MYSTERIOUS: 32 - What They Never Told You

How a national book-banning trend erupted at a suburban Chicago library, with pushback aimed at LGBTQ materials

It all started with one parent’s complaint about a book in the children’s section of the Lincolnwood, Illinois, library this summer.

Chicago Tribune · Nov 2, 2022

“I’m so scared”: 911 recordings reveal fear and urgency of those trapped in Uvalde elementary school

Audio obtained by The Texas Tribune and ProPublica shows just how long police and dispatchers likely knew that children and teachers were in danger before taking action at Robb Elementary School.

The Texas Tribune · Nov 1, 2022

After a tumultuous first term, Gov. J.B. Pritzker spends big and plays it safe in reelection bid

In late August, Gov. J.B. Pritzker, billionaire scion of one of America’s wealthiest families, sat at a folding table at City Hall in Christopher, a town of fewer than 3,000 people 300 miles south of his Gold Coast mansion.

Chicago Tribune · Nov 1, 2022

After suspending political donations post-insurrection, AT&T and Valero fund election-deniers in the midterms

AT&T and Valero were among a handful of political action committees that donated to candidates this cycle who have denied the legitimacy of the 2020 election results.

The Texas Tribune · Oct 26, 2022

Not relishing inflation? Here’s what it's done to Chicago's beloved hot dog

Generally speaking, the bun in which a Chicago-style hot dog is laid must be poppy seed. The relish should be neon and the salt, celery. Vienna Beef is considered the standard-bearer for the frankfurter. Though the city’s myriad hot dog vendors take their liberties here and there, swapping regular relish…

Chicago Tribune · Oct 24, 2022

T-Squared: New journalism fellowship for HBCU students

Fellowships will be available in spring, summer and fall for Texas graduate and undergraduate students at historically Black colleges and universities.

The Texas Tribune · Oct 21, 2022

Abbott accused of "patronage system"

Abbott donors enjoy access, appointments to boards and commissions and a chance to bend his ear

Salon · Oct 19, 2022

In Texas, where money has long dominated politics, Greg Abbott is in a league of his own

The two-term governor’s donors enjoy access, appointments to boards and commissions, and a chance to bend the ear of a politician who may harbor bigger ambitions.

The Texas Tribune · Oct 18, 2022

Two-thirds of board members overseeing Texas public universities are Abbott donors. They’re not shy about wielding influence.

High-money donors are concentrated on larger boards, including those of the University of Texas System and Texas A&M University System.

The Texas Tribune · Oct 18, 2022

Chicago priest benched again amid another decades-old sexual abuse claim

CHICAGO — For the second time in less than two years, the Rev. Michael Pfleger is stepping away from his popular ministry while under investigation for a decades-old sexual abuse allegation, the Archdiocese of Chicago confirmed Saturday.

Chicago Tribune · Oct 16, 2022