Medill Newsmakers: Reporting on-air amid COVID-19 (Ep. 2)
By Samone Blair, Michael Thomas, and Yilin Xie Medill Reports The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly impacted the way many of us work. Medill Reports spoke with three alumni of Northwestern University’s Medill School — Ashley Graham of WLNS-TV in Lansing, Michigan, Shiba Russel of 11Alive in Atlanta, and Peter Alexander of NBC News and the […]
Issues filing for Florida unemployment during the coronavirus pandemic
By Samone Blair Medill Reports Senators Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) issued a statement Monday calling for the U.S. Department of Labor Investigator General to investigate the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity’s failure to implement unemployment benefits that were expanded by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act of 2020, citing […]
Fort Myers NAACP Protest Calls for Unity
By Samone Blair Medill Reports Roughly 40 Floridians gathered Monday in downtown Fort Myers, Florida, for a protest organized by the NAACP of Lee County demanding justice after the police killing of George Floyd. A broad range of the community took to the stage to explain why they attended the protest. Photo at top: A […]
Indianapolis Children’s Choir provides more than music amid pandemic
By Samone Blair Medill Reports The Indianapolis Children’s Choir educates more than 5,000 young singers each year but amid the coronavirus pandemic, the non-profit organization is focusing on maintaining its community as much as it’s focusing on teaching music.
COVID-19: Stories from Across America
By Samone Blair Medill Reports In this May 18-24 special report, COVID-19: Stories from across America, Medill Reports looks at how the global pandemic is affecting veterans, families, local businesses, and athletes across the country. From Chicago to Washington D.C., Michigan to Florida, and everywhere in between, see how Americans are reacting to the coronavirus […]
Possible Hertz bankruptcy could affect SW Florida
By Samone Blair Medill Reports Hertz, the rental-car company based in Estero, Florida, is in financial trouble amid the coronavirus pandemic. The SEC has given Hertz until Friday to restructure its debt. According to Village of Estero Mayor Bill Ribble, Southwest Florida would miss the business, if it were to go out of business. Not […]
Naples faces challenges with re-opening beach
By Samone Blair Medill Reports The City of Naples re-opened its beach for the second time Wednesday after an emergency closure due to large crowds of beachgoers, many of whom were presumed to be from other areas of Florida. Naples City Council voted Monday to re-open the beach again but with new restrictions aimed to […]
Local organizing key to rent strikes across country
By Samone Blair Medill Reports Rent strike protests were among various demonstrations that took place across the country on May 1. Employees at companies like Amazon, Instacart, Target and Whole Foods also took to the streets while still practicing social distancing in honor of International Workers’ Day. Organizers who align with Rent Strike 2020 are […]
On the road again: Essential road travel during coronavirus
By Samone Blair Medill Reports Several states have ordered residents to make essential trips only during the coronavirus pandemic. But for those of us who need to hit the roads, what should we expect? With light traffic and low gas prices as positives, see what else to be prepared for. Photo at top: A highway […]
Data accounting for prison COVID-19 cases projects 100,000 death increase
By Samone Blair Medill Reports The ACLU of Indiana released findings Wednesday stating that a new data model projects the national COVID-19 death toll could be 100,000 deaths higher than previously projected. “We are likely facing massive loss of life — both in Indiana jails and in our communities — if dramatic steps aren’t taken […]
