Police watch protesters on the University of Chicago campus. Photo by Sydney Combs. (sydneycombs.com) I set up a "Patreon" page this week. I'm telling my family, friends, and supporters around the country to check it out. I hope you do, too. It allows you to set up a small recurring monthly contribution to my work. … Continue reading Set up a tiny monthly contribution to join in my stories and learn the craft
Chicago
The video out, the officer charged, the problem persists
A press conference to discuss what we are working toward with the release of the Laquan McDonald video. Me at left, William Calloway at the podium, and Dorothy Holmes, right, mother of Ronald Johnson, who was killed by police a week before Laquan McDonald. Thanks to ABC7 for the screengrab. A lot has happened in … Continue reading The video out, the officer charged, the problem persists
We won. Epically. Now we wait.
Attorney Matt Topic, myself, and activist William Calloway answer questions from reporters at the Daley Center courthouse Nov. 19 after winning our lawsuit against the city. (Obscured is the other attorney on the case, Craig Futterman.) We sought the release of a video that allegedly shows police shooting 17-year-old Laquan McDonald 16 times on a … Continue reading We won. Epically. Now we wait.
My case gets air time on WGN
My attorney Matt Topic and I discuss our court case against the city for a WGN news crew Oct. 28. Thanks to Andy Thayer for the photo. Just wanted to make you aware that our case against the city continues. We brought a civil suit against the police department (the city of Chicago, really) because … Continue reading My case gets air time on WGN
Tales from the crypt(-oparty)
My story on Chicago's CryptoParty scene appeared on the cover of the Chicago Reader last week. Thanks for reading, folks. It's a long piece, so if you get through it, kudos to you. And bravo if you somehow manage to not get lost as you go, with all the techno-terminology. We tried to make it as friendly … Continue reading Tales from the crypt(-oparty)
Protected: Chicago police and their wobbly definition of “search”
There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.
I helped break who Chicago police were spying on
Kristiana Rae Colón, center with the red scarf, leads a "Brown Friday" protest in a Chicago shopping district. This reporter broke the news that Colón, daughter of an Alderman, likely had her phone surveilled by Chicago police trying to learn where the protest was headed. Photo credit: Bryant Cross. This story of mine, published on … Continue reading I helped break who Chicago police were spying on
Business cards
I'm excited about my new business cards, created with design help by my friend Matt Albacete. Here's the back: My name is set in different versions of the typeface ZXX, all designed by a former NSA staffer to thwart optical character recognition. And yes, it's purely for show. But the security suggestions aren't. With some … Continue reading Business cards
Serious work a-brewing
You heard it here first: a new journalism outlet in Chicago, in collaboration with... CivicLab is a new-ish space in the West Loop for folks who want to innovate in the public sphere--their tagline was recently changed to "Making Democracy." As I understand it—and this is a gross over-simplification—they're piggy-backing on the makerspace/hackerspace movement to … Continue reading Serious work a-brewing
Scandinavian music, riding in the rain, and restaurants
While not much has happened here recently, the same can't be said for my non-digital life. To wit, a list. Been listening to more and more tunes from northwestern Europe. Soaring digitals and orchestration coupled with a hint of nihilism? Count me in. Visited a couple times at FreeGeek Chicago. Getting to know some of the … Continue reading Scandinavian music, riding in the rain, and restaurants
Chicago: the greenest city *snicker*
Based on the frequency of news coverage about polluted soil or buildings in Chicago, you might think there really isn't much of that here. After all, only a single EPA National Priorities List site exists in Chicago. But it was tough to get listed because the city would rather not have those blemishes on its … Continue reading Chicago: the greenest city *snicker*
New “resume reel”
Even though it's on the newly-revamped About the Author page in the right sidebar, I couldn't help but post this front and center. It's just so pretty. A big thanks to Steve and Badryyah for their years of hard work and their several months with me. I'll never forget it.
Third Coast FilmLESS Festival Part II
I know it's 10 days late, but other deadlines—having to do with my academic or professional lives!—hung over my head until now. So here's a final review of other select pieces from the 2010 FilmLESS festival for radio arts, in downtown Chicago. Tupperware, by David Nelson and Nikki Silva, aired in 1981 on All Things … Continue reading Third Coast FilmLESS Festival Part II
Third Coast FilmLESS festival part I
The Third Coast FilmLESS festival, sponsored largely by Chicago Public radio, just can't fit into Twitter posts. Been there, tried that. So here's my rundown of my favorite segments so far: 1. Lucy and the Bike Girl, by Hillary Frank, aired in 2007 on This American Life. It's the story of Lucy, who has cystic … Continue reading Third Coast FilmLESS festival part I
Pyramid schemes help to alleviate Chicago unemployment
So my second satire piece was published today on The Daily Blank. Once again, I'll repost the entire article here because their license allows it. But check 'em out some time—whether you live in Chicago or not, there's something there for you. Pyramid schemes help to alleviate Chicago unemployment Bars, movie theaters, grocery stores, … Continue reading Pyramid schemes help to alleviate Chicago unemployment
First Daily Blank piece
Today I was published at The Daily Blank, Chicago's only satire site that focuses on local issues. For your enjoyment I'll paste the entire article below, because their licensing allows it. Enjoy! ...And I have one more piece in the queue, so look out. Daley to 'pull an Obama' to fund CPS In two about-face … Continue reading First Daily Blank piece
Restaurant dreams
I owe it to you to explain why most of the past couple weeks' posts spoke only of food. I have been thinking of starting an underground restaurant.
Clout City
Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley speaks at a celebration for a building's LEED certification. (Creative Commons-licensed photo from the Flickr account of the Center for Neighborhood Technology) Move over, Tribune, there's another watchdog in town. No one seems to follow the mayor's corruption (yes, I said it) more intently than Mick Dumke of the Reader. … Continue reading Clout City
Brandon Smith 