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
Chicago Reader
Why I’m suing the Chicago Police Department
Justin Kaufmann, host of WGN Radio's evening show "The Download," poses for a quick shot with me after our live segment August 12 about FOIA fails and transparency in Chicago. In case you weren't aware, I'm all for transparency, particularly when it concerns police misconduct. As such, I'm suing the Chicago Police Pepartment. It's an … Continue reading Why I’m suing the Chicago Police Department
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)
Open letter to ‘Cedars’
Once upon a time, I was News Editor for Cedars, the bi-weekly student newspaper of Cedarville University. Times were fun, I learned how to manage people (and how not to manage them). I published a few grating opinions that didn't receive much response because there wasn't much participation in the newspaper. But now I'm at … Continue reading Open letter to ‘Cedars’
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
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 