It's been an exciting few days over here in the world of "Maia," after me and my former @raceandequityproject.org colleagues won three awards at the 49th Annual Peter Lisagor Awards from the Chicago Headline Club on Friday, which I'm still buzzing from three days later!

📸 by @jamiekelterdavis.bsky.social @colinbphoto.bsky.social Ash Lane @jimvondruska.bsky.social @quinnmyers.bsky.social @ataviawrotethis.bsky.social Jeremy Battle Mack Liederman Zoey Duchene @avhndz.bsky.social @thewayoftheid.bsky.social @maiamcdonald.me

We had some amazing pics in @blockclubchi.bsky.social this week, check it out! This Week In Photos: May Day Rally Draws Thousands, Bird News Aplenty And More blockclubchicago.org/2026/05/08/t...

What did I do yesterday? Reported on another Golden Apple win, this time over in Armour Square! Beloved South Side Science Teacher Snags Golden Apple Award: 'She Has Been An Inspiration' blockclubchicago.org/2026/05/08/b...

On Monday, I also covered Leo High School Principal Shaka Rawls' Golden Apple Award ceremony, which was, honestly, a lot of fun.

I attended the School of the Art Institute of Chicago's annual senior fashion show on Friday and got to talk to a few of the graduating designers about their work! As you can probably imagine, it was a very cool show, and I absolutely loved covering this story! Check it out!

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BREAKING: Virginia voters approve a Democratic redistricting plan that could allow the party to pick up as many as four new seats in the midterm elections, NBC News projects.

NBC projects that YES will win in Virginia.

Written by me for @theprogressivemag.bsky.social! I'm really proud of it so give it a read and let me know what you think! — On Chicago’s Trains, Homeless Outreach Workers Meet People Where They Are progressive.org/magazine/on-...

Another story by me for @chicagoreader.com on last weekend's Expo Chicago art festival, with photos by Kirk Williamson: Best dressed chicagoreader.com/visual-arts/...

I've covered reported on the Chicago South Side Birth Center multiple times the last few years, so it was nice to be able write this update for the Reader! Construction on the project from doula and midwife Jeanine Valrie Logan is now underway, with the center expected to open early next year.

Get into her

huge thank you to everyone involved in this mission for reminding us of the best of humanity and I am tremendously glad it all went off as planned space is pretty cool and so, in many cases, are people

Black women have advanced the human species so, so much. Just unrivaled brilliance, every generation.

so happy for my emotional support astronauts

It's really a blessing that this is the only thing to go wrong so far but how funny to have this problem right near the end lol

This NASA coverage some of the most astonishing live television I’ve ever seen.

I'm moonscrolling

If it were me, my first words to the recovery crew would be "moon's haunted."

Is this not one of the most spectacular things you've ever seen? I mean, how utterly amazing! Truly!

BREAKING: The Artemis II astronauts have safely splashed down after their historic 10-day mission around the moon. www.youtube.com/watch?v=4K_a...

it's been 15 years since we've had a landing, 30+ since we've had a splashdown. what a proud accomplishment for science, engineering, and humanity.

despite the horrors in the world, we sent humans further into the cosmos than we ever have before and they came home safe. and i think that’s pretty cool

ARTEMIS II LANDING SUCCESS YESSS

THEY SENT FOUR HUMAN BEINGS 252,756 MILES AWAY, WENT FULLY AROUND THE MOON AND BROUGHT THEM BACK TO LAND IN THE PRECISE LOCATION THEY WANTED EVERYONE WHO WORKED ON THIS IS THE COOLEST PERSON ON EARTH

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Maya Glover, daughter of NASA astronaut and Artemis II pilot Victor Glover, celebrates father's accomplishment to Korn's "Freak on a Leash" (2026)

More space exploration, less war!

Watching the NASA astronauts' return and, my goodness, am I glad they made it home safely. How amazing has this all been! Science is so cool!

Well, this was a nice surprise to end the week off with—getting physical copies of the April/May issue of @theprogressivemag.bsky.social, which has my latest reporting, this time on homeless outreach in Chicago, in the mail! It's not online yet, but I'm so excited for people to read it!

Couldn't let this week end without posting about #ONA26! I am so grateful to Press Forward Chicago, The Joyce Foundation, The Field Foundation, and The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation for giving me the opportunity to attend for the first time! Despite the few early mornings, I feel so inspired!

The Chicago Journalists Association's latest event is NEXT THURSDAY, in exactly a week, and tickets are still available! If you want to learn about creating a successful, impactful journalism career and are down to do a bit of networking, come on out! We'd love to see you there!

#NoKings in Chicago

Chicago #NoKings kicking off with a call to get ICE out of our airports.

I'm here in Grant Park in Chicago where thousands of people are streaming into the park for the #NoKings rally and march beginning soon. This will be the thread for that.

People everywhere you look in Chicago’s Grant Park. I was here in October when the crowd was estimated at 100,000. There are more here today. #NoKings

Under a bill being considered by the Illinois General Assembly, private investors would no longer be able to purchase property tax debts in Cook County. (w/ @raceandequityproject.org) buff.ly/TJMTSFN

Good afternoon from Grant Park in Chicago. Thousands are streaming into the park for this afternoon's No Kings rally, which is set to begin in earnest in about 20 mins. I saw smaller rallies taking place throughout the Loop on my way here, organized by multiple political groups. Big May Day vibes.

In other news, I recently accepted a role as Vice President of the Chicago Journalists Association where I'll be working alongside our co-presidents, Alexandria Jacobson and Jean Hodges, to help lead our organization in this new era.

Major news in the world of Maia: my reporting for @raceandequityproject.org is a finalist in six(!!!) categories at the Chicago Headline Club's Peter Lisagor Awards! I've got to say, I'm stunned, but so grateful to the Headline Club for honoring the work of me and my former collageues.

Done and done! ##ivoted

I want it yesterday.

I stand by my assertion that Sinners on Broadway would do looooooong-run numbers. A fixture, a steady on the street, like Book of Mormon, Hamilton, Chicago

Javier has BEEN THAT MAN. In 2003 he wore the same badge to protest the war in Iraq.

Jesus when he comes back to Earth:

The movie about losing lost

Man it was a good year for movies, despite studios’ attempts to fuck the industry up as much as possible, people really do still make good films and love good films

Javier Bardem at the Oscars: No to war, and free Palestine.