Category: News
Víctimas de choque de bote con migrantes en Grecia tenían heridas graves en la cabeza: rescatista
Por ELENA BECATOROS y COSTAS KANTOURIS
ATENAS (AP) — Un buzo que ayudó a recuperar los cuerpos de las víctimas de una colisión mortal entre un bote que transportaba migrantes y una embarcación de la guardia costera griega dijo el viernes que la mayoría de las 15 personas que murieron habían sufrido lesiones graves en la cabeza, mientras aumentaban las preguntas sobre las circunstancias del incidente.
Una operación de búsqueda y rescate seguía en marcha el viernes para encontrar a personas posiblemente desaparecidas tres días después de la colisión, ocurrida frente a la costa de la isla de Quíos, en el este del Egeo. Quince personas murieron y 26 resultaron heridas, entre ellas 11 niños y dos agentes de la guardia costera. Todavía se desconoce el número total de personas que iban a bordo de la pequeña lancha rápida.
El gran número de víctimas ha llevado a cuestionar cómo ocurrió la colisión. Las autoridades judiciales han iniciado una investigación oficial.
Evaggelos Kirithras, un buzo que participó en la recuperación de los cuerpos esa noche, dijo a The Associated Press que, cuando llegó al lugar, vio 12 cuerpos dentro de una lancha rápida inflable semisumergida. La embarcación no se había volcado, dijo.
“La mayoría de ellos tenían lesiones en la cabeza. No puedo describir lo graves que eran las lesiones”, dijo Kirithras, quien comparó los traumatismos con el impacto de chocar con una pared. El buzo dijo que ha participado en otras operaciones de rescate y recuperación con la guardia costera en el pasado, “pero esta fue la primera vez que vi tal fuerza”.
En un informe preparado por cuatro forenses que examinaron los cuerpos se indica que habían sufrido lesiones graves, según los medios griegos. El informe no se ha hecho público.
Las circunstancias exactas de la colisión siguen sin estar claras. En una declaración inicial, la guardia costera dijo que su bote patrullero se había encontrado con la lancha rápida que se dirigía hacia Quíos sin luces de navegación. Indicó que la lancha ignoró las señales sonoras y luminosas para detenerse, y de repente cambió de dirección, chocando con el bote patrullero y volcando.
Las fotos publicadas por la guardia costera muestran signos de abrasión en el lado derecho del bote patrullero. La versión de la guardia costera no pudo ser verificada de manera independiente.
“La persecución, la colisión, las lesiones dan testimonio de un incidente muy violento”, dijo Kostas Arvanitis, un miembro izquierdista del Parlamento Europeo, quien exigió la publicación de cualquier grabación de las cámaras a bordo de la embarcación patrullera.
Pero las autoridades han dicho que la cámara a bordo no estaba grabando en ese momento.
El viernes, en una comparecencia ante el Parlamento, el ministro de Asuntos Marítimos, Vassilis Kikilias, bajo cuya jurisdicción se encuentra la guardia costera, dijo que el capitán de la embarcación tomó la decisión de no encender la cámara porque el barco de migrantes ya estaba cerca y la cámara de imagen térmica de largo alcance no habría funcionado correctamente.
“Según me han informado… la función (de la cámara) es infrarroja y de larga distancia, por lo que incluso si se hubiera encendido, no habría tenido grabaciones claras del evento de colisión”, dijo Kikilias, y repitió que cualquier investigación judicial y administrativa sobre el incidente sería bien recibida.
Todos menos uno de los pasajeros sobrevivientes a bordo de la lancha rápida, de aproximadamente ocho metros (26 pies), han sido identificados como afganos, mientras que un ciudadano marroquí que estaba entre los heridos fue arrestado bajo sospecha de tráfico de migrantes.
Grecia es un importante punto de entrada a la Unión Europea para las personas que huyen de conflictos y pobreza en el Oriente Medio, África y Asia. Los accidentes fatales son un hecho común. Muchos emprenden el cruce corto, pero a menudo peligroso, desde la costa turca hacia las cercanas islas griegas en el este del Egeo. Pero el aumento de los patrullajes y las acusaciones de devoluciones en caliente —deportaciones sumarias sin permitir solicitudes de asilo— por parte de las autoridades griegas han reducido los intentos de cruce.
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Kantouris informó desde Tesalónica, Grecia.
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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.
Millones de flores pasan por aeropuerto de Miami para Día de San Valentín
Por DAVID FISCHER
MIAMI (AP) — Los cupidos que disparan flechas en forma de corazón pueden llevarse la mayor parte del crédito en el Día de San Valentín, pero la verdadera magia detrás de millones de ramos románticos ocurre en un almacén de carga en un aeropuerto del sur de Florida.
Especialistas agrícolas en el Aeropuerto Internacional de Miami procesarán alrededor de 990 millones de tallos de flores cortadas en las semanas previas al 14 de febrero, según la Oficina de Aduanas y Protección Fronteriza. Alrededor del 90% de las flores frescas cortadas que se venden para el Día de San Valentín en Estados Unidos pasan por Miami, mientras que el otro 10% pasa por Los Ángeles.
Rosas, claveles, pompones, hortensias, crisantemos y gypsophila llegan en cientos de vuelos, principalmente desde Colombia y Ecuador, a Miami en su camino hacia floristerías y supermercados en Estados Unidos y Canadá.
El mayor importador de flores de Miami es Avianca Cargo, con sede en Medellín, Colombia. En preparación para el Día de San Valentín, la compañía está transportando alrededor de 19.000 toneladas de flores en 320 vuelos de carga completos, afirmó el viernes en Miami el CEO Diogo Elias. Están realizando más del doble de vuelos en comparación con lo normal.
“Volamos flores durante todo el año, pero San Valentín es especial”, expresó Elias. “Mucho más concentrado en rosas, especialmente rosas rojas. Más del 50-60% son rosas rojas en este momento”.
Los clientes que compren flores probablemente verán un aumento en el precio este año. Christine Boldt, vicepresidenta ejecutiva de la Asociación de Importadores de Flores, indicó que ello se debe en gran medida a los aranceles impuestos el año pasado a las importaciones de Colombia y Ecuador, junto con un nuevo salario mínimo implementado este año en Colombia.
“Esto añade dólares significativos a los ramos que están llegando”, comentó Boldt. “Cada consumidor tendrá que enfrentar costos adicionales”.
A pesar de los precios más altos, las flores continúan siendo una de las mayores importaciones de MIA, señaló el director del aeropuerto, Ralph Cutié. El aeropuerto recibió casi 3,5 millones de toneladas de carga el año pasado, con las flores representando alrededor de 400.000 toneladas. Más de una cuarta parte de esas flores se envían antes del Día de San Valentín, marcando un aumento del 6% respecto al año pasado.
“La madre, la esposa, la novia en Omaha, Nebraska, que recibe sus flores ya sea para San Valentín o el Día de la Madre, es probable que esas flores hayan pasado por nuestro aeropuerto”, manifestó Cutié. “Y eso es algo de lo que estamos muy orgullosos”.
Los especialistas en agricultura de la agencia fronteriza revisan los paquetes de flores para evitar que entren al país enfermedades de plantas, plagas y animales extranjeros potencialmente dañinos, apuntó Daniel Alonso, funcionario de la agencia. Los inspectores encuentran en promedio alrededor de 40-50 plagas de plantas al día, siendo las más comunes las polillas. Las plagas se entregan al Departamento de Agricultura que determina la amenaza potencial.
“Nuestro riguroso proceso es vital para salvaguardar las industrias florales y agrícolas, asegurando que nuestras flores importadas no introduzcan plagas ni enfermedades dañinas”, afirmó Alonso.
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Esta historia fue traducida del inglés por un editor de AP con ayuda de una herramienta de inteligencia artificial generativa.
Hobart commission approves data center fill permit 5-3 over community objections
Hobart residents weren’t shy in voicing their opposition to a proposed fill permit request on 605 acres eyed by Amazon for a future data center referred to as Hobart Tech Park.
The dozens of people who spoke at the packed Hobart High School auditorium on Thursday at times swore, prayed and boisterously called out their disapproval to members of the plan commission, who were holding the meeting.
Those who lined up to speak, including two individuals who spoke in favor of the request, were allowed two minutes each during the nearly three-hour meeting.
The central message to the commission was clear: Residents are concerned about how the data center will affect their environment and wildlife, their home values and the cost of already spiraling utilities, including electricity.
“It’s time you listen to us,” Hobart resident Patricia Corey told city officials.
“Take your trucks and go, Amazon,” Corey added.
The plan commission voted 5-3 to approve the fill permit request from Todd Huntington of Langan Engineering and Environmental Services, who spoke briefly before the vote to answer commission questions.
Todd Huntington of Langan Engineering and Environmental Services speaks before the Hobart Plan Commission vote Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026. (Deborah Laverty/for Post-Tribune)
Those voting against the proposal were members Stuart Allen, Lloyd Emig and Matthew SeDoris.
Those voting for the proposal were Dan Schultz, Mark Kara, Maria Galka, David Vinzant and city engineer and member Alex Metz.
The approval on Thursday of the fill permit allows the moving of dirt only on the property located south of 61st Avenue, east of Colorado Street and north of 69th Avenue, said Galka, who chairs the plan commission.
The next step in the process will include the presentation of a site plan, which will include environmental impact and the presentation of other pertinent studies, Kara said.
Vinzant, before the reading of the fill permit request, asked for an amendment which was approved by the commission.
That amendment reads, in part:
•All references to site plan or grading plan are to be changed to “fill permit.”
•The petitioner is informed that before the actual site plan can be approved, there must be discussion with the plan commission regarding where the final entrances to the site will be located along 61st Avenue, with some of the commissioners feeling strongly that the entrance be aligned with Arizona Street to service the site.
•The petitioner is also informed that the creation of a path or trail between the north side of the berm and the gas pipeline is part of the site plan.
•The plan commission and the petitioner agree that the fill permit will expire when a site plan is approved for this site.
The request for the fill permit had been scheduled for the Jan. 15 plan commission meeting but was postponed to Thursday.
That’s because some citizens who came to the planning department to review documents related to the proposal found they weren’t available in hard copy because of issues with the department’s printer, Hobart City Attorney Heather McCarthy said.
Angelita Soriano, a spokesperson for the No Data Center group, was one of the citizens requesting the fill permit documents.
Soriano, who spoke at the plan commission meeting, said she was there to object on both procedural and legal grounds.
She and other residents who spoke said that city officials should have required a site plan review before approving the fill permit.
“This project has been advanced in pieces,” Soriano said.
She is one of four residents who have filed a lawsuit against city officials in opposition to data centers in Hobart.
Soriano, after the meeting, said she plans to file an injunction against the city in regard to this most recent action.
Bill Eich, a resident in Eagle Creek subdivision, said he has already been awakened by early morning trucks at the proposed data center site.
“I’m asking to postpone this until a site plan is presented. You need to see what it is,” Eich said.
Jennifer Williams, who lives in Amber Creek Estates, asked for a pause and a moratorium on the project until more information is presented.
“We’re not asking for perfection; we’re asking for the basics,” Williams said.
Hobart resident Jerri Stratter, 84, said she is worried about the impact the data center will have on her well water during a plan commission meeting Thursday. Feb. 5, 2026. (Deborah Laverty/for Post-Tribune)
Resident Jerri Stratter, who gave her age as 84, said she is most worried about how the data center will affect her well water.
“Nobody will tell me if I’ll have a well left…I worked a long time. My house will be destroyed,” Stratter said.
Resident Alan Dickerson said he has been fortunate to live in Hobart for a number of years and loves it.
“I love Hobart; my kids love Hobart,” Dickerson said.
He said information he has gleaned indicates the data center may be obsolete in 10 years. “You will be stuck with 600-plus acres,” he said.
Brooklyn Perry, 14, a freshman at Hobart High School, said her family had moved to Hobart, a place they happily call home.
That won’t be the case if they approve plans for the data center, Perry said.
“Shame on you…I want to have a good life,” she said.
Heather Ennis, president and chief executive officer of the Northwest Indiana Forum, was one of two individuals speaking in favor of the data center.
Her comments about the thousands of construction jobs the project would bring to Hobart elicited boos from other residents.
“I encourage you to pass this,” Ennis told the plan commission.
The Hobart City Council, at its Jan. 7 meeting, approved resolutions, including a contribution of $47 million to the city, allowing Amazon Data Services to proceed with its data center plans at 61st Avenue and Colorado Street.
That check for $47 million has been received by the city and will be invested, both Hobart Clerk-Treasurer Deborah Longer and Hobart Mayor Josh Huddlestun said on Wednesday.
Huddlestun has called the $47 million upfront cash “record-breaking.”
“Hobart secured the largest publicly known upfront cash payment ever for a private development on private land in the country. The developer (Amazon) will pay $47 million in community enhancement payments. These dollars are not part of the levy and not part of any TIF (Tax Increment Finance) district. They go straight to the city and can be used to serve the whole community,” Huddlestun said.
Because of this agreement, Hobart does not have to raise its income tax and that means the city can fix roads, improve drainage, invest in parks, invest in its youth, and keep public safety departments strong without putting more pressure on residents, he said.
Huddlestun said the cash is crucial to the city in part because of Senate Enrolled Act 1, the state law that cut property taxes.
“Those cuts will significantly reduce revenue for cities across Indiana. We prepared early because we did not want to lay off employees or cut the services you depend on,” he said.
Deborah Laverty is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
Purdue commit Zach Stewart makes move as Marmion tops Mount Carmel. But it’s not defending. ‘Win another one.’
Marmion senior Zach Stewart doesn’t just know how to shift gears. He revels in it.
The Purdue recruit is a two-time individual state finalist who understands how to change his perspective to fit the immediate interests of the Cadets and their bid to repeat as state champs.
“Before the individual state finals, there’s an expectation that you’re going to do well,” Stewart said. “If I were to lose now, it could affect my mindset heading into sectionals.
“You don’t want that doubt creeping in. I went out there and did it for the team and wherever they needed me. It wasn’t about me. It was about what was best for us.”
Stewart moved up two weight classes to 150 pounds Thursday night and posted a 12-4 major decision over Justin Williamson as the host Cadets rolled to a 46-23 win over Mount Carmel in the Class 3A Marmion Dual Team Sectional.
Marmion (13-3), the reigning 3A state champ, (13-3) will face Joliet Catholic in a 7 p.m. quarterfinal on Feb. 27 at Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington.
Marmion’s Zach Stewart, right, takes down Mount Carmel’s Justin Williamson during the 150-pound match of the Class 3A Marmion Dual Team Sectional in Aurora on Thursday, Feb. 4, 2026. (Troy Stolt / The Beacon-News)
Stewart captured the 138-pound championship last Saturday at East Aurora in leading a wave of 10 individual regional champions for the Cadets.
A team captain, Stewart uses his leadership as a stabilizing force for a deep and versatile roster, according to junior Preston Morrison, who won Catholic League and regional titles at 113.
“He’s so easy to work with,” Morrison said of Stewart. “Anything you need to ask him, he’s there for you. He’s had a big impact on my life. He’s always worked with me and showed me moves
“His win boosted everybody up in our entire lineup.”
Marmion’s Zach Stewart, right, takes down Mount Carmel’s Justin Williamson during the 150-pound match of the Class 3A Marmion Dual Team Sectional in Aurora on Thursday, Feb. 4, 2026. (Troy Stolt / The Beacon-News)
Senior heavyweight Joey Favia, an Air Force commit, confirmed that Stewart’s wiry elusiveness makes him imposing at any weight class.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen a kid move as easily as Zach does,” he said. “He has such an unusual skill set with his ducks and the way he moves people off the line.
“The way he gets into his offense is so special. I think his style is going to translate very well for us this season and at the next level in the Big Ten.”
Dual meets are frequently strategic chess matches where coaches move around their best pieces to optimize team strengths.
Marmion’s Zach Stewart, right, tangles up with Mount Carmel’s Justin Williamson during the 150-pound match of the Class 3A Marmion Dual Team Sectional in Aurora on Thursday, Feb. 4, 2026. (Troy Stolt / The Beacon-News)
Stewart is the top-ranked wrestler at 138 in 3A by the Illinois Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association. Williamson is No. 3 at 144.
Stewart nullified the size disadvantage with his speed and relentless style.
“Conditioning is my advantage,” he said. “I train every day. Even if I don’t score early, I know I’m going to break guys. They can’t keep that pace. Once they come to me, it’s over.
“At the end of the day, if you can’t do it for yourself, do it for someone else. That sends a message. There’s no better way to lead than by example.”
Marmion’s Zach Stewart, right, looks for an opening on Mount Carmel’s Justin Williamson during the 150-pound match of the Class 3A Marmion Dual Team Sectional in Aurora on Thursday, Feb. 4, 2026. (Troy Stolt / The Beacon-News)
Stewart has immediate experience with the difficulties of repeating.
After winning the state championship at 132 as a sophomore, Stewart was leading Fremd’s Evan Gosz in the 138-pound state final last season when he got caught on his back.
“That match was the first time in a month that I got scored on offensively,” he said. “I learned not to give up on positions too early. In the moment, it stung. You work so hard for that. But I’m not upset.
“Everything happens for a reason.”
An injury his freshman season derailed an opportunity to place at state and he also missed out on dual team state as the Cadets dropped a narrow decision in the final to St. Charles East.
“With team state, we’re not defending anything,” he said. “That’s the mindset. We’re not defending a title — we’re going to win another one. We’re going out to dominate even more than last year.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/06/zach-stewart-marmion-purdue-wrestling/
St. Charles seeking residents to serve on Senior Services Commission
St. Charles is reactivating its Senior Services Commission, an advisory body meant to support and advocate for city residents ages 60 and older, and they’re looking for residents to serve on it.
The city previously had a Senior Services Commission, but it was made inactive in 2007 and its activities formally suspended, according to a news release from the city. But the City Council ultimately opted to bring the commission back in December.
The purpose of the commission is to help coordinate resources that support area seniors in things like transportation, housing and social and physical well-being, according to city documents. The advisory body is to research senior-related issues, work with the city and with organizations and provide recommendations to improve services for senior citizens.
The commission will be made up of nine members appointed by Mayor Clint Hull, the city news release said.
“Our community is strongest when every resident is valued and supported,” Hull said in the release. “The Senior Services Commission will play a key role in developing a clear, coordinated approach to senior services in St. Charles, while ensuring the voices and experiences of older adults help inform and guide the city’s work.”
Now that the commission has been reinstated, the city is also accepting applications from residents looking to be part of it.
Adult St. Charles residents of all ages can apply by submitting an application form, letter of interest and resume to the Mayor’s Office at 2 E. Main St. in St. Charles, or via email to cityadmin@stcharlesil.gov, according to the news release.
Members of the commission will be unpaid volunteers, serving staggered three-year terms, per the city. The commission will meet at least four times a year.
Homicide of 43-year-old man reported in Hazel Crest
Stephon L. Smith, 43, was killed Tuesday in Hazel Crest, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.
Smith’s cause of death was listed as multiple gunshot wounds. The shooting occurred on the 3500 block of Maple Lane, where Smith lived.
Smith was pronounced dead at about 10:45 p.m. Tuesday, according to the report.
The Hazel Crest Police Department did not respond to requests for comment about the status of the investigation.
elewis@chicagotribune.com
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/06/homicide-hazel-crest-cook-county/
Afternoon Briefing: Illinois GOP urges early, mail voting despite Trump’s claims
Good afternoon, Chicago.
The head of the Illinois Republican Party is urging GOP primary voters to cast ballots early and vote by mail despite President Donald Trump’s baseless claims that those methods lead to election fraud and spurred his recent calls for elections to be nationalized.
The dichotomy between the state GOP’s efforts and the Republican president’s comments reflects the difficulties the Illinois political party faces as it struggles for votes — and relevance — in a state where Democrats dominate state government.
Here’s what else is happening today. And remember, for the latest breaking news in Chicago, visit chicagotribune.com/latest-headlines and sign up to get our alerts on all your devices.
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Marimar Martinez, who was shot five times by a U.S. Border Patrol agent in Chicago, testifies during a public forum on the violent use of force by Department of Homeland Security agents, at the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on Feb. 3, 2026, in Washington. (Aaron Schwartz/Getty)
Judge agrees to lift protective order, allow release of evidence in Marimar Martinez shooting
Saying the federal government has shown “zero concern” about ruining the reputation of a Chicago woman shot by a Border Patrol agent, a federal judge today agreed to lift a protective order and allow the release of body-camera footage and text messages from the agent who shot her. Read more here.
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West Chicago teacher resigns after being placed on leave for social media post supporting ICE
Jabs at Jesse Jackson Jr., Donna Miller as South Side Congress race heats up
Ronald Hicks, former bishop of Joliet and the next Catholic archbishop of New York, seeks ‘a church that builds bridges’
A customer walks down a winding stairway along a wall featuring women’s bras at the opening of the newest flagship location for Kim Kardashian’s Skims on Chicago’s Rush Street on Feb. 6, 2026. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)
Kim Kardashian’s Skims opens store in Chicago’s Gold Coast retail district
Kim Kardashian’s clothing boutique Skims opened a two-level flagship store today at the corner of Rush and Oak streets in Chicago’s Gold Coast neighborhood, bolstering an already-strong retail district. Read more here.
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Students remain uncertain about next steps 3 months before Trinity Christian College closure
Celtics’ Anfernee Simons shoots past the Bulls’ Kevin Huerter during the first half at the United Center on Jan. 24, 2026(Photo by Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images)
Who are the 7 new Chicago Bulls? Meet Jaden Ivey, Anfernee Simons and the rest of the deadline additions.
Jaden Ivey and Anfernee Simons are still catching their breath.
The pair of guards barely had time to stop their heads from spinning in the hours between their respective trades — Ivey from the Detroit Pistons, Simons from the Boston Celtics — as they caught up with their new team to make their Chicago Bulls debut last night against the Toronto Raptors. The turnaround afforded just enough time to practice with the team during shootaround in the morning and meet with coach Billy Donovan during the afternoon break. Read more here.
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3 fans. 60 Super Bowls. This might be their last time going to the big game.
US Olympic hockey history has been given an outsized boost from a tiny, proud Minnesota town
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Sudan Archives performs at Thalia Hall in Chicago on Feb. 5, 2026. Sudan Archives was the headline performer, accompanied by Cain Culto and Dreamer Isioma. (Josh Boland/Chicago Tribune)
Review: Sudan Archives delivers a blistering set at Thalia Hall
Sudan Archives came across as a one-woman wrecking crew yesterday at a sold-out Thalia Hall. On her first tour with production elements such as lighting and dry-ice fog, the singer and multi-instrumentalist secured her standing as one of the more exciting, innovative creatives on the contemporary scene. Read more here.
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Title character in ‘Marty Supreme’ film wears Elgin wristwatch
Former President Barack Obama talks with then President-elect Donald Trump as Melania Trump reads the funeral program before the state funeral for former President Jimmy Carter at Washington National Cathedral in Washington, Jan. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)
Trump’s racist post about Obamas is deleted after backlash despite White House earlier defending it
President Donald Trump’s social media post featuring former President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle Obama, as primates in a jungle was deleted after backlash from both Republicans and Democrats who criticized the video as racist. Read more here.
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Trump Says He’s Still Looking ‘Seriously’ At Sending $2,000 Tariff Rebate Payments
Trump Says He’s Still Looking ‘Seriously’ At Sending $2,000 Tariff Rebate Payments
Authored by Jack Phillips via The Epoch Times,
President Donald Trump has said in a recent interview that his administration is still considering sending out $2,000 payments to Americans derived from his tariffs.
During an interview with Trump on NBC News published on Feb. 4, host Tom Llamas noted that the president “floated the idea of $2,000 rebate checks for Americans from tariff revenue” and asked him, “Who’s going to get that and—when is that going to happen?”
Trump responded by saying that he is “looking at it very seriously” and that he is “the only one” who can issue such payments because his administration is “taking in hundreds of billions of dollars of money from tariffs.”
When pressed by Llamas on whether he would “promise some Americans” could get the payments, Trump said, “I can do that. I haven’t made the commitment yet, but I may make the commitment,” without elaborating.
The president then pivoted to saying that his administration provided a $1,776 dividend payment to members of the military in a move that was detailed by the IRS and the Pentagon last month.
Dividend payments derived from the administration’s sweeping tariff regime were floated by Trump in November 2025.
While some White House officials have said the $2,000 payments would need an act of Congress, Trump signaled last month he can unilaterally issue them.
He and others in the administration have indicated there would be limits on income and said that the payments would be sent to non-wealthy Americans.
“I don’t think we would have to go to the Congress, but we’ll find out,” Trump told reporters on Jan. 20, adding that “the reason we’re even talking about it is that we have so much money coming in from tariffs.”
But he added that with the tariffs, the administration “will be able to make a very substantial dividend to the people of our country.”
Last year, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Fox News’s “Sunday Morning Futures” that Congress would need to pass legislation before the payments could be sent, while National Economic Council head Kevin Hassett made a similar comment in November that legislation would be needed first.
Some Republican lawmakers have said they would be willing to support legislation to send tariff rebate checks to people. Among them is Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), who introduced a measure in 2025 that would send rebates to workers, although the payment appears to be lower—$600 per adult and $600 per dependent child, totaling $2,400 for a family of four—than the checks proposed by Trump.
Trump’s tariffs are still being considered by the U.S. Supreme Court, which has yet to issue a ruling on a lawsuit challenging the legality of the import taxes under the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act, or IEEPA. It’s not clear when the high court is slated to rule on the tariffs.
Tariffs could still be imposed by the administration, said Trump and Bessent, under different authorities. However, Trump has warned that imposing them would be more cumbersome and a slower process without using the 1977 law.
Last April, Trump imposed tariffs on nearly every country in the world and has argued that the United States has been victimized by other nations for decades on trade. In other instances, he’s said the tariffs can be used to end wars and to put pressure on countries that aren’t aligned with U.S. national security interests.
Democratic lawmakers have been critical of the tariff policies. During a contentious House hearing this week, Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) told Bessent that she believes the tariffs have increased “prices across the board,” including for housing and lumber, and claimed the administration has been “waging a war” against U.S. consumers.
Tyler Durden
Fri, 02/06/2026 – 15:00
Chicago Tribune names newsroom veteran as new managing editor
The Chicago Tribune named newsroom veteran Stacy St. Clair as the newspaper’s new managing editor Friday.
Stacy St. Clair has been named as the Chicago Tribune’s new managing editor.
St. Clair, 53, will start her new job Monday. St. Clair has worked at the Tribune since 2007 and most recently served as a senior content editor.
“Stacy has proven herself both as a reporter and editor to be an exceptional leader and journalist,” said Tribune Executive Editor Mitch Pugh in an email. “She’s quite simply a natural. But we are also blessed that she will be surrounded by an equally capable and experienced team of senior editors. I am confident this team can lead the Tribune into a future that will continue to serve our readers well.”
St. Clair replaces Phil Jurik, 65, who is stepping into a new role as an enterprise editor and writing coach at the Tribune after serving as managing editor for the last three years.
St. Clair said Friday she’s excited to take on the job.
“It’s clear that our industry across the board is facing real challenges, but I believe deeply in the team we have at the Tribune, and in the importance of the work we do,” St. Clair said. “I think that we are essential to the Chicago area and to having an informed and engaged society, and I think we will continue to provide that service for many, many, many years to come.”
During her time at the Tribune, St. Clair has been behind many of the Tribune’s most prominent stories. This past year, she was one of four editors who led the newspaper’s coverage of Operation Midway Blitz.
Before becoming an editor in December 2024, she covered the trials of Jason Van Dyke and Kyle Rittenhouse and was part of the team that covered the trial of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich. She also reported on the COVID-19 pandemic and unrest following the murder of George Floyd.
St. Clair has covered five Olympic Games over her career. She was also part of major investigations, such as those into the College of DuPage and admissions at the University of Illinois.
Before joining the Tribune, she worked at the Daily Herald for nearly 12 years. She graduated from the University of Missouri at Columbia and graduated from high school in the Washington, D.C., area.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/06/tribune-managing-editor/
Pro Football Hall of Fame will consider changes after Bill Belichick’s omission sparks outrage
The Pro Football Hall of Fame will consider making changes to the voting panel and process of choosing Hall of Famers following a year when Bill Belichick’s omission from the 2026 class generated outrage.
Hall of Fame President Jim Porter said in an interview Thursday night after the five-player class was announced that several possible tweaks could be made, adding that those changes aren’t specific to Belichick’s perceived snub.
But Porter seemed less inclined to alter a recent rule change that grouped coaches and contributors with old-time players that played a role in Belichick missing out despite winning a record six Super Bowls as a head coach.
Porter said the Hall plans to return to in-person voting and discussion for the 50-member committee after moving to a virtual meeting room following the COVID pandemic. He also said the vote likely will happen closer to the annual reveal at NFL Honors to reduce the chances of leaks and said the Hall would consider releasing vote totals and individual ballots in the future but won’t do it for this year’s class.
Column: As outrage over Bill Belichick’s Hall of Fame snub continues, the plot thickens
Porter said the Hall also will look at replacing any voters who might have violated the rules either by publicly discussing the off-record debate about the candidates or by not voting for the “most deserving” candidates in each category.
“I’m not here to tell them who the most deserving is,” Porter said. “If the Hall was to tell who the most deserving is, we wouldn’t need them to vote. We understand that. We just want the rules followed.”
Voter Vahe Gregorian of the Kansas City Star wrote a column explaining his reasoning for choosing seniors players Ken Anderson, Roger Craig and L.C. Greenwood instead of Belichick, even though he believed Belichick shouldn’t have had to wait for induction.
“In the end, though, I felt more compelled by what I perceive to be last chances and looming lost causes within the system as we have it — a system I hope the Hall will see fit to change now,” Gregorian wrote.
But Porter said picking seniors players over a coach because the players might not be guaranteed another chance as a finalist was not allowed.
“That’s not an option,” Porter said. “You have to pick the most deserving. Those are the instructions that were read four times.”
Some voters have expressed frustration over rule changes put in place last year that grouped players in the seniors category who have been retired for at least 25 years with coaches and contributors. The new rules also made it harder for anyone to reach the 80% threshold.
In this year’s vote, Belichick and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft were grouped with the three seniors players. Instead of an up-or-down vote on each candidate, voters got to choose three of the five with the leading vote-getter and anyone else above 80% getting into the Hall. Craig was the only one of the five to get in this year after Sterling Sharpe was the lone one last year with coach Mike Holmgren not getting enough support.
This is the third straight year no coach got the honor, leading to calls from some people — including voters — to separate coaches and contributors from the seniors.
Porter didn’t seem inclined to change that process, saying that for more than 50 years coaches and contributors were grouped with players before changes about 10 years ago.
“The question is, what changed?” Porter asked. “What was it that the selectors could do that for the 50-some years but now can’t. They could get the right person in that didn’t require a category.
“I don’t know. We’ll find it out. We’ll talk to a lot of people. .. But there’s a responsibility there. The responsibility is to pick the most deserving. They got down to where that number was. So my question is, is everybody picking the most deserving?”
This was also the second straight year with fewer than five modern-era candidates getting in after a rule change. Instead of an up-or-down vote on five players, seven made it to the final stage with voters allowed to pick five. The top three and anyone else above 80% gets into the Hall.
Last year only three players reached that threshold, and there were four this year: Drew Brees, Larry Fitzgerald, Luke Kuechly and Adam Vinatieri. Willie Anderson, Terrell Suggs and Marshal Yanda fell short and will automatically be in the final 15 next year.
After 12 straight years of at least seven people getting inducted, there have been only four and five the last two years.
“The number got really high,” Porter said.
Porter said he hopes shortening the time between the vote and announcement — it was more than three weeks this year — will reduce leaks, but he still wants enough time for the tradition of Hall of Famers delivering the news in person to the new class in what is known as “The Knock.”
He is open to changes overall but doesn’t see the need for an overhaul of the process.
“We’ll do some tweaks and we’ll take a look,” he said. “We’re going to do what’s best for the Hall of Fame. My job is to protect the integrity of the Hall, protect the integrity of the process.”
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/06/pro-football-hall-of-fame-changes/
