Meredith Newman
@meredithnewman.bsky.social
📤 96
📥 69
📝 8
investigative reporter for
@illinoisanswers.bsky.social
. being nosy.
[email protected]
reposted by
Meredith Newman
Casey Toner
5 days ago
@maggiedough.bsky.social
and I sat down with more than a dozen compulsive gamblers in recovery about let them speak at length about their own lives. It is at turns sad, frightening, infuriating, occasionally funny and painfully human 🧵
illinoisanswers.org/2026/06/24/w...
loading . . .
What Compulsive Gamblers Know
The hopes, dreams and tragedies of people who can't stop betting
https://illinoisanswers.org/2026/06/24/what-compulsive-gamblers-know/
2
20
22
One of my favorite packages
@illinoisanswers.bsky.social
has published this year.
6 days ago
1
4
0
"Post-pandemic, a new openness to accommodating family needs has made it possible for more mothers and fathers to balance work and parenting — particularly mothers of young children."
www.nytimes.com/2026/06/21/u...
loading . . .
How Remote Work Has Helped a Generation of Working Parents
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/21/upshot/remote-work-parents-mothers.html
8 days ago
0
1
1
"The sheer logistical and financial madness of raising children in America is now officially a matter of political concern."
www.nytimes.com/2026/06/08/m...
loading . . .
The American Family Is at a Breaking Point. Our Politics Have Finally Noticed.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/08/magazine/childcare-mothers-politics.html?unlocked_article_code=1.olA.mNS7.oCOi06yXKyq3&smid=url-share
22 days ago
0
0
1
reposted by
Meredith Newman
Grace Hauck
26 days ago
Early Intervention therapies help kids — but Illinois pays providers less than other states, stalling access by
@meredithnewman.bsky.social
and Madison Hopkins for
@illinoisanswers.bsky.social
illinoisanswers.org/2026/06/04/e...
loading . . .
Early Intervention therapies help kids — but Illinois pays providers less than other states, stalling access
Hundreds of therapists are leaving the program each year, causing some families to miss out on services they’re legally entitled to.
https://illinoisanswers.org/2026/06/04/early-intervention-child-illinois-therapists-underpaid/
0
1
1
reposted by
Meredith Newman
Grace Hauck
2 months ago
Prison or treatment? Thousands participate in mental health courts. Half graduate — and millions are left out. w/ Josh McGhee
@mindsitenews.bsky.social
and
@drewjayadams.bsky.social
@illinoisanswers.bsky.social
illinoisanswers.org/2026/04/27/m...
loading . . .
Prison or treatment? Thousands participate in mental health courts. Half graduate — and millions are left out
This story is a collaboration between Illinois Answers and the Chicago bureau of MindSite News; sign up to receive their newsletter here. Bloomington native Shayla Woodworth had struggled with mental...
https://illinoisanswers.org/2026/04/27/mental-health-courts-prison-illinois/
0
3
5
reposted by
Meredith Newman
Peter Nickeas
2 months ago
Video released in the shooting death of Ofc Krystal Rivera from last summer. Been going through material, this story has been / will continue to be updated.
illinoisanswers.org/2026/04/17/o...
loading . . .
Officer Krystal Rivera’s Partner Hid After Fatally Shooting Her and Failed to Provide Aid, New Video Shows
Body camera videos released Friday show that officer Carlos Baker ran up a stairwell after encountering an armed man and firing the gunshot that killed Rivera.
https://illinoisanswers.org/2026/04/17/officer-krystal-riveras-partner-hid-after-fatally-shooting-her-and-failed-to-provide-aid-new-video-shows/
2
11
9
reposted by
Meredith Newman
Grace Hauck
3 months ago
Almost two years ago now, we wrote about a man with mental illness who was restrained in a chair for 3 days in an Illinois county jail. Now, he has received a settlement in his civil rights case.
@illinoisanswers.bsky.social
illinoisanswers.org/2026/04/07/t...
loading . . .
Mentally ill man restrained in chair for 3 days settles case in Williamson County
A man with mental illness who says he was strapped down to a chair for three days at Williamson County Jail reached a settlement in his civil rights case against […]
https://illinoisanswers.org/2026/04/07/travis-braden-restraint-chairs-williamson-county-jail/
0
2
3
reposted by
Meredith Newman
Casey Toner
3 months ago
🚨
@illinoisanswers.bsky.social
and
@chicago.suntimes.com
won a court case to release the records including body cam footage of last summer's fatal police shooting of Ofc. Krystal Rivera by her partner, Ofc. Carlos Baker.
1
15
11
reposted by
Meredith Newman
BGA union
3 months ago
0
12
8
reposted by
Meredith Newman
Illinois Answers Project
5 months ago
An off-duty suburban cop crashed his car with his kids inside, fled home and held police at bay for four hours while armed, police records show. The standoff ended with a hug — and no charges that day.
https://bit.ly/4c0pGYQ
loading . . .
‘You’re One of Us’: After Off-Duty Cop Crashed Car Then Holed Up at Home in Armed Standoff with Police, He Got a Big Hug and Initially Faced No Charges
Officer Ryan Harter eventually was charged with misdemeanors — nearly three weeks later.
https://bit.ly/4c0pGYQ
2
4
8
reposted by
Meredith Newman
Tom Schuba
7 months ago
The mother of Chicago police Officer Krystal Rivera filed a wrongful death lawsuit Wednesday in which she says her daughter’s partner Carlos Baker was struggling to accept her decision to end their romantic relationship when he fatally shot her during a foot chase on June 5.
tinyurl.com/5krk79br
loading . . .
Family of Chicago cop killed in botched chase sues Chicago Police Department and partner who shot her
Officer Krystal Rivera's family says in the wrongful death suit that Officer Carlos Baker was struggling to accept her decision to end their romantic relationship when he shot her in her back in Chath...
https://tinyurl.com/5krk79br
2
100
51
reposted by
Meredith Newman
The 21st Show
7 months ago
Today: -
@meredithnewman.bsky.social
with
@illinoisanswers.bsky.social
, on why defendants declared unfit for trial in criminal cases sometimes spend months waiting for a state hospital bed. -Plus, 50 years of Illinois Times in Springfield. It's all at 11:
will.illinois.edu/am/willplayer
loading . . .
WILL AM 580 Live Stream | Illinois Public Media
WILL AM 580 live stream.
https://will.illinois.edu/am/willplayer
0
0
2
reposted by
Meredith Newman
Christine Hatfield
7 months ago
"Almost every sheriff in Illinois, if I had to guess ... they will say jails are not mental health hospitals, we can't care for them in the way that they need to be."
@meredithnewman.bsky.social
shares her
@illinoisanswers.bsky.social
reporting on
@21st.show
.
loading . . .
Investigation looks at issues with ‘inpatient restoration’ in Illinois jails
YouTube video by Illinois Public Media
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4s4Wjl_vl3s
0
1
1
reposted by
Meredith Newman
Grace Hauck
8 months ago
“These are due process violations,” Nevdal said in court. “This is an equal protection issue.” A must-read today from
@meredithnewman.bsky.social
@illinoisanswers.bsky.social
illinoisanswers.org/2025/11/11/t...
loading . . .
Too mentally ill for trial, she spent months in an Illinois jail as the state looked for a hospital bed. She died waiting.
Many defendants declared unfit for trial have often waited three months or longer to be transferred to a hospital – regularly exceeding the state’s deadline, an Illinois Answers Project investigation ...
https://illinoisanswers.org/2025/11/11/too-mentally-ill-for-trial-she-spent-months-in-an-illinois-jail-as-the-state-looked-for-a-hospital-bed-she-died-waiting/
0
5
3
reposted by
Meredith Newman
Alex Nitkin
8 months ago
Important story from
@meredithnewman.bsky.social
on a symptom of the state's eroding public health infrastructure: mentally ill defendants spiraling in jail for months while they wait for psychiatric beds — sometimes with fatal consequences
illinoisanswers.org/2025/11/11/t...
loading . . .
Too mentally ill for trial, she spent months in an Illinois jail as the state looked for a hospital bed. She died waiting.
Many defendants declared unfit for trial have often waited three months or longer to be transferred to a hospital – regularly exceeding the state’s deadline, an Illinois Answers Project investigation ...
https://illinoisanswers.org/2025/11/11/too-mentally-ill-for-trial-she-spent-months-in-an-illinois-jail-as-the-state-looked-for-a-hospital-bed-she-died-waiting/
0
3
3
Illinois defendants who have been found unfit for trial – and are in need of inpatient fitness restoration – are waiting nearly twice as long for a state hospital bed as they did five years ago. My latest for
@illinoisanswers.bsky.social
illinoisanswers.org/2025/11/11/t...
loading . . .
Too mentally ill for trial, she spent months in an Illinois jail as the state looked for a hospital bed. She died waiting.
Many defendants declared unfit for trial have often waited three months or longer to be transferred to a hospital – regularly exceeding the state’s deadline, an Illinois Answers Project investigation ...
https://illinoisanswers.org/2025/11/11/too-mentally-ill-for-trial-she-spent-months-in-an-illinois-jail-as-the-state-looked-for-a-hospital-bed-she-died-waiting/
8 months ago
0
10
11
reposted by
Meredith Newman
Illinois Answers Project
10 months ago
Join us for Investigate the State, a virtual conference bringing together news leaders across the Midwest to discuss, share strategies and forge partnerships to bolster Investigative journalism in every community. Learn more and register here:
illinoisanswers.org/event/invest...
0
2
2
reposted by
Meredith Newman
Peter Nickeas
about 1 year ago
The officer who authorities say accidentally shot + killed his partner had accrued more than a dozen misconduct allegations against him during his 3.5 years as a PO. Five were during his probation period, when CPD could have summarily fired him. Unclear how he ended up on a tac team.
#chicago
loading . . .
Chicago Cop Who Inadvertently Shot and Killed Partner Has Lengthy Disciplinary Record over Short Career
Officer Carlos A. Baker has had more than a dozen complaints against him, records show. He has faced three suspensions and two reprimands.
https://illinoisanswers.org/2025/06/27/chicago-cop-inadvertently-killed-partner-has-lengthy-disciplinary-record/
0
43
24
reposted by
Meredith Newman
Crystal Paul
about 1 year ago
Peep my girl
@meredithnewman.bsky.social
breaking down the strict eligibility requirements locking over 100,000 families out of the state's largest subsidy on
@wbez.org
's Reset. Then read our investigation at
makingitinchicago.illinoisanswers.org
www.wbez.org/reset-with-s...
loading . . .
Why are so many Illinois families locked out of childcare programs?
Illinois puts limits on a national childcare subsidy program (CCAP) that is far stricter than federal recommendations.
https://www.wbez.org/reset-with-sasha-ann-simons/2025/05/29/many-illinois-families-locked-out-of-childcare
0
2
3
As part of @IllinoisAnswers' series "Making it in Chicago," @_MJHopkins and I investigated the cost of child care in Cook County. We found the state's largest child care subsidy doesn’t provide enough relief for many families and providers.
illinoisanswers.org/2025/05/27/w...
loading . . .
'We're at the Mercy of Child Care:' Child Care Costs are Crushing Families — Illinois' Largest Subsidy Excludes Thousands
While the state infuses millions of dollars a year into child care programs, the strict eligibility requirements and limitations for its largest child care subsidy exclude tens of thousands of familie...
https://illinoisanswers.org/2025/05/27/were-at-the-mercy-of-child-care-child-care-costs-are-crushing-families-illinois-largest-subsidy-excludes-thousands/
about 1 year ago
0
4
6
reposted by
Meredith Newman
Illinois Answers Project
about 1 year ago
Upward mobility is increasingly out of reach for many Chicagoans as the cost of living skyrockets. We investigated the barriers that stand in the way of getting ahead in Chicago and explored some of the efforts to mitigate them. Read the series here:
makingitinchicago.illinoisanswers.org
loading . . .
Detours and Dead Ends on the Path to Opportunity
https://makingitinchicago.illinoisanswers.org/
0
4
6
reposted by
Meredith Newman
Wallace House Center for Journalists
about 1 year ago
📣 Meet the 2025 Livingston Awards Finalists for Local Reporting! 📣 These outstanding young journalists are shining a light on critical local issues—and shaping the future of news. 👏 Congratulations to all these finalists! Read their work:
loom.ly/LAVASEQ
#livingstonawards
#uofm
1
1
8
you reached the end!!
feeds!
log in