Good Thursday morning, Evanston.
On Wednesday night, in support of our fall NewsMatch campaign, the Evanston RoundTable hosted an online panel of experts who discussed the challenges facing local news ecosystems in the Chicago area and across the country.
The panel was moderated by Charles Whitaker, dean of the Northwestern University Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications. The panel featured Tracy Baim, the president and co-publisher of the Chicago Reader and founder of the Chicago Independent Media Alliance; Laura Washington, a Chicago Sun-Times columnist and political analyst for ABC-7 Chicago; and Tim Franklin, Medill’s Senior Associate Dean and the John M. Mutz Chair in Local News.
Last week, the city hosted a public meeting to showcase its ambitious plan for the Chicago Avenue Corridor. Blogger and cyclist Courtney Cobbs said she’s most excited about the two-way protected bike lanes officials have penciled in on an early design for the street.
COVID by the numbers: Five new cases were reported yesterday in Evanston. The seven-day average is seven.
In the United States, 25% of newspapers have ceased operation, and 2,000 community newspapers have closed in the past 15 years. The vacuum created when local journalism declines poses a serious threat to democracy. Our democracy relies on a free press to educate the public.
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Elsewhere on the RoundTable website
Local teen seeks to aid women and girls, here and in Africa. Cherie Animashaun, a 17-year-old former Evanston resident who recently moved to Skokie, has dedicated herself to helping other youth and empowering women.
ETHS girls basketball: Bolingbrook buries Kits in season opener. ETHS opened the season with a disappointing 60-32 loss.
City of Evanston reaches agreement on staff vaccine policy with last remaining union. The City announced Thursday that it had closed on a memorandum of understanding with the Fraternal Order of Police Sergeants employee union to impose a vaccine mandate for workers.
City seeks public comment on 2022 Action Plan and Amended Citizen Public Participation Plan. Now through December 14, residents are invited to provide feedback on these plans for the City by emailing housing@cityofevanston.org.
Evanston Police kicks off Thanksgiving campaign for safe and sober driving. EPD announced a campaign to remind motorists to Click It or Ticket and Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over throughout the Thanksgiving holiday.
Around the web
Evanston to hear community input on ADA Transition Plan Update. Evanston is hosting a forum on the Accessibility is Freedom: Americans with Disabilities Act Transition Plan Update on Thursday at the Levy Center from 4 to 7 p.m.
National fight is creeping into Illinois schools over what is read, taught and who belongs. One Chicago suburb exploded in controversy this week over a book about coming out as non-binary.
If you’re reading this it’s not too late. One reporter chronicles her search all over Chicago for the few news boxes that remain standing.
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