Check out these all-star journalists! 🏀🌟 Medill students Alex Strizek (MSJ26), Lucy Roberts (MSJ26) and Sydney Meyer (MSJ26) recently covered WNBA All-Star Weekend festivities at the United Center and the Obama Presidential Center.
Northwestern Medill School
@medillschool.bsky.social
Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications at Northwestern University.
At a time when many are retrenching, The Post and Courier Publisher P.J. Browning is expanding, adding nine newsrooms in South Carolina, creating collaborations with local news outlets on investigative projects & launching a robust events series. localnewsinitiative.northwestern.edu/posts/2026/0...
Charleston CEO P.J. Browning is Investing and Growing the Post & Courier While Many Other Local News Outlets Retrench
In the seventh episode of the State of Local News Podcast, host Tim Franklin—Professor, John M. Mutz Chair in Local News, and founding director of the Medill Local News Initiative—speaks with P.J. Bro...
localnewsinitiative.northwestern.edu
Applications for Medill's Master of Science in Journalism and Integrated marketing Communications Full-Time programs beginning in fall 2027 are now open! 🎓 🔗 Learn more and apply here: spr.ly/63326BE7OX4
Wildcats at work: Alexander Hernandez Gonzalez (BSJ27) 🎬 As an editorial intern at L'OFFICIEL USA, Hernandez Gonzalez (BSJ27) is spending his summer writing news stories and reviews surrounding the topics of fashion, film, music and more. 🎶
People can visit Illinois’ only International Dark Sky Park at Middle Fork Forest Preserve in Champaign County. Julia Levy reports for @medillschool.bsky.social. buff.ly/rEEwhGi
‘Surreal’: Illinois’ only International Dark Sky Place attracts tourists worldwide
Illinois’ only International Dark Sky Place is drawing visitors worldwide while lawmakers work to reduce light pollution.
capitolnewsillinois.com
Congrats to Melissa Dai (BSJ26) whose investigative story won a MOEy Best in Show Award from the Society of Professional Journalists! 🏆 📰Read her story: spr.ly/63328BEZTX6
Calling all Research MA and PhD alumni! 📣 Join the SJMC in New Orleans on August 7 for a joint AEJMC reception with @medillschool.bsky.social, the Universities of Iowa and Minnesota. Learn more and RSVP today: www.eventbrite.com/e/iowa-minne...
From Northwestern News Network to CNN! 📺 Medill students and CNN interns Victoria Ryan (BSJ27) and Tomas Moran (BSJ28) reconnected with recent alums and news associates Kendall Wright (BSJ25), Jonas Kalderon Blum (BSJ26) and Logan Schiciano (BSJ25) at the Washington, D.C. bureau.
Making of A Nation. Jon Marshall, @medillschool.bsky.social — “Clash: Presidents & the Press in Times of Crisis” Georgia Fort, Founder, BLCK Press & Center for Broadcast Journalism — Keynote by the journalist whose reporting has placed her at center of national convo on press freedom.
JUST ONE WEEK AWAY! We are nearing a full house! "America @ 250: A Journalism Reckoning!" Making of a Nation. Unmaking of a Narrative. Who Gets to Tell the Story? 📅 July 16, 2026 🕕 6–9pm 📍 Impact House, 200 W Madison St., 2nd Floor, Chicago forms.cloud.microsoft/r/EDCzq639gB
Con artists posing as ICE agents and immigration officers are using WhatsApp and fake court hearings to cheat vulnerable people out of their savings. Watch @medillschool.bsky.social's Naisha Roy — whose own parents have been targeted by similar scams — break down a victim’s story: propub.li/3SxDByd
"AI is the next hill to climb." Jim Friedlich, CEO of the Lenfest Institute for Journalism, joins Tim Franklin to discuss AI, nonprofit news, The Philadelphia Inquirer, and building sustainable local journalism. Watch/listen to the full episode: localnewsinitiative.northwestern.edu/posts/2026/0...
Lenfest Institute CEO Jim Friedlich on What’s Working in Local News: Beneficial Ownership Combined with Strong User Revenues
In the sixth episode of the State of Local News Podcast, host Tim Franklin—Professor, John M. Mutz Chair in Local News, and founding director of the Medill Local News Initiative—speaks with Jim Friedl...
localnewsinitiative.northwestern.edu
Medill’s Data-Driven Reporting Project will give journalists in eight U.S. states and two Canadian provinces up to $40,000 each, plus technical training and editing support, to produce accountability journalism serving local communities. Read more here: spr.ly/63323BEDlxH
Direct communication creates real relationships. Full Episode: localnewsinitiative.northwestern.edu/posts/2026/0...
A new law took effect Wednesday, July 1, that expanded the definition of cyberbullying to include AI-generated images. Naomi Taxay reports for @medillschool.bsky.social.
Illinois schools grapple with AI cyberbullying, deepfakes as new law takes effect
Illinois schools are updating policies as a new law expands cyberbullying to include AI-generated deepfakes.
buff.ly
Congratulations to alumna Mara Brock Akil (BSJ92) for the success of 'Forever,' a @netflix.com show she created which recently won a Peabody Award! 🏆 An adaptation of Judy Blume’s 1975 novel, the show depicts two charming teens navigating love and life in Black middle class Los Angeles. 📺
Congratulations to alumna @katpham.bsky.social (BSJ24) for receiving the 2026 AAJA-Medill Innovator Award! Pham is an award-winning multimedia storyteller currently working at @chicagoreader.com. Read more about her work here: spr.ly/63328BD0FhA
📢 Join our team! The Medill Local News Initiative is expanding the State of Local News Project and seeking a Researcher to study local news access across the Midwest. Learn more & apply: careers.northwestern.edu/psc/hrnu_er/...
Local News KILLS Partisanship & Builds Trust! Full Episode: localnewsinitiative.northwestern.edu/posts/2026/0...
Even though Illinois farmers are producing massive harvests, family bankruptcies have surged. Rising land rent, trade uncertainty and farm debt are squeezing margins causing Illinois farmers to face a fragile future. Tara Sun reports for @medillschool.bsky.social. buff.ly/jgrKFYV
‘A real farm crisis’: Illinois farm bankruptcies rise for 3rd straight year
Illinois farm bankruptcies climb for a third year as debt, low crop prices and trade pressures mount.
capitolnewsillinois.com
For generations, the Daily Herald has been a cornerstone of suburban Chicago news. As ownership changes hands, questions remain about what this transition could mean for community coverage and the future of local news in the suburbs. Read more: localnewsinitiative.northwestern.edu/posts/2026/0...
Struggling in the Suburbs
Few suburban newspapers have existed as long as the Daily Herald, founded as the Cook County Herald just seven years after the end of the Civil War.
localnewsinitiative.northwestern.edu
Congrats to Associate Professor James Lee for receiving the 2026 @aejmc.bsky.social Tankard Book Award! 👏 The award recognizes the most outstanding book in the field of journalism and communication, honoring authors whose work embodies excellence in research, writing, and creativity. 📚
Immigration attorneys and advocates say the uncertainty surrounding TPS and immigration enforcement has heightened fears within the Haitian community. ncnewsline.com/2026/06/23/r... @medillschool.bsky.social
Legal protections for nearly 350,000 Haitians at risk as US Supreme Court nears ruling • NC Newsline
The Trump administration has argued that TPS has become a “de facto asylum program” and that conditions in Haiti have improved enough to end the designation. It appealed the ruling to the Supreme Cour...
ncnewsline.com
Axios Local Executive Editor Holly Moore on building a 37-market newsletter network and how AI can reshape newsroom workflows without replacing journalists. localnewsinitiative.northwestern.edu/posts/2026/0...
From Chicago to Ottawa and Jacksonville, local radio stations across Illinois are grappling with the shutdown of CBS News Radio in different ways. Chloe Park reports for @medillschool.bsky.social. buff.ly/ucKof1p
Join us in celebrating Northwestern's @morelatinosinnews.bsky.social chapter for their incredible accomplishments! 🎉 ⭐ NU NAHJ was selected as a finalist for the NAHJ Student Chapter of the Year ⭐ BSJ student Tomas Moran was selected as an NAHJ Ruben Salazar Scholarship Recipient
Jon Marshall is Associate Professor at @medillschool.bsky.social. His research focuses on journalism history & the relationship between presidents & press. Among his books: “Clash: Presidents & the Press in Times of Crisis.” A former journalist, he is often cited by news media.
REGISTER NOW for "America @ 250: A Journalism Reckoning!" Making of a Nation. Unmaking of a Narrative. Who Gets to Tell the Story? 📅 JULY 16 🕕 6–9pm 📍 Impact House, 200 W Madison St., Chicago forms.cloud.microsoft/r/EDCzq639gB We continue unveiling this powerful speaker line-up!
As federal funding uncertainty mounts, a recently passed bill aims to address deficiencies in its contracting process. Hannah Webster reports for @medillschool.bsky.social. buff.ly/DuxOEY1
Illinois lawmakers seek to streamline contracting for service providers
Illinois lawmakers advance reforms aimed at speeding payments and contracts for nonprofit providers.
capitolnewsillinois.com
While legislative attempts to solve the Illinois housing shortage stalled in the spring session, housing advocates still found wins to celebrate. @marisa-gech.bsky.social reports for @medillschool.bsky.social.
Despite BUILD’s failure, housing advocates celebrate legislative wins
Housing advocates praised funding gains this year despite the failure of Gov. Pritzker’s BUILD housing plan.
buff.ly