News
Weakened EPA rules for coal power plants raise risk of poisonous mercury getting into fish you eat
2+ hour, 39+ min ago (1181+ words) For years, people fishing along the banks of the White River that winds through Indianapolis were met by ominous signs warning about eating the fish they catch. One of those risks was mercury poisoning. Mercury is a neurotoxic metal that…...
Chicago experiencing 'weather whiplash' as temps in 60s Friday, 30s by Saturday
23+ hour, 49+ min ago (250+ words) Temperatures are expected to be above normal Friday before dropping substantially Saturday and Sunday. The Chicago area is experiencing a "weather whiplash" as temperatures are expected to climb well above normal Friday before dropping roughly 30 degrees by Saturday. Friday's highs…...
Waymo takes step toward deploying autonomous vehicles in Chicago
2+ day, 13+ hour ago (562+ words) A fleet of Waymo self driving vehicles with Arizona plates sit parked in a parking garage located at 210 N. Wells St. in The Loop, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. Waymo's self-driving vehicles are hitting Chicago streets " but with human drivers, for now. The company,…...
'Roller coaster' of temps in Chicago should peak above 50 this week
3+ day, 21+ hour ago (156+ words) Fishing in Humboldt Park on Feb. 16, 2026. The Chicago area can expect a brief warm up Friday, with temperatures forecast to reach above 50 degrees. But leading up to Friday, temperatures will remain in the 20s and 30s, with potential flurries Wednesday night and…...
'The ghost in the machine is just us' — AI pinch hits. But there's a problem...
5+ day, 22+ hour ago (474+ words) Two years ago, with artificial intelligence the hot new thing, I enlivened a slow February morning by feeding Gemini AI this prompt: "Write a column defending the use of artificial intelligence in the style of Neil Steinberg of the Chicago…...
Temperatures plummet nearly 30 degrees as 40-plus mile per hour wind gusts hit Chicago area
1+ week, 1+ day ago (188+ words) Temperatures dropped more than 20 degrees between Thursday night and Friday morning, according to the National Weather Service. Unpack that warm coat and hold on to your hat as temperatures plummeted nearly 30 degrees in 12 hours and wind gusts of over 40 miles-per-hour…...
Trump administration slashes away at science, but scientists are pushing back
1+ week, 1+ day ago (640+ words) The National Center on Atmospheric Research, or NCAR, in the foothills above Boulder, Colorado. Opened 60 years ago, the international center for atmospheric and weather research is being dismantled by the Trump administration for creating "climate alarmism." My father had one…...
Mix of warm temperatures, dry conditions raise risk of wind-driven fires
1+ week, 3+ day ago (253+ words) Low moisture conditions, a recent lack of rain and snow and winds up to 40 mph could lead to a higher risk of rapid fire spread, the National Weather Service said. The Chicago area is under a fire watch Wednesday due…...
Spring-like weather forecast for Chicago area over the next several days
1+ week, 5+ day ago (331+ words) Unseasonably warm temps move into the Chicago area this week, forecasters say. It'll be a welcome relief after a frigid few weeks. Chicagoans could see record-breaking temperatures this week as they continue to enjoy an unseasonably warm February. The National…...
Acceptable Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy in the Chicago Public Media Newsroom
2+ week, 1+ day ago (83+ words) Any significant use of GAI in content must be disclosed to the audience. GAI may be used for tasks that are challenging but verifiable, such as: GAI must not be used for: Journalists are responsible for identifying and correcting any…...