Scharema Hannibal is a Waukegan-born musician and teacher with a focus on gospel music. Singing “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” the Black national anthem, is special for her and she feels good every time she performs it. She is not afraid to ask others to join.

“I feel empowered when I sing it,” Hannibal said. “I also feel encouraged by it. I feel it helps us march on to victory.”

Hannibal was among the musicians, writers, poets and others using their art during the Waukegan Park District’s fourth-annual Back History Month event Saturday at the Jack Benny Center, celebrating the month by putting African American culture on display.

Ty Rohrer, the Park District’s manager of cultural arts, said showing African American art forms in a variety of media is a good way to celebrate the culture of a people in a month dedicated to their history.

“We’re showing the culture of the African American community through art forms, “Rohrer said. “It shows experiences in different ways. Art is a good way to showcase it.”

Joshua Randolph, a pastor at Jesus Name Apostolic Church in Waukegan, was the emcee for the event, as he has done in the past. He said the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. made art and culture part of his effort during the American Civil Rights Movement.

Introducing the performers at the Waukegan Park District’s Black History Month event Saturday at the Jack Benny Center in Waukegan is emcee Joshua Randolph. (Steve Sadin/For the Lake County News-Sun)

“We’re celebrating the community through its art,” Randolph said. “By watching and listening, I want people to walk away knowing anything is possible. When you put  your mind to it, you can achieve your dreams.”

Born in Decatur, Gary E. Moore was a teacher of diverse learners for 20 years, helping children who he said faced many issues he had as a youngster. Influenced by the speeches he read of King and things he heard from former President Barack Obama.

Moore said his father was an avid follower of King and was present at the March on Washington where the civil rights leader delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech. Now he lives in Chicago Heights, raising his family. He now writes and reads his poetry publicly.

As he read several of his poems, he finished with “A Dream Song,” which he said was influenced by King’s famous speech and things he heard Obama say. Though time can heal wounds, individuals must make it happen through their efforts.

Scharema Hannibal plays and sings “Lift Every Voice and Sing” during the Waukegan Park District’s Black History Month event Saturday at the Jack Benny Center. (Steve Sadin/For the Lake County News-Sun)

“I believe that time will heal our old wounds/When we seek the truth and believe in life/and love and equality and come together/in a Utopian Society/and watch with grace as our children play /And find a way to ascend into/the Light of Truth/and renew our enthusiasm /for these pursuits,” he read to the crowd.

Lesley Bracero, one of the founders of Melanated Authors and a preschool teacher at Greenwood Elementary School in Waukegan, read from a new book, “Secrets in Grandma’s Attic.” It is about a brother and sister who dreamt they met with Duke Ellington and Ella Fitzgerald.

“Ellington wrote (and performed) his own music,” Bracero said. “Ella Fitzgerald was told she couldn’t sing everywhere. She said she could, and she did.”

Waukegan- and Highland Park-based Sistema Ravinia is an orchestra program for youths in fourth grade through high school from Waukegan who learn to play classical instruments at no cost to them and perform concerts throughout the area.

Reading from her latest book, Lesley Bracero tells the story of two children dreaming of an encounter with Duke Ellington and Ella Fitzgerald during the Waukegan Park District’s Black History Month event Saturday at the Jack Benny Center. (Steve Sadin/For the Lake County News-Sun)

JoAnne Flores-Dieter, the founder of Sistema Ravinia, said the group is celebrating its 10th anniversary and is doing 10 concerts in the area to mark the occasion. The sixth was Waukegan Community Unit School District 60’s Black History Gala on Thursday, and the seventh was Saturday for the Park District.

Playing the “Old Boatman” by Florence Price, an African American symphonic composer, and “When the Saints Go Marching In,” Flores-Dieter said the music was a part of Black history.

Younger performers like the orchestra and Evelyn Rivers, a Carmel Catholic High School freshman and a Waukegan resident, were part of the program. She said it was important to her to take the stage.

“I really like singing here,” Rivers said. “I feel honored to spread my message of happiness.”

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/10/black-history-month-waukegan/ 

Zuckerberg Follows Billionaire Exodus To Florida As California Pushes New Wealth Tax

Tyler Durden
Tue, 02/10/2026 – 11:20

https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/zuckerberg-follows-billionaire-exodus-florida-california-pushes-new-wealth-tax 

In its 12th year, the NWI Comic-Con brought together revered artists, comic book creators, costume-making creatives and legions of Ghostbusters into the heart of the region.

More than 2,000 people gathered Saturday inside the Industrial Building at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Crown Point alongside 100 exhibitors, including local artists, collectible shops, comic book dealers and crafting entrepreneurs.

This year’s guests include comic book artists and writers Dan Dougherty, Frank Fosco, Gavin Smith, Hilary Barta, Jason Muhr, Maria Wolf, Stuart Sayger, Josh Blaylock and Doug Rice. The group’s work ranges from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and X-Men to Superman and Batman.

For founder Brian Grabinski, the NWI Comic-Con’s origins feel like a time and place far, far away.

“Well, when I started this in 2014, I didn’t have any gray hair,” Grabinski said. “Guardians of the Galaxy was playing in theaters. My kids were in elementary school, and they’ve now both graduated college. So it’s been a decade and two years for me. And to me, it’s an accomplishment of everyone here.”

On Sunday, Grabinski announced that this year’s event was the final NWI Comic-Con, stating, “The 2026 show was our series finale. This was the last NWI Comic-Con. All good things come to an end. We are eternally grateful for all of the friendships we made, the fan base we built, the memories we created and the great times we all had together. We had a good run. It’s now time for us to hang up our capes.”

Doug Rice, VIP NWI Comic-Con guest, discusses his work with visitors during NWI Comic-Con Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, in Crown Point. Rice is an Emmy-award-winning animator, writer and illustrator. (Anna Ortiz/for Post-Tribune)

The convention had outgrown multiple venues from its inception, with attendance and vendors expanding each year.

“I’ve watched it evolve over 12 years,” Grabinski said.”I’ve watched people come out of their shells and be more accepting of their fandom and find like-minded individuals to gather with. We’re not as big as the Chicago Comic-Cons, but we try to bring that same energy — a taste of everything. The importance of this event to me is seeing the community come together and have a good time. No matter if you’re 6 years old or 60, you’ll have a good time at the NWI Comic-Con.”

Cartoonist Hillary Barta, a VIP guest, began his career in the ‘70s at Marvel Comics and has since worked on franchises like SpongeBob SquarePants, The Simpsons, Garbage Pail Kids, Heavy Metal, Creepy, Fear Agent, A-1 and The Goon. Barta said he has been a part of the NWI Comic-Con for a decade and appreciates that the event keeps artists and comic book culture at the center.

“It’s a chance to meet fans and meet people that are interested in your work and interact with people,” Barta said. “Otherwise, as an artist, you usually spend all your time alone at home working at a drawing board. And big shows, the big shows like in Chicago, they’ve just become really bloated affairs. A lot of it is about movie stars and things other than comic books. And, yes, people are selling all kinds of merchandise here, but the vast majority of this show, it seems to me, are comic book artists, people selling comic books and people selling artwork or crafts that they make themselves. 
And it’s more human, it’s more intimate.”

Barta still draws all of his work by hand. One of his favorite things is to do live drawing demonstrations for his work on The Simpsons and SpongeBob SquarePants.

“Sometimes the kids would want to come over and add to the background or do their own drawing, you know?” Barta said. “
And that was the most fun I’ve ever had, because I felt like one, it’s fun. Also, you feel like you’re an ambassador for comic books, saying, ‘Hey, this is a fun thing. You can draw it. It’s so simple. I just have a pencil like you use in school. You don’t have to know any secret language or anything. You can just sit down and draw something goofy and you can make a comic book.’”

John Avina, of Chicago, signs one of his comic books at his booth for Avina Comics during NWI Comic-Con Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, in Crown Point. (Anna Ortiz/for Post-Tribune)

On top of artists who have worked with DC Comics, Dark Horse, Image and Marvel, the NWI Comic-Con spotlighted local artists beginning their own fresh comic book franchises.

John Avina, of Chicago, tells the story of The Last Palatero, in which an ice cream man in the Pilsen neighborhood turns into a superhero to protect his neighborhood. Other Avina Comics characters include a mariachi man who fights monsters using a silver string guitar and a luchador wrestler on a mission.

“My mom is a mariachi singer, so I always wanted to do something that kind of incorporated that aspect of my childhood into book form,” Avina said. “So we went that way, and then we have the ‘Last Palatero on the Block,’ who fights monsters using weapons from his cart.
I wanted to be able to pass down Latin mythology and stories to my own children. I wanted to be able to show them that it doesn’t matter where you come from or who you are – your legacy matters. So that’s why I created these kinds of stores.”

Avina uses his family’s Mexican restaurant as a backdrop for some of the action and draws inspiration from his childhood neighborhood. To him, the ringing of the ice cream man’s cart bell signaled the safety of his neighborhood when he was a boy.

“There was a brief moment where we saw the palateros being attacked in California and other places, and there was a bunch of people rallying behind the palatero and their local food vendors,” Avina said. “My family owns a torteria in Chicago. So for me, that was really important that we know to protect our food vendors. Proceeds from our comic book sales goes to The Immigration Project, so people who need legal aid can get it. My dad is an immigrant who came here from Mexico when he was 16 and then started his own business. 
He was also a soccer coach and stuff. He was able to bring his parents and his family here. So for me, that was really important because, without immigration, a lot of these smaller businesses wouldn’t have been started. 
So that’s a really key thing for me. It’s important that those people are protected.”

However, no superhero story is complete without a villain. Adam Farster, of Valparaiso, debuted his comic book “Beware the Rat King,” giving Northwest Indiana its own nemesis.

“The Rat King was created last year; it was sort of an ongoing joke that Northwest Indiana needed its own Godzilla,” Farster said. “So basically this is a creature that’s a giant rat, born of industrial waste and is fueled by Schoop’s hamburgers. He lives under U.S. Steel and some say he is the cause of the South Shore Line delays.”

Custom-made lightsabers are for sale at an NWI Comic-Con booth Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, in Crown Point. (Anna Ortiz/for Post-Tribune)

Beyond comic book creators, a plethora of crafters and creative entrepreneurs filled every aisle.

James Wulfgar has armoured intergalactic bounty hunters and armed jedis and comic book fans alike, with his shop being the largest prop shop at the event. His company, Wulfgar Props, based out of Lafayette, has supplied props for major science fiction productions and independent films. From 3-D printing, to casting, molds and sculpting work, Wulfgar’s warehouse designs replicas of helmets, armoury, weaponry and more from TV, movies, comics and fandoms.

“We’ve contributed to Ahsoka and the Mandalorian,” Wulfgar said. “We made an armour back-piece for Mandalorian and a droid blaster for Ahsoka. We’ve sold to places like Jimmy Kimmel for his prop shop. He bought a Han Solo blaster, so I assume if Harrison Ford’s ever on there, he might do some type of skit with that. We also do a lot of work with indie films from Indiana and all over the Midwest.”

Mark Hagan, president and founder of South Shore Ghostbusters, said that, like the NWI Comic-Con’s uptick in attendees, the number of area Ghostbusters has also multiplied. When they began 12 years ago, there were only five members; now there are 37 proton-pack-wielding teammates.

“Nerd culture is strong,” Hagan said. “Everyone’s enjoying the culture and just being nerdy. We all need something to have a good time with; we’re among like-minded people. (NWI Comic-Con) is the best and biggest local show, and it brings together all of NWI in a special way.
”

The South Shore Ghostbusters’ latest member, Tomas Feher, completed the team with a working replica of the Ecto-1, the famed Ghostbusters vehicle. This past year, he bought a converted 1962 Cadillac Hearse and now drives it to SouthShore Ghostbusters events and charity fundraisers.

“The way that I see it, to be honest, I’ve given this some thought,” Feher said. “This used to be a car that when it drove up to somebody’s house, it brought nothing but immense sadness. And now, when I take it out, and we go to events, like Halloween events and trunk-or-treats, it brings such joy to people to see what looks like the Ghostbusters car. And that seems like just a deeply poetic mechanism I can bring to the group.”

From left, Louis Marquez and Lori Stasinski host the cosplay contest at NWI Comic-Con Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, in Crown Point. (Anna Ortiz/for Post-Tribune)

Princesses, villains and superheroes alike took to the stage in cosplay contests for kids, teens and adults, in which contestants were graded on their designs, craftsmanship and showmanship.

Micah Finfrock, of Cedar Lake, performed a choreographed dance as her cosplay character, the Dalek Emperor, which won her an award for showmanship. Finrock has entered into many cosplay contests, creating costumes of Doctor Who characters, the Muppets and other fandoms.

“I love how this community celebrates cosplay for people on the spectrum,” Finrock said. “They can be themselves and have fun. That’s how I got into cosplay. This convention is my happy place, where I can really be myself, as I am a cosplayer on the autism spectrum. It felt really good to be on stage. I came up with the dance myself and practiced every day.”

Hannah Mae Speaker, of Portage, twirled on stage as Glinda from The Wizard of Oz. Speaker is a party princess for Enchanted Tales NWI, a company of performers for family events.

“I think in today’s world, there’s so much going on that we lose the magic we had as kids,” Speaker said. “This is a way of bringing some of that magic back into the world. Especially when it’s for the kids, seeing the smiles on their faces and how they light up, because to them, it’s real.”

Hayle Ray poses on stage as Harley Quinn during NWI Comic-Con Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, in Crown Point. Ray was chosen as one of the judges’ top three costumes. (Anna Ortiz/for Post-Tribune)

While the NWI Comic-Con has turned its final page, participants agreed it has left a lasting mark in Northwest Indiana.

“Back in 2014, I had a vision,” Grabinski said. “I wanted to bring a family-friendly, affordable comic book convention to Northwest Indiana, and I did just that. But just like that favorite comic book series you looked forward to reading every other week or that TV show you really loved to binge, the NWI Comic-Con lasted as a 12-issue run, or for 12 fantastic seasons. Thank you to everyone who supported us behind the scenes. Onward and upward as we write new chapters in our book of life.”

Anna Ortiz is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.

And the winners are:

Teen Cosplay Results

Judge’s Choice:

Presley Roberts as “Rogue the Bat”

Jackson as “Peak”

Maggie McClay as “Hornet”

Showmanship – Ellie Chote as “Pomni O”

Craftsmanship – Aurora Miller as “The Marionette”

Design – Victoria Townsend as “Fizzarelli”

1st Place – Shattered Cosplays as Springtrap

2nd Place – Julie Strand as “Taph”

Best Group – Cam & Jacob as “Beavis & Butthead”

Adult Cosplay Results

Judge’s choice

Molly Silver as Keyleth of “Air Ashari”

Hayle Ray as “Harley Quinn”

Hallie as “Kokoshibo”

Showmanship – Micah Finfrock as “Dalek Emperor”

Craftsmanship – Lindsay Parpart as “Orym”

Design – Jo as “Sailor Chicago”

1st Place – Maggie Schepmann as “Kleya Marki”

2nd Place – Knitwit18 as “American Dragon”

Best Group – Lee, Rachel, Snow, and Victoria as the “Tim Burton Group”

Best in Con

Best in Convention Individual – Anna Nichols as “Monkie King”

Best in Convention Runner Up – Skunk Boi as “Isabelle”

Best in Convention Group – Gaby, Lexie and Quinn as “Mighty Nein”

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/10/nwi-comic-con-ends-tradition-after-12-years/ 

Por STEVEN SLOAN y EDDIE PELLS

LIVIGNO, Italia (AP) — Al inaugurarse los Juegos Olímpicos de Invierno en Milán, el vicepresidente JD Vance elogió la competencia como “una de las pocas cosas que une a todo el país”.

Esa unidad no duró mucho.

Los primeros días de los Juegos de Milán-Cortina se han visto sacudidos por el tumultuoso debate político en Estados Unidos. Los atletas estadounidenses han enfrentado preguntas persistentes sobre la agresiva agenda de aplicación de inmigración del presidente Donald Trump y su comodidad al representar a un país cuyas políticas son cada vez más controvertidas en el escenario mundial.

“Obviamente hay muchas cosas que no son de mi agrado y creo que mucha gente tampoco está de acuerdo”, dijo el esquiador estadounidense de estilo libre Hunter Hess al hablar de las “emociones encontradas” de representar a Estados Unidos. “Si se alinea con mis valores morales, siento que lo represento. Solo porque llevo la bandera no significa que represente todo lo que está sucediendo en Estados Unidos”.

Eso provocó una rápida respuesta de Trump, quien dijo en las redes sociales que Hess era un “verdadero perdedor” que “no debería haber intentado formar parte del equipo”.

“Es muy difícil apoyar a alguien así”, agregó el presidente.

La crítica a un atleta estadounidense por parte de un presidente de Estados Unidos fue un marcado alejamiento de los tonos unificadores y apolíticos que la Casa Blanca suele adoptar durante los Juegos Olímpicos, destacando cómo la tensión sobre la aplicación de las políticas de inmigración de Trump ahora se ha filtrado en la competencia atlética. Otras voces conservadoras destacadas, desde la podcaster Megyn Kelly hasta un candidato republicano a gobernador en Florida, se sumaron a la crítica a Hess, con algunos pidiendo que fuera retirado del equipo de Estados Unidos.

Para el lunes, otros atletas destacados que anteriormente se habían encontrado en controversias políticas se unieron en defensa de Hess.

“En momentos como estos, es realmente importante para nosotros unirnos y apoyarnos mutuamente por todo lo que está sucediendo”, dijo Chloe Kim, la dos veces medallista de oro olímpica cuyos padres son inmigrantes surcoreanos y que ha enfrentado racismo a lo largo de su carrera por su herencia asiática.

Después de su victoria con medalla de plata en slopestyle, Eileen Gu, quien nació en San Francisco y compite por China, dijo que había estado en contacto con Hess, quien le dijo que ella era una de las pocas personas que podía entender por lo que él está pasando.

“Como alguien que ha estado en el fuego cruzado antes, siento pena por los atletas”, dijo Gu, cuya decisión de competir por China generó críticas agudas.

Los Juegos nunca están aislados de la política

Los Juegos Olímpicos nunca están aislados de los debates políticos y culturales. Los puños en alto de Tommie Smith y John Carlos durante los Juegos Olímpicos de 1968 siguen siendo una de las imágenes más poderosas y duraderas de protesta y resistencia a la injusticia racial en Estados Unidos. Desde entonces, los comentarios políticos de los atletas se han vuelto más comunes, facilitados por las plataformas de redes sociales que permiten a los competidores compartir sus pensamientos en tiempo real sobre todo, desde la comida y la nutrición hasta las noticias del día.

Sin embargo, los comentarios de los atletas en Italia son notables porque se producen en el mayor evento deportivo global que ocurre desde que agentes federales mataron a dos ciudadanos estadounidenses en Minneapolis el mes pasado, reavivando un debate en Estados Unidos y en el extranjero sobre las medidas de inmigración de línea dura de Trump.

Chris Lillis, otro esquiador estadounidense de estilo libre, dijo que se sentía “desconsolado por lo que está sucediendo en Estados Unidos”.

“Como país, necesitamos centrarnos en respetar los derechos de todos y asegurarnos de que estamos tratando a nuestros ciudadanos tan bien como a cualquier persona con amor y respeto”, dijo. “Espero que cuando la gente vea a los atletas compitiendo en los Juegos Olímpicos, se den cuenta de que esa es la América que estamos tratando de representar”.

La estrella del esquí Mikaela Shiffrin citó a Nelson Mandela al reconocer “muchas dificultades en el mundo a nivel global, y hay mucho dolor, hay mucha violencia”.

“Puede ser difícil reconciliar eso cuando también estás compitiendo por medallas en un evento olímpico”, dijo. “Realmente espero poder presentarme y representar mis propios valores, valores de inclusión, valores de diversidad y amabilidad y compartir, tenacidad, ética de trabajo, presentándome con mi equipo todos los días”.

En su mayor parte, los atletas están participando en conversaciones políticas durante las conferencias de prensa cuando se les pide específicamente que respondan a eventos noticiosos. En uno de esos eventos de prensa, la patinadora artística estadounidense Amber Glenn, una activista abierta por los derechos LGBTQ+, señaló que la comunidad queer está pasando por un “momento difícil” bajo Trump. Más tarde dijo que se retiraría de las redes sociales después de recibir amenazas en la plataforma.

La controversia política puede poner a los atletas en una intersección incómoda mientras sopesan si usar sus plataformas para tomar una postura o evitar cualquier cosa que pueda molestar a sus fanáticos o patrocinadores. Durante el torneo de tenis del Abierto de Australia del mes pasado, la estadounidense Amanda Anisimova dijo que las preguntas sobre la política de Estados Unidos no eran “relevantes”. El también stadounidense Taylor Fritz dijo que sentía que “cualquier cosa que diga aquí se va a poner en un titular y se va a sacar de contexto”.

“Así que realmente preferiría no hacer algo que vaya a causar una gran distracción para mí en medio del torneo”, dijo.

De vuelta en los Juegos Olímpicos, el patinador de velocidad estadounidense Casey Dawson, dijo “definitivamente conocemos toda la situación que está ocurriendo en Estados Unidos” mientras señalaba que “la política no se aplica a nosotros” en los Juegos.

“Estamos aquí para patinar”, dijo Dawson, quien terminó octavo en los 5.000 metros masculinos el domingo con Vance y su familia en las gradas. “Estamos aquí para patinar. Estamos aquí para actuar”.

El foco de atención sobre Estados Unidos con los deportes globales se intensificará en los próximos años. Estados Unidos, junto con Canadá y México, será sede de la Copa del Mundo de fútbol este año y los Juegos Olímpicos de Verano de 2028 se celebrarán en Los Ángeles. Aunque hay pocas posibilidades de que las tensiones políticas en Estados Unidos disminuyan en ese tiempo, algunos esperan que los deportes sirvan como una forma para que las personas procesen sus desacuerdos y, en última instancia, se unan.

“Hay algo realmente mágico que el deporte puede hacer”, dijo Ashleigh Huffman, quien fue la jefa de diplomacia deportiva en el Departamento de Estado durante las administraciones de Biden y el primer Trump. “Puede bajar la temperatura de la sala”.

___

Sloan informó desde Washington. Los escritores de Associated Press Howard Fendrich y Graham Dunbar en Milán contribuyeron a este informe.

Deportes AP: https://apnews.com/hub/deportes

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/10/cuando-el-plan-migratorio-de-trump-genera-tensiones-en-los-primeros-das-de-los-juegos-de-invierno/ 

A Michigan hotel developer hopes to start construction by this summer for a Holiday Inn Express at the Coffee Creek Center in Chesterton.

Representatives for Amerilodge of Bloomfield Hills, a Detroit suburb, appeared before the Chesterton Town Council for a public hearing, asking the town to vacate a drainage easement.

There were no objections from Town Engineer Mark O’Dell or the Town Council to the proposal.

The council will have to wait until its next meeting to approve the request because two Council members, Jennifer Fisher and Sharon Darnell, were absent.

The proposed four-story, 105-room hotel would be located on four lots immediately north of AJ’s Pizza, on the opposite side of Blackwell Lane, sandwiched between Matson Drive and Village Point.

James Schneider, a Pontiac architect retained by Amerilodge, said that they have to submit the project to state regulators.

A review isn’t necessary by the town’s Advisory Plan Commission because there is already a Planned Unit Development (PUD) agreement in place. But the developer would have to go to the Advisory Plan Commission if the final plan has any deviations from the PUD.

Schneider said the building’s design will follow the new prototype for Holiday Inn Express.

The building will be 242 feet long and 78 feet wide. The proposed 53 1/2-foot height is well below the 70-foot maximum allowed by the town.

Amerilodge has built hotels in Portage, Michigan City and LaPorte.

“We think it will be a very good addition to your community,” Schneider said.

In other business, James Kowalski, a member of the town’s advisory plan commission and board of zoning appeals, came to the council to express his misgivings about Indiana House Bill 1001.

The bill, which passed out of the Indiana House and is now in the Senate, was sponsored by Rep. Doug Miller, R-Elkhart, as a measure that would ease regulations and make housing more affordable.

However, Kowalski said that the proposed law could significantly change what towns can do to regulate new construction coming into the community.

Among other things, the new proposed law would limit what the town could do with zoning regulations and prohibit town officials from imposing limits on exterior design. He said it also would allow mixed-use and multi-family housing in areas zoned residential, overriding local government discretion.

Kowalski said the proposal has the backing of Governor Mike Braun. He said he hopes that enough communities let the State Senate know that there are problems with this bill so that changes can be made.

Council President Erin Collins, D-2nd, said that Chesterton officials are aware of the proposal. She said her issues with the bill are that it is being promoted as a fix for housing affordability, but allowing more housing types won’t necessarily reduce construction costs.

Jim Woods is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/10/holiday-inn-express-on-track-in-chesterton/ 

Por GARY FIELDS

WASHINGTON (AP) — El 250° aniversario de Estados Unidos llega en un momento de profundas divisiones políticas y, en algunos sectores, una creciente ansiedad sobre si el gobierno representativo en la democracia más antigua del mundo es algo sostenible.

Las instituciones culturales, los eventos deportivos e incluso las comunidades están polarizadas. Si hay algún lugar donde se deja de lado el amargo partidismo, aunque sea temporalmente, es en la rotonda de los Archivos Nacionales. Este es el hogar de los documentos fundacionales de la nación, incluido el que se conmemorará este año, la Declaración de Independencia.

En la sala impera un silencioso sentido de reverencia mientras los visitantes miran el pergamino marrón claro, protegido bajo vidrio a prueba de balas, que ayudó a crear la base de un gobierno que ha sido un faro de inspiración para personas de todo el mundo durante más de dos siglos.

Su significado no pasó desapercibido para aquellos que entraron en un día reciente, desafiando el frío intenso en la capital de la nación para asegurarse de no perderse esta parada en su recorrido por Washington. Incluso cuando la multitud creció, perduraba la sensación de estar en presencia de algo trascendental.

Las visitas coinciden con un ajuste de cuentas nacional sobre las agresivas acciones migratorias del presidente Donald Trump, que habían llevado a la muerte a tiros de dos ciudadanos estadounidenses en las calles de Minneapolis y a graves preocupaciones sobre violaciones de derechos constitucionales. La Associated Press entrevistó a los visitantes después de que vieron la Declaración de Independencia, junto con la Constitución y la Carta de Derechos, para conocer sus pensamientos sobre el estado de la nación y su futuro al acercarse a su semiquincentenario.

Reconocieron las divisiones ideológicas del país, pero se mostraron reacios a asignar culpas, en muchos casos expresando la esperanza de que la nación pueda repararse a sí misma como lo ha hecho muchas veces a lo largo de su historia. Con las enormes pinturas al óleo de los próceres nacionales como telón de fondo, dieron respuestas complicadas cuando se les preguntó si el país estaba cumpliendo con los ideales de sus documentos fundacionales y hacia dónde podría dirigirse.

A pesar de las divisiones, la nación ha encontrado formas de unirse

Ryan O’Neil, de visita desde West Bloomfield, Michigan, declaró que aunque el país está dividido políticamente —lo que él llamó “muy tribal”— encuentra esperanza en los documentos que vio en los Archivos Nacionales porque han guiado al país durante 250 años.

“Aún no hemos cumplido con todo lo que esperábamos, pero seguimos progresando y acercándonos a eso”, expresó.

Los Archivos tienen una exhibición especial que marca el 250° aniversario, “La Historia Estadounidense”, que destaca esa historia compleja, mezclando los asombrosos logros y avances del país con imágenes que muestran sus momentos más oscuros.

O’Neil, de 42 años, indicó que Estados Unidos ha estado en situaciones divisivas similares a lo largo de su historia y siempre ha logrado reagruparse. La única constante, dijo, es que el péndulo político siempre oscila.

“A pesar de muchas pruebas a lo largo de los años, desde su fundación, a lo largo de los últimos 250 años ha resistido desafíos, ha resistido quejas, ha resistido protestas”, manifestó, “y continúa evolucionando hacia lo que tenemos hoy”.

¿Cómo abordarían los fundadores este momento?

Kevin Sullivan había viajado a Washington desde Milwaukee con su esposa para visitar a sus hijos y asistir a la confirmación de su nieto mayor.

Reconoció que el país estaba en un momento divisivo, pero señaló que no era el único que el país había enfrentado, y eso le daba esperanza para el futuro.

“Así que tengo algo de fe en que dejaremos atrás algunas de las disputas partidistas más feas”, comentó.

Sullivan, de 69 años, dijo que apoyaba al menos algunos de los objetivos de Trump, incluido asegurar la frontera sur, pero estaba en conflicto con el enfoque del presidente.

Se opuso a las amenazas demócratas de cortar la financiación del Departamento de Seguridad Nacional sin reformas drásticas a la Oficina de Inmigración y Control de Aduanas y otras agencias policiales, pero también dijo que no le gustaba la política de deportación masiva.

Su consejo para los legisladores y el presidente sería alejarse de las cámaras y mantener discusiones significativas para encontrar soluciones. Al mirar las pinturas al óleo con imágenes de los fundadores, dijo que si los próceres hubieran tenido los medios de comunicación masiva de hoy “no habría sido algo positivo para las decisiones y las discusiones que estaban ocurriendo en el Salón de la Independencia”.

La visión desde fuera de Estados Unidos: “algo de confusión”

El reverendo Michael Stokes, un sacerdote de la Iglesia de Inglaterra, estaba visitando amigos en el área de Washington. Antes de dirigirse a la rotonda, vio la Carta Magna, el documento inglés firmado en 1215 que estableció una serie de derechos para el pueblo y sirvió como modelo para el sistema de gobierno norteamericano.

Stokes, de 30 años, sostuvo que otros miran la diversidad de personas, religiones e industrias como necesaria “para la creación este único propósito común de Estados Unidos”. Es una visión que ha inspirado al mundo, dijo, pero también es una que parece estar menguando.

“Creo que este es el momento en la historia en que esto ha sido contrariado más con las acciones de la administración actual. Creo que el resto del mundo está mirando y viendo cómo esta cosa, esta Constitución, que se sostiene con tanto orgullo, la Carta de Derechos, que se sostiene con orgullo, cómo puede eso también mantenerse en tensión con un gobierno elegido popularmente que parece ignorar gran parte de ella”, expresó Stokes. “Y creo que el resto del mundo está mirando eso con algo de confusión”.

Vida, libertad y una búsqueda aún en progreso

Morgan Whitman, asistente ejecutiva, estaba en Washington por negocios desde Miami y estaba viendo los documentos por primera vez.

Aseguró que leerlos le creó una mezcla de emociones. Los ideales eran nobles, dijo, pero “también, por supuesto, hubo cierta hipocresía” porque Thomas Jefferson había argumentado por un párrafo en contra de la esclavitud, que al final no fue incluido.

“Así que creo que tenemos este documento que luchó por la independencia y la vida, la libertad, la búsqueda de la felicidad”, comentó. “Mi único deseo era que fuera para todos en ese momento”.

Whitman, de 25 años, apuntó que está agradecida por tener derechos que muchos otros en el mundo no tienen, pero también dijo que teme que algunos de esos derechos estén bajo amenaza. Citó la muerte de Alex Pretti en Minneapolis.

“Hagamos a un lado el tema de la inmigración. Estos son ciudadanos estadounidenses que están siendo lastimados ahora”, expresó. “Eso es inaceptable”.

¿El espíritu de 1776 está vivo hoy?

Jerry Curl estaba visitando la capital con su esposa, Bobbi, desde su hogar en Diamond, Illinois. Un partidario de Trump, afirmó que el segundo mandato del presidente hasta ahora “ha estado a la altura de mis creencias”.

Pero también aseveró que ya no ve noticias porque son demasiado negativas. Cuando se le preguntó sobre las redadas migratorias, dijo que la gente debe poder compartir sus puntos de vista y hacerlo de manera respetuosa.

Expresó que tratar de entenderse mutuamente es crucial para mantener la democracia estadounidense.

“Se lo debemos a nuestras futuras generaciones, tratar de mantener esto”, dijo sobre los documentos fundacionales.

Curl, de 62 años, destacó que los firmantes de la Declaración indudablemente tenían creencias diferentes, pero pudieron encontrar un terreno común mientras daban el primer paso para crear una nueva nación. Se pregunta si el mismo espíritu está vivo hoy.

“Dónde podemos ahora encontrar terrenos comunes para mantener esta gran nación en el camino es difícil para mí de comprender”, expresó.

___________________________________

La videoperiodista River Zhang en Washington contribuyó con esta nota.

___________________________________

Esta historia fue traducida del inglés por un editor de AP con ayuda de una herramienta de inteligencia artificial generativa.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/10/en-aniversario-de-democracia-de-eeuu-surgen-interrogantes-sobre-si-se-estn-respetando-sus-ideales/ 

CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy — Mikaela Shiffrin extended her Olympic slump with a fourth-place finish in the new team combined event at the Milan Cortina Games on Tuesday after partner Breezy Johnson led the opening downhill leg.

Shiffrin, the most successful World Cup racer of all time with a record 108 victories — 71 of them in slalom, also a record — has now gone seven straight Olympic races without a medal.

“I didn’t quite find a comfort level that allows me to produce full speed,” Shiffrin said. “So I’m going to have to learn what to do, what to adjust in the short time we have before the the other tech races.

“I want to be careful not to make excuses because it’s not really an excuse. … I’ve been so prepared for all the slaloms this year. So there’s something to learn from this day. And I’m going to learn it.”

After winning two golds and a silver in her first two Olympics, Shiffrin didn’t win a medal in any of her six races at the Beijing Games four years ago.

“No tricks here at all,” Shiffrin was told over team radio before her run on a course set by an Austrian coach. “Actually it’s nothing to report. You got it.”

But Shiffrin lost time to the leaders at every checkpoint and crossed 0.31 seconds behind — missing a medal by finishing 0.06 behind the other American team of Jaqueline Wiles and Paula Moltzan, who took bronze. In the finish area, Johnson — who was coming off a gold in the individual downhill — embraced Shiffrin while the podium finishers began celebrating.

Shiffrin and Johnson are childhood friends, and Johnson had said after her downhill run: “I already have my gold medal. I hope that she has fun and does her best. But if anything happens, I’m not going to be like, ‘Oh, you ruined anything.’”

Ariane Raedler and Katharina Huber of Austria won gold.

The team combined consists of one racer competing in a downhill run and another in a slalom run, with the times from the two added together to determine the results.

Shiffrin still has her individual events of giant slalom and slalom to come.

In Beijing, Shiffrin didn’t finish three of her six races and her best individual result was ninth in super-G. She has narrowed her focus for the Milan Cortina Games and is competing in only three events.

AP’s Will Graves contributed.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/10/olympics-mikaela-shiffrin-team-combined/ 

Winter Storm Triggers $15 Billion Power Surge On Key U.S. Grid

Tyler Durden
Tue, 02/10/2026 – 10:40

https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/winter-storm-triggers-15-billion-power-surge-key-us-grid 

Grayslake Central and Grant move up in the rankings, and Antioch’s Heidi Rathmann is the player of the week.

TOP 10

With records through Monday and previous rankings in parentheses.

1. Libertyville 23-5 (1): Lily Fisher‘s 23 points, 16 rebounds and eight assists lead the North Suburban Conference co-leader to a win over Maine South.

2. Lake Zurich 20-9 (2): Layne Nordstrom breaks the North Suburban Conference co-leader’s career record for assists, raising her total to 402 to top the mark held by Alicia Ratay.

3. Carmel 20-9 (3): Freshman Liv Johnson breaks the Corsairs’ single-game scoring record with 39 points and also grabs 15 rebounds in a win over Benet.

4. Vernon Hills 20-6 (4): Freshman Mackenzie Cwikla seizes her opportunity to take on a bigger role for the Central Suburban League North champion.

5. Grayslake Central 18-9 (7): Freshman Lucy Otoo averages 12.5 points and 7.0 rebounds in the Northern Lake County Conference co-leader’s wins over Grant and Wauconda.

6. Wauconda 23-2 (5): Alexia Manalo is averaging 7.0 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.0 steals for the Northern Lake County Conference co-leader.

7. Waukegan 18-9 (6): Alliaya Cade‘s hustle is a key factor in the Bulldogs’ second straight winning season.

8. Mundelein 19-11 (8): Western Michigan recruit Casey Vyverman scores a career-high 37 points with seven 3-pointers in the Mustangs’ win over Antioch.

9. Highland Park 13-11 (9): Reese Crosby, daughter of a Chicago Sky executive, improves her midrange shooting to become a more dangerous scorer for the Giants.

10. Grant 14-12 (NR): Gabby Saavedra is heating up late in the season, running the floor and shooting the ball well to spearhead the Bulldogs’ offense.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Senior guard Heidi Rathmann, a Stetson recruit, averages 32.0 points in Antioch’s games against Mundelein and Grayslake North.

Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/10/lake-county-high-school-girls-basketball-rankings-player-of-the-week-5/