Columns
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Who had the area’s top prep basketball performances last week?Feb 23, 2026 5:42 pm - This edition of the High Five honors the top prep basketball performances from last week.
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On auspicious anniversary, an uneasy closeness to Ukraine warFeb 23, 2026 4:00 am - Guest columnist Dan Franch: Today marks the fourth year of the war in Ukraine, a conflict that might feel distant for many, but for me, feels much closer.
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Remembrances of Jesse Jackson’s life, ministryFeb 23, 2026 4:00 am - Guest columnist John A. Boryk : I am thankful for the life, ministry and leadership of the Rev. Jesse L. Jackson who demonstrated what justice work looks like.
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Dietz: US gold great, but should’ve come with 10 skaters on the iceFeb 22, 2026 5:23 pm - John Dietz: The U.S. winning the gold medal was great but it should’ve happened with 10 skaters on the ice, not six.
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Even though marijuana is legal in Illinois, clearing old criminal records still a challengeFeb 22, 2026 3:55 pm - Illinois residents can face long delays in clearing their marijuana-related records even after judges approve expungement and sealing orders. Although law enforcement agencies have 60 days to comply with court orders, records can still appear in background checks until the state police update their database and issue a confirmation letter.
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College Achievers: Carmel grad scoring large for NorthwesternFeb 22, 2026 3:43 pm - College Achievers: Grace Sullivan, a Northwestern University women’s basketball player and graduate of Carmel Catholic, has the third-highest single-season scoring average in program history.
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Murder in a dressFeb 22, 2026 4:00 am - Syndicated columnist Marc Munroe Dion:
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Voters need leaders who understand breadth of issues we faceFeb 22, 2026 4:00 am - Guest columnist Keith Peterson:
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Illinois has a pension problem, but it’s not what you thinkFeb 21, 2026 12:30 pm - It’s no secret that Illinois has more than $140 million in unfunded pension liabilities. However, the “funded ratio,” or assets divided by liabilities, is up 7% under Gov. JB Pritzker to its highest level in two decades. Pension payments have stabilized at 20% of the budget. But part of this improvement has been on the backs of public service workers.
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AI is already changing how lawyers work — ready or notFeb 21, 2026 12:10 pm - AI assistants like ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot, Gemini and even Grok are growing in popularity among the local legal community.