Stories by kristen thometz

(Patty Wetli / WTTW News)

Lakeview Pantry Launching Mobile App to Accept Locally Grown Produce

The North Side food pantry is teaming up with nonprofit Fresh Food Connect to launch a mobile app that will allow home and community gardeners to donate some of their fresh grown produce.

(Courtesy of Jurassic Quest)

10 Things to Do This Weekend: Nov. 4-7

Dinosaurs, a hot chocolate run, film festival and bike ride usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.

(Photo by Del Nakamura/ Northalsted / GoPride.com)

10 Things to Do This Weekend: Oct. 28-31

Halloween parades, a haunted flea market, Día de los Muertos celebrations and a musical psychic usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.

(WTTW News)

Pritzker Issues Vaccine Requirement for Licensed Day Care Centers

All licensed day care center staff in Illinois must receive their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by Dec. 3, according to an executive order issued Friday by Gov. J.B. Pritzker. Staff who are not fully vaccinated by Dec. 3 must, at a minimum, undergo weekly testing until they’re fully vaccinated.

(Sincerely Media / Unsplash)

Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Red, White and Yellow Onions: CDC

More than 650 people have been infected with salmonella oranienburg nationwide, including 37 people in Illinois, according to federal health officials. 

(Courtesy of Navy Pier)

10 Things to Do This Weekend: Oct. 21-24

Jack-o’-lanterns, papermaking, a “Frankenstein”-inspired play and a Halloween-themed run usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.

(Ana Krach / Pixabay)

State Health Officials Share Tips for Fall Gatherings, Trick-or-Treating

With Halloween and Día de los Muertos fast approaching, state health officials released guidelines Friday to help people safely celebrate common fall traditions, like trick-or-treating and visits to pumpkin patches.

(Anna Munzesheimer)

10 Things to Do This Weekend: Oct. 14-17

Architectural gems, an arts festival, cemetery walk and international films usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.

(FotoshopTofs / Pixabay)

Will County Resident Dies from West Nile Virus, Marking 1st Death in 2021: IDPH

“Although we are already into fall, we are expecting a warm weekend and West Nile virus remains a risk until the first hard frost,” Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike said in a statement. 

(Free-Photos / Pixabay)

Study: Pandemic-Related Stress Linked to Menstrual Cycle Changes

A new Northwestern Medicine study has found increased stress during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with irregularities in menstrual cycles.

(Courtesy of Celebrate Highwood)

10 Things to Do This Weekend: Oct. 7-10

Jack-o’-lanterns, thousands of runners, goat yoga and a powwow usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.

Arlington International Racecourse (WTTW News)

Pritzker: Proposed Chicago Bears Move Would Be Disappointing

Governor says city, team need to ‘work out their differences’

While Gov. J.B. Pritzker said he’d be disappointed if the Chicago Bears no longer played in the Windy City, he said the state isn’t planning on intervening and that city officials and the team need to “work out their differences.”

(Rick Majewski / GoPride.com / Northalsted)

10 Things to Do This Weekend: Sept. 30-Oct. 3

A pride celebration, neon lights, fairy houses and talented teens usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in Chicago.

(Photo by Nils Bouillard / Unsplash)

Lake County Man Dies After Rabies Infection, Marking 1st Human Case Since 1954: IDPH

A Lake County man in his 80s who awoke to a bat on his neck in mid-August is the first person to have contracted the disease in Illinois in more than 65 years, according to state health officials. 

(WTTW News)

‘Treating the Whole Person’: Medical Respite Centers Offer Care, Support During Pandemic

For many homeless people in the Chicago area, finding a safe space to recover from illness or injury is a challenge, especially during a pandemic. Medical respite centers aim to offer that refuge through medical care and support services.

(WTTW News)

Illinois Health Officials Recommend COVID-19 Booster for Older Adults, Front-line Workers

Echoing recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Illinois health officials are recommending COVID-19 booster shots for older adults, as well as front-line workers and people who live in group settings.

(WTTW News)

Illinois Investing $44M in Job Training, Programs for At-Risk Youth

A new $40 million workforce recovery grant program seeks to help job seekers get back to work, while another $4.4 million program aims to increase access to career training programs for at-risk youth, Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced Thursday.

(Credit: Special Events Management)

10 Things To Do This Weekend: Sept. 23-26

German beers and brats, live jazz, a freestyle dance contest and a boozy art show usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.

(WTTW News via CNN)

Bobby Rush: Honor COVID-19 Vaccine Development with Congressional Gold Medal

Bipartisan legislation to be introduced Friday by U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush would honor those whose efforts led to the successful development of COVID-19 vaccines, including researchers, scientists, doctors and vaccine trial volunteers. 

(Credit: Special Events Management)

10 Things To Do This Weekend: Sept. 16-19

Tacos, music fests, bloody marys and an art tour by bike usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker speaks Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2021 about a controversial new Texas law banning nearly all abortions in that state. (WTTW News)

Pritzker, Lawmakers Vow to Protect Women’s Rights, Call Texas Abortion Law an ‘Abomination’

U.S. Reps. Underwood, Foster and Krishnamoorthi call for federal reproductive health law

In the wake of a new law banning nearly all abortions in Texas, Gov. J.B. Pritzker and members of Illinois’ congressional delegation vowed to protect women’s rights while calling for a federal reproductive health law. “Nobody should be forced to cross state lines to see a doctor,” Pritzker said.

(Photo by Ken Carl)

10 Things To Do This Weekend: Sept. 9-12

Street festivals, dance classes, outdoor concerts and unique eats usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.

(WTTW News)

Pritzker Extends Deadline for Vaccine Requirement for Teachers, Health Care Workers

All pre-K through 12th grade teachers and staff, higher education employees and students, and health care workers in settings such as hospitals and nursing homes now have until Sept. 19 to receive their first COVID-19 vaccine dose.

(WTTW News)

Illinois Records Nearly 6,000 COVID-19 Cases in a Day

The number of new COVID-19 infections has been steadily increasing for weeks and on Friday neared 6,000 for the first time in a 24-hour period since January, according to state health officials.

The Anti-Cruelty Society is participating in the national Clear the Shelters campaign and hosted a pair of events at the end of August. The agency is seeing an increase in the number of pets coming in after a drop-off in 2020. (Courtesy of The Anti-Cruelty Society)

Chicago Animal Shelters See Uptick in Pets in Need of Care

Animal shelters across the city are seeing an increase this year in the number of pets coming through their doors. What’s behind that trend — and how shelters are trying to keep pets in homes.

(Special Events Management)

12 Things to Do This Weekend: Sept. 2-6

Beefy burgers, music festivals, cycling on Lake Shore Drive and mini golf usher in the holiday weekend. Here are a dozen things to do in and around Chicago.