Medill Newsmakers: Fighting gun violence in Chicago through research, youth programs
By Elise Devlin Medill Reports More people were shot to death in Chicago in 2021 than in any other year on record, according to the Chicago Data Portal. Yet many Chicagoans are trying to combat gun violence through weaponizing this data and using it to kick-start initiatives and organizations where needed. Kimberley Smith, director of […]
New exhibit ‘Jurassic Oceans’ shows how Field Museum has evolved
By MacKenzie Coffman Medill Reports Stepping into the Field Museum’s new exhibit “Jurassic Oceans,” visitors won’t need to fear that dinosaurs will come to life. “Jurassic Oceans: Monsters of the Deep” is open through Sept. 5, and looks and feels like a traditional museum exhibit upon entering the space. On loan from the London Natural […]
Ayo Dosunmu takes key role while biding time as rookie with Bulls
By Jonathan Fernandez Medill Reports Ayo Dosunmu is like many 22-year-olds. If you overlook the fact he’s making millions of dollars a year to play for his hometown Chicago Bulls, the comparison makes a lot more sense. That’s hard to overlook, of course, even though Dosunmu lives with his older brother Kube and spends most […]
Medill Newsmakers: Professor, political activist describe how Russian Americans are dealing with Vladimir Putin’s war, their efforts and the backlash they are facing
By Ivy Fan Medill Reports Numerous people are suffering because of the conflict in Ukraine, including those who live far from the war zone and those who are not Ukrainians. Hear from Ekaterina Korsounskaia, clinical associate professor at NYU’s Russian and Slavic Studies Department, an immigrant since 1993, about the traumatic impact of Russian President […]
Q&A: Wayne Baquet, owner of Lil Dizzy’s Cafe, reflects on family’s history of over 200 years in New Orleans
By Angela Chen Medill Reports NEW ORLEANS — Wayne Baquet is the owner of Lil Dizzy’s Restaurant, a popular Creole-soul food restaurant in the neighborhood of Treme in New Orleans that has been frequented by the likes of Barack Obama, George W. Bush and countless other famous figures as well as many locals. Baquet is […]
Medill Newsmakers: Mental health therapist, local organization share tips, resources
By Taylor Woods Medill Reports The effects of COVID-19 and balancing everyday life have affected the emotional well-being of many, but there are ways for Chicagoans to connect and learn how they can balance their mental health. Mental health therapist Jessica Love Jordan-Banks discusses mental health tips and exercises, and Patrick Dombrowski also explains the […]
‘Battle-tested’ Catholic League basketball teams thrive in postseason spotlight
By Andrew Polk Medill Reports A 15-school basketball conference isn’t supposed to have seven teams win 20 games in one season. A team with 21 losses usually doesn’t win a regional championship and advance to a sectional final. Snapping a 39-year regional championship drought is a big deal. Although DePaul College Prep and St. Ignatius […]
WATCH: Pilsen site acquisition offers opportunity for affordable housing
By Jane Vaughan Medill Reports Although affordable housing and gentrification have recently been issues in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood, the acquisition of a six-acre lot there presents an opportunity to help address those needs. Chicago plans to purchase the lot in order to build nearly 300 affordable apartments. Community leaders look forward to conversations that will […]
Native American schools on Louisiana Gulf Coast struggle to reopen in wake of Hurricane Ida
By Apps Mandar Bichu Medill Reports HOUMA, La.— “Honestly, I don’t understand why they would want to shut schools down. It’s confusing,” the second deputy-chief of the Grand Caillou/Dulac tribe said, as she sat in the RV she calls home for the time being, with her children joyfully playing around her. (The deputy chief asked […]
Louisiana communities still reeling from Hurricane Ida, pandemic
By Manan Bhavnani Medill Reports EMPIRE, La. — Mitch Jurisich still remembers growing up on Louisiana’s water and going fishing and shrimping with his father as a kid. “It was a wonderful life, something I wish I could show my grandkids… but it doesn’t exist anymore like that,” he said. Jurisich, 58, is a third-generation […]