February 11, 2026 Edition

JAN 29 - FEB 4. 2026 . Volume No. 27

THESE ARE THE TIMES THE FIRST AMENDMENT SPLIT

E-NOTES Publisher Cheryl Mainor Norman

Editor-In-Chief

Kai El Zabar

Chief Content Officer Managing Editor

Laura Miller

Editorial Assistant Creative Direction Art Director Sales Manager Copy Editor Staff Writers

Malachi Webster CNW Studio, LLC L.D. Hunter Michael Toliver Max Blaisdell Malachi Webster.

Zada Johnson, PhD. Candi McCrary Mila Marshall. PhD. Neffer Kerr Cabryl Breotti C.L. Blackburn Zada Johnson Malachi Webster Ryan Willis

Columnists Intern & Illustrator Cover Photography

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Choose Your Dreams Kai EL’ Zabar - Editor-In-Chief Waking up to the life of your dreams is, at its core, a choice—but first, you must choose what you want. Identifying your dream is the most important and necessary step in being able to picture your future. If you can’t see your future, it will never be. Most accomplished people will tell you they always knew what they wanted to do. They talk about setting goals and picturing themselves in the positions they ultimately attained.

Believe me, so many people move aimlessly through life, casting their future to the wind, while others are simply reckless, tossing their lives into the air.

Then there are those who plant the seed of a vision for where they see themselves in the future. These people understand the power of intentionality and work consistently toward their goals.

There are so many people who are familiar with waking up to the realization that their lives are no longer working.

Obvious questions arise: Why am I broke?

Why am I still chasing money? Why don’t I have what my friends have? These thoughts cross their minds as they drift through life. Then, suddenly, they realize that what they are experiencing is the result of how they set their lives up—the choices they made along the way. To change their circumstances, they must first accept those choices and then face them.

Yep, you’ve got to be like the rubber and meet the road—the road you’ve traveled.

You recognize that your life no longer provides what you need. You face the truth that, as it is, your life has stopped functioning. That recognition marks the beginning of a conscious choice to pursue your dreams.

This awareness can emerge from a gradual internal shift over time, or it can arrive in connection with a larger shift affecting humanity as a whole. Change is always happening, often without our awareness. Most of us fail to recognize the increasing rate of change, making it difficult to predict anything as the world continues to turn. We can’t actually know what the details of the future.We must live life to experience the reality even when glimpses of our future appears. What is revealed as true often isn’t clear.

We ignore what we sense because we can’t fully see it. Clarity comes with the experience of the moment.

Consequently, many of the old ways of planning our lives are no longer applicable when we are in transition. Even so, we cling to what feels comfortable, lest we feel strangely out of tune with reality. Yet when we attune ourselves to the energies around us, we begin to question ideas that only a few years ago seemed perfectly sensible.

In the simplest terms, the shift we experience in real time has to do with recognizing ourselves as more than human—remembering that our earthly aspects are only a small part of who we are.

In truth, we are multidimensional beings. We are mental, emotional, physical and intuitive. Failing to accept God as our Creator, who made us in its image, has led us to overlook our own spirituality.

When we accept this reality, we awaken to the realization that the life we planned for was a limited version of ourselves that no longer fits. We begin to nourish the needs of our bodies, and our souls. This realization dawns slowly for some and strikes others with the suddenness of lightning from outside the horizon of the sky on the edge of heaven’s realm. Regardless of how it shows up, each of us must find a way to integrate transformation our new expanded sense of self expression as we venture onto our life plan.

Sometimes an unplanned for drastic change feels completely right, and overnight we decide to quit our job,, travel, sell our home, move to another country, or change careers. Other times, we allow change to unfold slowly—perhaps by simply allowing ourselves to dream of a new life or by seeking greater insights that will move, touch, inspire and guide us toward discovering our true purpose. However your transformation occurs or reveals itself to you, know that this process is a natural step to your growth. Accept it, embrace it and trust it to lead you toward the life of your dreams. As we say in the now moment, relax and lean in.

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CITY NEWS Illinois Congressman Brad Schneider Endorses Democrat Donna Miller for Congress in Illinois’ 2nd District Rep. Brad Schneider joins House colleague Jan Schakowsky in supporting Donna Miller CNW STAFF REPORT From a political view Candidate Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller is in good standing. U.S. Representative Brad Schneider (IL-10) announced his endorsement of the Cook County Commissioner in the Democratic primary for Illinois’ 2nd Congressional District. Schneider cited her proven record of leadership, commitment to health care access and ability to deliver results for Illinois families.

According to Congressman Schneider’s observation, “Donna Miller understands Illinois communities and knows how to get things done.” He continued, “As Cook County Commissioner, she has led with integrity and delivered real results, especially when it comes to healthcare, economic opportunity and standing up for seniors and working families. Illinois needs leaders like Donna Miller and I’m proud to support her.”

Schneider, is no stranger to the leadership required .and is in fact a leading Illinois voice in Congress and chair of the New Democrat Coalition, so when he says, “Miller’s background and experience make her well prepared to represent the district and contribute meaningfully in Congress,” it carries weight.

With great appreciation, Miller welcomed the endorsement and took time to emphasize the shared commitment to results-driven leadership rooted in Illinois communities that is invaluable.

Commissioner Donna Miller., said, “I’m honored to have the support of Congressman Brad Schneider, who has been a strong advocate for Illinois families and a leader who understands the importance of practical solutions and effective governance. His endorsement reflects our shared belief that government should deliver results for working families, especially when it comes to healthcare, affordability and opportunity.”

Congressman Brad Schneider’s observation is clear that, “Donna Miller understands Illinois communities and knows how to get things done,” He continued, “As Cook County Commissioner, she has led with integrity and delivered real results, especially when it comes to health care, economic opportunity and standing up for seniors and working families. Illinois needs leaders like Donna Miller and I’m proud to support her.”

With great appreciation, Miller welcomed the endorsement and took time to emphasize the shared commitment to results-driven leadership rooted in Illinois communities that is invaluable.

Commissioner Donna Miller., said, “I’m honored to have the support of Congressman Brad Schneider. Brad has been a strong advocate for Illinois families and a leader who understands the importance of practical solutions and effective governance. His endorsement reflects our shared belief that government should deliver results for working families, especially when it comes to health care, affordability and opportunity.”

The Cook County Commissioner has built a record of advancing health equity, supporting seniors and veterans, strengthening public health systems and promoting economic opportunitiesthroughout the Southland.

Miller’s campaign for Congress is focused on protecting access to health care. That includes defending Social Security and Medicare, lowering costs for working families, and ensuring government works for the people it serves.

Miller's growing momentum has advanced Schneider’s timely meaningful endorsement adding to an increasing momentum like the wind in the sails of her campaign. Recent polling and sustained television and digital advertising have demonstrated Miller’s viability in a crowded field, adding to the growing knowledge of voters about Miller’s record and leadership. Congressman Scheider is one more earned endorsement from a broad and diverse coalition, including U.S. Representatives Terri Sewell and Jan Schakowsky, ‘Elect Democratic Women’ and now Schneider, underscores her strength across Illinois and throughout the communities that make up the 2nd District.

Miller continues her campaign for The Illinois Democratic primary the 2nd Congressional District March 17, 2026.

Schneider, is no stranger to the leadership and is in fact a leading Illinois voice in Congress and chair of the New Democrat Coalition, so when he says, “Miller’s background and experience make her well prepared to represent the district and contribute meaningfully in Congress,” it carries weight.

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CITY NEWS Illinois ranked 38th nationally for social mobility Archbridge Institute report highlights challenges in opportunity and retention LAURA MILLER- MANAGING EDITOR Economic opportunity in the United States is often discussed in national terms, but where people live still plays a significant role in whether they can move up the economic ladder. A 2025 report from the Archbridge Institute, Social Mobility in the 50 States, examines how well each state supports upward mobility. For Illinois, the findings raise questions about long-term opportunity, particularly when viewed alongside continued population losses from the state and the City of Chicago.

What social mobility means Social mobility refers to the ability of individuals or families to improve their economic and social standing over time. While it is often measured through income, researchers increasingly define mobility more broadly, incorporating access to education, job opportunities, entrepreneurship, family stability and the strength of civic institutions.

The Archbridge Institute’s Social Mobility Index reflects this broader definition. Rather than focusing solely on income inequality or wage growth, the index evaluates how state-level environments either reduce or reinforce barriers to advancement.

How the index measures opportunity

Illinois did record modest overall population growth during the same year, but that increase was largely driven by international migration. According to Census population estimates compiled by USA Facts, the state gained roughly 67,900 residents overall, meaning Illinois would have continued to lose population absent international arrivals.

Where Illinois residents are moving

This pattern has persisted for much of the past decade.

According to Census Bureau data, Illinois has experienced net domestic population losses in most years since 2014. Over that period, the state’s total population declined by approximately 2 percent, even as the national population grew.

While migration decisions are influenced by many factors, including employment opportunities and family considerations, the consistency of this pattern suggests that cost of living, fiscal environment and perceived opportunity play a meaningful role in where residents believe they can improve their economic prospects.

The 2025 index evaluates states across four pillars: Entrepreneurship and economic growth, measuring the ease of starting and expanding businesses and overall economic dynamism.

Institutions and rule of law, assessing governance quality, legal integrity and institutional reliability.

Education and skills development, examining access to quality education and workforce preparation.

Social capital, including family stability, civic participation and community engagement.

Together, these measures are intended to capture whether a state’s policies and institutions support sustained upward mobility rather than short-term economic outcomes.

Where Illinois ranks Illinois placed 38th out of 50 states in the 2025 Social Mobility Index. The state’s performance varies widely by category.

Illinois ranked in the upper half of states for education and skills development, reflecting the presence of higher education institutions and workforce training capacity. It ranked closer to the national average for social capital.

However, the state ranked near the bottom nationally for entrepreneurship and economic growth, as well as institutions and governance, two categories closely linked to long-term economic advancement and business formation. These weaker scores pulled down Illinois’ overall ranking.

Population loss: A persistent domestic trend Illinois’ social mobility challenges coincide with a sustained pattern of population loss driven largely by domestic migration. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Illinois recorded a net loss of about 56,000 residents to other states between July 2023 and July 2024, placing it among the states with the largest domestic outflows during that period.

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Chicago and regional retention The City of Chicago reflects many of the same dynamics visible statewide. The city continues to attract immigrants and early-career workers, contributing to labor force growth and cultural vitality.

At the same time, long-term retention remains a challenge, particularly among families and midcareer residents.

City-level migration data is less comprehensive than statewide figures, but available estimates indicate a net outflow of Chicago residents in recent years, with many relocating to suburban areas or other states.

These movements mirror broader Illinois trends and highlight ongoing challenges in retaining residents over time.

Chicago and regional retention The City of Chicago reflects many of the same dynamics visible statewide. The city continues to attract immigrants and early-career workers, contributing to labor force growth and cultural vitality.

At the same time, long-term retention remains a challenge, particularly among families and midcareer residents.

City-level migration data is less comprehensive than statewide figures, but available estimates indicate a net outflow of Chicago residents in recent years, with many relocating to suburban areas or other states.

These movements mirror broader Illinois trends and highlight ongoing challenges in retaining residents over time.

Where Illinois residents are moving Migration destinations provide additional context.

According to American Community Survey data, approximately 95 percent of Illinois residents who move out of state relocate to states with lower overall tax burdens.

Migration destinations provide additional context.

According to American Community Survey data, approximately 95 percent of Illinois residents who move out of state relocate to states with lower overall tax burdens.

Linking migration and social mobility Migration trends do not measure social mobility directly, but they offer insight into how residents perceive opportunity. States with stronger social mobility environments tend to retain residents or attract domestic migrants, while states with weaker mobility conditions are more likely to experience sustained population outflows.

Illinois’ low ranking in the 2025 index is driven in part by weak performance in entrepreneurship and institutional quality, two factors closely associated with economic advancement and long-term stability. When tens of thousands of residents leave the state each year, particularly for states with lower costs and stronger growth, it suggests many view upward mobility as more attainable elsewhere.

Over time, sustained out-migration can strain public finances, slow labor force growth and reinforce the conditions that limit mobility.

Illinois’ experience underscores a central finding of social mobility research: Education alone is not sufficient to sustain upward mobility. Even with strong universities and workforce talent, residents are less likely to remain if broader economic and institutional conditions limit advancement.

The Archbridge Institute report does not assign causation, but the alignment between Illinois’ low social mobility ranking and its persistent domestic population losses points to a structural challenge.

The question facing the state is not whether people will continue to arrive, but whether more of those who build careers and families in Illinois will choose to stay.

COVER STORY THE WRIT, THE PRESS, & ASSEMBLY LAURA MILLER - MANAGING EDITOR Come writers and critics Who prophesize with your pen And keep your eyes wide The chance won’t come again…

— The Times They Are A-Changin’ Bob Dylan

The above excerpt was written in 1963, when American society—and much of the world—was undergoing profound transition and change. People in the United States were deeply divided on many issues: the fight for civil rights, women’s liberation, tthe Viet Nam War and grappling with the assignation of President John F. Kennedy along with a host of other social reckonings were unfolding simultaneously. Dylan believed that “the chance to keep your eyes wide” would not come again.

Whether the perils of the 1960s outweigh the struggles of today is open to debate. What is not debatable is the enduring responsibility and power of the pen, the keystroke, and the lens, which have not wavered in their importance.

From details transcribed on cave walls to stories etched into ancient ruins, humanity has always documented its experience. That record is vital for society to recognize its errors, its triumphs, and its inefficiencies. We learn through the act of reporting.

On January 18, 2026, a protest disrupted an active worship service at a church in St. Paul, Minnesota. Demonstrators entered the sanctuary during the service to oppose federal immigration enforcement, citing the belief that one of the church’s pastors, David Easterwood, also served in a senior leadership role with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Chanting and verbal disruptions interrupted the service, which church leaders later described as an intrusion into a private religious gathering.

Days later, following the unsealing of federal A church sanctuary, even when open to the charges, Lemon and Fort were arrested at public for worship, is considered private locations separate from the church. Other property under constitutional law and is not individuals connected to the protest were also treated as a public forum. charged. All defendants known publicly at the time of reporting were released without Robert Johnson, an attorney specializing in monetary bail pending further court corporate and social enterprise law, offered this proceedings. As of early February 9, 2026, the perspective: “Freedom of speech, press and cases remain active, with no final rulings issued assembly are fundamental freedoms of our and trial dates not yet publicly set. democracy. They are so elemental that the framers made them the very first Attorney General Pam Bondi publicly framed amendment. It is very broad in its the federal action as necessary to protect interpretation, and courts have historically constitutional rights, particularly the right to been very liberal in defining what is protected. worship without interference, stating that under Now, it is being weaponized to try to quell the current administration “you have the right dissent.” to worship freely and safely” and that violations of federal law would be prosecuted.

The First Amendment does not expressly grant a right to enter or disrupt a private religious What followed raised not only legal questions, service, even for political protest. but professional ones — particularly for journalists covering protests at the intersection Freedom of the press protects journalists from of private space and constitutional rights. government censorship or retaliation based on viewpoint. However, courts have repeatedly held that journalistic privileges do not extend The Constitutional Framework beyond the rights of the general public. Press At the center of the Jan. 18 arrests is the First protections apply to newsgathering, but they do Amendment to the United States Constitution, not exempt journalists from neutral laws of which protects multiple rights that converge general applicability. and at times conflict in this case.

When multiple First Amendment protections The First Amendment states: are activated simultaneously, including press “Congress shall make no law respecting an freedom, peaceful assembly and religious establishment of religion, or prohibiting the exercise, courts are often left to determine how free exercise thereof, or abridging the those rights are balanced under the law and freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right how enforcement decisions align with of the people peaceably to assemble, and to constitutional limits. petition the Government for a redress of Journalist Safety and Legal “Bright Lines” grievances.”

According to reporting and publicly available video from the event, Easterwood was not present at the worship service that day. Another church leader can be seen engaging with protesters and congregants during the This single sentence contains five distinct protections: religion, including establishment disruption. and free exercise; speech; press; assembly; and petition. Courts are often required to evaluate Journalists, including Don Lemon and Georgia how these rights interact when they intersect.

Fort, were present to document the protest and Which is why we are here. its aftermath. Neither journalist was arrested at the scene. Coverage of the disruption circulated widely in the days that followed, drawing The Free Exercise Clause protects the right of national attention to the protest and its individuals to practice religion without government interference.

Courts have underlying claims. consistently recognized worship services as a In the immediate aftermath, state and local core expression of religious exercise. As a result, authorities did not pursue criminal charges federal and state laws permit action to prevent related to the service disruption, such as trespass substantial interference with religious worship, or disorderly conduct. Instead, in the weeks that and houses of worship receive heightened followed, the U.S. Department of Justice constitutional protection. opened a federal investigation. Prosecutors ultimately brought federal charges alleging that While the First Amendment also protects participants in the protest violated civil rights speech and peaceful assembly, those protections are not unlimited as to place or statutes by interfering with worshippers’ manner. Courts distinguish between public constitutional rights. The charges relied on laws forums, such as streets and sidewalks, where intended to protect access to religious speech protections are strongest, and private institutions, representing a significant escalation property, where owners retain the right to beyond typical local protest enforcement. control access and conduct.

The arrests connected to the January 18 protest prompted renewed scrutiny of how journalists can safely and lawfully cover demonstrations, particularly when protests occur inside or near private spaces such as houses of worship.

Press freedom advocates note that safety in these situations is not limited to physical risk.

Legal exposure often turns on observable conduct rather than intent, and on how clearly a journalist’s actions can be distinguished from participation in a protest.

Courts generally evaluate journalists arrests by examining conduct and context rather than professional identity. Journalists engaged in clearly recognizable newsgathering activities, such as observing events, recording what occurs and avoiding participation in demonstrations, have often received greater First Amendment consideration during judicial review.

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COVER STORY

Courts generally evaluate journalist arrests by examining conduct and context rather than professional identity. Journalists engaged in clearly recognizable news gathering activities, such as observing events, recording what occurs and avoiding participation in demonstrations, have often received greater First Amendment consideration during judicial review.

Religious spaces raise additional constitutional considerations. Worship services are recognized as core expressions of religious exercise, and houses of worship receive heightened protection. Journalists do not gain additional access rights inside religious spaces, and press freedom does not override congregants’ rights to worship without interference.

Press freedom organizations emphasize that responsibility for journalist safety does not rest solely with individuals in the field. Newsrooms and media organizations increasingly recognize the importance of preparation, legal guidance, and institutional support when assigning protest coverage.

This framework does not determine guilt or innocence in any specific case. Rather, it reflects how courts typically evaluate journalist conduct when protest activity intersects with private property and protected religious exercise.

Journalistic Reaction and Commentary For journalists, the arrests connected to the January 18 church protest did not register as an isolated enforcement action. They landed as a warning.

The severity of the federal charges — brought under civil rights statutes rather than local protest laws — immediately set the case apart.

Journalists noted that such statutes are rarely used in protest coverage and even more rarely applied to members of the press. The concern was not limited to whether the arrests would ultimately withstand judicial scrutiny, but what it means when the line between witnessing and participation grows increasingly thin.

In recent years, arrests and prosecutions of journalists have increasingly appeared in international press-freedom reports, often tied to expansive legal theories rather than clear acts of violence or incitement.

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Organizations such as the Committee to Protect Journalists have documented cases in which journalists were detained, charged, or surveilled based on proximity to protests rather than demonstrable participation. While the United States has long distinguished itself from such practices, journalists responding to the January 18 arrests said the escalation felt jarring — particularly in a media landscape shaped by shrinking budgets, layoffs, and growing reliance on freelancers and community reporters.

Taken together, the reactions that followed were not partisan. They were professional.

Kai EL’ Zabar, Editor in Chief of Chicago News Weekly, said, “the arrests signal that Journalists must know the laws regarding our rights.

Paraphrasing will not substitute for knowledge.

When we enter a private space, we need to know that we do so by invitation otherwise we are trespassing and can be arrested. We to know our rights, not assume our rights so that we can do our jobs legitimately

Expectation, Not Shock — Fear and the Cost of Silence.

Ewing noted that moments like this shape how journalists are trained and prepared, raising questions about how much legal and em For Neffer Kerr, the arrests confirmed concerns that have circulated quietly within journalism spaces for years. She recalled raising questions about press protections following the 2024 presidential election — concerns she said were largely dismissed at the time.

“No one on the panel seemed to think the loss of freedom of speech in media and press was a valid threat.”

Two years later, she said, the arrests made those concerns tangible.

“Here in America, many of us have been so accustomed to having this right that we don’t fully grasp what not having it will mean.”

Kerr described fear not as panic, but as recalibration — a pressure that can quietly shape decisions about which stories are pursued.

“Journalism is not a crime.

“Journalists are not participants in the stories they cover. When witnessing and reporting are treated as criminal behavior, it creates a chilling effect — especially for independent and community reporters who lack institutional protection.”

For Sylvia Ewing, vice president of journalism and media engagement at Public Narrative, the arrests were deeply troubling. Ewing described her reaction as “disgust and disappointment,” framing the moment as part of a broader erosion of trust between journalists and institutions of power. “We are at a tipping point around attacks on the First Amendment, and the ongoing demonization of the press hurts everyone.”

She emphasized that journalists have long operated near protest movements as witnesses, not participants.

“The role of journalists is to witness and report facts. When this fundamental responsibility is underappreciated, the ability to make informed decisions is compromised and democracy is undermined.”

Institutional Precedent

Power,

Freelance

Risk,

and

For Brandon Pope, a freelance journalist and president of the Chicago chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), the arrests raised alarms about how power is exercised — and who bears the greatest risk.

“This is something you typically read about in international headlines from Russia or China, not the United States of America.”

Pope emphasized that freelancers often operate without legal departments or institutional backing.

“Freelancers don’t have a legal department.

When charges escalate like this, the risk isn’t abstract — it’s personal.”

He warned that prosecutions of this magnitude could quietly reshape who is willing to cover contentious public events.

COVER STORY Seth Stern, chief of advocacy at the Freedom of the Press Foundation, called the arrests a clear attack on press freedom.

“The arrests of Don Lemon and Georgia Fort rely on bogus legal theories to punish constitutionally protected reporting and send a warning to other journalists. The message is unmistakable: the government is looking for ways to target reporters, particularly independent journalists.

The answer is not fear or self-censorship, but a stronger commitment to journalism, the truth and the First Amendment.”

Historical Memory and the Black Press For Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., president and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), the arrests carried deep historical resonance.

Chavis described the use of civil-rights-era statutes against journalists as a troubling inversion of their original intent.

“You cannot build a democracy by arresting its witnesses.”

He warned that precedent-setting cases disproportionately affect independent and Blackowned outlets, which have historically operated with fewer legal protections.

The journalists responding to the January 18 arrests are not arguing that press protections are limitless, or that journalists are exempt from the law. They are grappling with how narrow the margin has become between lawful reporting and criminal exposure.

At a time when community journalists and independent reporters are increasingly responsible for documenting public life, that margin matters.

This moment, they suggest, is less about a single protest than about what happens when the act of witnessing itself becomes legally precarious — and who remains to tell the story when the cost of doing so rises.

What This Case Signals Going Forward The legal questions raised by the January 18 arrests will ultimately be resolved in court. Judges, not commentators, will determine how federal statutes apply, what conduct crossed legal lines, and whether the charges withstand scrutiny.

But the broader implications of the case are already being felt beyond the courtroom.

At issue is not only the balance between protest rights and religious freedom, but how journalism functions when it operates in spaces where constitutional protections intersect — and sometimes collide. The case underscores a reality long understood by press attorneys but less often confronted by the public: First Amendment protections are powerful, but they are not absolute, and they are shaped by context, conduct, and location.

For protesters, the case reinforces longstanding legal limits on where and how political expression is protected. Courts have consistently distinguished between public forums and private spaces, and religious worship remains among the most strongly protected forms of private constitutional activity.

For journalists, the case highlights how quickly the line between protected newsgathering and legally vulnerable conduct can narrow — particularly in emotionally charged environments involving private property and heightened constitutional interests.

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Several journalists who responded to the arrests described fear not as panic, but as a quiet recalibration — a moment where routine professional judgment begins to include questions of legal exposure, personal risk, and institutional support. That shift, they argued, does not require censorship to be effective.

The concern voiced by journalists following the January 18 arrests is not solely about this case, or these defendants. It is about precedent, perception, and the cumulative effect of decisions that reshape the boundaries of press freedom without ever formally rewriting the Constitution.

As courts weigh the facts and the law, the larger question remains unresolved: how a society committed to both For news organizations, the moment raises questions religious freedom and a free press ensures that neither is of responsibility. Training, legal guidance, and clear protected at the expense of the other — and that neither editorial standards are no longer optional safeguards becomes collateral damage in moments of political conflict. but necessary infrastructure for covering protest movements, particularly when demonstrations What happens next will matter not only for those charged, intersect with private spaces or protected religious but for how future protests are covered, how journalists activity. assess risk, and how the public comes to understand the events unfolding in its name.

At a broader level, the case tests how a democracy treats its witnesses.

Journalists do not create the events they document.

They do not resolve the conflicts they observe. Their role is to record, contextualize, and preserve a public account of what occurred — especially when events are contested, uncomfortable, or politically charged.

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SPECIAL FEATURE

PRETTY WITH PURPOSE How P.R.E.T.T.Y. Inc Founder Hareder McDowell (Dr. Mac) Is Teaching Black Girls Confidence Before the World Tries to Name Them RYAN WILLIS

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

PHOTO CREDIT: MICHELE MARIE PHOTOGRAPHY

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SPECIAL FEATURE Confidence is often treated like a personality trait — something you either have or you don’t. But inside P.R.E.T.T.Y. Inc, confidence is taught like a life skill. Practiced. Repeated. Reinforced early — before friendships, dating, and social pressure try to define a young Black girl’s identity for her.

Consistency as a Form of Healing

That philosophy comes directly from Hareder McDowell, affectionately known as Dr. Mac — educator, researcher, and founder of P.R.E.T.T.Y. Inc — whose work centers on identity formation for Black girls long before the world introduces shame, silence, or confusion.

Inconsistent adults create children who expect inconsistency. P.R.E.T.T.Y. Inc counters that pattern by showing up — every time.“ When someone is consistent,” she explains, “that reputation follows you through life.”

“Reintroduce you to it as early as possible,” Dr. Mac says. “Before dating. Before situations with friends. So you can say, ‘No — this is who I am.

This is what I like. This is what I don’t like.’ And I can advocate for myself.”

The First Sign Confidence Is Taking Root When a girl begins to believe in herself differently, the change doesn’t always arrive loudly. According to Dr. Mac, it often shows up quietly — in choices.

“She starts doing things alone,” she explains. “She joins the choir because she likes to sing — not because her friends are doing it. She decides she likes ‘70s fashion and starts asking to go to vintage shops instead of chasing labels.”

Confidence, in this space, looks like self-trust.

It looks like a girl who enjoys cooking even if her household doesn’t model it — so she writes her own recipes, watches Food Network, and experiments anyway. It looks like discovering music based on personal taste, not popularity. It looks like a shift from fitting in to standing out.

“What makes her different makes her a leader,” Dr. Mac says.

The growth is measurable. Girls who once barely spoke now run for student council. They make eye contact. They ask direct questions. They speak with clarity about what they want to learn.

Unlearning Harmful Messages Early P.R.E.T.T.Y. Inc does not pretend girls arrive untouched by the world. Many come carrying labels — from peers, institutions, and sometimes family.

“There’s a lot of verbal abuse in our culture,” Dr. Mac says plainly. “Adults project their pain onto children and diminish them day by day.”

Her approach begins with truth-telling — conversations many adults avoid.

On the first day of the program, she asks girls to raise their hands if they’re related to someone they love but don’t admire. Nearly every hand goes up. Then she asks them to keep their hands raised if that person is their mother.

The goal isn’t disrespect. It’s liberation.

“If your mother called you something harmful,” Dr. Mac tells them, “You can believe it — or you can choose not to. Now let’s create a plan for what you are going to call yourself.”

By naming reality early, P.R.E.T.T.Y. Inc helps girls detach their identity from other people’s unresolved pain.

Beyond conversation, the program’s power lies in consistency. “Abandonment is big in our culture,” Dr. Mac says. “Everybody has a story about somebody who said they’d show up — and didn’t.”

In a city like Chicago, where trust travels through relationships, consistency becomes currency — shaping how girls approach friendships, careers, leadership, and love.

Her blueprint comes from her grandmother, who lived to be 100: make a plan and stick to it.

The Village Model, Operationalized The organization’s upcoming Academy of Confidence (launching in 2026) formalizes the village model Dr. Mac lives by. The rite-ofpassage program for 15- and 16year-old Black girls includes accountability partners drawn from each girl’s real-life village — coaches, teachers, mentors, faith leaders..

Evaluation won’t focus solely on attendance. It will ask: Is she keeping her word? Is she moving toward her purpose?

Dr. Mac knows the power of this model firsthand.

She credits her own village — church, educators, mentors, sorority networks — for expanding her access when money could not.

“Your village is your greatest influence,” she says.

“It’s who you know.”

Filling the Gaps Others Avoid Chicago has countless youth programs, many focused on grades, careers, and scholarships.

P.R.E.T.T.Y. Inc goes where others stop short.

“What does it matter if you don’t have the language for your body, your emotions, or your relationships?” Dr. Mac asks.

The organization addresses sex, self-worth, mental health, and boundaries without shame or rigid ideology — offering questions rather than prescriptions.

Her guiding principle is simple and powerful: “Communication is the prevention to the prescription.”Early conversation reduces later crisis.”

The End Goal: Authenticity — and Revolution When asked what she wants girls to carry into adulthood, Dr. Mac doesn’t hesitate. “Authenticity,” she says. “We’re battling authenticity right now.”

The pressure to look the same, sound the same, and be the same robs girls of self-trust. P.R.E.T.T.Y. Inc exists to reverse that. The goal is for every Black girl to say, ‘I really rock with myself.’”

And when asked to finish the sentence — P.R.E.T.T.Y. Inc isn’t just about mentorship… — her answer is clear: “It’s about revolution.”

Because teaching Black girls who they are — before the world tells them who they’re not — is the most radical work of all.

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COMMENTARY OP-ED: Economic Empowerment Has Always Been a Part of Black History LOUIS J. KING II, PRESIDENT & CEO, OIC OF AMERICA - NNPA NEWSWIRE

As we celebrate the 100th anniversary of Black History Month, I’m reflecting on the century of economic volatility and roadblocks that have often defined the experiences of disenfranchised communities. Our collective legacy is marked by resilience to overcome the economic challenges faced while trying to achieve the American dream.

And with roughly 40% of skilled trades workers expected to retire in the next decade, the demand will continue to grow and more pathways to the middle class will open up. These are careers that can’t be outsourced and that AI won’t replace. They require technical know-how, problem-solving skills, and hands-on training. Another pathway to build a financially stable life.

For the last 50 years, many have pushed a single narrative: success can only come from a four-year college degree. While this opened the pathway to education, access, and wealth creation, this singular focus doesn’t consider the varied ways people work to make our world move and operate. That path doesn’t fit everyone, and it doesn’t have to. Check the news: the best kept secret is out, and it is a career in the trades.

Starting a career in the skilled trades now means entering an industry with financially rewarding indemand careers that are essential to the future of our economy. Skilled trades — like construction, plumbing, electrical work, carpentry, masonry, and HVAC — are not only in high demand, but they’re also recession-resistant. As America rebuilds its infrastructure, provides disaster relief efforts, and moves toward a greener economy, these trades are leading the charge. And at OICA we are building America’s workforce to rebuild America by enrolling thousands of people per year to start their careers in the skilled trades.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 500,000 skilled trade workers are needed every year to fill openings.

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At OIC of America, along with our affiliates across the country, we’re working to dismantle the negative assumptions around vocational careers and open doors for young people and adults alike to explore these life-changing opportunities. We’re also making sure women, returning citizens, multicultural and multigenerational folks are at the table — and in the field — where these good-paying jobs are waiting. By 2030, we’re on track to place over 50,000 people in the skilled trades per year – a pivot that opens up a world of economic potential they were previously locked out of.

A career in the skilled trades is not just about working with your hands. It’s about building an economic future — for yourself, your family, and your community. In my view, that’s truly one of the best ways to honor the legacy of Black History Month.

d e s r o d En

By Dr. Willie Wilson Priorities of the 7th District Lower Costs.

More Jobs.

Safe Streets.

Richard Boykin caresabout people. He willmake life more affordable for families and seniors. He is an experienced leader we can trust.

Paid for by Richard Boykin for Congress

ARTS & CULTURE REVIEW: DRUMLine Live at the Auditorium Theatre in Chicago CANDI MCCRARY - CONTRIBUTING WRITER When you hear the word drumline, your mind is instantly carried away to an Historically Black colleges and universities (HBCU) marching band—an experience defined by explosive music and high-stepping energy like only Black folks can bring. If you’ve never experienced the annual HBCU Thanksgiving game in New Orleans —the Bayou Classic—then consider yourself deprived of one of life’s great joys.

The Bayou Classic is the historic rivalry between Grambling State University and Southern University, held every Saturday after Thanksgiving at the Caesars Superdome. It is a premier celebration of HBCU culture, featuring a major Battle of the Bands, a parade, and typically a high-stakes football matchup between the Grambling State Tigers and the Southern University Jaguars. The game has been held in New Orleans since 1974 (with the exception of 2005) and represents a massive cultural and economic event for the city.

So when younger audiences hear “drumline,” they may think of the 2002 film of the same name, which featured bands from several real HBCUs, including Morris Brown College, Clark Atlanta University, Bethune-Cookman College, and Grambling State University. Scenes were filmed on those campuses, though the main band—Atlanta A&T—was fictional. The film showcased marching bands, powerful stepping, and musical rivalries, with Morris Brown’s band prominently featured as the opposing force in the climactic competition scene at the Georgia Dome.

So excuse me if I went into DRUMLine Live expecting exactly that.

Instead, what the audience witnessed was a high-energy, entertaining, and talented “soul revue”—a memory-lane journey through some of music’s greatest legends. The medley kicked off with Diana Ross, followed by the Temptations performing “My Girl,” which even pulled an audience member onstage to join the group. That rendition opened the door for Tina Turner’s “Rollin’,” followed by Aretha Franklin stepping in with “RESPECT.” Ray Charles and James Brown represented their era before the segment closed with Michael Jackson delivering “Billie Jean.”

The King of Pop changed how soul music was received and viewed, creating a revolution in how music was delivered and sold. MJ transformed music videos into cinematic storytelling—visions brought to life through choreography, rhythm, and spectacle. His work captured the high-stepping, high-energy tradition of HBCU marching bands, infused with thrilling movement and powerful percussion.

I appreciated the ambition, though some performances lacked the luster of the original heavy hitters. Let’s be clear: anyone attempting to portray the BAD has to bring it—fully—or surpass it. Otherwise, it’s just an attempt, a shadow of the real thing.

The second half opened with the sounds of Nina Simone, Lena Horne, and Benny Goodman, ushering in big-band flair. Showgirls in silk stockings (a shade too light for Black girls), dance shoes, and top hats graced the stage with youthful exuberance and classic moves.

The stage then became home to a high-tempo trombone trio that rocked the auditorium, heightened by triumphant, cocky trumpets— jazzy, bold, and soulful—rounding out a powerful soundscape. Then came the smooth verve of Luther Vandross, who stepped in and blew the curtains off the floor. As they ruffled, the Dreamgirls emerged, dancing with restraint and sanctimony rather than reckless abandon.

And then—what I had been waiting for. What we all had been waiting for, whether everyone knew it or not.

Elijah Travis walked onstage, releasing the seductive sound of the saxophone, luring the audience into a melody of romance and pursuit. That led to the gift of the evening: the battle of the drums.

Two drummers went head-to-head, battling to the very end, with the winner chosen by audience applause.

Finally, the drumline presented itself in full force through the Chicago State University Big Band. Suddenly, we were whisked straight to Beyoncé’s Drumline moment at Coachella, closing the night with “We Like to Party.”

And as the saying goes: ain’t no party like a drumline party, because a drumline party never stops. The drumming carries on—forever.

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CNW STAFF REPORT Today’s socio-political climate presents daily opposition from factions of the American public and from various levels of government, raising fundamental questions about the rule of law—and about the laws themselves that were put in place to create a government of the people, by the people, and for the people. For the most part, this system has functioned successfully.

Yet today we are confronted with persistent challenges to the legitimacy and accuracy of how our government operates. These challenges plant seeds of doubt, discord, and mistrust in what has long been understood as a stable, functioning system of governance. Is it perfect? Absolutely not. Some would argue that its strength lies precisely in its flexibility—particularly in its interpretation, which is entrusted to the Supreme Court.

The foundation of our government has proven resilient because questions and challenges naturally arise from the evolving issues and concerns of changing times. These concerns are brought before the Supreme Court, allowing the Constitution to serve its essential role as both an anchor and a balancing force among the three branches of government. This framework has served us well, demonstrating the durability of a system designed to be both fluid and adaptable.

All of this holds true when we, as a people, choose America—and choose one another. Despite our differences in perception, interpretation, or understanding of the law, we have historically embraced it and pushed for clarity in order to better understand the intentions of the Constitution’s authors.

The Constitution has long been accepted as a strong, well-written document.

a.i. The Answer Is..

That acceptance falters, however, when individuals act from purely self-serving interests. This is where we find ourselves at this critical juncture in 2026.

We are faced with officials empowered to represent the people as agents of change, growth, and prosperity—yet we also confront the dangerous vision of governance concentrated in the hands of one man, for the benefit of one man.

Freedom of Speech: Protects the right to express opinions without government censorship or restraint.

Freedom of the Press: Ensures that the government cannot suppress the publication of news or opinions.

Right to Assemble: Protects the right to gather peacefully for protests, rallies, or meetings.

Right to Petition: Guarantees the right to request government action or redress grievances.

People—are you listening? Are you witnessing this, or are your eyes wide shut and your ears turned off?

Adopted on December 15, 1791, this amendment was originally the third proposed amendment but became the first after the first two were not ratified. It is fundamental to American democracy, safeguarding individual freedoms from federal overreach.

There will always be work to do in the pursuit of a more perfect union. Let us not forget that understanding the Constitution, its amendments, and the Bill of Rights is both sacred and our responsibility.

Let’s take a closer look.

The First Amendment The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1791 as part of the Bill of Rights, prohibits Congress from restricting essential liberties: freedom of religion (both establishment and free exercise), speech, press, assembly, and petition. It protects foundational rights by preventing government interference in personal belief and public expression.

Key Protections of the First Amendment: Freedom of Religion: Prevents the government from establishing a state religion (the Establishment Clause) and protects individuals’ right to practice religion freely (the Free Exercise Clause).

Freedom of the Press Freedom of the press, protected by the First Amendment, ensures that the media can report, publish, and disseminate information without government censorship, control, or fear of punishment. As a cornerstone of democracy, it enables the press to serve as a watchdog—overseeing government actions, fostering a marketplace of ideas, and ensuring public accountability.

Key Principles and Legal Protections: First Amendment Guarantee: States that “Congress shall make no law… abridging the freedom… of the press.”

Protection Against Prior Restraint: The government is generally prohibited from preventing publication, even when material is controversial. Exceptions are rare and narrowly defined.

Scope: Applies to newspapers, television, radio, blogs, independent journalists, and digital media.

Reporter’s Privilege: While not absolute, this principle helps protect journalists from being compelled to reveal confidential sources.

Limitations on Press Freedom Although robust, freedom of the press is not unlimited. Recognized limitations include: Defamation (Libel): Publishing false statements that knowingly harm an individual’s reputation.

National Security: Government intervention may occur if publication would cause direct, immediate, and irreparable harm—such as revealing troop movements.

Obscenity: Explicit material lacking serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value.

School-Sponsored Media: Public school officials may censor non-public forum, school-sponsored publications.

Contempt of Court: Journalists may be compelled to reveal sources if a court deems it necessary.

Role in Democracy A free press is often called the “fourth branch of government” because it provides critical checks and balances against corruption and abuse of power. It informs the public, supports an educated electorate, and enables the open debate required for self-governance.

Modern Challenges Surveillance: Advances in technology and national security practices have increased scrutiny of journalists and their sources.

Physical Harassment: Journalists covering protests and public events face heightened risks of assault and detention.

Legal Threats: Criminalization of journalism and abusive lawsuits—such as SLAPP suits—continue to threaten press freedom.

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HEALTHY LIVING Can Diabetes Cause Hair Loss? The Surprising Connection Explained SPEAKING OUT NEWS NNPA NEWSWIRE

Diabetes is a chronic condition marked by elevated blood sugar levels, and its effects can extend far beyond blood glucose control. While diabetes is commonly associated with complications such as nerve damage and heart disease, it can also affect hair health, sometimes leading to thinning or hair loss.

Eat a balanced, nutrient-rich diet to support hair growth Reduce stress through exercise, meditation, or adequate sleep Be gentle with hair, avoiding tight styles and harsh treatments Review medications with your doctor if hair loss becomes noticeable

How Diabetes Can Contribute to Hair Loss

When to See a Doctor

Several diabetes-related factors may interfere with normal hair growth.

Persistently high blood sugar can damage small blood vessels, reducing the flow of oxygen and nutrients to hair follicles. Poor circulation, common in long-term diabetes, can weaken follicles and slow hair regrowth.

Seek medical advice if hair loss is sudden, patchy, accompanied by scalp symptoms, or causing emotional distress. Your primary care provider or a dermatologist can help determine the cause and recommend treatment.

Hormonal imbalances associated with diabetes may also disrupt the hair growth cycle, increasing shedding or preventing new growth. People with type 1 diabetes — and in some cases type 2 — are at higher risk for autoimmune conditions such as alopecia areata, in which the immune system attacks hair follicles, causing patchy hair loss.

Effective diabetes management and early detection of hair changes can make a meaningful difference in maintaining both health and confidence.

Stress is another contributor. Managing a chronic illness can raise stress levels, triggering telogen effluvium, a condition in which more hairs than usual enter the shedding phase. Certain diabetes medications and nutritional deficiencies — particularly iron, zinc, biotin, and protein — can also play a role.

Managing Hair Loss with Diabetes While hair loss may not be entirely preventable, several steps can help reduce the risk: Maintain good blood sugar control, the most important factor in preventing complications

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🎙️ New Episodes Out This Week! Subscribe and Download Now!

The Stay The Stay Ready Ready Playbook Playbook is is BACK BACK If you haven't subscribed to the Stay Ready Playbook, now's the time! Our next 6-week series just began and is essential for staying updated on trends and tips to remain recession-proof, healthy, and prepared for the next level.

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LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS Sometimes Love Takes a Long Time LAURA MILLER - MANAGING EDITOR

Luther Vandross said it best in Wait for Love: “Sometimes love takes a long time.” It’s a lyric I return to often, because it feels especially relevant in a culture that rushes romance, gamifies connection, and treats love like something that should arrive overnight. If dating lately feels exhausting instead of exciting, you’re not imagining it.

It also helps to pay attention to how connections make you feel. Some conversations bring ease and curiosity. Others bring confusion, anxiety, or constant second-guessing. Love shouldn’t require you to override your nervous system just to stay engaged.

Waiting Isn’t Falling Behind

For many singles, especially around Valentine’s season, dating apps have become less about hope and more about emotional fatigue. The swiping, the halfconversations, the constant starting over — it can wear you down in ways that aren’t always obvious at first. That feeling now has a name: dating app fatigue.

And according to BLK, more singles are acknowledging that what they want isn’t more options — it’s more intention.

Sometimes dating app fatigue is your body asking for something different — more presence, more grounding, more real-life connection. That might mean stepping away from the apps for a while. Or using them less, and living more.

Taking a break doesn’t mean you’ve given up on love. Often, it means you trust it enough not to force it.

For many singles, especially around Valentine’s season, dating apps have become less about hope and more about emotional fatigue. The swiping, the halfconversations, the constant starting over — it can wear you down in ways that aren’t always obvious at first. That feeling now has a name: dating app fatigue.

And according to BLK, more singles are acknowledging that what they want isn’t more options — it’s more intention.

“Sometimes love takes a long time” isn’t a warning — it’s reassurance. Love doesn’t need to be rushed, optimized, or chased into existence. It needs room. It needs patience. And sometimes, it needs you to slow down long enough to remember who you are outside of the search.

Because the right kind of love doesn’t drain you.

It meets you where you are — when the timing is right.

When Dating Stops Feeling Like Romance Dating rarely burns us out all at once. It happens slowly. You notice you’re replying because you feel you should, not because you want to. Conversations blur together. You’re talking to people, but not really connecting with anyone.

Part of the issue is that dating apps don’t encourage patience.

They reward availability, volume, and speed. But love doesn’t actually work that way. Love requires presence. It requires emotional space. And sometimes, it requires waiting.

BLK’s Head of Brand, Amber Cooper, points out that much of today’s dating fatigue comes from trying to fit romance into every spare moment. “We want to give daters permission to slow down,” she says. “When dating has no boundaries, it becomes draining instead of life-giving.”

Dating With Pace, Not Pressure One of the simplest shifts is creating intentional time for dating rather than letting it bleed into everything. Instead of checking apps all day, setting aside space to engage allows you to show up more fully — and log off without guilt.

Another shift is asking meaningful questions earlier. Not to rush intimacy, but to avoid investing emotional energy where alignment doesn’t exist. Clarity early on isn’t cynicism; it’s self-respect.

BLK also encourages something called the Rule of 3 — limiting yourself to no more than three active dating connections at a time. It’s not about restriction, but capacity. Too many conversations can make dating feel transactional and disconnected.

When you’re stretched thin, it’s hard to be present with anyone. The Rule of 3 invites you to slow down, focus, and actually experience what’s unfolding — instead of managing a roster.

When you’re stretched thin, it’s hard to be present with anyone. The Rule of 3 invites you to slow down, focus, and actually experience what’s unfolding — instead of managing a roster.

The Power of Pausing So much dating frustration comes from guilt. Guilt for needing space. Guilt for losing interest. Guilt for not having the emotional energy to keep up. That guilt is often what leads people to ghost, even when they don’t mean harm.

BLK’s Tips for Combating Dating App Fatigue Based on insights from BLK’s 2026 Dating Trends, the platform encourages singles to approach dating with more intention and selfawareness: Set dating office hours. Choose a specific window of time to engage instead of checking apps all day.

Prequalify early. Discuss non-negotiables within the first few days to avoid misaligned emotional investment.

Follow the Rule of 3. Limit yourself to three active connections to protect emotional capacity.

Normalize the pause. Communicate when you need space instead of disappearing.

Audit your emotional return. Pay attention to whether a connection brings clarity and joy or confusion and stress.

Move beyond texting. A short call early on can prevent false intimacy.

Balance online and real life. Connection should support your life, not consume it.

There’s another option: pausing honestly. Letting someone know you’re overwhelmed or busy — and suggesting a time to reconnect — removes pressure without closing the door. It allows dating to feel human again.

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FOOD & WINE

Curry Chicken Made Easy MARE EVANS - STAFF WRITER

With Sunday’s Super Bowl coming up, the question of what to serve is on many minds across the country. So—have you decided?

If you live on the East Coast or in the Midwest, where Arctic temperatures have invaded, you may be craving something hearty—something that sticks to the ribs and feels both filling and satisfying. Forget the snacky stuff that simply piles on the pounds while barely touching the hunger. You devour chips and dip, only to wind up with a full plate of food later anyway.

Why not start with a solid, comforting meal and then finish with a nice dessert to top it off?

While reading the Sunday edition of The New York Times, I came across what I thought was the perfect dish for Super Bowl Sunday: easy to prepare and incredibly delicious. It’s a Jamaican curry chicken cooked in a pressure cooker—using boneless chicken thighs. It doesn’t get much better than that.

here’s something almost elegant about the whole Scotch bonnet pepper, which gently perfumes the dish without overwhelming it.

On the other hand, if you’re looking for a spicier curry, simply cook the chile and stir it into the sauce to release its fiery magic, seasoning to taste. The filling potatoes emerge soft and creamy, naturally thickening the golden gravy. Serve it over rice or alongside solid cornbread.

I’ve already made this for my family and got a unanimous thumbs-up from the Evans family of five. I made a few personal tweaks— just because that’s what I do. Enjoy, and may the best team win!

Preparation Time 1 hour Yield 4 to 6 servings Ingredients 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces Salt and freshly ground black pepper 2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon hot or mild Jamaican curry powder (such as Betapac) 2 tablespoons unrefined coconut oil 1 large yellow onion, diced 1 red bell pepper, diced 4 garlic cloves, sliced 1 (1-inch) piece fresh ginger, cut into thin matchsticks 1½ pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, cut into ½-inch pieces 1¼ cups chicken stock 2 fresh thyme sprigs 1 Scotch bonnet chile Cooked rice, for serving

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Instructions Step 1 Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and 2 tablespoons of the curry powder. Set aside Step 2 Set the pressure cooker to sauté. Melt the coconut oil, then add the onion, bell pepper, garlic, and ginger. Season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring frequently, until golden, fragrant, and softened, about 8 to 10 minutes.

Add the remaining 1 teaspoon curry powder and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly to toast the spices Step 3 Add the potatoes, stock, and thyme, and season with salt and pepper. Stir in the chicken and place the Scotch bonnet on top. Cover, set the steam valve to the sealed position, and cook on high pressure for 5 minutes. Release the pressure manually.

Step 4 Carefully remove the Scotch bonnet. If desired, mince a small amount of the tender flesh and stir it into the curry for extra heat. Stir well to encourage the potato starch to thicken the sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve over rice.

Storage Tip Got leftovers? Freeze them. Transfer the curry to a large heatproof bowl and let it cool to room temperature, then place it in an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, or run the container under warm tap water until the curry releases.

Transfer to a saucepan, cover, and heat over medium, stirring occasionally, until warmed through. Do not overheat or recook.

FASHION FASHION.. Today, Tomorrow & Everyday!

C.L. BLACKBURN

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Vogue has always been the trendsetter in the magazine world—every magazine wanted to be Vogue. Remember the scene from "The Devil Wears Prada" where Miranda Priestly says to Andy, “Everybody wants to be us”? Priceless. She was referring to RUNWAY, the fictional stand-in for Vogue, which, in many ways, still holds that position today.

That said, the modern fashion industry is no longer burdened by the need to fall in line. Designers now create their own lanes, and if you want to join them, so be it.

The standard hasn’t disappeared—it has simply evolved. In today’s digital world, platforms allow creators to bypass the “powers that be,” making fashion more accessible and immediate than ever. That shift is a true game-changer.

Fashion has kept pace with technology. You want it now? You’ve got it. Gone are the days of rigid seasonal drops givng room to span the looks before you invest in a new wardrobe.Designers now unveil new looks year-round, with collections landing in stores and online weekly. From handbags and shoes to evening gowns, denim, and the latest headwear, and shades—it’s all in constant motion-rotating.

Shop the looks and pull your own look out of the rounds.

So this week, CNW is sharing a few standout picks that made the cut.

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