Renovated Red Line stations on North Side to reopen Sunday
The four stations — Argyle, Bryn Mawr, Lawrence and Berwyn — were renovated as part of a $2.1 billion Red and Purple line modernization project paid for by a combination of grants, federal money, transit tax increment financing dollars and CTA funds.
The CTA has operated temporary stations at Argyle and Bryn Mawr during the construction period, but the Lawrence and Berwyn stations have been shuttered for more than four years.
The transit agency had previously estimated the new stations would open near the end of 2024. Tammy Chase, a CTA spokesperson, attributed the slightly tardy renovations to pandemic-related delays.
The North Side stations, which the CTA has said are about a century old, have been equipped with escalators and elevators to make them accessible to passengers with disabilities. The renovations also included the construction of wider platforms and overhead canopies to protect riders from inclement weather.
The modernization project has also included the construction of a Red-Purple bypass meant to unsnarl traffic near the busy Belmont station, the rebuilding of tracks between Belmont and West Cornelia Avenue and the installation of a new signal system between the Howard and Belmont stations.
Trains will begin making stops at the new Red Line stations shortly after midnight Saturday, Chase said.
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New York Times
5 hours ago
- New York Times
Guardians at trade deadline: Teams want Emmanuel Clase, Shane Bieber, but will Cleveland sell?
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Ahead of Friday's series opener between the Cleveland Guardians and Kansas City Royals, an executive offered a familiar trade deadline thesis. 'I think we have a good team right here. We believe in a lot of the guys we have. We're starting to see signs of the offense coming to life, which is really what's been missing all year. So, we're as confident as we've been in this team, and the pitching is still doing a phenomenal job. We just have to be open-minded to different ways to make our team better.' Advertisement No, that wasn't a Cleveland executive describing the Guardians' state of affairs. It was J.J. Picollo, the Royals' president of baseball operations, though it sounded like he was reading off a Chris Antonetti cue card. The Guardians and Royals are in similar positions. So, too, are the Minnesota Twins, Texas Rangers, Tampa Bay Rays, St. Louis Cardinals, Cincinnati Reds and San Francisco Giants. They're all hanging around the wild-card chase and have to determine by Thursday evening whether they want to bolster their chances, shift their focus to 2026 or stand pat. Having three wild-card berths in each league not only keeps more teams in the mix but also stifles and complicates trade activity. So, how do teams like the Guardians approach this week? Well, it started with surveying their fellow front offices in early July to get a sense of who might become available later in the month. Then, they diverted their attention to the draft for a few days. Now, the trade conversations, in all forms, have resumed and gained steam. The Guardians, figuring a more inviting part of the schedule could fuel a pre-deadline surge, prepared themselves so that no matter their ultimate path forward — buying, selling, both, neither — they had done the legwork on each approach. It's why Picollo, for instance, wouldn't classify the Royals as strictly buyers or sellers but instead said, 'We're in the business of getting better,' noting that could mean in 2025 or the future. The Royals have added two position players in recent days: second baseman Adam Frazier and outfielder Randal Grichuk. Neither veteran is going to transform what's been a lackluster lineup, but it surely signals — along with extending pitcher Seth Lugo — a more aggressive approach than the Guardians have exhibited, despite a similarly deficient offense and a nearly identical record. Aside from perhaps prospect C.J. Kayfus, no internal reinforcements for Cleveland's lineup are on the way, thanks to injuries to Chase DeLauter, Juan Brito and Lane Thomas. If the Guardians want to stay in the race, they'll need an outside addition or two to their lineup. Advertisement The Guardians weathered a 10-game skid and have since won 12 of 17. Meanwhile, the Detroit Tigers are in a free fall. They once led Cleveland by 15 1/2 games in the AL Central. Now it's eight, and the soft patch in the Guardians' schedule reaches a crescendo this week as they welcome the dreadful Colorado Rockies to Progressive Field. A fascinating (or boring — it could definitely wind up being boring) few days lie ahead. As Cleveland closer Emmanuel Clase retreated to the visitors dugout Saturday afternoon, he attempted a frustration-filled kick of Jonathan India's blue helmet, which had rolled away from the Royals' celebration at home plate after his walk-off home run. Clase whiffed on the boot (probably for the best). It was the first walk-off homer he has surrendered since July 16, 2021. He wasn't thrilled with the strike zone in the 10th inning of the first game of the doubleheader. He urged manager Stephen Vogt to let him pitch in the nightcap, and he sealed a Guardians win. Clase is the most prolific closer in franchise history, and despite the India homer, he has resurrected a season that started miserably. Before Saturday, he had logged a 1.10 ERA since May 1. He has three more seasons of team control remaining after 2025, and at less than $30 million total. As far as relievers go, Clase has a bunch of value and a lot of teams calling — all the contenders you'd expect. Clase has heard the chatter and says he doesn't give it much thought. The Guardians tend to move on from pitchers before it's too late — that's how they acquired Clase in the first place, for Corey Kluber in December 2019 — but they certainly don't have to trade Clase this week. That's the message to other teams, too. The Guardians have scouts checking in on prospects for some of the legitimate contenders, due diligence that every team conducts this time of year. (For what it's worth, there's been a throng of pro scouts following the club the last couple of weeks, too, especially with the team playing the Baltimore Orioles, a certain seller, and the Royals, a team in the middle.) Advertisement Is there an offer for Clase that wouldn't exist this winter? For the Guardians to hang around in the race, don't they need Clase, since their lineup isn't going to receive an extreme makeover? These are the debates taking place in the offices at 2401 Ontario St. He sits atop the list of potentially available relievers, though, and there's a long line of teams interested. The Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays and Tigers all want bullpen help. As one teammate put it: 'No reliever is safe on planet Earth. Not even (Clase), which is crazy. But every team wants him. When you get to the postseason, you need more relievers. No (team) is sitting here today being like, 'I think we're good with the relievers we have.' That's what makes it interesting.' On July 29, 2023, the Guardians sat at 52-53, 1 1/2 games out of a playoff spot. On July 28, 2025, the Guardians sit at 52-53, 3 1/2 games out of a playoff spot. Cleveland's decision to sell in 2023 came pretty late and was fueled, in part, by the notion that it would never be able to obtain more for Aaron Civale than it could at that moment, when it landed Kyle Manzardo from the Rays. Civale's value had peaked. He has been traded twice since and could be dealt a third time in the next few days. Rays execs even acknowledged to members of the Guardians front office at the time that it wasn't the Rays' typical mode of operation. Manzardo was a top 100 prospect, and the Rays drool over future value. But they had first-base depth and needed a win-now move to help their rotation. This year, the Guardians' selling options fall into three categories. In addition to Clase, teams have called about Steven Kwan. He's the exact player the Phillies desire in left field. For the Guardians, it's the same thought process they have with Clase. Is it something they need to do right now, or can they revisit it this winter, especially if long-term extension talks continue to hit a dead end? Advertisement Cade Smith falls into this group, too, but it's almost impossible to envision the Guardians trading him when he has 4 1/2 years of team control remaining and could be the heir apparent to Clase. Carlos Santana's punchless bat — and at 39 years old, that shouldn't be a shocking development — has sapped him of his value, at least at the plate. He remains a skilled defender, but teams aren't exactly lining up for glove-first first basemen this time of year. He likely ranks behind Baltimore's Ryan O'Hearn and, if the Rays make him available, Yandy Díaz in the first-base pecking order. Santana did not crack The Athletic's big board of the top 50 trade candidates. The Seattle Mariners, who tried to sign Santana last winter, opted to deal this week for Josh Naylor, whom Santana replaced in Cleveland. 'Any moment that a team shows interest in you and the product that you bring,' Bo Naylor said of his talk with his brother about the trade, 'and the type of player you are, that's always something to be excited about.' If the Guardians move Santana, they could promote Kayfus from Triple-A Columbus to share first-base/DH duties with Manzardo and David Fry. If Fry could play first base at some point in the final two months — he's throwing out to 90 feet, and one coach said his arm looks great — that would give the front office even more motivation to part with Santana. Vogt, though, sprinkled some doubt on Fry's playing in the field in 2025 and said the focus is for him to catch in 2026. Lane Thomas, another impending free agent, would have been a trade candidate, but his foot has not cooperated. He's likely out until September because of a lingering case of plantar fasciitis. This contract year has been an abject nightmare for him. Paul Sewald, who has a $10 million club option for next year that almost certainly will not be exercised, is on the shelf with a strain in the back of his shoulder. He said himself that it probably eliminates him from trade consideration. And then there's the curious case of Shane Bieber. He logged three innings at Class-A Lake County on Tuesday, but his start Sunday for Triple-A Columbus was rained out. If the Guardians want to move him, there's a market. He's earning $10 million this year and has a $4 million buyout or a $16 million player option for next season. Barring a significant setback, it's difficult to envision him exercising that option, so he should hit free agency this winter. Advertisement The Guardians have received calls on Bieber, and they know all about midseason acquisitions of pitchers recovering from injury. They signed Matthew Boyd and traded for Alex Cobb last summer to rescue their rotation. The starting pitching market is lacking in sizzle — that is, unless the AL Central reshapes the market. Even with Lugo off the board, Bieber and Minnesota's Joe Ryan would be two of the top names on the market. For Cleveland to move Bieber, it would need to acquire a prospect with more potential than whoever it could select with the draft pick it would recoup if Bieber departs in free agency. If the Guardians hold on to him and he opts out, they can submit a qualifying offer (which last year was worth about $21 million for one year). If Bieber rejects that and signs elsewhere for at least $50 million, the Guardians would be awarded a compensatory pick after the first round. If he signs elsewhere for less than $50 million, the Guardians would be awarded a compensatory pick after the second round. If his rescheduled outing takes place Tuesday in Akron, the staff at Canal Park might want to clear some extra seats for scouts. (Top photo of Emmanuel Clase: Nick Cammett / Getty Images)
Fast Company
a day ago
- Fast Company
Citi's Strata Elite Card challenges AmEx Platinum and Chase Sapphire with travel-heavy perks
Not willing to be caught idling while Chase and American Express release new premium credit cards, Citi is launching one of its own: the Citi Strata Elite Card. While Citi has offered a premium credit card in the past (the Prestige Card, which some customers still have and use, but is no longer available to new customers), the Citi Strata Elite Card is the company's return to the pitch in many years. Specifically, the new card is designed to directly compete with Chase's Sapphire Reserve card and the Platinum Card from American Express —both of which have recently announced new features, fees, and revamps. As for what makes Citi Strata Elite superior to its competitors' offerings? Pam Habner, Citi's head of U.S. branded cards and lending, says that in the simplest terms, 'it's the best card for premium customers who have a passion for travel and dining.' The card itself boasts an overall value of $1,500 annually, against an annual fee of $595. That includes an annual $300 hotel benefit, $200 'splurge' credit (for use with certain brands, such as Best Buy or American Airlines), a $200 Blacklane chauffeur credit, and a fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. There are numerous perks associated with American Airlines, too, which has had a long relationship with Citi, including four Admirals Club lounge passes. Card members also multiply their points earnings by 12 when booking hotels, car rentals, or attractions through the card's travel portal, along with a six-times multiplier when booking air travel or ordering from certain restaurants at certain times. In all, it packs a powerful punch for people who like to travel and eat out. Habner says that compared with competing cards, it 'is the card with the highest reward potential on the market—it offers travelers more benefits than any other card.' And she notes that the top reason premium cardholders opt for high-level or premium cards is for the travel benefits, according to her team's research. There was a good amount of research, too, that went into the development of the card. While Citi's previous premium card was 'designed for its time,' the new card 'meets the needs of the modern premium customer,' Habner says, and it took a good amount of time, data, and research to figure out exactly what those were. The Strata Elite Card's slate of benefits and perks, she says, reflects Citi's findings. The super-early-rate deadline for Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies Awards is tonight, July 25, at 11:59 p.m. PT. Apply today.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Global money chases world's hottest major stock market in Korea
(Bloomberg) — South Korean stocks, already this year's best performers among the world's major markets, are becoming a magnet for foreign investors as bold regulatory reforms to lift valuations and empower minority shareholders gain traction. Trump Awards $1.26 Billion Contract to Build Biggest Immigrant Detention Center in US The High Costs of Trump's 'Big Beautiful' New Car Loan Deduction Can This Bridge Ease the Troubled US-Canadian Relationship? Trump Administration Sues NYC Over Sanctuary City Policy Just this month, policymakers voted in favor of pivotal law changes to make board members legally accountable to all shareholders. They are now focusing on the next wave of reforms — including improvements to the voting system for selection of board members, and reducing treasury stock holdings — all with the goal of reining in the nation's many family-run conglomerates, or chaebols. From Wall Street to London, investors are taking notice. Overseas funds, which dumped Korean stocks for nine straight months through April, are piling back into the market. Strategists at global banks including Goldman Sachs Group Inc (GS)., JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM), Citigroup Inc. (C) and Morgan Stanley (MS) are among those who have upgraded Korea since the start of June. The benchmark Kospi has surged 33% in 2025, helping propel the equity market's value above $2 trillion for the first time in three years. Reforms 'will contribute to the continuation of a culture shift already underway and will reduce the ability of controlling shareholders to compel restructurings that benefit them at the expense of minority shareholders,' said Jonathan Pines of Federated Hermes, whose $4.5 billion Asia Ex-Japan equity fund has beaten 92% of its peers over one year. 'We remain very significantly overweight Korean stocks.' South Korean authorities have been seeking to replicate the success seen in Japan, where a push for corporate reforms helped boost valuations and spur a world-beating equity rally. Optimism that the nation is serious about tackling the so-called 'Korea discount' has grown since newly elected President Lee Jae Myung made raising governance standards and improving stock-market returns one of his top priorities. Net inflows from foreign funds have crossed $3 billion in July alone. That's more than their combined purchases in the previous two months. 'We're seeing a big change in the corporate governance,' said Joshua Crabb, head of Asia Pacific equities at Robeco Hong Kong Ltd., noting more capital discipline, buybacks and dividends. 'This does not require a great global environment. These are things that are almost like a bit of self-help.' After having discussed the latest round of commercial code revisions earlier this month, lawmakers plan on voting for them on Aug. 4. During this round, they will be pushing to mandate a cumulative voting system for listed firms in an effort to promote board diversity. Cumulative voting has become a cornerstone of the ruling Democratic Party's corporate governance agenda. In such a system, a shareholder typically receives votes equal to the number of shares they hold multiplied by the number of board seats up for election. This would enable minority shareholders to pool votes and elect at least one board member aligned with their interest — such as advocating for more share buybacks or dividends. Another proposal that will be considered for this round would be to cap the number of audit committee members that major shareholders can nominate. Treasury Stock Then there is the issue of treasury shares, which have become a flashpoint in South Korea. Such stock can be transferred by companies to friendly parties, such as family members or affiliates — who then can vote with them to give the controlling family more power without increasing actual ownership. While not directly part of the agenda for this round of corporate code revisions, a proposal to mandate the cancellation of treasury stock remains a key focus for Lee and his allies as they pursue their ambitious goal of 'Kospi 5000.' The proposal has drawn strong opposition from conglomerates. It should be phased in 'to avoid instability,' Lee Han-joo, a senior aide to Lee and the head of the State Affairs Planning Committee, told Bloomberg in a recent interview. At a minimum, companies may push to preserve existing treasury shares while agreeing to cancel those acquired going forward, said Seokkeun Ha, chief investment officer at Eugene Asset Management. 'That would disappoint the market,' he said. Authorities are discussing various options in this regard, according to a person familiar with the matter. Options range from creating a model similar to that of Germany's to using a more stringent approach that requires all existing treasury shares to be retired within six months, the person said, asking not to be identified as negotiations are ongoing. The German model requires companies to sell treasury shares that exceed 10% of the capital stock within three years of purchase, according to information on a government website. 'If we're aiming for Kospi 5,000, I believe treasury share cancellation is essential,' Ha said. 'That's how return-on-equity increases and higher ROE drives up the price-to-book ratio.' Lee's crusade to protect minority shareholders' rights relies on lawmakers delivering substantive changes at a credible pace while resisting pushback from entrenched interests. With markets having rallied so hard on expectations, the bar for disappointment is low. In a recent survey of 300 listed companies released by the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, about 77% said further commercial code revisions could have 'negative impact on business growth.' 'Big bang gains were quite a bit driven by sentiment, and that's gone,' said Xin-Yao Ng, investment director at Aberdeen Investments. 'Going forward, we'll need better delivery of legislation to incentivize value-up and companies themselves delivering actual changes.' —With assistance from Charlotte Yang. Burning Man Is Burning Through Cash It's Not Just Tokyo and Kyoto: Tourists Descend on Rural Japan Confessions of a Laptop Farmer: How an American Helped North Korea's Wild Remote Worker Scheme Elon Musk's Empire Is Creaking Under the Strain of Elon Musk A Rebel Army Is Building a Rare-Earth Empire on China's Border ©2025 Bloomberg L.P. 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