Author: chicagoinquirer

by Steve Peoples and Will Weissert WASHINGTON  — Democrats dominated the first major Election Day since President Donald Trump returned to the White House. And while a debate about the future of the Democratic Party may have only just begun, there are signs that the economy — specifically, Trump’s inability to deliver the economic turnaround he promised last fall — may be a real problem for Trump’s GOP heading into next year’s higher-stakes midterm elections. Democrats on Tuesday won governor’s races in Virginia and New Jersey, the only states electing new chief executives this year. They also swept a trio…

by Lisa Mascaro and Mary Clare Jalonick WASHINGTON  — President Donald Trump lashed out Wednesday at Senate Republicans to end the government shutdown, now the longest ever, blaming the record-breaking impasse for the party’s defeat in closely-watched elections while Democrats emboldened by their off-year victories dug in for a fight. Trump, whose first term at the White House set the previous government shutdown record, said this one was a “big factor, negative” in Tuesday’s races. He repeated his demands for Republicans to end the Senate filibuster as a way to reopen government — something senators have refused to do. Buoyed…

by Joe Reedy CINCINNATI  — Caleb Williams connected with Colston Loveland for a 58-yard touchdown with 17 seconds left, and the Chicago Bears beat the Cincinnati Bengals 47-42 on Sunday in a wild game that featured three touchdowns in the last two minutes and two lead changes in the final minute. After Joe Flacco put the Bengals ahead 42-41 with a 9-yard touchdown pass to Andrei Iosivas, Chicago (5-3) took over on its own 28 with 54 seconds left. Four plays later, on first down from the 42, Williams found Loveland down the middle. The rookie tight end caught it…

BY  ARIEL FERNÁNDEZ, ANDREA RODRÍGUEZ AND JOHN MYERS JR. Updated 12:18 PM CDT, October 30, 2025 Leer en español by Ariel Fernandez, Andrea Rodriguez and John Myers Jr. SANTIAGO DE CUBA, Cuba  — The rumble of large machinery, whine of chain saws and chopping of machetes echoed through communities across the northern Caribbean on Thursday as they dug out from the destruction of Hurricane Melissa and assessed the damage left behind. In southeastern Jamaica, government workers and residents began clearing roads in a push to reach dozens of isolated communities that sustained a direct hit from one of the most…

by Larry Lage DETROIT  — Chauncey Billups earned a spot in the Basketball Hall of Fame a year ago, recognizing his resilience and clutch play in a championship-winning NBA career. His ability to bounce back and make all the right moves is being put to an entirely different test by a gambling scandal. Billups, who was placed on leave as coach of the Portland Trail Blazers, was one of more than 30 people arrested last week for what federal law enforcement officials described as their involvement in various illicit gambling activities. The coach was alleged to have participated in a…

 by Kevin Freking and Stephen Groves WASHINGTON  — The pressure to end the second-longest federal government shutdown is gaining new urgency this week as millions of Americans face the prospect of losing food assistance, more federal workers miss their first full paycheck and recurring delays at airports snarl travel plans. The building strain on lawmakers to end the impasse was magnified by the nation’s largest federal employee union, which called on Congress to immediately pass a funding bill and ensure workers receive full pay. Everett Kelley, president of the American Federation of Government Employees, said the two political parties have…

by Matt Calson CHICAGO  — Ayo Dosunmu scored 21 points, Josh Giddey had 18 points and 13 rebounds and the Chicago Bulls rallied to top the Atlanta Hawks 128-123 on Monday night. Nikola Vucevic had 17 points and 17 rebounds as Chicago came back from an early 13-point deficit to improved to 3-0, its best start in four years. Kristaps Porzingis scored 27 points and Jalen Johnson added 25 in their return to the the Hawks lineup, but Atlanta dropped its second straight and the first of a four game trip to fall to 1-3. Trae Young had 21 points…

by Joey Cappelletti  and Ali  Swenson WASHINGTON (AP) — The first caller on a telephone town hall with Maryland Rep. Andy Harris, leader of the House’s conservative Freedom Caucus, came ready with a question about the Affordable Care Act. Her cousin’s disabled son is at risk of losing the insurance he gained under that law, the caller said. “Now she’s looking at two or three times the premium that she’s been paying for the insurance,” said the woman, identified as Lisa from Harford County, Maryland. “I’d love for you to elucidate what the Republicans’ plan is for health insurance?” Harris,…

by Adriana Gomez Licon Former President Joe Biden called these “dark days” as he urged Americans to stay optimistic and not to check out in response to what he says are attacks on free speech and tests on the limits of executive power by President Donald Trump. “Since its founding, America served as a beacon for the most powerful idea ever in government in the history of the world,” Biden said. “The idea is stronger than any army. We’re more powerful than any dictator.” Biden, 82, speaking publicly for the first time since completing a round of radiation therapy for…

by David Ginsburg BALTIMORE  — The Chicago Bears’ four-game winning streak is over, mainly because of their inability to tap into their usual formula for success against the Baltimore Ravens. Chicago put together its longest victory run since 2018 by forcing turnovers, running effectively and playing solid defense in the fourth quarter. None of that happened on Sunday. Throw in an inordinate amount of penalties — several of the pre-snap variety — and it’s no wonder the Bears’ exhilarating winning streak ended with a 30-16 defeat. Chicago came in with an NFL-best plus-11 turnover differential and had forced at least…