Dan Mihalopoulos
@dmihalopoulos.bsky.social
Investigative Reporter at WBEZ - Chicago Public Media
Reposted by Dan Mihalopoulos
From endless delays in response time to ridiculously overbroad ██████ redactions, FOIA is plagued with problems.
Urge Congress to reform the law using our easy action center tool:
Urge Congress to reform the law using our easy action center tool:
Strengthen the Freedom of Information Act
Defending press freedom for the next generation
freedom.press
November 24, 2025 at 7:40 PM
From endless delays in response time to ridiculously overbroad ██████ redactions, FOIA is plagued with problems.
Urge Congress to reform the law using our easy action center tool:
Urge Congress to reform the law using our easy action center tool:
Reposted by Dan Mihalopoulos
Comey: "I'm grateful the court ended the case against me, which was a prosecution based on malevolence & incompetence... I was inspired by the career people who refused to be part of this travesty. It cost some of them their jobs, but it preserved their integrity, which is beyond price"
November 24, 2025 at 7:53 PM
Comey: "I'm grateful the court ended the case against me, which was a prosecution based on malevolence & incompetence... I was inspired by the career people who refused to be part of this travesty. It cost some of them their jobs, but it preserved their integrity, which is beyond price"
Reposted by Dan Mihalopoulos
NEWS: The criminal cases against James Comey and Letitia James are gone. A federal judge ruled that the appointment of Lindsey Halligan as the lead prosecutor was illegal.
DOJ could try again, but there are other headwinds.
w/ @joshgerstein.bsky.social
www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
DOJ could try again, but there are other headwinds.
w/ @joshgerstein.bsky.social
www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
November 24, 2025 at 5:52 PM
NEWS: The criminal cases against James Comey and Letitia James are gone. A federal judge ruled that the appointment of Lindsey Halligan as the lead prosecutor was illegal.
DOJ could try again, but there are other headwinds.
w/ @joshgerstein.bsky.social
www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
DOJ could try again, but there are other headwinds.
w/ @joshgerstein.bsky.social
www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
Reposted by Dan Mihalopoulos
Update: The Pentagon says it's opening an investigation into Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly in the wake of a video of Democratic lawmakers urging servicemembers not to comply with "illegal orders."
Pentagon investigates Democratic senator for telling troops to refuse 'illegal orders'
The Pentagon says it's opening an investigation into Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly in the wake of a video of Democratic lawmakers urging servicemembers not to comply with "illegal orders."
n.pr
November 24, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Update: The Pentagon says it's opening an investigation into Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly in the wake of a video of Democratic lawmakers urging servicemembers not to comply with "illegal orders."
Reposted by Dan Mihalopoulos
Received a front page in today's Chicago Sun-Times on our story on the Feds dropping charges on the woman shot by a Boarder Patrol agent in Brighton Park in early October. Be sure to get a copy if you can today!
November 21, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Received a front page in today's Chicago Sun-Times on our story on the Feds dropping charges on the woman shot by a Boarder Patrol agent in Brighton Park in early October. Be sure to get a copy if you can today!
This will be welcomed by the Kremlin — and reviled in Kyiv and Chicago’s Ukrainian Village neighborhood www.pbs.org/newshour/sho...
White House pushes new 28-point peace plan with concessions Ukraine previously rejected
PBS News obtained the 28-point plan drafted by the Trump administration to try to end the war in Ukraine. The document is at the center of a pivotal diplomatic visit to Kyiv by Army Secretary Dan Dris...
www.pbs.org
November 21, 2025 at 12:23 AM
This will be welcomed by the Kremlin — and reviled in Kyiv and Chicago’s Ukrainian Village neighborhood www.pbs.org/newshour/sho...
BREAKING: If didn’t appeal your property taxes the first time you had a chance, they’re reopening townships that were already closed to appeals this year.
So you get another chance to file an appeal to the Cook County Board of Review, which cites the “unprecedented circumstances”
So you get another chance to file an appeal to the Cook County Board of Review, which cites the “unprecedented circumstances”
November 20, 2025 at 11:10 PM
BREAKING: If didn’t appeal your property taxes the first time you had a chance, they’re reopening townships that were already closed to appeals this year.
So you get another chance to file an appeal to the Cook County Board of Review, which cites the “unprecedented circumstances”
So you get another chance to file an appeal to the Cook County Board of Review, which cites the “unprecedented circumstances”
BREAKING: Sean Morrison - the only Republican on the Cook County board - announces he will NOT seek another term in ‘26
November 20, 2025 at 10:53 PM
BREAKING: Sean Morrison - the only Republican on the Cook County board - announces he will NOT seek another term in ‘26
Early Thanksgiving gratitude for all anonymous news tipsters — even those who cannot spell my name correctly (but close enough it ended up on my desk)
November 20, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Early Thanksgiving gratitude for all anonymous news tipsters — even those who cannot spell my name correctly (but close enough it ended up on my desk)
Reposted by Dan Mihalopoulos
For those keeping track:
The government pursued charges against five people arrested outside the ICE facility in Broadview, IL during a protest there on Sept. 27.
As of today, all five of those cases have now been thrown out.
The government pursued charges against five people arrested outside the ICE facility in Broadview, IL during a protest there on Sept. 27.
As of today, all five of those cases have now been thrown out.
"Mr. Briggs, you're free to go. This case is dismissed," Fuentes says, banging his gavel.
And that's that, Fuentes off the bench.
And that's that, Fuentes off the bench.
November 20, 2025 at 3:26 PM
For those keeping track:
The government pursued charges against five people arrested outside the ICE facility in Broadview, IL during a protest there on Sept. 27.
As of today, all five of those cases have now been thrown out.
The government pursued charges against five people arrested outside the ICE facility in Broadview, IL during a protest there on Sept. 27.
As of today, all five of those cases have now been thrown out.
Reposted by Dan Mihalopoulos
They trusted DHS when they filed the charges. As the AUSA’s learn the facts, they’re dropping the cases.
DHS may not care that much because they were most concerned about the initial publicity.
DHS may not care that much because they were most concerned about the initial publicity.
November 20, 2025 at 5:31 PM
They trusted DHS when they filed the charges. As the AUSA’s learn the facts, they’re dropping the cases.
DHS may not care that much because they were most concerned about the initial publicity.
DHS may not care that much because they were most concerned about the initial publicity.
Reposted by Dan Mihalopoulos
#BREAKING: Former Harvard President Lawrence H. Summers will immediately leave his role as an instructor at Harvard while the University investigates his ties to child sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.
Dhruv T. Patel and Cam N. Srivastava report.
Dhruv T. Patel and Cam N. Srivastava report.
Summers Will Not Finish Semester of Teaching as Harvard Investigates Epstein Ties | News | The Harvard Crimson
Former Harvard President Lawrence H. Summers will immediately leave his role as an instructor at Harvard while the University investigates his ties to child sex trafficker Jeffrey E. Epstein.
www.thecrimson.com
November 20, 2025 at 12:30 AM
#BREAKING: Former Harvard President Lawrence H. Summers will immediately leave his role as an instructor at Harvard while the University investigates his ties to child sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.
Dhruv T. Patel and Cam N. Srivastava report.
Dhruv T. Patel and Cam N. Srivastava report.
Amazing to see case after case fall apart in federal court, when we’re used to seeing the DOJ in the past almost always hit the 🎯
Feds drop case against woman shot by Border Patrol agent in Brighton Park
DEVELOPING from @chicago.suntimes.com: chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...
DEVELOPING from @chicago.suntimes.com: chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...
Feds drop case against woman shot by Border Patrol agent in Brighton Park
It's one of the most high-profile prosecutions to result from the Trump administration's "Operation Midway Blitz." Defense attorneys have been aggressively challenging evidence and sought a speedy tri...
chicago.suntimes.com
November 20, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Amazing to see case after case fall apart in federal court, when we’re used to seeing the DOJ in the past almost always hit the 🎯
CPS alleges “pattern of fiscal irregularities” at charter school operator “reactively managing from crisis to crisis” and facing plummeting enrollment www.wbez.org/education/20...
CPS blasts longtime charter operator for alleged financial ‘negligence’
The CEO of ASPIRA says the charter school network won’t make payroll next week. It’s the latest charter operator to face financial challenges.
www.wbez.org
November 20, 2025 at 2:51 PM
CPS alleges “pattern of fiscal irregularities” at charter school operator “reactively managing from crisis to crisis” and facing plummeting enrollment www.wbez.org/education/20...
Every paragraph of this is either horrifying or infuriating chicago.suntimes.com/crime/2025/1...
'Brutal and vicious' Blue Line attack leads to terrorism charge after woman set on fire
Federal authorities say 50-year-old Lawrence Reed, who was arrested at least 40 times, had “no business being on the streets," but now is charged with setting woman on fire on the Blue Line.
chicago.suntimes.com
November 20, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Every paragraph of this is either horrifying or infuriating chicago.suntimes.com/crime/2025/1...
A staple in Chicago’s huge Polish community — and a must-visit stop for campaigning Illinois politicians for decades chicago.suntimes.com/news/2025/11...
White Eagle banquets in Niles to close at end of year
The banquet hall and restaurant, open since 1947, was long a staple in the Polish community and hosted many celebrities and prominent politicians.
chicago.suntimes.com
November 20, 2025 at 2:46 PM
A staple in Chicago’s huge Polish community — and a must-visit stop for campaigning Illinois politicians for decades chicago.suntimes.com/news/2025/11...
Mind the 20-year Green Line gap.
Get on at one stop where the life expectancy is 87.
Head 5 stations west and the people in that Chicago neighborhood live on average to just 67 chicago.suntimes.com/health/2025/...
Get on at one stop where the life expectancy is 87.
Head 5 stations west and the people in that Chicago neighborhood live on average to just 67 chicago.suntimes.com/health/2025/...
As they live Chicago’s ‘Death Gap,’ a three-generation West Side family fights to end it
West Garfield Park residents are expected to live on average until 67 years old, compared to 87 in the Loop. This is the widest death gap in Chicago.
chicago.suntimes.com
November 20, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Mind the 20-year Green Line gap.
Get on at one stop where the life expectancy is 87.
Head 5 stations west and the people in that Chicago neighborhood live on average to just 67 chicago.suntimes.com/health/2025/...
Get on at one stop where the life expectancy is 87.
Head 5 stations west and the people in that Chicago neighborhood live on average to just 67 chicago.suntimes.com/health/2025/...
The emails between Epstein and the Illinois governor’s cousin in the newly released cache chicago.suntimes.com/washington/2...
Newly released cache of Epstein emails reveal deeper ties with Thomas Pritzker, governor’s cousin
In the 20,000 pages of documents released by a congressional committee, convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and Thomas Pritzker connect by email at least 20 times. In one exchange, Epstein writes P...
chicago.suntimes.com
November 20, 2025 at 2:08 PM
The emails between Epstein and the Illinois governor’s cousin in the newly released cache chicago.suntimes.com/washington/2...
Reposted by Dan Mihalopoulos
NEWS: During a hearing in federal court in VA, prosecutors confirmed that the operative indictment in the case against James Comey was never shown to or voted on by the entire grand jury before it was presented in open court.
Defense counsel argued that’s a complete bar to further prosecution
Defense counsel argued that’s a complete bar to further prosecution
November 19, 2025 at 4:36 PM
NEWS: During a hearing in federal court in VA, prosecutors confirmed that the operative indictment in the case against James Comey was never shown to or voted on by the entire grand jury before it was presented in open court.
Defense counsel argued that’s a complete bar to further prosecution
Defense counsel argued that’s a complete bar to further prosecution
Reposted by Dan Mihalopoulos
Is ASPIRA about to take its last breath?
We’ve obtained a scathing letter from CPS to the longtime charter operator.
We’ve obtained a scathing letter from CPS to the longtime charter operator.
The CEO of ASPIRA says the charter school network won’t make payroll next week. It’s the latest charter operator to face financial challenges.
CPS blasts longtime charter operator for alleged financial ‘negligence’
chicago.suntimes.com
November 19, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Is ASPIRA about to take its last breath?
We’ve obtained a scathing letter from CPS to the longtime charter operator.
We’ve obtained a scathing letter from CPS to the longtime charter operator.
Charter school operator’s bailout pleas have gotten bigger and bigger:
First it was $1.6M.
Then $2.3M.
Now $5.1M.
CPS has said no… www.wbez.org/education/20...
First it was $1.6M.
Then $2.3M.
Now $5.1M.
CPS has said no… www.wbez.org/education/20...
CPS blasts longtime charter operator for alleged financial ‘negligence’
The CEO of ASPIRA says the charter school network won’t make payroll next week. It’s the latest charter operator to face financial challenges.
www.wbez.org
November 19, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Charter school operator’s bailout pleas have gotten bigger and bigger:
First it was $1.6M.
Then $2.3M.
Now $5.1M.
CPS has said no… www.wbez.org/education/20...
First it was $1.6M.
Then $2.3M.
Now $5.1M.
CPS has said no… www.wbez.org/education/20...
Reposted by Dan Mihalopoulos
NEW: CPS says the ASPIRA charter network is on the brink of financial collapse & ASPIRA's CEO says the schools can't make payroll next week w/o a cash infusion -- by @dmihalopoulos.bsky.social & @sskedreporter.bsky.social www.wbez.org/education/20...
CPS blasts longtime charter operator for alleged financial ‘negligence’
The CEO of ASPIRA says the charter school network won’t make payroll next week. It’s the latest charter operator to face financial challenges.
www.wbez.org
November 19, 2025 at 4:02 PM
NEW: CPS says the ASPIRA charter network is on the brink of financial collapse & ASPIRA's CEO says the schools can't make payroll next week w/o a cash infusion -- by @dmihalopoulos.bsky.social & @sskedreporter.bsky.social www.wbez.org/education/20...
“How you look” standard, espoused by Border Patrol’s Greg Bovino, applied again in this chilling case
US citizen Maria Greeley, a Latina who was adopted, was walking home from work downtown when masked agents zip tied her. They said she “doesn’t look like a Greeley.” This is how the government treats people under current deportation policies.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/15/l...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/15/l...
November 19, 2025 at 2:05 PM
“How you look” standard, espoused by Border Patrol’s Greg Bovino, applied again in this chilling case
Chicago Public Schools officials say North Side charter operator has mismanaged itself to the brink of financial ruin www.wbez.org/education/20...
CPS blasts longtime charter operator for alleged financial ‘negligence’
The CEO of ASPIRA says the charter school network won’t make payroll next week. It’s the latest charter operator to face financial challenges.
www.wbez.org
November 19, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Chicago Public Schools officials say North Side charter operator has mismanaged itself to the brink of financial ruin www.wbez.org/education/20...