{
  "$type": "site.standard.document",
  "bskyPostRef": {
    "cid": "bafyreiadrabbw3e2htnzqt647skbrcvtxhyvxvcaidc4vlfxkbdnszhd4a",
    "uri": "at://did:plc:ha7wpngv4f2qwrk5hta4ktbb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mi2e4remwe42"
  },
  "coverImage": {
    "$type": "blob",
    "ref": {
      "$link": "bafkreicaajwwlyt6qb7cb3ziuxdxexrsyrk57axcc2llslgqsygvky2m5y"
    },
    "mimeType": "image/png",
    "size": 1482268
  },
  "path": "/morning-edition/2026/03/27/david-berger-chicago-school-board-cubs-bears-white-sox",
  "publishedAt": "2026-03-27T13:00:00.000Z",
  "site": "https://chicago.suntimes.com",
  "textContent": "<h3>Good morning, Chicago. ✶</h3><h3></h3><p>🔎 <b>Below</b>: A man convicted of laundering more than $300,000 for a reputed Mexican cocaine trafficker is closely associated with a chain of social equity marijuana dispensaries.</p><p>🗞️ <b>Plus</b>: The Chicago Board of Education's pick to lead Chicago Public Schools, a push to give fans a chance to buy the Bears and more news you need to know.</p><p>📝 <b>Keeping score</b>: <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://newsletters.suntimes.com/t/t-l-wthukud-l-j/\" target=\"_blank\" >The Cubs lost to the Nationals</a>, 10-4; <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://newsletters.suntimes.com/t/t-l-wthukud-l-t/\" target=\"_blank\" >the White Sox fell to the Brewers</a>, 14-2; <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://newsletters.suntimes.com/t/t-l-wthukud-l-i/\" target=\"_blank\" >the Blackhawks were bested by the Flyers</a>, 5-1.</p><p>📧 <b>Subscribe</b>: <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://newsletter-hub.suntimes.com/\" target=\"_blank\" >Get this newsletter delivered to your inbox weekday mornings.</a></p><p>⏱️: <i>A 9-minute read</i></p><hr><p></p><h4>TODAY’S WEATHER 🌤️</h4><h4></h4><p>Mostly sunny with a high near 42.</p><hr><p></p><h4>TODAY’S TOP STORY 🔎</h4><div class=\"Enhancement\" data-align-center> <div class=\"Enhancement-item\" data-crop=\"\"> <figure class=\"Figure\"><a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-c00000\" name=\"image-c00000\"></a> <picture data-crop=\"medium\"> <source type=\"image/webp\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/26731ae/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2184x1226+0+164/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fda%2F30%2F58a1ac4f4553bc2b05c3ac5d6cf7%2Fberger-pritzker.png 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/eb235cb/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2184x1226+0+164/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fda%2F30%2F58a1ac4f4553bc2b05c3ac5d6cf7%2Fberger-pritzker.png 2x\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <source width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/7ce6026/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2184x1226+0+164/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fda%2F30%2F58a1ac4f4553bc2b05c3ac5d6cf7%2Fberger-pritzker.png\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <img class=\"Image\" alt=\"Berger:Pritzker.png\" srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/7ce6026/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2184x1226+0+164/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fda%2F30%2F58a1ac4f4553bc2b05c3ac5d6cf7%2Fberger-pritzker.png 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/cc443a2/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2184x1226+0+164/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fda%2F30%2F58a1ac4f4553bc2b05c3ac5d6cf7%2Fberger-pritzker.png 2x\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-src=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/7ce6026/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2184x1226+0+164/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fda%2F30%2F58a1ac4f4553bc2b05c3ac5d6cf7%2Fberger-pritzker.png\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" > </picture> <div class=\"Figure-content\"><figcaption class=\"Figure-caption\"><p>David Berger, far left, stands with Gov. JB Pritzker, far right, in 2022 to announce the opening of the Ivy Hall cannabis dispensary in Bucktown.</p></figcaption><span class=\"line\"></span><div class=\"Figure-credit\"><p>State of Illinois</p></div></div> </figure> </div> </div><p></p><h3><a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://newsletters.suntimes.com/t/t-l-wthukud-l-h/\" target=\"_blank\" >Cocaine cash launderer is still key figure in legal Illinois cannabis empire</a></h3><p></p><h5>By <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://newsletters.suntimes.com/t/t-l-wthukud-l-k/\" target=\"_blank\" >Frank Main</a> and <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://newsletters.suntimes.com/t/t-l-wthukud-l-u/\" target=\"_blank\" >Tom Schuba</a></h5><p><b>Special delivery</b>: They showed up looking like delivery guys, lugging shopping bags from a Whole Foods Market. When they knocked on the door of David Berger’s home in Ukrainian Village, he let them in. But the bags weren’t filled with groceries. They were stuffed with stacks of cash, prosecutors say, that Berger was helping to launder for a Mexican cocaine trafficking ring in 2021.</p><p><b>Key context</b>: Berger wasn’t just another middleman in a drug scheme. He was also becoming a major player in Illinois’ state regulated cannabis industry. Now, he’s a convicted felon. </p><p><b>At issue</b>: Berger, 42, who was found guilty late last year of federal money laundering charges, remains licensed by the state of Illinois to be in the legal weed business. And he continues to be affiliated with a network of dispensaries operating in Chicago, the suburbs and downstate under the Ivy Hall name. Records show Berger is listed as a manager of four Ivy Hall dispensaries and a registered agent for eight of them.</p><p><b>Social equity dispensary</b>: One Ivy Hall store, in Bucktown, was hailed as part of Illinois' social equity push to bring Black and Latino entrepreneurs into the cannabis business. Gov. JB Pritzker showed up to celebrate the dispensary's opening in 2022.</p><p><a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://newsletters.suntimes.com/t/t-l-wthukud-l-o/\" target=\"_blank\" ><b>READ MORE</b></a></p><hr><p></p><h4>PUBLIC SAFETY 🚒</h4><div class=\"Enhancement\" data-align-center> <div class=\"Enhancement-item\" data-crop=\"\"> <figure class=\"Figure\"><a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-f00000\" name=\"image-f00000\"></a> <picture data-crop=\"medium\"> <source type=\"image/webp\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/2345bd0/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2000x1122+0+0/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F60%2F51%2F1afba887444c924d8dc60b376637%2Faltmanvisitation-260327-66.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/76ba73c/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2000x1122+0+0/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F60%2F51%2F1afba887444c924d8dc60b376637%2Faltmanvisitation-260327-66.jpg 2x\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <source width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3f99678/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2000x1122+0+0/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F60%2F51%2F1afba887444c924d8dc60b376637%2Faltmanvisitation-260327-66.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <img class=\"Image\" alt=\"Supporters mourn fallen Chicago Firefighter Michael Altman during his visitation at St. Rita of Cascia Shrine Chapel, 7740 S. Western Ave., in the Ashburn neighborhood in Chicago on Thursday, March 26, 2026. Altman died after battling a Rogers Park apartment building fire earlier this month.\" srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3f99678/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2000x1122+0+0/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F60%2F51%2F1afba887444c924d8dc60b376637%2Faltmanvisitation-260327-66.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/ba8e971/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2000x1122+0+0/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F60%2F51%2F1afba887444c924d8dc60b376637%2Faltmanvisitation-260327-66.jpg 2x\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-src=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3f99678/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2000x1122+0+0/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F60%2F51%2F1afba887444c924d8dc60b376637%2Faltmanvisitation-260327-66.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" > </picture> <div class=\"Figure-content\"><figcaption class=\"Figure-caption\"><p>Supporters mourn Chicago Firefighter Michael Altman at St. Rita of Cascia Shrine Chapel on Thursday.</p></figcaption><span class=\"line\"></span><div class=\"Figure-credit\"><p>Colin Boyle/Block Club Chicago/Pool</p></div></div> </figure> </div> </div><p></p><h3><a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://newsletters.suntimes.com/t/t-l-wthukud-l-b/\" target=\"_blank\" >Mourners pay respects to fallen firefighter</a></h3><p></p><h5>By <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://newsletters.suntimes.com/t/t-l-wthukud-l-n/\" target=\"_blank\" >Kade Heather</a></h5><p><b>Supporters unite</b>: Loved ones, fellow firefighters and supporters gathered Thursday at St. Rita of Cascia Shrine Chapel in Ashburn for a visitation honoring Chicago firefighter Michael Altman, 32, who died last week after battling a Rogers Park blaze. Altman’s funeral had been planned for Friday, but was postponed after his wife went into labor Thursday. She reportedly gave birth to a girl.</p><p><b>Suspect detained</b>: Sheaves Slate, 27, is charged with murder, residential arson and aggravated arson injuring a firefighter in connection with the fire. At a hearing Monday, Slate was ordered detained. Firefighters packed the courtroom in support of Altman, as they had during an earlier hearing.</p><p><a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://newsletters.suntimes.com/t/t-l-wthukud-l-p/\" target=\"_blank\" ><b>READ MORE</b></a></p><hr><p></p><h4>EDUCATION 🍎</h4><div class=\"Enhancement\" data-align-center> <div class=\"Enhancement-item\" data-crop=\"\"> <figure class=\"Figure\"><a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-f70000\" name=\"image-f70000\"></a> <picture data-crop=\"medium\"> <source type=\"image/webp\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/0fc4ce5/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7008x3933+0+0/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F0e%2F01%2Fa23e83454374b604865dca9028d0%2Fmackingprofile-260327-4.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/1c1706a/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7008x3933+0+0/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F0e%2F01%2Fa23e83454374b604865dca9028d0%2Fmackingprofile-260327-4.jpg 2x\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <source width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/12981b6/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7008x3933+0+0/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F0e%2F01%2Fa23e83454374b604865dca9028d0%2Fmackingprofile-260327-4.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <img class=\"Image\" alt=\"Macquline King wearing a blazer and blue striped shirt stands for a portrait in her CPS office.\" srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/12981b6/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7008x3933+0+0/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F0e%2F01%2Fa23e83454374b604865dca9028d0%2Fmackingprofile-260327-4.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/024859d/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7008x3933+0+0/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F0e%2F01%2Fa23e83454374b604865dca9028d0%2Fmackingprofile-260327-4.jpg 2x\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-src=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/12981b6/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7008x3933+0+0/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F0e%2F01%2Fa23e83454374b604865dca9028d0%2Fmackingprofile-260327-4.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" > </picture> <div class=\"Figure-content\"><figcaption class=\"Figure-caption\"><p>The Chicago School Board is scheduled to vote Monday to appoint Macquline King as permanent CEO of the nation’s third-largest school district.</p></figcaption><span class=\"line\"></span><div class=\"Figure-credit\"><p>Pat Nabong/Sun-Times</p></div></div> </figure> </div> </div><p></p><h3><a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://newsletters.suntimes.com/t/t-l-wthukud-l-x/\" target=\"_blank\" >CPS Board selects Macquline King as permanent CEO, will vote on contract Monday</a></h3><p></p><h5>By <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://newsletters.suntimes.com/t/t-l-wthukud-l-c/\" target=\"_blank\" >Sarah Karp </a>and <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://newsletters.suntimes.com/t/t-l-wthukud-l-q/\" target=\"_blank\" >Emmanuel Camarillo</a></h5><p><b>Board's pick</b>: The Chicago Board of Education will vote Monday to appoint Macquline King as the permanent leader of Chicago Public Schools, catapulting a Black woman with homegrown talent to the district’s top post 10 months after she was appointed to the interim role. According to documents posted on the CPS Board’s website Thursday, the school board has offered King the job and she has accepted it.</p><p><b>Possible salary</b>: The proposed contract would be effective July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2029 — meaning she would lead the district well past the transition to a fully elected school board. If approved, King’s salary will start at $380,000, more than former CEO Pedro Martinez, who was paid $340,000 per year on a five-year contract.</p><p><a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://newsletters.suntimes.com/t/t-l-wthukud-l-a/\" target=\"_blank\" ><b>READ MORE</b></a></p><hr><p></p><h4>POLITICS ✶</h4><ul class=\"rte2-style-ul\" style=\"line-height: inherit; margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 24px; padding: 0px; list-style-type: disc;\" id=\"rte-3bfe4a10-29e0-11f1-8f7c-2dd562e06300\"><li><a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://newsletters.suntimes.com/t/t-l-wthukud-l-v/\" target=\"_blank\" ><b>‘Call to action’</b></a>: An email from 14 former prosecutors seeks the support of hundreds of fellow alums to push back against President Donald Trump's Department of Justice, claiming he has used the agency to retaliate against foes.<br></li><li><a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://newsletters.suntimes.com/t/t-l-wthukud-l-e/\" target=\"_blank\" ><b>Convicted of threatening Trump</b></a>: Federal jurors convicted a Winthrop Harbor man of threatening — in a video he posted online — judges, doctors, lawyers, police and President Trump, even though the man’s lawyer argued \"this is the biggest Trumper you’re going to find.\"<br></li><li><a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://newsletters.suntimes.com/t/t-l-wthukud-l-s/\" target=\"_blank\" ><b>Trump promises TSA pay</b></a>: President Trump said Thursday he would sign an order instructing the Homeland Security secretary to immediately pay Transportation Security Administration agents as Congress struggles to reach a funding deal.<br></li><li><a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://newsletters.suntimes.com/t/t-l-wthukud-l-g/\" target=\"_blank\" ><b>Tackling pension crisis</b></a>: Mayor Brandon Johnson is crafting a plan to chip away at a $35.8 billion pension crisis. It's likely to offer city employees the option of buying out a portion of their future pension benefits in exchange for a lump-sum payment upfront.</li></ul><hr><p></p><h4>MORE NEWS YOU NEED 🗞️</h4><ul class=\"rte2-style-ul\" style=\"line-height: inherit; margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 24px; padding: 0px; list-style-type: disc;\" id=\"rte-3bfe4a19-29e0-11f1-8f7c-2dd562e06300\"><li><a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://newsletters.suntimes.com/t/t-l-wthukud-l-w/\" target=\"_blank\" ><b>2 charged in killing</b></a>: The men are accused in the murder of 67-year-old Jerry Lewis, a businessman who was involved in a massive redevelopment project around the United Center.<br></li><li><a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://newsletters.suntimes.com/t/t-l-wthukud-l-yd/\" target=\"_blank\" ><b>Ald. Hadden threatened</b></a>: The 49th Ward’s office has closed for the rest of the week due to \"threats of violence\" to Ald. Maria Hadden and her staff, following backlash to comments she made after the killing of Loyola student Sheridan Gorman.<br></li><li><a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://newsletters.suntimes.com/t/t-l-wthukud-l-yh/\" target=\"_blank\" ><b>Remembering Bernie Bluestein</b></a>: Mr. Bluestein was one of the remaining members of the \"Ghost Army,\" a top secret unit tasked with drawing the attention of the Nazis away from the movements of the real Allied forces during World War II. He died this week at age 102.<br></li><li><a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://newsletters.suntimes.com/t/t-l-wthukud-l-yk/\" target=\"_blank\" ><b>Lincoln auction</b></a>: Nearly 200 artifacts mostly linked to Abraham Lincoln sold for more than $1 million at a local auction Thursday, including some items originally purchased for display at the state-run Lincoln presidential museum in Springfield.<br></li><li><a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://newsletters.suntimes.com/t/t-l-wthukud-l-yu/\" target=\"_blank\" ><b>Sweet life</b></a>: Mars Snacking plans to invest $100 million to expand its global headquarters in Chicago and create more than 600 jobs.</li></ul><hr><p></p><h4>WEEKEND PLANS 🎉</h4><p>🎭 <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://newsletters.suntimes.com/t/t-l-wthukud-l-jl/\" target=\"_blank\" >‘The Beauty Project’</a><br><b>7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday</b><br>📍<a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://newsletters.suntimes.com/t/t-l-wthukud-l-jr/\" target=\"_blank\" >Freyja Salon, 4955 N. Damen Ave.</a><br>An immersive theatrical experience that speaks to issues of identity, belonging and quality of life.<br><b>Admission</b>: Sliding scale from $30 to pay-what-you-can.</p><p>🎶 <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://newsletters.suntimes.com/t/t-l-wthukud-l-jy/\" target=\"_blank\" >Sonny Landreth and The Iguanas</a><br><b>8 p.m. Friday</b><br>📍<a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://newsletters.suntimes.com/t/t-l-wthukud-l-jj/\" target=\"_blank\" >Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N. Lincoln Ave.</a><br>The Cajun slide guitar great Landreth and his band share a double bill with New Orleans rockers The Iguanas.<br><b>Admission</b>: $61</p><p>🎥 <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://newsletters.suntimes.com/t/t-l-wthukud-l-jt/\" target=\"_blank\" >‘Truth to Self: An Evening of Short Films’</a><br><b>3 p.m. Saturday</b><br>📍<a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://newsletters.suntimes.com/t/t-l-wthukud-l-ji/\" target=\"_blank\" >South Asia Institute, 1925 S. Michigan Ave.</a> <br>An evening of works by South Asian female filmmakers based in Chicago: Imaan Hasan, Saloni Nahar and Eesha Patkar.<br><b>Admission</b>: $7.18</p><p><a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://newsletters.suntimes.com/t/t-l-wthukud-l-jd/\" target=\"_blank\" ><b>MORE THINGS TO DO</b></a></p><hr><p></p><h4>OPENING DAY ⚾</h4><div class=\"Enhancement\" data-align-center> <div class=\"Enhancement-item\" data-crop=\"\"> <figure class=\"Figure\"><a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-280000\" name=\"image-280000\"></a> <picture data-crop=\"medium\"> <source type=\"image/webp\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/2c92dde/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6122x3436+0+324/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F82%2F4e%2Fb4e8153944388f22a50199d128c1%2Fcubssbetting-260327-14.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/305b4b7/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6122x3436+0+324/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F82%2F4e%2Fb4e8153944388f22a50199d128c1%2Fcubssbetting-260327-14.jpg 2x\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <source width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/0097f6e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6122x3436+0+324/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F82%2F4e%2Fb4e8153944388f22a50199d128c1%2Fcubssbetting-260327-14.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <img class=\"Image\" alt=\"Fans take a selfie in front of Wrigley Field Thursday on the Chicago Cubs' opening day. \" srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/0097f6e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6122x3436+0+324/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F82%2F4e%2Fb4e8153944388f22a50199d128c1%2Fcubssbetting-260327-14.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/b7e802b/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6122x3436+0+324/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F82%2F4e%2Fb4e8153944388f22a50199d128c1%2Fcubssbetting-260327-14.jpg 2x\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-src=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/0097f6e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6122x3436+0+324/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F82%2F4e%2Fb4e8153944388f22a50199d128c1%2Fcubssbetting-260327-14.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" > </picture> <div class=\"Figure-content\"><figcaption class=\"Figure-caption\"><p>Cubs fans gathered at Wrigley Field several hours before the team’s home opener Thursday.</p></figcaption><span class=\"line\"></span><div class=\"Figure-credit\"><p>Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times</p></div></div> </figure> </div> </div><p></p><h3><a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://newsletters.suntimes.com/t/t-l-wthukud-l-jh/\" target=\"_blank\" >On Opening Day, some Cubs fans lean into sports betting boom while others remain wary</a></h3><p></p><h5>By <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://newsletters.suntimes.com/t/t-l-wthukud-l-jk/\" target=\"_blank\" >Nader Issa</a></h5><p><b>Bettor up</b>: Millions of baseball fans have jumped into the betting arena. Betting ads litter stadiums and television broadcasts. Sportsbooks are opening at ballparks including Wrigley Field. And gambling is as easy as ever on mobile apps.</p><p><b>Key context</b>: Illinois legalized sports gambling in early 2020 and has seen participation soar. More than 26.3 million sports bets have already been placed in Illinois this year, the vast majority online, according to the Illinois Gaming Board. Fans at Wrigley Field can bet on their phones like anyone else — or they can head down to the DraftKings Sportsbook office at the ballpark.</p><p><b>Fans sound off</b>: We spoke with fans at the Friendly Confines to get their thoughts on sports betting. \"I think it’s way too accessible,\" one fan said. Another told us betting has made young fans like him become more engaged with sports than they otherwise would have been. </p><p><a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://newsletters.suntimes.com/t/t-l-wthukud-l-ju/\" target=\"_blank\" ><b>READ MORE</b></a></p><hr><p></p><h4>WATCH: OPENING DAY AT WRIGLEY FIELD ▶️</h4><div class=\"Enhancement\" data-align-center><div class=\"Enhancement-item\"> <div class=\"ExternalContent-wrapper\" > <div class=\"InstagramUrl\"> <blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink=\"https://www.instagram.com/reel/DWW5BeUjmgj/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\" style=\" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);\"><div style=\"padding:16px;\"> <a href=\"https://www.instagram.com/reel/DWW5BeUjmgj/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading\" style=\" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;\" target=\"_blank\"> <div style=\" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;\"> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;\"></div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;\"></div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;\"></div></div></div><div style=\"padding: 19% 0;\"></div> <div style=\"display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;\"><svg width=\"50px\" height=\"50px\" viewBox=\"0 0 60 60\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"https://www.w3.org/2000/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink\"><g stroke=\"none\" stroke-width=\"1\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"><g transform=\"translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)\" fill=\"#000000\"><g><path d=\"M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631\"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style=\"padding-top: 8px;\"> <div style=\" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;\">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style=\"padding: 12.5% 0;\"></div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;\"><div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);\"></div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;\"></div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);\"></div></div><div style=\"margin-left: 8px;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;\"></div> <div style=\" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)\"></div></div><div style=\"margin-left: auto;\"> <div style=\" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);\"></div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);\"></div> <div style=\" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);\"></div></div></div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;\"></div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;\"></div></div></a></div></blockquote> <script async src=\"//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js\"></script> </div> </div> </div></div><p></p><h4>FROM THE PRESS BOX 🏈🏀</h4><ul class=\"rte2-style-ul\" style=\"line-height: inherit; margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 24px; padding: 0px; list-style-type: disc;\" id=\"rte-3bfebf41-29e0-11f1-8f7c-2dd562e06300\"><li><a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://newsletters.suntimes.com/t/t-l-wthukud-l-tr/\" target=\"_blank\" ><b>Publicly owned Bears?</b></a>: A new bill from Sen. Bernie Sanders and Texas Rep. Greg Casar would allow sports teams to be offered up for sale one year before owners can move them. They pointedly bashed the Bears' effort to relocate to Indiana.<br></li><li><a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://newsletters.suntimes.com/t/t-l-wthukud-l-ty/\" target=\"_blank\" ><b>Sky’s free agency path</b></a>: Signing the biggest stars remains an unrealistic dream for the Sky despite how badly they need it. But they can target \"bubble players.\"<br></li><li><a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://newsletters.suntimes.com/t/t-l-wthukud-l-tj/\" target=\"_blank\" ><b>College basketball</b></a>: Illinois hammered Houston, advancing to play Iowa for a spot in the Final Four.</li></ul><hr><p></p><h4>CHICAGO MINI CROSSWORD 🌭</h4><div class=\"Enhancement\" data-align-floatLeft> <div class=\"Enhancement-item\" data-crop=\"\"> <figure class=\"Figure\"><a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-8a0000\" name=\"image-8a0000\"></a> <picture data-crop=\"medium\"> <source type=\"image/webp\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/9d7e745/2147483647/strip/true/crop/396x222+0+3/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fb6%2Fca%2F07ba5cb34d3da272b327aecdad9f%2Ffy2025-cst-marketing-games-website-images-490x2484-990514079e028a3c.png 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/321daab/2147483647/strip/true/crop/396x222+0+3/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fb6%2Fca%2F07ba5cb34d3da272b327aecdad9f%2Ffy2025-cst-marketing-games-website-images-490x2484-990514079e028a3c.png 2x\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <source width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/685000c/2147483647/strip/true/crop/396x222+0+3/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fb6%2Fca%2F07ba5cb34d3da272b327aecdad9f%2Ffy2025-cst-marketing-games-website-images-490x2484-990514079e028a3c.png\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <img class=\"Image\" alt=\"Mini crossword\" srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/685000c/2147483647/strip/true/crop/396x222+0+3/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fb6%2Fca%2F07ba5cb34d3da272b327aecdad9f%2Ffy2025-cst-marketing-games-website-images-490x2484-990514079e028a3c.png 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/a48c31e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/396x222+0+3/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fb6%2Fca%2F07ba5cb34d3da272b327aecdad9f%2Ffy2025-cst-marketing-games-website-images-490x2484-990514079e028a3c.png 2x\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-src=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/685000c/2147483647/strip/true/crop/396x222+0+3/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fb6%2Fca%2F07ba5cb34d3da272b327aecdad9f%2Ffy2025-cst-marketing-games-website-images-490x2484-990514079e028a3c.png\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" > </picture> </figure> </div> </div><p><b>Today's clue</b>: 1A: Slide (DJ Casper song whose music video was filmed downtown)</p><p><a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://newsletters.suntimes.com/t/t-l-wthukud-l-ti/\" target=\"_blank\" ><b>PLAY NOW</b></a></p><hr><p></p><h4>BRIGHT ONE 🔆</h4><div class=\"Enhancement\" data-align-center> <div class=\"Enhancement-item\" data-crop=\"\"> <figure class=\"Figure\"><a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-830000\" name=\"image-830000\"></a> <picture data-crop=\"medium\"> <source type=\"image/webp\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/7cac2c6/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6122x3436+0+42/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F54%2F5f%2F0ae23fef4419a9709bce39e32dad%2Fpitchforkday3-072323-42.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/9fe0b10/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6122x3436+0+42/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F54%2F5f%2F0ae23fef4419a9709bce39e32dad%2Fpitchforkday3-072323-42.jpg 2x\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <source width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/1527318/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6122x3436+0+42/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F54%2F5f%2F0ae23fef4419a9709bce39e32dad%2Fpitchforkday3-072323-42.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <img class=\"Image\" alt=\"Hurray for The Riff Raff performs on the Blue Stage on the third day of Pitchfork Music Festival in Union Park, Sunday, July 23, 2023. \" srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/1527318/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6122x3436+0+42/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F54%2F5f%2F0ae23fef4419a9709bce39e32dad%2Fpitchforkday3-072323-42.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/208aa95/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6122x3436+0+42/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F54%2F5f%2F0ae23fef4419a9709bce39e32dad%2Fpitchforkday3-072323-42.jpg 2x\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-src=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/1527318/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6122x3436+0+42/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F54%2F5f%2F0ae23fef4419a9709bce39e32dad%2Fpitchforkday3-072323-42.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" > </picture> <div class=\"Figure-content\"><figcaption class=\"Figure-caption\"><p>Alynda Segarra, who fronts Hurray for the Riff Raff, performs in 2023 at Pitchfork Music Festival.</p></figcaption><span class=\"line\"></span><div class=\"Figure-credit\"><p>Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times</p></div></div> </figure> </div> </div><p></p><h3><a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://newsletters.suntimes.com/t/t-l-wthukud-l-td/\" target=\"_blank\" >Hurray For The Riff Raff embraces new life in Chicago </a></h3><p></p><h5>By <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://newsletters.suntimes.com/t/t-l-wthukud-l-th/\" target=\"_blank\" >Courtney Kueppers</a></h5><p>In 2024, Alynda Segarra released \"The Past is Still Alive,\" the eighth studio album under the moniker Hurray for the Riff Raff. On tour that year, Segarra was backed by a band made up of heavy-hitting Chicago musicians, including Sen Morimoto and Nnamdi Ogbonnaya. Together, their sound clicked.</p><p>The experience inspired the Bronx native to move to Chicago full time, and to capture the energy of the moment with a new live album, \"Live Forever,\" recorded last summer at the Old Town School of Folk Music. The album came out last week digitally and releases in record form in May.</p><p>The project, produced by Chicago’s Johnny Wilson, includes the entirety of the critically acclaimed record \"The Past is Still Alive,\" which was largely inspired by Segarra’s time riding freight rails across the country as a teenager. The musician ultimately settled in New Orleans, a city that provided inspiration for much of Hurray for the Riff Raff’s catalog. But after nearly 20 years there, Segarra said, \"I’d been really needing to make a change in my life.\" So, they left the Big Easy for Chicago.</p><p>Segarra, 39, said they've found camaraderie among fellow musicians and energy in the city’s creative scene and Midwest niceness.</p><p>\"I definitely need to live in a place where I’m surrounded by other artistic people and also a place that I can afford to pay rent, to be real,\" Segarra said. \"Chicago has been so welcoming to me and so loving to me.\"</p><p><a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://newsletters.suntimes.com/t/t-l-wthukud-l-tk/\" target=\"_blank\" ><b>READ MORE</b></a></p><hr><p></p><h4>YOUR DAILY QUESTION ☕️</h4><p>Yesterday, we asked you: <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://newsletters.suntimes.com/t/t-l-wthukud-l-il/\" target=\"_blank\" ><b>What’s your defining Opening Day memory?</b></a></p><p>Here’s some of what you said, edited for clarity and space.</p><p>\"I am about to attend my 50th consecutive White Sox opener next Thursday ... I'll never forget the first one in 1976, which was the bicentennial. Bill Veeck dressed up as a colonial Minuteman and paraded around the ballpark chatting with fans. I came on a chartered bus trip from UChicago. Beer was 50 cents.\" — <i>Roger Deschner</i></p><p>\"In high school, me and friends got our parents to call us [out of] school so we could take the bus to Wrigley. We walked up and bought tickets; you could do that in the early '80s. Last row of upper deck, wind blowing through, freezing. Drinking hot chocolate we spiked with peppermint schnapps a friend stole from his parents’ bar.\" — <u>Vince SanFilippo</u></p><p>\"My best Opening Day memory was April 18, 1991, when the White Sox opened the season at the new Comiskey Park. A news reporter, Neil Parker from WXRT radio, was interviewing fans and asking for their impressions of the stadium. Somehow, my soundbite made the noon broadcast — probably because I ended it with, 'Cub fans, eat your stinking hearts out!'\" — Mary Jo Cannizzo</p><p>\"My older brother took me to an Opening Day in the early '80s ... and it had snowed a few inches overnight. When we arrived to wait in line for bleacher tickets, the grounds crew was shoveling snow off the field out into the streets beyond the outfield walls. The first row of the bleachers was packed down with snow and unusable. I recall some rowdy fans throwing snowballs ... This was also the debut game for Ryne Sandberg with the Cubs, and the Cubs won!\" — <i>Brian Phad</i></p><hr><p>Thanks for reading the Sun-Times Morning Edition! We'll see you next week.<br>Got a story you think we missed? <a class=\"Link\" href=\"mailto:newsletters@suntimes.com\" target=\"_blank\" >Email us here.</a></p><hr><p><b>Written and curated by</b>: Matt Moore<br><b>Editor</b>: Eydie Cubarrubia<br><b>Hat tip</b>: Sun-Times' Joel Carlson for \"bettor up,\" which you'll find on <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://newsletters.suntimes.com/t/t-l-wthukud-l-ir/\" target=\"_blank\" >the front of today’s print edition</a> — on newsstands and online now.</p><hr><p><i>The Chicago Sun-Times is a nonprofit supported by readers like you. Become a member to make stories like these free and available to everyone. Learn more at </i><a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://newsletters.suntimes.com/t/t-l-wthukud-l-iy/\" target=\"_blank\" ><i>suntimes.com/member</i></a><i>.</i></p>",
  "title": "Cocaine cash launderer’s legal weed venture",
  "updatedAt": "2026-03-27T13:43:32.781Z"
}