20-year-old candidate for Cook County’s 13th District pushes grassroots campaigning
By Elizabeth Beyer Medill Reports Bushra Amiwala was still in her teens when she announced her candidacy last March as one of three democratic contenders for the Cook County Board in the 13th District. The DePaul University student, now 20, said people questioned her qualifications and background because of her age when she entered into […]
Pilsen residents demand rent controls at Town Hall meeting
Nathan Ouellette Medill Reports Demands for rent control and affordable housing took center stage, Monday, in the St. Pius V Church basement, as residents of Pilsen and Little Village rose one by one to voice concerns at Pilsen’s Community Town Hall on Rent Control and Property Taxes. The Town Hall, conducted both in Spanish and English, […]
For families transitioning from a shelter to a new home: a design surprise
By Xinyi(Ethel) Jiang Medill Reports After staying in a shelter for four months, Rasheena Hill and her 14-year-old daughter Jada, were happy to have a new house. But today, they’re in for another surprise. Their empty new home was completely furnished — for free — by the non-profit Humble Design. Jada got a princess room […]
America’s First Nations compete at World Championship Hoop Dancing Contest
Nathan Ouellette Medill Reports PHOENIX, Ariz. – A chorus of voices and the echo of drums engulfed the sunbathed amphitheater at the Heard Museum this month as dancers from American Indian and Canadian First Nations gathered for the 28th Annual World Championship Hoop Dancing Contest. The dances emerged from tribal healing ceremonies. Now, hoop dancing […]
Deciphering Cuba: Of streets, gardens, churches and kitchen tables
This is the continuation of a multi-part series on Cuba. Read the previous collection of vignettes: “Of democracy, dogs, and WiFi: Scenes from Cuba” Cuba through a cereal box periscope HAVANA – Cuba’s capital is defined by its veneer. American tourists experience Havana from the vantage point of a cereal box periscope. Freshly waxed Chevrolets […]
Interactive: NBA Twitter buzz during All-Star Weekend 2018
By Jourdan Kerl, Daniel Comer, Jonathan Skinner and Connor Yahn Medill Reports The NBA has placed an emphasis on Twitter involvement since the social media boom of the mid-to-late 2000s. The league – which has more than 27 million Twitter followers (three million more than the NFL) – is known as the paragon of social […]
Exelon and Northwestern partner to kick up the energy from solar cells
By Lakshmi Chandrasekaran A Chinese solar energy company captured the imagination of the world and a younger generation of consumers by building a solar farm in the shape of a giant panda. That adds a bit of whimsy to China’s growing reputation as a world leader in solar energy production. But the hottest competition is in the […]
People and pets find the right match 94 floors over Chicago
By Athena Liu Medill Reports People came to find some love at the top of Chicago – or close to it. A Chicago animal rescue organization made the matches, bringing dogs in need of adoption to 360 Chicago where the pups won hearts and people learned about responsible pet care. Alive Rescue, a local non-profit organization, […]
Exotic pet owners may not know what they’re getting themselves into
By Tiffany Chen Medill Reports In the Oscar-nominated movie “I, Tonya,” Allison Janney, who plays Tonya Harding’s mother in the film, has a pet parrot that perches on her shoulder. Sometimes Hollywood movies that feature exotic animals like these can start a trend in people wanting to have one of their own. And new owners […]
Flu outbreak continues with a rising number of child deaths
By Yvaine Ye Medill Reports This year’s flu outbreak is hitting the country hard. The death toll among children is particularly high. It rose to 53, after 16 more children died from the flu last week, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The circulating flu virus, H3N2, is particularly virulent. It’s more […]
