Matthew Cramer

2 months ago | cbsnews.com | Adam Harrington |Matthew Cramer

The Arlington Heights, Illinois Fire Department on Tuesday released its final report on a garbage truck explosion that injured two police officers and a firefighter back in December. Fire officials believe the improper disposal of a lithium-ion battery may have been to blame. "We can't prove it, but there's a very high suspicion that this fire was started because of improper of a lithium-ion battery in a recycling bag," Arlington Heights Fire Chief Lance Harris said Tuesday.

2 months ago | cbsnews.com | Adam Harrington |Matthew Cramer

CHICAGO (CBS) -- A 67-year-old woman was in critical condition late Tuesday after an apartment building fire the night before on the city's Near North Side. The fire broke out in a building in the 100 block of West Oak Street, off Clark Street. Firefighters and police were called to the scene at 8:26 p.m. Monday, according to police. CBS News Chicago was told the woman was helped out of the building by a witness, and she was then rushed to Northwestern Memorial Hospital for smoke inhalation.

Jan 15, 2025 | cbsnews.com | Adam Harrington |Matthew Cramer

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Two animals at the Lincoln Park Zoo—a seal and a flamingo—died of bird flu last week, the zoo announced Wednesday. The Chilean flamingo, Teal, died Wednesday, Jan. 8. The harbor seal, Slater, died the following day. "This is sad news for wildlife and for the zoo team. Not only are we facing the first known cases of HPAI in animals in our care, but we've lost two amazing animals," Dr. Kathryn Gamble, the Lester E.

Jan 15, 2025 | cbsnews.com | Adam Harrington |Matthew Cramer

CHICAGO (CBS) -- An annual tradition at the University of Chicago has been canceled in protest, as organizers demand the reinstatement of students evicted from campus. The canceled event, known as Kuvia, is a 40-year tradition at UChicago where students take part in sun salutation yoga at the Henry Crown Field House on campus. Student activists said the event was canceled over the arrest in December of a student, Mamayan Jabateh, who was arrested in December.

Jan 7, 2025 | cbsnews.com | Matthew Cramer

Bald eagle found in Hinsdale, Illinois euthanized after showing signs of bird flu GLEN ELLYN, Ill. (CBS) -- A bald eagle found in Chicago's western suburbs has been euthanized after it was suspected of being infected with bird flu. On Friday of last week, the eagle was spotted with its head drooping in Hinsdale. It eventually flew a short distance before handlers from Chicago Bird Collision Monitors were able to capture it.