BEAR BEAR DOWN DOWN BEAR DOWN
Publisher CherylMainorNorman
Editor-In-Chief
Chief Content Officer
Managing Editor
EditorialAssistant
CreativeDirection
ArtDirector
SalesManager
CopyEditor
StaffWriters
Kai ElZabar
LauraMiller
MalachiWebster
CNWStudio,LLC
LD Hunter
MichaelToliver
MaxBlaisdell
MalachiWebster
CandiMcCrary
MilaMarshall PhD
NefferKerr
CabrylBreotti
CL Blackburn
MalachiWebster
RyanWillis
Dr SanjaRicketteStinson
DavidSeaton
Columnists
Intern&Illustrator
CoverPhotography
ElijahLee
ImagnImages/USA
TodaySports
ChicagoNewsWeekly,LLC 700NSacramentoBlvd Suite320 Chicago,IL60612 (312)877-5151
Volume3No 21 October15,2025
Chicago News Weekly is PublishedonThursday
wwwcnwmediacom advertising@cnwmediacom editorial@cnwmediacom
CHECK OUT LAST WEEK’S ISSUE AT WWW.CNWMEDIA.COM/E-EDITIONS
E-NOTES
BirdsofaFeather
Kai ElZabar-Editor-In-Chief
“Likeabirdupinthesky,Ijust want to flyawayand soarthe azureblue; stretch mywings across the MilkyWayuntilIcomeback toyou.”
Adreamisasuccessionofimages,dynamic scenes and situations, ideas, emotions, and sensations that usually occur involuntarily in the mind during certain stages of sleep Humans spend more than two hours dreaming each night, with individual dreams lasting roughly five to twenty minutes.Gofigure.
In my dreams, I am a flyer I always have been. As a child, my dreams showed me walking and then, withouteffort,steppingofftheground and continuingtowalkin the air, each step lifting me higher and higher Often, I would cry out, “Look at me, I’m flying.” But I was always too high, andnoonecouldhearme
AsIgrewolderandbeganreflecting onthosedreams,Icametobelievethat mywalkingonairandrisingabove representedelevation.Asearthbound beings,humanshavealwaysbeen fascinatedbywingedcreaturesofall kinds.Iunderstoodthatfascination, eventhoughIhadnowingsandno pretenseofthem nocostume,no cape,nosuperhero Theideaof spontaneouslyliftingofffromthe earthandflyingissocompellingthat weinventedairplanes,helicopters,and countlessotherflyingmachinesto grantourselvesthegiftofbeing airborne.
Youwouldalsostudybirdsofprey.In addition to speed and strength, these predators possess keen eyesight to detect prey from great distances, strong feet with sharp talons for grasping or killing, and powerful, curved beaks for tearing flesh qualities that provide formidable selfprotection. Imagine them swooping down upon a lion, wounding it repeatedly until it can no longer survive Such attributes helped humans develop hunting techniques, militarystrategies,andmore.Wehave always recognized flight as a powerful tool.
Flyinghighintheskyallowsustolookdownupon ourhome theEarth andseeitfromanentirely different perspective From above, we see farther, acrossgreaterdistanceandscope.
We see how everything relates to everything else And as if that shift in perspective weren’t enough, freedomfrombeingboundbygravityinspiresusto wanttotakeflightagainandagain
In flight, I feel weightless.That is what I recall from each dream no heaviness, nothing weighing me down,liketheastronautsdriftinginspace
Taking flight is always about freeing ourselves from human boundaries, if only temporarily When we literally fly in a plane or on a hang glider we escape gravity’s pull Here, gravity represents the weightofthoughts,fears,bills,andresponsibilities.As we open our minds and hearts, we release habitual thought patterns and emotional blockages the thingsthatholdusdownorbackfromflight.
As we embrace our true nature, we free ourselves from identificationwith the temporarystate of our physicalforms.Themorewespreadourimaginary wings and masterthe art of letting go, the clearerit becomes:claritytransformsintofocus,revealingthat takingflightisastateofgrace,remindingusofwho wetrulyare
As we embrace our true nature, we free ourselves from identificationwith the temporarystate of our physicalforms Themorewespreadourimaginary wings and masterthe art of letting go, the clearerit becomes:claritytransformsintofocus,revealingthat takingflightisastateofgrace,remindingusofwho wetrulyare.
It was in this spirit that I wrote a play titled "Three Hunters,"inwhichthewomenwerebirds."Birdsofa Feather"wasthethemesong Idon’tbelievethatwas accidental itfeelsmorepredictive.
So take flight in your dreams or in meditation Spreadyourwings.Andfly.
CitiesWhereYourFaceIsYourBoardingPass
CANDI MCCRARY - CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Everydaychangescontinuetosignalhowquickly technologyisreshapingdailylife includinghow Americans travel. By 2026, major U.S. cities such as Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Miami, Atlanta, Seattle, and Denverare set to expand the use of facial recognition technology at airports through TSA PreCheck Touchless ID, a system that allows travelers to verify their identity using onlytheirface
The rollout marks a significant shift in airport security,placingparticipatingcitiesatthecenterof abroaderefforttomodernizeairtravel.Underthe new system, passengers enrolled in TSA PreCheckcanmovethroughsecuritycheckpoints withoutpresentingaphysicalIDorboardingpass Instead,theiridentityisconfirmedthrougharealtime facial scan matched against governmentissued identification on file, such as a passport photo.
The initiative is part of a nationwide push to streamline air travel as passenger volumes continue to rise. In total, more than 40 U.S. airports already use some form of facial recognition technology, and the Transportation Security Administration plans to expand Touchless ID to approximately 50 airports by 2026 Officials say the technology is designed to reduce wait times, improve efficiency, and maintain security standards while easing congestionatcheckpoints
TransformingtheAirportSecurityExperience
With Touchless ID, travelers approach a security kioskwhereacameracapturestheirimage
Shesystemcomparesthatimagewithpre-existing government records to confirm identity, eliminating the need to juggle phones, boarding passes, and physical identification Once verified, passengers can proceed through security without furtherdocumentationchecks.
Thetechnologybuildsonsystemsalreadyfamiliarto frequent flyers Programs such as CLEAR have long used biometric identification primarily iris scans toexpediteairportscreening TSA’sfacialrecognition approach expands this concept across a wider population, integrating it directly into the federal securityprocess
HowtheSystemWorks
Participation in TSA PreCheck Touchless ID is voluntary.Travelers must enroll through theirairline and consent to the use of biometric data Once registered, their facial image is securely matched to existing government records at the checkpoint According to the TSA, images captured during the process are not stored long-term and are used solely foridentityverification
Officials emphasize that the goal is convenience without sacrificing security. By reducing manual documentchecks,theTSAsaysthesystemminimizes human error and allows officers to focus on other securityfunctions
As facial recognition becomes more common in transportationhubs,airportsadoptingthetechnology areofferingapreviewofwhatofficialsdescribeasthe future of travel one where identity verification is faster,touch-free,andincreasinglydigital
ASurgeon’sSecretLife
NationalCrime,LocalTies:InsidetheMcKeeCase
CNW STAFF REPORT
A Chicago-area vascular surgeon arrested in Rockford is now facing two counts of murder in what investigators describe as a meticulously planned double homicide Michael David McKee, 39, is accused of driving to Columbus, Ohio on December 29 a journey of roughly 400 miles toexecutehisex-wifeMoniqueTepeandhernew husband, dentist Dr. Spencer Tepe, in what the victims' family characterizes as a "tragic and senseless"actofviolence
The case has jarring implications for Chicago's professional community McKee practiced medicine in the Rockford area, accepted by neighbors and colleagues who knew him as an accomplished physician.Courtdocumentsobtainedbyinvestigators show his vehicle arrived at the Tepe residence between2and5am onDecember30 "justpriorto the homicides and left shortly after," according to detectives'statements
The case has jarring implications for Chicago's professional community McKee practiced medicine in the Rockford area, accepted by neighbors and colleagues who knew him as an accomplished physician Courtdocumentsobtainedbyinvestigators show his vehicle arrived at the Tepe residence between2and5am onDecember30 "justpriorto the homicides and left shortly after," according to detectives'statements
What makes this case distinctly troubling is the narrative it reveals: a man of status and education whose personal life deteriorated into obsession. McKee and Monique divorced in 2017, yet he maintained residences across multiple states Virginia, Nevada, Illinois appearing to track his exwife's movements The couple's two young children, ages 1 and 4, were discovered unharmed inside the home, found by officers after a wellness check No forcedentry.Noweaponrecoveredatthescene.
CourtrecordsdetailanApril2025emergency911call from the same residence a domestic dispute that precededthehomicidesbymonths Investigatorsare now examining whether McKee had been maintaining surveillance or contact with his ex-wife His arrest represents a cautionary tale for Black Chicagoans and working professionals: the dangers lurking beneath respectable facades, thevulnerability ofwomeninintimatepartnersituations,andhowthe city'sconnectionstonationalcrimeextendfarbeyond newsheadlines
WhenTheAlgorithmSellsYouShortcuts
Google'sSearchDecayandWhyBlackCommunitiesLoseFirst
MALACHI WEBSTER - STAFF WRITER
AvascularsurgeonarrestedinIllinois Aquarterbackleadinga playoff push A city fighting over its budget These are the stories worth finding online Yet a mounting body of evidence suggests Google's search algorithm is makingtruth hardertolocate intentionallyorthroughnegligence tosell moreadvertisements
Studiesfromacademicresearchersandconsumer advocatesrevealatroublingpattern:Google'sorganicsearch resultshavedegradedsignificantly,withadvertisements blendingseamlesslyintorankings.Forproductsearches, Google'spaidresultsdominateroughly34percentmore visualspacethantwoyearsago Importantly,this phenomenondisproportionatelyharmscommunities alreadymarginalizedbydigitalaccessdisparities
Research from USC's Safiya Noble documents how algorithms reinforce systemic racism by misrepresenting Black communities, women of color, and marginalized groups. When someone searching for "Black-owned dentist near me " or "Chicago community investment" encounters paid results first, organic results buried beneath advertising clutter, the algorithm is making a choice about whose informationgetsprioritized
Internal Google studies revealed the company knew degrading search quality wouldn't significantly harm revenue According to court documents, this immunity stemsfromGoogle'smarketdominance theydon'tneedto compete on quality, they can simply force users to refine searches repeatedly, generating more advertising impressions
WalletHub research shows 63 percent of Americans believe Google's search results were better in previous years Usersencounterirrelevantinternationalresultsand affiliate spam content designed to generate advertising revenueratherthananswerquestions
ForBlackChicagoansseekingaccuratefinancial information,healthcareproviders,orlocalresources,this degradationcreatesatwo-tierinformationsystem:those whocannavigatecorporateobfuscation,andthoseleft withsearchresultsoptimizedforprofitratherthantruth.
ThefederalcourtrulingagainstGoogle forviolatingSection2oftheSherman Actacknowledgedthemonopoly problem Butamonopolythatcontrols informationaccesswhiledegradingthat accessforfinancialgainrepresents somethingmoredangerousthana businessproblem it'sapublichealth andequityissue
THE FOURTH QUARTER IS OURS
CHICAGO'S RESURRECTION AND THE GHOSTS OF ‘86
MALACHI WEBSTER - STAFF WRITER
COVERSTORY
“Ifyouacceptdefeat,you’regoingtobe defeated You can be gracious in defeat, butyoubetterbedoingflip-flopsinsideIf you ’ re not churning, you’ll get your ass whooped,that’sallthereistoit” Mike Ditka
Nothing was supposed to happen at Soldier Field on Saturday night. The Chicago Bears trailed the Green Bay Packers 21-6 at halftime, and the predetermined narrative of their own destructionwasalreadywritten Thecity hadseenthismoviebefore:theteamthat can’tquitefinish,thatfindsnewwaysto lose when it matters most, that proves onceagainthatdecadesofdisinvestment applytotherosterjustasmuchastheydo totheneighborhoodsthatloveit.
Thentheycameback,andindoingso theyrefusedtoacceptthescript.
CalebWilliamsthrewfor361yardsand twotouchdowns.ThePackers’Brandon McManus missed two field goals that might have ended the story before it began But the statistics matterless than whatunfoldedinthefourthquarter:a25pointexplosionthatremindedeveryone why this Bears team, this city, this moment carries weight beyond yards andpoints
“We understand that it’s 60 minutes of football,”Williams said in the postgame interview,hisvoicesteadywiththeweight ofsomethinglarger.“Weunderstandand knowwhoweare Weunderstandwhat this means to the city. We understand whatthismeanstotheorganizationWe alsounderstandwhatthismeanstousSo you keep going, keep going, keep fighting”
Forfortyyears,the1985Bearshavecasta shadowoverChicago TheywonSuper BowlXXwitha46-10demolitionofthe New England Patriots, a defense that allowedjust124pointspergame They hadMikeSingletaryreadingoffenseslike scripture, Richard Dent terrorizing quarterbackswith 17 sacks, andWilliam “The Refrigerator” Perry rumbling into theendzoneonrunsthatshouldnever havebeencalledbutsomehowworked anyway
That team was built on defensive dominance eightmeninthebox,the 46schemeorchestratedbyBuddyRyan, a defense so overwhelming that when DanMarinofoundtheseamsinMiami’s 38-24 victory (the only loss of 1985), it provedthattheweaknessalwaysexisted: with everyone blitzing, someone was uncovered.
The 2025 Bears operate in a different world entirely. This is Ben Johnson’s offense, not Mike Ditka’s defense-first philosophy.Thisisaquarterback-centric NFL, not the run-heavygame of 1985 The rules that constrain defenders in 2025 would have seemed like science fictionin1986 TheMelBlountRuleof 1978,whichlimitedcontacttofiveyards downfield?Thatwasthebeginning But the2004emphasisonillegalcontactand passinterferenceenforcement,the2006 protection against below-the-knee hits, the2009expansionofdefenseless-player rules these didn’t just open up the passing game; they fundamentally rewiredhowfootballcouldbeplayed
Where the ‘85 Bears generated fear through physical domination, the 2025 Bears generate it through execution under pressure Caleb Williams has orchestratedanNFLrecordofsixfourthquartercomebacksinasingleseason nowseven afterthe Packerswin That’s notastatisticalquirk;that’sasymptomofa teamdesignedtofinish,tostrikewhenthe defensewearsdown,toexploitthesalary cap ’sconstraintsthatpreventteamsfrom building four-quarter juggernauts anymore.
The roster composition tells the story Williams(No.1overall,2024)surrounds himself with veterans and calculated acquisitions: D’Andre Swift at running back, operating in an outside zone scheme that averages 70 percent of the offensive calls. Rome Odunze and DJ Moore at receiver, the latterapro since 2018,avetwhoknowshowtositdownon routes and create separation in clutch moments ColstonLoveland,atightend takeninthisyear’sdraft,alreadycatching eight passes for137yards against Green Bayinhisfirstpostseasongame.
Every December, as the year begins to winddown,westartmakingpromisesto ourselves Goals Resolutions Vision boards. Plans for the version of us we hopetomeetinthenewyear Someof thoseintentionsstick Somequietlyfade bythethirdweekofJanuary
The 1985 Bears had Walter Payton at runningback themanwho’dbecome the NFL ’ s all-time leading rusher with 16,726yards.TheyhadJimMcMahonat quarterback, a charismatic punk rock presencewhothrew15touchdownsand 11interceptionsin1985beforehisseason wascutshortbyinjuriesThesewereHall of Famers before theywere household names The 2025 Bears are building something different: a system where individual brilliance matters less than collectivetiming.
Yet the defense mirrors 1985 in one hauntingway.KevinByardIII,Tremaine Edmunds, and Nahshon Wright each have at least four interceptions through thefirst10games thefirstBearsteam since1985tohavethreedifferentplayers withthatmanyINTsinsuchaspan.The 2025defenseallows264pointspergame, nowherenearthe124of1985,butthey’re forcing takeaways at a historic pace Twenty-two takeaways through 10 games,morethananyteamintheNFL. It’sasifthesystemhasevolved:insteadof preventing yards with overwhelming pressure, this team prevents points throughballsecurity ThismattersforBlackChicagoinways thatstatisticscannotcapture
David Wilson, a South Shore resident whostoodatSoldierFieldwatchingthe draftparty,spokeaboutthemomentthat changedhislifeasaBearsfan “Thefirst playofthegame,DevinHestertakesitto thehouse,”hesaid,recallingSuperBowl XLI in 2007 “I’m on my way to my friend’shouseandIgotitontheradio.SoI don’tgetoutthecaruntilIhearthathe’s scored,thenIruninthehouseandwatch it I just knew we were gonna win the game ”
Thatsenseofbelief,thatwillingnesstobet everything on hope despite historical evidence,runsthroughBlackChicagolike acurrent.LemuelHogue,a49-year-old Pullman resident who brought his two sons ages18and22 totheBearsdraft party,translateditintosomethingclearer: “IwouldsaybeingaBearsfanislikeheart, sweat and tears. I mean,we live forthe Bears,youknowItmightnotbegoodall thetime,butwestillrootforthem,soit appliestoeverydaylifeThingsmightnot gothewaywewantthemtogo,butwestill push Theymightnothavetheprettiest things,buttheyworkwithwhattheygot andtheystillplayhard,andthat’swhatwe doThat’sourmentalityhereinthiscity”
PullmansitsonChicago’sSouthSide,a neighborhood built on resilience, on makingdo,onfamiliesthatwatchedthe steel mills close and learned to survive anyway.TheBearsplayatSoldierField, and57percentofChicago-arearesidents identifyasfans ButforBlackChicagoans particularly on the South and West Sides the team represents something closertoamirror.WhentheBearsfail,the cityfeelsitWhentheyrise,especiallywith ayoungBlackquarterbackleadingthem, somethingshifts
In2007,LovieSmithandTonyDungy became the first Blackhead coaches to faceeachotherinaSuperBowlTheColts won 29-17, and Dungy himself would laterreflectonthemoment:“Atthetime,I thought it was going to be a breakthrough For some reason, with thoseguys,thatdoesn’tgetmomentum” Eighteen years later, Williams isn’t operatingunderthatweight He’snotthe first BryceYounginCarolina,CJStroud inHouston,LamarJacksoninBaltimore, PatrickMahomesinKansasCityhaveall proven that Black quarterbacks can operateatthesport’shighestlevelsButin Chicago,inacitywhereMichaelJordan transcendedbasketballandWalterPayton transcended football to become something closer to a civic religion, a youngBlackquarterbackwinningplayoff gamesinJanuaryfeelslikethethingthat wassupposedtohappenallalongfinally arriving.
The Vegas math reflects uncertainty disguised as odds The Bearsenteredplayoffweekendat+2200towintheSuperBowl before facing Green Bay. The Packers opened as 1.5-point favorites at home despite being a lower seed After the 31-27 comeback, the Bears’ odds shifted to +1400 still trailing the Seahawks and Rams and Eagles, teams Vegas thinks are more imposing But one bettor placed $50,000 at 66-1 odds on the Bears to win Super Bowl LX after a late-season win over Philadelphia If Chicago finishes the job, that ticket pays $33 million.
DeonteJones,anAustinresidentwhostoodinlinefortwohours with his brother to get an autograph from Bears star wide receiver DJ Moore, spoke to what this team represents in the presentmoment “He’sago-getter,man,Ilovehowheplays He playswith tenacity He playswith spirit He playswith energy I lovethat,”JonessaidaboutMoore’spresenceontheroster.That spirit the refusal to accept the predetermined outcome is whatseparatesthisversionoftheBearsfromtheonesthatcame before
Ben Johnson has orchestrated an offense that leads the NFLin pass block win rate at 74.1 percent, givingWilliams the longest average time to throw at 331 seconds Where Ditka relied on BuddyRyan’srevolutionary46defense sixplayersontheline of scrimmage, both guards and the center covered, forcing offensesintoimpossiblechoices Johnsonhasbuiltsomething more modest and more practical: a systemwhere the running game (second-best in the NFL by season ’ s end) sets up play action, where motion and formation variety dress up fundamentalzoneschemes,wherepatiencemattersmorethan explosiveness
Thebookmakersdon’tknowwhattodowiththisteambecause thisteamdoesn’tbehavethewaymodernfootballhastrainedit to Modern teams are either dynasties or disasters They’re either built to dominate all four quarters or they collapse.The 2025 Bears are something else: they’re built to finish, and they’vebecomevirtuososatit
Jerry Young, a die-hard fan from Ashburn who’d never been insideSoldierFieldbeforeattendingthedraftpartywithhis11year-oldson,summedupwhattheteammeanstothecitywith claritythat cut through all the noise: “This is home You know whatI’msaying?Thisishome.”
The question now is whether fourth-quarter execution can translate to 60 minutes of dominance when the stage grows larger The 1985 Bears had the answer: dominate all 60, let the defense create the story The 2025 Bears must answer a different question: can we execute at this level when everyone inthebuildingknowsexactlywhatwe’retryingtodo?
Caleb Williams will have to operate in a pass-first world that finally, grudgingly, allows quarterbacks like him to exist at the sport’s center The rules have changed, yes, but so has the conversation.
Fifty years of rule modifications designed to protect quarterback safety have created a league where Black quarterbacks can thrive because the game itself has been fundamentallyrestructuredaroundwhattheydobest:createin chaos, process information at speed, extend plays with their legs
The1985Bearsprovedthatdefensecouldcarryacity The2025 Bearsareprovingthataquarterbackcanleadaresurrection.
For South Side residents, for Pullman natives, for Black Chicagoans who’ve watched their city endure waves of disinvestment and still find reasons to believe, this moment is different It’s not abstract Mike Ditka could bark and Buddy Ryan could innovate, and the Bears could win with brutality Ben Johnson and CalebWilliams arewinningwith something closertograce executionsocleanthatitlooksinevitable,right upuntilthemomentitdoesn’t.Thefourthquarteristheirsnow, and they’ve proven they know how to close Whether that extends to February remains to be seen, but I’ve watched this citylongenoughtoknowresiliencewhenIseeit.Thisteamhas it Youcanquotemeonthat
We Got Social We Got Social
We asked Chicago Bears fans how they were feeling about Saturday’s Game, this is what they told us
B. Houston
“We spent too long in those trenches, and we got the Pope.”
T Ricochet
“The Rams have been a different team over the last month of the season, and they’re coming to play in frigid Chicago. I like our chances! ��⬇
K Anthony
“Taking the over on Caleb’s touchdowns. Win or Lose - we beat the Packers! BEAR DOWN
S. No
“I’m just happy to be here.”
D. Hill
“It’s going to be interesting. Stafford is used to playing in Soldier Field, but the Rams are going to have to run the ball. I’ve got the Bears going to the NFC Championship Game, of course.
If this is a Cinderella year for one of these teams, let it be the Bears winning it all.”
ThentheCouncilSaysNo
MALACHI WEBSTER - STAFF WRITER
In a historic power shift, the Chicago City Council passed a 166 billion dollar budget over Mayor Brandon Johnson's objections on December 22 the first time in decades that aldermen sidelined a mayor to control thebudgetprocess.
The political realignment has immediate implications for South and West Side communities who depend on city services Johnson's proposed corporate"head tax"(33 dollars monthly per employee for businesses over 500 workers) was rejected entirely. Instead, aldermen approved a constellation of smaller revenue measures: increased plastic bag taxes, video gambling legalization, cloud computing taxes, and assetsalestotaling896milliondollars
Johnson's rhetoric framed the opposition as undermining working-class Chicagoans Aldermen countered that a corporate tax would accelerate business flight from a city already hemorrhaging investment With Chicago projecting a 1.15 billion dollar budget deficit and aldermen facing internal divisions about the path forward, the 30-18 vote represented genuine disagreement aboutwhomtotaxandhowaggressively
For Black Chicagoans watching the debate unfold, the stakes involve questions about whose interests get centered: corporations threatened by new taxation, or working families dependent on city services already stretchedthin?Thecouncil'salternativerelied on one-time revenue sources and assumed efficiencies financial mechanisms that typicallystrainbudgetsinsubsequentyears
MayorBrandonJohnsondeclinedtosignor veto the budget, allowing it to pass on December 23 He filed executive orders on police overtime, city debt sales, and fee collection, preserving some control but concedingthelargerbattle.Whatemergesis unclear: whether the council's budget approach proves fiscally sustainable, or whetherChicago'sstructuraldeficitproblem simplydeferscrisistofuturebudgetseasons
Chicagoofficialscriticize federal cuts
to mental health,addictionservices
MayorBrandon Johnson onThursdaysharply criticizedPresidentDonaldTrump’sdecisionto cut $2 billion in federal funding for mental health and addiction services, warning the move could cost lives and destabilize communities
“MyolderbrotherLeonwasacaringfatherwho was taken from us fartoo soon because he did not get the help he desperately needed Our family lost Leon to untreated trauma and addiction Ensuringthatourcommunitieshave the resources that they need to save lives and prevent overdose deaths should not be a partisan issue,” Johnson said “The President’s decision to senselessly cut billions in funding fromaddictionandmentalhealthwillcostlives and destabilize communities. Every overdose death and suicide is a preventable tragedy In the name of all of those who have lost loved ones to addiction and mental illness, I am callingonthePresidenttoimmediatelyreverse thiscallousanddangerousdecision.”
The mayor ’ s comments come as the Chicago Department of Public Health reports significant progress in reducing overdose deaths across the city. Since 2023, Chicago has seen a 37% reduction in overdose-related deaths, the largest decline amongcomparableUS cities
Health officials attribute the decrease to data-driven strategies, including door-todoor distribution of naloxone, expanded access to the overdose-reversal drugNarcan throughvendingmachinesandnewsstands, and increased harm reduction training in neighborhoodsmostaffectedbyopioiduse
““We know that strong mental-health systems build safer, more productive communities, that’s why they’re a top priority for our city,” said CDPH Commissioner Dr Olusimbo Ige “Under Mayor Johnson’s leadership, the Chicago Department of Public Health has expanded access to mental health services in historically underserved neighborhoods, through our Mental Health Expansion Initiative, serving more than 100,000 people over the last fewyears.”
Ige also pointed to Chicago’s opioid responseefforts,callingthecityanational leaderinoverdoseprevention
“On opioid abuse prevention, Chicago now leads the nation: our city has the most robust, data-driven overdose response system in the country,” she said “Since expanding access to free naloxone through public libraries, newsstands and community outreach, overdose-related EMS responses and deaths have declined dramatically”
City officials urged federal leaders to restore funding, saying continued investment is necessary to maintain progress in mental health care and overdoseprevention
Child care workers, parents and advocates rallied Thursday outside Trump Tower in downtown Chicago to protest a federal freeze on child care funding that they say threatens access to affordable care for thousandsofIllinoisfamilies
AccordingtoWBEZ,therallywasorganized in response to the Trump administration’s decisiontopausebillionsofdollarsinfederal funding for child care and other social service programs. Protesters warned the movecouldforcechildcareproviderstocut servicesorshutdownentirely
Illinoiscouldlosenearly$1billioninfederal child care funding, money that helps working families pay for care through programs such as the Child Care and Development Fund, WBEZ reported Advocates said many providers are already struggling with staffing shortages and rising costs
Speakers at the rally emphasized that child care is essential for parents to maintain employmentandfinancialstability Without federal assistance, they said, families could face higher costs while workers could lose jobs
The funding freeze has been temporarily blocked by a federal judge after Illinois and other states filed lawsuits challenging the action WBEZnotedthatstateofficialsargue the freeze is unlawful and would cause immediate harm to families who rely on childcaresubsidies.
Organizers said they plan to continue demonstrations and advocacy efforts until thefundingisfullyrestored.
CNW STAFF REPORT
CNW STAFF REPORT
WritingtheNextChapterwithClarity, Courage,andCalm
There is something sacred about standing at the edge of a new year especially after a season that demanded more from us than we expected As we step into 2026, many of us are not entering with fireworks and fanfare, but with a quieter posture: reflective, wiser, andmoreintentional
And maybe that’s exactly how this year is meant to begin After a year marked by transition, uncertainty, politicaltension,personalreinvention, and faith fatigue, 2026 doesn’t askus to sprint It invites us to step forward differently
How, by not carrying everything, neither providing anything or pretending we ’ re untouched But stepping in “grounded”. This new yearisnotaresetbuttonthaterases what happened It’s a continuation, your next chapter that builds on everything you survived, learned, released,soreadytobeginagain!
LeavingSurvivalModeBehind
Oneofthemostimportantshiftsas we enter 2026 is moving out of survival mode. Survival kept us going when clarity was scarce It helped us endure unpredictable seasons, shifting landscapes, and emotional weight But survival was never meant to be permanent. Survival says, “Just get through today” In 2026 it’s asked, “How do youwant tolivenow?”
For entrepreneurs, that might mean choosing sustainability over constant hustle. For leaders, it may mean redefiningsuccessbeyondvisibilityor approval. For everyday people, it couldlooklikereclaimingpeace,rest, andjoywithoutguilt Thisistheyear tostopdraggingeverylessonforward asaburdenandbegincarryingthem aswisdom.
ClarityOverControl
Ifthelastyeartaughtusanything,it’s thatcontrolisanillusionbutclarityisa gift Claritydoesn’tmeanknowing everystep Itmeansknowingwhy you ’removing Itmeans understandingwhatnolongerfits It meansrecognizingwhenit’stimeto pause,pivot,orshift withoutpanic
s you step into 2026, clarity may comequietly:
through reflection rather than resolution through discernment rather thandecision through alignment rather than urgency
This is the year to ask better questions instead of chasing faster answers
DrSanjaRicketteStinson-Columnist
CourageThatLooksDifferentNow
Courage in 2026 doesn’t look like pushing harder but choosing wisely Becauseittakecourageto:
saynowithoutexplanation trust timing instead of forcing outcomes step away from noise to protect yourpeace believe your experience still matters,especiallynow set boundaries where you once overextended
Courage now is quieter, deeper, and more rooted It’s not about starting over;it’saboutstartingfromtruth
CalmasaStrategy
Calmisnotpassive,butstrategic.Ina world that thrives on urgency, outrage, and constant reaction, calm becomes a leadership stance. A faith practices, a business advantages or a personalcommitment.
Calm allows you to hear God clearly Calmsharpensdiscernment. Calm helps you respond instead ofreact.
As you enter 2026, calm becomes a compass guiding decisions, relationships, finances, faith, and focus.
WritingtheNextChapter
This new year holds chapters you haven’timaginedyetnotbecauseyou lack vision, but because growth often outpaces expectation. Understand thatyouarenotbehind,nortolateor even finished Your next chapters are not empty they are full of possibility, shaped by everything you ’ ve walked through and everything you refused toquit
Thisyearinvitesyoutowritewithintention: intentioninhowyouwork intentioninhowyourest intentioninhowyoubelieve intentioninhowyoulead intentioninhowyoulive
CrossingtheThreshold
Aswecrossinto2026,letthisbetheyearyoustopbracingfor impactandstartbuildingwithwisdom.
Notlouderfaith deeperfaith
Notbiggerplans clearerones
Notmorepressure morepresence
This is not the year you prove your worth, but the year your LIVE IT!The pages have turned And the pen is inyour hand andyourstoryisstillunfolding
BLUEPRINT OVER HYPE BLUEPRINT OVER HYPE
How David Carson Is Training
How David Carson Is Training
Chicago’s Youth for Life, Not Just Sports
Chicago’s Youth for Life, Not Just Sports
RYAN WILLIS - CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Chicago doesn’t lack talent It lacks structure.
That belief sits at the core of 24 Life Training & Fitness, founded by David Carson, a former Division I basketball player whose journey into training was shaped as much by loss and recovery as byathletics
Before the gym, before the brand, Carson saw himself as one thing: a basketball player Raised in Gary, Indiana, an only child close to his parents, basketball became his identity, his discipline, and his way forward It kept him focused, pushed him academically, and framed how he imagined making an impact through camps, mentorship, and eventually the NBA
Butlifeinterruptedthatplan
Shortly after college, as Carson was preparing to pursue a professional career,hewasstruckhead-onbyadriver who intentionally ended her life The crash left Carson with severe injuries broken bones, dislocations, and trauma that went far beyond the physical More than anything, it stripped away the one identityhehadalwaysknown
“I wasn’t David Carson the basketball player anymore, ” he says “And that question whoamIwithoutthat? put meinareallydarkplace”
Recovery forced stillness. It forced patience And in that stillness, Carson began to confront something he hadn’t before: what actually brought him joy The answer wasn’t applause or performance It was helping people especially those who didn’t yet see themselvesascapable.
Thatrealizationchangedeverything. Carson’s philosophy today is rooted in whathecallsthe*24Blueprint*
a belief that training isn’t about workouts, aesthetics, or intensity for its own sake It’s about structure It’s about principles that hold when motivation fadesandlifegetshard
“Every day you ’ re not going to feel like doing it,” Carson explains “So when motivation disappears, you fall back on yourstructure”
That belief crystallized when he began training his mother, helping her lose more than 150 pounds Unlike elite athletes, she didn’t walk in with built-in confidence or years of conditioning. What worked wasn’t pushing harder it wasteachingwhymovementsmattered, tracking progress, and building consistency Carson realized the gap between elite athletes and everyday people wasn’t ability it was clarity and structure.
That same thinking nowshapes howhe trainsyouth
Carson is quick to challenge one of the most common mistakes parents make: treating sports as a guaranteed pathway toprofessionalsuccess
“In our community, because there’s so much money in sports, we lose sight of why sports matter,” he says “They teach discipline, teamwork, leadership but therearenoguarantees.”
He contrasts that with experiences he’s seeninothercommunities,whereyouth sports are valued not for scholarships or pro careers, but for character development Inonemomentthatstuck with him, a parent explained that their child’s trainingwasn’t about basketball at all it was about preparing him to one dayleadacompany
“Thatshiftedeverythingforme,”Carson says “We’re not just raising athletes We’reraisingleaders.”
Environment, he believes, plays a massive role in performance. Many Blackchildrenareforcedtomatureearly taking on adult responsibilities long before they’re ready Without consistent mentorship and safe spaces, they’re pushed into independence without guidance
That’s why Carson believes youth developmentmustgobeyondsport Rec centers,mentorshipprograms,anddaily points of engagement matter not popups, but permanent structures. Places that give young people something to look forward to, something to build toward
“Hope is powerful,” he says “When kids can’t see past today, bad decisions feel easier. Training, structure, and mentorship give them a future to preparefor.”
In an era dominated by social media trainers, Carson also draws a clear line between performance and service While others focus on optics, he emphasizes education, empathy, and experience.
“Trainingisaserviceindustry,”hesays “If I can’t meetyouwhereyou are, none of thisworks”
Legacy, for Carson, has nothing to do with producing professional athletes It’s about impact former clients who become business leaders, fathers, and communitybuilders.
“Therealgoaloftrainingisn’tstrengthor speed,”hesays “It’sself-discovery”
And for any young athlete reading, his messageissimple:youdon’thavetohave everything figured out. With patience, discipline, and consistency, the world opens up in ways you could never predict
“I didn’t even know some of these opportunitiesexisted,”Carsonsays
“Ijustkeptshowingup Everythingelse followed.”
KeepingtheBearsinChicagoIs AlsoaPublicSafetyIssue
Chicago’s stadium debate is often framed as a fightovermoney Assomeonewhoworksevery day at the intersection of public safety, accountability and community stability, I see it differently.
Thisisalsoaconversationaboutjobs,dignityand violenceprevention.
I serve on Chicago’s Community Commission for Public Safety andAccountability The data is clear: Communities with access to stable, dignified income experience dramatically lower levels of violence Employment is not a silver bullet, but it is one of the most reliable tools we have to reduce harm before police, courts or emergencyroomsevergetinvolved.
That’s why the possibility of the Chicago Bears leavingthecity,oreventhestate,shouldconcern more than football fans A modern stadium project represents thousands of construction jobs, apprenticeships, union positions and longterm operations work It creates pathways for young people to earn, learn and build careers. When those opportunities disappear, the ripple effects land hardest in neighborhoods already strugglingforinvestment
At the same time, Chicagoans are right to reject the idea that public safety or social services should be sacrificed to subsidize a stadium This doesnotneedtobeaneither-orchoice
Whathasbeenmissingfromthepublicconversationisa modern financing approach that protects taxpayers whilekeepingtheseeconomicopportunitiesinChicago
To date, discussions have largely focused on infrastructure assistance, propertytax treatment and site selection There has been little sustained public exploration of revenue-backed, independent ownership structuresthatarecommonlyusedtofinancelarge-scale infrastructurewithoutburdeningpublicbalancesheets
Under such a model, a new stadium and surrounding entertainment district would be financed by its own revenues leases, events, naming rights and adjacent development The Bears would operate the facility, control events and benefit economically from the project, with a clear contractual path to full ownership over time. The city’s role would be limited to land-use coordination and transit, not issuing debt or guaranteeingreturns.
This approach matters because it keeps the economic engine here Construction jobs stay in Chicago Operations jobs stay in Chicago. Apprenticeships, minority contracting and workforce pipelines can be writtenintotheprojectfromthestart.
Public safety is not just
aboutenforcement.
Marquinn McDonald, District Councilman, Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability (Known to many Chicagoans as “The Sensei of Chicago”)
Public safety is not just about enforcement It is about opportunity.Ifweallowmajoreconomicanchorstoleave because we fail to modernize howwe structure deals, we undermineourownviolence-preventiongoals.
KeepingtheBearsinChicagoisn’tjustabouttradition It’s about choosing investment over abandonment and doingitresponsibly
Illustration by Eli
CNWMENTIONS
'The Warriors: SIB’S Breakfast Club Names Its Class of 2026 GameChangers
SIB’SBreakfastClubhasannouncedthehonoreesforits13thAnnualGameChangers celebration,recognizing anextraordinary group ofprofessionals knowncollectively as “TheWarriors–TheClassof2026”PhotoCredit: FortyPhotography
AccordingtoSIB’SBreakfastClubfounderandformerChicagoNewsWeekly Cover Star Sibyl Holloway, this year ’ s class represents resilience, adaptability, and sustained excellence during one of the most challenging periods for businessleadersandprofessionals
“These professionals didn’t just survive the last few years, ” Holloway said. “They weathered the storm. They evolved. They pivoted. They prevailed no matter what was thrown theirway.”
The 2026 class spans a wide range of industries, including culinary arts, real estate, journalism, television news, medicine, nonprofit leadership, insurance, marketing, higher education, and corporate leadership Together, the honorees reflect the breadth of Black excellence shaping Chicago’s business andprofessionallandscape
“As Black professionals and entrepreneurs, we work harder than most to succeed through constant challenges,” Holloway added “Yet despite every obstacle, these individuals continue to make significant impact in their industriesandwithintheircommunities”
Thisyear’shonoreesinclude:
MarkiLemonsRyhal,MarkiLemonsUnlimited,Inc ChefKenL.Polk,Batter&Berries ScottItiona,EssieMarie's HamptonSimmons,HamptonSimmons:AllstateInsuranceandLuxeStream JasperHagen,FullCourtMarketing TonyaFrancisco,WGN-TV
AishaRobinson,Post-SecondaryEducatorandMakeupArtist DebraVines,TheAnswerInc
FrontRowHonoreesandCNWLeadership
AmongthoseseatedinthefrontrowwasLauraMiller,ManagingEditorand Chief Content Officer of Chicago News Weekly, who was also named a memberoftheClassof2026.
Additionalfrontrowhonoreesincluded: Dr LaToyaGlass,MiraclesRevealedChiropractic Dr CordiaClarkWhite,Women'sProgressiveHealthCare KeianaBarrett,TheBusinessLeadershipCouncil EddieWinters,VanguardSecurity
Hollowaysaidthecollectivestrengthofthisyear’shonoreesunderscoreswhy the“Warriors”designationisfitting “Isalutethem,”shesaid “TheyareTheWarriors
HEALTHYLIVING
FiveWellnessTrendsThatActuallyMatterin2026
Whatsciencesaysaboutstayinghealthy,focused,andresilient
LAURA MILLER MANAGING EDITOR
Formanyofus,wellnesstodayislessabout chasingtrendsandmoreaboutprotecting health,energy,andlongevity Thegoalisn’t perfection it’ssustainability.
After years of flashy wellness promises, 2026 is bringing a quieter but more meaningful shift. The trends that endure are rooted in evidence, practicality, and long-termpayoff
Here are five wellness trends that truly holdup andwhytheymatternow
1 SleepIsaHealthInvestment,Nota Luxury
Sleephasmovedfromanafterthoughtto apillarofpreventivehealth Poorsleepis linkedtohigherrisksofheartdisease, diabetes,depression,andcognitive decline conditionsthatalready disproportionatelyaffectAfrican Americanadults
Datacallout:
Adultssleepingfewerthan6hoursper nighthaveasignificantlyhigherriskof hypertensionandcardiovasculardisease comparedtothosegetting7–8hours. What’sworkingisn’tfancytech it’s basics: Consistentbedtimes
Reducedlate-nightscreenexposure
Treatingsleepasrecovery,notlost productivity
Theshift:Restisnowseenasa performancestrategy,notweakness
2 Consistent Movement Beats Extreme Fitness
The fitness conversation has matured Insteadofpunishingworkouts,thefocusis now on daily, realistic movement that fits reallives
Datacallout:
Studiesshowthataddingjust5minutesof moderate physical activity per day and reducing sitting time can significantly lowermortalityrisk
Walking,lightstrengthtraining,mobility work, and regular movement breaks all support:
HearthealthJointlongevity
Bloodsugarcontrol
Bottom line: What you do consistently mattersmorethanwhatyoudointensely.
3.GutHealthThroughFood,NotFads
Guthealthremainsamajorwellnesstopic, but the science points away from miracle drinks and toward nutrition fundamentals
Whatconsistentlyshowsbenefit: Fiber-rich foods (beans, greens, whole grains)
Diverse,minimallyprocessedmeals Moderatefermentedfoods
Datacallout:
Higher dietary fiber intake is associated with lowerratesofheartdisease,type2diabetes,and inflammation
Datacallout:
Higherdietaryfiberintakeis associatedwithlowerratesofheart disease,type2diabetes,and inflammation.
4.StressManagementIs PreventiveMedicine
Chronicstressisnolongerviewed asjustamentalissue it’s recognizedasawhole-bodyhealth risk.
Datacallout:
Long-termstressisassociatedwith increasedinflammation,weakened immuneresponse,andhigher cardiometabolicrisk
Effectivestressregulationtoday lookslike:
Breathworkandmindfulness practices
Therapyandemotional supportwithoutstigma
Intentionalrestwithoutguilt
Newmindset:Calmisn’t complacency it’scapacity
5.Preventive,PersonalizedHealth IstheNewPowerMove
Oneofthemostimportantshifts inwellnessismovingfromcrisis caretoearlyawareness
Moreadultsare: Monitoringbloodpressure, cholesterol,andglucoseearlier
Payingattentiontofamily healthhistory
Makinglifestylechangesbefore problemsescalate
Datacallout:
Preventivelifestyleinterventions candelayorreducetheseverityof chronicdiseasesthat disproportionatelyaffectBlack communities
Thegoal:Stayaheadofillness insteadofreactingtoit
TheTakeaway
Wellnessin2026isn’tabouttrends thatimpress it’sabouthabitsthat endure Theapproachesthatwork sharethreetraits: They’reevidence-based Theyfitreallives
Theybuildhealthquietly,over time
Inournextissue,we’lltakeacloser lookattheothersideofthewellness boom thepopulartrendsthat don’tholdup,andwhy discernmentmattersmorethan ever
Becauserealwellnessisn’tloud it lasts.
a.ITheAnswerIs..
Intoday’ssocialandpolitical climate,certainwordsappear repeatedlyinnewscoverageand everydayconversation To engageinmeaningfuldiscussion, it’sessentialtounderstandwhat thosewordsactuallymean Withoutshareddefinitions, debatebecomesnoise
Recently,SenatorKellyurged membersofthemilitaryto disregardordersthatwould requirethemtodisobeythelaw, whilePresidentTrumpaccused Northofsedition Sowhatdoes thisback-and-forthactually mean?
Seditiousandseditionare closelyrelatedterms,most oftenusedinpoliticalandlegal contexts.
Seditious(adjective): Describesspeech,actions,or ideasthatencouragerebellion, resistance,orunrestagainstan establishedgovernmentor authority
Example:“Thegovernment claimedthepamphletcontained seditiouslanguage”
Sedition(noun): Theactorcrimeofinciting rebellion,disorder,orresistance againstlawfulauthority,especially agovernment
Example:“Hewaschargedwith seditionforurgingpeopleto overthrowthestate”
Inshort:seditionistheactor offense;seditiousdescribes speechorbehaviorconnectedto thatact
CoreRelatedTerms
Subversive Definition:Intendedto undermineorweakenan establishedsystemorauthority. ConnectionSeditionisoften overt;subversioncanbecovert Insurrectionary Definition:Relatingtoor encouraginganorganized uprisingagainstauthority
Connection:Seditiousspeech canleadtoinsurrectionary action Seditionisfrequentlya precursortoinsurrection.
Rebellious Definition:Showingdefiance orresistancetoauthority
Connection:Rebellious behaviorcanbepersonalor informal,whileseditionis politicalandcollective
Rebellionisoftenthe behavioraloutcomeof seditiousideas
LegalandPoliticalAdjacent Terms
Treasonable Definition:Involvingbetrayalof one ’scountry,especiallybyaidingits enemies
Connection:Seditionchallenges internalauthority;treasonbetrays thestateitself
Incendiary Definition:Intentionally provocativeorinflammatory, especiallyspeechthatstirsunrest Connection:Incendiaryrhetoric canfuelseditiousmovements.
Incendiarylanguageisoftena toolofsedition
IdeologicalandMovementOrientedTerms
Revolutionary Definition:Advocatingorengaging inradicalpoliticalorsocialchange
Connection:Revolutionaryideasare oftenlabeledseditiousbythosein power.
Seditionisalegallabel;revolutionis ahistoricalorideologicalframe.
Radical
Definition:Seekingfundamentalor extremechangetoexistingsystems Connection:Radicalideasmay crossintoseditionwhenthey directlychallengestateauthority
Radicalismisaspectrum;sedition isalegalthreshold
HowTheseTermsInterconnect
Thesewordsoftendescribestages ofoppositiontoauthority:
Radicalideas → Subversive influence → Seditiousspeech → Rebelliousaction → Insurrection → (Possibly)Treason
Theyalsoreflectdifferent perspectives:
Ideological:radical,revolutionary
Strategic:subversive,incendiary Legal:seditious,treasonable Behavioral:rebellious, insurrectionary
Governmentvs HistoricalUsage
Thesametermsareoftenused verydifferently
Seditious
Government:Acriminalthreat topublicorder
Historians:Alegallabelusedto suppressdissent.
Governmentspunishsedition; historiansstudyit.
Subversive
Government:Covert destabilizationrequiring containment
Historians:Grassrootsorreformorientedorganizing.
Whatgovernmentscall subversion,historiansmaycall mobilization
Rebellious
Government:Unlawfuldisorder
Historians:Aresponsetoinjustice orsystemicfailure
Insurrectionary
Government:Animmediate threattosovereignty
Historians:Aphaseofpolitical escalation.
Revolutionary Government:Dangerous anddestabilizing
Historians:Transformative andfoundational.
Treasonable Government:Theultimate betrayal. Historians:Oftenreassessed afterregimechange
Treasonispermanentinlaw, buttemporaryinhistory
TheBottomLine
Perspectivematters. Governmentsaskwhether anactionthreatensstability Historiansaskwhypeople challengedauthorityand whatchangedasaresult
That’swhythesame individualmaybe rememberedasbotha seditiousagitatorincourt recordsandarevolutionary leaderinhistorybooks
Understandingthat distinctionmakesforbetter conversations andbetter citizens
The Stay Ready Playbook is
BACK The Stay Ready Playbook is BACK
If you haven't subscribed to the Stay Ready Playbook, now ' s the time! Our next 6-week series begins Tuesday and is essential for staying updated on trends and tips to remain recession-proof, healthy, and prepared for the next level.
LOVE&RELATIONSHIP
WhenOtherPeople’sMarriagesBecomePublicProperty
LAURA MILLER - MANAGING EDITOR
I’ve been writing about love and relationships since I was 27 well over a decadenow andjust shy of 15years Over time, I’ve paid attention to the gurus and experts, the many theories associated with relationship science, worked directly with couples therapists, and accumulated my own lived experience along the way I’m observant,curious,admittedlynosey and mostimportantly,I’vehearditall.
Which is why, in recent days, somethingonsocialmediahasstruck measparticularlystrange
Acontentcouple theScotts have reportedlyfiledfordivorce,and suddenlytheyareeverywhere Think pieces,reactionvideos,speculative commentary We,theviewingpublic, havenorealideawhatactually happenedinsidetheirmarriage. Whatwedoknow atleastaccording tocirculatingnarratives isthatthe husbandmayhavebeenunfaithful towardtheveryendofthe relationship
What makes this moment odd isn’t the divorce itself. It’s the illusion of access
Weknowwhattheycookforeach other Weknowhowtheyshop We’ve seenbehind-the-scenesfootageof theirdailyroutines.Weknowhow longthey’vebeentogether,howthey joke,howtheyflirt,howtheypresent themselvestotheworld.
Andyet,whenthemarriageends,the statementsarevague,thedetailsare minimal,andsuddenlypeoplefeel unsatisfied.
Ifyou’rereadingthis,youmightthink Isoundentitledtosomeoneelse’s business Ifyou’renotthinkingthat ifpartofyouexpectedmore information thenyou,too,may wanttositwithwhythatexpectation existsinthefirstplace
Becausehere’sthetruth:Itis completelyOKthatwedon’thavethe detailsoftheendoftheirmarriage It isnotourmarriage.
Sothenwehavetoaskthereal question:Whyisthisnewsatall?
Isthefateoftheworldrestingonthe longevityoftheScotts’relationship?Is immigrationenforcementsuddenly goingtoshiftbecausetheirmarriage didn’tsurvive?Aretheyholdingthe winningnumbersfortoday’slottery? Ofcoursenot.
We’veseenpublic-facingdivorces before Infidelity Incomedisparities Commentaryonpersonality,beauty, genderroles,likability Noneofthisis new Whatisrevealingishowmuch emotionalandsymbolicweightwe assigntocertaincouples particularly thosewhoserelationshipshavebeen packagedasaspirational Publicfacingrelationshipsallowustobelieve thattheunblemishedperfectionofa carefullycuratedimageisthething thatgiveshopetotheworld
“Heystrangerswhofollowme,”thesubtextreads,“I’m sorrymymarriagedidn’tworkout Pleaseacceptmy apology,eventhoughIdon’tknowyouandeventhough themostaffectedpersonisstandingrightbesideme”
Thatapologywasn’tjustaboutremorse itwasabout obligation Aboutperformance Abouttheunspoken agreementthatwhenyouprofitfromvisibility,youowe theaudienceemotionalclosurewhentheillusionbreaks Andthat’swherethingsbecomedeeplydistorted Thispieceisnotanattempttoexaminewhatwentwrong betweenpeopleIbarelyknow.It’sanattempttohighlight howquicklyhumanityisstrippedawayoncesomeone becomesapublic-facingproduct Contentcreatorsare encouraged oftenrewarded forsharingtheirlives Audiencesareconditionedtoconsumethoselives And somewherealongtheway,visibilitygetsconfusedwith ownership
Formany especiallywithin conversationsaboutBlacklove theserelationshipsbecome proof.Evidence.Somethingto pointtoinasocietyfulloffirstworldproblemsandtruly catastrophiconesalike.We believeinwhatweareshown, andwehopeitcontinues oftennotforthecouple’ssake, butforourownreassurance andentertainment
Andwhenthatimage fractures,wedon’tjustfeel disappointed wefeel entitledtoanexplanation Whichbringsmetoanother detailthatmakesthis momentespeciallyrevealing: Thehusbandissuedapublic apology notjusttohiswife, buttous.
Letthatsitforamoment
Amanfeltcompelledto apologizetostrangersforthe failureofhismarriage.To peoplehehasnevermet Toan audiencethatdidnot participateinhisvows,his conflicts,orhisprivate decisions “I’msorry,”hesaid publicly aboutarelationship thatwasneverourstomanage ormourn Canyouimaginehavingtodo that?
Andthat’swherethingsbecomedeeplydistorted Thispieceisnotanattempttoexaminewhatwentwrong betweenpeopleIbarelyknow It’sanattempttohighlight howquicklyhumanityisstrippedawayoncesomeone becomesapublic-facingproduct.Contentcreatorsare encouraged oftenrewarded forsharingtheirlives Audiencesareconditionedtoconsumethoselives And somewherealongtheway,visibilitygetsconfusedwith ownership
Let’sbehonest:Thisbehaviorisn’tlimitedtosocialmedia commentsections Wearedeeplyinthebusinessofother people’sliveseveryday Wejustsneakaroundwhenwe doit.Secretscreenshots.Quietlyrecordingconversations. Groupchatsdissectingsomeoneelse’srelationship Endlessdistractionssowecanfeel,ifonlybriefly,alittle betterabouthowourownlivesaregoing.
Let’sbehonest:Thisbehaviorisn’tlimitedtosocialmedia commentsections.Wearedeeplyinthebusinessofother people’sliveseveryday Wejustsneakaroundwhenwe doit Secretscreenshots Quietlyrecordingconversations Groupchatsdissectingsomeoneelse’srelationship. Endlessdistractionssowecanfeel,ifonlybriefly,alittle betterabouthowourownlivesaregoing
Andno,it’snotjustasmallgroupofinternettrolls Even theself-proclaimedacademicsparticipate.Analysis masqueradesasconcern Critiquedisguisesitselfas intellectualcuriosity Allwhileweexploitwhatis exploitable forcontent,forvalidation,forpersonal satisfaction,andsometimesjustbecausewecan
Contentcreatorsarenotexemptfromresponsibilityhere. Neitheristheaudience Thisisasharedtransaction One sideoffersaccess;theotherconsumesit Butneitherside shouldconfusethatexchangewithentitlementto someone ’smostpainfulmoments
Sotoday,I’maskingbothgroups thepeoplewhomake thecontentandthepeoplewhoconsumeit topause Thinkaboutthesecouplesthewayyouwouldthink aboutyourself Imagineyourworstseasonbecoming someoneelse’sthinkpiece Imaginehavingtoapologize tostrangersforachapterofyourlifetheywerenever meanttoown Justforamoment
Thenyoucankeepscrolling
FOOD&WINE ChilliBeefStew
MARE EVANS - STAFF WRITER
Therealityisthattheholidaysareover,and truthbetoldthat’stheonethingaboutwinter that’sfununlessyoulovegoingtooutdoor footballgames,iceskating,snowmobiling, sleighridingandskiing Butwhowantsto rackupmorebillsjustyet?So,you’vegotto getcreativeanddigdeepforfunthingstodo. SowhataboutWinterFoodadventuresthat involvecreatingcozy,heartymealsforindoor fun(likethemedbake-offsorfonduenights) andpackingnutrient-dense,easy-to-prepare optionsforoutdooractivities(likehotsoups, trailmix,andslow-cookedstews)tostay warmandenergized,focusingonslowburningcarbs,fats,andproteinsforsustained energy Alltheseinvolvefriends,familyand twosomewheneveryouarrangeit
Indoor&CozyWinterFoodAdventures
ThemedBaking&Cooking:Hosta cookiebake-off,makehomemade marshmallows,ortrynewholidayrecipes likespicedappleciderorgingerbread WinterPotluck:Havefriendsbringtheir favoritewarmdisheslikechili,stew,ora heartycasserole
DIYFondueNight:Aclassicforcold nights,servedwithbread,fruit,andmeat fordipping
SlowCookerFeasts:Preparedisheslike pulledporktacosorMoroccanchicken thatcookwhileyou'reenjoyingwinter activities
GourmetHotChocolateBar:Setup toppingslikecinnamon,whippedcream, andsprinklesforcustomdrinks
OutdoorWinterAdventureFuel
High-EnergySnacks:Packnuts, cheese,jerky,energybars,and dehydratedfruitsforquickfuel WarmMealsontheGo:Usea campstoveforquinoaskillet mealsortrailmixoatmealfora hotbreakfast.
Easy-PrepLunches:Tortillascan bewarmednearthebody,and cheese,peanutbutter,andhoney aregreatforwraps,saysthis YouTubevideo
Hydration:Warmdrinkslike spicedciderorhotcocoaare essential;avoidliquidsin containersthatcanfreezeand burst,likesomesodas
Slow-CookedMeals:Makealarge batchofsteworchiliathomeand reheatiteasilyoutdoorsfora heartydinner,suggestsGuiding Stars
TipsforWinterFueling
CombineEnergySources:Mix quickcarbswithslow-burning fatsandproteins(nuts,cheese, meat)toavoidenergycrashes Graze,Don'tOvereat:Frequent smallsnackskeepyouwarmer andenergizedbetterthanone big,coldmeal.
PrepSmart:Storeingredientsin plastictotestoprotectfrom crittersandmoisture
BeefyChiliStewRecipe
BeefyChiliStewisawinterwinnerwhenit comestocomfortfoodstackedwithground beef,tomatoes,dicedpotatoes,anda deliciousblendofseasonings.Allofthisis simmeredintoadeliciousbowlofgoodness
Ingredients
3lbs ofGroundBeef
1largeSweetOnion
2packetsofSazonSeasoning*pictured inpostbeforetherecipecard
2packetsofMcCormickOriginalChili SeasoningMix*picturedinpostbefore therecipecard
2cansofDicedTomatoeswithGreen Chilis(14.5ounceseach)
2cansofDicedPotatoes(15ounces each)
1canofDicedGreenChilis(4ounces)
3cupsofWater
1/4cupofKetchup
1tablespoonofOnionPowder
1tablespoonofGarlicPowder
2teaspoonsofBlackPepper
1teaspoonofSalt
2tablespoonsofCookingOilorButter
HEREYOUGO!
Instructions
1Dicetheonionintoasmall dice Addthecookingoilor buttertoadeeppot,addthe onions,andsautéuntilsoft andslightlygoldenbrown
2.Addthegroundbeefandcook withtheonions,crumblingit upasyougo Ifyoulike,break itupintoafinecrumble Use the85/15mixofbeefto eliminatetheneedtodrainit. Ifyouwanttodrain,doitnow
3Addthedryseasonings includingthepacketsofSazon andthechiliseasoning packets Sautéfor10minutes
4.Addthedicedtomatoes,green chilis,ketchup,andwater Bringtoasimmerand simmerfor15minutes.
5Drainandaddthecanned potatoesandthewater,bring toaboilagain,reduceheattoa lowsimmerandsimmerfor onehour Stirthisoccasionally, butdonotcoverit Alternative istoputthisallinaslowcooker atthispointandcooklowand slow6hours
6Turnofftheheatandletthe stewsitfor15minutesbefore serving 7Topwithcheese,onions,and sourcream.
CL BLACKBURN- STAFF WRITER
YITTY Lifestyle Wear Is All AboutAcceptance
Every woman wants to entice and excite the focusofherromanticyearnings andthatcan look many different ways, depending on the woman Most would agree, however, that the firstrequirementisbeinginlovewithoneself Thatbeginswithself-acceptance.
Accepting yourself as you are doesn’t mean abandoninggrowth Ifyou’renotsatisfied,seta plan in motion to achieve your goals In the meantime, love the body you ’ re in Being comfortable with yourself includes feeling good about how you look in workout attire, undergarments,andlingerie.Thosearethefirst steps.JustaskLizzo.
Knownnotonlyforhermusicaltalentbutalso forherbold sometimesoutlandish fashion choices,Lizzohasalwaysbroughtconfidence, regardless of size In 2022, Fabletics, Inc, the parent company of YITTY, launched the shapewear brand co-founded by the Grammy-winningartistLizzohasbeendeeply involvedinthebrandfromthestart
“I have been very involved in the design of everystyle,”shesaid.“Iseeeveryfabric,Ipick everycolor,andI’vetriedoneverypieceaton oftimes”
Since its launch, YITTY has amassed a major following, featuring campaigns for swimwear, shapewear,andmore provingthatsizeoften mattersmoreinthemindthananywhereelse Thebrand’slatestcampaignstarssingerChlöe Bailey,modelingpiecesfromYITTY’sNearly Nakedcollection
Atitscore,YITTYdeliversfeel-goodintimates and shapewear designed to support wearers emotionally, physically, and stylistically The brand’smissionisclear:
“We believe in celebrating every body not reshapingittofitanyone’sstandardsbutyour own Ourbold,expressivepiecescomeinsizes XS–6X and are made for every mood, moment,andmindsetWithunapologeticstyle and curve-loving fits, YITTY helps you feel confidentfromthefirstlayerout.”
In March 2025, Lizzo shared a personal milestone that surprised many While she didn’tdiscloseherweight,sherevealedthatshe had lost 16% of her body fat and lowered her BMIby10.5pointssincebeginningherhealth journeyinJanuary2024.Sheemphasizedthat hertransformationwasabouthealthandwellbeing notchasingtheaestheticidealofbeing “skinny”
Lizzo wants people to feel “good as hell” in shapewear.The33-year-oldsinger,rapper,and songwriter behind empowerment anthems like “Truth Hurts” and “Batches & Cookies” brings that same message of confidence and self-lovetoYITTY
