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NEW YORK — The man charged with killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was not a client of the medical insurer and may have targeted it because of its size and influence, a senior police official said Thursday. NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny told NBC New York in an interview Thursday that investigators have uncovered evidence that Luigi Mangione had prior knowledge UnitedHealthcare was holding its annual investor conference in New York City. Mangione also mentioned the company in a note found in his possession when he was detained by police in Pennsylvania. Suspect Luigi Mangione is taken into the Blair County Courthouse on Tuesday in Hollidaysburg, Pa. "We have no indication that he was ever a client of United Healthcare, but he does make mention that it is the fifth largest corporation in America, which would make it the largest healthcare organization in America. So that's possibly why he targeted that company," Kenny said. People are also reading... UnitedHealthcare is in the top 20 largest U.S. companies by market capitalization but is not the fifth largest. It is the largest U.S. health insurer. Mangione remains jailed without bail in Pennsylvania, where he was arrested Monday after being spotted at a McDonald's in the city of Altoona, about 230 miles west of New York City. His lawyer there, Thomas Dickey, said Mangione intends to plead not guilty. Dickey also said he had yet to see evidence decisively linking his client to the crime. Mangione's arrest came five days after the caught-on-camera killing of Thompson outside a Manhattan hotel. Luigi Mangione, a 26-year-old Ivy League graduate, was arrested on December 9, 2024, after a six-day manhunt and charged with the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. His arrest has sparked a viral social media movement, with many hailing him as a symbol of resistance against systemic healthcare failures. The #FreeLuigi movement gained significant traction, with his social media profiles amassing over 100,000 new followers before being suspended. Despite this, the movement continues to trend, highlighting public discontent with the U.S. healthcare system. Some social media users argue that Mangione's radicalization stemmed from the struggles faced by millions in obtaining necessary healthcare, and not from his university education. Mangione’s arrest at a McDonald's in Altoona led to the seizure of a "ghost gun," a suppressor, fake IDs, and a manifesto criticizing the healthcare system. While the manifesto seems to admit guilt, some users question Mangione's responsibility, pointing out discrepancies in surveillance photos. The fascination with Mangione has only intensified, with discussions about his attractiveness and comparisons to characters in Ryan Murphy's productions. The phenomenon is reminiscent of society's long-standing obsession with infamous criminals, blurring lines between horror and hero worship. Former FBI agent Rob D’Amico noted that Mangione is seen by some as a "Robin Hood" figure fighting against corporate greed, which complicates the investigation. Police say the shooter waited outside the hotel, where the health insurer was holding its investor conference, early Dec. 4. He approached Thompson from behind and shot him before fleeing on a bicycle through Central Park. Mangione is fighting attempts to extradite him back to New York so that he can face a murder charge in Thompson's killing. A hearing was scheduled for Dec. 30. The 26-year-old, who police say was found with a " ghost gun " matching shell casings found at the site of the shooting, is charged in Pennsylvania with possession of an unlicensed firearm, forgery and providing false identification to police. Luigi Mangione was arrested Monday in Altoona, Pennsylvania, in connection with the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in what law enforcement has called a "targeted attack." Mangione is from a prominent Maryland family with extensive business interests. The Mangione family is known for developing real estate and running businesses. Relatives expressed shock over the arrest and offered condolences to Thompson’s family. Mangione faces multiple charges, including murder, firearm possession, and forgery, in New York and Pennsylvania. Mangione is an Ivy League graduate from a prominent Maryland real estate family. In posts on social media, Mangione wrote about experiencing severe chronic back pain before undergoing a spinal fusion surgery in 2023. Afterward, he posted that the operation was a success and that his pain improved and mobility returned. He urged others to consider the same type of surgery. On Wednesday, police said investigators are looking at his writings about his health problems and his criticism of corporate America and the U.S. health care system. Kenny said in the NBC interview that Mangione's family reported him missing to San Francisco authorities in November. Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email.‘End of an era’: What’s next for Matt Gaetz?

When Tony Clark first visited Chicago 11 years ago, he said he saw homeless people experience “a different kind of horror.” Winters here, the Australian said, are on another level. “I had never seen horizontal ice,” he says. Clark was in Chicago then, in 2013, to accept an award for the “backpack bed” he co-designed with his wife for the unhoused. The idea, which he said came to him in church, was to give people “warmth, comfort and dignity.” He helped distribute about 150 of his backpacks that convert into tents to homeless people across the city then. Now, Clark has returned to Chicago with the goal of handing out many more of the backpack beds. The goal is 1,632, to be exact. That’s the number of people estimated to be living on the streets according to the city’s last Point in Time survey. Clark says he thinks that count is probably low. But he says it’s a starting point. On a wet Friday morning, Clark demonstrated the backpack tent in Union Park, crawling into one himself. He was flanked by representatives from four homeless advocacy groups that will distribute the tents once they raise funds for the $200,000 price tag. That roughly covers the tent price of $124 for every person living on the street according to the latest survey, Clark says. He is asking people to donate at GoodnightChicago.org . When the money is raised, the beds can be shipped to Chicago in late December or early January, he said. The beds can be distributed by the participating homeless organizations, which currently include Inner Voice, Street Samaritans, Our Moms Mission, Franciscan Outreach. Clark, a former IT entrepreneur who speaks with the enthusiasm of a television pitchman, explained the benefits of such a small tent. The 6-pound tent rolls out from its backpack into something that resembles a sleeping bag. But, unlike a sleeping bag, the tent is hardened for tough weather, including snow, rain and even fire. The bags are made of a fire-retardant material that resists burning, he says. When the tent is rolled up into its backpack, the bag still has unused space for belongings. Each tent includes a clear window and two vents, and sports a small Australian flag. This collapsible tent is designed to avoid the pitfalls of other more permanent camping tents that draw the ire of the community, avoiding what Clark said is an “us versus them” dynamic. Dr. Diane Washington, a retired behavioral health psychiatrist at Cook County Health, has been advocating for emergency room doctors to distribute the backpack bed to homeless people they discharge. The tents are especially needed for surviving the winter months. “The No. 1 problem is frostbite,” she said. She’s seen homeless people suffer amputations during the winter from frostbite. Shelter, including a tent like this backpack, would address that issue. Two years ago she and a philanthropic partner distributed 40 of the backpack beds. Jackie Edens, CEO of Inner Voice, says the tents are needed at a time when the city lacks the funding to meaningfully address homelessness. Last spring, voters shot down Mayor Brandon Johnson’s Bring Chicago Home ballot measure, which would have increased the property transfer tax for $1 million-plus to boost funding for homeless services. “There needs to be political will” to address the problem, said Edens, who was commissioner of former Mayor Richard M. Daley’s Office of Workforce Development. Clark speaks of a “philanthropic return on investment” that the tents provide, beyond the sticker price. He points to one estimate that each $124 tent produces $3,319 in “community impact,” when you consider the prevented emergency room visits and potential for employment. Washington said, based on her health care experience, the savings from each prevented ER visits is more likely over $20,000. “The cost of the bed outweighs any of that,” she says. Clark’s nonprofit has expanded since he last visited Chicago over a decade ago. He now sells around 7,000 beds to over 1,000 homeless organization in Australia alone. He says he is connected with 65 groups in the U.S. and hopes to expand to more. “Dignity is the first step to getting people off the streets,” Clark says.PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Honey, they shrunk the catalogs. While retailers hope to go big this holiday season , customers may notice that the printed gift guides arriving in their mailboxes are smaller. Many of the millions of catalogs getting sent to U.S. homes were indeed scaled down to save on postage and paper, resulting in pint-sized editions. Lands’ End, Duluth Trading Company and Hammacher Schlemmer are among gift purveyors using smaller editions. Some retailers are saving even more money with postcards. Lisa Ayoob, a tech-savvy, online shopper in Portland, Maine, was surprised by the size of a recent catalog she received from outdoor apparel company Carbon2Cobalt. “It almost felt like it was a pamphlet compared to a catalog,” she said. Catalogs have undergone a steady recalibration over the years in response to technological changes and consumer behavior. The thick, heavy Sears and J.C. Penney catalogs that brought store displays to American living rooms slimmed down and gave way to targeted mailings once websites could do the same thing. Recent postal rate increases accelerated the latest shift to compact formats. The number of catalogs mailed each year dropped about 40% between 2006 to 2018, when an estimated 11.5 billion were mailed to homes, according to the trade group formerly known as the American Catalog Mailers Association. In a sign of the times, the group based in Washington rebranded itself in May as the American Commerce Marketing Association, reflecting a broadened focus. But don't expect catalogs to go the way of dinosaurs yet. Defying predictions of doom, they have managed to remain relevant in the e-commerce era. Retail companies found that could treat catalogs with fewer pages as a marketing tool and include QR and promo codes to entice customers to browse online and complete a purchase. Despite no longer carrying an extended inventory of goods, catalogs are costly to produce and ship. But they hold their own in value because of growing digital advertising costs, helping retailers cut through the noise for consumers barraged by multi-format advertisements, industry officials say. In an unlikely twist, notable e-commerce companies like Amazon and home goods supplier Wayfair started distributing catalogs in recent years. Amazon began mailing a toy catalog in 2018. That was the same year Sears, which produced an annual Christmas Wish Book Wish starting in 1933, filed for bankruptc y. Fans of printed information may rejoice to hear that apparel retailer J.Crew relaunched its glossy catalog this year. Research shows that the hands-on experience of thumbing through a catalog leaves a greater impression on consumers, said Jonathan Zhang, a professor of marketing at Colorado State University. “The reason why these paper formats are so effective is that our human brains haven’t evolved as fast as technology and computers over the past 10 to 20 years. We retain more information when we read something on paper. That's why paper books remain relevant," Zhang said. “The psychology shows that three-dimensional, tactile experiences are more memorable.” Pint-sized presentations still can work, though, because the purpose of catalogs these days is simply to get customers’ attention, Zhang said. Conserving paper also works better with younger consumers who are worried about the holiday shopping season's impact on the planet, he said. Postal increases are hastening changes. The latest round of postage hikes in July included the category with the 8.5-by-11-inch size that used to be ubiquitous for the catalog industry. Many retailers responded by reducing the size of catalogs, putting them in a lower-cost letter category, said Paul Miller, executive vice president and managing director of the American Commerce Marketing Association. One size, called a “slim jim,” measures 10.5 by 5.5 inches. But there other sizes. Some retailers have further reduced costs by mailing large postcards to consumers. Lands' End, for one, is testing new compact formats to supplement its traditional catalogs. This year, that included folded glossy brochures and postcards, along with other formats, Chief Transformation Officer Angie Rieger said. Maine resident Ayoob said she understands why retailers still use catalogs even though she no longer is a fan of the format. These days, she prefers to browse for products on the internet, not by flipping through paper pages. “Everybody wants eyeballs. There’s so much out there -- so many websites, so many brands,” said Ayoob, who spent 35 years working in department stores and in the wholesale industry. Targeting customers at home is not a new concept. L.L. Bean was a pioneer of the mail-order catalog after its founder promoted his famous “Maine Hunting Shoe” to hunting license holders from out-of-state in 1912. The outdoor clothing and equipment company based in Freeport, Maine, is sticking to mailing out regular-sized catalogs for now. “By showcasing our icons, the catalog became an icon itself,” L.L. Bean spokesperson Amanda Hannah said. "Even as we invest more in our digital and brand marketing channels, the catalog retains a strong association with our brand, and is therefore an important part of our omni-channel strategy, especially for our loyal customers.”

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OTTAWA - Zayne Parekh lived a strange week earlier this month. The Calgary Flames prospect was crushed after being left off Canada’s list of selection camp hopefuls for the upcoming world junior hockey championship. A chance to pull on the red Maple Leaf was a dream. At age 18, there would still be next year. Not seeing his name alongside the rest of the country’s marquee under-20 talent still stung. Some five days later, however, the defenceman from Nobleton, Ont., selected ninth overall at June’s NHL draft, was making travel plans for the nation’s capital — handed an unexpected lifeline that kept his tournament quest alive. “A lot of motivation came from finding out that I wasn’t on the team,” said Parekh, who replaced the injured Harrison Brunicke last Friday. “A bit devastated because every kid wants to represent their country on the highest stage. “Glad I got a second opportunity.” Oshawa Generals winger Beckett Sennecke, meanwhile, waited until Monday for his tap on the shoulder with Easton Cowan being held out of action this week as a precaution. The No. 3 pick in 2024 wants to do everything he can to ensure it doesn’t get slammed shut a second time. “It’s tough to not see your (name) on there,” said 18-year-old, who like Parekh has another year of world junior eligibility. “Getting the call a couple days later was extremely exciting. “I have certain qualities that they like. I’m trying to display those.” Parekh and Sennecke were last to enter the building. That doesn’t mean they’ll be the first two out. “You’ve got to cut the number off at some point,” said Hockey Canada’s Peter Anholt, who heads the organization’s under-20 program. “They’re here now to show us what they can do and see if they can cut out a niche.” Parehk and Sennecke took part in Thursday’s exhibition game against a team of university all-stars at TD Place that saw Canada register a 5-2 victory. Sennecke picked up two assists. The Canadians face the U Sports squad again Friday before the national program’s brain trust trims its roster. Parekh had an admittedly slow start to his Ontario Hockey League campaign with the Saginaw Spirit after winning last season’s Memorial Cup, going through the draft process and taking part in Calgary’s training camp. “They know I’m capable of playing with the puck,” the six-foot, 180-pound defender with 34 points across 25 games said of Canada’s management group. “You’ve got to step on the ice with a purpose and compete as hard as you can. I’m going to try and leave a good impression on all the staff.” Sennecke is in a similar boat. The six-foot-four, 195-pound forward needs to show he can play a 200-foot game to have a chance of sticking with Canada — a powerhouse aiming to rebound off a disastrous fifth-place finish 12 months ago in Sweden — for the annual showcase set to open Dec. 26 in Ottawa. “Size, speed, direct game, a heavy game,” Sennecke said of his attributes. “Going to continue to do what I do.” The Toronto native has 44 points in 26 contests with Oshawa, including six goals and eight assists in three appearances after initially being told he hadn’t been invited to try out at TD Place. “Hockey gods kind of rewarding me,” he said with a smile. “A couple good games where everything went in.” After bitter disappointment followed by excitement, both Parekh and Sennecke still cling to a world junior dream. “You watch it every Christmas,” Sennecke said. “The staple of a Canadian hockey family.” “It definitely got taken away from me,” Parekh added. “But I’m grateful to be here ... I have a pretty good feeling.” NHL PEDIGREE Canada doesn’t expect any of its three eligible NHLers — Chicago’s Connor Bedard, San Jose’s Macklin Celebrini or Buffalo’s Zach Benson — to be made available for the tournament, but there will still pro experience in the fold. Oshawa centre Calum Ritchie played seven games with Colorado in the fall, while Guelph Storm counterpart Jett Luchanko suited up four times with Philadelphia. Carolina prospect Bradly Nadeau has already been confirmed on Canada’s final roster — he will join up following selection camp — after playing once in the NHL last season before suiting up for the American Hockey League’s Chicago Wolves in 2024-25. SECOND CHANCE Tanner Molendyk made Canada’s roster last year only to break his wrist in pre-tournament play. The Nashville Predators defence prospect is back with unfinished business. “I flew home Christmas Eve and then watched Boxing Day,” said Molendyk, who figures to have a big role this time around. “It was tough, didn’t get the results they wanted. Hopefully this year we can change that around and flip the script.” This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 12, 2024.Algert Global LLC Makes New $878,000 Investment in Despegar.com, Corp. (NYSE:DESP)

FILE PHOTO: Former U.S. Senator Kelly Loeffler (R-GA) attends a rally for Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump at Atrium Health Amphitheater, in Macon, Georgia U.S., November 3, 2024. REUTERS/Megan Varner/File Photo WASHINGTON - President-elect Donald Trump is expected to offer former U.S. Senator Kelly Loeffler the agriculture secretary job in his administration, CNN reported on Friday. Trump was due to meet with Loeffler on Friday afternoon at his Palm Beach, Florida, residence, CNN said. Reuters was not able to confirm the report. Trump chose Loeffler, a staunch supporter and donor, to co-chair his inaugural committee after he won the Nov. 5 U.S. presidential election. If confirmed, Loeffler would lead a 100,000-person agency with offices in every county in the country, whose remit includes farm and nutrition programs, forestry, home and farm lending, food safety, rural development, agricultural research, trade, and more. The nominee's agenda would carry implications for American diets and wallets, both urban and rural. Department of Agriculture officials and staff negotiate trade deals, guide dietary recommendations, inspect meat, fight wildfires, support rural broadband, and much more. Loeffler was appointed to the U.S. Senate seat from Georgia in 2019 to succeed former Senator Johnny Isakson, who retired. She lost it to Democrat Raphael Warnock in a special election in 2021. During her stint in the U.S. Senate, Loeffler served briefly on the Senate Agriculture Committee. The U.S. Senate Ethics Committee in 2020 cleared Senator Loeffler of wrongdoing in connection with stock trades, her office said, after the wealthy Republican was criticized over share sales during the coronavirus outbreak. Loeffler and her husband's net worth has been estimated at more than $500 million. If confirmed, Loeffler would advise the administration on how and whether to implement clean fuel tax credits for biofuels at a time when the sector is hoping to grow through the production of sustainable aviation fuel. The nominee would also guide next year's renegotiation of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade deal, in the shadow of disputes over Mexico's attempt to bar imports of genetically modified corn and Canada's dairy import quotas. Trump has said he again plans to institute sweeping tariffs that are likely to affect the farm sector. Loeffler, then a co-owner of the women's basketball team Atlanta Dream, came under fire in 2020 when she sent a letter to the WNBA commissioner objecting to the league's decision to campaign for racial justice and the "Black Lives Matter" movement. Loeffler faced months of activism from WNBA players who called for her removal from the ownership team. The team was sold in 2021. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you. Read 3 articles and stand to win rewards Spin the wheel nowNEW YORK — The man charged with killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was not a client of the medical insurer and may have targeted it because of its size and influence, a senior police official said Thursday. NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny told NBC New York in an interview Thursday that investigators have uncovered evidence that Luigi Mangione had prior knowledge UnitedHealthcare was holding its annual investor conference in New York City. Mangione also mentioned the company in a note found in his possession when he was detained by police in Pennsylvania. Suspect Luigi Mangione is taken into the Blair County Courthouse on Tuesday in Hollidaysburg, Pa. "We have no indication that he was ever a client of United Healthcare, but he does make mention that it is the fifth largest corporation in America, which would make it the largest healthcare organization in America. So that's possibly why he targeted that company," Kenny said. UnitedHealthcare is in the top 20 largest U.S. companies by market capitalization but is not the fifth largest. It is the largest U.S. health insurer. Mangione remains jailed without bail in Pennsylvania, where he was arrested Monday after being spotted at a McDonald's in the city of Altoona, about 230 miles west of New York City. His lawyer there, Thomas Dickey, said Mangione intends to plead not guilty. Dickey also said he had yet to see evidence decisively linking his client to the crime. Mangione's arrest came five days after the caught-on-camera killing of Thompson outside a Manhattan hotel. Luigi Mangione, a 26-year-old Ivy League graduate, was arrested on December 9, 2024, after a six-day manhunt and charged with the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. His arrest has sparked a viral social media movement, with many hailing him as a symbol of resistance against systemic healthcare failures. The #FreeLuigi movement gained significant traction, with his social media profiles amassing over 100,000 new followers before being suspended. Despite this, the movement continues to trend, highlighting public discontent with the U.S. healthcare system. Some social media users argue that Mangione's radicalization stemmed from the struggles faced by millions in obtaining necessary healthcare, and not from his university education. Mangione’s arrest at a McDonald's in Altoona led to the seizure of a "ghost gun," a suppressor, fake IDs, and a manifesto criticizing the healthcare system. While the manifesto seems to admit guilt, some users question Mangione's responsibility, pointing out discrepancies in surveillance photos. The fascination with Mangione has only intensified, with discussions about his attractiveness and comparisons to characters in Ryan Murphy's productions. The phenomenon is reminiscent of society's long-standing obsession with infamous criminals, blurring lines between horror and hero worship. Former FBI agent Rob D’Amico noted that Mangione is seen by some as a "Robin Hood" figure fighting against corporate greed, which complicates the investigation. Police say the shooter waited outside the hotel, where the health insurer was holding its investor conference, early Dec. 4. He approached Thompson from behind and shot him before fleeing on a bicycle through Central Park. Mangione is fighting attempts to extradite him back to New York so that he can face a murder charge in Thompson's killing. A hearing was scheduled for Dec. 30. The 26-year-old, who police say was found with a " ghost gun " matching shell casings found at the site of the shooting, is charged in Pennsylvania with possession of an unlicensed firearm, forgery and providing false identification to police. Luigi Mangione was arrested Monday in Altoona, Pennsylvania, in connection with the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in what law enforcement has called a "targeted attack." Mangione is from a prominent Maryland family with extensive business interests. The Mangione family is known for developing real estate and running businesses. Relatives expressed shock over the arrest and offered condolences to Thompson’s family. Mangione faces multiple charges, including murder, firearm possession, and forgery, in New York and Pennsylvania. Mangione is an Ivy League graduate from a prominent Maryland real estate family. In posts on social media, Mangione wrote about experiencing severe chronic back pain before undergoing a spinal fusion surgery in 2023. Afterward, he posted that the operation was a success and that his pain improved and mobility returned. He urged others to consider the same type of surgery. On Wednesday, police said investigators are looking at his writings about his health problems and his criticism of corporate America and the U.S. health care system. Kenny said in the NBC interview that Mangione's family reported him missing to San Francisco authorities in November. Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email.

With every scroll on social media, especially TikTok, at least one viral hair product comes across my feed and almost immediately catches my attention. I’ve tried every hair product under the sun, but somehow, my dream hair always seems impossible to achieve. Not to mention, my vanity feels cluttered with hot tools that also make it difficult to maintain your hair’s shine and health. Enter the Shark FlexStyle , a multi-functional hair tool that claims to dry, curl, straighten, and volumize all in one device. Naturally, I had to find out if it lives up to the buzz. The Shark FlexStyle combines powerful airflow with less direct heat , which means it’s supposedly gentler on your hair than traditional hot tools. It comes with five attachments , including curlers, brushes, and a styling concentrator all for $280. The Shark is significantly cheaper than its rival, the Dyson Airwrap. After two weeks of testing, I can confidently say it’s not just TikTok hype, it’s a game-changer . The auto-wrap curlers were a revelation, using air to wrap and hold my hair effortlessly without tiring out my arms. While there’s a learning curve, the results were worth it. I was left with soft, bouncy curls that held up for hours without feeling crispy, perfect for the holidays. DON'T MISS: 'Better than gloves' – Amazon shoppers rave about 'must-have' hand warmers [LATEST] Ninja Black Friday sale has up to 40% off air fryers, cookware, and more [SALE] 'Game changer' snail serum anti-aging cream now $13 in Amazon Black Friday sale [INSIGHT] The oval brush gave me a voluminous blowout in under 15 minutes, while the paddle brush transformed my flat hair into bouncy and shiny waves. What I appreciated most was the versatility. Each attachment had its own magic, whether I wanted polished waves or a straight-out-of-the-salon finish. For the price, the Shark FlexStyle is a steal. It delivers results comparable to pricier tools while doubling as a blow dryer. It eliminates the need for any other styling tools, saving money and space in your home. If you’re looking for a hair upgrade without dropping $600, this is your answer. For Black Friday, several stores such as Amazon and Walmart feature the Shark as low as $225. Get the Shark FlexStyle Air Styling & Drying System for $225 at Walmart during Cyber Monday . Looking for more Shark products? We tried the Ninja Luxe Café and recommned it for coffee at home . For pet mess, we reviewed and recommend the Shark StainStriker HairPro Portable Spot & Stain Deep Cleaner now on sale for $129.99

T. Rowe Price Stock Hits 52-Week High at $122.27Chi-Chi’s is making a comeback 20 years after its last restaurant closed

CHICAGO — Hours of secretly recorded videos and phone calls have offered a rare glimpse into how the longest-serving legislative leader in American history operated behind closed doors. As the corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan stretches into its third month, testimony has covered his multiple alleged schemes, from kickbacks involving the state's largest utility company to Chinatown developments benefiting his private tax firm. Jurors have heard from a congresswoman, former state legislators and the government's star witness: a former Chicago alderman who secretly wore a wire. Here's a closer look at the ongoing trial. The charges Madigan, who was speaker for over three decades, is charged in a 23-count indictment for bribery, racketeering, wire fraud and other crimes. Prosecutors allege he exploited his unmatched influence not only as the Illinois House speaker but also as head of the state's Democratic Party for personal gain and to amass even more power. A tax attorney, he's also accused of benefiting from private work that was illegally steered to his law firm. The trial has shown how Madigan worked, with the lines between his political and personal roles intertwined. For instance, meetings often took place at his downtown law office, whether they were for political or legal work. Elected officials or his political advisors were often present alongside business contacts. Even in meetings about tax work, he was called "the speaker," the recordings show. In one 2014 meeting secretly recorded by a businessman also working undercover, a City Council member introduced Madigan to hotel developers for a Chinatown project. Madigan pitched his firm's business. "We're not interested in a quick killing here. We're interested in a long-term relationship," Madigan said. "In terms of the quality of representation that you get from this law firm, we don't take a second seat to anybody. " Afterward, the alderman told a businessman: "If he works with the speaker, he will get anything he needs for that hotel." Star witness One of the most-anticipated parts of the trial has been the testimony of former Chicago Alderman Danny Solis. A council member for 23 years, Solis led the powerful zoning committee. Solis As Madigan sought business for his tax firm, Solis met with Madigan over projects in the alderman's ward, which then included Chinatown and the trendy West Loop neighborhood near downtown. But unknown to everyone — including his family — Solis was working for federal agents, recording meetings and phone calls. "It was critical that the undercover work I was doing remain secret," Solis, 75, testified in court. He told jurors that federal agents approached him in June 2016 and he agreed to cooperate to avoid prison for admitted wrongdoing including bribery. However, Solis could be a problematic witness. He faced massive financial issues, marital problems after an affair and ethical lapses, including accepting favors from a developer who arranged for Solis to get Viagra and massages "that turned sexual." He also testified he acted on requests from federal agents, including proposing that Madigan appoint him to a board after he left office. Defense attorneys called Solis unreliable and blasted his financial wrongdoing, including misspending campaign funds for a trip to Puerto Rico, his son's school tuition and a car. "As an alderman and as chair of the zoning committee, you committed many crimes, is that correct?" Madigan attorney Daniel Collins asked Solis during cross examination. "Yes," Solis said. Other witnesses have included U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinksi, who testified about Madigan's influence in 2018 while she worked as an adviser for Gov. JB Pritzker. The recordings Some of the Solis videos are shaky and it's unclear how he recorded them. There's extended footage of ceilings and office walls. Many calls are short. But they show how Madigan, who famously didn't have a cellphone or email address, operated. In January 2018, Madigan called up Solis and asked about a proposed West Loop apartment building. "Is that going to go ahead? You know why I'm interested," Madigan says. Solis asks if Madigan knew the developers. "No, but I'd like to," he says. Solis told jurors that Madigan's influence would be helpful to him, so he provided introductions. "I wanted to curry political favor with Mr. Madigan," Solis told jurors. The schemes A sweeping investigation of public corruption in Illinois has already produced convictions of other elected officials and Madigan's former chief of staff. Among other schemes, Madigan is accused of using his influence to pass legislation favorable to electric utility ComEd. In return, ComEd allegedly offered Madigan loyalists kickbacks, contracts and jobs where they did little or no work. "When Madigan saw an opportunity to enrich himself, he took it," Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Streicker told jurors. Defense attorneys have painted Madigan as a devoted public servant, calling him "incorruptible." McClain Madigan, who has has "adamantly" denied wrongdoing in the past, hasn't spoken publicly during the trial. He spends the proceedings watching witnesses and jurors intently, often taking notes. Family members including his daughter, former Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, have attended court. Also standing trial with Madigan is longtime confidant Michael McClain, 76, who already has been found guilty in a separate, related case. Last year, federal jurors convicted McClain and three others of the bribery conspiracy involving ComEd. The trial is expected to extend into mid-January. Madigan Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.

NoneSpecial counsel moves to dismiss election interference case against Donald Trump

Old news often retains its relevance when the establishment increases its level of aggression toward its latest target. For instance, in a clip posted to the social media platform X in September 2023, Democratic Rep. Nancy Pelosi of California, the former House Speaker, described the exact method — she called it a “wrap-up smear” — by which the establishment media colludes with Democrats and establishment Republicans to destroy the character of anyone deemed a threat to the system. Given the date, of course, Pelosi was not specifically addressing the recent attacks against defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth. Still, one could not mistake the pattern she was describing, apparently to a group of journalists. “You smear somebody with falsehoods and all the rest. And then you merchandise it. And then [journalists] write it, and they’ll say, ‘See? It’s reported in the press that this, this, this and this.’ So they have that validation that the press reported the smear, and then it’s called the wrap-up smear,” said. “Now I am going to merchandise the press’s report on the smear that we made. It’s a tactic,” she added. Never forget when Nancy Pelosi revealed the Democrat Party’s entire playbook: ‘The Wrap Up Smear’ “You smear somebody with falsehoods and all the rest and then you merchandise it and then you write it and they’ll say, see, it’s reported in the press that this, this, this and... — Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) Needless to say, Pelosi intended those comments as an accusation, not an admission of guilt. As conservative journalist has often said, however, leftists accuse their opponents of doing what they actually do. “They say precisely the opposite of what they mean every time. They accuse you of the crimes they themselves are committing,” Carlson said in a clip posted to X in July 2020. Tucker Carlson Exposing The Left’s Strategy To Take Power “Their first instinct is to manipulate rather than persuade. They hide their real beliefs. They say precisely the opposite of what they mean every time. They accuse you of the crimes they themselves are committing.” — The Columbia Bugle 🇺🇸 (@ColumbiaBugle) Last month, President-elect Donald Trump nominated , a decorated veteran and political outsider, to serve as secretary of defense. True to form, establishment politicians denounced as unqualified. In other words, he owed no favors to donors and lobbyists, which made him impossible to control. Thus, the establishment turned to the wrap-up smear. Earlier this week, for instance, NBC a hit piece in which 10 current and former Fox News employees, all speaking anonymously, expressed concerns about what they described as Hegseth’s drinking problem — a smear so shameless and cowardly that many of Hegseth’s other former colleagues went on the record to refute it. As Pelosi explained, however, the hit piece only works if it gives establishment senators “validation” when they vote against Hegseth. We see how the game works, and we thank the former speaker for laying it out with such clarity. We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Advertise with The Western Journal and reach millions of highly engaged readers, while supporting our work. .