National

7 hours ago

US will suspend immigrant visa processing from 75 countries over public assistance concerns

The State Department said Wednesday it will suspend the processing of immigrant visas for citizens of 75 countries, including Afghanistan, Iran, Russia and Somalia, whose nationals the Trump administration has deemed likely to require public assistance while living in the United States.

8 hours ago

Bears coach Ben Johnson offers no apologies for profane postgame speech

Coach Ben Johnson made his feelings clear. He repeatedly yelled a profanity directed at the Packers to start his postgame pep talk.

8 hours ago

Trump threatens to halt federal money next month not only to sanctuary cities but also their states

Two previous efforts by Trump to cut off some funding for sanctuary jurisdictions were shut down by courts.

8 hours ago

Supreme Court revives GOP congressman’s challenge to late-arriving mail ballot law

The high court ruled 7-2 that candidates like Rep. Mike Bost, R-Ill. have the legal right to such challenges, even if the ballots have little effect on the race.

8 hours ago

Chicago Cubs finalize contract with All-Star third baseman Alex Bregman

Bregman gets $35 million annually, with $15 million deferred this year and in 2029, $10 million each in 2027 and 28, and $20 million in 2030.

13 hours ago

Luxury retailer Saks seeks bankruptcy protection overwhelmed by debt

The owner of Saks Fifth Avenue is seeking bankruptcy protection, buffeted by rising competition and the massive debt it took on to buy its rival in the luxury sector, Neiman Marcus, just over a year ago.

14 hours ago

Minnesota protesters, agents repeatedly square off while prosecutors quit after Renee Good’s death

Federal officers dropped tear gas and sprayed eye irritant at activists Tuesday during another day of confrontations in Minneapolis, while students miles away walked out of a suburban school to protest the Trump administration's bold immigration sweeps.

1 day ago

Chicago among 5 Athletes Unlimited Softball League franchise locations announced for 2026 season

The teams announced Tuesday are the Carolina Blaze, Chicago Bandits, Portland Cascade, Texas Volts and Utah Talons.

1 day ago

Family budgets are stretched and bargain grocer Aldi seizes the moment in a rapid expansion

The chain, with U.S. operations based outside of Chicago, went on an expansion tear soon after inflation began to spike in 2021 and opened a record number of new stores last year.

2 days ago

Bringing charges against the Fed: What we do (and don’t) know

President Donald Trump has dramatically escalated his confrontation with the Federal Reserve, his Justice Department investigating and threatening a criminal indictment of the independent central bank and serving it with subpoenas.

2 days ago

State, City of Chicago file federal lawsuit over recent ICE raids

Read the full federal lawsuit here.

2 days ago

Needling Trump as 2028 looms: Inside JB Pritzker’s all-of-the-above media strategy

Pritzker embraces social media influencers to show off Chicago, reach new voters.

2 days ago

What to know about the state gerrymandering battle kick-started by Trump

Illinois House Speaker Pro Tem Kam Buckner said “there is no active push” for congressional redistricting.

3 days ago

George Floyd and Renee Good: 5 years between Minneapolis videos, and confusion has increased

Five years ago, video images from a Minneapolis street showing a police officer kneeling on the neck of George Floyd as his life slipped away ignited a social movement. Now, videos from another Minneapolis street showing the last moments of Renee Good's life are central to another debate about law enforcement in America.

3 days ago

Bills join Bears and Rams in advancing to divisional round with comeback wins in NFL playoffs

On Saturday, the NFL playoffs kicked off with two wacky games.

3 days ago

Bears linebacker T.J. Edwards to miss the rest of the season with leg injury

Edwards went down early in the second quarter after his left foot got caught up with the leg of Packers receiver Christian Watson and bent awkwardly.

3 days ago

Caleb Williams rallies Bears from 18 points down for 31-27 playoff win over rival Packers

The NFC North champion Bears (12-6) extended their resurgent first season under coach Ben Johnson with their seventh fourth-quarter comeback victory.

3 days ago

All-Star 3B Alex Bregman agrees to a $175 million, 5-year contract with the Cubs, AP sources say

The contract includes a no-trade provision allowing Bregman to block deals without his consent.

3 days ago

Ex-husband charged in murders of Ohio couple; arrested in Illinois

Michael McKee, 39, was booked Saturday and is currently being held in Illinois, according to the Winnebago County Sheriff's Office.

3 days ago

Illinois, 4 other states targeted for $10B child care funding freeze win restraining order

The lawsuit comes days after the administration announced the funding freeze.

Recent Headlines

7 hours ago in Sports

Oregon QB Dante Moore says he’ll return to the Ducks rather than declare for the NFL draft

Oregon quarterback Dante Moore has decided to return to the Ducks next season rather than declare for the NFL draft. Moore, 20, announced his decision on Wednesday on ESPN.

7 hours ago in Sports

Dell Curry is getting his No. 30 jersey retired by Charlotte in March

The Charlotte Hornets announced Wednesday that Dell Curry — the father of Stephen and Seth Curry — will get his No. 30 retired in a ceremony on March 19 when the team plays host to the Orlando Magic.

7 hours ago in Entertainment

Actor Michael Keaton is named Man of the Year by Harvard’s Hasty Pudding Theatricals

Actor Michael Keaton has been named 2026 Man of the Year by Harvard University's Hasty Pudding Theatricals. The theater group, which dates to 1844 and claims to be the world's third-oldest still operating, announced Wednesday that Keaton will receive his Pudding Pot award at a celebratory roast Feb. 6.