State runner-up Lockport returns bunch of talent, including two-time state champ Claudia Heeney.

Top 5 Teams

1. Lockport

The Porters were state runners-up in 2023-24 and placed fifth last season. They should be near the top again with senior Claudia Heeney (135 pounds), a two-time defending state champion, leading the way. Senior Sophie Kelner (190) and juniors Rebekah Ramirez (235) and Veronica Skibicki (110) are returning state qualifiers, with Skibicki coming one win shy of placing. Freshman Alaina Churnovic (105) could make an immediate impact for new coach Amier Khamis. Watch for senior Mayra Vicencio-Ramos (170) and junior Bella Romando (120).

2. Lincoln-Way co-op

Lincoln-Way’s depth made it a dominant dual team last season as it went 19-0 and won the Illinois Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association’s girls dual team state championship. Lincoln-Way tied for 12th at the Illinois High School Association state finals. Senior Zoe Dempsey (115) returns after a third-place finish. Sophomore Sadie Sparks (120) lost in the blood round at state, falling one win short of the podium. Junior Ella Giertuga (140) was also a state qualifier. Junior Riley DePolo (170) is one to watch.

3. Andrew co-op

The District 230 team, which also includes wrestlers from Sandburg and Stagg, won the IHSA state championship last season. A decorated senior class graduated from that team, but the cupboard is certainly not bare. Sophomore Jade Hardee (100) returns after a third-place finish. Junior Tatum De La Vega (105) is a returning state qualifier, while sophomore Piper Booe (130) finished one win short of state, falling in the blood round at sectionals.

4. Oak Forest

Senior Alex Sebek (105) hopes to stay healthy and chase a state title after finishing as a runner-up her freshman year but then missing the last two postseasons with injuries. Freshman Rain Scott (125) had national success at the youth level and has dreams of being a four-time state champion. Senior Iyobosa Odiase (145) is a returning state qualifier. The Bengals will be dangerous if they can continue to develop their depth.

5. Homewood-Flossmoor

The Vikings have had at least one state medalist in three of the four years the IHSA has held a girls wrestling tournament. Senior London Gandy (110) is back after a sixth-place finish last season. Junior Amara Nwoye (135) fell one win short of state, losing in the sectional blood round. Juniors Na’imah LaMon (140) and Madelynn McClements (145) are returning sectional qualifiers looking to take the next step this season.

Lincoln-Way Central’s Zoe Dempsey, right, battles Glenbard West’s Khloe Perez at 110 pounds during the third-place match of the girls wrestling state meet in Bloomington on Saturday, March 1, 2025. (Troy Stolt / Daily Southtown)

The 25 Girls Wrestlers to Watch

Tatum De La Vega, Andrew co-op, junior, 105 pounds.
Zoe Dempsey, Lincoln-Way co-op, senior, 115.
Lily Fish, Reavis, senior, 155.
Sam Fontaine, Marist, senior, 190.
London Gandy, Homewood-Flossmoor, senior, 110.
Ella Giertuga, Lincoln-Way co-op, junior, 140.
Jade Hardee, Andrew co-op, sophomore, 100.
Elena Haugh, Ag Science, sophomore, 190.
Claudia Heeney, Lockport, senior, 135.
Carmen Jackson, Ag Science, senior, 110.
Dakodia Kelly, T.F. South, junior, 110.
Sophie Kelner, Lockport, senior, 190.
Izzy Locascio, Marist, senior, 135.
Jayden Melendez, Tinley Park, junior, 110.
Felix Morales, Oak Lawn, senior, 105.
Molly O’Connor, Lemont, senior, 125.
Iyobosa Odiase, Oak Forest, senior, 145.
Abby Parker, Marist, junior, 235.
Rebekah Ramirez, Lockport, junior, 235.
Mila Rocush, Shepard, junior, 130.
Rain Scott, Oak Forest, freshman, 125.
Alex Sebek, Oak Forest, senior, 105.
Veronica Skibicki, Lockport, junior, 110.
Sadie Sparks, Lincoln-Way co-op, sophomore, 120.
Ariel Woodfin, Thornton, senior, 100.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/28/steve-millar-top-5-girls-wrestling-teams-25-girls-wrestlers-to-watch-southland-2025-26/ 

Thousands of eager shoppers braved Chicago’s chilly temperatures to take advantage of Black Friday sales and take in the sights downtown.

Despite concerns about inflation, shoppers turned out en masse for a day of shopping that, for some, is just as much about finding good deals as it is about holiday traditions in downtown Chicago. A long line of customers stretched around the Richard J. Daley Center waiting to get into a packed Christkindlmarket.

Jen Villa and her husband Joe Villa typically visit Chicago-area family on Thanksgiving and hit some of the city’s best known stores on Black Friday. The pair were taking a rest in Macy’s flagship store on State Street after a busy morning, and were about to get some of the store’s world-famous Frango candies.

“We have two teenagers and another son and this is our tradition every year,” said Jen Villa, a preschool teacher from the Detroit area. “We have to get Frangos every year.”

They still planned to visit Water Tower Place and other outlets on Michigan Avenue, before going ice skating and attending the The Sound of Music sing-a-long at Chicago’s Music Box Theater.

“We love doing that,” Jen Villa said. “It’s a girls outing.”

Joe Villa, who works for General Motors, said they don’t purchase many items on Black Friday. The trip is mostly about spending time with family on an extended holiday weekend. He does have some concerns about persistent inflation, but gave each of his three children, aged 17, 18 and 21, about $100 to spend.

“It’s a great way for them to learn about inflation, by spending their own money,” Villa said. “We don’t have the Magnificent Mile in Detroit. We have a lot of stores, but it’s just not the same.”

Many Chicago-area consumers are worrying about inflation this Christmas season, and those worries could cause many to cut back on spending.

Deloitte’s 2025 Chicago Holiday Retail Survey found local shoppers plan to spend an average of $1,553 for the holidays, down 11% from last year. More than three-quarters of Chicago shoppers surveyed said they expect to see higher prices, and nearly 90% said they would be on the hunt for deals.

Not everyone is worried. Older shoppers are likely to spend roughly the same amounts or a little more than they did last year, while those under 44 report they may make significant cutbacks, according to Deloitte’s national shopping survey. Generation Z, those aged 18 to 28, are the most anxious about their holiday finances, and plan to cut spending by 34%. Generation X, those between the ages of 44 and 61, plan to boost their spending to $1,980, a 3% increase, Deloitte found.

The city’s thrift stores were a popular destination Friday for shoppers looking for more economic, guilt-free purchases. The Salvation Army offered 50% off on clothing, a deal that the dozens of shoppers who crisscrossed the aisles at the Lincoln Park store took advantage of Friday morning.

Pamela Trout, 32, was searching for a new outfit for an upcoming trip to Mexico, specifically a black denim jacket. It can get pricey buying new clothes, so the Salvation Army deal felt like a perfect compromise, she said.

“I feel better about the dopamine hit of getting something new,” Trout, a Lincoln Park resident, said. “I did some online shopping at Aritzia, and I bought three things, and it was like $400. That versus here I can get a lot more stuff and it’s more unique.”

She also picked up a black and white striped shirt for work for less than $5.

Giuliana Martinez bought sweaters and bilingual books for her three nephews. The 40-year-old West Loop resident tries to keep Spanish alive in her family and said the Lincoln Park store has a robust selection of secondhand books. She also loves finding surprises in thrift stores.

“I really enjoy the hunt of thrifting,” Martinez said. “I’m not really looking for anything specific, so if I find a good treat, great. If I don’t find anything I’m not disappointed. When I go to the mall. I’m very targeted, because it’s too busy.”

Keith Beyar, 57, said his family agreed to make this Christmas a “thrifting Christmas” so as not to put pressure on anyone financially. He shopped Friday with his wife and two children.

“It’s like make a list, see if you can find a version of it at a thrift store or upcycle, recycle,” the Old Town resident said.

His 22-year-old daughter, Nadya Beyar, said it doesn’t seem like there’s many good discounts at shops anyway, so 50% off comparatively seems like “a real Black Friday sale.” She found Levi jeans and athletic wear.

“Those are always the hidden gems in thrift stores,” she said.

.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/28/black-friday-chicago/ 

Photos from the Chicago Bears’ Week 13 game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on Nov. 28, 2025.

Chicago Bears cornerback Kyler Gordon warms up to face the Philadelphia Eagles on Nov. 28, 2025, at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Bears quarterback Caleb Williams arrives to face the Eagles on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Bears chairman George McCaskey talks with fans as he arrives Nov. 28, 2025, at Philadelphia International Airport before their game against the Philadelphia Eagles. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/28/week-13-photos-chicago-bears-at-philadelphia-eagles/ 

Por COLLIN BINKLEY y BEN FINLEY

WASHINGTON (AP) — El hombre acusado de disparar a dos miembros de la Guardia Nacional enfrenta ahora un cargo de homicidio premeditado después de que uno de los soldados muriera, anunció el viernes la fiscal federal del Distrito de Columbia.

La especialista Sarah Beckstrom, de 20 años, y el sargento primero Andrew Wolfe, de 24, fueron hospitalizados en estado crítico tras el tiroteo ocurrido el miércoles por la tarde cerca de la Casa Blanca. Trump anunció el jueves por la noche que Beckstrom había fallecido.

La oficina de la fiscal Jeanine Pirro dijo que las acusaciones contra Rahmanullah Lakanwal, un afgano de 29 años que trabajó con la CIA durante la guerra de Afganistán, ahora incluyen un cargo de homicidio premeditado, tres cargos de posesión de arma de fuego durante un crimen violento y dos cargos de agresión con intención de matar estando armado.

Beckstrom y Wolfe fueron desplegados con la Guardia Nacional de Virginia Occidental como parte de la misión de lucha contra el crimen del presidente Donald Trump que federalizó la fuerza policial de Washington D.C. El mandatario también ha desplegado o intentado desplegar a miembros de la Guardia Nacional en otras ciudades para que contribuyan a sus esfuerzos de deportación masiva, pero ha enfrentado impugnaciones judiciales.

Trump calificó el tiroteo como un “ataque terrorista” y criticó al gobierno del expresidente Joe Biden por permitir que afganos que trabajaron con las fuerzas estadounidenses durante la guerra de Afganistán ingresaran al país. El presidente ha dicho que quiere “pausar permanentemente la migración” de naciones más pobres y expulsar a millones de inmigrantes de Estados Unidos.

En una entrevista en Fox News, Pirro dijo que hay “muchos cargos por venir” más allá de la agravación del cargo de homicidio. Expresó su pesar por la familia de Beckstrom, quien se ofreció como voluntaria para servir y “terminó recibiendo disparos en una emboscada en las frías calles de Washington, D.C., por un individuo que ahora será acusado de homicidio premeditado”.

Pirro se negó a hablar del motivo del sospechoso, y dijo que las autoridades han trabajado sin descanso en esa cuestión. Los investigadores siguen ejecutando órdenes de registro en el estado de Washington, donde vivía Lakanwal, y en otras partes del país, dijo.

Wolfe permanece en “condición muy crítica”, dijo el viernes el gobernador de Virginia Occidental, Patrick Morrisey. Ordenó que las banderas se izaran a media asta en reconocimiento a la muerte de Beckstrom.

“Estos dos héroes de Virginia Occidental servían a nuestro país y protegían la capital de nuestra nación cuando fueron atacados maliciosamente”, dijo Morrisey. “Su valentía y compromiso con el deber representan lo mejor de nuestro estado”.

El sospechoso ingresó a Estados Unidos en 2021

Lakanwal ingresó a Estados Unidos en 2021 a través de la Operación Bienvenidos Aliados, un programa del gobierno de Biden en el que se evacuaron y reasentaron a decenas de miles de afganos tras la retirada de Estados Unidos del país, dijeron las autoridades. El hombre solicitó asilo durante el gobierno de Biden, pero su proceso fue aprobado bajo el gobierno de Trump, informó #AfghanEvac en un comunicado.

Lakanwal había vivido en Bellingham, Washington, a unos 130 kilómetros (80 millas) al norte de Seattle, con su esposa y cinco hijos, dijo su antigua arrendadora, Kristina Widman.

El sospechoso trabajó brevemente como contratista independiente para Amazon Flex, que permite que las personas usen sus propios autos para entregar paquetes, dijo un portavoz de la compañía a The Associated Press. Lakanwal entregó paquetes desde finales de julio hasta finales de agosto y no había estado activo desde entonces.

Mohammad Sherzad, un vecino de Lakanwal en Bellingham, dijo a la AP el viernes en una entrevista telefónica que el hombre era educado, callado y hablaba muy poco inglés.

Sherzad dijo que asistía a la misma mezquita que Lakanwal y había escuchado de otros miembros que el sospechoso tenía problemas para encontrar trabajo. Algunos de sus hijos asistían a la misma escuela que los suyos, dijo Sherzad.

“Era muy callado y los niños eran muy educados, eran muy juguetones. Pero no vimos nada malo en él. Parecía estar bien”, afirmó Sherzad. También dijo que Lakanwal “desapareció” hace unas dos semanas.

En su discurso a las tropas el jueves, Trump dijo que a Lakanwal “se le zafó un tornillo. Quiero decir, se volvió loco”.

Personas que conocían a Lakanwal dicen que sirvió en una unidad del Ejército afgano respaldada por la CIA antes de emigrar a Estados Unidos. Trabajó en una de las unidades especiales Zero en la provincia sureña de Kandahar, según un residente de la provincia oriental afgana de Khost que se identificó como primo de Lakanwal. Dijo que éste era originario de la provincia y que su hermano también había trabajado en la unidad.

El primo habló con The Associated Press bajo condición de anonimato por temor a represalias. Dijo que el sospechoso había comenzado trabajando como guardia de seguridad para la unidad en 2012 y luego fue ascendido a líder de equipo y especialista en GPS. Un exfuncionario de la unidad, que habló bajo condición de anonimato debido a la sensibilidad de la situación, dijo que el hermano de Lakanwal era líder de pelotón.

Las Unidades Zero eran unidades paramilitares compuestas por afganos, pero respaldadas por la CIA, que también servían en combates de primera línea con agentes paramilitares de la CIA. Los activistas atribuyeron abusos a las unidades. Estas desempeñaron un papel clave en la caótica retirada de Estados Unidos del país, proporcionando seguridad alrededor del Aeropuerto Internacional de Kabul mientras los estadounidenses se retiraban.

Beckstrom “fue un ejemplo de liderazgo, dedicación y profesionalismo”

Beckstrom se enlistó en 2023, el mismo año en que se graduó de la escuela secundaria, y sirvió con distinción como policía militar en la Compañía de Policía Militar 863, dijo la Guardia Nacional de Virginia Occidental en un comunicado.

“Ella fue un ejemplo de liderazgo, dedicación y profesionalismo”, se lee en el comunicado, que agrega que Beckstrom “se ofreció como voluntaria para servir como parte de la Operación D.C. Segura y Hermosa, ayudando a garantizar la seguridad de la capital de nuestra nación”.

El presidente calificó a Beckstrom como una “persona increíble, destacada en todos los sentidos”.

El miércoles por la noche, Trump pidió que se vuelva a investigar a todos los refugiados afganos que ingresaron bajo la iniciativa del gobierno de Biden, que trajo a aproximadamente 76.000 personas al país, muchas de las cuales habían trabajado como intérpretes y traductores.

El programa ha enfrentado un intenso escrutinio de Trump y otras personas debido a las acusaciones de lagunas en el proceso de verificación, aun cuando los defensores afirman que se realizó una verificación exhaustiva y que el programa ofreció un salvavidas a personas en riesgo de sufrir represalias de los talibanes.

El director de Servicios de Ciudadanía e Inmigración de Estados Unidos, Joseph Edlow, dijo en un comunicado que la agencia tomaría medidas adicionales para examinar “en la mayor medida posible” a personas de 19 países “de alto riesgo”.

El funcionario no nombró los países. Pero en junio, el gobierno prohibió viajar a Estados Unidos a ciudadanos de 12 países y restringió el acceso desde otros siete, citando preocupaciones de seguridad nacional.

___

Los periodistas de The Associated Press Sarah Brumfield, Siddiqullah Alizai, Elena Becatoros y Randy Herschaft contribuyeron a este informe.

___

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/2025/11/28/sospechoso-de-ataque-a-miembros-de-la-guardia-nacional-en-dc-enfrenta-cargo-de-homicidio-premeditado/ 

Wall Street Warns Of A Deepening Oil Glut In 2026

Tyler Durden
Fri, 11/28/2025 – 14:30

https://www.zerohedge.com/energy/wall-street-warns-deepening-oil-glut-2026 

Nine newspapers owned or managed by MediaNews Group filed a civil lawsuit Wednesday, Nov. 26 against OpenAI and Microsoft, accusing the tech giants of violating copyright law by stealing the news publishers’ content to build and operate the large language models that power their artificial intelligence applications.

The newspapers are the Los Angeles Daily News, The San Diego Union-Tribune, San Bernardino Sun, Boston Herald, Hartford Courant, The Morning Call, the Boulder Daily Camera, the Daily Press and The Virginian-Pilot.

The plaintiffs in the 119-page complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York said they are seeking “in excess of $10 billion” in damages.

“OpenAI pays for its chips. It pays for its computers. It pays its programmers. But it steals the raw material for its GAI products — valuable well-written content — from hard-working journalists without payment and without permission,” said Steven Lieberman, an attorney with the Washington, D.C.-based law firm Rothwell Figg, Ernst & Manbeck, who is representing the newspapers in the case. “Through this lawsuit, the news plaintiffs seek to make OpenAI pay for what it has taken.”

Spokespersons with OpenAi and Microsoft did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Lieberman also represents eight other publications owned or managed by Tribune and MNG that filed a similar lawsuit in April 2024 against OpenAI and Microsoft, also in the Southern District of New York. That case is proceeding on a separate track.

In the older case, the plaintiffs include the Tribune Publishing’s Chicago Tribune, Orlando Sentinel and South Florida Sun Sentinel and the New York Daily News and MNG-owned Orange County Register, Mercury News, Denver Post, and St. Paul Pioneer-Press.

“Not only have these companies built their multibillion-dollar AI products on the theft of our journalism, but now they are stealing our audience and undermining our business,” Frank Pine, MNG’s executive editor, said of Wednesday’s lawsuit. “One of the most fundamental responsibilities of the Fourth Estate is to hold the powerful to account and to seek justice. This lawsuit does just that.”

In the 2024 case, OpenAI is challenging a court order that would require it to turn over 20 million output logs the publishers are seeking in order to determine how much of their content OpenAI serves to its users.

In a separate case filed by the Authors Guild and a long list of best-selling authors, Manhattan Federal Court Magistrate Judge Ona Wang ruled this week that OpenAI needs to turn over all its internal communications with lawyers about why it deleted troves of pirated books from a “shadow library” that the tech company is accused of using to train ChatGPT, according to a New York Daily News report.

In that case, book publishers allege large-scale copyright infringement of their articles without permission or payment, to fuel the commercialization of OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Microsoft’s Copilot artificial intelligence products.

The newspapers in their suit claim the technology giants illegally harvested millions of copyrighted articles to create their cutting-edge “generative” artificial intelligence products.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/28/openai-microsoft-lawsuit/ 

Pushing aside folding chair poles and fuzzy blankets inside the trunk of her small SUV, Patricia Cortez placed her Target bags inside.

Rosa Cossyleon, Cortez’s sister, said they, plus their brother and sister-in-law, got to the Target at Highland Grove Shopping Center at 3 a.m. on Black Friday. They used the folding chairs and blankets to camp outside the store, until it opened at 6 a.m., she said.

Anthony Castel, of Indianapolis, carries gifts for his sister Jesenia Cosme, of Hammond, while on a Black Friday shopping trip at Kohl’s in the Highland Grove Shopping Center in Highland, Indiana on Friday, November 28, 2025. (Andy Lavalley/for the Post-Tribune)

Cortez, 38, of Schererville, said the hardest part was the temperature seemed to get colder the closer it got to sunrise. By 6 a.m., there were more than 100 people waiting outside the store, Cossyleon said.

Their goal, Cossyleon said, was to get the store’s Black Friday goody bag promised for the first 100 shoppers. An added bonus, she said, was that 10 of the bags had an extra item, valued at about $100 or more.

“I was so excited. They wanted to sleep in and like, ‘no, we have to be number one’,” said their sister-in-law Ana Martinez, 36, of Schererville.

Unfortunately, Cossyleon, 36, of Schererville, said their bags did not hold the larger prize. Their bags had multiple items, including lip gloss, candy, LMNT electrolyte drink mix, and Uno cards, she said.

Suzanne Reuthel, of Chesterton, carries a tree and presents to her car after a Black Friday shopping trip at Highland Grove Shopping Center in Highland, Indiana on Friday, November 28, 2025. (Andy Lavalley/for the Post-Tribune)

But, for about the last 10 years, it has become a tradition for them to go out early for Black Friday shopping, Cossyleon said. They’ve seen a shift in stores opening later in the morning and Black Friday deals starting about a week before Thanksgiving, she said.

“It wasn’t like back in the day, people stampeding each other,” Cossyleon said. “I think it’s better for the workers, but the deals aren’t as good as they used to be.”

Despite the cold temperatures and early access to deals, many shoppers walked in and out of stores at the Highland Grove Shopping Center at 6:30 a.m. Friday to secure Black Friday deals.

Jesenia Cosme, 22, of Hammond, and her brother Anthony Castel, 29, of Indianapolis, walked out of Kohl’s with multiple shopping bags and a large toy for Cosme’s 13-month-old son.

Alfonso Alvarez, of Chicago, opens a passenger door to assist as Best Buy employees Ozzie Perez, left, and Lupe Mandujano load a 65-inch television into the back of his vehicle during a Black Friday shopping trip at Highland Grove Shopping Center in Highland, Indiana on Friday, November 28, 2025. (Andy Lavalley/for the Post-Tribune)

They were at Highland Grove Shopping Center by 6 a.m. to shop with their mother, Paula Castel, 55, of East Chicago.

Cosme said she started Black Friday shopping with her mom when Cosme was in eighth grade. Cosme said she’s always enjoyed Black Friday shopping, especially getting a preview of some of her Christmas gifts.

Paula Castel said she’s always enjoyed Black Friday shopping because of the affordability. Castel said she was most excited about the leather jacket she purchased for her son at Kohl’s.

Anthony Castel liked the jacket so much he wore it out of the store.

Donna Gonzalez heads to her car with a cart full of gifts during an early-morning Black Friday shopping trip at Highland Grove Shopping Center in Highland, Indiana on Friday, November 28, 2025. Gonzalez, of Munster, said she arrived at 5:30 a.m. to take advantage of the traditional savings offered by retailers. (Andy Lavalley/for the Post-Tribune)

“He made out like a bandit, they always do,” Paula Castel said with a laugh.

After Kohl’s, Paula Castel said the plan was that her son would head back to Indianapolis while she and Cosme went to Pink.

“It’s my turn to pick Christmas gifts,” Cosme said.

While Black Friday deals have started earlier and earlier each year, Paula Castel said it’s worth waking up early to save money.

“When you’re on a budget, you have to know how to stretch it,” Paula Castel said. “Mothers know how.”

Sondra Laco, 50, of Hobart, walked out of Best Buy with a large computer monitor. Laco said she went shopping with her son, a tradition of theirs.

Before Best Buy, they had already been to Target and Kohl’s, Laco said. While she was most excited about buying Christmas pajamas for the whole family, Laco said the deals weren’t what they used to be on Black Friday.

“It seems like there are Black Friday deals all year,” Laco said.

Suzanne Reithel, 59, of Chesterton, carried a plastic Christmas tree bought at Target to her car. For the last 41 years, Reithel said she and her family members have been Black Friday shopping to get ahead on buying Christmas presents.

“It’s a lot slower now,” Reithel said. “It’s changed.”

Sandy Gianoli, 40, and Tricia Meier, 37, both of Crown Point, walked out of Target in Christmas onesies with a shopping cart filled with toys, clothes, games and a popcorn machine.

They woke up at 5:30 a.m. Friday to get a jump start on their Christmas shopping. Gianoli said she got great deals on board games for her son.

In the future, Gianoli said she hopes to pass down the tradition of Black Friday shopping to her children.

“If not, I’ll go by myself,” Gianoli said with a laugh.

“Everyone calls us crazy, but we like it,” Meier said.

After Target, the two friends were headed to the nearby Five Below for stocking stuffers, and then to Menards for dog toys, Gianoli said.

They agreed to “play it by ear” when it came to heading home for the morning, Gianoli said.

“Hopefully, we end at a good time to take a nap,” Gianoli said.

akukulka@post-trib.com

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/28/despite-cold-temperature-early-deals-shoppers-continue-black-friday-traditions/ 

BUENOS AIRES (AP) — Boca Juniors estará obligado a elevar la vara de su rendimiento para superar a Argentinos Juniors, un rival elogiado por cuidar las formas del juego y que tiene al sobrino nieto de la leyenda Diego Maradona como máxima figura, el domingo por los cuartos de final del torneo Clausura de Argentina.

Los boquenses cerraron en gran forma la fase regular del certamen y superaron 2-0 a Talleres en los octavos de final, perfilándose como uno de los favoritos para ganar el título.

Pero el domingo se toparán en el estadio La Bombonera con un equipo que bajo la conducción de Nicolás Diez ha cosechado elogios por su buen trato de la pelota y juego de asociación. Su líder futbolístico es Hernán López Muñoz, hasta ahora el único integrante de la familia de Maradona que ha heredado algo de la clase de su famoso tío abuelo.

Maradona, fallecido en 2020, se formó en Argentinos Juniors y luego fue transferido a Boca Juniors, donde se volvió ídolo, antes de continuar su carrera en Europa.

“Entienden a lo que juegan”, destacó el técnico de Boca, Claudio Úbeda, sobre su rival. El estratega, no obstante, sabe que el peso del partido estará en sus dirigidos. “Al ponerse la camiseta de Boca la responsabilidad la tienen siempre y conviven a diario con esa obligación de jugar en este equipo que siempre tiene que ser protagonista, lo tienen bien en claro”.

Mientras en Boca se perfila el mismo equipo que le ganó a Talleres, Argentinos sufrió la lesión de su arquero Gonzalo Siri en el triunfo 2-0 de visitante a Vélez Sarsfield en los octavos de final.

Como Sergio Romero, el otro arquero, está desgarrado, el Bicho podría recurrir al juvenil Agustín Mangiaut, quien aún no debutó en primera división.

En otro duelo, Estudiantes visitará el sábado a Central Córdoba en un duelo marcado por el conflicto que mantiene el presidente del “Pincha”, Juan Sebastián Verón, con la Asociación del Fútbol Argentino (AFA) por negarse a reconocer a Rosario Central como campeón de la Liga 2025, un título ideado recién para reconocer al club que más puntos suma durante el año, pese a que la temporada todavía está en marcha.

En sus redes sociales, Estudiantes denunció que la medida no se sometió a votación, como determinan los reglamentos.

Posteriormente, los jugadores de Estudiantes le dieron las espaldas al flamante campeón en el tradicional pasillo cuando se enfrentaron el domingo por los octavos de final de la liga, un gesto sin antecedentes en el fútbol argentino. El Pincha finalmente se impuso 1-0 y se clasificó a los cuartos de final.

La AFA castigó a los 11 titulares de Estudiantes que participaron en el desagravio con dos partidos de suspensión, castigo que deberán cumplir en el torneo Apertura 2026. También impuso una suspensión de seis partidos. Además, Verón quedó inhabilitado por seis meses para ejercer cualquier actividad futbolística.

Central Córdoba es liderado por Pablo Toviggino, tesorero de AFA y mano derecha de su presidente Claudio Tapia. En medio de la pelea Verón-AFA, Toviggino publicó un sugerente mensaje en sus redes sociales advirtiendo a Verón que su rebeldía puede costarle caro a Estudiantes.

“Nos amenazaron, así que tranquilamente pueden ir por más. Hay que estar atentos y preparados”, dijo Verón el viernes en una entrevista al canal La Nación.

La ronda de cuartos continuará el lunes con Barracas Central midiéndose contra Gimnasia La Plata y Racing Club recibirá a Tigre.

En caso de igualdad al cabo de los 90 minutos, se recurrirá a un tiempo suplementario de 30 minutos y de persistir el empate, se ejecutarán una serie de tiros desde el punto penal.

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Deportes AP: https://apnews.com/hub/deportes

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/28/boca-ante-argentinos-bajo-la-marca-de-maradona-por-cuartos-de-final-de-torneo-clausura-de-argentina/ 

Time was when Black Friday signaled the official start of the holiday shopping season, but Jeanette Ludington of Aurora knows those days are long gone.

“I’m usually a Black Friday shopper but especially with four kids, we try to get the best deals ever,” she said as she walked around Chicago Premium Outlets mall in Aurora Friday morning. “I started shopping before all this, but I miss that time from the old days when you had to worry about – are we going to get this great deal or miss out? But now, the shopping season is weeks and months long. But I’m going to make a day, a family day of this.”

Despite the early start many have gotten on Christmas shopping and the chilly weather Friday morning, thousands still came out to the malls in Aurora for Black Friday deals.

Darkness greeted shoppers at Chicago Premium Outlets when it opened at 6 a.m. Friday. Many said their holiday shopping was already well underway but that there is still something alluring about Black Friday.

Mandy Zambrano of Mokena said when it comes to Black Friday shopping, “I do it every year.”

“I do this to spend time with family,” she said as she and her sister waited in line for more than 25 minutes to go inside The North Face store at the outlet mall. “I do a lot of internet shopping, but sometimes you want to see stuff. I like seeing and getting deals. I know people started shopping before today and actually, I’m almost done. What will make my day today is if I find a coat for my husband, but what I see is what I get.”

Zambrano’s sister Michelle Smith of Peotone said her mission was just “to hang with my sister,” adding that when it comes to Christmas shopping, “I started last month.”

“I’m almost done as well,” she said. “As far as waiting in line, it’s worth it if the store is offering 60% off.”

And she understands the attraction of the Black Friday shopping experience.

Shoppers crowd Chicago Premium Outlets mall in Aurora on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, to take advantage of Black Friday deals. (David Sharos/For The Beacon-News)

“I’m not shocked by the crowds here at all,” she said.

Meanwhile, at Fox Valley Mall in Aurora, shoppers were not able to enter before 9 a.m. on Friday, but within 15 minutes of opening hundreds of cars had already packed the parking lots.

Economists are predicting a robust holiday shopping season as the National Retail Federation says sales will top $1 trillion for the first time ever.

“The National Retail Federation forecasts a record-breaking holiday spending season for 2025, projecting sales to grow by 3.7% to 4.2% over 2024, surpassing $1 trillion for the first time,” according to a press release from the group. “This growth is supported by solid consumer fundamentals and expected online sales growth of 8% to 9%. Additionally, 186.9 million Americans are expected to shop over the Thanksgiving weekend, a slight increase from the previous year.”

At Fox Valley Mall, administrators are likewise optimistic about the holiday shopping season.

Kristina Arias, senior director of marketing for the mall, said prior to Thanksgiving that “foot traffic was up already and it has been an excellent year, foot traffic and sales-wise.”

“We’re up on all fronts and we’re really expecting the strongest Black Friday we’ve had in years,” Arias said earlier this week. “Shoppers are looking for value, convenience and experience, so Fox Valley really has all three. This year, they are shopping earlier for the deals, for the value and all of our indicators for traffic trends, retailer feedback and early promotions from our retailers point to a very busy Black Friday and an active holiday season.”

Jeanette Ludington of Aurora spends some time on Black Friday at Chicago Premium Outlets mall in Aurora on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025. (David Sharos/For The Beacon-News)

Arias agrees that despite some shoppers stretched finances, Christmas is a time when “they’ll spend the money regardless.”

“When promotions are out there from the tried-andtrue trusted brands, they’re going to perform well,” Arias said. “We still see customers comparing prices but they will still always spend on gifts and experiences for their loved ones.”

General manager of the mall Steven Yee said that shopping in person still matters despite the ease of online shopping.

“People are social by nature and they want to come to the mall and experience the holiday spirit and sharing the holiday events we have,” he said. “We have a lot of performances here and people want an immersive experience. You can’t get that online. People want the sensory connection, not just the click and buy and it shows up on your porch.”

David Sharos is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/28/despite-early-online-shopping-and-cold-weather-black-friday-still-a-must-for-holiday-shoppers-in-aurora/ 

A structure believed to be Naperville’s only remaining historic summer kitchen may have a path to preservation.

The homeowner of the house and detached summer kitchen at 337 N. Sleight St. wants to raise the 16-foot-tall outbuilding about six feet to build a garage below it.

The request came to the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission at its most recent meeting because if built, the new garage and summer kitchen combo would be 22 feet tall. That’s four feet above the 18-foot height limit for accessory structures in the R2 residential zoning district.

The summer kitchen at 337 N. Sleight St. is believed to be the only remaining building of its kind in Naperville. It could be preserved if the Naperville City Council approves a height variance allowing it to be raised so a garage can be built underneath. (Marie Wilson/Naperville Sun)

Anna Franco, of the city’s planning services team, said city staff members support the height variance request, calling the proposal “a creative solution” to preserve the historic summer kitchen while also modernizing the property with a garage.

Commissioners agreed, unanimously endorsing the request and sending it to the Naperville City Council for consideration with a positive recommendation.

“I loved hearing that it wasn’t going to be torn down,” Commissioner Allison Longenbaugh said about the summer kitchen, which is painted a shade of turquoise and sits to the west of the house at Sleight and Fourth streets. “It’s just such a cool house, so I am definitely in support and I really thank you for making the attempt to save it.”

Property owner Lisa Coronel wrote in her petition to the city that the summer kitchen “is believed to be the only remaining building of its kind in Naperville, having been moved to the site in the 1940s.”

Summer kitchens were common before air-conditioning systems became popular because they allowed cooking and other chores that generate heat to take place outside, preserving cooler air inside the main house.

“I don’t want to build a new garage in place of the historic summer kitchen because it would remove an important part of Naperville’s built history,” Colonel wrote.

Naperville Preservation Inc. helped Colonel research summer kitchens before she submitted her petition to the city. The group’s secretary, Jane Ory Burke, said it is known “from early fire maps that homes in Sleight’s addition (an area that’s part of the city’s current historic district) that a number of homes had outbuildings such as summer kitchens.”

Detached garages remain common in the area, and the proposal to build one at 337 N. Sleight would help the property come into compliance with two portions of city code related to setbacks and parking, Franco said.

Colonel’s plan would move the summer kitchen to meet a 5-foot setback requirement, instead of sitting 3.5 feet from the property line as it does now. And adding a garage would meet another code requirement that says at least one enclosed parking space must be provided per property in the R2 district.

The proposal would result in a 530-square-foot structure with a garage and a new “lean-to summer kitchen addition on the first floor and a lifted summer kitchen on the second floor,” Franco said.

The city council will decide whether to approve the height variance request that would allow these changes to be made.

“I think it’s awesome that you’re working on this property,” Commissioner Whitney Robbins said, addressing Colonel before the commission’s positive vote. “It’s a very cool house.”

Marie Wilson is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/28/naperville-commission-summer-kitchen-historic/