Fox Chicago's top trending stories of 2025
Chicago’s good news moments that made 2025 brighter
Fox Chicago highlights the good news that defined 2025 in our community. The special features uplifting stories of compassion, generosity and hope from across Chicago, including a young pastor lifting spirits with a barber chair, a daughter donating a kidney to save her mother, a 19-year-old Elvis performer bringing joy to seniors and the emotional return of a Purple Heart to a veteran’s family.
CHICAGO - Over this past year, Chicago saw a sweeping immigration operation, the loss of multiple cultural and sports icons, and its fair share of breaking news events that captivated our readers and viewers.
Here is a look back at the top trending news stories of 2025 from Fox Chicago.
Fan falls from 21-foot Clemente Wall at PNC Park during Cubs-Pirates game
A man was critically hurt when he fell from the 21-foot-high Clemente Wall in right field at PNC Park during a game last May between the Chicago Cubs and the Pittsburgh Pirates. The breaking news story was the most viewed story on Fox Chicago's website for 2025, with more than 754,000 page views as of this month.
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 30: A fan is carted off the field after falling from the stands during the seventh inning of the game between the Chicago Cubs and the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on April 30, 2025 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Pho
Assistant principal among 3 killed in shooting outside Berwyn middle school
An assistant principal at a Berwyn middle school was one of three people killed in a shooting near the campus back in September. The original Fox Chicago story had more than 420,000 page views.
Assistant principal among 3 killed in shooting outside Berwyn middle school
An assistant principal at a Berwyn middle school was one of three people killed in a shooting near the campus Tuesday afternoon.
Suburban woman says husband detained at O'Hare airport despite longtime legal residency
A suburban woman spoke out back in June after her husband, a green card holder who had lived in the U.S. for more than 20 years, was detained at O'Hare Airport after a trip to visit family in Mexico. The original story had more than 319,000 page views.
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Family says man detained by ICE at O'Hare was a green card holder
A suburban mother is speaking out tonight after she claims her husband ? a green card holder who?s lived in the U.S. For over 20 years, was suddenly detained at O'Hare by ICE after returning from visiting his family in Mexico.
Chicago Bears hall of famer, longtime defensive stalwart Steve McMichael dies at 67
The Chicago Bears family lost Steve McMichael, a defensive legend and NFL Hall of Famer, who died in April after battling ALS for three years.
'Still my man': Misty McMichael shares what she told her husband before his passing
Steve "Mongo" McMichael, who had been battling ALS for the last three years, died at 5:28 p.m. on Wednesday. His wife, Misty, spoke with FOX 32 not long before his passing.
Chicago River search for cold case couple turns up at least 97 vehicles
An unusual discovery was made late this past summer along the Chicago River, stemming from a cold case investigation that dates back to 1970. An independent dive team using sonar technology to search for a couple who disappeared decades ago instead found dozens of submerged vehicles.
Over 90 cars discovered by dive team in Chicago River
An unusual discovery was made along the Chicago River, stemming from a cold case investigation that dates back to 1970.
Orland Park school’s hiring of assistant principal under scrutiny from parents
At least 200 community members packed a special school board meeting back in July when the recent hiring of an assistant principal by Orland School District 135 dominated public comment.
Orland Park parents question hiring of school assistant principal
A recent hire at an Orland Park school is sparking outrage among parents over his age and past social media posts.
Video shows Chicago mother, young son brutally attacked while walking home
A mother and her 9-year-old son were seriously injured during an attack by a group of children that was captured in a viral video in November in Chicago's South Deering neighborhood.
7 juveniles charged with attacking mom, son
Seven juveniles have been charged with beating a mother and child last month while they were walking home from school on the South Side.
Baby formula recalled after two Illinois infants show signs of botulism
Two lots of ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula were recalled after two Illinois infants developed suspected cases of botulism earlier this year, with similar cases reported in 10 other states.
Families filing lawsuits due to botulism in ByHeart baby formula
Botulism is a rare but life-threatening illness, especially for babies. And while no deaths have been reported, a growing number of cases have been reported in at least 12 states, including here in Illinois.
Cook County police crack down on cars using shoulder to bypass traffic
In only a few hours, Cook County Sheriff's officials ticketed more than 100 drivers using the shoulder to bypass slower traffic. On Aug. 27, the Cook County Sheriff’s Office deployed what it calls its "big gun" in the fight against illegal shoulder driving: a new $11 million helicopter equipped with advanced surveillance technology.
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Shoulder crackdown: Cook County Sheriff launches high-tech sting on dangerous drivers
On Aug. 27, the Cook County Sheriff’s Office deployed what it calls its "big gun" in the fight against illegal shoulder driving: a new $11 million helicopter equipped with advanced surveillance technology.
Cook County woman allegedly vandalized Tesla service center in suburb
A Buffalo Grove woman was arrested in March after allegedly vandalizing a newly constructed Tesla service center in Chicago's northwest suburbs, police said. Tesla car owners, dealerships and charging stations were targeted nationwide by protesters and vandals because of CEO Elon Musk's involvement with the Trump administration's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Erin L. White