Blog

Good morning, Chicago.

Operation Midway Blitz was in high gear in early October when authorities made a sensational announcement: An alleged ranking member of Chicago’s Latin Kings street gang had been arrested in a murder-for-hire plot targeting Border Patrol Cmdr. Gregory Bovino.

The news quickly thrust Juan Espinoza Martinez, a 37-year-old Mexican-born carpenter, into the national spectacle of the Trump administration’s aggressive deportation push, with the U.S. attorney’s office calling him “a ruthless and violent” gang member and senior officials holding the case up as an example of the threats immigration officials were facing from international drug cartels.

But as Espinoza Martinez heads to trial today, the rhetoric is about to meet the road.

Read the full story from the Tribune’s Jason Meisner.

Here are the top stories you need to know to start your day, including the CPS honorary student board member on her tenure, Caleb Williams’ season in a nutshell after the Chicago Bears’ playoff loss and a new Aurora art exhibit focusing on the struggles of immigrants.

Today’s eNewspaper edition | Subscribe to more newsletters | Asking Eric | Horoscopes | Puzzles & Games | Today in History

Denied Nobel Peace Prize, Donald Trump tells Norway he’ll push for Greenland

President Donald Trump is now claiming that one reason he is pushing to acquire Greenland is that he didn’t win the Nobel Peace Prize, according to a message he sent to Norway’s prime minister over the weekend.

They voted for Trump. But one year into his second term, they have grave concerns. ‘Just wrong.’

Frustrated with the way the country was headed, Pablo Payan cast a ballot for Donald Trump in 2024, mainly drawn to the Republican presidential candidate’s pledge to bring economic strength to the nation as well as an America First mindset.

The father of four from Merrillville usually favored Democrats in the past but was hoping for a nationwide change of direction. Less foreign aid. More border security. Lower inflation. Greater economic growth. Yet roughly a year into Trump’s second presidency, Payan has buyer’s remorse.

In freezing conditions, hundreds gather downtown to protest ICE

Even on one of the coldest days of the winter, hundreds of protesters took to Chicago’s streets against ICE.

People rallied at the Chicago Water Tower on Michigan Avenue and marched to Trump Tower primarily to oppose the Trump administration, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the war in Gaza, aligning with Martin Luther King Jr. Day and adding onto a long list of demonstrations against the administration that ramped up in Chicago this fall with the federal immigration enforcement crackdown.

Mayor Brandon Johnson and Don Lemon speak out against Trump at annual MLK breakfast

Mayor Brandon Johnson revived his crusade to tax the rich during the annual Martin Luther King Jr. breakfast hosted by the civil rights group Rainbow PUSH.

Speaking downtown yesterday morning, Johnson reflected on the “evil that is manifesting” under President Donald Trump, whose second term in office began a year ago. The freshman mayor sought to tap into the discontent by telling the room of politicians as well as faith and community leaders to “understand what our collective assignment is” as he paid tribute to King.

CPS honorary student board member on her tenure: ‘Speak when you’re scared’

Destiny Singleton, a senior at Ogden International High School, is used to speaking up. As the honorary student member of the Chicago Board of Education, she represents 316,000 students across the district.

Actress Taraji P. Henson, who starred in ‘Empire,’ sells condo in Streeterville high-rise for $1.7M

Academy Award-nominated actress Taraji P. Henson on Friday sold a three-bedroom, 2,540-square-foot condominium on the 36th floor of a Streeterville high-rise for $1.7 million, completing her nearly $3 million sale of condos in the building.

Caleb Williams’ season in a nutshell: Another miraculous TD and an overtime INT in Chicago Bears’ playoff loss

Two plays during Sunday’s NFC divisional playoff game not only defined whether Caleb Williams could pull off another miracle performance for the Bears, but also illustrated the hot-and-cold nature of his season.

Column: The Chicago Bulls are trapped in a ‘Groundhog Day’ time loop of mediocrity. Is there any escape?

This is more than stagnation, writes Julia Poe. The Bulls are stuck. Nothing is changing. The team isn’t getting better or worse. This is the type of consistency that numbs fans from their love of the game. And getting out of this cycle will take a little bit more than carving an ice sculpture of Andie MacDowell (as fun as that would be).

New Aurora art exhibit puts focus on struggles of immigrants

Aurora University’s Schingoethe Center is offering visitors a chance to artistically experience one of Chicago’s iconic neighborhoods forged by immigrants with a new exhibit, “Mapping Territories: The Art of Exile in Pilsen-Chicago.”

Restaurant news: Cleo’s opens in Lakeview with Southern cuisine on the North Side of Chicago

Cleo’s, the American Southern cuisine restaurant in Chicago, perhaps best known for its Creole-spiced fried fish and honey buttered 24-Karat Gold muffins, just opened on the North Side.

The business went viral when influential TikTok food critic Keith Lee stopped by, rating his order a perfect 10 out of 10 — twice.