Por MARÍA TERESA HERNÁNDEZ

CIUDAD DE MÉXICO (AP) — La Iglesia de La Profesa en el corazón de Ciudad de México lo ha visto casi todo.

Un levantamiento dejó agujeros de bala en sus muros en 1847. Un fuego devoró sus pisos de madera décadas después. Sus cimientos se hunden de a poco debido a la inestabilidad del terreno.

“La importancia de este espacio es que sigue estando vivo, que sigue estando en uso”, dijo Alejandro Hernández, maestro en Historia del Arte.

Junto con otros expertos, Hernández trabaja para preservar y promover la riqueza de la capital mexicana a través del Fideicomiso Centro Histórico de la Ciudad de México, una institución pública que depende del gobierno local.

El fideicomiso recientemente lanzó una iniciativa que invita a los mexicanos a reconectar con el corazón histórico de su capital. Una de las 26 actividades propuestas para 2026 es recorrer algunos de los más de 40 templos de la zona.

“Hemos estado buscando que la gente joven se interese por su patrimonio”, dijo Anabelí Contretas, coordinadora de promoción y difusión del fideicomiso.

Su equipo constantemente planea campañas que promueven la importancia histórica y social de los alrededores.

Destacan talleres y exhibiciones, entre ellas, una que celebra los 700 años de la fundación de Tenochtitlán y actualmente se puede ver en una estación de metro. Además su revista, Kilómetro Cero, se enfoca en redescubrir joyas ocultas del corazón capitalino.

Otros como Hernández van un paso más allá y se unen a otros expertos para restaurar inmuebles como La Profesa, que resultó severamente dañada por un terremoto en 2017.

“Con el sismo, la valiosísima colección de arte que está aquí en la pinacoteca fue la que sufrió más daños”, dijo Hernández. “Al día de hoy todavía no podemos ofrecer el espacio al público, pero se está trabajando en ello”.

Recuperar la colección

Cada edificio supervisado por el fideicomiso protege sus propios tesoros.

De acuerdo con Hernández, la singularidad de La Profesa radica en las pinturas que preserva. “Lo que es excepcional en este caso es que se hayan conservado muchos de los cuadros que se hicieron originalmente para el edificio”, dijo.

Fundada por jesuitas en 1610, la iglesia tardó un tiempo en cobrar su forma actual. Fue reconstruida por el célebre arquitecto Pedro de Arrieta en 1714.

Entre sus objetos más preciados hay una colección de textiles que los sacerdotes de hoy día siguen utilizando para celebrar misa, un conjunto de reliquias que se abren al público cada 2 de noviembre, cuando se celebra Día de Muertos, y las obras que llevaron a la inauguración de la pinacoteca.

Ésta yace oculta en el piso superior del templo. Pareciera que el espacio siempre ha estado intacto, pero pasó por una restauración tan delicada como una cirugía.

De acuerdo con Alejandra Barrón, una arquitecta del fideicomiso que supervisó las dos etapas restaurativas, algunas de las grietas ocasionadas por el terremoto de 2017 eran tan profundas que se podían ver los muros de los edificios vecinos.

“Se cambió todo el piso, se atendieron las grietas estructurales y ya se dejaron todos los aplanados todo bien”, explicó.

Aún queda trabajo por hacer y los plazos para completarlo son inciertos, pero por ahora Barrón siente cierto alivio de ver algunos de los cuadros colgando nuevamente de las paredes.

“Es muy extraño encontrar esta condición en donde la Iglesia se presta para ser como una galería, como un museo”, destacó. “Si sacáramos estos cuadros de aquí, ya no tendrían el mismo significado”.

Iglesia y plaza

A pocos metros de La Profesa está Santo Domingo. Fundada por frailes dominicos en el siglo XVI y reconstruida por De Arrieta casi dos siglos después, el santuario es testigo de las transformaciones de la capital.

Aunque la iglesia domina el paisaje actual, Santo Domingo fue un inmenso complejo religioso. La mayor parte de sus capillas y su convento fueron destruidos. Una calle nueva se en el sitio y rompió la estructura en dos.

Al otro lado del templo ahora existe un conjunto de viviendas en las que los arcos del convento aún pueden verse. El fideicomiso trabaja con los vecinos para preservar el área.

María Esther Centro ha vivido ahí por décadas. A decenas de mexicanos como ella les ofrecieron un hogar ahí después de que un terremoto en 1985 dejó a muchos sin casa.

“Cuando vinieron (del fideicomiso), contaron parte de la historia de lo que era el templo,” dijo. “Esto de acá en el comedor y ésas eran las celdas de las monjas.”

Ni su hogar ni otros edificios del complejo se vieron severamente afectados por el sismo de 2017, pero la iglesia de Santo Domingo aún muestra huellas.

El arquitecto que supervisa su restauración conoce el templo como la palma de su mano.

Un reloj oculto, algunos rincones detrás de su órgano y el campanario han sanado algunas de sus grietas gracias a Jesús Martínez y el resto del equipo.

“Para mí, después de Catedral, Santo Domingo es el segundo templo más emblemático del centro histórico”, dijo Martínez. “La sillería del coro es única porque es la original. No se ha fragmentado, no se ha repuesto”.

En una mañana reciente de finales de enero, María Lourdes Flota entró a Santo Domingo por casualidad.

Viajó desde el estado de Yucatán, en el sureste mexicano, para visitar la Basílica de Guadalupe. Y mientras caminaba por el centro histórico decidió entrar a Santo Domingo.

“Es la primera vez que venimos por acá y entramos”, dijo. “Es toda es hermosa. Me gusta que guarda muchas imágenes”.

___

La cobertura religiosa de The Associated Press recibe apoyo a través de una colaboración con The Conversation US, con fondos del Lilly Endowment Inc. La AP es la única responsable de todo el contenido.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/31/nueva-campaa-invita-a-redescubrir-el-corazn-histrico-de-la-capital-de-mxico/ 

Por JUSTIN KABUMBA y MARK BANCHEREAU

GOMA, República Democrática de Congo (AP) — Al menos 200 personas fallecieron a principios de semana cuando un deslave provocó el colapso de varias minas en una importante explotación de coltán en el este de República Democrática de Congo, dijeron las autoridades rebeldes el sábado.

El derrumbe ocurrió el miércoles en las minas de Rubaya, que están controladas por los rebeldes del M23, según informó a The Associated Press Lumumba Kambere Muyisa, portavoz del gobernador designado por la milicia para la provincia de Kivu del Norte. El alud estuvo causado por las fuertes lluvias, agregó.

“Por ahora, hay más de 200 muertos, algunos de los cuales siguen bajo el lodo y no han sido recuperados”, explicó Muyisa. Varias personas más sufrieron lesiones y fueron trasladadas a tres centros de salud en la ciudad de Rubaya, mientras que se esperaba que el sábado las ambulancias llevaran a los heridos a Goma, la ciudad más cercana a unos 50 kilómetros (30 millas) de distancia.

El gobernador de Kivu del Norte designado por los rebeldes ha suspendido temporalmente la minería artesanal en el lugar y ordenó la reubicación de los residentes que habían construido refugios cerca de la mina, añadió Muyisa.

Rubaya está en el corazón del este del país centroafricano, una zona rica en minerales que durante décadas ha sido devastada por la violencia de las fuerzas gubernamentales y de diferentes grupos armados, incluido el M23, respaldado por Ruanda y cuyo reciente resurgimiento ha agravado el conflicto y una ya de por sí grave crisis humanitaria.

Más del 15% del suministro mundial de tantalio, un metal raro extraído del coltán que es clave en la producción de celulares inteligentes, computadoras y motores de aviones, procede de la región de Rubaya.

En mayo de 2024, el M23 tomó la ciudad y se apoderó de sus minas. Según un reporte de Naciones Unidas, desde entonces, los rebeldes han gravado el comercio y transporte de coltán, lo que les generaría unos ingresos de al menos 800.000 dólares al mes.

El este del país lleva décadas sumido en una crisis intermitente. Los diversos conflictos han provocado una de las mayores crisis humanitarias en el mundo, con más de siete millones de desplazados, de los cuales 100.000 huyeron de sus hogares este año.

A pesar del acuerdo firmado entre los gobiernos de República Democrática del Congo y Ruanda, mediado por Estados Unidos, y de las negociaciones en curso entre los rebeldes y el gobierno, los combates continúan en varios frentes en el región oriental y causan numerosas bajas civiles y militares.

El acuerdo entre las dos naciones abre también el acceso a los minerales críticos al gobierno y las empresas estadounidenses.

——-

Banchereau informó desde Dakar, Senegal.

___

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

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/31/derrumbe-en-mina-de-coltn-en-congo-caus-al-menos-200-muertos-segn-autoridades-rebeldes/ 

Por WAFAA SHURAFA y SAMY MAGDY

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza (AP) — Los hospitales de Gaza reportaron que ataques de Israel mataron a al menos 12 palestinos el sábado, una de las cifras más elevadas desde la entrada en vigor, en octubre, de un acuerdo destinado a frenar los combates.

Los ataques alcanzaron puntos en el norte y sur del sitiado enclave palestino, incluyendo un edificio residencial en la Ciudad de Gaza y una tienda de campaña en Jan Yunis, según funcionarios de los hospitales que recibieron los cadáveres. Entre las víctimas había dos mujeres y seis niños de dos familias diferentes.

Los ataques ocurrieron un día antes de la apertura de un cruce fronterizo en la ciudad más meridional de la Franja, un recordatorio de que la cifra de muertos sigue aumentando incluso mientras el acuerdo de alto el fuego avanza lentamente.

Todos los cruces fronterizos del territorio han estado cerrados desde el inicio de la guerra y los palestinos ven el paso entre Rafah y Egipto como un salvavidas para las decenas de miles de personas que necesitan tratamiento fuera del territorio, donde la mayoría de la infraestructura de salud ha sido destruida.

El Hospital Shifa indicó que en el operativo en la Ciudad de Gaza fallecieron una madre, tres niños y uno de sus familiares el sábado por la mañana. El Hospital Nasser, por su parte, dijo que el ataque contra asentamiento de tiendas de campaña provocó un incendio y mató a siete personas, incluyendo un padre, sus tres hijos y tres nietos.

El Ministerio de Salud de Gaza ha registrado más de 500 decesos de palestinos por fuego israelí desde el inicio del alto el fuego el 10 de octubre. El ministerio, que forma parte del gobierno liderado por el grupo insurgente Hamás, tiene registros detallados de víctimas que suelen ser considerados fiables por agencias de Naciones Unidas y expertos independientes.

El ejército de Israel no respondió a preguntas sobre los ataques.

___

Magdy informó desde El Cairo, Egipto. El periodista de The Associated Press Sam Metz en Jerusalén contribuyó a este despacho.

___

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

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/31/hospitales-de-gaza-reportan-12-muertos-en-ataques-israeles-pese-a-lentos-avances-en-alto-el-fuego/ 

West Aurora’s Richard Bell Jr. views football as his No. 1 sport at this time, but the junior guard/forward is carving out a niche for himself on the basketball court.

The 6-foot-3 Bell moved into the starting lineup for the Blackhawks two games before they opened play in the Pontiac Holiday Tournament in late December and has found a home for himself.

“I really love basketball,” Bell said. “As a kid, I always played it, just never on an organized team until seventh grade at Jefferson Middle School. I mostly played in the backyard or neighborhood.

“I stopped focusing on it when I started playing football more but kept playing. It’s still definitely something I work for. I’m happy I’ve got the ability to play with my friends.”

Bell did his part Friday night by scoring nine points, grabbing a game-high nine rebounds and blocking four shots as host West Aurora held off visiting Ridgewood 59-57 in overtime in an Upstate Eight Conference crossover.

Junior point guard Travis Brown led the way for the Blackhawks (14-10), scoring a game-high 27 points to go with four assists and three steals to stymie Ridgewood (9-11).

West Aurora’s Richard Bell Jr. (15) powers to the rim against Ridgewood’s Jacob Prasol (21) during a nonconference game in Aurora on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026. (Sean King / The Beacon-News)

But afterward, much praise went to Bell.

“Richard is someone who’s not afraid to guard, not afraid to rebound,” West Aurora coach Mike Fowler said. “He knows what he’s doing, trying to give some energy, and he’s been rewarded.

“We put him out there and he knows he’s going to be guarding probably one of the best perimeter players we’re facing. We ask him to rebound, ask him to defend.”

Bell pointed out that he scored more last winter leading the sophomore team.

West Aurora’s Richard Bell Jr. (15) shoots a free throw against Ridgewood during a nonconference game in Aurora on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026. (Sean King / The Beacon-News)

“Coming into the season, I obviously hoped I’d be a big impact guy on the team but I didn’t see myself starting as much or getting as many minutes as I am,” Bell said. “But as the season went on, the coaches seemed to see more in me, especially my defensive game.

“I’ve guarded a 6-6 point guard at Plainfield East and 6-5 point guard against New Trier. I rebound and I do a lot dirty work. I’m finally starting to score more lately as I’m getting more confidence.”

West Aurora opened up a 29-20 halftime lead. Ridgewood, a smaller, scrappy bunch kept battling, taking a 40-39 advantage entering the fourth quarter and pushing it to 49-41.

That’s before Brown rallied the Blackhawks with back-to-back 3-pointers.

West Aurora’s Richard Bell Jr. (15) fights for a rebound against Ridgewood’s Mahdi Saleh (11) during a nonconference game in Aurora on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026. (Sean King / The Beacon-News)

“It was like we reverted back to our old ways,” said Fowler, whose team missed six straight free throws in a stretch of the third quarter. “You have to step up on your home court and knock those free throws down to give you some cushion, but I give credit to them.

“Ridgewood is coached well, plays hard, and we knew they’re not a pushover. They were gonna come after us, be aggressive, play with energy. That’s what they did. At times we didn’t match it.”

But sophomore forward Amon Greene made the second of two free throws with 58.8 seconds to go in OT to tie the game at 57-57, then made two more with 14.9 seconds left for the final margin.

The game was delayed by Ridgewood’s buses arriving late due to heavy lake affect snow closer to the city, making for a long day.

“We came out really flat,” Brown said. “And they were really aggressive — most aggressive team we’ve played all year.”

West Aurora’s Richard Bell Jr. (15) looks up at the scoreboard against Ridgewood during a nonconference game in Aurora on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026. (Sean King / The Beacon-News)

Bell helped keep the team going.

“He brings energy to the team and plays defense the entire game,” Brown said. “He doesn’t lose energy at all during the game. Hard worker. He’s just a hard worker.”

Last fall in football, Bell finished with four receptions for 95 yards and a touchdown. He also returned two kickoffs for 43 yards.

“I played football at Jefferson, too, quarterback,” Bell said. “I switched to wide receiver halfway through freshman year. My junior year didn’t go how I wanted it to, but Eastern Michigan came into my class this winter and said they were interested in me. So did Indiana State.

“I like football more, even though I started kind of late there, too.”

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/31/richard-bell-jr-west-aurora-basketball/ 

The Chicago Blackhawks saw a competitive first period turn into a horrendous second in Thursday’s 6-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins. It was looking like a same-story, different-venue situation Friday at the United Center.

The Hawks and Columbus Blue Jackets were tied at 1 at the first intermission following final-minute goals from centers Charlie Coyle and Connor Bedard. Then the road team started the second 20 minutes on fire.

Coyle (1:23) and right winger Mathieu Olivier (6:47) scored to give the Blue Jackets a two-goal lead. The Hawks, though, didn’t want things to go sour twice in 24 hours.

Frank Nazar’s goal at 10:49 of the second pulled the Hawks within a goal, giving them urgent momentum entering the third. But they couldn’t complete the comeback, falling 4-2 for their fifth straight loss and eighth in 10 games.

“All we look at is what we did well, what we didn’t do well, (and) how we can grow and get better,” Hawks coach Jeff Blashill said. “Whatever we did poorly and can correct, we work on that, and whatever we did well, we emphasize that.”

The Hawks (21-25-9) have two more chances to snap their skid before the three-week Olympic break, playing host to the San Jose Sharks on Monday and at Columbus on Wednesday.

“I think we’ve gotten way better at understanding how to play in (back-to-backs),” Blashill said. “I thought we were the better team this second half of the game.”

The Hawks had multiple chances in the third to tie the game, but to no avail. They outshot the Jackets 17-12 in the last two periods.

“I thought we definitely played better, especially after the first,” Bedard said. “We didn’t have that kind of period that we did last night, where you give up four or five, but end of the day, result’s the same.”

Bedard had a chance to tie the game after the puck hit his left foot near regulation’s end. He sent a floating shot over goaltender Elvis Merzlikins (22 saves) and the open net above him.

Coyle made an aggravated Bedard and the Hawks pay, scoring an empty-netter with 1:03 left in regulation. His hat trick was the 31st leaguewide in January, an NHL single-month record.

Hawks defenseman Artyom Levshunov was a healthy scratch Friday night. Blashill said it will be the start of a much-needed break for the 20-year-old.

“I think what he needs is a chance to reset some foundational things,” Blashill said. “It’s a very hard league and he’s going to be a really good player, and he’s done lots of good stuff for us, but we just felt like this was a time where you need a little bit of a break and really focus on those things.”

The 2024 No. 2 pick has shown some flashes of what he could be for the Hawks. He’s fifth among NHL rookies with 19 assists in addition to two goals.

Those flashes haven’t covered up defenseman’s mistakes when he finds himself out of position, leading to moments at which the Hawks get lucky if the opponent doesn’t score. In his last nine games, he has a minus-11 rating.

“He’s showing that he’s gotten better 100%, he’s almost like a freak athlete in terms of how strong he is, (but) he’s just got a lot to learn,” Blashill said. “It’s a process, and that’s true of all young players.”

Levshunov won’t be assigned to the Rockford IceHogs but instead will spend some time in a “program” working on some “foundational” things. Three specific parts of his game will see tweaks: shooting technique, defensive positioning and footwork and “delivering the puck in the right spot”.

“One of the things that him and I talked about was attacking the game offensively … and now he’s given up some things defensively, now we’ve got to refocus it and make sure that we’re super sound defensively,” Blashill said. “Balance isn’t easy. Balance take guys a long time, and we’ll continue to work with it.”

The coach didn’t disclose how long the program will be for the defenseman, but there’s a chance Levshunov won’t see action until after the Winter Games.

Sam Rinzel was recalled from Rockford on Friday afternoon and replaced Levshunov in the lineup. The defenseman logged 22:18 of ice time with three shots on goal and four blocked shots.

“I felt good, legs felt pretty decent,” Rinzel said. “I think my defensive game has actually grown a lot, the awareness side of it and D-zone side of it, not letting pucks get through me.”

The 21-year-old played 19 games with the IceHogs, compiling 10 points (two goals, eight assists). Blashill wanted him to find his swagger with the puck, and he feels he’s doing just that.

“Part of it is realizing that 90% of the game is 50-50 shifts, and it’s about winning those 50-50 shifts,” Rinzel said. “Nothing has to be flashy or crazy, it’s learning to play with my brain and use my brain to beat guys.”

Captain Nick Foligno did not play Friday. Blashill labeled him day to day with an undisclosed injury.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/31/chicago-blackhawks-artyom-levshunov-scratch/ 

The new John Deere facility being built in the Lowell-Hebron corridor will be larger than the Amazon building in Merrillville, Lake County officials say.

Transformation has been coming quickly for the patchwork of farmlands, where the Flying J sign was once the sole illuminator of the rural interstate exit.

John Deere plans to invest $125 million to open a 1.2 million square-foot distribution center on 234 acres of land southwest of Interstate 65 and Ind. 2 near the Lowell-Hebron area, according to a press release from the Lake County Council. (Illustration provided by John Deere)

With the support of Lake County leaders, John Deere recently broke ground at 234 acres of farmland just southwest of Interstate 65 and Indiana 2. Low fence markers can be seen outlining the building zone along Route 2, which slopes along open land, wooded patches and some ravines.

On Thursday, the Lake County Council unanimously approved the area as an “Economic Revitalization Area,” offering tax incentives if John Deere adheres to certain requirements, such as employing union members.

The project is expected to create an estimated 150 jobs, with wages above Lake County’s average wage, said Jen Hartmann, a John Deere representative.

“The scope is large, it’s a 1.2 million square foot building, which is pretty substantial,” said Chris Salatas, president of the Lake County Economic Alliance. “It’s larger than the Amazon warehouse by I-65. I think John Deere is a very recognizable name, it definitely fits with Lake County. It will provide some good jobs, it’s a great American company, and I think the recognition of that company coming to that corridor is only going to draw additional companies and interest into that area. So I’d expect that as they continue to move forward and build out the facility, we’re going to see a lot more interest in that area.”

The location off of I-65 was a strategic choice to enhance the company’s delivery of agricultural, turf, construction, forestry and mining equipment and parts.

Salatas, a Lowell native, said the U.S. Cold Storage building is another recently-completed major project. The building is at the Lowell and Hebron interstate exits, which now towers over the longstanding retail store, The Lion’s Den. Like the 109th Avenue exit in Crown Point, development has been a quickly progressing domino effect.

“These large employers coming to this area, I think, is a really good thing,” Salatas said. “It’s diversifying our local economy. It makes a lot of sense that they’re coming to this area, given the amount of land available and the amount of power transmission available, since there are some major power lines cutting through across I-65 in that area. There’s a data center looking to locate there; there’s a battery of storage facilities that’ve been approved to go in …and then you’ve got a series of solar fields that have been approved, as well. So you’re going to see a lot more go in, just due to the access of I-65 and the availability of property.”

Company representatives said this project is a result of John Deere’s initiative to invest $20 billion in U.S. manufacturing in the next decade. This location is one of two major American facilities being built by the company, the first being in Kernersville, North Carolina.

“John Deere will continue to maintain its primary North American Parts Distribution Center in Milan, Illinois, which has been in operation since 1973 and employs about 1,200 people,” Hartmann said.

John Deere was founded in 1837 in Grand Detour, Illinois and is currently headquartered in Moline, Illinois. The company was born when a blacksmith named John Deere invented an early self-scouring steel plow adapted especially for the Midwest’s dense, clay-heavy soil. While the Region’s soil was nutrient-rich for farming, it stuck heavily to early farmer’s cast iron plows. Deere’s invention, made from a broken sawblade, established his company among early Midwest farmers.

“John Deere’s new facility in Lake County will contribute to the county’s overall economic development and provide economic opportunities for both the county and its residents,” said Lake County Councilwoman Christine Cid, D-5th, in a news release. “Once the facility is complete, it will provide good-paying jobs. We welcome developments along the Interstate 65 corridor, such as John Deere, that help contribute to a more resilient commercial tax base throughout the county.”

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

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/31/john-deere-latest-project-to-choose-south-lake-county/ 

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Cade Cunningham anotó 29 puntos y repartió 11 asistencias, y los Pistons de Detroit tomaron una ventaja significativa desde temprano para encaminarse a vencer el viernes 131-124 a los Warriors de Golden State.

Stephen Curry anotó 23 puntos en su cuarta actuación consecutiva de 20 unidades, antes de salir con dolor en la rodilla derecha. Draymond Green sumó 15 tantos, siete asistencias, siete rebotes y su décima falta técnica.

El triple del brasileño Gui Santos con 6:56 minutos restantes acercó a los Warriors a 117-112 y la bandeja de Buddy Hield a falta de 6:19 dejó la diferencia en tres unidades. Santos igualó su aporte máximo de la temporada con 16 puntos.

Los 77 tantos de los Pistons en los dos primeros cuartos fueron la mayor cifra permitida por Golden State en cualquier mitad esta temporada. Pero los Warriors se recuperaron en su típico estilo durante el tercer cuarto para reducir un déficit de 20 puntos a un solo dígito.

No obstante, 18 pérdidas de balón resultaron costosas, llevando a 31 puntos de los Pistons.

Jalen Duren facturó 21 puntos y 13 rebotes, y Duncan Robinson agregó 15 puntos mientras Detroit completaba una racha de victorias consecutivas de visita. Los Pistons lanzaron un 76% (19 de 25) en el primer cuarto. Han ganado siete de nueve después de una derrota de 114-96 en Phoenix.

_____

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

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/31/cade-cunningham-lleva-a-pistons-a-victoria-131-124-sobre-warriors-con-29-puntos-y-11-asistencias/ 

Dear Eric: My husband and I have been going through some very tough times this past year and a half. My husband hurt his back very badly at work and he was given no disability or compensation. We have a court date in July to see about his case. He has been out of work due to his condition which is very stressful and we are spending money only on necessities such as toilet paper, toothpaste and basic needs. We are on food assistance which helps greatly.

I was recently diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer and have had two lumpectomies and a half-breast removal. I am going through radiation and have numerous doctor’s appointments.

We have two daughters and three grandchildren. We only spend our gas money going to and from doctor’s appointments, radiation and the grocery store. Both of my daughters have birthdays coming up and, of course, Christmas has just passed. We were unable to afford the gas money to go visit them.

I am beside myself that we are completely unable to see all of them, let alone send them Christmas gifts.

One of my daughters sent us some gifts and I am unable to do the same. I really hope they understand. I just don’t know how to tell them without burdening them with our problems or having them feel sorry for us. That’s the last thing I want.

– Feeling Guilty

Dear Feeling Guilty: I’m so sorry to read about what you’re going through. Health challenges are hard enough without having to navigate financial struggles and legal logistics. This is a hard time. One of the more difficult parts of hard times is letting it be hard. We want to fix, we want it to be better, we want to go back to normal, of course we do.

It’s important to remember that generosity from others – in good times and bad – isn’t an invoice that we have to scramble to repay somehow. People give of their time, their attention and their resources out of the goodness of their hearts, or because they see a need, or because they care. So, instead of seeing your daughter’s gift as a reminder of what you can’t offer this year, try to think of it as an invitation to be cared for right now.

Think about Christmas lists. Sometimes it can be frustrating not knowing what someone wants. We say, “tell me what to get you.” That same concept can apply for intangible gifts. When we share where we are in life and what we need, we better equip our loved ones to support us, show up for us and express their love.

Dear Eric: Thirty-three years ago, I became pregnant and the man I was dating dropped me like a hot potato. I had the baby on my own and when he was two years old, I met someone who I later married.

After 20 tumultuous years we had a very ugly divorce. Before I began divorce proceedings, my son joined the Marines. I contacted him to let him know that his stepfather and I were divorcing, and he said he already knew courtesy of his stepfather.

I had gotten along fine with my son until this moment nine years ago. Since then, he won’t speak to me or return my texts, letters, phone calls and I haven’t seen him. If I call him and he answers he hangs up as soon as he hears my voice. I have no idea where he lives now (he’s out of the Marines) or what his life situation is.

My ex-husband and I do not speak to each other, but his social media picture is of him and my son.

I don’t know if I should keep trying to contact him. I have no idea why he cut me out of his life and he hasn’t told me. I wish we could make amends.

Any advice?

– Miserable Mom

Dear Mom: I’m sorry this is happening to you. From what you’ve written, it’s not clear that you owe an amends. Now, of course, there could be other things that happened between you and your son. But the fact is, if he won’t tell you what’s wrong, or even that there is something wrong, then there’s nothing for you to fix.

It sounds like you’ve tried every avenue available to you in an attempt to reach him. It strikes me as cruel that he wouldn’t even write a letter back, even to air grievances.

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For your own healing process, it will be helpful to stop reaching out for now. You may want to join support groups for parents who are experiencing estrangement or read “Done with the Crying: Help and Healing for Mothers of Estranged Adult Children” by Sheri McGregor.

(Send questions to R. Eric Thomas at eric@askingeric.com or P.O. Box 22474, Philadelphia, PA 19110. Follow him on Instagram and sign up for his weekly newsletter at rericthomas.com.)

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/31/asking-eric-going-through-some-tough-times/ 

South Elgin’s Larry Smith is one of the area’s top defensive backs in football, so when he plays basketball, the same thing is still expected out of him.

Of course, Smith is the defensive leader for the Storm. What’s not usually expected, though, is his outside shooting. But the senior guard was definitely feeling it Friday night.

And he put together his best offensive performance of the season.

“I’m not considered a shooter on this team,” Smith said, nodding. “Football players are not usually the shooters. I let it fly this game and I just started making them.”

Smith made bunch of them against visiting Larkin, shooting 6 of 9 and scoring a season-best 17 points as South Elgin rebounded from a sluggish first half for a 46-37 Upstate Eight West win.

Massimo Nalbono added 15 points for South Elgin (8-16, 7-1), while Kamryn Bartee paced Larkin (8-16, 2-6) with 12 points.

South Elgin’s Larry Smith (11) looks to pass over Larkin’s Jayden Bailey (11) in the fourth quarter of an Upstate Eight West game in South Elgin on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026. (H. Rick Bamman / The Beacon-News)

South Elgin coach Ryan Storm doesn’t mind if Smith shoots it. As long as it’s in the flow of the Storm’s motion offense, he’s good with it.

With Larkin playing off of Smith, it was a good opportunity for him to take advantage.

“He’s a little bit more used to it because guys are defending him that way more this year, giving him space,” Storm said. “We have some different rules for him and (Friday) was a good night.

“He’s never hesitant to shoot. It’s more about timing. One-pass shots aren’t always the best. But if we move it eight or nine times and it touches multiple hands and it comes back to him, let’s go.”

South Elgin’s Larry Smith (11) splits the defense of Larkin’s Mac Irvin (21) and Jayden Bailey (11) in the second quarter of an Upstate Eight West game in South Elgin on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026. (H. Rick Bamman / The Beacon-News)

Larkin coach Anton Wilkins used to coach at South Elgin, so he knows what Smith brings to the table.

“Larry played a good game,” Wilkins said. “I know he’s a running back. I’m a former running back myself. So, it’s like, ‘OK, Larry, let’s see how good of a shooter you are.’ He did a great job.”

Smith was South Elgin’s offense early on Friday. He scored eight of the Storm’s 10 points in the first quarter, including a pair of 3-pointers. Larkin led 15-14 at halftime, however.

“We just had to stick to it, get to the locker room and grind it out in the first half, keep it close,” Storm said. “We made some adjustments in terms of loosening up and playing free.”

South Elgin’s Larry Smith (11) defends the lane against Larkin’s Kamryn Bartee (0) in the third quarter of an Upstate Eight West game in South Elgin on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026. (H. Rick Bamman / The Beacon-News)

Smith pointed out that the Storm weren’t worried at halftime.

“We were only down by one point,” Smith said. “We kept the confidence up. We beat these guys the first time we played them by a pretty good amount, so we knew we had to give them a hard punch in the third quarter. That’s where we kind of took off.”

A 9-0 run to end the third quarter finally gave South Elgin some separation, building a 29-21 lead the Storm wouldn’t relinquish.

Regardless, Smith understands his primary job is defense.

“That’s my main thing on the court,” Smith said. “I give that to my team and my coach expects me to play really hard defense and that really helps me a lot.”

South Elgin’s Larry Smith (11) and Larkin’s Lawrence Sallis (12) battle for a loose ball in the fourth quarter of an Upstate Eight West game in South Elgin on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026. (H. Rick Bamman / The Beacon-News)

Storm watched Smith do his thing on the football field and knew his play on that end could benefit his team during the winter.

“When he comes with the right stuff he gets up and works you the whole court,” Storm said. “He sets the tone on that end. He’s a great football player. He’s a great athlete.

“That’s what it really comes down to. These athletes that we have that play multiple sports can really help a basketball team.”

Ultimately, just like on the football field, winning is the most important thing to Smith. He just contributed in a different way Friday.

“My teammates found me,” Smith said. “They trust me and I let it go.

“I think it’s real special that I can come out and help my team get a win.”

Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/30/larry-smith-south-elgin-larkin-basketball/