Chicago

San Antonio – October 21, 2026 -- Thirteen beluga whales from a closed marine park in Canada have now arrived at U.S. aquariums, completing two transports in what the rescue partners call one of the largest and most complex marine mammal rescues ever attempted.

The whales belong to a group of 30 belugas at a Canadian park that could no longer support their long-term care. Several accredited aquariums, including SeaWorld, were invited earlier this year to help build a rescue plan.

Two transports have placed 13 belugas in Texas and Illinois

On July 21, 2026, SeaWorld San Antonio welcomed two rescued belugas, and Shedd Aquarium in Chicago received four. On Aug. 4, SeaWorld San Antonio took in seven more.

Georgia Aquarium, SeaWorld San Diego and Oceanogràfic Valencia in Spain are slated to receive whales in future rescues. Mystic Aquarium is taking no animals but is providing additional capacity and support.

SMYRNA, Tenn. – October 21, 2026 -- DuBois Regional Airport (DUJ) gets nonstop jet service to Atlanta and Chicago O'Hare starting February 1, 2027, when Contour Airlines launches two new routes.

Atlanta flights run daily, Chicago flights five days a week

Contour will connect DUJ to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) every day and to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) five days per week. Both hubs offer onward connections across the United States and around the world. Travelers in the region can start those trips locally instead of driving to a larger airport.

Contour flies 30-seat regional jets with extra legroom

The airline will operate the routes with 30-seat regional jets. Contour says its aircraft have leather seating with expanded legroom in every row, plus complimentary snacks, beverages, and inflight service.

Chicago – October 19, 2026 -- Hubbard Inn in Chicago's River North neighborhood turns into The Christmas Inn from November 13 through January 10, offering holiday cocktails, seasonal bites and a rotating lineup of festive events.

The venue gets a full holiday makeover

The Christmas Inn replaces the regular look of Hubbard Inn with over-the-top Christmas décor in every corner of the space. The setting is meant for everything from after-work drinks to holiday brunches and large group celebrations.

Holiday cocktails and seasonal bites anchor the menu

Guests can order a curated selection of holiday-themed cocktails and seasonal food, served with creative presentations.

Five interactive experiences fill the calendar

Programming rotates through the season and includes:

Chicago – October 19, 2026 -- Ama La Vida, a women-owned coaching company, has launched retirement coaching for adults who want help with the emotional and lifestyle side of leaving full-time work. The program takes a phased retirement approach and ends with a personalized plan for the next chapter.

Coaching starts where financial planning stops

Financial planning answers whether someone can afford to retire. Ama La Vida's coaching asks what they are retiring to. Clients examine who they are beyond their job title, which relationships they want to nurture, how they will spend their days and what will give the period meaning.

The company cites an Oath Financial survey report: 72% of pre-retirees feel financially prepared, but fewer than 35% have a structured plan for daily life, identity and personal relationships after their career.

Chicago – – October 15, 2026 -- Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes, a year-round campground five miles from Yosemite National Park's west gate, has been named Best National Park Campground in RVshare's 2026 Campies Campers' Choice Awards for the second year in a row.

Voters pick the winners across the United States

The Campies recognize standout campgrounds and content creators in RV travel, with winners chosen by voters nationwide. RVshare is running the awards for the fifth year. This summer it took nominations in 16 categories for campgrounds and creators across the country.

The 450-acre site offers RV spots, cabins and yurts

Yosemite Lakes spreads across 450 acres. Guests can book RV sites, tent sites, cabins, cottages or yurts. Accommodations include modern conveniences such as cable TV, kitchenettes and bathrooms.

Chicago – October 15, 2026 -- PredictArena Inc., a new prediction market platform built around creators, is now live on the web, with a mobile app due in the coming weeks.

Fans can follow creators, handicappers and ex-athletes

The platform is aimed at people who already follow creators, sports handicappers and former athletes. Creators can build profiles, publish their predictions and take part economically. Fans get markets tied to the topics and people they follow.

Crypto.com's derivatives arm supplies the market backbone

PredictArena has an introducing broker relationship with Crypto.com | Derivatives North America (CDNA). The company says it will use CDNA's markets and exchange expertise while building its own distribution layer for the creator economy.

Chicago – October 15, 2026 -- United Airlines travelers can now check whether their upcoming flight has Starlink Wi-Fi using a new online tracker, and the airline has extended its "Switch to Better Wi-Fi" status match offer to October 22.

The tracker shows Starlink status flight by flight

The tool, called StarlinkTracker.United.com, was built in response to customer demand. Travelers enter their travel dates and flight numbers within three days of departure, and the site updates in real time for last-minute aircraft changes. Aircraft assignments are typically confirmed within 24 hours of departure and remain subject to change.

The site also shows how many regional, narrowbody and widebody aircraft have Starlink. It lists the share of Starlink flights at seven hubs: Chicago, Newark, Washington, D.C., San Francisco, Los Angeles, Houston and Denver. The statistics refresh daily.

Chicago – October 14, 2026 -- The Stork Foundation for Infertility is asking supporters to donate $6 through Giving Tuesday, December 1, 2026, after receiving a record 1,076 applications for fertility treatment grants this year.

Most applicants had no insurance coverage for treatment

The nonprofit analyzed its 2026 applicant data and found that 85% had no insurance coverage for the fertility treatment they were pursuing. Applicants expected their next course of treatment to cost $19,149 on average. And 39% had already spent more than $10,000 out of pocket before applying. Applications came from all 50 states.

Chicago – – October 14, 2026 -- Chicago policyholders may be overpaying for auto, home and renters insurance because they never ask about discounts they already qualify for, according to a HelloNation article featuring local insurance expert Jose Gomez.

Some discounts apply only if you ask

The article says certain discounts are built into policies but kick in only when customers meet specific conditions or request a review. Many customers never request one, so savings go unclaimed. Offerings also change, and a discount that was unavailable two years ago may be open today.

Chicago – – October 14, 2026 -- Alliant Credit Union, a member-owned cooperative that anyone can apply to join, has been named "Best Overall Credit Union" in MONEY's Best Banks of 2026–27 Awards.

MONEY compared 300 U.S. banking institutions

For its 2026–27 rankings, MONEY evaluated account terms from 300 of the largest U.S. banking institutions. The pool included national and online banks, credit unions, and regional and state banks. The review focused on flagship accounts for everyday customers, with particular emphasis on competitive interest rates, customer service, and low or no fees.

Alliant serves nearly one million members nationwide

Alliant is a national digital credit union with more than 90 years of history and nearly one million members. Because it is owned by its members rather than shareholders, it says it returns value through better rates, fewer fees, and a digital-first banking experience.