Justice Department officials are conducting a sweeping review of more than 1,000 grand jury presentations made by Illinois prosecutors following the dismissal of a high-profile case over misconduct
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Wednesday, July 1, 2026
NHL free agency kicks off with flurry of Blackhawks roster moves
The Chicago Blackhawks kicked their offseason into high gear when they traded for Bowen Byram, and they’re still active as NHL free agency begins.
According to multiple reports, including from TSN’s Darren Dreger, the Blackhawks plan to make Byram the highest-paid defenseman in the NHL, working on the parameters of a six-year contract that would pay him $12.5 million per season.
While Byram told media in Chicago on Wednesday the deal isn’t quite finalized, he did say he’s looking forward to joining the Blackhawks after the team’s blockbuster trade with the Buffalo Sabres.
“It’s pretty special. They’ve showed a lot of faith in me and they’ve given up a lot and committed to me in many, many ways,” he said. “Now the ball is in my court to perform, so I’m excited for that opportunity.”
Byram appeared in 82 games last season for Buffalo as they earned their first division title in decades, and he scored 11 goals and dished out 31 assists in those games.
Elsewhere, the Blackhawks have also reportedly been active in adding some pieces to their roster as free agency has gotten underway. According to multiple reports, including from Mark Lazerus of The Athletic, the Blackhawks are signing forward Cole Smith to a three-year contract.
Smith played in 63 games last season with the Nashville Predators and Vegas Golden Knights, scoring eight goals and registering four assists. He averaged 13:17 of ice time per game, and figures to be a bottom-six forward for the Blackhawks.
The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun is also reporting the Blackhawks will sign veteran defenseman Ian Cole to a one-year contract. That deal will pay Cole $4 million guaranteed, but it could rise with performance-based incentives according to the report.
The two-time Stanley Cup champion played in 82 games for the Utah Mammoth last season, with three goals and 20 assists while averaging 18:16 of ice time per game.
Finally there are reports that one former Blackhawks player will be headed elsewhere, as forward Ilya Mikheyev has signed a four-deal deal with the Tampa Bay Lightning according to his agent. LeBrun reports the deal will pay him $3.85 million per season.
In 77 games last season, Mikheyev scored 18 goals for the Blackhawks.
NHL free agency will continue throughout the coming weeks as the Blackhawks look to reconstruct their roster after once again finishing near the bottom of the NHL standings in the 2025-26 season. The team hasn’t reached the playoffs since the COVID-shortened 2020 season, and is looking to take a step forward as they negotiate new contracts with key players like Connor Bedard, whose entry-level contract expired on Wednesday.
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United Airlines debuts ‘twilight baggage drop' at O'Hare Airport. Here's how it works
United Airlines passengers will now have a new option when it comes to how to check their bags at Chicago’s busy O’Hare International Airport.
The Chicago-based airline says it is debuting what it calls a “Twilight Bag Drop,” over the Fourth of July travel weekend, allowing United Airlines passengers to drop their checked bags off the night before their trip.
“If travelers have a flight scheduled between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m. with United, customers can stop by departures the night before and check their luggage curbside,” NBC 5 traffic and transportation reporter Kye Martin explained. The bags must be dropped off before 7 p.m. and 10 p.m.
The move comes after months of testing, Martin said.
It also comes as O’Hare is set for its busiest Fourth of July travel period on record.
According to the Chicago Department of Aviation, more than 1.62 million passengers are expected to pass through the airport Wednesday, July 1 through Monday, July 6, marking an 8.1 percent increase in passenger traffic over the same period in 2025.
O’Hare’s busiest day of the holiday travel period is expected to be Sunday, the CDA said, with more than 300,000 passengers scheduled to pass through and making it “one of the busiest days in O’Hare’s history.”
Midway’s peak travel day is expected to be Monday, July 6, with nearly 60,000 passengers, the CDA said.
Passenger volumes at both airports are forecast to be lowest on Saturday, July 4, with approximately 229,000 passengers at O’Hare and 38,000 at Midway, the CDA said.
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