Afternoon Briefing: Black cowboys in Chicago, northwest Indiana carry on traditions

Good afternoon, Chicago.

Former Chicago Ald. Daniel Solis was asked on a federal witness stand today about prostitutes and pot smoking during a Puerto Rican excursion with other elected officials, using campaign funds to make purchases at high-end department stores and pay for his son’s school tuition, and potential tax fraud involving more than a half a million dollars he received from his sister.

And cross-examination of Solis seems to be just getting warmed up.

Solis, who went undercover for the FBI, is the star prosecution witness in the blockbuster trial of former House Speaker Michael Madigan, who along with his longtime confidant Michael McClain is charged with racketeering for allegedly running his political operation as a criminal enterprise.

Here’s what else is happening today. And remember, for the latest breaking news in Chicago, visit chicagotribune.com/latest-headlines and sign up to get our alerts on all your devices.

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Myles Ursery, 6, center, naps in father Ivan Ursery’s arms next to mother Kathelene Ursery, from left, brother Ivan Ursery III, 10, and cousin Harmony Taylor, 3, right, at the 9th annual Rodeo at Brown Family Ranch in Gary on Sept. 28, 2024. (Tess Crowley/Chicago Tribune)

Black cowboys and cowgirls carry on traditions brought to northwest Indiana, Greater Chicago from the South

For many, this is part of their heritage, and for others, it’s a trail they’ve blazed themselves. Yet all of the region’s Black cowboys agree they have a duty to keep the legacy going for the next generation. Read more here.

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WBBM-Ch. 2 weekday afternoon news anchor Jim Williams and his wife, Joyce, on Nov. 4 sold their two-bedroom condominium on the 31st floor of a South Loop high-rise for $783,750. (VHT Studios)
WBBM-Ch. 2 weekday afternoon news anchor Jim Williams and his wife, Joyce, on Nov. 4 sold their two-bedroom condominium on the 31st floor of a South Loop high-rise for $783,750. (VHT Studios)

WBBM-Ch. 2 anchor Jim Williams sells South Loop condo for nearly $800,000

WBBM-Ch. 2 weekday afternoon news anchor Jim Williams and his wife, Joyce, sold their two-bedroom, 1,639-square-foot condominium on the 31st floor of a 54-story South Loop high-rise for $783,750. Read more here.

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Bears coach Matt Eberflus walks the sideline during a drive in the second quarter against the Lions at Ford Field on Nov. 28, 2024, in Detroit. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
Bears head coach Matt Eberflus during a drive in the second quarter against the Lions at Ford Field on Nov. 28, 2024, in Detroit. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

How Matt Eberflus’ 14-32 record stacks up against other Chicago Bears coaches

Here’s a look back at how Eberflus’ coaching record compares, season-by-season and against the 16 other former Bears coaches. Read more here.

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Windy City Skaters roll south on North Marshfield Avenue during their Holiday Lights Road Rave through city neighborhoods on Nov. 22, 2024. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
Windy City Skaters roll south on North Marshfield Avenue during their Holiday Lights Road Rave through city neighborhoods on Nov. 22, 2024. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Windy City Skaters build community and explore Chicago on wheels: ‘The whole world is your skate rink’

Skating approximately 12 miles along city streets during regular Friday night “Road Raves,” the Windy City Skaters have been putting their wheels to the pavement for over a decade. Read more here.

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Israeli soldiers patrol the perimeter of the agricultural settlement of Avivim, next to the Lebanese border in upper Galilee, Israel, Monday Dec. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
Israeli soldiers patrol the perimeter of the agricultural settlement of Avivim, next to the Lebanese border in upper Galilee, Israel, Dec. 2, 2024. (Ohad Zwigenberg/AP)

Hezbollah fires at an Israeli-held border zone, the group’s first strike since a ceasefire began 

Hezbollah fired into a disputed border zone held by Israel today, the militant group’s first attack since its ceasefire with Israel took hold last week, after Lebanon accused Israel of violating the truce more than 50 times in recent days. Read more here.

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