Good morning, Chicago. Every year as part of the city’s St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, thousands of onlookers clad in green cheer on a boat crew sprinkling orange powder into the Chicago River to turn it a festive shade. But with the federal government considering sweeping rollbacks to enviro nmental protections, tomorrow many may wonder: How will the bright green water affect the underwater denizens? The Tribune’s Adriana Pérez spoke with experts who conducted an extensive study about their findings. Here are the top stories you need to know to start your day, including where to watch the river turn green in person or from the comfort of your couch this weekend, where to get the best corned beef and a toast to Harry Caray. Today’s eNewspaper edition | Subscribe to more newsletters | Asking Eric | Horoscopes | Puzzles & Games | Today in History New York City police enter an upper floor of Hamilton Hall on the Columbia University campus in New York, April 30, 2024, after a building was taken over by protesters. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle) Columbia University says it expelled some students who seized building last year Columbia University says it has expelled or suspended some students who took over a campus building during pro-Palestinian protests last spring, and had temporarily revoked the diplomas of some students who have since graduated. Gov. JB Pritzker speaks from his ceremonial office after delivering his annual budget address on Feb. 19, 2025, at the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune) Pritzker and Illinois educators condemn Trump’s cuts at Department of Education Gov. JB Pritzker warned at an Illinois Education Association convention yesterday that cuts to federal education funding could “damage the future of the people of Illinois,” shortly after the state sued to stop President Donald Trump’s moves to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education. Then-Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot attends a news conference announcing proposed changes to Soldier Field on July 25, 2022, at the stadium. (Erin Hooley/Chicago Tribune) ‘This experience is very traumatizing’: Former Mayor Lori Lightfoot testifies about death threat she received in 2022 Growing occasionally emotional, former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot testified during a bench trial that she was disturbed and traumatized by a profane and racist death threat sent to her in 2022 through a city feedback email system. Lightfoot, who served as Chicago’s mayor from 2019 to 2023, took the stand at the Leighton Criminal Court Building to testify against William Kohles, a Michigan man who is charged with two felony counts of threatening a public official. The original lobby inside the Leighton Criminal Court Building on Jan. 27, 2023. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune) CPD launches internal investigation after cop’s gun found in courthouse bathroom The Chicago Police Department yesterday opened an internal investigation after an officer’s gun was found unattended in a bathroom of the Leighton Criminal Court Building. The Cook County sheriff’s office, which provides courthouse security, was notified and determined that the gun belonged to a CPD officer, according to sheriff’s office spokesperson Matt Walberg. CPS budget chief Michael Sitkowski presents to the board during a Chicago School Board meeting on March 13, 2025. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune) CPS school board members push for outside experts in budget showdown Several school board members requested yesterday that outside experts opine on Chicago Public Schools’ budget woes. CPS finalized its $9.9 billion budget for the 2025-26 school year in July without accounting for the pension payment or a new teachers contract. Now, just $139 million is available from the money CPS received from Chicago’s tax increment financing districts, funds around that are allocated by aldermen for special projects. Northwestern guard K.J. Windham (24) drives against Wisconsin forward Carter Gilmore during the first half of a second-round Big Ten Tournament game on March 13, 2025, in Indianapolis. (Michael Conroy/AP) Chris Collins says Northwestern won’t accept any postseason bids after Wildcats bow out of Big Ten Tournament Northwestern’s coaches and players met before the Big Ten Tournament and came to a decision. Unless the Wildcats could make a run in Indianapolis and secure a berth in the NCAA Tournament, they would not accept any other bids to postseason tournaments. That meant that as the 13th-seeded Wildcats left the floor after a 70-63, second-round loss to No. 5 seed Wisconsin yesterday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, players such as starting center Matthew Nicholson and guard Ty Berry were doing so for the final time. Illinois wins offensive showdown against Iowa to set up Big Ten Tournament quarterfinal matchup with Maryland DePaul’s late collapse leads to heartbreaking double-OT loss to Creighton in Big East Tournament quarterfinals New Bears center Drew Dalman is introduced at Halas Hall on March 13, 2025, in Lake Forest. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune). Drew Dalman is at the center of a revamped Chicago Bears offensive line The Bears spent the past week revamping the interior of their offensive line. They traded for a four-time Super Bowl champion in Joe Thuney and a former Pro Bowler in Jonah Jackson to play the two guard spots. Then they signed Drew Dalman, who was widely considered the top center on the free-agent market. General manager Ryan Poles and coach Ben Johnson addressed a major problem area in a big way. Now all they have to do is make it work. Bears storylines: Grady Jarrett’s contagious passion, Dayo Odeyingbo’s fresh start and Kyler Gordon’s future Tracking the Chicago Bears in NFL free agency An empty space sits where the Bulls’ six NBA championship banners were on display in the United Center rafters after being damaged during a concert. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune) Chicago Bulls’ championship banners damaged during concert — and won’t return to United Center rafters this season The banners commemorating the Chicago Bulls’ six NBA championships will not be displayed at the United Center for the remainder of the season. The banners were removed when United Center staff discovered “minor damage” to the banners after a Saturday concert, according to a source. The concert — which featured Three Days Grace, Sevendust and local headliner Disturbed — included pyrotechnics and other on-stage theatrics, which were located directly underneath the banners. Beatriz Whitford-Rodriguez, left, 13, of Skinner North Classical School reacts after winning the 2025 Citywide Spelling Bee Championship, alongside Kwame Boateng, of McDade Classical School, at Curie Metropolitan High School on March 13, 2025. (Audrey Richardson/Chicago Tribune) Photos: 2025 Citywide Spelling Bee Championship Chicago Public School students in grades first through eighth competed in the 2025 Citywide Spelling Bee Championship at Marie Curie Metropolitan High School yesterday.⁠ This year’s winner, 13-year-old Beatriz Whitford-Rodriguez, of Skinner North Classical School, will go to the 100th Scripps’ National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C. ⁠ Susan Chardy in “On Becoming a Guinea Fowl.” (Chibesa Mulumba/A24) ‘On Becoming a Guinea Fowl’ review: A family funeral digs up a history of hidden trauma Delicate but fierce, “On Becoming a Guinea Fowl” is the second feature from the Zambian-born, Welsh-raised writer-director Rungano Nyoni. As both participant and observer, like its protagonist, the film contends with many shades of anguish, in a story about an extended Zambian family mourning the death of a man known to all as Uncle Fred, writes Tribune film critic Michael Phillips. Members of the Shannon Rovers play the bagpipes during the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 16, 2024, on Columbus Drive in Chicago. (Vincent Alban/Chicago Tribune) What to do in Chicago for St. Patrick’s Day weekend, plus a Dr. Phil parody and Mary J. Blige There’s plenty of St. Patrick’s Day fun to be had this weekend across Chicago, from the parades and river dyeing to Shamrock’n, where you can indulge in a drink or two and some Irish pub fare while your kids are occupied with crafts, balloon artists and face-painting. Where to watch Chicago River dyeing and parades These Chicago restaurants and bars are offering the best St. Patrick’s Day specials this weekend Where to get the best corned beef sandwiches in and around Chicago ...read more read less