Gregory Pratt
@royalpratt.bsky.social
Chicago Tribune investigative reporter. Little Village raised. Proud Tribune Guild. I'm just trying to make my city a better place. Author: "The City is Up for Grabs."
Pinned
Gregory Pratt
@royalpratt.bsky.social
· Dec 28
64 days in Chicago: The story of Operation Midway Blitz
President Donald Trump’s federal immigration enforcement operation led to most surreal autumn in Chicago history. What happened during those 64 days will be remembered for a long time.
www.chicagotribune.com
64 days in Chicago: The story of Operation Midway Blitz. Our team fanned out to cover the before, during and after of the federal government’s months-long raid on an American city. This is worth your time to understand the United States today
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/28/c...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/28/c...
Reposted by Gregory Pratt
At the Pink Poster Club form for IL-9 tonight with the top 6 candidates. Started with a lightning round using yes/no paddles, and while there were WAY too many to share here, I want to share Q1: have you seen Heated Rivalry?
Five waved no, Mike Simmons *emphatically* waved yes lol
Five waved no, Mike Simmons *emphatically* waved yes lol
February 20, 2026 at 1:33 AM
At the Pink Poster Club form for IL-9 tonight with the top 6 candidates. Started with a lightning round using yes/no paddles, and while there were WAY too many to share here, I want to share Q1: have you seen Heated Rivalry?
Five waved no, Mike Simmons *emphatically* waved yes lol
Five waved no, Mike Simmons *emphatically* waved yes lol
What’s amazing is CBS and Tony Dokoupil are on a self-flagellating “nobody trusts the media but trust us!” tour and then are like “let’s keep the guy who appears 1,700 times in the Epstein files”
Truly bonkers that Peter Attia had to go from a protein bar company he worked at over his Epstein ties but is being allowed to stick around sullying the reputation of CBS News.
February 20, 2026 at 12:38 AM
What’s amazing is CBS and Tony Dokoupil are on a self-flagellating “nobody trusts the media but trust us!” tour and then are like “let’s keep the guy who appears 1,700 times in the Epstein files”
Jan Schakowsky pulls Donna Miller endorsement in 2nd Congressional District over AIPAC support. Schakowsky’s endorsement doesn’t really mean anything in the 2nd, but this speaks to the much broader war happening over AIPAC money in Chicago / across country
chicago.suntimes.com/elections/20...
chicago.suntimes.com/elections/20...
Rep. Jan Schakowsky pulls Donna Miller endorsement in 2nd Congressional District over AIPAC support
Schakowsky on Thursday told the Sun-Times she "cannot support any candidate running for Congress who is funded by these outside interests."
chicago.suntimes.com
February 19, 2026 at 7:37 PM
Jan Schakowsky pulls Donna Miller endorsement in 2nd Congressional District over AIPAC support. Schakowsky’s endorsement doesn’t really mean anything in the 2nd, but this speaks to the much broader war happening over AIPAC money in Chicago / across country
chicago.suntimes.com/elections/20...
chicago.suntimes.com/elections/20...
Truly bonkers that Peter Attia had to go from a protein bar company he worked at over his Epstein ties but is being allowed to stick around sullying the reputation of CBS News.
February 19, 2026 at 7:26 PM
Truly bonkers that Peter Attia had to go from a protein bar company he worked at over his Epstein ties but is being allowed to stick around sullying the reputation of CBS News.
The Trump administration says it’s revoking more federal grant dollars in Illinois — this time $100 million for electric vehicle charging stations. @taliasoglin.bsky.social reports (late tweet) www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/13/t...
Trump administration cuts more than $100 million in Illinois transportation dollars
The Trump administration says it’s revoking more federal grant dollars in Illinois — this time for electric vehicle charging stations.
www.chicagotribune.com
February 19, 2026 at 6:07 PM
The Trump administration says it’s revoking more federal grant dollars in Illinois — this time $100 million for electric vehicle charging stations. @taliasoglin.bsky.social reports (late tweet) www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/13/t...
Reposted by Gregory Pratt
New: The Trump arrest of @donlemonofficial.bsky.social has backfired, giving biggest boost of his online career. In two weeks, he's gained 300k on Instagram, 140k on YouTube, 73% on Substack and started selling arrest-themed merch. "They elevated me," he said in interview wapo.st/3OfiGxz
Trump officials condemned Don Lemon. He’s bigger than ever after arrest.
The administration’s attacks on Lemon and independent journalists have boosted their online attention and revenue.
wapo.st
February 14, 2026 at 12:48 PM
New: The Trump arrest of @donlemonofficial.bsky.social has backfired, giving biggest boost of his online career. In two weeks, he's gained 300k on Instagram, 140k on YouTube, 73% on Substack and started selling arrest-themed merch. "They elevated me," he said in interview wapo.st/3OfiGxz
Warlord chef Trevor Fleming has been sharing sexual photos of women without consent and berating staffers for years, witnesses said. It was an open secret in the industry — and it’s time for accountability, they said. Solid reporting
@arielparrella.bsky.social blockclubchicago.org/2026/02/19/w...
@arielparrella.bsky.social blockclubchicago.org/2026/02/19/w...
Warlord Chef's Abuse Went Unchecked For Years, Women And Ex-Workers Say
Warlord star chef Trevor Fleming has been sharing sexual photos of women without consent and berating staffers for years, witnesses said. It was an open secret in the industry — and it's time for acco...
blockclubchicago.org
February 19, 2026 at 4:07 PM
Warlord chef Trevor Fleming has been sharing sexual photos of women without consent and berating staffers for years, witnesses said. It was an open secret in the industry — and it’s time for accountability, they said. Solid reporting
@arielparrella.bsky.social blockclubchicago.org/2026/02/19/w...
@arielparrella.bsky.social blockclubchicago.org/2026/02/19/w...
Mayor Richard J. Daley raised hell about not letting the Bears use “Chicago” if they moved to Arlington Heights. Hammond would definitely not be Chicago.
February 19, 2026 at 2:58 PM
Mayor Richard J. Daley raised hell about not letting the Bears use “Chicago” if they moved to Arlington Heights. Hammond would definitely not be Chicago.
Reposted by Gregory Pratt
Congratulations to 2026 Shadid Award finalists @royalpratt.bsky.social, @lauranrodriguez.bsky.social, @ckubzansky.bsky.social, @jmetr22b.bsky.social & @andrew-carter.bsky.social (chicagotribune.com) for reporting on the mass deportation effort in Chicago.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/28/c...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/28/c...
64 days in Chicago: The story of Operation Midway Blitz
President Donald Trump’s federal immigration enforcement operation led to most surreal autumn in Chicago history. What happened during those 64 days will be remembered for a long time.
www.chicagotribune.com
February 19, 2026 at 2:21 PM
Congratulations to 2026 Shadid Award finalists @royalpratt.bsky.social, @lauranrodriguez.bsky.social, @ckubzansky.bsky.social, @jmetr22b.bsky.social & @andrew-carter.bsky.social (chicagotribune.com) for reporting on the mass deportation effort in Chicago.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/28/c...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/28/c...
Reposted by Gregory Pratt
Quite a day: Catholic clergy gained access to the Broadview, IL ICE facility this afternoon, and Church & state officials joined a mass & procession honoring immigrants this evening.
I hope my coverage today was useful, and as always, I appreciate any support you may wish to offer for my work.
I hope my coverage today was useful, and as always, I appreciate any support you may wish to offer for my work.
February 19, 2026 at 3:00 AM
Quite a day: Catholic clergy gained access to the Broadview, IL ICE facility this afternoon, and Church & state officials joined a mass & procession honoring immigrants this evening.
I hope my coverage today was useful, and as always, I appreciate any support you may wish to offer for my work.
I hope my coverage today was useful, and as always, I appreciate any support you may wish to offer for my work.
The band U2 released a song, “American Obituary,” honoring Renee Good, killed by an ICE agent in Minneapolis.
February 18, 2026 at 8:56 PM
The band U2 released a song, “American Obituary,” honoring Renee Good, killed by an ICE agent in Minneapolis.
In other news, Firm Tied to Kristi Noem Secretly Got Money From $220 Million DHS Ad Contracts. The company is run by Tricia McLaughlin’s husband. www.propublica.org/article/kris...
February 17, 2026 at 7:26 PM
In other news, Firm Tied to Kristi Noem Secretly Got Money From $220 Million DHS Ad Contracts. The company is run by Tricia McLaughlin’s husband. www.propublica.org/article/kris...
Reposted by Gregory Pratt
NEW: ChatGPT and other chatbots are feeding users' fixations on real people, reinforcing users' delusional ideas and obsessions about others as they descend into unwanted harassment, stalking, and/or domestic abuse — traumatizing victims and profoundly altering lives.
futurism.com/artificial-i...
futurism.com/artificial-i...
AI Delusions Are Leading to Domestic Abuse, Harassment, and Stalking
ChatGPT and other AI chatbots are reinforcing users' delusions about other people — fueling fixations linked to stalking and other abuses.
futurism.com
February 17, 2026 at 3:58 PM
NEW: ChatGPT and other chatbots are feeding users' fixations on real people, reinforcing users' delusional ideas and obsessions about others as they descend into unwanted harassment, stalking, and/or domestic abuse — traumatizing victims and profoundly altering lives.
futurism.com/artificial-i...
futurism.com/artificial-i...
Under Tricia McLaughlin, Homeland Security public statements repeatedly unraveled and she faced critical attention for her role disseminating false information. You could teach a college class about the collapse of a government agency’s credibility under her tenure.
February 17, 2026 at 5:06 PM
Under Tricia McLaughlin, Homeland Security public statements repeatedly unraveled and she faced critical attention for her role disseminating false information. You could teach a college class about the collapse of a government agency’s credibility under her tenure.
RIP Rev. Jesse Jackson, civil rights icon and Chicago-based presidential candidate. www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/17/r...
Rev. Jesse Jackson, civil rights icon and Chicago-based presidential candidate, dies at 84
Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, the Chicago-based Baptist minister, political figure and two-time presidential candidate, has died.
www.chicagotribune.com
February 17, 2026 at 1:06 PM
RIP Rev. Jesse Jackson, civil rights icon and Chicago-based presidential candidate. www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/17/r...
Kane County farmhouse verified as former Underground Railroad safe house in National Park Service initiative. Fascinating story about American history in our backyard, by @mollymorrow.bsky.social www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/16/k...
Kane County farmhouse verified as former Underground Railroad safe house in National Park Service initiative
The site is the first known safe house in the county to be verified as part of the federal initiative.
www.chicagotribune.com
February 16, 2026 at 8:39 PM
Kane County farmhouse verified as former Underground Railroad safe house in National Park Service initiative. Fascinating story about American history in our backyard, by @mollymorrow.bsky.social www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/16/k...
Great reporting by Alice Yin as usual @aliceyin.bsky.social
NEWS: A whistleblower in Melissa Conyears-Ervin’s office filed an ethics complaint alleging the congressional candidate’s political staff pushed a questionable plan to boycott U.S. Treasury bonds despite internal objections over financial prudence. www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/16/c...
Chicago treasurer employee alleges political staff pushed office on US bonds boycott
Mauricio Banuelos, a treasurer’s office portfolio manager, sent a complaint to the public integrity units of both the Illinois attorney general and U.S. Department of Justice.
www.chicagotribune.com
February 16, 2026 at 2:57 PM
Great reporting by Alice Yin as usual @aliceyin.bsky.social
NEWS: A whistleblower in Melissa Conyears-Ervin’s office filed an ethics complaint alleging the congressional candidate’s political staff pushed a questionable plan to boycott U.S. Treasury bonds despite internal objections over financial prudence. www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/16/c...
Chicago treasurer employee alleges political staff pushed office on US bonds boycott
Mauricio Banuelos, a treasurer’s office portfolio manager, sent a complaint to the public integrity units of both the Illinois attorney general and U.S. Department of Justice.
www.chicagotribune.com
February 16, 2026 at 2:18 PM
NEWS: A whistleblower in Melissa Conyears-Ervin’s office filed an ethics complaint alleging the congressional candidate’s political staff pushed a questionable plan to boycott U.S. Treasury bonds despite internal objections over financial prudence. www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/16/c...
Human composting offers an environmentally friendly end. Some are pushing to legalize it in Illinois. More fascinating reporting from @adrianaperez.bsky.social www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/13/h...
Human composting offers an environmentally friendly end. Some are pushing to legalize it in Illinois.
This green approach avoids the release of smoke from cremation and the leaking of fluids from burying embalmed bodies.
www.chicagotribune.com
February 15, 2026 at 5:46 PM
Human composting offers an environmentally friendly end. Some are pushing to legalize it in Illinois. More fascinating reporting from @adrianaperez.bsky.social www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/13/h...
Famed evangelist, TV host Archbishop Fulton Sheen to be the first beatified Illinois native. @angieleventis.bsky.social with the story of his path to sainthood www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/15/p...
A path to sainthood: Famed evangelist, TV host Archbishop Fulton Sheen to be the first beatified Illinois native
With a captivating voice and piercing eyes that seemed to penetrate the camera, the Illinois-born bishop explained the paradox of human suffering to millions of viewers on one episode of his acclai…
www.chicagotribune.com
February 15, 2026 at 1:48 PM
Famed evangelist, TV host Archbishop Fulton Sheen to be the first beatified Illinois native. @angieleventis.bsky.social with the story of his path to sainthood www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/15/p...
Our story @chicagotribune.com: Chicago teen Ofelia Torres, whose father was detained by ICE while she fought cancer, dies. www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/14/c...
February 15, 2026 at 2:19 AM
Our story @chicagotribune.com: Chicago teen Ofelia Torres, whose father was detained by ICE while she fought cancer, dies. www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/14/c...
Ofelia Torres, the teenage Chicago Public Schools student whose fight against cancer while her father was detained by ICE came to represent the federal government's overreach during Operation Midway Blitz, has died. Brave young woman. I will never forget her. RIP.
February 15, 2026 at 1:54 AM
Ofelia Torres, the teenage Chicago Public Schools student whose fight against cancer while her father was detained by ICE came to represent the federal government's overreach during Operation Midway Blitz, has died. Brave young woman. I will never forget her. RIP.
This is a fine time to recall that Michael Ferro is the scumbag who sold out the Tribune to give Alden its foothold. To the extent the man has a legacy, it should be the long-term harm he’s done to Chicago media at Tribune and Sun-Times.
Michael Ferro, who stepped down from the board of Tribune Publishing hours before Fortune published a storyonline accusing him of inappropriate sexual behavior, was gonna meet with Jeffrey Epstein but canceled, he says, upon learning “who he was.” www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/13/m...
Former Tribune and Sun-Times Chair Michael Ferro canceled Epstein meeting at last minute, emails show
Michael Ferro, the former chair of the Chicago Tribune and the Chicago Sun-Times, was set to meet with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein at his Palm Beach home on April 15, 2019, according to ema…
www.chicagotribune.com
February 14, 2026 at 3:50 PM
This is a fine time to recall that Michael Ferro is the scumbag who sold out the Tribune to give Alden its foothold. To the extent the man has a legacy, it should be the long-term harm he’s done to Chicago media at Tribune and Sun-Times.
Reposted by Gregory Pratt
NEW: Hundreds of judges around the country have ruled more than 4,400 times since October that President Donald Trump’s administration is detaining immigrants unlawfully, a Reuters review of court records found.
The government keeps doing it nonetheless.
www.reuters.com/legal/govern...
The government keeps doing it nonetheless.
www.reuters.com/legal/govern...
February 14, 2026 at 12:14 PM
NEW: Hundreds of judges around the country have ruled more than 4,400 times since October that President Donald Trump’s administration is detaining immigrants unlawfully, a Reuters review of court records found.
The government keeps doing it nonetheless.
www.reuters.com/legal/govern...
The government keeps doing it nonetheless.
www.reuters.com/legal/govern...