Politics

The State Board of Education unanimously adopted new A–F accountability rules returning letter grades to Indiana schools after nearly a decade, and initial grades are scheduled for distribution later this year. The system adds measures beyond test scores, such as attendance, career exploration and workforce credentials, and it places more weight on proficiency than on academic growth.

The Senate rejected a War Powers resolution 47-53 that would have limited President Trump's authority to conduct military action against Iran, with only one Republican voting in favor; the House is scheduled to hold its own War Powers vote on Thursday.

City leaders and Chicago Fire FC broke ground on a privately funded $750 million soccer stadium in the South Loop; the venue is planned to seat more than 22,000 and is expected to open ahead of the 2028 MLS season.

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker asked the State Department to provide clearer plans to evacuate U.S. citizens from the Middle East; the department says about 9,000 Americans have returned and roughly 1,500 are still requesting assistance.

Republican lawmakers gave conflicting explanations for the U.S. strikes on Iran, and both the House and Senate are scheduled to hold War Powers Act votes this week.

SNAP participation in Iowa fell about 6%, from 272,000 in August 2025 to 255,000 in January, after federal eligibility changes last year tightened rules and added work requirements.

President Trump said he is willing to speak with Iran's new leadership after the reported death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei; a White House official said U.S.-Israeli strikes are continuing under 'Operation Epic Fury'.

President Donald Trump presented three Medals of Honor at a White House ceremony to Army Master Sgt. Roderick W. Edmonds, Army Command Sgt. Major Terry P. Richardson, and Army Staff Sgt. Michael H. Ollis; Edmonds and Ollis received the medals posthumously.

President Trump said the U.S. military operation in Iran could last a month or longer and described the campaign, called Operation Epic Fury, as being ahead of its earlier four-to-five week timeline.

Rev. Jesse Jackson, who died Feb. 17 at age 84, is lying in state at the South Carolina Capitol as part of multi-city memorial events.

The White House said First Lady Melania Trump will preside over a U.N. Security Council meeting in New York on Monday focused on education's role in advancing tolerance and world peace; the meeting is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET amid ongoing U.S. military strikes involving Iran.

Rep. James Comer said Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick may be asked to testify about Jeffrey Epstein as the committee continues document reviews; former President Bill Clinton is preparing for a deposition.

Ernie Banks, the first African American player for the Chicago Cubs, lived in Chatham and commuted north on the CTA because segregation limited where he could live. He later served on the Chicago Transit Authority board and died in 2015.

The administration has begun post-admission reviews and has in some cases detained or questioned refugees who were already admitted; a federal judge has temporarily halted arrests and ordered the release of detainees in Minnesota while a lawsuit challenging the policy continues.

Mayor Mike Johnston signed an executive order barring agencies like ICE from city-owned or city-controlled buildings, and Denver City Council will vote Monday on a related proposal affecting federal immigration agents.

Eric Slover, an Army helicopter pilot wounded during a Jan. 3 operation to capture Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro, received the Medal of Honor during President Trump's State of the Union address.

Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani visited a Morningside Heights early childhood program and urged families with children turning three or four in 2026 to apply for 3-K and Pre-K by the Feb. 27 deadline; the city says every family that applies by then will receive an offer. Since applications opened Jan. 14, more than 75,000 families have applied and the city is expanding capacity, including a planned 2,000 2-K seats this fall and a new request for providers.

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced $35 million in state funds to help immigrant families with food assistance and other resources, releasing money the legislature set aside for philanthropic partners. The allocation comes as federal deportation efforts advance and after California limited some immigrant health care amid budget shortfalls.

Former U.S. officials and analysts warn a U.S. military strike on Iran could prompt broader Iranian retaliation, and U.S. and Iranian negotiators are expected to hold another round of talks soon.

President Donald Trump phoned Team USA to congratulate them after their 2-1 win over Canada that secured Olympic men's hockey gold, the team's first since 1980; coach Mike Sullivan and captain Auston Matthews confirmed the call.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom said the debate over social media age limits is long overdue and said he supports state legislation to restrict access for people under 16.

Pastor Carl Ruby says he has received anonymous death threats after publicly supporting Haitian migrants; federal agencies have contacted his Springfield church, and a judge temporarily stayed the planned end of Temporary Protected Status.

President Trump has positioned U.S. forces near Iran while pressing Tehran to make a deal within days, and recent U.S.-Iran talks in Geneva did not produce an agreement.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced that sweeps of improvised homeless encampments in New York City will restart, and he said the city’s homeless services department will lead the effort with continued engagement to connect people with shelter and services.

Rev. Jesse Jackson died Tuesday morning, and Rainbow/PUSH Coalition announced public visitation and memorial services in Chicago from Feb. 25–28, 2026.

Top national security officials told President Trump the military could be ready for potential strikes on Iran as soon as Saturday, but Mr. Trump has not made a final decision; follow-up consultations or actions are undetermined at this time.

Iran's foreign minister said negotiators in Geneva agreed on a set of "guiding principles" for a possible nuclear agreement and will move toward drafting a potential deal, while details were not immediately clear; the White House did not immediately comment.

President Trump posted condolences on Truth Social after the Rev. Jesse Jackson died at 84, calling him a "force of nature" and noting past support for Jackson's Rainbow PUSH Coalition.

Three Democrats — U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens, state Sen. Mallory McMorrow and physician Abdul El‑Sayed — are competing in Michigan's U.S. Senate primary in August as Democrats emphasize affordability. The seat is open after Sen. Gary Peters announced his retirement and the likely Republican nominee mentioned in the article is former congressman Mike Rogers.

A Baker Group Strategies poll of 418 likely voters finds 55% approve of Mayor O'Connell's job performance, while 67% say they were dissatisfied with the power utility's response to the recent ice storm.