William Tong

William Tong is a former intern at the Tribune who covered breaking and local news.

Demonstrators march in support of Texas House Democrats toward Federal Plaza, Aug. 16, 2025, in Chicago. Legislators from Texas stayed in Illinois for several days in an effort to block a Republican-led congressional redistricting plan for their state. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Texas House Democrats join Chicago anti-Trump protest in Loop

August 16, 2025 at 4:55 p.m.

Hundreds gathered at Millennium Park Saturday afternoon, joined by several Texas House Democrats, to rally against redistricting efforts in Texas that could give Republicans five additional U.S. House seats in...

A U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds jet flies past the Loop while performing at the Chicago Air & Water Show, Aug. 16, 2025, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Chicago Air & Water Show soars and stuns over lakefront

August 16, 2025 at 6:18 p.m.

The 2025 show featuring the Air Force Thunderbirds drew crowds from around Chicago and across the world.

Terrance Owens, 10, left, picks out a backpack for the school year during the Beegr8t Back-to-School Youth Kickoff on Aug. 6, 2025, in the Washington Heights neighborhood of Chicago. Kids received a free backpack, book and other school supplies. (Dominic Di Palermo/Chicago Tribune)

‘There definitely was a need’: CPS, communities host back-to-school events to big crowds

August 15, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

Back-to-school events hosted by Chicago Public Schools and local nonprofits have seen large turnouts in the lead-up to the 2025-26 school year.

People visit Cloud Gate, commonly known as The Bean, at Millennium Park, Aug. 9, 2025, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Chicagoans and netizens join viral ‘man in The Bean’ meme

August 13, 2025 at 4:19 p.m.

The "Man in the Bean" meme follows several 2024 trends in the city, including "very demure" and the Chicago rat hole.

Members of the American Federation of Government Employees Local 704, which represents about 1,000 EPA employees across the Midwest rally at Federal Plaza against the announcement that the Trump administration has unilaterally ended the collective bargaining agreement with federal unions, Aug. 12, 2025. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)

Chicago officials, workers protest EPA canceling contract with unions

August 13, 2025 at 11:49 a.m.

Dozens of EPA workers, public officials and supporters protested the agency’s cancellation of its union contracts at Federal Plaza in the Loop Tuesday afternoon, voicing concerns that the move could...

Dance Force Elite dancers perform during the 96th annual Bud Billiken Parade, Aug. 9, 2025, in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood. (Dominic Di Palermo/Chicago Tribune)

‘Getting back into full swing,’ Bud Billiken Parade marks 96th year

August 10, 2025 at 8:09 a.m.

The annual back-to-school procession was both a way to celebrate and give back to the community, attendees said.

Busker Zhen Jinling plays traditional Chinese folk music on the erhu outside the Chinatown Branch of the Chicago Public Library on July 27, 2025, in Chicago. (Dominic Di Palermo/Chicago Tribune)

Octogenarian busker brings bold, brassy sounds and culture to Chinatown

August 7, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

Zhen Jinling has busked outside of Chinatown’s library for the last three years, cycling between traditional Chinese instruments.

Joseph Czuba, shown here when he was formally indicted on felony charges in connection with the death of 6-year-old Wadee Alfayoumi and the stabbing of his mother, was sentenced to 53 years in prison for the hate crime on May 2, 2025. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

Plainfield landlord convicted of killing 6-year-old Palestinian American boy dies in custody, sheriff says

July 27, 2025 at 8:17 a.m.

Joseph Czuba, 73, was convicted of murdering 6-year-old Palestinian boy Wadee Alfayoumi dies in custody, authorities say.

A pedestrian tries to stay dry during a sudden downpour in the Loop, July 24, 2025. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Periodic storms expected Saturday with heat building into the new week, forecasters say

July 26, 2025 at 9:16 a.m.

Forecasters expect on-and-off storms Saturday, while heat and humidity may build again in the area going into next week.

Owners Bibiana Mesa, right, and her husband, Juan Ocampo, paint over graffiti reading “ICE RULES” on July 20, 2025, after an overnight vandal tagged their grocery store, La Fruteria, for the second night in a row in the 2700 block of West Cermak Avenue in the Little Village neighborhood of Chicago. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Chicago communities recovering from string of hateful defacements

July 26, 2025 at 4:11 p.m.

The vandalism represents a concerning increase in hate trickling down from national discourse, experts say.

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