Chicago

Chicago – October 02, 2026 -- The Aspen Group has launched new patient apps for Aspen Dental and ClearChoice Dental Implant Center, giving patients more control over booking, treatment tracking, and pre-visit steps directly from their phones.

Aspen Dental app lets patients book same-day emergency visits

The Aspen Dental app allows patients to book same-day emergency appointments, subject to availability, for issues like tooth pain, a cracked tooth or crown, or a broken denture. Patients can also view their treatment plan, understand why a diagnosis was made -- whether a cavity or periodontal disease -- and track progress toward completing care. The app includes check-in and pre-visit steps, oral health content, and calendar integration for upcoming appointments.

Lisle, Illinois – October 01, 2026 -- The Morton Arboretum's holiday lights exhibition Illumination opens for its 14th season on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026, and runs through Saturday, Jan. 2, 2027, adding four new large-scale installations and a model train experience called Pine Whistle Railroad.

Tickets went on sale to Arboretum members on Oct. 1 at 9 a.m. CT and open to the general public Oct. 15 at 9 a.m. CT through mortonarb.org/illumination.

Evanston – September 30, 2026 -- A new Mather Institute study finds that older adults who age alone and own pets report significant boosts to physical activity, emotional wellbeing and social connection, with dog owners showing the strongest gains.

The online survey of 900 solo agers aged 55 and older found that 76% reported improved emotional wellbeing, 62% reported reduced stress and 45% reported increased physical activity. Nearly half said pets help reduce loneliness, and a third said pets led to more social interactions through daily walks and outdoor time.

Dog owners show the biggest activity gains among solo agers

Dog owners reported physical activity levels 42% higher than pet-free adults, the study found. Cat owners also described frequent short bursts of movement tied to feeding, play and household routines. Solo agers without pets recorded the lowest weekly activity levels of any group surveyed.

Oak Brook, Ill. – September 30, 2026 -- Vehicle thefts in the United States fell 21% during the first half of 2026 compared with the same period last year, with all 50 states posting year-over-year declines, according to a new analysis from the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB).

A total of 268,415 vehicles were reported stolen to law enforcement between January and June 2026, translating to a national theft rate of roughly 77.81 thefts per 100,000 people.

Every state saw thefts decline, but the drops varied widely

The District of Columbia posted the steepest improvement, with thefts down 52% versus the first half of 2025. Despite that drop, D.C. still recorded the highest theft rate of any jurisdiction analyzed, at 181.94 thefts per 100,000 residents.

Chicago – September 28, 2026 -- Two new picture books from the Princess Penelope's Purse of Preposterous Things series hit shelves on November 3, 2026, expanding a children's media franchise built by Emmy-winning creator Angela C. Santomero.

"Bunny Lala's Big Song" and "Pirate Argh's Treasure Hunt" arrive from 4U2B Books & Media, an imprint of Loyola Press, following the success of the show's earlier titles and its YouTube Kids series, which has drawn over 12 million views.

Santomero built her career on Blue's Clues and Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood

Santomero, also known for creating Super Why!, developed Princess Penelope's Purse of Preposterous Things as her latest project. The franchise now includes four books total after this release.

Galena, Ill. – September 24, 2026 -- Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa is offering a lineup of seasonal getaway packages this fall and winter, giving Midwest travelers a road-trip alternative about 150 miles west of Chicago in northwest Illinois' Driftless Region.

The 6,800-acre resort overlooks Lake Galena and sits within driving distance of Madison, Dubuque, Milwaukee, Rockford and the Quad Cities.

A Spooky Weekend Package Runs October 22-25

The two-night Spooky Weekend Getaway includes $75 in Eagle Ridge Dollars, two tickets per bedroom to Fear Forest at Shenandoah Riding Center, and round-trip transportation to the nighttime walking experience, recommended for ages 13 and older. Rates start at $573, with accommodations ranging from Inn rooms to five-bedroom distinctive homes.

A separate Halloween Party takes place October 30 from 7 to 11 p.m. at Highlands Restaurant & Lounge, featuring drinks and entertainment.

Chicago – September 23, 2026 -- Shokz has released the OpenRun Pro 2 Bank of America Chicago Marathon Co-Branded Edition, a limited-run headphone priced at $199.95 USD ($249.95 CAD), available now exclusively at Shokz.com ahead of the October 11 race.

The open-ear bone conduction headphones come in a deep blue and gold colorway, with the marathon route illustrated on the gift box and case. Additional units will be sold at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon Expo at Shokz Booth #339 from October 8 to 10, in both Standard and Mini sizes while supplies last.

The headphones pack 12 hours of battery life and DualPitch Technology

Built on the same platform as the standard OpenRun Pro 2, the co-branded edition includes DualPitch Technology for sound quality, up to 12 hours of listening time, and an open-ear design intended to keep runners aware of traffic, crowds and fellow participants during training and race day.

Lisle, Ill. – September 22, 2026 -- Scientists at The Morton Arboretum are tracking how a strengthening El Niño could push back peak fall foliage across the Chicago region this year, potentially compressing the color season into a shorter, more intense stretch in late autumn.

Summer weather extremes are already scrambling normal leaf-color timing

Christy Rollinson, Ph.D., senior scientist in forest ecology at the Arboretum, said this summer's swing from drought to heavy rainfall will affect trees unevenly across the region. Early-season drought typically triggers earlier fall color, and some early turners like the autumn blaze maple have already begun changing in late August and early September, particularly in high-stress spots like parking lots. But the Illinois State Climatology Office recorded significantly above-average precipitation over the last 90 days, offsetting that early drought stress.

New York – September 22, 2026 -- Teenagers across Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin and Iowa can now submit scripts for a 30-second TV public service announcement warning drivers about the dangers of speeding, with a top prize of $2,000.

The 13th annual Drive Safe Chicago PSA Contest opens for entries

The National Road Safety Foundation, backed by the Chicago Auto Show, is running the contest for teens in the Chicagoland region and surrounding states. Entrants must submit a script or written description of a speeding-awareness PSA by mail or email before the Dec. 18, 2026 deadline.

Miami – September 19, 2026 -- A new candlelit concert series titled 'A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics' is touring venues across the United States this fall, reimagining horror-themed music through live string quartet performances.

The tour stops include the Fontainebleau Miami Beach in Florida, The Congress Plaza Hotel & Convention Center in Chicago, Illinois, the Phoenix Zoo in Arizona, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts, and the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento, California.

The setlist mixes film scores with classical staples

Local string quartets perform Michael Jackson's 'Thriller,' Bernard Herrmann's score for 'Psycho,' the theme from 'Stranger Things,' and selections from 'The Nightmare Before Christmas.'

Classical works on the program include Camille Saint-Saëns' 'Danse Macabre' and Modest Mussorgsky's 'Night on Bald Mountain.'