Midwest
Chicago Teachers Union budgeting millions for ‘political activities,’ according to fiscal report
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The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) appears poised to spend a substantial amount of money on “political activities,” internal documents viewed by Fox News Digital show.
According to CTU’s fiscal report, projecting into June 30, 2026, the union budgeted $3.1 million for “political activities.” In comparison, the union budgeted $152,500 for “training/ workshops,” $260,000 for community events, and $1.2 million for its contract campaign. The largest amount is budgeted for salaries and health insurance.
The Fiscal Year November report, which was obtained by the North American Values Institute (NAVI), was part of a meeting agenda and presentation notes from the CTU House of Delegates meeting held on Jan. 14.
The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) appears to spend a substantial amount of money on “political activities,” internal documents obtained by Fox News Digital show. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)
SCHOOLS THAT LET STUDENTS LEAVE CLASS TO PROTEST ICE HAVE FAILING ACADEMIC RECORDS
“CTU funds are public tax dollars, issued from the paychecks of local and state-funded educators. As a public sector union, its mandate is to represent the professional and bargaining interests of teachers — not to bankroll the political agendas of ideological caucuses. It is time for the State of Illinois to provide rigorous oversight and end the gross misuse of taxpayer resources,” said Josh Weiner, chief strategy officer of NAVI.
The CTU is primarily funded by teachers’ member dues rather than directly by taxpayer dollars. Teachers are employees of Chicago Public Schools, which is funded directly by taxpayers.
The meeting and presentation were politically charged.
During the meeting, Vice President Jackson Potter discussed the Trump administration’s intervention in Venezuela and Iran and the killing of civilian Renee Good by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent in Minneapolis. “Are you feeling crazy? Cause it is,” a caption says above the slides on the topic.
TOP TEACHERS UNION UNDER FIRE AS LAWMAKERS PUSH TO STRIP UNION OF UNIQUE FEDERAL CHARTER: ‘LOST THEIR WAY’
Chicago Teachers Union President Stacey Davis Gates delivered an address at the City Club of Chicago on Monday, June 23, 2025. (YouTube Screenshot)
Another slide on the presentation included a flyer titled, “This MLK Day Chicago Resists,” and information about a protest located at Water Tower Park on Jan. 19, demanding on the anniversary of Donald Trump’s inauguration to “abolish ICE,” “stop the wars,” “tax the rich” and “end the genocides.”
This summer, the union plans an “Environmental Justice Freedom School,” a “two-week educational experiential program offered to high school students in the CPS to develop local school climate action plans.”
Neither the Chicago Public Schools nor the Chicago Teachers’ Union responded to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
The union released its list of endorsements on Feb. 5, backing only Democratic candidates in federal and state elections, including Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss, who vows to “stand up to Donald Trump and his MAGA cronies,” in his congressional bid. Democratic Mayor Brandon Johnson, who is running for re-election in 2027, was backed by the union in his last mayoral election bid.
The union previously made headlines for supporting social justice initiatives, recently being critical of the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement and generally being vocal on political issues.
PRESIDENT OF LARGEST TEACHERS UNION SET TO SPEAK AT ‘POLITICAL REVOLUTION’ EVENT TARGETING ICE
The union budgeted $3.1 million for “political activities” for the fiscal year ending in June. (Chicago Teachers’ Union Fiscal Year November Report)
CTU issued a statement accusing the Trump administration of “normalizing terror” and condemning the “teargassing of students and arrest of an educator at Roosevelt High School.”
Earlier this month, CTU faced backlash from The Washington Post for pursuing social justice initiatives in its school district even as student reading and math proficiency continues to decline.
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Michigan
5 Michigan-themed coffee mugs to browse during Prime Day 2026
Amazon Prime Day 2026 will span four days next week. Here’s when
Amazon Prime Day 2026 begins next week and will last for four days. Only Prime members benefit from Amazon’s biggest annual sales event.
Prime Day is in full swing, and as Michigan residents scroll though deals, there are Michigan-themed coffee/tea mugs to consider, perhaps for a gift or to spice up your morning sip.
Amazon Prime Day — the 4-day event of discounted items for Prime members — begins at 3:01 a.m. ET on Tuesday, June 23, and ends at 2:59 ET, on Friday, June 26.
Here are five fun Michigan-themed mugs to consider as you shop for deals this week:
Michigan coffee mug by Primitives by Kathy
The 18-fluid-ounce Michigan-inspired stoneware mug is designed to represent the state with its scattered wraparound design. It includes a large outline of the state and a deer, surrounded with key words such as “yoopers,” “fudge,” “Big Mac,” “dunes,” “Great Lakes,” “we’re smitten in the mitten,” and others.
It is priced at $11.48 on Amazon Prime. Primitives By Kathy is the name of the company.
Sip and admire a detailed map of Michigan by Xplorer Maps
The founder and owner of the company, Xplorer Maps, illustrates maps by hand on everyday items such as a mug. On Amazon, there is a 16-fluid-ounce mug available that features a map of Michigan on one side with landmarks, and other illustrations of what Michigan is known for on the other side.
It is priced at $19.99 on Amazon Prime.
Represent Michigan with a Detroit Lions coffee mug
There are several Detroit Lions-themed coffee mugs available on Amazon Prime. One design by Rico Industries is a 12-ounce campfire mug fully coated in the iconic honolulu blue shade with a speckled print and the team’s logo.
It is priced at $16.52 on Amazon Prime.
On-the-go Michigan-inspired travel mug
In another busy Michigan design, Swig Life’s 22-ounce insulated travel mug is scattered with the state’s landmarks and key illustrations. The travel mug is cup holder friendly and is stainless steel with a handle.
It is priced at $30.07 on Amazon Prime.
Simple Michigan coffee mug deal on Prime Day
For those who are looking for a more straight-forward design, the coffee mug by Andaz Press via Amazon is perhaps an option. The 11-ounce mug includes a simple print of Michigan’s silhouette with the word “home” beside it.
It is priced at $14.21 on Amazon Prime.
Contact Sarah Moore @ smoore@lsj.com
Minnesota
Wolves assistant Micah Tori hired as Trailer Blazers head coach
The Portland Trail Blazers picked Minnesota Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori as their next head coach on Tuesday, after making the playoffs for the first time in five years under the direction of interim coach Tiago Splitter.
Nori, who spent the past five seasons with the Timberwolves, has interviewed for multiple head coach vacancies, including the Chicago Bulls earlier this month, the New York Knicks last year, and the Los Angeles Lakers in 2024.
Nori, 52, was the lead assistant under Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch while the club made the playoffs each season, won five series, and reached the Western Conference finals in 2023 and 2024. Nori, who began his NBA career in 1998 as a scout with the Toronto Raptors, has also been an assistant for the Raptors, the Sacramento Kings, the Denver Nuggets, and the Detroit Pistons. His son, Dante, is a minor league baseball player in the Philadelphia Phillies organization.
Splitter, who was hired last week as head coach of the Chicago Bulls, was promoted from assistant to interim coach when then-head coach Chauncey Billups was arrested in October in a federal takedown of a sprawling gambling operation. Billups has pleaded not guilty to charges of wire fraud and money laundering.
The Blazers went 42-40 with a five-game loss to NBA finalist San Antonio in the first round of the playoffs, the first postseason appearance and first time they finished with a winning record in five years.
The news comes a day after the Wolves reportedly traded three-time All-Star Julius Randle to the Brooklyn Nets in a three-team trade that sends Nic Claxton to the Chicago Bulls.
Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri, police search for missing woman who needs daily medications
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department is searching for a missing woman who needs daily medication.
Keyauna Wilson, 24, is 5 feet, 6 inches tall and 289 pounds. She has black hair and brown eyes.
Police said she was last seen getting into a newer model gray sedan around 11:45 p.m. Monday near the 8700 block of East 92nd Place in KCMO.
She was wearing a strapless white top, light-colored shorts and a white headband.
Wilson has multiple medical diagnoses that require daily medication.
If you know her whereabouts, please call the KCPD Missing Persons Unit at 816-234-5043 or 911.
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