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Culture Combine @culturecombine.bsky.social · 1d

You ever mean to get around to listening to more from a band and just didn't have time?

One of our staff members did. And that band was Cake.

Read on for his results:

Blind Spot: Cake Retrospective

Welcome to Blind Spot, where we take time to dig into something big in the cultural zeitgeist we might have missed. A retrospective that’s also a first time perspective. What’s old to you, is new to s...

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Culture Combine @culturecombine.bsky.social · 3d

Dotemu's great at nostalgia, but with Absolum, they show they're also great at original concepts, with a roguelike/beat 'em up mashup that's quickly become one of our favorite new games of the year.

Absolum Proves Dotemu Offers More Than Nostalgia Bait

Absolum is one of my games of the year. I have a feeling it's slipping under the radar a bit, but I hope it’s successful enough that Dotemu keeps working on these new IPs, because their first truly no...

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Culture Combine @culturecombine.bsky.social · 6d

Federal judges issued restraining orders that prohibit National Guard from deploying in IL and protect the First Amendment rights of peaceful protests still ongoing in Chicago.

READ MORE:

Federal Judges Issue Restraining Orders Prohibiting National Guard From Deploying in Illinois and Protecting First Amendment Rights as Protests Continue in Chicago

Judge Perry said that deploying the National Guard on the streets of Chicago would only make an already volatile situation worse. She said that troops are “not trained in de-escalation or other extrem...

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Jim Daley @jimdaleywrites.bsky.social · 6d

I'm at the scene where ICE abducted multiple people from Lincoln and Foster this morning.

A WGN producer was among the people taken, allegedly because she was among a group of bystanders who tried to intervene. ICE agents hit this car while making their getaway.

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Chris Geidner @chrisgeidner.bsky.social · 7d

BREAKING: Federal judge issues a TRO in the Northern District of Illinois (including Chicago and the Broadview ICE facility), providing protections for protesters and journalists covering the protests.

storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...

Some of the key elements:

1. It is hereby ORDERED that Defendants,' their officers, agents, assigns, and all
persons acting in concert with them (hereafter referred to as "Federal Agents"), are temporarily ENJOINED in this judicial district from:
Dispersing, arresting, threatening to arrest, threatening or using physical
force against any person whom they know or reasonably should know is a Journalist, unless
Defendants have probable cause to believe that the individual has committed a crime.
Defendants may order a Journalist to change location to avoid disrupting law enforcement,
' President Trump, one of the named Defendants, is not included in this Order.
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Case: 1:25-cv-12173 Document #: 42 Filed: 10/09/25 Page 2 of 6 PagelD #:836
as long as the Journalist has an objectively reasonable time to comply and an objectively
reasonable opportunity to report and observe;

b. Issuing a crowd dispersal order requiring any person to leave a public place
that they lawfully have a right to be, unless dispersal is justified by exigent circumstances as defined by Department of Homeland Security Use of Force Policy (updated Feb. 6,
2023), Sections III.F and XII.E;
С.
For purposes of this Order, a crowd dispersal order is a lawful command
given by a Federal Agent for all persons to leave a designated area when three or more persons are committing acts of disorderly conduct that are likely to cause substantial harm in the immediate vicinity;
d. Using riot control weapons including kinetic impact projectiles (KIPs), Compressed Air Launchers (e.g., PIS and FN303), Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) Spray, CS gas, CN gas, or other chemical irritants, 40 mm Munitions Launchers, less-lethal shotguns,
Less-Lethal Specialty Impact-Chemical Munitions (LLSI-CM), Controlled Noise and Light Distraction Devices (CNLDDs), Electronic Control Weapons (ECWs) - on members of the press, protesters, or religious practitioners who are not posing an immediate threat to the safety of a law enforcement officer or others;

To facilitate the Defendants' identification of Journalists protected under
this Order, the following are examples of indicia of being a Journalist: visual identification as a member of the press, such as by carrying a professional press pass, badge or credentials; wearing distinctive clothing or patches that identify the wearer as a member of the press; or carrying professional gear such as professional photographic or videography
equipment. Other indicia of being a Journalist under this Order include that the person is standing off to the side of a protest, not engaging in chanting, sign holding, shouting slogans, or otherwise protesting, and documenting protest activities, although these are not
requirements. These indicia are illustrative, and a person need not exhibit every indicium
to be considered a Journalist under this Order. Defendants shall not be liable for unintentional violations of this Order in the case of an individual who does not wear a press pass, badge, or other official press credential, professional gear, or distinctive clothing that identifies the person as a member of the press.

It is further ORDERED that all Federal Agents, excepting those who do not wear a
uniform or other distinguishing clothing or equipment in the regular performance of their official
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Case: 1:25-cv-12173 Document #: 42 Filed: 10/09/25 Page 5 of 6 PagelD #:839
duties or are engaged in undercover operations in the regular performance of their official duties, must have visible identification (for which a unique recognizable alphanumeric identifier sequence
will suffice) affixed to their uniforms or helmets and prominently displayed, including when
wearing riot gear.

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Lynda Lopez @lyndab08.bsky.social · 7d

There’s a viral video reposted by a lot of news people nationally about an abduction at West Loop Elementary School, but there is no school with that name. The video seems to be of ICE detaining people near UIC yesterday. Details matter. We need to try to get them right before sharing.

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Culture Combine @culturecombine.bsky.social · 8d

Trump took to Truth Social today to call for the arrest of IL governor JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson.

UPDATED to include breaking statement from the Chicago Teacher's Union regarding the call for Johnson's arrest

Trump Calls for Arrest of Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson in Truth Social Post

The ongoing feud between the sitting president, the Chicagoland area and State of Illinois continues to escalate. Operation Midway Blitz has been underway for a month and has involved US Immigration ...

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Culture Combine @culturecombine.bsky.social · 10d

Please read about what's happening here in Chicago from journalists who are here:

Illinois Sues to Block Hundreds of Guard Troops that Could Deploy in Chicagoland as Feds Continue to Wage War on Residents

“What kind of a country are we living in? And this raid at this building is emblematic of what ICE and CBP and the president of the United States, Kristi Noem and Greg Bovino, are trying to do,” said ...

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Culture Combine @culturecombine.bsky.social · 15d

The answer to "Seen anything good lately?" should be yes, if you go see Paul Thomas Anderson's latest, One Battle After Another.

So say we in this review of a flick to put on your Must See list:

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One Battle After Another Expertly Blends Absurdity and Stunning Action

There are no bad Paul Thomas Anderson movies. And while lately there has been a bit of ebb and flow after There Will Be Blood and between unparalleled masterpieces like 2012’s The Master and 2017's P...

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Culture Combine @culturecombine.bsky.social · 17d

If you're a gamer in Chicago you're lucky to be here, cuz the games scene is fire. We attended @indiecitygames.org 's CIGS a few weeks back and saw a bunch of great things. Good news, you can follow along with #Chicaghoul no matter where you live!

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Indie City's Chicago Indie Game Showcase Shines with Great Games and an Immaculate Vibe

We’ve been surfing the scene since the very first BitBash. We were there for the Logan Playtest parties, VGA Gallery openings, collabs at MSI and the Art Institute, and the opening of Chi Gamespace. ...

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Culture Combine @culturecombine.bsky.social · Sep 3

Trump's presser, among other things, solidified his plan to occupy Chicago.

IL Governor Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Johnson joined the thousands of local voices opposing the move.

Trump Threatens Chicago Occupation in Tuesday's Press Conference, Illinois Governor Pritzker Responds

In a press conference that was delayed over an hour yesterday, spurring even more rumors about his health, President Donald Trump appeared alongside loyalist Republicans for a “special announcement.” ...

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Culture Combine @culturecombine.bsky.social · Aug 23

Did you catch Gamescom Opening Night Live? This 3 hour Geoff Keighley led extravaganza packed a lot of announcements in its meaty runtime, and we're excited about it!

Find out what we're looking forward to and get in on the early hype for the fall gaming season!

Gamescom Opening Night Live 2025

Gamescom Opening Night Live was just foisted upon us, and with it, Geoff Keighley has again made himself the figurehead for all things gaming events. He uses these events to have mini-E3 Summer Game F...

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Culture Combine @culturecombine.bsky.social · Aug 23

Fans of John Cena may have had a hard time getting in the panel at @fanexpochicago.bsky.social as it was packed to the brim, but we've got details from inside on the stage to share, so don't miss out!

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John Cena Packs a Punch at Fan Expo Chicago 2025

By the end of the panel, Cena had cemented himself as one of the most straightforward Hollywood/WWE superstars out there. From his modest start at the All State Arena with WWE to being in some of the ...

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Culture Combine @culturecombine.bsky.social · Aug 22

We had the pleasure of talking with Mark Rolston at this year's @fanexpochicago.bsky.social and it was a blast.

Topics ranged from Aliens (of course) to Shawshank and Spider-Man 2 (and 3!) and our recommendation is - don't skip this one!

INTERVIEW: Mark Rolston talks Aliens, Shawshank, and Spider-Man 3 at Fan Expo Chicago 2025

Fan Expo Chicago 2025 was one for the record books, with a fantastic guest list and a lot of exciting things to do. One of the highlights of the con came when we had a chance to interview some of th...

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Culture Combine @culturecombine.bsky.social · Aug 21

Calling all #cosplay fans - there's still an entire third gallery full of amazing stuff from #FanExpoChicago2025 that you can see RIGHT NOW.

GALLERY: Sunday Cosplay at Fan Expo Chicago 2025

No matter what day of the expo you attend there are some guarantees you should come to expect. Great atmosphere, fantastic entertainment guest, resplendent vendors, and of course out of this world cos...

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Culture Combine @culturecombine.bsky.social · Aug 19

Rainn Wilson appeared at @fanexpochicago.bsky.social this past Saturday and his panel was a treasure trove of insight into the actor, his famous roles (yes, including Dwight, Office fans) and his activism.

Don't miss out on all the fun details:

Rainn Wilson at Fan Expo Chicago 2025

While there are 40 rules for the Schrute boys to follow, Wilson said the most important rule was to “be kind.” “Be like 20 percent nicer than you think you need to be,” he said. “Going out into the w...

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Culture Combine @culturecombine.bsky.social · Aug 19

You deserve a break.

Scroll through some of the amazing cosplay we saw at @fanexpochicago.bsky.social this past weekend and thank us later.
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GALLERY: Saturday Cosplay at Fan Expo Chicago 2025

Next time you attend a convention, we encourage you to stop for just a little bit and watch all the wonderful cosplay pass you by. If you see something incredible, give them a compliment or two, t...

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Culture Combine @culturecombine.bsky.social · Aug 18

Hello con-goers and those who couldn't make it who want to live through those of us currently recovering on our couches!

#FanExpoChicago might be over, but we've got plenty more from the panel rooms and the show floor, like this recap of The Flash panel!

The Flash at Fan Expo Chicago 2025

It’s been two years since the series finale of The Flash on the CW. After 184 episodes and nine seasons, it’s a good time to reflect. Some of the cast reunited at Fan Expo Chicago to discuss their exp...

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Culture Combine @culturecombine.bsky.social · Aug 17

It's a pretty epic night when you cap it off with Orlando Bloom telling tales of the Fellowship and the high seas.

Navigate to CultureCombine.Com to make sure you don't miss the finer details from all the panels at #fanexpochicago!

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Culture Combine @culturecombine.bsky.social · Aug 15

Are you heading to @fanexpochicago.bsky.social ?

We are, and we'll be bringing you cosplay and panel info all weekend long!

Stay tuned!

www.culturecombine.com/post/fan-exp...

Fan Expo Chicago 2025 Choose Your Own Adventure PREVIEW!

Just off the heels of Lolla, with Riot Fest on the horizon, it’s time to roll out the nerd carpet in Rosemont for Fan Expo Chicago! Back when the Wiz was in town, we’d already be on the floor, but to...

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Culture Combine @culturecombine.bsky.social · Aug 15

Oh SURE, pretend like the con scene isn't still sizzling. It is, and it's right here in Chicago with us. @fanexpochicago.bsky.social is about to begin, and we've got our patented Choose Your Own Adventure guide to...well....guide you!

Fan Expo Chicago 2025 Choose Your Own Adventure PREVIEW!

Just off the heels of Lolla, with Riot Fest on the horizon, it’s time to roll out the nerd carpet in Rosemont for Fan Expo Chicago! Back when the Wiz was in town, we’d already be on the floor, but to...

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Culture Combine @culturecombine.bsky.social · Aug 3

Have you made time to get back into Hideo Kojima's head by playing Death Stranding 2? We have, and it's been another wild ride.

See what we thought.

Death Stranding 2 Review

The Re-Strandening Or Beach’s RevengeStraight out of the brain of Hideo Kojima comes the sequel to 2015's first ever “Strand” game. In it, we play as Sam Porter Bridges, (Norman Reedus), walking from ...

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Culture Combine @culturecombine.bsky.social · Jul 22

We're sad to hear of metal icon Ozzy Osbourne's passing just like so many others who were fans and colleagues, but grateful for his talent and heart.

Check out tributes from his family, friends and colleagues and reminisce about your own Ozzy memories.

Ozzy Osbourne, Metal Legend, Passes Away at 76 after Triumphant Farewell Show

The music world (and world at large) remembers Ozzy Osbourne, who passed away today at the age of 76.

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Culture Combine @culturecombine.bsky.social · Jul 22

So nice, we saw them twice!

Here's our thoughts (and all the amazing concert photos) from Winona Fighter's appearances in Chicago and Milwaukee by Aaron Cynic!

Review: Chicago Loves Winona Fighter

It's 10pm and something doesn't smell right but I can't put my finger on what. I take a big, deep breath through my nose, REALLY inhaling. "You really don't smell that," I say to my partner. I sit dow...

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Culture Combine @culturecombine.bsky.social · Jul 11

Chances are, either you've seen it or you're about to go see it.

We just came from the theater - and here's what we thought:

James Gunn Does Well - Superman Does Good

Well, it’s finally here for everyone to see: Superman. Editor's Note: This review contains spoilers for the film! James Gunn always had an uphill battle ahead of him. Not only did the DCEU die with a ...

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