Category: News
Fundraising hauls show RNC vastly outpacing Democrats ahead of midterm elections
WASHINGTON — The Republican National Committee has vastly outpaced Democrats in the crush for cash ahead of the midterm elections, holding a nearly $100 million advantage at the close of 2025, according to year-end filings to the Federal Election Commission.
As Democrats have struggled in the Trump era, the RNC tallied $172 million raised in 2025, with $95 million cash on hand at year’s end. In contrast, the Democratic National Committee posted $145 million for the year, with $14 million on hand — and $17 million in debt, to start the new year underwater.
It’s all pointing to a turbulent election cycle ahead as President Donald Trump fights political headwinds that tend to brush back the party in power, in this case Republican control of the White House and both chambers of Congress, and reward challengers during the midterms.
In the campaigns for control of Congress, the total hauls are less stark. House Republicans posted one of their stronger years, raising $13 million in the last month of the year, to close with more than $117 million for the National Republican Congressional Committee, the main campaign arm. House Democrats trailed slightly at $115 million.
Both of the House committees started 2026 with about $50 million cash on hand, according to the filings, which were due to the FEC this weekend. A similar dynamic is playing out in the Senate.
House Speaker Mike Johnson said Sunday the GOP’s overall fundraising haul left him “bullish” on the party’s chances to not only hold onto their razor-thin majority in the House, but grow it with more members.
“We’re going to have a war chest to run on,” Johnson, R-La., said on “Fox News Sunday.”
To be sure, the fundraising totals reflect the 2025 calendar year, before the onslaught of actions and events that have scrambled the nation’s politics in the first month of the new year.
From the U.S. military attack on Venezuela to the shooting deaths of two Americans protesting the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement actions in Minneapolis, it’s not at all certain whether voters — and donors — will undergo lasting shifts in their attitudes toward the political parties.
“Momentum is on our side,” said Viet Shelton, a spokesman for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which supports the House Democrats.
He said the Republicans are “running scared” because the Democrats have better candidates and a better message for voters as the party tries to wrest back control of the House.
In the Senate, the National Republican Senatorial Committee raised $88 million in 2025, closing out the year with $19.3 million cash on hand. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee raised $79.8 million, but ended up slightly better with $21.7 million cash on hand.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/01/fundraising-hauls-rnc-midterm-elections/
The Grammys bring more celebrity pushback to the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown
Entertainment’s awards season has coincided with the Trump administration’s mass deportation campaign in Minneapolis, forcing artists to decide whether and how to join the growing cultural revolt against immigration crackdowns.
Those questions again surfaced Sunday as music’s biggest stars walked the red carpet at the Grammys. Activists spent the week pressing celebrities to don pins protesting the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement presence in cities, working with their teams to spread the message and circulating them at the many events leading up to the ceremony.
Organizers saw a stronger showing of support Sunday than at last month’s Golden Globes. Public backlash has grown since a Border Patrol officer shot and killed 37-year-old nurse Alex Pretti and federal agents detained 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos. The recent arrest of journalist Don Lemon only added to the outcry.
Plus, as one organizer noted, the Grammys tend to draw a less risk-averse crowd than Hollywood’s shows.
“These are folks who are known for six-stage shows, crazy costumes, being kind of rebellious, punk rock — like that’s the music industry. And so, I think it makes sense that we would see good support,” Maremoto Executive Director Jess Morales Rocketto said. “These pins are about so much more than a red carpet moment. It’s about people taking a stand and doing what they can to show up to say that ICE should be out of our communities.”
Earlier in the week, Mexican American singer Becky G had an explicit message for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on the nails she wore to the MusiCares Person of the Year gala.
Protest pins on the red carpet
Jason Isbell, Margo Price, Kehlani and Rhiannon Giddens were among the artists wearing protest apparel on the Grammys red carpet. Kehlani cursed ICE in her acceptance speech for best R&B performance.
Vernon, whose band Bon Iver is up for best alternative music album, said he wore a whistle to honor the legal observers who are documenting federal agents’ actions on the streets.
“I think there’s a reason that music exists and it’s to heal and to bring people together,” he told The Associated Press. “But the real work are those observers on the on the ground in Minneapolis. We just want to want to shout them out.”
At the Sundance Film Festival last week, several celebrities wore pins saying “ICE OUT” during their red carpet appearances, including Natalie Portman, Olivia Wilde and Zoey Deutch, who also wore a “BE GOOD” pin, referencing Renee Good, who was killed by an ICE officer last month.
Wilde told the AP that she was “horrified by this string of murders that we are somehow legitimizing and normalizing.”
“It’s really difficult to be here and to be celebrating something so joyous and beautiful and positive when we know what’s happening on the streets,” she added. “Americans are out on the streets marching and demanding justice, and we’re there with them. And if we can do anything with our platforms, you know, we can speak out and demand that ICE get out.”
Portman got emotional when asked about her “ICE OUT” pin at the premiere of her new film, “The Gallerist.”
“I’m so lucky to be here in a joyful, creative community celebrating a movie we’re really proud of. But it’s impossible to ignore what ICE is doing to our country. And I’m very inspired, though, by all of the amazing, amazing Americans who are coming out and supporting each other and being there in communities. It’s beautiful,” the actor said as she teared up.
Reasons celebrities may not speak out
As far as the Grammys go, Rocketto, the community organizer who founded the Latino advocacy group Maremoto, said it’s “kind of a crapshoot” as to which entertainers actually wear the pins.
She described a range of industry forces working against artists’ political expression. The show is broadcast by CBS, which was recently taken over by David Ellison — the son of billionaire Larry Ellison, a supporter of President Donald Trump. Objections could come from record companies, managers or corporate partners.
“Maybe the design house that did their fashion deal for the red carpet didn’t want them to literally poke holes in the dress,” she said. “There’s like a million reasons for people not to do it.”
Artists might also face personal dangers themselves. Morales Rocketto pointed to the Trump administration’s threats to place ICE agents at the upcoming Super Bowl halftime performance by Bad Bunny, “one of the most invincible” entertainers in her view.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if we see some Latino artists wearing them,” she said of the pins. “But the reality is that just because Latino artists are rich and famous, doesn’t mean that they are exempt from the lack of safety that permeates so many Latinos and Latino families. They themselves may be undocumented or only have a green card or have mixed status families.”
AP Film Writer Lindsey Bahr and AP journalist Brooke Lefferts contributed reporting from Park City, Utah.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/01/grammys-celebrity-pushback-trump-immigration-crackdown/
Celebridades en los Grammy critican política migratoria de Trump
Por JAMES POLLARD
La temporada de premios en los espectáculos ha coincidido con la campaña de deportación masiva de la administración Trump en Minneapolis, obligando a los artistas a decidir si se unen a la creciente revuelta cultural contra las medidas severas de inmigración y cómo hacerlo.
Estas interrogantes surgieron nuevamente el domingo cuando las mayores estrellas de la música caminaron por la alfombra roja en los Grammy. Los activistas pasaron la semana presionando a las celebridades para que usaran prendedores en protesta por la presencia del Servicio de Inmigración y Control de Aduanas de Estados Unidos en las ciudades, trabajando con sus equipos para difundir el mensaje y distribuyéndolos en los múltiples eventos previos a la ceremonia.
Los organizadores vieron un mayor apoyo el domingo que en los Globos de Oro del mes pasado. La reacción pública ha crecido desde que un oficial de la Patrulla Fronteriza disparó y mató al enfermero de 37 años Alex Pretti y agentes federales detuvieron al niño de 5 años Liam Conejo Ramos. El reciente arresto del periodista Don Lemon solo añadió más al clamor.
Además, como señaló un organizador, los Grammy tienden a atraer a un público menos adverso al riesgo que las ceremonias de Hollywood.
“Estas son personas conocidas por espectáculos de seis escenarios, disfraces locos, ser un poco rebeldes, punk rock — así es la industria de la música. Y por eso, creo que tiene sentido que veamos un buen apoyo”, dijo Jess Morales Rocketto, directora ejecutiva de Maremoto. “Estos pines son mucho más que un momento en la alfombra roja. Se trata de que la gente tome una posición y haga lo que pueda para presentarse y decir que ICE debería estar fuera de nuestras comunidades”.
A principios de la semana, la cantante mexicoestadounidnse Becky G tenía un mensaje explícito para el Servicio de Inmigración y Control de Aduanas de Estados Unidos en las uñas que llevaba al evento Persona del Año MusiCares.
Pines de protesta en la alfombra roja
Jason Isbell, Margo Price, Kehlani y Rhiannon Giddens fueron algunos de los artistas que llevaban ropa de protesta en la alfombra roja de los Grammy. Kehlani insultó al ICE en su discurso de aceptación por el premio a mejor interpretación de R&B.
Vernon, cuyo grupo Bon Iver está nominado al mejor álbum de música alternativa, dijo que llevaba un silbato para honrar a los observadores civiles que han documentado las acciones de los agentes federales en las calles.
“Creo que hay una razón por la que existe la música y es para sanar y unir a la gente”, dijo a The Associated Press. “Pero el verdadero trabajo lo hacen esos observadores en el terreno en Minneapolis. Solo queremos reconocerlos”.
En el Festival de Cine de Sundance la semana pasada, varias celebridades llevaban prendedores que decían “ICE OUT” (Fuera ICE) durante sus apariciones en la alfombra roja, incluyendo a Natalie Portman, Olivia Wilde y Zoey Deutch, quien también llevaba un pin que decía “BE GOOD”, en referencia a Renee Good, quien fue asesinada por un oficial de ICE el mes pasado.
Wilde dijo a la AP que estaba “horrorizada por esta serie de asesinatos que de alguna manera estamos legitimando y normalizando”.
“Es realmente difícil estar aquí y estar celebrando algo tan alegre, hermoso y positivo cuando sabemos lo que está sucediendo en las calles”, añadió. “Los estadounidenses están en las calles marchando y exigiendo justicia, y estamos con ellos. Y si podemos hacer algo con nuestras plataformas, ya sabes, podemos alzar la voz y exigir que ICE se retire”.
Portman se emocionó cuando le preguntaron sobre su pin de “ICE OUT” en el estreno de su nueva película, “The Gallerist”.
“Soy muy afortunada de estar aquí en una comunidad creativa y alegre celebrando una película de la que estamos realmente orgullosos. Pero es imposible ignorar lo que ICE está haciendo a nuestro país. Y estoy muy inspirada, sin embargo, por todos los increíbles, increíbles estadounidenses que están saliendo y apoyándose mutuamente y estando allí en las comunidades. Es hermoso”, dijo la actriz mientras se le llenaban los ojos de lágrimas.
Razones por las que las celebridades pueden no hablar
En cuanto a los Grammy, Rocketto, la organizadora comunitaria que fundó el grupo de defensa latino Maremoto, dijo que es “una especie de lotería” en cuanto a qué artistas realmente usan los prendedores.
Describió una serie de fuerzas de la industria que trabajan en contra de la expresión política de los artistas. El espectáculo es transmitido por CBS, que fue recientemente tomado por David Ellison — el hijo del multimillonario Larry Ellison, un partidario del presidente Donald Trump. Las objeciones podrían venir de las compañías discográficas, los gerentes o los socios corporativos.
“Tal vez la casa de diseño que hizo su trato de moda para la alfombra roja no quería que literalmente hicieran agujeros en el vestido”, dijo. “Hay como un millón de razones para que la gente no lo haga”.
Los artistas también podrían enfrentar peligros personales. Morales Rocketto señaló las amenazas de la administración Trump de colocar agentes de ICE en la próxima actuación de medio tiempo del Super Bowl de Bad Bunny, “uno de los artistas más invencibles” en su opinión.
“No me sorprendería si vemos a algunos artistas latinos llevándolos”, dijo sobre los pines. “Pero la realidad es que solo porque los artistas latinos sean ricos y famosos, no significa que estén exentos de la falta de seguridad que permea a tantos latinos y familias latinas. Ellos mismos pueden ser indocumentados o solo tener una tarjeta de residencia o tener familias de estatus mixto.”
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La escritora de cine de AP Lindsey Bahr y la periodista de AP Brooke Lefferts contribuyeron a este despacho desde Park City, Utah.
Puerto Rico logró un dramático triunfo sobre México Verde en el arranque de la Serie del Caribe
GUADALAJARA, México (AP) — Rubén Castro conectó un sencillo remolcador de dos carreras en el fondo de la novena entrada para darle la vuelta a la pizarra, y los Cangrejeros de Santurce, de Puerto Rico, vencieron 5-4 a los Tomateros de Culiacán, de México, en el partido inaugural de la Serie del Caribe 2026, disputado en el Estadio Panamericano de Guadalajara.
“No estaba pensando mucho, sólo estaba buscando un buen contacto para darle la victoria a Puerto Rico en este primer juego de la Serie. Aproveché una recta un poco afuera y alta, me puse un poco más corto y busqué pegarle a la banda opuesta, y afortunadamente salió el imparable”, comentó Castro tras la dramática victoria.
Luego de que el campeón de la Liga Venezolana de Béisbol Profesional declinara participar en el torneo después de que le retiraron la sede a Caracas, la Confederación de Béisbol Profesional del Caribe anunció que México competiría con dos equipos: los Charros de Jalisco, campeones de la Liga Mexicana del Pacífico, como México Rojo, y los Tomateros de Culiacán, subcampeones, como México Verde.
México tomó ventaja en la primera entrada con un sencillo productor de Rodolfo Amador y un elevado de sacrificio de Joey Meneses. Amplió la diferencia a 4-0 en el segundo episodio con un doble remolcador de Luis Verdugo y un sencillo de Román Alí Solís.
Puerto Rico respondió con un jonrón de dos carreras de Yohandy Morales en la cuarta entrada, y Rubén Castro impulsó la primera de sus tres carreras producidas con un rodado a la primera base en el séptimo episodio, que permitió anotar a Christian Vázquez desde la tercera.
En la novena, con Johneshwy Fargas y Jeremy Arocho en posición de anotar, Castro conectó el imparable que definió el encuentro.
“Nuestro abridor no pudo hacer su mejor trabajo hoy y eso nos hizo cambiar toda la estrategia. Pero tenemos un bullpen fuerte, capaz de resistir cualquier ofensiva, y pudieron controlar a Culiacán. Yo tengo determinación, convicción y confío en mi gente; aquí cada quien entiende su rol”, aseguró tras la victoria Omar López, manejador de Puerto Rico.
La jornada se completa por la noche con el duelo entre los Leones del Escogido, campeones de la Liga Dominicana de Béisbol, y los Charros de Jalisco, campeones de la Liga Mexicana del Pacífico. Panamá, equipo invitado, descansó en la primera jornada y debutará este lunes frente a los Charros.
How Easy Is It To Open A Daycare In Minnesota?
How Easy Is It To Open A Daycare In Minnesota?
Authored by Jacki Thrapp via The Epoch Times (emphasis ours),
Minnesota is facing heavy scrutiny after the Trump administration accused bad actors in the state of exploiting federal funds from child-focused programs for personal gain.
The Minneapolis skyline, on Jan. 11, 2026. John Fredricks/The Epoch Times
Attorney General Pam Bondi announced on Dec. 29, 2025, that 98 people—85 of Somali descent— were indicted in welfare fraud cases in the state.
Minnesota was home to the “largest COVID-19 fraud case” in America, as 78 defendants—72 of Somalian descent—were accused of pocketing $300 million to $400 million dollars of “Feeding Our Future” funds that were supposed to provide children free meals during the pandemic.
Abdiaziz Shafii Farah, the mastermind behind the “Feeding Our Future” scandal, was sentenced to 28 years in prison in August.
The Trump administration last month announced it would freeze $185 million in federal funds to Minnesota until the scandal-plagued state could prove that the money was being used properly.
Even though federal funds have temporarily dried up in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, prospective child care providers are still able to obtain child care licenses.
The Epoch Times investigated how to open a day care in Minnesota, with a focus on the Twin Cities, Minneapolis and Saint Paul, which have the highest concentration of Somali residents in the United States.
Licensing Applications
The State of Minnesota’s Department of Children, Youth, and Families manages licensing applications for child care centers and charges a nonrefundable fee of $500 to apply. Prospective small business owners can receive a license in approximately three to six months.
Aspiring providers have two routes to obtain a license: open a child care center or provide services at their own home.
An in-home day care license is hundreds of dollars cheaper and requires potential providers to go through their local county for a small fee. Some may even be eligible to receive a grant of $2,000 for startup costs.
Aspiring child care providers seeking licensure in Hennepin and Ramsey counties, which oversee applications in Minneapolis and St. Paul, have to pay a nonrefundable $50 application fee.
Before an application can be submitted, future business owners must first attend an orientation.
Ramsey County requires in-person orientation, which is offered once a month, whileHennepin County allows people to take a 30-minute online orientation and submit their application immediately. Hennepin County’s online orientation can be completed in four separate languages: Somali, Spanish, English and Hmong.
The orientation presentation explains the “many benefits” provided to licensed providers, including food programs, eligibility for loans and grants, and small business tax benefits.At the end of the orientation, the county provides an email address to request the six-page Family Child Care Application Form. The document, which is not available to download, asks a series of questions relating to the applicant, which will be used to help conduct a background check.
Background Check
Hennepin County charges $49.10 for a background check per provider.
The background check form requires applicants to list specific information about their living situation, such as who could be around children under their care, and add references.
The check does a deep dive into a person’s entire criminal record, which includes a juvenile record for people under the age of 28.
Additional checks include where the person has lived in the past five years and if they’ve received government benefits.
Training
Licensed providers must attend several hours of mandatory training before they are granted their license, according to requirements by the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families.
The mandatory training includes a six-hour course titled “Supervising for Safety for Family Child Care” and a four-hour course on child development and learning and behavior guidance. Other required training includes “Pediatric First Aid & Pediatric Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation,” “Reducing the Risk of Sudden Unexpected Infant Death,” “Reducing the Risk of Abusive Head Trauma,” and “Basic Education for Safe Travel” if transportation will be provided.
The classes are offered by the state and amount to $219 total, although some of the courses are free.
Additional adult caregivers must go through the same training, but people who identify as a “helper” are not required to do so.
Other courses are offered for providers who plan to take care of infants and children under school age.
Processing and Approval
The processing period can take up to half a year, depending on how many applications are going through the system and if an applicant makes mistakes on initial forms.
The Epoch Times contacted Hennepin County for information on how many applications were denied in 2025 and did not hear back by the time this report was published.
Once approved, the licensed provider attends a small group meeting on how to “prepare your home and begin your child care business,” including requirements for space, sleeping, equipment, and safety.
Grants
Minnesota offers training for providers seeking child care assistance funds and lets people apply through the state’s Provider Hub.
A licensed provider in Minnesota has access to the Provider Hub and is eligible to participate in the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), which uses federal funds to help low-income families pay for child care.
CCAP, which has 23,000 children enrolled in Minneapolis, uses federal money from the Child Care and Development Fund.
Child care providers apply for smaller grants, provided by the state, using the Child Care Aware Grants Program, which gives up to $1,000 for family child care and $2,500 to centers.
Applications for regional grants open once a year, but “soon-to-be licensed” providers can also apply for startup grants of up to $2,000 for family child care and $3,000 for child care centers.
Students from Little Scholars in New York City, on Dec. 11, 2025. Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images
Funding Freeze
Due to widespread fraud allegations in Minnesota, not all grants are available.
The Trump administration announced on Dec. 30, 2025, that it was freezing child care funding in all 50 states after Minnesota day care centers run by Somali residents became the epicenter of alleged fraud scandals.
The freeze impacts the Child Care and Development Fund, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, the Head Start program, and refugee assistance programs.
In 2025, the federal government provided nearly $2.4 billion to the Child Care and Development Fund, $7.35 billion to Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, and $869 million the Social Services Block Grant.
Minnesota received 7.7 percent ($184.9 million) of the money allocated to the Child Care and Development fund in 2025, according to data provided by the Office of the Administration for Children and Families.
The state received 3.5 percent ($262 million) of the funds from Temporary Assistance for Needy Families in 2025, according to the state’s budget.
“Funds will be released only when states prove they are being spent legitimately,” Health and Human Services (HHS) Deputy Secretary Jim O’Neill said during the announcement.
Controversies
Minnesota and its Somali population has received heavy criticism after allegations of widespread fraud surfaced in the state.
YouTuber Nick Shirley went viral after posting a video which featured a series of Somali-run day cares, seemingly empty, despite receiving federal funding.
The Epoch Times confirmed that Quality Learning Center, which was featured in Shirley’s video, closed shortly after a viral video showed its sign misspelled Learning as “Learing.”
The scandals led Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz to drop out of his bid for reelection on Jan. 5, even though he blamed the alleged fraud on “an organized group of criminals,” as opposed to the state’s oversight.
“Every minute I spend defending my own political interest would be a minute I can’t spend defending the people of Minnesota against the criminals who prey on our generosity and the cynics who prey on our differences,” Walz wrote in his announcement that ended his bid for a third term as governor.
Tyler Durden
Sun, 02/01/2026 – 17:30
https://www.zerohedge.com/political/how-easy-it-open-daycare-minnesota
Rising utility bills drive protest at NIPSCO Hammond office
James Harper, a resident of Hammond’s Hessville neighborhood, saw his electric and gas bill increase from about $168 to $400 in December. Since then, Harper’s learned that he’s not the only person with higher bills, and he’s worried about his neighbors.
“I live alone, and that bill is just for me,” Harper said. “I make $100,000 a year. … What about people who don’t make the money I do? They’ve got to be struggling.”
Hessville resident James Harper holds a sign as he participates in a protest against rising utility rates in front of the NIPSCO Hammond District Office Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026. (Kyle Telechan/for the Post-Tribune)
Harper was one of dozens of Northwest Indiana residents who protested high utility bills on Sunday, with most concerned with high gas delivery charges.
Kevin Mejia helped organize a protest of Northern Indiana Public Service Company, or NIPSCO, at its Hammond district office, 1313 167th St. In addition to Sunday’s protest, Mejia has planned one for Wednesday at NIPSCO’s corporate headquarters in Merrillville.
“I think people are really showing up because people are affected,” said Mejia, an East Chicago resident. “People are clearly out here for other people. It’s not just about themselves. They might be here for seniors or their neighbors, and I think that it’s really important that everybody stands up for what they believe in.”
Mejia hopes that NIPSCO listens to customers’ concerns and lowers the delivery charge and creates more emergency assistance options.
Protesters gather in front of the NIPSCO Hammond District Office to protest rising utility rates Sunday, Feb. 1. (Kyle Telechan/for the Post-Tribune)
“We just need more assistance to make bills more affordable,” he said. “We need more resources for the community, and make sure that we stop getting high delivery charges. I think that’s the main thing driving charges up.”
In June, NIPSCO received Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission approval to increase electric rates by 16.75%, according to the utility’s website, and residential customers were expected to see an increase of about $23 per month. The rate changes began in July, and the utility company previously said that rate changes would be phased in “to help ease the impact.”
In July, the Citizens Action Coalition found that statewide electric utility bills have increased by more than $28 per month, or 17.5%, according to Post-Tribune archives. NIPSCO residential customers were hit hardest, with about a $50 per month, or 26.7% increase, in one year.
Ramona Stampley, a Hammond resident, said her NIPSCO bill recently increased from about $200 to $600. She works as a caregiver and recently had to start housekeeping to pay her bills.
Crown Point resident Brian Birmingham speaks about utility price hikes and their impact on his business as protesters gather in front of the NIPSCO Hammond District Office on Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026. (Kyle Telechan/for the Post-Tribune)
Stampley is also worried about her neighbors who are struggling, she said, especially as temperatures continue to drop.
“It’s really cold, and it’s a hard time for us,” Stampley said. “It feels like they don’t care about us.”
Stampley said the protest was important to her, and she hopes that state leaders and NIPSCO listen to protestors’ concerns.
“For some people, you either pay your NIPSCO bill or you go hungry,” Stampley said. “You have to choose, and most of the time, people choose to be hungry. This will be bad.”
Hammond resident Ramona Stampley holds up a sign as she participates in a protest against rising utility rates in front of the NIPSCO Hammond District Office Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026. (Kyle Telechan/for the Post-Tribune)
Lynette Ajibade, a Hammond resident, attended Sunday’s protest and encouraged everyone to share concerns with legislators and reminded them to vote. State leaders are those who can speak up for residents, Ajibade said, and she encouraged people to talk to them about their high bills.
“They are our voice, and we need to let them know that we mean business, and we’re concerned,” Ajibade said. “It’s good to see people present and watch people voice their concerns. We just need to work with our legislators to get more work done.”
A NIPSCO representative previously said in an email that the company understands that some customers have been concerned with high winter bills, and energy usage and bills tend to be higher during the winter, according to Post-Tribune archives. The utility offers budget plans and financial assistance for customers to manage costs and avoid seasonal spikes.
“There are two primary components of natural gas bills — the cost of delivering natural gas to customers (shown on the bill as ‘Delivery Charges’) and the cost of natural gas itself (shown on the bill as ‘Gas Supply Charges),” the utility’s statement said. “The Gas Supply Charge, or the cost of natural gas itself, is driven by market prices, and NIPSCO does not control or mark up these costs. Delivery Charges cover the cost of safely and reliably operating and maintaining the system that brings natural gas to homes and businesses and vary based on the amount of gas a customer uses. Colder temperatures mean higher natural gas usage, which impacts the ‘delivery’ portion of customers’ bills.
“These charges go toward maintaining our 18,100 miles of distribution pipelines and 720 miles of transmission pipelines, responding to service calls, and ensuring safe, reliable service for more than 900,000 customers. They also fund system upgrades to improve safety, reliability, and long-term service, as well as financing the cost of those improvements.”
Prior to Sunday’s protest, NIPSCO responded to the plans in a statement to the Post-Tribune.
“NIPSCO is aware of several social media posts calling for protests at or near company locations, and we are taking proactive steps to ensure operations remain safe and uninterrupted,” the statement said. “We value our customers, respect their right to voice their concerns, and we are committed to delivering safe and reliable service. The safety of our employees and community remains our top priority. We will take appropriate steps to maintain a safe environment while supporting lawful and peaceful expression.”
La juventud de Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso se une con la experiencia de Gloria Estefan en los Grammy
Por BERENICE BAUTISTA
La juventud de Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso encontró con la experiencia de Gloria Estefan el domingo por la tarde en el escenario de la Premiere de los Grammy donde estos artistas fueron galardonados.
Al ganar su primer Grammy, en la categoría de mejor álbum de rock o música alternativa latina por “Papota”, el dúo argentino recibió su trofeo vestido con trajes kaky de estilo futurista.
“A toda la gente que confió en nosotros, estamos muy agradecidos con esta oportunidad que nos dieron a nuestra familia, a nuestro equipo, Argentina y toda Latinoamérica, ¡los amamos!”, dijo Paco Amoroso.
“Papota” es el primer EP del dúo de música alternativa y fue lanzado tras su álbum debut “Baño María”. Su gramófono se suma a los cinco Latin Grammy que ganaron en noviembre por “Papota” y algunas de sus canciones.
Momentos después, Gloria Estefan ganó el premio a mejor álbum latino tropical por “Raíces”.
La cantante cubana llegó al escenario un vestido negro de corte asirenado y un gran adorno floral plateado en la cintura acompañada de su inseparable esposo Emilio Estefan quien compuso la mayoría de las canciones del álbum.
“Gracias, 50 años después y todavía el corazón se me dispara”, dijo en español y agregó viendo a su esposo: “Bebé gracias por este álbum increíble que produjiste para mí, eres el mejor, sigues siendo mi mayor inspiración”.
Emilio Estefan habló después en inglés recordando los orígenes de la carrera de ambos.
“Lo único que puedo decirles es que hace 50 años fuimos de los primeros grupos en grabar bilingüe, me enorgullece que lo hubiéramos hecho con los dos idiomas (inglés y español)”, dijo. “Me enorgullece ser latino, muchas gracias”.
Con este Grammy, Gloria Estefan suma cinco Grammy y cinco Latin Grammy, incluyendo uno por mejor álbum tropical tradicional que se llevó “Raíces” en noviembre.
Otros ganadores de la Premiere fueron Natalia Lafourcade con el premio a mejor álbum de pop latino por “Cancionera” y Carín León quien consiguió el gramófono a mejor álbum de música regional mexicana (incluyendo tejana) por “Palabra de to’s (seca)”. Lafourcade y León no pudieron asistir a la Premiere.
Más adelante se entregará en la ceremonia televisada el premio a mejor álbum de música urbana latina que se disputa entre “Debí Tirar Más Fotos” de Bad Bunny; “Mixteip” de J Balvin; “FERXXO Vol. X: Sagrado” de Feid; “Naiki” de Nicki Nicole; “EUB Deluxe” de Trueno y “Sinfónico (En Vivo)” de Yandel.
Sheinbaum anuncia que México enviará ayuda humanitaria a Cuba
CIUDAD DE MÉXICO (AP) — La presidenta mexicana Claudia Sheinbaum anunció el domingo que su gobierno planea enviar esta semana ayuda humanitaria a Cuba, integrada por alimentos, enseres y otros productos, mientras “resolvemos de manera diplomática todo lo que tenga que ver con el envío de petróleo por razones humanitarias”.
Durante un acto público en el estado norteño de Sonora, Sheinbaum reiteró que, en la conversación telefónica que tuvo el jueves con su par estadounidense Donald Trump, no se abordó el tema de Cuba.
La declaración de la mandataria coincidió con los comentarios que hizo Trump la víspera, quien afirmó que le había pedido a Sheinbaum suspender los envíos de petróleo a la isla caribeña.
“Sheinbaum fue muy buena. Yo le dije a ella: ‘mira, no queremos que envíen petróleo allá’, y ella no está enviando petróleo”, le dijo Trump a la prensa.
Tras la operación que realizaron militares estadounidenses en Caracas recién empezado el año para capturar al entonces presidente Nicolás Maduro y su esposa, Venezuela suspendió los envíos de petróleo a Cuba, que ya habían mermado en los últimos años, y México se convirtió en el principal proveedor de crudo y productos derivados a La Habana.
NASCAR’s Clash postponed to Wednesday due to historic snowfall in North Carolina
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — A bomb cyclone over North Carolina forced NASCAR to push its preseason exhibition to Wednesday night because the snow-covered roads are too dangerous for teams and fans to get to historic Bowman-Gray Stadium.
The Clash had been scheduled to run Sunday night and has now been postponed twice, with a schedule adjustment, because of the intense snowfall that blanketed the area. NASCAR first condensed the race into a one-day, Sunday-only show, then pushed the race to Monday.
NASCAR said Sunday it was moving it to Wednesday evening “due to the impacts of historic winter weather across the North Carolina region.”
The race is now scheduled to run one week before qualifying for the Daytona 500, at Daytona International Speedway, where The Clash was held from 1979 through 2022.
The Clash went to a temporary track inside the Los Angeles Memorial Stadium for three seasons, then moved to its grassroots anchor at Bowman Gray last year.
Its first year was a success but the second running has been interrupted by the bomb cyclone, known to meteorologists as an intense, rapidly strengthening weather system. It contributed to nearly a foot (30 centimeters) of snow in and around Charlotte, North Carolina’s largest city and home base for the majority of the NASCAR teams.
The snowfall represented a top-five snow event all time in Charlotte, said Peter Mullinax, a meteorologist with weather prediction center in College Park, Maryland.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/01/nascar-north-carolina-snow-postponed/
Gov. JB Pritzker throws Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton a $5 million lifeline for her US Senate bid
Gov. JB Pritzker threw his two-term former running mate a $5 million political lifeline, largely bankrolling a political action committee aimed at helping Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton win the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate, recent federal campaign finance documents show.
Pritzker’s Dec. 4 contribution to the Illinois Future PAC enabled the committee to book $2 million in TV ads on the day after Christmas, while Stratton’s own campaign fundraising has lagged, according to the documents filed with the Federal Election Commission.
With Pritzker’s contribution and another $1 million from his cousin, Jennifer Pritzker, the Illinois Future PAC, which was funded by 10 donors and led by former Pritzker deputy campaign manager Quentin Fulks, began this year with $4 million — almost four times the $1.1 million in cash that Stratton’s own campaign fund had to begin 2026, the FEC records showed. For the last three months of last year, Stratton’s campaign raised $1.1 million but spent $912,379, according to the campaign finance records.
Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton and Gov. JB Pritzker attend a “No Kings” rally on Oct. 18, 2025, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
The filings of candidates seeking the March 17 primary nomination for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by retiring U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin showed Democratic U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi of Schaumburg continuing his torrid fundraising pace.
Krishnamoorthi began 2026 with nearly $15.25 million after raising $3.6 million in the final quarter of last year. He spent $6.4 million, including a heavy TV ad run. He has been on the air with advertising since July.
U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly of Lynwood, who also is seeking the Democratic nomination, raised $212,936 in the final three months of last year while spending nearly $600,000. She began 2026 with $1.6 million in cash on hand.
Kelly’s campaign released its first commercial last week, highlighting her effort to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and hold Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other federal immigration agents accountable.
U.S. Senate contender U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly speaks after her debate with fellow U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton on Jan. 29, 2026, at WLS-Ch. 7. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
The Illinois Future PAC ads for Stratton underscore her working relationship with Pritzker and feature several images of the two of them together. Pritzker had been expected to contribute money to help Stratton’s bid for Senate following his endorsement of her the day after she entered the race. In addition, he, his wife, MK, and their two children have all contributed directly to Stratton’s campaign.
The campaign disclosures come about a month and a half before the primary election and follow a week in which the three major Democratic candidates vying to succeed Durbin squared off twice in debates.
The first debate found Stratton to be the clear aggressor, seeking to stake out the most progressive positions and attacking Krishnamoorthi and Kelly for being “status quo” Washington Democrats. They also clashed over who would be the strongest opponent to President Donald Trump and his aggressive deportation enforcement operations. The second debate highlighted the three agreeing that the nation is facing a constitutional crisis under Trump’s leadership, yet each arguing they would be best equipped to rein in his administration if elected to Washington.
U.S. Senate contender U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi speaks after his debate with fellow U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton on Jan. 29, 2026, at WLS-Ch. 7. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Among the seven other contenders for the Democratic nomination, Steve Botsford had $128,180 in available cash after giving his campaign more than $360,000, while Kevin Ryan reported raising $39,000 in the final quarter of 2025 and had $11,535 in cash on hand to start the year. No other Democratic candidates reported having at least $10,000 in cash available at the start of the year.
Among the six Republicans seeking the party’s Senate nomination, former state GOP Chair Don Tracy had just over $2 million to start the year after previously loaning that amount to his campaign. Tracy raised $83,709 in the last quarter of 2025 while he spent $108,153.
Jeannie Evans, an attorney from Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood, has given her campaign $421,706 in cash and loans, and she reported having $298,594 to start the year. None of the other four GOP candidates in the race reported having more than $6,000 in cash available at the start of the year.
