The Chicago City Council has approved a plan to boost tourism marketing by raising hotel taxes. Under Ordinance 2026-0022544, the total tax rate on hotel rooms will increase from 17.5% to 19% in downtown and nearby areas, according to Fox News.

The higher rate will apply to hotels with more than 100 rooms that choose to participate.

The report says that alongside the tax increase, the council created a Tourism Improvement District (TID) to fund Choose Chicago, the city’s tourism marketing organization. Revenue will support promotional campaigns and help cover bids for major events and conventions.

Chicago is already pursuing the Democratic National Convention, which requires a $1 million bid. The city previously hosted the event in August 2024 and is competing with several other cities.

Mayor Brandon Johnson called Chicago a leading destination for tourism and large-scale events, saying the city will continue investing in growth and development. Choose Chicago CEO Kristen Reynolds described the move as a “transformative moment” that will strengthen marketing efforts and attract more visitors.

Some critics, however, argue the 19% hotel tax — among the highest in the country — could make travel to Chicago more expensive and potentially discourage tourism.

The Chicago City Council has approved a plan to boost tourism marketing by raising hotel taxes. Under Ordinance 2026-0022544, the total tax rate on hotel rooms will increase from 17.5% to 19% in downtown and nearby areas, according to Fox News.

The higher rate will apply to hotels with more than 100 rooms that choose to participate.

The report says that alongside the tax increase, the council created a Tourism Improvement District (TID) to fund Choose Chicago, the city’s tourism marketing organization. Revenue will support promotional campaigns and help cover bids for major events and conventions.

Chicago is already pursuing the Democratic National Convention, which requires a $1 million bid. The city previously hosted the event in August 2024 and is competing with several other cities.

Mayor Brandon Johnson called Chicago a leading destination for tourism and large-scale events, saying the city will continue investing in growth and development. Choose Chicago CEO Kristen Reynolds described the move as a “transformative moment” that will strengthen marketing efforts and attract more visitors.

Some critics, however, argue the 19% hotel tax — among the highest in the country — could make travel to Chicago more expensive and potentially discourage tourism.

The Chicago City Council has approved a plan to boost tourism marketing by raising hotel taxes. Under Ordinance 2026-0022544, the total tax rate on hotel rooms will increase from 17.5% to 19% in downtown and nearby areas, according to Fox News.

The higher rate will apply to hotels with more than 100 rooms that choose to participate.

The report says that alongside the tax increase, the council created a Tourism Improvement District (TID) to fund Choose Chicago, the city’s tourism marketing organization. Revenue will support promotional campaigns and help cover bids for major events and conventions.

Chicago is already pursuing the Democratic National Convention, which requires a $1 million bid. The city previously hosted the event in August 2024 and is competing with several other cities.

Mayor Brandon Johnson called Chicago a leading destination for tourism and large-scale events, saying the city will continue investing in growth and development. Choose Chicago CEO Kristen Reynolds described the move as a “transformative moment” that will strengthen marketing efforts and attract more visitors.

Some critics, however, argue the 19% hotel tax — among the highest in the country — could make travel to Chicago more expensive and potentially discourage tourism.

The FCC has banned the import of all new foreign-made consumer wireless routers, citing “severe national security risks”.

The decision, announced today, follows a White House-convened inter-agency review that determined these devices – primarily those manufactured overseas – pose unacceptable threats to US households, critical infrastructure, and the economy.

Major brands like TP-Link (which holds a dominant share of the U.S. market), Netgear, Google Nest, Amazon Eero, Cisco, Linksys, and Asus produce most models abroad, often in China, which controls an estimated 60% of the U.S. home router market.

Interestingly, Netgear’s stock soared (presumably as a US company that has the potential to steal market share from TP-Link)…

The FCC highlighted how malicious state and non-state actors have exploited vulnerabilities in foreign-made routers for cyberattacks on American civilians, including espionage, network disruptions, intellectual property theft, and incidents linked to groups like Volt Typhoon and Salt Typhoon.

The ban applies only to new models manufactured outside the U.S., regardless of the company’s nationality, but does not affect routers already imported or in use.

Companies can seek exemptions through the Department of Defense or Department of Homeland Security if their products are deemed low-risk.

The move builds on prior FCC actions, such as the December 2025 ban on new foreign-made drones, and aligns with ongoing scrutiny of firms like TP-Link, which faces separate national security probes and a lawsuit from Texas over alleged deceptive marketing and data access risks.

Lawmakers, including Rep. John Moolenaar (R), chair of the House Select Committee on China, praised the order as a strong defense against Chinese cyberattacks.

“Routers are key to keeping us all connected,” he said, “and we cannot allow Chinese technology to be at the center of that.”

This policy could reshape the router market, encouraging domestic production or more secure alternatives while protecting against supply-chain vulnerabilities.

Existing devices remain unaffected, giving consumers and businesses time to adapt.

The Chinese Embassy has not commented.

The FCC has banned the import of all new foreign-made consumer wireless routers, citing “severe national security risks”.

The decision, announced today, follows a White House-convened inter-agency review that determined these devices – primarily those manufactured overseas – pose unacceptable threats to US households, critical infrastructure, and the economy.

Major brands like TP-Link (which holds a dominant share of the U.S. market), Netgear, Google Nest, Amazon Eero, Cisco, Linksys, and Asus produce most models abroad, often in China, which controls an estimated 60% of the U.S. home router market.

Interestingly, Netgear’s stock soared (presumably as a US company that has the potential to steal market share from TP-Link)…

The FCC highlighted how malicious state and non-state actors have exploited vulnerabilities in foreign-made routers for cyberattacks on American civilians, including espionage, network disruptions, intellectual property theft, and incidents linked to groups like Volt Typhoon and Salt Typhoon.

The ban applies only to new models manufactured outside the U.S., regardless of the company’s nationality, but does not affect routers already imported or in use.

Companies can seek exemptions through the Department of Defense or Department of Homeland Security if their products are deemed low-risk.

The move builds on prior FCC actions, such as the December 2025 ban on new foreign-made drones, and aligns with ongoing scrutiny of firms like TP-Link, which faces separate national security probes and a lawsuit from Texas over alleged deceptive marketing and data access risks.

Lawmakers, including Rep. John Moolenaar (R), chair of the House Select Committee on China, praised the order as a strong defense against Chinese cyberattacks.

“Routers are key to keeping us all connected,” he said, “and we cannot allow Chinese technology to be at the center of that.”

This policy could reshape the router market, encouraging domestic production or more secure alternatives while protecting against supply-chain vulnerabilities.

Existing devices remain unaffected, giving consumers and businesses time to adapt.

The Chinese Embassy has not commented.

The FCC has banned the import of all new foreign-made consumer wireless routers, citing “severe national security risks”.

The decision, announced today, follows a White House-convened inter-agency review that determined these devices – primarily those manufactured overseas – pose unacceptable threats to US households, critical infrastructure, and the economy.

Major brands like TP-Link (which holds a dominant share of the U.S. market), Netgear, Google Nest, Amazon Eero, Cisco, Linksys, and Asus produce most models abroad, often in China, which controls an estimated 60% of the U.S. home router market.

Interestingly, Netgear’s stock soared (presumably as a US company that has the potential to steal market share from TP-Link)…

The FCC highlighted how malicious state and non-state actors have exploited vulnerabilities in foreign-made routers for cyberattacks on American civilians, including espionage, network disruptions, intellectual property theft, and incidents linked to groups like Volt Typhoon and Salt Typhoon.

The ban applies only to new models manufactured outside the U.S., regardless of the company’s nationality, but does not affect routers already imported or in use.

Companies can seek exemptions through the Department of Defense or Department of Homeland Security if their products are deemed low-risk.

The move builds on prior FCC actions, such as the December 2025 ban on new foreign-made drones, and aligns with ongoing scrutiny of firms like TP-Link, which faces separate national security probes and a lawsuit from Texas over alleged deceptive marketing and data access risks.

Lawmakers, including Rep. John Moolenaar (R), chair of the House Select Committee on China, praised the order as a strong defense against Chinese cyberattacks.

“Routers are key to keeping us all connected,” he said, “and we cannot allow Chinese technology to be at the center of that.”

This policy could reshape the router market, encouraging domestic production or more secure alternatives while protecting against supply-chain vulnerabilities.

Existing devices remain unaffected, giving consumers and businesses time to adapt.

The Chinese Embassy has not commented.

A quad-amputee professional cornhole player has been accused of shooting a man in Maryland before driving off in his Tesla with the corpse, or dying guy (unclear), leaving everyone stumped. 

NEW: Quadruple amputee professional cornhole player accused of murdering someone before driving off in his Tesla.

Dayton Webber, 27, who has no arms & legs and was featured on ESPN, is accused of shooting 27-year-old Bradrick Michael Wells during an argument.

“Police say Webber… pic.twitter.com/5J1UNoQccB

— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) March 23, 2026

Dayton James Webber, 27, is accused of shooting and killing Bradrick Michael Wells, also 27, while the two were arguing in La Plata, Maryland. According to Fox5 DC, the incident occurred in Webber’s Tesla SUV, while Wells was in the passenger seat at the time of the alleged shooting. 

After the incident, Wells reportedly pulled over and asked two passengers in the back seat to pull Wells out – however they declined to do so and instead called the cops after getting out of the vehicle.

Webber, who had a quadruple amputation as a child due to a blood infection, then fled from the scene, leaving Wells in the Tesla (wait, don’t Teslas have cameras inside?).

Wells’ body was discovered in a yard on Newport Church Road in Charlotte Hall, and was pronounced dead at the scene. 

Webber, meanwhile, was found by police at a Charlottesville, Virginia hospital, placed under arrest, and charged as a fugitive from justice. He will now be extradited to Charles County where he’ll face first-degree murder, second-degree murder, and other charges. 

While you too may be stumped as to how a guy with no arms or legs can shoot a gun or drive, video has emerged of Webber loading a gun, racking the slide, and firing it. 

Video posted in January 2024 shows cornhole star Dayton Webber loading and firing a handgun.

Webber is accused of shooting and killing 27-year-old Bradrick Michael Wells in Maryland before driving off with the body in his car.

The American Cornhole League has released the… https://t.co/Jz1wC985bK pic.twitter.com/JUfRm2UgFO

— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) March 23, 2026

“It’s early in the investigation, but there’s no evidence to suggest anyone else was involved in the shooting and that he acted alone,” said Charles County Sheriff’s Office’s Diane Richardson. 

No fingerprints could be found at the scene of the crime.

— Mullets & Memes (@brandon_FST) March 23, 2026

Perhaps if he dodges prison Webber can grab some coffee to think things over.

fin

A quad-amputee professional cornhole player has been accused of shooting a man in Maryland before driving off in his Tesla with the corpse, or dying guy (unclear), leaving everyone stumped. 

NEW: Quadruple amputee professional cornhole player accused of murdering someone before driving off in his Tesla.

Dayton Webber, 27, who has no arms & legs and was featured on ESPN, is accused of shooting 27-year-old Bradrick Michael Wells during an argument.

“Police say Webber… pic.twitter.com/5J1UNoQccB

— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) March 23, 2026

Dayton James Webber, 27, is accused of shooting and killing Bradrick Michael Wells, also 27, while the two were arguing in La Plata, Maryland. According to Fox5 DC, the incident occurred in Webber’s Tesla SUV, while Wells was in the passenger seat at the time of the alleged shooting. 

After the incident, Wells reportedly pulled over and asked two passengers in the back seat to pull Wells out – however they declined to do so and instead called the cops after getting out of the vehicle.

Webber, who had a quadruple amputation as a child due to a blood infection, then fled from the scene, leaving Wells in the Tesla (wait, don’t Teslas have cameras inside?).

Wells’ body was discovered in a yard on Newport Church Road in Charlotte Hall, and was pronounced dead at the scene. 

Webber, meanwhile, was found by police at a Charlottesville, Virginia hospital, placed under arrest, and charged as a fugitive from justice. He will now be extradited to Charles County where he’ll face first-degree murder, second-degree murder, and other charges. 

While you too may be stumped as to how a guy with no arms or legs can shoot a gun or drive, video has emerged of Webber loading a gun, racking the slide, and firing it. 

Video posted in January 2024 shows cornhole star Dayton Webber loading and firing a handgun.

Webber is accused of shooting and killing 27-year-old Bradrick Michael Wells in Maryland before driving off with the body in his car.

The American Cornhole League has released the… https://t.co/Jz1wC985bK pic.twitter.com/JUfRm2UgFO

— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) March 23, 2026

“It’s early in the investigation, but there’s no evidence to suggest anyone else was involved in the shooting and that he acted alone,” said Charles County Sheriff’s Office’s Diane Richardson. 

No fingerprints could be found at the scene of the crime.

— Mullets & Memes (@brandon_FST) March 23, 2026

Perhaps if he dodges prison Webber can grab some coffee to think things over.

fin

A quad-amputee professional cornhole player has been accused of shooting a man in Maryland before driving off in his Tesla with the corpse, or dying guy (unclear), leaving everyone stumped. 

NEW: Quadruple amputee professional cornhole player accused of murdering someone before driving off in his Tesla.

Dayton Webber, 27, who has no arms & legs and was featured on ESPN, is accused of shooting 27-year-old Bradrick Michael Wells during an argument.

“Police say Webber… pic.twitter.com/5J1UNoQccB

— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) March 23, 2026

Dayton James Webber, 27, is accused of shooting and killing Bradrick Michael Wells, also 27, while the two were arguing in La Plata, Maryland. According to Fox5 DC, the incident occurred in Webber’s Tesla SUV, while Wells was in the passenger seat at the time of the alleged shooting. 

After the incident, Wells reportedly pulled over and asked two passengers in the back seat to pull Wells out – however they declined to do so and instead called the cops after getting out of the vehicle.

Webber, who had a quadruple amputation as a child due to a blood infection, then fled from the scene, leaving Wells in the Tesla (wait, don’t Teslas have cameras inside?).

Wells’ body was discovered in a yard on Newport Church Road in Charlotte Hall, and was pronounced dead at the scene. 

Webber, meanwhile, was found by police at a Charlottesville, Virginia hospital, placed under arrest, and charged as a fugitive from justice. He will now be extradited to Charles County where he’ll face first-degree murder, second-degree murder, and other charges. 

While you too may be stumped as to how a guy with no arms or legs can shoot a gun or drive, video has emerged of Webber loading a gun, racking the slide, and firing it. 

Video posted in January 2024 shows cornhole star Dayton Webber loading and firing a handgun.

Webber is accused of shooting and killing 27-year-old Bradrick Michael Wells in Maryland before driving off with the body in his car.

The American Cornhole League has released the… https://t.co/Jz1wC985bK pic.twitter.com/JUfRm2UgFO

— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) March 23, 2026

“It’s early in the investigation, but there’s no evidence to suggest anyone else was involved in the shooting and that he acted alone,” said Charles County Sheriff’s Office’s Diane Richardson. 

No fingerprints could be found at the scene of the crime.

— Mullets & Memes (@brandon_FST) March 23, 2026

Perhaps if he dodges prison Webber can grab some coffee to think things over.

fin

Australia’s weird obsession with “green energy,” compounded by a lack of urgency regarding proper energy security, has now collided with the worst energy crisis the world has ever seen.

A country heavily dependent on imported refined petroleum products, many of which transit the Strait of Hormuz, has reached the fourth week of the U.S.-Iran war, but with a full-blown fuel supply shock now underway, and hundreds of gas stations across the country running dry.

Energy Minister Chris Bowen warned federal parliament on Monday that more than 109 gas stations in Victoria had run out of at least one grade of gas. He said 47 outlets in Queensland had no diesel, 32 had no regular unleaded, and 37 stations in New South Wales had completely run out of fuel.

Earlier, NSW Premier Chris Minns warned that 105 gas stations across his state had completely run out of diesel.

The Guardian noted that the energy minister did not disclose how many gas stations in Western Australia, the Northern Territory, South Australia, or Tasmania had run out of fuel.

On Sunday, Bowen said that six tankers from Malaysia, Singapore, and South Korea that had been expected to unload refined petroleum products next month were canceled or deferred. He told local outlet ABC TV that the federal government is urgently working to replace those fuel cargoes.

Six oil ships bound for Australia have been turned back or deferred as the nation’s fuel crisis deepens, Energy Minister Chris Bowen has revealed.

The cancellations have sparked fresh concern from farmers nationwide, who say diesel and fertiliser stocks are drying up just as… pic.twitter.com/mTp4UW6IIP

— 7NEWS Australia (@7NewsAustralia) March 22, 2026

“The flow of oil to Asian refineries has slowed, and that has downward impacts on us,” Bowen said, adding, “We’re in an uncertain environment, so that’s why we’re doing all the preparatory work.”

He continued, “People think, ‘Well, all the ships are coming now, and one day they’ll all stop in one go.’ [But] that is highly unlikely to be the case. It’s much more likely that there’ll be bumps in supply, but that governments will work with the refiners and the importers to manage those and minimise impacts.”

Bowen warned that fuel supplies were at about 38 days for gasoline. He said only 30 days of diesel and jet fuel remained.

Last week, we explained to readers exactly why Australia’s catastrophic energy mistakes would lead to fuel rationing and, ultimately, broader shortages. We’re sure that after this energy crisis, domestic fossil fuel dependence will be prioritized and green energy will be sidelined. It’s absolutely embarrassing for Canberra, which should have had 90 days of reserves but began the crisis with only around 30.

Reports:

Australia Has One Month Before Energy Crisis And Fuel Rationing

Why Is Australia Not Already Rationing Fuel?

On top of the fuel crisis, which the IEA head has warned is the worst ever, Australia appears to have exacerbated the global fertilizer crisis, with one of the biggest plants shuttered for two months due to damage.