Good morning, Chicago. The federal government’s decision to dramatically reduce the number of vaccines it recommends for children, including the flu shot, will have “no bearing” on Illinois’ vaccine recommendations, said the director of the Illinois Department of Public Health yesterday — the same day that Illinois announced that the state had moved to “very high” levels of flu activity. The head of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention yesterday formally moved to remake the childhood vaccination schedule to recommend children be vaccinated against 10 illnesses, whereas it previously recommended 17 immunizations for all children. Read the full story from the Tribune’s Lisa Schencker. Here are the top stories you need to know to start your day, including what Illinois Democrats are saying about the Trump administration’s actions in Venezuela, the mysterious cannabis syndrome becoming more common and a look at the most intriguing shows opening in Chicago this winter. Today’s eNewspaper edition | Subscribe to more newsletters | Asking Eric | Horoscopes | Puzzles Games | Today in History Passengers wait at Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in Carolina, Puerto Rico, on Jan. 3, 2026, as all flights were canceled following U.S. military action in Venezuela. (Miguel J. Rodriguez Carrillo/Getty-AFP) Caribbean travel resumes after disruptions from US military operation in Venezuela Key airlines announced Caribbean air travel has returned to normal after hundreds of flights were disrupted this weekend by the U.S. military operation that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on Saturday. U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly, from left, U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton discuss issues relevant to their race for the open U.S. Senate seat on Nov. 13, 2025, in Chicago. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune) Illinois Democrats criticize Trump administration’s actions in Venezuela and look to block further engagement On the same day that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro pleaded not guilty to drug charges in a Manhattan courtroom, U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi said he planned to introduce legislation in Washington that would block federal funds from being used for U.S. military occupation in the South American nation. Deposed Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro says ‘I was captured’ as he pleads not guilty to drug trafficking charges A person rolls a joint during the Mile High 420 Festival in Denver on April 20, 2022. (Patrick T. Fallon/Getty-AFP) Screaming + vomiting: ‘Scromiting’ is the mysterious cannabis syndrome becoming more common The condition is rare and the mechanism of its cause unexplained, prompting some cannabis advocates to refuse to believe it. But a new study of hospital emergency departments nationwide by the University of Illinois Chicago found the number of diagnosed cases of CHS jumped sevenfold from 2016 to 2022. After a City Council meeting at City Hall on Dec. 10, 2025, Ald. Nicole Lee, 11th, speaks on behalf of aldermen opposed to Mayor Brandon Johnson's budget. The group was successful in getting their own budget passed.(Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune) Aldermen’s historic Chicago budget now reality, but may not be finished product The projections aldermen made for their policy changes are often bold, but not necessarily implausible, civic analysts told the Tribune. And while the winning counterproposal makes some key changes favorable to credit rating agencies, it also clings to entrenched practices that continue to make Chicago appear a risky investment, they said. Gary Night OutLake County Sheriff Oscar Martinez addresses the crowd as the Gary Police Department hosted the National Night Out for residents at RailCats Stadium on Aug. 8, 2023. (John Smierciak/Post Tribune) Indiana auditors: Lake Sheriff improperly used nearly $300K for donations, golf, travel costs A state audit released yesterday accused Lake County Sheriff Oscar Martinez Jr. of improperly using nearly $300,000 for charity or church donations, golf outings and travel costs. Bob Pulford speaks at a news conference after taking over as general manager and head coach of the Blackhawks on Dec. 2, 1999. (Charles Cherney/Chicago Tribune) Bob Pulford, who ran the Chicago Blackhawks front office for 30 years and had 4 coaching stints, dies at 89 Bob Pulford ran the Hawks front office as general manager or senior vice president of hockey operations from 1977-2007, going behind the bench to coach four times during that span. He also had four separate stints as GM. Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson walks on the field as players prepare for a game against the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field in Chicago on Jan. 4, 2026. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune) Column: Ben Johnson crafting an offensive plan to clean up errors and face the Green Bay Packers a 3rd time Ben Johnson’s greatest frustration Sunday night stemmed from another uneven and at times wobbly offensive effort that forced the Bears to play catch-up most of the game. The 19-16 loss to the Detroit Lions in the regular-season finale was concerning, with the Green Bay Packers up next Saturday at Soldier Field in the wild-card round. Hopeful Bears will have 2 practices to see if CB Kyler Gordon is ready to return for playoffs Are the Bears playoff-ready? ‘We’re not far away.’ Dwayne Johnson, left, shares a laugh with Kevin Hart at the Golden Globes first-time nominee celebration on Dec. 17, 2025, at The Maybourne Beverly Hills in Beverly Hills, Calif. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello) The Golden Globes are this week. Here’s what to know about the first major show of awards season The Golden Globes return Sunday. The boozy, bubbly kickoff to Hollywood’s awards season will feature nominees including Timothée Chalamet, Leonardo DiCaprio, Michael B. Jordan, Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo and Emma Stone. The 83rd Golden Globe Awards ceremony begins at 7 p.m. Central at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California, and will be televised live on CBS and streamed live on Paramount+. Sous chef Ian Miller prepares a roasted garlic Caesar salad at Buttercup in the South Loop on Dec. 30, 2025. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune) Restaurant reviews: Buttercup, Kanin and Nadu in Chicago To kick off 2026, the Tribune food team takes a look at three notable restaurants that opened last year in these unstarred reviews: Buttercup in the South Loop, Kanin in Ravenswood and Nadu in Lincoln Park. Brian Cassella / Chicago TribuneArtistic director Robert Falls at the Goodman Theater on Sept. 13, 2021. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune) Theater for winter 2026: ‘Hamnet,’ a local ‘Evan Hansen’ and Robert Falls returns to the Goodman A new year has dawned and Chicago’s energetic new theater season will keep your winter chill away. Here’s a quick look at 10 of the most intriguing shows opening between now and the end of March. Tickets on sale this week for 2026 Chicago Theatre Week Museums for winter 2026: ‘Oz,’ owls and ‘Costumes of Paul Tazewell’ Art exhibitions for winter 2026: Don’t miss these 10 at the MCA, Art Institute and in Elmhurst Movies for winter 2026: Post-apocalyptic thrillers, crime stories and gothic romance TV for winter 2026: A new ‘Game of Thrones’ spinoff, ‘Bridgerton’ returns and Nicole Kidman leads a new series ...read more read less