Entertainment

Jake Connelly, 13, of Arlington Heights, one of the breakout stars from the latest season of "Stranger Things," Dec. 30, 2025, in Chicago. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Arlington Heights’ ‘Stranger Things’ star Jake Connelly got ‘the call’ he was going to Hawkins during a tornado warning

Jake Connelly, of Arlington Heights, plays Derek Turnbow this season in "Stranger Things," a loud-mouth bully-turned-unlikely hero.

Natalie Merchant, center, sings and dances with Chicago Public Schools early educators during a workshop at Symphony Center on Oct. 8, 2025. Merchant created the video series the “Cabinet of Wonder,” a musical introduction to the traditional nursery rhymes of Mother Goose. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)

Musician Natalie Merchant brings Mother Goose and other rhymes to life for the next generation with Cabinet of Wonder

Melding music, play and Mother Goose tales, singer Natalie Merchant worked with the Chicago Symphony...

Scott Adams, creator of the comic strip “Dilbert,” is photographed at his home in Pleasanton, California, on Monday, Dec. 4, 2017. Adams, the creator of the iconic “Dilbert” comic strip, announced on Monday, May 19, 2025, that he is dying from the same aggressive form of prostate cancer that former President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with. (Gary Reyes/ Bay Area News Group)

‘Dilbert’ creator Scott Adams doesn’t expect to live much longer

“Dilbert” creator Scott Adams revealed on Thursday that his health is worsening and that the...

Arts

Replica of Dorothy’s Ruby Slippers, 1989, Leather sequins, bugle beads, and rhinestones, from the Richard H. Driehaus collection, on display at the Land of Oz: Beyond the Page exhibit at the Richard H. Driehaus Museum in Chicago, Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025. The Land of Oz: Beyond the Page explores the imaginative artistry required to turn the classic children’s story into a beloved movie. Highlights include a replica of Dorothy’s Ruby Red slippers, an early draft of the script, and a prototype of the iconic Flying Monkey costume. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

Museums for winter 2026: ‘Oz,’ owls and ‘Costumes of Paul Tazewell’

Also not to miss at Chicago's museums this winter, new exhibits at the DuSable Museum, the Adler and the National Public Housing Museum.

Books

Shea Serrano on a basketball court that he frequented when he was younger in San Antonio, Texas on May 3, 2023. (Carter Johnston/The New York Times)

Shea Serrano tackles Michael Jordan’s numerology and Dennis Rodman’s brilliance in ‘Expensive Basketball’

Author Shea Serrano embraces one of the toughest truths of NBA writing: There’s no simple way to write something new about Michael Jordan.

Movies

Rob Reiner and Michele Reiner attend the premiere of Vertical Entertainment's "Shock and Awe" at The London West Hollywood in 2018.

LAPD places security hold on medical examiner’s report in Reiner murders

The Los Angeles Police Department has placed a security hold on information relating to the grisly double murder of Rob Reiner and wife Michele Singer Reiner, for which their son Nick stands charged.

TV and Streaming

Chicago mayoral candidates Brandon Johnson, left, and Paul Vallas, right, sit down for a mayoral forum at Fox's WFLD-Ch. 32 Chicago studios on March 22, 2023. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

Today in Chicago History: Fox’s WFLD-Ch. 32 begins broadcasting

Here's a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on Jan. 4, according to the Tribune's archives.

Theater

A baby enjoys the Australian version of "RAIN: for babies and their carers." (ArtPlay)

Theater’s newest audience: Babies

Chicago's Filament Theatre has created a sensory performance installation for babies.

Restaurants, Food and Drink

The pepperoni and Mike’s hot honey drizzle pizza in a takeout box at Pizz'amici on Grand Avenue in Chicago, Sept. 25, 2025. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

2025 food favorites: The most memorable dishes and drinks we had across Chicago

With 2026 just around the corner, the writers and editors of the Tribune food section have taken some time to reflect on our favorite bites and drinks from 2025.

Music and Concerts

FILE – Korean pop band BTS appears at the 2019 Variety’s Hitmakers Brunch in West Hollywood, Calif., on Dec. 7, 2019. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP, File)

BTS announces March comeback date, putting an end to a nearly four-year hiatus

According to a note shared to social media by the entertainment company BigHit Music, the mega popular group will return on March 20.

Travel

President Donald Trump speaks during a Mexican Border Defense Medal presentation in the Oval Office of the White House, Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Travel ban extended by Trump administration

The Trump administration is expanding its travel ban to include five more countries and impose new limits on others.

Museums

A visitor explores the “American Prophets” exhibit, Nov. 20, 2025, which is now open at the American Writers Museum in Chicago. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)

Column: In ‘American Prophets,’ how writers feel about religion and spirituality

A new exhibit at American Writers Museum on Michigan Avenue has the words of Flannery O'Connor, Malcolm X, Harold Ramis and others about how they felt about religion and spirituality.

Home and Garden

After your holiday tree has filled your home with light and cheer in the dark of winter, make sure it goes on to do more good. (Beth Botts/The Morton Arboretum)

Christmas tree can live on if you dispose of it properly

As this holiday season wraps up, make sure your Christmas tree comes to a good end.

A whiskey sour is yours for the making year-round. It’s refreshing enough to keep up with a spritz during the warm summer months, and so appropriate during the colder seasons of the year. Even if you’re not a whiskey fan...

Fashion

Ellen Warren. (Zbigniew Bzdak/Chicago Tribune)

Answer Angel: Plastic purses?

Dear Answer Angel Ellen: At a recent, dressy holiday party I attended, one of the guests was carrying a see-through (plastic?) evening bag and I wondered if this is a new style. The woman with the purse appeared to be...

Entertainment

Paris and Brooklyn Garcia look out on the Illinois River from Starved Rock State Park in Oglesby on Dec. 19, 2025. (Troy Stolt/for the Chicago Tribune)

Starved Rock, Illinois’ most popular state park, to get $18M trail upgrades in new year

The new year will bring long-overdue upgrades at Illinois’ most popular state park, and one of its top tourist destinations outside Chicago.

Entertainment

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