WGN News
Recovery: One Chicago man's journey to find the woman who helped him overcome drug addiction
- Title
- Recovery: One Chicago man's journey to find the woman who helped him overcome drug addiction
- Runtime
- 4:34
- Date posted
- 7 hours ago
- Description
- Outside an old-school Italian restaurant in Chicago, You'll find a 71-year-old guy parking cars who's "driven" to find someone he met years ago.
Harold Buford said he spent decades addicted to heroin and other drugs, but a woman with the Cook County Sheriff's treatment response team helped turn his life around some eight years ago. Even since, he's been looking for that woman to thank her for helping save his life.
WGN's Ben Bradley brings you their reunion.
- Title
- Chicago Board of Ed votes to pass amended $10 billion CPS budget
- Runtime
- 2:54
- Date posted
- 7 hours ago
- Description
- Chicago’s Board of Education voted to pass an amended version of the Chicago Public Schools’ $10 billion budget on Thursday, favoring the Chicago Teachers’ Union’s plan to pursue additional funding downstate.
The CBoE voted 11-7 in favor of amended language preferred by the CTU, which relies on assumed new funding from the State of Illinois to the tune of an additional $150 million.
WGN's Jenna Barnes reports on the story.
- Title
- Bill would give judges control of Chicago courthouse after safety concerns
- Runtime
- 0:54
- Date posted
- 8 hours ago
- Description
- Federal judges want to take control of managing their courthouse in Chicago. WGN Investigates.
- Title
- Family plans civil rights suit after Chicago police shooting in South Shore
- Runtime
- 1:19
- Date posted
- 9 hours ago
- Description
- The family of a man shot by police officers in Chicago's South Shore neighborhood is calling on the Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) to release police body cam video.
- Title
- LIVE: Rome Odunze at Bears Training Camp, plus Jarrett Payton's last appearance on The Sports Office
- Runtime
- 0:00
- Date posted
- 9 hours ago
- Description
- We're talking about more Chicago Bears training camp news, plus we're celebrating Jarrett Payton's 10-plus year career at WGN-TV News.
Got a question, hot take or topic you want us to cover on The Sports Office? Email us at sportsofficewgn@gmail.com.
Catch The Sports Office on the WGN+ App on your smart TV at 7:30 p.m. CT, Monday through Friday!
Also, make sure to catch the GN Sports gang every weeknight at 10:30 p.m. CT.
Don’t forget to help out the WGN News channel and like/comment/subscribe!
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Jarrett Payton: https://twitter.com/paytonsun
Kaitlin Shar...
- Title
- Chicago Board of Education pushes budget battle to Springfield - The Point
- Runtime
- 11:49
- Date posted
- 9 hours ago
- Description
- The Chicago Board of Education has passed a budget that relies on $150 million in new funding from state, despite warnings that revenue may not ever come to fruition. Will lawmakers act to give the district more cash following a push from the Chicago Teachers Union? State Sen. Robert Martick (D-Chicago) joins WGN Political Editor Tahman Bradley on The Point to talk about the road ahead.
More: https://wgntv.com/news/chicago-news/chicago-public-schools-budget-vote-still-uncertain-as-payroll-crisis-looms/
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'The Point' airs on WGN and streams on WGN+ each weeknight at 6:45 p.m. CT.
Airdate: July 30, 2026
- Title
- Sights and sounds: Chicago's biggest music festival, Lollapalooza, kicks off
- Runtime
- 2:25
- Date posted
- 10 hours ago
- Description
- Chicago's biggest music festival is officially underway in Grant Park. The four-day festival runs through Sunday, with gates open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. each day. WGN's Emmy Victor has more from Day One of Lollapalooza.
- Title
- Calls for Fox River speed limits following deadly boat collision
- Runtime
- 3:11
- Date posted
- 10 hours ago
- Description
- It's been a trying week for those who live and boat on the Fox River, paving the way for calls for tougher regulations. WGN's Dana Rebik reports.
- Title
- AI expert Jason Erkes on the technology's impact on every day life, including health
- Runtime
- 4:47
- Date posted
- 11 hours ago
- Description
- AI expert Jason Erkes joined WGN's Evening News at 5 p.m. on Thursday, July 30, to discuss how the technology can actually play a role as a personal health consultant and more.
- Title
- Attorneys slam Chicago immigration court over "mega master" hearings
- Runtime
- 2:43
- Date posted
- 11 hours ago
- Description
- The city faces outcry as 109,000 deportation cases remain pending. Worse, Cook County has the second-highest number of pending deportation cases in the country, with nearly 109,000 (108,934) as of the end of June. WGN's Lourdes Duarte reports.
- Title
- Texas contractor identified in Downers Grove storm sewer death
- Runtime
- 0:27
- Date posted
- 11 hours ago
- Description
- The body of a contractor who became trapped in a storm sewer beneath a Downers Grove street as severe storms swept through the area Monday has been identified.
- Title
- Wheaton comes together to get local food pantry back on track after tornado
- Runtime
- 2:04
- Date posted
- 12 hours ago
- Description
- The People’s Resource Center Food Pantry (PRCFP) in Wheaton is once again filling shopping carts after a severe weather setback.
WGN's Jenna Barnes reports on the story.
- Title
- A look back at Jarrett Payton's greatest (and funniest) moments on WGN
- Runtime
- 2:39
- Date posted
- 12 hours ago
- Description
- Earlier today on the WGN Evening News, Jarrett Payton announced an evolution of his role here at WGN. JP is, and always will be, one of Chicago's Very Own. Check out the retrospective.
- Title
- Jarrett Payton announces evolution of role at WGN
- Runtime
- 2:04
- Date posted
- 12 hours ago
- Description
- On Thursday's WGN Evening News, Jarrett Payton announced an evolution of his role here at WGN. "JP" is, and always will be, one of Chicago's Very Own. Everybody at WGN looks forward to future collaborations with "JP."
- Title
- Chicago Public Schools' $10-billion budget vote still uncertain as payroll crisis looms
- Runtime
- 2:36
- Date posted
- 13 hours ago
- Description
- A vote on the Chicago Public Schools' budget is up in the air as Thursday's Chicago Board of Education (CBoE) meeting stretches into the late afternoon.
CPS leadership is pushing for passage on Thursday, while figureheads with the Chicago Teachers' Union (CTU) are trying to pump the brakes and advocate for intervention downstate. As of 4 p.m., no vote had taken place, with the CBoE just picking business back up after a 2-hour recess.
WGN's Tahman Bradley parses the politics of the situation.
- Title
- Understanding breast cancer genes – and more health headlines | Medical Watch
- Runtime
- 2:09
- Date posted
- 13 hours ago
- Description
- For Thursday, July 30, WGN's Dina Bair has the latest on new medical information.
- Title
- CPS budget vote stalls as leaders clash over $732M deficit
- Runtime
- 3:34
- Date posted
- 13 hours ago
- Description
- The Chicago Board of Education met on Thursday to debate a budget facing a $732 million deficit amid conflicting calls for immediate passage and demands for increased state funding from Illinois lawmakers.
WGN's Jewell Hillery reports from outside the CBoE meeting in The Loop.
- Title
- WGN Investigates: Feds accuse Joker producer of $100M movie scam… #joker #producer #wgninvestigates
- Runtime
- 1:41
- Date posted
- 13 hours ago
- Description
- Title
- Marcus Leshock talks to SB19 fans about the group's upcoming performance at Lollapalooza
- Runtime
- 3:02
- Date posted
- 14 hours ago
- Description
- Lollapalooza is underway, and WGN's Marcus Leshock caught up with a group of fans who traveled all the way from the Philippines to see them perform.
- Title
- Loved ones mourn suburban basketball coach, former high school star killed in Auburn Gresham shootin
- Runtime
- 2:03
- Date posted
- 17 hours ago
- Description
- A 60-year-old suburban basketball coach who was once a star player and state champion at Simeon High School was killed in a shooting Wednesday morning on Chicago's Far South Side. Tim Bankston, who led Simeon to the 1984 Illinois High School Association Class AA boys basketball state title, was identified by the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office as the person killed in the shooting.
READ MORE: https://wgntv.com/news/chicagocrime/former-simeon-star-and-thornton-fractional-north-coach-dies-in-far-south-side-shooting/
- Title
- Inside Chicago City Hall with Tribune Reporter Alice Yin - The Point
- Runtime
- 11:46
- Date posted
- 17 hours ago
- Description
- Mayor Brandon Johnson keeps pushing ahead with his agenda even as a Council majority tries to stand in his way. The fight for the future of the city is playing out as campaign season gets underway. Chicago Tribune City Hall reporter Alice Yin joins The Point to take us inside her notebook.
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'The Point' airs on WGN and streams on WGN+ each weeknight at 6:45 p.m. CT.
- Title
- CPD release video of deadly gas station shooting
- Runtime
- 1:17
- Date posted
- 17 hours ago
- Description
- Chicago police have released surveillance video of the four suspects sought in a deadly shooting at a gas station in the city’s Auburn Gresham neighborhood.
- Title
- Dr. Murphy talks Fauci invoking the Fifth Amendment
- Runtime
- 4:22
- Date posted
- 18 hours ago
- Description
- Dr. Robert Murphy joins WGN Morning News to discuss Dr. Fauci repeatedly invoking the Fifth Amendment and declining to answer dozens of questions from senators in a Republican-led committee hearing about his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Title
- Lollapalooza 2026 officially underway in Grant Park
- Runtime
- 2:28
- Date posted
- 18 hours ago
- Description
- Chicago's biggest music festival is officially underway in Grant Park. Lollapalooza gates opened at 11 a.m. Thursday. The four-day festival runs through Sunday, with gates open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. each day.
READ MORE: https://wgntv.com/music/lollapalooza/lollapalooza-2026-your-guide-to-this-years-festival/
- Title
- Former Simeon High School basketball star and Thornton Fractional North coach killed in Far South Si
- Runtime
- 1:29
- Date posted
- 19 hours ago
- Description
- A suburban basketball coach who was once a star player and state champion at Simeon High School was killed in a shooting Wednesday morning on Chicago's Far South Side. Tim Bankston, who led Simeon to the 1984 Illinois High School Association Class AA boys basketball state title, was identified by the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office as the person killed in the shooting.
READ MORE: https://wgntv.com/news/chicagocrime/former-simeon-star-and-thornton-fractional-north-coach-dies-in-far-south-side-shooting/
- Title
- Chicago police release video of deadly gas station shooting in Auburn Gresham
- Runtime
- 1:11
- Date posted
- 20 hours ago
- Description
- Chicago police have released surveillance video of the four suspects sought in a deadly shooting at a gas station in the city's Auburn Gresham neighborhood.
- Title
- JP and The Golic's Talk Bears, Notre Dame and Return to ESPN
- Runtime
- 15:15
- Date posted
- 1 day ago
- Description
- Mike Golic Sr. and Jr. joined JP to talk Year 2 for Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams, their outlook on Notre Dame this year and the bright future for the Irish, and their new radio show as they return to the ESPN airwaves
- Title
- Crete continues to clean up debris, restore power after Monday's severe storms
- Runtime
- 2:58
- Date posted
- 1 day ago
- Description
- Two days later, the Village of Crete in Will County continues to deploy resources to recover from Monday night’s severe storms.
According to village officials, ComEd estimates that 90% of outages caused by the storms were restored by 6 p.m. on Wednesday, with any remaining outages set to be repaired no later than Friday, but the cleanup effort remains extensive. Until then, village officials ask residents to avoid Crete Park until restoration and cleanup efforts have concluded.
WGN's Angelica Sanchez reports on the story: https://wgntv.com/will-county/crete-recovery-efforts-continue-after-monday-nights-severe-storms/
- Title
- Slimmed-down Caleb Williams and Coby Bryant wants to be a Bears captain? | The Sports Office
- Runtime
- 24:33
- Date posted
- 1 day ago
- Description
- Caleb Williams, Dennis Allen and Coby Bryant took center stage for the Chicago Bears after their first practice of their 2026 training camp.
Jarrett Payton, Josh Frydman and Rick Tarsitano break down a slimmer Caleb Williams — who said he's down around 10-15 pounds — plus Dennis Allen's views on Coby Bryant, who's chasing after becoming a Bears captain on defense.
Catch the conversation that played out earlier on The Sports Office!
Got a question, hot take or topic you want us to cover on The Sports Office? Email us at sportsofficewgn@gmail.com.
Catch The Sports Office on the WGN+ App on your smart TV at 7:30 p.m. CT, Monday through Friday!
Also, make sure to catch the GN Sports gang every weeknight at 10:30 p.m. CT.
Don’t forget to help out the WGN News channel and like/comment/subscribe!
Get the WGN News Mobile App:
Apple Store: https://bit.ly/4aKeGuu
Google Play: https://bit....
- Title
- Illinois tornadoes: What Happened Monday? | July's Rain Rebound | Rat Report | - The Forecasters
- Runtime
- 24:24
- Date posted
- 1 day ago
- Description
- On Wednesday's edition:
- The National Weather Service confirmed a fifth tornado in Monday's outbreak
- Illinois has seen more tornadoes this year than any other state. Why? What happened Monday?
- What's being done about the rats that live among us? WGN Investigates' looked into it.
- Dramatic viewer photos from Monday's severe weather
- Kilauea's latest performance
- The Chicagoland forecast
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'The Forecasters' streams live weeknights at 7 p.m. CT on WGN+.
Airdate: July 29, 2026 | Episode 230
- Title
- Two long-time Brookfield Zoo Chicago gorillas set to leave for another facility
- Runtime
- 0:41
- Date posted
- 1 day ago
- Description
- There's still time to say goodbye to two gorillas who will soon leave Brookfield Zoo Chicago.
- Title
- Fauci invokes Fifth Amendment right at Paul’s hearing
- Runtime
- 1:22
- Date posted
- 1 day ago
- Description
- Anthony Fauci, former chief White House medical adviser, invoked his Fifth Amendment right on Wednesday when he appeared before a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing held by the committee’s chair, Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.).
- Title
- Michael Madigan appeals corruption conviction to Supreme Court
- Runtime
- 0:31
- Date posted
- 1 day ago
- Description
- Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan is appealing his corruption conviction to the Supreme Court.
- Title
- Docs: Northwest Indiana woman allegedly cut out father’s heart after stabbing him
- Runtime
- 0:26
- Date posted
- 1 day ago
- Description
- A 32-year-old Northwest Indiana woman is facing a murder charge for allegedly stabbing her father to death and then cutting his heart out. The following details are from court documents and may be considered disturbing. Discretion is advised.
- Title
- Crete, Illinois crews continue clean up efforts after Monday's severe storms ravaged Chicagoland
- Runtime
- 2:07
- Date posted
- 1 day ago
- Description
- Two days after severe storms ravaged the area, the Village of Crete in Will County continues to deploy recovery resources.
WGN's Angelica Sanchez reports on the village's latest efforts.
- Title
- 'She was always a giver': Brother mourns sister killed in Fox River boat crash
- Runtime
- 2:52
- Date posted
- 1 day ago
- Description
- A grieving brother spoke out Wednesday about his sister's tragic death on the Fox River. WGN's Dana Rebik reports.
- Title
- Chicago lays out security plans as the city prepares for Lollapalooza crowds
- Runtime
- 2:30
- Date posted
- 1 day ago
- Description
- Grant Park is ready for hundreds of thousands of people to descend on Lollapalooza starting tomorrow, and for performances from more than 170 artists across four days, and even more stages.
WGN's Jenna Barnes details security plans and talks to a few attendees about how excited they are for Chicago's largest outdoor music festival.
- Title
- 1 More Question: Was deportation a 'Get out of jail' free card?
- Runtime
- 2:54
- Date posted
- 1 day ago
- Description
- If someone you cared about was murdered, would you want the people suspected of doing it given a plane ticket and a free pass out of the country? That's what continues to happen to people suspected of carrying out a mass shooting in Chicago. WGN's Ben Bradley has "1 More Question."
- Title
- Former Simeon star and Thornton Fractional North coach shot dead on Far South Side
- Runtime
- 0:34
- Date posted
- 1 day ago
- Description
- A suburban basketball coach is dead following a shooting on Chicago’s Far South Side.
- Title
- Milwaukee Public Schools sets up near Wrigley Field, seeks to hire 200 teachers amid CPS layoffs
- Runtime
- 2:25
- Date posted
- 2 days ago
- Description
- A unique job fair is taking place in the Windy City, featuring a school district crossing state lines to take advantage of layoffs at Chicago Public Schools.
WGN's Jeremy Ross brings you the story.
- Title
- Feds: Chicago investors scammed in $100M alleged fraud by ‘Joker’ movie producer
- Runtime
- 2:41
- Date posted
- 2 days ago
- Description
- His film credits include producer titles in blockbuster movies including “Joker,” “House of Gucci” and “Ghostbusters: Afterlife;” but now Jason Cloth has another title — alleged fraudster whose victims include people from the Chicago area.
- Title
- Endeavor Swedish Hospital doctor shares vital safety tips ahead of Lollapalooza | Medical Watch
- Runtime
- 2:37
- Date posted
- 2 days ago
- Description
- Local doctors say there are lessons to be learned from Lollapalooza after treating dozens of patients who attend the annual music festival. The US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is also warning festival-goers ahead of the big weekend. WGN's Dina Bair reports.
- Title
- Crete recovery efforts continue after Monday night's severe storms
- Runtime
- 2:26
- Date posted
- 2 days ago
- Description
- Two days later, the Village of Crete in Will County continues to deploy resources to recover from Monday night's severe storms.
WGN's Angelica Sanchez reports on the story.
- Title
- Chicago mayor signs executive order to strengthen how city buys firearms, ammo
- Runtime
- 2:11
- Date posted
- 2 days ago
- Description
- Mayor Brandon Johnson hopes to crack down on gun violence through the city's purchasing power. He signed a measure Wednesday putting pressure on a handful of companies that could be linked to crime guns.
- Title
- 'Totally destroyed': Residents in south suburban Lansing assessing devastation after Monday's EF-1 t
- Runtime
- 2:25
- Date posted
- 2 days ago
- Description
- At least four tornadoes touched down in Chicagoland as severe storms tore through the area Monday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service. One of those confirmed tornadoes was an EF-1 tornado that tore through south suburban Lansing, leaving residents to clean up the damage and pick up the pieces.
READ MORE: https://wgntv.com/weather/2-tornadoes-confirmed-as-nws-surveys-storm-damage/
- Title
- Man dead, another critical after shooting in Chicago's South Shore
- Runtime
- 0:46
- Date posted
- 2 days ago
- Description
- Chicago police are investigating a deadly shooting in the city's South Shore neighborhood.
- Title
- 15-year-old boy shot in back in Englewood late Tuesday night, according to Chicago police
- Runtime
- 0:09
- Date posted
- 2 days ago
- Description
- A 15-year-old boy was shot in the back late Tuesday night in Englewood on the city's Southwest Side, according to Chicago police.
- Title
- LIVE: Breaking down Chicago Bears Training Camp Day 1 | The Sports Office
- Runtime
- 30:17
- Date posted
- 2 days ago
- Description
- Today was Day 1 of training camp for the Chicago Bears. Jarrett Payton, Josh Frydman and Nate Poppen are on deck and set to cover all that happened at Halas Hall earlier today on The Sports Office!
Got a question, hot take or topic you want us to cover on The Sports Office? Email us at sportsofficewgn@gmail.com.
Catch The Sports Office on the WGN+ App on your smart TV at 7:30 p.m. CT, Monday through Friday!
Also, make sure to catch the GN Sports gang every weeknight at 10:30 p.m. CT.
Don’t forget to help out the WGN News channel and like/comment/subscribe!
Get the WGN News Mobile App:
Apple Store: https://bit.ly/4aKeGuu
Google Play: https://bit.ly/4e0sXWF
Follow GN Sports on social media!
Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/GNSportsTV
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gnsportstv/
For more coverage of sports around the city, follow Chicago’s Very Own on Twitter/X!
J...
- Title
- Residents in south suburban Lansing cleaning up after confirmed EF-1 tornado ripped through communit
- Runtime
- 3:38
- Date posted
- 2 days ago
- Description
- At least four tornadoes touched down in Chicagoland as severe storms tore through the area Monday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service. One of those confirmed tornadoes was an EF-1 tornado that tore through south suburban Lansing, leaving residents to clean up the damage and pick up the pieces.
READ MORE: https://wgntv.com/weather/2-tornadoes-confirmed-as-nws-surveys-storm-damage/
- Title
- LIVE: Rome Odunze at Bears Training Camp, plus Jarrett Payton's last appearance on The Sports Office
- Runtime
- 31:57
- Date posted
- 2 days ago
- Description
- We're talking about more Chicago Bears training camp news, plus we're celebrating Jarrett Payton's 10-plus year career at WGN-TV News.
Got a question, hot take or topic you want us to cover on The Sports Office? Email us at sportsofficewgn@gmail.com.
Catch The Sports Office on the WGN+ App on your smart TV at 7:30 p.m. CT, Monday through Friday!
Also, make sure to catch the GN Sports gang every weeknight at 10:30 p.m. CT.
Don’t forget to help out the WGN News channel and like/comment/subscribe!
Get the WGN News Mobile App:
Apple Store: https://bit.ly/4aKeGuu
Google Play: https://bit.ly/4e0sXWF
Follow GN Sports on social media!
Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/GNSportsTV
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gnsportstv/
For more coverage of sports around the city, follow Chicago’s Very Own on Twitter/X!
Jarrett Payton: https://twitter.com/paytonsun
Kaitlin Shar...
