Into the lives of Chicago’s modern magicians
By Mackenzie Evenson Medill Reports During the pandemic, magician Jeanette Andrews is casting a few spells through a toll-free, magic telephone line. Shelter-in-place callers hear a voice give instructions and choices on the other line, resulting in what seems like a real trick. “The ongoing faith in me and my work is one of the […]
Patrick Brower builds a community around comics
By Alyk Russell Kenlan Medill Reports Two sleeves of superhero tattoos make Patrick Brower, 51, look like a comic book. Twelve years ago, he and co-owner Dal Bush, 41, opened Challengers Comics and Conversation in Bucktown. Then last November, they opened a second store in River North. They also curate a selection for Chicago Board […]
COVID-19: Stories from across America
By Allegra Zamore Medill Reports In this April 19-25 special report, COVID-19: Stories from across America, Medill Reports looks at how the global pandemic is affecting Americans across the country in politics, mental health, and the NFL draft. From Phoenix to Detroit, New England to Virginia, and everywhere in between, find out how the coronavirus […]
You’ve Got Mail: How to Save a Kid’s Birthday During a Pandemic
By Jenny Ly Medill Reports The COVID-19 quarantine has forced many people to find new ways of doing old things. Working, shopping, going to school and celebrating milestones are all different now. Young children like 5-year-old Greta Schalk can’t fully grasp the dangers of the world outside. When the time came to celebrate her birthday, […]
Foot traffic drops about 80% in the Loop amid COVID-19
By Michael Thomas Medill Reports Chicago’s busy Loop looks like a ghost town amid the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the Chicago Loop Alliance, an organization that helps maintain the loop, foot traffic has dropped about 80% compared to this time last year. The group’s CEO Michael Edwards says, “People are going to expect downtown to […]
Coping with quarantine: How a sport psychologist is helping student-athletes stay on track
By Allegra Zamore Medill Reports After the onset of COVID-19 student athletes were left mourning cancelled seasons. With their dreams put on hold, for many students the pandemic is taking its toll on their mental health. University of Virginia sport psychologist Jason Freeman has been working virtually with student-athletes to help them stay on track […]
With summer baseball in jeopardy, more than just games could be lost
By Dave Peck Medill Reports Imagine an internship, but for professional baseball hopefuls. That’s how many college baseball players approach playing for the Newport Gulls of the New England Collegiate Baseball League. With uncertainty surrounding this summer season, Newport may have no baseball for the first time in 20 years. For players and residents in […]
NU swimmers train for next season without a pool
By Yousef Nasser Medill Reports Last month, eleven members of the Northwestern Swimming and Diving Team qualified for the NCAA Championships. Shortly after learning of their achievement, the rug was pulled from underneath them, as COVID-19 forced the NCAA to cancel all winter and spring championships. Find out how the Northwestern Swimming and Diving team […]
Business as unusual: opening businesses and canceled school leave parents with tough decisions
By Joshua Skinner Medill Reports On April 19th, Texas Gov, Greg Abbott announced a series of executive orders. Among those were the closing of schools for the remainder of the 2019-20 academic year and the gradual reopening of businesses. The two orders have the potential to create a problem for parents, forcing them to choose […]
Facebook group gathers thousands to protest Michigan’s “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order
By Bre’onna Richardson Medill Reports A group of Michigan residents are frustrated with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s “Stay Home, Stay Safe” executive order. Protesters fear the restrictions violate their rights. They say the governor shouldn’t decide what they can and can’t do. Photo at top: Protestors at “Operation Gridlock” surrounding Michigan’s state capitol. (Robert Wiersema/Facebook)