Dan Mihalopoulos

ICE has spun a massive surveillance web. We talked to people caught in it The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE and Border Patrol, is using a broad web of surveillance tools — purchased as its budget has ballooned under this administration — to monitor, apprehend and intimidate the people it seeks to deport and the U.S. citizens critical of its policies.

The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE and Border Patrol, is using a broad web of surveillance tools — purchased as its budget has ballooned under this administration — to monitor, apprehend and intimidate the people it seeks to deport and the U.S. citizens critical of its policies.

Ruben Ray Martinez: Footage shows US citizen shot by ICE agent in Texas traffic stop The Department of Homeland Security did not disclose Martinez was shot by one of its agents until almost a year later.

Newly released footage shows an ICE agent killing Rubin Ray Martinez, 23, in his car in Texas.

"He was shot at point-blank range through his side window by an ICE agent who was in no danger."
www.bbc.com/news/article...

Now casting in Chicago: my big fat Greek friend group

This is going to be like Shahs of Sunset, only with peasant parents and grandparents

Goodbye, chef: 'The Bear' to end after upcoming fifth season, report says ‘Deadline’ reports that the upcoming season of the Chicago-set kitchen dramedy will be its last. The show put the city’s restaurant industry in the spotlight and made stars out of its leads, Jeremy Al...

No, chef! chicago.suntimes.com/movies-and-t...

Your other data point is the movie "Fargo" ... no, wait, that's NORTH Dakota

🔊 Listen Now: ICE protesters keep beating Trump in Chicago court, but the battles take a toll — 'It's about intimidation' WBEZ on NPR One

ICE protesters keep beating Trump in Chicago court, but the battles take a toll — 'It's about intimidation'

An @wbez.org report with @mariahwoelfel.bsky.social: one.npr.org?sharedMediaI...

At Jesse Jackson Service, the Humble and Powerful Come to Pay Homage

The "public homegoing" for the Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. is today on the South Side of Chicago www.nytimes.com/2026/03/06/u...

Aspira will soon have no teachers or money. CPS is still struggling to close it The financially distressed charter school network sent layoff notices to dozens of staffers, but its leaders are trying to keep its schools open. CPS says state law makes it hard to close the troubled...

In the middle of school year, charter school CEO in Chicago sends layoff notices to 60 teachers and staff - including one layoff notice to himself.

@wbez.org ace ed reporter @sskedreporter.bsky.social has the scoop as always chicago.suntimes.com/education/20...

Some Cook County Board commissioners skip more than 20% of their meetings A WBEZ analysis of board meeting records revealed two incumbents with primary challengers scored among the worst truancy rates in this term.

Your $102K/year Cook County commissioners can decide to "excuse" themselves from their own meetings - and some are doing that 20% of the time or more chicago.suntimes.com/2026/03/06/c...

View from WBEZ studios

Fog so thick you can barely see the water treatment plant across the yacht marina from Navy Pier

Justice Department publishes some missing Epstein files related to Trump The Justice Department has published additional Epstein files related to allegations that President Trump sexually abused a minor after an NPR investigation found dozens of pages were withheld.

NEW @npr.org: The Justice Department has published additional Epstein files related to allegations that President Trump sexually abused a minor after an NPR investigation found dozens of pages were withheld.

But 37 pages of records are still not public.

More:

I was in the Dominican Republic covering the home run race for the St. Louis newspaper. And Joaquin Andujar told me there had to be some reason why the numbers had spiked so drastically …

Steve is being treated like a domestic terrorist only for reporting on the Trump anti-immigrant “blitz” in the Chicago area.

He was detained but NOT charged - yet punished.

This is purely to deter those who question power or even observe what’s being done by DHS.

Again - #JournalismIsNotACrime

Read all about it here www.dailyherald.com/20260226/new...

Donate to Running for Mount Prospect Food Pantry, organized by William Schroeder Hello everyone, my name is William and on March 7th & 8th, 2026 I am particip… William Schroeder needs your support for Running for Mount Prospect Food Pantry

A really nice guy, running (a lot) for a great cause www.gofundme.com/f/village-of...

Letter from suburban superintendents to Preckwinkle

Letter from suburban superintendents to Preckwinkle

Letter from suburban superintendents to Preckwinkle

Today, 90 suburban school superintendents sent this letter to Cook Co Board President Toni Preckwinkle alleging “catastrophic mismanagement” and “a failure of leadership that actively harms” the public.

They also called for a “formal audit” of Treasurer Maria Pappas‘s office

Nice work!

Full disclosure: Chicago Public Media has litigated a number of public records cases involving the CPD.

In cases pertaining to my reporting, we are repped by Matt Topic and his FOIA Team

A PR Push on the Public Dime: Chicago Police Podcast Records Peel Back Layers of Expanded Communication Costs Podcasts are a new avenue for police to reach the communities they serve. A monthslong public records battle with CPD identifies the cost of the podcast “Roll Call.” It is the latest evidence of the h...

One of many glistening nuggets of information in this @wttw.bsky.social story by @jaredrutecki.bsky.social news.wttw.com/2026/02/25/p...

“Since 2015 the Chicago Law Dept. has paid more than $3.1 million in more than 200 public records, litigation cases involving the police department”

Chicago has spent gobs of public dollars to lawyers who hold them accountable when they illegally stonewall access to public records #FOIA

Spin City PD

Indiana's Bears stadium bill advances, awaits governor's signature Senate Bill 27 empowers the Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority to acquire and finance a Bears stadium. It passed 45-4 Thursday.

In Indianapolis, Hoosier politicians say they think the Bears are "very serious" this time - and are talking about Dick Butkus.

But have they kissed the butts of the current Bears ownership enough to lure the team to Indiana after all?
chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2026/0...

How Jeffrey Epstein sought to infiltrate the justice system New Epstein files emails show how Epstein tried to cultivate relationships with prosecutors and others involved in his case

NEW: (gift) A Miami Herald Investigation: How Jeffrey Epstein Beat the Justice System by @jkbjournalist.bsky.social and @clurhealy.bsky.social
www.miamiherald.com/news/politic...

Two Cook County property tax appeal commissioners face strong challengers in March 17 primary Democratic Board of Review members Samantha Steele and George Cardenas have feuded. Both face opponents with lots of political experience.

A lot of Democratic politicians are lining up behind the March 17 primary challengers to Cook County Board of Review Commissioners Samantha Steele and George Cardenas, who say they've done a good job amid several high-profile controversies chicago.suntimes.com/elections/20...

Poll numbers from Illinois US Senate election

Looks like Raja’s big advantage quickly shrunk - or may be gone entirely

Crowded primary for Krishnamoorthi's suburban House seat underscores Democrats' generational divide As former U.S. Rep. Melissa Bean looks to retake a seat she lost 16 years ago, candidates with more progressive platforms are calling for a new generation of leadership.

Lotsa Democrats interested in the northwest suburban US House seat left open by Senate candidate Raja Krishnamoorthi chicago.suntimes.com/elections/20...

For the first time since at least the Great Depression.

As the country of immigrants turns hostile to new arrivals, native-born Americans seek to live abroad

Reports of the Midwest’s demise have been exaggerated

Justice Department withheld and removed some Epstein files related to Trump An NPR investigation finds the public database of Epstein files is missing dozens of pages related to sexual abuse accusations against President Trump.

EXCLUSIVE: An @npr.org investigation finds the public database of Epstein files is missing dozens of pages related to sexual abuse accusations against President Trump.

Other documents that mention Trump have been taken down (and some restored).

More:

F.B.I. Raids Los Angeles Schools Chief’s Home and District Headquarters

Will LA follow Chicago’s footsteps and see its public schools chief in handcuffs? www.nytimes.com/2026/02/25/u...