Why does sound travel farther in the cold?
Have you ever stepped outside on a frigid, quiet morning and heard sounds emanating from somewhere far away? It's not your imagination — cold air really does carry sound farther.
Watch CBS News
Have you ever stepped outside on a frigid, quiet morning and heard sounds emanating from somewhere far away? It's not your imagination — cold air really does carry sound farther.
James D. Watson, who helped discover the structure of DNA, has died at 97 years old.
Scientists, not content to let a not-so-living legend lie, have determined that the viral Chicago "rat hole" was probably actually made by a different kind of rodent.
The first supermoon of 2025 will arrive soon. Here's what to know about the phenomenon.
Researchers from the University of Chicago and Argonne National Laboratory have devised a new method to detect minuscule levels of PFAs, known as "forever chemicals," in water in a matter of minutes.
Hyde Park Labs, at 5207 S. Harper Ave. north and east of the University of Chicago campus, opened about two and a half months ago — but the grand opening was set for Tuesday.
As the long, warm days of summer transition to a darker, cooler winter, leaves across much of the country put on a dazzling display of colors. But why?
A deer hunter has discovered a rare subtropical wood stork in the wilds of Wisconsin.
Published scientific research fuels the breakthroughs that shape our world — but what happens when that research is totally fake?
This study could predict national trends in life expectancy, researchers say.
Astronomers have discovered a mysterious new object in our Milky Way, which is emitting X-rays and radio waves at the same time.
For decades some of the city's brightest students have shown their very best at the Chicago Public Schools science fair, but a Lane Tech senior stole the spotlight this year.
A Wisconsin man has been bitten by snakes hundreds of times, and scientists are studying his blood to treat snakebite.
Wendy Freedman and her team have been able to measure the expansion of our universe, leading to more insights into the cosmos.
Researchers recently captured the first live footage of a colossal quid in its natural habitat, thousands of feet under the sea near Antarctica.
If you've been watching "The White Lotus" you probably remember a tree with poisonous seeds featured around the Thai resort where the most recent season was set.
The first day of spring, also known as the vernal equinox, has arrived in the Northern Hemisphere on March 20, 2025.
"An asteroid this size impacts Earth on average every few thousand years and could cause severe damage to a local region," the European Space Agency said.
The expedition's goal is to help preserve one of the most untouched, biodiverse areas left on Earth.
"Sue in the Flesh" shows visitors what the famous T. Rex would have looked like 66 million years ago.
Sue is back at Chicago's Field Museum, but it's not the dinosaur skeleton fans have come to know and love. But the museum now features a new way to see the world-famous reptile with "Sue in the Flesh." The model was created at the Field Museum in 2019, but left to tour in 2020.
The asteroid was discovered in August and is set to become a mini-moon, spinning around Earth in a horseshoe shape for about two months.
Scientists have revealed fossils of a giant salamander-like beast with sharp fangs that ruled waters before the first dinosaurs arrived.
Scientists monitoring 51 chimpanzees saw sick or injured animals eating certain plant items that were not part of their normal diet.
Humanitarian aid groups are pausing their work after 7 World Central Kitchen workers were killed in Gaza. But Chicago-based MedGlobal says now is not the time to leave.
The sprawling 20-acre campus in Jackson Park, just blocks from the lake, includes buildings, gardens, playgrounds, and a 225-foot museum tower.
Pope Leo addressed the crowd standing in the cold and rain at Saint Peter's Square ahead of celebrating the first Christmas mass of his papacy.
From his hospital room at Mt. Sinai Hospital, Gilkey talked about his recovery and his fear of getting back on the CTA again.
Police said they believe he might have been experiencing a medical issue at the time of the crash.
Police said an unknown man pushed a woman into her vehicle and attempted to pull her pants down.
Pope Leo XIV has revealed he privately urged Gov. JB Pritzker not to sign a bill legalizing medical assistance in dying in Illinois.
President Trump invoked a law called Title 10 to bring members of the Illinois National Guard under federal service over the objections of state and local leaders.
A host of new laws in Illinois will take effect on Jan. 1, 2026. From gun safety to rogue towers, protection from squatters, medical assistance in dying, protections for immigrants and more, here are some of the most notable changes in the new year.
Mayor Brandon Johnson on Tuesday declined to veto a $16.6 billion spending plan passed by his rivals on the City Council, allowing it to go into effect without his signature.
The U.S. Department of Justice is suing Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Attorney General Kwame Raoul over a state law restricting immigration arrests.
A new report shines a light on electricity shortages that Illinois could face in less than 10 years.
With less than two weeks until Christmas, if you're sending gifts to people far from home, the deadlines to get them there on time are fast approaching.
A condo owner in Country Club Hills says he's forced to sell his home after his condo association failed to reimburse him for repairs to his leaking roof. Edward Hadnott's condo has sat empty since a major roof leak in 2022.
The U.S. stopped minting pennies this week, and some groups have issued a warning about the headaches that can create for some businesses and consumers.
Why is one school in the west Chicago suburb of Lisle paying a water bill three times higher than another? The answer has to do with a private utility company.
Millions of people with an Affordable Care Act health plan face a massive jump in premiums next year — this chart shows just how much.
It's the holiday season, which means it's the most common time of year for norovirus to spread. Here's what you need to know about this winter stomach bug.
A study conducted in part by Chicago's Northwestern Medicine found that tanning beds not only triple the risk of melanoma, but can also damage DNA across nearly the whole skin surface.
An investigation into the case of a Michigan man who contracted rabies after an organ transplant provided more details on the infection's origin.
The newest measles vaccination numbers released by Chicago Public Schools shows immunizations are finally moving in the right direction.
The Chicago Bears are expanding their search for a new stadium to Northwest Indiana, even though they already own land in Arlington Heights and have also proposed a new lakefront stadium in Chicago.
A Culver's is coming to Chicago's South Loop, a real estate broker has confirmed.
A new vision for passenger rail is on track in southeastern Wisconsin. The MARK Passenger Rail Commission held its inaugural meeting on December 5, 2025, at Racine City Hall.
U.S. Steel says it'll resume making steel slabs at its Granite City Works plant in Illinois amid strengthening demand.
Traffic at O'Hare International Airport is growing faster than expected, and this has Chicago city leaders wanting to make big changes to future construction plans at the airport.
The singer said an MRI showed a cancerous spot on one of his lungs after he recovered from a lengthy bout of bronchitis.
James Ransone, the actor who played Ziggy Sobotka in the HBO series "The Wire" and appeared in many other TV shows and movies, has died.
Chicago's Cadillac Palace Theatre is hosting "The Phantom of the Opera," and staff offered a firsthand look at the iconic chandelier inside the theater this week.
The special features interviews with Kathy Bates, Annette Bening, Albert Brooks, Michael Douglas, Kiefer Sutherland, Jerry O'Connell and Mandy Patinkin.
The Oscars ceremony is moving to YouTube starting in 2029, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced on Wednesday.
They have 621 trees, filling their entire house, even the bathroom.
Areas of fog, with cloudy skies overnight and temperatures settling into the upper 30s to low 40s.
The world-renowned institution is expected to attract nearly 800,000 visitors a year.
Authorities are especially concerned about neighborhoods burned by wildfires last January and urged residents onTuesday to evacuate.
Chicago Catholics attending Christmas mass at Holy Name Cathedral downtown said they are filled with pride seeing Pope Leo XIV leading the church.
From his hospital room at Mt. Sinai Hospital, Gilkey talked about his recovery and his fear of getting back on the CTA again.
The sprawling 20-acre campus in Jackson Park, just blocks from the lake, includes buildings, gardens, playgrounds, and a 225-foot museum tower.
NORAD, the North American Aerospace Defense Command, tracks Santa's Christmas Eve flight around the world each year. Follow a live map of the tracker here.
Pope Leo addressed the crowd standing in the cold and rain at Saint Peter's Square ahead of celebrating the first Christmas mass of his papacy.
Police said they believe he might have been experiencing a medical issue at the time of the crash.
Cameras not working, video evidence missed by police and a psychic that leads a hit and run victim's son to a clue that changes the case
Some Chicago area hospitals are at risk of significant flooding both in and around the buildings, according to new KFF Health News/Fathom models.
Lawmakers in Springfield are looking to address the high water bills being reported in some suburbs from customers of Illinois American Water.
Electric bills in the Chicago area could go up as much as $70 in the next three years because of data centers, according to the Citizens Utility Board.
Advocates and legislators are seeking solutions and and accountability for a pattern of Chicago police arresting Black gun owners on firearms charges despite valid FOID and CCL licenses.
As the 11-4 Chicago Bears prepare for their Sunday night matchup with the 11-4 San Francisco 49ers, one player earned an extra Christmas present from the league thanks to his impressive performance against the Green Bay Packers.
Travis Konecny scored and added his 300th career assist, leading the Philadelphia Flyers past the Blackhawks 3-1 and handing depleted Chicago its sixth straight loss.
The Bulls trailed 117-107 but closed the game on a 19-6 run.
Three Chicago Bears players have been named to the 2026 NFC Pro Bowl roster: safety Kevin Byard III, center Drew Dalman, and left guard Joe Thuney.
Murakami, or "Mune" as he likes to be called, was introduced on Monday on the South Side after signing a two-year, $34-million contract.
A woman was released on electronic monitoring Wednesday after authorities said she drove drunk and caused a crash that injured a family of four in Lombard, Illinois.
Multiple cars were broken into this week in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood.
Four women have been charged with leading police on a high-speed chase after stealing from a retail store in the west Chicago suburb of Villa Park.
A woman has been charged with attacking four people at a CTA bus stop in the Lawndale neighborhood, including a woman she allegedly slashed with a broken beer bottle after threatening that woman's mother.
Three teens have been charged with sexually assaulting a classmate this past summer at a graduation party for St. Viator High School students.
