Tess Kenny

Tess Kenny is a general assignment reporter for the Tribune. A California native, she graduated from UC Santa Barbara and previously reported for the Monterey Herald and Naperville Sun.

Chance the Rapper performs at Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island in Chicago on Oct. 10, 2025. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

Judge sides with Chance the Rapper in legal battle against former manager

October 14, 2026 at 8:12 p.m.

The drawn-out legal battle concluded after a Cook County judge sided with the Chicago-born artist in a bench trial this week.

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams poses with actor Jake Connelly on the red carpet for the premiere of “Holiday Touchdown: A Bears Love Story” at the Gorton Center in Lake Forest on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

Chicago Bears and Hallmark roll out the red carpet for the premiere of ‘Holiday Touchdown: A Bears Love Story’

October 13, 2026 at 9:51 p.m.

Tuesday night marked the red carpet rollout of “Holiday Touchdown: A Bears Love Story" in Lake Forest.

The Damen Green Line Station in Chicago on Oct. 9, 2026, following a fatal stabbing of a CTA employee. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

Fatal Green Line stabbing prompts call by State’s Attorney Burke for electronic monitoring reform

October 13, 2026 at 5:38 p.m.

Last week’s fatal Green Line stabbing has renewed calls for electronic monitoring reform.

Chicago police officers keep watch at the CTA Green Line train station at Damen Avenue and Lake Street in Chicago, Friday. Oct. 9, 2026, following a fatal stabbing of a CTA employee Thursday, afternoon. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

Kenwood man charged with murder in fatal Green Line stabbing of CTA janitor, Chicago police say

October 11, 2026 at 12:16 p.m.

A Kenwood man is facing a first-degree murder charge in connection with Thursday’s fatal stabbing of a CTA janitor at the Damen Green Line station, according to police.

A beluga whale named Odin is transported by a group of experts from Marineland and U.S. aquariums onto a truck before being moved to an aquarium in the U.S., in the final transfer of whales out of the closed park in Niagara Falls, Ontario, on Aug. 31, 2026. (Carlos Osorio/The Canadian Press)

Fourth beluga whale rescued from Canada dies at Shedd, aquarium announces

October 9, 2026 at 8:13 p.m.

Caspian, a 27-year-old female beluga, died Wednesday evening “despite intensive efforts by Shedd’s veterinary and animal care teams to save her.”

Feds warn of laser pointers after Hermosa man accused of pointing one at CPD helicopter

October 9, 2026 at 4:55 p.m.

Federal and local authorities are cautioning the public to keep laser pointers out of the sky.

Chicago police officers keep watch at the Damen Green Line station on Oct. 9, 2026, following the fatal stabbing of a CTA employee the previous day. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

Man in custody after Green Line janitor fatally stabbed, Chicago police say

October 9, 2026 at 4:22 p.m.

A Chicago Transit Authority janitor sustained multiple stab wounds to his neck at the Near West Side station in the 2000 block of West Lake Street.

Boy, 4, found critically wounded inside Far South Side residence: police

October 6, 2026 at 6:58 p.m.

The boy was transported to Comer Children’s Hospital, where he was initially listed in critical condition, police said.

Otis Wilson holds the Vince Lombardi Trophy as the Bears' Super Bowl XX team is honored on the field during halftime of a game against the Vikings on Sept. 8, 2025, at Soldier Field. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

Altercation between former Chicago Bears LB Otis Wilson and Soldier Field security is under investigation

October 6, 2026 at 3:15 p.m.

An investigation is underway after former Chicago Bears linebacker Otis Wilson got into an altercation with security at Soldier Field following Sunday’s game.

Alan Zielinski’s balloon, center, and others light up from the burners firing during the Balloon Glow, part of the Great Forest Park Balloon Race in St. Louis on Sept. 18, 2026.
(Tim Vizer/for the Chicago Tribune)

‘Our lofty perch’: Balloonist shares decades in spellbinding hobby

October 5, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

After decades of flying, a Chicago area hot air balloonist is still keeping his focus on the skies.

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