Missed opportunities, incomplete investigations preceded discovery of 56 bodies at funeral home — our investigation into systemic failures in the Illinois death care industry. There’s a lot here. www.chicagotribune.com/2026/08/15/f...

Missed opportunities, incomplete investigations preceded discovery of 56 bodies at funeral home

The ongoing investigation into South Chicago Chapel is just the latest grim incident involving the so-called death care industry and highlights weaknesses within state law and enforcement.

chicagotribune.com

@midnoircowboy.bsky.social made sure I knew exactly who Yummy was when I started midwatch three years ago and I still think of his case once or twice a week. This was crazy to see.

Chicago Tribune@chicagotribune.com · yesterday

Cragg Hardaway, who was convicted alongside his younger brother in the 1994 slaying of 11-year-old Robert “Yummy” Sandifer, died early Friday morning, a day before his 48th birthday, according to his family and the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

Really lovely morning in 018

I would thoroughly recommend this, by Joshua Yaffa, for anyone who is interested in war and conflict reporting. www.newyorker.com/magazine/202...

Inside Russia’s New Gulag

Human-rights groups estimate that more than ten thousand Ukrainian civilians have disappeared into the Russian prison system. This is the story of one cell in the new Gulag.

newyorker.com

The moral of the story is that it can always get weirder

News: Two custodians were fatally shot Monday afternoon at Mark Twain Elementary School in Garfield Ridge. With Kate Armanini and Tess Kenny, photos by @mandophotos.bsky.social www.chicagotribune.com/2026/08/10/t...

Two fatally shot at Mark Twain Elementary School: police

A man and a woman were both in critical condition Monday afternoon after they were shot inside Mark Twain Elementary School on the city’s Southwest Side, according to a preliminary police notification...

chicagotribune.com

Listening: Folk Song in C by Elliot Smith www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ROQ...

Elliott Smith - Whatever (Folk Song In C) (from New Moon)

YouTube video by Kill Rock Stars

youtube.com

Body removal has wrapped at the South Chicago Chapel, where 57 corpses were found Thurs. Per sources, officials encountered bodies on gurneys but also on shelves alongside equipment. Some of the bodies were not bagged. Some appeared to have severed limbs. www.chicagotribune.com/2026/08/07/c...

Removal of remains from South Deering funeral home continues as investigation unfolds: ‘It’s devastating’

Authorities on Friday continued to investigate after the remains of more than 50 people were recovered Thursday at a South Deering funeral home on the city’s Southeast Side.

chicagotribune.com

Caroline Kubzansky@ckubzansky.bsky.social · last wk.

Now up to 57 corpses discovered decomposing at this funeral home, per sources. www.chicagotribune.com/2026/08/06/c...

"And it's gone to shit without you/It was shit before, but at least I had you/No, there ain't nothing to report/But I hope you're bored and headed north." In my opinion this song is both extremely funny and extremely sad www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NZP...

Headed North

YouTube video by Noah Kahan - Topic

youtube.com

Now up to 57 corpses discovered decomposing at this funeral home, per sources. www.chicagotribune.com/2026/08/06/c...

Dozens of decomposing bodies found in basement of Southeast Side funeral home, sources say

Authorities received a tip about the South Chicago Chapel facility in the South Deering and asked that South Chicago District (4th) police accompany them to an inspection.

chicagotribune.com

Sheriff received four subpoenas with letters attached. Nearly identical. Each one asks them to bring a different person in custody to ICE interviews or make them available upon release. Says failure to do so may constitute witness tampering. Signed by two different ICE field office directors.

Jason Meisner@jmetr22b.bsky.social · last wk.

Feds threatened Sheriff Tom Dart with criminal charges over access to jail for immigration enforcement... a scenario that some have called a "scare tactic" www.chicagotribune.com/2026/08/06/c... Madeline Buckley and @ckubzansky.bsky.social reporting

Feds threatened Sheriff Tom Dart with criminal charges over access to jail for immigration enforcement... a scenario that some have called a "scare tactic" www.chicagotribune.com/2026/08/06/c... Madeline Buckley and @ckubzansky.bsky.social reporting

Feds threatened Sheriff Tom Dart with criminal charges over access to jail for immigration enforcement

Federal authorities sent Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart subpoenas for inmates wanted for civil immigration enforcement along with letters that threatened criminal charges if the office didn’t turn over ...

chicagotribune.com

I am seven kinds of in love with Chicago

East Side man charged in slayings of two young women a year apart

East Side man charged in slayings of two young women a year apart

chicagotribune.com

News: Two more judges were fired yesterday at Chicago's immigration court, which has seen massive turnover since the start of the second Trump admin. www.chicagotribune.com/2026/07/31/c...

Two more Chicago immigration judges fired as court becomes epicenter of removal orders

Trump administration officials on Thursday fired two more judges at the Chicago Immigration Court, which has seen seismic changes since the president returned to office and recently become the nationa...

chicagotribune.com

Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling has announced his retirement, effective July 15 www.chicagotribune.com/2026/07/01/l...

Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling to retire after nearly 3 years leading department

Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling will retire after nearly three decades with the Chicago Police Department.

chicagotribune.com

Inbox: CPD has promoted Chief of Detectives Antoinette Ursitti to the First Deputy position last held by Yolanda Talley, among other command staff changes. This is very interesting

From the Phantom Tollbooth, in Dictionopolis. Bosh indeed

Shirley Jackson and Merricat forever

Dirksen Federal Courthouse out of context: “That’s why I alluded to zombies walking around in the park. I’ve seen it!” - U.S. Magistrate Judge Gabriel Fuentes

It is incredible how many of my features are written listening to the same Blink-182 song on loop. Have been using the same song since 2024. I'm not even that much of a Blink-182 fan.

"Feast when you can, and dream when there's nothing to feast on." www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9X0...

Steal Smoked Fish

YouTube video by The Mountain Goats - Topic

youtube.com

“The ashes of the late world carried on the bleak and temporal winds to and fro in the void. Carried forth and scattered and carried forth again. Everything uncoupled from its shoring. Unsupported in the ashen air. Sustained by a breath, trembling and brief. If only my heart were stone.” - The Road

Looked at the calendar and realized today marks four years at the Tribune. I have come of age here, as a reporter but also as a human being — what a wild ride from Park Ridge to midwatch to CPD, ICE and Midway Blitz

Listening: “It Must Be Me” by Daisy Grenade. New EP is good. m.youtube.com/watch?v=GhLu...

It Must Be Me

YouTube video by Daisy Grenade - Topic

m.youtube.com

“Sorry the Washington Nationals aren’t playing the Springfield Horseshoes, Caroline” - Jeremy Gorner

Cars collide during Fed chase through Far Northwest Side streets

Cars collide during Fed chase through Far Northwest Side streets

chicagotribune.com

Interesting find in the transcript from the first session where prosecutors asked a grand jury to indict the Broadview Six. "I do not want to touch politics with a ten foot pole," AUSA Sheri Mecklenburg says. "I don't blame you," replies a grand juror. www.chicagotribune.com/2026/06/09/b...

The improper "vouching" for the Broadview Six indictment allegedly began just a minute into the very first grand jury session, when prosecutor Sheri Mecklenburg told the panel they should trust she "would never ask you to charge somebody if I didn't think there was probable cause"

Video from a resident of chase and crash involving officers in the Dunning neighborhood in Chicago. The resident says ICE officers detained a person from the incident.