Good morning, Chicago.
Maureen Cleary likens the love lives of the African penguins at the Lincoln Park Zoo to a soap opera. Pilchard and Maynard would probably be the couple starring in such a drama, said the zoological manager of birds.
The same-sex duo arrived in 2016 as additions to the zoo’s newly opened penguin habitat, Cleary said. Maynard, now 22, hailed from Pueblo Zoo in Colorado and Pilchard, 11, from the New England Aquarium.
But Maynard was already in a relationship — at least at first. That is until the other half of his bonded pair, a female named Aiden, started hanging out in both Maynard and Pilchard’s nest boxes, Cleary said.
Then, in another twist, Aiden set her sights on a different penguin, one whose mate had recently passed away. Maynard and Pilchard, however, decided to stick together. And about seven years later, they’re still going strong, Cleary said.
Read the full story from the Tribune’s Rebecca Johnson.
Here are the top stories you need to know to start your day, including: a look at electronic monitoring in Illinois, how the White Sox pulled into a tie for first place in the AL Central standings and an interview with the Breakfast Queen and secret restaurant godmother of Chicago.
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Patrols and nanobubbles on display at the Reflecting Pool as Trump looks for a renovation do-over
National Guard service members and U.S. Park Police patrolled the deck around the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool yesterday as President Donald Trump’s administration faces a self-imposed deadline to fix a botched renovation before the nation’s 250th anniversary celebration.
More of Illinois has access to electronic monitoring than ever before. But does it work?
Since officials expanded electronic monitoring to many new parts of the state starting around 2023, more of Illinois has access to the technology than ever before, even as it is a frequent lightning rod in ongoing conversations about how best to keep the public safe and create a fairer criminal justice system — especially when high-profile offenses are allegedly committed by people who were being monitored.
The consistent flare-ups beg the question: Does electronic monitoring work?
Chicago faith leaders call for new Department of Gun Violence Prevention
A coalition of Chicago faith leaders and activists wants the city to create a new anti-violence office at City Hall with a community board shaping who the mayor picks as its top official.
US Attorney Andrew Boutros drops arson case amid new grand jury gaffes by ‘Broadview Six’ prosecutor
Saying he was interested in upholding the “presumption of regularity” for his office, U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros moved to drop charges in an arson case after discovering startling grand jury irregularities by the same prosecutor who handled the “Broadview Six” investigation.
Among the misconduct uncovered by his office, Boutros said in a motion he personally filed yesterday, were “ex parte communications” between the prosecutor and grand jurors during a July 17, 2025, session, including comments that she “can prove this case,” that most defendants “aren’t as smart as they think,” and that “the white-collar guys think they are the smartest in the world.”
Tribune Publishing completes purchase of Daily Herald, adding the suburban newspaper to its Chicago portfolio
Three years after buying the Daily Herald printing plant, Tribune Publishing has added the storied suburban newspaper itself to an expanding Chicago-area portfolio.
New Hollywood Casino Aurora ready to open to the public
The new casino and hotel along Farnsworth Avenue and Bilter Road is gearing up to open to the public tomorrow evening, boasting numerous restaurant offerings, a 226 room-hotel, spa and a gaming floor able to accommodate 1,200 people.
Matthew Boyd’s next start to come with Chicago Cubs — and Pete Crow-Armstrong again named NL player of the week
Although the date hasn’t been fully locked in, Matthew Boyd’s next start will be for the Cubs.
Boyd threw a bullpen yesterday at Citi Field and continued to feel good after his rehab start at High-A South Bend on Saturday.
- Cubs’ series opener against the New York Mets postponed due to rain
- Today in Chicago History: ‘The Sandberg Game’ rocks Wrigley Field
Chicago White Sox pull into AL Central 1st place tie with a walk-off 6-5 win over the Cleveland Guardians
Sam Antonacci’s two-out, two-run single in the ninth inning propelled the Sox to a 6-5 victory against the Guardians yesterday in front of 23,151 at Rate Field.
The Sox (40-37) went from being on the verge of a second-straight late-inning loss to rallying and pulling into a tie for first place in the American League Central standings with the Guardians (41-38).
- Catcher Kyle Teel returns from the IL as the White Sox option Edgar Quero to Triple A
- Photos: White Sox 6, Cleveland Guardians 5
Column: Do you remember who won the Danny Bonaduce-Donny Osmond boxing match?
For those of you too young to know of this event, it came after Donny Osmond, in town to perform in “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” ran into Danny Bonaduce, once a star of TV’s “The Partridge Family” and then a WLUP-FM show host, at a local gym. They poked lighthearted fun at one another’s physiques, writes Rick Kogan. This encounter was later discussed on Jonathon Brandmeier’s hugely popular radio show, with him encouraging Bonaduce to challenge Osmond to a fight, with proceeds going to charity.
Food icon: Ina Pinkney, the Breakfast Queen and secret restaurant godmother of Chicago
Ina Pinkney will forever be known as the Breakfast Queen of Chicago. Ina’s, her last namesake restaurant, opened 25 years ago on a then-industrial stretch of Randolph Street in an area of warehouse wholesale markets and not much else. Her highness closed the house that pancakes built in 2013, where there’s now the highly desirable West Loop neighborhood.
But that wasn’t the first Ina’s restaurant or her first foray in the food business. And Pinkney hasn’t quite retired. She remains a secret restaurant godmother, quietly advising restaurateurs around the city.
