Musk Hints At ‘Galaxy Mind’ Venture To Deploy AI Satellites In Deep Space

Tyler Durden
Mon, 12/01/2025 – 18:50

https://www.zerohedge.com/technology/elon-musk-hints-galaxy-mind-venture-deploy-ai-satellites-deep-space 

Two holiday staples sure to make the Naperville season bright are NaperLights and Holly Jolly Days.

“NaperLights is the lighting extravaganza that goes all the way down Water Street along the river and into Jaycees Park,” said Deborah Newman, spokeswoman for Water Street district. “It is a project of the Naperville Sunrise Rotary and Marquette Cos., which are the owners of Water Street.”

The free, walk-through display includes more than 150,000 lights and a collection of giant lighted figures, she said, including skating polar bears, skaters, snowmen, carolers, glowing gifts and dancing trees. The Foyo Plaza Fountain is enhanced with lighted dancing figures, and there’s a lighted throne for Santa next to a great bedecked tree, she said.

With more than 150,000 lights and a collection of giant lighted figures, Naper Lights along Water Street, Naperville Riverwalk and Jaycees Park is a holiday feast for the eyes. (Rich Cullen/Naperville Sunrise Rotary)

“Everything is synced to music and there’s a giant teddy bear kids can take their pictures on,” she said.

The lights are on from 4 to 10 p.m. daily through New Year’s Day. Volunteers distribute free holographic viewing glasses on weekends to enhance the light experience.

NaperLights has grown steadily since its 2013 debut in Central Park, Newman said. It moved to Naper Settlement for a few years before taking over Water Street and the Riverwalk, she said.

“We’ve had proposals happen there, we’ve had wedding pictures taken with Santa — it’s quite a delightful event,” she said. “This year we’re adding a new, really fancy tree down in (Jaycees) park. People love to take pictures under that archway that’s on Foyo Plaza. There are dancers in the fountain. It’s quite something.”

Santa Claus will be on hand from 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 5-7, 12-14 and 19-21, weather permitting. Santa is very accommodating and listens to the wishes of children of all ages, Newman said.

A free Family Holiday Stroll is scheduled for 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, following Downtown Naperville’s sold-out Cookie Walk, she said.

“Santa will be there for that event as well,” Newman said. “We will have music from Road Show Choir, the student show choir. We will have strolling elves on stilts, we will have glitter tattoos, we will have balloon twisting and we will have a traveling trivia gentleman who walks around asking kids questions about Christmas and the holidays (and handing out) prizes. And we will have free cocoa and cookies for the kids.”

The holidays as they were celebrated many years ago is what Holly Jolly Days at Naper Settlement is all about. Activities are offered during the first three weekends before Christmas. (Naper Settlement)

Holly Jolly Days

Holly Jolly Days will light up Naper Settlement from 1 to 6 p.m. Dec. 6-7, 13-14 and 20-21. Admission is $6 per person and free for children under age 4. The last entry into the event is at 5 p.m.

It’s an event designed for elementary-school-aged children and their families that celebrates the season with holiday crafts, stories, snacks and more, said Brittany Tepper, Naper Settlement’s director of marketing.

“It’s an event that appeals to anyone who is young at heart and loves history,” she said.

The weekend fest started in 2022 and has steadily expanded, she said.

“Holly Jolly Days has grown in the amount of activities we’ve had over the years, especially with our STEM lab,” she said. “A lot of it is the returning favorites. It’s a step back in time where visitors can see what life was like in the past with a holiday twist.”

Visitors can explore the historic buildings, which are not only decorated for the holidays but have a holiday-themed activity going on inside, she said. Winter science experiments will take place in the Mary and Richard Benck Family Agriculture Center.

“In the print shop, you’ll learn about printing, but you’ll also make your own holiday card and see examples of holiday cards throughout time and how they’ve changed,” she said. “Our blacksmith is making reindeer shoes — that’s probably our most popular stop at Holly Jolly Days.”

The blacksmith talks about his trade and gives guests the scoop on how he makes the reindeer shoes for Santa Claus, Tepper said.

“It’s a really sweet holiday activity for the whole family.”

There are crafts in the Meeting House and community groups caroling in the Century Memorial Chapel on select weekends, she said. Letters to Santa can be written in the Pre-Emption House Tavern. You’ll find chestnuts roasting outside the Log House.

“We have holiday story time in our one-room schoolhouse, which is really cute,” she said. “And at the end of your visit, we do have a Victorian Christmas photos spot in our mansion so you can have a nice family photo for the holidays.”

Handmade winter and holiday-themed floral arrangements will be sold by the Weed Ladies at the Daniels House as part of Holly Jolly Days at Naper Settlement in Naperville. (Naper Settlement)

The Weed Ladies Winter Sale runs Dec. 6-7 and 13-14 in the Daniels House, where people can shop for handmade winter and holiday-themed floral arrangements.

People love the cozy, festive atmosphere at Holly Jolly Days, Tepper said.

“People enjoy having this relaxing event where they can connect with their families and see things from the past that you don’t normally see at other Christmas events,” she said. “It’s a unique evening for your friends and family where you can see what life was like in the past with a holiday twist.”

Other events

The Rink at Block 59. A new outdoor ice-skating rink will enhance the winter experience at Naperville’s Block 59 dining and entertainment center. Located between the Yard House and Cheesecake Factory restaurants, the rink’s hours are from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday through Thursday through Jan. 18. Tickets cost $12-$14 and skate rental is $5. People can get tickets at the door or reserve sessions at theblock59.com/therink.
Letters to Santa. Children can drop off their holiday wish lists at Santa’s Mailbox at the corner of Main and Jefferson streets. Include a return address for a personalized reply from Santa and his elves.
Holiday window bears. Downtown Naperville hosts a Holiday Bear scavenger hunt for kids — pick up a map at a participating downtown business or print one out from the website, have the business verify the found bear and mail the form back by Dec. 31 for a chance to win prizes.

A ticket to the 63rd annual Cup of Cheer Home Tour, Holiday Market and Tea being held this week entitles the holder to receive their choice of a tea cup and saucer or a mug. (Naperville Garden Club)

Cup of Cheer. The 63rd annual Cup of Cheer Home Tour, Holiday Market and Tea is from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 4-5. Four Naperville homes are featured on the Home Tour. The Holiday Market and Tea is at Judd Kendall VFW, 908 W. Jackson St. Ticketholders receive a teacup or mug to take home. Tickets cost $60 for Dec. 4 and $45 for Dec. 5 and are available at the Growing Place, John Greene Real Estate Agency, Baird and Warner Real Estate Agency and online at napervillegardenclub.org.
Tuba Christmas. This annual event is from 10 to 10:45 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, on the south lawn of the U.S. Bank, 136 S. Washington St. Admission is free to watch tuba players young and not-as-young belt out Christmas carols and seasonal favorites on their horns.

Annie Alleman is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/01/naperville-holly-jolly-settlement-naperlights-holiday/ 

Lane Kiffin and Pat Fitzgerald couldn’t be more different.

Kiffin, an offensive guru, is known as a serial wanderer, always chasing a better coaching job and the money that comes with it. Fitzgerald, a defensive guru, was ensconced at Northwestern for 17 years and, until a few years ago, seemed in line for a lifetime job at his alma mater.

The two big-name college coaches’ paths crossed in a most unusual way the last two days, with Kiffin giving up his Ole Miss job — and a shot at a national championship next month — for a seven-year, $91 million deal to coach at LSU, while Fitzgerald was hired Monday to replace Jonathan Smith at Michigan State.

It’s nothing new in the mad, mad, mad world of college football, where the games that go on behind closed doors are often more interesting than what happens on the field. Turning a blind eye to the past is often required when schools put winning before everything else.

The Kiffin saga dominated news cycles on the final weekend of the regular season, completely overshadowing Fitzgerald’s return from a three-year exile. ESPN treated the Kiffin story like the second coming, sending poor Marty Smith to Ole Miss to provide constant updates, leading to a handful of AI-generated memes showing the reporter aging with microphone in hand while awaiting Kiffin’s decision.

It finally came down Sunday with the expected outcome, that Kiffin was fleeing for the greener pastures of Baton Rouge, La., to work for a university that just handed Brian Kelly a $54 million buyout to go away.

Kiffin spoke of how “difficult” a decision it was and how he “prayed a lot” about what to do.

“I talked to God and he told me it’s time to take a new step,” Kiffin told Smith. “It’s a new chapter.”

I’m not sure what Smith’s follow-up question was because the ESPN video ended there. But I’d be interested in why God told Kiffin it was time to leave Ole Miss when the 11-1 Rebels are on the verge of their first playoff appearance and he was treated like a god in Oxford, Miss.

Did God tell Kiffin the money was just too good to pass up, or that LSU had a better chance of winning a national championship than Ole Miss?

And why is God so interested in where Kiffin winds up coaching when he should be busy dealing with world peace and the suffering of the poor and displaced, not to mention the rise of authoritarianism across the globe?

Is he really that big of an SEC fan?

Meanwhile, what was Michigan State thinking when it targeted Fitzgerald, whose recent record doesn’t scream “Hire this guy”?

Fitzgerald went 110-101 at Northwestern, including 65-76 in conference play. He went 4-20 over his final two seasons before being fired in 2023 after revelations of a hazing scandal that rocked the university.

Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald looks up during a game against Wisconsin on Sept. 28, 2019, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)

That scandal eventually led to a wrongful termination lawsuit from Fitzgerald, who sought $130 million from Northwestern for breach of contract. The suit claimed the university “defamed Fitzgerald, publicly and callously destroying his reputation.”

The hazing activities had names like “Carwash,” “Belly Flop Contest,” “Runsgiving” and “Shrek Squad” that included physical and sexual contact. Examples included players allegedly forcing other players to do naked pull-ups or holding down teammates and rubbing their genital areas against their teammates’ genitals, face and buttocks.

After almost two years, the university and Fitzgerald settled out of court in August for an undisclosed amount of money that certainly would’ve been enough for the former coach to live on comfortably for the rest of his life. But Fitzgerald was eager to get back into the profession he loved, and it was only a matter of whether the scandal would affect his chances.

The answer, it appears, was, “No problem, sign right here.”

Fitzgerald said on an ESPN podcast he was “fully vindicated” by the settlement, citing the fact Northwestern found no evidence he knew of the hazing while also conceding the coach was “incredibly upset and saddened by the negative impact this conduct had on players within the program” when apprised of it.

Those with short memories may have forgotten the university originally handed Fitzgerald a two-week, unpaid suspension after an independent investigation of an anonymous complaint from a student-athlete in 2022.

Fitzgerald began his suspension without speaking to the media, getting out of town to beat the heat. The suspension appeared to be a slap on the wrist for a beloved coach who had always represented the university well. By the time the season began, all would be forgotten.

But after a public outcry following a report in the student paper, the Daily Northwestern, revealing anonymous players’ accounts of the hazing activities, then-Northwestern President Michael Schill fired Fitzgerald, citing a “broken” culture.

Schill later admitted he “erred” in his initial judgment, writing in a statement: “I focused too much on what the report concluded he didn’t know and not enough on what he should have known.”

Fitzgerald then sent a statement to ESPN saying he was surprised by Schill’s decision to revoke what he termed a “mutual agreement” on the suspension and threatened to take legal action. David Braun was promoted from defensive coordinator as his replacement.

After the settlement was announced in August, Schill resigned in September. Three months later, Fitzgerald has a new, high-profile job at one of Northwestern’s Big Ten rivals. Perhaps that validates the “vindication” in his mind. Who knows?

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Northwestern, meanwhile, is better off with Braun, who has helped the program recover from the stain of the hazing scandal and has done an admirable job in his three seasons, including his second bowl-eligible team in 2025. He’s not a big name, but his character appears beyond reproach.

Schill could’ve saved himself and the university a lot of money and aggravation had he simply fired Fitzgerald after the investigation concluded, instead of changing his mind following the student paper’s bombshell report. He was correct in suggesting Fitzgerald should’ve known about the widespread hazing.

Even if he didn’t know a thing, the buck is supposed to stop there. Obviously it did not. Fitzgerald’s victory lap after the settlement had to have been nauseating to the athletes who were victimized by the hazing and still have to live with the memories. Fitzgerald has yet to publicly apologize for what happened to the players, concerned only for his future employment chances and his reputation.

Of course, it doesn’t matter now. Big-name coaches always wind up somewhere, and as long as they win in their new surroundings, the donors will be happy.

College football is a great sport, but it’s also ugly at times.

I really don’t know what can be done about this dilemma. But next time I’m talking to God, I’ll ask.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/01/lane-kiffin-pat-fitzgerald-college-football/ 

Why Trump’s Next PR Pivot Must Be Total, Absolute Political Warfare On Socialism

Tyler Durden
Mon, 12/01/2025 – 18:25

https://www.zerohedge.com/political/why-trumps-next-pr-pivot-must-be-total-absolute-political-warfare-socialism 

Por REBECCA SANTANA

WASHINGTON (AP) — Desde que un sospechoso de nacionalidad afgana baleó la semana pasada a dos miembros de la Guardia Nacional en la capital del país, el gobierno del presidente Donald Trump ha anunciado una serie de políticas con el objetivo de dificultar el ingreso o permanencia de algunos extranjeros en el país.

El gobierno anunció la suspensión de las decisiones de asilo, la reevaluación de las solicitudes de tarjetas de residencia para personas originarias de países “de preocupación” y frenó la emisión de visas para afganos que colaboraron con las labores bélicas de Estados Unidos.

Días antes del tiroteo, un memorando al que The Associated Press tuvo acceso indicaba que el gobierno reevaluaría los casos de todos los refugiados que ingresaron a Estados Unidos durante la presidencia de Joe Biden.

El esfuerzo intensificado por restringir la inmigración ha enfrentado fuertes críticas de los defensores de los derechos de los refugiados y de quienes trabajan con afganos, quienes afirman que equivale a un castigo colectivo. También aseguran que reabrir casos que ya han sido procesados es un desperdicio de recursos gubernamentales.

El gobierno federal asegura que las nuevas políticas son necesarias para garantizar que aquellas personas que ingresan al país, o que ya están aquí, no representan una amenaza para la seguridad.

A continuación, un vistazo a los principales cambios que se han dado a conocer en los últimos días:

Suspensión de todas las decisiones de asilo

El director de los Servicios de Ciudadanía e Inmigración de Estados Unidos, Joseph Edlow, publicó la semana pasada en la red social X que las decisiones de asilo quedarán suspendidas “hasta que podamos asegurar que cada extranjero sea investigado y examinado al máximo grado posible”.

Además de la publicación, no se ha presentado una guía formal, por lo que sigue habiendo pocos detalles sobre los planes.

Las personas que buscan asilo le deben demostrar a los funcionarios federales que enfrentan una amenaza de persecución –ya sea por motivos de raza, nacionalidad o alguna otra razón– en caso de que sean enviados de regreso a su país de origen. Si se les conceda el asilo, se les permite quedarse en Estados Unidos y eventualmente solicitar una tarjeta de residencia y posteriormente la ciudadanía.

El sospechoso en el tiroteo de los dos soldados de la Guardia Nacional recibió asilo a principios de este año, según el grupo activista #AfghanEvac.

El gobierno de Trump ya había restringido el derecho a solicitar asilo. El mandatario emitió en enero una orden ejecutiva que prácticamente detuvo la posibilidad de asilo a las personas que han ingresado al país desde México. Por lo general, esos casos pasan por tribunales de inmigración que son supervisados por el Departamento de Justicia.

Los Servicios de Ciudadanía e Inmigración de Estados Unidos (USCIS por sus iniciales en inglés) supervisan el proceso de asilo para los extranjeros que el gobierno no intenta expulsar a través de tribunales de inmigración. Aunque la orden de enero no afectó esos casos, la publicación en redes sociales de Edlow deja entrever que ahora estarán sujetos a un escrutinio adicional. Edlow no detalló cuánto tiempo durará la suspensión en las decisiones de asilo ni qué sucederá con las personas afectadas durante la pausa.

Los casos para todo tipo de solicitudes de asilo han ido en aumento. Los USCIS señalaron que actualmente hay 1,4 millones de casos pendientes en la agencia. Hace apenas unos años, en 2022, había 241.280, según la Oficina de Estadísticas de Seguridad Nacional. Por separado, hay alrededor de 2,4 millones de solicitudes de asilo pendientes ante las cortes de inmigración del Departamento de Justicia.

Países “de preocupación”

Edlow anunció el pasado 27 de noviembre que su agencia lleva a cabo una “rigurosa reevaluación a gran escala” de cada tarjeta de residencia emitida a personas que, afirmó, provienen de “cada uno de los países de preocupación”.

“La seguridad estadounidense no es negociable”, puntualizó Edlow.

La agencia emitió ese mismo día un comunicado de prensa en el que señaló que estaba emitiendo nuevas directrices que podrían dificultar el proceso a personas procedentes de 19 países considerados por el gobierno como “de alto riesgo” –incluido Afganistán– cuando soliciten beneficios de inmigración como tarjetas de residencia o extensiones para permanecer más tiempo en Estados Unidos.

El gobierno ya había prohibido el ingreso a Estados Unidos a ciudadanos de 12 de esos países y restringido el acceso a personas de otros siete.

Sin visas para afganos

También hay otras medidas más estrictas dirigidas a los afganos.

Los USCIS anunciaron la semana pasada la suspensión de todas las “solicitudes de inmigración relacionadas con ciudadanos afganos”. Eso afectaría a los afganos que ya viven en Estados Unidos y que buscan obtener una tarjeta de residencia, permisos de trabajo o permiso para traer a sus familiares a Estados Unidos.

Por separado, el secretario de Estado Marco Rubio anunció el viernes por la noche en X que el Departamento de Estado ha suspendido temporalmente la emisión de visas para todas las personas que viajan con pasaportes afganos.

El gobierno de Trump ya había impuesto límites severos a los viajes y la inmigración desde Afganistán. La única vía que había permanecido abierta era el programa de Visas de Inmigrante Especial, el cual permitía que los afganos que apoyaron de cerca el esfuerzo bélico de Estados Unidos en Afganistán y enfrentaban represalias por ello pudieran emigrar a Estados Unidos.

Pero el anuncio del Departamento de Estado significa que incluso esa vía está cerrada en este momento.

Según #AfghanEvac, un grupo que aboga por los afganos que vienen a Estados Unidos, alrededor de 180.000 afganos estaban en proceso de solicitar una Visa de Inmigrante Especial.

Revisión a refugiados admitidos durante el mandato de Biden

Incluso antes del tiroteo contra dos soldados de la Guardia Nacional, la Casa Blanca ya planeaba llevar a cabo una revisión exhaustiva a decenas de miles de inmigrantes que ingresaron a Estados Unidos durante el mandato de Biden como parte del Programa de Asistencia a Refugiados.

Ese programa, lanzado por primera vez en 1980, supervisa el proceso por el cual las personas que huyen de la persecución pueden llegar a Estados Unidos. Los refugiados son distintos de las personas que buscan asilo, aunque cumplen con los mismos criterios. Los refugiados deben presentar una solicitud y esperar fuera de Estados Unidos para ser admitidos, mientras que los solicitantes de asilo lo hacen una vez que llegan a territorio estadounidense.

Trump suspendió el programa de refugiados el día que asumió el cargo y sólo un pequeño número de refugiados ha sido admitido desde entonces, ya sea sudafricanos blancos o personas admitidas como parte de una demanda que busca reactivar el programa de refugiados.

Posteriormente, Edlow señaló en un memo con fecha del 21 de noviembre al que The Associated Press tuvo acceso que el gobierno revisará reevaluará a todos los refugiados que fueron admitidos en Estados Unidos durante la presidencia de Biden, es decir, casi 200.000 refugiados.

Los activistas afirman que los refugiados ya deben pasar por un riguroso proceso de investigación.

___

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

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/01/tiroteo-a-soldados-de-la-guardia-nacional-desata-nuevas-restricciones-migratorias-en-eeuu/ 

A federal grand jury is investigating the chaos that ensued in Evanston after U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents detained three citizens after an Oct. 31 collision between the agents’ SUV and a woman driving a red sedan, documents obtained in a records request show.

The City of Evanston received a subpoena from the U.S. Department of Justice on Nov. 4, ordering its police department to release vehicle accident reports, body-worn camera video and any other recordings involving federal law enforcement officers and the public on Oct. 31. The subpoena also demanded that Evanston’s police record keeper testify before a grand jury on Nov. 19 at the Dirksen Federal Courthouse.

No charges have been filed.

The subpoena, signed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Shawn McCarthy, was addressed to the “Custodian of Records, Evanston Police Department,” and ordered this person to appear in federal court. It also gave the person the option to submit the documents and video before that date, which Evanston police chose to do.

Just before 7:30 a.m. on Nov. 6, Evanston Police Sgt. Tom Giese emailed FBI Special Agent Chris Ryan to say that Evanston Police Chief Schenita Stewart, Corporation Counsel Alexandra Ruggie and himself would be driving down that day to FBI headquarters on Roosevelt Road in Chicago to turn over the documents in person, per the documents obtained through an open records request.

Grand juries operate in secrecy for the most part. In the Nov. 4 letter, McCarthy asked that the city not publicly disclose the subpoena because it could interfere with the investigation, but noted that they are not required to comply with his request.

A spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s office declined to comment on the grand jury proceedings. Likewise, the city of Evanston declined to comment.

However, Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss said the city of Evanston has referred the investigation of the traffic crash and the detainments of the three citizens to the Illinois Attorney General’s office and the Illinois Accountability Commission.

Evanston also released, in response to a Freedom of Information Act request, body camera footage from a dozen police officers who responded to the traffic crash and ensuing protest at Oakton Street and Asbury Avenue. A review of the records showed that police officers were not at the scene to observe the federal agents detain three U.S. citizens, but arrived shortly thereafter.

At the scene on Oct. 31, a U.S. Customs and Border Patrol team lead told an Evanston police sergeant that federal agents in a Chevrolet Tahoe were attempting to evade a red Acura that had been tailing them.

The driver of the red Acura “hit us from behind with her car,” the team leader told the sergeant.

Multiple witnesses of the crash told Evanston police that the agent driving the Tahoe slammed on their brakes to cause an accident. Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss has also made the same accusation.

Federal agents detained the driver, along with another man whom agents beat and dragged on the pavement, and Evanston resident Jennifer Moriarty. Moriarty spoke about her experience under federal custody in an interview with Biss in November.

Moriarty told Pioneer Press Monday that neither the FBI nor any other federal government entity has contacted her since she was held under federal custody on Oct. 31.

Northwestern Pritzker School of Law professor Paul Gowder told Pioneer Press that the subpoena is likely a fishing expedition for the federal government to seek evidence of its claims that protests against federal law enforcement agents are unruly, violent and cause for the National Guard to be called in.

Gowder said the feds have used their investigations to build a narrative that protestors are rioters, and at the same time, depict Illinois, Chicago and other municipalities as uninterested in helping federal agents.

A possible target of the investigation could be the detained citizens or local elected officials, he said.

A grand jury does not have to approve the government’s charges, Gowder said, referring to a case in Washington where prosecutors failed to obtain a felony indictment against a man who was seen on camera hurling a sandwich at a federal law enforcement official, according to the AP.

“I expect, quite frankly, that ordinary people are going to see that this is overreach, and they’re just not going to have it,” he said.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/01/federal-prosecutors-subpoena-evanston-for-clash-agents-and-public/ 

These are exciting times for Improv Playhouse in Libertyville. The staff and fans are celebrating its 25th anniversary — and are doing it in a beautiful brand-new space at 130 N. Milwaukee Ave.

It’s a perfect home for the company’s 18th production of “It’s a Wonderful Life,” a live radio play by Frank Capra, Dec. 12-21, with performances at 7:30 p.m. Fridays, 7 p.m. Saturdays, and 2:30 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $25 for adults; $20 for seniors, and $15 for students and youth. For tickets, call 847-968-4529 or visit improvplayhouse.com.

David Brian Stuart of Libertyville, founder and Executive Producer of Improv Playhouse, who directs “It’s a Wonderful Life,” declared, “I know that the energy of the space and the performances that we put on is as exquisitely done and true to the original as any theater company in Chicago in that genre of radio drama on stage.”

Egon Schein of Libertyville plays both an angel named Clarence and the unscrupulous businessman Mr. Potter in the “It’s a Wonderful Life” live radio play, Dec. 12-21 at Improv Playhouse Theatre in Libertyville. (Improv Playhouse Theatre—Photo Archives)

He added that it’s a perfect show for the holidays. “It touch-points our every emotion — the elation, the despair, the humanity of the piece,” Stuart said.

This is the second year that Stephen Pickering of Gurnee has played George Bailey, the protagonist of “It’s a Wonderful Life,” who questions the value of his life until a guardian angel convinces him of his worth.

“It’s a timeless story,” Pickering said. “It speaks to something that is really innate and people search for—especially during the holidays.”

Pickering described George as someone with “huge aspirations. He’s also someone who’s very, very loyal to family and community, and he has a real sense of duty towards his family and his community.”

Although George’s career involves building structures, “his power and strength is in building relationships,” Pickering noted.

Pickering believes this is a great show for the holidays. “It’s a time to gather and take stock,” the actor explained. “This story reminds us that every person is important.”

“I’ve portrayed every female role in this show with Improv Playhouse,” said Mia Hirschel of Lake Zurich, who is playing George’s wife Mary, this year. She has been performing in the radio show productions since 2013.

“Mary has a very quiet and subtle strength,” Hirschel said. “She’s like the anchor that keeps George from drinking.” Her relationship with George is “grateful, loving, and affectionate,” the actor added.

Hirschel is particularly enjoying the role because Mary is significantly younger than the actor, which is “always fun to do vocally,” she explained. The actor takes the dual role of George’s mother, which is also a vocal challenge that the actor handles seamlessly, as she demonstrated during our conversation.

Hirschel particularly enjoys the radio format because it enables her to play roles that she wouldn’t normally get, like Mary at 18 and even children. “It enables us to utilize our full range of vocal abilities,” she explained.

It’s a great show for the holidays, the actor observed, because “It is a family show. It’s traditional. It has a wonderful meaning behind it. It’s a warm story of friendship and love, and trust in each other and ourselves.”

Celebrating a 25th anniversary means “that we have thrived in our mission,” said founder and Executive Producer Stuart. That mission is defined by three words, he added — “to entertain, to educate, and to elevate.”

The entertainment side includes shows like “It’s a Wonderful Life” as well as an impressive schedule of improv and stand-up comedy shows.

Improv Playhouse educates through its Training Center, which offers classes for children and adults in a diverse range of subjects, including comedy, improvisation, stand-up, musical theater, acting, on-camera & film/video making, voice, modeling and imaging.

“The elevate side is to raise people’s consciousness to a higher plane regarding the arts and life skills,” Stuart said.

Stuart said that the first highlight of the company’s history was three classes in improvisation that were held in the old Dance Center North in downtown Libertyville. He noted that the second highlight was expanding the Training Center offerings to include adult classes.

Another highlight was a Shakespeare Festival they produced around 2013.

He observed that there were also some “low lights” that the company had to overcome to reach the landmark 25th anniversary.

“We overcame 9/11. We overcame the Great Recession, 2010-2013. We overcame COVID,” Stuart reported. “So many organizations were closing their doors. Through perseverance and struggle, and the support of friends and family members, we were able to persevere through those crises.” That included going hybrid during COVID.

Susan Kries of Vernon Hills juggles three roles in Improv Playhouse Theatre’s live radio play, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” Dec. 12-21. (Improv Playhouse Theatre—Photo Archives)

The latest highlight is the new space. “It’s a place where there’s continuity, programming in the arts in downtown Libertyville, the support of the regional arts community, and the passion to see it thrive and grow,” Stuart said.

The Improve Playhouse founder concluded, “While the survival chapters are certainly part of our story, some of my greatest highlights have actually been the relationships built along the way. From our very first hires who believed in the vision, to students who’ve gone on to become industry professionals, and friends, and the improv teams who’ve grown into little families of their own. Those lifelong connections have been the heart of Improv Playhouse.”

Myrna Petlicki is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/01/libertyvilles-improv-playhouse-25th-anniversary/ 

A Batavia chiropractor accused of filming patients secretly is believed to have acted alone, according to an update on the case Monday from the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office.

David Hanson, of Hanson Family Chiropractic, is believed to have recorded more than 180 patients while they were undressed or unclothed, according to a joint investigation between the Child Exploitation Unit of the state’s attorney’s office and Batavia police. The alleged victims’ ages ranged from young children to adults, and were mostly female, according to officials.

Many of the recordings appear to have been taken from a red light room used for red light and near-infrared light therapy, the State’s Attorney’s Office and Batavia police said in a press release last month. An investigation into the matter indicated that Hanson made the recordings using hidden cameras placed throughout the chiropractic office, officials said.

He was also found to be possessing and disseminating videos containing child sexual abuse material unrelated to his chiropractic practice, according to the release.

On Nov. 5, Hanson’s home, as well as his office at 1928 W. Wilson St. in Batavia, were searched, and he was arrested that night and charged with five felony counts of producing child pornography, three felony counts of disseminating child pornography, six felony counts of possessing child pornography and three felony counts of unauthorized video recording of a minor through or under the clothes, per the release.

Based on the information gathered thus far, investigators believe that Hanson acted alone, the Kane State’s Attorney’s Office said in a news release on Monday. At this point, there is no evidence showing that his family members or employees of the office were aware of or involved with the alleged criminal activity, according to the office.

Hanson’s attorney did not immediately return a request to his office for comment on Monday about the case.

Last week, a Chicago law firm filed suit against Hanson and his business in Kane County Circuit Court on behalf of patients, which include two women and two children from the same family spanning three generations. The complaint lays out 32 counts of alleged wrongdoing — eight counts alleged for each plaintiff — ranging from invasion of privacy and negligence to intentional infliction of emotional distress. The suit is seeking at least $50,000 in damages for each plaintiff.

Since Hanson was charged last month, the State’s Attorney’s Office has sought to identify potential victims of Hanson. The office on Monday said it so far has received more than 1,500 calls and emails to a dedicated tip line concerning the case. Investigators in the office’s Child Exploitation Unit have started identifying possible victims and will be reaching out to them in the coming weeks, officials said.

The State’s Attorney’s Office noted in Monday’s news release that those who have already reached out via the tip line do not need to reach out again, and indicated that it intends to share developments in the case when possible. The office has also created a webpage dedicated to providing the public with updates on the case: https://sao.kanecountyil.gov/Pages/Hanson.aspx.

Hanson remains in jail while his case is pending. He is next due in court on Jan. 8, 2026.

mmorrow@chicagotribune.com

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/01/batavia-chiropractor-case-updates/