Labubu dolls take over Chicagoland, fuel Pop Mart’s expansion ambitions
By Layna Hong Medill Reports One thing Monica Ruano can’t leave the house without is her Labubu. The fuzzy doll hangs from her bag, with rabbit ears, wide piercing eyes and a smile that stretches across its plastic face and shows off its serrated teeth. “I wear them wherever I go — restaurants, family parties, […]
LISTEN: Illinois could be first state to protect right to mask up
By Layna Hong Medill Reports Five years after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, anti-mask legislation is sweeping across the country. With growing pro-Palestinian activism, many lawmakers argue that protesters are using masks to hide their identities. But in Illinois, a bill proposed in February would protect the right to wear a medical mask in […]
LISTEN: Chicago’s Filipino food scene continues to grow
By Layna Hong Medill Reports HOST INTRO: A Pew Research Center study finds only 1% of Asian restaurants in America serve Filipino food. But in Chicago, Filipino restaurants are growing in both number and influence. Layna Hong has more. HONG: Saturdays at Umaga Bakehouse in Albany Park are chaotic. People file into the bakery, loading […]
Vienna’s public transit works for the environment — but not for everyone
By Layna Hong Medill Reports VIENNA – At the heart of one of the world’s most livable cities is an expansive and efficient public transit system, one that has become a global model for sustainable urban mobility. Car usage has steadily decreased since 2005, due to the city’s concentrated efforts. Sustainable mobility is a key […]
