Good afternoon! I spent my day off watching these videos of a guy who builds amazing sets for Dungeons & Dragons. And I really need to make this for a game I’m running for a bunch of kids. Anyway, here’s what you need to know today.

1. U.S. Rep. Jesús ‘Chuy’ García lost another ally as progressives flock toward Brandon Johnson

The congressman this week failed to nail down the endorsement of another influential union that backed his 2015 bid for mayor, raising questions about García’s path forward in an election that includes several other candidates running as self-proclaimed progressives.

SEIU Healthcare Illinois, which represents 90,000 health care workers, announced it will instead support Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson. The Chicago Teachers Union, which pushed García to run in 2015 and propelled his name in progressive circles, is also backing Johnson.

Union support could be even more crucial this time around, with at least 10 candidates seeking to unseat Mayor Lori Lightfoot. Unions not only offer a pipeline to money but can provide boots on the ground to help get out votes.

But there are limits to their influence. For example, the Chicago Teachers Union backed Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle’s unsuccessful bid for mayor in 2019.

At the same time, all 50 seats of the City Council are also up for grabs, and several council members have decided to not seek reelection. That hasn’t gone unnoticed by SEIU Illinois Healthcare and others hoping to advance issues like affordable housing, mental health care and police reforms.

“With a crowded race for mayor and multiple alderpersons choosing to not seek re-election next year, there is great opportunity for SEIU members from all races, neighborhoods, and workplaces to help shape what our future leadership of Chicago will look like,” wrote the union in announcing its endorsement of Johnson. [Chicago Tribune]

2. Trump is expected to announce a third bid for the White House tonight

Former President Donald Trump this evening is widely expected to announce a 2024 campaign even as his grip on the GOP may be at its lowest point since the Jan. 6 insurrection.

“Trump has told others he wants to re-create the underdog vibe of the 2016 campaign. He faces a range of challenges, including multiple federal and state investigations, growing criticism from Republicans, and unpopularity in many of the early 2024 states,” reports The Washington Post. [WaPo]

Tonight’s announcement comes after The New York Times reported the Trump Organization signed a deal with a Saudi real estate developer that renews “questions about the former president’s mixing of politics and business.” [NYT]

Meanwhile, former Vice President Mike Pence is out with a new memoir that blames Trump for putting his family “and all those serving at the Capitol” in danger during the attack on the capitol. [AP]

3. How Chicago’s celebrated Manny’s deli illustrates the challenges facing local restaurants

The historic levels of inflation are pummeling local restaurants who risk losing their most loyal diners when they raise prices.

To get a firsthand look at these troubling times, reporter Michael Gerstein visited the beloved Manny’s Cafeteria & Deli, where the price of its quintessential order — a corned beef sandwich — has risen from $15.95 to $17.95.

“The fastest-rising inflation in 40 years has put value-minded delis and diners in a quandary: raise prices too little and face even thinner margins after years of financial turbulence, or raise prices too much and lose customers,” Gerstein reports. [WBEZ]

4. Amazon follows several other tech companies in laying off workers

About 10,000 employees at the online retail giant will be laid off this week, following a drumbeat of similar announcements from Meta, Twitter and other tech companies.

So what’s going on? Isn’t the tech industry supposed to be a safe bet for job security?

It turns out part of the problem was self-inflicted, reports NPR. During the pandemic, tech companies went on a hiring spree as more people were going online.

“Now, the internet boom has faded, offline life has picked up, and those new employees seem too expensive,” the network reports.

And concerns of a looming economic recession has caused digital ad revenue — a major source of money — to plummet. [NPR]

5. Happy birthday to the 8 billionth person now living on Earth

A new United Nations report estimates there are now 8 billion people on the planet. And the news highlights just how intertwined life has become.

“I think what’s important about 8 billion is that we’re going to be connected, and so we have to get used to the idea that what happens in other places will directly affect our quality of life here,” said Jack Goldstone, a professor of public policy at George Mason University.

The U.N. report also “forecasts a reordering of the most populous countries,” NPR reports.

“China will be overtaken by India as the number one most populous country in 2023 and remain so through 2050, the report predicts. The United States will be displaced by Nigeria for the third most populous country in that same time period.” [NPR]

Meanwhile, the BBC catches up with some of the other “billion babies.” [BBC]

Here’s what else is happening

• Walmart today offered to pay $3.1 billion to settle opioid lawsuits filed by several state and local governments. [AP]
• The driver of a semi did not slow down before crashing into a bus carrying students from St. Ignatius College Prep, witnesses say. [Chicago Sun-Times]
• A Black-owned company is one step closer to buying and revamping six grocery stores on Chicago’s South and West sides. [Chicago Sun-Times]
• Beyoncé received nine Grammy nominations today, tying her husband for the most nods in the award’s history. [AP]

Oh, and one more thing …

Turns out you can get your buzz on by drinking … milk.

A new study out of Germany found cows fed hemp can produce milk with detectable levels of THC, a molecular compound that can make people high, reports The Washington Post.

Excuse me as I chug this jug of milk for a second.

Anyway, researchers also observed the hemp chewing cows “showed behavioral changes — yawning and salivating a lot, moving a little unsteadily on their hoofs, standing in one place for a protracted period, and having a ‘somnolent appearance,’ ” the Post reports. [WaPo]

Tell me something good …

Winter definitely feels like it has arrived in Chicago. What’s something you do to make this time of year more cheerful?

Dee writes:

“I like to kick the season off by watching the lions in front of the Art Institute receive their wreath necklaces the day after Thanksgiving. It is a festive way to kick off the holidays.

“Then a long walk through the parks and along the lake. I take walks throughout the winter months. I like the cold temps and I adore snow. I hope we get a bunch of snow.

“I like building lean-to’s in the forest with my grandchildren, I like taking them sledding and just generally being outdoors. The zoos are great in the winter, too. The animals that are outdoors are a bit more frisky, and it is a pretty place for a walk.

“One of other favorite places to go for a walk when I want to get out of my neighborhood; The Morton Arboretum. I could walk there all winter.”

Feel free to email me, and your response might be shared in the newsletter this week.