Category: News
US expands list of countries whose citizens must pay up to $15,000 bonds to apply for visas
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration has added seven countries, including five in Africa, to the list of nations whose passport holders are required to post bonds of up to $15,000 to apply to enter the United States.
Thirteen countries, all but two of them in Africa, are now on the list, which makes the process of obtaining a U.S. visa unaffordable for many.
The State Department last week quietly added Bhutan, Botswana, the Central African Republic, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Namibia and Turkmenistan to the list. Those designations took effect on Jan. 1, according to a notice posted on the travel.state.gov website.
It’s the latest effort by the Trump administration to tighten requirements for entry to the U.S., including requiring citizens from all countries that require visas to sit for in-person interviews and disclose years of social media histories as well as detailed accounts of their and their families’ previous travel and living arrangements.
U.S. officials have defended the bonds, which can range from $5,000 up to $15,000, maintaining they are effective in ensuring that citizens of targeted countries do not overstay their visas.
Payment of the bond does not guarantee a visa will be granted, but the amount will be refunded if the visa is denied or when a visa holder demonstrates they have complied with the terms of visa.
The new countries covered by the requirement join Mauritania, Sao Tome and Principe, Tanzania, Gambia, Malawi and Zambia, which were all placed on the list in August and October of last year.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/05/us-pay-bonds-apply-visa/
Hegseth Censures Sen. Kelly For Participation In Video Calling On Troops To Defy Orders
Hegseth Censures Sen. Kelly For Participation In Video Calling On Troops To Defy Orders
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Monday that he will issue a letter of censure to Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) over the senator’s participation in a video released in November urging U.S. troops to resist “unlawful orders” made by the president. Sen. Elissa Slotkin and Reps. Chris Deluzio, Maggie Goodlander, Chrissy Houlahan, and Jason Crow, all veterans of the military and intelligence community, also participated in the video.
“We want to speak directly to members of the Military and the Intelligence Community,” Sen. Slotkin said in a post accompanying the video. “The American people need you to stand up for our laws and our Constitution. Don’t give up the ship.”
“Our laws are clear, you can refuse illegal orders,” Kelly and others state in the video, without explaining how the Trump administration had violated the Constitution.
We want to speak directly to members of the Military and the Intelligence Community.
The American people need you to stand up for our laws and our Constitution.
Don’t give up the ship. pic.twitter.com/N8lW0EpQ7r
— Sen. Elissa Slotkin (@SenatorSlotkin) November 18, 2025
“Six weeks ago, Senator Mark Kelly — and five other members of Congress — released a reckless and seditious video that was clearly intended to undermine good order and military discipline,” Hegseth said in a post on X.
“As a retired Navy Captain who is still receiving a military pension, Captain Kelly knows he is still accountable to military justice. And the Department of War — and the American people — expect justice.”
The Department of War has begun retirement grade determination proceedings under 10 U.S.C. § 1370(f), which could result in a reduction of Kelly’s retired rank and corresponding pay. Hegseth also issued a formal Letter of Censure, citing Kelly’s “reckless misconduct” and placing it permanently in his military personnel file.
“Captain Kelly has been provided notice of the basis for this action and has thirty days to submit a response,” Hegseth explained. “The retirement grade determination process directed by Secretary Hegseth will be completed within forty-five days.”
According to Hegseth, it wasn’t just Kelly’s participation in the video that prompted this censure. “These actions are based on Captain Kelly’s public statements from June through December 2025 in which he characterized lawful military operations as illegal and counseled members of the Armed Forces to refuse lawful orders,” Hegseth explained. “This conduct was seditious in nature and violated Articles 133 and 134 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, to which Captain Kelly remains subject as a retired officer receiving pay.”
He added that “Captain Kelly’s status as a sitting United States Senator does not exempt him from accountability, and further violations could result in further action.”
Even members of the mainstream media acknowledged that Kelly, Slotkin, and the others had implied that President Trump had already issued illegal orders. However, when pressed on this issue by ABC’s Martha Raddatz, Slotkin not only admitted that Trump had never issued any illegal orders, but that she couldn’t define what “illegal orders” meant.
“It was basically a warning to say, like, if you’re asked to do something particularly against American citizens, you have the ability to go to your JAG officer and push back,” Slotkin explained to Raddatz.
But that’s not what the members of Congress said in the video. Raddatz called her out for this.
“Couldn’t you have done a video saying just what you just said?” Raddatz asked. “If you are asked to do something—if you are worried about whether it is legal or not—you can do this. It does imply that the president is having illegal orders, which you have not seen.”
Slotkin also admitted that even though she and the other members of Congress who participated in the video told troops to defy “illegal orders” that she couldn’t define what that meant.
“It is very clear that no one should follow an illegal order, but it’s very murky when you look at what is an illegal order.”
Elissa Slotkin ADMITS Democrats lied about President Trump issuing illegal orders to the military:
ABC: “Do you believe President Trump has issued any illegal orders?”
SLOTKIN: “To my knowledge I am not aware of things that are illegal.” pic.twitter.com/63F8AHkK7E
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) November 23, 2025
Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) responded to the censure by calling Kelly a “hero and a patriot” in a post on X.
“Mark Kelly is a hero and a patriot committed to serving the American people. Pete Hegseth is a lap dog committed to serving one man – Donald Trump,” he claimed. “This is a despicable act of political retribution. I stand with Sen. Kelly, who will always do the right thing no matter the consequences.”
Tyler Durden
Mon, 01/05/2026 – 13:45
Mamdani’s NYC Tenant Czar Called To ‘Seize Private Property,’ Calls Home Ownership “White Supremacy”
Mamdani’s NYC Tenant Czar Called To ‘Seize Private Property,’ Calls Home Ownership “White Supremacy”
NYC Mayor Zorhan Mamdani’s newly appointed tenant advocate called to “seize private property” and called home ownership a “weapon of white supremacy” in several posts on her now-deleted X account.
“Seize private property!” tweeted Cea Weaver on June 13, 2018.
In another tweet from August 2019, she said “Private property including any kind of ESPECIALLY homeownership is a weapon of white supremacy.”
In December, she pushed to “Elect more communists” while a street in Harlem was being renamed after former communist Rep. Vito Marchantonio of Manhattan.
In May of 2020 she slammed law enforcement following the death of George Floyd, writing “The Police Are Just People The State Sanctions To Murder W[ith] Immunity.”
NYC Mayor Mamdani’s Tenant Director, Cea Weaver:
“We’ll transition from treating property as an individual good to a collective good. Whites especially will be impacted.” pic.twitter.com/RZSdCs8oEa
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) January 5, 2026
Weaver is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, and was formerly a campaign coordinator for Housing Justice For All before serving as an adviser to Mamdani’s campaign last year, the NY Post reports.
In 2019 she lobbied the state’s Democratic-run legislature to tighten the city’s rent stabilization laws, which one major property told the Post was misguided.
“Without landlords how to do you build and maintain housing? You think the government is going to do it? Look at NYCHA [New York City Housing Authority complexes],” said Humberto Lopes, founder and CEO of the Gotham Housing Alliance.
“You put a system in place to destroy landlords. Why are you shitting on us?“
Tyler Durden
Mon, 01/05/2026 – 13:05
Man found dead on CTA bus after South Side shooting: police report
When Chicago police boarded a CTA bus late Sunday night in Englewood, they found a man at the front of the bus with a fatal gunshot wound to the right side of his torso, authorities said.
According to a police report obtained by the Tribune, the shooting occurred at a Shell gas station just behind a bus stop at the intersection of Garfield Boulevard and South Halsted Street. In a statement, Chicago police said a man in a white SUV had fired at the victim, aged 43, while driving past the intersection.
The wounded man then got on the bus just after 10:20 p.m., the report stated. The driver called 911 and met police four blocks south, at 59th and Halsted.
Officers found eight shell casings of different sizes, two live rounds and one bullet at the scene of the shooting, per the police report.
The man was pronounced dead at University of Chicago Medical Center, police said. His identity wasn’t publicly available as of Monday morning as the Wentworth Area homicide investigation continued.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/05/man-found-dead-on-cta-bus/
Community news: Educational programs, weight loss and more
Lake County employees spread Christmas cheer
Lake County Assessor’s Office and E911 center employees worked to spread a little holiday cheer by sponsoring Angel Trees for local residents of the Colonial Nursing Home as well as children from the Crown Point St. Jude House. Lake County Assessor LaTonya Spearman and her staff filled some of the wish lists of 26 clients of the Raindrops Rising Foundation of Northwest Indiana. Jess Kern, advocate, founder, and board president of the organization, accepted donations of toys, clothing, and other items for clients whose wish lists were recorded on ornaments that Assessor’s Office staff helped fill. Raindrops Rising Foundation of Northwest Indiana supports victims of human trafficking and sexual violence.
Purdue Extension hosts educational programs
Purdue Extension–Lake County, Health and Human Sciences, will offer three educational programs in the coming weeks. All programs will be held at the Purdue Extension – Lake County office, 2291 N. Main St., Crown Point. “Cooking With an Air Fryer” will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. Thursday. This program is designed to introduce participants to the safe and effective use of air fryers, with a focus on food safety and healthier cooking methods. Register at: https://tinyurl.com/2026AirFry. “Train Your Brain: Nutrition, Neurobics, and Notable Ways to Keep Your Brain Healthy” will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Jan. 13. Participants will learn how to lower the risks of cognitive decline and dementia by adopting healthy lifestyle choices, such as regular exercise, social interactions and a healthy diet. Register at: https://tinyurl.com/Brain13Jan. A ServSafe Food Manager one-day class and exam, will be offered from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 4. ServSafe educates food service workers about food safety. ServSafe Food Protection Manager is the highest ServSafe certification. Register at: https://cvent.me/MO09gL. Space may be limited. Interested individuals are encouraged to register early to secure their spot. For more information or questions, contact Purdue Extension-Lake County at 219-755-3240 or email lcurley@purdue.edu. Those in need of an interpreter, translator or accommodations to attend these programs should contact Curley at lcurley@purdue.edu or call 219-755-3240.
Northwest Health offers weight loss surgery seminar
Andrew Martin, M.D., a bariatric and general surgeon with Northwest Health, will host a seminar that explores weight loss surgery options, compares bariatric surgery with GLP-1 medications, and explains how both approaches may complement each other. “Bariatric Surgery and Long-Term Health: What You Need to Know in the GLP-1 Era,” will take place from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Jan. 19 at Northwest Health – Porter, Community Room, 85 E. U.S. Highway 6, Valparaiso. The seminar will explore: how bariatric surgery works; the health benefits beyond weight loss; and recovery timelines, lifestyle changes and success strategies. The event is part of the Northwest Health HealthyU series, a community program that provides free seminars on various health and wellness topics. Registration is encouraged at NWHinfo.com/WeightLoss.
Waste Reduction District, library host Fix-It Fair
The Recycling and Waste District of Porter County will host a Fix-It Fair, a community-driven event focused on sustainability and skill-sharing. This free event will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 17 at the Valparaiso Branch of the Porter County Public Library System, 103 Jefferson St., Valparaiso. The Fix-It Fair is designed to help community members breathe new life into their beloved but broken items, rather than discarding them. Expert volunteers will be on hand to offer free repair services and guidance for a wide variety of items, including, but not limited to: sewing and clothing; jewelry; small appliances; IT troubleshooting and computers; electronics; clocks and lamps; and tools and small furniture. Attendees are asked to register at https://portercountyrecycling.org/fix-it-fairs/ to ensure volunteers are prepared to make appropriate repairs. The Fix-It Fair is free and open to the public, but registration is required. For further information, contact Sarah at sarah@portercountyrecycling.org.
Purdue Extension holds basic horticulture course
Purdue Extension-Lake County will offer a seven-week “Get Growing” program in a live virtual format from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday evenings Feb. 10 through March 24. Register at https://web.cvent.com/event/5f30aa0d-9d78-49c1-98c7-66488f4b86e2/summary. Payment is $40 and is due Feb. 1. Topics will range from “How Plants Grow: Basic Botany” to “What’s Pestering Your Garden.” Other topics include “Woody Landscape Plants,” “Vegetable Gardening,” “Fantastic Flower Gardening,” “Lawn Care,” and “Native Plants 101.” For more information, accommodations assistance, an interpreter or translator, contact Dolly Foster at dolly@purdue.edu or call 219-755-3240 by Jan. 27.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/05/community-news-educational-programs-weight-loss-and-more/
Social Security Will Be Insolvent In Six Years. What’s Congress Going To Do?
Social Security Will Be Insolvent In Six Years. What’s Congress Going To Do?
Authored by Mike Shedlock via MishTalk.com,
Congress last made major Social Security changes 43 years ago…
The Wall Street Journal reports The Next Class of Senators Won’t Be Able to Dodge the Social Security Crunch
After years of Congress sidestepping and postponing the issue, the lawmakers will have to confront the program’s challenges before their new six-year terms conclude. Recent projections pegged late 2032 as the moment when Social Security’s reserves and incoming tax revenue won’t yield enough money to pay full benefits.
Failure to act would trigger automatic benefit cuts. Acting is no picnic either, because raising revenue or reducing promised payments could be politically painful.
The math is brutal for the program known for many years as the third rail of American politics. Social Security owes lifetime benefits to the huge generation of baby boomers who are already retired or almost there. That commitment locks in costs that are virtually impossible to dislodge and puts younger workers and future retirees on course for tax increases, benefit reductions or both.
Congress last made major Social Security changes 43 years ago in a less partisan Washington, staving off insolvency with just months to spare by adopting tax increases and benefit cuts intended to make the program last 75 years. Since then, Americans have been bracing for more changes, with polls showing many doubt they will get their full checks.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R., S.C.), seeking his fifth term this year, said the 1983 agreement between Republican President Ronald Reagan and Democratic House Speaker Tip O’Neill is the model.
“I’m willing to do my part,” Graham said. “You’ve got to look at age adjustments, you know, means-testing benefits. You’ve got to put it all on the table.” Asked about taxes, he repeated: “All on the table.”
President Trump has repeatedly ruled out Social Security benefit cuts, breaking from many Republicans’ openness to the idea. The debate has been mostly dormant for a decade, and the program now requires larger changes to preserve solvency because smaller options that accumulate over time no longer yield enough money.
Huge program runs short
Congress and Democratic President Franklin Roosevelt created Social Security during the Great Depression to prevent poverty among older Americans; it is now the largest federal program. In the latest fiscal year, the U.S. paid $1.6 trillion in Social Security benefits, which is 22% of federal spending and almost double the military budget.
Social Security is funded largely with payroll taxes split between workers and employers. People receive payments after retiring or becoming disabled, getting amounts linked to their earnings history. The program also pays survivor benefits to spouses and children of workers who die. The average monthly retiree payment is about $2,000.
Tax increases and benefit cuts?
Social Security is excluded from the simple-majority budget process Congress used for recent partisan fiscal laws such Trump’s tax cuts, meaning any bill would require 60 votes in the Senate. Any durable bipartisan solution will likely have tax increases and cuts to future payouts.
There is no shortage of ideas. On the tax side, the prime target is the cap on the 12.4% payroll tax. Currently, wages and self-employment income above $184,500 are exempt from the tax, with the figure rising annually with inflation. That tax now covers about 83% of earnings, down from about 90% just after the 1983 changes.
Just eliminating the cap would cut Social Security’s long-run deficits in half. Taxing earnings above $250,000 and tying no new benefits to those earnings would remove about two-thirds of the shortfall, but that approach would change Social Security’s basic architecture that links taxes paid with benefits earned. Both options would sharply raise top marginal tax rates.
Raising the cap and devoting the money to Social Security is probably one of the few palatable ways Congress could get significant revenue from high earners outside the top 1%, said Kathleen Romig, director of Social Security and disability policy at the progressive Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
On the benefit side, the system is progressive, replacing a greater share of income for workers with lower lifetime earnings than higher earners. Lawmakers trying to protect people who rely on Social Security as their main income source could alter calculations so higher earners get less money than under current rules.
“It makes sense to rethink what the benefit formula looks like,” Romig said, especially because higher-income retirees likely have significant savings in 401(k)-style plans.
Lawmakers could also increase the basic retirement age. The 1983 changes pushed that to 67 from 65. Romina Boccia, director of budget and entitlement policy at the libertarian Cato Institute, said she would keep that going up to 70, then link the retirement age to longevity.
Other ideas are out there too. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R., La.) is pitching a $1.5 trillion sovereign-wealth fund. General revenue would pay Social Security benefits for the next 75 years, then the new fund would reimburse those costs.
“Let’s get it done before it is too late,” said Cassidy, who is running for his third term.
Amid concerns about solvency, some Democrats have proposed minimum benefit increases. Warner said one possibility could be raising benefits for the bottom 20% of workers. That could be a political sweetener for any deal—but it would require more money that needed to simply make the fund solvent.
Sen. Jeff Merkley (D., Ore.), who is running for a fourth term this year, has co-sponsored a bill from Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.) that would increase minimum benefits and expand the payroll tax to cover high earners and investment income. In his town halls, Merkley said, raising the tax cap is particularly popular.
“We will solve this problem because it has to be solved,” Merkley said. “Even if it is in the ugliest possible fashion at the last second, it will be solved.”
Social Security Fairness Act
Instead of reforming Social Security to make it more solvent, this Congress made Social Security less solvent by extending benefits to the least deserving, that being public unions.
The bill was inappropriately named the Social Security Fairness Act. Cynics may suggest the name was perfect on grounds bills generally do the opposite of their name.
CATO discusses What the Social Security Fairness Act Tells Us About the Likely Future of Social Security Reform
Passing the so-called Social Security Fairness Act sends a clear message about how Washington approaches Social Security reform—and it’s a disturbing one. Congress and President Biden have chosen to ignore all expert advice, cater to organized special interest groups, and burden younger taxpayers with increasingly unaffordable costs.
Instead of sensible policy reforms that better align Social Security benefits with the ability of workers to pay for them, Congress will want to take the path of least resistance. Without significant public pressure to do the right thing, expect a multi-trillion-dollar general revenue transfer (meaning added borrowing) come trust fund depletion, and perhaps superficial fixes like the federal government borrowing money today to ‘invest’ to generate revenue from speculative gains tomorrow.
The Social Security Fairness Act increases the program’s financing gap yet further. Funding this policy with additional payroll taxes would burden 180 million workers with an additional $68 in annual taxes to fund higher benefits for 3 million public sector workers and their spouses by unfairly manipulating the Social Security benefit formula to their advantage. This is a textbook example of Mancur Olson’s theory of collective action, where small, concentrated groups secure disproportionate benefits at the expense of a diffuse majority.
The repeal of the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset creates outsized benefits for workers who had significant earnings that were exempt from payroll taxes compared to those who paid Social Security taxes over their entire careers. For example, economist Larry Kotlikoff highlights a schoolteacher whose lifetime benefits will soar by $830,625 (!) under this law, with her annual retirement benefit more than doubling and her widow’s benefit nearly tripling.
Congressional Republicans’ support for this expensive change likely stems from a political calculation. For a long time, backing the bill seemed like a low-cost way to curry favor with police and firefighter unions, key constituents in many members’ voter base without serious worry that the bill would pass. It took 24 years from when a version of the Social Security Fairness Act was first introduced in 2001 (with a congressional hearing held in 2003) to it being signed by President Biden on January 5, 2025.
The Wall Street Journal suggests the timing—a post-election passage—points to a political payoff for groups like the International Association of Fire Fighters, which lobbied heavily for the measure and declined to endorse Kamala Harris for president (after endorsing Joe Biden in 2020).
If Congress can’t say no to popular and shortsighted benefit increases, how will it tackle the tougher job of making Social Security long-term solvent? The sad truth is that politicians probably won’t even try—at least not until the crisis is too close to ignore.
It’s easy to blame Biden for this but Republicans had to go along or the unfairness act would never would have cleared the Senate.
And as for doing something now, Trump does not want to do anything.
What Will Happen?
A strong possibility is free money. By that I mean no changes other than to guarantee benefits without raising revenue.
Don’t worry. CATO reports the cost would only be $25 trillion over the next 75 years—after taxpayers have repaid the payroll tax surpluses that previous Congress squandered, with interest.
Basically, Congress would simply tell the Treasury to keep selling bonds to finance Social Security benefits, even after the so-called trust fund is depleted.
US Population 2010 vs 2024
US Population in 2010 and 2024. Data from Population Pyramid, chart by Mish.
Lasting Until 2032 is Optimistic
Nobody has factored in recession and the accompanying reduction in FICA tax collection.
Insolvency in 5 years would not at all be surprising.
Tyler Durden
Mon, 01/05/2026 – 12:45
Company plans $58M in upgrades to Waukegan plant: ‘(This) demonstrates confidence in our region’
AkzoNobel, a global Netherlands-based paint manufacturer with ties to Alfred Nobel, who endowed the peace prize bearing his name, plans to invest more than $58 million to upgrade its Waukegan aerospace coatings plant, one of the few factories remaining at the city’s lakefront.
Already the company’s largest aerospace coatings facility making exterior and interior coatings for commercial, military and private airplanes, the two-phase project will increase capacity and add more automated processes, according to a news release from the company.
Patrick Bourguignon, the company’s director of automotive and specialty coatings, said in the release that AkzoNobel plans to take advantage of projected trends in the industries it serves.
“This investment will increase our comprehensive North American supply,” Bourguignon said in the release. “Demand for air travel is expected to grow significantly over the next few years and we want to make sure our customers are able to meet that demand with aircraft of the highest quality.”
AkzoNobel announced its plans to upgrade its Waukegan factory and build a warehouse in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, further increasing its manufacturing capacity locally on Dec. 18 in the Netherlands, adding to business growth in northeast Lake County.
AkzoNobel came to Waukegan in 1999 and employs approximately 200 people on its 11-acre site near the Lake Michigan shoreline, south of the Waukegan Harbor & Marina, according to the release.
David Motley, the city’s public relations director, said in a text that AkzoNobel purchased the Dexter Midland coating business in establishing its presence in Waukegan. Since then, it has been civically involved, he said.
Mayor Sam Cunningham said in a text that the company’s investment in the local economy will have a variety of benefits. He said he appreciates the commitment AkzoNobel is making to the community.
It “will strengthen our city’s economy and create new opportunities for the local workforce,” Cunningham said. “The multi-million-dollar upgrade to their aerospace coatings production facility demonstrates confidence in our region as a hub for advanced manufacturing and industry.”
Cunningham said he sees positives for the city. Increasing production capability locally helps bring “continued innovation and prosperity” to Waukegan. He also sees continued growth coming from the project.
“By enhancing production capacity and supply capabilities right here in Waukegan, this investment positions our city to play a key role in meeting growing global demand for high-quality aerospace products,” Cunningham said.
Kevin Considine, the CEO and president of Lake County Partners, said in a text that AkzoNobel’s decision to upgrade its Waukegan plant is a testament to a global company’s faith in the area.
“This investment is a tremendous endorsement of Waukegan and Lake County as an advanced manufacturing center, especially its location and workforce,” Considine said in the test. “The high level of automation aligns well with the new programs the College of Lake County has brought to their campuses in Gurnee and Waukegan.”
Plant Improvements include high-speed equipment to dissolve materials when needed, a rapid-service unit for quicker production to get coatings to businesses in the “maintenance, repair and operations markets” sooner, according to the release. The Wisconsin warehouse clears space for more manufacturing area.
Martijn Arkesteijn, the company’s global operations director for aerospace coatings, said in the release that the Waukegan plant improvements will enhance the customer experience and requirements.
“We’ll be able to provide current and future customers with even more flexibility through the delivery of large batch sizes, better responsiveness to market needs and shorter lead time for color development,” Arkesteijn said.
Founded in 1792, AkzoNobel has a long history of providing coatings for products, according to its website. Alfred Nobel is considered a “founding father” of the business because, “his inventive genius is part of our DNA.”
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/05/akzonobel-plant-upgrades/
Critics Choice Awards 2026: The complete winners list
“One Battle After Another” claimed its first televised trophies Sunday night, earning the best-picture prize at the Critics Choice Awards.
Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, the film about a burned-out revolutionary searching for his daughter won three awards total, including honors for directing and adapted screenplay.
“This is the best time I ever had making a movie, and I feel like it shows,” Anderson said.
The Critics Choice Awards, presented by a group of more than 500 broadcast critics and journalists in Santa Monica, California, usually follow the Golden Globes and often rubber-stamp the same set of winners. But after moving to an earlier date — with the Globes coming one week later this year, on Jan. 11 — pundits were curious to see which direction the Critics Choice voters would take.
In the competitive best actor category, Timothée Chalamet prevailed for his portrayal of an ambitious table-tennis player in “Marty Supreme.” After his rambunctious press tour for the film, Chalamet appeared subdued and appreciative onstage, initially stumbling over his words.
“Damn, I’m more nervous than I thought I’d be,” he admitted, closing his speech with a tribute to his girlfriend, Kylie Jenner. “Thank you for our foundation. I love you. I couldn’t do this without you.
Many expect Jessie Buckley (“Hamnet”) to sweep this season’s best actress trophies and the Critics Choice Awards kicked off what may be her winning streak. The Irish actress, who plays William Shakespeare’s wife, was overwhelmed as she took the stage.
“This is intense!” Buckley said.
Other major film prizes went to Amy Madigan, the supporting actress winner for “Weapons,” and Jacob Elordi, who won the supporting actor trophy for “Frankenstein.” That Guillermo del Toro monster movie also picked up awards for costumes and production design, while Ryan Coogler’s vampire drama, “Sinners,” won for score, original screenplay and best young actor, Miles Caton.
Here is the complete list of winners:
FILM
Best Picture
“One Battle After Another”
Best Actor
Timothée Chalamet, “Marty Supreme”
Best Actress
Jessie Buckley, “Hamnet”
Best Supporting Actor
Jacob Elordi, “Frankenstein”
Best Supporting Actress
Amy Madigan, “Weapons”
Best Young Actor or Actress
Miles Caton, “Sinners”
Best Director
Paul Thomas Anderson, “One Battle After Another”
Best Original Screenplay
Ryan Coogler, “Sinners”
Best Adapted Screenplay
Paul Thomas Anderson, “One Battle After Another”
Best Casting and Ensemble
Francine Maisler, “Sinners”
Best Cinematography
Adolpho Veloso, “Train Dreams”
Best Production Design
“Frankenstein”
Best Editing
Stephen Mirrione, “F1: The Movie”
Best Costume Design
“Frankenstein”
Best Hair and Makeup
“Frankenstein”
Best Visual Effects
“Avatar: Fire and Ash”
Best Stunt Design
“Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning”
Best Animated Feature
“KPop Demon Hunters”
Best Comedy
“The Naked Gun”
Best Foreign Language Film
“The Secret Agent”
Best Song
“Golden,” “KPop Demon Hunters”
Best Score
Ludwig Goransson, “Sinners”
Best Sound
“F1: The Movie”
TELEVISION
Best Drama Series
“The Pitt”
Best Actor, Drama Series
Noah Wyle, “The Pitt”
Best Actress, Drama Series
Rhea Seehorn, “Pluribus”
Best Supporting Actor, Drama Series
Tramell Tillman, “Severance”
Best Supporting Actress, Drama Series
Katherine LaNasa, “The Pitt”
Best Comedy Series
“The Studio”
Best Actor, Comedy Series
Seth Rogen, “The Studio”
Best Actress, Comedy Series
Jean Smart, “Hacks”
Best Supporting Actor, Comedy Series
Ike Barinholtz, “The Studio”
Best Supporting Actress, Comedy Series
Janelle James, “Abbott Elementary”
Best Limited Series
“Adolescence”
Best TV Movie
“Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy”
Best Actor, Limited Series or TV Movie
Stephen Graham, “Adolescence”
Best Actress, Limited Series or TV Movie
Sarah Snook, “All Her Fault”
Best Supporting Actor, Limited Series or TV Movie
Owen Cooper, “Adolescence”
Best Supporting Actress, Limited Series or TV Movie
Erin Doherty, “Adolescence”
Best Foreign Language Series
“Squid Game”
Best Animated Series
“South Park”
Best Talk Show
“Jimmy Kimmel Live!”
Best Variety Series
“Last Week Tonight With John Oliver”
Best Comedy Special
“SNL50: The Anniversary Special”
This article originally appeared in The New York Times.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/05/critics-choice-awards-2026-the-complete-winners-list/
Steve Reaven’s high school boys basketball rankings and player of the week for Lake County
Libertyville, Grayslake Central and Vernon Hills move up as Carmel enters the rankings.
TOP 10
With records through Sunday and previous rankings in parentheses.
1. Warren 11-1 (1)
Jaxson Davis’ legend continues to grow after he scores a career-high 51 points in the Blue Devils’ win over Kenwood in the Big Dipper Tournament final.
2. Waukegan 11-4 (2)
Carter Newsome and Jaali Love are named all-tournament as the Bulldogs win their second straight title at Elgin.
3. Deerfield 11-4 (3)
Chase Arenberg scores in double figures twice at Wheeling, where the Warriors finish as the runners-up.
4. Stevenson 10-3 (4)
Quinton Frakes also scores in double figures twice at Wheeling, where the Patriots finish third.
5. Libertyville 8-4 (6)
Nick Baker scores in double figures three times at Wheeling, posting a career-high 25 points in the Wildcats’ win over St. Viator.
6. Wauconda 8-4 (5)
Also at Wheeling, Leo Brinias records a 5.5 assists-to-turnover ratio in the Bulldogs’ four games.
7. Grayslake Central 9-5 (10)
Alex Granville is named all-tournament at Jacobs after averaging 16.0 points for the Rams.
8. Vernon Hills 11-4 (9)
Brady Larsen is named all-tournament at Maine East after averaging 12.0 points and 4.0 rebounds despite a black eye, a sprained ankle, the flu and strep throat.
9. Grant 6-5 (8)
Jayden Smith averages 9.0 points on 58% shooting and 9.0 rebounds in the Bulldogs’ four games at Jacobs.
10. Carmel 6-8 (NR)
Ethan Matz is averaging 17.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 3.0 steals for the Corsairs this season.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Libertyville senior forward Bryce Wegrzyn averages 33.3 points in four games at the Wheeling Hardwood Classic, scoring a school-record 56 points against Oak Forest and setting the tournament record with 133 points.
Steve Reaven is a freelance reporter.
Why Chicago UPS Store Owner, Jessica Lee, Believes Supporting Diverse Dreams Strengthens Communities
Content oversight provided by Studio 1847
If there is a single defining characteristic of Jessica Lee’s journey from first-generation immigrant to corporate executive and owner of two UPS stores in Chicago, it’s her commitment to providing opportunity. Throughout her various endeavors, she has connected with people from diverse backgrounds, all of whom shared the strong desire to move forward in their lives.
These experiences have taught Lee a valuable lesson, one she has carried throughout her own career and personal life. She believes that communities grow stronger when every individual has the opportunity to pursue the life they want. Through her nonprofit, Pursue the Dream, she actively demonstrates that no disability or disadvantage should prevent anyone from pursuing their dreams — it may take a little more effort and time, but the realm of possibilities remains unlimited.
Offering more than a second chance
Lee’s hard-won perspective is based on firsthand experience. Faced with limited prospects when she arrived in the United States as a deaf immigrant, she built a successful career through education, hard work and resilience. Today, she aims to instill those values in others through programs that help them gain confidence and independence.
Lee’s leadership style reflects her genuine compassion and awareness of a community’s diverse needs. In hiring employees, she prioritizes individuals from marginalized sectors of society, including members of the LGBTQ+ community, workers in need of a second chance, and those who are struggling to overcome other barriers to employment.
For Lee, respect and understanding are essential workplace foundations. But her personal challenges weren’t obstacles to her; instead, they reinforced her belief that physical or social challenges should never be hindrances to a person’s ambitions.
From business to community advocacy
Lee’s experience as a business consultant and enterprise solutions architect further honed her capabilities in a wide range of disciplines. Equally adept at supporting Fortune 1000 companies and helping small businesses boost their internal operations, she has an in-depth knowledge of the complexities of large-scale operations and the practical needs of startups and small- and medium-size enterprises.
This knowledge has proven invaluable in Lee’s quest to strengthen communities by supporting diverse dreams. An active supporter of local children’s hospitals, legal aid programs and nonprofits, she also works with the Edgewater and Rogers Park Chambers of Commerce in developing programs beneficial to local families and small businesses. With her continuing community involvement, she hopes to contribute to the broader ecosystem of empowerment in Chicago.
Fostering growth and stability
Establishing Pursue the Dream has given Lee the opportunity to help people overcome the obstacles she once faced. The organization’s financial literacy classes have been extremely useful for educating individuals on how money influences long-term security. With instruction in taxes, credit and budgeting, participants gain valuable knowledge that can guide them in making major life decisions.
Lee also strives to strengthen communities by helping immigrants overcome communication barriers. Through Pursue the Dream’s English language classes, participants improve both their language skills and confidence, providing opportunities for employment and community involvement.
Perhaps most importantly, Pursue the Dream fosters stability-driven growth by providing housing support to disadvantaged members of society. Along with the organization’s educational programs, this housing initiative is yet another avenue by which Lee supports individual dreams that ultimately benefit entire communities. Her own experience as a deaf entrepreneur proves that with the right support and resources, anyone can achieve their goals — a philosophy that defines every aspect of Pursue the Dream’s mission.
To learn more about Pursue the Dream or to contribute to its programs, visit PursueTheDreamNFP.org.
