Section

Best in City

Discover the top-rated businesses, services, and attractions that make our city special.

A modern football stadium under construction at night in Hammond, Indiana, with the Chicago skyline in the distance.

Chicago Bears Board Votes to Advance Hammond, Indiana Stadium Project

Just over a year after spending $197.

Hannah Pierce· Jun 6· 3 min
A Jeep Wrangler crashed through the front window of a Dunkin' restaurant in Chicago, causing significant damage to the building.

Driver Crashes Into Chicago Dunkin', Forcing Temporary Closure

On a Thursday morning in Chicago's Dunning neighborhood, a 32-year-old woman's attempt to park her Jeep Wrangler ended with the vehicle crashing directly through the window of a Dunkin'.

Hannah Pierce· Jun 5· 3 min
Los Angeles skyline juxtaposed with older housing, a gavel symbolizing a delayed decision on building codes and urban development.

LA delays 2026 building code changes amid housing debate

Los Angeles recently delayed a state housing mandate, sparking a direct conflict between state and local control over urban development.

Hannah Pierce· Jun 5· 3 min
Diverse group of Chicago teenagers enjoying free summer memberships at a YMCA, participating in sports and recreational activities.

Chicago YMCAs Offer Free Summer Memberships to Teens

Seven YMCA locations across Chicago are now offering free summer memberships to teens aged 12 to 18, providing a critical resource through the end of August.

Hannah Pierce· Jun 4· 3 min
Illinois State Capitol building at dawn with lawmakers departing, symbolizing the failure to reach a deal for the Chicago Bears' new stadium.

Pritzker leaders adjourn without Bears stadium deal

At 3:30 a.m. Monday morning, the Illinois Senate approved a last-ditch stadium measure. However, the House had already adjourned, effectively killing a deal to keep the Chicago Bears in the state, acc

Hannah Pierce· Jun 2· 3 min
Elegant Parisian-style chairs are placed around Chicago's Buckingham Fountain, with Lollapalooza's funding highlighted.

Parisian chairs debut at Buckingham Fountain with Lollapalooza's $30,000 aid

Chicago's new Parisian-inspired chairs at Buckingham Fountain come with a surprising price tag: approximately $545 per seat, according to NBC 5 Chicago .

Hannah Pierce· May 31· 3 min
A somber toast to a final pint of Schlitz beer at a Chicago bar, marking the end of its sales.

Pabst Brewing Company Ends Schlitz Beer Sales in Chicago

On Monday, May 25, 2026, Friends of Friends bar in Chicago held a 'Schlitz funeral' event, offering 86-cent drafts to mourn the end of an era.

Hannah Pierce· May 26· 3 min
Excited fans gather at the Field Museum for the Pokémon Fossil Museum exhibition, facing confusion over conflicting opening date announcements.

Pokémon Fossil Museum exhibition opening dates conflict at Field

The Field Museum's website crashed last week as eager fans swarmed to book tickets for its new Pokémon Fossil Museum exhibition.

Hannah Pierce· May 23· 3 min
Chicago Fire Department engine company gathered in quiet reflection, honoring the memory of Engineer Steven M. Decker.

Chicago Fire Department Engineer Steven M. Decker Dies at 61

A 61-year-old Chicago Fire Department engineer, with nearly 30 years of service, suffered a fatal medical emergency during an annual equipment test on the city's Far North Side.

Hannah Pierce· May 23· 3 min
Hundreds of cyclists participate in the silent Ride of Silence through Chicago, advocating for safety and justice on city streets.

Chicago cyclists' silent ride demands safety, justice

On Wednesday, May 20, 2026, hundreds of cyclists rode silently through Chicago.

Hannah Pierce· May 22· 3 min
Stressed parents and students outside Payton Prep holding graduation tickets, looking anxious about the limited number of seats available for the ceremony.

Payton Prep limits graduation tickets, leaving families scrambling

Just four days before their graduation ceremony, students at Walter Payton College Preparatory High School learned their families would receive fewer tickets than promised.

Hannah Pierce· May 21· 3 min
A spotlight shines on an award trophy on a high school stage, with blurred figures in the background suggesting a dispute over a Blumey Award win.

Blumey Awards: North Lincoln High's 'Pippin' Win Disputed

Reports on North Lincoln High School's Tier 2 Best Musical win for 'Pippin' at the Blumey Awards are conflicting, with another outlet attributing their victory to 'Hadestown: Teen Edition'.

Sophie Nguyen· May 18· 4 min
Diverse group of young professionals walking towards a modern cityscape at sunrise, symbolizing career opportunities in Atlanta.

Atlanta Leads US Cities for Starting a Career

Atlanta, Georgia, scored an impressive 71.

Marco Alvarez· May 14· 3 min
Atlanta's skyline at dusk with happy travelers enjoying outdoor activities, highlighting its status as a top summer travel destination.

Atlanta named best summer travel spot

The Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta Metro Area, long recognized for its corporate presence, has surprisingly secured the top position as the nation's premier summer travel destination for 2026.

Hannah Pierce· May 13· 3 min
New Braunfels City Hall at dusk, with a tense meeting visible through the windows, symbolizing the recent firing of the city attorney.

New Braunfels Council Fires City Attorney Over Election Misstep

In a contentious 4-3 vote, the New Braunfels City Council fired City Attorney Valeria Acevedo, just weeks after a legal misstep she was blamed for overturned the city's mayoral election results.

Derek Molina· May 12· 3 min
Raleigh cityscape at sunset with diverse young professionals, symbolizing career growth and opportunity for new college graduates.

Raleigh Ranks Among Top 10 US Cities for New College Graduates

Despite local claims of being #1, Raleigh, North Carolina, is now consistently outranked by cities like Birmingham, Alabama, and Tampa, Florida, as the premier destination for new college graduates se

Hannah Pierce· May 12· 4 min
Diverse individuals and families enjoying career opportunities and retirement in a thriving, affordable mid-sized American city.

Emerging US Cities Ranked for Career, Retirement

Knoxville, Tennessee, a city often overlooked in national conversations, has surged to become the No.

Hannah Pierce· May 12· 3 min
A lively city park filled with people enjoying various amenities like a concert, picnic areas, and green spaces, with a city skyline in the background.

New Rankings Reveal Top City Parks' Amenities and Community Appeal

A modest 10-acre park in Chattanooga, Tennessee, recently outranked several sprawling urban green spaces in a national assessment.

Hannah Pierce· May 7· 3 min
A vibrant Midwest Main Street with historic buildings and diverse shops, juxtaposed with a subtle 'For Lease' sign indicating economic pressures.

Midwest Main Streets: Thriving But Facing Challenges

In Galena, Illinois, a beloved family bakery, a Main Street fixture for 70 years, recently shut its doors.

Hannah Pierce· May 2· 3 min
Norwich City Council building with a ledger showing financial losses contrasted against a new development project.

Norwich City Council elections guide focuses on financial stumbles

Norwich City Council recently hailed the Anglia Square development as a 'monumental moment'.

Derek Molina· Apr 29· 3 min
Aerial view of a beautiful, affluent Connecticut town with colonial homes and green spaces, bathed in the warm light of sunset.

Niche Ranks Top Connecticut Towns for Living in 2026

For the fifth consecutive year, Darien, Connecticut, a town where the median home price exceeds $1.

Hannah Pierce· Apr 28· 3 min
Diverse crowd celebrating at dusk in a San Francisco neighborhood, with illuminated local business storefronts in the background, signifying the 2023 Best of Bay Award winners.

Bay Area Crowns 2023 Best of Bay Award Winners

The 2023 Best of Bay Awards saw a 30% surge in voter participation, with over 150,000 votes cast across 45 categories.

Marco Alvarez· Apr 25· 3 min
Interior view of a lively food hall with diverse patrons enjoying artisanal food from multiple vendor stalls.

USA TODAY 10BEST Awards Honor Top Local Markets Nationwide

In a surprising national nod, Milwaukee's 3rd St.

Hannah Pierce· Apr 22· 3 min
Phoenix cityscape at sunset with futuristic architecture and professionals collaborating, representing economic momentum and tech growth.

Mayor Gallego Highlights Phoenix's Economic Momentum and Tech Growth

Phoenix is investing $50 million into a new ASU Health building, a public commitment already attracting major private investments like a $100 million manufacturing site from Spanish biotech firm ROIS.

Hannah Pierce· Apr 22· 3 min
St. George, Utah cityscape with entrepreneurs collaborating, highlighting short commutes and business growth opportunities amidst scenic mountain views.

St. George Offers Businesses Short 17-Minute Commutes

Between 2017 and 2023, the number of small businesses in St.

Marco Alvarez· Apr 20· 3 min
El Paso skyline illuminated by a grand fireworks display and synchronized drone show during an America 250 celebration, with crowds gathered below.

El Paso plans eight-day America 250 celebration for 2026

In 2026, Nashville plans to launch 1,000 drones into the sky.

Hannah Pierce· Apr 20· 3 min
A determined young graduate looking out at the Washington D.C. skyline, symbolizing the city's high ranking for new grads but also the significant cost of living.

Washington D.C.: High Rank, High Cost for Recent Grads

Despite its ranking as a top city for new graduates, Washington D.C. presents significant financial hurdles due to high living costs that outpace typical young professional salaries.

Hannah Pierce· Apr 15· 3 min
Split image of Houston showcasing its economic prosperity and cultural vibrancy alongside its challenges of traffic congestion and air pollution.

Houston ranked No 1 city amid growth and sustainability challenges

Despite being crowned 'America's Best City' by a prominent national publication, Houston's daily commuters still lose an average of 30 minutes to traffic congestion.

Hannah Pierce· Apr 14· 3 min
A New York City pitmaster proudly displays an award-winning rack of ribs at a BBQ competition, with the city skyline in the background.

NYC BBQ Scene: National Recognition & Culinary Innovation

Pig Beach BBQ's mustard sauce just clinched its second victory at the prestigious Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest.

Hannah Pierce· Apr 12· 3 min
Diverse community members voting in the Best of Bay Awards, highlighting local businesses and services like Bay Radiology.

Voting Underway for Best of Bay Awards, Featuring Bay Radiology

Voting has officially opened for the Best of Bay Community's Choice Awards, offering residents a direct voice in celebrating local institutions vital to their health and well-being.

Hannah Pierce· Apr 12· 3 min