Category: News
Afternoon Briefing: Calls continue for CPD to address tactics during Operation Midway Blitz
Good afternoon, Chicago.
Police accountability advocates from across the city gathered on the Southwest Side yesterday, continuing their calls for a public hearing with Chicago Police Department leadership to address CPD’s response to — and relationship with — the federal government and it’s immigration crackdown.
The February meeting of the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability, held at Gurdon Hubbard High School in West Lawn, saw far fewer attendees than the commission’s January meeting, but the calls were largely the same: the commission must compel CPD leadership to publicly answer questions about the department’s tactics during Operation Midway Blitz.
“I’m angry, I’m frustrated and I’m really tired of hearing from my constituents, ‘What are we doing? What are we doing? What are we doing?’” Erin Vogel, a councilor in CPD’s Deering (9th) District, told the commission. “This feels like we’re moving at a snail’s pace.”
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.
Subscribe to more newsletters | Asking Eric | Horoscopes | Puzzles & Games | Today in History
The Indiana State Senate reconvened its 2026 legislative session Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. (Alexandra Kukulka/Post-Tribune)
Indiana Senate gives final approval to bill targeting welfare fraud
An Indiana bill aimed at eliminating welfare fraud received final approval by the Senate and heads to Gov. Mike Braun’s desk for signature. Read more here.
More top news stories:
Man charged in Little Village jewelry store shooting that killed father, son
Jorie Butler Kent, daughter of the founder of Oak Brook, dies at 95
BP shares plans for environmental department, compensation
Maryann Mason, professor of emergency medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, was a researcher on a report analyzing data about fatal child abuse in Illinois. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)
Children ages 3 and younger most often victims of fatal child abuse in Illinois, according to new report
Children ages 3 and younger were most often the victims of fatal child abuse in Illinois between 2015 and 2022, according to a sobering new report out of Northwestern University. Read more here.
More top business stories:
Thousands expected to attend Northern Illinois Boat Show
Even Dollar Tree is going after rich shoppers now
Elgin’s ban on single-use plastic bags goes into effect in June 2027
Defensive linemen warm up during a drill at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis on Feb. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Chicago Bears are trying to thread a needle this offseason. Brad Biggs’ 10 thoughts from the NFL combine.
Unloading the notebook with 10 thoughts as we peek ahead to free agency, the draft and much more. Read more here.
More top sports stories:
Column: After getting ‘torched’ for gaffe, Chicago White Sox GM Chris Getz is back to the rebuild business
Chicago Blackhawks let late lead slip away in 4-2 loss to Nashville Predators in rusty return from break
Why the Chicago Bulls’ 11th straight loss to make history was also their biggest win since the trade deadline
Cuba says 8 World Baseball Classic delegation members were denied US visas
“Touch & Agree” by Juel D. Lane, part of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago’s Winter Series at the Harris Theater. (Michelle Reid)
Review: Hubbard Street Dance brings joy and healing in Winter Series at the Harris
Infatuation is easy; relationships are hard. And carving the time and energy to explore and nurture new relationships? Well, that can feel downright impossible. Questions about how to “do” love and sexuality are what prompted choreographer Juel D. Lane to imagine “Touch & Agree,” a 2017 piece newly set on Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. It’s the middle of three works making up Hubbard Street’s Winter Series at Millennium Park’s Harris Theater for Music and Dance. Read more here.
More top Eat. Watch. Do. stories:
What to do in Chicago: Maria Bamford, Trinity Irish Dance and a return of the monster trucks
Boy George is coming to Hard Rock Live: Decades after the ’80s, he’s learned life’s ‘magic elixir’
Just in time for Casimir Pulaski Day: The Red Apple Buffet, filling stretchy pants since 1989
Former President Bill Clinton speaks in the Cash Room of the Treasury Department during an event for the anniversary of the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund,, Nov. 21, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
Bill Clinton tells lawmakers he ‘did nothing wrong’ and saw no signs of Epstein’s abuse
Former President Bill Clinton started his deposition before members of Congress investigating convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein by telling them he “did nothing wrong” and saw no signs of Epstein’s abuse. Read more here.
More top stories from around the world:
Marco Rubio plans to visit Israel next week as US-Iran tensions remain high after latest talks
Pakistan is in ‘open war’ with Afghanistan after latest strikes, defense minister says
Transgender youths are targeted in Scouting America changes pushed by the Pentagon
DOE Closes Massive $26 Billion Loan For Southern Co.
DOE Closes Massive $26 Billion Loan For Southern Co.
Here comes more of those “Hundreds of Billions”
So much capital coming to this space next 3 years https://t.co/ZwTB0C2CUU
— zerohedge (@zerohedge) November 18, 2025
The DOE announced Wednesday that its Office of Energy Dominance Financing (EDF) has closed a $26.54 billion loan package (the largest in the agency’s history) to two Southern Company subsidiaries.
Georgia Power will receive $22.4 billion and Alabama Power $4.1 billion. The roughly 30-year loans, drawable through September 2033, will finance more than 16.7 GW of reliable generation and transmission upgrades across the Southeast. This new loan dwarfs the previous billion dollar loan recently secured by Constellation for Three Mile Island.
The portfolio includes approximately 5.3 GW of new natural-gas capacity, 6.3 GW of nuclear improvements through uprates and license renewals at existing plants (including Vogtle), 1 GW of hydropower modernization, battery energy storage systems, and more than 1,300 miles of new transmission lines and grid enhancements.
DOE and Southern project the financing will deliver more than $7 billion in electricity cost savings to customers in Georgia and Alabama over the life of the loans. Once fully drawn, the lower, taxpayer-backed interest rate is expected to cut Southern’s annual interest expense by more than $300 million, costs that would otherwise be recovered from ratepayers.
Said another way, the burden for upgrading the grossly under-maintained grid will be passed from the local ratepayer to the federal taxpayer. Yay?
*TRUMP: TELLING BIG TECH THEY NEED TO PROVIDE THEIR OWN POWER
*TRUMP: NEGOTIATED NEW RATE PAYER PLEDGE ON DATA CENTER ENERGY
— zerohedge (@zerohedge) February 25, 2026
“These investments will support the extraordinary and transformative projected growth we’re seeing across our company” Southern Chairman and CEO Chris Womack said. “These loans will help lower the cost of investments in our grid that will enhance reliability and resilience for the benefit of our customers”
Energy Secretary Chris Wright framed the deal as a direct fulfillment of the Trump administration’s energy policy. “Thanks to President Trump and the Working Families Tax Cut, the Energy Department is lowering energy costs and ensuring the American people have access to affordable, reliable, and secure energy for decades to come”.
The timing aligns with explosive load growth in the region. Georgia Power alone has secured roughly 7 GW of large-load commitments, largely from data centers and manufacturing, and is pursuing far more. Latitude notes the loans were restructured after the election to emphasize additional gas-fired resources alongside nuclear and transmission. It’s exactly the infrastructure needed to meet hyperscaler demand that utilities say private markets could not finance at comparable rates.
For taxpayers, the structure is debt, not a grant. In theory, the Treasury could break even or better versus Southern borrowing at higher private-market rates. DOE officials, including EDF Director Gregory Beard, stress that individual projects will undergo viability reviews to protect ratepayers and the public balance sheet.
Tyler Durden
Fri, 02/27/2026 – 15:00
https://www.zerohedge.com/energy/doe-closes-massive-26-billion-loan-southern-co
Excandidato presidencial venezolano liberado Enrique Márquez pide unión tras la salida de Maduro
Associated Press
CARACAS (AP) — El excandidato presidencial venezolano Enrique Márquez, que estuvo más de un año encarcelado e incomunicado luego de objetar los resultados de las elecciones presidenciales de 2024, exhortó el viernes a opositores y oficialistas a no dejar pasar la oportunidad de reconstruir unidos el país tras la salida del poder de Nicolás Maduro.
El perdón es “nuestro camino como país para sanar heridas, para unirnos”, dijo Márquez en su primera declaración a la prensa tras recuperar la libertad plena después de la sanción de una Ley de Amnistía y su sorpresiva aparición el martes pasado durante el discurso del Estado de la Unión del presidente estadounidense Donald Trump.
Para lograr “armar el rompecabezas del país… guardémonos egos en una gaveta en la casa y salgamos sin ellos al encuentro”, acotó.
Márquez fue liberado inicialmente en enero bajo medidas cautelares, cinco días después de una audaz operación militar estadounidense que depuso y capturó a Maduro en la capital venezolana y lo trasladó a Nueva York para enfrentar cargos de narcotráfico.
Márquez consideró que para transitar el camino de la convivencia es necesario derogar las leyes extremadamente severas que en los últimos años dieron lugar a miles de detenciones arbitrarias por razones políticas.
Activistas mencionan, entre otras, la necesidad de abolir la llamada “Ley contra el Odio” promulgada por Maduro en 2017 que restringe la acción de los medios de comunicación y fija penas de 10 a 20 años de cárcel para quien “promueva delitos de odio e intolerancia”.
Maduro sostenía que mensajes de los medios y en las redes sociales desencadenaron las protestas antigubernamentales que entre abril y julio de 2017 dejaron más de 120 muertos. Los partidos opositores, empero, afirmaban que la ley criminalizaba la protesta pacífica.
Márquez –que fue acusado de incitación al odio, terrorismo y traición a la patria— denunció que como muchos otros venezolanos fue detenido sin la orden de un juez, sin asistencia de un abogado “ni de un fiscal que solicité para que velara por mis derechos. Nunca se me permitió hacer una llamada”.
“Después de esa acusación pasé 10 meses incomunicado… sin poder hablar con mi familia, con nadie”, indicó el dirigente político, destacando que fue víctima de “un esquema de prisión que nunca entendí qué se ganaba con eso” y “sin que se me iniciara juicio”.
El político fue arrestado tras solicitar ante el Tribunal Supremo de Justicia la nulidad del fallo que ratificó el triunfo de Maduro en los comicios de 2024.
Maduro fue declarado ganador sin presentar evidencias de que obtuvo 6,4 millones de votos frente a los 5,3 millones del opositor Edmundo González. González fue sido reconocido como presidente electo de Venezuela por varios gobiernos tras mostrar pruebas creíbles de su victoria electoral ante Maduro.
Márquez, un exlegislador e ingeniero eléctrico de 62 años, fue liberado de la prisión de El Helicoide pocas horas después que la presidenta encargada Delcy Rodríguez ofreció excarcelar a un “número importante” de presos por motivos políticos como una señal, dijo, para consolidar la paz y convivencia en el país sudamericano.
Rodríguez ordenó en enero pasado cerrar El Helicoide, que funcionaba como una de las sedes del Servicio Bolivariano de Inteligencia Nacional (SEBIN) y originalmente contenía calabozos de corta estadía. Organizaciones de derechos humanos locales e internacionales, entre ellas Human Rights Watch, han denunciado la práctica de la tortura y otras formas de abuso físico y psicológico contra los prisioneros.
Tras la entrada en vigor de la Ley de Amnistía la semana pasada, más de 3.200 personas que se encontraban detenidas o con medidas cautelares sustitutivas de prisión han recuperado su libertad plena.
El opositor esquivó la pregunta sobre si se postularía nuevamente a la presidencia, pero afirmó que no prevé elecciones próximamente y agradeció la invitación de Trump. “Me siento afortunado de haber estado allí representando el reencuentro de la familia venezolana”.
Continúa búsqueda de sobrevivientes de inundaciones en Brasil; sube a 64 cifra de muertos
Associated Press
RÍO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Los deslizamientos de tierra y las inundaciones en el estado brasileño de Minas Gerais, provocados por días de intensas lluvias, han cobrado la vida de 64 personas, informaron las autoridades.
Las lluvias torrenciales, que comenzaron tarde el lunes, han causado estragos en partes de las ciudades de Juiz de Fora y Uba, a unos 310 kilómetros (192 millas) al norte de Río de Janeiro. A lo largo de la semana, los rescatistas han estado asistiendo a las víctimas y recuperando cadáveres.
El cuerpo de bomberos de Minas Gerais indicó que cinco personas están desaparecidas, y más de 5.500 personas se han visto obligadas a abandonar sus hogares.
El presidente Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva visitará la región devastada el sábado para reunirse con líderes locales, según un comunicado del palacio presidencial.
El gobierno federal ha autorizado la liberación de alrededor de 3,4 millones de reales (660.000 dólares) para labores de reconstrucción y asistencia humanitaria.
Casi una cuarta parte de la población de Juiz de Fora —alrededor de 540.000 personas— vive en lugares que han sido identificados como de riesgo ante peligros naturales relacionados con la tierra y el agua, de acuerdo con un informe de 2023 de Cemaden, una agencia del gobierno brasileño que monitorea los desastres naturales.
El instituto de meteorología de Brasil, Inmet, ha advertido de un “gran peligro” de más mal tiempo en partes de Minas Gerais, así como en otros estados brasileños, incluidos Río y São Paulo. Esas zonas corren riesgo de deslizamientos de tierra, desbordamientos de ríos e inundaciones importantes, señalaron los meteorólogos.
Imágenes de la noche del jueves mostraron torrentes de agua marrón fluyendo por Paraty, un punto turístico y antigua ciudad colonial, también en el sureste de Brasil. Las autoridades pidieron a los residentes evitar las zonas inundadas y las laderas, y no refugiarse bajo los árboles debido al riesgo de descargas de rayos.
Los científicos afirman que el clima extremo ocurre con mayor frecuencia debido al cambio climático causado por el ser humano.
Las grandes inundaciones en el estado sureño brasileño de Rio Grande do Sul en mayo de 2024 provocaron la muerte de al menos 185 personas y arrasaron con casi todo lo necesario para la actividad económica, desde comercios hasta fábricas, granjas y ranchos. Las pérdidas financieras superaron los 10.000 millones de reales (1.900 millones de dólares).
Greenpeace Brasil pidió el viernes en Instagram acciones que preparen a las ciudades para el cambio climático y garanticen la protección de las poblaciones vulnerables.
“Evitar tragedias como las que están ocurriendo actualmente en ciudades de Minas Gerais y otros estados debe ser una prioridad”, manifestó la organización sin fines de lucro. “Los desastres también son el resultado de decisiones políticas”.
___
Esta historia fue traducida del inglés por un editor de AP con la ayuda de una herramienta de inteligencia artificial generativa.
Departamento de Licencias de Washington se disculpa por voz de IA en “español” tras video viral
Por CEDAR ATTANASIO
SEATTLE (AP) — Pulse “2” para oír las opciones en ¿acento español?
Durante meses, las personas que han llamado al Departamento de Licencias del estado de Washington y han solicitado el servicio automatizado en español han escuchado, en su lugar, una voz de IA hablando en inglés con un marcado acento español. Desde entonces, la agencia se ha disculpado y afirma que ya intenta solucionar el problema.
Maya Edwards, residente de Washington, se enteró de la voz con acento generado por IA el verano pasado, cuando su esposo mexicano intentó usar la opción en español mientras buscaba información sobre su licencia de conducir. Él es bilingüe, pero vio que el tiempo de espera para hablar con un representante de servicio al cliente en inglés era largo, así que pulsó “dos” para español.
Para Edwards, fue como una escena sacada de “Parks and Recreation”, una comedia en formato de falso documental que satiriza al gobierno local.
“En el momento nos pareció divertidísimo porque era tan absurdo”, dijo Edwards el jueves. “Pero, al mismo tiempo, plantea verdaderos problemas de accesibilidad para las personas que llaman todos los días y necesitan hablar en un idioma distinto del inglés”.
A principios de este mes, Edwards volvió a llamar al número y comprobó que el error persistía. Publicó un video de la llamada en TikTok, que acumuló alrededor de 2 millones de visualizaciones.
El Departamento de Licencias de Washington indicó en un comunicado que ya intentaba arreglar la opción en español y averiguar cómo ocurrió en primer lugar. Señaló que la opción de autoservicio incluye 10 idiomas y funciona con una tecnología más nueva impulsada por IA. Hasta el momento, se ignora si el problema afecta a otros idiomas; en los intentos realizados el jueves por The Associated Press para usar el servicio telefónico en algunos de los otros idiomas no se escucharon voces adicionales con acento.
“El DOL se disculpa por el error y con sus clientes por cualquier inconveniente”, se indica en el comunicado, refiriéndose a la agencia por sus siglas en inglés. “Un subproducto desafortunado de ampliar los servicios es que el DOL encontró problemas con la opción de autoservicio”.
La agencia declinó compartir el nombre del proveedor de IA que ofrece el servicio de traducción y remitió la pregunta a WaTech, el servicio interinstitucional de tecnología de la información del estado. Hasta el momento, un portavoz de la agencia no ha proporcionado el nombre del proveedor tras los mensajes de voz y correo electrónico que la AP dejó para solicitarlo.
La mañana del jueves, la línea de llamadas aún activaba la voz después de un mensaje, en inglés, en el que se reconocía que algunos servicios de traducción no funcionaban correctamente.
Cuando un reportero de la AP siguió las indicaciones para las opciones en español, se encontró con una voz en inglés con acento que solo decía los números en español.
“La espera estimada es de menos de ‘tres’ minutos”, dijo la voz, mencionando el número en español.
___
Esta historia fue traducida del inglés por un editor de AP con la ayuda de una herramienta de inteligencia artificial generativa.
Sheinbaum dice que la FIFA visitará México para evaluar seguridad y movilidad del Mundial
Por CARLOS RODRÍGUEZ
CIUDAD DE MÉXICO (AP) — Una delegación de la FIFA visitará México pronto para evaluar la seguridad y movilidad para la Copa del Mundo, informó el viernes la presidenta mexicana Claudia Sheinbaum.
La capacidad del país para coorganizar el Mundial ha estado bajo escrutinio esta semana después del estallido de violencia luego de que el ejército matara al poderoso capo de la droga Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes el domingo.
La operación y sus violentas repercusiones cobraron la vida de 70 personas. Integrantes del Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generación incendiaron autos para bloquear calles en estados de todo el país. Lo hicieron particularmente en ciudades del estado de Jalisco, entre ellas Guadalajara, que tiene previsto albergar cuatro partidos del Mundial.
El presidente de la FIFA Gianni Infantino le dijo a Sheinbaum en una llamada telefónica el jueves que tiene “absoluta confianza” en México como sede mundialista.
Sheinbaum respaldó eso el viernes en su conferencia diaria.
“Me aseguró la realización del Mundial en nuestro país y acordamos que un equipo de la FIFA va a venir de todas maneras para revisar varios temas”, dijo. “Estamos trabajando desde hace mucho tiempo, pero particularmente el tema, por supuesto, de seguridad”.
Sheinbaum no proporcionó fechas de la visita.
“Le dije (a Infantino) que el domingo fue una situación especial y que hemos regresado a la normalidad y todas las medidas de seguridad que ya se están trabajando desde hace tiempo y para que tengan la certeza”, señaló.
“Todos los equipos del mundo pueden estar seguros que en México serán recibidos con los brazos abiertos y a todos los turistas del mundo que vienen a México pueden tener la certeza que llegan a un lugar seguro, tranquilo y que van a pasar el mejor momento de su vida”, agregó.
Aunque Sheinbaum afirmó que las cosas estaban volviendo a la normalidad, persistían las preocupaciones de seguridad en Guadalajara. World Aquatics canceló un evento de la Copa del Mundo de clavados programada para la próxima semana cerca de Guadalajara.
Sheinbaum indicó que la autoridad deportiva del gobierno, la CONADE, estaba tratando de convencer a World Aquatics de trasladar la competencia a otra ciudad de México.
“Estamos trabajando con ellos para poder recuperar este torneo internacional”, indicó la presidente. “Todavía tenemos fe en que podemos recuperar este torneo”.
“Todavía tenemos la esperanza de que podamos recuperar este torneo”.
En cuanto a la movilidad, las tres ciudades de México que albergarán partidos del Mundial aún intentaban resolver problemas a casi 100 días del primer partido, el 11 de junio en el Estadio Azteca.
En la Ciudad de México, continuaban los trabajos para mejorar una línea de tren ligero que es la forma más rápida de dirigirse hacia el Azteca. En Monterrey, el tren del metro aún estaba en construcción. El estadio de Guadalajara carece de transporte público, aunque cuenta con un gran estacionamiento abierto.
“(Infantino) me pidió que viéramos el tema del tráfico en las tres ciudades para poder garantizar la movilidad de todos”, dijo Sheinbaum.
___
Deportes AP: https://apnews.com/hub/deportes
Descarrila tranvía en Milán y se estrella contra edificio; hay 2 muertos
Por COLLEEN BARRY
MILÁN (AP) — Un tranvía se descarriló el viernes y se estrelló contra un edificio en el corazón de Milán, lo que dejó dos muertos y más de dos docenas de heridos, informaron las autoridades.
El incidente, ocurrido a lo largo de la céntrica avenida Vittorio Veneto, se produjo cuando la capital empresarial de Italia acoge sus desfiles de moda de temporada y se encuentra en el periodo intermedio entre la organización de los Juegos Olímpicos de Invierno y los Juegos Paralímpicos.
El tranvía número 9 recorre el corazón de la capital financiera de Italia. Se suponía que debía continuar en línea recta por Vittorio Veneto y circulaba a gran velocidad. Pero de pronto se desvió en un cambio de vía que utiliza otra línea de tranvía y se salió de su recorrido habitual, según el video del choque difundido por Sky TG24.
El video muestra que el tranvía estuvo a punto de volcarse de costado al tomar la curva antes de detenerse bruscamente al impactar contra un edificio.
El alcalde de Milán, Beppe Sala, sugirió que la causa fue un error humano, al señalar que, al parecer, el conductor no cambió las vías para que el tranvía siguiera recto. Sala describió al conductor como un empleado con experiencia que llevaba apenas una hora en su turno. Pero indicó que se había saltado una parada previa antes que ocurriera el choque, y que será interrogado en el hospital, donde recibe tratamiento por sus lesiones.
Sala confirmó que dos personas murieron —un pasajero del tranvía y otra en la calle. Añadió que ninguno de los demás heridos estaba en condición de riesgo vital.
Decenas de ambulancias, camiones de bomberos y patrullas policiales acudieron al lugar del choque, y los equipos escoltaron a los pasajeros, envueltos en mantas térmicas, para alejarlos de la escena.
ATM, la empresa de transporte público de Milán, informó que estaba cooperando con los fiscales “para establecer con precisión la causa y la dinámica del incidente”.
___
Nicole Winfield colaboró a este despacho desde Roma.
___
Esta historia fue traducida del inglés por un editor de AP con la ayuda de una herramienta de inteligencia artificial generativa.
Three interim leaders at Aurora City Hall get permanent appointments
The Aurora City Council has approved the appointment of three top city leaders, all of whom had been serving as interims in their respective roles.
The city saw the departure of many of its top leaders in 2025, particularly after the swearing-in of John Laesch as mayor after he won the election over incumbent Richard Irvin. City departments that have seen a change in upper leadership since the start of 2025 include Police, Fire, Community Services, Public Works, Finance, Law, Human Resources and Information Technology.
On Tuesday, Michele Clark was approved as the city’s next chief human resources officer, Theodore Van De Sampel was approved as the city’s next emergency management coordinator and Josue Alcaraz was approved as the city’s next director of property standards.
The appointments were voted on as a part of the Aurora City Council meeting’s consent agenda, which is typically reserved for routine or non-controversial items that are all approved with a single vote.
The former chief human resources officer, Alisia Lewis, retired in September after working at the city since 1996. Later that month, Laesch appointed Clark — who had been serving as the director of equity, diversity and inclusion — to the roll as an interim.
“I was most impressed with Michele Clark’s vision for the city’s HR Department, along with her remarkable background and proven leadership skills,” Laesch said in a city news release announcing her permanent appointment to the role. “I look forward to continuing to work with her to build a thriving, mission-driven workforce that will move Aurora forward.”
According to that news release, Clark’s experience in human resources helped her rise above a group of highly-qualified candidates for the position.
Before Clark joined the city of Aurora, she worked for 20 years at John Deere, and in that time held roles such as manager of equal employment opportunity compliance, manager of HR global compliance and manager of global diversity and inclusion, the city news release said.
As chief human resources officer, Clark will oversee a department of nearly 20 employees with duties including the negotiation of labor contracts, administering workers’ compensation claims, employee recruitment and retention, analysis of employee benefits and more, according to the news release.
“This role is about more than processes — it’s about people,” Clark said in the city’s release. “My commitment is to cultivate a workplace where staff feel supported, respected and empowered to grow, because when our people thrive, our city thrives.”
The former coordinator of the Aurora Emergency Management Agency, Natalie Wiza, left in October and is now Naperville’s emergency manager. Theodore Van De Sampel, who was the agency’s training and exercise specialist, became the interim coordinator at that time, according to the city’s news release.
“I am proud and excited to be given this opportunity,” Van De Sampel said of his recent permanent appointment. “I will remain committed to the city of Aurora, my emergency management team and our amazing volunteers.”
Before starting with the city in early 2024, Van De Sampel spent 20 years in the U.S. Air Force. In that time, he held various positions including logistics and operations supervisor at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska, emergency management planning and supervisor at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois and the emergency management director at Kunsan Air Base in South Korea, city officials said in the news release.
Van De Sampel received various medals during his time in the Air Force and has been certified in a number of different trainings offered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, according to the news release.
“Theo’s experience here with the city and in the Air Force has greatly prepared him to succeed in this role,” Laesch said in the city news release. “His commitment to resilience and operations management will help the city maintain continuity in the face of any crisis.”
Now the permanent head of Aurora’s Emergency Management Agency, Van De Sampel will oversee three employees along with a vast volunteer network that spans the city, the news release said.
The former director of property standards was Ruthy Harris, who a city spokesperson has said was let go due to a reorganization within the division. Alcaraz was the assistant director of property standards before he took over as interim director in October, according to the city’s news release.
“I am honored and excited to be named the city’s new director of Property Standards,” Alcaraz said of his recent permanent appointment. “I am looking forward to leading our team, and helping to keep our neighborhoods safe.”
Alcaraz first started with the city in 2009 as a facilities security worker, and since then he has risen through the ranks — holding positions such as account clerk, quality of life inspector and property maintenance compliance officer — before shifting to administrative roles in 2021, the city news release said. He is a certified American Association of Code Enforcement Property Maintenance and Housing Inspector, city officials said.
Plus, Alcaraz also has served as a firefighter and as a code enforcement officer for the village of Sugar Grove, according to the news release.
“Josue has been a great asset to the city for a number of years,” Laesch said in the city news release. “His experience in both code enforcement and management makes him a great choice to lead our Property Standards team.”
Now permanently appointed to the director position, Alcaraz will oversee a group of 15 employees who help enforce codes to ensure that neighborhoods and rental homes stay safe, city officials said in the news release.
rsmith@chicagotribune.com
Clemson volleyball commit Ihuoma Ozoh, who has missed Thursday games, helps H-F win sectional. ‘Much respect.’
For the past several months, Thursday nights typically have been all about volleyball for Homewood-Flossmoor’s Ihuoma Ozoh.
The Clemson recruit, though, still wanted to play basketball. She worked with H-F coach Anthony Smith to attend club practice with 1st Alliance while missing Thursdays and any other games for out-of-state tournaments.
“I love both sports,” Ozoh said about juggling her winter commitments. “But I have to stay committed to the sport I’m going to college for. I’m glad my coaches have been so supportive.
“Coach Smith and I have known each other for years. I love him with all of my heart that I can still play basketball.”
This Thursday night, however, was all about basketball.
Ozoh missed volleyball practice, scoring nine points and hauling down 16 rebounds to help lead fourth-seeded H-F to a 58-48 win over second-seeded Marist in the Class 4A Mother McAuley Sectional championship game in Chicago.
Homewood Flossmoor’s Ihuoma Ozoh (25) shoots the ball over Marist’s Grace Harmon (11) during the Class 4A Mother McAuley Sectional championship game in Chicago on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026. (Troy Stolt / Daily Southtown)
Laila Williams paced H-F (24-9) with 13 points, eight rebounds and three steals. Toniya Brady scored 13 points, while Ziko Okolo had nine points — all in the first half — and five rebounds.
It’s the eighth sectional title for the Vikings and sixth since Smith took over in 2013.
“No volleyball tonight,” Smith said, smiling. “We needed everything (Ozoh) could give us.”
Olivia Cosme and Caroline Flynn each scored 17 points for Marist (26-9), with Flynn adding six rebounds and four steals. Lily Porter, who scored 30 points in Tuesday’s 68-61 semifinal win over Bloom, played less than six minutes Thursday because she was in constant foul trouble.
Homewood Flossmoor’s Ihuoma Ozoh (25) goes up for a layup as Marist’s Lucy Cosme (15) defends during the Class 4A Mother McAuley Sectional championship game in Chicago on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026. (Troy Stolt / Daily Southtown)
The 6-foot-3 Ozoh, meanwhile, confirmed that she hasn’t been feeling right about her defense in recent games. But that all changed for the senior forward against the RedHawks.
“This was like a reset for me,” Ozoh said. “I was really glad I could step up for my team. The last few games I was doing OK but there was something missing. I needed to get that back.
“I was a lot better on my placement, and I was able to read the angles of the shots and getting there before it hits the rim.”
And she likes mixing it up in traffic in the lane.
Homewood Flossmoor’s Ihuoma Ozoh (25) shoots a free throw against Marist during the Class 4A Mother McAuley Sectional championship game in Chicago on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026. (Troy Stolt / Daily Southtown)
“I’m not scared of being hit or being pushed around,” she said.
Brady also was happy to have Ozoh on the basketball court for H-F, which advanced to a 7 p.m. Monday game in the Illinois Wesleyan Supersectional in Bloomington against Belleville East (26-5), which beat Peoria Richwoods 58-48 for the sectional title.
“We need her out there,” Brady said of Ozoh. “She brings a lot for us on the offensive end.”
Ozoh is confident H-F will be ready for the supersectional.
The Vikings have come a long way from Dec. 18 when they lost 55-17 to the San Jose’s Archbishop Mitty during a showcase game in Phoenix.
Homewood Flossmoor’s Ihuoma Ozoh (25) celebrates after the Vikings defeat Marist in the Class 4A Mother McAuley Sectional championship game in Chicago on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026. (Troy Stolt / Daily Southtown)
Archbishop Mitty was ranked No. 1 in the nation at the time by The Sporting News.
“We didn’t have the confidence that we needed,” Ozoh said. “We got scared of the big name. We could have challenged them a whole lot more than we did.
“Since then, we spent more time together and working together. We lost, but at the same time, we saw the reasons we lost. The second we got back home, we started changing those things.”
Ozoh missed her junior season in basketball with a knee injury. Smith is glad that she’s able to play her final high school season, even if it means sharing her with 1st Alliance.
“She can be a special basketball player, too,” Smith said of Ozoh. “She wanted to play basketball with us and we worked with her all year long to be able to do that.
“Much respect to her.”
Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/27/ihuoma-ozoh-homewood-flossmoor-basketball-marist/
‘I Did Not Have Relations With That Man, Jeffrey Epstein’: Bill Clinton Tries Ol’ Lewinsky Trick On American Public
‘I Did Not Have Relations With That Man, Jeffrey Epstein’: Bill Clinton Tries Ol’ Lewinsky Trick On American Public
Former President Bill Clinton on Friday told lawmakers that he had no clue about crimes carried out by Jeffrey Epstein, the late sex offender who visited the Clinton White House at least 17 times while Bill was president, before letting Clinton fly on the ‘Lolita Express’ dozens of times.
“I saw nothing, and I did nothing wrong,” Clinton said in a statement prepared for a closed-door deposition in Chappaqua, New York. “I know what I saw, and more importantly, what I didn’t see.”
Bill Clinton swears he never knew. pic.twitter.com/B2QxiuG2X4
— Paul Sperry (@paulsperry_) February 27, 2026
“My brief acquaintance with Epstein ended years before his crimes came to light, and … I never witnessed during our limited interactions any indication of what was truly going on,” said the 79-year-old former president, adding “I had no idea of the crimes Epstein was committing.“
Which is weird, because Epstein had a picture of Clinton in a blue ‘Monica Lewinsky’ dress and red pedo club shoes on his wall…
Clinton became the first former president forced to testify to Congress – and did so just one day after his wife, Hillary Clinton, testified before the same panel.
While Clinton was interviewed in a closed-door session, the GOP chairman of the committee, James Comer, said they would be asking Bill about trips he took on Epstein’s plane, and the White House visits Epstein made while Clinton was president.
Another GOP lawmaker on the panel, Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina, said that Clinton would be “thoroughly asked” about pictures of him featured in the Epstein files – including one of him soaking in a jacuzzi, and another of him swimming with Ghislaine Maxwell.
According to the Epoch Times, an FBI document stated that a person whose name was redacted and was not an Epstein victim reported that she was invited to an orgy with Clinton, but did not attend. Law enforcement emails said that an Epstein victim said she met Epstein through another victim who had traveled with Epstein and Clinton to Africa.
Clinton flew on Epstein’s plane in 2002 and 2003, according to previously known flight logs and photographs. He has said previously through a spokesperson that those trips involved work for the Clinton Foundation and that he never went to Epstein’s island, although he briefly went to Epstein’s home in New York and logs showed Epstein went to the White House while Clinton was president.
As Bloomberg notes, ‘Clinton took several trips on Epstein’s private plane before Epstein pleaded guilty in 2008 to Florida state charges that included procurement of a minor to engage in prostitution. Epstein also donated $1,000 to Bill Clinton’s 1992 presidential campaign and $20,000 to Hillary Clinton’s 2000 US Senate campaign. A charity controlled by Epstein contributed $25,000 to the Clintons’ private foundation.’
Hillary Clinton, meanwhile, told the BBC earlier this month that Bill was only flying on the Lolita Express “for his charitable work.”
Like this?
This isn’t the first time the Clintons have asked us to believe them…
😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/vs15nejB3F
— Politi_Rican 🇵🇷 𝕏 🇺🇸 (@TheRicanMemes) February 27, 2026
Tyler Durden
Fri, 02/27/2026 – 14:20
