Arts

Education

CPS to drop mask requirement in classrooms

The district said the change applies inside school buildings, on school property, and on school buses, though students and employees will still be encouraged to wear masks.

Education

Grant covers cost of bilingual license for Illinois teachers

A $4 million federal grant program is available to pay for Illinois teachers to earn a state license to teach the English language.

Arts

Naperville native Bob Odenkirk sketches a showbiz life in memoir

Perseverance with a heavy dose of luck has propelled Bob Odenkirk’s ascent from fringe sketch comic to fringe leading man.

Arts

Old Morton Salt warehouse to reopen as concert venue this summer, tickets on sale this week

Brilliantly renamed, The Salt Shed (no, we’re not joking), will open this summer featuring outdoor concerts followed by a full indoor schedule for 2023 after renovations are complete.

Film & Television

94th Academy Awards: Nominations

No streaming service has ever won best picture, but half of the 10 nominees were released by streamers.

Music

Blues drummer Sam Lay dies at 86; played with Wolf, Butterfield, Waters, and Dylan

Lay is best known as drummer for the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, but also played with Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, and Bob Dylan at the legendary 1965 Newport Folk Festival.

Arts

Hadiya Pendleton Winter Garden to highlight Obama Presidential Center

Obama Foundation officials hope the space will capture the teen’s spirit and serve “as a beacon to everyone of the potential that exists in our youth."

Film & Television

David Fincher's 'The Killer,' starring Michael Fassbender, coming to Hotel Baker in St. Charles

There's no word yet if either of the two stars or Fincher will be filming scenes in St. Charles but the production team that will be there is reportedly substantial.

Chicago Business

Chicago Public Media approves acquisition of Chicago Sun-Times

The Chicago Sun-Times will reportedly become a subsidiary of Chicago Public Media, creating one of the largest local nonprofit news organizations in the nation.

Arts

Chicago sports radio legend Les Grobstein passes away at 69

"The Grobber," as he was affectionately known to listeners, passed away in his Elk Grove Village home. He was 69.

Music

Lincoln Library museum exhibit featuring Illinois recording artists ending soon

The exhibit, featuring many Chicago musicians and recording artists, finishes its run at the Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum on January 23rd.

Obituaries

Bob Saget, beloved TV dad of 'Full House,' dead at 65

Saget's family members said they were devastated to confirm the news but invited all to join in remembering the love and laughter that Bob brought to the world.