Chemicals — what would we do without them? Twinkies wouldn't have a shelf life of a decade. Diet Coke wouldn't be diet. And microwave popcorn wouldn't cause some weird lung disease. We just read today that diacetyl, one of the main substances used to flavor microwave popcorn*, isn't so good for the lungs. Truthfully, when we read the first article about the first consumer that is likely to have "popcorn lung" (bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome, or... more ›

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Come this time Thursday morning, some of you will be nestled in the comforts of Mom's home cooking, or a friends', or your significant other's. Some of you might be doing the cooking yourselves, and wondering if you bit off more than you can chew by planning a menu centered around roast turkey breast wrapped in applewood smoked bacon and served with hazlenut mole. Many of you who still think going out the night before... more ›

The CTA needs themselves a James Koh: Mistakes on the new CTA maps cost one guy his job and will cost the agency $75,000 to correct. Topinka unveiled her new education plan. The U of C jumped up to 9th place in a national college ranking. Traffic aides in the green vests get no respect. No, it's not OK to sleep on the job, even if you work for the city. Diarrhea Harbor (a.k.a.... more ›

You've probably noticed a lot of new faces around here lately. When we get into the Chicaogist office in the morning these days, we pause for a second, thinking we're at the wrong place! But the site has been great lately - lots of quality posts and we're really enjoying our new additions. Hope you are too! Please welcome: Todd McClamroch, who will be helping write about Chicago sports. Thales Exoo who will answer all... more ›