Category: News
Photos: Tampa Bay Lightning 2, Chicago Blackhawks 1 (SO)
Photos from the Chicago Blackhawks’ 2-1 shootout loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Jan. 23, 2026, at the United Center.
Tampa Bay Lightning centers Gage Goncalves (93) and Dominic James (17) embrace after James scored the game-winning goal during a shootout against the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center in Chicago on Jan. 23, 2026. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (left) is congratulated by teammate Erik Cernak as the Lightning celebrate their shootout victory over the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center in Chicago on Jan. 23, 2026. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Louis Crevier (46) celebrates after scoring during the shootout of a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at the United Center in Chicago on Jan. 23, 2026. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Blackhawks center Frank Nazar (91) celebrates after scoring during the shootout of a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at the United Center in Chicago on Jan. 23, 2026. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov (86) gestures after scoring on Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Arvid Soderblom during the shootout of a game at the United Center in Chicago on Jan. 23, 2026. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Blackhawks center Frank Nazar (91) celebrates after scoring during the shootout of a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at the United Center in Chicago on Jan. 23, 2026. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Blackhawks left wing Andre Burakovsky (28) skates along the boards in the third period of a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at the United Center in Chicago on Jan. 23, 2026. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Blackhawks left wing Nick Lardis (76) and Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Pontus Holmberg (29) battle in the third period of a game at the United Center in Chicago on Jan. 23, 2026. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Charle-Edouard D’Astous (51) and Chicago Blackhawks left wing Nick Foligno (17) battle in the third period of a game at the United Center in Chicago on Jan. 23, 2026. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard (98) misses an opportunity to score on Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) in the third period of a game at the United Center in Chicago on Jan. 23, 2026. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Blackhawks center Ryan Greene (20) celebrates after scoring a goal in the first period of a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at the United Center in Chicago on Jan. 23, 2026. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Blackhawks center Ryan Greene (20) celebrates after scoring a goal in the first period of a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at the United Center in Chicago on Jan. 23, 2026. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Blackhawks center Ryan Greene (20) celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal in the first period of a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at the United Center in Chicago on Jan. 23, 2026. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Blackhawks center Ryan Greene (20) celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal in the first period of a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at the United Center in Chicago on Jan. 23, 2026. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Arvid Soderblom (40) defends the goal as Tampa Bay Lightning center Anthony Cirelli (71) tries to score in the second period of a game at the United Center in Chicago on Jan. 23, 2026. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Arvid Soderblom (40) makes a save in the second period of a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at the United Center in Chicago on Jan. 23, 2026. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Blackhawks center Frank Nazar (91) reaches for the puck while laying on the ice in the first period of a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at the United Center in Chicago on Jan. 23, 2026. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov (center) celebrates with is teammates after scoring a goal in the second period of a game against theChicago Blackhawks at the United Center in Chicago on Jan. 23, 2026. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Tampa Bay Lightning center Anthony Cirelli (71) and Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Alex Vlasic (72) battle in the second period of a game at the United Center in Chicago on Jan. 23, 2026. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard (98) makes a quick stop in front of the Tampa Bay Lightning bench in the first period of a game at the United Center in Chicago on Jan. 23, 2026. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Declan Carlile (67) and Chicago Blackhawks center Jason Dickinson (16) battle in the first period of a game at the United Center in Chicago on Jan. 23, 2026. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard (98) makes a pass in the first period of a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at the United Center in Chicago on Jan. 23, 2026. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Blackhawks center Jason Dickinson (16) tries to locate the puck in the first period of a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at the United Center in Chicago on Jan. 23, 2026. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/23/photos-chicago-blackhawks-tampa-bay-lightning/
Naperville pastor joins clergy to protest Minnesota ICE actions: ‘It’s time to be brave’
The pastor of a Naperville church was among the hundreds of clergy members who gathered in Minneapolis this week to protest the actions of federal immigration agents in Minnesota.
The Rev. Kari Nicewander, pastor of First Congregational Church of Naperville, answered a call from a coalition of Minneapolis faith leaders asking for clergy to join them in a mass action in Minneapolis. Participants would be attending protests, patrolling neighborhoods and distributing food to immigrant families.
“What they said is, ‘When Selma happened, they put out a call for clergy,’ and they’re asking for clergy to come to Minneapolis,” Nicewander said.
Since December, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have descended on Minnesota as part of Operation Metro Surge, an immigration crackdown initially focused on Minneapolis and St. Paul but since widened to include all of the state. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has called it “the largest immigration operation ever carried out.”
Many residents have been outraged by the actions of the federal agents, with tensions flaring following the shooting death of 37-year-old Renee Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis.
On Friday, thousands of people took to the street despite subzero temperatures to protest ICE’s presence in Minnesota. Businesses closed their doors in response to a call for an economic blackout day by union and faith leaders.
Before Nicewander left Wednesday for Minneapolis, she told church congregants what she was doing.
Diane Diamond, a member of First Congregational Church of Naperville, said, “I was at the church council meeting and she said … ‘I left my sermon on my desk so that if I’m not back by Sunday, (the president of the church membership) can read it … I’m going to abide by the law, but they don’t seem to be paying attention to the law up there.”
Thousands of people gathered at the Target Center arena in Minneapolis on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026, to protest the actions of federal immigration agents in Minneapolis. (Kari Nicewander)
Despite the safety concerns, Diamond said church members were pleased to see their pastor respond and want to stand up for immigrants.
First Congregational Church, where Nicewander has been pastor for six months, has a long history of activism going back to the abolition movement. Before she took over as pastor, Nicewander was deeply involved in affordable housing work and legislative advocacy in Connecticut, she said.
“But this particular situation feels, to be honest, a lot more surreal and powerful in terms of the number of people who are showing up,” she said. “But it’s so horrifying what is actually happening here that it’s more horrifying than most of the issues I’ve been grappling with throughout my career.”
Nicewander’s time in Minneapolis started with training in which they covered everything from patrolling neighborhoods looking for ICE agents to building coalitions with other groups. It was followed by an hour-long foot patrol in one of Minneapolis’ immigration corridors, braving the 7 degrees below zero temperature.
“What they did is they took a bus so 200 clergy (could do) the patrols. They took four different buses and then just dropped us off in different areas to patrol on foot,” Nicewander said.
She was buddied up with another faith leader, keeping an eye out for ICE agents and checking in on businesses.
“I went into a business owned by a Somali family, and we started talking to the young man who’s working there. His parents started the business. It’s a furniture store. But now they keep their doors locked and just let people in when they recognize them or see them first,” Nicewander said.
The young man told them he’s had a number of friends picked up by ICE agents.
“We asked if they’d had anybody come to their store yet. He said, ‘No, not yet, but it’s just a matter of time,’” Nicewander said. “A lot of people are really scared, and just having to sort of hide behind locked doors.”
While Nicewander did not come across any ICE agents, another group witnessed 12 of them quickly exit three vehicles and start “harassing” a pregnant woman. When the clergy showed up, they got back in their vehicles and left, she said.
“It’s just terrifying. And they’re so, so fast, just so fast,” Nicewander said. “But I was in the community with a lot of other clergy so it felt there was power in being with all of these clergy doing this work.”
On Friday, Nicewander spent three hours at a food distribution center for immigrant families organized by a local church.
“(T)he pastor (there) just started thinking about what he could do and just said, ‘OK, we can get food for 200 families so they don’t have to leave their home (and risk meeting ICE agents),” she said. “And the 200 families turned into 2,000 families. And then it kept growing and growing. The community response of just making it happen is incredible.”
The church is now delivering food to about 1,500 families a day, she said. On the day she was there, dozens of volunteers helped package fresh produce and hot meals, diapers and baby formula and then load everything onto trucks.
Some of the clergy volunteers also went to the Minneapolis-St. Paul airport to protest. About 100 ended up being arrested, she said.
“I did have a lot of fear about doing that, and I ended up deciding not to go to the airport and get arrested,” Nicewander said. “There’s definitely a lot of fear around what sorts of choices we make to protect each other and while also protecting ourselves.”
Following the food distribution, Nicewander joined thousands of people at a rally at the Target Center arena in Minneapolis, where activists and faith leaders addressed the crowd. One message that stood out to her was from a rabbi who told attendees there were far more people in the state working for justice than were there working for ICE.
Nicewander said the experience taught her a lot about the power of organizing, and she’s ready to use those lessons to help build stronger coalitions with other faith leaders in the Chicago area.
“It’s time to be brave,” Nicewander said. “We can build community, we can protect our neighbors, but we need to take action now. And I would say part of that is plugging into the organizations that are already doing the work and finding out how we can use our resources to help those organizations to do the work that matters.”
cstein@chicagotribune.com
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/23/naperville-nicewander-pastor-minneapolis-ice-clergy/
Basketball and local scores for the Southland, Aurora, Elgin, Naperville and Lake County
High school and local college results and highlights from the Southland, Aurora, Elgin, Naperville and Lake County coverage areas.
Email Daily Southtown results to southtownsports@gmail.com, Beacon-News, Courier-News and Naperville Sun results to tribwestsports@gmail.com and News-Sun results to newssunsports@gmail.com.
FRIDAY’S RESULTS
HIGH SCHOOLS
BOYS BASKETBALL
Andrew 71, Bradley-Bourbonnais 56
Andrew (10-12, 4-7 SWSC): Ryan Dinnon 27 points, 8 rebounds. Malik Mahmoud 13 points, 5 assists. T.J. Payton 12 points, 8 rebounds.
Batavia 48, Glenbard North 43
De La Salle 53, Fenwick 26
De La Salle (8-13, 2-3 CCL Blue): Carlos Cueva 18 points. Stephen Dixon 11 points.
Grant 82, Grayslake North 75
Grayslake Central 54, Lakes 31
Grayslake Central (15-6, 6-1 Northern Lake County): Alex Granville 14 points. Carson Woods 13 points. Cole Halverson 12 points.
Homewood-Flossmoor 68, Sandburg 59
H-F (19-2, 10-0 SWSC): Jayden McDonald 16 points. Danny Ruffin 14 points. Ethan Jackson 10 points, 4 assists, 4 steals. Darrius Hawkins Jr. 10 points.
Sandburg (14-9, 5-5): Jonah Johnson 19 points. Will Johnson 13 points.
Lockport 56, Lincoln-Way East 36
Marmion 58, St. Rita 52
Marmion (11-9, 4-2 CCL White): Dave Malley 12 points. Joey Kramer 11 points, 7 rebounds. Ben Piekarz 11 points, 4 rebounds.
St. Rita (10-13, 2-2): Eze Nwagwu 15 points. Brendan McDevitt 13 points.
Metea Valley 54, Waubonsie Valley 43
Naperville North 56, DeKalb 30
Neuqua Valley 73, Naperville Central 48
Neuqua (20-1, 6-0 DuPage Valley): Cole Kelly surpassed 1,000 career points.
Oak Lawn 61, Evergreen Park 46
Round Lake 56, Antioch 50
Stagg 68, Lincoln-Way West 38
Stagg (11-9, 3-6 SWSC): Mohammad Farhan 24 points, 6 rebounds. Dovydas Zuperka 18 points, 6 rebounds.
Waukegan 66, Lake Zurich 50
Waukegan (16-5, 6-1 North Suburban): Carter Newsome 23 points. Rico Love 21 points. Trey Roberts 12 points.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Evergreen Park 50, Oak Lawn 43
Evergreen (17-6, 6-2 SSC Red): Tatum Harris 22 points.
Lake Zurich 47, Waukegan 43
Neuqua Valley 63, Naperville Central 54
Naperville Central (19-4, 5-1 DuPage Valley): Erin Hackett 29 points, 4 rebounds. Annabelle Kritzer 18 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists.
Waubonsie Valley 78, Metea Valley 11
Waubonsie (21-1, 5-1 DuPage Valley): Danyella Mporokoso 24 points, 8 steals. Maya Pereda 15 points. Arie Garcia-Evans 10 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists, 5 steals.
LITTLE TEN CHAMPIONSHIP
Serena 43, Indian Creek 22
THURSDAY’S RESULTS
HIGH SCHOOLS
BOYS BASKETBALL
Bartlett 59, East Aurora 57
Bartlett (6-16, 5-3 Upstate Eight West): Joey Cwik 13 points; game-tying 3-pointer and GW layup.
Bolingbrook 83, Oswego 50
Oswego (14-8, 6-4 Southwest Prairie West): Ethan Vahl 30 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals.
DePaul Prep 58, Mount Carmel 50
Hinckley-Big Rock 75, Parkview Christian 50
Hinckley-Big Rock (14-5): Luke Badal 29 points. Marshall Ledbetter 17 points.
IMSA 77, Leland 51
IMSA (9-5, 3-2 Little Ten): Lota Onwuameze 23 points. Ben Dixon 13 points.
Larkin 49, Fenton 39
New Trier 55, Deerfield 45
Oak Forest 61, Bremen 49
Oak Forest (15-6, 7-1 SSC Blue): Donovan Williams 16 points. Hayden Noha 12 points, 8 rebounds.
Bremen (9-13, 4-4): Jalen Clardy 18 points. Kishawn Gantt 13 points.
Ottawa Marquette 56, Newark 41
Newark (11-9): Reggie Chapman 19 points. Cody Kulbartz 18 points, 10 rebounds, 3 blocks.
Reavis 47, Hancock 46
Reavis (6-12): Nikko Roberts 12 points. Arafat Alsharif 12 points.
Richards 71, Eisenhower 51
Shepard 75, Argo 55
Shepard (11-12, 4-4 SSC Red): Danny McGovern 15 points, 7 assists. Omar Yousef 14 points, 4 steals. Brendin Thomas 11 points, 18 rebounds.
Argo (5-16, 2-6): Darron Greer Jr. 17 points. Joseph Navarez 15 points.
T.F. North 49, Ag. Science 47
T.F. North (7-9): Cortice Howse 21 points. Kahari Ali 11 points, 10 rebounds. Prim May 10 points, 10 rebounds.
Vernon Hills 55, Highland Park 42
Vernon Hills (15-7, 6-1 Central Suburban North): Graham Lis 15 points. Daniel Odhiambo 14 points. Brady Larsen 14 points.
Highland Park (4-16, 1-6): David Isaacson 12 points.
Warren 74, Lake Forest 42
Warren (17-1, 7-0 North Suburban): Jaxson Davis 26 points. Joel Paasch 17 points. Braylon Walker 15 points.
Lake Forest (7-13, 1-6): Dominic Mordini 22 points, 7 rebounds.
West Aurora 67, Streamwood 31
West Aurora (13-9, 7-1 Upstate Eight West): Drew Lundberg 14 points. Jordan Weeks 12 points.
Yorkville 54, Minooka 30
Yorkville (10-9, 7-3 Southwest Prairie West): Braydon Porter 12 points. Gabe Sanders 10 points.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Andrew 68, Bradley-Bourbonnais 36
Andrew (12-10, 5-6 SWSC): Charlotte Gallivan 16 points. Nawal Kaleel 13 points.
Batavia 47, Glenbard North 16
Batavia (7-16, 4-4 DuKane): Ali Thomas 20 points. Harper Haren 12 points.
Beecher 57, Donovan 11
Bloom 60, Crete-Monee 35
Grace Christian 43, Illinois Lutheran 12
Hillcrest 62, Tinley Park 22
Homewood-Flossmoor 67, Sandburg 45
Sandburg (10-14, 5-6 SWSC): Ellie Driscoll 14 points. M.K. Terry 10 points.
Johnsburg 67, Sandwich 31
Lincoln-Way Central 41, Hinsdale South 30
Lincoln-Way Central (9-15): Brooke Katzmann 13 points.
Lincoln-Way East 47, Lockport 41
Lincoln-Way West 54, Stagg 24
Minooka 56, Yorkville 37
Oak Forest 57, Bremen 11
Plainfield North 62, Oswego East 45
Oswego East (12-8, 8-3 Southwest Prairie West): Aubrey Lamberti 21 points. Desiree Merritt 14 points.
Providence 58, Trinity 54
Providence (22-3): Kennady Kotowski 16 points. Taylor Healy 15 points. Landrie Callahan 13 points.
Resurrection 67, Rosary 24
Richards 50, Eisenhower 29
St. Charles North 44, Geneva 27
St. Edward 59, Hope Academy 47
St. Laurence 63, IC Catholic 45
St. Laurence (15-8): Ciyah Thomas 22 points. Sara Burzycki 14 points. Emily Doorhy 11 points.
Shepard 47, Argo 34
Shepard (9-9, 4-4 SSC Red): Jessica Manley 26 points. Juliann Radz 10 points.
Argo (17-8, 3-5): Morgan Murphy 12 points, 10 rebounds.
T.F. South 51, Lemont 32
Wheaton St. Francis 44, De La Salle 33
LITTLE TEN SEMIFINALS
Indian Creek 53, Hinckley-Big Rock 33
Indian Creek (10-8): Bethany Odle 14 points. Ally Keilman 13 points.
Serena 36, Somonauk 26
LOCAL COLLEGES
MEN’S BASKETBALL
Rockhurst (Mich.) 96, Lewis 68
Lewis (4-13, 2-7 GLVC): Jackson Connor 14 points. Cale Cosme 11 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists. Vinko Polovic 11 points, 4 rebounds.
South Suburban College 91, Joliet Junior College 77
South Suburban (16-4): A.J. Abrams 27 points, 5 assists.
JJC (7-10): Jeffrey Fleming 20 points, 15 rebounds.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
Joliet Junior College 80, South Suburban College 69
JJC (10-9): Destynia McGruder 29 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists.
Lewis 93, Rockhurst (Mich.) 44
Lewis (11-7, 7-2 GLVC): Mallory Ramage 22 points. Tene Smith 15 points. Mercy Lasu 13 points, 8 rebounds.
Compiled by Josh Krockey.
Vegas Casino To Accept Canadian Dollars At Par In Bid To Lure Northerners Back To Sin City
Vegas Casino To Accept Canadian Dollars At Par In Bid To Lure Northerners Back To Sin City
Las Vegas casino owner Derek Stevens is offering Canadian visitors a major incentive by accepting Canadian dollars at par with U.S. currency at his three downtown properties—Circa, D Las Vegas, and Golden Gate—through August 31, according to Bloomberg.
Because the Canadian dollar currently trades at about 1.38 to the U.S. dollar, the promotion gives Canadians an effective discount of more than 30 percent. The deal applies to hotel stays, bar tabs, and up to $500 in casino play.
The move comes as Las Vegas continues to struggle with declining tourism. Visitor numbers have fallen for 11 consecutive months, leaving the city heading into 2026 with weakened momentum. High travel costs, economic uncertainty, and strained U.S.-Canada relations have all contributed to softer demand. Local tourism officials say fewer Canadian travelers—traditionally a key market—have been a major factor.
Recent political and trade tensions have fueled calls in Canada to avoid American goods and travel, further reducing cross-border tourism. Under normal exchange rates, a Canadian bringing C$1,000 to Las Vegas would have only about $725 to spend, making trips significantly more expensive.
Stevens said the promotion is meant to rebuild those ties. In an online video, he recalled growing up near the Canadian border and seeing similar offers in the past. “I want to invite Canada back to Las Vegas,” he said.
The campaign reflects growing concern among casino operators and tourism leaders that Las Vegas must become more aggressive in attracting international visitors as it works to recover from a prolonged slowdown.
Tyler Durden
Fri, 01/23/2026 – 23:00
Jack Dempsey, who knows what he wants to study in college, engineers win for Oak Lawn. ‘Love to build things.’
Oak Lawn’s Jack Dempsey continues to perfect his craft as he builds toward the future.
The senior guard, a three-year starter, loves to develop and sharpen all the parts of his game. It makes perfect sense when you take into consideration what he wants to study in college.
“I’m going into engineering, and one of the cool things about me is that I love to build things,” Dempsey said. “Sometimes, when you build things, you fail at first.
“You have to find a way to solve those or have a solution in your mind.”
With rival Evergreen Park standing in his path, he designed the perfect answer.
The 6-foot-3 Dempsey scored 16 points and added six rebounds and four assists Friday night for host Oak Lawn in a 61-46 South Suburban Red victory over the Mustangs.
Oak Lawn’s Jack Dempsey (3) puts up a shot from the outside Evergreen Park’s Camryn Dandridge (21) defends during a South Suburban Red game in Oak Lawn on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026. (Troy Stolt / Daily Southtown)
Senior forward Marc Harvey matched Dempsey by scoring 16 points to go with eight rebounds for the Spartans (15-6, 6-2), while senior forward Omar Saleh contributed 13 points.
Senior guard Lenear Bolden scored a game-high 19 points for Evergreen Park (7-11, 3-5). Junior guard James Lee chipped in with eight points.
Dempsey made two 3-pointers in scoring 10 points as Oak Lawn jumped to a 22-4 lead by the end of the first quarter. Harvey came through with seven points in the first eight minutes.
“Jack hitting those early shots were really big for us,” Harvey said. “He gave us that energy to keep going. Everything about Jack has improved since we’ve been playing together.
Oak Lawn’s Jack Dempsey (3) drives to the basket through a crowd of players against Evergreen Park during a South Suburban Red game in Oak Lawn on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026. (Troy Stolt / Daily Southtown)
“He’s gotten more athletic and faster and his shot is even better. He’s improved all around.”
Saleh credited Dempsey’s mental acuity and ability to anticipate and read the game.
“He always has the right attitude, the right manners,” Saleh said. “He’s an exceptional student who always has a smile on his face. He scores at a very high level, is very consistent, very confident.
“He takes all of that energy and gives it back to us.”
Oak Lawn’s Jack Dempsey (3) jumps up and grabs a rebound against Evergreen Park during a South Suburban Red game in Oak Lawn on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026. (Troy Stolt / Daily Southtown)
A skilled, left-handed shooter, Dempsey knows how to get to the right spots on the floor. With a mathematical mind that seeks to optimize the attack, he used his hot early shooting Friday.
It created a wave for the Spartans to ride.
“I think the way I started, it just opens doors for other ways to score,” Dempsey said. “Once I hit one or two threes, I know they’re going to start pressing up on me.
“That let’s make drive to the basket or find open teammates.”
Dempsey, a standout pitcher and outfielder in baseball, is part of a family dynasty. His mother, Erin, holds the girls’ school record for rebounds in a game with 26 and career with 948. His father, George, was also an excellent athlete for the Spartans.
This season, Jack has taken on a greater offensive burden with the graduation of Donte Montgomery.
“Last year, I could lay back and have them do the dirty work,” Dempsey said. “Now being a senior, being expected to be the guy, you have to set the tone for everyone else on the team.”
Oak Lawn’s Jack Dempsey (3) goes up for a breakaway layup against Evergreen Park during a South Suburban Red game in Oak Lawn on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026. (Troy Stolt / Daily Southtown)
Along the way, Dempsey has increased his offensive output without suffering a drop in efficiency or effectiveness. He got slimmer and more athletic working on his body in the offseason.
He flashed improved athleticism Friday, especially as a defensive rebounder.
“Everyone knows me for my shooting, but I feel like one of the most underrated aspects of my game is my passing,” Dempsey said. “I love getting other guys open and drawing in defenders.”
He plays a part in the show, but nobody likes to be typecast.
“We all live for these moments where everybody is just cheering you on and going at each other,” Dempsey said. “Playing with my friends and for my coaches is what I love best.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/23/jack-dempsey-oak-lawn-evergreen-park-ihsa-boys-basketball/
Mitchell anota 33 puntos, Mobley suma 29 y atrapa 13 rebotes; Cavs superan 123-118 a Kings
CLEVELAND (AP) — Donovan Mitchell anotó 33 puntos, Evan Mobley igualó su mejor marca de la temporada con 29 y los Cavaliers de Cleveland dieron algunas señales alentadoras al superar el viernes 123-118 a los Kings de Sacramento.
Los Cavs, que han sido irregulares durante gran parte de esta temporada, ganaron por cuarta vez en cinco compromisos. También mejoraron a 16-5 contra equipos con récords perdedores.
El entrenador de Cleveland, Kenny Atkinson, ha estado esperando obtener más consistencia de su equipo, que puede parecer candidato al título una noche y lucir muy débil a la siguiente. Esa tendencia continuó contra los Kings, quienes se recuperaron de un déficit de 11 puntos para tomar una ventaja de 114-113 con cuatro minutos restantes.
Pero Mitchell, quien ha sacado adelante a los Cavs en varios momentos difíciles, encestó un gran triple con 2:29 por jugar para poner a Cleveland arriba 118-114.
Los Kings tuvieron varias oportunidades para acercarse, pero fallaron tres triples consecutivos en el último minuto y el base de los Cavs, Jaylon Tyson, los sentenció al encestar una flotadora con 25,6 segundos por jugar.
Mobley añadió 13 rebotes y siete asistencias en uno de los mejores partidos completos del alero enfocado en la defensa.
Domantas Sabonis anotó 24 puntos con 16 rebotes y seis asistencias para liderar a Sacramento. Recientemente regresó, después de perderse 25 duelos por una lesión de rodilla.
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Deportes AP: https://apnews.com/hub/deportes
Russia’s Planned Revival Of RIC Is Unlikely For Three Reasons
Russia’s Planned Revival Of RIC Is Unlikely For Three Reasons
The Sino-Indo rapprochement is still in its infancy, their territorial disputes remain unresolved, and India is under lots of pressure from the US nowadays.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov declared during his first press conference of the year that Moscow wants to revive the Russia-India-China (RIC) format.
In his words, “[RIC] still exists – though it has not convened in some time – but has not been disbanded. We are working to revive its activities.”
For as well-intentioned as Russia’s plans are, and they make sense since those three are the engines of the global systemic transition to multipolarity, they’re unlikely to be fulfilled for three reasons.
First off, the incipient Sino-Indo rapprochement, which began with their leaders meeting at fall 2024’s BRICS Summit in Kazan and then again at last summer’s SCO Summit in Tianjin, is still in its infancy, revolving mostly around restrained rhetoric towards their unresolved territorial disputes and increased trade. Bilateral ties are moving in the right direction but they’re nowhere near resuming anything resembling the strategic cooperation that their leaders’ participation in another RIC Summit would imply.
The next point is that their unresolved territorial disputes place domestic pressure upon Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to eschew the aforesaid cooperation until they’re settled, ideally in India’s favor with China rescinding its claims and withdrawing from Indian-claimed territory. Meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping twice in as many years was already a bold move in this domestic political context, but resuming strategic cooperation absent a resolution of their disputes might be a bridge too far.
And finally, India is also under lots of pressure from the US nowadays, which is due to Trump’s punitive tariffs on the pretext of India’s continued import of Russian oil and the US’ rapid rapprochement with its Pakistani nemesis. Participating in newly revived RIC talks with Putin and Xi amidst the ongoing Indo-US talks at this very sensitive moment could potentially provoke Trump and might thus lead to a further worsening of their ties. It would therefore be very surprising if Modi were to agree to this anytime soon.
Having explained the three reasons why Russia’s planned revival of the RIC format is unlikely, it nevertheless shouldn’t be ruled out that their respective leaders might meet on the sidelines of this year’s BRICS Summit in India and/or the SCO Summit in Kyrgyzstan. Something as superficial as them being photographed chatting with one another there could suffice as alleged proof that Russia is making progress on this goal even if their small talk has no significance beyond positive optics.
Such was the case on the sidelines of last year’s SCO Summit in Tianjin, which was interpreted by some as an “informal RIC meet” despite nothing of substance being discussed. Russia and the Alt-Media Community, both in general but especially the “Non-Russian Pro-Russians” therein, have an interest in presenting such talks as proof of RIC’s revival for ideological reasons. Premature declarations of this can lead to unrealistic expectations, however, which risk deep disappointment if this never actually happens.
All in all, multipolar processes would further accelerate to the benefit of the World Majority if RIC were revived, but this is unlikely to happen due to the complexity of Sino-Indo relations and US pressure upon India right now. Given the reasonable limits of Russian diplomacy, namely its representatives’ respectful unwillingness to share unsolicited solutions for resolving the Sino-Indo border disputes and inability to influence Indo-US ties, Lavrov’s goal of reviving RIC will probably remain unfulfilled for the time being.
Tyler Durden
Fri, 01/23/2026 – 22:35
https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/russias-planned-revival-ric-unlikely-three-reasons
Gary officer charged with operating vehicle while intoxicated
A Gary Police officer has been placed on unpaid leave following a Jan. 17 arrest for operating a vehicle while intoxicated.
Corporal John H. Artibey Jr. was arrested following an encounter with Indiana State Police on Interstate 94 in Porter County, according to court documents. Artibey, a Chesterton resident and 20-year veteran of the department, was charged with operating while intoxicated with a prior conviction, a Level 6 felony, and misdemeanor operating while intoxicated.
A press release from the Gary Police Department said it took immediate administrative action by placing Artibey on unpaid leave pending the outcome of criminal proceedings and an internal investigation.
“Public trust is the cornerstone of effective policing, and we are committed to preserving it,” said Police chief Derrick Cannon in a statement on Facebook. “This incident is not a reflection of the Gary Police Department as a whole, nor does it diminish the hard work our officers do every day to keep ur city safe. We will continue to serve with the highest standards and professionalism our community deserves.”
Court records show that Artibey pled guilty in 2023 to operating a vehicle with a blood-alcohol concentration between .08 and .15, a Class C misdemeanor. Judge Christopher Buckley sentenced him to 60 days in jail, but he already had credit for 1 day served and Buckley suspended the remainder of the term.
In 2021, Artibey received an Officer of the Year commendation at the District One Law Enforcement Awards, based on his actions when he and another officer rescued a woman who was abducted while walking home from work and dragged into an abandoned building in January 2018, according to Post-Tribune archives.
Hawks remontan y vencen 110-103 a Suns, que pierden a Booker por lesión
PHOENIX (AP) — Jalen Johnson anotó 23 puntos y empató su récord personal con 18 rebotes para su trigésimo doble-doble, la mayor cifra de esta campaña en la NBA, y los Hawks de Atlanta se recuperaron para vencer el viernes 110-103 a los Suns de Phoenix, quienes perdieron a su astro Devin Booker por una lesión en el tobillo derecho.
Onyeka Okungwu sumó 25 puntos a la causa de los Hawks, que estaban detrás 91-84 al final del tercer cuarto pero ganaron impulso después de que Booker se lesionó. La estrella de los Suns anotó la mayor cifra del equipo con 31 puntos y añadió cuatro rebotes y tres asistencias antes de salir del encuentro.
CJ McCollum extendió su racha a 34 partidos anotando 10 puntos o más. Consiguió 21 desde el banquillo y sumó cuatro rebotes. McCollum y Corey Kispert fueron adquiridos en un canje con Washington por Trae Young a principios de enero.
Los Hawks, que superaron a los Suns 26-12 en el cuarto periodo, atinaron un total de 43 de 81 en tiros de campo, incluyendo 13 de 26 desde la línea de tres puntos.
Fue el segundo y último enfrentamiento entre los equipos esta temporada. Atlanta venció a Phoenix 124-122 a mediados de noviembre.
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Deportes AP: https://apnews.com/hub/deportes
32 puntos de Durant ayudan a Rockets a romper la racha de cuatro victorias de Pistons
Associated Press
DETROIT (AP) — Kevin Durant anotó 32 puntos la noche del viernes mientras los Rockets de Houston vencieron 111-104 y pusieron fin a la racha de cuatro victorias consecutivas de los Pistons de Detroit.
Durant promedia 30.6 puntos en 32 partidos de su carrera contra los Pistons, su promedio más alto contra cualquier otro equipo. Añadió siete rebotes y tres asistencias en 40 minutos sin pérdidas de balón.
Alperen Sengun anotó 19 puntos y Reed Shepherd agregó 18 puntos para los Rockets, que han ganado cuatro de cinco. Amen Thompson tuvo 15 puntos, nueve rebotes y siete asistencias para Houston, que había perdido cinco seguidos como visitante.
Jalen Duren lideró a Detroit con 18 puntos y siete rebotes, pero los otros cuatro titulares de Detroit se combinaron para 37 puntos con un 13 de 35 en tiros (37.1%).
Houston superó a Detroit 34-20 en el tercer cuarto para convertir un juego empatado en una ventaja de 86-72. Durant y Sheppard se combinaron para 18 puntos en el cuarto con un siete de ocho en tiros.
La defensa de Houston se destacó al inicio del tercer cuarto, limitando a Cunningham y Duncan Robinson a dos intentos de tiro en los primeros ocho minutos. Los Rockets superaron a Detroit con un 68.4% (13-19) frente a un 36.4% (8-22) en el período.
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Deportes en español AP: https://apnews.com/hub/deportes
