Happy anniversary, Marktown: 100th year surviving
By Jingzhe(Kelly) Wang Marktown, in East Chicago, Indiana, is less than a half hour drive from the south side of Chicago. It’s in a different state and is in many ways in its own world. Built in 1917 as a planned community for a steel company, Marktown welcomed more than one thousand residents living in […]
Mother finds holiday cheer nine years after her son’s death
By Jasmine Minor Debra McDonald, a mother of five, lost her youngest son in a traumatic backyard accident nine years ago. She reflects back on the experience and how far she has come in her healing process. In preparation for the holidays, she leans on her family, friends and faith for strength. [vimeo 195670217 w=474] […]
East Chicago residents face risk of high lead
By Cloee Cooper Sarah Willis lives near a former U.S. Smelter and Lead Refinery, Inc. plant with her husband and granddaughter in East Chicago, Indiana. The area was designated as a Superfund site, a federal government program designed to fund the cleanup of sites contaminated with hazardous substances and pollutants. While residents in the nearby […]
Open art studio offers sexual assault survivors healing in Ravenswood
By Carolyn Talya Cakir There is a still that settles around the room as people begin to create. Surrounded by art created by sexual assault survivors, eight people sit at two fold-out tables in the center of The Awakenings Foundation art gallery in Ravenswood. They are participating in Making Matters, an open art studio session […]
Fat Rice brings Macau to Chicago
By Nona Tepper She is Chinese-American, from Chicago. He is Portuguese- American, born in Lowell, Massachusetts, an area with a large Southeast Asian population. But their creation is a perfect merger of their two cultures. It’s also a reflection of their quest to show how cuisines evolve globally.
Immigrants use Snapchat to amplify their voices before Trump
By Marianna Brady President-elect Trump has used Twitter during his campaign and after his presidential election victory to speak directly with the public. He’s harnessed Twitter as a way to quickly express his opinions. Undocumented immigrants and members of Congress are turning to the platform Snapchat to share their stories. We used the messaging app […]
Climate scientists gather to tackle urgent challenges for the planet
By Janice Cantieri “You can’t open a McDonald’s ketchup packet without the little notch. Try it, okay?” noted climatologist Richard Alley. Without the little notches, plastic ketchup packets are almost impossible to open no matter how much you pull or tear. Cracks in the world’s ice sheets are like those little notches, Alley said. Once […]
Christmas comes early at the Chicago Cultural Center
By Kelly Calagna The Chicago Cultural Center came alive Sunday with the sounds of Tchaikovsky’s holiday classic, The Nutcracker. About 500 little ballerinas took over the grand ball room in a free public event made possible by the volunteer efforts of Ballet Chicago and the Lakeside Pride Symphonic Band. The tutu’ed participants received a ballet lesson, […]
Anti-abortion protesters sing holiday songs outside clinics
By Carolyn Talya Cakir It’s 9 a.m. on a Saturday. Most young adults would be sleeping in, enjoying their weekend. Not the members of Pro-Life Future, who gathered outside Family Planning Associates Medical Group to protest abortion through song. “Today, we’re Christmas caroling for babies,” says Pro-Life Future-Chicago leader Meghan Meehan. Family Planning Associates is […]
Watchdog group on organized racism responds to Trump’s victory
By Cloee Cooper Many organizations were caught off guard by Donald Trump’s election. Some saw it coming when the presidential campaign geared up last January. “Everyone is understanding now that the far right is now mainstream. Its running the country. We and others have been warning others about this for a long time,” says Reverend […]