Category: News
With dramatic dunk, Evan Blankenship finishes off Batavia’s win over Geneva. ‘A top three moment in my life.’
Batavia’s Evan Blankenship was just like any other young athlete growing up.
Playing around in the driveway, he practiced game-winning shots, the typical fantasies of that age.
“I used to go out in my driveway on a small hoop and practice that dunk,” Blankenship said. “I actually pictured myself against Geneva in a moment like that when I was younger.”
Friday, that vision he had as a youngster came to fruition. As the Bulldogs were putting the finishing touches on a 62-43 DuKane Conference win over Geneva, Blankenship had his chance.
Dane Farrar got a rebound and threw a long outlet pass to Blankenship. The Illinois Wesleyan recruit threw down a massive dunk to send the home crowd into a frenzy and cap the win.
“That might be a top three moment in my life,” Blankenship said.
Batavia’s Evan Blankenship (3) grabs a rebound against Geneva’s Nathan Palmer (3) and Dane Turner (0) in the third quarter of a DuKane Conference game in Batavia on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026. (H. Rick Bamman / The Beacon-News)
The dunk put the finishing touches on a 23-point, 10-rebound performance for the senior forward.
Xavier Justice scored 14 points for Batavia (17-8, 8-3) and Joe Reid added 10. Nathan Palmer paced Geneva (20-5, 7-3) with 16 points. David Udoiwod tallied 13 and Gabe Jensen had 11.
While Blankenship saw plenty of time off the bench early in the season, he didn’t enter the starting lineup until over the holidays. And that change coincided with Batavia’s hot streak.
The Bulldogs are now 12-1 in their last 13 games.
Batavia’s Evan Blankenship (3) reacts to a 3-point basket by a teammate against Geneva in the fourth quarter of a DuKane Conference game in Batavia on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026. (H. Rick Bamman / The Beacon-News)
“It means a lot,” Blankenship said. “I feel like I worked hard enough to get here. Credit to my teammates. They make it happen.
“I was just working hard on defense because that’s what they wanted me to do and hit my shots like I always do. I just stay locked in no matter what.”
Batavia coach Jim Nazos has seen that kind of growth in a player during a summer leading into a season. It’s far rarer to see that change happen during a season like it has with Blankenship.
“It’s very enjoyable to coach when you see it happen right in front of your eyes, how a player evolves into who they want to be,” Nazos said. “Great kid recognizing some things that he doesn’t do as well and working on them. He’s totally evolved into a complete player.”
Batavia’s Evan Blankenship (3) puts away a dramatic dunk against Geneva during the fourth quarter of a DuKane Conference game in Batavia on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026. (H. Rick Bamman / The Beacon-News)
Justice quickly saw the difference in Blankenship when he got the starting nod.
“He’s always been a talented 3-point shooter,” Justice said. “He’s grown especially this season getting downhill, making plays for others. Having that selfless mindset, being able to create for others, has been crucial for us on this run.
“He had a lot to prove, not starting right away. He worked on the things he needed to work on.”
Blankenship helped get the crowd going early and often with his outside shooting. His 3-pointer from the corner with 45 seconds left in the first quarter opened a 16-6 Batavia lead.
Geneva was in chase mode the rest of the night. The lead swelled to as big as 24-9 on a 3-pointer by Justice with 5:51 left in the second.
“It was really fun,” Blankenship said. “The environment was great. I love our fans. They support me and give me the energy to do what I do.”
Batavia’s Evan Blankenship (3) snags a rebound from Geneva’s Dane Turner (0) in the third quarter of a DuKane Conference game in Batavia on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026. (H. Rick Bamman / The Beacon-News)
Geneva didn’t go away, however, using an 11-0 run in the third quarter to cut the deficit to 39-38. Blankenship made a rebound putback and a free throw with four seconds left to end that run.
“Geneva makes the run and he gets the and-one,” Justice said. “That changes the momentum.”
Punctuated by Blankenship’s dunk, Batavia closed the game on a 15-0 run to finish off the win.
“It means a lot, that’s really all,” Blankenship said. “It just means a lot to get out there and get a win on our home court, beat them. We stayed locked in and didn’t look back.”
Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/06/evan-blankenship-batavia-geneva-basketball/
Basketball and local scores for the Southland, Aurora, Elgin, Naperville and Lake County
High school and local college results and highlights from the Southland, Aurora, Elgin, Naperville and Lake County coverage areas.
Email Daily Southtown results to southtownsports@gmail.com, Beacon-News, Courier-News and Naperville Sun results to tribwestsports@gmail.com and News-Sun results to newssunsports@gmail.com.
FRIDAY’S RESULTS
HIGH SCHOOLS
BOYS BASKETBALL
Batavia 62, Geneva 43
Benet 59, Niles Notre Dame 36
Bishop McNamara 70, Aurora Christian 54
Aurora Christian (18-5, 5-3 Chicagoland Christian): Jacob Baumann 24 points.
Bloom 69, Thornridge 58
Bloom (13-11, 5-5 Southland): Troy Garner 17 points, 13 rebounds. Keiwon Gulley 14 points, 9 steals, 7 assists.
Bremen 64, Chicago Christian 62 (OT)
Brother Rice 59, Unity Christian 44
Brother Rice (18-9): Adam McBrearty 27 points. Joe Niego 12 points.
Cary-Grove 55, Burlington Central 47
Corliss 51, Ag. Science 43
Crystal Lake South 82, Hampshire 57
DePaul Prep 79, St. Laurence 54
St. Laurence (20-6, 2-5 CCL Blue): Markese Peoples 24 points.
Dundee-Crown 54, Huntley 47
Eisenhower 60, Argo 56 (OT)
Eisenhower (6-18, 3-8 SSC Red): Logan Tasciotti 16 points. James McGahan 12 points.
Argo (7-19, 4-8): Darron Greer Jr. 16 points.
Elmwood Park 54, Streamwood 50
Glenbrook North 61, Deerfield 40
Grant 71, Wauconda 65
Grant (12-10, 8-3 Northern Lake County): Charles Schlicht 16 points. Damarrion Smith 16 points.
Wauconda (20-7, 10-1): Alex Ortega 27 points, 4 assists. Leo Brinias 18 points.
Grayslake Central 54, Antioch 43
Grayslake Central (20-7, 10-1 Northern Lake County): Carson Woods 17 points. Alex Granville 14 points.
Antioch (5-21, 1-10): Chance Parsons 27 points.
Harvest-Westminster 100, Trinity Oaks Christian 25
Homewood-Flossmoor 58, Stagg 51
Kankakee 60, Rich Township 53
Rich Township (13-12, 6-4 Southland): T.J. Eaton 13 points. Kavon Ammons 11 points.
Lake Forest Academy 79, Parker 54
LFA (11-11): Aditya Chandhok 15 points.
Larkin 56, Elgin 48
Larkin (9-18, 3-7 Upstate Eight West): Jahvion Sowers 13 points.
Leo 67, Aurora Central Catholic 32
Leo (20-4, 7-0 CCL White): Karon Shavers 15 points. Michael Lewis 11 points.
ACC (11-15, 1-6): Nick Czerak 18 points.
Lincoln-Way Central 48, Andrew 46
Lincoln-Way Central (17-8, 9-4 SWSC): Nick Brzezniak 22 points. Alex Panos 18 points.
Andrew (11-16, 4-9): Ryan Dinnon 15 points, 6 rebounds.
Lockport 76, Shepard 48
Lockport (22-4): Nedas Venckus 18 points. Nojus Venckus 15 points, 4 assists.
Shepard (13-14): Billy Massey 14 points.
Loyola 61, De La Salle 39
McHenry 61, Jacobs 50
Maine West 60, Highland Park 52
Marmion 80, Joliet Catholic 73
Marmion (15-11): Joey Kramer 17 points, 8 rebounds. Ali Tharwani 15 points.
JCA (15-9): Donavyn Simmons 22 points. Jayden Armstrong 21 points.
Naperville Central 65, DeKalb 51
Naperville Central (10-15, 2-6 DuPage Valley): T.J. Hillman 24 points.
Naperville North 54, Metea Valley 46
Neuqua Valley 53, Waubonsie Valley 44
Neuqua (25-1, 8-0 DuPage Valley): Cole Kelly 17 points. Mason Martin 14 points.
Niles North 62, Vernon Hills 55
Vernon Hills (18-9, 7-2 Central Suburban North): Jeremy Zamost 17 points. Brady Larsen 17 points.
North Chicago 52, Lakes 39
North Chicago (9-16, 4-7 Northern Lake County): Levi Finch 20 points.
Lakes (13-10, 7-4): Aidan Hopkins 10 points.
Oak Lawn 60, Reavis 29
Oak Lawn (21-6, 10-2 SSC Red): Jack Dempsey 17 points. Ben Delberto 14 points. Fifth straight conference title.
Oswego 60, Minooka 36
Oswego (18-8, 9-4 Southwest Prairie West): Niko Jurkovic 15 points, 5 rebounds. Ethan Vahl 11 points, 9 rebounds.
Oswego East 69, Yorkville 55
Oswego East (17-9, 9-4 Southwest Prairie West): Dshaun Bolden 15 points. Mason Lockett 11 points.
Yorkville (13-10, 9-4): Joey Jakstys 16 points. Braydon Porter 12 points.
Providence 50, IC Catholic 40
Richards 62, Evergreen Park 40
Richards (14-10, 7-4 SSC Red): Messiah Horton 19 points, 7 assists. Jordan Shaw 19 points, 6 rebounds.
Round Lake 59, Grayslake North 53
St. Charles North 56, St. Charles East 45
St. Charles North (10-15, 4-6 DuKane): Cooper Mellican 26 points. Jake Love 13 points.
St. Francis de Sales 73, St. Rita 61
St. Rita (11-16, 3-4 CCL White): Mike Hampton 15 points.
St. Ignatius 56, Mount Carmel 54
St. Patrick 70, Carmel 43
Carmel (9-18, 2-6 ESCC): Ethan Matz 10 points.
St. Viator 61, Marian Catholic 43
Marian (11-11, 1-5 ESCC): Tylor Barnes 10 points. Noah Clay 10 points.
Sandburg 72, Lincoln-Way West 62
Southland Prep 98, Universal 47
Thornton 72, Crete-Monee 39
Thornwood 67, Brooks 66
Warren 64, Stevenson 49
Warren (23-2, 11-0 North Suburban): Jaxson Davis 18 points. Braylon Walker 14 points.
Stevenson (17-8, 6-4): Donny Williams 22 points. Aidan Albrecht 12 points.
Waukegan 75, Lake Forest 41
Waukegan (19-7, 8-3 North Suburban): Rico Love 26 points. Simereon Carter 18 points.
Lake Forest (9-16, 3-8): Rory Haas 21 points.
Yorkville Christian 70, Christ the King 60
Yorkville Christian (15-9): Jayden Riley 33 points. Tray Alford 17 points; GW basket.
LITTLE TEN TOURNAMENT
Indian Creek 40, IMSA 29, championship
Hinckley-Big Rock 48, Newark 42, third
Hinckley-Big Rock (17-7): Luke Badal 13 points. Marshall Ledbetter 13 points.
Newark (14-12): Reggie Chapman 15 points.
Serena 46, Somonauk 33, consolation championship
Somonauk (7-19): Luke Hartsell 10 points.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Argo 63, Eisenhower 32
Argo (18-12, 4-8 SSC Red): Zanarhia Lawrence 25 points.
Crystal Lake South 58, Hampshire 50
Hampshire (14-13, 9-6 Fox Valley): Veronica Dumoulin 15 points. Peyton McCarthy 11 points.
Glenbrook North 55, Deerfield 43
Deerfield (7-19): Charlee Baker 17 points.
Horizon Science 52, Morgan Park Academy 35
Jacobs 49, McHenry 35
Maine West 48, Highland Park 39
Morgan Park 51, King 40
Morris 60, Kaneland 56
Kaneland (18-11, 6-3 Interstate Eight): Kyra Lilly 17 points. Amani Meeks 15 points.
Mundelein 66, Antioch 58
Mundelein (19-11): Casey Vyverman career-high 37 points.
Niles North 60, Vernon Hills 57
Vernon Hills (20-6, 9-1 Central Suburban North): Eve Engler 20 points. Keira Thomas 13 points.
THURSDAY’S RESULTS
HIGH SCHOOLS
BOYS BASKETBALL
Ag. Science 58, Unity Christian 50
Hillcrest 69, T.F. North 52
Hillcrest (16-7, 10-0 SSC Blue): Jamir Ratliff 15 points. Jamari Thomas 15 points.
T.F. North (10-12, 5-6): Chris Pulliams 20 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 blocks.
Lemont 71, Bremen 44
Lemont (15-11, 9-2 SSC Blue): Ryan Crane 23 points. Julian Overton 15 points.
Leo 56, Marshall 50
Leo (19-4): Brian Kizer 20 points. Asa Harris 15 points, 5 assists.
Manley 57, Thornridge 53
Morgan Park 71, Urban Prep 47
Morgan Park Academy 75, Horizon Science 31
Round Lake 72, Marengo 60
Round Lake (10-13): Jaquan Jamerson 31 points.
West Aurora 59, East Aurora 48
LITTLE TEN TOURNAMENT
Championship Semifinals
IMSA 46, Newark 37
IMSA (13-6): Omar Njikam 12 points. Lota Onwuameze 11 points.
Newark (14-11): Reggie Chapman 18 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists. Cody Kulbartz 11 points, 16 rebounds.
Indian Creek 55, Hinckley-Big Rock 49
Indian Creek (17-5): Logan Schrader 16 points.
Hinckley-Big Rock (16-7): Marshall Ledbetter 17 points. Luke Badal 16 points.
Consolation Semifinal
Somonauk 59, LaMoille 47
Somonauk (7-18): Owen Hopkins 16 points. Landin Stillwell 13 points.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Andrew 50, Lincoln-Way Central 42
Andrew (16-11, 7-7 SWSC): Christa Olson 17 points. Nawal Kaleel 13 points.
Lincoln-Way Central (11-18, 6-9): Brooke Katzmann 18 points.
Batavia 46, Wheaton North 41
Batavia (9-19, 6-6 DuKane): Ali Thomas 18 points.
Beecher 64, Illinois Lutheran 9
Beecher (17-11, 13-3 River Valley): Gianna Bonomo 14 points.
Bloom 70, Thornton 10
Crete-Monee 58, Shepard 51
Crete (16-7): Carson Harrington 20 points. Kimora Darby 16 points.
Shepard (10-13): Jessica Manley 25 points.
Homewood-Flossmoor 49, Stagg 16
Lake Park 33, St. Charles East 28
Libertyville 43, Lake Forest 34
Libertyville (21-5, 12-1 North Suburban): Ella Pawelczyk 10 points.
Lincoln-Way East 58, Bradley-Bourbonnais 25
Marengo 52, St. Edward 46
Minooka 52, Oswego 50
Naperville Central 76, Metea Valley 25
Naperville Central (23-5, 8-1 DuPage Valley): Erin Hackett 26 points, 7 assists, 5 steals. Trinity Jones 15 points, 3 steals.
Oswego East 45, Yorkville 37
Parkview Christian 81, IMSA 12
Reavis 46, Oak Lawn 40
Reavis (16-9, 7-4 SSC Red): Delly Arocho 16 points.
Oak Lawn (17-11, 7-5): Liv Perry 19 points.
St. Charles North 44, Wheaton Warrenville South 37
Sandburg 57, Lincoln-Way West 55
Sandburg (14-16, 5-9 SWSC): Zoe Trunk 16 points.
T.F. North 66, Hillcrest 34
T.F. North (19-7, 10-1 SSC Blue): Lauryn Jackson 19 points, 12 rebounds. Natalie McGhee 18 points, 11 rebounds.
Waubonsie Valley 49, Naperville Central 43
Waubonsie Valley (27-1, 8-1 DuPage Valley): Danyella Mporokoso 15 points. Elliana Morris 13 points.
York 36, Stevenson 27
GCAC TOURNAMENT
Championship Bracket
Mother McAuley 65, Providence 55, semifinal
St. Laurence 58, Trinity 57
St. Laurence (19-10): Ciyah Thomas 14 points; GW 3-pointer as time expired. Aaliyah Flores 18 points.
BOYS DUAL TEAM WRESTLING
CLASS 3A SECTIONALS
GRANT
Hononegah 35, Grant 31
MAHOMET-SEYMOUR
Edwardsville 36, Lincoln-Way West 28
MARMION
Joliet Catholic 63, Yorkville 5
Marmion 46, Mount Carmel 23
Montini 35, Marist 28
OAK PARK-RIVER FOREST
St. Charles East 75, Maine South 0
CLASS 2A SECTIONALS
EVERGREEN PARK
Oak Forest 57, Riverside-Brookfield 11
Providence 63, Evergreen Park 14
ST. IGNATIUS
Wheeling 33, Deerfield 31
SYCAMORE
Geneseo 55, Batavia 16
CLASS 1A SECTIONAL
COAL CITY
Coal City 56, Yorkville Christian 14
Compiled by Josh Krockey.
Jonah Johnson comes through with whale of a game for Sandburg. It helps his twin, too. ‘Doing the dirty work.’
Jonah Johnson has been one of the biggest supporters and motivators for his twin brother, Will, during his huge season for Sandburg.
But while Jonah has certainly been thrilled for his brother’s success, he’s also had to listen to some trash talk along the way.
“I hear it every day,” Jonah said. “Every day. He tells me he’s always leading the team in scoring. He’s always beating me in rebounding. It’s just constant, nonstop glazing about him.
“It gets to a point where I’ve got to do something, too.”
Jonah Johnson produced some numbers worth bragging about Friday night.
The senior guard scored 16 points and pulled down 12 rebounds to lead the visiting Eagles to a 72-62 Southwest Suburban Conference win over Lincoln-Way West in New Lenox.
Sandburg’s Jonah Johnson (5) goes up for a fast-break layup against Lincoln-Way West during a SouthWest Suburban Conference game in New Lenox on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026. (Jeremy Toney / Daily Southtown)
Will Johnson finished with 11 points and seven rebounds for Sandburg (18-10, 8-6), which won its fourth straight game. Daniel Morakinyo added 10 points, while Liibo Debela scored eight points and Will Hooks finished with seven points and 10 rebounds.
Eiden Kubilius scored 16 points to lead Lincoln-Way West (13-15, 4-10). Nolan Ballantine tallied 13 points, while Luke Gouty and Drake Been each contributed nine points and five rebounds.
But it was Jonah Johnson who got the Eagles going, scoring eight points in the first quarter.
“My brother’s been asking for other people to step up because he can’t do it all,” Jonah said. “It’s more of a team effort when we play our best. I thought it was about time I tried to step up and help him a bit.”
Sandburg’s Jonah Johnson (5) makes a move in the post against Lincoln-Way West during a SouthWest Suburban Conference game in New Lenox on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026. (Jeremy Toney / Daily Southtown)
Jonah Johnson asserted himself on offense Friday night but that’s not typically his biggest role. He confirmed that rebounding and defense are his strongest suits.
“Me and Hooks, we’re doing the dirty work,” he said. “That’s why we’re not as prone to score as much because we’re trying to do the little things. We play our role. We can do the dirty work, and if we have a game where we can show out offensively, we’ll do that, too.”
Sandburg coach John Daniels appreciates Jonah Johnson and Hooks for being willing to do anything the team needs them to do.
“Jonah and Will Hooks have been our glue guys,” Daniels said. “It’s hard with Jonah because Will Johnson’s been in a position where he’s scoring a lot and Jonah is working hard.
Sandburg’s Will Johnson (3) and Jonah Johnson (5) playfully bump each other against Lincoln-Way West during a SouthWest Suburban Conference game in New Lenox on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026. (Jeremy Toney / Daily Southtown)
“You ask guys to understand their role, and Jonah and Will Hooks have been tremendous for us.”
Will Johnson knows his twin brother is always there to motivate him.
“We’re always making each other better,” Will said. “All our lives, playing with each other and against each other, we’ve pushed each other.”
Hooks sees Jonah Johnson as his partner when it comes to doing the toughest jobs on the court.
“Me and Jonah work in a similar role, doing the dirty work,” Hooks said. “It’s about rebounding, talking and directing the guys on defense. Jonah does a great job with that.”
Sandburg’s Jonah Johnson (5) goes up for a layup against Lincoln-Way West during a SouthWest Suburban Conference game in New Lenox on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026. (Jeremy Toney / Daily Southtown)
After a nip-and-tuck first half, Sandburg took control in the third quarter as Jonah Johnson scored on two putbacks to help open up a 10-point lead.
And the Eagles did something they had problems with earlier in the season — closing out the win.
“Nine of our 10 losses are in the fourth quarter or overtime and it just comes down to making a free throw, taking care of the ball,” Daniels said. “We’re getting better with all that.”
Jonah might have the bragging rights in the household for one night. Either way, he believes the friendly smack talk between brothers is a good thing.
“When we talk about stats, that’s just to get the other one going and make them play harder and push them harder,” he said. “That’s how we’ve always acted around each other. We get on each other because we know we can do better and we expect more out of each other.”
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/06/jonah-johnson-sandburg-lincoln-way-west/
Rep. Bob Rita testifies in trial over alleged obscene text messages, harassment by Tinley Park political operative
State Rep. Bob Rita was among those who testified Friday in the trial of a Tinley Park political operative who stands accused of sending obscene and harassing text messages ahead of a previous election.
Timothy Pawula, a former political ally of Tinley Park Mayor Michael Glotz, was charged in October 2024 with two counts of both electronic harassment and transmitting obscene messages. Both charges are misdemeanors and carry a maximum sentence of 180 days in jail and an up to $1,500 fine, according to Cook County Associate Judge Mohammad Abedelal Ahmad.
The charges stem from texts Pawula allegedly sent to as many as 20 people, including Rita, April 4, 2023. One message, as presented during Friday’s trial, addresses voters of Tinley Park with claims that Ahleah Salefski, a candidate for village clerk at the time, lusted for both votes and sexual relations with Rita.
It was accompanied by a photoshopped image of a message Salefski posted on social media in 2017 that references “lusting after someone you know you probably shouldn’t,” according to prosecutors. Superimposed over the text were images of Rita’s and Salefski’s faces, with Salefski’s picture photoshopped to reference a sexual act.
“I just couldn’t believe what I was seeing,” Rita said during his testimony.
According to prosecutors, the content of the messages is false and qualifies as illegally obscene under state statute, using “language or terms which are obscene, lewd or immoral with the intent to offend.”
Pawula was working for the Big Tent Coalition, a political action committee founded by Tim Ozinga, R-Mokena, who was state representative in the 37th House District before abruptly resigning in April 2024. Pawula was Ozinga’s chief of staff and treasurer of his election committee.
In an ongoing lawsuit filed in February 2025, state Sen. Michael Hastings alleges Pawula, Glotz and the Big Tent Coalition conspired to organize a “smear campaign” leading up to the November 2022 election, which included sending out obscene text messages to voters.
At the time the message was sent, Rita was running for re-election as state representative and Salefski was running for the village clerk in Tinley Park. Salefski said during her testimony that Rita’s daughter is one of her best friends, and Rita was supporting her candidacy.
Upon seeing the messages, Salefski said she felt humiliated and worried about how many people it had been sent to.
“I felt like people were going to look at me like I was some sexual deviant,” Salefski said. “I was planning to start coaching for a youth organization, and I was worried that all these kids that I was planning to coach as well as their families were seeing these things about me.”
Master Sgt. Cary Morin of the Illinois State Police’s criminal investigations unit testified that Salefski reported the text message to police after her husband, Chad Salefski, received it on Election Day. The text allegedly came from an unknown number, which state police tied to Pawula after obtaining a search warrant for documents from Ping, the messaging app used by the sender, and Apple Inc.
Morin said state police also searched Pawula’s phone, where they found evidence of the messages sent to Chad Salefski and Rita along with a screenshot of them sent to a group chat that included Glotz. In one text sent to the group referencing the messages, prosecutors said Pawula described himself as “the dirtiest piggy in the pen.”
Prosecutors said messages in the group chat along with the fact that the Pawula sent the texts to Rita, Chad Salefski and other family and friends of Rita and Salefski show they were intended to offend the two political candidates.
But defense attorney Frank Andreano said while Pawula’s political tactics may have been unsavory, the text messages targeting Rita and Salefski qualify as protected speech under the First Amendment.
“An insult isn’t an obscenity,” Andreano said.
Andreano said reacting to the speech with subpoenas and search warrants is “frightening and scary” and sends a clear message.
“Oppose us, and if you say something we don’t like, the whole weight and force of the state of Illinois will come down on you,” Andreano said.
Judge Ahmad said he will issue a ruling in the case at 9 a.m. on March 27 at the Cook County courthouse at 10220 South 76th Ave., Bridgeview.
ostevens@chicagotribune.com
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/06/rep-bob-rita-testifies-about-obscene-texts/
Juez dictamina que el gobierno de EEUU no puede retener fondos sociales a 5 estados demócratas
Por GEOFF MULVIHILL
Un juez federal dictaminó el viernes que el gobierno del presidente estadounidense Donald Trump debe mantener el flujo de fondos para subsidios de cuidado infantil y otros programas de servicios sociales en cinco estados gobernados por demócratas, al menos por ahora.
El juez federal de distrito Vernon Broderick, en Nueva York, quien fue nominado por el expresidente Barack Obama, concedió la solicitud de los estados de que emitiera una orden judicial preliminar y una suspensión contra el gobierno para impedir que retenga el dinero mientras una demanda se abre paso en los tribunales.
Los estados afectados son California, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota y Nueva York. Los cinco indicaron que reciben un total de más de 10.000 millones de dólares al año de los programas.
Los abogados que representan al gobierno federal en el caso no respondieron de momento a correos electrónicos solicitándoles comentarios. Un portavoz de la fiscalía federal para el Distrito Sur de Nueva York declinó comentar.
Se habían emitido dos fallos temporales en enero, cuando los estados demandaron, que le impedían al gobierno federal retener los fondos, y el último iba a expirar el viernes.
Los programas en cuestión son el Fondo de Cuidado y Desarrollo Infantil, que subsidia el cuidado infantil para 1,3 millones de niños de familias de bajos ingresos a nivel nacional; el programa de Asistencia Temporal para Familias Necesitadas, que proporciona asistencia en efectivo y capacitación laboral; y la Subvención en Bloque para Servicios Sociales, un fondo más pequeño que da dinero para diversos programas.
“Cada día, cientos de miles de neoyorquinos dependen de estos fondos para pagar necesidades y proporcionar a sus hijos un lugar seguro para aprender”, afirmó la fiscal general de Nueva York, Letitia James. “Esta congelación ilegal de fondos habría causado un caos severo en las vidas de algunas de las familias más vulnerables de nuestro estado. Estoy orgullosa de haber asegurado otra victoria en este caso para impedirlo”.
El fiscal general de California, Rob Bonta, agregó en un comunicado: “Las acciones de la administración Trump no sólo son ilegales, sino que son crueles, dirigidas a los más vulnerables entre nosotros”.
La explicación del gobierno sobre sus acciones ha cambiado.
Cuando el Departamento de Salud y Servicios Humanos (HHS, por sus siglas en inglés) anunció que estaba reteniendo el dinero, dijo que había “razón para creer” que los estados estaban otorgando prestaciones a personas que están en el país ilegalmente. En un principio no explicó de dónde provenía la información. Pero en una audiencia judicial, un abogado del gobierno federal indicó que fue en gran parte en reacción a informes de noticias sobre un posible fraude.
El HHS no respondió de momento a una solicitud de comentarios por correo electrónico.
Y aunque el comunicado de prensa inicial del gobierno decía que había “congelado” el acceso al dinero, los abogados federales le dijeron al juez que eso no era lo que estaba sucediendo. Más bien, dijeron, el gobierno de Trump le estaba solicitando más información a esos estados.
El gobierno dice que quiere más registros del grupo de estados, incluidos nombres y números de Seguro Social de los beneficiarios de algunos de los programas.
Los activistas advierten que cortar los subsidios para el cuidado infantil podría tener impactos profundos. Las guarderías que aceptan los subsidios podrían enfrentar el riesgo de despidos o cierres. Y eso afectaría tanto a las familias de bajos ingresos que reciben los subsidios como a las familias que no los reciben. Y para muchas familias, perder el acceso al cuidado infantil puede dificultar o imposibilitar el trabajo.
El gobierno de Trump ha puesto en la mira a varios programas en Minnesota debido a casos previos de fraude y nuevas acusaciones, las cuales involucran principalmente a miembros de la comunidad somalí del estado.
Además del incremento en los requisitos para los otros cuatro estados gobernados por demócratas, el gobierno también ha requerido que todos los estados presenten más información sobre cómo están utilizando el dinero en el programa de cuidado infantil antes de que puedan retirar los fondos.
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El periodista de The Associated Press Dave Collins, en Hartford, Connecticut, contribuyó a este informe.
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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.
Is Narrative Warfare Driving Washington’s UN Pullback?
Is Narrative Warfare Driving Washington’s UN Pullback?
Authored by Charles Davis via The Epoch Times (emphasis ours),
Commentary
On a gray morning in Geneva, a human-rights advocate walks into the Palais des Nations and scans the room the way you’d scan a street corner for gang members in a hard neighborhood. Not for gangbangers, though; for “civil society.” For the suited delegates with NGO badges who film speakers a little too closely, who echo embassy talking points a little too faithfully, who make the room feel—subtly, persistently—less safe for anyone bringing evidence that embarrasses Beijing. Investigators have documented this pattern: government-linked “NGOs” using U.N. access to disrupt, intimidate, and drown out criticism.
Cancel culture is alive and well in the groups and committees of the U.N. and that scene matters because it sits beneath the most consequential line in the White House’s new withdrawal memorandum: the United States will “take immediate steps” to exit a list of international organizations and U.N.-linked bodies “as soon as possible.”
The memo is anchored to an earlier directive—Executive Order 14199—which required a review of U.S. participation and support across international bodies.
The list itself is telling. It includes scientific and governance nodes like the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change, and also the machinery that sets development narratives and convenes states—the U.N. Department of Economic and Social Affairs and multiple U.N. Economic and Social Council regional commissions.
Critics will frame this as isolationism. Supporters will call it sovereignty. But there is another lens worth an objective look: narrative influence by adversaries—especially China—nested inside institutions that were built for cooperation, not contest.
Winning by Wearing Out
Chinese strategists continue to laud a whole-of-capabilities approach called “dissipative warfare”—a strategy of exhausting an opponent through protraction, friction, and cumulative cost rather than a single decisive blow.
You don’t need to treat that concept as doctrine to see how it can map onto global institutions. If the fight is to shape what the world believes is “responsible,” “lawful,” “sustainable,” or “legitimate,” then bodies that write standards, bless language, convene negotiations, and credential “civil society” become key influence targets. The point isn’t open control of an organization. It’s to slow, dilute, redirect, and stigmatize—until your competitor either accommodates the narrative or exits the field.
Procedural Choke Points
Start with climate and science. The IPCC’s Summaries for Policymakers are, by design, negotiated line-by-line with governments. That’s not a conspiracy; it’s written into the IPCC’s own procedures.
That model can produce robust consensus—but it also creates leverage for states skilled at procedural delay and linguistic bargaining. In a dissipation frame, the goal is not to “win” the report; it’s to grind down clarity, introduce ambiguity, and turn scientific bottom lines into endlessly contestable phrasing. In this condition, the narrative is malleable.
Similarly, the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change outcomes often hinge on consensus among nearly 200 parties. The Glasgow Climate Pact’s language calling for a “phase-down” of unabated coal power illustrates how hard-fought wording becomes the battlefield itself.
The Development Narrative Machine
Then there is the U.N. Department of Economic and Social Affairs—on the memo’s withdrawal list—because the department doesn’t merely “do development.” It frames the development story: what counts as progress, which financing models are celebrated, what language becomes standard in global planning.
Leadership and institutional emphasis matter here. The U.N. secretary-general appointed Li Junhua of China as undersecretary-general for economic and social affairs in 2022.
U.N. development publications have treated China’s Belt and Road initiative as compatible with the U.N.’s Sustainable Development goals. That’s not proof of control. It is, however, a form of normalization—turning a contested geopolitical initiative into familiar U.N. development vocabulary. It’s a form of socializing it into acceptability.
In a dissipation strategy, this is where you make the long game feel inevitable. You bind contested geopolitics to the moral vocabulary of “sustainable development,” and you force rivals to fight uphill—arguing not only against a project, but against the institutionally blessed framing around it.
The ‘Civil Society’ Channel
Finally: access. The U.N. system grants NGOs consultative privileges on the assumption they act independently of governments. But reporting and watchdog analysis describe a growing ecosystem of state-linked “government-organized” NGOs using that access to crowd out testimony, praise Beijing, and intimidate critics—especially in Geneva’s human-rights ecosystem.
This is dissipation in human form: make participation costly, make speaking risky, and make the room feel owned—until fewer credible witnesses show up.
Why the Memo’s List ‘Hangs Together’
Read the White House memo as a map of where narrative influence is manufactured and laundered into global “common sense.” It targets bodies that, one, negotiate language under consensus rules; two, set development and climate frames that travel into national policy; and three, credential actors who then shape discourse as “independent stakeholders.”
That does not mean every named institution is adversary-controlled. It does mean adversaries—especially China, and in some domains Russia and Iran—can apply pressure through procedure, staffing, agenda framing, and access manipulation. In that sense, withdrawal is an attempt to stop paying to stand in a room where the rules can be used to exhaust you. No one wants to sit in the dunking booth when there’s a professional pitcher holding a bucket of balls.
But here’s the hard truth: if the United States exits without a replacement strategy, the vacuum becomes its own kind of dissipation—self-inflicted. Even Reuters’ early reporting on the memo notes the scale of the pullback and the risk that others fill the gap.
If the premise is adversarial narrative warfare, then the measure of success isn’t simply to “leave.” It’s whether Washington can deny manipulation and keep shaping outcomes—by rebuilding coalitions, hardening rules for NGO access, investing in standards bodies it stays in, and treating language battles as strategic terrain rather than diplomatic housekeeping.
The memo pulls America off one battlefield, but it doesn’t end the war over perception. It simply raises a hard question: why should the United States keep paying to staff, fund, and legitimize systems whose outputs so often harden into narratives that cut against U.S. strategy? You don’t have to believe in “capture” to see misalignment. The real test now is whether Washington replaces withdrawal with an influence strategy—one that protects openness, rewards transparency, and stops underwriting language that is later used to pressure American policy and partners.
Views expressed in this article are opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Tyler Durden
Fri, 02/06/2026 – 23:25
https://www.zerohedge.com/political/narrative-warfare-driving-washingtons-un-pullback
Pelicans remontan 18 puntos en la 2da mitad y vencen 119-115 a Timberwolves
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Saddiq Bay anotó 30 puntos, incluidos dos tiros libres con 10,8 segundos restantes, para ayudar a que los Pelicans de Nueva Orleáns remontaran un déficit de 18 puntos en la segunda mitad, con lo cual se impusieron el viernes 119-115 a los Timberwolves de Minnesota.
Zion Williamson añadió 29 puntos y Trey Murphy III anotó 26. Los Pelicans rompieron una racha de tres derrotas consecutivas.
Minnesota tomó una breve ventaja de un punto con 50 segundos restantes gracias a un triple de Bones Hyland, pero Williamson convirtió una jugada de tres puntos para poner a los Pelicans arriba 117-115 con 35,5 segundos por jugar.
El tiro de Anthony Edwards se quedó corto. Bey capturó el rebote y fue objeto de una falta de Julius Randle con 10,8 segundos por jugar.
Edwards terminó con 35 puntos, incluidos 23 en la primera mitad, por los Wolves. Randle añadió 24 puntos, mientras que Rudy Gobert capturó 16 rebotes junto con sus 12 unidades.
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Deportes AP: https://apnews.com/hub/deportes
Los Celtics remontan un déficit de 22 puntos para vencer por 98-96 al Heat
BOSTON (AP) — Jaylen Brown anotó 29 puntos y Payton Pritchard sumó 24 unidades para ayudar a que los Celtics de Boston consiguieran la mayor remontada de la temporada, recuperándose de un déficit de 22 puntos para derrotar el viernes 98-96 al Heat de Miami.
Derrick White encestó un triple desde la esquina con 1:31 minutos por jugar que sentenció el encuentro. White atinó 6 de 20 tiros de campo, pero terminó con 21 tantos.
Nikola Vucevic logró un doble-doble en su primer partido con los Celtics, que han ganado cinco juegos consecutivos, finalizando con 11 unidades y 12 rebotes. Boston encestó nueve de sus últimos 15 tiros de tres después de fallar 20 de 21 desde larga distancia al inicio del juego.
Miami tuvo la oportunidad de ganar en el tiempo reglamentario, pero Davion Mitchell falló un triple desde la esquina con 2,7 segundos restantes. Andrew Wiggins lideró al Heat con 26 puntos mientras que el All-Star Norman Powell sumó 24 unidades.
Miami no perdió tiempo en demostrar que sería una larga primera mitad para Boston. El Heat tomó ventaja de 15-2 y llegó a tener ventaja de 22 puntos para irse al medio tiempo arriba 59-38. Los Celtics solo encestaron el 28% durante los dos primeros cuartos, pero las cosas cambiaron en el tercer cuarto.
Con una ventaja de 67-49, Miami observó cómo Boston superó a los visitantes 25-7 en los últimos 7:06 minutos del tercer cuarto que desencadenó la remontada.
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Deportes AP: https://apnews.com/hub/deportes
Marvin Douglas finds winning formula for Homewood-Flossmoor against upset-minded Stagg. ‘Do what you gotta do.’
Homewood-Flossmoor’s Marvin Douglas helped his teammates pass a test that the Vikings didn’t imagine they would have to take Friday night on the road against Stagg.
H-F, ranked No. 9 in the state in Class 4A by the Associated Press, has plenty of offensive firepower but was held without a point while being outscored 17-0 in the third quarter.
“I never thought that would happen,” Douglas said of being blanked in an eight-minute quarter of action. “It’s not ideal, but you gotta do you what you gotta do to win it.”
Douglas went out and definitely did what he had to do.
The senior forward broke up the scoring skid with a quick basket to start the fourth. It sparked the Vikings to a 58-51 SouthWest Suburban Conference win over the host Chargers in Palos Hills.
Sophomore guard Darrius Hawkins Jr. led H-F (22-3, 12-1) with 15 points, including five free throws in the final 28 seconds. Douglas followed with 10 points and 10 rebounds, while Ethan Jackson scored five of his 10 points in the final 2:26 of the game.
Homewood-Flossmoor’s Marvin Douglas (0) makes a pass against Stagg during a SouthWest Suburban Conference game in Palos Hills on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026. (James C. Svehla / Daily Southtown)
Petar Zoko led Stagg (12-13, 4-9) with 23 points and added eight rebounds. Mohammad Farhan finished with 10 points and nine rebounds, while Omar Barakat chipped in with 10 points.
Douglas, meanwhile, was able to use his senior savvy to help prevent the upset.
“We depend on Marv a ton,” H-F coach Brandin Brown said. “He was a part of a senior-led team last year and didn’t get much of an opportunity. He was playing behind some really, really good seniors.
“But Marv learned from those guys. That’s the mark he’s leaving with these guys. When things do get hard, he just finds a way to help us out.”
Homewood-Flossmoor’s Marvin Douglas (0) and Stagg’s Dovy Zuperka (32) battles for a rebound during a SouthWest Suburban Conference game in Palos Hills on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026. (James C. Svehla / Daily Southtown)
H-F led 33-23 at halftime before the disastrous third quarter and faced a 40-33 deficit heading into the fourth, but Douglas opened things up right away with a basket.
“That started the momentum for sure,” Douglas said.
With 5:39 left, he made a spin move in the lane for a basket to give the Vikings its first lead of the quarter at 42-40 and they never trailed again from there.
“That was definitely a nice one,” Douglas said. “You could feel the momentum going our way.”
Homewood-Flossmoor’s Ethan Jackson (3) finishes off a drive for a layup against Stagg during a SouthWest Suburban Conference game in Palos Hills on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026. (James C. Svehla / Daily Southtown)
The 6-foot-4 Douglas was done scoring for the night but wasn’t done rebounding. He hit the boards and brought the ball down with 46 and 16 seconds left to thwart Stagg comeback attempts.
“He’s a senior leader and he brings aggression on the court,” Jackson said of Douglas. “He brings the energy and he keeps everybody hyped all of the time.”
Jackson, a senior guard, made a big 3-pointer with 2:26 left to play. He later converted another basket that also loomed large.
Brown confirmed the two seniors stepped up when the Vikings needed it.
“You never want to go scoreless in a quarter, but I think it was a real good lesson for our boys,” Brown said, “We have a young group, and they were up 10 at the half and they kind of relaxed.
“I’ll give Stagg all the credit in the world because they came out clawing, scratching and biting. But I’m proud of the way my boys responded in the fourth quarter.”
Homewood-Flossmoor’s Marvin Douglas (0) and Stagg’s Mohammad Farhan (14) go for a rebound during a SouthWest Suburban Conference game in Palos Hills on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026. (James C. Svehla / Daily Southtown)
Both seniors were on the sophomore team two seasons ago when the Vikings varsity made history and won the Class 4A state championship for the first time in program history.
While both had to wait their turn for significant playing time last season, they are thinking big this season with the playoffs right around the corner.
“We have a lot of young players, but they are competitive and that gives us an edge,” Jackson said. “It allows us to push through when we face some adversity.”
“Our team really wants it and never gives up,” Douglas said. “We have some dawgs on this team who really want it.”
Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/06/marvin-douglas-homewood-flossmoor-stagg-basketball/
Marvin Douglas finds winning formula for Homewood-Flossmoor against upset-minded Stagg. ‘Do what you gotta do.’
Homewood-Flossmoor’s Marvin Douglas helped his teammates pass a test that the Vikings didn’t imagine they would have to take Friday night on the road against Stagg.
H-F, ranked No. 9 in the state in Class 4A by the Associated Press, has plenty of offensive firepower but was held without a point while being outscored 17-0 in the third quarter.
“I never thought that would happen,” Douglas said of being blanked in an eight-minute quarter of action. “It’s not ideal, but you gotta do you what you gotta do to win it.”
Douglas went out and definitely did what he had to do.
The senior forward broke up the scoring skid with a quick basket to start the fourth. It sparked the Vikings to a 58-51 SouthWest Suburban Conference win over the host Chargers in Palos Hills.
Sophomore guard Darrius Hawkins Jr. led H-F (22-3, 12-1) with 15 points, including five free throws in the final 28 seconds. Douglas followed with 10 points and 10 rebounds, while Ethan Jackson scored five of his 10 points in the final 2:26 of the game.
Homewood-Flossmoor’s Marvin Douglas (0) makes a pass against Stagg during a SouthWest Suburban Conference game in Palos Hills on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026. (James C. Svehla / Daily Southtown)
Petar Zoko led Stagg (12-13, 4-9) with 23 points and added eight rebounds. Mohammad Farhan finished with 10 points and nine rebounds, while Omar Barakat chipped in with 10 points.
Douglas, meanwhile, was able to use his senior savvy to help prevent the upset.
“We depend on Marv a ton,” H-F coach Brandin Brown said. “He was a part of a senior-led team last year and didn’t get much of an opportunity. He was playing behind some really, really good seniors.
“But Marv learned from those guys. That’s the mark he’s leaving with these guys. When things do get hard, he just finds a way to help us out.”
Homewood-Flossmoor’s Marvin Douglas (0) and Stagg’s Dovy Zuperka (32) battles for a rebound during a SouthWest Suburban Conference game in Palos Hills on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026. (James C. Svehla / Daily Southtown)
H-F led 33-23 at halftime before the disastrous third quarter and faced a 40-33 deficit heading into the fourth, but Douglas opened things up right away with a basket.
“That started the momentum for sure,” Douglas said.
With 5:39 left, he made a spin move in the lane for a basket to give the Vikings its first lead of the quarter at 42-40 and they never trailed again from there.
“That was definitely a nice one,” Douglas said. “You could feel the momentum going our way.”
Homewood-Flossmoor’s Ethan Jackson (3) finishes off a drive for a layup against Stagg during a SouthWest Suburban Conference game in Palos Hills on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026. (James C. Svehla / Daily Southtown)
The 6-foot-4 Douglas was done scoring for the night but wasn’t done rebounding. He hit the boards and brought the ball down with 46 and 16 seconds left to thwart Stagg comeback attempts.
“He’s a senior leader and he brings aggression on the court,” Jackson said of Douglas. “He brings the energy and he keeps everybody hyped all of the time.”
Jackson, a senior guard, made a big 3-pointer with 2:26 left to play. He later converted another basket that also loomed large.
Brown confirmed the two seniors stepped up when the Vikings needed it.
“You never want to go scoreless in a quarter, but I think it was a real good lesson for our boys,” Brown said, “We have a young group, and they were up 10 at the half and they kind of relaxed.
“I’ll give Stagg all the credit in the world because they came out clawing, scratching and biting. But I’m proud of the way my boys responded in the fourth quarter.”
Homewood-Flossmoor’s Marvin Douglas (0) and Stagg’s Mohammad Farhan (14) go for a rebound during a SouthWest Suburban Conference game in Palos Hills on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026. (James C. Svehla / Daily Southtown)
Both seniors were on the sophomore team two seasons ago when the Vikings varsity made history and won the Class 4A state championship for the first time in program history.
While both had to wait their turn for significant playing time last season, they are thinking big this season with the playoffs right around the corner.
“We have a lot of young players, but they are competitive and that gives us an edge,” Jackson said. “It allows us to push through when we face some adversity.”
“Our team really wants it and never gives up,” Douglas said. “We have some dawgs on this team who really want it.”
Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/06/marvin-douglas-homewood-flossmoor-stagg-basketball/
