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Protesters gather outside Pritzker mansion to disrupt Noem presser, only to find she was never actually there

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Protesters gather outside Pritzker mansion to disrupt Noem presser, only to find she was never actually there

Protesters gathered outside Illinois governor JB Pritzker’s mansion on Wednesday thinking that Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was holding a presser around the property. 

Secretary Noem did hold a press conference in Illinois on Wednesday, but it was more than half a mile away from the governor’s mansion, leaving the protesters “screaming” into the wind. 

“While we aren’t entirely sure what the protesters were protesting (we aren’t sure they know either), or why they were screaming in front of their governor’s mansion, we stand with every victim of illegal immigrant crime,” DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told Fox News Digital.

BLUE STATE GOVERNOR VOWS ‘RESISTANCE’ AS TRUMP ADMIN TARGETS SANCTUARY POLICIES

Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem hosted a press conference on immigration near Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s home in Springfield, Illinois. (AP/Getty)

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“Secretary Noem went to Springfield, Illinois to join Angel families to call for the end of dangerous sanctuary city policies under J.B. Pritzker and bring attention to an at-large illegal alien murderer who has been evading justice for two years for the stabbing of Emma Shafer.” 

As protesters shouted outside Pritzker’s mansion, Noem’s presser was held at the site where Emma Shafer, 24, was stabbed to death by Grabriel Calixto Pichardo, 25, an illegal migrant who is wanted on three first-degree murder charges and an aggravated domestic battery charge. Pichardo was reportedly dating Shafer at the time of the murder. 

Noem was also joined by the “Angel families” of Denny McCann and Jimmy Walden, who both lost their lives to illegal migrant crime. 

DHS UNLEASHES POSSIBLE MONEY-SAVING MEASURE FOR ILLEGAL ALIENS TO SELF-DEPORT: ‘SAFEST OPTION’

McCann was crossing the street on foot when he was hit, killed, and dragged down the road by Saul Chavez, an illegal immigrant who was drunk driving. Chavez was arrested and charged with reckless homicide and aggravated DUI, but disappeared for 11 years after being released on bond. He wasn’t apprehended until 2022.  

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Gov. JB Pritzker, D-Ill., speaks to late-night host Jimmy Kimmel slams President Donald Trump during a recent interview. (Screenshot/ABC)

Walden was killed when an illegal alien, who had previously been deported twice, crashed into Walden’s motorcycle in Maryland. His father lives in Illinois. 

ILLINOIS FATHER SLAMS DEM GOVERNOR OVER SANCTUARY POLICIES

The purpose of the presser was to spotlight the sanctuary status of the state, and to call on the potential presidential candidate to “abandon these dangerous sanctuary policies.”

Pritzker responded to the presser with a statement on Wednesday.

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“Unlike Donald Trump and Kristi Noem, Illinois follows the law,” the Illinois governor explained. “The Trump Administration is violating the United States Constitution, denying people due process, and disappearing law-abiding neighbors – including children who are U.S. citizens. Yet, they are taking no real action to promote public safety and deport violent criminals within the clear and defined legal process.”

“Illinoisans are sending a clear message to Trump’s lackeys that we will not let you mess with us without a resistance,” Pritzker concluded.

The governor’s office alleged that Secretary Noem changed her schedule to dodge protesters. Matt Hill, Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications, told Fox News Digital in an exclusive statement that “despite being in Illinois today and falsely accusing the state of not following the law, Secretary Noem and her team does not communicate with the State of Illinois about enforcing immigration laws.”

“As the Governor’s office oversees the Governor’s Mansion, we know the Secretary originally planned her publicity stunt at the Governor’s home but decided to relocate,” Hill said. “We would have hoped she wouldn’t be scared to speak with Illinoisans exercising their Constitutional rights but are not surprised given her lack of ability to follow the Constitution.”

Pritzker’s office also sent a statement from Cathy Schwartz and John Shafer, Emma Shafer’s parents, to Fox News Digital which addressed Noem holding the presser at the site their daughter was killed.

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“To see her used by Secretary Noem and others to advance a cruel and heartless political agenda is not just deeply painful to us – it is an insult to her memory. Noem’s words are in direct conflict with who Emma was as a person,” the parents’ statement via the governor’s office read. “No parent should have to experience the loss of a child. But every time her name is brought into these conversations – conversations she would have wanted nothing to do with – we have to relive the pain of her death.”

Schwartz and Shafer were unavailable to speak with Fox News Digital at the time of publication. 

The young woman’s parents spoke out in a statement provided to the governor’s office. (Carlos A. Moreno/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images, left, ALEX BRANDON/POOL/AFP via Getty Images, right.)

DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told Fox News Digital in an earlier statement that “the Trump Administration will bring illegal immigrants who perpetrate crimes to justice.”

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Preston Mizell is a writer with Fox News Digital covering breaking news. Story tips can be sent to Preston.Mizell@fox.com and on X @MizellPreston

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Midwest

‘Family Mob’ gang members, associates charged in major Minneapolis fentanyl trafficking case: DOJ

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‘Family Mob’ gang members, associates charged in major Minneapolis fentanyl trafficking case: DOJ

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Five alleged members and associates of the “Family Mob” street gang have been charged in a major fentanyl trafficking case in Minneapolis, federal prosecutors announced Wednesday.

Three indictments and two criminal complaints were unsealed in the District of Minnesota accusing the defendants of distributing fentanyl, crack cocaine and other controlled substances in south Minneapolis.

Authorities allege the group collectively possessed with intent to distribute more than seven kilograms of fentanyl since July 2025 and operated a de facto open-air drug market near Lake Street and Park Avenue, using force to push out other dealers.

Those charged include Silk Lamond Davis, 48, of Minneapolis; Alexisus Jarmon Mosby, 44, of Bloomington; Kiron Jamoll Williams, 43, of Minneapolis; Rashshon Jamahl Taggett, 44, of Minneapolis; and Lakendrick Darnell Gilliam, 38, of St. Paul.

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Seized narcotics are displayed as authorities announce the preliminary results of a large-scale investigation involving local and federal agencies on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2026. (Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office)

The charges range from possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine to distribution of fentanyl and conspiracy to distribute fentanyl.

Law enforcement agencies executed multiple arrest and search warrants Wednesday morning targeting the gang and its members, officials said. 

If convicted, the defendants face penalties of up to life in prison on the most serious drug trafficking charges.

FBI BUSTS LATIN KINGS GANG NATIONWIDE, NEARLY 50 ARRESTED IN SWEEPING CRACKDOWN

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Federal and local law enforcement announced that they seized 3.5 million lethal doses of fentanyl in Minneapolis on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026. (KMSP)

“Our investigation shows that combined, those charged were responsible for the distribution of enough fentanyl for more than 3.5 million lethal doses in the last seven months,” said U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen at a press briefing.

He told reporters that seven others were also taken into custody on related state charges, bringing the total number arrested to 12.

Rick Evanchec, interim special agent in charge of the FBI’s Minneapolis field office, said the coordinated operation to dismantle the “Family Mob” gang involved a sweeping, multi-agency effort across the metropolitan area.

Before dawn, eight SWAT teams and law enforcement personnel from the FBI, Minneapolis Police Department, Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) executed 14 search warrants targeting narcotics, firearms and other evidence tied to the alleged criminal enterprise.

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DEM VOTERS WERE LESS ENTHUSIASTIC WHEN TRUMP TOUTED CRACKDOWN ON CARTELS AND FENTANYL, SOTU DIAL REVEALS

Seized narcotics are displayed as authorities announce the preliminary results of a large-scale investigation involving local and federal agencies on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2026. (Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office)

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Evanchec said the gang has operated since the 1990s, distributing narcotics and using violence to control territory in Minneapolis neighborhoods.

“The Family Mob Gang ruled by intimidation and violence, and wrongly assumed they could operate with impunity,” DEA Omaha Field Division Special Agent in Charge Dustin Gillespie said in a statement. “Today, the combined efforts of federal, state and local law enforcement imparted a significant blow to the drug trafficking efforts of a gang that has spread poison through a beloved Minneapolis community.”

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Detroit, MI

Preview: February 28 vs. Detroit | Carolina Hurricanes

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Preview: February 28 vs. Detroit | Carolina Hurricanes


RALEIGH, N.C. – The Carolina Hurricanes will try to extend their point streak to a dozen games on Saturday, when they go head-to-head with the Detroit Red Wings.

When: Saturday, February 28

Puck Drop: 7:00 p.m. ET

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Listen: 99.9 The Fan, Hurricanes App

Canes Record: 37-15-6 (80 Points, 1st – Metropolitan Division)

Canes Last Game: 5-4 Win over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday, Feb. 26

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Red Wings Record: 34-19-6 (74 Points, T-2nd – Atlantic Division)

Red Wings Last Game: 2-1 Win (OT) over the Ottawa Senators on Thursday, Feb. 26



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Milwaukee, WI

Landmark Credit Union Live officially opens in Milwaukee

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Landmark Credit Union Live officially opens in Milwaukee


Landmark Credit Union Live, Milwaukee’s newest concert venue, opened its doors on Friday. And with the Bucks playing next door at the same time, the whole area was hopping.

What they’re saying:

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Fans flocked to Fiserv Forum to watch the team play the New York Knicks, and music lovers stood in line to see Rainbow Kitten Surprise on the opening night of Landmark Credit Union Live.

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“Very busy, very crowded the bars and restaurants,” said Ashley Evans. “That’d be great to add to the city again, to continue to bring more tourists out.”

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“This is going to be amazing. I’ve been wanting to see them for a very long time, so I’m very excited,” said Rachel Lococo.

Fans line up for the official opening of Landmark Credit Union Live

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Landmark Credit Union Live can host up to 4,500 people. Friday night’s show was sold out, drawing fans from places like Chicago, Minnesota, Iowa and elsewhere.

“Some people have driven from Indiana, so there’s a lot of people coming out tonight,” said Kade McCane, who came from Madison. “Honestly, really exciting to be among the first people who get to be there, and for RKS to be among the first people who will ever perform here, I hope this venue gets huge and big and becomes very popular.” 

The excitement was felt all around Milwaukee. Even the competition rolled out the welcome mat.

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“Our goal to grow as a city means that a lot of things have to happen. This is the very, tiny, small work that has to happen,” said Gary Witt, president and CEO of The Pabst Theater Group, which runs six nearby venues.

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“The introduction of any new business in the city, especially one that pays attention to the fact that we have spent 24 years growing the live culture economy in the city of Milwaukee, says to me that we’ve done our job.” 

Witt said live entertainment is an industry Milwaukee’s economy has been dependent on coming from visitors like those who turned out Friday.

The Source: FOX6 News interviewed the people in this story and referenced prior coverage related to the opening of Landmark Credit Union Live.

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