Dozens of motorcycles believed to belong to Ryan Wedding, snowboarder-turned-accused drug lord, seized

Olympic snowboarder-turned-accused narco-trafficker Ryan James Wedding appears to still have a need for speed.

Dozens of expensive high-powered motorcycles believed to be owned by the 44-year-old Canadian fugitive — and worth an estimated $40 million — were seized this month by Mexican authorities, the FBI’s Los Angeles office reported Monday.

The FBI, which said the seizure was part of a joint operation that also involved the LAPD and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, released photos of the seized motorcycles but did not say exactly where they were found.

Motorcycles believed to be owned by Ryan Wedding that were seized by Mexican authorities. (FBI)

But last week Mexico’s Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection revealed that in addition to the motorcycles they seized two vehicles, artwork, two Olympic medals, drugs and other items at four locations in Mexico City.

Crime and Courts Nov 23

How Ryan Wedding went from an Olympic snowboarder to an alleged drug kingpin hiding in Mexico

Crime and Courts Nov 19

Ex-Olympian wanted by U.S. charged with orchestrating murder of a federal witness

It was not immediately clear whose medals the Mexicans found.

Wedding represented Canada in 2002 at the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah but did not win any medals. He placed 24th in the men’s giant parallel slalom.

Wedding, who is on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list for allegedly running an international drug ring, is believed to be hiding out in Mexico and under the protection of the Sinaloa cartel.

The U.S. Department of Justice last month increased its reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Wedding to $15 million.

FBI Director Kash Patel has likened Wedding to notorious drug kingpins like Pablo Escobar and Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán.

Last year, Wedding was indicted in Los Angeles federal court on multiple drug-related charges. And in November, Wedding was hit with fresh charges alleging he ordered a hit on a witness in the U.S. government’s case against him and enlisted assassins to murder rival traffickers.

Wedding’s organization, Attorney General Pam Bondi said at the time, is responsible for importing about 60 metric tons of cocaine a year into Los Angeles.

“He controls one of the most prolific and violent drug-trafficking organizations in this world,” she said. “He is currently the largest distributor of cocaine in Canada.”

Wedding embarked on a career as a drug trafficker sometime around 2008 when, according to federal prosecutors, he traveled to San Diego with two other men to buy cocaine.

Convicted of conspiracy to distribute cocaine, Wedding was released from prison in December 2011 and quickly established himself as a big-time international illegal drug distributor, prosecutors said.

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Here's a full list of new laws taking effect in 2026 in Illinois

The New Year brings with it hundreds of new laws in Illinois.

The 2026 laws target everything from healthcare to insurance coverage to schools to workplaces and more.

While there are a handful that may impact residents more than others, more than 200 laws in total will begin in the new year.

So how can you see them all?

A full list of 2026 laws in Illinois can be found here.

If you don’t want to sift through the full list, here are some of the most noteworthy ones you should know about:

SB 0008: Strengthens requirements for firearms to be placed in secured, locked containers when they are located in areas where children could access them. The bill also requires gun owners to report a firearm stolen within 48 hours instead of 72.

SB 0024: Bans waiting-period requirements before filing a missing-person report.

SB 0073: Requires baby food manufacturers to test monthly for heavy metals, including arsenic and lead.

SB 0212: Will require employers to provide paid breaks for nursing mothers to pump breast milk.

HB 0297: Creates a mandatory interest arbitration procedure for educational supervisors in CPS when a collective bargaining impasse occurs.

SB 0618: This bipartisan law makes a host of changes, including making cocktails-to-go permanent in the state. The bill will also allow more Illinois distilleries to self-distribute their products and craft breweries to offer rewards and loyalty programs like mug clubs for customers.

SB 0710: Illinois farmers will be eligible for deer removal permits to help protect their crops based on the percentage of permits redeemed in the previous season, rather than having to wait until property damage occurs. Youth hunting tags also increase from one to two.

SB 0727: Requires Illinois to adopt federal PFAs drinking-water standards and mandate sampling for 1,4-Dioxane in water supplies.

SB 0773: Requires group insurance plans to cover IVF services for most women, and annual menopause visits for women over the age of 45.

SB 0784: Allows Illinois public safety agencies to assist agencies in neighboring states during disasters like fires, floods and earthquakes.

SB 0899: Authorizes IDOT to restrict vehicle length on state roadways.

SB 1238: Expands insurance coverage for non-opioid pain management medication.

HB 1278: Prohibits employers from retaliating against employees who use company equipment to record crimes against themselves or their families.

HB 1287: Requires nursing homes to have automatic external defibrillators by Jan. 1, 2030.

SB 1295: Requires CPR-training blocks for medical dispatchers to assist 911 callers over the phone.

SB 1418: Require insurance companies to cover medically necessary screening tests for peripheral artery disease, a move cardiologists and medical experts say could help prevent thousands of unnecessary amputations each year.

HB 1431: Requires hospitals to develop a policy to inform patients they may be charged a facility fee if the hospital charges the fee for outpatient services separate from a professional fee.

HB 1302: Strengthens procedures and expands rights for victims of sexual assault and domestic violence.

SB 1507: Requires UIC to conduct a safety review of traffic on DuSable Lake Shore Drive, including crash data and potential AI camera implementation.

SB 1563: The measure will allow police more authority to remove squatters from properties they have no legal title to. Squatters will in most cases be treated as trespassers, making it possible for police to remove them immediately upon receiving a complaint.

HB 1615: Allows courthouses to display the U.S. flag on the grounds rather than exclusively on the roof.

HB 1616: Extends paid organ-donation leave to part-time employees.

HB 1787: Updates safety drill requirements for substitute teachers.

SB 1883: Prohibits obstructing vehicle-registration plates with tape or other devices.

HB 1910: Requires all Illinois libraries to stock opioid antagonists and ensures trained staff are present.

SB 1920: Directs the Illinois State Board of Education to develop statewide guidance on AI use in schools, and to compile educational materials about the benefits of American Sign Language.

SB 1941: Allows municipalities to install flashing light indicators at school crosswalks.

SB 1950: Allows for physician-assisted death, making Illinois the first Midwest state to legalize “medial aid in dying.” The law won’t take effect until later in 2026 to allow time for health officials to put processes and protocols in place.

SB 2215: IDPH must provide fertility-assessment information to women aged 25 and older.

HB 2409: Requires PFAs disclosure in firefighter gear, with phased bans beginning in 2027.

HB 2425: Prohibits life insurance companies from denying coverage, limiting benefits, or charging higher rates if an individual has a past felony conviction.

HB 2462: Allows trained individuals to carry and administer epi-pens.

HB 2474: Prohibits retaliatory action against a nursing home resident.

HB 2548: Bans the sale of self-administered sexual assault evidence-collection kits.

HB 2589: Requires pharmacists to sell sterile hypodermic needles to patients who need them for medication administration.  

HB 2602: Eliminates the statute of limitations for involuntary servitude or human-trafficking.

SB 2672: Requires insurance companies to cover brand-name drugs when generics are unavailable due to shortages.

HB 2690: Closes legal loopholes related to charging the offense of grooming.

HB 2751: Prohibits the sale of cars by car dealers in locations other than their dealership.

HB 2774: this bill requires the Department of Human Services to create a single, simple-to-use phone number for public access to information and referral services for victims of domestic violence.

HB 3000: Requires school districts serving students grade 6 and up to have the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (988), the Crisis Text Line and the Safe2Help Illinois helpline on all employee IDs.

HB 3039: Allows 7^th and 8^th graders to enroll in high school-level courses for credit.

HB 3094: Extends pre-tax commuter benefits to part-time workers.

HB 3140: Establishes a public fund to pay veterinary costs for retired police dogs.

HB 3178: Clarifies the Digital Voice and Likeness Protection Act to define what is deemed an unenforceable agreement using digital replicas of human performances.

HB 3247: Guarantees public education access to all students regardless of immigration status.

HB 3248: Requires insurance cover medically-necessary laser hair removal for gender-affirming care.

HB 3327: Requires hospitals to provide information on early intervention programs to parents whose children are admitted to the neonatal intensive care department.

HB 3489: Allows pharmacists to dispense contraceptives, including emergency contraceptives and requires Medicaid coverage.

HB 3638: Expands employee protections around confidentiality agreements and no-rehire clauses.

HB 3671: Allows prosecution of nonconsensual sexual image distribution in either the sender’s location or the victim’s residence.

HB 3773: Prohibits discriminatory use of AI in employment.

HB 4180: Insurance coverage required for molecular breast imaging or breast MRI’s when medically necessary.

HB 4439: Designates the soybean as the official state bean of Illinois.

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Patriots receiver Stefon Diggs accused of attacking employee in dispute over pay

New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs is facing criminal charges, accused of attacking a private chef during a dispute about money.

According to court records, Diggs is charged with felony strangulation or suffocation and misdemeanor assault and battery charges.

According to the criminal complaint, the victim was working as a private chef in Diggs’ Dedham home. She told police that on Dec. 2, after a text exchange about pay she believes was due to her, Diggs came into her bedroom and they got into an argument. She described being smacked across the face, and said he tried to choke her using the crook of his elbow.

The victim did not come forward with the accusations until Dec. 16, and initially did not want to press charges. She told police at the time she was hesitant to come forward because of Diggs’ fame. She also noted she believed she was still owed money for her time working for Diggs.

iggs is scheduled for an arraignment on Jan. 23. His attorney said Diggs “categorically denies these allegations.” denies the allegations.

“They are unsubstantiated, uncorroborated, and were never investigated — because they did not occur. The timing and motivation for making the allegations is crystal clear: they are the direct result of an employee-employer financial dispute that was not resolved to the employee’s satisfaction. Stefon looks forward to establishing the truth in a court of law,” Attorney David Meier wrote in a statement.

The team released a statement on the matter Tuesday:

“The New England Patriots are aware of the accusations that have been made regarding Stefon Diggs. Stefon has informed the organization that he categorically denies the allegations. We support Stefon. We will continue to gather information and will cooperate fully with the appropriate authorities and the NFL as necessary. Out of respect for all parties involved, and given that this is an ongoing legal matter, we will have no further comment at this time.”

An NFL spokesperson confirmed they were aware of the matter and in contact with the team, but declined to comment further.

Diggs signed with the Patriots in March, agreeing to a three-year contract worth $69 million. He’s had a strong season, becoming a strong teammate for rookie quarterback Drake Maye.

This comes at a critical time for the team, with the Patriots clinching the AFC East for their first division title since 2019 and hopes still alive for the AFC No. 1 seed. They have one remaining regular-season game against the Dolphins on Sunday.

This is a breaking story. Check back for updates.

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U.S. health policy has been dramatically reshaped under RFK Jr.

In the whirlwind first year of President Donald Trump’s second term, some of the most polarizing changes have taken place within the Department of Health and Human Services, where Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has openly rebuffed the medical establishment as he converts the ideas of his Make America Healthy Again movement into public policy.

Since entering office in February, the health secretary has overseen a dramatic reshaping of the agencies he oversees, including eliminating thousands of jobs and freezing or canceling billions of dollars for scientific research. As part of his campaign against chronic disease, he has redrawn the government’s position on topics such as seed oils, fluoride and Tylenol. He also has repeatedly used his authority to promote discredited ideas about vaccines.

The department’s rapid transformation has garnered praise from MAHA supporters who say they long viewed HHS as corrupt and untrustworthy and have been waiting for such a disruption. And both Democrats and Republicans have applauded some of the agency’s actions, including efforts to encourage healthy eating and exercise, and deals to lower the prices of costly drugs.

But many of the drastic changes Kennedy has led at the department are raising grave concerns among doctors and public health experts.

FDA Dec 9

FDA launches safety review of RSV infant drugs as RFK Jr. scrutinizes immunizations

Health care Sep 19

RFK Jr.'s vaccine advisers decline to recommend COVID-19 shot for all Americans

“At least in the immediate or intermediate future, the United States is going to be hobbled and hollowed out in its scientific leadership,” said Lawrence Gostin, a Georgetown University public health law professor who was removed from a National Institutes of Health advisory board earlier this year with a letter that said he was no longer needed. “I think it will be extraordinarily difficult to reverse all the damage.”

HHS spokesperson Andrew Nixon denied any threat to scientific expertise at the agency and lauded its work.

“In 2025, the Department confronted long-standing public health challenges with transparency, courage, and gold-standard science,” Nixon said in a statement. “HHS will carry this momentum into 2026 to strengthen accountability, put patients first, and protect public health.”

The overhaul comes alongside broader uncertainties in the nation’s health system, including Medicaid cuts passed by Congress this year and expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies that are putting millions of Americans’ insurance coverage in jeopardy.

Here’s a closer look at Kennedy’s first year leading the nation’s health agency:

Kennedy’s vaccine views ripple across the department

After many years spent publicly assailing vaccines, Kennedy sought during his confirmation process to reassure senators he wouldn’t take a wrecking ball to vaccine science. But less than a year later, his health department has repeatedly pushed the limits of those commitments.

In May, Kennedy announced the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would no longer recommend COVID-19 vaccines for healthy children and pregnant women — a move immediately questioned by public health experts who saw no new data to justify the change.

In June, Kennedy fired an entire 17-member CDC vaccine advisory committee — later installing several of his own replacements, including multiple vaccine skeptics.

That group has made decisions that have shocked medical professionals, including declining to recommend COVID-19 shots for anyone, adding new restrictions on a combination shot against chickenpox, measles, mumps and rubella and reversing the longstanding recommendation that all babies receive a hepatitis B shot at birth.

Kennedy in November also personally directed the CDC to abandon its position that vaccines do not cause autism, without supplying any new evidence to support the change. While he left the old language on the website to keep a promise he made to Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy, he added a disclaimer saying it remained because of the agreement.

Public health researchers and advocates strongly refute the updated website and note that scientists have thoroughly explored the issue in rigorous research spanning decades, all pointing to the same conclusion that vaccines don’t cause autism.

Kennedy has promised a wide-ranging effort to study environmental factors that potentially contribute to autism and in an Oval Office event with Trump in September promoted unproven and in some cases discredited ties between Tylenol, vaccines and the complex brain disorder.

Kennedy reconfigures HHS with massive staffing and research cuts

Within two months of taking office, Kennedy announced a sweeping restructuring of HHS that would shut down entire agencies, consolidate others into a new one focused on chronic disease and lay off some 10,000 employees on top of 10,000 others who had already taken buyouts.

While parts of the effort are still tied up in court, thousands of the mass layoffs were allowed to stand. Those and voluntary departures significantly thinned out the sprawling $1.7 trillion department, which oversees food and hospital inspections, health insurance for roughly half of the country and vaccine recommendations.

Kennedy also has fired or forced out several leaders at HHS, among them four directors at the National Institutes of Health, the Food and Drug Administration’s former vaccine chief and a director of the CDC whom he had hired less than a month earlier.

On top of staffing cuts, he has overseen significant cuts to scientific research. That includes NIH slashing billions of dollars in research projects and the termination of $500 million in contracts to develop vaccines using mRNA technology.

Amid the cuts, Kennedy has proposed or funded some new research on topics related to his MAHA goals, including autism, Lyme disease and food additives.

MAHA gains momentum, despite some stumbles

Kennedy started using the phrase “MAHA” on the campaign trail last year to describe his crusade against toxic exposures and childhood chronic disease, but 2025 was the year it became ingrained in the national lexicon.

In his tenure so far, the health secretary has made it the centerpiece of his work, using the MAHA branding to wage war on ultra-processed foods, pressure companies to phase out artificial food dyes, criticize fluoride in drinking water and push to ban junk food from the program that subsidizes grocery store runs for low-income Americans.

The idea has even spread beyond Kennedy’s agency across the federal government.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has appeared with Kennedy to promote fitness with pull-up displays. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy teamed up with Kennedy in early December to announce $1 billion in funding for airports to install resources like playgrounds and nursing pods for mothers and babies. And Environmental Protection Agency administrator Lee Zeldin recently announced he is working toward unveiling a MAHA agenda with health-related goals for his own department.

MAHA has earned widespread popularity among the American public — even as it has endured some administration foibles. In May, for example, HHS faced scrutiny for releasing a MAHA report that contained several citations to studies that didn’t exist.

But to the extent that the initiative has included calls to action that aren’t based on science — such as urging distrust in vaccines or promoting raw milk, which is far more likely than pasteurized milk to lead to illness — critics say it can be dangerous.

Trump Administration Sep 9

RFK Jr.'s new ‘MAHA' report gives road map to improving kids' health but stops short of action

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‘RFK'ing the french fries': Steak ‘n Shake becomes a MAHA darling

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Videos capture chaotic fight between teens at Joliet mall

Cellphone videos captured the chaotic scene at a suburban Joliet mall over the weekend as dozens of teens brawled inside the building.

Joliet police were called to Louis Joliet Mall just before 6 p.m. Saturday for reports of large groups of juveniles fighting, according to a press release.

Dozens of teens were causing a disturbance in the mall, with multiple fights occurring on the property, police said.

Multiple teens fled the scene when police arrived, and two were taken into custody and charged with disorderly conduct.

Cellphone video of the fighting was sent to NBC Chicago by a viewer over the weekend, with the footage showing large groups of teens throwing punches in a crowd and police trying to break up the melee.

According to Joliet police, no injuries were reported, and while it’s unclear what led to the large congregation of teens at the mall, authorities are urging parents to take a more active role in preventing such violent outbursts in the future. .

“The Joliet Police Department encourages parents and guardians to remain engaged and aware of their children’s activities, particularly in large public spaces,” police said. “Open communication and guidance can help reduce the likelihood of conflicts and support a safe, positive environment for shoppers and employees alike.”

No further information was available in the case, and police are continuing to investigate.

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Travel disruptions mount as strong storm system sweeps across the country

A powerful storm system continues to disrupt travel, placing 64 million people under winter weather alerts that span the eastern two-thirds of the nation.

A string of tornadoes erupted in central Illinois on Sunday, with preliminary National Weather Service reports stating eight homes and a garage were destroyed and two other homes sustained significant structural damage in Macon County. No injuries were reported.

NBC affiliate WAND of Decatur reported the roof of a home in Macon County was ripped off by a tornado’s winds, but multiple people and pets inside were able to escape uninjured. It was one of two unconfirmed tornadoes in the county Sunday afternoon, the station said.

The tornadoes followed the leading edge of a cold front that caused plummeting temperatures and created roiling, unstable air as the storm moved east-southeast and collided with warmer air, federal forecasters said.

Over 6,000 flights were delayed and more than 500 were canceled into or out of the United States by midday Sunday.

Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport was subjected to a weather-based ground delay that expired Sunday night, according to Federal Aviation Administration alerts. An average delay of 3 hours and 9 minutes had been expected, it said. Boston Logan International Airport travelers could see delays overnight, according to its operators and the FAA.

“Due to forecasted snowfall and deicing operations, Boston Logan expects delays overnight and early tomorrow morning,” the airport’s operator, Massport, said in an alert late Sunday.

Snow fell in parts of Colorado, Wisconsin and Minnesota on Sunday morning, while rain stretched from Iowa into the Ohio Valley, bringing gusty winds and lightning to some areas.

A video taken in the Minneapolis area on Sunday morning shows heavy snow falling onto an already snow-covered ground.

A strong line of storms was projected to develop Sunday evening from the Great Lakes into the mid-South. An estimated 141 million are under wind alerts inspired by the winter storm front late Sunday.

The alerts stretched from the Plains to the Mid-Atlantic and include Dallas; New Orleans; Little Rock, Arkansas; Kansas City, Missouri; St Louis, Missouri; Chicago; and Philadelphia. Widespread wind gusts as strong as 45 mph were possible, with some local gusts expected to clock 65 mph.

Five million people across Illinois, Indiana and northwest Kentucky remain under a slight risk for severe weather that could produce damaging wind gusts, large hail and multiple tornadoes.

Freezing rain was falling Sunday night over parts of New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey and could continue Monday across New England. Ice accumulation from Upstate New York to Maine was possible through Tuesday.

On Sunday, the office of New York Gov. Kathy Hochul warned much of the state that severe weather was en route if it hadn’t already landed. It said more than 6,700 utility workers were placed on standby to respond to repair and restoration of any damaged infrastructure.

Meanwhile, National Weather Service storm reports include observations of multiple tornadoes in Illinois on Sunday. The reports are preliminary and are usually checked out during next-day ground inspections by trained spotters.

They include four observations of tornadoes in Macon County; a report of a 1.75 mile-long EF1, or lowest-force, tornado in Allentown, Illinois; and a tornado near Illinois’ Christian-Macon county line described, from “storm chaser video,” as “kicking up dirt and corn stubble.”

Multiple tornado warnings for Indiana and Kentucky expired late Sunday. More than 32,000 utility customers were in the dark late Sunday in Illinois, Indiana and Kentucky, according to utility tracker PowerOutage.us.

Additionally, more than 52,000 customers in Michigan and more than 12,000 customers in Wisconsin were without power, the tracker indicated.

Anticipating the storm’s affects as it moves east, Buffalo Mayor Chris Scanlon on Sunday announced Buffalo Skyway, an elevated roadway over the Buffalo River that connects downtown Buffalo to the northern end of Buffalo Harbor, will be closed until further notice starting at 6 a.m. Monday.

Parts of Iowa, Minnesota and the Dakotas were expected to see blizzard conditions from high snowfall rates and 40 mph wind gusts, making travel difficult.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz on Sunday authorized the Minnesota National Guard to participate in the state’s emergency storm response, including the rescue of motorists if necessary. A no-travel advisory was in effect for state roadways in South Central Minnesota until further notice, the governor’s office said in a statement.

The city of Minneapolis declared a snow emergency starting Sunday night. It prohibits parking along “snow emergency routes” where plowing is planned.

Elsewhere, video verified by NBC News shows whiteout conditions Sunday in Grand Forks, North Dakota.

Hazardous travel conditions were forecast for Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan overnight; wraparound snow will target parts of Michigan and the eastern Great Lakes through Monday.

Residual lake-effect bands will persist downwind of Lake Erie and Ontario through Tuesday, bringing 3 to 6 inches of snow with up to 14 inches locally.

The Upper Midwest is forecast to receive 3 to 9 inches of snow, with localized amounts of up to 20 inches

The system will linger over New England through Monday evening before moving offshore by early Tuesday morning.

Power outages and hazardous travel conditions are possible from northern Pennsylvania through Maine, as ice accumulations could reach 0.2 to 0.5 inches.

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All the federal holidays and dates to know in 2026

You might be surprised to learn that there are holidays 365 days of the year.

In fact, on any given day, there can be multiple observances or happenings. Some are more well-known than others like, say, St. Patrick’s Day, Earth Day or Valentine’s Day. But there are plenty of other, less-familiar holidays, like International Cat Day, World UFO Day and National Margarita Day, just to name a few.

Then, of course, there are federal holidays — the annual observances that are officially recognized by the government. 

Each year, there 11 such holidays and on those designated days, many government offices and agencies, like the U.S. Postal Service, are closed, along with banks and schools. And, depending on the holiday, businesses, retailers, restaurants and the stock market may also be closed. 

There’s also a twelfth federal holiday that’s observed only in Washington D.C., and it’s not recognized every year, but rather every four years, depending on the presidential inauguration. 

So, what are those federal holidays?

See below for a full list, as well as what day and date they land on in 2026, so you can plan ahead. 

What are the 11 federal holidays?

Every year, 11 specific holidays are observed by the federal government. They are:

• New Year’s Day
• Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday
• Washington’s Birthday (Presidents’ Day)
• Memorial Day
• Juneteenth National Independence Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Columbus Day (Indigenous Peoples’ Day)
• Veterans Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Day

Federal Holidays in 2026

• New Year’s Day — Thursday, Jan. 1
• Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday — Monday, Jan. 19
• Washington’s Birthday (Presidents’ Day) — Monday, Feb. 16
• Memorial Day — Monday, May 25
• Juneteenth National Independence Day — Friday, June 19
• Independence Day — Friday, July 3 (Observed)
• Labor Day — Monday, Sept. 7
• Columbus Day (Indigenous Peoples’ Day) — Monday, Oct. 12
• Veterans Day — Wednesday, Nov. 11
• Thanksgiving Day — Thursday, Nov. 26
• Christmas Day — Friday, Dec. 25

Inauguration Day

A majority of the U.S. observes 11 federal holidays each year. The one exception is the presidential inauguration in Washington D.C., which occurs every four years in January. 

On Jan. 20 (or Jan. 21 if the 20th falls on a Sunday), workers in Washington D.C. are granted a federal holiday on Inauguration Day. 

The most recent Inauguration Day was on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. The next one won’t be until Saturday, Jan. 20, 2029.

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

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Right-handed reliever Hunter Harvey agrees to deal with the Cubs, AP source says

Right-handed reliever Hunter Harvey agreed to a one-year contract with the Chicago Cubs, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press on Saturday.

The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the agreement was pending a physical.

The addition of Harvey is the latest move in a bullpen makeover for the Cubs, who have added Phil Maton, Hoby Milner and Jacob Webb and re-signed Caleb Thielbar.

The 31-year-old Harvey was slowed by injuries last season with the Kansas City Royals. He pitched in 12 games and was 1-0 with 11 strikeouts in 10 2/3 shutout innings.

The 22nd overall pick in the 2013 draft by Baltimore, Harvey is 10-11 with a 3.11 ERA in 182 games with 201 career strikeouts in 185 innings with the Orioles, Washington Nationals and Kansas City.

Chicago is looking for a return trip to the postseason after it made the playoffs this year for the first time since 2020. Brad Keller and Drew Pomeranz — two key relievers for the Cubs — departed in free agency.

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Gordon Ramsay's daughter Holly Ramsay marries Olympic swimmer Adam Peaty

Originally appeared on E! Online

Gordon Ramsay is bubbling over with excitement for his daughter Holly Ramsay.

More than a year after she announced her engagement to Olympic swimmer Adam Peaty, the two tied the knot on Dec. 27, the “Kitchen Nightmares” star confirmed.

“I’m truly so lucky,” he wrote alongside an Instagram post of the father-daughter duo, “being able to walk this beautiful bride down the aisle and gaining an incredible son in law @adam_peaty! I love you so much @hollyramsayy and couldn’t be a prouder Dad xxx.”

For the ceremony held at The Abbey Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul in the U.K., Ramsay wore a white satin full-length gown and matching white veil, as seen in photos published by People. As for her dad, he kept it simple, wearing a black tuxedo paired with a white button-down shirt and black bow tie.

And as for the groom, he also teased his joy for the couple’s ceremony, captioning a Dec. 27 Instagram Stories post featuring a photo of the sunrise, “Morning of our wedding.”

READ Gordon Ramsay’s Daughter Holly Ramsay Engaged to Olympic Gold Medalist Adam Peaty

Last September, Ramsay — whose mom is Tana Ramsay — shared she and the British swimmer were ready to dive into the rest of their lives together.

“I am marrying my best friend,” she wrote in a Sept. 12 Instagram post alongside photos of her gold ring. “I truly cannot put into words how I am feeling right now. I still remember how big my smile was the morning I got home from my first date with you. Thank you for letting the little girl inside of me feel loved, seen and happier than ever. I love you & I cannot wait to be your wife.”

The 25-year-old also had a sweet shoutout for Peaty’s 5-year-old son — who the athlete welcomed from a previous relationship — noting, “I promise to always be there with you and George, I’m so grateful to be in his life and I cannot wait for more.”

At the time, Peaty also shared his feelings about their future.

“I can’t believe you’re going to be my wife,” he shared in his own social media post of the engagement. “I’m truly the luckiest man on earth to have such a gentle, caring and beautiful woman by my side. You fill my heart to the brim and give my soul peace.”

The 30-year-old, who won gold at the 2016 Summer Olympics, continued, “You have been with me when I’ve been at my lowest and helped me understand myself to navigate my own darkness. You have also celebrated the highs which have been so many, as for the first time in my life, I’m happy with the man I’ve become.”

In fact, not only is Peaty elated over the couple’s relationship, but he’s thrilled over his newfound loved ones as well.

“Your family have always treated me so generously with their time, emotion and trust,” Peaty added. “I can’t wait to be joined with them too. I’ve always believed that when two people are engaged and later married that we are no longer two people but we join as one and it’s the biggest privilege to share that with you.”

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Free admission days at Chicago museums for the start of 2026

If this year’s snowiest start to winter in almost half a century is any indication of what the rest of the season could look like, Chicago area residents are sure to have plenty of days best spent indoors throughout the start of the new year.

The many museums and cultural attractions around Chicago provide both refuge from the cold and entertainment people of all ages can enjoy.

Give your wallet a break and schedule your next visit on one of the many free admission days offered next year for Illinois residents.

Here’s a look at the museums in Chicago offering free admission in the early months of 2026:

The Art Institute of Chicago

The Art Institute of Chicago, located at 111 South Michigan Avenue, has a free winter weekdays program for Illinois residents.

Starting January 5 and continuing through February 28, free admission is available from 11 a.m. through closing.

The museum is open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays until 5 p.m. and Thursdays until 8 p.m. It is closed on Tuesdays.

Though tickets are free, the museum has online ticket reservation. You first select the date you wish to attend, and then select your ticket choice. The ticket options will show a cost at that point, however, once you get to the “select quantity” screen and enter your local billing zip code, the free pricing will be reflected.

You can also visit the admissions desk on the day of your visit to verify your residency and receive free admission if you do not wish to reserve a ticket in advance.

More information on the museum’s free admission opportunities is available here.

Adler Planetarium

The Adler Planetarium, located at 1300 South DuSable Lake Shore Drive, is free for Illinois residents on several days throughout the first four months of the year.

Here’s a look at the dates:

• January: 7, 12, 14, 21, 26, 28
• February: 2, 4, 9, 11, 18, 23
• March: 2, 4, 9, 11, 18, 25
• April: 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

Adler Planetarium is open Friday through Monday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and open Wednesday nights from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. with timed ticket entry.

Additional dates are likely to be added throughout the year and can be seen here.

Tickets must be reserved in advance, which can be done here.

DuSable Black History Museum

The DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center, located at 740 East 56th Place, offers free admission on Wednesdays throughout 2026.

Tickets can be reserved in advance here.

The museum is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Griffin Museum of Science and Industry

Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, located at 5700 South DuSable Lake Shore Drive, offers several free admission days for Illinois residents throughout the first half of 2026.

Here’s a look at the dates:

• January 12, 13, 14, 25, 26, 27, 28
• February 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 23, 24, 25, 26
• April19
• June 4, 19

More information is available here.

Museum of Contemporary Art

The Museum of Contemporary Art, located at 220 East Chicago Avenue, offers free admission on Tuesdays from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. in 2026 for Illinois residents.

The museum also offers pay-what-you-can admission, though all discounts are available in person only. More information is available here.

Chicago History Museum

The Chicago History Museum, located at 1601 North Clark Street, offers free admission in January and February 2026.

Free admission days for Illinois residents are January 19 through 23 and January 27 through 30, February 16 and Tuesdays through Thursdays in February.

More information is available here.

Shedd Aquarium

Illinois residents can visit the Shedd Aquarium, located at 120 South DuSable Lake Shore Drive, for free on specific days throughout the first half of the year.

Here’s a look at the free days:

• January 6-8, 13-20, 27-29
• February 3-5, 10-12, 17-19, 24-26

And the free nights (5 p.m. to 9 p.m.):

• March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
• April 7, 14, 21, 28
• May 5, 12, 19, 26
• June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

Shedd recommends advance registration because of high demand for the free hours tickets.

More information is available here.

Field Museum

Field Museum, located at 1400 South DuSable Lake Shore Drive, has free admission on Wednesdays for Illinois residents.

The museum is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesdays.

More information is available here.

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What time to the Bears play? Details on Sunday's game against the 49ers

The Chicago Bears are set to take on the San Francisco 49ers Sunday, with a division title and a chance at hosting two playoff games on the line.

The game kicks off at 7:20 p.m. CST Sunday at Levi’s Stadium.

NBC will air the game. Fans in the Chicago area can also stream the game on NFL+.

If the Bears win, they will secure at least the No. 2 seed in the NFC which would give them a chance at hosting two playoff games at Soldier Field.

The team is dealing with a number of illnesses heading into the game amid a surge in flu cases.

“It’s this time of year,” said head coach Ben Johnson. “I doubt we’re the only team dealing with it. We’re washing our hands, we’re being very diligent, guys have masks on, doing what you can. Whoever’s available here on game day, we will look to win with. If a guy can’t go, then we will be ready.”

#Bears Injury Report pic.twitter.com/wtI81IUD4X

— Bears Communications (@BearsPR) December 26, 2025

The 49ers may be missing a few players on Sunday too. Tight end George Kittle is listed as questionable due to an ankle injury, along with receiver Ricky Pearsall and cornerback Renardo Green.

There is a chance the Bears could head into the game as the No. 1 in the North, depending on the outcome of Saturday’s faceoff between the Green Bay Packers and the Baltimore Ravens.

If both games end in a tie, the Bears will also claim the crown of the division.

A loss on Sunday wouldn’t be the end of the line for the Bears’ chance at the division title, with one last chance for a win during their final game of the season against the Lions.

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US launches strikes against Islamic State group in Nigeria after attacks target Christians

President Donald Trump said the United States launched a “powerful and deadly” strike against forces of the Islamic State group in Nigeria, after spending weeks accusing the West African country’s government of failing to rein in the targeting of Christians.

In a Christmas evening post on his social media site Thursday, Trump did not provide details or mention the extent of the damage caused by the strikes in the northwestern state of Sokoto.

A Defense Department official, who insisted on anonymity to discuss details not made public, said the U.S. worked with Nigeria to carry out the strikes and that they’d been approved by Abuja.

Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the cooperation included exchange of intelligence and strategic coordination in ways “consistent with international law, mutual respect for sovereignty and shared commitments to regional and global security.”

The Associated Press could not confirm the extent of the strikes’ impact.

Nigeria fights several armed groups

Nigeria is battling multiple armed groups, including at least two affiliated with IS, an offshoot of the Boko Haram extremist group known as the Islamic State West Africa Province in the northeast, and the less-known Lakurawa group prominent in the northwestern states, where the gangs use large swathes of forests as hideouts.

Security analysts said the target of the U.S. strikes could be the Lakurawa group, which in the last year has increasingly become lethal in the region, often targeting remote communities and security forces.

“Lakurawa is a group that is actually controlling territories in Nigeria, in Sokoto state and in other states like Kebbi,” said Malik Samuel, a Nigerian security researcher at Good Governance Africa. “In the northwest, there has been the incursion of violent extremist groups that are ideologically driven,” he said, blaming the incursion on the near absence of the state and security forces in hot spots.

Violence affecting Nigerians

Trump said the airstrikes were launched against IS militants “who have been targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians.” Residents and security analysts have said Nigeria’s security crisis affects both Christians, predominant in the south, and Muslims, who are the majority in the north.

“Terrorist violence in any form, whether directed at Christians, Muslims or other communities, remains an affront to Nigeria’s values and to international peace and security,” the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

Nigeria’s government has previously said in response to Trump’s criticisms that people of many faiths, not just Christians, have suffered attacks at the hands of extremist groups.

US measures affecting Nigeria

Trump ordered the Pentagon last month to begin planning for potential military action in Nigeria to try and curb what he called Christian persecution. The State Department recently announced it would restrict visas for Nigerians and their family members involved in killing Christians there.

And the U.S. recently designated Nigeria a “country of particular concern” under the International Religious Freedom Act.

Trump said U.S. defense officials had “executed numerous perfect strikes, as only the United States is capable of doing” and added that “our Country will not allow Radical Islamic Terrorism to prosper.”

Nigeria’s population of 220 million is split almost equally between Christians and Muslims. The country has long faced insecurity from various fronts, including Boko Haram, which seeks to establish its radical interpretation of Islamic law and has also targeted Muslims it deems not Muslim enough.

But attacks in Nigeria often have varying motives. There are religiously motivated ones targeting both Christians and Muslims, clashes between farmers and herders over dwindling resources, communal rivalries, secessionist groups and ethnic clashes.

The U.S. security footprint has diminished in Africa, where military partnerships have either been scaled down or canceled. U.S. forces likely would have to be drawn from other parts of the world for any larger-scale military intervention in Nigeria.

Trump has nonetheless kept up the pressure as Nigeria faced a series of attacks on schools and churches in violence that experts and residents say targets both Christians and Muslims.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth posted Thursday night on X: “The President was clear last month: the killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria (and elsewhere) must end.”

Hegseth said that U.S. military forces are “always ready, so ISIS found out tonight — on Christmas” and added, “More to come…Grateful for Nigerian government support & cooperation” before signing off, “Merry Christmas!”

___

Associated Press writer Konstantin Toropin in Washington, and Chinedu Asadu in Abuja, Nigeria, contributed to this report.

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Chicago Bears dealing with several illnesses in lead-up to 49ers game Sunday

The Bears are dealing with more than just some injuries ahead of their game against the 49ers this weekend.

Turns out, several players have fallen victim to the winter illnesses going around.

Josh Blackwell, Devin Duvernay, D’Marco Jackson and Nick McCloud all did not practice Thursday due to an unspecified illness.

In a bit of good news, Duvernay and Jackson were both spotted on the field Friday and practiced in full.

McCloud was ruled out for Sunday and Blackwell, who did not practice Friday, remained questionable. Nahshon Wright also did not practice Friday due to a hamstring injury as well as an illness and his status is questionable.

Head coach Ben Johnson said the team is taking precautions heading into the game.

“It’s this time of year,” he said. “I doubt we’re the only team dealing with it. We’re washing our hands, we’re being very diligent, guys have masks on, doing what you can. Whoever’s available here on game day, we will look to win with. If a guy can’t go, then we will be ready.”

The illnesses come on top of injuries to big players like Rome Odunze, who was ruled out once again with a foot injury. T.J. Edwards was limited in practice Friday and listed as questionable due to a glute injury.

They did get some relief as Luther Burden III practiced in full Friday after being limited earlier this week due to an ankle injury that kept him out against the Packers last weekend.

The Bears are sitting in the No. 2 seed in the NFC, one game behind the Seattle Seahawks for the top spot.

If they win one of their last two games, they are guaranteed not only a division title, but also at least the No. 2 seed in the NFC. They could also claim the NFC North division if the Packers lose Saturday.

If both teams tie, the Bears also clinch the division.

They are scheduled to take on the 49ers at 7:20 p.m. CST Sunday at Levi’s Stadium.

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