Q&A: Post Bashar al-Assad regime collapse, Syrian journalist reflects on country’s news industry over last decade
By Jenna Mayzouni Medill Reports Bashar al-Assad’s reign over Syria ended on Dec. 8, when opposition forces took the city of Damascus. The Assad government committed numerous human rights violations, including the kidnapping, jailing, torture and murder of civilians, according to Amnesty International. Following the Syrian revolution and civil war, the Syrian Network for Human Rights […]
Yemeni activists and supporters demand end to ‘War on Yemen’ on global day of action following a teach-in by CDSA
By Leonna McAfee Medill Reports Dozens of activists from the women’s peace group CODEPINK, Chicago Area Peace Action, Chicago Democratic Socialists of America, and Chicago Committee against War and Racism rallied in downtown Chicago at Federal Plaza on Monday evening, demanding the Biden administration move forward with policies that will end the war in Yemen […]
Pritzker condemns corruption, celebrates economic gains
By Jackson Elliott Medill Reports Protecting corruption in Illinois government is “no longer acceptable,” Governor J.B. Pritzker said in his 2020 State of the State address to the Illinois legislature last Wednesday. His remarks followed the guilty plea of former State Sen. Martin Sandoval (D-Chicago) on Tuesday for corruption charges. Lawmakers responded to his statement […]
No clear home for Yang Gang
Seb Peltekian Medill Reports CHARLESTON, S.C. — Venture capitalist Andrew Yang announced the end of his run for the Democratic presidential nomination after mustering minimal support in the first two contests of the year, Iowa and New Hampshire. So where will his supporters, affectionately known as the Yang Gang, turn? “My heart’s broken but I’m […]
Trump comments threaten cultural destruction, says top archaeologists
By Seb Peltekian Medill Reports In a series of tweets posted on Jan. 4, President Donald Trump threatened to destroy 52 Iranian sites if “Iran strikes any Americans, or American assets.” The tweet stated that the sites “could be important to Iran & the Iranian culture.” The Iranian regime “is allowed to kill our people, […]
Women’s March Chicago 2020 speaks for everyone
By Wanying Zhao Medill Reports Chicago’s annual Women’s March proved that the march reaches far beyond women’s issues and women marchers. This year, thousands of men, women and children gathered in downtown Chicago and marched their way from Grant Park to Federal Plaza at Clark and Adams streets. Then part of the crowd continued on […]
Stoned drivers targeted by new breathalyzer technology
By Brady Jones Medill Reports Slowed reaction time. Reduced ability to make decisions. Impaired coordination. Memory loss. Difficulty in problem-solving. These are some of the symptoms listed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) describing people who drive under the influence of marijuana. And right now, it is very difficult for law enforcement […]
Out, but not in: Examining barriers to reentry
By Kaisha Young Medill Reports Approximately 11,000 people are released from Illinois prisons each year. In this edition of Medill Newsmakers, we take a look at the challenges returning citizens face when trying to reenter society. Photo at top: A man walks on the sidewalk outside Cook County Jail. (Kaisha Young/MEDILL)
What’s on the ballot in Chicago’s 2019 election?
By Noah Broder Medill Reports The Chicago mayor’s race is the top-line ballot consideration for voters as the Feb. 26 citywide elections approach. With 14 candidates in the mayoral race, voters have a less than a month to decide how they want to cast their votes. But Chicagoans also must consider other key races. While […]
Illinois soybean farmers wary of Trump’s proposed farm bailout
By Brady Jones Medill Reports President Donald Trump’s announcement July 24 pledging up to $12 billion in aid for American farmers, intended to offset potential losses from recent tariffs imposed by China, is receiving a lukewarm response as harvest nears in Illinois. Among a multitude of American exports targeted by China, the 25 percent tariff […]