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Nature’s Neighbor takes its indie-pop experimenting to new lengths on OthersideLeor Galilon May 25, 2021 at 11:00 am


Chicagoan Mike Walker has led Nature’s Neighbor for more than a decade, working with a revolving-door cast of musicians who’ve helped him realize his liquid indie-pop sound. But as much as the project is his brainchild, its new album, Otherside (Tai Duo Music), wouldn’t exist without longtime collaborator Terrill Mast.…Read More

Nature’s Neighbor takes its indie-pop experimenting to new lengths on OthersideLeor Galilon May 25, 2021 at 11:00 am Read More »

White Sox fans fight in bleachers amid win over Cardinalson May 25, 2021 at 12:15 pm

While the White Sox were having a good time on the field in a 5-1 win over the Cardinals, some of their fans got into a brawl in the bleachers that was caught on video by onlookers.

It’s unclear what started the fight or what the aftermath of it was, but the video shows several fans going at each other while some in the crowd try to break things up.

Here’s another angle of the bleacher brawling from further away:

The White Sox have been increasing capacity at Guaranteed Rate Field in recent weeks as the city has eased off its restrictions related to the coronavirus pandemic. The crowd at the game Monday night was 14,629, the team’s largest of the season yet, to see the Sox snap a three-game losing streak.

Fights in the bleachers at big league games are nothing new. With fans returning to the ballpark in droves after being unable to attend sporting events last year, expect some wild nights this summer.

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White Sox fans fight in bleachers amid win over Cardinalson May 25, 2021 at 12:15 pm Read More »

Chicago Bears: Tight end coach alludes to Jimmy Graham’s returnon May 25, 2021 at 12:00 pm

(Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)

Chicago Bears tight end coach Clancy Barone alluded to Jimmy Graham’s return for the last year of his two-year 16 million dollar contract next season.

“We knew from day one,” said Barone. There was never a doubt that Graham would return next season, according to Barone.

Graham was rumored to be on the chopping block before his contract ended in an attempt to save money from the Bears’ offseason cap issues. However, according to Barone, Graham is here to stay in Chicago next season.

The Bears undoubtedly have cap issues this offseason. According to overthecap.com, the Bears have the second least amount of cap space in the NFL, with just over $200 thousand left in space. The cap issues are a large issue this offseason.

They are so bad that general manager Ryan Pace was forced to release former all-pro cornerback, Kyle Fuller, to save around $20 million in cap space. The Bears were also rumored to have attempted to trade away star defensive tackle Akiem Hicks to clear cap space. However, in terms of Graham’s status through the Bears’ cap frenzy, he is safe.

Graham was an invaluable asset for the Bears last season. At first, Graham seemed like an overpaid tight end because of his career decline since leaving the New Orleans Saints. However, his performance last season was important to the offense. He caught 50 of his 76 targets for 456 yards and eight touchdowns, which led the team for receivers.

Graham also recorded a 65.8 catch percentage with the Bears, which is the best of his career since 2016 when Graham was with the Seattle Seahawks. That statistic is important because we know how inaccurate Bears’ quarterbacks have been. The Bears’ quarterbacks last season were on target 75.7 percent of the time. That ranked 20th in the NFL.

Bears quarterbacks also recorded 104 bad throws last season, according to pro-reference statistics. That ranked 24th in the NFL. The Bears also held a 17.4 bad throw percentage, which was bottom tier in the league.

The Bears require a stable tight end to fit into Matt Nagy’s scheme. Just look at how important Travis Kelce is to Andy Reid’s offense, which is the offense Nagy bases his off of.

Cole Kmet has yet to fill the role that Nagy and Pace hope for at the tight end. The 2020 second-rounder only recorded 243 yards and two touchdowns last season from 28 receptions. However, Kmet was invited to “Tight End U,” a tight end summit for the best in the country.

Next: Chicago Bears: Is Jimmy Graham on his way out the door?

Until Kmet’s rise of stardom, Graham will be the go-to guy at the tight end position for the Bears next season. The Bears did use him a lot, especially in goal-line situations, using a Nagy-patented diamond formation to isolate him on the weak side of the field.

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Chicago Bears: Tight end coach alludes to Jimmy Graham’s returnon May 25, 2021 at 12:00 pm Read More »

Dear Abby: Friend likes to send irate, vitriolic letters, and I just got mineon May 25, 2021 at 11:00 am

DEAR ABBY: I have a friend who feels a need to correct the behavior of others by writing letters. There are not too many businesses around town that haven’t received one of her letters and, no doubt, others in her circle of friends have, too.

After a misunderstanding for which I apologized, I received one of them. Because she lacks understanding or the ability to forgive, a vitriolic diatribe came my way. In her letter, she related past “unfortunate (in her opinion) ill behaviors” on my part for which I should be ashamed. Then she ended a friendship we had for many years without trying to mend the relationship. This is very hurtful for me, and I’m sure for others. How does one respond, if at all, to something like this? — SUFFERING IN MICHIGAN

DEAR SUFFERING: One does not respond. One copes by recognizing that the only person this unhappy woman is punishing is herself, as her circle of friends diminishes and businesses around town no longer welcome her.

DEAR ABBY: I am in a rock band with some friends. All of us are in our 50s and 60s. We have been playing together for the last three years. Last year, our bass player joined another band (while staying in ours) because another friend was in it, but they broke up because of COVID. Now that music venues are opening up again, he has joined yet another group.

I’m a loyal guy, and it bothers me that he doesn’t seem as loyal to our band. He says he can easily do both, but for me, it causes booking issues because the other band will be blocking out dates that we might be able to book. I see no other conflicts. He even asked if I was interested in joining the other band, too, because he figured that if he can’t be in two places at once, it might as well be both of us. Should we cut our losses and replace him? Loyalty is really important to us. — ROCKING ON IN TEXAS

DEAR ROCKING ON: Because you feel that loyalty is paramount and your friend may have scheduling conflicts because of his participation with the other band(s), yes, he should be replaced with a musician you can rely on.

DEAR ABBY: My wife recently asked me if she could take off her wedding ring in favor of wearing her mother’s, which is much larger than the one I gave her. I regard it as a lack of respect for our marriage, which has been under a lot of stress for a long time. (No affairs.) I also view it as symbolic of how much she has financially sacrificed being married to me. What do you think? — WONDERING IN THE EAST

DEAR WONDERING: You should tell your wife it would hurt you deeply if she follows through, and why. I also think the time has come for the two of you to talk about what is “stressing” your marriage with a licensed marriage and family therapist.

Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.

Abby shares more than 100 of her favorite recipes in two booklets: “Abby’s Favorite Recipes” and “More Favorite Recipes by Dear Abby.” Send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $16 (U.S. funds) to: Dear Abby, Cookbooklet Set, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Shipping and handling are included in the price.)

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Dear Abby: Friend likes to send irate, vitriolic letters, and I just got mineon May 25, 2021 at 11:00 am Read More »

Man changing friend’s flat tire shot by carjacker in West Lawn, police sayon May 25, 2021 at 11:02 am

A man helping a friend change a tire was shot and critically wounded during a struggle with a carjacker Monday evening in West Lawn, police said.

The man, 28, had just finished changing the flat tire in the 4700 block of West 64th Street about 6:25 p.m. when someone in a ski mask approached and tried to take the man’s car keys, Chicago police said.

The two struggled and the carjacker pulled out a gun, but the man knocked the weapon from the carjacker’s hand, police said.


  • Chicago police work a crime scene where a man was shot in the head and his vehicle stolen in the 6400 block of South Cicero Avenue, Monday May 24, 2021. The man was helping change a friend's flat tire when he was shot.

    Chicago police work a crime scene where a man was shot in the head and his vehicle stolen in the 6400 block of South Cicero Avenue, Monday May 24, 2021. The man was helping change a friend’s flat tire when he was shot.

    Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times


  • Chicago police work a crime scene where a man was shot in the head and his vehicle stolen in the 6400 block of South Cicero Avenue, Monday May 24, 2021. The man was helping change a friend's flat tire when he was shot.

    Chicago police work a crime scene where a man was shot in the head and his vehicle stolen in the 6400 block of South Cicero Avenue, Monday May 24, 2021. The man was helping change a friend’s flat tire when he was shot.

    Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times


  • A weapon magazine and a sandal are marked out as evidence at a crime scene where a man was shot in the head and his vehicle stolen in the 6400 block of South Cicero Ave, Monday May 24, 2021.

    A weapon magazine and a sandal are marked out as evidence at a crime scene where a man was shot in the head and his vehicle stolen in the 6400 block of South Cicero Ave, Monday May 24, 2021.

    Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times

The carjacker retrieved the gun and fired a shot, striking the man in the head, police said. He was taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn in critical condition.

The gunman fled in the man’s dark blue Nissan Altima, police said. He was described as 18 to 25 years old and about 6-foot-1, wearing dark clothing and a ski mask.

The FBI’s Chicago office issued an alert for the Altima, warning people not to approach it but to call 911.

At the scene, officers placed several evidence markers around a wrench and what appeared to be an ammunition magazine.

Contributing: Tyler LaRiviere

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Man changing friend’s flat tire shot by carjacker in West Lawn, police sayon May 25, 2021 at 11:02 am Read More »

Stray bullet strikes 86-year-old woman watering lawn in West Garfield Parkon May 25, 2021 at 11:06 am

An 86-year-old woman was struck in the foot by a stray bullet while watering her lawn Monday in West Garfield Park.

She was shot about 9:46 p.m. when someone fired shots from a dark-colored Dodge Charger in the 4300 block of West Monroe Street, Chicago police said.

The woman was struck in the foot and refused medical treatment at the scene, police said. No other injuries were reported.

Police said the woman was not the intended target. No one was in custody.

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Stray bullet strikes 86-year-old woman watering lawn in West Garfield Parkon May 25, 2021 at 11:06 am Read More »

Chicago Bears: 5 valuable offensive free agents still availableon May 25, 2021 at 11:00 am

Chicago Bears (Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports)
Chicago Bears (Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports)
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Chicago Bears, Matt Nagy

Chicago Bears (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)

We are now nearly into June, with almost a month having gone by since the 2021 NFL Draft, and the Chicago Bears roster looks pretty close to set for training camp.

General manager Ryan Pace won fans back over during draft weekend, first and foremost by making the move to go get Justin Fields of course. But, the rest of that draft class appeared to be carefully crafted by Pace.

Already over the Bears’ rookie minicamp, we saw the pieces coming together with Fields at the helm and the rest of the guys truly buying in. It’s only rookie camp, but fans should be excited about how those young players looked and spoke during those practices.

Between the rookie class and a few free agents signed by Pace, the Bears actually look as though they could compete this season if a couple of things go their way — the first, obviously, is if Fields gets in on the action early and plays well.

With training camp a couple of months away, could the Chicago Bears still afford to add some talent to the roster?

There are still some spots on this roster which need a little help. A few days ago, we went over some defensive free agents still available that the Bears could bring in.

Now, we turn our attention to the offensive side of the ball. With all signs pointing to Fields getting the starting job sooner rather than later, now it’s about putting him in the best position to succeed when he gets the nod from head coach Matt Nagy.

Wide receiver has been a big focus for the Bears this offseason, as has offensive line. The team has added a few players to the receiving corps and Pace also cut ties with both starting offensive tackles from last year in Charles Leno and Bobby Massie.

Get ready for a different Bears offense in 2021.

Although things are looking up for this unit, the following five free agents are still available and would provide the Bears a lift in one way or another.

Next: 1. Russell Okung

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Chicago Bears: 5 valuable offensive free agents still availableon May 25, 2021 at 11:00 am Read More »

EIU Panthers spring postseason capsuleon May 25, 2021 at 10:59 am

Prairie State Pigskin

EIU Panthers spring postseason capsule

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EIU Panthers spring postseason capsuleon May 25, 2021 at 10:59 am Read More »

Man falls onto Blue Line tracks, struck by train in West Garfield Park, trains stoppedJermaine Nolenon May 25, 2021 at 10:23 am

A 27-year-old man was beaten and robbed Nov. 26, 2019 on a Red Line train in The Loop.
A man was struck by a CTA Blue Line train May 25, 2021, after falling off the platform in West Garfield Park. | Sun-Times file photo

About 3:10 a.m., the man was standing on the platform at the Cicero Avenue stop in the 700 block of North Cicero Avenue, when he stumbled and fell onto the northbound tracks and was struck by a train.

A 58-year-old man was struck by a CTA Blue Line train Tuesday morning after he accidentally from the platform of a station in West Garfield Park on the West Side.

About 3:10 a.m., the man was standing on the platform of the Cicero Avenue stop in the 700 block of North Cicero Avenue, when he stumbled and fell onto the northbound tracks and was struck by a train, Chicago police said.

Chicago fire officials remain on scene and are attempting to extract the man from beneath the train, police said. He is believed to be in critical condition.

Blue Line service has been temporarily suspended between Pulaski and Forest Park, according to the Chicago Transit Authority. Shuttle buses are available.

This is a developing story, check back for details.

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Man falls onto Blue Line tracks, struck by train in West Garfield Park, trains stoppedJermaine Nolenon May 25, 2021 at 10:23 am Read More »