The top news stories from WBBM Newsradio's 4:30PM news block

The restaurant in Rockford named 15th and Chris burned down in 2023. The U.S. Attorney's Office says James Purifoy lied to local and federal authorities about what happened, and then filed a false insurance claim on his restaurant which paid him $305,000. On Wednesday, a federal judge sentenced the 51-year-old Purifoy to 66 months in prison for arson and fraud.

Chicago First Responders, Coast Guard, Offer Summer Water Safety Tips full 55 Thu, 14 May 2026 20:24:11 +0000 p9PsEOyzUDSZK2JJziCGrozCHJHEfu1X news Chicago All Local news Chicago First Responders, Coast Guard, Offer Summer Water Safety Tips A dive into the top headlines in Chicago, delivering the news you need in 10 minutes or less multiple times a day from WBBM Newsradio. 2024 © 2021 Audacy, Inc. News https://player.amperwav

Chicago officials offer summer water safety tips full 55 Thu, 14 May 2026 19:53:33 +0000 2sBFM7t7VZDKRTmzkeUePlX4ddgISJF4 news Chicago All Local news Chicago officials offer summer water safety tips A dive into the top headlines in Chicago, delivering the news you need in 10 minutes or less multiple times a day from WBBM Newsradio. 2024 © 2021 Audacy, Inc. News https://player.amperwavepodcasting.com?feed-

Ahead of graduation this weekend, Columbia College students will hosting a day-long arts festival in the South Loop.

All women will go through it, but it's rarely talked about. WBBM"s Lisa Fielding tells us why many women feel dismissed and why so many doctors miss the menopause mark.

WBBM political editor Geoff Buchholz reports on Chicago mayor Brandon Johnson's planned visit to Pope Leo at the Vatican this month.

Mayor Johnson will travel to Rome and Vatican City from May 26th to the 30th, but his office did not specify when he will meet with the pontiff, who became Pope in May 2025. Johnson says he and Pope Leo will discuss topics including protecting the rights of voters, workers and immigrants. Johnson's trip will be funded by World Business Chicago, a nonprofit agency funded by the city and private donors.

Starting in Autumn 2027, the University of Chicago will offer free tuition to undergrads of families with annual incomes below $250,000. The college says it also will cover all expenses of tuition, fees, housing and meals for families with annual incomes below $125,000. The University of Chicago says it wants to provide an education that is transformative and affordable.

WBBM political editor Geoff Buchholz reports on the confirmation hearing for Mayor Brandon Johnson's nominee to be Chicago's next Transportation Commissioner.

After Chicago Public Schools announced a more than $730 million budget deficit, Chicago Board of Education members are calling on Illinois lawmakers to increase CPS funding.

The Golden Arches are coming to the 78. The Chicago Fire FC announced its new soccer stadium will be named McDonald's Park.

Memorial Day weekend means grills, road trips, and unfortunately, a spike in scams. Jordan Wright with the Better Business Bureau's Tip-Off to the Rip-Off® on WBBM Newsradio has the details.

WBBM political editor Geoff Buchholz updates Chicago's pitch to bring the Democratic National Convention back to the city in 2028.

Heart disease is still the number one killer of women in the U.S, yet the signs go unnoticed. In today's episode of Menopause: Changing the Conversation, WBBM's Lisa Fielding takes a closer look at the correlation between menopause and your heart.

Attorney General Kwame Raoul's office has charged 56-year-old Deborah Mazeika with several felony counts including theft, fraud and forgery. Raoul alleges Mazeika submitted false claims to the Illinois Department of Human Services and received payments for services she claimed she administered to people with severe disabilities during times that she was working in-person at another job.

WBBM political editor Geoff Buchholz reports on a Chicago City Council hearing dealing with the effort to find a replacement for the "ShotSpotter" gunshot detection system.

Chicago filmmaker's new documentary explores life and legacy of W.E.B. Du Bois full 61 Tue, 12 May 2026 21:23:06 +0000 OHhhnqde061I7SURaRXnwCM2XS9yD5CZ news Chicago All Local news Chicago filmmaker's new documentary explores life and legacy of W.E.B. Du Bois A dive into the top headlines in Chicago, delivering the news you need in 10 minutes or less multiple times a day from WBBM Newsradio. 2024 © 2021 Audacy, Inc. News False https://player

A man is in the hospital after a shootout with police Monday night in South Chicago. The police department says tactical officers responding to a call about a person with a gun at about 10:30pm near 82nd and South Shore attempted to stop someone who matched the description a block away.

Patti Smith is returning to her native Chicago this fall - but not for a concert. The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer is accepting this year's Harold Washington Literary Award.

WBBM political editor Geoff Buchholz reports on a new attempt to delay the end of Chicago's "tipped minimum wage" for restaurant and bar servers.

The University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign had to reschedule some final exams after the learning platform Canvas reached a deal with hackers.

Mundelein police officers were called to a home by a 9-1-1 caller who claimed to be the relative of a suicidal woman. Authorities arrived to the residence and shot and killed the woman allegedly armed with two large knives. The Lake County Major Crime Task Force is investigating.

On May 7th, the DuPage County Sheriff's Office says 26-year-old Aviance Carson rear-ended a vehicle at Hinsdale South High School in Darien. The DAILY HERALD reports Carson fled the scene, but was located by Willowbrook Police. When officers asked Carson to exit the car, she instead hit a squad car and sped away. Carson---followed by police---later got out of the car and tried to run into a building, and allegedly bit and kicked officers before they handcuffed her.

The Shedd Aquarium's newly renovated Phelps Auditorium invites guests to fully immerse themselves into the world of penguins, sharks and octopuses.

WBBM political editor Geoff Buchholz updates the push by advocates to have a special prosecutor handle potential criminal charges tied to "Operation Midway Blitz."

A reunion of sorts for the cast of Windfall, making it's world premiere at Steppenwolf this month. WBBM's Lisa Fielding talks with Oscar winning playwright Tarell Alvin McCraney.

May is Women's Health Month and all this week, WBBM'S Lisa Fielding takes a closer look at something that affects more than a million women yearly. Today, how a new generation is changing the conversation about **menopause.

Lake County's largest public safety expo is returning to Gurnee Mills this weekend, bringing together dozens of police and fire agencies for live demonstrations, family activities and public safety education.

The south suburban village is rolling out the welcome mat for what organizers are calling the largest gospel music festival in southern Cook County.

Chicago Expert: Hantavirus Fears Are Real, But Not Here full 57 Fri, 08 May 2026 19:39:03 +0000 iAJjeOwqz2tGbIZpNpy0V5NS4Ppjl1iN news Chicago All Local news Chicago Expert: Hantavirus Fears Are Real, But Not Here A dive into the top headlines in Chicago, delivering the news you need in 10 minutes or less multiple times a day from WBBM Newsradio. 2024 © 2021 Audacy, Inc. News False https://player.amperwavepodcasting.co

Obituary of Pulitzer Prize winning journalist and author Philip Caputo

WBBM political editor Geoff Buchholz reports on the funeral for slain Chicago police officer John Bartholomew.

Lake Geneva Mailboat Jumpers full 45 Fri, 08 May 2026 16:05:37 +0000 XUBMweqlOc2sfEL5Mgp0DSu5NwkGCuVL news Chicago All Local news Lake Geneva Mailboat Jumpers A dive into the top headlines in Chicago, delivering the news you need in 10 minutes or less multiple times a day from WBBM Newsradio. 2024 © 2021 Audacy, Inc. News False https://player.amperwavepodcasting.com?feed-link=https%3A%2F%2Fr

If you are a woman between the ages of 40 and 60, there's a topic that is likely taking over your group chats, social media feed and lunch conversations: menopause. Today in Menopause: Changing the Conversation, WBBM's Lisa Fielding takes a closer look at hormone replacement therapy: the myths and methods that have paved the way for a healthier, more informed generation of women.

On April 27th, Los Angeles Police say 65-year-old Jose Melesio was fatally struck by a hit-and-run driver near the intersection of 75th Street and Figueroa Street. Now, authorities say a 50-thousand-dollar reward is being offered for information that leads to the driver's arrest and conviction. Jose Melesio's family has set up a gofundme account to pay for bringing him back to Chicago and for funeral expenses.

WBBM political editor Geoff Buchholz reports on sightings of federal immigration agents outside Cook County courthouses.

Kianna Galvin was 17 years old when she went missing on May 6, 2016. South Elgin police were conducting a forensic excavation 10 years later on May 7, 2026, in an effort to find her remains.

The Joliet City Council has approved $37M incentive to anchor development with massive sporting goods concept.

WBBM political editor Geoff Buchholz reports on a proposed hearing in Chicago City Council following the death of Officer John Bartholomew.

From April 17th through the 30th, Chicago Police say there have been 25 incidents where people in the Austin, Garfield Park and Humboldt Park neighborhoods parked their Acuras or Hondas at night, and then the next morning discovered damage to their vehicles and the airbags stolen. As detectives investigate the crimes, Chicago Police suggest that owners of Hondas and Acuras install audible alarms on their vehicles.

Steer clear of car washes that take you to the cleaners, with help from Jay Elliott of the Better Business Bureau's Tip-Off to the Rip-Off® on WBBM Newsradio.

The strike ended on its third day after zoo officials and union workers signed a four-year collective bargaining agreement.