Fireworks explode over West 19th Street near South Laflin Street during a Fourth of July block party in Pilsen, Thursday, July 4, 2024.

Fireworks explode over West 19th Street near South Laflin Street during a Fourth of July block party in Pilsen, Thursday, July 4, 2024.

Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times

Picture Chicago: 15 must-see Sun-Times photos you might have missed this week

Pride Month ended with the 53rd annual Chicago Pride Parade in Northalsted, hundreds of mourners attended the funeral for former Chicago police officer Larry Neuman, and Chicagoans across the city enjoyed fireworks on the Fourth of July.

A parade member performs during the 53rd annual Chicago Pride Parade in Chicago, Sunday, June 30, 2024.

A parade member performs during the 53rd annual Chicago Pride Parade in Chicago, Sunday, June 30, 2024.

Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times

A parade member performs during the 53rd annual Chicago Pride Parade in Chicago, Sunday, June 30, 2024.

A parade member performs during the 53rd annual Chicago Pride Parade in Chicago, Sunday, June 30, 2024.

Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times

Kylie Lefever, who performs in drag as Kylee Hunter, does her makeup and prepares for a performance at Roscoe’s Tavern in Northalsted, Thursday, June 13, 2024. | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times

Kylie Lefever, who performs in drag as Kylee Hunter, does her makeup and prepares for a performance at Roscoe’s Tavern in Northalsted, Thursday, June 13, 2024.

Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times

Kylie Lefever, who performs in drag as Kylee Hunter, performs in the “Duality Disco” show at Roscoe’s Tavern in Northalsted, Thursday, June 13, 2024. | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times

Kylie Lefever, who performs in drag as Kylee Hunter, performs in the “Duality Disco” show at Roscoe’s Tavern in Northalsted, Thursday, June 13, 2024.

Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times

Tom and Mina Popp, who attended Highland Park’s Independence Day Parade for the first time in 2022, dance during the Independence Day Parade along Central Avenue in Highland Park, Ill., Thursday, July 4, 2024, two years after the Highland Park shooting. Tom Popp said there was some “apprehension” in going back this year, but he hopes it will become a family tradition. | Pat Nabong/Sun-Times

Tom and Mina Popp, who attended Highland Park’s Independence Day Parade for the first time in 2022, dance during the Independence Day Parade along Central Avenue in Highland Park, Ill., Thursday, July 4, 2024, two years after the Highland Park shooting. Tom Popp said there was some “apprehension” in going back this year, but he hopes it will become a family tradition.

Pat Nabong/Sun-Times

Erin Cartwright Weinstein, clerk of the circuit court of Lake County, receives a hug during the Independence Day Parade along Central Avenue in Highland Park, Ill., Thursday, July 4, 2024, two years after the Highland Park shooting. | Pat Nabong/Sun-Times

Erin Cartwright Weinstein, clerk of the circuit court of Lake County, receives a hug during the Independence Day Parade along Central Avenue in Highland Park, Ill., Thursday, July 4, 2024, two years after the Highland Park shooting.

Pat Nabong/Sun-Times

FIREWORKS-070424-5.jpg

Fireworks explode over Lake Michigan during the fireworks display at Navy Pier, Wednesday, July 3, 2024.

Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times

FOURTHOFJULY-070524-4.jpg

Members of Compares de chinelos La Foregone De Chicago, a traditional Mexican dance troupe perform a dance during a Fourth of July block party at West 19th Street and South Laflin Street in the Pilsen neighborhood, Thursday, July 4, 2024.

Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times

FOURTHOFJULY-070524-10.jpg

A man unrolls a large roll of firecrackers during a Fourth of July block party at West 19th Street and South Laflin Street in the Pilsen neighborhood, Thursday, July 4, 2024.

Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times

Mourners hug during the funeral for Larry Neuman, who was a Transportation Security Administration explosives specialist, retired Chicago police officer and minister, at St. Michael Missionary Baptist Church in Garfield Park, Saturday, June 29, 2024. Neuman was killed June 20. | Pat Nabong/Sun-Times

Mourners hug during the funeral for Larry Neuman, who was a Transportation Security Administration explosives specialist, retired Chicago police officer and minister, at St. Michael Missionary Baptist Church in Garfield Park, Saturday, June 29, 2024. Neuman was killed June 20.

Pat Nabong/Sun-Times

Construction continues for The Skyline viewing area, with the Founder’s Club on the ground floor and Skyline Suites above, ahead of the NASCAR Chicago Street Race weekend, on Tuesday, July 2, 2024. | Zubaer Khan/Sun-Times

Construction continues for The Skyline viewing area, with the Founder’s Club on the ground floor and Skyline Suites above, ahead of the NASCAR Chicago Street Race weekend, Tuesday, July 2, 2024.

Zubaer Khan/Sun-Times

Kristin Gilbert, co-owner of Exile in Bookville, stands in her book store inside the Fine Arts Building in the Loop, Saturday, June 29, 2024. Gilbert's store, which overlooks NASCAR's bleachers, will be closed during NASCAR weekend. | Pat Nabong/Sun-Times

Kristin Gilbert, co-owner of Exile in Bookville, stands in her book store inside the Fine Arts Building in the Loop, Saturday, June 29, 2024. Gilbert’s store, which overlooks NASCAR’s bleachers, will be closed during NASCAR weekend.

Pat Nabong/Sun-Times

Rock Evans, who performs in drag as Miss Toto, DJs with her friend Mary K. during Pride Fest in Northalsted, Saturday, June 22, 2024. | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times

Rock Evans, who performs in drag as Miss Toto, DJs with her friend Mary K. during Pride Fest in Northalsted, Saturday, June 22, 2024.

Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times

Matthew Harvat, who performs in drag as as Circuit Mom, performs during Pride Fest in Northalsted, Saturday, June 22, 2024. | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times

Matthew Harvat, who performs in drag as as Circuit Mom, performs during Pride Fest in Northalsted, Saturday, June 22, 2024.

Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times

The Latest
Capt. Ernesto Amparan on his Thin Blue Line Fishing charter Saturday found a dead 5-foot sturgeon, which they first thought was a body. It brought up other notable sturgeon encounters in the Chicago area and what the species status is in Illinois.
“It’s a pivotal moment for the organization,” amateur scouting director Mike Shirley said. “You all know where we’re at.”
The Sky and Dream are 1-1 in head-to-head matchups going into the game Wednesday. They will play each other one more time during the regular season, Sept. 17 in Atlanta.
“This kid can swing the bat and he’s interesting at second base, and we’re going to give him an opportunity,” manager Pedro Grifol said.
“The world is on fire” is no longer a metaphor. In the United States, that means almost thousands of deaths and negative health impact from wildfire smoke. Planting more trees and breaking away from our fossil fuel addiction are two ways that can increase protections for forests.