Ismael Pérez

Hi Chicago-area friends - I am working as an audience researcher this fall for The Pivot Fund, and looking for Chicagoans to interview regarding what they like and don't like about local news outlets. We are offering $25 gift cards for about 15 minutes of an interviewee's time

President Donald Trump has cast another mail ballot in Florida as he continues to publicly bash the voting method as a source of fraud and push Congress to curtail the practice. apnews.com/article/donald…

Claudio The Tamale Guy’s red cooler is on display at the Chicago History Museum. That is all.

I wrote about the "bestie-fication" of journalism, on the heels of the post-Oscars blunder (Vanity Fair hired influencers for the red carpet) fastcompany.com/91512917/jake-…

I would also like to pay the salaries of TSA workers, with my tax dollars that I’ve already paid.

After much reflection, I have decided to resign from my position as Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, effective today. I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran. Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby. It has been an honor serving under @POTUS and @DNIGabbard and leading the professionals at NCTC. May God bless America.

Still riding on pre-war gasoline 🇺🇸

Three years after becoming the cutting-edge first mover in replacing journalists with AI-generated content, bankruptcy. A win for the humans.

The Johnson Govt: dictating what questions can be asked and having attorneys target reporters to give up sources who allegedly "leaked." Democracy in action?

Asked Mayor Brandon Johnson at an unrelated news conference if it’s his admin’s understanding whether a woman was detained at O’Hare for 30 hours last week: “Any other questions?”

@byaliceyin asking Mayor Brandon Johnson a question about the woman detained by ICE at Ohare for 30 hours. The Mayor refuses to answer because it’s not an on-topic question. I’m sorry but public officials don’t get to dictate what types of questions the press ask them.

Kacey Musgraves releases the music video for “Dry Spell” from her upcoming album ‘Middle of Nowhere.’

Chicago Public Schools—the largest municipal junk-bond issuer in the United States—is paying a law firm to investigate how journalists learned of the school board's plan to pass a $25M property tax hike. This "investigation" was initiated by CPS Board President Sean Harden. Harden was hand-picked by Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and backed by the Chicago Teachers Union.

But only if you travel on a specific Wednesday at like 1 pm to somewhere like Omaha

American opera singer Isabel Leonard responds to Timothée Chalamet: “Honestly, I’m shocked that someone so seemingly successful can be so ineloquent and narrow-minded in his views about art while considering himself as [an] artist as I would only imagine one would as an actor... Only a weak person/artist feels the need to diminish in fact the VERY arts that would inspire those who are interested in slowing down, to do exactly that.” hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-n…

Daryl Hannah slams FX's #LoveStory for "lies" and "textbook misogyny" and says she's been getting "threatening messages from viewers" over her portrayal. "A recent tragedy-exploiting television series features a character using my name and presents her as me. The choice to portray her as irritating, self-absorbed, whiny and inappropriate was no accident... The character ‘Daryl Hannah’ portrayed in the series is not even a remotely accurate representation of my life, my conduct or my relationship with John. The actions and behaviors attributed to me are untrue. I have never used cocaine in my life or hosted cocaine-fueled parties. I have never pressured anyone into marriage. I have never desecrated any family heirloom or intruded upon anyone’s private memorial. I have never planted any story in the press. I never compared Jacqueline Onassis’ death to a dog’s. It’s appalling to me that I even have to defend myself against a television show. These are not creative embellishments of personality. They are assertions about conduct — and they are false.” (via The New York Times) variety.com/2026/more/news…

More than 100 reported killed in strike on girls’ elementary school in Iran. Here’s what we know time.com/7381982/iran-g…

Iran's Education Ministry said Monday that 168 students were killed in an attack on a girls’ elementary school in Minab in southern Iran this weekend. Follow live updates: abcnews.link/cvaIu5g

Early Voting in all 50 Wards of Chicago opens today, Monday March 2nd! Any voter in Chicago can vote at ANY Early Voting site that is most convenient for them. For more info and to make a plan to vote, go to: chicagoelections.gov/poll.../early-… 🧵

We’re baaaaaack. Watch the official trailer for the new #ScaryMovie - only in theatres June 12.

I'll say this... I'm not surprised many people here on X are celebrating the termination of several great journalists at WGN. Most of those posts are from anonymous keyboard warriors, typing and replying feverishly with slop, it's impressive to be honest. But Chicago has prided itself in true *local* journalism. And Chicagoans have gone to their favorite channels for news for generations. Whether it be "Chicago's Very Own" or @ABC7Chicago or any other station here. And these terminations set a dangerous precedent. Those who don't live here will applaud the loss of these great people, many who are household names in this city. I just want to wish all those fine former employees well. I'm hopeful all of you find success again. Just know our newsroom sends love and support. We know it's a brutally tough day for those who remain at WGN and we are thinking of you too. Don't let the slop here on X bring us down. Let them scream into the void as you'll now see in the replies below this post. Local journalism is not dead but it's no doubt changing rapidly. We are not going anywhere anytime soon! 🇺🇸