in the 2021 killing of Chrys Carvajal.

Chicago Police seek help to find missing woman Mackenzie Grant, last seen on N. Damen, possibly near Lawrence and Pulaski. Call 312-744-8266 with info.

Aimco agreed to sell a seven‑property Chicago portfolio — 1,495 units — to LaTerra and Respark for $455M, with closing targeted for Q1 2026 and roughly $160M in net proceeds expected.

The Salvation Army in Blue Island paused outdoor donations due to extreme cold, impacting holiday giving and pushing for community support as warmer weather approaches.