Last-minute voting guide for Chicago and Illinois – NBC Chicago

Just one week after a midair collision near Reagan National Airport, the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are planning to brief senators on the incident, which resulted in the deaths of 67 people. Stricter restrictions have been imposed on helicopter flights near the airport until late February, with exceptions for essential services. Preliminary information from the plane's flight data recorder suggests a change in pitch prior to impact, with discrepancies in reported...

On February 6, significant events in the Chicago area included record temperatures in 1942, the start of John Wayne Gacy's trial as a suspected serial killer in 1980, and Michael Jordan winning the NBA Slam Dunk Contest in 1988. Gacy was portrayed as both a psychopath and a premeditated murderer, while Jordan delighted fans with his athletic prowess. The day also marked a unique moment in weather history with a 30-hour period of a steady...

President Trump's threats of federal freezes have caused panic among scientists facing funding cuts for crucial research in areas like PTSD, opioid use, cancer, and infectious diseases. PhD researchers at UCSD, Abbey Green and Jiana Cressy, expressed concern over the sudden disappearance of NIH grants and uncertainty about future funding. The potential impact on long-term research projects and the development of new therapies has left the scientific community worried and hindered progress in vital health...

A Texas school district warned parents that Border Patrol agents may board school buses to question students about their citizenship status, potentially leading to detainment or deportation. The district advised families to be aware of the consequences and mentioned possible measures to lessen the impact, such as adding language to student travel waivers and considering having a designated chaperone vehicle travel with buses. Other school districts, like West Oso ISD, have also addressed changes in...

Tilly Hayward, a 17-year-old diagnosed with Stargardt disease, a rare genetic eye condition that will lead to blindness, is raising funds to travel the world before losing her sight. Despite the deterioration of her peripheral vision, Tilly remains determined to see places like Disneyworld in Florida and the beaches of Dubai. With the support of her mother and a growing online community, Tilly is embracing her condition, learning Braille, and focusing on making the most...

Top officials at the Education Department warned staff that accepting the Trump administration's deferred resignation package could result in the education secretary cancelling it without recourse, potentially leaving employees without promised pay. The Office of Personnel Management offered federal employees the option to resign by Thursday in exchange for continued pay and benefits until September, aiming to reduce the federal workforce by 10%. Concerns arose over the legality and enforceability of the buyout offer, leading...