Adriana Pérez

Adriana Pérez is an environment reporter, covering the Great Lakes, climate change, environmental justice, wildlife, science and more. Occasionally, she writes about breaking news and immigration. A graduate of the University of Notre Dame, she hails from Guayaquil, Ecuador. Send her your story tips and almond croissant recommendations.

Bears fans watch the game against the Browns in the cold Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Bear weather: Subzero temps and negative wind chills mark one of Chicago’s coldest games at Soldier Field

December 15, 2025 at 9:10 a.m.

Sunday morning temps were the coldest the Chicago area has had this early in the season since the "infamously" cold and snowy winter of 2013-14.

Miscanthus grass grows at AEC Supply’s farm in Minooka on Nov. 25, 2025. AEC Supply has a program for erosion control and a greenhouse program that both use miscanthus fiber as an input. The crop won’t be harvested until around March. (Dominic Di Palermo/Chicago Tribune)

Illinois researchers say versatile grass could be used for sustainable fuel, building materials and more

December 8, 2025 at 1:09 p.m.

Miscanthus has a smaller carbon footprint than corn and soybeans, and experts say it has the potential to strengthen U.S. energy independence.

Rachelle Catayong of Andersonville, from left, Mario Catayong, of Lakeview, and Michael Panahon, of Pilsen, cheer while watching the Bears defense make an interception against the Packers on Dec. 7, 2025, at Murphy's Bleachers in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood. (Dominic Di Palermo/Chicago Tribune)

Bears fans celebrate a surprising winning season — even after loss to Packers: ‘I’m playing with house money’

December 8, 2025 at 8:47 a.m.

Bears fans braved the biting cold to descend on Chicago sports bars Sunday and see their team take on the Green Bay Packers.

People walk through the snow along North Michigan Avenue as a winter storm passes through the area on Nov. 29, 2025, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

A snowy, cold start to winter follows a very warm fall. How are Illinois seasons changing?

December 5, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

In Chicago, fall is the second fastest-warming season after winter, and outliers, like this week's cold, don't lessen the impact of climate change, experts say.

U.S. Border Patrol Cmdr. Gregory Bovino carries tear gas, a rifle and a body camera while conducting immigration enforcement operations on Oct. 31, 2025, in Chicago’s Edison Park neighborhood. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Bodycam footage from Operation Midway Blitz released: ‘It’s all about arresting people’

November 28, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

The group of videos made public through the Loevy & Loevy law firm includes footage from agents who responded to controversial arrest operations in the Little Village and Irving Park...

Pedestrians get blown by strong winds while crossing South Wabash Avenue on Nov. 26, 2025, on Jackson Boulevard in Chicago’s Loop. (Dominic Di Palermo/Chicago Tribune)

Officials warn winter storm and heavy snow will affect holiday travel plans Saturday

November 28, 2025 at 6:22 p.m.

Up to 6 inches of snow could accumulate Saturday, with rates of 1 inch per hour. Roads will be covered and visibility will be low.

A child sits on a grown-up's shoulders while waiting in line to enter the Christkindlmarket at Daley Plaza on Nov. 22, 2025, in Chicago. After a weekend of mild weather, temperatures are expected to drop dramatically by Wednesday. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Thanksgiving weather: After mild and overcast start to the week, holiday will turn cold and blustery

November 24, 2025 at 8:58 a.m.

Highs will hover in the low to mid-30s during the day and might get as low as 16 degrees on Thursday.

Police officers are posted in the 100 block of North Michigan Avenue Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, in Chicago. Nine teens were shot the previous night in two incidents a few blocks away, in the 100 block of North State Street and 100 block of South Dearborn Street. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

14-year-old killed in downtown shooting during Friday ‘teen takeover’ identified, his death ruled a homicide

November 23, 2025 at 7:41 p.m.

A 14-year-old boy who was killed in downtown Chicago during one of two Friday night shootings that also injured eight others has been identified, and his death ruled a homicide.

Egrets hunt in the wetlands at Milan Bottoms Preserve in Rock Island County on July 31, 2025. Milan Bottoms spans over 4,000 acres and is owned by a patchwork of state and federal agencies as well as private parties. Illinois has no statewide protections for wetlands on private land. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)

Illinois lawmakers urged to ‘step up’ and ‘fight like hell’ as EPA moves to cut wetlands protections

November 19, 2025 at 12:13 p.m.

New U.S. EPA rule would strip protections from 72% of the state's remaining wetlands, which play a crucial role in mitigating flooding and filtering drinking water.

Bronze turkey hens roam in a fenced grassy area after being fed on Nov. 14, 2025, at All Grass Farms in Dundee. Cliff McConville said his flock has not been affected by bird flu. (Dominic Di Palermo/Chicago Tribune)

Bird flu cases are on the rise again, including 2 million turkeys. Will that affect your Thanksgiving dinner?

November 19, 2025 at 3:57 p.m.

Turkeys make up approximately 2% of the entire U.S. poultry inventory, but account for 24% of new cases in commercial and backyard flocks.

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