Category: News
House minority leader roundtable focuses on area affordability: ‘We want the American people to talk to us’
U.S. House of Representatives Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-New York, came to U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider’s 10th Congressional District to learn how residents of an area with wealthy suburbs and working-class communities are dealing with affordability.
Jefferies heard stories of mothers challenged to pay rent when child support lapsed, or forced to make choices between food and medicine. He also learned that more and more people are seeking help with rent or utility bills.
Dulce Ortiz, the executive director of Mano a Mano Family Services and a Waukegan Township trustee, let Jeffries and Schneider know about a family that avoided an encounter with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, but was still left with difficult choices to make.
Ortiz said the family lived in a house owned by family members and paid below-market rent of $1,600 a month. ICE came to the house when the family was not home, but fear of the agency’s return prompted the family to move and face market-rate rent of around $2,800 and related consequences.
“They can’t afford it,” Ortiz said. “They’re going to have to make a very difficult decision of having to pull their special-needs child from a school they’ve been attending. They’re going to have to decide how they’re going to get to work. Now, they can walk to the grocery store.”
Ortiz was one of more than 10 community leaders from Lake, Cook and McHenry counties who met with Schneider and Jefferies for a roundtable discussion on affordability on Tuesday in Winnetka in hopes they will take the information back to Washington with them in crafting future legislation.
U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-New York, speaks at a news conference after a roundtable discussion about affordability with people from Lake, Cook and McHenry counties. (Steve Sadin/For the Lake County News-Sun)
“We got to hear from leaders who are hearing from their constituents and the people they serve,” Schneider said at a news conference after the roundtable. “Everyday Americans and virtually all Americans are struggling with rising costs, not just to get by, but it’s hard to get ahead.”
Gathering information from people going to work every day is important, Jeffries said, and hearing what the American people have to say to them is more important than telling them what he believes needs fixing.
“We want the American people to talk to us, to lay out their real on-the-ground experiences,” he said at the news conference. “That’s the least we can do to make sure when you’re working hard and playing by the rules, you can live an affordable life, a comfortable life, a good life.”
Waukegan Township Supervisor Marc Jones said after the news conference that for the past three months his office has seen a 15% increase in phone calls from people asking about housing assistance, help with paying utility bills, or both. He sees needs elsewhere, too.
U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider, D-Highland Park, far right, talks to Dulce Ortiz, second from left, and others before a roundtable discussion on affordability. (Steve Sadin/For the Lake County News-Sun)
“Our Grandparents Raising Grandchildren support group, which normally has 10 to15 participants, has spiked to 50 participants,” Jones said. “This increase is a testament to the greater need for additional household support, including food, clothing, school supplies and other essential items for young people.”
With the increase in the needs of the immigrant community, Ortiz said her organization is forced to reallocate and refocus resources. The number of people in need of assistance has tripled in the past few years, she said, and the past year has been the hardest.
“What used to be classrooms for ESL, GED and workforce training now has become a makeshift food distribution center,” Ortiz said. “Families who once focused on improving their English, finding better jobs and improving their stability are now asking how will they pay for rent and put food on the table.”
Rob Anthony, the president of Libertyville-based Community Partners for Affordable Housing, said rent and home prices are significantly exceeding the rate of inflation, making it harder for families to live as they once did.
“Rent and home prices are increasing at two to four times the rate of income,” Anthony said. “There’s a widening gap. It’s not that people aren’t working hard. There’s a structural problem with income not keeping up with home prices.”
Along with Ortiz, Jones and Anthony, participants at the roundtable included business owners, other township officials and people from social services agencies.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/18/minority-leader-hakeem-jeffries/
Iran Leans On Russia To Develop Oilfields
Iran Leans On Russia To Develop Oilfields
By Tsvetana Paraskova of OilPrice.com,
Iran and Russia are strengthening their economic and energy cooperation and consider joint development of another Iranian oilfield, top officials from the countries said on Wednesday.
Russian Energy Minister Sergei Tsivilev led a high-level Russian delegation on a visit to Tehran this week during which Tsivilev and Iran’s Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad discussed deepening the economic and energy cooperation.
In the face of increased pressure from U.S. sanctions, Iran and Russia have boosted their bilateral relations to strategic cooperation and Russian companies help develop oilfields in Iran.
“Within the framework of four contracts and in the field of development of oil and gas fields, we are jointly implementing the development of seven oil fields with Russian companies, and fortunately some of these projects have led to production, which is considered a valuable achievement,” Paknejad said on Wednesday, as carried by Iran’s Islamic Republic News Agency, IRNA.
Some of these oil and gas fields have started up production, the officials said.
Commenting on this week’s Iran-Russia talks, a senior official at the Iranian Oil Ministry said that the share of Russia-developed fields in Iran’s oil production is set to double in the coming years.
Russia is currently investing in seven Iranian oil fields, which account for about 6% of Iran’s total oil production, said Mostafa Barzegar, Director General for Europe, America and the Commonwealth of Independent States at the Ministry of Oil’s International Affairs Department.
Expectations are that the share could jump to 12% over the next few years, Barzegar said.
In the energy sector, the official said that cooperation in oil and gas is one of the pillars of Iran–Russia relations, Iran News Daily reports.
Iran and Russia have also signed a $25-billion memorandum of understanding for the construction of new large-scale and small-scale nuclear power plants in the Sirik region in southern Iran.
Tyler Durden
Wed, 02/18/2026 – 19:15
https://www.zerohedge.com/energy/iran-leans-russia-develop-oilfields
La primera embajadora palestina, Leila Shahid, muere en Francia a los 76 años
RAMALA, Cisjordania (AP) — Leila Shahid, quien fue la primera diplomática palestina y ocupó destacados cargos en Europa durante algunos de los años más convulsos del conflicto en Oriente Medio, falleció en Francia a los 76 años de edad.
El presidente palestino Mahmoud Abbas la elogió como un “ejemplo de diplomacia comprometida con los valores de la libertad, la justicia y la paz”, añadiendo que “se mantuvo fiel al mensaje de su pueblo hasta sus últimos días”, según la agencia oficial de noticias WAFA.
Shahid nació en Beirut en 1949, un año después de la guerra que dio origen a la creación de Israel, cuando cientos de miles de palestinos huyeron o fueron expulsados de sus hogares. Sus padres eran originarios de Jerusalén y de lo que hoy en día es el norte de Israel.
Después de trabajar en campamentos de refugiados palestinos, viajó a París en la década de 1970 para cursar un doctorado en antropología. En 1976 fue elegida como presidenta del sindicato de estudiantes palestinos en Francia.
Regresó a Beirut en la época de la masacre de Sabra y Shatila, en 1982, cuando milicianos cristianos libaneses respaldados por Israel asesinaron a cientos de hombres, mujeres y niños palestinos en dos campamentos de refugiados.
La Organización para la Liberación de Palestina la asignó a Irlanda en 1989, convirtiéndose en la primera embajadora palestina. Al año siguiente fue asignada a Holanda.
Se desempeñó como enviada palestina en Francia de 1993 a 2005.
Su asignación coincidió con el apogeo del proceso de paz y el estallido del segundo levantamiento palestino, o intifada, en 2000. Acompañó al líder palestino Yasser Arafat en sus últimos días antes de su muerte en un hospital militar francés en 2004.
Entre 2006 y 2014 se desempeñó como enviada palestina ante la Unión Europea, Bélgica y Luxemburgo.
Además, estuvo al frente durante varios años de “The Review of Palestinian Studies”, una publicación en francés sobre la historia del conflicto.
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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.
Cristiano Ronaldo se ausenta en victoria del Al Nassr en Liga de Campeones 2 de Asia
Por The Associated Press
Cristiano Ronaldo estuvo ausente el miércoles, mientras Al Nassr avanzó a los cuartos de final de la Liga de Campeones 2 de Asia con una victoria por 1-0 sobre Arkadag de Turkmenistán.
El conjunto saudí aseguró así un triunfo por un marcador global de 2-0.
Cristiano, de 41 años y quien regresó el sábado tras perderse tres partidos consecutivos en medio de reportes de descontento con la dirigencia del club, observó desde las gradas.
Según medios locales, el cinco veces ganador del Balón de Oro, que no ha conquistado un gran trofeo desde que firmó con el club de Riad en diciembre de 2022, está siendo reservado para los partidos de la Saudi Pro League y las etapas finales de la Liga de Campeones de Asia.
Al Nassr enfrentará a Al Wasl de los Emiratos Árabes Unidos en el partido de ida de los cuartos de final de la segunda competición de Asia el 3 de marzo.
En la AFC Champions League Elite, la competición de primer nivel, Japón y Corea del Sur enviaron tres y dos equipos, respectivamente, a los octavos de final en la zona oriental. Los ocho mejores de cada uno de los dos grupos de 12 clubes avanzan a la siguiente fase.
Johor Darul Tazim de Malasia y Buriram United de Tailandia también avanzaron, mientras Melbourne City se convirtió apenas en el segundo equipo australiano en alcanzar los octavos de final desde 2016.
En la zona occidental, los clubes saudíes de gran inversión dominaron. Al Hilal, Al Ahli y Al Ittihad terminaron entre los cuatro primeros. Tractor de Irán quedó tercero, mientras Al Duhail y Al Sadd de Qatar avanzaron junto con Al Wahda.
Los partidos de ida de los octavos de final están programados para el 2 y 3 de marzo.
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Deportes AP: https://apnews.com/hub/deportes
Daily Horoscope for February 19, 2026
General Daily Insight for February 19, 2026
Small sparks could lead to brave starts now. With the emotional Moon entering bold Aries at 2:39 pm EST, following our impulses may be easier than usual. Soon after, Luna meets restrictive Saturn, asking for measured steps, simple promises, and patience as we shape plans we can actually keep. Moments later, the Moon’s contact with dreamy Neptune softens edges, encouraging us to listen from the heart. Checking the facts might ultimately be necessary, but our enthusiasm is potentially in the right place!
Aries
March 21 – April 19
Aries, your passion meets sturdy focus today. The instinctive Moon in your 1st House of Identity conjoins disciplined Saturn, asking you to set a pace you can sustain. Although you may feel eager to just start moving, simple structure helps your energy land. Try outlining a plan before you pitch an idea. If inspiration swells later, let heart and practicality share the lead. Be open about your needs so others understand what you’re aiming for. A little foresight now can turn courage into results!
Taurus
April 20 – May 20
Quiet time can help you notice gentle truths today. Your 12th House of Solitude and Spirituality stirs as the intuitive Moon enters, inviting a pause that protects your energy. Although you need to acknowledge your emotions, acting on them immediately isn’t necessarily the best course. You might step outside for fresh air before you answer an upsetting message, or let patience soften a craving before you bite on an impulse purchase. Calm restores your strength, so don’t feel bad about stepping away from the whirlwind.
Gemini
May 21 – June 20
What are your friends reflecting back to you? Plans could blur as the impressionable Moon merges with nebulous Neptune in your 11th House of Friendship and Community, bringing welcome compassion but also frustratingly hazy expectations. A chat may meander, or you might have to look for a new time to meet up. Do what you can to accommodate each person’s schedule, but be realistic about your own needs too. Sometimes the show must go on, whether or not it’s totally convenient for everyone involved!
Cancer
June 21 – July 22
Seeing how far you’ve come is possible now. The nourishing Moon enters your 10th House of Career and Status, helping you step into visibility with both confidence and competence. You might briefly share a progress update with the people who count in order to keep their expectations clear and realistic. Choose a visible next step, like setting a date for a presentation, and let your sensitivity guide how you frame the message. Your gentle leadership can build trust and open doors.
Leo
July 23 – August 22
Thinking a few steps ahead could be crucial now. The temperamental Moon joins authoritative Saturn in your 9th House of Travel and Learning, urging you to balance bold opinions with realistic limits. You may sincerely believe that the world should function in a certain way. How do you plan to enforce that, though? A new rule may or may not be the right tool to address the issue currently weighing on you. Remember that some laws cause more problems than they solve.
Virgo
August 23 – September 22
Honesty could be necessary to clear knots around shared matters today. As the unconscious Moon encounters structured Saturn in your 8th House of Shared Resources and Intimacy, you may come to realize that you and another person assumed very different things about an arrangement that brings you together. Do you even have the same overall goal? You can at least be candid about what you’re personally looking for in order to reduce defensiveness and keep the process humane. Clearer terms should ultimately benefit both sides.
Libra
September 23 – October 22
Libra, empathy steers your choices with grace. The intuitive Moon in your 7th House of Partnership embraces psychic Neptune, heightening your perception so you sense the subtle needs of the people in your life. However, it’s also possible to mix up what’s yours and what’s theirs, so request feedback to confirm your impressions. You might echo back what you heard and ask a clear question, such as whether a call later would feel supportive. Compassion with boundaries keeps connections steady and sweet.
Scorpio
October 23 – November 21
Being conscious of your workflow can currently help you get the most out of it. Your 6th House of Work and Wellness activates as the emotional Moon enters, encouraging practical habits that support your intense focus without draining your reserves. You might set a timer to finish an assignment and then take a real stretch so your stamina returns. If a coworker interrupts, state your plan and circle back later. Boundaries protect quality of output and prevent resentment from poisoning relationships.
Sagittarius
November 22 – December 21
A complicated form of pleasure may appeal to you now. Play could turn reflective as the moody Moon unites with idealistic Neptune in your 5th House of Creativity and Romance, blending imagination with tender feelings. You might bring a sketchbook to a café in order to temporarily live out a fantasy of a grand artistic life. However, don’t let this get you too depressed about how your current circumstances fall short of your dreams — no one gets to totally escape boring responsibilities!
Capricorn
December 22 – January 19
Comfort and care could be high priorities today. Your 4th House of Home and Family shifts as the nurturing Moon enters, encouraging you to create simple order in your domestic life. You might start a calm conversation about chores and then share a warm meal that brings everyone back to center. If you live alone, set a cozy tone with music and a gentle plan for the evening, because small routines rebuild stability. Nourish your roots, and tomorrow’s work should feel easier!
Aquarius
January 20 – February 18
Your perspective could carry extra weight today. The instinctive Moon sits with karmic Saturn in your 3rd House of Communication, grounding your thoughts and calling for careful messaging that respects limits. Although your emotions on a contentious subject need to be heard and processed by you, airing them carelessly to others might inflame the drama further. Read a draft of an email aloud, and take a short break to reflect before sending it. Make sure your words carry clarity, not heat.
Pisces
February 19 – March 20
Needs and wants might compete for your attention at the moment. Money choices could feel foggy as the temperamental Moon in your 2nd House of Resources unites with elusive Neptune, mixing a craving for comfort with dreams of what feels perfect. Check the amount you can spend today, and pick a small treat inside it, like cooking something special instead of ordering out. The goal isn’t to feel deprived — it’s to balance current desires with bigger priorities. Gentle limits keep you on track.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/18/daily-horoscope-for-february-19-2026/
US Withdrawing All Forces From Syria, Over A Year After Regime Change By Proxy War
US Withdrawing All Forces From Syria, Over A Year After Regime Change By Proxy War
Last week we and others reported that American forces finally after many years withdrew from the remote Al-Tanf Garrison, a base in southern Syria near the borders of Iraq and Jordan. US troops had long operated out of Tanf to pressure the Assad government as part of the long-running US-backed regime change project. The US primarily trained the Syrian Free Army (FSA) in that remote desert area – which was an umbrella group of various factions, among them jihadists, armed and funded by Washington.
But the majority of US forces had long occupied the northeast of the country, where the oil and gas fields are concentrated, specifically Hasakah and Deir Ezzor provinces. But over several weeks, the Pentagon has been handing over its constellation of small bases to the Syrian government of Ahmed al-Sharaa (al-Qaeda and ISIS name: Abu Mohammad al-Jolani). At times throughout the Syrian proxy war, the US had anywhere from 800 to 2000 troops on the ground, but likely also more contractors and intelligence operatives.
Under Trump, Washington has been weighing a complete withdrawal since the year’s start, having fully backed the Jolani regime in the wake of the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad. This has been awkward to put it mildly, given Jolani had long been on the US terror list, after being dropped once he took control of Damascus.
On Wednesday, The Wall Street Journal reports, “The U.S. is in the process of withdrawing all of its roughly 1,000 troops from Syria, according to three American officials, ending a decadelong military operation in the country.”
One question is whether this is connected to the Pentagon’s Iran-related build-up a little further to the east. WSJ notes on this, “The officials said the withdrawal was unrelated to the current U.S. deployment of naval and air forces in the Middle East for potential strikes against Iran if talks about that country’s nuclear program fail.”
Another issue is the Kurds. The US for a decade trained and armed the Kurdish-dominated Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), but now is cutting them lose. Kurdish leaders have warned of attacks by hardline Sunni militants under the new Damascus government.
“The Trump administration has decided that a U.S. military presence in Syria is no longer necessary, two U.S. officials said, because of the near-total disbandment of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, the main U.S. partner in countering Islamic State in Syria for the past decade,” WSJ continues.
And yet US officials previously admitted to the same publication that post-Assad Syrian Army is “riddled with jihadist sympathizers, including soldiers with ties to al-Qaeda and ISIS and others who have been involved in alleged war crimes against the Kurds and Druze.”
This has been extremely controversial as the US-backed Kurds and SDF forces have been attacked while Damascus forces move in. Abandonment of the stateless Kurds has been a clear pattern of Washington policy over time.
Tyler Durden
Wed, 02/18/2026 – 18:50
Arsenal y Real Madrid avanzan sin problemas a cuartos de la Champions femenina
Por JAMES ROBSON
El vigente campeón Arsenal y el Real Madrid ganaron con facilidad sus partidos del miércoles en casa para alcanzar los cuartos de final de la Liga de Campeones femenina.
Alessia Russo anotó dos veces y Arsenal venció 3-1 al equipo belga OH Leuven para un marcador global de 7-1, con lo que se medirá en cuartos de final con su rival inglés Chelsea.
Antes, el Madrid dejó preparado un Clásico contra el tricampeón Barcelona al derrotar 2-0 a Paris FC para una victoria por global de 5-2.
La delantera Naomie Feller abrió el marcador para el conjunto Merengue y la defensora Melween N’Dongala envió el balón a su propia portería.
Russo se convierte en la máxima goleadora
El doblete de Russo la llevó a siete goles, la cifra más alta del torneo, y el Arsenal culminó la obra tras el 4-0 que había logrado como visitante en el partido de ida.
La atacante inglesa puso en ventaja al Arsenal a los 23 minutos con un giro y un remate de primera intención. Su segundo gol, a los 90, fue similar, con fortaleza para girar y un disparo rasante y bien colocado a un rincón.
La mediocampista húngara Sára Pusztai empató para las visitantes a los 29 con una definición a corta distancia en un Meadow Park empapado por la lluvia en Boreham Wood. Mariona Caldentey devolvió la ventaja a Arsenal con un penal a mitad de la segunda parte.
El conjunto del norte de Londres ganó el torneo en 2007, cuando se llamaba la Supercopa, y sigue siendo el único equipo inglés en lograrlo. El Chelsea del oeste de la misma ciudad llegó una vez a la final, en 2021, pero fue arrollado 4-0 cuando el Barça conquistó su primer título.
A principios de este mes, Arsenal ganó la edición inaugural de la Copa de Campeonas.
Expulsión temprana
En Madrid, la situación de Paris se complicó cuando la defensora Théa Greboval fue expulsada en el quinto minuto por sujetar a Feller cuando se iba sola hacia el arco.
Aun así, las visitantes estuvieron cerca de ponerse arriba en el Estadio Alfredo Di Stéfano a los 19, cuando la guardameta Misa Rodríguez atajó bien un disparo raso de Océane Picard desde 20 metros.
La mediapunta Caroline Weir desperdició una oportunidad de adelantar a Madrid desde el punto penal a los 36, después de que Picard tocó con la mano un centro. La portera Mylène Chavas, que jugaba contra su equipo anterior, desvió el cobro con ambas manos.
Feller rompió la resistencia de Paris a los 54, al rematar de volea y a corta distancia tras un gran centro de la lateral derecha Eva Navarro, quien también participó en el segundo gol a mitad de la segunda parte, cuando su envío derivó en el autogol de N’Dongala desde cerca del punto penal.
El renovado formato de la Liga de Campeones femenina ha seguido el de la competencia masculina, con una fase inicial de liga de seis jornadas en lugar de ocho.
Los cuatro primeros de la fase de liga de 18 equipos —Barcelona, Lyon, Chelsea y Bayern Múnich— avanzaron directamente a cuartos, y los equipos ubicados del quinto al 12mo fueron a un repechaje.
Lo que viene
En los partidos de vuelta del jueves, Juventus recibe al bicampeón Wolfsburgo con el marcador 2-2, mientras que Manchester United defiende en casa una ventaja de 3-0 ante Atlético de Madrid.
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Deportes AP: https://apnews.com/hub/deportes
Fútbol de AP: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Lake Zurich priest out after allegations despite leaders’ praise: Cardinal cites ‘exemplary leadership’
A Lake Zurich Catholic priest is out after years of persistent child sexual abuse allegations, but regional church leaders have sent him away with public praise.
The Rev. David Ryan of St. Francis De Sales Parish will be temporarily replaced by the Rev. Steven Lanza, according to a letter in the parish’s Feb. 8 bulletin from Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, archbishop of Chicago.
Cupich, warning there was “little likelihood” that recent allegations against Ryan would be resolved “within the foreseeable future,” said he had informed Ryan as of Feb. 1 that he was retired, leaving the position of pastor vacant and allowing the search for a successor to begin.
Lanza has come out of retirement to serve as parish administrator until June 30, Cupich said.
According to previous reporting, Ryan was first appointed in 2006 at St. Francis de Sales, and reappointed in 2012.
The archdiocese first placed Ryan on leave in 2020 amid allegations that he abused a minor at the historically troubled Maryville Academy, then a church-run home for troubled youth in Des Plaines.
Ryan was reinstated in September 2021, only for Cupich to address the congregation days later with the revelation of “additional information, not previously provided … that will mean delaying Father Ryan’s return.”
In February 2023, he was again reinstated, and at the time, Cupich sent a letter citing a lack of cooperation from Ryan’s accusers. Cupich referenced what he described as a “thorough investigation” by the archdiocese before reaching his decision to reinstate Ryan.
He wrote that Ryan’s accusers “refused to cooperate with both civil and church investigations.” As a result, he wrote, “The IRB finds that there is not sufficient reason to suspect Father Ryan is guilty of sexually abusing a minor and recommends he be returned to ministry and that the files be closed on these two claims due to the lack of cooperation of those making the accusations.”
Cupich wrote that Ryan “strenuously denies this allegation, and states that he has never harmed a child,” and once again noted that the archdiocese’s investigative process begins, “with the presumption that one is innocent until proven otherwise.”
Additional allegations arose last year in connection with a civil complaint in Cook County against Maryville that, in the mid-1990s, during his years on staff at Maryville Academy, Ryan sexually abused a child.
Most of those allegations surround the Rev. John P. Smyth, a Chicago archdiocese priest who spent more than 40 years in leadership roles at Maryville, including that of executive director. Smyth, who left Maryville in 2004, died in April 2019, around the time accusers began to emerge claiming that he’d sexually abused them when they were children.
Ryan served as Smyth’s co-director at Maryville in the 1990s, when much of the abuse is alleged to have occurred.
In a complaint filed last year, a former Maryville resident, identified in court documents as John Doe 6, alleged that he was sexually abused by Smyth and Ryan after being placed at Maryville in 1996. The lawsuit states the alleged abuse took place for about a year when the boy was around 11 years of age.
The filing also contains accusations from nearly a dozen other victims, identified only by number. Victim No. 11, as the lawsuit describes him, claimed that Smyth and Ryan made him “feel like a ‘sex slave’” while he lived at Maryville.
‘Gather our memories’
Despite the controversy surrounding his exit, Cupich praised Ryan for his “exemplary leadership,” working beyond retirement age.
“Yet, it is clear to me that it is time for new leadership so that the parish can build on the growth you have accomplished together during the years he served as your pastor,” Cupich said.
Cupich framed the move as a “kindness” to Ryan, calling for the parish to continue to support him moving forward as a new parish leader is found.
Also in the Feb. 8 edition of the parish bulletin was a letter from the parish requesting members “gather our memories” of the outgoing Ryan, to “remember all the good and significant things he has done for this parish.”
It praised Ryan for pulling the parish out of debt when he arrived in 2006, “through sound financial management and prudent use of capital, that debt was retired, and the parish is currently debt free.”
“We continue to pray for him and honor all he has done for us. We pray that the allegations made be expeditiously resolved so he can join the many retired priests who serve the Archdiocese of Chicago in so many important ministries,” the letter said.
The parish plans to create a “memory book,” celebrating Ryan’s “positive impact” on the community, including letters of appreciation, photos and “shared memories that highlight what a great leader and pastor he was during his tenure at St. Francis de Sales.”
Chicago Blackhawks are focused on the season’s final stretch — there’s ‘an eagerness to become a great team’
The Chicago Blackhawks limped into the NHL’s Winter Olympic break with a 4-0 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Feb. 4. The Columbus cannon shot down an already defeated Hawks team as they skated to their locker rooms in silence with heads down.
Now, they get to put all that behind them.
The Hawks will spend this week at the Blackhawks Ice Center preparing for their first game back on Feb. 26 at the Nashville Predators. The locker room vibes were high as the team initially (and politely) shooed the media away to watch Team Canada’s intense 4-3 overtime Olympic win against Czechia.
A few days off might’ve been what the Hawks needed.
“It’s not normal to have this many days off in the season, so (the break) came at us at a good time for some guys,” team captain Nick Foligno said. “I want to play, and especially watching the Olympics now, and these guys playing here, like ‘all right, I want to get back going here.’”
The Hawks are 22-26-9, sixth in the Central Division and 10 points out of a wild-card playoff spot with 25 games remaining. Their season isn’t over, though, as it would have been in previous years.
A string of wins is what the young team needs, as Folingo said postgame in Columbus. For the first time, the team captain believes he has a Hawks team that can put together a run.
“There’s an understanding and an eagerness to become a great team in this room, and I think that’s what you need first and foremost,” Foligno said. “Then you need to put it into action, not just wanting it, you’ve got to apply it.
“We limped in (to the break), we wanted to do it, but we weren’t really doing the things necessary to do that. I think having some time to watch our game and to fine-tune some areas that we’ve probably struggled in is going to help us come out of this.”
Hawks coach Jeff Blashill agreed that his guys needed the time away. Teuvo Teräväinen is the only one in Milan, Italy, so the Hawks have a majority of their players at practice, an advantage other NHL rosters won’t have.
“We got a chance to reset, if you look throughout the league, it’s a pretty good opportunity for us,” Blashill said. “We have (one) guy playing in the Olympics, so a bunch of guys got the chance to kind of reset and rest.
“We’ve got a whole bunch of guys playing really important minutes that have never really been through this schedule. I thought guys probably needed a break and needed a reset opportunity, that’s what this is. We also get six practices to try to hit the ground running. Does that guarantee success? No, but every team probably hits that break at different points.”
And the week of practices is a perfect place to start. If the Hawks want to become a playoff team, it begins here.
“We only have one guy that’s away at the Olympics, so we’re together practicing (and) there’s a lot of teams that have (multiple) guys (away) so they’re not really able to get the reps that we’re going to get,” Foligno said. “We should use that to our advantage and make sure we come out of this like we got better.
“(Blashill) and the coaching staff really understand that, and I think the guys are excited about that opportunity to come out of this and feel really good about our game.”
Roster moves and practice news
Defenseman Kevin Korchinski (14) practices Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, as the Chicago Blackhawks begin training camp at Fifth Third Arena. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Defensemen Sam Rinzel and Kevin Korchinski have been recalled from the Rockford IceHogs. The additions of the two blueliners make seven on the Hawks roster.
Korchinski represented the IceHogs last week in the AHL All-Star Classic with left winger Nick Lardis and Rockford team captain Brett Seney. He has posted 23 points (two goals, 21 assists) with Rockford this year in addition to two games on the Hawks roster (one assist).
“I thought he left the last time playing better that second night than the first night,” Blashill said. “He’s done a solid job, so (he) just (has) to put himself in a position that, if he gets an opportunity to play, that he plays well.”
It’s Rinzel’s second recall of the season after being assigned to the IceHogs during the Olympic break. He logged 14 points (two goals, 12 assists) in Rockford, as well as nine points (two goals, seven assists) in 31 NHL games.
Defenseman Wyatt Kaiser has been placed on injured reserve, retroactive to Feb. 4. There’s no timetable for his return, but Blashill said that he will play again this season.
On Monday, Blashill said that he wanted Connor Bedard to play a “true center role.” The plan is for the star forward to take face-offs again.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/18/chicago-blackhawks-nhl-season-final-stretch/
Waste Of The Day: Principal Bought Lobster With School Funds
Waste Of The Day: Principal Bought Lobster With School Funds
Authored by Jeremy Portnoy via RealClearInvestigations,
Topline: Most New York public school lunches consist of room temperature chicken nuggets or reheated pizza. But at Wyandanch Memorial High School on Long Island, principal Paul Sibblies dined on steak and lobster at taxpayers’ expense.
Sibblies reimbursed himself a total of $35,519 from 2021 to 2024 using cash meant for a school club, without approval or supervision from anyone besides his own secretary, according to an audit obtained by Newsday.
Key facts: Sibblies paid himself 41 times using money from the high school’s Kappa League club, a leadership program affiliated with the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity.
The most concerning was the steak and lobster Sibblies and an unidentified person ate at a restaurant in Delaware. Sibblies reimbursed himself $126 for the bill, which also included alcohol. He logged the transaction as “EOY Academic Success.”
Larry Aronstein, the district’s former interim superintendent, told Newsday that Sibblies was paying himself back for expenses he had laid out on behalf of the school. Sibblies told Newsday the steak and lobster meal was “school-related” but declined to answer other questions.
The school board appears unsatisfied with that explanation. They appointed legal counsel in November 2025 to investigate the audit’s findings, according to Newsday.
“We know what is personal and what is for the sake of students,” board trustee Jarod Morris told Newsday. “A steak and lobster dinner in Delaware is personal.”
Separately, auditors flagged other questionable expenses at the Wyandanch Free Union School District, including a jet ski rental in Bermuda. The school district was also missing records showing how much was spent on field trips and donated to clubs.
The audit was completed in early 2025 and made public last month.
Background: Sibblies likely could have afforded his luxury meal himself. He made $192,479 in 2024, according to payroll records obtained by Open the Books.
That made him the fourth-highest paid person in the district. He was one of 24 people making at least $150,000.
Search all federal, state and local salaries and vendor spending with the world’s largest government spending database at OpenTheBooks.com.
Supporting quote: “I know his character, and for whatever that’s worth, I think he’s a good man,” Aronstein told Newsday about Sibblies. “He runs a very good school and is committed to providing his students enrichment experiences that they can have going beyond the borders of Wyandanch.”
Summary: Even a high school student knows that taxpayer money should not be spent without basic checks and oversight.
The #WasteOfTheDay is brought to you by the forensic auditors at OpenTheBooks.com
Tyler Durden
Wed, 02/18/2026 – 18:25
https://www.zerohedge.com/political/waste-day-principal-bought-lobster-school-funds
