Rebecca Johnson

Rebecca Johnson is a news reporter on the Tribune’s metro desk. A University of Pittsburgh graduate, she previously worked at the Austin American-Statesman and Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. She welcomes story tips or coffee shop recommendations.

A damaged tree marked with paint used in an early morning crash investigation on Brinker Road and Hills & Dales Road on July 25, 2026, in Barrington Hills. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)

Teen killed in Barrington Hills crash ‘brought immense joy to everyone he met,’ sister says

July 28, 2026 at 11:52 a.m.

Colin Newnam, 17, died in a Saturday morning rollover crash in Barrington Hills that injured two others. Four other teens were killed in a separate crash in Bedford Park Sunday.

Attorney Ben Crump, center, speaks next to Elmore and Christine Wonsley, at left, and the Rev. Al Sharpton during a memorial service on July 20, 2026, in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, for Nolan Xavier Wells, an 18-year-old found dead after taking a Fourth of July boat trip with friends. (Gerald Herbert/AP)

Independent autopsy for Nolan Wells released in Chicago finds ‘undetermined’ cause of death

July 22, 2026 at 1:19 p.m.

An attorney for the family of Nolan Wells announced in Chicago that an independent autopsy found the teen’s cause and manner of death were “undetermined.”

Kate Schmidt, 10, of Batavia, is one of three children who drowned in the Geneva Lake, Wisconsin, boating accident during a storm. (GoFundMe)

Batavia child who drowned in Lake Geneva boat accident was an ‘amazing girl,’ family says in online fundraiser

July 10, 2026 at 10:31 a.m.

The family identified Kathryn Schmidt, 10, of Batavia, on the verified GoFundMe page that launched late Wednesday.

Police evidence technicians check around an SUV in a crime scene where two police officers were shot during a traffic stop in the 2000 block of East 79th Street, July 3, 2026, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

2 Chicago police officers shot in South Shore, fire department says

July 3, 2026 at 9:57 p.m.

The two officers were shot around 5 p.m. near East 79th Street and South Chappel Avenue and transported to University of Chicago Medical Center.

Michael Smith looks at a downed street light near the scene of a downed tree that damaged vehicles in the 3400 block of North Oriole Avenue after a wind and rainstorm on July 3 2026, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Severe thunderstorms expected in Chicago Friday afternoon into evening, weather service warns

July 3, 2026 at 9:31 p.m.

The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm warning for northeastern Cook County Friday afternoon.

Police investigate a news van after a CBS news crew was attacked near the Adler Planetarium while working on June 29, 2026, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Judge detains men accused of attacking CBS news crew: ‘You are not the victim here’

July 2, 2026 at 6:10 p.m.

Judge James Murphy said it seemed clear that the men initiated the violence and that their erratic driving when attempting to escape arrest placed many bystanders in danger.

An employee holds a Colt Match Target 9 mm AR semiautomatic rifle at Suburban Sporting Goods in Melrose Park on June 30, 2026. The U.S. Supreme Court indicated it would hear arguments possibly later this year over Cook County's ban on so-called assault weapons. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

Supreme Court to hear Cook County assault weapons ban case, potentially setting up test for Illinois gun law

June 30, 2026 at 9:37 p.m.

Cook County State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke vowed to “not back down” from defending the ordinance, saying assault weapons “have no place in our communities.”

Multiple agencies, including the U.S. Coast Guard, the Chicago Police Department, the Chicago Fire Department and the Chicago Fire Department Scuba Team respond to a boat crash just before midnight June 25, 2026, near Monroe Harbor. A woman was killed and multiple other people were injured after two boats crashed. (Network Video Productions)

West Loop woman dies in late-night boat collision near Monroe Harbor and 4 others injured: ‘She was the very best of us’

June 26, 2026 at 6:11 p.m.

The 26-year-old West Loop resident loved fiercely and never missed an opportunity to tell those she cared about she loved them, her mom said.

Shaeve White holds a photo of her mother, Shanna White, outside her home in Sauk Village on June 24, 2026. Shanna was killed in a hit-and run accident in Winthrop Harbor in February 2026. Shaeve White helped track down the suspect, Travis Kern, through social media. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

Sauk Village woman searches social media for alleged driver in mom’s deadly hit-and-run

June 25, 2026 at 12:19 p.m.

“I know the cops and detectives are doing what they’re supposed to do, but it felt like it wasn’t enough,” Shaeve White said.

Two male African penguins named Maynard, left, and Pilchard gather bedding materials June 19, 2026, in Lincoln Park Zoo. The pair have been a bonded pair for about seven years. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)

‘Serial monogamists’ who love scandal, Lincoln Park Zoo’s same-sex penguin couple showcase animal diversity

June 23, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

During Pride Month, Chicago-area zoos are highlighting LGBTQ+ animals.

All Stories