DOJ’s Inventory Of Unreleased Epstein Files Soars To 5.2 Million Pages

Tyler Durden
Wed, 12/31/2025 – 13:00

https://www.zerohedge.com/political/dojs-inventory-unreleased-epstein-files-soars-52-million-pages 

DOJ’s Inventory Of Unreleased Epstein Files Soars To 5.2 Million Pages

Tyler Durden
Wed, 12/31/2025 – 13:00

https://www.zerohedge.com/political/dojs-inventory-unreleased-epstein-files-soars-52-million-pages 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — As Bret Bielema reflected on Luke Altmyer’s Illinois career late Tuesday at Nissan Stadium, he recalled how Altmyer’s parents described the quarterback’s arrival in Champaign in 2023.

It was in the dead of winter in central Illinois, freezing, and they had to leave their son who “was kind of in a tough spot” from the way his first two seasons had gone at Mississippi.

Three years later, Altmyer capped his Illinois tenure as the Music City Bowl MVP — a changed player who helped change the Illini program for the better.

“And now he’s coming out of here confident and full of a very, very bright future,” Bielema said.

Altmyer’s performance in Illinois’ 30-28 victory over Tennessee was a fitting end to one of the best quarterback careers ever in Champaign.

He led the Illini on a 13-play, 64-yard drive that ate up the final 4 minutes, 58 seconds and ended with kicker David Olano nailing a 29-yard field goal. It was Altmyer’s seventh winning drive for Illinois in the final minute of regulation or overtime.

“He would tell you he’s gone through so much as a player and as a person that it has propelled him to where he is, and he’s ice cold in these moments,” running back Aidan Laughery said. “He just went out there and he was Luke Altmyer. That’s who he has become, and that’s what he does week in and week out.”

Altmyer carried Illinois (9-4) in the program’s first meeting with Tennessee.

He completed 20 of 33 passes for 196 yards and an 18-yard touchdown pass to Justin Bowick. He also rushed for 54 yards on 10 carries, taking over a key third-quarter drive with his legs and at one point knocking down an official as he scrambled for more yards. He capped that drive with a 2-yard touchdown run.

Photos: Illinois 30, Tennessee 28 in the Music City Bowl

“Playing with Luke has been awesome,” center Josh Kreutz said. “Just a competitor, studies his craft. Obviously you’ve seen through this season and last his ability to win big games. And having a guy like that makes you want to block even harder.”

Altmyer leaves Illinois in the top five in the record books in multiple categories.

He’s the all-time leader with a 144.3 passer rating and 64.4% completion percentage. He is second with 57 touchdown passes, tied for second with Jack Trudeau with 23 wins as the starting quarterback and fifth with 7,607 passing yards.

He joins Nathan Scheelhaase as the only quarterbacks to lead Illinois to two bowl wins, having done so last season against South Carolina in the Citrus Bowl.

The Illini had unprecedented success over the last two seasons with Altmyer at the helm, winning 19 games for the first time in a two-year stretch.

“We’re just a bunch of underdogs, man,” Altmyer said. “We do things the right way. We care about each other with love. We wake up every single day wanting to be our best, using the gifts God has given us to be the best we can be.

“That’s just my story, man. Doing things the right way, being tough as nails. Whatever it takes to win, go do it.”

Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer runs the ball during the first half of the Music City Bowl against Tennessee on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

The day before the bowl game, offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. talked about the pride he takes in having been a part of Altmyer’s development as the quarterback gained confidence and grew into the leader he was Tuesday night.

Altmyer arrived at Illinois after playing in nine games with one start in two years at Ole Miss. Both Bielema and athletic director Josh Whitman talked about their gratitude for his picking Illinois in the transfer portal.

He endured some bumps during his first season in 2023 as Illinois finished 5-7, but he blossomed into a consistent winner over the last two years alongside an experienced cast of players. And he chose to stay at Illinois despite transfer possibilities last offseason.

“He took a chance on us,” Bielema said. “He had a million different opportunities. He was a very sought-after player in the portal. I love the fact he stayed for this team because we needed him through the bowl game, which really gave us the chance to have it.”

Bielema sat two seats over from Altmyer as he spoke at the postgame news conference, the large Music City Bowl trophy sitting in front of Altmyer.

Bielema has said multiple times recently how the momentum from such a bowl win can stay with a team for months leading into the next season. But there’s also a moving-on process that needs to begin.

The transfer portal window opens Friday. The Illini have Northern Illinois transfer Ethan Hampton and freshman Carson Boyd in the quarterbacks room, but Bielema and his staff also could look at the portal as they try to find the player who can continue the success Altmyer has led.

Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer celebrates after winning the Music City Bowl against Tennessee on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Altmyer will begin preparations for the NFL draft, having put himself in the conversation as a prospect with his growth over his time in Champaign.

As he looks toward his next steps, he’ll be able to look back on a proper, memorable ending to his college journey.

“I’m grateful for the program I’ve been in, to be developed as a player obviously but as a human,” Altmyer said. “Just very grateful.”

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/31/illinois-luke-altmyer-music-city-bowl/ 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — As Bret Bielema reflected on Luke Altmyer’s Illinois career late Tuesday at Nissan Stadium, he recalled how Altmyer’s parents described the quarterback’s arrival in Champaign in 2023.

It was in the dead of winter in central Illinois, freezing, and they had to leave their son who “was kind of in a tough spot” from the way his first two seasons had gone at Mississippi.

Three years later, Altmyer capped his Illinois tenure as the Music City Bowl MVP — a changed player who helped change the Illini program for the better.

“And now he’s coming out of here confident and full of a very, very bright future,” Bielema said.

Altmyer’s performance in Illinois’ 30-28 victory over Tennessee was a fitting end to one of the best quarterback careers ever in Champaign.

He led the Illini on a 13-play, 64-yard drive that ate up the final 4 minutes, 58 seconds and ended with kicker David Olano nailing a 29-yard field goal. It was Altmyer’s seventh winning drive for Illinois in the final minute of regulation or overtime.

“He would tell you he’s gone through so much as a player and as a person that it has propelled him to where he is, and he’s ice cold in these moments,” running back Aidan Laughery said. “He just went out there and he was Luke Altmyer. That’s who he has become, and that’s what he does week in and week out.”

Altmyer carried Illinois (9-4) in the program’s first meeting with Tennessee.

He completed 20 of 33 passes for 196 yards and an 18-yard touchdown pass to Justin Bowick. He also rushed for 54 yards on 10 carries, taking over a key third-quarter drive with his legs and at one point knocking down an official as he scrambled for more yards. He capped that drive with a 2-yard touchdown run.

Photos: Illinois 30, Tennessee 28 in the Music City Bowl

“Playing with Luke has been awesome,” center Josh Kreutz said. “Just a competitor, studies his craft. Obviously you’ve seen through this season and last his ability to win big games. And having a guy like that makes you want to block even harder.”

Altmyer leaves Illinois in the top five in the record books in multiple categories.

He’s the all-time leader with a 144.3 passer rating and 64.4% completion percentage. He is second with 57 touchdown passes, tied for second with Jack Trudeau with 23 wins as the starting quarterback and fifth with 7,607 passing yards.

He joins Nathan Scheelhaase as the only quarterbacks to lead Illinois to two bowl wins, having done so last season against South Carolina in the Citrus Bowl.

The Illini had unprecedented success over the last two seasons with Altmyer at the helm, winning 19 games for the first time in a two-year stretch.

“We’re just a bunch of underdogs, man,” Altmyer said. “We do things the right way. We care about each other with love. We wake up every single day wanting to be our best, using the gifts God has given us to be the best we can be.

“That’s just my story, man. Doing things the right way, being tough as nails. Whatever it takes to win, go do it.”

Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer runs the ball during the first half of the Music City Bowl against Tennessee on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

The day before the bowl game, offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. talked about the pride he takes in having been a part of Altmyer’s development as the quarterback gained confidence and grew into the leader he was Tuesday night.

Altmyer arrived at Illinois after playing in nine games with one start in two years at Ole Miss. Both Bielema and athletic director Josh Whitman talked about their gratitude for his picking Illinois in the transfer portal.

He endured some bumps during his first season in 2023 as Illinois finished 5-7, but he blossomed into a consistent winner over the last two years alongside an experienced cast of players. And he chose to stay at Illinois despite transfer possibilities last offseason.

“He took a chance on us,” Bielema said. “He had a million different opportunities. He was a very sought-after player in the portal. I love the fact he stayed for this team because we needed him through the bowl game, which really gave us the chance to have it.”

Bielema sat two seats over from Altmyer as he spoke at the postgame news conference, the large Music City Bowl trophy sitting in front of Altmyer.

Bielema has said multiple times recently how the momentum from such a bowl win can stay with a team for months leading into the next season. But there’s also a moving-on process that needs to begin.

The transfer portal window opens Friday. The Illini have Northern Illinois transfer Ethan Hampton and freshman Carson Boyd in the quarterbacks room, but Bielema and his staff also could look at the portal as they try to find the player who can continue the success Altmyer has led.

Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer celebrates after winning the Music City Bowl against Tennessee on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Altmyer will begin preparations for the NFL draft, having put himself in the conversation as a prospect with his growth over his time in Champaign.

As he looks toward his next steps, he’ll be able to look back on a proper, memorable ending to his college journey.

“I’m grateful for the program I’ve been in, to be developed as a player obviously but as a human,” Altmyer said. “Just very grateful.”

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/31/illinois-luke-altmyer-music-city-bowl/ 

ROME — Pope Leo XIV closed out 2025 on Wednesday with a prayer that the city of Rome might be a welcoming place for foreigners and fragile people, young and old.

Leo presided over a New Year’s Eve vespers service in St. Peter’s Basilica, giving thanks for the 2025 Holy Year that brought millions of pilgrims to Rome in the once-every-quarter-century celebration of Christianity.

Leo will officially close out the Jubilee on Jan. 6. But in his homily, he thanked the city of Rome and the volunteers who helped keep crowds moving as they visited St. Peter’s and passed through its Holy Door.

He recalled that Pope Francis, who inaugurated the Holy Year on Dec. 24, 2024, had asked that Rome be a more welcoming place. “I would like it to be so again, and I would say even more so after this time of grace,” Leo said.

“What can we wish for Rome? That it may be worthy of its little ones. Of children, of lonely and fragile elderly people, of families who struggle to get by, of men and women who have come from afar hoping for a dignified life,” he said.

In the pews was Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri and other dignitaries.

In addition to the Jubilee, 2025 was momentous because of the papal transition after Francis died in April and cardinals elected history’s first pope from the United States.

The Vatican this week released statistics showing 3.2 million people had participated in Vatican liturgies, audiences, Angelus prayers and Jubilee audiences this year. The numbers were small in the first quarter, given Francis’ long hospitalization and illness, and then greatly shot up after Leo’s May election.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/31/pope-rome-welcome-foreigners-2025/ 

ROME — Pope Leo XIV closed out 2025 on Wednesday with a prayer that the city of Rome might be a welcoming place for foreigners and fragile people, young and old.

Leo presided over a New Year’s Eve vespers service in St. Peter’s Basilica, giving thanks for the 2025 Holy Year that brought millions of pilgrims to Rome in the once-every-quarter-century celebration of Christianity.

Leo will officially close out the Jubilee on Jan. 6. But in his homily, he thanked the city of Rome and the volunteers who helped keep crowds moving as they visited St. Peter’s and passed through its Holy Door.

He recalled that Pope Francis, who inaugurated the Holy Year on Dec. 24, 2024, had asked that Rome be a more welcoming place. “I would like it to be so again, and I would say even more so after this time of grace,” Leo said.

“What can we wish for Rome? That it may be worthy of its little ones. Of children, of lonely and fragile elderly people, of families who struggle to get by, of men and women who have come from afar hoping for a dignified life,” he said.

In the pews was Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri and other dignitaries.

In addition to the Jubilee, 2025 was momentous because of the papal transition after Francis died in April and cardinals elected history’s first pope from the United States.

The Vatican this week released statistics showing 3.2 million people had participated in Vatican liturgies, audiences, Angelus prayers and Jubilee audiences this year. The numbers were small in the first quarter, given Francis’ long hospitalization and illness, and then greatly shot up after Leo’s May election.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/31/pope-rome-welcome-foreigners-2025/ 

ROME — Pope Leo XIV closed out 2025 on Wednesday with a prayer that the city of Rome might be a welcoming place for foreigners and fragile people, young and old.

Leo presided over a New Year’s Eve vespers service in St. Peter’s Basilica, giving thanks for the 2025 Holy Year that brought millions of pilgrims to Rome in the once-every-quarter-century celebration of Christianity.

Leo will officially close out the Jubilee on Jan. 6. But in his homily, he thanked the city of Rome and the volunteers who helped keep crowds moving as they visited St. Peter’s and passed through its Holy Door.

He recalled that Pope Francis, who inaugurated the Holy Year on Dec. 24, 2024, had asked that Rome be a more welcoming place. “I would like it to be so again, and I would say even more so after this time of grace,” Leo said.

“What can we wish for Rome? That it may be worthy of its little ones. Of children, of lonely and fragile elderly people, of families who struggle to get by, of men and women who have come from afar hoping for a dignified life,” he said.

In the pews was Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri and other dignitaries.

In addition to the Jubilee, 2025 was momentous because of the papal transition after Francis died in April and cardinals elected history’s first pope from the United States.

The Vatican this week released statistics showing 3.2 million people had participated in Vatican liturgies, audiences, Angelus prayers and Jubilee audiences this year. The numbers were small in the first quarter, given Francis’ long hospitalization and illness, and then greatly shot up after Leo’s May election.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/31/pope-rome-welcome-foreigners-2025/ 

ROME — Pope Leo XIV closed out 2025 on Wednesday with a prayer that the city of Rome might be a welcoming place for foreigners and fragile people, young and old.

Leo presided over a New Year’s Eve vespers service in St. Peter’s Basilica, giving thanks for the 2025 Holy Year that brought millions of pilgrims to Rome in the once-every-quarter-century celebration of Christianity.

Leo will officially close out the Jubilee on Jan. 6. But in his homily, he thanked the city of Rome and the volunteers who helped keep crowds moving as they visited St. Peter’s and passed through its Holy Door.

He recalled that Pope Francis, who inaugurated the Holy Year on Dec. 24, 2024, had asked that Rome be a more welcoming place. “I would like it to be so again, and I would say even more so after this time of grace,” Leo said.

“What can we wish for Rome? That it may be worthy of its little ones. Of children, of lonely and fragile elderly people, of families who struggle to get by, of men and women who have come from afar hoping for a dignified life,” he said.

In the pews was Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri and other dignitaries.

In addition to the Jubilee, 2025 was momentous because of the papal transition after Francis died in April and cardinals elected history’s first pope from the United States.

The Vatican this week released statistics showing 3.2 million people had participated in Vatican liturgies, audiences, Angelus prayers and Jubilee audiences this year. The numbers were small in the first quarter, given Francis’ long hospitalization and illness, and then greatly shot up after Leo’s May election.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/31/pope-rome-welcome-foreigners-2025/ 

Four people are accused of robbing a man and injuring him while trying to take his phone outside of a Griffith auto parts store.

Thomas Christiano Diaz, 35, of Munster; Misti Marie Harbison, 41, of Gary; Anthony John Alvarez Jr., 25, of Hobart; Jamal Donta Haskins, 33, of Gary are charged with robbery resulting in bodily injury, a Level 3 felony.

According to the probable cause affidavit, the victim told Griffith Police that he was brought to the O’Reilly Auto Parts, located at 600 E. Ridge Road, around 3:40 p.m. on Dec. 21. Diaz and a woman passenger had picked him up to go grocery shopping, but went inside the store while the man stayed in the car.

Diaz had pulled alongside a blue Kia vehicle that was driven by a woman and also had a woman in the passenger seat and two men in the backseat, court records state. The witness began to grow suspicious of the occupants of the other car. When Diaz exited the store, records state that he approached the men in the Kia to buy Xanax.

The witness grew uncomfortable and exited the car, walked to the rear of the Kia and took a picture of its license plate. He started to walk to the entrance of O’Reilly’s when he was rushed by Diaz and the two men, the affidavit states. One of the men said “You don’t want this. I will put one in you.” The men yelled at him and took about $110 in cash from him, court records state. The woman driving the Kia said “Get his phone, he took pictures of my car.”

Diaz and the two men tried to take his phone from him, but he managed to hold onto it, records state. While he was lying on the ground, Diaz and his female passenger got back into his car and the two men got back into the Kia, which fled eastbound on Ridge Road while Diaz headed west.

The victim called 911 to provide a description of the vehicles and suspects, the affidavit states. He reported suffering pain and soreness on his body and numbness in his arm.

Around 4:11 p.m., a license plate reader at 25th Avenue and Clark Road picked up the Kia heading south and eventually parking in the 2800 block of Hanley Street, court records state. When police arrived, Alvarez was in the front yard, Haskins ran in the back door, and Harbison was inside the residence.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/31/quartet-charged-with-robbing-man-outside-auto-parts-store/ 

Four people are accused of robbing a man and injuring him while trying to take his phone outside of a Griffith auto parts store.

Thomas Christiano Diaz, 35, of Munster; Misti Marie Harbison, 41, of Gary; Anthony John Alvarez Jr., 25, of Hobart; Jamal Donta Haskins, 33, of Gary are charged with robbery resulting in bodily injury, a Level 3 felony.

According to the probable cause affidavit, the victim told Griffith Police that he was brought to the O’Reilly Auto Parts, located at 600 E. Ridge Road, around 3:40 p.m. on Dec. 21. Diaz and a woman passenger had picked him up to go grocery shopping, but went inside the store while the man stayed in the car.

Diaz had pulled alongside a blue Kia vehicle that was driven by a woman and also had a woman in the passenger seat and two men in the backseat, court records state. The witness began to grow suspicious of the occupants of the other car. When Diaz exited the store, records state that he approached the men in the Kia to buy Xanax.

The witness grew uncomfortable and exited the car, walked to the rear of the Kia and took a picture of its license plate. He started to walk to the entrance of O’Reilly’s when he was rushed by Diaz and the two men, the affidavit states. One of the men said “You don’t want this. I will put one in you.” The men yelled at him and took about $110 in cash from him, court records state. The woman driving the Kia said “Get his phone, he took pictures of my car.”

Diaz and the two men tried to take his phone from him, but he managed to hold onto it, records state. While he was lying on the ground, Diaz and his female passenger got back into his car and the two men got back into the Kia, which fled eastbound on Ridge Road while Diaz headed west.

The victim called 911 to provide a description of the vehicles and suspects, the affidavit states. He reported suffering pain and soreness on his body and numbness in his arm.

Around 4:11 p.m., a license plate reader at 25th Avenue and Clark Road picked up the Kia heading south and eventually parking in the 2800 block of Hanley Street, court records state. When police arrived, Alvarez was in the front yard, Haskins ran in the back door, and Harbison was inside the residence.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/31/quartet-charged-with-robbing-man-outside-auto-parts-store/