| Good morning. It will be nice to thaw out a bit from the last few days while girding for the even colder air coming early next week. Last night, President Joe Biden gave his farewell address. How that goes down in history remains to be seen. For now, though, Michael Peregrine offers a few looks back at some of the most significant of such speeches in American history, from Washington to Obama. The Tribune Editorial Board spent a little time at the federal courthouse this week and has some ruminations on a friendship betrayed stemming from former House Speaker Mike Madigan's time on the stand. Elsewhere, the board notes Chicago's first credit rating downgrade in a decade, yet another negative in Mayor Brandon Johnson's difficult term. Willie Wilson, a regular contributor, often provides a conservative viewpoint on issues of the day, but today, he has a full-throated defense of DEI, or diversity, equity and inclusion, which is under assault in corner offices of corporate America. And I recommend another opinion piece reminding us of America's migrant story and how it's playing out today. The risks refugees and asylum-seekers still take to come here, despite the current political winds, are remarkable. As always, we have readers' highly valued letters as well. Have a great day, and we'll have more tomorrow. — Steve Daniels, editorial board member Submit an op-ed | Submit a letter to the editor | Meet the Tribune Editorial Board | Subscribe to this newsletter | 
