Afternoon Briefing newsletter

Afternoon Briefing

Wednesday, September 23, 2026

Good afternoon, Chicago.

A federal judge today said she’ll hear high-stakes oral arguments next week in the controversial “Broadview Six” case against a group of immigration-enforcement protesters, including whether to order further inquiry into prosecutorial misconduct and the appointment of special counsel to investigate potential contempt charges.

After more than four months of back-and-forth briefs, U.S. District Judge April Perry set arguments in the case for 1 p.m. on Oct. 1. She could rule from the bench at that hearing, but it’s more likely she’d take her time and issue a written ruling at a later date.

Here’s what else is happening today. And remember, for the latest breaking news in Chicago, visit chicagotribune.com/latest-headlines and sign up to get our alerts on all your devices.

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news

Mayor Brandon Johnson speaks to members of the media, June 16, 2026, at Chicago City Hall. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Mayor Brandon Johnson proposes Chicago data center moratorium: ‘We can’t wait’

The mayor described the ordinance, now in aldermen’s hands, as a temporary pause that would give the city time to develop long-term policies regulating concerns around pollution, water use, and electricity costs.

More top news stories:

business

People line up to enter a McDonald’s restaurant in Beijing on Aug. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

McDonald’s plans $8.5 billion modernization by 2036

Sky Anderson, the president of McDonald’s USA, said approximately 30 million Americans are now using GLP-1 weight loss drugs, and they’re seeking smaller, more protein-packed meals as a result.

More top business stories:

sports

Bears tight end Colston Loveland runs a route as quarterback Caleb Williams throws a pass to running back D’Andre Swift in the fourth quarter against the Vikings on Sept. 20, 2026, at Soldier Field. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

Chicago Bears Q&A: Why hasn’t Colston Loveland been more involved in the passing game?

Welcome to the start of the Bears season and the reality of how quickly things can shift in the week-to-week business that is the NFL. As usual, we’ll try to keep things measured in this week’s mailbag.

More top sports stories:

eat. watch. do.

Singer Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden performs at the Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre, Sept. 22, 2026, in Tinley Park. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Review: Even with the new video screens, Iron Maiden remains metal to the core

It took Iron Maiden five decades to embrace digital visuals. That update aside, practically everything else about the veteran band’s barnburner of a show yesterday at a sold-out Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre was owed to old-school techniques.

More top Eat. Watch. Do. stories:

Column: People are telling Tommy Oeffling that he should get serious about music. He’s starting to listen.

Costco ditches its Kirkland beer

nation & world

Pope Leo XIV arrives for his weekly general audience in St. Peter’s Square, at the Vatican, Sept. 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

Pope Leo XIV praises US radio and TV preacher Fulton Sheen ahead of beatification

Pope Leo XIV, who grew up listening to popular American television preacher Archbishop Fulton Sheen, praised his fellow Illinois clergyman as an inspiration today on the eve of Sheen’s beatification.

More top stories from around the world:

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