Category: News
Uncharted Territory: US & Russia Now Have No Limits On Nuclear Weapons
Uncharted Territory: US & Russia Now Have No Limits On Nuclear Weapons
On Thursday the world woke up entering uncharted territory as the US-Russia New START Nuclear Treaty has expired without renewal. The pact’s last active day was February 4.
While there’s yet hope that a comparable replacement could soon be forged between the globe’s largest nuclear-armed powers and rivals, there are no current intensive talks happening on this front which have a ‘legal’ status related to international arms control.
Russian state media on Thursday has issued confirmation the last remaining nuclear arms pact between Washington and Moscow has ceased. According to statements in TASS:
The final day of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) falls on February 4, 2026. The United States has not responded to a proposal made by Russian President Vladimir Putin in September 2025 to continue observing the treaty’s quantitative limits on warheads and their delivery systems for one more year after its expiration.
The document itself does not provide for another formal extension, as was done in 2021. As a result, beginning on February 5, if no reaction comes from Washington, the last bilateral agreement regulating US-Russia relations in the sphere of strategic stability will become history, Vedomosti writes.
However, Axios on Thursday has for the first time revealed secretive, behind-the-scene last ditch diplomatic efforts to reach at least a tentative understanding, writing that “the and Russia are closing in on a deal to continue to observe the expiring New START arms control treaty beyond its expiration on Thursday, three sources familiar with those talks tell Axios.”
Already, President Putin and Russian officials have expressed frustration that the Trump administration didn’t seize upon an earlier Kremlin offer to extend the treaty by one year while a longer agreement is worked out.
But a US official has told Axios, “We agreed with Russia to operate in good faith and to start a discussion about ways it could be updated.”
“Two of the sources cautioned that the draft plan still needed approval from both presidents,” the report continues. “An additional source confirmed that negotiations had been taking place over the past 24 hours in Abu Dhabi, but not that an agreement had been reached.”
For now, the sides have an informal understanding to observe New START’s terms for another six months. But there’s nothing stopping either side at this point from ramping up nuclear expansion.
Meanwhile, a Wednesday statement by Secretary of State Marco Rubio gives insight into why the White House has let New START expire: “Obviously, the president’s been clear in the past that in order to have true arms control in the 21st century, it’s impossible to do something that doesn’t include China because of their vast and rapidly growing stockpile.”
This has been a longtime complaint of Trump’s, which goes all the way back to his first administration, when similar complaints about the existent framework for arms control were issued.
He said much the same in a fresh Thursday Truth Social post…
Tyler Durden
Thu, 02/05/2026 – 18:00
Lookman anota en su debut y el Atlético de Madrid vence a Real Betis en la Copa del Rey
Por TALES AZZONI
MADRID (AP) — Ademola Lookman anotó en su debut con el Atlético de Madrid en la goleada el jueves 5-0 sobre el Real Betis que envió al equipo de Diego Simeone a las semifinales de la Copa del Rey.
David Hancko, Giuliano Simeone, Antoine Griezmann y Thiago Almada también marcaron para el Atlético, que avanzó a la penúltima instancia por tercera temporada consecutiva.
El Atlético intentará alcanzar su primera final de Copa desde que ganó la competición por última vez en la temporada 2012-13.
El sorteo para las semifinales —que también incluye a Barcelona, Athletic Bilbao y Real Sociedad— será el viernes.
Hancko abrió el marcador para los visitantes a los 12 minutos y Giuliano Simeone aumentó la ventaja al 30 antes de que Lookman consiguiera su primer gol para el Atlético en un contragolpe al 37. Griezmann anotó el cuarto al 62 y Almada cerró el marcador al 83.
Lookman fue fichado desde el Atalanta cerca del final del mercado de transferencias de invierno. El delantero nigeriano de 28 años había solicitado salir del Atalanta citando promesas incumplidas y mal trato.
El Atlético y el Betis se enfrentarán nuevamente el domingo en la liga española, pero ahora el Atlético será anfitrión. Lo colchoneros son terceros en la liga, con el Betis en quinto lugar pero diez puntos detrás del Atlético.
Iñaki Williams anotó en el sexto minuto del tiempo de descuento el miércoles para que el Athletic Bilbao superara 2-1 al Valencia para alcanzar su sexta semifinal de Copa en siete temporadas, mientras que su rival del País Vasco, la Real Sociedad, llegó a los últimos cuatro por tercera temporada consecutiva al ganar 3-2 en Alavés.
El martes, el Barcelona venció 2-1 al Albacete de segunda división. El Albacete había eliminado al Real Madrid en los octavos de final.
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Deportes AP: https://apnews.com/hub/deportes
Leftists Put Hits Out On Nick Shirley After He Exposed Massive Somali Fraud In Minnesota
Leftists Put Hits Out On Nick Shirley After He Exposed Massive Somali Fraud In Minnesota
Authored by Steve Watson via Modernity.news,
Nick Shirley, the YouTuber who went viral for exposing alleged Somali-run daycare fraud in Minnesota, has revealed that leftists have put out hits on his life.
In a shocking update, Shirley’s security team informed him he was the “number one man” targeted, forcing him to switch hotels amid fears for his and his family’s safety. This comes after his investigative video highlighted millions in taxpayer funds vanishing into ghost daycares with no children in sight.
Shirley detailed the terrifying backlash in a recent appearance, saying people have sent him photos of bodies in ditches with captions like “that’s going to be you” and openly telling him to “k**l yourself.”
? HOLY CRAP. Nick Shirley reveals his security informed him the left put out HITS against his life — simply because he exposed fraud
Keep him safe at ALL COSTS.
“People have sent me photos of people on ditches saying ‘that’s going to be you’ and people have openly said that… pic.twitter.com/0VzLurMtiG
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) February 5, 2026
“Now I am getting a little more fearful for what’s happening in my life and what’s happening with life in my family, as you’ve seen not only attacks from like the mainstream media, but more so attacks from just people on the internet saying those things about you and your life,” Shirley stated.
He recounted the hotel incident: “Our second day at the hotel they said that we needed to move hotels because it was our word was out as to where we were staying.”
“And we were told by the security that Nick was the number one man, like they had a hit on me and was what they said,” he added. “So it was very frightening, it was very frightening.”
This escalation follows previous threats where Shirley was warned he’d be “Kirked,” a chilling reference to the assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk. As we previously reported, Shirley faced doxxing, family harassment, and physical confrontations after his initial video.
The wider scandal has prompted federal action. Federal agents are probing fraud allegations targeting Somali child care providers in Minnesota, with the Trump administration dispatching officers amid concerns over misappropriated funds exceeding $100 million.
A recent Senate Judiciary Committee hearing titled “Somali Scammers: Fighting Fraud” featured testimony on the investigation, including bizarre misspellings like “Learing Center” that raised red flags.
Shirley has since hired 24/7 security, noting in interviews that his life has changed dramatically. “Your house gets doxxed, people try hacking your social media accounts, people start calling your family members, and you have to go everywhere with 24/7 security,” he told Fox News. He lamented the hatred pouring in despite performing a “giant public service” by exposing the fraud.
On the flip side, Somali child care providers have reported a spike in harassment and vandalism following the viral video, with unions warning of “internet vigilantes.”
Yet Shirley’s work underscores a deeper issue: unchecked immigration and lax oversight allowing billions in taxpayer dollars to fuel fraud under Democrat governance in Minnesota. With Governor Tim Walz’s administration in the crosshairs, this saga highlights the urgent need for America First policies to protect hard-earned money from being siphoned off.
Shirley’s courage in the face of mortal danger exemplifies the fight against corruption. As threats mount, it’s clear the left will stop at nothing to silence those who dare expose their failures. Protecting whistleblowers like him is essential to reclaiming the nation from fraud and chaos.
Your support is crucial in helping us defeat mass censorship. Please consider donating via Locals or check out our unique merch. Follow us on X @ModernityNews.
Tyler Durden
Thu, 02/05/2026 – 17:40
Lake County Health Department reorganizing, adjusting salaries
The Lake County Health Department will seek approval Tuesday from the Lake County Council to adjust employee salaries, within budget, as the department undergoes a reorganization.
Lake County Health Officer Dr. Chandana Vavilala said the health department has been considered “the bottom of the totem pole” by the Indiana Department of Health.
“My goal is to bring it up. I want every county, including Indianapolis Health Department, to be able to look at Lake County and say, ‘This is what we can do.’ However, I need your help to support our staff.”
The department has requested that the council approve an adjustment of salary and benefits for staff, which would total about $131,000, Vavilala said. The employees deserve the salary increase because many employees are doing additional work beyond the scope of their position, she said.
Through the reorganization, the department has been able to save $130,000 while securing a sustainable revenue growth of about $700,000, Vavilala said.
The department was able to save about $131,000 by utilizing cost-effective vendors, applying for grants, redistributing workloads, and eliminating full- and part-time positions, according to a one-sheet informational page about the reorganization from the department.
Further, the department was able to create sustainable revenue growth by expanding insurance billing for medical services, updating the fee ordinance and grants, according to the department.
The department plans to limit the number of positions by cross-training staff and expand the scope of work, do more with fewer resources while maintaining quality service levels, and attract and maintain a workforce that meets community needs, according to the department.
No employees will be let go at this time, said Health Department Administrator Sheila Paul.
“Is this going to be sustainable? Yes. We can make it happen. We’re making it happen already,” Vavilala said.
Councilman David Hamm, D-1st, said he supports the reorganization because of the way the department officials have communicated the plan with the councilmembers.
The reorganization of employees occurs amid the county seeing a $9 million decrease in Health First Indiana funding between 2025 — when the county received approximately $11.6 million from the state — and 2026 — when the county will receive approximately $2.5 million from the state.
Councilman Randy Niemeyer, R-7th, said the reorganization aims to sustain programming with an anticipated $2.5 million in Health First Indiana funding – which will likely be higher than that – while budgeting with cash balance, revenue streams and tax levy funds.
“Obviously, if we get more in HFI, you can invest more in some programs. If we’re just at that baseline of $2.5 million a year plus a little bit of growth internally, you have a really good model for the next 10 years that will help achieve those departmental goals,” Niemeyer said.
akukulka@post-trib.com
Nueva flotilla civil integrada por más de 100 embarcaciones partirá rumbo a Gaza en marzo
Por MOGOMOTSI MAGOME
JOHANNESBURGO (AP) — Una flotilla internacional integrada por más de 100 embarcaciones partirá en marzo para llevar ayuda humanitaria a Gaza, informaron el jueves los organizadores de la misión.
Los activistas, que organizaron una flotilla similar de ayuda el año pasado, describieron la próxima misión como la mayor movilización civil contra las acciones de Israel en Gaza. Hicieron un llamado a la comunidad internacional para que impida que las fuerzas israelíes intercepten la operación.
El anuncio se llevó a cabo en la Fundación Nelson Mandela en Sudáfrica y entre los oradores estuvo Mandla Mandela, nieto del fallecido expresidente sudafricano.
Naciones Unidas dio a conocer que se cientos de miles de palés con suministros humanitarios han sido descargados y recolectados en varios cruces fronterizos hacia Gaza desde que se anunció un alto el fuego en octubre pasado.
Pero Israel ha prohibido la operación de más de una veintena de organizaciones humanitarias en la Franja de Gaza por incumplimientos de las nuevas reglas de registro, por lo que los más de dos millones de palestinos que viven en el territorio aún enfrentan una crisis humanitaria.
Mandela formó parte de la flotilla que partió rumbo a Gaza el año pasado y fue detenido junto con otros activistas cuando su embarcación fue interceptada por fuerzas israelíes antes de que pudieran llegar a las costas del territorio.
Según los organizadores, más de 1.000 activistas –incluidos médicos, investigadores de crímenes de guerra e ingenieros– formarán parte de la nueva flotilla. La misión será respaldada por una caravana en tierra que se tiene previsto que atraiga a miles de activistas adicionales en países como Túnez y Egipto.
Se tiene previsto que los barcos zarpen rumbo a Gaza desde España, Túnez e Italia.
“Esta vez esperamos que cientos y miles se inscriban y movilicen el ingreso a través de Egipto, a través de Líbano, a través de Jordania y cualquier otra frontera que sea factible para que podamos ingresar a la Palestina ocupada y Gaza”, declaró Mandela. “Queremos movilizar a toda la comunidad global para que una fuerzas con nosotros”.
Los activistas señalaron que están conscientes de que podrían encontrarse con fuerzas israelíes, pero que cuentan con las protecciones del derecho internacional.
“En su fallo provisional en el caso que presentó Sudáfrica contra el Estado genocida de Israel, la Corte Internacional de Justicia establece muy claramente que Israel o cualquier otra nación tiene prohibido obstaculizar cualquier tipo de misión humanitaria que se dirija a Gaza”, señaló Thiago Avila, un activista brasileño que forma parte del comité directivo.
Mandela destacó que decidieron realizar la conferencia en la Fundación Nelson Mandela para resaltar el apoyo de Nelson Mandela a la causa palestina. También aplaudieron a la decisión de la nación africana de expulsar al vice embajador de Israel en Sudáfrica.
La misión del año pasado estuvo conformada por alrededor de 50 embarcaciones y 500 activistas. Según los organizadores, los buques israelíes se acercaron a las embarcaciones mientras navegaban en aguas internacionales, rociando a algunas de ellas con cañones de agua.
Alrededor de 443 participantes fueron detenidos, incluidos Mandela, la activista Greta Thunberg y Rima Hassan, integrante del Parlamento Europeo.
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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.
Lincolnwood man, 84, struck and killed by vehicle near Village Crossing shopping strip in Niles
Niles police continue to investigate after an elderly man from Lincolnwood was fatally struck by a vehicle Tuesday morning during rush hour.
According to information on the Niles Police Department Facebook page, emergency responders were called to the 5600 block of Touhy Avenue around 6:30 a.m. Tuesday on a call of a pedestrian struck by a vehicle.
The person was later identified by the Cook County medical examiner’s office as Chang Kim, 84, of the 7100 block of North Crawford Avenue in Lincolnwood. Kim lived about two miles from the scene of the incident.
Niles police Deputy Chief Thomas Fragassi told Pioneer Press that Kim Niles attempted to cross the street outside of the designated cross walks and not at an intersection with pedestrian crossing signals.
“He was east of the intersection attempting to cross the roadway,” said Fragassi.
It was not immediately clear why Kim was crossing the street in that manner.
The address of the incident is near the intersection of Touhy and Lehigh avenues, at the Village Crossing shopping strip. The busy area includes several restaurants, Jewel-Osco grocery store and AMC Village Crossing 18 movie theater.
The east- and westbound lanes of Touhy Avenue were closed Tuesday morning between Central and Lehigh avenues as authorities addressed the collision.
Fragassi said the driver of the vehicle remained at the scene and is cooperating with police. The deputy chief said neither alcohol nor any other intoxicating substance has been identified as a factor in this case.
Further, he said, the drive has not been cited.
Though the medical examiner identified Kim, the cause and manner of death is pending following the autopsy. A spokesperson for the office told Pioneer Press those rulings are pending final traffic reports.
Government lawyer yanked from immigration detail in Minnesota after telling judge ‘this job sucks’
WASHINGTON — A government lawyer who told a judge that her job “sucks” during a court hearing stemming from the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement surge in Minnesota has been removed from her Justice Department post, according to a person familiar with the matter.
Julie Le had been working for the Justice Department on a detail, but the U.S. attorney in Minnesota ended her assignment after her comments in court on Tuesday, the person said. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss a personnel matter. She had been working for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement before the temporary assignment.
At a hearing Tuesday in St. Paul, Minnesota, for several immigration cases, Le told U.S. District Judge Jerry Blackwell that she wishes he could hold her in contempt of court “so that I can have a full 24 hours of sleep.”
“What do you want me to do? The system sucks. This job sucks. And I am trying every breath that I have so that I can get you what you need,” Le said, according to a transcript.
Le’s extraordinary remarks reflect the intense strain that has been placed on the federal court system since President Donald Trump returned to the White House a year ago with a promise to carry out mass deportations. ICE officials have said the surge in Minnesota has become its largest-ever immigration operation since ramping up in early January.
Several prosecutors have left the U.S. Attorney’s office in Minnesota amid frustration with the immigration enforcement surge and the Justice Department’s response to fatal shootings of two civilians by federal agents. Le was assigned at least 88 cases in less than a month, according to online court records.
Blackwell told Le that the volume of cases isn’t an excuse for disregarding court orders. He expressed concern that people arrested in immigration enforcement operations are routinely jailed for days after judges have ordered their release from custody.
“And I hear the concerns about all the energy that this is causing the DOJ to expend, but, with respect, some of it is of your own making by not complying with orders,” the judge told Le.
Le said she was working for the Department of Homeland Security as an ICE attorney in immigration court before she “stupidly” volunteered to work the detail in Minnesota. Le told the judge that she wasn’t properly trained for the assignment. She said she wanted to resign from the job but couldn’t get a replacement.
“Fixing a system, a broken system, I don’t have a magic button to do it. I don’t have the power or the voice to do it,” she said.
Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said Le was a probationary attorney.
“This conduct is unprofessional and unbecoming of an ICE attorney in abandoning her obligation to act with commitment, dedication, and zeal to the interests of the United States Government,” McLaughlin said in a statement.
Le and the U.S. Attorney’s office in Minnesota didn’t immediately respond to emails seeking comment.
Kira Kelley, an attorney who represented two petitioners at the hearing, said the flood of immigration petitions is necessary because “so many people being detained without any semblance of a lawful basis.”
“And there’s no indication here that any new systems or bolded e-mails or any instructions to ICE are going to fix any of this,” she added.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/05/justice-department-lawyer-removed/
Six-Month Low In Coffee Futs Signals Potential Relief After Beans On Amazon Surge
Six-Month Low In Coffee Futs Signals Potential Relief After Beans On Amazon Surge
Tracking a single brand of dark-roast arabica beans on Amazon via the price-tracking website CamelCamelCamel shows that a 2.2-pound bag has nearly doubled in price since August.
For American consumers, paying roughly twice as much for the same bag of coffee beans in just six months is a price shock, even if it is still cheaper than visiting Starbucks daily.
There may finally be some relief in sight. Arabica coffee futures have fallen to a six-month low, raising some hopes that bean prices may have topped out for now.
The most-active New York contract slid to a six-month low on Thursday, falling as much as 2.3% to about $3.10 a pound.
Bloomberg reports this decline was driven by a sharp rebound in exchange inventories, with coffee deliveries doubling over the past two weeks. That restocking has eased fears over near-term supply tightness that previously sent prices surging to nearly $4.5 a pound in 2025.
There is more good news: Favorable weather in Brazil, the world’s top coffee exporter, suggests more supply is near for the next harvest season.
Analysts at investment bank Itaú BBA told clients that traders are closely monitoring weather conditions in Brazil, where forecasts for continued, crop-friendly rains could further improve supply outlooks. If those rains materialize, speculative traders may further unwind bullish positions, adding to the downward pressure on coffee futures.
Tyler Durden
Thu, 02/05/2026 – 17:20
Of Notoriety: Buddy Holly tribute, VU dance and ‘Wait Until Dark’ among February ticket takes
Tuesday marked the 65th anniversary of “the day the music died.” In the early morning hours in 1959, a small airplane carrying early rock pioneers Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper and Richie Valens crashed in a frozen Iowa cornfield, killing all on board. Hobart Art Theatre has a special tribute weekend concert for audiences celebrating the impact Buddy Holly had on popular music around the globe during his short life and his enduring legacy. Kenny James recreates Holly’s incredible catalog of songs, along with some historical commentary about the man and his music. Doors open at 6 p.m. at the stage space at 230 Main St. in Hobart and the show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets, which range from $20 to $175 VIP seats, are on sale at the Hobart Art Theatre Box Office, online at www.Brickartlive.com or call 219-942-1670.
Darkness descends
The stage thriller “Wait Until Dark” is a suspense melodrama prompting the audience to wonder what will happen next as written by Frederick Knott and detailing husband and wife Sam and Susan, a couple living in Greenwich Village in the 1960s. Opening this week at Footlight Players at 1705 Franklin St. in Michigan City, it follows Susan, who is blind, but knows her way around the apartment to live independently while her husband is away for business travels. The play’s thriller twists and turns begin after Susan discovers that a doll, gifted to her after Sam’s most recent trip, has secretly been stuffed with a valuable bag of drugs, unbeknownst to her husband. When three murderous thugs attempt to reclaim the contraband from Susan, a nightmarish scenario unfolds during the two-hour stage story.
The play premiered on Broadway in 1966 and the following year, the story was brought to movie screens by Warner Bros. and backed by a score by Henry Mancini, starring Audrey Hepburn. This run directed by Tom Olsen through Feb. 15, and tickets are $12 for youth and $17 for adults by calling 219-874-4035 or www.footlightplayers.org.
Valparaiso University’s Department of Theatre’s annual dance ensemble celebrates the students’ love for the art of dance with a two-hour demonstration of student talent Feb. 6-8, with the theme “Finding Free” presented by Playact Theatre. (Photo courtesy of VU Center for the Arts)
Stepping it up
Clever and unique themes are blended with music and combined with the innovative choreography for the Valparaiso University Dance Ensemble. Valparaiso University’s Department of Theatre annually schedules the dance ensemble performance around Valentine’s Day as a way to celebrate the students’ love for the art of dance. The 2026 two-hour demonstration of student talent is Feb. 6-8 with the theme “Finding Free” presented by Playact Theatre and highlighting a range of dance, including ballet, ballroom, tap, jazz, hip hop, musical theatre and contemporary. Directed by Salena Elish and hosted inside the VU University theatre space at the Center for the Arts. Performance times are 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, with 2 p.m. matinees Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $20 general admission by calling 219-0464-5162.
Maestro Kirk Muspratt, continuing as musical director and conductor of the Northwest Indiana Symphony through 2026, is presenting an afternoon of stories and career highlights Feb. 15 for Sunday afternoon audiences at The Center for Visual and Performing Arts. (Photo courtesy of Kirk Muspratt)
Telling it all
Orchestra conductors have seen and heard much in their careers while perched and presiding over row after row of musicians. Maestro Kirk Muspratt is celebrating a quarter of a century guiding the NWI Orchestra with a special afternoon event at 2:30 p.m. Feb. 15 at the Center for Visual and Performing Arts, sharing stories and highlights of his illustrious life behind the baton. Muspratt, 71, is a native of Crowsnest Pass, Canada, and became an American citizen in 2010. Beginning in Gary, Indiana on Dec. 7, 1941, the Northwest Indiana Symphony has a history with many guest performers over the years, including Benny Goodman, Van Cliburn, Dizzy Gillespie, Itzhak Perlman, Doc Severinsen and the Tonight Show Band, The Smothers Brothers, Billy Gilman, Rachel Barton Pine, Carol Lawrence and Shirley Jones. The Symphony is celebrating its 84th season, and a meet and greet with the Maestro will follow the 90-minute presentation. Tickets are $30 for adults and students are $10 by calling 219-836-0525 or www.nisorchestra.org.
Philip Potempa is a journalist, published author and weekly radio show host on WJOB 1230 AM. He can be reached at PhilPotempa@gmail.com.
First Fridays event in downtown Aurora begins again on Feb. 6, now under new management
The monthly event in downtown Aurora known as First Fridays is returning on the evening of Feb. 6 — and again, a new group has taken over its management.
First Fridays are held on the first Friday of nearly every month to encourage foot traffic in downtown through events and specials at local businesses. A city news release announcing the upcoming event called it a “free, community-wide open house” with art, music, shopping, history and hands-on experiences.
This month’s First Fridays event will feature 39 participating businesses and organizations, each offering live music, on-site artists, deals or specials. Examples include a free concert by Jack Mack at The Venue, a local artist showcase and a “Make a Card for Someone You Love” station at Yellow Bird Books, dueling pianos at Aurora Tap House, free St. Valentine photo sessions at IDT Photo and the Mercado Market at Society 57, among many other offerings.
A full list, including a map, can be found online at: auroradowntown.org/firstfridays
Last year, the management of First Fridays was taken over by the Aurora Regional Economic Alliance. This came after the former organizing group, Aurora Downtown, joined with other economic development groups to create the Alliance earlier in the year.
But then later in the year, the city of Aurora started working towards the creation of a new organization to be similar to the former Aurora Downtown, which city officials said was based on feedback from downtown business and property owners. This month’s First Fridays is the first event organized by that new group, called the Aurora Downtown District.
The city’s press release announcing the return of First Fridays said the organization will support downtown through marketing, event planning, advocacy and placemaking efforts. Funds for the organization come from Special Service Area One, which is a special property taxing district within downtown.
First Fridays is held each month except January and July and always has offerings of live music, art and deals at various locations downtown.
rsmith@chicagotribune.com
