Latest news with #TGIF
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
GloRilla Recruits NFL Star Xaiver Legette — and Keyshia Cole! — for Sexy New 'Typa' Music Video
GloRilla's new "Typa" music video stars Xavier Legette and Keyshia Cole "Typa" samples Cole's 2005 song "Love" She'll host her first annual Glo Bash in Memphis in JulyGloRilla scored a touchdown when it came to recruiting a love interest for her latest music video. The 'TGIF' rapper gets up close and personal with NFL star Xavier Legette in the new video for her single 'Typa.' Keyshia Cole — whose 2005 song 'Love' GloRilla sampled for the track — also makes a cameo in the video. The video features GloRilla, 25, and Legette, 24, enjoying some sexy moments together, as well as her rapping while standing on a city street. Cole, 43, appears in a cameo in which she gives GloRilla a pep talk about love and heartbreak. 'So Keyshia, have you ever been with somebody that make you wanna be a better version of yourself, but you scared to show them the worst parts of yourself?' Glorilla asks, to which Cole replies, 'If you don't show them who you really are, how will you know if they truly love you?' Ultimately, Legette's character proves he's the dependable sort when he bails GloRilla out of jail. Legette is a wide receiver for the Carolina Panthers. He went viral last year after he revealed that he enjoys eating raccoon, as he finds vegetables like bell peppers and onions 'too exotic' for his taste. 'It's got its own touch,' he said on the St. Brown Brothers podcast. 'You know everybody says it still tastes like chicken, but raccoon got its own touch though.' Meanwhile, Cole spoke glowingly of GloRilla (née Gloria Hallelujah Woods) in an interview on Angela Yee's Way Up radio show earlier this month. 'I like Glo. She remind me of me. She little, petite, crazy, talk s---, funny. She's so cute, and I like the way she be rapping,' she said. 'So, she's cool.' GloRilla is set to perform at the BET Awards on June 9, and will also take the stage at Hot 97's Summer Jam and the ESSENCE Festival of Culture. In July, she'll host her first annual Glo Bash in her native Memphis. 'I'm working on my next album so I'm trying to see the type of lane that I want to go in," Glo told PEOPLE in April. "Because the songs are good but I just be trying to listen from a fan point of view... [Those around me] like it but sometimes it be tricky because I think they like a lot of everything that I put out. So it be tricky sometimes.' Read the original article on People
Politico
4 days ago
- Business
- Politico
Conway's big money moves
Presented by TGIF, Illinois. It's National Donut Day! TOP TALKER MAYORAL INTRIGUE: Chicago Ald. Bill Conway's splashy fundraiser Thursday has folks wondering if he might have other political plans besides a reelection bid in 2027. The bash at the Hubbard Inn follows three other recent fundraisers at which Conway's campaign has raised nearly a half-million dollars from Chicago business, labor and philanthropic leaders. It's not the kind of donor attention seen in little-ol'-aldermanic races. Big donors already giving to his campaign include John Canning Jr. ($30,000), Citadel COO Gerald Beeson ($20,000), investor Adam Hanover ($20,000), developer Michael Reschke ($10,000) and Liam Krehbiel ($5,000), according to filings with the Illinois Board of Elections. Unions have been supporting, too, including SEIU Local 1, Operators Local 150, IBEW 134, Carpenters, Teamsters, Painters, Bricklayers and Ironworkers. What it means: Conway isn't ruling out a run for mayor. He joins a crowded field of interested potential candidates looking to challenge Mayor Brandon Johnson, who's also been ramping up his political operation ahead of 2027. Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, state Comptroller Susana Mendoza, state Rep. Kam Buckner, County Treasurer Maria Pappas, fellow Ald. Andre Vasquez, government consultant John Kelly and businessman Willie Wilson are all mulling a mayoral bid. About Conway: His name popped up months ago as a possible mayoral candidate. Then there was chatter he had promised to pass on running for mayor if Giannoulias were to jump in — the two are friends going back to high school. But Conway shut down the buzz, telling Playbook in a statement, 'The only promise I've made to anyone is to keep doing everything I can in 2025 to make sure Chicago will succeed in 2027 and beyond.' Spotted: More than 100 guests and two dozen elected officials popped in for Thursday's event, including: Ald. Pat Dowell, state Sens. Mattie Hunter and Lakesia Collins, labor leaders Don Villar, Jonathan Jones and Pasquale Gianni; and political insiders David Namkung, Billy Lawless, Sydney Holman, Kevin Conlon and Markus Pitchford. THE BUZZ Members of the Illinois Freedom Caucus have filed a lawsuit challenging the process that led to the Democratic-led Illinois General Assembly passing a $55 billion budget just before midnight on May 31. Named in the lawsuit are Senate President Don Harmon and House Speaker Emanuel 'Chris' Welch, reports WAND TV's Mike Miletich, who has more on the lawsuit here. Late-night shenanigans: The conservative Republican lawmakers point to a rule that mandates that every bill must be read on three separate days in each chamber before it can be passed. 'Democrats ignored these rules to push through a record spending bill in the dead of the night when no one is paying attention,' according to a statement from the Freedom Caucus. We noted last week that the titles of the bills were introduced Thursday to make sure they met the three-day rule. It's a problem, say Republicans: 'Springfield insiders have resorted to taking unrelated bills, gutting them with amendments and forcing through thousands of pages of last-minute government spending — often just hours before a vote is called,' state Rep. Adam Niemerg said in a statement. Not the first time: The Republicans noted the Democratic majority has used the same tactic to pass the Protect Illinois Communities Act, SAFE-T Act and several recent state budgets. If you are John Canning, Playbook would like to hear from you! Email: skapos@ WHERE'S JB No official public events WHERE's BRANDON At 3410 West Lake Street at 2 p.m. for the Revolution Workshop ribbon-cutting — At the Harold Washington Cultural Center at 3:30 p.m. for the Urban Prep graduation ceremony — At 7801 South Throop Street at 4 p.m. for the Take Back the Block activation — At 35th and King Drive at 5 p.m. for the We Walk for Her March Where's Toni No official public events Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, new job or a (gasp!) complaint? Email skapos@ POLITICO PRO SPACE: Need an insider's guide to the politics behind the new space race? From battles over sending astronauts to Mars to the ways space companies are vying to influence regulators, this weekly newsletter decodes the personalities, policy and power shaping the final frontier. Try it for free for a limited time starting today. Find out more. BUSINESS OF POLITICS — Rahm Emanuel leans into relationships with Obama and Bill Clinton as he looks to the future, by POLITICO's Gregory Svirnovskiy …. ALSO: This week's episode of 'The Conversation with Dasha Burns' will have Emanuel in the hot seat. Watch the preview clip here. — State Sen. Cristina Castro announced on Thursday that she isn't going to run for Congress. Castro had been nudged to make a bid for the IL-08 District seat that opened up with Raja Krishnamoorthi running for U.S. Senate. 'After serious consideration and long conversations with my family, friends, and community — it's become clear to me that the Illinois General Assembly is where I can continue to make the most meaningful difference in the lives of those around me,' she said. Her full statement is here. — Endorsement: Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton has been endorsed in her bid for U.S. Senate by Illinois Democratic Central Committeewoman LaToya Greenwood. A former state rep, Greenwood served the East St. Louis region from 2017 to 2024. — NEW: Walter Adamczyk, the Republican Committeeman of the 29th Ward in Chicago, has announced he's running for Illinois secretary of state. Adamczyk is a community activist. In a statement announcing his bid, Adamczyk said he's committed to seeking 'effective government and full transparency' if elected. — Rachel Ruttenberg, a Democrat running for state Senate, will host a campaign kickoff Saturday in Evanston. Details here THE STATEWIDES — A plan to save downtown Springfield: 'County and city officials want to expand BOS Center and build a new hotel,' by the Illinois Times' Dean Olsen. — Illinois rental assistance program sees funding cut for 2026 budget in another blow to state, city housing programs, by the Tribune's Lizzie Kane — Springfield mayor's chief of staff is out, by the State Journal-Register's Steven Spearie CHICAGO — Local immigration advocates, politicians condemn Trump travel ban as discriminatory: 'U.S. Rep. Jesús 'Chuy' García lambasted the ban, which is set to take effect at 12:01 a.m. Monday, while accusing President Donald Trump of using the restrictions as a political diversion tactic,' by the Tribune's Angie Leventis Lourgos. — Aldermen in the Latino Caucus call for hearing into Chicago police response to ICE demonstration: The City Council's Committee on Immigrant and Refugee Rights, which Latino Caucus Chair Ald. Andre Vasquez (40th) leads, will hold a hearing 'to examine the extent of ICE's misconduct and determine whether the Chicago Police Department played any role in (Wednesday's) actions,' according to a letter, by the Tribune's Alice Yin. — Jerry Reinsdorf agrees to complex deal with the Ishbias for White Sox: 'The multistep agreement gives Reinsdorf the option to sell starting in 2029 and Justin Ishbia the option to buy him out starting in 2034,' by Front Office Sports' Margaret Fleming. — Chicago's air quality ranked among worst in the world due to Canadian wildfire smoke, by the Sun-Times' Mohammad Samra, Brett Chase and Shannon Tyler. — Green Mill building for sale in Uptown: 'It's not clear yet what may happen to the iconic jazz club that was once Al Capone's Prohibition-era hangout,' by the Sun-Times' David Struett. COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS — Harvey Ald. Colby Chapman faces felony charge, announces mayoral run before turning herself in: After announcing her bid for mayor in front of City Hall, supporters followed her to the police station where she turned herself in to face a felony aggravated battery charge stemming from a meeting that got out of hand, reports the Daily Southtown's Olivia Stevens. — 'It's a house on fire': Top Cook County prosecutor lays out plan to address domestic violence crisis, via ABC 7 — Former Wheaton chief chosen to lead Wheeling Police Department, by the Daily Herald's Russell Lissau — Residents ask Mount Prospect to fly Pride flag, but village sticks to flag policy, by the Daily Herald's Steve Zalusky Reader Digest We asked if not the Bulls, what Midwestern NBA team you're willing to root for. Janice Anderson: 'Pacers — my mom's hometown.' Brian Berg: 'Cleveland Cavaliers, Guardians, and unless they move to the suburbs, the Browns too.' Bill Finucane: 'NIU men & women's basketball.' Donna Gutman: 'Cleveland Cavs. Donovan Mitchell gets the job done.' Ron Michelotti: 'Reluctantly will be rooting for the Indiana Pacers in the finals and waiting patiently for the Bulls to return.' Kevin Morris: 'The Minnesota Timberwolves. Lived and was based in the Twin Cities for 17 glorious years!' Cristina Nonato: 'Indiana Pacers.' Joan Pederson: 'Timberwolves (My father was from Minneapolis.). College (which I prefer to the NBA): Illinois.' Donovan Pepper: 'Since I'm a Vikings fan — and have tons of family there, I'll go with the Minnesota Timberwolves!' James Scalzitti: 'Detroit gets a real bad rap from people who've never been there, but it's resilient and vibrant — and I'd have no trouble pulling for the Tigers or Red Wings. But as a longtime Bulls fan, I could never root for the Pistons. I'd just become a total Chicago Sky supporter.' NEXT QUESTION: Who's the politician you'd like to follow for a day? FROM THE DELEGATION — Sen. Tammy Duckworth, a decorated combat veteran, will speak at the Unite for Veterans rally today in Washington to address how the Trump administration has targeted the veterans in his government cuts. Duckworth says President Donald Trump has used veterans 'as political pawns to get elected then completely abandoned them once he took office,' according to a statement from her team. — Congressman Brad Schneider has joined fellow U.S. Reps. Jesús 'Chuy' García (IL-04), Danny Davis (IL-07) and Rashida Tlaib (MI-12) and other Democratic members of the Illinois delegation in sending a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. demanding answers about the decision to close all Head Start offices in Region 5. THE NATIONAL TAKE — 'Massive crack in the MAGA coalition': The Trump-Musk feud threatens the GOP's future, by POLITICO's Andrew Howard and Adam Wren — Steve Bannon on Elon Musk's big breakup: 'Told you,' by POLITICO's Rachael Bade — GOP senators question cost of Army's parade spectacle, by POLITICO's Lisa Kashinsky, Joe Gould and Paul McLeary Transitions — Charles Lee Isbell Jr. has been named University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign chancellor and U. of I. System vice president. He's now the provost at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He starts in Illinois on Aug. 1. via Crain's Brandon Dupré. — Steven Mroczkowski is now a shareholder attorney at Buchalter in Chicago, where he focuses on the litigation and construction practice groups. He was a partner at Ice Miller. TRIVIA THURSDAY's ANSWER: Congrats to Bridget Hatch for correctly answering that Illinois Gov. Henry Horner, who served from 1933 until his death in 1940, started his political career as a Cook County probate judge, serving from 1915 to 1931. TODAY's QUESTION: What's the body of water near Springfield that political folks have been known to use as the setting for rallies and fundraisers? Email skapos@ HAPPY BIRTHDAY Today: Pritzker Organization Chair and CEO Thomas Pritzker, CPS CFO Miroslava Krug, Secretary of State Digital Media Director Martin Burciaga, Chicago Theological Seminary Rev. Brian Smith, Datasite Sales Director Luke Phelan and comms strategist Sally Duros Saturday: Philanthropist Lester Crown, who turns 100, Former VP Mike Pence, Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas, Cook County Circuit Court Judge Peggy Chiampas, retired Cook County Circuit Court Judge Janet Adams Brosnahan, government consultant and lobbyist Julie Currie, Seyfarth Shaw Senior Comms Manager Claudia Banks, social media wizard Tracy Schmidt, The Support Network Executive Director Caitlin Briody, congressional staffer Chrissy Rabuse, journalist Rita Pyrillis and journalist David Mendell Sunday: State Sen. Laura Murphy, former state Sen. Tom Bennett, Senior Caseworker for Sen. Tammy Duckworth Karolina Zaczek, Secretary of State Executive Correspondence Coordinator Andrew Paisley, Peoria Convention and Visitors Bureau President JD Dalfonso, BGA policy analyst Geoffrey Cubbage, Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago Associate VP Patti Frazin, political consultant Kady McFadden, UIC Senior Associate Director and Bilingual Storyteller Carlos Sadovi, Democratic campaign manager Rachael Lund and rapper Kanye 'Ye' West And belated greetings to Zion Mayor Billy McKinney, whose birthday was Thursday. -30-
Politico
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Politico
Chicago's progressive mayor on antisemitism
Presented by TGIF, Illinois. We're dusting off the barbecue as soon as this posts. PROGRAMMING NOTE: We're taking Monday off, but will be back in your inbox Tuesday. TOP TALKER AT THE HIDEOUT: Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson 'unequivocally' condemned the killing of two people who worked at the Israeli Embassy in Washington by a gunman who echoed the 'free, free Palestine' chant of progressives. 'I'm calling on the entire city of Chicago in particular, and really our country, to rally around our Jewish siblings, to ensure that they are safe and secure,' Johnson said in an interview with your Playbook host at the Hideout. Increasing security: The progressive mayor said he's also called for an increased police presence in Jewish neighborhoods and schools, synagogues and places of work. And Ald. Debra Silverstein, who represents Chicago's largest Jewish population, said she has been talking with Police Superintendent Larry Snelling and district commanders about increasing patrols in the 50th Ward. The D.C. attack renewed attention on the protest movement across the country and some pro-Palestinian activists worry the shooting, which federal authorities called a targeted act of antisemitism, could set back any progress they've made in their policy goals, writes POLITICO's Irie Sentner. In our interview, Johnson indicated it shouldn't be difficult for activists on either side to respond. 'I believe we can call for peace and call for the release of hostages and condemn all forms of violence,' the mayor said. 'And if someone is calling for peace in Gaza and the end to bombing and the releasing of hostages, that doesn't make them antisemitic.' He quickly added: 'We can also make sure that what is antisemitic is condemned in very certain terms. We all do have a responsibility to make sure that we're showing up with our humanity.' Also condemning the killings were Gov. JB Pritzker, who issued a statement saying, 'Make no mistake: this was an attack on the Jewish community.' And Congressman Brad Schneider, who like Pritzker is Jewish, visited the site of the Wednesday night attack along with other members of the Congressional Jewish Caucus. Schneider said he has known of antisemitism his whole life, but it is at an 'unprecedented' level since the Middle East war began. And the progressive United Working Families, which is the Chicago political organization connected to the Chicago Teachers Union and SEIU Healthcare, also condemned the attack. 'We unequivocally denounce antisemitism, political violence and all forms of dehumanization,' the organization said in a statement. Confusion reigned as FBI agents descended on the Chicago apartment of alleged shooter Elias Rodriguez and media organizations and others tried to discern his political affiliations. His background: Rodriguez was raised in Chicago, earned a BA from University of Illinois Chicago and was once a member of a local branch of the Party for Socialism and Liberation, though he has not been affiliated with them since 2017, the group said Thursday, reports the Sun-Times. On social media, Ald. Raymond Lopez and former mayoral candidate Ja'Mal Green posted a photo in which they misidentified a person as the shooter in a group with United Working Families supporters, including Congresswoman Delia Ramirez, the mayor and others. United Working Families issued a letter calling for the posts to be taken down. RELATED Feds charge Elias Rodriguez with murder in embassy shooting: 'I did it for Gaza': 'Authorities say Elias Rodriguez, of Chicago, continued to fire on one of the two Israeli Embassy employees as she tried to crawl away,' by the Sun-Times' Jon Seidel. Pritzker team member was at D.C. Jewish museum where 2 Israeli Embassy staffers were killed, by the Sun-Times' Mohammad Samra Protests continue: U. of C. students protest trustees' ties to Israel as war in Gaza continue, by the Tribune's Nell Salzman THE BUZZ SCOOP: Chicago Ald. Walter Burnett Jr., who also serves as vice mayor, is considering a run for Congress should U.S. Rep. Danny Davis not seek reelection. Davis, who is 83, has yet to file election paperwork for the 2026 race. In the meantime, Democrats are lining up for a chance at his seat: state Rep. La Shawn Ford, businessman Jason Friedman and stand-up comedic commentator John McCombs have all filed with the federal elections commission. FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi's campaign says he has raised $1 million since jumping into the U.S. Senate race two weeks ago. 'Thousands of donors have chipped in what they can,' said Raja for Illinois Campaign Manager Brexton Issacs in a statement to Playbook. Krishnamoorthi joined the campaign with more than $19 million in the bank, so he's now cracked $20 million ahead of the 2026 Democratic primary that so far includes Congresswoman Robin Kelly and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, who haven't shared their fundraising numbers. If you are Danny Davis, Playbook would like to hear from you! Email: skapos@ WHERE'S JB No official public events WHERE's BRANDON At Chicago and Mayfield Avenues at 9 a.m. to attend the Chicago Avenue Streetscape ribbon-cutting Where's Toni No official public events Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, new job or a complaint? Email skapos@ BUSINESS OF POLITICS — SENATE: Pamela Denise Long, a political commentator who also works as an occupational therapist, is joining the U.S. Senate race on the Republican ticket. In her campaign launch statement, Long addressed 'the flood of illegal immigrants into Chicago' as a reason she was propelled to run. 'The Black American voting bloc has finally begun to divorce the Democratic Party. At the same time, Americans of all stripes are sick of the divisive rhetoric that gets politicians elected but keeps neighbors apart,' she said. — IL-02: Eric France, who runs The France Group management consulting firm, has thrown his hat in the ring to run for Congress in the 2nd District. France, a Democrat, is the son of the late Erwin A. France, who served in government under multiple mayors. — IL-10: Morgan Coghill, a Mundelein resident who owns a wood-products distribution small business, is running as a Democrat in the 10th Congressional District, challenging incumbent Congressman Brad Schneider. 'I'm tired of watching Democrats with safe seats act like they're afraid to take a side,' Coghill said in a statement. 'I grew up poor. I know what it's like to ration gas, to skip meals, to work third shift for someone who couldn't care less. I'm not here to play the game. I'm here to break the game open.' ILLINOIS' POPE — Historical records about the pope's grandfather unveiled by the Cook County clerk's office: Mariyana Spyropoulos' staff did a deep dive that led them to a man named Salvatore Giovanni Riggitano — 'the paternal grandfather of Pope Leo XIV,' by the Tribune's Carolyn Stein. THE STATEWIDES — Senate approves bill raising age for senior road exams: 'Legislation raising the age for mandatory road exams for seniors from 79 to 87 passed the Illinois Senate unanimously Thursday. The bill also allows family members to report unsafe drivers of any age,' by the Daily Herald's Marni Pyke. — Summer electric price spike fuels policy tensions in Springfield: 'Price hike due to lack of energy supply comes alongside rocky transition to renewable power,' by Capitol News' Andrew Adams. — Savings from shuttering Stateville's maximum security prison minimal as reception center grows, by the Tribune's Olivia Olander — State lawmakers advance bill requiring police training to minimize trauma for sexual assault victims, by the Tribune's Addison Wright — Illinois Medicaid covers gender-affirming care. The massive House bill aims to end that, by the Tribune's Lisa Schencker — Bill establishes commission to increase communication on public health issues: 'The commission will include Illinois doctors, veterinarians and public officials,' by Capitol News' Jade Aubrey. — Newly appointed state Sen. Darby Hills, a Republican from Barrington, passed her first piece of legislation — the Tracking Infectious Cases Knowledgeably (TICK) Act — which supports sharing information about alpha-gal syndrome, an allergy that's triggered by tick bites. CHICAGO — Chicago's summer safety plan focuses on weekend nights, teen gatherings, by the Sun-Times' Anna Savchenko — Trump organization to pay $4.8M to settle fish-kill lawsuit against its Chicago high-rise, by the Tribune's Michael Hawthorne — Cubs deny report that All-Star Game is headed to Wrigley Field in 2027: 'No decision has been made,' by the Tribune's Paul Sullivan and Meghan Montemurro — Some Chicago high schools are rethinking lenient grading amid surging absenteeism, by Chalkbeat's Mila Koumpilova and WBEZ's Sarah Karp COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS — Cook County assessor gave $930,000 in wrongful tax breaks, then waived penalties, interest over its errors: 'We do not bill interest or penalty in the event of an assessor error,' says an aide to Assessor Fritz Kaegi. The agency's records show it's made them on 287 properties,' by the Sun-Times' Tim Novak. Reader Digest We asked for your favorite lines from Norm on 'Cheers.' Robert Christie: 'It's a dog-eat-dog world out there and I'm wearing Milk-Bone undershorts.' John Fritchey: 'I'm in a gambling mood, I'll take a glass of whatever comes out of that tap.' Fred Lebed: 'Women. You can't live with 'em. Pass the beer nuts.' Steve Smith: 'Asked 'what are you up to, Norm?' he says, 'My ideal weight if I were 11 feet tall.'' NEXT QUESTION: In a sentence, what's one thing you wish people understood better about the political process? THE NATIONAL TAKE — How a Freedom Caucus revolt ended in the White House, by POLITICO's Rachael Bade — Mike Johnson doused a GOP dumpster fire, by POLITICO's Meredith Lee Hill — Trump administration ends Harvard's ability to enroll foreign students, by POLITICO's Ali Bianco and Bianca Quilantan — RFK Jr. says food and pharma are poisoning Americans. His big report says a fix is coming, via POLITICO — Lobbying firms power frontrunner Andrew Cuomo's mayoral campaign, by POLITICO's Nick Reisman and Sally Goldenberg Transitions — Jennifer Welch has been named chief policy officer for the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence. She was the CEO and president of Planned Parenthood of Illinois and Planned Parenthood of Illinois Action and earlier was policy director and women's policy adviser at the Attorney General's Office. — Dorri McWhorter has been named president and CEO of the Executives' Club of Chicago. She starts June 2. McWhorter was CEO of the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago. More from the Sun-Times. — Joseph Kyle has been named president of Wynndalco Enterprises, an IT managed services firm based in Lombard. He'll oversee company operations, innovation and expansion in delivering technology solutions to its clients from across the country. Kyle is a 40-year industry veteran who most recently was VP of strategy at NTT DATA Services. TRIVIA THURSDAY's ANSWER: Congrats to Liam Bodlak for correctly answering that Paul Simon's 1984 Senate campaign helped launch the political careers of David Axelrod and Rahm Emanuel. TODAY's QUESTION: Who did the Bulls pick after a coin flip with the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1979 NBA draft? Email skapos@ HAPPY BIRTHDAY Today: Barrington Hills Plan Commissioner Kelly Mazeski, former Congressman Tom Corcoran, former Chicago Buildings Commissioner Matthew Beaudet and Jeremy Ennis, chief of staff to state Rep. Maurice West Saturday: Bloomingdale Township Democratic Organization Chair Terrell Barnes, restaurateur Jimmy Bannos and political insider and lobbyist Shaw Decremer. Sunday: Illinois first lady MK Pritzker, Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart, Obama Foundation VP of Communications Emily Bittner, Chicago Housing Authority Senior Government Affairs Director Rachel Moguel, Sen. Tammy Duckworth's State Casework Director Kirsten Heindl, Saul Ewing attorney Joel Hurwitz and writer and Chicago Tribune editorial writer Greg Burns Monday: Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, Ald. Raymond Lopez, former state Treasurer Dan Rutherford, Governor's Office Senior Special Projects Officer Andrea Vallejo, lieutenant governor's Legal Projects Coordinator Eryn Jones, Sheridan Strategies founder Devon Spurgeon, Lake Forest College public policy studies coordinator Christine Walker and Peninsula Hotel marketing director Susan Ellefson -30-
Fast Company
19-05-2025
- Business
- Fast Company
‘Is the cheese pull challenge accepted?': Chili's and TGI Fridays reignite their rivalry over mozzarella sticks on social media
Chili's and TGI Fridays are in a full-blown mozzarella stick feud. Last week, TGI Fridays unveiled its new menu with a post on X: 'New menu's out. mozz sticks hit harder. happy hour's calling. life's good.' The next day, the chain appeared to throw shade at its fast casual rival, Chili's Grill & Bar. 'Somebody tell [chili pepper emoji] to stay in their lane,' TGI Fridays posted on May 14. 'Y'all are not mozzarella stick people. We are. That's it. That's the tweet.' Chili's clapped back by sharing a screenshot of the post: '@ us next time… Also, we honestly didn't know you were still open. Congrats!' Plot twist: the original tweet wasn't even real. It was part of a marketing stunt pulled off by Chili's. 'The gag is this wasn't even a real tweet,' TGI Fridays admitted in a reply to a commenter. Even so, the jab likely stung. TGI Fridays has only 85 restaurants left in the U.S., down from about 270 at the start of last year. Its parent company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in late 2024, blaming the pandemic for ongoing financial struggles. Just last month, the chain closed another 30 locations. 'OMG, I think I just witnessed a murder,' one X user wrote. Another added insult to injury: 'they closed the Fridays near me….and opened another chilis…' Chili's responded: 'was probably for the best.' Fans also dredged up a 2021 lawsuit against TGI Fridays over its frozen mozzarella sticks, which were found to contain cheddar instead of mozzarella. 'Do they actually contain mozzarella now or nah?' one person asked. Refusing to back down, TGI Fridays proposed a showdown. 'Is the cheese pull challenge accepted or nah??' the company asked.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Chili's throws serious shade at TGI Friday's over mozzarella stick dig
Two popular restaurant chains are throwing shade at each other on social media over which one has the better mozzarella sticks, though punches were thrown below the belt when one questioned if the other was still in business. Chili's Grill & Bar shared a tweet from TGI Friday's Thursday and took a few digs in the process. "Somebody tell to stay in their lane," TGI Fridays posted on X. "Y'all are not mozzarella stick people. We are. That's it. That's the tweet." Along with sharing TGI Friday's post, Chili's commented, "@ us next time… Also, we honestly didn't know you were still open. Congrats!" Chili's Slimmed-down Menu Is Winning, Ceo Says Several of Chili's followers were also shocked TGI Fridays was still open, one writing, "BURNNN! This calls for a trip to Chili's!" Read On The Fox Business App Another follower wrote, "OMG, I think I just witnessed a murder." Another follower wrote, "I can't remember the last time I seen a TGI Fridays except for in the frozen section." Chili's responded to the latter, writing, "ooooop." But many followers stuck to the subject at hand: Which restaurant chain is better? Tgi Fridays' Us Footrpint Has Shrunk To 85 Restaurants Across The Country "They'll never have the triple dipper, and for that, they will envy you forever," one follower wrote to Chilis, which, in turn, responded, "They can never achieve triple dipper excellence." Another follower wrote, "Might have to get Chilis tonight just because of this tweet. Roasted them." "We bring the heat!" Chili's wrote back "Hope we see you tonight." In a post of its own, TGI Fridays failed to call out Chili's on X but shared the restaurant chain's post, saying, "is the cheese pull challenge accepted or nah?? " Tgi Fridays Files For Bankruptcy, Covid-19 Pandemic Blamed For Financial Woes One of TGI Friday's followers responded by writing, "@Chilis" with a set of eyeballs, and TGI Fridays responded, "we're waiting too.." Chili's and TGI Fridays did not respond to FOX Business' request for comment on the social media battle that ensued Thursday. Before the spat, TGI Fridays wrote on X that its new menu was out, adding that the "mozz sticks hit harder. happy hour's calling. life's good." The Tgi Fridays Comeback: From A Revamped Menu To New Social Media Strategy The chain has been aiming for a comeback after a challenging year that saw dozens of closures and a bankruptcy filing. The company joined a number of restaurants that filed for protection in bankruptcy court in 2024 after failing to manage the heavy debt accumulated during the COVID-19 pandemic. The restaurant's footprint in the U.S. has significantly diminished to 85 active sites, less than a third of the number that operated in the U.S. at the start of 2024. TGI Fridays shuttered more than two dozen locations, and, during the restructuring, the company sold 27 of its 39 corporate-owned units to franchisees, transitioning to a full franchisee-led model. In January 2025, former CEO Ray Blanchette, founder of Sugarloaf TGIF Management, returned to lead the company again. Beyond menu innovation, TGI Fridays is also shifting how it presents itself. The company is "changing the brand voice and freshening it up," focusing more on engaging consumers through social media rather than traditional TV ad campaigns, according to Blanchette. FOX Business' Daniella Genovese and Aislinn Murphy contributed to this article source: Chili's throws serious shade at TGI Friday's over mozzarella stick dig Sign in to access your portfolio
