Good morning, Chicago.
On his family’s more than century-old farm in Greenville, Scott Gaffner brought in his soybeans this fall much like any other year. But, like thousands of other farmers across Illinois and the country, he began harvesting crops in September without a single order from China, the world’s largest buyer.
Soybeans are Illinois’ largest agricultural export, and last year, the state exported more than $1.4 billion worth of soybeans to China, according to the Illinois Department of Agriculture. This year, an unpredictable trade war with China, rising costs and competition from South America are hitting farmers hard, especially in Illinois, the largest soybean producer in the country.
“In the long term, we lose market access, we lose the ability to have decent prices,” Gaffner said. “It affects us in the long run, and that could mean some of our businesses and operations may go out of business.”
Here are the top stories you need to know to start your day, including: what to expect from the weather this weekend, everything you need to know about today’s Bears game and our guide to holiday lights around Chicago.
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What we do and don’t know about the shooting of 2 National Guard members in DC
The brazen daytime shooting of two National Guard members in the nation’s capital by a man authorities identified as an Afghan national has raised multiple questions.
Officials have released the name of the suspect, who is in custody, and the names of the two Guard members who were shot, one fatally. But the suspect’s motive for the attack is not yet clear. Here’s what we know so far, and what we don’t know.
Bodycam footage from Operation Midway Blitz released: ‘It’s all about arresting people’
Footage from nearly four dozen body cameras worn by immigration agents during Operation Midway Blitz was released to the public on Wednesday, capturing in shaky, first-person style the abject chaos on the streets as residents and protesters were tear-gassed, hit with pepper balls and arrested during protests of immigration enforcement actions.
The group of videos made public through the Loevy & Loevy law firm includes footage from agents who responded to controversial arrest operations in the Little Village and Irving Park neighborhoods.
Evanston police bodycams show chaos after Halloween clash between Border Patrol agents and community
Roughly seven hours of police body-worn camera footage and 911 call audio were released by the Evanston Police Department last week in response to a Freedom of Information Act request.
Taken together, they offer a new look into one of the more troubling clashes between federal agents and community members that broke out across Chicago’s northwest side and nearby suburbs on Oct. 31 — clashes that have become a hallmark of the Trump administration’s “Operation Midway Blitz.”
As the immigration blitz wound down, an Uptown couple breathed a sigh of relief. Then they were torn apart.
Standing before a federal judge in Chicago’s Loop, Eva Gurtovaia took her oath of allegiance to the United States. She was now officially a citizen, a moment she and her husband, Enes Abak, had been looking forward to for months.
Loved ones filled the courtroom. None, though, was hers. Abak couldn’t be there to watch. No, he was across state lines in federal custody.
Officials warn winter storm and heavy snow will affect holiday travel plans
After a blustery, chilly Thanksgiving day, a winter storm watch will be in effect for much of northern and central Illinois and parts of northwest Indiana from 3 p.m. Friday until 6 a.m. Sunday, with possible snow accumulations of over 6 inches.
Pope Leo XIV encourages Turkey to be a force for stability and peace as he opens first foreign trip
Pope Leo XIV encouraged Turkey to be a source of stability and dialogue in a world riven by conflict, as he opened his first foreign trip as pope yesterday with a plea for peace amid efforts to end wars in Ukraine and Gaza.
Chicago Bears at Philadelphia Eagles: Everything you need to know about the Week 13 game before kickoff
The 8-3 Bears will play the 8-3 Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in a Week 13 matchup. Here’s what you need to know before kickoff (2 p.m., Prime Video).
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Jeremiyah Love’s Heisman Trophy candidacy is building steam during a highlight-reel November
Jeremiyah Love’s Heisman moment? Well, that’s up for debate. Because there have been several in November alone as the 6-foot, 214-pound junior has become a serious candidate for the award, which will be announced Dec. 13.
Catching up with Steve Albini’s Closet, the endless online yard sale of the late Chicago music legend’s estate
For the next several months, Byron Coley will be attempting to sell every this, that and the other thing once owned by Steve Albini, the legendary Chicago record producer and musician whose name was synonymous with indie acts like Nirvana, PJ Harvey, the Pixies.
After Albini died unexpectedly last year at 61, Coley, a longtime music writer, liner-notes author, former editor at Spin and Forced Exposure and occasional estate administrator, set up a digital estate sale, with most of the proceeds going to Albini’s widow, filmmaker Heather Whinna.
Photos: The 2025 Chicago Thanksgiving Parade
Marching bands, floats, performers and of course, Santa Claus, all came to State Street for the 91st annual Chicago Thanksgiving Parade.
Holiday lights around Chicago: Our top 10 seasonal displays, from Chicago Botanic Garden to the Cantigny estate
Holiday light displays are opening around the Chicago area, including impressive glow-ups at the Chicago Botanic Garden and Morton Arboretum. Others, some off the beaten path, imbue holiday cheer on foot, in the car and even on horseback.