Category: News
Chicago Bears to acquire center Garrett Bradbury from New England Patriots for 2027 5th-round pick, per report
The Chicago Bears are acquiring New England Patriots center Garrett Bradbury for a 2027 fifth-round draft pick, according to a report Friday evening.
NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport first reported the trade, which will fill a vacancy left by the unexpected retirement of Pro Bowl center Drew Dalman. The transaction won’t be official until the new league year begins Wednesday.
Bradbury has played seven seasons in the NFL, the first six with the Minnesota Vikings. Last season with the Patriots, he started all 17 regular-season games as well as a run to the Super Bowl that culminated with a 29-13 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
Bradbury, 30, is a Charlotte, N.C., native whom the Vikings drafted at No. 18 out of North Carolina State in 2019. Last season with the Patriots, he played 100% of the snaps for the first 15 weeks but rested some snaps during the final two weeks in preparation for the playoffs.
Dalman played every offensive snap for the Bears last season, including two playoff games. The Bears officially placed him on the reserve/retired list Friday.
The 27-year-old Dalman informed the Bears of his decision to retire Tuesday, a source told the Tribune. His five-year NFL career ended with his first and only season in Chicago last year.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/03/06/chicago-bears-center-garrett-bradbury-trade/
Departamento de Justicia en Miami sopesa investigar penalmente a funcionarios cubanos
Por ALANNA DURKIN RICHER y JOSHUA GOODMAN
MIAMI (AP) — El principal fiscal del Departamento de Justicia en Miami está sopesando emprender investigaciones penales contra funcionarios del gobierno cubano, según personas al tanto del asunto, luego de que el presidente estadounidense Donald Trump planteó la posibilidad de una “toma amistosa” de la isla.
Jason Reding Quiñones, el fiscal federal del Distrito Sur de Florida, ha creado un “grupo de trabajo” —el cual incluye a fiscales federales y funcionarios de la DEA, y de otras agencias— para intentar desarrollar casos contra personas vinculadas al gobierno cubano y a su Partido Comunista, según una de las personas. Hablaron a condición de guardar el anonimato porque no están autorizadas a declarar públicamente sobre la iniciativa.
De momento no estaba claro a qué funcionarios cubanos apunta la oficina ni qué cargos penales podrían intentar presentar los fiscales.
El Departamento de Justicia señaló en un comunicado el viernes que “fiscales federales de todo el país trabajan todos los días para procurar justicia, lo que incluye esfuerzos para combatir el crimen transnacional”.
La iniciativa se desarrolla en el contexto de la postura cada vez más agresiva de Trump contra la dirigencia comunista del país caribeño.
Envalentonado por la captura por parte de Estados Unidos del expresidente venezolano Nicolás Maduro, estrecho aliado de Cuba, Trump afirmó el mes pasado que su gobierno sostenía conversaciones de alto nivel con funcionarios en La Habana para impulsar “una toma amistosa” del país. Repitió esas afirmaciones esta semana, y sostuvo que su atención volvería a centrarse en Cuba una vez que la guerra con Irán se vaya apaciguando.
“Están ansiosos de llegar a un acuerdo”, expresó Trump sobre la dirigencia cubana.
Aunque en las últimas décadas Cuba se ha desvanecido del radar de Washington como una gran amenaza para la seguridad nacional, sigue siendo una prioridad en la fiscalía federal en Miami, en cuya vida política, económica y cultural predominan los exiliados cubanoestadounidenses.
La oficina local del FBI cuenta con un grupo dedicado a Cuba, que en 2024 fue clave en el arresto de Victor Manuel Rocha, exembajador de Estados Unidos que fue acusado de haber sido agente secreto de La Habana desde la década de 1970.
En semanas recientes, varios republicanos de Miami, además del senador de Florida Rick Scott, han instado al gobierno de Trump a reabrir su investigación penal sobre el derribo de cuatro aviones operados por exiliados anticomunistas en 1996.
En una carta a Trump el 13 de febrero, algunos legisladores, entre ellos los representantes Maria Elvira Salazar y Carlos Gimenez, destacaron reportes periodísticos de hace décadas que indicaban que el expresidente Raúl Castro —jefe de las fuerzas armadas de Cuba en ese momento— dio la orden de derribar las aeronaves Cessna, que no portaban armas.
“Creemos inequívocamente que Raúl Castro es responsable de este crimen atroz”, escribieron los legisladores. “Es hora de que sea llevado ante la justicia”.
Aunque no se ha anunciado ninguna acusación formal contra Castro, el fiscal general de Florida dijo esta semana que abriría una investigación a nivel estatal sobre el crimen.
El gobierno de Trump también ha acusado a Cuba de no cooperar con los empeños antiterroristas estadounidenses, y la ha añadido, junto con Corea del Norte e Irán, a un reducido grupo de naciones que Washington considera Estados patrocinadores del terrorismo.
La designación se deriva de que Cuba ha dado refugio a fugitivos de Estados Unidos, y de su negativa a extraditar a varios líderes rebeldes colombianos mientras participaban en conversaciones de paz con la nación sudamericana.
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Richer informó desde Washington.
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Esta historia fue traducida del inglés por un editor de AP con la ayuda de una herramienta de inteligencia artificial generativa.
Daily Horoscope for March 07, 2026
General Daily Insight for March 07, 2026
Connection can’t blossom in a vacuum — we must reach out to each other. While the luminous Sun conjoins chatty Mercury early, conversations could reveal truths we missed. Slow down and listen for nuance. At 6:27 am EST, Venus conjoins dreamy Neptune, blending tenderness with imagination as we reimagine what feels worthy and adjust promises to match. When we speak from our hearts, pressure eases. We’d also be wise to leave plenty of space for quiet reflection. Let softness guide choices that matter.
Aries
March 21 – April 19
The steel of courage is being tempered by love into something even stronger. Loving Venus conjoins spiritual Neptune in your sign, blending warmth with imagination so you can present yourself with heart and creativity. You may update your profile or pitch an idea, while your tone helps others feel safe and open to your plan. That said, be wary of making lofty promises — name only what you can realistically do right now. That way, sincerity and follow-through can carry your message.
Taurus
April 20 – May 20
Quiet time can restore your grace, in terms of both physical agility and emotional graciousness. Your 12th House of Peace stirs as the Love Goddess Venus conjoins nebulous Neptune, inviting the kind of deep rest that’s necessary for true forgiveness. You’d benefit from meditating, napping, or journaling. The “when” doesn’t matter as much as the “where” — look for somewhere serene. Let your thoughts drift through you, trusting insight to arrive in its own time. As stress recedes, you could literally feel your muscles relax.
Gemini
May 21 – June 20
This morning supports smart moves and polished poise. Career conversations ask for calm leadership as the vibrant Sun embraces clever Mercury in your 10th House of Respect, invigorating you with ambitious potential. You might guide a meeting with a supervisor, while your curious mind keeps details tidy without losing the bigger picture. If someone challenges your plan, acknowledge their point, then restate the goal and the next step. Progress is easier when everyone feels included. Aim for results you can deliver with skill.
Cancer
June 21 – July 22
What public role feels most true now? Sensual Venus conjoins imaginative Neptune near your 10th House of Prestige. This blend of visionary potential and Venusian kindness can guide you to take charge in almost any circumstances. You could share credit with a co-worker, while your updated bio highlights how you lead with care in plain language. If a public request tugs at private feelings, pause to check your boundaries, then accept only what supports family rhythms and true priorities. Your results should speak for themselves!
Leo
July 23 – August 22
Your intuition reads the room with ease. Your 8th House of Shared Resources is under the spotlight of today’s Mercury-Sun conjunction, prompting talks around mutual investments or joint productions. Secrecy has potentially slowed progress, so honesty will probably be necessary. You might renegotiate a shared subscription or clarify who pays which bill — look for real answers, not just somewhere to place blame. If someone resists, invite them to investigate the truth alongside you. Ask plainly, then honor any agreements you make.
Virgo
August 23 – September 22
Being honest doesn’t mean being unkind. That’s vital to remember as your bonds are empowered by the Sun-Mercury embrace in your partnership-oriented 7th house. You’re allowed to set ground rules for all connections — even friendships. For instance, if someone isn’t a fan of your newest style idea, you can tell them you don’t want to hear complaints about what you do with your own body. The catch? This also applies to comments you might want to make about their aesthetic decisions! Just be respectful.
Libra
September 23 – October 22
You know the social rules, and today, you may need to explain them to others. Right now, charming Venus aligns with fanciful Neptune in your 7th House of Links, blending empathy with imagination so you can name your needs without ignoring anyone else. However your connections look, a small promise about time or attention can reset trust after a recent misunderstanding. If feelings blur facts, do your best to find a time when everyone involved can share what would help. Empathy is bolstered by structure.
Scorpio
October 23 – November 21
What story do you want to tell? Your 5th House of Discovery brightens as mischievous Mercury conjoins the life-giving Sun. Look back at your most recent project — it might express aspects of your personal philosophies that you didn’t realize you were saying while creating it. Feedback from friends could also offer helpful insights. In the end, these may or may not be ideas you want to continue emphasizing. Either way, you can move forward with a more informed perspective on your own work.
Sagittarius
November 22 – December 21
Creative sparks land in real, joyful ways. Compassionate Venus and conceptual Neptune combine to bless your 5th House of Amusement with extra inspiration. An off-the-cuff idea could be your next favorite project! Spending time with friends is also a great way to spend today, especially if you team up for an artistic project (or get together to work side-by-side on your own endeavours). Don’t get caught up in making it “good” — just enjoy yourselves! Play sincerely, and let joy lead your craft.
Capricorn
December 22 – January 19
Morning conversations deserve patience — even if you’re still half-asleep. Messenger Mercury conjoins the almighty Sun in your 3rd House of Chatter, encouraging steady pacing as you gather facts and decide what needs to be shared and when. You may run a team huddle at work, or discuss local construction with neighbors at home. If a delay appears, treat it like a checkpoint to avoid frustration. That’s your time to refine your messages and double-check the vital details. Diligence keeps everything moving without strain.
Aquarius
January 20 – February 18
When kindness meets imagination, conversations blossom. Everyday exchanges feel softer as romantic Venus kisses elusive Neptune in your 3rd House of Contact, which nudges you to speak from the heart. Just don’t get overwhelmed by any powerful emotions! It would be wise to reread any drafted messages before clicking send. In-person conversations shouldn’t be rushed, either. If someone misreads your tone, slow down, then summarize your intention and ask what they heard, so both sides feel safe. Empathy ought to be your guiding star.
Pisces
February 19 – March 20
Pisces, your presence shapes the room differently. Your identity is the center of the Sun and Mercury’s caring trine, allowing you to sparkle with all their cosmic power. You may introduce yourself to a neighbor or ask loved ones for aid on a project that supports your well-being. If you feel sensitive, slow the tempo, then choose a single priority and give it your attention. This generosity towards yourself could inspire others to give themselves the same courtesy. Happiness shared is happiness doubled!
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/03/06/daily-horoscope-for-march-07-2026/
Cuba dice que una 5ta persona involucrada en tiroteo con lancha con pabellón de Florida ha muerto
LA HABANA (AP) — Cuba informó que una quinta persona ha muerto como consecuencia de un tiroteo que se registró el mes pasado en el que estuvo involucrada una lancha rápida con pabellón de Florida cuyos ocupantes presuntamente dispararon contra efectivos cubanos en aguas frente a la costa norte de la isla.
El Ministerio del Interior de Cuba señaló en un comunicado emitido a última hora del jueves que Roberto Álvarez Ávila murió el 4 de marzo a causa de sus heridas. Agregó que los demás detenidos heridos continúan recibiendo atención médica.
Las autoridades de Cuba indicaron que el 26 de febrero soldados cubanos se enfrentaron con las personas que iban a bordo de una lancha rápida después que se aproximaron a la isla y dispararon contra las tropas cubanas. Afirmaron que los atacantes eran cubanos que vivían en Estados Unidos y que intentaron infiltrarse en la isla “con fines terroristas”. Cuba dijo que sus soldados mataron a cuatro personas e hirieron a otras seis.
El Ministerio del Interior cubano manifestó en su comunicado que “las declaraciones realizadas por los propios detenidos, junto con una serie de procedimientos investigativos, refuerzan las pruebas en su contra”, y añadió que “se están obteniendo nuevos elementos que establecen la implicación de otros individuos radicados en Estados Unidos”.
“Las declaraciones de los propios detenidos se suman a un conjunto de diligencias investigativas que refuerzan las evidencias en su contra, a la vez que se obtienen nuevos elementos que establecen la participación de otras personas radicadas en los Estados Unidos”, indicó el Ministerio del Interior cubano en su comunicado.
A principios de esta semana, Cuba informó que había presentado cargos por terrorismo contra seis sospechosos que iban en la lancha rápida. El gobierno exhibió objetos que, según dijo, fueron hallados en la embarcación, entre ellos una docena de armas de alto poder, más de 12.800 cartuchos de munición y 11 pistolas.
Las autoridades cubanas han ofrecido pocos detalles sobre el tiroteo, pero señalaron que la lancha se encontraba aproximadamente a 1,6 kilómetros (1 milla) al noreste de Cayo Falcones, frente a la costa norte del país. También proporcionaron el número de registro de la embarcación, pero The Associated Press no ha podido verificar los datos porque los registros de embarcaciones no son públicos en el estado de Florida.
El tiroteo amenazaba con aumentar las tensiones entre el presidente de Estados Unidos, Donald Trump, y las autoridades cubanas. La economía de la isla se mantuvo hasta hace poco en gran medida a flote gracias al petróleo de Venezuela, lo cual ahora está en duda después de que Estados Unidos lanzara una operación militar contra Venezuela y capturara al entonces presidente venezolano Nicolás Maduro.
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Esta historia fue traducida del inglés por un editor de AP con la ayuda de una herramienta de inteligencia artificial generativa.
Elgin News Digest: ECC holds world premiere of ‘Attar’ production; open house on McLean/Spartan Drive improvements
ECC HOLDS WORLD PREMIERE OF ‘ATTAR’ PRODUCTION
Elgin Community College Arts Center will host the world premiere of “Seven Realms of Attar,” a multidisciplinary stage production by musical act Niyaz, at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 14, in the Blizzard Theatre, Building H, 1700 Spartan Drive.
The performance, being done in collaboration with Theron Pray and Jody Sperling, will fuse live music, poetry, dance and stagecraft that incorporates animation and 3D projection mapping, according to a news release.
As the heart of “Seven Realms of Attar” is “the reclamation and celebration of Iranian heritage, presenting Iranian and regional artistic traditions not as relics of the past, but as a response to today’s global unrest and deepening division, unfolding as both a spiritual odyssey and a powerful affirmation of humanity’s shared longing for unity and freedom,” the release said.
Tickets are $35 for the general public and $12 for children 12 and younger. They can be purchased by calling 847-622-0300, going to the Arts Center box office or going online at eccartscenter.org/tickets/eventdetails.aspx#event-26CSSR.
OPEN HOUSE ON MCLEAN/SPARTAN DRIVE IMPROVEMENTS
The city of Elgin will host an open house on proposed improvements to the intersection of McLean Boulevard and Spartan Drive/Sports Way from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, March 19, at the Centre of Elgin at 100 Symphony Way.
Part of the project’s Phase I study, the event will give residents, businesses and stakeholders a chance to review plans and provide feedback, according to the city’s website.
Planned improvements include construction of a dedicated southbound right-turn lane, pavement resurfacing, sidewalk and ADA upgrades with accessible pedestrian signals, drainage enhancements, high-visibility crosswalks, traffic signal relocation, LED-illuminated street name signs, signal backplates ,and a lighting evaluation.
Information about the anticipated schedule and traffic maintenance during construction will also be available. Representatives from the city and WBK Engineering will be available to answer questions and receive comments. Written comments may be submitted at the meeting or by Thursday, April 2.
For more information, call Public Services Director Mike Pubentz at 847-931-5968 or email mike.pubentz@elginil.gov.
‘PALLET TO PALATE’ BENEFITS FOOD FOR GREATER ELGIN
Food for Greater Elgin will host its annual “Pallet to Palate” fundraiser from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 31, in the Heritage Ballroom at The Edward Centre of Elgin, 100 Symphony Way, Elgin.
Attendees will sample bites prepared by local chefs from restaurants that include El Patio and La Cosecha in Elgin; Stewart’s Cheesecake of Bloomingdale; Duke’s Blues N BBQ and Eastside Café, Coffee and Wine Bar, both in East Dundee; and Le Cochon Bistro of Geneva, a news release said.
All proceeds will benefit Food for Greater Elgin. Tickets start at $75 and can be purchased at www.foodforgreaterelgin.org/pallet-to-palate.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/03/06/elgin-ecc-attar-premiere-spartan-mclean-food-greater/
Dems To Keep Blocking DHS Funds Despite Noem Firing
Dems To Keep Blocking DHS Funds Despite Noem Firing
On Thursday, President Donald Trump fired Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and tapped Sen. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma as her replacement, marking the first administration shake-up of Trump’s second term. Democrats had been demanding her ouster for months, but they’ve made it quite clear that the move changed nothing in their eyes, and the standoff over DHS funding continues.
The DHS partial shutdown – now stretching into its third week – was already the product of Democratic demands for sweeping restrictions on Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection. Those demands didn’t soften with the personnel change. They hardened.
“A change in personnel is not sufficient,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries told reporters. “We need a change in policy.”
Jeffries added, “It’s not like Kristi Noem was involved in negotiating anything. She was a corrupt lackey. So we’re dealing with the White House and we’re going to continue to deal with the White House at this point.”
Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer made it clear he’s not interested in administrative adjustments or good-faith assurances. He wants legislation that fundamentally changes how immigration law is enforced. “We have to change them by legislation because I don’t trust any one person being in charge of this agency as long as Trump is president, given the policies he’s espoused, given how ICE has been structured,” Schumer insisted. And then, with the rhetorical flourish of a man who has already made up his mind: “The rot is deep.”
Sen. Christopher S. Murphy of Connecticut, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, was equally unmoved. “Changing the name plate on the door doesn’t change the fact that they are committed to using DHS to terrorize communities and migrants in this country,” Murphy said.
Despite Democrats being the ones holding up funding, Schumer then blamed Republicans for the ongoing impasse. “They’ve been stonewalling us on the most important issues, and those have to change, and they have to change them,” he told reporters.
However, Senate Majority Leader John Thune disputes Schumer’s characterization. “Senate Democrats are not engaging,” he said. “And furthermore, I would say, beyond not engaging, they are just flat rejecting any chance to sit down and actually talk about it. And that seems to be coming from the top.” Thune then made his second attempt in as many months to bring a House-passed DHS funding bill to the Senate floor, fully anticipating Democrats would block it again. They did. The procedural vote came in at 51-45 — nine short of the 60 needed to advance.
The impasse began in January, when anti-ICE protestors assaulted federal agents in Minnesota, resulting in their deaths. Renee Good attempted to run over an ICE agent with her vehicle, prompting the agent to fatally shoot her. Weeks later, Alex Pretti assaulted Border Patrol agents while armed with a loaded gun and was shot in the process of attacking the agents.
Democrats used the incident to push for a package loaded with ridiculous restrictions that would have put agents at risk and severely hampered their ability to enforce the law. Among other provisions, their requested rules included banning agents from wearing masks, requiring judicial warrants for entry onto private property, mandating identification and body cameras, and prohibiting enforcement near schools, churches, hospitals, and polling places.
But, Republicans pointed out that unmasking agents exposes them to doxing and harassment, and that a blanket warrant requirement would drown the courts — effectively neutering the administration’s immigration agenda.
One area of agreement was on body cameras. Yet, Democrats later backtracked on that demand.
Meanwhile, the shutdown’s collateral damage is becoming harder to ignore. ICE and CBP have kept their lights on, covered by the $75 billion Congress funneled to immigration enforcement through last summer’s budget reconciliation law. But TSA, FEMA, the Coast Guard, and the Secret Service have no such backstop and are beginning to feel the financial squeeze.
Mullin is set to take over on March 31, pending Senate confirmation. Whether he can unlock a deal to end the standoff remains entirely unclear, but so far it looks unlikely.
Tyler Durden
Fri, 03/06/2026 – 18:50
https://www.zerohedge.com/political/dems-keep-blocking-dhs-funds-despite-noem-firing
Aurora Public Art showcasing 27 local female artists in new exhibit
The city of Aurora’s Public Art Division on Friday unveiled a new exhibit to commemorate Women’s History Month.
“Riverine: A Confluence Of Women Artists On The Fox” showcases the work of 27 local female artists across a diverse array of media, ranging from fluid watercolors, to oils, photography, sculptural installations and pottery, according to a city news release.
The exhibit is set to run through March 21 at Aurora Public Art at the David L. Pierce Art and History Center, 20 E. Downer Place in downtown Aurora. Gallery hours are from noon to 4 P.M. on Wednesday through Friday, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.
“Hosting Riverine in the heart of downtown Aurora — only steps away from the Fox River itself — creates a powerful dialogue between the art and the environment,” Curator Sangeeta Pande said in the news release. “This show is a celebration of the resilience, movement and creative depth of women artists in our valley.”
Artists to be showcased in the exhibit include Mays Mayhew, Helen Ratzlow, Jen Hunger, Cheryl Holtz, Cherylyn Gnadt, Isabel Trujillo, Carol Kling, Antonia Ruppert, Gin Ingram, Rebecca Wilson Allen, Mary Rodriguez, Dana Primrose Bloede, Judie Hoenig, Carol Stone Carson, Cassidy Alexander, Dana Gere, Kathy Swayne, Kim Watts, Laura Lein Svencer, Lisa Gloria Green, Eva Balek, Imisioluwa Adekoya, Mary Shoemaker, Anne Von Ehr, Lisa Lentz Manning, Bethany Young and Aurora Ald. Shweta Baid, 10th Ward.
Just as the Fox River serves as the lifeblood of Aurora, the women featured in Riverine serve as vital currents in the local cultural landscape, city officials said in the news release.
Package dated 1935 found in tusk of Aurora’s mastodon bones
Inside of mastodon tusks first uncovered at Aurora’s Phillips Park over 90 years ago, workers recently discovered a package dated to 1935 under a layer of plaster.
The paper-wrapped, twine-tied bag was one of five such packages discovered within mastodon tusks when Aurora hired a company to clean the bones around the end of last year. Each of the packages contain broken pieces of the mastodon tusks, but only one had writing on it.
“I just thought it was really cool because of the potential of it being from that time,” Aurora Superintendent of Parks and Recreation Steve Kulesza said. “It’s like a time capsule. I just love the history of it.”
Written on the bag was a date, Jan. 11, 1935, alongside a note about it containing pieces of tusk and a name: Clarence R. Smith. Through a little bit of research, Kulesza learned that Smith was an Aurora University professor who did some of the early analysis on the bones to find out that they were from a mastodon.
The mastodon bones now on display at the Phillips Park Visitors Center were discovered in 1934, when workers from the federal Civil Works Administration dug them up during the construction of the park’s 28-acre water feature that is now called Mastodon Lake, for obvious reasons. Bones uncovered at that time included skulls, tusks, a lower jaw bone, ribs and vertebrae.
A Beacon-News article from the time of the discovery noted that mastodon bones had been discovered in Aurora and the nearby area since at least 1850.
The Mastodon Lake area at Phillips Park in Aurora got its name after mastodon bones were discovered at the site in the mid-1930s. (R. Christian Smith/The Beacon-News)
Between November 2025 and this January, a project was undertaken to preserve the bones, extend their life and make them less likely to fall apart. Kulesza said it was “pretty intensive,” with workers scraping bones and teeth, shoring up fasteners and cleaning up areas where lacquer had dripped.
Through that process, workers found plaster within the mastodon tusks. While they were chipping away at it, they hit one of the bags and opened it, according to Kulesza.
He assumes that the packages were made a long time ago to keep the tusk fragments together, he said. The pieces of tusk from the broken bag are now being held in a glass jar.
Kulesza wants to display the packages and bone fragments alongside the newly-preserved mastodon bones at the Phillips Park Visitors Center. As amazing as the mastodon bones are, people likely won’t come back to see them unless there’s something new, so this will give people a bit more to look at, he said.
Plus, he plans to renovate the mastodon bones display with new cases and new information boards, including a new blurb about the packages.
There aren’t firm details on what the new-and-improved display for the bones will look like, according to Kulesza, but he expects the project to be done within the year. Plus, he may look into getting an intern to work on this project and to further expand the Visitors Center’s displays in other ways.
rsmith@chicagotribune.com
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/03/06/aurora-mastodon-bones-package/
‘Miscellaneous’ Chicago Public Schools workers join SEIU
Almost 1,700 Chicago Public Schools support staffers have joined the Service Employees International Union after the school district dropped an objection to their organizing campaign.
The so-called “miscellaneous” workers won union membership after the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board certified a petition from Local 73 of SEIU to represent them last week.
Miscellaneous workers fill in for a wide range of support roles in schools across the district, including as tutors and recess monitors. Local 73, which already represents about 13,000 support staff members throughout the district, has argued that they often perform the same work as unionized workers in the city’s schools, but for less pay and no benefits.
“If this means that there’s going to be a lot of things that are going to change for the better, we’re happier,” said Janet Romo, 43, a miscellaneous worker at R.H. Lee Elementary in West Lawn. “We love the job. We wouldn’t be there with the salary or pay rate that we have, if we weren’t so passionate.”
The workers faced a rocky road to union membership. CPS initially opposed their organizing effort, arguing they were ineligible to join the union and asking the labor board to toss SEIU’s petition out. The district later withdrew the challenge.
On Feb. 27, the labor board certified the workers’ union petition, saying it had determined 56.5% of miscellaneous staffers had signed union cards with SEIU. The union had previously said it had won the support of around 70% of the workers, with officials attributing the gap largely to staff turnover.
A CPS spokesperson said in a statement that the district is coordinating with SEIU with the goal to begin bargaining next month.
“CPS is optimistic about engaging in a productive bargaining process that aims to achieve an agreement beneficial to both the employees and the district,” the spokesperson said.
After months of back-and-forth, miscellaneous workers say they’re happy for a seat at the table. Romo has worked at Lee Elementary for about a year, assisting in a first grade classroom and monitoring recess.
She said she signed a union card after learning of the benefits enjoyed by the organized staff, including paid winter and spring breaks, benefits and annual raises.
“Those were the things that got us like, ‘OK, it would be nice to also have a voice and representation,’ especially because we’re all Latinas in that school,” Romo said.
In between shifts, she’s in classes for a teaching degree. “I really, really am very passionate. I want to make a difference,” she added.
Janet Romo stands outside Chicago’s R.H. Lee Elementary School, where she has worked for about a year, on March 6, 2026. Classified as a miscellaneous worker, she has now joined the Service Employees International Union.
At Mary Lyon Elementary School in Belmont Cragin, miscellaneous worker Evelia Garcia Guzman shuffles between a variety of roles — she helps students cross the street, cleans classrooms, passes out snacks and supervises lunch. All five of her own children attended the school.
“We’re very excited, because we can finally say that we’re going to have someone who will look out for us, for our future,” Garcia, 43, said in Spanish.
In recent months, Local 73’s organizing effort became a new source of tension between SEIU and its former ally-turned-rival, the Chicago Teachers Union, fueling acrimony between the two progressive and politically powerful labor unions.
Like SEIU, the CTU has argued that some of the miscellaneous workers rightfully belong to its bargaining unit but have been chronically misclassified by the district.
After CPS dropped its objection to SEIU’s petition to organize the workers, CTU pointed to its change in position as evidence that the district and SEIU had “conspired” to undermine its bargaining unit, arguing that CPS only dropped its objection after CTU sought to participate in the case.
Both the district and SEIU have vehemently denied the conspiracy allegations. SEIU has called the allegations “baseless,” telling the Tribune at the time that its “goal has been to secure low-wage workers’ representation and access to a better life.”
SEIU’s relationship with the teachers union soured more than a year ago over a conflict over other support staff members within the district. The break between the two unions, which worked together to help elect Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, has significant implications for city politics.
CTU — which says it stands by its conspiracy allegations — maintains that some of the “miscellaneous” workers could later be reclassified into its own bargaining unit.
Thad Goodchild, CTU’s deputy general counsel, told the Tribune that the union believes the unfair labor practice charge will still go forward. After arbitration, Goodchild said, a now-organized miscellaneous worker found to be performing CTU could still be reclassified to the teachers union.
“This is very much a game of Whac-A-Mole,” Goodchild said. “CPS has taken efforts to keep this model in place, and once it’s addressed in one school in one area, it’ll pop up in another.”
A CPS spokesperson told the Tribune that the district does not comment on pending litigation. “CPS is committed to ensuring that school communities are supported without disruption and that employees are treated fairly and consistently,” the spokesperson said.
Trumaine Reeves, SEIU’s division director for CPS, said the union campaign showed that “workers still see unions as being relevant for addressing their concerns in the workplace.”
Miscellaneous workers approached SEIU, not the other way around, Reeves said, after they “realized they were kind of being taken advantage of.”
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/03/06/miscellaneous-chicago-public-schools-workers-join-seiu/
Liverpool vence 3-1 a Wolverhampton y avanza a cuartos de final de la Copa FA
WOLVERHAMPTON, Inglaterra (AP) — Andy Robertson anotó apenas por segunda vez esta temporada y abasteció a Mohamed Salah para otro gol del Liverpool, que venció 3-1 a Wolverhampton el viernes para avanzar a los cuartos de final de la Copa FA.
Robertson, capitán de Escocia, clavó un disparo raso desde fuera del área 10 minutos después del inicio del segundo tiempo para poner en ventaja a Liverpool. Salah remató con potencia un centro dos minutos más tarde.
Curtis Jones añadió el tercero para el visitante a 16 minutos del final, antes de que Hwang Hee-Chan marcara en el tiempo de descuento el gol del consuelo para los Wolves.
El otro gol del defensa Robertson esta temporada había llegado en septiembre, cuando Liverpool venció al Atlético de Madrid en la Liga de Campeones. Su papel protagónico en la victoria del viernes fue bienvenido después de que los Wolves habían humillado al equipo de Arne Slot tres días antes, al superarlo por 2-1 en la Liga Premier.
“Esto fue un poco más como debe ser. Sabemos que fallamos el martes… dependía de nosotros ir y corregirlo. La Copa FA es a vida o muerte”, le dijo Robertson a la BBC.
Los cuartos de final se disputan el primer fin de semana de abril. Los otros siete aspirantes se definirán en partidos que se jugarán durante los próximos días.
“Estamos tratando de pelear en todos los frentes. Seguimos en dos competiciones de copa. Si jugamos como lo hicimos esta noche, entonces nadie quiere enfrentarse a nosotros. Tenemos que empezar a mostrar esa consistencia. Es un paso adelante y dos atrás”, manifestó Robertson.
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Deportes en español AP: https://apnews.com/hub/deportes
