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Meet Chicago's 3 "Golden Bachelorette" suitors
At least three Chicago dudes are vying for the affections of this season's Golden Bachelorette Joan Vassos in a spinoff of last year's ABC hit" Golden Bachelor."The big picture: These lucky local lads will compete among 24 men, ranging in age from 57 to 69, in the new season that kicks off Sept. 18.Zoom in: Axios Chicago dug into their bios released this week and believe Chicago's silver foxes have a good chance at snagging the rose. Here's why:Caterer Jack, 68, is a handsome devil and a retired restaurant owner (we wish we knew which one) so he probably throws...
"Hard Knocks" episode 2 recap: "I like football"
Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams took center stage again Tuesday night on the second episode of HBO's "Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Bears."The big picture: Williams looked the part as the Bears' franchise quarterback, while the show focused on his off-the-field persona.Whether in meetings with head coach Matt Eberflus or joking around with teammates, Williams looked like a rookie building confidence and camaraderie.At one point, he professed his love of flag football, saying if it was an olympic sport, it was something he "100% would do."Here are the other top takeaways: Zoom in: The episode featured more football than facial...
How an activist turned mayor is handling DNC protests
When activists launch massive protests outside the Democratic National Convention next week, they'll face a very different mayor than 1968 DNC protesters did.Why it matters: Unlike Mayor Richard J. Daley, Mayor Brandon Johnson has more experience marching with protesters than trying to contain them.But hosting the DNC is forcing Johnson and his staff to strike a delicate balance between embracing protests and controlling them.What they're saying: "Mayor Johnson wouldn't be where he is today without protests," his chief of staff Cristina Pacione-Zayas said recently. "And as the child of two organizers, I went to protests before I was in school,...
A new musical is an irreverent look at Obama's time in the White House
Nostalgic for Barack Obama? No need to wait for his Democratic National Convention speech, because a new musical casts a spotlight on the 44th president.The big picture: "44 — The unOfficial, unSanctioned Obama Musical" offers a vibrant R&B retelling of Obama's presidential career, featuring an ensemble of hilarious allies and antagonists (mostly the latter).Flashback: Writer, director and composer Eli Bauman says he got the idea to write "44" the night Donald Trump was elected president in 2016. He had volunteered in 2008 for Obama's campaign and wanted to tap back into that feeling of participation and energy.The intrigue: Trump is...
Five foods to try at the Illinois State Fair
I'm back from the Illinois State Fair, where I checked out some fair staples and a couple of newbies.The big picture: Springfield may be known for its horseshoe, a toasted sandwich topped with meat, fries, and cheese sauce —and even a deep-fried version that Monica tried a couple of years ago — but the fair offers a lot more.What they're saying: "Count the memories, not the calories," can be heard across the intercom throughout the fair.Here are five foods to try: Tornado potato ($5): These stackable chips are made in a spiral cutter, fried and then seasoned to your liking.The...
Chicago neighborhoods with the most police killings
Black residents of Chicago are 31 times more likely to be killed in police-involved shootings than white residents are, a new Axios analysis shows.Driving the news: The analysis of neighborhood-level data from civil rights nonprofit Campaign Zero suggests aggressive policing in areas with significantly higher percentages of Black, Latino and Native American residents is leading to more killings by police.For example, the data shows that from 2013 to July 23, 2024, Black Americans were 2.9 times more likely to be killed by law enforcement in the U.S. than the general population.What they did: Campaign Zero's "Mapping Police Violence" database examines...
Impossible Foods opens first Chicago pop-up Uptown with free samples
Plant-based food company Impossible Foods will launch an Impossible Quality Meats pop-up in Uptown's XMarket Food Hall on Tuesday. Why it matters: It will be the first in-person Impossible restaurant in Chicago — in the food hall's PlantX Bodega.What they're saying: "With Impossible Quality Meats, we wanted to offer diners a fun way to experience our food...like nachos, smash burgers and chili cheese dogs," Impossible Foods CEO Peter McGuinness said in a statement. On the plate: Plant-based sausage breakfast sandwiches, Asian style meatballs, nachos, chicken Caesar salads, burgers, Chicago-style hot dogs, bratwurst, chicken nuggets and Oatly soft serve. Plus: Products to cook at home. Crispy chicken Asian salad, Asian meatballs and meatball sliders. Photo: Monica Eng/Axios. Taste test: Monica tried the Asian crispy chicken salad ($12.99), the Asian meatballs ($11.99), meatball sliders ($12.99) and smashburger ($9.99).The verdict: Enjoy the crispy chicken and tasty meatballs, but skip the mushy smashburger.What's next: The pop-up will be giving away samples of Impossible hot dogs, burgers and Oatly soft serve while supplies last starting Saturday at 11am.If you go: 804 W. Montrose Ave.
Johnson's council allies reject city's Lake Shore redesign
Some of Mayor Brandon Johnson's strongest City Council allies are protesting a plan to redesign DuSable Lake Shore Drive, saying it needs to prioritize public transit and environmental concerns. Why it matters: After a decade of planning by the Illinois and Chicago transportation departments, Redefine the Drive could dramatically reshape...
DwellSocial app brings Chicago restaurants to the suburbs
Chicago has some of the best and most diverse restaurants in the country, and a new app is giving suburbanites better access to them. The big picture: DwellSocial delivers food from Chicago to neighborhoods that can be out of range for other food delivery services, like Norwood Park and Beverly, and suburbs across the region.
V-103 climbed back to the top of the July ratings
Data: Radio Online; Chart: Axios VisualsV-103 bills itself as Chicago's "throwback" radio station, but their ratings are definitely moving forward. The big picture: V-103, Chicago's R&B station, was near the top of the July radio ratings and has been a consistent performer for decades. Context: V-103 (WVAZ-FM) was born in 1988, serving up "urban contemporary" primarily for Chicago's Black community. Its sister station WGCI-FM handled newer jams, but both have been at or near the top of the ratings since the late '80s. The stations are now owned by iHeartMedia. While WGCI-FM has fallen out of the top 10, V-103...
Chicago's Next restaurant tributes chef Charlie Trotter
Next restaurant in Fulton Market, dedicated to transporting diners to different eras, has featured takeovers like Paris: 1906 or a menu inspired by Julia Child.They've even done one-off "covers" like paying homage to California's French Laundry or recreating Bobby Flay's Mesa Grill. The intrigue: Chicagoans are well aware of Next's concepts, since it's been open for almost 15 years. But Next's next project is something close to home: The restaurant will pay homage to Chicago chef Charlie Trotter.Trotter, who trained Achatz, died in 2013. His restaurant had closed a year earlier.Bringing Trotter's back will give diners a taste and feel...
Quiz: Test your knowledge of Chicago weather
This week, the National Weather Service announced that the Chicago area had 32 tornadoes during last month's epic storm. We also reported that Chicago and the Midwest have the most unpredictable forecasts in the country. So, let's do a quiz!. Play past quizzes:. How well do you know 1992?
Why some Chicago couples are sleeping apart
Couples are commonly sleeping apart as they grow more aware of the importance of a good night's rest, according to Phyllis Zee, a sleep expert at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine.Why it matters: A little separation could be the best thing for your health — and marriage.The big picture: Sleep is essential for "literally every system in your body," from metabolism to regulating emotions, and having your own beds doesn't necessarily mean your relationship is on the rocks, says Molly Atwood, a sleep expert at Johns Hopkins Medicine."There shouldn't be any stigma attached to it," Atwood tells Axios.What they're...
Illinois gets $51 million for precision fermentation lab
A downstate tech hub recently scored a $51 million federal grant to develop new uses for Illinois corn and other crops.Why it matters: Right now about 30% of all Illinois corn — about 274 million bushels a year — is sold by farmers for ethanol production, but that's expected to drop as EV use increases.The Illinois Fermentation and Agriculture Biomanufacturing Tech Hub (iFAB), run by U of I, could help those farmers by creating new markets for their crops.How it works: Biomanufacturing means "taking any type of plant material and turning it into a valuable chemical, ingredient or fuel compound,"...
Castaways becomes more beach club, less bar and grill
Have we all been sleeping on Castaways, or just me?I haven't been to the North Avenue Beach spot in more than a decade, and even then I don't think I tried the food.Driving the news: Stefani Restaurant Group closed Castaways Bar and Grill last summer for a $3 million renovation to transform the restaurant in a faux shipwreck to the more modern Castaways Beach Club.It reopened Memorial Day weekend.Dig in: The food also got an upgrade with new Mediterranean-inspired dishes alongside a lobster roll and classic wraps. Photo: Carrie Shepherd/AxiosBest bites: The watermelon and beet salad with feta was a...
The White Sox era that never was
The White Sox fired manager Pedro Grifol in the midst of a brutal season that could end up being the worst in baseball history. The big picture: Grifol lasted less than two seasons as the Sox manager, amassing a woeful 89-190 record. This week, the Sox tied the American League record for the longest losing streak ever (21 straight games). Context: Grifol was brought in to right the ship after manager Tony LaRussa's disastrous stint ended in 2022. Grifol joins general manager Rick Hahn, and executive Kenny Williams, who were fired at the end of last season. Sox assistant Grady...
Music Box Theatre getting seats with cup holders
The classic Music Box Theatre is getting new seats — with cup holders!Why it matters: The 95-year-old venue in Lakeview is a historic gem for movie lovers who want to see independent films and cult classics, attend unique festivals and sing along to "White Christmas."Yes, but: The seats in the main theater are very old and uncomfortable.Driving the news: Beginning Monday, the main theater (the one with the organ) will be closed for renovations through Sept. 6, but films will still be screened in the smaller theater and outdoor patio.State of play: As part of the theater's "Revive at 95"...
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