Tis the season for many things — many good and others not.

Clarendon Hills police received a report Dec. 1 from a resident who witnessed an unknown person stealing eight delivered retail packages off their front porch. The male suspect was captured on doorbell camera video while the theft took place, police said. As the victim was pulling into their driveway, they encountered the suspect as he hurried back to an occupied small red SUV waiting in the roadway, which fled from the scene.

“It’s common for a subject to drive the offending vehicle, and there is a second subject who exits the vehicle to pick up the packages,” said Clarendon Hills Chief of Police Ed Leinweber.

He said smaller packages are easier to transport and allow for a larger number of items to be taken.

“It’s common for offenders to observe packages from the street view that are on porches,” Leinweber said, adding the thieves may wear a delivery vest and also may carry another victim’s package when they approach.

“It may occur during the day, the early morning or later in the evening,” Leinweber said.

He said package thefts are frequent, but also under-reported, estimating that only 25% of such incidents are reported to police.

“When package thefts are reported, they are most likely delayed and lack pertinent information, which makes it challenging to investigate any leads,” Leinweber said. “It’s common for victims to not sign complaints and not identify suspects or an offending vehicle due to lack of information.”

It’s also typical that stolen items are not found, especially if they don’t have a unique identifier, including a serial number, he said. It’s common for package thefts to not be prosecuted due to lack of information, and package thefts can be linked to other crimes, including identity theft.

Leinweber stressed that reporting package thefts is a good idea, and in some cases the victim may need a police report to be reimbursed by the company from which items were purchased.

He said security cameras are extremely helpful if there is a recording feature to capture the crime that occurred, identify an offender and identify an offending vehicle that was involved.

“Security cameras may deter a theft from occurring, since it’s a preventative measure,” Leinweber said. “(We) need physical evidence, such as video footage, photographs, or witnesses to aid in an investigation and for successful prosecution.”

He said package theft is an issue year-round; however, such incidents significantly increase near the holidays.

Leinweber offered suggestions that may help in avoiding package thefts:

• Immediately bring in packages after delivery.

• Install exterior cameras and/or an audio/video doorbell with a recording feature.

• Use a locker/box at the post office.

• Request a signature to confirm delivery.

• Request delivery drivers to place packages in a secured lock box or place packages out of sight, away from street view.

• Choose to ship to store for pickup.

• Ship to a secure location if no one at the residence will be present.

Chuck Fieldman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press. 

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/08/clarendon-hills-porch-piracy-tips/ 

Por NICOLE WINFIELD

ROMA (AP) — El papa León XIV participó el lunes en una tradición papal muy de Roma: rezar por la paz ante una estatua de la Virgen María cerca de la Plaza de España en el día de la Inmaculada Concepción.

El pontífice saludó a miles de simpatizantes que desafiaron el frío para ver al papa estadounidense en su primera visita a la estatua. Pudieron verlo pasar en su papamóvil por el centro histórico de Roma, ya decorado para la Navidad.

El papa recibió un honor especial de la asociación de comerciantes de la Via Condotti, la elegante calle comercial que parte desde la Plaza de España.

Vestido con su formal capa roja, León XIV depositó un gran ramo de rosas blancas y luego efectuó una breve oración al pie de la estatua. Se refirió a los millones de personas que han venido a Roma este año en una peregrinación del Año Santo que los llevó hasta la Puerta Santa de la Basílica de San Pedro.

“Después de las Puertas Santas, que ahora se abran otras puertas a hogares y oasis de paz donde la dignidad pueda florecer una vez más, donde se pueda enseñar la no violencia, y se pueda aprender el arte de la reconciliación”, manifestó.

León XIV presidirá su primera Navidad como papa este año, y ya ha anunciado una novedad. La misa de Nochebuena del 24 de diciembre, que en los últimos años había comenzado cada vez más temprano para facilitar la participación de papas de edad avanzada, este año comenzará a la hora habitual de las 10 de la noche.

El pontífice sólo dispondrá de pocas horas de sueño antes de celebrar la misa de Navidad en la Basílica de San Pedro a la mañana siguiente, tras la cual volverá al balcón de las bendiciones —donde apareció por primera vez como papa el 8 de mayo— para pronunciar su discurso Urbi et Orbi (a la ciudad y al mundo).

Presidirá las oraciones vespertinas en la víspera de Año Nuevo y luego una misa de Año Nuevo y bendición el 1 de enero.

La temporada navideña llega a su fin con la misa de la Epifanía el 6 de enero, que también marca el cierre oficial del Año Santo 2025 y el cierre de la Puerta Santa de la basílica.

Por lo general, los Años Santos —también conocidos como Jubileos— se celebran cada 25 años, pero León XIV ya ha anunciado el próximo, que se llevará a cabo en un año no habitual —2033— para conmemorar el 2.000 aniversario de la crucifixión y resurrección de Cristo.

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La cobertura religiosa de The Associated Press recibe apoyo a través de la colaboración de la AP con The Conversation US, con financiación de Lilly Endowment Inc. La AP es la única responsable de este contenido.

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Esta historia fue traducida del inglés por un editor de la AP con la ayuda de una herramienta de inteligencia artificial generativa.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/08/el-papa-len-xiv-pide-por-la-paz-cerca-de-la-plaza-de-espaa/ 

Chicago Bears coach Ben Johnson said Monday he didn’t believe wide receiver DJ Moore was the answer on the fourth-down interception that quarterback Caleb Williams threw in the final minute of Sunday’s 28-21 loss in Green Bay.

“I think he came open more after the ball was released from Caleb,” Johnson said of Moore.

Williams threw the ball to tight end Cole Kmet in the end zone, but the pass was underthrown and the Packers’ Keisean Nixon intercepted it.

Here are three takeaways from Johnson after watching the game tape.

1. Caleb Williams needed to throw to Cole Kmet sooner.

Trailing by a touchdown, the Bears faced fourth-and-1 at the Packers 14-yard line with the game on the line. Johnson called a play-action rollout for Williams, something that the Bears have been successful with throughout the season and that frustrated Green Bay throughout Sunday’s game.

The Bears had found some success running the ball in the fourth quarter, and the hope was the Packers would bite on the fake handoff to running back D’Andre Swift. That’s exactly what happened, and it left Kmet wide open downfield.

After the fake, Williams rolled to his left and was a beat or two late throwing Kmet the ball. His toss toward the end zone came up short and landed in Nixon’s hands to essentially end the game.

Moore was running a shorter route just past the line to gain in an area that would’ve given the Bears a first down, but Johnson said the tape showed Moore popping open after Williams was throwing the football.

“Yeah, I didn’t see him as being the answer in that time,” Johnson said. “Nixon was man-to-man with DJ and was trailing him and ended up falling off and making a play on Cole. So it was a good play by Nixon, and yet I still don’t think — if we get the spacing right and all that and a good ball — that he’s going to be able to cover both of those players like that.”

As he said immediately after the game, Johnson reiterated that the play had multiple options. It was all about seeing whom the Packers left unattended. If all else failed, Williams could’ve tried to run for the first down.

Kmet was open, the throw was just late.

“Had we seen it a little bit sooner and given Cole a better chance, I think we would have been pretty happy with that result,” Johnson said. “I still feel the same way I did last night on that play.”

Even though Williams was running to his left, he said after the game it shouldn’t have been a difficult throw to make.

“Just got to give Cole a better shot at it,” Williams said. “Next time, just extend him a little bit more and kind of lead him.”

2. Ben Johnson didn’t want to give the Packers the ball again.

Packers defensive end Micah Parsons (1) and safety Evan Williams (33) tackle Bears running back Kyle Monangai in the fourth quarter Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

The Bears’ final possession began with 3:26 on the clock. Williams completed passes of 27 yards to Luther Burden III and 24 to Devin Duvernay to bring the offense to the Green Bay 23-yard line at the two-minute warning.

Johnson then called three consecutive running plays for rookie Kyle Monangai, the last of which went for no gain on third-and-1. He let the clock run after the first two plays before using his first timeout prior to the fourth-and-1 play.

Johnson was intentional in his decision to let the clock run. His counterpart, Matt LaFleur — who had two timeouts remaining — let it run too.

“You get the ball back with 3:30 and you’ve got a decision to make,” Johnson said. “Do we go as fast as we can, and if we stall out, we get another possession potentially? Or do we go ahead and let this one be the last one? And we went with the latter. I felt really good about that.”

Johnson pointed out that Jordan Love and the Packers had scored touchdowns on four of eight possessions. He didn’t want to give the Packers any time to answer if the Bears scored.

“Let me say this: The first thing we needed to do was score a touchdown,” Johnson said. “But the last thing we wanted to do as well was give them enough time to respond because of how dangerous they had been on offense. Best-case scenario would have been scoring a touchdown with under 30 seconds.”

3. Kyler Gordon’s injury troubles are ‘disappointing.’

Bears cornerback Kyler Gordon warms up to face the Eagles on Nov. 28, 2025, at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Gordon’s pregame groin injury put the Bears at a disadvantage. It was unfortunate timing, coming after the inactive players were announced. The Bears had no choice but to begin the game with one fewer available player than the Packers.

Johnson didn’t provide an update on Gordon’s health Monday, other than to say “we’ll see how it goes from here on out.”

Gordon has appeared in only three games this season because of injuries. The Bears gave him a three-year, $40 million contract extension over the offseason that will keep him in Chicago through 2028.

C.J. Gardner-Johnson again filled in at the nickel cornerback spot, but the Bears missed Gordon’s speed — particularly on Christian Watson’s 41-yard touchdown on which he beat Gardner-Johnson by a step.

Asked if his patience is wearing thin with regard to Gordon’s injuries, Johnson said, “It’s disappointing.”

“I wish I had a better feel for the individual, but with him being out as much as he has, I haven’t really gotten to see him on the field and competing and get to know him like I’d like to at this point yet,” Johnson said. “I do know that the biggest predictor of a soft-tissue injury is having a previous one, and he’s kind of in this rut right now that we’re not able to get out of.

“So we’re going to exhaust all of our resources in and outside of the building to make sure we’re addressing it and doing what we can to get him back and healthy again.”

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/08/chicago-bears-ben-johnson-takeaways/ 

Winter Wonderland, hosted by the Park District of Highland Park on Friday, December 5, offered an evening of enchantment wrapped in a multifaceted holiday celebration.

For the second year in a row, area families with children ages 2 through 10 were invited to experience the West Ridge Center at 636 Ridge Road, transformed for the holidays into an immersive Winter Wonderland.

Julie Nichols, recreation program manager for the Park District of Highland Park, said the goal was to create a community-centered, welcoming, inclusive program that would be enjoyed by everyone.

Five-year-old Izzy Graubart of Highland Park meets Elsa from Frozen during the 2nd annual Winter Wonderland at the West Ridge Center in Highland Park on Friday evening. (Gina Grillo/ for the Pioneer Press)

“From the moment you arrive, twinkling lights and a candy cane walkway leads families on a timeless adventure of indoor and outdoor activities,” Nichols said.

Inside, moving from room to room, attendees could meet holiday characters like Buddy the Elf, the Grinch, Elsa from Frozen, and Santa. Decorate cookies with Mrs. Claus, make a dog toy for Orphans of the Storm, explore the new Hanukkah room, or take a spin around the new indoor iceless skating rink.

While outside, in the holiday courtyard, families could hop on the mini Polar Express train for a ride through the holiday village, or have a chance to meet a real live reindeer.

Mackenzie Hansen of Highland Park attended with family.

Buddy the Elf with three-year-old Boden Hansen, from Highland Park, in Santa’s Workshop during the 2nd annual event at the West Ridge Center, transformed for the holidays into an immersive Winter Wonderland. (Gina Grillo/ for the Pioneer Press)

“This event offers such a fun and imaginative experience for the kids, we are working in Santa’s workshop with Buddy the Elf, picking out clothes for the build-a-bear my son is creating,” Hansen said.

For a pre-registration price of $10 per person for Highland Park and Highwood residents and $12 for non-residents, participants pre-registered for a designated time slot from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

“We are working many months ahead of the event, preparing too for any surprises from Mother Nature that may affect our outdoor components, seeking comfort and safety for our families,” Nichols said.

With more than a dozen different activities, each with a special craft, activity, or giveaway, Nichols says, this is a one-of-a-kind, multifaceted experience that brings the holidays to life.

Luisa Caro-Jacks of Highland Park attended with family.

“This is a favorite event of the kids, going from room to room for a different experience, like the Festival of Lights room where my daughter is making a Hanukkah-themed craft to share with her Jewish friends,” Caro-Jacks said.

Members of the Park District of Highland Park, Teal Dance Team, ages 9-13, perform during the 2nd annual Winter Wonderland at the West Ridge Center in Highland Park on Friday evening. (Gina Grillo/ for the Pioneer Press)

Winter Wonderland participating organizations included Orphans of the Storm, performances by the Highland Park High School Mad Cap A Capella Group singing holiday tunes, and entertainment by the Park District of Highland Park Dance Team.

Event sponsors included Ivy Rehab for Kids, Gilbert Orthodontics, and Starbucks of Highland Park.

Amanda Geoffrion, recreation supervisor for early childhood enrichment at the Park District of Highland Park, says the holidays are about spending quality time with loved ones, both family and friends.

The 2nd annual Winter Wonderland at the West Ridge Center in Highland Park on Friday evening offered attendees a chance to meet holiday characters like Buddy the Elf, the Grinch, Elsa from Frozen, and Santa. Decorate cookies with Mrs. Claus, make a dog toy for Orphans of the Storm, explore the new Hanukkah room, or take a spin around the new indoor iceless skating rink, pictured here. (Gina Grillo/ for the Pioneer Press)

“This sense of belonging and togetherness is pinnacle for me as I planned Winter Wonderland — bringing families together and hearing the giggles, seeing the wide eyes, and witnessing the youthful joy across both children and adults alike,” Geoffrion said.

Gina Grillo is a freelancer for Pioneer Press.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/08/highland-parks-annual-winter-wonderland-celebration/ 

Trump Envoy Says ‘Benevolent Monarchies’ Work Best In Mideast While Hailing Syria’s Sharaa

Tyler Durden
Mon, 12/08/2025 – 18:25

https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/trump-envoy-says-benevolent-monarchies-work-best-mideast-while-hailing-syrias-sharaa 

The Senate Elections Committee heard Monday from more than 100 people, most of whom spoke in opposition to mid-census redistricting, as the Senate begins its review of the House-passed Congressional map.

House Bill 1032, which addresses mid-census redistricting and gives Republicans an advantage in all nine congressional districts, was discussed by the Senate Elections Committee Monday. As of press time, the committee hadn’t yet voted on the bill.

The proposed map, which was released last week, splits the current First District, held by U.S. Rep. Frank Mrvan, D-Highland, into two and the Seventh District, currently held by U.S. Rep. André Carson, D-Indianapolis, into four sections.

Senate Democratic Leader Shelli Yoder, D-Bloomington, offered a point of order Monday that Senate rules weren’t followed as the Senate gaveled into session. When the Senate adjourned on Organization Day, Nov. 18, it voted to adjourn until Jan. 5, 2026, she said.

Senate rules dictate that a move to reconvene earlier has to be discussed and approved along with the minority party leadership, Yoder said, which didn’t happen. Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray, R-Martinsville, ruled the point out of order.

During Monday’s hearing, 127 people signed up to testify on the bill. For more than four hours, the majority of people who testified opposed the bill, while 18 people testified in favor of the bill.

Gary Mayor Eddie Melton, a former State Senator, was present at the Statehouse on Monday and issued a statement calling on the Senate to oppose mid-census redistricting as it threatens Congressional representation for Northwest Indiana and Indianapolis.

“This proposed map is not a reflection of Hoosiers needs, but the evident result of national political pressure and intimidation tactics from Washington D.C.,” Melton said. “This proposal is not merely a partisan maneuver; it is a critical civil rights issue that threatens to disenfranchise Black and brown voters in our region.”

The proposed map “is a modern form of voter suppression designated to dilute the voice of the region that has fought tirelessly for equality,” Melton said.

Valparaiso University Political Science Professor Jennifer Hora said when redistricting occurs, it’s common to keep communities of interest together. But, the proposed map splits Porter County into two Congressional districts away from Lake County, she said.

Valparaiso Councilwoman Barbara Domer said she opposed House Bill 1032 because “preventing partisan gerrymandering is key to maintaining public trust.” A fair redistricting process increases voter turnout because it increases voter confidence in elections, she said.

“Maps drawn to ensure the dominance of one party to dilute the effectiveness of votes of minority citizens, or to split communities of interest, run counter to equal voting rights for all and distort a representative democracy,” Domer said.

Supporters of the bill pointed to Democratic states, like California, which have drawn Congressional maps in their favor.

Mike Morris, with Lafayette Citizens in Action, said Republican states have to “take a page from our friends’ playbook.”

“Senators, I urge you not to just merely be in office but to be in power and to use that power to save our federal republic,” Morris said.

Ken Colbert, of Evansville, said breaking up Marion County into four Congressional districts means “more members of Congress will advocate” for the state’s Capital.

“This is not about silencing voices. It’s about making sure all Hoosier voices are heard proportionately,” Colbert said. “Let’s embrace this opportunity for fair, more responsive representation.”

The Senate has been a hurdle for Indiana’s mid-census redistricting efforts after Bray stated in October that the chamber doesn’t have the votes to pass new maps.

After Bray’s announcement, President Donald Trump issued a statement on his social media site Truth Social calling out Bray and Sen. Greg Goode “for not wanting to redistrict their state, allowing the United States Congress to perhaps gain two more Republican seats.”

After multiple swatting calls against Republican Senators were reported, Bray called the Senate into session Dec. 8 following the House session, which began Dec. 1.

House Bill 1032, authored by State Rep. Ben Smaltz, would allow the legislature to amend congressional districts “at a time other than the first regular session of the general assembly convening immediately following the United States decennial census.”

The bill also establishes new Indiana Congressional districts, and states that any challenges to the new maps will be heard by the state’s Supreme Court, barring any injunctions from county-level judges. The bill states that the current Congressional Districts won’t expire before Nov. 3, 2026.

The map was drawn by the National Republican Redistricting Trust using data from the last three presidential elections and the last two Indiana U.S. Senator, Secretary of State and attorney general elections, Smaltz said.

“These maps were drawn for political purposes and advantage,” Smaltz said.

President Donald Trump and his administration have asked Republican-led states to undertake mid-census redistricting to maintain the Republican majority in the U.S. House of Representatives. Redistricting typically occurs every 10 years after the release of census data. The Indiana constitution dictates that the legislature should take up redistricting every 10 years after census data is released.

House Bill 1032 passed the House Friday in a 57-41 vote, with 12 Republicans joining all Democrats present in voting against the bill. For the Northwest Indiana House delegation, all Democrats voted against the bill and all Republicans voted in favor of the bill.

Senator Mike Gaskill, R-Pendleton, chairman of the Senate Committee on Elections and Senate sponsor of the bill, said in a statement Friday that Indiana’s representation in Congress “has been watered down” by redistricting efforts in Democratic-led states.

“I am committed to advocating for this bill that will more fairly represent Hoosiers at the federal level,” Gaskill said. “I vow to foster a civil debate as we review this bill in the Senate.”

Yoder said in a statement Friday that House Bill 1032 “is about silencing Hoosiers and diminishing representation.”

“This bill tears apart communities, strips voters of representation they voted for and hands control to national figures who are more interested in cementing absolute power rather than solving any problems,” Yoder said.

akukulka@chicagotribune.com

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/08/indiana-redistricting-hearing-attracts-dozens-of-witnesses/ 

NJ Governor Murphy Using Last Months In Office To Free 31 Convicted Killers…And Promises Even More

Tyler Durden
Mon, 12/08/2025 – 18:00

https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/nj-governor-murphy-using-last-months-office-free-31-convicted-killersand-promises-even-more