BTC Mining Profitability Slumps as Hashprice Falls to Multi-Month Low

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Hashprice has plunged to its lowest level since April, when Bitcoin was trading around $76,000. It now sits at $43.1 per petahash/second (PH/s).

Hashprice, a term coined by Luxor, refers to the expected value of one terahash per second (TH/s) of hashing power per day. It represents how much a miner can earn from a specific amount of hashrate. Hashprice is influenced by several factors, including Bitcoin’s price, network difficulty, block subsidy, and transaction fees.

Since Bitcoin has corrected roughly 20% from its October all-time high of $104,000, and transaction fees remain at bear market levels, miner revenues have come under increasing pressure. According to mempool.space, processing a high-priority transaction currently costs about 4 sat/vB ($0.58). Meanwhile, average transaction fees on an annual basis are at their lowest levels in years.

Hash rate, which is the total computational power used by miners to secure the Bitcoin network, remains just below all-time highs at over 1.1 zettahashes per second (ZH/s). This has coincided with a recent difficulty adjustment reaching an all-time high of 156 trillion (T), up 6.3%. The difficulty adjustment recalibrates roughly every two weeks to ensure that new blocks are mined approximately every ten minutes, maintaining network stability as mining power fluctuates.

Declining Bitcoin prices, low transaction fees, and record-high difficulty are all weighing on Bitcoin mining profitability.

As a result, Bitcoin miners have pivoted to AI and high-performance computing (HPC) data center operations to secure more reliable revenue streams. By locking in longer-term contracts with data companies, miners can stabilize cash flow and reduce reliance on the volatile Bitcoin market conditions.
https://bitcoinethereumnews.com/bitcoin/btc-mining-profitability-slumps-as-hashprice-falls-to-multi-month-low/

5 clear signals that will prove if the Bitcoin bull run is still alive

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Crypto Twitter is filled with claims that “everyone is buying Bitcoin,” from Michael Saylor and BlackRock to entire countries and even banks. Yet despite these accumulation narratives, Bitcoin’s price has slipped sharply, breaking below key levels as ETF flows turned negative.

This contradiction between bullish headlines and falling prices emphasizes a crucial point: in markets driven by liquidity and marginal flow, who’s actually buying, and when, matters far more than who says they are.

—

### Bitcoin Price Breaks Key Levels Amid Negative ETF Flows

Bitcoin fell through $106,400 as spot ETF flows turned negative over four consecutive sessions. The shift came as BlackRock’s IBIT logged redemptions totaling $714.8 million over the last four days, removing a significant source of daily demand right as a widely watched cycle pivot gave way.

According to Farside Investors, the outflows of $88.1 million, $290.9 million, $149.3 million, and $186.5 million coincided with this breakdown. These redemptions forced selling by authorized participants who redeemed shares for underlying Bitcoin and offloaded them into the market, flipping the net flow.

When creations slow and redemptions rise across the U.S. spot ETF complex, the daily bid that helped absorb volatility turns into a source of supply.

—

### Fund Flows and Market Impact

Mid-October saw stretches of net outflows across digital asset funds as Bitcoin struggled to stay above $106,400. While there were brief inflow days late in the month, the recent trend has tilted back into the red—a pattern aligning with IBIT’s data.

The mechanical impact matters because ETF flow translates into spot buys or sells. The timing overlaps with a break of a key level many traders use to distinguish a late-cycle pullback from a trend resumption.

—

### Derivatives and Macro Factors Add Pressure

Derivatives added further pressure on Bitcoin’s price. The CME three-month futures premium cooled to roughly 4-5% annualized over the back half of the year, curbing carry-trade incentives that typically pull institutional basis demand into rallies.

Simultaneously, funding on perpetual swaps softened or turned negative at points, accelerating down moves when longs de-risk and liquidations cluster.

In this climate, slow, scheduled spot accumulation by corporates or sovereign entities does not offset forced liquidations on leverage or redemptions on regulated products that directly translate to spot selling.

—

### Macroeconomic Headwinds

Macro factors have not eased the path. The U.S. Dollar Index rebounded toward the 98-100 range in November after a weak first half, while the U.S. 10-year yield remains near 4.1%, keeping real rates restrictive.

A firmer dollar and tight real yields tend to compress global liquidity and weigh on long-duration risk assets. Bitcoin continues to respond to these impulses at tactical horizons. When flows are roughly flat, the dollar often determines whether a bounce holds or fades.

—

### Supply Overhang and Miner Selling

Supply narratives also persist. The Mt. Gox rehabilitation timeline was extended to October 31, 2026, following partial distributions earlier this year, maintaining a recurring overhang even if actual sales are staggered. Periodic trustee updates and wallet movements repeatedly tighten risk tolerance on rebounds.

Miners remain another pressure valve. Post-halving economics have left hashprice near cycle lows relative to the spring spike, creating ongoing incentives for treasury monetization on stress days. This can compound selling pressure, especially when funding softens procyclically.

—

### Cycle Context: The Bull-Bear Pivot Lost

Cycle framing helps tie these pieces together. Recently, $126,000 was called the cycle high and $106,400 the bull-bear pivot. The price just lost that pivot as ETF bids turned into net selling, while basis stayed subdued and funding cooled.

Interestingly, common on-chain and cycle monitors—such as the 2-Year MA Multiplier, Pi Cycle Top, and RHODL—have failed to reach euphoria this cycle, even near the highs. Metrics are already slipping toward distribution and mean reversion as flow support fades.

This could mean the bull run will be extended this cycle or represent diminishing returns compared to prior transitions. These tools are not standalone timing devices. However, when they align with daily flow inflection and macro stiffness, traders tend to withdraw liquidity, amplifying the impact of incremental sells.

—

### Why Is the Price Falling If Big Players Are Buying?

Why is the price falling if BlackRock, corporates, or countries are buying? The flow math provides a direct answer.

– Nation-state purchases are episodic and small compared to daily turnover.
– Corporate treasuries operate on idiosyncratic schedules.
– Banks often facilitate client activity rather than deploying balance sheet risk daily.

None of these actors offset a week where issuers that normally create shares instead redeemed, funding drifted toward or below zero, and the dollar firmed. In this mix, the marginal seller rules the tape.

—

### What’s Next for Bitcoin’s Near-Term Path?

The near-term path depends on whether spot creations reappear and the basis expands.

– **Continued net outflow days** from the largest U.S. spot ETFs, especially IBIT and FBTC, combined with CME basis near or below 5% annualized and flat to negative funding, would keep the market in a distribution phase. Under this setup, failing to reclaim $106,400 leaves $100,000 as a battleground and opens mid to high $90,000s on further red sessions, particularly if macro conditions stay tight.

– A **more neutral outcome** with oscillating smaller flows, basis stabilizing in the 5-7% zone, and a range-bound dollar around 97-100 suggests digestion between $100,000 and $106,000 while liquidity rebuilds.

– The **upside case** requires a return of multi-day net creations in the $300 to $800 million range across the complex, pushing basis above 8-10% annualized, and a softer dollar. This scenario could trigger a retest of $110,000 to $115,000 and reopen debate around the cycle top if flows persist.

—

### How to Tell If the Bitcoin Bull Run Is Still Going

Monitoring several indicators helps gauge the health of the current bull run:

– **ETF Flows (Farside data):** Sustained multi-day creations from major issuers like BlackRock’s IBIT or Fidelity’s FBTC signal renewed demand. Continued redemptions or flat prints confirm the bid turned into supply.

– **Fund Flows (CoinShares report):** Broad inflows across digital asset funds, especially led by Bitcoin, indicate institutional rotation back into risk. Persistent outflows or concentration in defensive altcoins point to capital retreat.

– **Leverage Conditions (CME basis and funding):** A rising basis (above ~7-8% annualized) and positive, stable funding suggest appetite for directional risk, typical in bull phases. Flat or negative setups imply deleveraging and distribution.

– **Macro Liquidity (DXY and 10-year yield):** A weaker dollar (DXY below 97) and easing yields open liquidity channels that historically underpin bullish momentum. Strength in either metric tightens liquidity, pressuring crypto beta.

– **Mining Supply Pressure (Hashprice trends):** Rising hashprice and stable or falling miner selling hint that the market is comfortably absorbing new supply, a bullish signal. Collapsing hashprice or spikes in miner transfers to exchanges often mark stress within uptrends.

—

### Recent Spot-ETF Flows Summary (BlackRock’s IBIT)

| Date | Net Flow (USD millions) |
|———|————————-|
| Oct 29 | -88.1 |
| Oct 30 | -290.9 |
| Oct 31 | -149.3 |
| Nov 03 | -186.5 |
| **Total** | **-714.8** |

The last four trading days flipped the spot-ETF bid into a sustained net seller, exactly as Bitcoin lost its pivot. With CME basis subdued and funding soft, the marginal price was driven by de-risking rather than dip-buying. A firmer USD and sticky real yields rounded out a flow-led break—not a referendum on long-term adoption.

Until daily creations return and $106,400 is reclaimed, this remains a distribution and digest phase within the broader cycle.

—

### Looking Ahead: The Cycle Pattern and Long-Term Outlook

Unless the historic Bitcoin cycle pattern has been disrupted by corporate treasuries and ETF flows, Father Time has already spoken. If Bitcoin were to reach a new all-time high by the end of this year or in 2026, it would mark the latest cycle high ever recorded.

For now, staying focused on daily issuer-level flows, derivatives positioning, and macroeconomic factors remains critical for understanding Bitcoin’s trajectory.

—

*Stay tuned for updates as market dynamics evolve.*
https://bitcoinethereumnews.com/bitcoin/5-clear-signals-that-will-prove-if-the-bitcoin-bull-run-is-still-alive/

Travis Kelce’s fiancée Taylor Swift twins with Gigi Hadid amid freezing 8°C chill for girls’ night at NYC’s Zero Bond (In Pics)

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Taylor Swift and Gigi Hadid enjoyed a girls’ night out in New York City on Monday. The outing came just a day after Swift’s fiancé, Travis Kelce, and his team, the Kansas City Chiefs, lost to the Buffalo Bills with a score of 28-21.

https://www.sportskeeda.com/nfl/news-travis-kelce-s-fiancee-taylor-swift-twins-gigi-hadid-amid-freezing-8-chill-girls-night-nyc-s-zero-bond-in-pics

Denny’s shares jump 50% after it agrees to go private in $322M deal

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Shares in Denny’s jumped 50% on Tuesday after the 71-year-old diner chain, long known for its “Grand Slam” breakfasts and 24/7 service, agreed to go private in a $322 million deal.

The acquisition is being led by TriArtisan Capital Advisors, a New York-based private equity firm that also owns Chinese food chain P.F. Chang’s, as well as the parent companies of Hooters and TGI Fridays. Investment firm Treville Capital Group and Yadav Enterprises, one of Denny’s largest franchisees, are partnering with TriArtisan to buy out the restaurant chain.

Stockholders will receive $6.25 per share in cash, representing a 52% premium compared to the closing stock price on Monday. Denny’s board of directors has unanimously approved the deal, which is expected to close in the first quarter of 2026.

Denny’s Chief Executive Kelli Valade said the company conducted a thorough review of strategic alternatives, reaching out to more than 40 potential buyers and receiving multiple offers.

For years, one of Denny’s biggest draws was its 24/7 service, including around-the-clock breakfast favorites. However, the chain paused those hours during the pandemic, and about a quarter of its 1,600 restaurants have yet to return to 24-hour service. The company has eased up on the requirement despite its popularity among customers.

Denny’s is also facing challenges as more Americans opt to eat at home to save money, leaving customers surprised by rising prices. Over the past two years, the chain has closed 180 locations and launched a turnaround effort that includes new menu items and restaurant remodels.

In the third quarter, same-store sales slipped 2.9%, and the company’s revenue and earnings fell short of Wall Street estimates. Prior to Tuesday’s stock surge, Denny’s shares had fallen about 34% so far this year, hitting a 12-year low in February following a steep decline in quarterly sales.
https://nypost.com/2025/11/04/business/dennys-shares-jump-50-after-it-agrees-to-go-private-in-322m-deal/

2008 Ford Mustang Cobra Jet at No Reserve

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This 2008 Ford Mustang Cobra Jet is #37 of only 50 examples produced by Ford Racing for the model year. It was originally delivered new to Jacky Jones Ford of Cleveland, Georgia. Finished in white with a striking Cobra Jet livery, this highly specialized Mustang is built for drag racing performance and exclusivity.

Under the hood, the car is powered by a 5.4-liter DOHC V8 engine equipped with a 2.3-liter Eaton TVS supercharger. The engine features forged internals, Ford GT cylinder heads, and Ford Performance forged camshafts and crankshaft. Additional upgrades include a 65-mm throttle body, high-impedance 80 lb/hr fuel injectors, an Aeromotive Eliminator fuel pump, an A1000 fuel pressure regulator, and a 10-micron fuel filter. Tuned by Ford Racing, the engine produces a factory-rated 425 horsepower.

Power is delivered to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual transmission coupled with a Strange Engineering 9-inch rear axle featuring 4.11:1 gearing, a chromoly yoke, and 35-spline axles. The car rides on 15-inch multi-piece Bogart Racing wheels wrapped in Goodyear Eagle drag slicks to maximize traction on the strip.

The suspension is fully adjustable, with lightweight manual steering rack, adjustable front struts, and adjustable Panhard bar, upper control arms, and shocks in the rear. Braking is managed by Strange Engineering lightweight four-piston calipers and vented rotors, ensuring excellent stopping power during high-performance runs.

This Mustang Cobra Jet is equipped with an NHRA-certified chrome-moly roll cage and multi-point racing harnesses for maximum driver safety. The factory-style bucket seats are upholstered in black cloth with white “Cobra Jet” and flaming cobra graphic embroidery. Other performance and safety features include a Liberty pistol grip shifter and an intercooler pump switch.

In keeping with its race-ready purpose, this car does not have rear seats, air conditioning, or a stereo system. The windshield wipers and side mirrors were removed as part of the drag-spec conversion. The exterior is further enhanced by an aluminum hood scoop, hood pins, body-color quarter-window louvers, and a rear diffuser.

Inside the cockpit, a three-spoke black steering wheel fronts the factory instrumentation, supplemented by a Ford Racing tachometer and auxiliary gauges mounted atop the dashboard. The digital odometer reads just 0.5 miles, underscoring the car’s minimal use.

Included with the sale are a Ford Racing certificate, a numbered build book, promotional literature, and a set of Cobra Jet-branded apparel including a shirt, jacket, and hat. Please note, this vehicle is not street legal, does not have a title, and is offered with a bill of sale only.

This rare, purpose-built 2008 Ford Mustang Cobra Jet is a unique opportunity for serious drag racing enthusiasts or collectors seeking a highly collectible race car with authentic Ford Racing pedigree.
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2008-ford-mustang-coupe-7/

Trump Vows to Withhold ‘SNAP BENEFITS’ Until Government Is Reopened

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This thread has been removed.

**Date:** November 4, 2025
**Time:** 10:20:04 AM PST
**Removed by:** Admin Moderator
**Reason:** Copyright infringement
https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4350638/posts

VCs pour $5.1B into crypto firms while Bitcoin’s ‘Uptober’ whiffed

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October closed roughly 4% down for Bitcoin, yet venture funding hit $5.1 billion in the same month, marking the second-strongest month since 2022. According to CryptoRank data, three mega-deals account for most of this funding, as October defied its own seasonal mythology.

Bitcoin fell 3.7% during a month traders have nicknamed “Uptober” for its historical winning streak, breaking a pattern that had held since 2019. Yet, venture capitalists deployed $5.1 billion into crypto startups during the same 31 days, marking the second-highest monthly total since 2022 and the best VC performance of 2025 aside from March.

The divergence between spot market weakness and venture market strength creates a puzzle. Either builders see opportunities that traders have missed, or a handful of enormous checks have distorted the overall signal.

### Concentration of Funding: The Big Three Deals

The concentration of funding tells most of the story. Three transactions account for roughly $2.8 billion of October’s total $5.1 billion:

– Intercontinental Exchange’s (ICE) strategic investment of up to $2 billion in Polymarket
– Tempo’s $500 million Series A round led by Stripe and Paradigm
– Kalshi’s $300 million Series D round

CryptoRank’s monthly data shows 180 disclosed funding rounds in October, indicating that the top three transactions account for 54% of the total capital deployed across fewer than 2% of deals. The median round size likely remains in the single-digit millions.

Removing Polymarket, Tempo, and Kalshi from the calculation would shift the narrative from the “best month in years” to a steady but unspectacular continuation of 2024’s modest pace.

The “venture rebound” narrative depends heavily on whether these strategic acquisition plays and infrastructure bets represent broader builder confidence or are simply outliers that happened to close in the same reporting window.

### Why Spot Traders Sold While VCs Wrote Checks

Bitcoin’s October weakness stemmed from profit-taking following September’s gains, macroeconomic headwinds from rising Treasury yields, and continued ETF outflows that began mid-month and accelerated through the final week.

Although Bitcoin ETFs registered nearly $3.4 billion in net inflows, Farside Investors’ daily flow data shows heavy redemptions from major spot Bitcoin products, particularly in the final ten trading days.

Venture capital operates on a different timeline. The firms deploying capital in October committed to thesis-driven positions months earlier. The actual cash transfer and announcement timing reflect legal processes and strategic coordination rather than spot market sentiment.

For example, Polymarket’s $2 billion investment from ICE doesn’t reflect a bet on Bitcoin’s November price. Instead, it reflects ICE’s view that prediction markets represent a multi-billion-dollar addressable market, where first-mover advantage and regulatory positioning matter more than token price action.

Similarly, Tempo’s $500 million round funds stablecoin and payment infrastructure aimed at enterprise adoption. These revenue-generating products’ success metrics don’t directly correlate with whether Bitcoin trades at $100,000, $60,000, or $40,000.

Kalshi’s $300 million raise operates in comparable territory. The CFTC-regulated prediction market platform competes with Polymarket and traditional derivatives venues. Its valuation has jumped to $5 billion based on transaction volume growth and a regulatory moat rather than crypto market timing.

### Infrastructure, Compliance, and Institutional Use Cases

The three largest October deals share a common thread: they target infrastructure, compliance, and institutional use cases where crypto serves as plumbing rather than speculation.

This focus explains why venture activity can surge while retail traders exit the market. VCs are placing their bets on the decade-long buildout of financial infrastructure, not the next quarter’s price movement.

### Risks in Mega-Deal Concentration

Concentration creates fragility. If Polymarket faces regulatory headwinds, or if Tempo’s enterprise pipeline develops more slowly than projected, two of October’s flagship deals could mark peak valuations rather than validated milestones.

The same concentration that inflated October’s headline number makes the sector vulnerable to downward revisions if those few large bets stumble.

### Timing and Strategic Opportunism

ICE announced its Polymarket investment days before the US mayoral elections, positioning the platform to capitalize on record prediction market volume. That timing reflects strategic opportunism, as ICE bought into heightened visibility and user growth. However, it raises questions about sustained engagement if election-driven volume returns to normal.

Kalshi’s $300 million round came amid similar election-related momentum. Both deals may prove prescient if prediction markets sustain post-election activity, or they may represent peak-hype pricing if volumes crater once binary political events resolve.

### Looking Ahead

If October’s pattern holds—with weak retail participation, rotating institutional interest, and concentrated infrastructure bets—the winners won’t be the projects that capture speculative frenzy. Instead, success will go to platforms that become utility layers institutions cannot avoid.
https://bitcoinethereumnews.com/bitcoin/vcs-pour-5-1b-into-crypto-firms-while-bitcoins-uptober-whiffed/

Pokemon TCG Pocket: Best Mega Ampharos ex deck guide

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The Pokémon TCG Pocket Mega Rising meta has introduced some powerful new cards, and among them, **Mega Ampharos ex** has become a standout pick. This deck performs exceptionally well in both the early and late game, utilizing raw and flexible chip damage.

The Mega Ampharos ex deck is a fun Lightning deck that keeps up with the current meta. Here’s everything you need to know about this deck, from essential cards to a detailed strategy breakdown.

—

## Best Pokémon TCG Pocket Mega Ampharos ex Deck Guide: Cards You Need

| Card | Quantity |
|——————–|———-|
| Mareep | 2 |
| Mega Ampharos ex | 2 |
| Oricorio | 2 |
| Zeraora | 2 |
| Elemental Switch | 1 |
| Cyrus | 2 |
| Electrical Cord | 2 |
| May | 1 |
| Professor’s Research | 2 |
| Poke Ball | 2 |
| Rare Candy | 2 |

—

## Strategy Breakdown

### 1) Mega Ampharos ex
– **HP:** 210
– **Move:** Lightning Lancer
– **Damage:** 100 base damage
– **Effect:** Randomly selects one of your opponent’s Benched Pokémon three times, dealing 20 damage each time
– **Energy Cost:** 2 Lightning, 1 Colorless
– **Retreat Cost:** 2 Energy

Mega Ampharos ex’s Lightning Lancer deals 100 damage to the Active Pokémon, plus up to 60 total bench damage distributed at random. If your opponent only has one Benched Pokémon, the extra 60 damage goes straight to it, potentially knocking out smaller evolutions in one hit. Additionally, Mega Ampharos ex is a bulky card with a huge 210 HP, which is one of the highest in the game.

—

### 2) Zeraora
– **HP:** 90
– **Ability:** Thunderclap Flash
– At the end of your first turn, attach a Lightning Energy from your Energy Zone to this Pokémon.
– **Move:** Lightning Claw
– **Damage:** 50 damage
– **Energy Cost:** 2 Lightning
– **Retreat Cost:** 1 Energy

Zeraora is your ideal early-game starter. Its ability lets you accelerate Lightning Energy right from turn one, setting up a quick offense. Even if it stays on the Bench, Elemental Switch can move that stored Energy to Mega Ampharos ex or Oricorio. This flexibility makes Zeraora both an energy generator and a solid backup attacker.

—

### 3) Oricorio
– **HP:** 70
– **Ability:** Safeguard
– Prevents all damage from your opponent’s Pokémon ex.
– **Move:** Zzzap
– **Damage:** 50 damage
– **Energy Cost:** 1 Lightning, 1 Colorless
– **Retreat Cost:** 1 Energy

Pom-Pom Oricorio serves as your defensive pivot. Its Safeguard ability completely blocks attacks from ex Pokémon, forcing opponents to change their strategy. It’s perfect for stalling while you power up Mega Ampharos ex or for countering decks that heavily rely on ex cards.

—

## Support Cards

– **Elemental Switch:** Transfers Fire, Water, or Lightning Energy from one of your Benched Pokémon to your Active Pokémon.
– **Cyrus:** Pulls one of your opponent’s damaged Benched Pokémon into the Active Spot. Mega Ampharos ex will have plenty of opportunities to set up plays for Cyrus.
– **Electrical Cord:** When your Active Lightning Pokémon is Knocked Out, move two of its Lightning Energies to one each of your Benched Pokémon.
– **May:** Lets you draw two random Pokémon from your deck, then shuffle a Pokémon from your hand back.
– **Professor’s Research:** Simple and effective 2-card draw support.
– **Poke Ball:** Fetches a random Basic Pokémon.
– **Rare Candy:** The key to evolving Mareep directly into Mega Ampharos ex, skipping the middle stage.

—

The Mega Ampharos ex deck is all about applying pressure fast and spreading damage efficiently. With Zeraora fueling early-game energy, Oricorio protecting your board, and Cyrus ensuring no damaged Pokémon escape, this deck revolves around momentum and smart timing.

—

### Related Reads
– [Pokémon TCG Pocket Mega Rising [B1]: All cards, types, and rarities](#)
– [10 Best Cards in Pokémon TCG Pocket Mega Rising Expansion, Ranked](#)
– [Rarest Cards in Pokémon TCG Pocket Mega Rising Expansion](#)
– [Pokémon TCG Pocket Update: Increased Deck Limit, Max Player Level and More](#)
– [Pokémon TCG Pocket Mega Rising Decks Tier List](#)
– [Pokémon TCGP Announces New Trading Changes](#)
– [What Are Pokémon Tools in Pokémon TCGP, and How to Use Them](#)
– [All Status Conditions Explained in Pokémon TCGP](#)
– [How to Access Older Packs in Pokémon TCGP](#)

—

**Editor:** Aashish Victor

🚨 Calculate how strong your evolved Pokémon will become with our newly launched [Pokémon GO Evolution Calculator](#) 🚨
https://www.sportskeeda.com/pokemon/pokemon-tcg-pocket-best-mega-ampharos-ex-deck-guide

Feds: Border Patrol vehicle tied to woman’s shooting in Brighton Park was buffed with a rag, not repaired

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Prosecutors say a Border Patrol mechanic in Maine attempted to “wipe off” some scuff marks but did no actual repairs on an immigration agent’s SUV after he shot a woman in Brighton Park last month.

A court filing by the U.S. attorney’s office late Monday provided a more detailed timeline of what happened to the agent’s Chevrolet Tahoe after the Oct. 4 shooting that left Marimar Martinez wounded.

Martinez was charged with assault for allegedly intentionally ramming her car into the agent’s vehicle, leading him to open fire. Martinez’s attorneys have alleged that before they could inspect the agent’s vehicle, he was improperly allowed by a supervisor to drive it more than a thousand miles back to his home base in Maine.

U.S. District Judge Georgia Alexakis ordered the Tahoe brought back to Chicago on a flatbed truck and asked prosecutors for information on whether it had been repaired after the shooting.

According to the government’s filing, the Tahoe remained at the scene of the shooting for several hours as an FBI technician took photographs of the vehicle’s exterior. An FBI special agent then drove the Tahoe to the agency’s Chicago headquarters for processing, where the evidence technician inspected it, took additional photographs “and collected paint samples from the damaged areas,” the filing stated. The contents of the vehicle’s onboard computer were also downloaded and preserved.

After the processing was completed later that night, the agent was authorized to remove the vehicle from the FBI offices, according to the filing. Three days later, the agent drove it to the U.S. attorney’s office at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse to participate in an interview with prosecutors.

Following the interview, his monthlong deployment to Chicago ended and he “began the two-and-a-half-day drive back to his station in Maine” in the Tahoe, according to the filing. The agent told prosecutors he did not “wash, repair, or alter” the vehicle before arriving at his station in Maine on October 10.

The agent’s ranking supervisor then authorized the vehicle’s repair, “understanding that the vehicle had been fully processed by the FBI and that, therefore, there was no further need to preserve the vehicle’s condition as evidence,” the filing stated.

On Oct. 14, a Border Patrol mechanic “began to work on the car to put it back into service,” using a brake cleaner on a shop rag to attempt to “wipe the scuff marks,” but used only light pressure and “did not repair any of scratches or dents on the vehicle,” the filing stated.

After receiving word from Chicago about the dispute over the car’s whereabouts, the supervisor at the Maine station ordered that the Tahoe not be serviced any further, the filing stated.

On Oct. 23, the vehicle was picked up and transported by flatbed truck to Chicago, where it was inspected by Martinez’s attorneys at the FBI’s Chicago Office.

Marimar Martinez, 30, has pleaded not guilty to a single count of using a dangerous weapon to interfere with federal officers in the course of their official duties. Also charged with the same count was Anthony Ian Santos Ruiz, 21, who prosecutors say used his SUV to ram the same Border Patrol vehicle. Ruiz also has entered a not guilty plea. A trial has been set for Feb. 2.

Prosecutors have said both Martinez and Ruiz were part of a convoy of cars that had been following agents on Oct. 4 as they conducted immigration enforcement operations in the Brighton Park neighborhood. Prior to the crash and shooting near 39th Street and Kedzie Avenue, Martinez had been broadcasting the pursuit on Facebook Live, “laying on her horn” and “yelling loudly” at the agents.

After both Martinez and Ruiz struck the officers’ vehicle, one agent jumped out and opened fire, hitting Martinez five times. Martinez drove off after the shooting, but paramedics discovered her and her vehicle at a repair shop about a mile away, according to a criminal complaint. She was later taken by ambulance to a local hospital and released after being treated for gunshot wounds.

Ruiz also drove away after the collisions, but law enforcement located him and his vehicle at a gas station about a half block away, the complaint stated.

All three agents involved were equipped with body cameras, but the camera of only one of the passengers was switched on at the time of the incident, according to the complaint. The body camera footage has not been released publicly. However, prosecutor Parente said in court that he had viewed the footage multiple times and that it showed, just before the shooting, one of the agents saying, “Do something, bitch,” while his hands were on his assault rifle.

Prosecutors have alleged in court that the actions of both Martinez and Ruiz were “extremely dangerous and extremely reckless,” putting both the officers and potentially innocent bystanders in harm’s way.

For further information, contact jmeisner@chicagotribune.com.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/04/border-patrol-vehicle-buffed-maine/

Midland Business Alliance updates flood study with U.S. Army Corps, almost $2 million raised

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The Midland Business Alliance recently addressed key infrastructure updates during the Board of Commissioners meeting held on November 4.

Participants discussed ongoing projects and future plans aimed at improving the community’s infrastructure. These updates are expected to enhance local business operations and support economic growth in the region.

Stay tuned for more information as the Alliance continues to collaborate with local authorities to implement these important improvements.
https://www.ourmidland.com/news/article/midland-flood-study-update-21138000.php