No spin. No rage. Just five things worth knowing today — and one reason to smile.
The U.S. naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz remains in effect, but President Trump said Monday that Iran "wants to make a deal very badly," leaving the door open for a diplomatic resolution. Markets responded positively to the signal — the S&P 500 climbed 1% and is now back in the green for 2026. The situation remains fluid, with U.S. and Iranian officials still reportedly in contact.
Read MoreA law passed earlier this year mandates that men under 26 will be automatically enrolled in the Selective Service System starting in December 2026 — no action required on their part. It's the biggest change to draft registration since it was reinstated in 1980. While the draft itself remains inactive, automatic enrollment is a significant shift in how the government tracks military eligibility that most people haven't heard about yet.
Read MoreThe official FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour makes its Chicago stop today and tomorrow — giving the city a rare chance to see the most coveted prize in global sports up close before the tournament kicks off June 11. The 2026 World Cup spans 16 cities across the U.S., Canada and Mexico, with the U.S. team opening against Paraguay on June 12. This is one of those things you just go and do with the family.
Read MoreGreen City Market in Lincoln Park is already open every Saturday through November, and dozens more markets across the city and suburbs kick off in the coming weeks. Logan Square launches its outdoor season in May, and the Wheaton French Market starts Saturdays this weekend. Fresh local produce, baked goods, and vendors you can actually afford — this is the best time of year to skip the grocery store and go straight to the source.
Find MarketsA new analysis projects that 442 of the nation's 1,700 private nonprofit colleges — home to 670,000 students — are at risk of closing or merging within the next 10 years. Declining enrollment, rising costs, and shifting attitudes toward college are driving the crisis. Sterling College in Vermont is finishing its final semester now, the seventh private Vermont college to close since 2016. Small and rural schools are most at risk.
Read MoreWhoever named animal groups clearly saved their best work for the flamingo. A group of crows is a murder. A group of owls is a parliament. A group of cats is a clowder. But a group of flamingos? A flamboyance. It is the most accurate collective noun in the entire animal kingdom, and honestly it should be used to describe any sufficiently fabulous gathering of people too. You're welcome for that.