Jacob, a young homeless man with hearing loss, recently walked into one of the free clinics that my colleagues and I had organized at his shelter. He sat down with me and described how severe hearing loss had impacted his life. During a previous job interview, he had been unable to properly hear the interviewer, … Read more
Just days after CSX announced a new rail line in response to the Port of Baltimore closure, the Baltimore-bound containers that were diverted to the Port of New York and New Jersey are back being unloaded in Baltimore. “We will keep this in play for the duration of the port closure,” said Mark Schmidt, vice … Read more
An exterior view shows the Tropicana Las Vegas at dusk on March 29, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. David Becker | Getty Images As the famous Tropicana in Las Vegas closes its doors Tuesday, its operator Bally’s Corporation is facing its own existential battle. At stake: ownership, its status as a publicly traded company and … Read more
A Portillo’s Beef Bus in Kissimmee, Florida. Source: Portillo’s When Chicago-based Portillo’s enters a new market, it sends its “Beef Bus” ahead of time, slinging its hot dogs and Italian beef sandwiches to new customers for weeks, introducing them to the brand and whetting their appetites before a new restaurant finally opens. Recently, the Beef … Read more
Apartments are seen undergoing construction on February 28, 2023 in Austin, Texas. Brandon Bell | Getty Images The apartment market is finally loosening up. At the same time, competition is heating up in some key markets. There is an enormous supply of new apartments coming online this year. And rents have fallen for six straight … Read more
Chicago’s mayor is ending the city’s contract for a controversial gunshot detection system that critics say was too expensive, ineffective, and potentially prejudicial. Brandon Johnson announced Tuesday that the city would soon stop using ShotSpotter, a gun detection software system that was established in 1996 — fulfilling a campaign promise to walk away from the … Read more
CHICAGO – Kia Motors is adding a hybrid model to its Carnival minivan to meet increasing consumer demand for the technology and assist in meeting tightening federal fuel economy standards. Hybrids are a growing option for automakers as they strive to make vehicles more efficient and avoid costly federal fuel economy and emissions standards. They’re … Read more
Since 2024 began, Chicagoans of all stripes have been enraptured by the Rat Hole — a rat-shaped hole on Roscoe Street, into which visitors have deposited coins, Doritos, and other offerings. It’s been featured in the paper of record, posted on Atlas Obscura, and even filled in and dug back out by locals. Now, though, … Read more
The collapse of FTX has sent shockwaves through the cryptocurrency industry. The price of bitcoin and other major digital coins have fallen sharply as problems at FTX emerged. Jakub Porzycki | Nurphoto | Getty Images Three people were indicted for an identity-theft conspiracy that allegedly included the $400 million hack in late 2022 of doomed … Read more
As New York grapples with an overdue blast of winter weather, John Hill is ready to take audiences on a sun-drenched getaway courtesy of his chihuahua, Pete. Hill, best known as the dreamy host of SiriusXM’s “The News With John Hill” and co-host of “Andy Cohen Live,” is currently touring the country with a one-man … Read more
