SABEW gives president's award to @medillschool.bsky.social professor Desiree Hanford: talkingbiznews.com/media-news/s...

As states await regulations for the Trump-backed Education Freedom Tax Credit, Gov. JB Pritzker, education advocates and legislators weigh the costs and benefits of opting in. @marisa-gech.bsky.social reports for @medillschool.bsky.social. buff.ly/pFujVVE

TEN DAYS LEFT! Register for the #FREE Maynard Regional Training Series, in partnership with @medillschool.bsky.social. #Journalism #ProfessionalDevelopment for early- and mid-career editors and managers. mije.org/programs/for...

Backers are no longer pushing a bill that would have prohibited police from using facial recognition software this session, in part because the debate has become tied to the March 19 shooting of Loyola University freshman Sheridan Gorman in Rogers Park. buff.ly/NkTyNkP

The fight to save the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette raises a bigger question: what does it actually mean to save local news? New reporting from the Local News Initiative explores the future of legacy newspapers and civic information. localnewsinitiative.northwestern.edu/posts/2026/0...

In @localnewsini.bsky.social's new podcast episode, Tim Franklin sits down with Chuck Todd to discuss the connection between the erosion of trust in national media and the decline of local news, and why local journalism must return to being deeply embedded in communities: spr.ly/63329BBarbU

New today in @publisherslunch.bsky.social! We're so excited for this announcement with @medillschool.bsky.social. Learn more here: www.agatepublishing.com/blog/2026/05...

Thank you to Scott Kirby, CEO of @united.com, for joining Medill Dean Charles Whitaker today to discuss why the best CEOs are also open communicators and master storytellers. ✈️ The event was introduced by Medill alumnus Anthony Fleet (IMC17).

Trust in U.S. elections is eroding. Between skepticism about redistricting, fear about immigration agents at the polls, and unproven claims about widespread election fraud, Americans are losing confidence in the accuracy and security of their elections.

With the Old Joliet Prison as a backdrop, fans help kick off festivities celebrating the centennial of the “Mother Road” — U.S. Route 66 — which was decommissioned in 1985. Julia Levy reports for @medillschool.bsky.social ➡️ buff.ly/i6Yauak

Route 66 is turning 100 this year, and Illinois is in the midst of a year-long celebration of the former U.S. highway dubbed the “Mother Road.” Story + 📸 by Chloe Park for @medillschool.bsky.social buff.ly/pa1mtQC

Medill has selected Julie Pace (BSJ04), senior vice president and executive editor of @apnews.com, to speak to 2026 graduates and their families as our convocation speaker! 🎓 Read about Pace and our student speakers here: spr.ly/63324BBsZwg

We are excited to announce the pilot project of our Medill Books imprint partnership with @agatepublishing.bsky.social. 📚 Tentatively titled "Your Plate and the Planet," the book written by Liza Schoenfein (MSJ89) is a guide to reducing greenhouse gas emissions: spr.ly/63321BBSC4f

So very honored to see our Policing the Vulnerable series take home two Lisagors (for Best Health and Best Government reporting - small/online) at last night’s ceremony. Incredibly proud of team @southsideweekly.bsky.social @mindsitenews.bsky.social @medillschool.bsky.social & @invisible.institute

Join Medill on May 12 for a special conversation with @united.com CEO Scott Kirby. ✈️ Kirby will sit down with Dean Charles Whitaker to explore why the best CEOs are also master storytellers. The event is open to the entire Northwestern community. Register here: spr.ly/63323BBmXKJ

Want your local government to actually listen? @WGLTNews – Bloomington-Normal's Public Media is reporting on what works — and what doesn't — when citizens show up to advocate for change. Tune in the week of May 11. #HealingIllinois #DemocracyLivesHere

Today is the 2026 Hall of Achievement ceremony! 🎉 Inductee @newsbysamuels.bsky.social (BSJ06) is the author of “His Name is George Floyd: One Man’s Life and the Struggle for Racial Justice” and a national enterprise reporter for The Washington Post.

3️⃣ days until the 2026 Hall of Achievement! 🎉 David Rudd (BSJ88) is the executive vice president and senior counselor at Rudd Resources where he advises clients on messaging strategy, executive communication, community relations and media engagement.

What does it actually take to run an election? Capitol News Illinois is reporting on Illinois county clerks — their evolving roles, their challenges and the practices that strengthen faith in electoral processes. Coming May 11. Stay tuned. #HealingIllinois

What does craft beer have to do with local news? More than you think. 🍻 On the latest episode of the State of Local News Podcast, Chuck Todd explains why people crave unique, local journalism again. Read/Listen: localnewsinitiative.northwestern.edu/posts/2026/0...

3️⃣ days until the 2026 Hall of Achievement! 🎉 Sally Kestin (BSJ87) is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter and co-founder of Asheville Watchdog, a nonprofit digital news outlet focusing on local investigative and accountability journalism.

4️⃣ days until the 2026 Hall of Achievement! 🎉 Inductee Dawn Hasbrouck (MSJ99) is a Chicago native who anchors the weeknight evening 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. news on @fox32chicago.bsky.social. She is only the second woman to anchor the flagship 9 p.m. newscast and also anchors the preshow on Fox Local.

5️⃣ days until the 2026 Hall of Achievement! 🎉 Gabe Gutierrez (BSJ05) is a senior White House correspondent for NBC News. While covering breaking news, he has reported on the immigration across the U.S. southern border, the murder of George Floyd, the war in Ukraine and more.

6️⃣ days until the 2026 Hall of Achievement! 🎉 Inductee Mark Ferguson (BSJ80) is a trial lawyer who has been nationally recognized for his ability to synthesize and present complex issues to civil juries and for his innovation in the business and practice of law.

To the students who said yes to Medill like Andy Sachs - your story starts here. Happy National College Decision Day to the next generation of storytellers! 💜 #TheDevilWearsPrada

Our latest @statesnewsroom.com DC story from @medillschool.bsky.social

Medill merch is here and available for online ordering! 🛒Click here to shop by Monday, May 4 at 12:00 pm CST: spr.ly/63325BBrN5V

7️⃣ days until the 2026 Hall of Achievement! 🎉 Inductee @lisabyington.bsky.social (BSJ98, MSJ99) has been a trailblazer in the sports broadcasting world for years. She is the first female full-time television play-by-play announcer for the @themilwaukeebucks.bsky.social.

8️⃣ days until the 2026 Hall of Achievement! 🎉 Inductee Brad Bentley (IMC99) serves as President of NRG Consumer, where he commands a $12 billion portfolio and leads the expansion and acceleration of the company’s home energy and smart home divisions.

new research report @medillschool.bsky.social comparing media habits and attitudes between US teens and adults.

A new in-depth study by the Media Insight Project, which surveyed both adults and teens, provides a deep look into how news engagement does and does not vary by generation. Read the findings here: spr.ly/63325BBOx81

9️⃣ days until the 2026 Hall of Achievement! 🎉 Inductee Danielle Austen (IMC98) is the founder and CEO of fluent360, which creates a comprehensive marketing approach to the African American, US Hispanic, Asian American and LGBTQ+ consumer segments.

Listen to the full podcast on Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/0IXW...

In this investigation from @post-gazette.com and @frontlinepbs.bsky.social, Medill BSJ students helped uncover how Pennsylvania's falling school vaccination rates and enforcement failures put thousands of children at risk: spr.ly/63323BBB0OL

We are collecting nominations for Local News ‘Bright Spots’ to feature in our 2026 State of Local News Report! Send us your nominations! localnewsinitiative.northwestern.edu/posts/2026/0...

Congratulations to Medill students Jacques Abou-Rizk, Kaitlin Bender-Thomas and Samantha Freeman for being awarded 2026 scholarships from the White House Correspondents' Association! 🎉

We had a blast co-hosting the inaugural Audiophile Conference with @nuschoolofcomm.bsky.social. The event was filled with insightful conversations about the possibilities that open the world of sound. We also presented @adrianacardmag.bsky.social with the 2026 Cecilia Vaisman Award.

Congrats to Valentina Valcarce (BSJ28) for winning the 2026 Howell Essay Contest! Her essay discusses the case of Margaux Blanchard, a "journalist" who "was almost certainly a machine-generated construct." Read more: spr.ly/63327B6NPLD

Very excited for @medillschool.bsky.social to be joining the Media Insight Project. Be on the lookout for our new research report at the end of the month.

Medill is joining The Media Insight Project to help strengthen the initiative’s capacity to conduct rigorous, independent research on the evolving relationship between journalism and audiences. Read more about the collaboration here: spr.ly/63325B64zY7

The Medill Solutions Journalism Hub, in partnership with @soljourno.bsky.social, selected 20 journalism and communications educators for the 2026 Medill Solutions Journalism Educators Academy. Learn more here: spr.ly/63326B6NgNw

We are so proud of Professor @brenthuffman.bsky.social's students whose documentaries premiered at the Academy Award-qualifying American Documentary And Animation Film Festival in Palm Springs! 🎬 Congratulations to these first-time filmmakers. 🎉

Thrilled that @ottavias.bsky.social's investigation on TX boarding homes @inthesetimes.com & @typeinvestigations.org won 2nd place in @medillschool.bsky.social's John Bartlow Martin Award for Public Interest Mag. Journalism. This project was years in the making & its recognition is so well deserved.

We are honored that @ottavias.bsky.social's investigation with @inthesetimes.com into Texas boarding homes was awarded second place from the John Bartlow Martin Awards for Public Interest Magazine Journalism @medillschool.bsky.social: www.medill.northwestern.edu/news/2026/ca...

Congratulations Anat, and thank you @medillschool.bsky.social! Read her investigation: calmatters.org/investigatio...

Congratulations to Anat Rubin, an investigative reporter for @calmatters.org, for being the recipient of the 2026 John Bartlow Martin Award for Public Interest Magazine Journalism! Read more: spr.ly/63327B6xKXv

A declining domestic agriculture workforce pushes Illinois farmers to employ foreign workers through the temporary H-2A non-immigrant visa program. @medillschool.bsky.social reports: https://loom.ly/3TQSYTs

Meet Medill's 2026 Hall of Achievement Inductees! Congratulations to Danielle Austen, Brad Bentley, Lisa Byington, Mark Ferguson, Gabe Gutierrez, Dawn Hasbrouck, Sally Kestin, David Rudd, Kimberley Rudd and @newsbysamuels.bsky.social. 🌟 Read about our inductees: spr.ly/63321B6Q89l

Media literacy professionals recently attended Medill’s MediaEd Research Jam where they discussed partnerships that will design, pilot and document media literacy projects that will be shared in an open-access publication this fall. 🗞️