Christiana Freitag

Christiana Freitag is a freelancer and former environment reporting intern at the Tribune. She holds a master’s degree from Northwestern University, where she focused on health, environment, and science reporting and data journalism. Her work has appeared in Inside Climate News, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and PBS.

Stephanie Irvine stands at the western edge of her property on the border of Manhattan and Elwood, July 8, 2026. The neighboring farmland is owned by NorthPoint Development, which plans to build out the Third Coast Intermodal Hub, an industrial and warehousing development. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Studies raise alarms as more warehouses are built near homes and schools in Illinois

July 20, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

More than 1 in 4 Illinois residents live within a half-mile of a warehouse, according to an Environmental Defense Fund report. In Will County, residents fear another logistics hub will...

Burt, left, rides Scooby Blu as Bobo follows aboard Sasha at the Banana Derby race at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Grayslake on July 29, 2015. (José M. Osorio/Chicago Tribune)

Law adds big cats, bears and primates to Illinois ban on traveling animal acts

July 6, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Animal welfare advocates say these highly intelligent and social species suffer when transported continuously between performances.

Members of the clergy and other supporters wave to marchers from the steps of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church on West Belmont Avenue in the 55th annual Chicago Pride Parade on June 28, 2026, in the Lakeview neighborhood. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

From fight to celebration: Crowds come out for Chicago Pride parade

June 28, 2026 at 6:29 p.m.

Chicago’s Pride Parade saw thousands of spectators pack the streets of Northalsted to celebrate LGBTQ+ rights and visibility.

A group named People vs the Poison protests at the U.S. Supreme Court on April 27, 2026, in Washington. (Tasos Katopodis/Getty)

Supreme Court ruling in Roundup case is a major blow for agricultural states like Illinois, advocates say

June 25, 2026 at 6:19 p.m.

As one of the nation’s largest producers of corn and soybeans, Illinois is among the heaviest users of glyphosate-based herbicides such as Roundup.

A newly hatched piping plover briefly ventures out on its own at Montrose Beach Dunes on June 16, 2026, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Four piping plovers hatch at Montrose Beach: ‘Never ceases to be amazing’

June 17, 2026 at 11:58 a.m.

Imani and Searocket chicks mark a conservation milestone for the endangered birds and continue the legacy of Chicago's Monty and Rose.

Before the start of their run, Joabe Barbosa rallies the crowd as they prepare to run from Oak Street to Buckingham Fountain in Chicago, June 14, 2026. Barbosa completed his mission of running every street in the city and finished with a crowd of people draped in Chicago flags cheering him on. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

Guinness record-holder completes run of every Chicago street with flag race celebration

June 14, 2026 at 5:25 p.m.

Joabe Barbosa finished a nearly 2-year, 5,000-mile journey to run every street in Chicago, celebrating with hundreds of supporters carrying Chicago flags along the Magnificent Mile.

Ashley Williams, executive director of Just Transition Northwest Indiana, stands in Pullman Park in Michigan City, Indiana, on May 21, 2026. Williams moved to Michigan City in part to close NIPSCO's Michigan City Generating Station, seen behind her. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

Lake Michigan communities outraged by proposed rollback of federal coal ash rules

June 15, 2026 at 5:19 p.m.

Some storage areas in Michigan City and Waukegan are among the hundreds of sites that would be exempt from cleanup requirements.

Examples of ways to treat windows to avoid bird collisions are displayed as visitors tour "Flyway City: Architecture for a Flourishing Ecosystem," a show by Studio Gang, on June 9, 2026, during a preview of two new exhibits on wildlife conservation initiatives opening at the Chicago Architecture Center. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Chicago Architecture Center new exhibits highlight region’s natural and built wonders

June 10, 2026 at 3:47 p.m.

“Chicago's Living Habitat” and “Flyway City” examine the region’s ecosystems, migratory birds, and intersection of nature and architecture across the Chicago area.

Michael Ramos installs the Noah system to reduce lead levels in drinking water for homeowner Anthony Argentine, right, on April 12, 2026, on Chicago’s Northwest Side. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

CPS engineer invents a device to lower lead levels in drinking fountains. But can it scale for a citywide crisis?

June 8, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Replacing lead service lines can take years and thousands of dollars. Michael Ramos wanted to find an immediate solution for his family and the city's schoolchildren.

Volunteers Kara Blain, from left, David Bippes, Kaeden Beaty and Cora Rambert pick up trash on May 31, 2026, with the Litter Caterpillars group under the CTA “L” tracks next to their vacant lot park in Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

They built an Englewood community garden. Now they’re battling illegal dumping.

June 3, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Incidents complicate efforts to build trust and encourage community investment — something organizers say is critical to Caterpillar Park's long-term survival.

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