Daywatch: What to watch as Joe Biden addresses the nation tonight

Good morning, Chicago.

The State of the Union speech is one of the biggest pieces of political theater every year. It’s rooted in a simple requirement in the U.S. Constitution that directs the president to “give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such Measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient.” But in modern times, it’s a televised extravaganza where every detail is carefully scrutinized.

Here’s how to watch and what to look for during tonight’s address by President Joe Biden.

And here are the top stories you need to know to start your day.

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Mayor Brandon Johnson speaks to the media on March 6, 2024, at City Hall. (Vincent Alban/Chicago Tribune)

Bring Chicago Home referendum ruled valid by state appellate court

In a victory for advocates for the homeless and Mayor Brandon Johnson, a state appellate court Wednesday ruled the Bring Chicago Home referendum question is valid, overturning a lower court’s order with less than two weeks until the March 19 primary.

The ruling means votes on the referendum question will be counted, though it is possible the real estate and business coalition that filed the suit could appeal to the state Supreme Court.

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., joined by fellow Republicans, speaks during a news conference at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, March 6, 2024. The House is expected to vote to keep money flowing to scores of federal agencies before a midnight Friday shutdown deadline. A significant number of House Republicans oppose the measure, forcing Johnson to use an expedited process to bring the bill up for a vote. That process requires two-thirds of the House to vote for the measure for it to pass. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., joined by fellow Republicans, speaks during a news conference at the Capitol in Washington, March 6, 2024. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

House passes $460 billion package of spending bills. Senate expected to act before shutdown deadline

The House passed a $460 billion package of spending bills Wednesday that would keep money flowing to key federal agencies through the remainder of the budget year. The Senate is expected to take up the legislation before a midnight Friday shutdown deadline.

Then President Donald Trump, left, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., greet each other during a campaign rally in Lexington, Ky., Nov. 4, 2019. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley)

Mitch McConnell endorses Donald Trump for president

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell endorsed Donald Trump for president, a remarkable turnaround from the onetime critic who blamed the then-president for “disgraceful” acts in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack but now supports his bid to return to the White House.

Rachelle Powell arrives with attorney Lance Northcutt to talk about her brother, Kevin Powell, on March 6, 2024, at Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard. According to a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family, Kevin Powell, 54, was beaten to death on a Blue Line platform by a CTA employee in 2023. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Rachelle Powell arrives with attorney Lance Northcutt to talk about her brother, Kevin Powell, on March 6, 2024, at Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Family of man killed in alleged brutal Blue Line attack sues CTA

The family of the man killed in a 2023 attack on the Blue Line has sued CTA, saying “willful and wanton” conduct by the transit agency and its employee led to the man’s death.

Kindergarten teacher Yaquala Grant gives high-fives to her students as they celebrate the announcement that St. Francis of Rome Catholic Elementary School in Cicero will not be closing on March 6, 2024. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)
Kindergarten teacher Yaquala Grant gives high-fives to her students as they celebrate the announcement that St. Francis of Rome Catholic Elementary School in Cicero will not be closing on March 6, 2024. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

After loss of tax credit money, anonymous donors help Catholic school in Cicero stay open

A Catholic grade school in Cicero will remain open with operational support from Big Shoulders Fund, a Chicago-based nonprofit, and nearly half a million dollars donated by anonymous supporters, reversing a previous decision for the Archdiocese of Chicago to close the school after the loss of thousands of dollars in tax credit scholarships.

Illinois head coach Brad Underwood reacts on the bench during an NCAA college basketball game against Minnesota Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Illinois head coach Brad Underwood reacts on the bench during an NCAA college basketball game against Minnesota, Feb. 28, 2024, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Column: Brad Underwood’s dire message about Illinois’ lack of hustle bears repeating — so he keeps repeating it

If Illinois makes another early exit from the NCAA Tournament this month, you can’t say coach Brad Underwood didn’t warn you, writes Paul Sullivan.

Column: Chicago Bulls host inaugural ‘Girls’ Day of Play’ — for the girls, by the girls

Just hours after Caitlin Clark made history by breaking the all-time scoring record in Iowa, a different Clark was making basketball history her way on the west side of Chicago, writes Shakeia Taylor.

Lauren Clark, 13, has been playing basketball against her male cousins for years. At her West Side public school, Lauren has competed in every sport and been named captain for each team while maintaining good grades, according to her coach.

On Sunday afternoon, along with 149 other girls, Lauren participated in the Chicago Bulls’ first “Girls’ Day of Play” at the Advocate Center.

Po (voiced by Jack Black) returns in "Kung Fu Panda 4." (Universal Pictures)
Po (voiced by Jack Black) returns in “Kung Fu Panda 4.” (Universal Pictures)

‘Kung Fu Panda 4’ review: Panda and fox vs. chameleon in a frantic new sequel

“Kung Fu Panda 4” lands in the OK-fairly good range, i.e., OK-fairly good enough to entice a few million families to the movies this month. The movie world needs babysitters with easy access to concession stands and the “Kung Fu Panda” sequel presents itself as the current choice, writes Tribune film critic Michael Phillips.

The question lingers, though: What did the 2008 “Kung Fu Panda” achieve that “Panda 4” manages only here and there and now and then?

A woman wears the Barbie logo on the back of a jacket during a monthly meeting of Windy City Collectors, Chicago's longest running collectors club for Barbie collectors, at Russell's Barbecue in Elmwood Park on Nov. 9, 2023. (Trent Sprague/Chicago Tribune)
A woman wears the Barbie logo on the back of a jacket during a monthly meeting of Windy City Collectors, Chicago’s longest running collectors club for Barbie collectors, at Russell’s Barbecue in Elmwood Park on Nov. 9, 2023. (Trent Sprague/Chicago Tribune)

Happy 65th, Barbie. Let’s go party with Chicago’s oldest Barbie club

When you are among the women — and a handful of gents — of Windy City Collectors, one of the oldest, most durable Barbie-centric groups in the nation, you just think pink.

You think only Barbie, always Barbie.

“Our one fundamental rule,” said Kelli Simmons, “is don’t talk politics; just talk Barbie.”

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