Category: News
US soldiers who died in the Iran war remembered for their service and devotion to their families
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa — Sgt. Declan Coady had been checking in with his family from Kuwait every hour or two after the U.S. and Israel launched their military campaign against Iran, even as Iran launched retaliatory strikes against Israel and Gulf Arab states that host U.S. armed forces.
When he didn’t respond to messages Sunday, “most of us started to wonder,” Coady’s father, Andrew, told The Associated Press. “Your gut starts to get a feeling.”
A drone strike at a command center in Kuwait killed 20-year-old Coady of West Des Moines, Iowa, and five other members of the U.S. Army Reserve who worked in logistics and kept troops supplied with food and equipment.
The other soldiers identified Tuesday by the Pentagon were: Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amor, 39, of White Bear Lake, Minnesota; Capt. Cody Khork, 35, of Winter Haven, Florida; and Sgt. 1st Class Noah Tietjens, 42, of Bellevue, Nebraska. U.S. Army base Fort Knox, Kentucky, wrote on Facebook that the names of the other two will be released once next-of-kin notifications are complete.
The soldiers were assigned to an Army Reserve unit headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa, which is temporarily operating under the 1st Theater Sustainment Command at Fort Knox.
“Sadly, there will likely be more, before it ends. That’s the way it is,” President Donald Trump said of the deaths. Trump will attend the dignified transfers of the soldiers when they arrive in the U.S., the White House said Wednesday. The ritual honors service members killed in action.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth claimed the military “ensured that the maximum possible defense and maximum possible force protection was set up before we went on offense.”
“The terms of this war will be set by us at every step,” Hegseth said Wednesday.
A mother of two who loved gardening
Amor was just days away from returning to her husband and children.
“She was almost home,” her husband, Joey Amor, said Tuesday. “You don’t go to Kuwait thinking something’s going to happen, and for her to be one of the first — it hurts.”
Amor was an avid gardener who enjoyed making salsa from the peppers and tomatoes she grew with her son, a high school senior. She also enjoyed rollerblading and bicycling with her fourth-grade daughter.
A week before the drone attack, Amor was moved off-base to a shipping container-style building that had no defenses, her husband said.
“They were in fear that the base they were on was going to get attacked and they felt it was safer in smaller groups in separate places,” he said.
She was working long shifts and he last spoke to her about two hours before she was killed. She told him she had tripped and fallen and they had been joking about that. The fun messages stopped abruptly.
“She just never responded in the morning,” he said.
Childhood friend Natalie Caruso wrote on Facebook that she was “absolutely heartbroken” about Amor’s death.
“Nicole was always up for an adventure and she had such a contagious laugh!” Caruso wrote Wednesday. “Growing up next door to you was some of my fondest childhood memories!”
‘He loved being a soldier’
Coady recently told his father he had been recommended for a promotion from specialist to sergeant, a rank he received posthumously.
He was among the youngest people in his class, trained to troubleshoot military computer systems, but he impressed his instructors, Andrew Coady said Tuesday.
“He trained hard, he worked hard, his physical fitness was important to him. He loved being a soldier,” Coady said. “He was also one of the most kindest people you would ever meet, and he would do anything and everything for anyone.”
Coady was close to his family and often called, even if for only a few minutes. He was studying cybersecurity at Drake University in Des Moines, and took online classes while in Kuwait. He wanted to become an officer.
“I still don’t fully think it’s real,” his sister Keira Coady said. “I just remember all of our conversations about what he was going to do when he came back.”
A calling to serve his country
Khork was very patriotic and wanted to serve in the military from childhood, the U.S., his family said in a statement Tuesday.
He enlisted in the Army Reserve and joined Florida Southern College’s ROTC program.
“That commitment helped shape the course of his life and reflected the deep sense of duty that was always at the core of who he was,” his mother, Donna Burhans; father, James Khork; and stepmother, Stacey Khork; said in a statement.
Khork, who loved history, had a degree in political science.
His family described him as “the life of the party, known for his infectious spirit, generous heart, and deep care for those who served alongside him and for everyone blessed to know him.”
Abbas Jaffer posted Monday on Facebook about his friend of 16 years.
“My best friend, best man, and brother gave his life defending our country overseas,” Jaffer said.
A loving father and husband
Tietjens lived with his family in a mobile home park in the Omaha suburb of Bellevue, Nebraska. He was married with a son, according to a Facebook page.
He came from a military family and previously served alongside his father in Kuwait. When he returned home in February 2010, he was reunited with his overjoyed wife in a local church’s gym.
“I thought he was going to be the last person in, because he hates all this (hoopla),” his wife, Michelle Tietjens, told the Lincoln Journal Star at the time.
Tietjens earned a black belt in Philippine Combatives and Taekwondo and was “an instructor who gave his time, discipline, and leadership to others,” the Philippine Martial Arts Alliance said on Facebook.
On the mat and as a soldier, “he carried the same values: honor, discipline, service, and commitment to others,” the organization said.
Army Staff Sgt. Jeff Coleman said Tietjens was his mentor.
“You could call him day or night,” Coleman told KETV. “He always took the time, you know, he made you feel important. And that’s hard to find sometimes in the military.”
Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen on Wednesday ordered U.S. and state flags flown at half-staff until the evening of Tietjens’ burial. State lawmakers held a moment of silence Wednesday to honor the fallen soldier.
“Noah stepped up to serve and defend the American people from foreign enemies around the world — a sacrifice we must never forget,” Pillen wrote in a tribute Tuesday.
“We are holding the Tietjens family close in our hearts during this unbelievably difficult time and will keep them in our prayers,” he said.
Tietjens’ cousin Kaylyn Golike asked for prayers, especially for Tietjens’ 12-year-old son, wife and parents, as they navigate “unimaginable loss.”
“We lost a brave soldier this weekend and many hearts are broken,” Golike wrote on Facebook Tuesday.
Boone contributed from Boise, Idaho, and Toropin from Washington. Associated Press reporters Sarah Raza in Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Josh Funk and Margery Beck in Omaha, Nebraska; Jeff Martin in Atlanta; and David Fischer in Miami contributed.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/03/04/us-soldiers-died-iran-war/
Merrillville teacher suspended for ‘monkeys’ comment to class
A Merrillville Intermediate School 5th grade teacher was suspended with pay pending an investigation for telling his students “You all are acting like monkeys in a zoo,” Superintendent Dexter Suggs said Wednesday.
Suggs’ comments came after several parents complained about the remarks at Tuesday’s Merrillville School Board and the Gary branch of the NAACP launched an investigation into the incident.
Stephen Mays, president of the Gary branch, said the incident happened Feb. 24 in the unidentified teacher’s classroom. He criticized school officials for not meeting with parents who then contacted the NAACP.
“We take matters like this extremely seriously,” Suggs said.
The school at 1400 W. 61st Ave., serves 5th-and-6th graders.
“We understand that NAACP members were concerned about why the staff member was not immediately removed, but personnel decisions must follow our guidelines and contractual language and due process.”
Suggs said the investigation is moving forward “with a sense of urgency” and hoped it would be concluded by Friday.
After the incident, Suggs said students immediately reported it to the principal who notified parents with children in the class.
Suggs said the teacher admitted fault, but said it wasn’t meant to be taken in a racial way.
“He said he was frustrated with the students’ behavior, and he did apologize, unprompted by administrators,” Suggs said.
At Tuesday’s school board meeting, a parent complained that it marked the second time the teacher made a racially insensitive remark. “This is what he thinks about our kids,” said the parent, who’s a teacher in a neighboring district.
The parent said the students were resilient, “but I’m not. I’m not getting over this… Now, we see this coming from the president (Trump) also.”
Last month, Trump reposted a racist video that depicted Michelle and Barack Obama as apes.
Mays told the board he was disappointed with the district’s leadership, criticizing officials for allowing the teacher return to the classroom after the incident and for not meeting with upset parents.
“You let your kids go back to the classroom for that kind of abuse and so people are outraged and now it’s getting out of control,” Mays said.
“Do your job… so we can tamp this down and lower the temperature. To not talk to them (parents) is insulting.”
Board members apologized to parents.
Board member DeLena Thomas, who said two of her children are in the school district, said she wants the issue resolved to the parents’ liking.
“It’s not something we take lightly, we’re preparing our kids for a world that is racially tense right now… I appreciate you reaching out, I’m hoping some conversations continue.”
Board President Judy Dunlap expressed disappointment at the incident and thanked parents for speaking to the board.
“I’m a former principal at Gary Wirt and West Side, so I do know you will get some answers and we do not condone this type of behavior.”
Carole Carlson is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
Former correctional officer gets more charges for inmate relationship
A former Lake County Community Corrections officer is facing more charges after the same inmate provided more information on their alleged sexual relationship.
Andrea Rebeles, 24, of Whiting, was charged Tuesday with Level 4 felony sexual misconduct, trafficking with an inmate, and misdemeanor trafficking.
The inmate, who was 17 when the relationship started, said Rebeles gave him fast food and a THC vape pen.
In a police interview in February, the inmate said he first had sex with Rebeles on Nov. 2, 2024, when she took him to the library for a phone call with his relative. Their sexual relationship continued through at least January 2025.
Text messages and jail calls between the pair appeared to show Rebeles was pregnant at one point, according to an affidavit.
He has since turned 18 and was transferred to another state prison.
Investigators appeared to have learned of the relationship after correctional officer Donald Robinson’s phone was found in August 2025 in the inmate’s cell. Robinson, Rebeles’ co-worker and friend, was fired. He said he gave the inmate the cell phone, but denied giving him the vape pen.
Robinson was charged with trafficking with an inmate. The case is pending.
The inmate told investigators Rebeles started talking to him because he “kept” the prison pod “cool,” meaning calm and without fights.
Once the relationship was discovered, she was charged in January. Her next hearing in that case is Friday.
Rebeles’ new charges also implicate a second former female correctional officer — her friend — in a sexual relationship with a different inmate at the Lake County Juvenile Detention Center. The Post-Tribune is not naming her, since public court filings do not show charges.
The affidavit alleges each inmate was a “lookout” for the other while they were having sex with an officer.
Apple lanza 2 dispositivos de 599 dólares durante su “gran semana”
Por SHAWN CHEN
NUEVA YORK (AP) — El director ejecutivo de Apple, Tim Cook, prometió una “gran semana” de anuncios de nuevos productos, la cual ha incluido la presentación de un nuevo iPhone más asequible, una MacBook de nivel básico, modelos actualizados de iPad Air, nuevos monitores y chipsets de gama más alta. Todo ello se dio a conocer el miércoles en eventos para medios en Nueva York, Londres y Shanghái.
El titán tecnológico reportó recientemente ganancias trimestrales que alcanzaron un nuevo récord gracias a las sólidas ventas de sus modelos de iPhone 17. Sin embargo, la empresa aún no cumple con su promesa de 2024 de elevar el nivel de inteligencia en su asistente Siri mediante el uso de IA.
Quizá con la intención de capitalizar este impulso de ventas, Apple arrancó la semana con el anuncio de su modelo más reciente de una línea de teléfonos más asequibles, el iPhone 17e, así como la laptop MacBook Neo, un modelo de nivel básico que representa el intento más agresivo de la compañía por abrirse paso en el mercado de computadoras económicas.
Todos los productos anunciados estarán disponible en preventa a partir del miércoles. A continuación, un poco más de información antes de empezar a comprar:
iPhone 17e
Esta versión actualizada del iPhone para compradores con presupuesto ajustado incluirá el mismo chip A19 que impulsa el iPhone 17 base y ofrece el doble del espacio de almacenamiento estándar (256GB) que el modelo 16e anterior (128GB).
La cámara se actualizó a un sistema de 48 megapíxeles y su módem C1X promete una mayor velocidad de conexión celular.
El 17e llega con una pantalla ligeramente más pequeña en comparación con el modelo 17 base, tiene una tasa de refresco algo menor y puede verse un poco menos brillante al ojo humano, pero aún así incorpora la pantalla Super Retina utilizada en el resto de la línea y el sistema de protección de pantalla Ceramic Shield 2 de Apple.
La compañía también incluyó MagSafe con compatibilidad con Qi2 para quienes buscan una experiencia de carga inalámbrica más conveniente.
Con un precio inicial de 599 dólares, el iPhone 17e cuesta 200 dólares menos que el iPhone 17 base. Está disponible en color negro, blanco y rosa claro.
iPad Air M4
La actualización del iPad de gama media incorpora un chip M4, ligeramente más antiguo —como referencia, el iPad Pro de gama alta utiliza un chip M5. Aún así, sigue siendo lo bastante potente para mantener funciones de streaming, navegación web, correo electrónico y edición de video. Las versiones con conectividad celular del Air también incluyen el módem C1X actualizado para conexiones más rápidas.
Con lo que Apple ha anunciado esta semana, no parecería que exista escasez de RAM a nivel mundial. La compañía aumentó la RAM del Air de 8GB a 12GB sin subir el precio.
El iPad Air de 11 pulgadas parte de 599 dólares, mientras que la versión de 13 pulgadas está disponible a partir de 799 dólares, cada una con 128GB de almacenamiento.
Actualizaciones de chips y MacBook
La línea Pro de laptops de alta gama de Apple recibió actualizaciones de chips recién anunciadas (M5 Pro y M5 Max), que aseguran un mayor rendimiento para su uso intensivo y mejor rendimiento de batería. Pero estas nuevas mejoras también llegan con un precio más alto.
La MacBook Pro de 14 pulgadas con chip M5 Pro incluye 24GB de RAM y 1TB de almacenamiento. Su precio es de 2.199 dólares, 200 dólares más en comparación con la M4 Pro base de 2024. Con un costo adicional, existe la opción de elevar el nivel al M5 Pro o pasar al chip M5 Max. También se puede aumentar la RAM del sistema hasta 48GB.
La MacBook Pro de 16 pulgadas viene de serie con el nivel más alto del chip M5 Pro, y parte con 24GB de RAM y 1TB de almacenamiento. Su precio es de 2.699 dólares, un aumento de 200 dólares respecto al modelo anterior. También existe la opción de actualizar al chip M5 Max y aumentar la RAM.
La pantalla no cambió en ambos modelos, así como tampoco la cámara frontal. Pero Apple mejoró sus capacidades de conectividad para admitir Wi-Fi 7 y Bluetooth 6.
En el evento presencial del miércoles se dio a conocer la nueva MacBook Neo de nivel básico. Esta nueva laptop de 13 pulgadas viene equipada con el chip A18 Pro de Apple (también presente en el iPhone 16 Pro), 256GB de almacenamiento, dos puertos USB-C, pero solo 8GB de RAM. El modelo de 512GB incluye un sensor TouchID.
Con esta nueva laptop, resulta evidente que Apple intenta afianzarse en el segmento de computadoras portátiles económicas, que actualmente está inundado de Chromebooks de Google y equipos Microsoft Windows de bajo costo.
El modelo de 256GB está disponible por 599 dólares, mientras que el modelo mejorado cuesta 699 dólares. Estudiantes y otros educadores pueden reservar cualquiera de los dos modelos con un descuento de 100 dólares.
También se anunció una renovada MacBook Air. Esta máquina, más orientada al presupuesto, se actualizó al chip M5 base de la compañía. El almacenamiento base también se duplicó a 512GB. Mantiene 16GB de RAM, pero ahora incorpora las mismas mejoras de conectividad que los modelos Pro.
Debido a las actualizaciones, el precio de la Air de 13 pulgadas es de 1.099 dólares, 100 dólares más que el modelo Air con M4. El Air de 15 pulgadas parte de 1.299 dólares.
Monitores Studio Display y Studio Display XDR
La sorpresa de la semana es el anuncio de sus dos monitores 5K, el Studio Display de 27 pulgadas y el Studio Display XDR.
Ambos monitores de 27 pulgadas tienen resoluciones de 5.120 x 2.880, cámaras integradas Center Stage de 12MP, sistemas de audio de seis altavoces, dos puertos Thunderbolt 5 y dos puertos USB-C.
El nuevo —y más costoso— modelo XDR va un poco más allá con retroiluminación mini-LED, mejor contraste y zonas de atenuación, y una tasa de refresco mejorada de 120Hz (la edición estándar está limitada a 60Hz), una actualización que debería complacer a los gamers y amantes del HDR.
El Studio Display base tiene un precio de 1.599 dólares, mientras que su variante XDR asciende a unos contundentes 3.299 dólares. Hay opciones de actualización disponibles para ambos monitores.
___
Esta historia fue traducida del inglés por un editor de AP con la ayuda de una herramienta de inteligencia artificial generativa.
The 10 Most Common Medications Americans Are Taking
The 10 Most Common Medications Americans Are Taking
Authored by George Citroner via The Epoch Times (emphasis ours),
Americans are popping pills at a rate that might surprise even their doctors—and most of what they’re taking, they chose themselves.
Nearly two-thirds of U.S. adults take at least one pill each week, and one in six takes five or more, according to a recent study published in JAMA, highlighting how central medications—both over-the-counter and prescription—are to everyday health.
Researchers surveyed 21,000 volunteers aged 18 and older between 2023 and 2024 to discover the most common drugs Americans are taking.
Top 10 Drugs Taken by Americans
The top 10 drugs identified by researchers provide a snapshot of the most common health concerns among Americans.
According to the study data, the four drugs occupying the top spots are acetaminophen, ibuprofen, aspirin, and naproxen, all of which are over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs that help to treat fevers and moderate pain.
Among prescription drugs, atorvastatin (used to lower cholesterol), lisinopril (for blood pressure), and levothyroxine (for thyroid conditions) were the most frequently reported.
Less common over-the-counter drugs include diphenhydramine, most familiar as Benadryl, an antihistamine used to treat fevers and allergies, and omeprazole, a drug for acid reflux, which ranks ninth among over-the-counter drugs.
Who Is Taking What
Women were more likely to report medication use than men—67 percent versus 57 percent.
Women also showed higher use of levothyroxine (thyroid replacement) and anti-histamines, while men more commonly reported taking atorvastatin (lowers cholesterol) and metformin, used to treat Type 2 diabetes.
Participants were asked to recall their medication use over the previous seven days, aided by sample labels and prompts about common ailments and medical history to improve recall accuracy. Researchers categorized medications by active ingredients and excluded herbal supplements and topical treatments.
Risk of Adverse Drug Interactions
The findings arrive with a warning that experts say too few patients hear: Over-the-counter does not mean risk-free.
Researchers found that medication use could swiftly add up, with one in six adults reporting they took five or more medications in the past week, and 3.3 percent saying they took 10 or more.
“Many people don’t realize these drugs can interact with their prescriptions or add to side effects, especially older adults taking multiple medications,” Reshma Patel, pharmacist and Dallas-based founder of WiseMedRx, where she partners with families to review patients’ medications and identify unnecessary or high-risk drugs, and not involved in the survey, told The Epoch Times.
Daily pain relievers, for example, can affect the kidneys or stomach when combined with other meds, she noted. The bigger issue, she added, isn’t one single drug; it’s that medications are often started and never reassessed. “Over time, these cumulative effects can become serious.”
Tawna L. Mangosh, assistant professor in the Department of Pharmacology and director of the of the Translational Pharmaceutical Science Program, at Case Western Reserve University Medical School, and not involved in the survey, flagged pain and fever medications, which contain acetaminophen, ibuprofen, aspirin, and naproxen, as the over-the-counter (OTC) category of greatest concern, given how frequently they appear in combination cold and flu products. These include sleep aids, cough suppressants, decongestants, laxatives, and proton pump inhibitors.
“Many are combination products with multiple active ingredients,” she told The Epoch Times. “These medications carry risks and are not appropriate for every patient, especially those with certain underlying conditions. That’s why education around OTC products is so critical.”
Smarter Use, Not Less Access
Both experts stopped short of calling for tighter restrictions. The answer, Patel argued, lies in better systems, not fewer options.
“The solution isn’t to limit access, it’s about smarter use,” Patel said, emphasizing that pharmacists should play a bigger role at the point of sale, and helping patients spot potential interactions. “Clearer labeling, better public education, and routine medication reviews for anyone on multiple therapies can go a long way toward keeping people safe,” she said.
Mangosh agreed, urging patients to read labels carefully. “As use remains high, this reinforces the importance of ensuring patients understand both the benefits and the risks of what they are taking,” she said. “That includes carefully reading medication labels, paying attention to active ingredients, dosing instructions, and warnings, and knowing when to seek additional medical care.”
A Shift Since the 1990s
The study observed distinct shifts in drug use patterns compared to data from the late 1990s.
While the top three medications—acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and aspirin—have held their top positions consistently, pseudoephedrine, once widely used for nasal congestion, saw a marked decline in use after regulatory restrictions in 2005 placed it behind the pharmacy counter and limited purchase quantities.
Meanwhile, loratadine (an antihistamine) and omeprazole (for acid reflux) increased in use after regulatory decisions made these drugs available over the counter, reflecting how regulatory decisions can rapidly reshape what Americans reach for.
The researchers highlight that this widespread medication use emphasizes the importance of ensuring access while balancing safety.
They noted that increasing drug accessibility could potentially lower health care costs—since prescription medications often require doctor visits and higher expenses—but also raised concerns about misuse or adverse effects.
Tyler Durden
Wed, 03/04/2026 – 15:35
https://www.zerohedge.com/political/10-most-common-medications-americans-are-taking
Afternoon Briefing: Steppenwolf Theatre announces new season
Good afternoon, Chicago.
From Pope Leo XIV’s childhood church to the reconstructed and relocated Chicago Stock Exchange Trading Room at the Art Institute, Preservation Chicago’s annual ranking of the city’s seven most endangered buildings is so full of local history it has eight entries.
There’s a lot more than eight endangered structures if you count the iconic bridges and tender houses falling into disrepair along the Chicago River, which collectively form one item on the expanded list. And topping Preservation Chicago’s 24th annual list are two historical features at the Art Institute, which may fall by the wayside under a plan to expand the sprawling campus along South Michigan Avenue.
See the full “most endangered” list of historic buildings, districts and objects at risk since 2003.
Here’s what else is happening today. And remember, for the latest breaking news in Chicago, visit chicagotribune.com/latest-headlines and sign up to get our alerts on all your devices.
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Sarah Slackert, right, and Nikki Kidd, second from left, hug other women in their group after their charges were dismissed March 4, 2026, outside the Maywood Courthouse following their arrest during a protest last year outside the Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Broadview. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Cook County prosecutors dismiss 21 cases against ICE protesters, including suburban moms arrested in sit-in
Cook County prosecutors today dismissed 21 cases that were filed against protesters at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing center in Broadview, including charges for 15 moms who hopped concrete barricades in a highly publicized act of civil disobedience. Read more here.
More top news stories:
Illinois comptroller race 2026: Democratic primary field angles for votes as Susana Mendoza steps down
More details emerge about proposed Joliet data center as final approval nears
Fireworks and flames go off as Chicago officials and Chicago Fire representatives hold a groundbreaking ceremony on March 3, 2026, at the site of what will be the team’s new home, a 22,000-seat, open-air soccer stadium at the north end of the area called The 78 near Roosevelt Road in Chicago’s South Loop. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Fire break ground on $750 million South Loop soccer stadium, transforming the sports landscape
The Chicago Fire hosted a groundbreaking event yesterday afternoon for their privately funded $750 million soccer stadium on a vacant former rail yard in the South Loop, staking their turf in the city’s competitive sports landscape. Read more here.
More top business stories:
Today in Chicago History: Billy Goat Tavern — of ‘Cheezborger, cheezborger’ fame — opens on Michigan Avenue
Nearly 3.4 million pounds of recalled Trader Joe’s chicken fried rice products may contain glass
The Illinois women’s basketball team gathers around coach Shauna Green during a game against Ohio State on Jan. 7, 2026, at the State Farm Center in Champaign. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)
Big Ten Tournament preview: Have the Illinois women locked up an NCAA bid? Can anyone stop UCLA?
Illinois coach Shauna Green has no doubts — despite a pair of close losses to ranked teams to end the regular season — that the Illini are an NCAA Tournament team for the second year in a row. Bracketologists seem to agree. ESPN projects Illinois as a No. 8 seed, one of 12 Big Ten teams it predicts to make the tournament. Read more here.
More top sports stories:
Chicago Bears Q&A: What are the odds DJ Moore is traded? What to make of Drew Dalman’s decision?
Jadarian Price stuck out playing alongside Jeremiyah Love at Notre Dame. Will both RBs be 1st-round picks?
Co-artistic directors Glenn Davis and Audrey Francis at Steppenwolf Theatre’s campus on Halsted Street in October 2021. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune)
Steppenwolf Theatre’s 2026-27 season will have several world premieres
New work from Adam Rapp and Stephanie Alison Walker, both writers with ties to Chicago, and the return of both the director Tina Landau and the Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Branden Jacobs-Jenkins feature in the 2026-27 season at Chicago’s illustrious Steppenwolf Theatre. Read more here.
More top Eat. Watch. Do. stories:
Column: Return with us now to those thrilling songs of yesteryear in ‘Chicago 1971’
Bronze bison will visit the Field Museum as part of Smithsonian tour
Boy George eager for his tour bus to arrive Saturday in Gary
People yell at U.S. Border Patrol Cmdr. Gregory Bovino and other agents while they stop at a gas station as they conduct an immigration enforcement action on Dec. 17, 2025, in Evanston. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Homeland Security investigates remarks of Border Patrol Cmdr. Gregory Bovino
The Department of Homeland Security has opened an internal investigation into a report that Gregory Bovino, a senior Border Patrol commander, made disparaging remarks about the Jewish faith of the top federal prosecutor in Minnesota during an immigration operation in the state. Read more here.
More top stories from around the world:
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says US ‘can’t stop everything’ that Iran fires even as he asserts air dominance
Some travelers stranded in Dubai are paying huge sums for private flights out
WNBA players are still unified amid CBA talks after a call follows internal letter leak, Breanna Stewart says
MEDLEY, Fla. — Breanna Stewart, who teamed with fellow WNBA star Kelsey Plum on a letter to the players’ association this week expressing concerns about the state of labor talks with the league, said Wednesday she feels better about where things stand and is convinced players are still unified in what they want in the next collective bargaining agreement.
Stewart was part of a call with other members of the players’ union executive committee on Tuesday night, hours after the letter that she and Plum wrote to WNBPA executive director Terri Jackson — one where they expressed “serious concerns about how (the union) is handling the current negotiations” — was made public.
Several media outlets, including The Associated Press, obtained copies of the letter, which was dated Monday.
“The call made me feel better,” Stewart told AP, speaking after her Mist team finished its final shootaround practice in advance of Wednesday night’s Unrivaled championship game against the Phantom team that features Plum. “Sometimes hard conversations need to be had. I felt better after it and know that we finished that call understanding that we’re representing the larger body (of players) and we have work to be done and we’re going to do that work.”
There is obviously an urgency to get a deal done.
The WNBA has told the players’ union that it needs to get a deal in place by this coming Tuesday to start the season on time. That would allow the new CBA to be written and signed by the end of the month, which would, in theory, be followed by expansion drafts for the new franchises in Portland and Toronto during the first week of April. Free agency would follow, signings could start on April 12, training camps would open about a week later and the season would begin May 8.
The league and the players have been unable to reach a new collective bargaining agreement since the union opted out of the previous deal.
Stewart and Plum are in unique roles; both are vice presidents of the players’ association, both are among the biggest names in women’s basketball, and both have been dealing with the CBA uncertainty while on Unrivaled playoff runs with their clubs.
“I’ve always approached anything in life, any adversity, by staying in the game,” Plum said after shootaround Wednesday, when asked about simultaneously dealing with an Unrivaled title push amid the WNBA’s labor uncertainty. “I’m a human being. It’s hard. I definitely have moments, but at the end of the day, I know my heart. I know I’m super excited about tonight, and when you work all year for something, you want to finish it.”
Added Stewart: “We’ve been in CBA negotiations for more than just the past two weeks. It’s been 17, 18 months. I don’t know exactly how long. And to be able to compartmentalize that hasn’t been easy.”
In the letter, Stewart and Plum said WNBA players “are at one of the most consequential moments in the history of this league” and called upon Jackson to provide many things, including:
• a detailed breakdown of the WNBA’s expenses and revenue.
• analysis between the potential losses players would face in a delayed or strike-shortened season vs. the gains that could be earned through a new CBA.
• player opinions on the WNBA’s latest proposal.
• clarity on the rookie salary scale.
• an explanation of what Jackson thinks the executive committee’s “role and responsibilities should be in this process.”
Stewart said it wasn’t her intention for the letter to get out publicly.
“This is a letter that was meant for Terri, and for the EC, for us to really have a conversation and stay strong in all the things that we’re negotiating, and I believe that we are,” Stewart said. “We are still unified and understanding what we’re fighting for and that’s the messaging that we had on our call last night. … Our main goal is to make sure that we have the best possible deal for all players.”
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/03/04/wnba-cba-breanna-stewart-kelsey-plum/
Article 5 Looming: NATO Shoots Down Iranian Ballistic Missile Fired At Turkey
Article 5 Looming: NATO Shoots Down Iranian Ballistic Missile Fired At Turkey
There’s looming fear that Trump’s Operation Epic Fury is fast spinning into a broader regional war, even a possible WW3 scenario – though large powers like Russia and China are expected to remain on the sidelines.
Illustrating this potential, on Wednesday a ballistic missile launched from Iran and tracked across Iraqi and Syrian airspace before heading toward Turkish territory was shot down by NATO air defenses, according to Turkey’s Defense Ministry.
Open source file image: Launcher for Iranian Zolfaghar ballistic missiles
NATO Article 5 potential? Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth was quick to downplay the issue, saying in a fresh briefing: “On the matter with Turkey, I’ll have to get back to you on exactly what the intercept looked like,” before adding, “We’re aware of that particular engagement, although no sense that it would trigger anything like Article 5.”
In a sharply worded statement Wednesday, the Turkey’s Defense Ministry laid out, “A ballistic munition launched from Iran, which was detected passing through Iraqi and Syrian airspace and heading towards Turkish airspace, was engaged in a timely manner by NATO air and missile defense assets stationed in the eastern Mediterranean and rendered inactive.”
No casualties have been reported in the highly alarming incident, though Ankara stressed it “reserves the right to respond” to any hostile act, and urged all sides to show restraint.
Turkey has reportedly summoned the Iranian ambassador, while Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan lodged a formal protest with FM Abbas Araghchi, warning that “any steps that could further widen the conflict must be avoided,” according to Reuters.
Naturally, NATO quickly lined up behind Ankara, with a command statement condemning Iran’s “targeting of Turkey” while declaring the alliance “stands firmly with all Allies, including Turkiye.”
“Our deterrence and defence posture remains strong across all domains, including when it comes to air and missile defense,” the NATO statement said.
Meanwhile the situation in the eastern Mediterranean is increasingly tense. Cyprus temporarily shut airspace over Larnaca after detecting what authorities called a suspicious object Wednesday. Over the weekend, an Iranian-made drone caused minor damage at a UK military base on the EU member island-nation, with two additional drones shot down Monday.
Meanwhile, already talk of a ground war?
Rep. Jim Comer says “boots on the ground” in Iran are “sometimes unavoidable in a situation like this.” pic.twitter.com/3rGL9lcFkN
— The American Conservative (@amconmag) March 4, 2026
The White House last week kept touting that any potential Iran action would be a “limited” operation, but it’s only day five and we are seeing NATO air engagements of Iranian ballistic missiles over Turkey and the Mediterranean, a stunning escalation in its own right.
Tyler Durden
Wed, 03/04/2026 – 15:15
Article 5 Looming: NATO Shoots Down Iranian Ballistic Missile Fired At Turkey
Article 5 Looming: NATO Shoots Down Iranian Ballistic Missile Fired At Turkey
There’s looming fear that Trump’s Operation Epic Fury is fast spinning into a broader regional war, even a possible WW3 scenario – though large powers like Russia and China are expected to remain on the sidelines.
Illustrating this potential, on Wednesday a ballistic missile launched from Iran and tracked across Iraqi and Syrian airspace before heading toward Turkish territory was shot down by NATO air defenses, according to Turkey’s Defense Ministry.
Open source file image: Launcher for Iranian Zolfaghar ballistic missiles
NATO Article 5 potential? Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth was quick to downplay the issue, saying in a fresh briefing: “On the matter with Turkey, I’ll have to get back to you on exactly what the intercept looked like,” before adding, “We’re aware of that particular engagement, although no sense that it would trigger anything like Article 5.”
In a sharply worded statement Wednesday, the Turkey’s Defense Ministry laid out, “A ballistic munition launched from Iran, which was detected passing through Iraqi and Syrian airspace and heading towards Turkish airspace, was engaged in a timely manner by NATO air and missile defense assets stationed in the eastern Mediterranean and rendered inactive.”
No casualties have been reported in the highly alarming incident, though Ankara stressed it “reserves the right to respond” to any hostile act, and urged all sides to show restraint.
Turkey has reportedly summoned the Iranian ambassador, while Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan lodged a formal protest with FM Abbas Araghchi, warning that “any steps that could further widen the conflict must be avoided,” according to Reuters.
Naturally, NATO quickly lined up behind Ankara, with a command statement condemning Iran’s “targeting of Turkey” while declaring the alliance “stands firmly with all Allies, including Turkiye.”
“Our deterrence and defence posture remains strong across all domains, including when it comes to air and missile defense,” the NATO statement said.
Meanwhile the situation in the eastern Mediterranean is increasingly tense. Cyprus temporarily shut airspace over Larnaca after detecting what authorities called a suspicious object Wednesday. Over the weekend, an Iranian-made drone caused minor damage at a UK military base on the EU member island-nation, with two additional drones shot down Monday.
Meanwhile, already talk of a ground war?
Rep. Jim Comer says “boots on the ground” in Iran are “sometimes unavoidable in a situation like this.” pic.twitter.com/3rGL9lcFkN
— The American Conservative (@amconmag) March 4, 2026
The White House last week kept touting that any potential Iran action would be a “limited” operation, but it’s only day five and we are seeing NATO air engagements of Iranian ballistic missiles over Turkey and the Mediterranean, a stunning escalation in its own right.
Tyler Durden
Wed, 03/04/2026 – 15:15
Millones de personas se quedan sin electricidad tras apagón en el oeste de Cuba
Por MILEXSY DURÁN y DÁNICA COTO
LA HABANA (AP) — Un apagón afectó a la mitad occidental de Cuba el miércoles, dejando a millones de personas en La Habana y más allá sin electricidad en el más reciente corte que golpea a una isla que lucha con reservas de petróleo menguantes y una red eléctrica en ruinas.
La Unión Eléctrica del gobierno confirmó el apagón en la plataforma social X y señaló que afectó a personas desde la ciudad oriental de Pinar del Río hasta la ciudad central de Camagüey.
La entidad indicó que las cuadrillas trabajaban para restablecer el servicio y publicó una foto del primer ministro Manuel Marrero Cruz reunido con el ministro de Energía y Minas, Vicente de la O Levy para precisar los detalles de la desconexión y los próximos pasos a seguir para su restablecimiento.
Marrero escribió en X que el gobierno confía en la experiencia y el esfuerzo de los trabajadores eléctricos para superar esta situación en el menor tiempo posible.
Medios estatales informaron que el apagón fue causado por la salida de servicio de la central termoeléctrica Antonio Guiteras, al este de La Habana, tras una fuga en su caldera.
El apagón sorprendió en la calle a Odalis Sánchez, de 63 años, junto con su nieto.
Como no podía caminar debido a una operación reciente, llamó a alguien para que la llevara a casa.
Unas 200 personas esperaban en una parada de autobús cerca de ella, pero los autobuses no circulaban por falta de combustible, así que intentaron conseguir transporte por cualquier medio disponible, incluido pidiendo que otros les lleven.
“Necesito poder llegar a mi casa a ver qué puedo hacer”, declaró Sánchez. “Sin luz ya no se puede hacer nada. Tengo a mi nieto que está estudiando también y tengo que hacerle la comida. El transporte no ayuda”.
Es el segundo apagón de este tipo que afecta a la región occidental de Cuba en los últimos tres meses.
No queda claro qué causó el apagón del miércoles.
A inicios de diciembre, un apagón que afectó la región occidental de la isla duró casi 12 horas. Funcionarios dijeron que una falla en una línea de transmisión que enlaza dos plantas eléctricas provocó una sobrecarga y llevó al colapso del sector occidental del sistema energético.
Cuba enfrenta dificultades por la disminución de sus reservas de petróleo después de que Estados Unidos atacó a Venezuela a inicios de enero, una medida que detuvo los envíos de crudo desde el país sudamericano. Más tarde ese mes, el presidente estadounidense Donald Trump amenazó con imponer aranceles a cualquier país que vendiera o suministrara petróleo a Cuba.
Ernesto Couto Martínez, de 76 años, intentaba encontrar cómo regresar a casa y dijo que afrontaría el más reciente apagón “con el espíritu que tienen todos los cubanos”.
“Hay que seguir luchando. No hay otra”, indicó. “Tenemos que ir para adelante, con bloqueo o sin bloqueo”.
El mes pasado, el gobierno de Cuba implementó medidas austeras de ahorro de combustible y advirtió que no habría combustible para aviones en nueve aeropuertos de toda la isla hasta mediados de marzo.
Antes del ataque a Venezuela, la isla ya enfrentaba una red eléctrica en ruinas, déficits de generación e interrupciones en el suministro de combustible.
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Coto reportó desde San José, Costa Rica.
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Esta historia fue traducida del inglés por un editor de AP con ayuda de una herramienta de inteligencia artificial generativa.
