Chicago is expected to see warmer days ahead this week — but for some who are traveling back, they must brave the latest wave of flight cancellations first.

Here’s a link to the story at the Chicago Tribune.

Christmas and gift giving. The two have always been associated with each other for good reason.

Here’s a link to the op-ed.

(The Center Square) – The U.S. Senate passed a $1.7 trillion omnibus spending bill Thursday aiming to avoid a government shutdown deadline of midnight Friday.

Here’s the link to the story.

(The Center Square) – For the ninth consecutive year, Illinois lost population and the losses are accelerating.

Here’s a link to the story.

(The Center Square) – Years of questions about how longtime former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan ran his political operation came to a head this year when he was indicted on 23 counts of corruption-related charges.

Here’s a link to the story.

(The Center Square) – Lawmakers have until midnight Friday to pass legislation to fund the government or face a shutdown as a potential vote on the $1.7 trillion, 4,155-page omnibus bill could happen later Wednesday.

Here’s a link to the story.

(The Center Square) – Illinois’ population has been shrinking for years as more people leave the state than arrive. Did the trend continue this past year? Residents will learn Thursday when the latest U.S. Census data on population is released.

Here’s a link to the story.

The National Weather Service is describing the winter storm bearing down on Buffalo and western New York ahead of Christmas as a “once-in-a-generation” event. The declaration comes as much of the Great Lakes region is under winter storm watches and warnings during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.

Here’s a link to the story.

(The Center Square) – The state’s controversial SAFE-T Act is set to end cash bail for many crimes in Illinois Jan. 1. Tuesday, a Kankakee County judge heard arguments in a lawsuit challenging the measure.

Here’s a link to the story.

(The Center Square ) – Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday warned the Biden administration that without federal action, lives will be lost at the southern border as a polar vortex is expected to bring temperatures down to well below freezing in the state.

Here’s a link to the story.