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Holiday-proof your fitness with these 10 expert tips: Fitness expert Dana Santas is seen here demonstrating a mountain climber, a high-intensity activity that will get your heart pumping. (Courtesy Dana Santas)

Holiday-Proof Your Fitness With These 10 Expert Tips

With the right mindset, you can enjoy the season without sabotaging your well-being.

(AP Illustration / Peter Hamlin)

Is the COVID-19 Vaccine Safe for Children?

More than 5 million children ages 5 to 11 have gotten a first dose since early November, and government safety monitoring has not uncovered any surprise problems. 

Stress from endless lists and holiday events can negatively impact your children, but open communication can help. (Adobe Stock)

1 in 5 Parents Admit Their Stress Level Ruins the Holidays for Their Children, According to a New Poll

The most wonderful time of the year can also be the most stressful.

(Arseny Togulev / Unsplash)

Reindeer Once Roamed Illinois. 10 Fun Facts About the Holidays’ Hoofed Heroes

For an animal immortalized in literature, song and film, the reindeer has done a remarkable job of, pardon the pun, flying under the radar.

(WTTW News graphic)

Bears, Officially Out of Playoff Contention, Prepare to Face Seahawks

Chicago fell to the Minnesota Vikings 17-9 on Monday Night Football, the team’s third straight loss.

A health worker administers a dose of a Moderna COVID-19 vaccine during a vaccination clinic at the Norristown Public Health Center in Norristown, Pa., Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021. (AP Photo / Matt Rourke, File)

US Sets Shorter COVID-19 Isolation Rules for Health Workers

Worried that a new COVID-19 wave could overwhelm understaffed U.S. hospitals, federal officials on Thursday loosened rules that call on health care workers to stay out of work for 10 days if they test positive.

President Donald Trump speaks during a rally protesting the electoral college certification of Joe Biden as President in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021. (AP Photo / Evan Vucci, File)

Trump Asks Supreme Court to Block Release of Jan. 6 Records

Former President Donald Trump turned to the Supreme Court on Thursday in a last-ditch effort to keep documents away from the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection at the Capitol led by his supporters.

The James Webb Space Telescope. (Credit: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center)

NASA’ s James Webb Space Telescope Rolls Out for Christmas Launch

The highly anticipated launch of the James Webb Space Telescope has been delayed multiple times.

(WTTW News)

Illinois Sets New Single-Day Record of COVID-19 Cases

On the eve of Christmas Eve, state health officials reported nearly 19,000 new and probable cases of COVID-19 in a 24-hour period, breaking the record for highest single-day case count set just Wednesday.

This undated photo provided by Merck & Co. shows their new antiviral medication molnupiravir. U.S. regulators have authorized a second pill against COVID-19, an antiviral drug from Merck that may help blunt the wave of infections driven by the omicron variant. (Merck & Co. via AP, File)

US Adds Merck Pill as 2nd Easy-to-Use Drug Against COVID-19

The Food and Drug Administration announcement on Merck’s molnupiravir comes one day after the agency cleared a competing drug from Pfizer. 

December 23, 2021 - Full Show

The holidays can be tough to handle. Advice from mental health professionals. Previewing the Bears Seahawks matchup. And a Mexican Catholic tradition celebrated in Buena Park.

(WTTW News)

How to Deal With Grief, Stress During The Holidays

Holiday music, decorations and commercials say it’s supposed to be the most wonderful time of year. But not everyone experiences the holidays as merry and bright.

Light from the morning sun illuminates the Supreme Court in Washington, Friday, Dec. 3, 2021. (AP Photo / J. Scott Applewhite, File)

High Court to Hold Special Session on Vaccine Requirements

The Supreme Court says it will hold a special session in just over two weeks to weigh challenges to two Biden administration policies covering vaccine requirements for millions of workers, policies that affect large employers and health care workers.

Individuals are issued a COVID-19 vaccination card when they’re vaccinated. (Kristen Thometz / WTTW News)

Suburban Cook County to Require Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination

Citing rising COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths, suburban Cook County officials announced Thursday patrons age 5 and up entering restaurants, bars, gyms and movie theaters, among other venues, will need to show proof of vaccination against COVID-19 starting Jan. 3.

Health officials warn that more people are expected to get infected with the omicron and delta coronavirus variants and they need to stay home and isolate themselves so they don't spread the virus to others. (David Paul Morris / Bloomberg via Getty Images)

How Long Should You Isolate If You’re Fully Vaccinated But Have COVID-19? There is Some Debate

This debate comes as COVID-19 cases rise across the United States. As of Tuesday, the nation is averaging 139,764 new cases each day, according to data from Johns Hopkins University – up 16% from a week ago.

A bartender mixes a drink at the Chicago restaurant 14 Parish. (WTTW News)

Spotlight Politics: Chicago Issues Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination Mandate Amid Surge

A look at the political and economic ramifications of the COVID-19 surge. Our politics team and guest reporters weigh in on that and more.

(WTTW News)

Local Business Owners React to Proof of Vaccination Requirement

While some business owners say requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination will limit spread of COVID-19, others worry about how it will impact their business – and how patrons will react. 

(Image by vivienviv0 from Pixabay)

How to Safely Celebrate Holidays Amid the Latest COVID-19 Surge

Holiday travel and gathering has begun. The Food and Drug Administration authorizes emergency use of Pfizer’s pill to treat COVID-19. A local physician weighs in on that and more.

(WTTW News)

Demand for COVID-19 Testing Surges as Holidays Near

Pharmacies are dealing with a shortage of at-home COVID-19 tests as the demand for testing skyrockets ahead of the holidays.

(Courtesy of John Soss Photography)

Artist Combs Chicago Beaches for Materials and Inspiration

Discovery is central to the work of an artist who seeks and finds all kinds of things on the shores of Lake Michigan. John Soss makes artwork out of seemingly nothing, sifting the sand for debris left by people and nature.

(WTTW News)

Illinois Sees Highest Single-Day COVID-19 Case Count

There were 16,581 new and probable COVID-19 cases recorded within the past 24 hours by the Illinois Department of Public Health. That’s the highest single-day total this year and the highest since November 2020, per IDPH data.

Ald. Ricardo Munoz appears on “Chicago Tonight” on July 23, 2018. (WTTW News)

Feds Recommend 1-Year Prison Sentence for Former Ald. Ricardo Muñoz

In a sentencing memorandum filed Wednesday, federal prosecutors said former Ald. Ricardo Muñoz “abused his public position and betrayed the public trust” by embezzling nearly $38,000 in city money over the course of approximately three years.

December 22, 2021 - Full Show

The race for COVID-19 tests ahead of the holidays. The latest on Pfizer’s newly approved COVID-19 pill. How businesses are reacting to the mayor’s new vaccine mandate. And what’s behind a shortage of Santas.

This image provided by Pfizer in October 2021 shows the company's COVID-19 Paxlovid pills. U.S. health regulators on Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2021 authorized the first pill against COVID-19, a Pfizer drug that Americans will be able to take at home to head off the worst effects of the virus. (Pfizer via AP)

Pfizer Pill Becomes 1st US-Authorized Home COVID Treatment

The long-awaited milestone comes as U.S. cases, hospitalizations and deaths are all rising and health officials warn of a tsunami of new infections from the omicron variant that could overwhelm hospitals.

(Photo by Heidi Peters / Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago)

10 Things to Do This Weekend: Dec. 23-26

Global Christmas traditions, holiday lights, festive floral arrangements and comics usher in the holiday weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.

(inspiri / Pixabay)

Local Hospitals Face Hospitalization Surge as Omicron Variant Emerges

The majority of hospitalizations in Chicago continue to be among those unvaccinated, but health officials advised everyone take precautions.