Chicago, IL

Blanco, TX

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Brigid Pfeifer

There were a number of celebrities who passed away within the past week, including two notable actresses: Shelley Duvall and Shannen Doherty. Shelley Duvall passed away on Thursday July 11th at her home in Blanco, Texas. The cause of death was complications from diabetes and news of her death was confirmed by her partner Dan Gilroy.

Two Beloved Hollywood Actresses Have Passed Away This Week

Secret Chicago

While recent reports from the Census Bureau suggest that Chicago could be on its way to losing its place as the third-largest city in the country, we’re still very much the Second City in terms of reputation. Resonance Consultancy, an international consulting group behind worldsbestcities.com, recently released its ranking of America’s 100 Best Cities, placing Chicago at #2 as the second-best city in the country. Claiming to be “building the most comprehensive city rankings on the planet”, Resonance’s annual lists rank cities by using “a combination of statistical performance and qualitative evaluations by locals and visitors.” These 31 performance and perceptions metrics are used to determine three key factors: “Livability, Lovability, and Prosperity” to define each city’s score.

Chicago Named Second Best City In The United States

New York City, NY

Writers represent independent, third-party users who have joined our contributor program and self-verified their accounts. Writers are expected, like all users, to adhere to our Community Standards.

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Cheryl E Preston

Yesterday was the third time this year that an ad stating Chelsea Clinton lives in a beautiful Virginia home popped up on my laptop. My computer did not warn me this was a dangerous site, so this time, I clicked on the link.

Chelsea Clinton is rumored to be living in Virginia but probably still in NYC

New Jersey State

Connecticut State

The Shy Green

Big news hitting the grocery scene: Stop & Shop is set to close 32 of its stores in five states. This move is a major shake-up for local communities across the Northeast. Here’s where the closures are happening:

A big-name grocery store is shutting down over 30 locations in five states

Coral Gables, FL

Edmond Thorne

Tragic End for South Florida Hispanic Building Tycoon Sergio Pino. Fort Lauderdale, FL - In a shocking turn of events, prominent South Florida homebuilder Sergio Pino was found dead in his Coral Gables home on Tuesday morning. The Miami-Dade County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed that Pino died from an apparent suicide.

South Florida Tycoon Dead After FBI Raids on Homes and Office

We all love getting free stuff, whether it’s a complimentary dessert on our birthday, a free concert at Millennium Park, or a movie screening in the park. However, it’s rare for our favorite sports teams to give away free items unless we’re actually at the game. Fortunately, Chick-fil-A is combining our love for baseball and our obsession with freebies. Plus, you don’t even have to attend the game to get it. Whenever the Cubs play at home, you’ll have the opportunity to claim a FREE Chick-fil-A Sandwich. Are you interested? Because we are. No. The only time you can claim a free sandwich is when the Cubs play at home in Wrigley, AND they win. 1. Ensure you are within the Chicago area of the giveaway.
2. Grant the Chick-fil-A® App permission to access your device’s location.
3. Confirm that you are using the latest version of the app.
4. Claim your reward! The offer will appear on the app’s home screen if you are in the Chicago geographic area. Tap “Claim” before the expiration date. When you redeem the reward, do so at a participating Chicago restaurant before the reward expires.

How You Can Claim a FREE Chick-fil-A Sandwich When The Cubs Play At Wrigley

At Briny Swine Smokehouse & Oyster Bar, prepare to be embraced by a picturesque “briny blue” facade, perfectly encapsulating the essence of South Carolina. This seaside smokehouse and oyster bar is the latest new restaurant that is a definite must-visit. It boasts an array of Carolina-style barbecue, freshly caught seafood from the Carolina coast, and beloved Lowcountry fare. Sip from an extensive array of wines, whiskeys, beers, and handcrafted cocktails while serenading by live musical performances on the Briny stage.  Step inside to discover a rustic interior adorned with weathered woods in hues of grey, blue, and brown, featuring laid-back picnic table-style seating. When the weather warms, accordion-style windows are drawn open, merging the energetic vibe of Lincoln Park with the inviting, warm, and cozy atmosphere of the dining room, filled with tantalizing aromas and the sounds of live music.  Briny Swine is a beloved, down-home restaurant that was first established in Edisto Island. The quiet community of 2,000 is located roughly 45 miles south of Charleston, South Carolina. Edisto’s robust fishing community and the island’s rich heritage spill into its restaurants, where food is the heart of the community. 

BBQ, Live Music, and Coca-Cola Cake… Why Briny Swine Is a Must-Try

Hamilton Township, NJ

NewsByJoshua

Rainbow Shops, a popular clothier known for its youth clothing, is preparing to shut down its location at the Hamilton Mall in Hamilton Township, New Jersey. The store is currently offering a hefty 40% discount on all items as part of its liquidation sale.

Popular Clothing Store Offers Offers Deep Discounts, Closing 950 Locations in Struggling Mall

Illinois State

As of this week, Chicago is the largest city to independently phase out subminimum wages for tipped workers in the entire United States. The Minimum Wage Ordinance which was passed in October 2023 went into effect yesterday, July 1st, increasing the tipped minimum wage and standard minimum wage while also making positive changes for paid time off entitlements. From here on out, all tipped hospitality workers will see their minimum wage grow by 8% every year on the first day of July for the next five years. It is a move that will affect over 60,000 service industry employees said Mayor Brandon Johnson who called Chicago “the most pro-worker city in the country.” According to Chicago.gov, the base pay for tipped minimum wage has increased to $11.02 per hour from $9.48 per hour. It will continue to rise annually until it matches the standard wage which yesterday increased from $15.80 per hour to $16.20 per hour for all businesses with more than four employees.

Chicago Has Begun Phasing Out The Tipped Minimum Wage

Missouri State

Fulton, MO

CJ Coombs

Updated on July 17, 2024, concerning two of the missing children listed below. Bringing them home: for 40 years, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) has been helping to locate missing children.

Seven teenagers have been missing in Missouri since June 2024

Massachusetts State

Dianna Carney

Chloe, a 9 to 10-week-old puppy, is the last of her litter and is eagerly looking for a forever home. Sandy Paws Rescue Inc., a dedicated foster-based rescue in Massachusetts, recently shared Chloe's story and her endearing qualities.

Meet Chloe: The 10-Week-Old Puppy Who Is The Last Of Her Litter Looking For Love

Camilo Díaz

(MA) Meet Winks, an adorable and incredibly strong puppy with a heartbreaking origin. Winks was found unmoving on the side of a road with severe injuries. He had several very infected wounds and was barely holding on when his rescuers rushed him to the vet. Once there, x-rays revealed the horrifying truth that Winks had been shot numerous times around his face and neck. These injuries resulted in him having his eye removed. Despite that, Winks has made a miraculous and full recovery. He certainly does not let his handicap slow him down at his new foster home. Winks was truly given a second chance at life, and now all he needs is a family to call his own.

10-Month-Old Dog Who Was Hit In Face Several Times Now Searching For Family

If you’ve been searching for meaningful connections in Chicago’s dating scene this summer but have been disappointed by the limitations of dating apps, give Love Isn’t Blind a try. This innovative dating show, which was created, produced, and hosted by comedian Allison Goldberg, is coming to the city in two weeks.  Love Isn’t Blind is a one-of-a-kind comedy dating experiment that will showcase a group of men vying for the attention of a bachelorette without using their voices.  The show promises entertaining and unexpected rounds, including calling the boys’ mothers and unlocking their phones, all designed to narrow the contestants to the final two. It’s at this crucial stage that the bachelorette will finally have the opportunity to hear the voices of the remaining competitors. The winning man will then go on an immediate bar date with the bachelorette.

There Is A Dating Show Coming To Chicago Where The Men Can’t Speak

The highly anticipated FX series The Bear will make its much-awaited Hulu debut tonight. We are here to bring you up to date on all that you may have missed.  Season two of The Bear underwent a remarkable transformation, evolving from a fast-paced and tension-filled dramedy set in a Chicago beef spot to a reflective journey of Carmy and co trying to open a Michelin Star restaurant. As we gear up for season three, we are set to re-enter the captivating world of their kitchen. In 2022, the FX series’s inaugural season debuted on Hulu to an overwhelmingly positive response from both critics and viewers, quickly gaining widespread acclaim. The show received numerous award nominations and clinched 10 Emmys in January. What made the series particularly captivating was its vivid portrayal of Chicago’s dynamic and diverse food scene, offering a compelling narrative intertwined with the city’s culinary culture. In season two, Carmy (Jeremy Allen White) and his team attempt to open a new restaurant, the Bear, just 12 weeks after the closing of his late brother’s sandwich shop, the Original Beef of Chicagoland. According to an interview with Jeremy Allen White, Season 3 will take place in a functioning kitchen atmosphere.

The Chicago Hit Show ‘The Bear’ Is Back: Everything You Need to Know

To mark the end of this long school year, I organized a Dinos Alive and the Bouncy Games in Chicago: a visit to two fantastic experiences at the Exhibition Hub Art Center, located at 2367 Logan Blvd in the Logan Square neighborhood. These experiences are only in town for a limited time—here’s why you don’t want to miss out! We started with Dinos Alive, and recommend that you do too, to conserve your little ones’ energy for the 10,000-square-foot Bouncy Games. The dinosaur exhibit features over 40 lifelike, animatronic dinosaurs, wowing dino fans from Washington D.C. to Los Angeles. In Chicago, my kids were thrilled by the unique lighting and nature sounds, especially while spotting favorites like T-rex, Stegosaurus, and Spinosaurus. Climbing atop the Carnotaurus and exploring the VR experience were definite highlights. Grab tickets here!  Next, you’ll want to dive into the massive Bouncy Games for non-stop fun just like we did! With activities for both kids and adults, it’s perfect for family enjoyment. Explore 10,000 sq. ft. of inflatables, including obstacle courses, tunnels, climbing walls, and tall slides. 
A post shared by Secret Chicago (@secret.chicago)


Explore 40+ Animatronic Dinosaurs & Enjoy 10,000 Sq. Ft. Of Fun At The Bouncy Games In Chicago

Oregon State

Saint Augustine, FL

Lisa S. Gerard

Brittany Tavar, 45, disappeared from her home in St. Augustine, Florida, on July 6, 2010. She was part of a large family scattered on the other side of the country. Brittany's friends in the area described her as generous and caring. Not only was she regarded as a kind person, she was known to help others in need.

Florida Woman Befriends Homeless Man in 2010; Both Tragically Vanish

Brookings, SD

There is some tough news in the coffee and cafe scene. Cottonwood Coffee, a beloved spot based in Brookings, South Dakota, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. This decision comes as they battle significant financial challenges, especially worsened by the lingering impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

A coffee and cafe company has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy due to financial difficulties

Cicero, IL

Oak Park, IL

Berwyn, IL

Forest Park, IL

River Forest, IL

Elmwood Park, IL

Riverside, IL

Lincolnwood, IL

Hines, IL

Evanston, IL

Maywood, IL

Lyons, IL

Harwood Heights, IL

River Grove, IL

Evergreen Park, IL

NewsBreak

Last Night Saw One Win For Chicago At This Year’s Prestigious James Beard Awards

This year’s winners of the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards were announced during a ceremony at the Lyric Opera of Chicago last night. Since its...

Last Night Saw One Win For Chicago At This Year’s Prestigious James Beard Awards

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