Today, 90 suburban school superintendents sent this letter to Cook Co Board President Toni Preckwinkle alleging “catastrophic mismanagement” and “a failure of leadership that actively harms” the public. They also called for a “formal audit” of Treasurer Maria Pappas‘s office

Chicago has spent gobs of public dollars to lawyers who hold them accountable when they illegally stonewall access to public records #FOIA

Spin City PD

In Indianapolis, Hoosier politicians say they think the Bears are "very serious" this time - and are talking about Dick Butkus. But have they kissed the butts of the current Bears ownership enough to lure the team to Indiana after all? chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2026/0...

NEW: (gift) A Miami Herald Investigation: How Jeffrey Epstein Beat the Justice System by @jkbjournalist.bsky.social and @clurhealy.bsky.social www.miamiherald.com/news/politic...

A lot of Democratic politicians are lining up behind the March 17 primary challengers to Cook County Board of Review Commissioners Samantha Steele and George Cardenas, who say they've done a good job amid several high-profile controversies chicago.suntimes.com/elections/20...

Looks like Raja’s big advantage quickly shrunk - or may be gone entirely

Lotsa Democrats interested in the northwest suburban US House seat left open by Senate candidate Raja Krishnamoorthi chicago.suntimes.com/elections/20...

For the first time since at least the Great Depression. As the country of immigrants turns hostile to new arrivals, native-born Americans seek to live abroad

Reports of the Midwest’s demise have been exaggerated

EXCLUSIVE: An @npr.org investigation finds the public database of Epstein files is missing dozens of pages related to sexual abuse accusations against President Trump. Other documents that mention Trump have been taken down (and some restored). More:

Will LA follow Chicago’s footsteps and see its public schools chief in handcuffs? www.nytimes.com/2026/02/25/u...

At least two dozen U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement employees and contractors have been charged with crimes since 2020 and the wrongdoing includes patterns of violence, sexual abuse and corruption, a review by The Associated Press found.

When a show on Netflix becomes realité

What a great experience to return to Maine West High School in Des Plaines today for the first time in a long time. Smart questions from the kids about journalism — and some reminders of my 4 years as a Warrior, in the Class of ‘92!

Cook Co. Treasurer Maria Pappas offers no apologies to county IT contractor who alleges she abused their employees: “The whole world knows that Maria Pappas is an attack dog. I’m not Little Miss Muffet sitting in a corner. I’m not going to do it.” chicago.suntimes.com/2026/02/24/c...

Some wild stuff alleged in here against Cook County Treasurer and 2027 mayoral hopeful Maria Pappas chicago.suntimes.com/2026/02/24/c...

"In Chicago, of 92 people arrested for assaulting or impeding officers last fall, 74 cases have resulted in no charges; in 13 cases, charges were filed and dismissed; and five charged cases were still pending. . . there have been no convictions. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...

NPR's reporters on the ground in Italy reflect on a far-flung, jam-packed Winter Olympics. n.pr/4aLxlIx

A push to name one of Chicago’s snowplows “Abolish ICE,” clearly linking the humorous pun to efforts to oppose President Donald Trump’s mass deportation effort, won the city’s annual snowplow naming contest, officials announced. https://to.wttw.com/4rZGMLg

Cartel violence in 14 Mexican states

The Sun-Times and WBEZ have published about 20 stories and audio pieces this week about the Rev. Jesse Jackson, showing how his civil rights work intersected with film, education, Chicago mayors and much more. So, here's an ICYMI thread with some highlights. 🧵

These Indiana Governor victory laps on NewsNation and Fox News may not age well

Another “shift in tone” from the Bears, after angering Illinois www.chicagobusiness.com/politics/bea...

Been waiting for this. There’s no way they could have trafficked this many people without CBP assisting. Whether that is looking the other way or taking bribes. No way. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...

“Focus” feels a bit of a stretch, though, when this is at least the third highly distinct location they’ve allegedly focused on in a few months

From our colleagues at the BBC. I’m sure you will be able to hear plenty of their coverage of this story today on @wbez.org www.bbc.com/news/live/c7...

Congrats to ⁦‪Chicago’s La Scarola‬⁩ for winning top spot on ⁦‪@GuyFieri‬⁩’s list. ⁦‪Kuma’s Corner‬⁩ also made the top 5. Can confirm both have been outstanding for many years www.mentalfloss.com/food/restaur...

Two female ICE agents popped the hood of their car and knocked on the door of a mechanic born in Mexico. He went out to help. “A bunch of agents jump out and tackle him, essentially restraining him, and take him away...His six kids are now without their father." www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...

Family have scheduled the reverend’s funeral arrangements for next week. Jesse Jackson will lie in state Wednesday, Feb. 25, and Thursday, Feb. 26, at Rainbow PUSH’s Kenwood headquarters. A “People’s Celebration” will be held at House of Hope on Friday, Feb. 27.

I consider myself a flatbread connoisseur. Had this today for the first time and it is fantastic, habibi 🇮🇶 🫓 🙌🏼

PHOTOS: Rev. Jesse Jackson, civil rights leader and Chicago icon, dead at 84 READ MORE HERE: chicago.suntimes.com/obituaries/2...

Today's print Chicago Sun-Times is wrapped with a 20-page special section on the death of the Rev. Jesse Jackson. Here's where to look for the paper. www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/v...

There's a newly issued AI policy for the Chicago Public Media Newsroom (@wbez.org and @chicago.suntimes.com) that you can read here www.wbez.org/ai-policy

The @neilsteinberg.bsky.social obit of the Rev Jesse L Jackson chicago.suntimes.com/obituaries/2...

Breaking News: The Rev. Jesse Jackson, whose fiery speeches and populist vision made him a charismatic champion of civil rights, died at 84.

The latest - Federal judge temporarily blocks Trump cuts to HIV, lead poisoning prevention funds chicago.suntimes.com/health/2026/..., reports @vimiller.bsky.social

I enjoy Fat Tuesday. But you all non-Greek Orthodox cannot top our "Charred Thursday" www.keeptalkinggreece.com/2024/03/07/t...

Yeah, I know Wicker Park was gentrified ages ago, and I only age myself to say I can vividly recall when it wasn't. But bruh - Dubai chocolate paczkis? Srsly? I'm gonna stick w/ Delightful Pastries out in never-will-be-gentrified Jefferson Park on Fat Tuesday chicago.suntimes.com/food-drink/2...

A handyman from Florida who received a pardon from President Trump for storming the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, was convicted on state charges of child sex abuse and exposing himself to a child. n.pr/4tx7oVq

Bovino on his excellent and “most illustrative endeavor” in the Chicago area. Did he mean “illustrious”?

NEW via me and @alejacorazonhm.bsky.social: Cardinal Blase Cupich, who runs the Archdiocese of Chicago, says that DHS has stopped priests under his purview and demanded proof of citizenship “because of their color.” religionnews.com/2026/02/10/c...

Also, shout out to Zubaer Khan for producing this video of our interview with Marimar Martinez: m.youtube.com/watch?v=mCO4...

The @chicago.suntimes.com photo staff is amazing. Here, Candace Dane Chambers writes about how she photographed Marimar Martinez, the Chicago woman shot 5 times by Border Patrol: chicago.suntimes.com/photography/...

Marimar Martinez is planning to attend President Donald Trump’s State of the Union later this month. It’s an apparent act of defiance against an administration that’s labeled her a “domestic terrorist” — and won’t take it back.

A federal judge in Indiana found Friday that immigration authorities are unlawfully detaining the Chicago man acquitted last month of offering $10,000 for the murder of U.S. Border Patrol Cmdr. Gregory Bovino.

The Trump administration's immigration efforts have led some Democrats to call for abolishing ICE. Others won't go as far, wary of appearing out of step with voters who want immigration laws enforced.

NYT confirming MS NOW reporting: Prosecutors began investigating Renee Good's killing, then Washington told them to stop. Federal prosecutors had a warrant to collect evidence from Good's vehicle, but Trump leaders said to drop it. About a dozen prosecutors have since departed.

He should come to Chicago in a few months if he wants his mind blown again. Same dude spread the lie that a young woman slept with her BF’s dad, citing people on the Internet

If you watch the Olympics and feel the urge to try one of the more hazardous and exotic sports, one of the few luge tracks in the country is on the other side of Lake Michigan. I went once many years ago and wouldn't do it again at this stage - but highly recommend it www.mlive.com/news/muskego...