Midwest
Freight train derails in Illinois; officials determine no immediate danger to public: report
A freight train derailed in Matteson, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, on Thursday, prompting some residents within a mile of the crash to evacuate their homes.
FOX 32 in Chicago reported that a Canadian National Railway train derailed near the 21000 block of Main Street at about 10:45 a.m., according to local officials.
As a result, homes nearby were evacuated because of a hazmat situation, as officials were looking at a leaking train car that contained liquefied petroleum gas.
TRAIN DERAILS IN PENNSYLVANIA, SENDS SEVERAL CARS INTO LEHIGH RIVER
Train cars are piled up after a derailment in Matteson, Illinois, on Thursday. Emergency officials ordered an evacuation after a freight train derailed in suburban Chicago. No injuries have been reported. (WLS via AP)
The station added that the railcar did in fact leak a limited amount of petroleum gas, which was ultimately contained. Officials noted that there was no danger to the public.
Residents within a mile south of Main Street and 217th Street were given a mandatory evacuation order, as were areas a mile west of Main Street and a quarter of a mile east of Main Street.
FREIGHT TRAIN CARRYING GASOLINE, PROPANE DERAILS NEAR ARIZONA-NEW MEXICO LINE AMID AFTERMATH OF SEVERE WEATHER
A train derailed near Matteson, Illinois, on Thursday. (WFLD)
Those ordered to evacuate were advised to prepare for a “long-term evacuation” and to take their medications or supplies before leaving their home.
However, the mandatory evacuation order was lifted, except for properties located immediately adjacent to the crash site.
16 FREIGHT CARS DERAIL IN RURAL NEVADA; NO HAZARDOUS SPILLS OR INJURIES REPORTED
A freight train derailed near Matteson, Illinois, on Thursday. (WFLD)
Representatives from the Canadian National Railway are heading to the scene to lead the investigation and no injuries have been reported.
According to a Canadian National Railway official, roughly 20 freight cars carrying various substances derailed, though it is unclear what caused the train to leave the tracks.
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker said on X that he and his administration were monitoring the derailment in Matteson and offered any resources needed to local officials.
“Residents should continue to take precautions at the direction of first responders,” the governor said. “Thank you to those on the scene providing assistance.”
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The Detroit Police Department is investigating after a 5-year-old child was shot in the arm near a park on Tuesday.
The shooting happened at about 8:50 p.m. near the Fargo-Oaklfield Playground on the city’s west side. Police Chief Todd Bettison says the child was in front of his home riding a bike with his father supervising at the time of the shooting.
Bettison says an individual at the park fired multiple shots, striking the child. He says the boy’s father reported hearing shots and the child falling from his bike.
Bettison says the child is expected to be OK.
Bettison says the person appears to have been firing shots randomly, which he calls “problematic.” He says a person of interest is described as possibly between 15 and 16 years old and wearing a mask. He says the person is known to frequent the area.
“When you fire a weapon, what goes up must go down,” Bettison said. “To parents and everyone, know where your kids are. Juveniles should not have guns, and whether you’re an adult or a child, you should not be firing a weapon inside of the city limits.”
Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield released a statement, saying in part, “By the grace of God, this young boy will recover from his injury and is on his way home from the hospital. With that said, this incident was senseless and could have had a much more tragic ending.
“Every child in Detroit deserves to feel safe riding their bike, playing outside, and simply being a child in their own neighborhood. We cannot accept a reality where our children are placed in harm’s way because someone chose to recklessly fire a gun.”
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 800-Speak Up.
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1. Bastille Days
ALL WEEKEND AT VARIOUS TIMES | CATHEDRAL SQUARE PARK
Milwaukee’s French-themed festival is coming to Cathedral Square Park this weekend. The festival will feature French and Cajun cuisine, live entertainment, a 43-foot Eiffel Tower replica and more. The Storm the Bastille 5K run/walk is Milwaukee’s only nighttime 5K, kicking off the festival at 9 p.m. on Thursday. Entrance to Bastille Days is free all weekend.
2. Festa Italiana
FRIDAY, SATURDAY AND SUNDAY AT VARIOUS TIMES | HENRY MAIER FESTIVAL PARK
Festa Italiana is serving up authentic Italian eats, live music, cultural performances and more this weekend. Don’t miss out on the Milwaukee’s Best Sauce contest! General admission is $18 and tickets can be purchased online in advance.
3. Whitefish Bay Art Fest
SATURDAY AND SUNDAY FROM 10 A.M. TO 5 P.M. | EAST SILVER SPRING DRIVE
Check out 100 original artists making their way to Whitefish Bay for their annual art fest. Artists will be selling everything from jewelry to photography alongside cold beer and good food. A Kids Art Zone will be hosting art projects and face painting and live art demos allow guests to get to know the artist’s process. Entrance to this event is free, but you can reserve up to two tickets for complimentary food, drinks and desserts.
Experience an unforgettable evening celebrating great design!
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Peabody Award-winning comedy news quiz show Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me! Is coming to the Riverside Theater. Hosted by Peter Sagal, a rotating panel of comedians, writers and celebrities review the week’s news before contestants are quizzed for the chance to win a custom-recorded greeting by a cast member for their voicemail. Tickets start at are $35 each and can be purchased online.
5. PRO’S 20TH Anniversary Party
FRIDAY FROM 6 P.M. TO 10 P.M. | THIRD SPACE BREWING
Performance Running Outfitters is celebrating 20 years serving the running community in Milwaukee. The celebration takes place at Third Space Brewing and will feature interactive activations from many of the top running gear brands. The party will also include local food trucks, live music and craft beer.
6. Sip and Strut 2026
FRIDAY AT 6 P.M. | CORK WINE AND COCKTAIL BAR
KenVogue LLC is transforming Cork Wine Bar into a Paris-inspired runway featuring local brands, designers and models. The night combines fashion and elegance with local pride and creativity. General admission tickets are $30 each and VIP tickets include an exclusive gift bag and dinner provided by Sydney Serving.
7. Starry Nights: Rockin’ Robins and Classic Car Show
FRIDAY FROM 6:30 P.M. TO 8:30 P.M. | GERLACH/HAACK OUTDOOR THEATER
Jam out to music from the 50’s and 60’s with the Rockin’ Robins while celebrating National Collector Appreciation Day with the Wilson Center Classic Vehicle Show. This joint event is a part of the Starry Nights concert series and both are free to attend. If you plan to stay for the music, make sure to bring chairs or a picnic blanket.
8. Wine Glass Painting Workshop
FRIDAY FROM 6:30 P.M. TO 9:00 P.M. | A STROKE OF GENIUS PAINT WINE STUDIO
Join the staff at A Stroke of Genius Paint and Sip for a fun and relaxing wine glass painting workshop. The team will lead lessons on simple painting techniques including brush strokes, patterns and decorative techniques. A ticket to the class includes the lesson, practice exercises, two wine glasses to paint, all painting supplies and access to the full bar. Tickets are $305 each and can be purchased online.
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The Fine Arts Quartet will celebrate 80 years with a free concert featuring Brahms Piano Quartet #3. The program features Gisele Witkowski and Fabio Witkowski as guest pianists. No ticket is required to attend this show.
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Spend Saturday on the shores of Lake Michigan and celebrate the spirit of teamwork, cultural heritage and more at the Dragon Boat Festival. Dragon boating teams from across the region will compete in multiple divisions throughout the day while family-friendly activities, traditional performances and authentic cuisine offer an immersive experience on land. Entrance to the festival is $5 per person over the age of 13.
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Travel back in time at the Time Travelers Vintage Expo and enter a retro wonderland. The expo brings together small businesses, curators and artists from across the US to offer the best vintage clothing, home goods, retro-inspired handmade items and more. Sellers offer a wide range of styles and price points, so there’s something for everyone. Tickets to the expo are $11 each and can be purchased online.
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Explore the many rooms of the Allis mansion and discover the world of fiber arts. Each room will include a different fiber or textile practice and include live demonstrations. In the courtyard, guests can meet fiber-bearing animals including llamas, alpacas and rabbits. Participation in this event is included with museum admission and free for members.
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A major traffic shift will start on one of Minnesota’s busiest highways Wednesday morning.
Eastbound lanes of Interstate 394 between Louisiana Avenue in St. Louis Park and downtown Minneapolis will be down to two lanes, with no EZ-Pass options. That means getting from the west metro to downtown Minneapolis could be tricky. Officials say drivers should expect increased traffic around St. Louis Park through the fall.
The change comes as westbound I-394 fully reopens after several months of construction, plus a return-to-normal entry to westbound I-394 from westbound Interstate 94 after the Lowry Hill Tunnel.
Crews have been working on the $67 million project since July 2025 to repair and restore more than 30 bridges across the 394 corridor.
While eastbound drivers are finding fewer lanes, westbound drivers are finding freedom
Nathan Bowie with the Minnesota Department of Transportation says construction has been going well and while the reopening of the westbound lanes marks an important milestone, the work is far from over.
“We understand that construction can be an inconvenience. It can be frustrating,” Bowie said. “We’re really asking folks to be patient, plan ahead, give yourself some extra travel time.”
The project also includes several ramp closures, including eastbound I-394 ramps at Penn and Cedar Lake avenues and the connection to westbound I-94.
Bryn Mawr resident Dan Spengler said he’s noticed more drivers shifting to neighborhood streets to avoid backups and expects that to only get worse.
“I believe in what they’re doing, but they need to manage the neighborhoods better because people are driving through the neighborhood with nowhere to go, so they are speeding through neighborhoods,” Spengler said.
Bowie says crews will be putting on signs in neighborhoods where traffic is expected to swell, reminding folks of the speed limit.
Businesses along I-394, like Good Day Cafe, are also feeling the squeeze
“We’d like to have all the roads open, yes,” said manager Jamie Flynn. “I mean, right now we’re very fortunate, for like I said, the guests and sort of the people that know to come here that have been for years and years.”
The new traffic pattern is expected to stay in place through November. Officials want drivers to follow posted detours and pay attention to ensure a smooth transition.
More information about the project is available on the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s website.
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