Chicago

Chicago

The home opener is special every year. Just kind of like setting a tone at home, what the fans can expect of us this year. It's a very important game for us. You can probably say even more, now that we didn't get the result we wanted in the first game, I think it's very important that we step on the pitch looking for three points at home and also offering something good for the fans.

Gene and Jude's is by far my favorite hot dog in all of Chicagoland. It's the perfect size and snap and I always get it with an orange pop. His usual order was two dogs, mustard, onion, sports peppers, and extra salt on the fries.

Murphy, 68, directed Milwaukee to a major-league-best 97-65 record last season, setting a franchise record for wins. The Brewers were second in the NL Central in early July before overtaking the Chicago Cubs with a remarkable 29-4 stretch that included a 14-game win streak, another franchise record. Milwaukee eliminated Chicago in a memorable division series before it was swept by the Dodgers in the National League Championship Series.

Now that the dust has settled on the 2025 NFL season, NFL Media's Nick Shook ranked all 63 quarterbacks who started at least one game last year based on how they played during the regular season *AND* playoffs. Shook's list of quarterbacks who made at least one (1) start is a doozy and features seven different tiers. However, one name stands out (to me) above the rest - and it is Caleb Williams.

Despite its location on River North's most notorious nightlife strip, Theory offers an elevated sports bar experience for serious fans who still want to have fun. One of the few Chicago bars to open in the early-morning hours to broadcast overseas F1 races, it's regularly packed with dedicated fans who come for the sports and stay for the top-tier food and drinks.

This Friday, Feb. 13, is the deadline to vote. Your votes determine the 15legal tech startups that will get to compete at the 10th-annual Startup Alley at ABA TECHSHOW. Below are the standings so far, ranked by total votes received. Which of these companies will end up lucky on Friday the 13th? Remember, your votes determine the 15 companies that get the opportunity to face off in a live pitch competition on the opening-night of this year's TECHSHOW, which takes place in Chicago March 25-28.

The latest: The Washington Post is laying off hundreds of journalists in an effort to "restructure" the newsroom and cut costs. In 2024, the company began prioritizing subscriptions over digital advertising, raising the yearly fee to access content. The big picture: While major media companies and news organizations tinker with delivery methods, tiered subscriptions and bundles that include non-news packages, including crossword puzzles and games, local news is still operating standard paywalls, relying on subscription-based revenue instead of digital advertising.

January 31st: The White Sox have agreed to a deal with outfielder Austin Hays, ESPN's Jesse Rogers reports. The one-year deal will pay Hays $6MM, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, and the contract will be official following a physical. Hays will earn $5MM in salary in 2026, and there is a $1MM buyout on a mutual option for 2027, The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal writes. Another $375K is available for Hays in incentive bonuses based around plate appearances.

In December, Chicago's real estate market showcased a striking decline in inventory, setting the stage for sellers to shine. The active listing count fell to 3,403, marking a 17.0% decrease from the previous year. This was in stark contrast to the national trend, where active listings increased by 12.1%. The city also experienced a notable reduction in newly listed homes, down 12.7% year-over-year, compared to a 1.8% decline nationally.

The Royals announced they've signed reliever Eli Morgan to a minor league deal. The CAA client receives a non-roster invite to big league Spring Training. Morgan had been non-tendered by the Cubs in November. Morgan returns to the AL Central, where he has spent the majority of his career with Cleveland. He pitched parts of four seasons there, starting 18 games as a rookie before moving to the bullpen.

To Ian Gonzalez, though, it was a testament to three years of hard work. A community built from the ground up. The crowd had come on a cool Sunday morningto celebrate Gonzalez's business - Last Lap Cornerstore - before its temporary closure in April 2023. "It was the saddest joy I've ever felt," Gonzalez said. "For the community to come out and say they see me and show the love, that was beautiful."

While raising my kids in Chicago, I saw a recurring pattern. A neighbor would welcome a second child, or a friend's oldest would be ready for middle school. Suddenly, the city wasn't "enough" for them anymore. Seemingly overnight, they longed for larger backyards, quieter streets, and "better schools." Houses were listed, minivans were purchased, and then loaded to the brim. Those families disappeared into suburban cul-de-sacs.

Ríos is a 32-year-old righty who has logged parts of six seasons in the majors. The Puerto Rico native got the majority of his work early in his career as a member of the Phillies. He saw more limited action with the Pirates, Mariners, Red Sox and Athletics between 2019-23. Ríos has spent the last two seasons in the Mets organization without getting a look at the MLB level.

The Cubs have completely rebuilt their bullpen after saying goodbye to 2025 stalwarts Brad Keller and Drew Pomeranz, adding Maton, Hunter and Milner. But their biggest addition comes at third base, where Bregman takes over for Matt Shaw. Shaw showed promise in the second half as a rookie, but he's not Bregman, who brings leadership and championship experience to the mix to go along with his hitting prowess.

Beede, 33 in May, has had a uniquely winding career but is not coming off a good year. He signed a minor league deal with the Twins in April of 2025. He made seven appearances for Triple-A St. Paul but allowed eight earned runs in nine innings via 12 hits and nine walks while striking out seven opponents. He was released in June and then landed a deal with the Long Island Ducks of the independent Atlantic League.

Petterino's is not only in the heart of the Loop, it is the heart of the Loop! A modern-day throwback that defines today's downtown Chicago, iconic Petterino's is surrounded by theater, culture, and the movers and the shakers of the city. It's the perfect setting for Booth 46! Recorded live to capture the buzz of the room, each episode will feature the who's who in Chicago, echoing what Irv Kupcinet once called "the lively art of conversation" from Booth One at the legendary Pump Room.

Chicago has a special place in the foodie history of the U.S., because yes, it kicked off the mythic rise of the Italian beef sandwich. Yes, the deep dish pizza stole the spotlight from another wildly popular Chicago-style pie. But it's also a center of Polish culture and cuisine, and has been for a long time: The city dates back to 1833, and the first Polish immigrants came shortly after.

Grant Achatz delivered one of the year's biggest shocks by announcing Alinea had lost a Michelin star before the official Michelin Guide 2025 reveal. The fine dining institution dedicated to molecular gastronomy had held its three-star status every year since the guide first arrived in Chicago in 2011, making the news a major talking point both locally and nationally. 2025 also marked Alinea's 20th anniversary, a milestone celebrated with a series of international pop-up residencies.

It's certainly fair to say that Anthony Bourdain loved Chicago. He visited the city three times across three different TV shows, and his admiration never wavered. "I can't say enough nice things about it," he says in Season 2, Episode 1 of "The Layover," which focuses on the Windy City. The food impressed him, of course, but so did the people and the atmosphere.

It's nice that Dennis came in and played well. We have confidence in him. We have confidence in both goalies and we'll rotate them a bit more.

This week's show was recorded in Chicago with host Peter Sagal, guest judge and scorekeeper Alzo Slade, Not My Job guest Lucy Dacus and panelists Adam Burke, Helen Hong, and Tom Bodett. Click the audio link above to hear the whole show. Who's Alzo This Time Mega Media Merger; Cars, They're Just Like Us; The Swag Gap Panel Questions An Hourly Marriage Bluff The Listener Our panelists tell three stories about a new TV show making headlines, only one of which is true.

We're flooded with short-form video and pinged constantly with breaking news. Many people, especially Gen A and Gen Z, are swiping and scrolling all day long. The lines between digital leisure and news consumption are fuzzy. You may hop on TikTok or Instagram to kill some time but end up being triggered by some take on what's happening in the world. And increasingly, that scrolling will include AI-generated slop.

Two years after taking over the former chain's last Chicago location, 218 S. Clark St., restaurateur Dame Dia announced via Instagram Friday he is closing the location permanently. It's last day in service was Nov. 28. The Senegalese native was one of three Native Foods employees who in 2024 accepted an offer to assume ownership of the Clark Street outpost, which had been in operation for over a decade.