{"id":426122,"date":"2026-01-24T01:37:14","date_gmt":"2026-01-24T01:37:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/426122\/"},"modified":"2026-01-24T01:37:14","modified_gmt":"2026-01-24T01:37:14","slug":"bison-herd-leads-charge-to-restore-prairie-state","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/426122\/","title":{"rendered":"Bison herd leads charge to restore Prairie State"},"content":{"rendered":"

Good morning, Chicago. \u2736<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udd0e Below: Can a herd of bison restore the Prairie State? We look into what the reintroduction of the animal to Kane County means to environmental advocates and indigenous Illinoisans.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\uddde\ufe0f Plus: Another loss in the courts for Trump\u2019s Midway Blitz, the arctic chill arrives and more news you need to know.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcdd Keeping score: The Bulls beat the Timberwolves<\/a>, 120-115. Oliver Moore lifted the Blackhawks to a 4-3 shootout victory Thursday night<\/a> \u2014 and it was his 21st birthday. <\/p>\n

\ud83d\udce7 Subscribe: Get this newsletter delivered to your inbox weekday mornings.<\/a><\/p>\n

\u23f1\ufe0f: A 9-minute read<\/p>\n

TODAY\u2019S WEATHER \ud83e\uddca<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Temperatures<\/p>\n

Wind chills are expected to drop below minus 30 degrees Friday<\/p>\n

Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere\/Sun-Times<\/p>\n

Wind chills down to -35 degrees are expected as Arctic cold snap moves in<\/a>By Mohammad Samra<\/a><\/p>\n

Weekend forecast: Friday\u2019s high is expected to be -6 degrees, with a wind chill value as low as -35. Temperatures are projected to stay below zero well into next week, according to the National Weather Service, which has issued an extreme cold warning. A winter storm hitting a chunk of the U.S. could bring the Chicago area 1-4 inches of snow Saturday night into Sunday.<\/p>\n

Announced closures: A number of government offices and businesses across the city announced closures for Friday. Chicago Public Schools is one of nearly 200 area districts canceling classes<\/a> due to the weather. Several of the city\u2019s major museums, like the Shedd Aquarium, Field Museum and Alder Planetarium, also announced they\u2019ll close. And organizers have called off Saturday\u2019s planned Polar Plunge<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Stay safe: We have tips from experts<\/a> about how to stay safe in this weather and avoid costly damage to your home. Among their advice: Layer up and cover exposed skin when you go out (frostbite is a real threat); and keep the water moving in your faucets at home (to keep pipes from freezing).<\/p>\n

READ MORE<\/a><\/p>\n

ENVIRONMENT \ud83e\uddac<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"BISONHERD_260131_20.jpg\"<\/p>\n

Six bison were reintroduced in a Kane County forest preserve this winter. <\/p>\n

Bison return to Kane County, marking chance for Native Americans to reclaim what\u2019s lost<\/a>By Zachary Nauth<\/a><\/p>\n

Historic herd: Last month, six bison were reintroduced to Burlington Prairie, about an hour northwest of downtown Chicago, through a partnership between Kane County and the American Indian Center. The herd is the first bison in 200 years to dwell on Kane County tallgrass prairie. About 50 Native Americans from different tribes were there to welcome the moment, singing, drumming and praying \u2014 and some members of the group teared up.<\/p>\n

Key context: For thousands of years, tens of millions of American bison thundered over the prairie and through the forests across North America. Today, many representing Illinois\u2019 urban Natives have never seen an American bison in person. Some tribes saw their federal recognition \u201cterminated\u201d by the government in the 1950s. Grandparents or parents were relocated to big cities like Chicago, home to the country\u2019s third-largest Native American population, with 65,000 people representing 170-some tribes.<\/p>\n

Prairie State problem: Here in the Prairie State, less than 1% of true prairie remains. State environmental officials are attempting to address that loss, aiming to recreate the authentic ecologies that were in place before European settlement \u2014 and in the process, build a more sustainable cycle of life. In northern Illinois, that means propagating native plants and animals that sustained the tallgrass prairie.<\/p>\n

Bottom line: The return of bison to a former soybean field is an occasion filled with meaning for Indigenous Americans. Local officials are counting on the spectacular-looking animal to give them a hand with prairie restoration \u2014 and to draw a fascinated taxpaying public off their couches.<\/p>\n

READ MORE<\/a><\/p>\n

PUBLIC SAFETY \u2736<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

A screenshot from a body-worn camera video recorded before Roberto Calvario Jr. was fatally shot by a Chicago police officer Dec. 9 in West Ridge.<\/p>\n

Civilian Office of Police Accountability<\/p>\n

Video shows man fatally shot in head by Chicago police \u2018posed no threat,\u2019 family\u2019s lawyers say<\/a>By Sophie Sherry<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2018No threat\u2019: Body-worn camera video released Thursday shows that a 20-year-old man \u201cposed no threat\u201d before he was fatally shot in the head last month by a Chicago police officer in West Ridge, according to lawyers for the man\u2019s family. It\u2019s unclear from the chaotic videos when exactly the deadly shot was fired.<\/p>\n

What happened: Two officers responded to the 5700 block of North Washtenaw Avenue late Dec. 9 to investigate a call of a stolen vehicle and encountered Roberto Calvario Jr., who struggled with one officer while inside the driver\u2019s seat of a dark sedan, according to the Civilian Office of Police Accountability and the footage. Calvario was struck by a single gunshot and the cop was briefly dragged by the sedan as it careened into a parked car, the video shows. Officers later found a gun in Calvario\u2019s waistband and COPA reported that a second weapon was recovered. <\/p>\n

READ MORE<\/a><\/p>\n

IMMIGRATION \u2736<\/p>\n

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\"U.S.<\/p>\n

U.S. Border Patrol Cmdr. Gregory Bovino<\/p>\n

Ashlee Rezin\/Sun-Times file<\/p>\n

Federal jury rejects Bovino murder plot<\/a>By Jon Seidel<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2018Not guilty\u2019: Despite the sinister labels federal authorities have slapped on Chicago\u2019s Juan Espinoza Martinez since arresting him in the fall, a federal jury Thursday found him \u201cnot guilty\u201d in an alleged murder-for-hire plot targeting U.S. Border Patrol Cmdr. Gregory Bovino.<\/p>\n

Key context: Espinoza Martinez is one of 31 known defendants charged in Chicago\u2019s federal court with non-immigration crimes tied to the Trump administration\u2019s aggressive deportation campaign. With Thursday\u2019s acquittal of Espinoza Martinez, 15 of them have now been cleared. At least three of those dismissals resulted from so-called \u201cno bills,\u201d whereby a grand jury found insufficient evidence or probable cause to return an indictment. Charges against the remaining 11 defendants were dropped for various other reasons. None of the cases has led to a conviction so far.<\/p>\n

More headlines: <\/p>\n

READ MORE<\/a><\/p>\n

MORE NEWS YOU NEED \ud83d\uddde\ufe0f<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"City<\/p>\n

City workers and volunteers spent Thursday night walking through parks and streets to count the number of Chicagoans experiencing homelessness.<\/p>\n

Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere\/Sun-Times<\/p>\n

Homelessness census<\/a>: Volunteers Thursday night hit the streets and shelters to conduct the city\u2019s annual \u201cpoint-in-time\u201d census of Chicagoans experiencing homelessness. The count determines how federal funds are distributed, though some advocates flag its accuracy.
Officer benched<\/a>: Late last year, Chicago Police Officer Joseph Vecchio was stripped of his policing powers after the city\u2019s police boss raised concerns about his record \u2014 15 lawsuits and 76 complaints since joining the department in 2019.
CTA patrols<\/a>: Chicago police officers in groups of six to eight are making their presence known on CTA trains and platforms as part of a new Transit Rider Interaction Program, designed to deter crime, the CTA\u2019s boss said.
Bally\u2019s bets on end-of-year opening<\/a>: Bally\u2019s executives said they hoped to have the $1.7 billion casino and entertainment complex in River West \u201csubstantially completed\u201d by the end of 2026 and didn\u2019t anticipate needing all of a proposed yearlong extension.
Durbin weighs in<\/a>: Sen. Dick Durbin on Thursday said President Donald Trump\u2019s threats to acquire Greenland \u2014 and his stark criticism of NATO allies<\/a> \u2014 have caused \u201cirrevocable damage\u201d to the international alliance.
First for Chicago<\/a>: Mayor Brandon Johnson named Antonio King as the city\u2019s first-ever LGBTQ+ affairs director, a position in which King will develop policy to strengthen protections and ensure opportunities for Chicago\u2019s queer communities.
4 stars for \u2018Eureka Day\u2019<\/a>: A profoundly funny satire about vaccine policy, this production is a vehicle for laughing at our own society\u2019s predicament \u2014 exactly what we need now, writes Steven Oxman in a review for the Sun-Times.ELECTIONS \u2736<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"From<\/p>\n

From left, U.S. Reps. Robin Kelly and Raja Krishnamoorthi and Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton.<\/p>\n

Ashlee Rezin, Pat Nabong, Anthony Vazquez\/Sun-Times file<\/p>\n

What to know about U.S. Senate candidates\u2019 debate<\/a>By Sun-Times staff<\/a><\/p>\n

What: The Sun-Times, WBEZ and the University of Chicago Institute of Politics are hosting a debate with the three leading Democratic candidates in the March 17 primary for the open U.S. Senate seat to replace outgoing Sen. Dick Durbin.<\/p>\n

When: The debate will be 6 p.m. Monday at the University of Chicago\u2019s International House. <\/p>\n

Who: U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton. The debate will be co-moderated by Sun-Times national political reporter Tina Sfondeles and Institute of Politics Senior Director Jennifer Steinhauer, and hosted by WBEZ\u2019s \u201cIn the Loop\u201d host Sasha-Ann Simons.<\/p>\n

How: Tune in via the Institute of Politics Youtube livestream<\/a>, the Sun-Times\u2019 Youtube livestream<\/a> or live on air at WBEZ 91.5 FM.<\/p>\n

READ MORE<\/a><\/p>\n

WEEKEND PLANS \ud83c\udf89<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Tyler<\/p>\n

Polar Adventure Day, which featured dog sled demonstrations last year as pictured, returns Saturday at Northerly Park.<\/p>\n

Ashlee Rezin\/Sun-Times file<\/p>\n

\ud83c\udfad Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival<\/a>
Through Feb. 1
\ud83d\udccd Multiple venues
This fest spans dozens of venues and more than 100 puppetry showcases.
Admission: Prices vary<\/p>\n

\ud83c\udf7d\ufe0f Chicago Restaurant Week<\/a>
Friday to Feb. 8
\ud83d\udccdMultiple participating restaurants<\/a>
The annual citywide food fest is back with more than 500 restaurants offering prix-fixe meals.
Admission: Prices vary<\/p>\n

\u2744\ufe0f Polar Adventure Day<\/a>
11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday
\ud83d\udccdNortherly Island Park, 1521 S. Linn White Drive<\/a>
Bundle up and enjoy winter activities like a husky sled dog demonstration, live ice sculpting, fishing lessons, arts and crafts, and hot cocoa by a bonfire. Check online before going in case of a weather cancellation.
Admission: Free<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udc83 Martha Graham Dance Company <\/a>
7:30 p.m. Saturday
\ud83d\udccdThe Auditorium, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Dr.<\/a>
Now celebrating its 100th anniversary, the legendary company performs Graham\u2019s \u201cDiversion of Angels,\u201d the Chicago premiere of Hope Boykin\u2019s \u201cEn Masse\u201d and more.
Admission: $35+<\/p>\n

MORE THINGS TO DO<\/a><\/p>\n

FROM THE PRESS BOX \ud83c\udfc8\ud83c\udfc0\u26be\ud83d\udcfaRanking Williams<\/a>: Patrick Finley has ranked Bears QB Caleb Williams\u2019 best five throws of the season, and each was ridiculous, he writes.
Illini ready for Purdue<\/a>: Illinois\u2019 Brad Underwood spoke with the Sun-Times ahead of Saturday\u2019s game and what could be his 100th Big Ten win.
Offseason analysis<\/a>: Maddie Lee breaks down how the new Cubs infielder Alex Bregman\u2019s contract highlights shifts in budget and team policy.
Local Olympic angle<\/a>: NBC 5 Chicago\u2019s Alex Maragos is set for his third Olympics trip to cover Chicago-area athletes Feb. 6-22 in Milan.
Boys basketball<\/a>: Joe Henricksen previews and predicts this weekend\u2019s top high school basketball games, including the When Sides Collide shooutout. CHICAGO MINI CROSSWORD \ud83c\udf2d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Mini<\/p>\n

Today\u2019s clue: 1A: Train line whose color was chosen via an essay contest for Chicago-area schoolchildren<\/p>\n

PLAY NOW<\/a><\/p>\n

BRIGHT ONE \ud83d\udd06<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Letisha<\/p>\n

Letisha Steele, executive director of Green City Market, is seen inside the organization\u2019s new home.<\/p>\n

Green City Market finds permanent home for year-round farmers market<\/a>By Mariah Rush<\/a><\/p>\n

After years of searching, the group behind some of Chicago\u2019s most popular farmers markets has secured its first permanent location.<\/p>\n

The nonprofit Green City Market announced last week that it purchased the North Center building at 2457 W. Montrose Ave. and will build out the space to host year-round farmers markets.<\/p>\n

The 4,872-square-foot property was previously home to Plants, an interior landscaping company and retail greenhouse. The building was purchased for $899,000, and the deal closed Dec. 23, Green City Market Executive Director Letisha Steele said.<\/p>\n

Steele said she expects to open the space sometime this year and plans to host a community event in March.<\/p>\n

Green City\u2019s mission is to expand accessibility to fresh, locally grown food. Its markets are \u201cproducer only,\u201d meaning farmers sell what they grow and other vendors must source ingredients directly from the nonprofit\u2019s farmers whenever possible, Steele said.<\/p>\n

READ MORE<\/a><\/p>\n

YOUR DAILY QUESTION \u2615\ufe0f<\/p>\n

What tip should every Midwesterner know when it comes to enduring extreme winter weather?<\/p>\n

Email us here.<\/a> (please include your first and last name). We may run your answer in a future newsletter or story.<\/p>\n

Thanks for reading the Sun-Times Morning Edition!
Got a story you think we missed? Email us here.<\/a><\/p>\n

Written and curated by: Matt Moore
Editor: Eydie Cubarrubia<\/p>\n

The Chicago Sun-Times is a nonprofit supported by readers like you. Become a member to make stories like these free and available to everyone. Learn more at suntimes.com\/member<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Good morning, Chicago. \u2736 \ud83d\udd0e Below: Can a herd of bison restore the Prairie State? We look into…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":426123,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[51],"tags":[79,201],"class_list":["post-426122","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-wildlife","tag-science","tag-wildlife"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/426122","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=426122"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/426122\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/426123"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=426122"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=426122"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=426122"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}