Category: News
Brasileños afectados por suspensión de visas de EEUU expresan frustración, pero mantienen esperanza
Por ELÉONORE HUGHES
RÍO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Los brasileños que sueñan con mudarse a Estados Unidos y obtener una tarjeta de residencia afirman que se sintieron frustrados por la suspensión a las visas de inmigrante que entró en vigor el miércoles. A pesar de todo, intentan mantener un buen ánimo con la esperanza de que la medida sea temporal.
El Departamento de Estado de Estados Unidos anunció la semana pasada que suspenderá el procesamiento de visas de inmigrante para ciudadanos de 75 países, entre ellos Afganistán, Irán, Rusia, Somalia y Brasil. El gobierno del presidente Donald Trump consideró que es probable que los ciudadanos procedentes de estos países requieran de asistencia pública mientras vivan en Estados Unidos.
Esta medida se basa en las prohibiciones a la inmigración y los viajes impuestas anteriormente por la Casa Blanca a ciudadanos de casi 40 países y es parte de los esfuerzos continuos de Trump por endurecer los estándares de entrada a Estados Unidos.
Muchos brasileños reaccionaron con sorpresa y decepción ante la inclusión de su país en la lista. Uno de ellos fue Rodrigo Perenha, cofundador y ejecutivo de la fintech Kamino, quien desea mudarse a Estados Unidos con su esposa y sus dos hijos.
A Perenha, de 44 años, se le rechazó el año pasado su primera solicitud para obtener una visa de inmigración EB-2 NIW —una categoría para candidatos cuyo trabajo podría considerarse de interés nacional para Estados Unidos.
Decidido a intentarlo de nuevo, llevaba meses preparándose para solicitar un tipo diferente de visa destinada a profesionales con una trayectoria destacada cuando se dio a conocer la noticia de la suspensión.
“Llevar a cabo este proceso requiere de mucho trabajo. Debes buscar referencias, pedir ayuda con cartas… Es un proceso muy largo”, señaló. “El sentimiento es de tristeza por todo lo que se hizo y luego, eventualmente, tenerlo congelado sin saber qué va a pasar”.
Ansiedad persistente
Perenha dijo que, no obstante, presentó su solicitud el martes. “A lo que intento aferrarme es a la esperanza de que mi caso esté bien preparado, sólido, que tengo una historia para defenderlo, y que podremos seguir adelante”.
El sitio web de la Embajada de Estados Unidos en Brasil indica que los solicitantes pueden presentar sus solicitudes y asistir a entrevistas, pero que no se emitirán visas a ciudadanos de países como Brasil durante el período de suspensión. La medida no afecta a las personas que buscan ingresar a Estados Unidos de manera temporal, como turistas y estudiantes.
Una cifra récord de 28.050 ciudadanos brasileños recibieron la residencia permanente en Estados Unidos en 2023, según un estudio del despacho de abogados AG Immigration, basándose en datos obtenidos del Departamento de Seguridad Nacional de Estados Unidos (DHS por sus iniciales en inglés). De acuerdo con el estudio, Brasil ocupó el décimo lugar entre los países con el mayor número de solicitudes aprobadas, después de naciones como México, India y Cuba.
Pedro Zava, quien ayuda a personas y empresas que desean emigrar a Estados Unidos a través de AG Immigration, dijo que muchos de sus clientes se quejaron de que aquellos que buscan hacerlo legalmente estaban siendo afectados por el endurecimiento de las medidas migratorias.
“La frase que más escuché fue: ‘Estamos haciendo todo bien, y nos hacen esto’”, comentó Zava, agregando que, si bien la gente ya se ha calmado, la ansiedad persiste.
“País de oportunidades”
Estados Unidos dejó de programar el año pasado nuevas entrevistas de visa para estudiantes extranjeros. Un mes después, el Departamento de Estado anunció el reinicio del proceso para extranjeros que buscan una visa de estudiante, pero que ahora se requerirá que todos los solicitantes desbloqueen sus cuentas de redes sociales para una revisión gubernamental.
“Existe la sensación de que será lo mismo: una suspensión corta con algunos cambios relevantes en los criterios sobre carga pública”, dijo Pedro Drummond, abogado especializado en derecho de inmigración y socio de Drummond Advisors.
Los inmigrantes que buscan ingresar a Estados Unidos ya se someten a un examen médico realizado por un médico aprobado por una embajada de Estados Unidos. Se les examina para detectar enfermedades transmisibles, como la tuberculosis, y se les pide que revelen cualquier antecedente de uso de drogas o alcohol, problemas de salud mental o violencia. También deben contar con una serie de vacunas.
“Lo más probable es que ahora los criterios sean más estrictos que antes, aunque es difícil especular sobre los detalles”, explicó Drummond.
Elcio Vieira, un gerente de proyectos especializado en entornos seguros, también busca obtener una visa EB-2 NIW. Actualmente vive en la ciudad de Sao José dos Campos, en el estado de Sao Paulo, pero le gustaría mudarse a Texas o Florida con su esposa y sus cuatro hijos.
Vieira está reuniendo los documentos antes de presentar una solicitud. Cuando se enteró de la suspensión en la emisión de visas, admitió que se sintió tenso y lleno de incertidumbre. Pero comprende el deseo del gobierno estadounidense por evaluar a los solicitantes. “Lo veo bien. Están creando barreras para prevenir fallas en el proceso, para evitar que la gente lo eluda”, comentó.
Vieira dijo que ya aceptó la demora. “Estados Unidos es un país de oportunidades y voy tras ellas”, afirmó.
___
Esta historia fue traducida del inglés por un editor de AP con la ayuda de una herramienta de inteligencia artificial generativa.
Daily Horoscope for January 22, 2026
General Daily Insight for January 22, 2026
We can open the door for truth. This morning, the emotional Moon harmonizes with expansive Jupiter, heightening our empathy toward others. At 12:14 PM EST, cerebral Mercury conjoins transformative Pluto. Their alignment sharpens our minds and pushes us to ask questions and verbalize what we need out of personal interactions. While intensity rises through afternoon talks, we can avoid being overcome by it through focusing on facts, listening closely, and turning shared challenges into growth opportunities. Give others the benefit of the doubt!
Aries
March 21 – April 19
Current team efforts could require everyone to reveal their intentions. Messenger Mercury is uniting with powerful Pluto, forging a group chat or community project into a focused mission — one that potentially needs your honest direction. You can also keep the mood high (while avoiding overenthusiastic mixed messages or distractions). If a friend resists change, invite them into the decision process to ensure everyone has a chance to offer input. Leadership that allows genuine questions is the best way to keep collaborative projects running.
Taurus
April 20 – May 20
What legacy are you building right now? In your 10th House of Status, academic Mercury conjoins intense Pluto, sharpening your public voice and prompting a serious decision about a role that affects visibility. Your steady pace helps you negotiate — take your time describing your next steps and the reasoning behind them, then follow through with real action. The more you prove yourself, the more trust you’ll earn from others. A practical wardrobe tweak could also strengthen your brand at present. You’re building lasting respect!
Gemini
May 21 – June 20
This afternoon favors bigger-picture thinking moments. From your 9th House of Culture, Mercury and Pluto are broadcasting an astrological itinerary focused around mental growth. Get ready to challenge old assumptions! You may book a ticket somewhere exotic or schedule a meeting with a teacher — either way, make a point of doing at least one new thing. If you’re looking for a simpler way to benefit from this energy, try learning to cook a dish from another culture or watching a foreign film.
Cancer
June 21 – July 22
Deep feelings may collide with practical choices at any moment. With mental Mercury and intimate Pluto pairing up in your 8th house, the astrological deep end, real conversations will probably involve some delicate feelings. Contracts, loan agreements, and other financial entanglements could be the focal point of such discussions. The boundaries around shared money may also be under fire. Listen patiently and ask clear questions without accusation to invite personal relief and social peace. Speak gently and firmly, because safety nurtures real closeness.
Leo
July 23 – August 22
Honest talks can change almost anything in your dearest relationships. In your 7th House of Connections, chatty Mercury meets Pluto, turning a heart-to-heart into a clear pact about needs and how each of you handles conflict. Personal bonds and professional alliances are both equally likely to be involved here. In either scenario, you can take charge with warmth while naming behavior that creates closeness instead of drama. Plan a hang-out session that includes a real conversation, and don’t neglect any promises made during said conversation.
Virgo
August 23 – September 22
Give your loved ones the benefit of the doubt today. The soft Moon is embracing Jupiter in your personable 7th house, easing tension and helping you bridge differences with thoughtful gestures. You might suggest a shared calendar for chores or volunteer to supply dinner — whether you’re cooking it or bringing it home from your pal’s favorite place. In any case, your precision becomes kindness as you clarify expectations and celebrate helpful steps in whatever bonds matter most. Everyday actions keep cooperation strong and sweet.
Libra
September 23 – October 22
This morning spotlights your creative spark. Your energetic 5th house hosts the meeting of Mercury and Pluto, suffusing your hobbies with cosmic delight. Do something that makes you smile, even if others would tell you it’s juvenile or unnecessary. You deserve a chance to indulge in something fun, whether you’re putting together a miniature model, reading comics, doodling on scrap paper, or crafting your lifelong masterpiece. A spontaneous sketch or a short poem for someone dear should be deeply appreciated. Invite love to expand!
Scorpio
October 23 – November 21
Where is joy guiding your focus now? As they tumble through your 5th House of Charm, the Moon and Jupiter align, reopening a door to childlike bliss. Consider watching a beloved childhood movie — it could offer a lot of information about your past mindset (and how it’s affecting your present). You could also invite a friend over to marathon both of your nostalgic favorites. Your natural intensity turns magnetic when you offer it generously and accept the surprises that come from curious questions.
Sagittarius
November 22 – December 21
Curiosity opens doors in everyday exchanges. Within your 3rd House of Local Community, mischievous Mercury combines with dark Pluto, turning conversations into truth-seeking moments that clarify trust and tighten details. You might decide to knock on a door to resolve a misunderstanding or send a message that proposes clearer ground rules for a shared task. When others see that you’re willing to tackle the hard stuff, they may be more likely to listen to what you have to say. Heartfelt words make every bond sturdier.
Capricorn
December 22 – January 19
When ideas meet power, choices solidify. Mercury fuses with Pluto in your money zone, sharpening budget choices and prompting frank talks about fair compensation. If you’re the purchaser, you could be comparing service quotes. If you’re on the other side of the equation, you could probably benefit from upping your rates a little! Even if that isn’t an option right now, you can manage your finances with patience and calm. Look at the numbers as they are, not as you want them to be.
Aquarius
January 20 – February 18
Claim the narrative shaping your day! With Mercury conjoining Pluto in your thoughtful sign, you’re ready to speak courageously and define how you want to be addressed while setting realistic expectations. Your words carry impact, so an introduction to a stranger or setting a simple boundary with a relative could become a statement about your direction. You are innovative by nature, and pairing this originality with focus should make it easier to choose a path and commit. State your truth early.
Pisces
February 19 – March 20
This morning nudges you into gentle motion. With the intuitive Moon harmonizing with lucky Jupiter in your caring sign, any bad mood can be dismissed — especially with the help of the people who care about you. Mutual comfort is possible when everyone is willing to check in with one another about their current needs. In particular, your sign’s characteristic compassion allows others to feel safe around you, which lets you suggest simple changes that help all those affected. Follow that warmth!
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/21/daily-horoscope-for-january-22-2026/
Chicago city worker sentenced to probation after pleading guilty to threatening Illinois state lawmaker
A city of Chicago employee who police say sent a northwest Illinois state lawmaker two threatening emails last year was sentenced to two years’ probation after pleading guilty to a lesser charge of attempting to threaten the elected official, officials said Wednesday.
Joseph Haggerty, an inspector for the city of Chicago’s Buildings Department, sent the emails in September to Republican state Sen. Andrew Chesney of Freeport, indicating he wanted to physically attack him, authorities have said. He had previously been charged with two felony counts of threatening a public official.
Haggerty’s conviction comes amid growing concerns from Republicans and Democrats nationwide that public officials and politicians running for office have increasingly become subject to violence and threats. Records show Haggerty told Illinois State Police he sent the emails to Chesney because he had been “angry a lot lately, especially about politics.”
“Threats against public servants are not protected speech and they will be taken seriously,” Stephenson County State’s Attorney Carl Larson, who prosecuted the case, said in a statement Wednesday. “This resolution reflects the defendant’s accountability for his actions, while also providing a structured path for continued treatment and supervision to reduce the risk of future harm.”
As part of the plea deal, Haggerty was also given a 60-day “stayed jail” sentence, which means he’d have to go to jail if he doesn’t comply with the terms of his probation, Larson said. The deal also requires Haggerty to complete both a drug and alcohol evaluation and a mental health evaluation, and to follow through with any recommended treatment.
Larson said Haggerty has served 15 days in jail and was released to a treatment facility, where he completed a course of treatment. He also issued a written letter of apology as part of this resolution, Larson said. Haggerty is also ordered to have no contact with Chesney, his family or his staff.
“My priority has always been protecting my family and protecting the public,” Chesney said Wednesday in a statement. “I hope this outcome sends a clear message that threats will never be tolerated, while also recognizing that taking responsibility and getting the help you need is the right path forward.”
According to a police report, state police alleged Haggerty sent two threatening emails within a minute of each other to Chesney’s government email address on Sept. 2.
The first email from Haggerty stated he would “love to meet” the senator “on the street anywhere” and explained how he “would cave your f—————— teeth in and make you sip your food through a straw for the rest of you dumb ———hole coward life.” The second email called Chesney “spineless” and contained another threat and insults.
The following day, Chesney told a state police investigator that he didn’t know Haggerty and thought Haggerty might have been responding to an interview the senator did on WLS-Ch. 7 hours before the emails were sent to him.
In that interview for a story about Republican President Donald Trump’s then-plans to send National Guard members to Chicago, Chesney accused Gov. JB Pritzker, Mayor Brandon Johnson and other Illinois Democrats of fostering a “pro-crime, a pro-criminal environment.”
In the report, Haggerty was identified as a city of Chicago employee who works as an “Inspector.” City records show an employee with the same name works as an inspector for the Buildings Department and has an annual salary of $133,431.96.
A spokesperson for the Buildings Department declined to comment on the case Wednesday.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/21/city-worker-sentenced-probation-threats-illinois-lawmaker/
Chicago Bears RBs coach Eric Bieniemy returning to Kansas City Chiefs as offensive coordinator
Chicago Bears running backs coach Eric Bieniemy is set to become the Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator, according to an NFL Network report Wednesday. Bieniemy will resume a role he held in Kansas City from 2018-22.
Bieniemy’s stint with the Bears was brief but productive. In his lone season on coach Ben Johnson’s staff, the Bears went from 25th in the league in rushing in 2024 (102 yards per game) to No. 3 (144.5 ypg).
Bieniemy originally worked his way up the coaching ladder as a running backs coach. He coached Adrian Peterson with the Minnesota Vikings in the mid-2000s, among other high-profile backs.
He was the Chiefs running backs coach from 2013-17. When offensive coordinator Matt Nagy left Kansas City in 2018 to become the Bears head coach, the Chiefs promoted Bieniemy to replace him. Bieniemy won two Super Bowls as the Chiefs coordinator.
Now, with Nagy’s contract expired, the Chiefs are bringing back Bieniemy to once again replace Nagy.
Johnson said during his end-of-season news conference Wednesday that several of his coaches had received interview requests in recent days.
“When you have success and you win games, normally that’s what happens,” Johnson said. “I know we already have some slips coming through that other teams would like to interview some of our guys, and I’m all for it, man. I want these guys to continue to ascend. Anything I can do to help them out, I think they all know I’m more than willing to do that.”
Under Bieniemy’s tutelage, Bears running back D’Andre Swift produced career highs with 1,087 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns. Rookie Kyle Monangai, a seventh-round draft pick, totaled 783 rushing yards and five touchdowns.
“He has meant a lot,” Monangai said of Bieniemy on Monday. “Most of all, he helped me to understand what it takes to be a great running back in this league and the amount of detail, the focus, the preparation and all those things.
“Just learning from him as a running back coach, someone who has been a former OC and has coached great players, he definitely helped me out a lot from OTAs when we first met until now.”
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/21/chicago-bears-eric-bieniemy-kansas-city-chiefs/
Man set fire to girlfriend’s Carpentersville apartment because she wasn’t home, officials say
Prosecutors say an Indiana man charged with arson deliberately set fire to his girlfriend’s Carpentersville apartment because she wasn’t home when he came to see her.
The blaze allegedly started Nov. 29 by Garland H. McGhee III, 30, of Gary, destroyed the entire building at the Meadowvale Apartments complex, 104 Meadowvale Court, and left 24 families without homes, officials said.
McGhee was arrested Jan. 14 and charged with felony aggravated arson, residential arson, arson to real or personal property damage more than $150 and criminal damage with fire more than $100,000.
At a pretrial detention hearing Tuesday, Kane County state’s attorney’s office prosecutors argued that McGhee should be remain in the county jail while his case is pending based on details of the fire learned through the investigation.
Officials say McGhee and a friend drove to the apartment building to see a woman McGhee was dating. However, the woman told him that she was out with a friend and wouldn’t be home, according to court documents.
McGhee allegedly broke into the woman’s apartment and set fire to clothing he found in her bedroom, court documents said.
No one was injured in the blaze, which started on the first floor and spread to the roof, but the building was a total loss, fire officials said.
Kane County Associate Judge Salvatore LoPiccolo granted the prosecution’s detention request, saying he believed McGhee posed a danger to the community and should remain in county custody, documents said. His next court date is scheduled for Jan. 28.
Court records indicate that McGhee is currently on parole for a shooting in Indiana.
Gloria Casas is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/21/arson-fire-carpentersville-mcghee-girlfriend/
Operation Of Australia’s Largest Coal Power Station Extended To 2029
Operation Of Australia’s Largest Coal Power Station Extended To 2029
Authored by Rex Widerstrom via The Epoch Times (emphasis ours),
The 2,880-megawatt Eraring coal-fired power station will continue to operate until 2029, operator Origin Energy has announced.
The facility is the country’s largest power station by output and is situated on the banks of Lake Macquarie, north of Sydney in New South Wales (NSW).
In an announcement to the ASX (pdf), Origin said the move would reduce risks to system security, highlighted by the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) in its recent Transition Plan for System Security.
That report warned that, in NSW alternative energy assets required to “maintain system security are not currently scheduled to be operational before the announced retirement date of Eraring Power Station.”
“We’ve taken the decision to extend Eraring’s operations after assessing a range of factors, including the needs of our customers, market conditions and the important role the plant plays in the NSW energy system,” Origin CEO Frank Calabria said.
“Good progress has been made on the delivery of new energy infrastructure, including major transmission works and projects like our large-scale battery at Eraring, but it has become clear Eraring Power Station will need to run for longer to support [a] secure and stable power supply.”
The decision is aimed at providing more time for the delivery of renewables, storage, and transmission projects, he said. It also reflected uncertainty about the reliability of Australia’s ageing coal and gas fleet.
The company originally planned to close it in 2025, then extended it to August 2027 after the NSW Labor government struck a $450 million risk-sharing deal for the ageing facility, which committed the state to covering a percentage of losses up to $225 million per year if given advance notice by Origin.
About half of Australia’s national electricity grid is powered by black coal-fired power stations such as Eraring.
Government Welcomes Extension
The state’s Minister for Energy Penny Sharpe welcomed the announcement in a statement.
“My number one job is keeping the lights on and putting downward pressure on power prices. NSW is making real progress in replacing ageing coal-fired power stations. Since the election, we have increased the amount of renewable energy capacity in operation by almost 70 percent. That’s equivalent to Eraring’s capacity,” Sharpe said.
“Current energy security projections show NSW is expected to have sufficient energy supply when Eraring closes in 2029, thanks to new renewable generation and storage coming online.
“The agreement reached with Origin in 2024 gets the balance right and has so far not cost NSW taxpayers a single dollar.”
The guarantee is due to expire in August 2027.
Extending Eraring’s life is not expected to affect Origin’s 2030 emissions reduction targets or its long-term ambition to achieve net zero by 2050, the company said.
Beyond 2029, Eraring will remain a part of the National Electricity Market thanks to its battery, the first stage of which commenced commercial operation in 2025, with the final stages expected to come online in the first quarter of 2027. Once all stages are complete, the battery will deliver 700MW, providing an average storage capacity of 4.5 hours.
The power station first started operating in 1984, and Origin paid $75 million to take it over when it was privatised in 2013.
Tyler Durden
Wed, 01/21/2026 – 18:25
https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/operation-australias-largest-coal-power-station-extended-2029
Investigation being conducted into officer-involved shooting in Aurora
A man who Aurora police said was armed with a knife sustained at least one gunshot wound after he was shot by Aurora officers Wednesday afternoon, the police department said in a press release.
At around 12:35 p.m., Aurora Police Telecommunications received a call for a person with a weapon in the 300 block of S. Broadway in Aurora, according to the release.
Responding officers found a man barricaded and armed with a weapon, according to the news release. When the officers encountered the man, he displayed a knife, police said.
Aurora police officers fired shots, and the man sustained at least one gunshot wound, the police department said. Officers then began to render aid until Aurora Fire Department paramedics arrived. The fire department continued to provide emergency medical care to the man.
The police department did not provide information on the man’s condition as of late Wednesday afternoon.
The involved officers were taken to a local hospital for evaluation in accordance with protocol, the release noted.
The Fox Valley Major Crimes Task Force is conducting an investigation into the officers’ actions, per the release.
The Aurora police are encouraging members of the public to come forward with any information about the incident by contacting the Aurora Police Department’s Investigations Division at 630-256-5500.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/21/officer-involved-shooting-aurora-wednesday/
5 things we learned from the Chicago Bears, including Caleb Williams’ second-year evaluation
Now that the Chicago Bears’ season is over, there’s one more thing coach Ben Johnson needs quarterback Caleb Williams to do: Get away from football.
“We had a good exit interview,” Johnson said. “My main message to him was he needs to get out of football a little bit. He’s done a phenomenal job in terms of staying focused all year long.”
“I thought he grew up as a professional. I thought his communication to the coaching staff grew. I thought his communication to his teammates grew. But we will certainly have a number of points of emphasis that he can dive into when he comes back this spring.”
Williams and other players packed up and left Halas Hall on Monday, a day after their postseason ended with a 20-17 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in the divisional round of the playoffs.
Now the offseason begins in earnest for both Johnson, his staff and general manager Ryan Poles, who shared updates and insights during their sessions with the media on Wednesday.
Here are five things we learned.
1. How do you grade Williams?
Bears quarterback Caleb Williams addresses the media Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, at Halas Hall after the season ended with a loss to the Los Angeles Rams in an NFC divisional playoff game. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Teammates gave him high marks for his playmaking abilities, but a lot goes into the duties of a quarterback.
He had his “A” games and his “F” moments, but it’s clear that after his second season he remains an incomplete product.
Some of his final numbers seem almost contradictory in nature:
• Williams broke Erik Kramer’s 30-year-old franchise record for regular-season passing yards (3,838, set in 16 games in 1995) when he threw for 3,942 yards in 17 games.
• Yet Williams failed to come close to Johnson’s goal of 70% completion rate, and in fact, he dropped from 62.5% his rookie year to 58.1%.
• Williams finished second to Jim McMahon (636 in 1985) with 618 passing yards in a single Bears postseason, and his four postseason passing touchdowns ranked second to Sid Luckman (five in 1943).
• Despite a three-interception game against the Rams, he was anything but pick-prone. His 1.2% (2025) and 1.1% (2024) interception rates are the lowest among any Bears quarterbacks with a minimum of eight starts (half a season under the previous format).
• Williams led the NFL and Bears history with seven fourth-quarter comebacks.
• Another sign of a “clutch gene,” Williams tied Detroit’s Jared Goff and Pittsburgh’s Aaron Rodgers for the second-most fourth-quarter touchdown passes with nine, and he was sixth in fourth-quarter passing yards with 1,096.
• However, Williams had the most throwaways (which avoids sacks and interceptions) and topped the league with 109 “poor throws,” according to Stathead. He was second-worst to Minnesota’s J.J. McCarthy (66.5%) in on-target percentage at 69.8% among quarterbacks who started at least eight games.
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) throws the ball in the first quarter of the NFC divisional playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams at Soldier Field on Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)
In his exit interview, Williams said his focus will be on accuracy, including making sure his footwork is consistent.
“We revamped the footwork a little bit last spring. He certainly got more comfortable with the concepts we were running over the course of the season,” Johnson said. “That’s something we can build upon.”
Poles said about Williams’ accuracy, “When you watched his college tape, you knew that some of those wild throws were part of his game.”
However, he was pleased with Williams’ pocket presence. His sacks dropped from 68 as a rookie to 24 as a sophomore.
Wieners Circle crowns a Caleb Williams look-alike as a fitting end to the Chicago Bears playoff run
An improved offensive line arguably gets most of the credit, but it was common to see Williams spin away or hop out of a pass rusher’s grasp at the last second.
“His ability to escape, I think that’s a rare trait that he has,” Poles said. “You saw that come alive.
“With that said, Ben hit it, there’s still a lot of work to be done. But I think he gets you excited about what he can become if he continues on the path he was on before.”
Overall, Johnson is happy with Williams’ growth.
“I’m really encouraged about the steps he took this year,” he said. “I’m Caleb Williams’ No. 1 believer.”
2. Ozzy Trapilo’s injury looks like a long road to return.
Chicago Bears offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo (75) goes in motion on a play in the fourth quarter of a game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Oct. 26, 2025. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Trapilo seemingly had cemented himself as a long-sought solution at left tackle over six regular-season games, but he tore the patellar tendon in his left knee during the wild-card game against the Green Bay Packers.
“It’s really unfortunate because I thought he was really coming along,” Poles said. “I was looking forward to him getting this offseason.
“I don’t have a specific timetable. I’m sure it’ll be deep into next year, with the injury. So, we’ve had a conversation with him. He knows this is part of his journey that he has to overcome. I have a lot of faith in him and our staff to get him back ready to go, whenever that is.”
The Bears have nine players on injured reserve, including three others who would be considered either starters or part of a rotation: linebackers T.J. Edwards (fractured fibula) and Noah Sewell (torn Achilles tendon), defensive lineman Dayo Odeyingbo (Achilles) and Trapilo.
A couple are recent high draft picks with development potential: offensive lineman Kiran Amegadjie (elbow) and defensive lineman Shemar Turner (ACL).
Others on injured reserve include defensive back Terell Smith (knee) and running backs Roschon Johnson (thumb) and Deion Hankins (quadriceps).
“Shemar is doing well. He’s rehabbing,” Poles said. “Dayo, T.J. Smith, (defensive back) Zah Frazier, Kiran, all those guys are progressing to be back this offseason.”
Chicago Bears linebacker T.J. Edwards (53) is carted off the field during the second quarter of an NFC wild-card game against the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field on Jan. 10, 2026, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Frazier, a fifth-round pick last year, spent the season on the non-football injury list for a “personal” reason.
“He’ll be back going into this offseason like everybody else,” Poles said. “He feels like he is in a really good place to develop and move forward.”
Poles said Frazier’s missed time has set him back from his goal of competing for a roster spot.
“He’s got a mountain to climb just for missing so much ball,” he said.
Meanwhile, top cornerback Jaylon Johnson had a “minor” wrist injury, Poles said. “He’ll be fine shortly.”
Offensive lineman Jordan McFadden started at left guard against the Rams when All-Pro Joe Thuney shifted to left tackle in place of Trapilo, but McFadden was playing hurt, Poles said.
“Credit to him and his toughness, (he) had an ankle injury,” he said. “He’s got to get that worked on. He finished the game, which was incredible. But he’ll be back and ready to go at some point this offseason.”
3. The front office faces tough personnel decisions.
Chicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson (left) and free safety Kevin Byard (right) hug on the field while warming up for an NFC wild-card game against the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field in Chicago on Jan. 10, 2026. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Both starting safeties, Kevin Byard III and Jaquan Brisker, and cornerback Nahshon Wright will be unrestricted free agents, along with several key rotation players and reserves on offense and defense.
As Poles endeavors to keep a playoff-caliber roster intact, “you just have more constraints.
“At the same time, I don’t think the process changes. You’re going to identify the guys that fit what we want in our football team, which coach hit, and you just keep trying to acquire those players.
“We know what they look like, we know how they act, we know how they talk, and we’ll continue to do that.”
Byard was a team captain, led the NFL with seven interceptions and was voted to the Pro Bowl and All-Pro rosters.
“Kevin’s a special player,” Poles said. “I have no problem saying that’s a player that we would like to have back. But, again, when you add the other safeties into that mix and all the other decisions we have across the roster, with cap restraints and things like that, it’ll be a challenge.
“But that’s part of what we do.”
4. Right tackle Darnell Wright kept improving.
Chicago Bears offensive tackle Darnell Wright (58) blocks Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter (98) in the fourth quarter of a game at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Nov. 28, 2025. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
The GM said the 2023 first-round draft pick benefited from the upgrades to the interior lines, which brought in Thuney, center Drew Dalman and Jonah Jackson, Wright’s partner at right guard.
“It was steady through the season,” Poles said. “I think that’s one thing we’ve challenged him is the consistency part. I think there’s some ups and downs every once in a while, but when he strings it together it’s really, really good and it’s going to help us win football games.”
Notable this season were some of Wright’s highlight-reel pancake blocks.
He drove Cincinnati Bengals first-round rookie Shemar Stewart so far into the second level that Wright took out teammate DJ Moore, too.
Later, he flattened Eagles defensive lineman Jalen Carter, who was drafted ninth overall in ’23, one spot ahead of Wright.
“I love watching him come off the ball and move people,” Poles said. “And when he has this confidence and belief in himself that he’s the best on the field, I think he can be one of the best to do it.
“He just has to show up and continue to put that work in and get there.”
5. The Bears will be looking for more consistent ways to win.
Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet (85) makes the game-tying touchdown catch against the Los Angeles Rams in the final seconds of the fourth quarter Jan. 18, 2026, in an NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Certainly, NFL fans enjoyed the memes and the replays of the Bears’ crazy comebacks — seven game-winning rallies, including the playoffs.
After all, those frenetic rallies gave us dramatic game-winning touchdowns (see Colston Loveland and Moore — twice) as well as mind-blowing passes, such as the “Jumpman” throw by Williams on a fourth-and-8 against the Packers.
Poles would rather have more wins that are boring by comparison. That would be one of the best ways to avoid taking a step backward next season.
Gov. JB Pritzker’s office inks new deal with outside lawyer to advise in Chicago Bears stadium talks
“I heard the whole ‘Cardiac Bear’ thing,” he said. “I’d rather not be the Cardiac Bears. But if that’s what that game needs, then that’s what you need to do.
“I don’t think you want to be living on the edge all the time, but I think what you can take from this season was that we were able to have poise down the stretch of games and be poised to finish and guys made plays when they needed to be made. I don’t think that’s a characteristic that you should ever shy away from.”
Still, he did enjoy watching Williams’ rainbow to Cole Kmet in the corner of the end zone to tie the Rams on fourth-and-4 after Williams backpedaled to the 40-yard line before launching it.
“I couldn’t believe it,” Poles said. “It was a ridiculous throw, and that’s a credit to him and his genetics and his arm, his ability to create and pocket awareness.”
Poles drafted Williams first overall out of USC knowing he possessed improvisational talent, but the arm strength Williams displayed while throwing on the run made others on the team marvel.
“I think this year, I realized how athletic he is,” Poles said. “Like, I knew he was a good athlete. He’s a little awkward in his movements, but it’s unique in the way that he can get out of things and move his body, so he’ll continue to get better and lean into the traits that he has.”
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/21/chicago-bears-caleb-williams-evaluation/
Republicans and some Democrats back contempt for the Clintons in House Epstein probe
WASHINGTON — A House committee advanced resolutions Wednesday to hold former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in contempt of Congress over the Jeffrey Epstein investigation, opening the prospect of the House using one of its most powerful punishments against a former president for the first time.
In bipartisan votes, the Republican-controlled House Oversight Committee approved the contempt of Congress charges, setting up potential votes in the House early next month. In a rare departure from party lines, some Democrats supported the contempt measures against the Clintons, with several progressive lawmakers emphasizing the need for full transparency in the Epstein investigation.
The votes were the latest turn in the Epstein saga as Congress investigates how the late financier was able to sexually abuse dozens of teenage girls for years.
“No witness, not a former president or a private citizen, may willfully defy a congressional subpoena without consequence. But that is what the Clintons did and that is why we are here,” Rep. James Comer, the chairman, said at the session on Wednesday.
The repercussions of contempt charges loomed large, given the possibility of a substantial fine and even incarceration. Still, there were signs of a potential thaw as the Clintons appeared to be searching for an off-ramp to testify. In addition, passage of contempt charges through the full House was far from guaranteed, requiring a majority vote — something Republicans increasingly struggle to achieve.
The Clintons have said they had nothing to do with Epstein for decades and are seeking a resolution to the dispute. This week, they offered to have the committee leadership and staff interview Bill Clinton in New York.
Comer rejected that offer Tuesday, insisting that any interview also have an official transcript.
What do lawmakers want to know from the Clintons?
The push in Washington for a reckoning over Epstein has shown details of the connections between the wealthy financier and both Bill Clinton and Trump, among many other high-powered men. Epstein killed himself in 2019 in a New York jail cell while awaiting trial.
Bill Clinton, President Donald Trump and many others connected to Epstein have not been accused of wrongdoing. Yet lawmakers are wrestling over who receives the most scrutiny.
A spokesman for the Clintons, Angel Ureña, said on social media that the Clintons are trying to help the Epstein investigation but that “both Clintons have been out of office for over a decade. Neither had anything to do with him for more than 20 years.”
Behind the scenes, longtime Clinton lawyer David Kendall has tried to negotiate an agreement with Comer for months. Kendall raised the prospect of having the Clintons testify on Christmas and Christmas Eve, according to the committee’s account of the negotiations.
The Clintons, who contend the subpoenas are invalid because they do not serve any legislative purpose, have also offered the committee written declarations about their interactions with Epstein.
How Democrats are approaching the issue
Democrats have largely been focused on advancing the investigation into Epstein rather than mounting a defense of the Clintons, who led their party for decades. They agreed that Bill Clinton should inform the committee if he has any pertinent information about Epstein’s abuses.
A wealthy financier, Epstein donated to Bill Clinton’s 1992 presidential campaign and Hillary Clinton’s joint fundraising committee ahead of her 2000 Senate campaign in New York.
“No president or former president is above the law,” the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, Rep. Robert Garcia, said at the hearing.
On Wednesday, Democrats tried to advance several changes to the contempt of Congress charges. Several argued that Hillary Clinton should be exempted because she has said she had very little personal interaction with Epstein. Democratic lawmakers also tried to downgrade the contempt of Congress resolution to a civil rather than criminal offense.
Democrats spent the hearing criticizing Comer for focusing on the Clintons when the Justice Department is running a month late on a congressionally-mandated deadline to publicly release its case files on Epstein. Comer has also allowed several former attorneys general to provide the committee with written statements attesting to their limited knowledge of the case.
The committee had also subpoenaed Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s longtime confidant, who is serving a lengthy prison sentence for a conviction on sex trafficking charges. But Comer declined to press for the interview after Maxwell’s attorney indicated she would invoke Fifth Amendment rights in any deposition.
“It’s interesting that it’s this subpoena only that Republicans and the chairman have been obsessed about putting all their energy behind,” Garcia said.
Comer said the committee will interview Maxwell next month. Attorney General Pam Bondi will also appear before the House Judiciary Committee in February.
In the end, nine Democrats voted with all Republicans on the committee to advance contempt against Bill Clinton, and three Democrats — Reps. Summer Lee of Pennsylvania, Melanie Stansbury of New Mexico and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan — joined in the vote to advance the contempt resolution for Hillary Clinton.
Democrats embraced the call for full transparency on Epstein after Trump’s return to the White House, particularly after Bondi stumbled on her promise to release the entirety of the unredacted Epstein files to the public. The backlash scrambled traditional ideological lines, leading Republicans to side with Democrats demanding further investigation.
The pressure eventually resulted in a bipartisan subpoena from the committee that ordered the Justice Department and Epstein’s estate to release files related to Epstein. Republicans quickly moved to include the Clintons in the subpoena.
Comer has indicated that he will insist that the subpoena be fulfilled by nothing less than a transcribed deposition of Bill Clinton.
“They’re going to have two weeks until this bill is on the floor,” he said Wednesday
How contempt proceedings have been used
Contempt of Congress proceedings are rare, used historically as a last resort when lawmakers are trying to force testimony for high-profile investigations, such as the infamous inquiry during the 1940s into alleged Communist sympathizers in Hollywood or the impeachment proceedings of President Richard Nixon.
Most recently, Trump’s advisers Peter Navarro and Steve Bannon were convicted of contempt charges for defying subpoenas from a House panel investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, riot by a mob of the Republican president’s supporters at the Capitol. Both Navarro and Bannon spent months in prison.
The Jan. 6 committee also subpoenaed Trump in its inquiry. Trump’s lawyers resisted the subpoena, citing decades of legal precedent they said shielded ex-presidents from being ordered to appear before Congress. The committee ultimately withdrew its subpoena.
No former president has ever been successfully forced to appear before Congress, although some have voluntarily appeared.
But some Republicans said they should face the same consequences for refusing to testify as Bannon and Navarro.
Rep. Andy Biggs, an Arizona Republican, said on social media that if the Clintons “aren’t perp walked, we will have failed the American people.”
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/21/clintons-contempt-epstein-probe/
Oklo Upgraded At BofA On Meta Deal
Oklo Upgraded At BofA On Meta Deal
Bank of America upgraded Oklo from Neutral to Buy following Meta’s recent, massive nuclear deal. According to the BofA report (available to pro subs), Meta’s agreement with the hyperscaler provides investors with “tangible evidence advanced nuclear is moving from concept to execution.”
Meta prepaid $25 million for Phase 1 of Oklo‘s nuclear campus construction in Ohio for approximately 150 MW of energy. The funding is expected to be used for fuel procurement, site preparation, and early development ahead of final PPAs.
With 16 reactors expected to come online between 2030 and 2036, this drives BofA’s 2036 targets to $5.9 billion in revenue (vs. $5.5 billion prior), 117 units (vs. 111 prior), and 6.7 GW deployed (vs. 6.3 GW prior), leading to a price target of $127, up from $111 prior.
BofA analyst Dimple Gosai, who covers US cleantech at the bank, highlights the sequencing of a ramp to 1.2 GW thanks to the Meta deal, which moves “Oklo‘s opportunity set from ‘conceptual’ to ‘actively financed’ development.”
The bank also expects longer-dated cashflow thanks to continued progress on fuel supply and licensing. Specifically for the Ohio nuclear campus, Phase 1 is projected at 150 MW from two reactors online in 2030/31, Phase 2 adding two more reactors in 2032/33, Phase 3 adding four reactors in 2033/34, and finally Phase 4 adding eight reactors in 2035/36.
BofA has yet to take into account any of the fuel recycling potential with regards to the mega-project announced for Tennessee. The campus in Tennessee is expected to include recycling and reprocessing facilities to convert used nuclear fuel from traditional reactors into fuel for Oklo‘s fast-spectrum Aurora reactors, as well as process plutonium for use in their Pluto reactor design. Pluto reactors are expected to be deployed at the recycling site in Tennessee as well.
Oklo also has multiple other projects, including the Air Force has in Alaska and likely many other hyperscaler deals on the horizon.
Not long ago, OpenAI boss Sam Altman left Oklo’s board to preclude any conflicts of interest, hinting at a possible deal on the horizon with OpenAI.
The positive news still need to be counterbalanced with potential construction and operation headaches of these novel reactor designs. While it is not the first time the US has constructed sodium reactors, the time it takes to achieve operational proficiency and maintain availability greater than 90%, similar to the current commercial fleet, could take years or even decades.
More in the full note available to pro subs.
Tyler Durden
Wed, 01/21/2026 – 18:00
https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/oklo-upgraded-bofa-meta-deal











