Is "mogging" harmless slang or a body image threat? | ChicagoNOW
A new slang term has psychologists and parents raising an eyebrow. It's called "mogging" and while it sounds like harmless gibberish, experts say the meaning behind it could be impacting self-esteem and body image. Dr. Janet Yarboi, a licensed clinical psychologist, explains more.
A new slang term has psychologists and parents raising an eyebrow. It's called "mogging" and while it sounds like harmless gibberish, experts say the meaning behind it could be impacting self-esteem and body image. Dr. Janet Yarboi, a licensed clinical psychologist, explains more.
The 23,000 MPH drop: How Artemis II gets back to Earth | ChicagoNOW
The Artemis II crew is headed back to earth right now inside of the Orion capsule, after a 10-day record-breaking mission. They’ll have a fiery reentry into Earth's atmosphere at speeds exceeding 23,000 miles per hour. Director of Astronomy at the Adler Planetarium, Dr. Geza Gyuk, joins to explain more.
The Artemis II crew is headed back to earth right now inside of the Orion capsule, after a 10-day record-breaking mission. They’ll have a fiery reentry into Earth's atmosphere at speeds exceeding 23,000 miles per hour. Director of Astronomy at the Adler Planetarium, Dr. Geza Gyuk, joins to explain more.
Bakery responds to messages of concern after April Fool's joke | ChicagoNOW
Detroit’s Homestead Kitchen Artisan Cakery shared an AI-generated, unsettling lamb-shaped cake for Easter on April Fools’ Day, featuring bulging eyes and crooked teeth. Some viewers expressed concern, prompting the bakery to clarify the post was a prank and share a photo of their real lamb cake. The owner acknowledged the joke caused commotion but noted it inspired ideas for new, whimsical cake designs for customers with a sense of humor.
Detroit’s Homestead Kitchen Artisan Cakery shared an AI-generated, unsettling lamb-shaped cake for Easter on April Fools’ Day, featuring bulging eyes and crooked teeth. Some viewers expressed concern, prompting the bakery to clarify the post was a prank and share a photo of their real lamb cake. The owner acknowledged the joke caused commotion but noted it inspired ideas for new, whimsical cake designs for customers with a sense of humor.
Costco's hot dog deal inspires a bourbon | ChicagoNOW
Costco’s $1.50 hot dog deal inspired a limited-edition single-barrel bourbon called “I Got That Dog In Me”, sold for $85.99 and quickly sold out at the Washington, DC store. The bourbon is 126-proof (63.05% alcohol) and bottled by Rare Character Whiskey Co. in Lexington, Kentucky.
Costco’s $1.50 hot dog deal inspired a limited-edition single-barrel bourbon called “I Got That Dog In Me”, sold for $85.99 and quickly sold out at the Washington, DC store. The bourbon is 126-proof (63.05% alcohol) and bottled by Rare Character Whiskey Co. in Lexington, Kentucky.
Why retailers are rushing back to downtown Chicago | ChicagoNOW
Retail and grocery activity in downtown Chicago is starting to evolve into a new chapter of success, after setbacks caused by the COVID pandemic. Walter Wahlfeldt, Managing Director, Retail Corporate Services & Midwest Retail Lead at JLL joins via zoom to share more.
Retail and grocery activity in downtown Chicago is starting to evolve into a new chapter of success, after setbacks caused by the COVID pandemic. Walter Wahlfeldt, Managing Director, Retail Corporate Services & Midwest Retail Lead at JLL joins via zoom to share more.
NASA shares the Artemis II food menu—and it may surprise you | ChciagoNOW
The Artemis II mission, launched April 1, 2026, marks NASA’s first manned journey to orbit the moon since 1972, lasting 10 days. NASA released the mission’s food menu, featuring 189 unique items, showing a major upgrade from classic space fare like astronaut ice cream. Social media reactions were mostly impressed, with users noting the menu’s “gourmet” quality and variety, though some were underwhelmed by prepackaged meals.
The Artemis II mission, launched April 1, 2026, marks NASA’s first manned journey to orbit the moon since 1972, lasting 10 days. NASA released the mission’s food menu, featuring 189 unique items, showing a major upgrade from classic space fare like astronaut ice cream. Social media reactions were mostly impressed, with users noting the menu’s “gourmet” quality and variety, though some were underwhelmed by prepackaged meals.
Local MMA fighter Valanti "300" Atsas gets big break at an Elite Fight Night | ChicagoNOW
Local MMA fighter Valanti “300” Atsas is getting his big break this weekend at an “Elite Fight Night” event that you can catch on on Fox Chicago+. He joins live in studio to talk more about this opportunity.
Local MMA fighter Valanti “300” Atsas is getting his big break this weekend at an “Elite Fight Night” event that you can catch on on Fox Chicago+. He joins live in studio to talk more about this opportunity.
Taylor Frankie Paul's ex, Dakota Mortensen, edited out of Vanderpump Villa | ChicagoNOW
Disney canceled Taylor Frankie Paul’s season of The Bachelorette, and her ex Dakota Mortensen is also being cut from upcoming TV content. Anthony Ponce and Gabby Premus discuss more.
Disney canceled Taylor Frankie Paul’s season of The Bachelorette, and her ex Dakota Mortensen is also being cut from upcoming TV content. Anthony Ponce and Gabby Premus discuss more.
Lil Rel Howery offers relationship advice | ChicagoNOW
Lil Rel Howery is recently married and is ready to share some relationship advice with Gabby Premus and Tia Ewing on ChicagoNOW.
Lil Rel Howery is recently married and is ready to share some relationship advice with Gabby Premus and Tia Ewing on ChicagoNOW.
Lil Rel shares all on loss, humor, and upcoming projects | ChicagoNOW
From the West Side of Chicago to the biggest screens in Hollywood, Lil Rel Howery has never forgotten where he came from. He joins live in studio to talk more about his upcoming stand-up special that is focused around finding the humor after the loss of his father. He also teases an exciting upcoming project.
From the West Side of Chicago to the biggest screens in Hollywood, Lil Rel Howery has never forgotten where he came from. He joins live in studio to talk more about his upcoming stand-up special that is focused around finding the humor after the loss of his father. He also teases an exciting upcoming project.
"Magic number" to comfortably retire just got bigger | ChicagoNOW
Americans now believe they need about $1.46 million to retire comfortably, according to a 2026 Northwestern Mutual survey. This “magic number” is a general planning guide, not a strict savings requirement. Gabby Premus and Tia Ewing discuss more.
Americans now believe they need about $1.46 million to retire comfortably, according to a 2026 Northwestern Mutual survey. This “magic number” is a general planning guide, not a strict savings requirement. Gabby Premus and Tia Ewing discuss more.
McDonald's launching new value menu items | ChicagoNOW
McDonald's is launching new value deals, including items under $3, a $4 breakfast meal, and $5–$6 lunch/dinner meals starting later in April. These offers expand the McValue Menu introduced in early 2025, alongside existing Extra Value Meals. The updated value menu launches nationwide at participating locations on April 21, with rotating discounts like $1.50 Sausage McMuffins and $2.50 McDoubles.
McDonald's is launching new value deals, including items under $3, a $4 breakfast meal, and $5–$6 lunch/dinner meals starting later in April. These offers expand the McValue Menu introduced in early 2025, alongside existing Extra Value Meals. The updated value menu launches nationwide at participating locations on April 21, with rotating discounts like $1.50 Sausage McMuffins and $2.50 McDoubles.
Majority of Blake Lively's lawsuit against Justin Baldoni dismissed | ChicagoNOW
One month before the case was supposed to go to trial, a federal judge has dismissed 10 of the 13 claims in Blake Lively's lawsuit. The judge has said that Lively can still pursue a portion of her lawsuit against Baldoni's production company.
One month before the case was supposed to go to trial, a federal judge has dismissed 10 of the 13 claims in Blake Lively's lawsuit. The judge has said that Lively can still pursue a portion of her lawsuit against Baldoni's production company.
Vince Vaughn reminisces on 'Swingers' 30 years later | ChicagoNOW
Vince Vaughn sits down with Jake Hamilton to look back on the making of 'Swingers' and his personal ties to Chicago.
Vince Vaughn sits down with Jake Hamilton to look back on the making of 'Swingers' and his personal ties to Chicago.
Summer House cast reacts to Amanda Batula and West Wilson romance reveal | ChicagoNOW
Summer House cast members Amanda Batula and West Wilson confirmed their relationship on March 31, calling it "very new" and asking for privacy due to reality show scrutiny. The Summer House cast was largely surprised; a source says Batula and Wilson had kept it secret, causing confusion and feelings of betrayal among friends.
Summer House cast members Amanda Batula and West Wilson confirmed their relationship on March 31, calling it "very new" and asking for privacy due to reality show scrutiny. The Summer House cast was largely surprised; a source says Batula and Wilson had kept it secret, causing confusion and feelings of betrayal among friends.
Jen Shah breaks silence after prison | ChicagoNOW
After serving nearly three years in prison for wire fraud, former reality-TV star Jen Shah says she's ready to turn over a new leaf. "The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City" alum, who was originally given a six-and-a-half-year sentence, was released in December after two years and 10 months. She now says she is committed to repaying $6.5 million in restitution and hopes people will see her as more than her criminal case.
After serving nearly three years in prison for wire fraud, former reality-TV star Jen Shah says she's ready to turn over a new leaf. "The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City" alum, who was originally given a six-and-a-half-year sentence, was released in December after two years and 10 months. She now says she is committed to repaying $6.5 million in restitution and hopes people will see her as more than her criminal case.
Leo Gonzalez: from failed reporter to stand-up comedian | ChicagoNOW
Comedian Leo Gonzalez has been gaining a big fan base thanks to his viral comedy videos. He has several shows at Chicago Improv the weekend of April 3rd. He joins live on ChicagoNOW to share how he went from behind the scenes at a local news station to blowing up on his first viral video.
Comedian Leo Gonzalez has been gaining a big fan base thanks to his viral comedy videos. He has several shows at Chicago Improv the weekend of April 3rd. He joins live on ChicagoNOW to share how he went from behind the scenes at a local news station to blowing up on his first viral video.
Chicago's last Black-owned bowling alley, closing after support fades | Block Club x ChicagoNOW
Skyway Lanes, Chicago's last Black-owned bowling alley is closing after a surge of support fades. A fundraiser to save the Far South Side bowling alley drew over $25,000 in donations but that still wasn't enough to for the second-generation owners to fix the alley's financial problems.
Skyway Lanes, Chicago's last Black-owned bowling alley is closing after a surge of support fades. A fundraiser to save the Far South Side bowling alley drew over $25,000 in donations but that still wasn't enough to for the second-generation owners to fix the alley's financial problems.
Visa running out for neighborhood runner | Block Club x ChicagoNOW
Joabe Barbosa set a Guinness Record for fastest time visiting every "L" station, and he's trying to get another for running every city street. But with his visa set to expire, he's inviting every Chicagoan on one last run. Block Club's Jon Hansen joins to share more on this story.
Joabe Barbosa set a Guinness Record for fastest time visiting every "L" station, and he's trying to get another for running every city street. But with his visa set to expire, he's inviting every Chicagoan on one last run. Block Club's Jon Hansen joins to share more on this story.
No joke: KitKat launches a tracker to help recover stolen candy bars | ChicagoNOW
Thieves in Europe stole an entire truck carrying about 12 tons of KitKat bars from a Nestlé shipment leaving Italy. Nestlé launched an online “stolen KitKat tracker” so people can check if their chocolate is from the stolen batch using an 8-digit code. The company insists the tracker is real and not an April Fool’s joke, despite the April 1 announcement.
Thieves in Europe stole an entire truck carrying about 12 tons of KitKat bars from a Nestlé shipment leaving Italy. Nestlé launched an online “stolen KitKat tracker” so people can check if their chocolate is from the stolen batch using an 8-digit code. The company insists the tracker is real and not an April Fool’s joke, despite the April 1 announcement.