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Ashley Williams of Carpentersville, right, and Alex Vazquez of Crystal Lake dance their way to the Thom McNamee Memorial St. Patrick’s Day Parade Saturday in East Dundee. Also pictured behind is Jill Briarton of Huntley.

Going green at St. Pat’s parade

Ride-hailing company Waymo is mapping routes in Chicago in preparation for bringing its fleet of electric Jaguar autonomous vehicles to the region.

What would robotaxis mean for the Chicago region?

A bill allowing self-driving vehicles in Cook County is pending as tech company Waymo maps routes in Chicago.

Experts say affordable shampoos and conditioners found in grocery stores and pharmacies can do the job as well as the pricey versions.

Are expensive shampoos worth it?

Ornate packaging paired with enticing advertisements that claim expensive shampoos are elixirs to all hair woes can leave one wondering: Are the higher prices really worth it? Should I abandon my $8 drugstore mainstay for a $42 premium brand?

A recent study shows that better balance can mean better mental and physical health.

Patient advocate: Simon says, work on improving balance

A recent article posted by the BBC detailed the positive health effects of being able to balance on one leg. It can improve and maintain balance, mobility and even memory. The thing is, our ability to do it peaks at around age 10 and then slowly declines with age.

Gov. JB Pritzker and State Superintendent of Education Tony Sanders award Blue Ribbon schools during an event Wednesday at the Governor’s Mansion. Pritzker established the awards after the national program was abolished in August 2025.

28 Illinois schools receive state Blue Ribbon Schools award

Illinois honored 28 schools — including 11 suburban public and private schools — with Blue Ribbon Schools awards at an event at the Governor’s Mansion. Gov. JB Pritzker established the statewide award program after President Donald Trump’s administration abolished the national equivalent. At the event, 15 public and 13 private K-12 schools received awards for academic excellence.

Group leader Marcia OBara, left, wearing an oxygen pack for her COPD, and birding enthusiast Rhea Guertin walk down a smooth dirt path during an accessible outing at Feliz Paseos Park in Tucson, Ariz., on Feb. 4.

Accessible walks bring joys of birding to people with mobility, other limitations

Wearing an oxygen pack on her back for her COPD, Marcia OBara is leading a group of nature enthusiasts on a mission to see birds. They carry walking sticks on the flat trails, moving at their own pace. This is Birding for Every BODY, one of numerous such excursions offered each month by the nonprofit Tucson Bird Alliance.

Books and clothing, yes; old TV sets, no. Organizations such as Goodwill and Salvation Army have different rules about what kinds of donations they will accept. The Goodwill store in Batavia is on Randall Road.

Spring cleaning? Do’s and don’ts for dropping off items at donation centers

For those doing some spring cleaning and decluttering, here are some do’s and don’ts for donating items to organizations such as Salvation Army and Goodwill.