Michael Puente

Small businesses still reeling from Operation Midway Blitz: ‘It almost destroyed us’ Even though Border Patrol Cmdr. Greg Bovino and many of his agents left Chicago, some small business owners in predominantly Latino neighborhoods say their clientele has yet to fully return.

www.wbez.org/immigration/...

Protesters use music to reach into ‘black box’ at Broadview ICE facility The Crossing Borders Music String Quartet brought their own form of protest to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Broadview, Illinois, on Tuesday: classical music.

www.wbez.org/wbez-news/20...

Awaiting arrival of US Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to the Gary/Chicago International Airport this morning to give an update of Operation Midway Blitz. She is expected to be joined by Indiana Governor Mike Braun.

Siblings shaken after feds raid Gary home, arrest family — 'They punched me in the eye' Agents took the entire family into custody: Arnoldo Carrillo, 26, Arnoldo’s 53-year-old father, Rosario; Arnoldo's 56-year-old mother, Martha; his 24-year-old sister, Sarai and their 14-year-old broth...

chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...

A tense scene in downtown Chicago as Border Patrol commander Greg Bovino exists the Dirksen Federal Building after hearing with judge. 

Bovino told her the issue with making sure everyone has body cams is "getting the equipment" and "dispersal of the equipment."

But Ellis is explaining how "the camera is your friend."

JUST IN: Federal judge tells U.S. Border Patrol Gregory Bovino to have his own body-worn camera by Friday.

Bovino told her he has no camera, and he's not been trained to use one.

There is one supporter of ICE in the group.

Less than a dozen protesters are outside the Dirksen Federal building ahead of U.S. Border Patrol commander-at-large Gregory Balvino’s appearance before U.S. District Court Judge Sara Ellis in Chicago this morning.

Where can I find these best tamales in Chicago?

Federal Judge Upholds Chicago, Cook County and Illinois Protections for Undocumented Immigrants, Tosses Trump Lawsuit Forcing Chicago and Illinois law enforcement officials to help federal agents conduct deportation operations is unconstitutional, U.S. District Judge Lindsay Jenkins ruled.

The Trump administration has appealed a federal judge's refusal to invalidate the state, city and county laws designed to protect undocumented immigrants in Chicago by prohibiting local law enforcement officials from helping federal agents.
Background, from three months ago, for @wttw.bsky.social:

🔊 Listen Now: DHS agents shot a woman at a protest in Chicago Weekend Edition Sunday on NPR One | 3:44

DHS agents shot a woman at a protest in Chicago one.npr.org/i/nx-s1-5562...

NewsNation now showing propaganda videos with FBI and Border Patrol in Chicago. It’s not journalism, it’s propaganda.

A small vacation resort area in Michigan is one of the top markets for marijuana sales A tiny township in Michigan, best known as a vacation resort area, has become one of the top markets for marijuana sales. And it now has a new nickname: New Puffalo.

New Puffalo, Weed Capitol of the USA

www.npr.org/2025/09/03/n...

Week in Review: RTA Eyes Stopgap Funding to Avoid Service Cuts; Pleas for Flood Relief in Chicago President Donald Trump again floats the idea of sending troops to Chicago. And residents call for aid after getting slammed with storms and flooding.

Chicago Tonight | Week in Review: RTA Eyes Stopgap Funding to Avoid Service Cuts; Pleas for Flood Relief in Chicago, with John Pletz, @taliasoglin.bsky.social @sophiesherry.bsky.social @mikepuentenews.bsky.social & host @ndblumberg.bsky.social

Did anyone catch me on Chicago Tonight?

I’m back on Blue Sky!

Contradicting RFK Jr., CDC keeps recommending covid vaccine for kids While RFK Jr. said coronavirus vaccines would be removed from the CDC schedule for healthy children, it’s still recommended in consultation with doctors.

Breaking news: Contradicting HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the CDC continues to recommend the coronavirus vaccines for healthy children, according to new documentation posted to the agency's website.

Indiana lawmakers doing a great job at destroying Indiana University.

Tomorrow, join us on the Library's 2nd floor for the 21st Annual COAS Student Research Conference. The event will feature panels, posters, and an opportunity to try out Virtual Reality!

This year’s keynote speaker is @mikepuentenews.bsky.social from @wbez.org

northwest.iu.edu/coas/related...

Bird flu kills sandhill cranes in northern Indiana This is the first time sandhill cranes have died from avian influenza.

www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2...

At FOIA Fest in Chicago, sponsored by the Chicago Headline Club. Sold out event at Northwestern University’s downtown campus to assists journalists about accessing and obtaining public documents. It’s sold out so journalism is alive and well!

Federal complaints lodged against Chicago, Deerfield for accommodating trans students A north suburban mom says her teenage daughter was forced to change in front of a transgender classmate. Advocates and the district say it isn’t true.

chicago.suntimes.com/education/20...

Ten journalism organizations in Chicago got together to discuss ways to protect journalists during these times. Thank you to all including the Chicago Headline Club and the Field Foundation of Illinois!

This event is open to all journalists in the Chicago area. Please send me a message if you would like to attend. Thank you.

I'm proud to have helped put together this unique event.

Black-owned bookstores in Chicago struggle after 2020 surge 'as if supporting us was a trend' Black bookstores saw a spike in interest after 2020's social justice movement. But that support has waned, they say, and with the economic downturn since the pandemic and competition from online retai...

Black-owned bookstores in Chicago struggle now after 2020 surge 'as if supporting us was a trend'
chicago.suntimes.com/books/2025/0... by @mariahrush.bsky.social

Small but feisty group in Northwest Indiana protesting the policies of President Trump on Presidents’ Day.

Listen for my report on WBEZ.

(Michael Puente/WBEZ)

AP will continue to call it Gulf of Mexico!

www.ap.org/the-definiti...

Indivisible Chicago leader speaks into microphone at a rally behind an array of TV microphones and in front of a crowd and Indivisible Chicago banner

Large crowd gathered in Chicago's Federal Plaza by Calder sculpture. Protest signs read Resist, What country is this? and more

Protesters at rally hold signs saying Impeach Trump, Elon is a Nazi, Stop Trump, Save USAID, We the People, and more

Marshals in yellow vests speak into megaphones and lead chants in crowd of protesters carrying signs, eg Stop the Coup, Senate Dems: block, delay, obstruct

Musk & Trump are working to dismantle our government, concentrate all power in the White House, and destroy programs that protect our health, security, freedoms. On Feb 5th, 1000+ people joined Indivisible Chicago's rally to send a message to our senators & the world. Photos: @pgoyette.bsky.social