Rebecca Johnson

Rebecca Johnson is a news reporter on the Tribune’s metro desk. A University of Pittsburgh graduate, she previously worked at the Austin American-Statesman and Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. She welcomes story tips or coffee shop recommendations.

17 students injured in school bus collision on Southwest Side, police say

May 3, 2025 at 10:00 p.m.

Seventeen high school students were taken to the hospital Friday morning after a school bus and SUV collided in the Mount Greenwood neighborhood, according to Chicago police.

Pro-Palestinian protesters rally through the West Loop during the May Day march, May 1, 2025. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)

At Chicago’s May Day rally, thousands call for immigrant protections, end to deportations in rebuke of Trump

May 1, 2025 at 5:36 p.m.

Thousands rally on May Day, a celebration with Chicago ties that commemorates the labor movement.

Firefighters escort a relative of Capt. David Meyer after attending the detention hearing for Charles Green, charged with arson and murder, at the Leighton Criminal Court Building on Saturday, April 26, 2025, in Chicago. Meyer died after responding to a fire that Green is charged with starting. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Judge detains man accused of starting garage fire that led to firefighter’s death

April 26, 2025 at 4:42 p.m.

A man charged with murder and aggravated arson for allegedly starting a fire that led to a firefighter's death was ordered kept in custody.

Students use a multidirectional crosswalk at Sixth and Green streets near the University of Illinois campus in Champaign. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Illinois academics relieved after Trump administration restores legal status of some international students

April 26, 2025 at 12:22 p.m.

The announcement came after scores of international students around the U.S. filed court challenges, government lawyers said Friday.

Firefighters stand at attention for Chicago Fire Department Capt. David Meyer, 54, who died on duty Wednesday, after a procession arrives at Malec & Sons Funeral Home, in the Norwood Park neighborhood, on April 24, 2025. Meyer was critically injured when the garage collapsed after the fire was out and was pronounced dead at Stroger Hospital. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)

Murder, arson charges in death of Fire Department Capt. David Meyer after funeral arrangements announced

April 28, 2025 at 8:07 p.m.

Murder and aggravated arson charges were filed against Charles Green, believed to have set the trash fire that led to the death of Capt. David Meyer.

Thornton woman faces murder charge in Lincoln Park fatal shooting, police say

April 25, 2025 at 1:56 p.m.

A south suburban woman faces murder charges in the shooting death of a 28-year-old man walking outside his Lincoln Park home.

Carrie Mangoubi holds her daughter, Mia Mangoubi, 3, after her Magna-Tiles tower was taken down in their home on April 18, 2025, in Northbrook. The Mangoubis were among those who survived the Highland Park Independence Day parade mass shooting in 2022. (Audrey Richardson/Chicago Tribune)

Highland Park parade survivors hope sentencing brings relief, justice

April 23, 2025 at 6:21 a.m.

The Highland Park parade shooter's sentencing is scheduled to begin Wednesday morning, with survivors and loved ones of those who were killed giving victim impact statements.

Former Glenwood cemetery employee charged with stealing more than $110K in funeral-related payments, sheriff’s office says

April 22, 2025 at 8:21 a.m.

A former Glenwood cemetery employee was charged with felonies after allegedly pocketing more than $110,000 in cash from families paying for funeral expenses, the Cook County sheriff’s office announced Saturday. ...

3 teenagers shot during argument in Austin home’s front yard, police say

April 19, 2025 at 3:31 p.m.

Three teenagers were shot, with one in critical condition, during an argument Friday night in a front yard in the Austin neighborhood, according to Chicago police. Officers responded to a...

1 dead, 1 injured after car crashes into Streeterville hotel, police say

April 19, 2025 at 8:00 a.m.

One person is dead and another injured after a Chevy SUV crashed into the Peninsula hotel in the Streeterville neighborhood early Saturday morning, according to Chicago police. A man, whose...

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