Front page of Chicago Sun-Times special section on the Rev. Jesse Jackson, showing an image of Jackson and the headline "He Was Somebody."
The Sun-Times and WBEZ have published about 20 stories and audio pieces this week about the Rev. Jesse Jackson, showing how his civil rights work intersected with film, education, Chicago mayors and much more. So, here's an ICYMI thread with some highlights. 🧵
Took a break from architecture today to write a column about the Rev Jackson as a presence in pop culture, from Sesame Street to SNL. "The combination of politician and preacher just made him a magnetic force," Charles Whitaker, dean of Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism said.
Hey they wrote a story about me!
chicago.suntimes.com/weather/2026...
Front page of today’s Chicago Sun-Times
We’ve covered lots of losing local teams on the back page of this paper.
But none with a record as bad as the Chicago DOJ during Operation Midway Blitz:
0 convictions
11 charges dropped
3 no-billed cases
1 jury acquittal
The Sun-Times Sports Sunday cover, featuring the Bears, whose miracle finish stuns the Packers in overtime, by @patfinley.bsky.social. trib.al/C3qjdju
Here's where to read the whole story by @dmihalopoulos.bsky.social and me, gorgeous photos by Anthony Vazquez and Candace Dane Chambers: chicago.suntimes.com/the-watchdog...
Bryce Underwood hits the Paul Bunyan pose
“We won’t save our business through short-term revenue solutions that alienate and fail to engage our audience.”
Congrats to all my winning Chicago Public Media fam @wbez.org and @chicago.suntimes.com and to all the other esteemed colleagues at local news org who celebrated together last night headlineclub.org/2025/05/10/t...
The front page of the Chicago Sun-Times, featuring the pope waving under the words "DA POPE!" Subheadline says, "Chicagoan Robert Prevost, known to many on the South Side as 'Father Bob' and now to millions as Pope Leo XIV, becomes first American pontiff. The best coverage of Chicago's pope, pages 2-10."
Today's front page.
The Sun-Times got this gem: "The Rev. Robert Prevost (from left corner) ... at a 2005 White Sox World Series game at U.S. Cellular Field" chicago.suntimes.com/religion/202...
THE NBA IS BETTER WHEN THE PISTONS ARE GOOD
“When a loved one, someone who you deeply respect, admire, and care about, goes through cancer, you don’t half-ass it. You do everything you can to help them.”
I’m glad I got to learn about these Pistons fans’ beautiful friendship at DBB
www.detroitbadboys.com/2025/4/18/24...
Chicago, come meet the newsrooms of the Sun-Times and WBEZ *TONIGHT* in Uptown! 🎉
We want to hear from you.
What do you like? Dislike? What do you need? What are your stories?
5 p.m. tonight at 935 W. Wilson Ave.
www.eventbrite.com/e/meet-the-s...
Hell yeah!
The bad news: 35 staffers — including 23 in the newsroom — took a Chicago Public Media buyout and most are leaving today, @neilsteinberg.bsky.social writes. But their sacrifice will help ensure the newspaper’s future.
So ... I interviewed Sarah Bock, aka Miss Huang on #Severance. The 18-year-old is currently studying theater at Northwestern University. Here is my story for @chicago.suntimes.com.
chicago.suntimes.com/movies-and-t...
chicago sun-times, block club, injustice watch, illinois answers project, wttw, wbez, south side weekly, the TRiiBE: all great places to spend/donate your money to get good, insightful reporting and commentary. in case you were wondering
The ebook's also currently that price at Nook/Apple/Google/Payhip/etc, per sources
As I was grabbing Kindle and Apple Books versions (gotta collect ‘em all) to complement my physical copy, I just realized you narrate the audiobook, as well — hope you don’t mind joining me on my commute this week.
Agreed, it’s very fun. I love movies that are both complex yet straightforward at the same time. It feels like too many movies try to be bigger than they need to be.
The @chicagoreader.com could use some love
Heat, Thief and Ernest Goes to Camp.
✅
I'll have more to say once the dust has cleared and we can tell what's left of the Reader, but Dan's hard work is already missed.
I can't say how we got to where layoffs were necessary. I don't know. But any donation you can make will help us get through the crunch. donorbox.org/supportchica...
It’s such a fascinating trend. If you haven’t seen it yet, I highly recommend @davidimel.com’s video about it youtu.be/g-pG79LOtMw?...
Taking a moment to try and think of a team that has ever had a better Bad Season than Michigan just did. Best possible final two games, #1 recruit, still the reigning champ, etc
Hey hey! @wbez.org is here and so is Vocalo’s holiday playlist. Let’s goooohohoooo !
Here's who's on Chicago's Spotify Wrapped: trib.al/v36O1k0
Who's on yours? Reply with your top artist and your response will be automatically added to the story👇
Right up there with Willie Burton