Illinois hearing on Bears stadium tax breaks canceled; report says Bears “zero in” on Hammond, Indiana

CNN Newsource on February 19, 2026

By Marissa Perlman, Adam Harrington

Click here for updates on this story

    CHICAGO (WBBM) — A pivotal Illinois legislative hearing in Springfield that would impact the future of the Chicago Bears has been canceled, and published reports said the Bears are “zeroing in” on a plan to move to Hammond, Indiana.

Citing a source familiar with negotiations, the Indianapolis Business Journal reported that the Indiana House Ways and Means Committee was set to vote Thursday morning on language that would pave the way for a Northwest Indiana Bears stadium site to be finalized.

If that language is placed in Indiana Senate Bill 27, the Bears will be expected to make a statement confirming their interest in the Hammond site, but falling shy of a full commitment to move, the publication reported, as cited by Crain’s Chicago Business.

Back in Illinois, a hearing had been scheduled for Thursday morning on a controversial proposal to offer the Bears tax incentives and infrastructure support for a potential new stadium in the northwest Chicago suburb Arlington Heights. But that hearing has been canceled.

CBS News Chicago is told lawmakers wanted to work through some additional details in the proposal, called the Mega Project Assessment Freeze and Payment Law, before bringing it forward.

The legislation would allow the Bears – or the developers of other projects costing at least $500 million – to negotiate with local government to lock in how much they would pay in property taxes for years to come.

Supporters have said that kind of tax certainty is what’s needed before the Bears invest billions into a new stadium and surrounding development, but critics have argued Illinois taxpayers shouldn’t be in the business of helping fund an NFL franchise.

The proposal would freeze the Bears’ property tax assessment for up to 40 years. While the Bears have said they would pay for the stadium themselves, they are seeking more than $850 million in state funding for necessary supporting infrastructure – such as new roads, upgraded utilities, and more.

Supporters have warned that Illinois is competing with Indiana, where leaders have been trying to lure the team for some time, and time is running out.

There’s also political pressure from Chicago to factor into any deal for a new Bears stadium in Arlington Heights. The Bears’ lease at their current stadium, Soldier Field, runs through 2033, and more than half a billion dollars of debt is still owed on the 2003 renovation of the stadium.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Illinois hearing on Bears stadium tax breaks canceled; report says Bears “zero in” on Hammond, Indiana

CNN on February 19, 2026


WBBM

By Marissa Perlman, Adam Harrington

Click here for updates on this story

    CHICAGO (WBBM) — A pivotal Illinois legislative hearing in Springfield that would impact the future of the Chicago Bears has been canceled, and published reports said the Bears are “zeroing in” on a plan to move to Hammond, Indiana.

Citing a source familiar with negotiations, the Indianapolis Business Journal reported that the Indiana House Ways and Means Committee was set to vote Thursday morning on language that would pave the way for a Northwest Indiana Bears stadium site to be finalized.

If that language is placed in Indiana Senate Bill 27, the Bears will be expected to make a statement confirming their interest in the Hammond site, but falling shy of a full commitment to move, the publication reported, as cited by Crain’s Chicago Business.

Back in Illinois, a hearing had been scheduled for Thursday morning on a controversial proposal to offer the Bears tax incentives and infrastructure support for a potential new stadium in the northwest Chicago suburb Arlington Heights. But that hearing has been canceled.

CBS News Chicago is told lawmakers wanted to work through some additional details in the proposal, called the Mega Project Assessment Freeze and Payment Law, before bringing it forward.

The legislation would allow the Bears – or the developers of other projects costing at least $500 million – to negotiate with local government to lock in how much they would pay in property taxes for years to come.

Supporters have said that kind of tax certainty is what’s needed before the Bears invest billions into a new stadium and surrounding development, but critics have argued Illinois taxpayers shouldn’t be in the business of helping fund an NFL franchise.

The proposal would freeze the Bears’ property tax assessment for up to 40 years. While the Bears have said they would pay for the stadium themselves, they are seeking more than $850 million in state funding for necessary supporting infrastructure – such as new roads, upgraded utilities, and more.

Supporters have warned that Illinois is competing with Indiana, where leaders have been trying to lure the team for some time, and time is running out.

There’s also political pressure from Chicago to factor into any deal for a new Bears stadium in Arlington Heights. The Bears’ lease at their current stadium, Soldier Field, runs through 2033, and more than half a billion dollars of debt is still owed on the 2003 renovation of the stadium.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Community shaves heads, raises $20,000 for childhood cancer research

CNN Newsource on February 19, 2026

By Megan Matthews

Click here for updates on this story

    LOUISVILLE, Kentucky (WLKY) — More than 20 students, staff and community members packed St. Bernard Church and School on Tuesday, not for a service, but for a show of solidarity.

Participants shaved their heads as part of a St. Baldrick’s Foundation event supporting children battling cancer, an effort that hit home for some families.

In November, Liam Clements’ sister, Kaitlyn, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Liam said he’d planned to shave his head earlier, but waited for the event.

“No, it was not a question. I was going to do it earlier, but I said I wanted to wait until this event,” Liam said. Asked how he felt afterward, Liam said: “Different. But I feel like I did a good thing, so I feel good.”

The group’s fundraising brought in $20,000 for childhood cancer research.

For Liam’s father, Chris Clements, the moment was emotional as he watched the community rally around families facing the disease.

“I try to hold back my tears and not get too emotional, but it just it I think the community, the world needs this,” Chris said. “I mean, it needs people coming together, unison and helping each other out. The energy, the kids clapping, happy, exciting and cheering everyone on for what is a wonderful, much-needed cause.”

Father Chuck Walker, who has been involved with the foundation for 20 years, said the event reflects the kind of support families need when they first receive devastating news.

“That is one of the hardest things I have to do, is go into a hospital room where a child and the family just found out that they have a cancer diagnosis,” Walker said. “Not knowing what that’s going to be like or if there’s going to be a recovery or whatever. So, I hate seeing that.”

Walker said seeing students and community members step up is what makes the event meaningful year after year.

“I’m very proud that they, they want to do something too, because they know all the friends, they’ve got, you know, family members that suffer from the same thing,” Walker said. “So they’re trying to do their part to help.”

The Clements family also shared a hopeful update: they learned last week that Kaitlyn is now in remission.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Texas dentist faces charges for allegedly treating patients while intoxicated, police say

CNN Newsource on February 18, 2026

By Briauna Brown

Click here for updates on this story

    GRAYSON COUNTY, Texas (KTVT) — A North Texas dentist was arrested for allegedly treating patients while intoxicated, according to authorities.

The Sherman Police Department said 36-year-old Kelly Buck is facing a felony charge of performing surgery while intoxicated.

The department said, just before 12:05 p.m. Monday, Feb. 16, officers were called to a dental office located in the 2800 block of Loy Lake Road. When officers arrived, they observed signs that Buck was intoxicated and confirmed she had been treating patients throughout the morning.

Kelly Buck, 36, is facing a felony charge of performing surgery while intoxicated.

Buck was then arrested, and the criminal investigation division obtained a search warrant for a specimen of Buck’s blood.

During the investigation, police also learned that Buck wasn’t an employee of the dental office and was working as a temp through a staffing agency at the time of the incident.

Buck is currently being held in the Grayson County jail. The investigation is ongoing, police said.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Wife pleads for answers about husband’s fate after deadly ICE crash

CNN Newsource on February 18, 2026

By Lydia Blackstone

Click here for updates on this story

    Pedro Lopez (WJCL) — WJCL 22 News spoke with the wife of a Guatemalan man accused of killing an educator while fleeing federal authorities in Savannah.

Oscar Vasquez-Lopez’s wife told WJCL that he left early Monday morning to pick up supplies for his construction business.

Officials with the Department of Homeland Security say Vasquez-Lopez fled a traffic stop, made a U-turn and struck a vehicle being driven by Dr. Linda Davis, who worked at Hesse K-8 School.

He now faces multiple charges, including vehicular homicide.

Vasquez-Lopez’s wife described him as hardworking and said she does not believe he intended to hurt anyone.

“He’s a good person, loving, very affectionate, hardworking,” she said. “Yesterday he just went out to work, but what happened … happened, and all the blame is being put on him.”

She said she has not spoken with him since before the crash and is unsure what will happen next, including whether he will be deported.

“I just want him to get a hold of me,” she said. “I want to know what’s going to happen to him, if they are going to deport him.”

“If he gets deported, what will you do?” asked WJCL Photojournalist Pedro Lopez.

“I’ll leave too,” she replied.

DHS said it is unclear when Vasquez-Lopez entered the country, but a federal immigration judge issued a final order of removal in 2024. His wife said the couple had lived in Savannah for about a month, and records show he previously lived in Bluffton.

It was not immediately clear whether the ICE operation was targeted or a random stop. Local law enforcement officials said they were not aware of any ICE operations in the area.

Some residents in Savannah’s Hispanic community expressed uncertainty in the aftermath of the crash, Vasquez-Lopez’s wife said.

Vasquez-Lopez remained in the Chatham County jail Tuesday, facing charges including vehicular homicide, reckless driving and driving without a license, authorities said. ICE officials have not responded to questions about any deportation plans.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

‘Jaw dropping’: Billboard demands accountability from President Trump over Epstein files

CNN Newsource on February 18, 2026

By Ayron Lewallen

Click here for updates on this story

    BIRMINGHAM (WVTM) — If you’ve driven down Red Mountain Expressway recently, you might have noticed an interesting billboard. It calls President Donald Trump out for the number of times he’s accused of being listed in the Epstein files.

The billboard was recently taken down, but there are plans for it to be back up as soon as Tuesday.

This isn’t the first time the woman behind the organization Bright Blue Dot has done this. Joellyn Beckham, who leads the grassroots organization, put up another billboard back in July. That one asked, “What the secret was, big fella?” With the Epstein files released now, she’s calling for accountability from Trump.

The most recent billboard accused Trump of being named in the Epstein files 38,000 times. Beckham feels that number is jaw-dropping and damning. She hopes the billboard will encourage people to have conversations about what’s happening or educate them of issues they may not be aware of.

“Hopefully people can walk away from what we post and know that’s why it’s important,” Beckham said. “It’s not jaded by one side or the other. It’s just the facts, and it’s important that people know the facts when they’re voting and making decisions that come back to them—whether children or the economy. It’s just really, really important.”

During an interview with journalists on Monday, Trump addressed the Epstein files. He told reporters that Jeffrey Epstein didn’t want him to become president and said he has nothing to do with him.

“I have nothing to hide, I’ve been exonerated,” Trump said. “I have nothing to do with Jeffrey Epstein. They went in hoping that they’d find it. They found just the opposite. I’ve been totally exonerated.”

WVTM 13 reached out to the state Republican Party, elected officials, and to a political expert, but hasn’t heard back yet. As for the billboard, keep your eyes open on your commute to and from work Tuesday to see if it’s back up.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Former classmate shares impact young Jesse Jackson had

CNN Newsource on February 18, 2026

By Naomi Popa

Click here for updates on this story

    GREENVILLE, South Carolina (WYFF) — Just a mile from downtown Greenville and beside several new housing developments is Jesse Jackson’s first home. The civil rights trailblazer was born in Greenville on Haynie Street. He left a lasting impression for many who knew him, especially Freddie Clinkscales.

Clinkscales was born just two months before Jackson in 1941. She attended Sterling High School, a prominent all-Black high school in Greenville County alongside Jackson. They would later share a classroom together and many fond memories.

After the Jackson family had moved out, the Clinkscales bought the home and lived in it for several years. She told WYFF 4 that she was always convinced that Jackson would become somebody influential because he was a born leader and that his heart was filled with kindness. While Jackson will be dearly missed in the Upstate, she believes the nation will forever remember the civil rights activist.

“He was trying to, I guess, get people to see that Black people can do just as well as white people,” said Clinkscales, “If it wasn’t for him, where would we be?

Clinkscales can remember a time when she was required to sit on the back of the bus, had no access to public restrooms and could only ever enter buildings designated for colored people.

“Really if it hadn’t been for him, we would be sitting in the back of the bus unless someone was going to be as brave as he was,” said Clinkscales.

Clinkscales said Jackson’s work changed the trajectory of not only her life but millions of other African Americans. Looking back, she says she’s thankful to have had a relationship with Jackson and will fondly remember him.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

“Don’t look away,” Lewiston shooting survivor confronts city council

CNN Newsource on February 18, 2026

By Francis Flisiuk

Click here for updates on this story

    LEWISTON, Maine (WMTW) — Nearly three years after the worst mass shooting in Maine, a city councilor in Lewiston believes the city still has work to do to address the lasting financial impacts among the victims’ families and survivors.

During a city council meeting that stretched late into the night on Tuesday, leaders took up Councilor Susan Longchamps’ proposal that would launch a city-led assessment of the shooting-related needs and financial burdens of those impacted by the Oct. 25, 2023 attack.

“The events of that night deeply affected our city and our nation and the impact continues to be felt today,” said Councilor Longchamps. “Many victims and survivors are still living with lasting emotional, physical and financial effects. Over time, members of our community have come before this council asking us to look into the donations that were generously given to support those affected.”

The council ultimately voted 7-0 to table the issue to the next meeting, after the city administrator cited legal questions that still need to be answered and a lack of clear goals in the resolution.

The vote also came after several residents, including a survivor who was critically wounded at Schmengees, demanded answers from city leadership about how money raised by the community for victim’s families and survivors was spent.

“I spent 19 days in the hospital when the foundations that you guys set up for fundraising, I wasn’t part of it because I was still in that hospital bed fighting for my life,” said survivor Ben Dyer during public comment. “The money you guys raised is missing. We’re not asking to get rich. This isn’t about money, it’s about survival.”

Other residents raised similar concerns about how the $6.6 million raised in the aftermath of the shooting was distributed, alleging that donors were misled and money intended to go directly to survivors went to community nonprofits instead. City leaders have maintained the fundraising and distribution process has been transparent, and that the Maine Community Foundation had clearly given donors the option to choose where their money would go.

According to the Maine Community Foundation, of the total raised, $4.7 million was allocated to 162 people directly impacted by the shooting and $1.9 million went to community groups.

Back in October of 2024, the Maine Attorney General’s office cleared MCF of any alleged wrongdoing or mishandling of donations.

Lewiston councilors, including the resolution’s sponsor, also reiterated that MCF handled fundraising appropriately, but also recognized that some of the questions raised by concerned survivors are “valid, reasonable and understandable.”

“I think those questions have been answered over and over and over again and I’m not certain that this council can answer those questions to the satisfaction of people who are not satisfied with the answers that have already been provided,” said Councilor David Chittim.

The resolution will be taken up for further discussion and a possible vote on March 3.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Man who tackled shooter at hockey game recounts chaotic moments

CNN Newsource on February 18, 2026

By David Bienick

Click here for updates on this story

    PAWTUCKET, Rhode Island (WCVB) — A man who tackled a shooter during a deadly attack at a high school hockey game in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, on Monday said he told his wife to run before he “went for the gun.”

The shooting happened during scheduled high school hockey games at Pawtucket’s Dennis M. Lynch Arena on Andrew D. Ferland Way just before 3 p.m. Monday.

According to Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves, the shooting was domestic in nature, as the victims included members of the suspect’s family and a family friend. Two people were fatally shot, and three were wounded before the shooter died of a self-inflicted wound.

“A good Samaritan stepped in and interjected in the scene, and that’s probably what led to a swift end of this tragic event,” Goncalves said.

Michael Black said he was in the bleachers to support a friend’s son who was playing in the game when he heard the first shots.

“I heard two shots, and I said, ‘balloons popping,'” he said. “I heard another popping and recognized it was not a balloon.”

Black said he told his wife and a friend to run. Black said he then stood on the bleachers and lunged toward the gunman.

“I just grabbed, went for the gun and I got my hand caught,” he said.

Black said his left hand was stuck in the chamber of the weapon, preventing it from being fired again. Meanwhile, he said other bystanders jumped in to help restrain the shooter.

“They’re trying to tackle him. And then he fell down, and he fell right towards me. So he was on his back,” he said.

Some additional magazines loaded with ammunition fell out of the shooter’s possession when they were tackled, Black said.

Black said the shooter took the second gun out of a pocket and turned it on themselves.

Black said he turned one of the firearms over to responding officers. He praised the emergency response, including ambulance crews and hospital staff who cared for his hand injury.

Additionally, Black said he was burned on the face by one of the shells ejected during the initial gunfire.

Despite being called a hero, Black rejected the label and shifted attention to others who intervened.

“That’s not the right definition for me,” he said. “There’s heroes in my life, and I would definitely not put that definition towards myself.”

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Detroit police chief plans to “terminate” two officers who contacted Border Patrol amid traffic stops

CNN Newsource on February 18, 2026

By DeJanay Booth-Singleton, Joseph Buczek

Click here for updates on this story

    DETROIT (WWJ) — Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison says he plans to “terminate” two officers after they contacted U.S. Customs and Border Protection during two separate traffic stops, adding that their actions were against the department’s policy.

In a Board of Police Commissioners’ meeting on Thursday, Feb. 12, Bettison says that under policy, officers are prohibited from contacting federal agents for translation services. Bettison says the calls resulted in the individuals being detained by federal agents.

“Contacting Border Patrol, ICE or other federal agencies for translation services is strictly prohibited, as it subjects individuals to extreme scrutiny,” Bettison said, adding that the department is working with a company that offers certified translation services.

“There’s absolutely no reason to contact federal law enforcement agencies to assist with translation services,” Bettison said.

Bettison says the two incidents happened in the last few months, on Dec. 16, 2025, and Feb. 9, 2026.

According to Bettison, the December incident was found during a routine audit of body-worn cameras.

Bettison said that a police officer was investigating an individual on a felony warrant at a location on the west side. The officer, according to Bettison, believed the individual was not a U.S. citizen and contacted Border Patrol. Border Patrol responded and took the individual.

Two months later, in February, a sergeant responded to a request for a supervisor at a traffic stop. The sergeant learned that the person involved in the traffic stop did not speak English and he called Border Patrol, Bettison says. The police chief says federal agents “conducted their investigation” and determined that the person was not a U.S. citizen. The person was then detained, Bettison says.

Both the officer and the sergeant were suspended with pay, but Bettison requested on Feb. 12 that the Board of Police Commissioners suspend the two officers without pay.

“I will say this to everyone that 98, 99% of our officers do it the right way each and every day. They’re out there working hard. But I do have 1, 2% that decide to violate our rules, our policies and our procedures. And to those officers, I will hold them accountable,” Bettison said.

The Board of Police Commissioners said it will discuss the matter during a closed-door session this Thursday.

“We’ll be making a decision on whether these officers violated a policy,” said Detroit Police Commissioner Darryl Woods

Woods says any decision to fire these officers will come from Bettison after the board makes its decision.

Detroit City Councilwoman Gabriela Santiago-Romero released a statement on the two incidents, saying in part:

“This moment requires us to listen and to be intentional, in order to not cause greater harm. We, as a beloved community, above all else, need to practice mutual aid. I call upon residents across this great city to join together and build communities of care, whereby folks of all backgrounds support one another, care for one another, and love one another.”

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.