A bill that would have created the first-ever statewide warehouse pollution reduction law failed to meet the legislature’s committee deadline. @medillschool.bsky.social student Gabriel Castilho reports ➡️ https://loom.ly/SaZkSuY

Advocates call local zoning rules "discriminatory" against adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. A bill would limit local control over siting such facilities. @medillschool.bsky.social student Rebecka Pieder reports ➡️ https://loom.ly/cd1Cj9g

Thanks to @medillschool.bsky.social for having me on the first episode of their new pod on local news: localnewsinitiative.northwestern.edu/posts/2026/0...

An Illinois program allows parents to appoint a temporary guardians for their children should they be deported. Olivia Ardito reports for @medillschool.bsky.social. Get the full story ➡️ https://loom.ly/IyhinyQ

Don't miss the incredible lineup of @medillschool.bsky.social #documentaries premiering at the Academy Award-qualifying American Documentary Film Festival TODAY at 4:30pm in Palm Springs! Program 41: www.amdocfilmfest.com/2026-program...

Congratulations to Alex Zhong (BSJ28), Victoria Ryan (BSJ27) and Mackenzie Kirkwood (BSJ27) for being awarded with 2026 @rtdna.bsky.social Foundation scholarships! Ashley Soriano (MSJ25), not pictured, is a recipient of an RTDNA fellowship.👏🎓

The @localnewsini.bsky.social launched a podcast! In the first episode of the Medill State of Local News Podcast, LNI Director Tim Franklin speaks with CEO and publisher of the @startribune.com Steve Grove. They talk AI, building journalistic trust and more: spr.ly/63320B6dpY2

Illinois drivers could pay more this summer, but it doesn’t have anything to do with the price of oil. @medillschool.bsky.social student George Alexandrakis has more ➡️ https://loom.ly/81rF1Dw

🎙️We’re launching the State of Local News Podcast! AI. Trust. The future of journalism. In Ep. 01, Tim Franklin talks with Steve Grove of @startribune.com about what’s next for local news. Watch/listen: localnewsinitiative.northwestern.edu/posts/2026/0...

Medill Associate Professor and Head of Academic Innovation at the Northwestern University Libraries James Lee is leading a project to transform comprehensive archive of environmental impact statements into data using AI. 🌎 Read about the project: spr.ly/63320B6wqiE

IDPH still heavily regulates and warns against raw milk and a bill to loosen regulation has received little to no support in the General Assembly. @medillschool.bsky.social student Olivia Ardito has more ➡️ https://loom.ly/BAMS6VY

As much as 95% of food consumed in Illinois is imported from outside the state. Rebecka Pieder reports for @medillschool.bsky.social: https://loom.ly/_ily6OA

Associate Dean of Research @stephedgerly.bsky.social specializes in audience insight and how new media channels affect news consumption. Her most recent research looked at the news diets of U.S. teenagers: spr.ly/63326B6nbpK 🗞️

A proposed state bill inspired by the late Rev. Jesse Jackson would require high schools to offer a voter registration opportunity for all eligible graduating students. Amy L. Wong reports for @medillschool.bsky.social: https://loom.ly/qmqRyJQ

We’re excited to welcome @joedymccreary.bsky.social as senior reporter. From his days at @medillschool.bsky.social to tracking House & Senate races in N.C., Joedy’s work following the money was sparked by a discovery about an ESPN anchor’s political donations. (1/3)

Medill recently sent a group of MSJ students to Indianapolis for the @ire.org NICAR Conference, an annual event focused on data journalism. 🎤📊 Students learned new skills on using data to uncover stories and building more effective databases for reporting and improving data visualizations.

Chicago's steep new tax on sports betting is creating a backlash in Springfield that could lead to new restrictions on municipalities’ power to enact their own gaming taxes. @medillschool.bsky.social student Erika Tulfo reports ➡️ https://loom.ly/iORnn4U

A bill currently in a House committee would mandate the use of female manikins and chest covers for CPR training in secondary schools in Illinois. @medillschool.bsky.social student Georgia Epiphaniou reports ➡️ https://loom.ly/WXlXRto

Great to speak with the wonderful Leighton Ginn, at the American Documentary Film Festival, about the award-winning @medillschool.bsky.social short #documentaries from my classes premiering in #PalmSprings at the Academy-Award qualifying film festival March 28th: www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EgZ...

Medill students recently covered how a Chicago nonprofit is investing in Latino Arts amid a loss of funding. 🎭 Check out their story which aired last night on @wttw.bsky.social here: spr.ly/63321B6KP93

Federal rhetoric around election intervention hasn't yet translated into concrete action, county clerks from both parties say. @medillschool.bsky.social student Reece Dower has more ➡️ https://loom.ly/PbGe4jM

Despite Republican-led pushback, Illinois continues to a destination for those seeking an abortion. @medillschool.bsky.social students Sam Freeman and Olivia Artito have more ➡️ loom.ly/AEuGNMc

Yesterday our MSJ students shared their Medill Explores reporting projects and cultural experiences with their classmates. 🌎🎤 From interviewing NFL players to covering climate change in Puerto Rico, our students returned to Chicago with expanded knowledge of what it means to be a journalist.

How do journalists turn research into stories that shape policy and public understanding? Join @medillschool.bsky.social and IPR experts Louise Kiernan, @natalieymoore.bsky.social, and Charles Whitaker for a discussion on bridging journalism and social science. spr.ly/63321B6DfrU

Two state programs help Illinoisans eliminate medical debt, but lawmakers worry about future funding. @medillschool.bsky.social student Kaitlin Bender-Thomas has more ➡️ https://loom.ly/VEiZm7A

Two @medillschool.bsky.social alums (one my former student) Fatemeh Jamalpour and @roxanasaberi.bsky.social are doing some incredible reporting from #Iran. Please follow them for on the ground updates: www.nytimes.com/2026/02/25/o...

So proud of my former @usatodaysports.usatoday.com colleague and fellow Northwestern Wildcat Nina Mandell on the publication of her wonderful and important new book: A Fraction of a Point. I was honored to blurb it. @medillschool.bsky.social

People who are homeless are much more likely to face ER room visits, hospitalizations & premature death than the general population, & state officials are struggling to stem the crisis. Jacques Abou-Rizk @medillschool.bsky.social reports. https://loom.ly/bTcOorA

How do journalists turn research into stories that shape policy and public understanding? Join @medillschool.bsky.social and IPR experts Louise Kiernan, @natalieymoore.bsky.social, and Charles Whitaker for a discussion on bridging journalism and social science. spr.ly/63328h4ff0

Illinois and Chicago leaders are considering their legislative options while remaining on guard for another round of immigration raids. Sam Freeman reports for @medillschool.bsky.social. https://loom.ly/sht1z8s

With the passage of SB 2111, legislators raise alarm about the quality of Illinois’ roads & infrastructure projects originally supposed to be completed with the Road Fund. Jacques Abou-Rizk & Amy L Wong @medillschool.bsky.social report: https://loom.ly/mou7u9I

BSJ students in Assistant Professor Melissa Isaacson's Intro to Sports Writing class practiced their reporting skills during a recent mock press conference with @nufhcats.bsky.social. Thank you for this incredible experience! 📰🏑

The Illinois Prevention Network rallied high school students this week to lobby state legislators to pass drug and alcohol regulation bills. @medillschool.bsky.social students Georgia Epiphaniou and Jacques Abou-Rizk have more ➡️ https://loom.ly/B-_zPNM

Illinois soybean farmers are set to receive federal aid after last year’s trade-war losses. While farmers welcome the relief, some worry that it’s not enough to cover their losses. By @medillschool.bsky.social student Rebecka Pieder ➡️ https://loom.ly/V98uNMM

The Medill Local News Accelerator recently published a report highlighting the Chicago area's innovative and expansive media landscape, including the roles of influencers and niche publications that reach diverse audiences. 🗞️ Read more: spr.ly/63327hoFzv

Join Medill this Thursday, February 26 for an important discussion about the war on press freedom around the world.🎤🌎 Don't miss out! Register for the webinar here: spr.ly/63322hW1V8

Lobbyists representing Illinois health and human service organizations held a watch party for JB Pritzker’s budget address. Some expressed concern that human services took a back seat in the speech. From @medillschool.bsky.social. https://loom.ly/N5B6pUk

Lawmakers are trying again to regulate the data center industry as Pritzker moves to pause incentives. @medillschool.bsky.social student Gabriel Castilho ➡️ https://loom.ly/yvdjjk8

🎬 Four Medill documentaries from Professor @brenthuffman.bsky.social's class will premiere at the Academy Award-qualifying @amdocs.bsky.social Film Festival! You can watch their films at the 15th annual festival in Palm Springs from March 25-29. Learn more: spr.ly/63328hgzAu

It's International Love Data Week and Director of Data Journalism @nwjill.bsky.social is speaking on a panel this Wed. to discuss careers in data. Leaders across @bigtenacademic.bsky.social will share insights into career pathways, skills and emerging trends: spr.ly/63324hOD9j

Even after judges grant record-clearing petitions, Illinois residents say delays in updating their records stand in the way of a fresh start. Written by @medillschool.bsky.social student Kaitlin Bender-Thomas ➡️ https://loom.ly/mxOinMk

Local journalism matters—and we’re investing in it. CJS has named its 2026 Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP) awardees, committing nearly $450,000 to support 45 alumni from CJS and @medillschool.bsky.social working in local newsrooms across the country: journalism.columbia.edu/news/2026-lr...

Four @medillschool.bsky.social #documentaries from my classes will premiere at the Academy Award-qualifying American #Documentary Film Festival in March. So proud of these first-time filmmakers! You can watch in person in #PalmSprings March 25th-29th: amdocfilmfest.com

The state is continuing a push to bolster Illinois’ advanced manufacturing workforce, but the sector is facing a range of challenges. @medillschool.bsky.social student Reece Dower reports ➡️ https://loom.ly/A2iYPuc

Happy Black History Month! Medill honors the accomplishments and legacy of our Black students, faculty and alumni who make a difference in our community. 💜

Due to changes in federal tax policy, some student loan forgiveness may now be taxable. Sam Freeman @medillschool.bsky.social has more. https://loom.ly/yqkeHTg

Today, @knightlab.northwestern.edu and FT Strategies just launched Next Gen News 2 — a deeper look at how next gen news consumers discover, engage with, and shape the news ecosystem. 👉 Dive into their research & insights: spr.ly/63328hDzxY

These MSJ sports journalism students reported from courtside as they covered recent Chicago Bulls games versus the Utah Jazz and LA Clippers. 🏀

Illinois has one of its worst flu seasons in recent years as the CDC classifies the flu rate as “very high.” Olivia Ardito, Medill Illinois News Bureau, reports. @medillschool.bsky.social student, Olivia Ardito reports ➡️ https://loom.ly/bdoZ7qU

Medill Professor Edward Malthouse's research looks at using AI to personalize news recommendations and detect fake news articles. "There’s a lot of misinformation out there, and it’s hard to stay ahead of it," Malthouse said. Learn more here: spr.ly/63321h6nSU