Stories by Emily Soto

For many, navigating how to lead a healthy life can be challenging. Efforts to encourage local food sourcing are creating broader opportunities to address health equity.

It wasn’t just politicians and celebrities who took the stage at last week’s Democratic National Convention. Advocates shared their stories about how gun violence has impacted their lives and inspired them to take action. Edgar Vilchez, 19, was one of those speakers.

The Chicago Teachers Union is still in the midst of public contract negotiations, and the union said CPS leaders aren’t doing enough about the lack of academic resources. This comes amid concerns over district funding.

The Illinois Democratic Party is gearing up for a busy week in Chicago. During the Democratic National Convention, members will be meeting with other party leaders, discussing policies and rallying behind presidential candidate Kamala Harris.

Latin Restaurant Weeks are back with specials across the Chicago area. It’s an opportunity to sample flavors from across Latin America without leaving Illinois.

With the Democratic National Convention just days away, Cook County judges are clearing their schedules. It comes as part of an administrative order from Chief Judge Tim Evans to prepare for the possibility of mass arrests.

Chicago routinely ranks among the most segregated big cities in America when measured by the dissimilarity index, a tool used to gauge how evenly distributed demographic groups are throughout a distinct geographic area.

Protests erupted in Venezuela over the results of the country’s latest presidential election. Current president Nicolas Maduro declared victory — but his opposition is raising concerns over the accuracy of those results.

The National Weather Service in Chicago has so far reported 31 tornadoes in one storm event — surpassing the previous daily record of 22 measured just last year. While there’s debate over how these storms should be defined — researchers are looking into the factors leading to extreme weather and how to protect communities.

Keeping up with the news of the day can be tough. But for 26 years, Peter Sagal has been making it fun for audiences across the country as host of NPR’s weekly radio show “Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me!” This week, he’s offering fans a look behind the curtain.

The Rev. Corey Brooks and Former Republican Congressman Joe Walsh reflect on where the presidential race goes after the RNC last week. 

¡Viva! Los Libros just launched a bookmobile. Owners Nina Sanchez and Michael Wren, along with their daughter Vida, are eager to share their love of reading with the community.

The African Descent-Citizens Reparations Commission is tasked with researching and reporting on possible reparatory actions for Black residents who are descendants of slavery. Leaders said the public’s input will be used in developing proposals for policymakers.

In 15 towns, of which all but two are home to a majority of Black residents, the increase to property tax bills was 30%. But some local leaders are pledging not to raise municipal taxes in order to ease the impact on community members.

The decision is expected to have a sweeping impact on policies for the unhoused, but local advocates are hoping the effect will be muted in Chicago and Illinois.

Elizabeth Alvarez has dedicated her life to teaching, empowering students and breaking down educational disparities. Alvarez shares all of this and more in her new book “Rabbit on the Moon: Embracing My Mexican-American Identity.”

Long before the Aztecs or the Maya, there were the Olmecs. Their people once lived along the southeast border of Mexico in what is now Veracruz; they are considered one of the most influential civilizations of Mesoamerica.

An increasing number of people are coming to Illinois in search of abortion care in the two years since the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision overturned the Roe v. Wade ruling. 

The arts have played a major role in the history of activism and support for members of the LGBTQ+ community in Chicago. 

Advocates say a lack of regulation is leading to life-threatening conditions, but are working to educate workers about their rights.

The city shelter has seen a 24% increase in the first five months of 2024. Advocates said a rise of intakes and a lack of adoption are contributing to the issue.

Japanese photographer Akito Tsuda was a student at Columbia College when a class assignment brought him to the Pilsen neighborhood in the 1990s. Now he’s back in the city revisiting the people and places he visited all those years ago.

The Diversify Ice Fellowship and Foundation is now working to make skating more accessible and show what can be achieved through mentorship, sponsorship and fun.

The bill allows Illinois residents to get a judicial order to alter the name and sex on birth certificates and other documentation issued in another state. Currently in Illinois, the process no longer requires certification from a health professional, making it easier to request this change.

Many kids dream of blasting off into space one day — and Katya Echazarreta was no exception. As the first Mexican-born woman to travel to space, she is dedicated to showing other women the sky’s the limit when it comes to reaching their goals.

Evanston’s program is aimed at addressing housing discrimination and segregation that took place in the northern suburb from 1919 to 1969.