Laura Turbay –

San Diego Padres minor-league coach is released from ICE custody, family says

August 25, 2026 at 9:49 p.m.

The San Diego Padres says Oswaldo Pirela, a coaching coordinator in their minor league system, is back with his family after being detained by federal immigration officers in Texas.

San Diego Padres minor-league coach Oswaldo Pirela, a Venezuela native, is detained by ICE

August 18, 2026 at 3:21 p.m.

A former professional baseball player from Venezuela working for the San Diego Padres organization was detained by U.S. immigration officers after arriving in Texas on a work trip for the...

Volunteers help clear tree limbs near a damaged house after a tornado hit the day before in Appleton, Wis., Tuesday, July 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Kayla Wolf)

Powerful tornado leaves widespread damage in Wisconsin but time of day may have saved lives

July 28, 2026 at 8:00 p.m.

First responders searched homes and buildings on Tuesday for possible victims of a powerful tornado that ravaged several northeastern Wisconsin communities.

Jordonea Hongo, 28, receives a hug from a dancer while sitting with her brother, Jeremiah, 18, and her mother, Angela, as the family attends the annual Spring Bling dance competition at Hammond Central High School in Hammond, Indiana, on April 11, 2026. A tribute to Angela’s son Boaz Flemister and two other young people who died recently, was held during the competition. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)

Foundation launched in honor of young South Side dancer killed in Bishop Ford crash

April 21, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Mother of teen South Side dancer killed in a Bishop Ford Freeway crash launches foundation to support Chicago urban dance communities, which have been reeling from a slew of recent...

Rolanda Phoenix, center, is held by Lakashia Collins, right, on April 16, 2026, as family and friends mourn the death of Phoenix’s son, Eric Billops, 16, who was fatally shot the previous afternoon at a bus stop in the 6300 block of South Stony Island Avenue in Chicago. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)

Family, friends say farewell to Hyde Park student killed at bus stop: ‘I thought I was gonna get to go to a graduation’

April 16, 2026 at 8:24 p.m.

Sixteen-year-old Eric Billops was fatally shot by someone in a school uniform as school let out for the day at Hyde Park Academy Wednesday afternoon, a police report said.

Santo Nieves, center, picks items to fill a client’s order at the Pilsen Food Pantry, 2124 S. Ashland Avenue in Chicago, April 1, 2026. (Terrence Antonio James/baiduhai)

More than 16,000 immigrants in Illinois may lose food assistance in the coming months

April 11, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Immigrants — including refugees, asylees and survivors of human trafficking — are no longer eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly known as SNAP.

Venezuelans cross illegally into Colombia near the Simon Bolivar International Bridge, April 14, 2019, which is partially closed by Venezuelan authorities, seen from La Parada near Cucuta, Colombia. (Fernando Vergara/AP)

No passport. No flights. No easy way home for Venezuelans who want to leave Chicago.

April 10, 2026 at 4:20 p.m.

Countless Venezuelans want to return to their home country, but have been unable to because of broken diplomatic ties and bureaucratic hurdles between the two countries.

Former Lesac Corp. employees Maria Dolores Garcia, 49, and Reynalda Torres, 65, in Chicago, April 7, 2026, allege they were unfairly terminated from the company, which later settled with Arise Chicago, a workers rights group, for allegations of unfair labor practices.(Antonio Perez/baiduhai)

Illinois filter companies settle allegations of unfair labor practices for about $158,000

April 8, 2026 at 5:24 p.m.

Lesac Corp. and Filter Technology Inc. have settled allegations of unfair labor practices with Arise Chicago, the workers rights group, which is supporting the former workers.

Children run into the auditorium for the Easter egg hunt during an Easter extravaganza at New Life Covenant Church Southeast in Chicago’s Grand Crossing neighborhood on Saturday, April 4, 2026. (Josh Boland/baiduhai)

Hundreds of children attend Easter egg hunt at a South Side church

April 4, 2026 at 6:43 p.m.

About 1,200 parents registered for the Easter event Saturday at the New Life Covenant Church on the South Side.

Children dressed as disciples of Jesus and an angel walk on 18th Street during the annual Good Friday Via Crucis procession in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood on April 3, 2026. (Josh Boland/baiduhai)

Annual Way of the Cross draws crowds on Good Friday in Pilsen

April 3, 2026 at 3:13 p.m.

Hundreds of people attended the Via Crucis in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood on Good Friday, straining their necks to catch a glimpse of the actor portraying Jesus in his final moments.

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