A buildup of gas in a drop shaft connected to the Deep Tunnel project is suspected as the reason for an explosion in South Holland this morning. more ›

Chicago's mail delivery rate was pretty much known as the worst in the nation back in 2007, but it looks like the mail delivery system in Illinois is having a tough time tracking packages even in 2010. The cremated remains of Mabel Bink, who passed away June 18 in Arizona, have been found and returned to her family in Illinois. The 20-pound package that contained Bink's cremated remains had been missing since July 19, and the package was found in an Elk Grove Village processing plant on Thursday afternoon. more ›

- BREAKING: The Tribune and Sun-Times agree to a historic distribution deal where the Bright One contracts the Tribune to handle most of its delivery. More on this tomorrow after we've had time to let this one sink in. - A Dallas real estate investment firm is thisclose to signing off on an $850 million deal for four downtown office buildings, including 440 S. LaSalle, aka One Financial Place. - United Airlines files lawsuits... more ›

Faced with declining revenues, the Tribune plans on placing advertisements on the bottom of its front page. Michael Vick of the Atlanta Falcons isn't the only person charged with running a dog-fighting ring. So is 29-year-old South Holland resident Kevin Taylor. Like he needs the money: Oprah's throwing a fundraiser for Barack Obama at her California estate. Chicago Public Schools chief Arne Duncan makes his case for money from Springfield. Oak Park supports same-sex... more ›

The ongoing saga of The Spire continues. This week in Foods We Can't Eat: Onions at Taco Bell. Pepsi is reorganizing and centralizing some of its operations in Chicago. And this week in GLBT news: Gay and Lesbian travelers love Chicago. We're #11 on the list of top destinations. And there's now a Chicago Gay Games DVD. And finally, the Chicago Gay Men's Chorus has a new CD out. Go see some Iraqi art... more ›

The Maxwell Street blues scene is a shadow of its former self. So it’s with sadness and worry that we read this piece in the Sun-Times this morning about Piano C. Red, one of the men who’s worked tirelessly to keep this part of Chicago’s history alive. Red, whose real name is James Wheeler, is known as one of the last remaining bluesmen in the Maxwell Street market, which is now located on Canal St.... more ›

A North Carolina teenager was shot in the leg Saturday night at Taste of Chicago. The teen was not the intended target, and his injuries were not life-threatening. more ›