Brian Cassella

Brian Cassella joined the Chicago Tribune as a photojournalist in 2009. He covers news, sports and features ranging from the World Series and the Olympics to daily neighborhood stories of triumph and tragedy. A native of Baltimore, Brian previously worked for the Tampa Bay Times and is a graduate of the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill.

Fans find seats in the bleachers as gates open, March 26, 2026, before the Chicago Cubs and Washington Nationals play on opening day at Wrigley Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Photos: Opening day for Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field

March 26, 2026 at 5:35 p.m.

Photos from opening day for the Chicago Cubs against the Washington Nationals at Wrigley Field on March 26, 2026.

Participants run down State Street through Chicago’s Loop during the annual Shamrock Shuffle 8K on March 22, 2026. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Photos: The 45th Shamrock Shuffle kicks off Chicago’s spring running season

March 22, 2026 at 2:15 p.m.

Thousands of runners and walkers participate in the event which takes place in Grant Park and the downtown area.

Hugo Bauer, 8, hands out candy along the route while dressed as a leprechaun during the 48th South Side Irish St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 15, 2026, on Western Avenue in Chicago’s Beverly neighborhood. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Photos: Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day at the South Side Irish Parade

March 15, 2026 at 3:44 p.m.

Photos from Sunday's 48th annual South Side Irish Parade in Chicago's Beverly neighborhood.

Fireworks and flames go off as Chicago officials and Chicago Fire representatives hold groundbreaking ceremony, March 3, 2026, at the site of what will be the team's new home, a 22,000-seat, open-air soccer stadium at the north end of the area called "The 78" near Roosevelt Road in Chicago's South Loop. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)

Photos: Chicago Fire break ground on $750M stadium at The 78 in the South Loop

March 4, 2026 at 7:58 a.m.

Groundbreaking for the Chicago Fire's $750 million stadium took place on March 3, with structural steel rising up this year to meet the scheduled opening by the 2028 season.

Jackie Jackson hugs each visitor paying their respects at the casket of her father, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, on the first day of public visitation at Rainbow PUSH Coalition headquarters on Feb. 26, 2026. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)

Photos: Mourners attend the public visitation for the Rev. Jesse Jackson

February 27, 2026 at 10:03 p.m.

Thousands are expected to gather Thursday and Friday to honor the Rev. Jesse Jackson, one of America’s most enduring civil rights leaders.

Bears safety Jaquan Brisker sits in his locker Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, at Halas Hall after the season ended with a loss to the Los Angeles Rams in an NFC divisional playoff game. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Photos: Chicago Bears clean out their lockers after playoff loss ends season

January 19, 2026 at 2:06 p.m.

Photos from Halas Hall on Jan. 19, 2026, as the Chicago Bears clean out their lockers after the season-ending loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

Bears quarterback Caleb Williams leaves the field after the team's 20-17 overtime loss to the Rams on Jan. 18, 2026, in an NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Playoff photos: Los Angeles Rams 20, Chicago Bears 17 (OT)

January 18, 2026 at 10:25 p.m.

Photos from the Chicago Bears' divisional-round playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams at Soldier Field on Jan. 18, 2026.

Bears wide receiver DJ Moore makes the game-winning touchdown catch in overtime against the Packers at Soldier Field on Dec. 20, 2025. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

Week 16 photos: Chicago Bears 22, Green Bay Packers 16 (OT)

December 21, 2025 at 8:53 a.m.

Photos from the Chicago Bears' 22-16 win against the Green Bay Packers in Week 16 on Dec. 20, 2025, at Soldier Field.

Bears wide receiver DJ Moore catches a touchdown pass over Browns cornerback Tyson Campbell (7) in the third quarter on Dec. 14, 2025, at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Week 15 photos: Chicago Bears 31, Cleveland Browns 3

December 15, 2025 at 9:18 a.m.

Photos from the Chicago Bears' Week 15 game against the Cleveland Browns on Dec. 14, 2025, at Soldier Field.

The CTA Holiday Train stops at the outbound Damen Blue Line station, seen from The Robey hotel, Dec. 11, 2025, in Chicago. The decked-out train, a CTA tradition for more than three decades, is scheduled to travel on all eight lines, wrapping up Dec. 22 on the Yellow Line. The CTA’s Holiday Bus is scheduled to hit 19 of the city's bus routes through Dec. 20. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Photos: All aboard the CTA Holiday Train!

December 12, 2025 at 8:45 p.m.

The CTA Holiday train is back and spreading joy throughout Chicago during December.

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