Flippin Friday September 6,2024 … 66 Degree Air /72 Degree Water #GreatLakeJumper … Dedicated to Evanston Folk Fest SPACE Steve Poltz vvlightbody Sam Cantor Steve Earle Greg Kot Mark Guarino #evanstonfolkfest

Chicago's mayor is on the defensive following the abrupt resignation of his entire handpicked school board, and the alarm raised by nearly the entire city council. My story for ABC News: abcnews.go.com/US/chicago-may…

My friend pat mAcdonald of Timbuk3 and Purgatory Hill has recorded a beautiful (but brief) song promoting #voting — no matter how you plan to this election. Please share. youtube.com/watch?v=retYU0…

The BBC commissioned me to write a story about the meteoric rise of Shaboozey, his crossover appeal on the country and pop charts, and how his hit song "A Bar Song (Tipsy)" fits in the long tradition of drinking songs in country music. bbc.com/culture/articl…

Attention holiday shoppers: The award-winning "Country and Midwestern," the first book to document the long history of country and folk music in Chicago, is now in paperback from the University of Chicago Press. Available online and at your local book shop.

The vulnerabilities exposed during a terrorist attack in January has some on edge as New Orleans hosts the Super Bowl. My story for ABC News: abcnews.go.com/US/super-bowl-…

An Indiana girl is arrested Thursday after a tipster reveals her plans to carry out a mass shooting at her high school. Her school says she tried seeking mental health counseling for years but her father refused to give his permission. My story for ABC: tinyurl.com/4s656j8w

A Complete Unknown focuses on Bob Dylan's NYC roots. What's less known is the month he spent in Chicago before heading east, and the cast of Chicago characters who played significant roles in shaping who he became. My story for WBEZ: wbez.org/music/2025/02/…

A 42-year-old cold case outside Chicago appears to be reaching a resolution with the discovery of human remains late Tuesday. Divers tell me the vehicle, located just seven feet below, was one of three found in the Fox River. abcnews.go.com/US/underwater-…

Personal milestone time: After 30 years of attending the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, I've officially made it inside one of the "cubes!" I'm excited to announce I'll be interviewing the one and only Marty Stuart at Jazz Fest, 3:15 p.m. May 3! Come on out!

The Trump tariffs are an existential threat to bourbon makers in Kentucky, where 95% of the spirit originates. An unexpected result: Bipartisan unity from Ky. lawmakers Beshear, Paul, and McConnell who say enough is enough. My story for ABC: abcnews.go.com/Business/kentu…

Pope Leo's childhood friends in Chicago told me they called him "Father Robert" because "he was good." One former classmate emailed him yesterday to jokingly suggest their grade school reunion take place at the Vatican. My story for ABC News: abcnews.go.com/US/chicago-rea…

Happy birthday Pete. Who’s the new boss? Is he like the old boss? Have you met him yet? Say hello to Roger.

Growing research makes case for greater regulations for AI technology by showing how it is conditioned to deliver antisemitic responses and other hate speech. My story for ABC News: abcnews.go.com/US/ai-chatbots…

abcnews.go.com/US/school-shoo…

RIP Bruce Sagan, one of the most influential Chicagoans on the field of journalism and the literary arts, and a great Chicagoan, period. Glad I had a chance to meet him and even get a story assignment from him way back when. hpherald.com/evening_digest…

I stopped by the The Loft the other week to sit down with Jeff Tweedy and talk about his new triple record "Twilight Override" for the Chicago Sun-Times and WBEZ. You can also listen to audio from our conversation via the link under my byline. chicago.suntimes.com/music/2025/09/…

Something I didn't want to do tonight: Write Tony Fitzpatrick's obituary. A great artist and Chicagoan leaves us after years of advocating for art and fellow artists in this city. An anchor for art-making, no matter the medium. chicago.suntimes.com/2025/10/11/chi…

On Good Morning America this morning: A piece I helped produce on the threat posed by AI chatbots against young people and the most vulnerable. goodmorningamerica.com/video/127104771

Last month, among the items at a flea market in Chicago: The personal belongings of blues legend Koko Taylor, including her awards, handwritten lyrics, photos with people like Bill Clinton, even bank statements. What happened? I find out. chicago.suntimes.com/music/2025/11/…