Protecting Her Cubs: Great-Grandmother Fights Back After Banks Refuse to Refund Money Stolen From Her Family

At 80 years old, Judy Schuler is a fighter.

The great-grandmother’s life is focused on taking care of her family in Naperville, including her adult daughter who was diagnosed with ALS and her granddaughter.

Schuler moved the two from Carlsbad, California, to Naperville last year so they could be closer to home for care.

And the move was not easy.

Schuler believes the moving company she hired, “All US Moving Inc.” based out of California, was responsible for thousands of dollars withdrawn from her account after the check she used to pay for the moving services was altered and cashed, twice.

“They didn’t destroy the check after they deposited it, like you’re supposed to,” Schuler said.

Schuler said she paid her moving expenses in full back in June 2022 with a check written out to the company for more than $4,400. The owner of “All US Moving Inc.” told her to make the check out to a different name: “Supreme Moving & Storage, LLC.”

Then, on Aug. 31, 2022, Schuler said she noticed her checking account was overdrawn and discovered the check had been cashed a second time.

But on this occasion, the “Pay To The Order Of” section was changed from “Supreme Moving & Storage” to an illegible name beginning with “Joseph.”

The additional thousands of dollars withdrawn from her account were earmarked for her daughter’s medical expenses, and Schuler said she wasn’t about to back down until she had the money back in her account.

“That money buys me about four months of nursing care for her, which helps,” Schuler explained. “It gives me relief that I need.”

Judy Schuler points out the alterations made to the check she used to pay a moving company last year.

It’s unclear if the person who altered and cashed the check was connected to the moving company, but Schuler says she has her suspicions. She said “All US Moving Inc.” wouldn’t respond to her calls after she discovered the error.

NBC 5 found “All US Moving Inc.” has faced dozens of consumer complaints over the years, and its license to operate under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) was revoked last year, according to the FMCSA’s website.

Records filed with the California Secretary of State’s office show the business license for “All US Moving Inc” was terminated in December 2022.

The moving company did not respond to NBC 5’s calls or text messages for comment. 

Schuler said once she discovered the second withdrawal, she immediately reported it to her bank, Chase, explaining that someone had clearly made alterations to her original check and cashed it at a separate bank, months after she used it to pay off her moving expenses.

Schuler said she hoped Chase would have her back and hear her out. And at first, Schuler thought Chase was helping her.

“[A Chase representative] said. ‘Okay, I’ll check into it. You should be able to get your money back in three or four days,’” Schuler said, adding that the representative acknowledged that the check cashed for the second time “was fraudulent.”

But days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months with no answers. 

Schuler said, “I went back almost every week, either calling them or talking to somebody. Nothing.”

Then, five months after filing her claim for the fraudulent withdrawal, Schuler said Chase abruptly closed her case. In a letter, the bank said another bank was responsible for issuing her refund – the bank that had cashed her check the second time around, Wells Fargo. The letter said that Wells Fargo was not responding to the claim filed by Chase.

So, Schuler said her family went to Wells Fargo, and there, they were met with more fingers pointing back at Chase.

Exhausted, Schuler turned to NBC 5 Responds for help, and in a matter of days, the money was back in her account.

“We got the money,” Schuler said. “And I know it was NBC 5 Responds that did it.”

Even in their conversations with NBC 5, Chase and Wells Fargo were still pointing fingers at one another.

A spokesperson for Wells Fargo said Chase never informed it or filed a claim about [Judy’s] issue until NBC 5 got involved.

Through a spokesperson, Chase said that was not true, and that it had filed a claim months after Schuler first walked into their office to inform them of the fraudulent withdrawal.

In her eyes, Schuler says neither bank was there for her, and she worries for others out there, dealing with the same kind of situation, who may not have the fight left in them.

“We’re better off because we got each other, my daughter and I,” Schuler said. “But there’s people out there, my age, that have nobody and they’re scamming them.”  

Consumer complaints with banks can be tricky, but there are some resources available to help.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) addresses complaints centered on financial institutions, and often will act as a mediator for consumers dealing with a conflict. To learn more about filing a complaint with the CFPB, click here.

Consumers can also contact NBC 5 Responds by calling 1-844-NBC-RESP or click here to fill out this form electronically, so we can help.

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Jury Finds ‘That '70s Show' Star Danny Masterson Guilty of 2 Counts of Rape in Retrial

A jury found “That ’70s Show” star Danny Masterson guilty of two counts of rape Wednesday in a Los Angeles retrial in which the Church of Scientology played a central role.

The jury of seven women and five men reached the verdict after deliberating for seven days spread over two weeks. They could not reach a verdict on the third count, that alleged Masterson raped a longtime girlfriend. They had voted 8-4 in favor of conviction.

Masterson was led from the courtroom in handcuffs. The 47-year-old actor faces up to 30 years in prison.

His wife, actor and model Bijou Phillips, wept as he was led away. Other family and friends sat stone-faced.

Prosecutors, retrying Masterson after a deadlocked jury led to a mistrial in December, said he forcibly raped three women, including a longtime girlfriend, in his Hollywood Hills home between 2001 and 2003. They told jurors he drugged the women’s drinks so he could rape them. They said he used his prominence in the church — where all three women were also members at the time — to avoid consequences for decades.

Crime and Courts May 16

Danny Masterson Used Drugging, Scientology to Get Away With Rape, Prosecutor Says

Hollywood Nov 30, 2022

Mistrial Declared in Actor Danny Masterson's Rape Trial

Masterson did not testify, and his lawyers called no witnesses. The defense argued that the acts were consensual, and attempted to discredit the women’s stories by highlighting changes and inconsistencies over time, which they said showed signs of coordination between them.

“If you decide that a witness deliberately lied about something in this case,” defense attorney Philip Cohen told jurors, going through their instructions in his closing argument, “You should consider not believing anything that witness says.”

The Church of Scientology played a significant role in the first trial but arguably an even larger one in the second. Judge Charlaine F. Olmedo allowed expert testimony on church policy from a former official in Scientology leadership who has become a prominent opponent.

Tensions ran high in the courtroom between current and former Scientologists, and even leaked into testimony, with the accusers saying on the stand that they felt intimidated by some members in the room.

Actor Leah Remini, a former member who has become the church’s highest-profile critic, sat in on the trial at times, putting her arm around one of the accusers to comfort her during closing arguments.

Founded in 1953 by L. Ron Hubbard, the Church of Scientology has many members who work in Hollywood. The judge kept limits on how much prosecutors could talk about the church, and primarily allowed it to explain why the women took so long to go to authorities.

The women testified that when they reported Masterson to church officials, they were told they were not raped, were put through ethics programs themselves, and were warned against going to law enforcement to report a member of such high standing.

“They were raped, they were punished for it, and they were retaliated against,” Deputy District Attorney Reinhold Mueller told jurors in his closing argument. “Scientology told them there’s no justice for them. You have the opportunity to show them there is justice.”

The church vehemently denied having any policy that forbids members from going to secular authorities.

The Associated Press does not typically name people who say they’ve been sexually abused.

Testimony in this case was graphic and emotional.

Two women, who knew Masterson from social circles in the church, said he gave them drinks and that they then became woozy or passed out before he violently raped them in 2003.

The third, Masterson’s then-girlfriend of five years, said she awoke to find him raping her, and had to pull his hair to stop him.

The issue of drugging also played a major role in the retrial. At the first, Olmedo only allowed prosecutors and accusers to describe their disorientation, and to imply that they were drugged. The second time, they were allowed to argue it directly, and the prosecution attempted to make it a major factor, to no avail.

“The defendant drugs his victims to gain control,” Deputy District Attorney Ariel Anson said in her closing argument. “He does this to take away his victims’ ability to consent.”

Masterson was not charged with any counts of drugging, and there is no toxicology evidence to back up the assertion. His attorney asked for a mistrial over the issue’s inclusion. The motion was denied, but the issue is likely to be a major factor in any potential appeal.

These charges date to a period when Masterson was at the height of his fame, starring from 1998 until 2006 as Steven Hyde on Fox’s “That ’70s Show” — the show that made stars of Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis and Topher Grace.

Masterson had reunited with Kutcher on the 2016 Netflix comedy “The Ranch,” but was written off the show when an LAPD investigation was revealed in December 2017.

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Naperville Park District Explains Reason for Green Water at Centennial Beach

With the unofficial start of summer underway and the first swim of the season in the books for many, some suburban residents were met with an off-putting sight at Naperville’s Centennial Beach.

Opening for their first weekend of the season, Memorial Day crowds noticed a green tint to the water upon arrival.

In a statement on their Facebook page, the Naperville Park District explained the reason for the atypical water color, while stressing that the water remained safe to swim in.

According to the park district, a recent lack of rain and warmer temperatures has accelerated algae growth in many bodies of water, including the water at Centennial Beach.

Officials said that algae growth is not uncommon in the waters at Centennial Beach during the summer, while reminding visitors that the park is classified as a “beach” and not a swimming pool.

While the 6.2 million gallons of water at the park are “chlorinated, re-circulated and hand-skimmed to remove debris,” the park’s water is not filtered like a public swimming pool.

The park district also responded to comments of visitors who observed darker color water, with the district saying that sand from the play areas of the park often mix in with nearby water, causing the discoloration.

According to the park district, water in all areas of the park was tested and returned normal results.

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As House Debt Ceiling Vote Nears, Biden Shores Up Democrats and McCarthy Confident of GOP Support

The hard-fought debt ceiling and budget cuts package headed toward a crucial House vote Wednesday as President Joe Biden and Speaker Kevin McCarthy assembled a coalition of centrist Democratic and Republican supporters against fierce conservative blowback and progressive dissent.

Biden expressed optimism that the agreement he negotiated with McCarthy would pass the chamber.

“I think things are going as planned,” he told reporters. The president was to depart Washington Wednesday evening for Colorado, where he is scheduled to deliver the commencement address Thursday at the U.S. Air Force Academy.

“God willing by the time I land, Congress will have acted, the House will have acted, and we’ll be one step closer,” he said.

Biden sent top White House officials to the Capitol to shore up support ahead of voting. McCarthy worked to sell skeptical fellow Republicans, even fending off challenges to his leadership, in the rush to avert a potentially disastrous U.S. default.

“Everybody has a right to their own opinion, but on history, I’d want to be here with this bill today,” McCarthy, R-Calif., said as he arrived at the Capitol.

Despite deep disappointment from right-flank Republicans that the compromise falls short of the spending cuts they demanded, McCarthy insisted he would have the votes needed.

He characterized the package as “just a small step” toward getting the U.S. debt load under control, and announced he would next be working to set up a bipartisan commission to more deeply address budget imbalances.

“Today, America is going to win,” he said

news May 30

Debt Ceiling Bill Clears Key Hurdle, Teeing Up Final House Vote Before It Goes to Senate

Congress 8 hours ago

Congress Set to Vote on Debt Ceiling Bill. Here's What's in It (and What's Left Out)

Quick approval by the House and later in the week by the Senate would ensure government checks will continue to go out to Social Security recipients, veterans and others and would prevent financial upheaval at home and abroad. Next Monday is when the Treasury has said the U.S. would run short of money to pay its debts, risking an economically dangerous default.

The package leaves few lawmakers fully satisfied, but Biden and McCarthy were counting on support from the political center, a rarity in divided Washington, testing the leadership of the Democratic president and the Republican speaker.

One boost came Wednesday morning when the bipartisan congressional Problem Solvers Caucus announced its endorsement, likely bringing dozens more votes to the tally.

Overall, the 99-page bill restricts spending for the next two years, suspends the debt ceiling into January 2025 and changes policies, including new work requirements for older Americans receiving food aid and greenlighting an Appalachian natural gas line that many Democrats oppose.

For more than two hours late Tuesday as aides wheeled in pizza at the Capitol, McCarthy walked Republicans through the details, fielded questions and encouraged them not to lose sight of the bill’s budget savings.

The speaker faced a sometimes tough crowd. Leaders of the hard-right House Freedom Caucus spent the day lambasting the compromise as falling well short of the needed spending cuts, and they vowed to try to halt passage.

“This deal fails, fails completely,” Rep. Scott Perry, R-Pa., the chairman of the Freedom Caucus, said, flanked by others outside the Capitol. “We will do everything in our power to stop it.”

A much larger conservative faction, the Republican Study Committee, declined to take a position. Even rank-and-file centrist conservatives were unsure, leaving McCarthy hunting for votes.

Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., said after the “healthy debate” late into the night she was still a no.

Ominously, the conservatives warned of possibly trying to oust McCarthy over the compromise.

“There’s going to be a reckoning,” said Rep. Chip Roy of Texas.

Biden was speaking directly to lawmakers, making more than 100 calls, the White House said.

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said the spending restrictions in the package would reduce deficits by $1.5 trillion over the decade, a top goal for the Republicans trying to curb the debt load.

McCarthy told lawmakers that number would be higher if two-year spending caps were extended, which was not guaranteed.

In a surprise that could erode Republicans’ support, the CBO said their drive to impose work requirements on older Americans receiving food stamps would end up boosting spending by $2.1 billion over the time period. That’s because the final deal exempts veterans and homeless people, expanding the food stamp rolls by 78,000 people monthly, the CBO said.

House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said it was up to McCarthy to turn out votes, even as he assured Democrats would prevent a default. In the 435-member House, 218 votes are needed for passage

“It is my expectation that House Republicans would keep their promise and deliver at least 150 votes as it relates to an agreement that they themselves negotiated,” Jeffries said, a high bar for McCarthy to hit.

Liberal Democrats decried the new work requirements for older Americans, those age 50-54, in the food aid program. And some Democratic lawmakers were leading an effort to remove a surprise provision for the Mountain Valley Pipeline natural gas project. The energy development is important to Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., but many others oppose it as unhelpful in fighting climate change.

The top Democrat on the House Natural Resources Committee, Rep. Raul Grijalva of Arizona, said including the pipeline provision was “disturbing and profoundly disappointing.”

On Wall Street, stock prices were down.

The House aimed to hold procedural votes Wednesday afternoon with final action expected in the evening. It would then send the bill to the Senate, where Democratic Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Republican leader McConnell are working for passage by week’s end.

Schumer warned there is ”no room for error.”

Senators, who have remained largely on the sidelines during much of the negotiations between the president and the House speaker, began inserting themselves more forcefully into the debate.

Some senators are insisting on amendments to reshape the package from both the left and the right. But making any changes to the package seemed unlikely with so little time to spare before Monday’s deadline.

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Video Shows Brazen Robbery as Chicago Police Issue Warning on Nearly 50 Similar Cases

Police have issued a community alert across several police districts on the Southwest, West and Northwest Sides of Chicago, alerting residents to nearly 50 armed robberies that they believe are committed by the same suspects.

In one instance in the city’s Hermosa neighborhood, the suspects’ brazen armed robbery of a man on the front porch of his residence in broad daylight is caught on camera.

In the community alert, police say the incidents being investigated all involve three to four suspects who were wearing black ski masks, dark clothing and blue gloves.

According to authorities, the string of armed robberies dates back to late April.

Officials said police are investigating incidents at the following addresses:

• 4100 block of West Wabansia on April 22 2023 and April 23, 2023 10:00 AM
• In the vicinity of Pulaski / Augusta and Armitage / Cicero
• n the vicinity of Grand / St. Louis and Thomas / Pulaski
• In the vicinity of 2600 -3200 South from Pulaski to Kostner
• 100 block of North Karlov on April 23, 2023 at 4:08 AM
• 3700 block of West Potomac on April 23, 2023 at 5:01 AM
• 1100 block South from Pulaski to Kostner on April 24, 2023 at 5:15 AM
• 2600 block of South Sawyer Avenue on April 24, 2023 at 5:36 AM
• 700 block of North Sawyer Avenue on April 24, 2023 at 5:45 AM
• 2600 block of S Hamlin on April 27, 2023 at 4:50 AM
• 4300 block of West Hirsch on April 27, 2023 at 5:00 AM
• 1500 block of N Kedvale on April 27, 2023 at 5:15 AM
• 1100 block of North Central Park on April 27, 2023 at 5:45 AM
• 1900 block of North Ridgeway on May 02, 2023 between 3:00 AM and 4:00 AM
• 2700 block of South Lawndale on May 02, 2023 at 5:00 AM
• 2100 block of West Cullerton on May 02, 2023 at 4:45 AM
• 2000 block of North Hamlin on May 02, 2023 at 5:24 AM
• 4000 block of West Thomas on May 02, 2023 at 5:40 AM
• 1600 block of North Sawyer on May 02, 2023 at 5:53 AM
• 2000 block of North Pulaski on May 02, 2023 at 5:54 AM
• 3200 block of West Polk on May 24, 2023 between 12:01 AM and 7:15 AM
• 2400 block of South Drake on May 24, 2023 at 6:30 AM
• 2400 block of South Kedzie on May 24, 2023 at 6:44 AM
• 900 block of North St. Louis on May 24, 2023 at 6:59 AM
• 800 block of North Keystone on May 24, 2023 at 7:05 AM
• 4000 block of West Hirsch on May 24, 2023 at 7:05 AM
• 600 block of North Trumbull on May 24, 2023 at 7:48 AM
• 100 block of North Kedvale on May 25, 2023 at 11:50 PM
• 5000 block of West Thomas on May 25, 2023 at 11:40 PM
• 2500 block of South Sawyer on May 26, 2023 at 6:50 AM
• 2300 block of South Sawyer on May 26, 2023 at 6:30 AM
• 1100 block of West Iowa on May 26,2023 at 6:30 AM
• 1100 block of North Keystone on May 26, 2023 at 7:00 AM
• 800 block of North Kolin on May 26, 2023 at 7:16 AM
• 1200 block of North Karlov on May 27, 2023 between 5:40 and 5:47 AM
• 2100 block of North Tripp on May 27, 2023 at 6:12 AM
• 2200 block of North Tripp on May 27, 2023 at 6:16 AM
• 4200 block of West Cortez on May 27, 2023 at 6:50 AM
• 4100 block of West Thomas on May 27, 2023 at 6:39 AM
• 3700 block of West 25th St on May 27, 2023 at 6:56 AM
• 2500 block of South Pulaski on May 27, 2023 at 7:00 AM
• 900 block of North Francisco on May 27, 2023 at 7:20 AM
• 1900 block of South Oakley on May 27, 2023 at 7:30 AM
• 1900 block of South Western on May 27, 2023 at 7:36 AM
• 300 block of North Francisco on May 27, 2023 at 7:44 AM
• 1000 block of South Western on May 27, 2023 at 7:45 AM
• 2600 block of West Warren on May 27, 2023 at 8:20 AM

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Parents Call for Weapons Detection at Contentious Highland Park School Board Meeting

A school board meeting in Highland Park was held Tuesday evening to discuss results of a survey given to parents, students and staff members regarding safety in schools, particularly the potential addition of weapons detection systems and/or metal detectors.

The survey was administered to 840 parents, 225 staff members and 221 students, with results finding that metal detectors in schools was overwhelmingly supported.

The push for increased safety in local schools comes amid a lockdown at Highland Park High School earlier this spring for reports of a gun in the building as the suburb nears the one-year anniversary of the Highland Park 4th of July parade shooting.

Jim Hobart of Public Opinion Strategies told NBC Chicago that while there’s overwhelming support for the addition of a weapons detection system, there is uncertainty on how the costs would be covered.

“There is hesitancy. It could require cutting funding for extracurricular activities,” Hobart said.

Parents who attended the meeting demanded immediate action however, arguing that the school board had ample time to make security improvements following the July 4 shooting.

According to the survey, while weapons detection was widely supported among the respondents, students and staff showed strong opposition to the addition of metal detectors, with parents nearly split on the issue.

More information on resources for school safety can be found on Illinois’ campus safety resource center’s website as well as the federal website.

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2-Year-Old Girl on Track to Visit All US National Parks by 3rd Birthday

Journey Castillo came into the world when hundreds of thousands of people were losing their lives to coronavirus daily across the globe. As many people may remember, September 2020 was a frightening period with no vaccine or viable treatment available yet, especially for parents with newborns.

“Journey was born right smack in the middle of COVID. It was scary,” said Valerie Castillo, Journey’s mother. “We wanted to get her out. We wanted her not only to breathe in fresh air but also gain energy — for her little spirit to soak all that nature had to offer.”

So began Journey’s journey to visit all U.S. national parks. When the baby was just a few weeks old, her parents’ effort to give her a safe space to breathe took them to Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona.

Fast-forward to May 2023, the 2-year-old toddler has visited a total of 50 national parks. She’s on track to visit all national parks by Sep. 19 when the little girl turns 3-years-old.

Unlike most children in her age, Journey has a special set of knowledge, being able to identify National Park Service symbols, signs, and objects.

“Being out in the nature, wanting to get her hands dirty and climb a tree – our experience has definitely educated her,” said Eric Castillo, Journey’s father, explained.

Journey, who said her favorite thing to do is hiking, already appears to rank the national parks she’s visited.

“Virgin Islands,” Journey responded when asked which park was her favorite. Her mom added because the toddler loves the beach, Virgin Islands National Park left a mark on her.

The Castillo family, who live in San Antonio, Texas, wasn’t exposed to hiking and visiting national parks until Journey came along. But her first trip to Grand Canyon also led the family to visit the two national parks in Texas and look beyond their familiar areas for adventures.

“You Californians are so lucky that you have so many national parks at your back door,” Valerie said. “We’re thankful that [California] has done the hard work the establish the beautiful parks.”

While Journey’s trips to national parks are being chronicled on the family’s social media accounts, her mom hopes the early childhood memories will become building blocks for her character development.

“We know she’ll face a lot of things in the future, but if she knows that she can get out, take a hike and be one in nature, it’ll be a tool for her in her toolbox to deal with stress and being out in the world. We want to give her that strength.”

The National Park Service is also impressed with Journey’s adventures. NPS officials hope more young people like Journey will get to enjoy the national parks and even take advantage of the junior ranger program.

“Journey’s love of discovery and adventure reminds us that you’re never too young to enjoy the national parks,” said Jenny Anzelmo-Sarles, the chief of public affairs and chief spokesperson in a statement to NBCLA. “Best wishes to Journey and her family; we hope you’ll keep exploring parks and share #YourParkStory online. Thank you for being an inspiration to both the young and the young at heart!”

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Chicago's Mayor Issues Statement After Violent Memorial Day Holiday Weekend

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson called the city’s Memorial Day weekend violence “intolerable” Tuesday, after the long holiday saw more than 60 people shot, 11 of them fatally.

In a statement, Johnson said the shootings and violence “produced pain and trauma that devastated communities across Chicago.”

“And my heart breaks for everyone affected,” his statement read. “That’s why as mayor, I am committed to leveraging every single resource at our disposal to protect every single life in our city.”

Johnson thanked first responders and city workers who “tirelessly dedicated themselves to keeping Chicago safe,” but acknowledged “we have much more work to do.”

“As a result of their efforts, thousands of Chicagoans and visitors enjoyed themselves safely at beaches, festivals, and neighborhood events across the city,” he said. “Tragically, however, too many others were unable to. But I know none of us will rest until every Chicagoan can safely enjoy all the beauty our city has to offer.”  

Chicago in 2022 saw a violent start to the summer, with nine people fatally shot and more than 50 people injured by gunfire over Memorial Day weekend. This year, those numbers were higher.

Data from Chicago police showed that from 6 p.m. Friday to 11:59 p.m. Monday, 11 people were killed and at least 53 others, including two 2-year-olds, were wounded in shootings across the city.

According to a report from the Chicago Sun-Times, it was the deadliest Memorial Day weekend in Chicago in eight years.

“It’s been a uptick, a trend, and I’ve been telling them and letting the know. Lock the gun down!” Community activist Andrew Holmes said. “You just cannot let your boyfriend, your family members keep coming inside your house with a weapon of mass destruction and your baby gets a hold to it.”

Ahead of Memorial Day weekend, The Illinois Department of Human Services and Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced that the state had planned to send a Citywide Crisis Prevention and Response Unit to Chicago for Memorial Day weekend in an effort to help keep residents safe.

Additionally Johnson, Interim Chicago Police Supt. Fred Waller and other city officials on Thursday unveiled a safety plan that included increased police presence, bag checks at beaches, canceling days off for officers and more.

Read Johnson’s full statement below:

“The violence our city experienced this weekend is intolerable. It produced pain and trauma that devastated communities across Chicago, and my heart breaks for everyone affected. That’s why as mayor, I am committed to leveraging every single resource at our disposal to protect every single life in our city.“

“This holiday weekend, thousands of police officers, first responders, city workers, business leaders, organizers, faith leaders, and violence interrupters tirelessly dedicated themselves to keeping Chicago safe. I offer my deep gratitude to all those involved. We have much more work to do, but the work performed by these individuals this weekend is the foundation for how we will ultimately secure safety together.” 

“As a result of their efforts, thousands of Chicagoans and visitors enjoyed themselves safely at beaches, festivals, and neighborhood events across the city. Tragically, however, too many others were unable to. But I know none of us will rest until every Chicagoan can safely enjoy all the beauty our city has to offer.”     

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Debt Ceiling Bill Faces a Tough Path in the House as GOP Opposition Grows

What to Know

• The compromise bill to raise the debt ceiling faces its first major test in the 13-member House Rules Committee.
• Two of the panel’s nine Republicans have signaled they will oppose bringing it to the House floor for a vote.
• Congress faces a June 5 deadline to address the debt ceiling or the U.S. government will default.

The compromise bill to raise the debt ceiling that House Republicans released on Sunday faces its first major test Tuesday in the House Rules Committee, where two of the panel’s nine Republicans have already signaled they will oppose bringing it to the House floor for a vote.

The Fiscal Responsibility Act is the product of a deal hammered out by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and President Joe Biden to cap federal baseline spending for two years in exchange for Republican votes to raise the debt ceiling beyond next year’s elections and into 2025.

The bill needs to pass the GOP-majority House and the Democratic-controlled Senate before June 5, when the Treasury Department projects the United States would be unlikely to have enough money to meet its debt obligations.

But a bloc of at least 20 conservative Republicans rejected the compromise deal Tuesday. They accused McCarthy of caving in to the White House in exchange for “cosmetic” policy tweaks, and not the transformative change they were promised.

They lobbied against the deal on social media and outside the Capitol. “It’s not just that every Republican should vote against it. It’s a little bit more than that. This is a career-defining vote for every Republican,” said GOP Rep. Dan Bishop, N.C.

Several prominent conservative groups also publicly opposed the bill Tuesday, and said they would measure or “score” GOP lawmakers by how they voted on it. The Koch-aligned FreedomWorks group, the anti-tax Club for Growth and the conservative Heritage Foundation all panned the deal.

Over the course of the day Tuesday, opposition to the bill evolved into a more pointed critique of McCarthy’s leadership from this vocal minority in the GOP.

“Speaker McCarthy should pull this bad bill down. We should stop taking this bill up right now,” GOP Rep. Chip Roy of Texas, a member of the Rules Committee, said at a news conference. “And no matter what happens, there’s going to be a reckoning about what just occurred.”

Bishop told reporters that “no one in the Republican conference could have done a worse job” negotiating the agreement than McCarthy did.

Roy and Bishop weren’t the only far-right conservatives who implicitly threatened to unseat McCarthy as House speaker if the debt limit bill passed. But whether they follow through on the threats remains to be seen. Under new rules this year, a single Republican lawmaker can bring a no-confidence vote on McCarthy to the floor.

Some Democrats were also leery of the bill, which contains new work requirements for food stamps, as well as reforms that make it easier to secure energy permits, and cuts to discretionary spending. But progressive leaders in the House stopped short of urging their like-minded members to oppose the bill.

“The Republicans did not win any major concessions on spending,” Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., chair of the 100-member Congressional Progressive Caucus, said on a call with reporters Tuesday. “There is no meaningful debt reduction here…what [Republicans] do get is some of their extreme ideological priorities.”

Jayapal acknowledged that the bill’s spending caps would require Congress to scale back funding for some domestic programs. “When it comes time to write these appropriations bills, there will be some very, very difficult choices to make,” she said.

As of Tuesday, the CPC was still deciding whether to “take an official position” on the bill, she said.

The message from the White House was similarly low-key, with an emphasis on the GOP asks that were not in the bill.

“It’s usually a sign of a good compromise if there’s some folks who are a little bit unhappy on each side,” National Economic Council Deputy Director Bharat Ramamurti told CNBC.

“I think the macro economic impact of this deal is likely to be fairly minimal,” he said, adding that the deal was about as good as Biden could have hoped for in a bill that could pass the GOP-controlled House.

The Office of Management and Budget also released a formal statement of policy Tuesday urging House members to support the bill, saying it “reflects a bipartisan compromise to avoid a first-ever default.”

A vote on the Fiscal Responsibility Act is planned for around 8:30 p.m. ET Wednesday, according to a tentative House voting schedule released Tuesday.

Read more of CNBC’s politics coverage:

• DeSantis doesn’t rule out pardoning Trump if elected president
• Drone attacks hit Moscow
• House Democrats reintroduce bill targeting stock buybacks

But before the bill can receive a vote in the full House, it must be approved by a majority of the 13-member House Rules Committee, which sets the rules of debate on the bill.

The committee is scheduled to meet at 3 p.m. ET on Tuesday to hash out the rules of the debt ceiling vote.

The panel’s makeup is heavily skewed toward the party in the majority, 9-4, a setup meant to ensure that legislation did not get held up by a few dissenters siding with the minority.

But it only takes three Republicans to side with the four Democrats in order to hold up the bill.

As of Tuesday afternoon, two Republican members of the Rules Committee, Roy and Rep. Ralph Norman of South Carolina had already said they planned to do just that.

“I’m on Rules Committee,” Norman said Tuesday outside the Capitol. “If we can stop [the bill] there, I will stop it.”

A third member of the panel, Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, had yet to say whether he would support the bill.

If the Fiscal Responsibility Act were to stall in the Rules Committee, it would resurrect the imminent threat of a debt default, with less than a week before the deadline.

This is a developing story, please check back for updates.

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Viral Video Captures Aaron Rodgers Dancing During Swift Show At MetLife Stadium

As Taylor Swift takes her sold-out stadium “The Eras Tour” to football fields and arenas across the nation, fans are spotting celebrity Swifties in show VIP sections left and right.

Hollywood actress Emma Stone was spotted at the Taylor Swift concert earlier this year in Glendale. Singer Shania Twain was seen dancing to ‘Blank Space’ at Swift’s show in Las Vegas. Even former Arizona Cardinals defensive end J.J. Watt took to Instagram to rave about Swift’s performance.

“44 songs. 3 Hours and 15 minutes. So much respect Taylor Swift,” Watt’s post read. “When your fans pay for a ticket, they are getting their money’s worth and then some.”

But Watt isn’t the only athlete that has revealed himself as a Swiftie.

During Swift’s May 27 show at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ, Chicago’s least-favorite NFL player shamelessly swayed side-to-side.

“Aaron Rodger’s first appearance at MetLife Stadium as a Jet is at the Taylor Swift concert,” a tweet from Sunday Night Football on NBC shared.

While others in the crowd direct their attention towards the stage, in a VIP section of the stadium, former Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers can be seen standing and attempting to dance.

At one point, he reaches his hands upwards as if to embrace the sky.

The now-viral cell phone video, posted to social media, which shows Rodgers donning a baby blue sweater, was captured while Swift was performing “Style.” The person filming can be heard giggling, as can the part of the song.

“We never go out of style,” the crowd can be heard belting, before Swift breaks into the bridge.

Earlier this year, Rodgers was traded to the New York Jets. Despite Swift’s lyrics, it turns out that some things do in fact go out of style.

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Meet the 14 National Spelling Bee Finalists From Illinois

Beginning Tuesday, children from across the U.S., including several from Illinois, will take the stage and compete in the 2023 Scripps National Spelling Bee competition.

Fourteen students from Illinois, many in the Chicago area, will be among 231 competing for their spot in the Finals.

Preliminary rounds of the highly competitive event begin Tuesday, followed by quarter and semifinals Wednesday and the grand event – the Finals – on Thursday. But only one will take home the Scripps Cup.

Here’s a look at the spellers from Illinois who will compete:

Annette Chu, 13, of Chicago

Lukas Nowak, 12, Chicago

Emme Whitebone, 13, Chicago

Srinidhi Rao, 113, Chicago

Steven Jiang, 14. Chicago

Khadijah Abdul-Rahman, 14, Decatur

Arlenn Lasko, 13, DeKalb

Mason Coulthard, 12, Freeport

Francis Nnodi, 14, Geneva

Julissa Negron, 13, Loves Park

Vishrut Kinikar, 13, McHenry

Akshay Manikandan, 13, Morris

Alex Ottens, 14, Sterling

Daphne Gil, 14, Vernon Hills

Details on how you can watch them compete can be found here.

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Marcus Stroman Throws 1-Hit Gem as Cubs Snap Losing Streak

Stroman loses no-hitter, but tossed gem vs. Rays originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago

Marcus Stroman carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning of Monday’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays, and although he did lose that bid, he was able to finish off a complete game one-hitter in a 1-0 victory for the Chicago Cubs. 

Stroman struck out eight batters and allowed a total of three base runners in the game, with one runner apiece reaching via walk, hit-by-pitch and a slicing single hit by Wander Franco in the seventh inning that ended the no-hitter. 

The lone run of the game scored on a sacrifice fly by Mike Tauchman in the fourth inning, and Stroman was able to make it stand up as the Cubs’ offense struggled against the Rays. 

The Cubs did have a chance to score in the bottom of the second inning, but Dansby Swanson was stranded at second base when Tucker Barnhart popped out to shortstop. 

The fourth inning is where the Cubs finally struck, as Seiya Suzuki reached on an infield single. He also advanced to second on a throwing error on the play, and that proved useful as he then advanced to third on a flyout by Swanson. 

Tauchman’s sacrifice fly to right scored Suzuki, giving the Cubs a 1-0 lead. 

Stroman cruised through the first six innings of the game, yielding just one baserunner before he allowed a slicing single by Franco to open up the top of the seventh inning. 

Franco then promptly stole second base and Brandon Lowe walked, but after a flyout by Randy Arozarena Stroman was able to induce a double play off the bat of Josh Lowe to finish off the inning undamaged. 

From there, Stroman retired the last six batters he faced, ending the game with a Franco ground out for a 105-pitch one-hitter. 

The series will continue on Tuesday night when the Cubs and Rays square off again, with first pitch set for 7:05 p.m. 

Click here to follow the Cubs Talk Podcast.

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Paul Walker's Brother Cody Names His Baby Boy After Late Actor

Paul Walker‘s brother has honored him in the most heartwarming way.

Almost a decade after the “Fast & Furious” actor’s shocking death at age 40, his younger brother Cody Walker and wife Felicia named their newborn son after him.

A day after their baby was born on April 30, they landed on his name: Paul Barrett “Bear” Walker, Cody told People. A week later, Felicia shared the first pic of her son on Instagram, which showed his older brother Colt Knox Walker, 2, holding him.

“This November will mark 10 years since we lost my brother, Paul,” Cody told People, “and I just felt now was the appropriate time.”

Cody — who also shares daughter Remi Rogue Walker, 5, with his wife — is not the first member of the Walker family to carry on the name of the late actor, who himself was named after the brothers’ dad.

Their older brother Caleb Walker, 45, also honored the late star when he and wife Stephanie named their eldest son Maverick Paul Walker, who is now 5. The couple are also parents to daughter Everly Grace Walker, 16 months.

Paul Walker: A Life in Pictures

“My brother, Caleb, and I are both done having children,” Cody told People. “My brother, Paul, was Paul William Walker IV and that name goes back four generations. Within the family, he went by ‘little Paul’ or ‘Paul 4,’ even though he quickly outgrew our father in height. It was important to me to have that name carry on.”

The Walker brothers are not the only ones who paid tribute to Paul with their kids’ names. In 2015, Vin Diesel, Paul’s “Fast & Furious” co-star, named his third child, a daughter, Pauline.

Paul’s family and friends have worked hard over the years to honor his legacy in other ways as well. After his death from injuries sustained in a car crash, Cody and Caleb stepped in to work as his stand-ins and body doubles for “Furious 7.”

wedding Oct 23, 2021

Vin Diesel Walked Paul Walker's Daughter Down the Aisle at Her Wedding

May 11

Paul Walker's Daughter Meadow Teases ‘Fast X' Cameo

They have since supported the cast at “Fast & Furious” events, while Cody has also reunited with the franchise’s stars at the annual FuelFest music and automotive festival, which he co-founded. This year’s event — held June 3 at the Irwindale Speedway in California — will give a portion of the proceeds to Reach Out Worldwide, the charity Paul founded, of which Cody serves as CEO.

Cody told People he sees Reach Out WorldWide “as a part of Paul that he left behind,” adding, “It’s important to so many to see that part of his legacy live on.”

Paul is survived by a daughter, Meadow Rain Walker, who also helps honor his legacy with her own philanthropic work. The 24-year-old heads the Paul Walker Foundation, which is “is dedicated to spontaneous acts of goodwill that empower young people and support the environment they live in.”

Meadow has certainly remained close with the “Fast & Furious” cast since her dad’s death. Earlier this month, she joined Diesel at the premiere of “Fast X” in Italy and also has a cameo in the movie, released May 19. She told E! News at the event that she receives signs from her dad when she needs them the most.

“For me, it’s numbers, four and seven are my dad’s favorite numbers,” she said. “And I swear whenever I’m doubting anything or whenever I’m in an argument with someone or anything, I start seeing four and seven everywhere. So I always know that it’s him.”

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2-Year-Old Girl Accidentally Shoots Self in Rogers Park

Chicago police are investigating after a two-year-old girl accidentally shot herself on Sunday evening in the city’s Rogers Park neighborhood, authorities said.

At around 6:15 p.m., officers were called to the 1500 block of West Jonquil Terrace regarding a person who had been shot. Upon arrival, officers discovered a two-year-old who had been shot in the right hand. According to authorities, the young girl found a gun and accidentally discharged the weapon, striking herself in the forearm.

She was taken to an area hospital in good condition.

Area Three detectives are investigating.

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White Sox Closer Liam Hendriks to Be Activated Monday

White Sox set to activate Hendriks Monday originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago

Liam Hendriks is expected to be activated to the White Sox roster on Monday, according to the team.

Hendriks, 34, was diagnosed with Stage 4 non-Hodgkins in early December 2022. On January 7, he announced his diagnosis via social media.

From December to April, Hendriks went through four rounds of chemotherapy and immunotherapy. He remained active, despite the taxing repercussions of cancer treatment, throwing bullpens at Camelback Ranch in Arizona during the Sox’ spring training.

Hendriks went through his last round of chemotherapy on Apr. 3 — the day of the Sox’ home opener. Later in April, he began completing rehab assignments.

He completed multiple outings in Arizona and with the Triple-A Charlotte Knights before returning to the team. Since his return, he’s thrown two live bullpens with the Sox, in which the White Sox have met as an organization afterwards to decide his next steps.

His last live bullpen was Friday before the second game of the White Sox-Tigers series at Comerica Park. Grifol mentioned to the media his velocity ticked up from his first live session and said Hendriks “feels good.”

Hendriks will have the opportunity to pitch at Guaranteed Rate Field on Monday during the Sox’ series opener against the Los Angeles Angels.

Click here to follow the White Sox Talk Podcast.

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Community Groups, Chicago Police Focused on Quelling Memorial Day Weekend Violence

Just weeks into his first term as mayor of Chicago, Brandon Johnson is vowing to tackle violence through collaboration, counting on Chicago police, but also community groups this Memorial Day weekend and beyond.

One such group, MASK, Mothers of Men Against Senseless Killings is led by Tamar Manasseh. Manasseh said the strategy is crime through positive loitering, showing the neighborhood that volunteers are watching and won’t tolerate lawlessness.

“This is something we do like every day in the summer, so it’s like hey, we’re going to be here. Like inviting your family, like a family reunion,” she said.

Sheila Robinson, who lives across the street, says the grassroots group is making a difference through its regular events and donation drives.

“I think very positive, and I think it’s a very good thing,” Robinson said.

MASK is one of 250 organizations set to receive additional funding, according to an announcement made by the mayor last week. Johnson says it will take everyone – community groups, residents and police officers – to put a stop to the violence.

His approach to reducing crime includes canceling one day off for Chicago police officers this weekend to ensure a heightened presence on the streets. On Sunday, officers held a public roll call in Wentworth – as a show of force and solidarity.

“It means a lot…but doing it even on days you should or could be resting,” Johnson said.

So far this weekend, at least eight people have been killed and 26 injured in shootings across Chicago.

Neighbors, leaders and police on every side of the city are all working toward a single cause on a typically difficult weekend for public safety.

“We’re showing we won’t stand for violence in this neighborhood or any neighborhood,” a CPD supervisor said.

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Metra Schedules Will Soon See a Significant Change Starting Next Week

Two of Metra’s busiest lines servicing many of Chicago’s western and northwestern suburbs will see adjustments to their schedules following Memorial Day weekend.

Metra’s Union Pacific West and Union Pacific Northwest lines will receive updated schedules that the transit agency says will better reflect operating conditions and “service patterns most beneficial to riders.”

Service changes to the Union Pacific Northwest and Union Pacific West lines were last made on April 3 and Dec. 5 of 2022 respectively, when service was expanded to include more trips than previously accommodated.

The upcoming changes will help mitigate issues the revised schedules have presented with on-time performance, with some platform changes being made to the two lines as well, according to Metra officials.

The changes for both the Union Pacific Northwest and Union Pacific West lines will take effect on Tuesday.

The Union Pacific Northwest line runs from the Ogilvie Transportation Center to Harvard, with the line containing a total of 23 stops throughout Cook and McHenry counties.

The line also notably serves Crystal Lake, Fox River Grove, Arlington Heights, Mount Prospect and Park Ridge.

The Union Pacific West line contains 19 stations, running from the Ogilvie Transportation Center to Elburn, with notable stops in Geneva, Wheaton, Elmhurst and Oak Park.

The following schedule, track and platform changes will take effect on May 30 for the Union Pacific Northwest line:

Schedule Changes

• Inbound Trains 618, 632, 658, 662 will now all depart Des Plaines 5 to 6 mins later (on the :07s)
• Train 651 will now depart Chicago at 5:07 p.m. (2 minutes later than the current schedule)
• Train 653 will now depart Chicago at 5:05 p.m. (2 minutes earlier than the current schedule)
• Train 647 will now arrive at Harvard 6 minutes later at 6:23 p.m.
• Train 706 will now always stop at Irving Park on weekends, not just during Cubs home games

Track/Platform Changes

• Trains 620, 622, 624, 634, 636 will no longer use the center track platform from Palatine to Cumberland
• Trains 639, 651 will now use the center track platforms for boarding from Jefferson Park through Des Plaines
• Train 643 and 657 will no longer use the center track platform for boarding at Clybourn and Des Plaines

Similarly, the following schedule, track and platform changes will take effect on May 30 for the Union Pacific West line:

• Train 13 has added stops at Glen Ellyn, Wheaton, and West Chicago
• Train 15 will now terminate its run at La Fox
• Trains 43 and 47 have added stops at Villa Park and West Chicago
• Train 49 will now arrive in Elburn 5 minutes later at 6:30 p.m.
• All trains departing or arriving, Chicago at 7:40 p.m. or later will now stop at both Melrose Park and Maywood.

More information on Metra lines and schedules can be found on their website.

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Northwestern Captures NCAA Women's Lacrosse Title

Northwestern wins NCAA women’s lacrosse title originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago

It’s been more than a decade since Northwestern won a national championship in women’s lacrosse, but the Wildcats are back on top of the mountain after a thunderous win over Boston College on Sunday afternoon. 

The Wildcats, who won seven championships in an eight year span between 2005 and 2012, hadn’t been back to the championship game since that last title, but they made up for their absence in an 18-6 win, putting up the largest margin of victory seen in the game in nearly 15 years. 

Madison Taylor and Izzy Scane each racked up four goals for the Wildcats, and Erin Coykendall and Hailey Rhatigan each scored three times in the blowout victory. 

The Wildcats raced out to a 3-0 lead after the first period, but Boston College quickly bounced back, as Kayla Martello and Belle Smith scored goals to narrow the gap to 3-2 in the second. 

Undaunted, Northwestern reeled off three unanswered goals to end the second period, with Scane scoring twice and Rhatigan adding a tally of her own to give them a 6-2 lead. 

The Wildcats really started pouring it on in the third period thanks to goals by Taylor, Elle Hansen and Scane within a 90-second stretch, building up the lead to 11-3. 
From there Northwestern largely set things on cruise control, with Coykendall scoring her 58th goal of the season and Rhatigan scoring her 62 to finish things off. 

The win gives Kelly Amonte Hiller eight national championships during her time in Evanston, making the program one of the most decorated in the history of the sport. 

For Boston College, this marks the sixth consecutive season that they’ve reached the championship game, but they’ve now won just once in those six appearances, having lost to North Carolina last season. 
 
 

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Man in ‘Peacekeepers' Vest Charged With Robbing, Beating Man in Little Village

A man in a neon “peacekeepers” vest beat up and robbed a man in Little Village Friday night, police said, just as dozens of violence prevention workers sprawled out across Chicago over the Memorial Day weekend.

Oscar Montes, 31, and another man were seen on a police surveillance camera striking a man seated in a car late Friday in the 2300 block of South Washtenaw Avenue, according to a police report.

When officers arrived, Montes was walking away and trying to take off the neon vest, the report states.

It’s unclear which violence prevention organization, if any, Montes was working for.

Montes was arrested and charged with aggravated battery, robbery and vehicular invasion, according to court documents. He and the other man, who hasn’t been charged yet, stole the victim’s cellphone and wallet, according to the criminal complaint.

The victim was beaten so badly he was hospitalized and unable to sign a complaint against the suspects, the report states.

Montes is expected to appear in court later Sunday.

Montes was paroled last May from Illinois prison following an aggravated battery conviction. In that case, from 2012, prosecutors charged him with attempted murder. But Montes accepted a plea deal of 12 years in prison for just the battery charge.

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Beyoncé Honors Tina Turner at Paris Concert: ‘Wouldn't be on This Stage' Without Her

From one queen to another, Beyoncé took a moment to honor the “Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll” during the European leg of her Renaissance World Tour.

During a show in Paris, France, the “Break My Soul” singer gave a touching tribute to Tina Turner, who died May 24 in Switzerland at age 83.

In a video posted to Twitter, Beyoncé stood at the microphone amid cheers and applause, saying, “If you’re a fan of mine, you’re a fan of Tina Turner because I wouldn’t be on this stage without Tina Turner.”

“So I want you guys to just scream so she can feel your love,” she continued, raising her arms to the sky. “I feel so blessed that I was able to witness her brilliance.”

The 41-year-old then told fans that she was “blessed” to be back in Paris performing after “so many years,” thanking them for their loyalty.

Following the announcement of Turner’s death, Beyoncé temporarily redesigned her website, adding a photo of her and Turner along with a sweet message, according to Variety.

“My beloved Queen. I love you endlessly,” the website read. “I’m so grateful for your inspiration, and all the ways you have paved the way. You are strength and resilience. You are the epitome of power and passion. We are all so fortunate to have witnessed your kindness and beautiful spirit that will forever remain.”

“Thank you for all you have done,” she added.

Since Turner’s passing, fans of the two music stars have reminisced over some of the moments they shared together on stage, including their 2008 Grammys performance in which they sang Turner’s 1970s hit “Proud Mary.”

According to her publicist, Turner peacefully died after a “long illness.” Over the last several years, the singer has been transparent about health struggles, including intestinal cancer in 2016, a kidney transplant in 2017 and a stroke in 2013.

“With her, the world loses a music legend and a role model,” a statement from her spokesperson read. “Tina Turner was born Anna Mae Bullock on November 26, 1939, in Nutbush, Tennessee, USA. She became famous in the late 60s as the singer of the band Ike & Tina Turner Revue, but later she became successful worldwide as a solo artist.”

The music icon rose to fame during the 1960s and is known for hits like “The Best” and “We Don’t Need Another Hero.” She enthralled fans with lively performances, as well as a historic comeback era in her 40s with 1984’s “Private Dancer.” 

This story first appeared on TODAY.com. More from TODAY:

• Legendary singer Tina Turner dies at age 83
• Do you have a favorite Tina Turner song? Fans are sharing theirs across social media
• Tina Turner’s kids: All about the rock ‘n’ roll queen’s 4 sons

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White House and Republicans Reach ‘Agreement in Principle' on Debt Ceiling Deal, McCarthy Says

President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy reached an “agreement in principle” to raise the nation’s legal debt ceiling late Saturday as they raced to strike a deal to limit federal spending and resolve a looming crisis ahead of a June 5 deadline, the House speaker said.

The deal would avert a catastrophic U.S. default, but it also risks angering both Democratic and Republican sides with the concessions made to reach it. Negotiators agreed to some Republican demands for enhanced work requirements on recipients of food stamps that had sparked an uproar from House Democrats as a nonstarter.

Support from both parties will be needed to win congressional approval.

The Democratic president and Republican speaker reached the agreement after the two spoke earlier Saturday evening by phone, said McCarthy. The country and the world have been watching and waiting for a resolution to a political standoff that threatened the U.S. and global economies.

With the outlines of a deal in place, the legislative package could be drafted and shared with lawmakers in time for votes early next week in the House and later in the Senate.

Central to the package is a two-year budget deal that would hold spending flat for 2024 and impose limits for 2025 in exchange for raising the debt limit for two years, pushing the volatile political issue past the next presidential election.

Biden also spoke earlier in the day with Democratic leaders in Congress to discuss the status of the talks, according to three people familiar with the situation, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.

The Republican House speaker had gathered top allies behind closed doors at the Capitol as negotiators pushed for a deal that would raise the nation’s borrowing limit and avoid a first-ever default on the federal debt, while also making spending cuts that House Republicans are demanding.

As he arrived at the Capitol early in the day, McCarthy said that Republican negotiators were “closer to an agreement.”

McCarthy’s comments had echoed the latest public assessment from Biden, who said Friday evening that bargainers were “very close.” Biden and McCarthy last met face-to-face on the matter Monday.

Their new discussion Saturday by phone came after Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen told Congress that the United States could default on its debt obligations by June 5 — four days later than previously estimated — if lawmakers do not act in time to raise the federal debt ceiling. The extended “X-date” gives the two sides a bit of extra time as they scramble for a deal.

But as another day dragged on with financial disaster looming closer, it had appeared some of the problems over policy issues that dogged talks all week remained unresolved.

Both sides have suggested one of the main holdups is a GOP effort to expand existing work requirements for recipients of food stamps and other federal aid programs, a longtime Republican goal that Democrats have strenuously opposed. The White House said the Republican proposals were “cruel and senseless.”

They also had appeared to still be laboring over a compromise on federal permitting changes that would ease regulations for developing oil, gas and renewable energy projects and foster new transmission line connections.

McCarthy, who dashed out before the lunch hour Saturday and arrived back at the Capitol with a big box of takeout, declined to elaborate on those discussions. One of his negotiators, Louisiana Rep. Garret Graves, said there was “not a chance” that Republicans might relent on the work requirements issue.

Americans and the world were uneasily watching the negotiating brinkmanship that could throw the U.S. economy into chaos and sap world confidence in the nation’s leadership. House negotiators left the Capitol at 2 a.m. the night before, only to return hours later.

Failure to lift the borrowing limit, now $31 trillion, to pay the nation’s incurred bills, would send shockwaves through the U.S. and global economy. Yellen said failure to act by the new date would “cause severe hardship to American families, harm our global leadership position and raise questions about our ability to defend our national security interests.”

Anxious retirees and others were already making contingency plans for missed checks, with the next Social Security payments due next week.

The president, spending part of the weekend at Camp David, continued to talk with his negotiating team multiple times a day, signing off on offers and counteroffers. Biden was upbeat as he departed the White House on Friday evening, saying: “It’s very close, and I’m optimistic.”

All sides also are hearing from other lawmakers, including Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, the independent from Arizona, who has been in the center of big policy debates, and Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus.

Biden and McCarthy have seemed to be narrowing on a two-year budget-cutting deal that would also extend the debt limit into 2025 past the next presidential election. The contours of the deal have been taking shape to cut spending for 2024 and impose a 1% cap on spending growth for 2025.

Rep. Tom Emmer of Minnesota, the Republican whip who is in charge of counting the votes from McCarthy’s slim majority to ensure passage of any deal, said he is telling rank-and-file lawmakers not to believe what they’re hearing until party leaders deliver the news about any deal.

Any deal would need to be a political compromise in a divided Congress. Many of the hard-right Trump-aligned Republicans in Congress have long been skeptical of the Treasury’s projections, and they are pressing McCarthy to hold out.

“We’re constantly in touch with our members, letting them know that what is being reported, you should not accept that,” Emmer said. “If there’s an agreement, we will let them know.”

The Republican proposal on work requirements would save $11 billion over 10 years by raising the maximum age for existing standards that require able-bodied adults who do not live with dependents to work or attend training programs.

Current law applies those standards to recipients under the age of 50. The GOP plan would raise the age to include adults 55 and under. It would lower the number of exemptions that states can grant to some recipients subject to those requirements.

Biden has said the work requirements for Medicaid would be a nonstarter. He initially seemed potentially open to negotiating minor changes on food stamps, now known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, but his position has appeared to harden.

Lawmakers are not expected to return to work from the Memorial Day weekend before Tuesday, at the earliest, and McCarthy has promised lawmakers he will abide by the rule to post any bill for 72 hours before voting.

The Democratic-held Senate has largely stayed out of the negotiations, leaving the talks to Biden and McCarthy. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York has pledged to move quickly to send a compromise package to Biden’s desk.

Weeks of talks have failed to produce a deal in part because the Biden administration resisted for months on negotiating with McCarthy, arguing that the country’s full faith and credit should not be used as leverage to extract other partisan priorities.

But House Republicans united behind a plan to cut spending, narrowly passing legislation in late April that would raise the debt ceiling in exchange for the spending reductions.

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