Annual blessing of the Bodega Bay fishing fleet marks a shorter and uncertain salmon season
By Rebecca Fanning Bodega Bay, Calif. The Karen Jeanne rocks and sways as Dick Ogg steers out of Bodega Harbor, past the rocky breakwall where surf-casting fishermen wave from their perches. Behind him, an array of boats fall into line, each decorated with signs and flags, their decks full of fishermen, families and friends. To some […]
Local candy store takes customers on a sweet adventure
By Loumay Alesali Medill Reports Customers at Windy City Sweets come for the variety of handmade fine chocolates and candies, but they also get a unique experience. Store owner John Manchester builds strong relationship with shoppers through a welcoming customer service, making small conversations and having holiday or special-occasion-themed candy.
As on-court product surges, UIC faces fan-support and business challenges
By Robbie Weinstein Medill Reports By Chicago standards, it was a beautiful, balmy day for January 10. Classes at UIC had yet to resume after the holidays, but the 6-10 Flames men’s basketball team hosted Horizon League foe Green Bay. Not surprisingly, fans didn’t pack the 8,000-seat UIC Pavilion. The Flames’ eventual 84-73 win over […]
Northwestern baseball embraces young talent
By Darren Zaslau Medill Reports The Northwestern baseball team has 18 underclassmen on the current roster. As the Wildcats embark on the second half of Big Ten Conference play, they will be relying heavily on them to contribute to the team’s success. After hosting Michigan State this weekend, Northwestern will travel to Penn State and […]
Syrian refugee women building a new life in Illinois
Loumay Alesali Medill Reports The journey of Hanan Fayoumi and her four children from Damascus, Syria to Rockford was full of struggles and unpredictability. She left her home with her husband and kids after violence escalated in 2012 and went to her parents’ big house in a safe village. They stayed with all of her […]
These women of color in Chicago are shattering gender and racial stereotypes through improv
By Jonathan Skinner Medill Reports At the Annoyance Theater, a place known for celebrating more absurd brands of comedy, Matt Damon Improv is doing something that shouldn’t be absurd, providing a place for women of color to perform freely in the acting community. Their variety show tackles social, racial, and cultural issues every Sunday Night […]
Cuba’s contradictions
By Holly Honderich Medill Reports HAVANA – A cab driver earns more in one day than a doctor does in a week. Monthly government ration cards provide only enough rice, coffee, eggs and milk to cover basic needs for 13 days. Education is free, but tens of thousands of teachers have abandoned the profession because […]
The private sector brings change to Cuba
Loumay Alesali Medill Reports For years, Luis Manuel Rodriguez made vaccines for a living. He liked his job, but he didn’t earn enough to support his family and improve his life. Attracted by the money available in the tourist industry, he quit his job as a chemical engineer and became a waiter in a popular […]
Photo Gallery: Portraits of Cuba
By Giulia Petroni Medill Reports From Havana to Matanzas: away from 1950s Cadillacs and souvenirs of Che, these are the people we met, the streets we walked. Photo at top: Havana, Cuba. (Giulia Petroni/MEDILL).
In Cuba Family Means Collective Wisdom
By Giulia Petroni Medill Reports HAVANA — A sunbeam streams through the window and crosses the living room. It is 9 a.m., and Lesbia is opening the shutters while humming the notes of Cuban guajira. They resonate in her mind as the most powerful of memories. It was the late 1970s, and Lesbia was in […]