Dear Candid Candace: With baseball season approaching, I always like to take my kids to at least a couple games a year. When we go, I like to breathe in the full ambiance of the game by getting there extra early, walking around the stadium outside, watching the people, soaking up the pre-gam…
From the beginning, “Squid Game” was a story about what it means to survive a ruthless system with your soul intact. But now, with its massive success, does it risk becoming entertainment shaped by that same system: a marketable, profitable, polished franchise built for bingeing, stripped of…
Dear Candid Candace: I recently learned that a friend of mine in her mid-40s has Stage 3 breast cancer and will undergo a double mastectomy and radiation. Today I learned that a colleague of mine, also younger than myself, is a blood cancer survivor, yet unsure as to the longevity of his li…
The plot follows mercenary Zora Bennett, played by Scarlett Johansson, and her team on a mission to acquire dinosaur DNA, a task that leads them to a dangerous and isolated island. The intention is to extract a cure for heart disease from the creatures' extraordinary size.
This year, the Illinois State Fair will take place Aug. 7-17 in Springfield, Ill. There will be live entertainment (Jake Owen with Jo Dee Messina, The Black Crowes, Megan Morony, Sheryl Crow and more!); food vendors galore; competitions (marching bands, float builders, baton twirlers, fiddle…
Dear Candid Candace: How do I get my husband off his phone or iPad? I’ve tried everything! I think he has an addiction. Every time we are watching a movie or even enjoying coffee he’s got his iPad or phone on so I’m seeing the top of his head not his face. He says it’s work or an important n…
If you are looking for a quick weekend getaway and a short road trip from Chicago, then St. Louis may be the perfect travel destination for you.
Online communities can be a great way to expand your social circle and connect to people from all over the world. It’s especially useful for those who travel a lot and struggle to keep up in a local community since they’re gone half the time. It’s also great for those with niche interests th…
Jon Cohn discusses the NBA Finals contestants, the Indiana Pacers versus the Oklahoma City Thunder.
To some, New Buffalo, Mich., a quiet escape an hour east of Chicago, could be labeled as quaint. But quaint doesn’t quite do the town justice. Not when you factor all the wonderful lodging and dining experiences that await you in this peaceful lakeshore town.
From the moment I met Sister Rosemary Connelly, it was clear she was someone extraordinary. Her presence radiated warmth and compassion, and her smile made everyone feel seen and loved. As a longtime friend and supporter of Misericordia, I was welcomed with open arms by the then-executive di…
Uncover the role of stablecoins in modern finance, their market potential, and how regulatory measures are shaping their future.
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Waiting for the corn stands to open, anticipating friend-filled picnics in the American Legion Park and visiting with former classmates at my No-Class Reunion are just a few of the many activities I look forward to every summer in my little hometown of Dupo, Illinois, nestled near the banks …
Dear Candid Candace—I wanted your thoughts, as we are now parents of young children starting to go to their friends’ birthday parties. They have been invited to pirate-themed parties, magic shows, treasure hunts, princess parties, face painting parties, and even spa parties and laser tag par…
Is there anything that says summer quite like a farmstand? I sure don’t think so. Just this past the weekend, my family- husband Chuck and Penny the pup- took a drive to Westmont to visit one of our favorite markets, The Farm.
Here is your article edited for grammar, punctuation, and AP style, with nothing else changed:
I recently attended a dance recital and was instantly reminded of the years spent watching my sister’s annual performance from a dark auditorium. The seat cushions were so worn, the springs jabbed me in places I’d rather not mention.
With the penny on its way out, here are other outdated habits, objects, and ideas we should consider retiring next.
Avoid wasting screen time—here’s a list of TV shows not worth watching, with honest reviews and what to stream instead.
Dear Candid Candace: I just wanted to see what advice you had on this. My wife and I are on the opposite ends of the “keep things vs. throw things away” spectrum. The wife always likes to save things “ just in case” and says “ well the kids may want this someday down the road.” I am of t…
Caitlin Clark opens the 2025 WNBA season with record stats, triple-doubles, and unmatched passing for the Indiana Fever.
Explore the quirky side of art school graduation, from costumes to career confusion, and the eccentric world of degree holders.
I had the pleasure of participating in a Mother’s Day podcast yesterday produced by my longtime friend, John St. Augustine. He interviewed a few of his other friends about memories of their moms and I was included. I’ve written a lot about my mom, but as always, John drew things out of me th…
Gov. JB Pritzker moves up the top ten list for the 2028 presidential run.
Chicago’s weather this week is a wild ride—think 80 degrees, sudden thunderstorms, and unpredictable mood swings. From sunshine to downpours, here’s why the Windy City’s forecast feels like a reality show you can’t escape.
Ideas for choosing the next pope from people in sports world
Sometimes it is hard to repeat greatness. Usually, you’re lucky enough to capture the magic once, but to do it again, even for a third time, and make it even more special? That’s not so easy.
A brand new idea to improve Masters Golf Tournament
Being the dedicated and loyal reporter for The Chicago Star that I occasionally pretend to be, I meandered over to the “Hands Off” protest held at Daley Plaza on Saturday, April 5.
Dear Candid Candace: Need your advice on a career question. Not for me, but for a friend whose son quit a good paying corporate job, at the tender age of 29, in a kind of early mid-life crisis— “ I want to find a job with more meaning” type revelation.
Normally, change is hard to come by. As a sort of natural human reaction, we tend to resist change, especially when it comes to any of our grand traditions that have been with us for so long.
Sixty-eight teams started the March Madness college basketball tournament, and now just four remain.
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“Titanique,” a campy, irreverent musical comedy opened in previews on March 25, and has already been extended to July 13! We didn’t know what to expect when we attended the 100-minute (no intermission) production at the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place, but let’s just say it is a one-…
First weekend of March Madness basketball was good, except for too many whistles from officials
World champion boxer and successful businessman George Foreman has passed away at age 76.
I want to begin with a confession. While I was a sports mom, college basketball was entirely outside my realm. My oldest son played hockey, and my other son was registered for baseball and football, but his favorite positions were snack mom and after-practice ice cream coordinator.
Yes, the games of March Madness are about to begin, and a big part of the fun is trying to figure out who exactly will be those surprise teams—the teams that pull off unlikely upsets and make an improbable run to the Elite Eight, or maybe even the Final Four!
Truly amazing how far the ladies’ game has come. With the skill level, athleticism, and intensity of competition where it is now, I can say with more than solid certainty that I (this longtime basketball-crazed fan) enjoy the women’s game every bit now as much as the men’s.
Longtime Chicago residents, shame on you. You should know better. As for you newcomers to our great city—we will give you a pass on this one.
Think of it as the best roller coaster ride you have ever been on: a ride complete with twists, turns, screams, hollers and incredible emotional highs —along with drops that can make your stomach churn.
Frigid February is upon us. We Chicagoans “grin and bear it,” but it still is a rough road to travel. Freezing cold temperatures, a little snow and ice thrown in just to keep things interesting, not to mention wind gusts that can cut through you with the pinpoint accuracy of a surgeon’s knife.
I know this new Playboy print magazine has been very hotly anticipated. And I can understand why. When most fans had given up hope of ever seeing another Playboy magazine in print, up pops the Feb. 2025 issue after a five-year hiatus. This major decision to return to print was announced by t…
Whether seeking a spring getaway, a summer adventure, a scenic fall drive, or a cozy winter retreat, Chicagoans have no shortage of nearby destinations to explore in 2025.
Donald Trump is fulfilling his campaign promise to impose tariffs on countries he sees as threats to America's national security and economic stability with targets including China, Canada, and Mexico. While supporters argue these measures protect American jobs, critics warn of economic fall…
Depending on your perspective, Super Bowl 59 (sorry, LIX) was either a joyful celebration of the great Philadelphia Eagles team—or a complete thundering dud if you were… well, basically, any fan not from Philadelphia!
The Super Bowl is coming up Sunday, and one of the big stories surrounding the game is the advent of a new football strategy called “The Tush Push.”
For over half a year, I have been single and caught in the endless cycle of dating apps—scrolling, swiping, and second-guessing. While I’ve met some nice people along the way, the overall experience has been exhausting, plagued by superficial connections and lingering insecurities.
Chicago may be known for its chilly winters, but the season offers an exciting array of outdoor activities that allow you to experience the city in a unique way.
In case any Chicagoans have been buried under the cold and snow and haven’t been on notice—or maybe just covering their eyes from the news and politics these days—we do have a colossal battle brewing in our city.
Valentine’s Day isn’t just for romance—it’s the perfect time to get creative with a little payback. If your ex is still on your mind, why not send them a gift they’ll never forget? From creepy critters to glittery chaos, here are the most delightfully petty gifts to give your ex this Feb. 14.
Columbus, Ohio, celebrates Tuesday, as their beloved Buckeyes won the national championship Monday night with a 34-23 victory over the game, but overmatched, Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
