22 years since 9/11, Chicago’s first casino, and a new DePaul health insurance plan
Plus, Olivia Rodrigo’s latest album “Guts”
Welcome back to ‘In the Loop’! We’ve got a good one for you today. It’s your newsletter team — Alexandra, Lauren, Cary, Sam, Emily, Elizabeth and Hailey — back with another newsletter to start off your Monday night!
Today marks 22 years since 9/11 when nearly 3,000 lives were lost and Americans look back on the terrorist attack that affected every corner of the nation.
For tonight's newsletter, we have a feature story on Olivia Rodrigo’s latest album “Guts” which was released last Friday and has already topped the charts on Spotify. Also, Chicago recently opened the city’s first ever casino in River North and DePaul will be offering a health insurance plan for students, covering both physical and behavioral health services.
We’d also like to welcome Pueblo, 14 East’s bilingual publication, to the weekly newsletter! Each week, keep a look out for different coverage on the Latinx community in and around the Chicago area.
If you want to show support for 14 East and ‘In the Loop,’ we invite you to donate directly to our newsroom. Whether it’s a one-time contribution or a monthly gift, every cent helps us build a newsroom that serves you, our readers, and we get 100% of your donation.
With that, let's get into the news!
“Guts” Takes the Music World by Force
By Lauren Sheperd
Olivia Rodrigo released her sophomore album “Guts” on Thursday at 11 p.m. Central Time, taking the music world by storm. After two and a half months of anticipation, Rodrigo did not disappoint.
Rodrigo announced “Guts” via social media on June 26, just four days before dropping her lead single for the album “Vampire” on June 30. This was the first time she dropped new music since her 2021 debut album, “Sour.”
While similar in style to her first album, “Guts” shows the growth Rodrigo has gone through in the two years since “Sour.” Both albums focus on the joys and angst of being a young woman, the main difference is Rodrigo’s age at the time of each album – 18 and 20 respectively.
DePaul student Grace Coxworth listened to the album the Saturday after it dropped on streaming platforms. After her first listen, Coxworth knew she liked the album. “I liked that she had more of that pop punk sound from that first album,” she said. “I could tell that she was more mature.” While Coxworth is more of a casual fan of Rodrigo, she said she still listens to her music regularly and will listen to new releases from Rodrigo.
Coxworth’s favorite songs after her initial listen were opener “All-American B***h” and track six “Making the Bed.” These tracks embody the differences in tracks across the album. From angst-filled punk rock tracks to ballads about womanhood and growing, it’s no surprise that the internet is filled with comments on how relatable the album is.
For women in their late teens and twenties, Rodrigo’s commentary on relationships – with themselves, with men, with friends – strike a cord. Tracks “Bad Idea, Right?” – which was her second single released prior to the album drop – and “Get Him Back!” capture the conflicting feelings surrounding a failed (yes failed, please don’t go back) situationship that so many women experience. With punchy lines like “I only see him as a friend, I just tripped and fell into his bed,” from “Bad Idea, Right?” and “He said he’s 6’2 and I’m like, ‘Dude, nice try,’” Rodrigo hit the nail on the head.
“Guts” doesn’t just reflect on young women’s romantic relationships, but also their relationships with themselves and getting older. “Making the Bed” and “Teenage Dream” capture the essence of the adjustment from girlhood to womanhood that happens between the ages of 18 and 21, something Rodrigo is currently in the thick of.
According to Pop Crave, the album was an instant success as “Guts” tracks took the top nine spots on U.S. Spotify over the weekend. Now, fans are left to wait for another announcement about the new album, which many are hoping comes in the form of a tour.
DePaul News
By Cary Robbins
Health insurance for DePaul community will begin next school year
Beginning in Fall 2024, DePaul will be offering a health insurance plan to students, according to the Vice President for Student Affair Eugene Zdziarski II in DePaul’s Newsline. The insurance plan will cover physical and behavioral health services as well as access to care in Chicago. Read more about the history of students, staff and faculty’s fight for health insurance and the school’s plan for next school year here.
New DePaul student health clinic
DePaul has announced that the student health clinic, which was formerly known as SAGE Medical Group, is now going to serve only DePaul students. Currently, the services will remain above Lincoln Park’s Chicago Public Library at 1150 W. Fullerton Ave. All students living in DePaul housing, with an exception for those living in the University Center, are enrolled in the student health MedCare automatically and all other students will have to opt in to receive access to the clinic services. Read more about the clinic hours and services here.
DePaul’s research reports to help assist lawyers and nonprofit fighting for asylum seekers
Many migrants have sought refuge in Chicago within the past few months. Now, many are awaiting their court cases, where they will present why their home country is no longer a viable and safe option. Katy Arnold, a Political Science faculty member and director of the Refugee and Forced Migration Studies program and her students are working on a research project by compiling “reports on country conditions that document government abuses, criminal organization, economic oppression and other factors putting citizens at risk,” according to the DePaul Newsline. Arnold gave a Q&A discussion of her reports and how they will help those assisting in helping asylum seekers, which you can read here.
Darryl Arrington plans to eliminate gap in DePaul’s four-year graduation rate
At DePaul, white students’ four-year graduation rate is 61%, while Black students achieve 44% and Latinx students achieve a 42% four-year graduation rate. This is a 17% and 19% gap. Darryl Arrington has been made the new Associate Vice President for Student Retention and Success in the hopes of eliminating the achievement gap within the next ten years. He plans to join forces between the Office of Institutional Diversity and Equity and the Associate Vice President of Enrollment Management Michael Wright and transform the one-stop-shop office in DePaul central to provide more services. To learn more about Arrington and his plan to eliminate the gap, read here.
Lastly, here is your weekend sports update (September 8-10)
The DePaul men’s soccer team tied 0-0 against Bowling Green on Friday night.
DePaul’s volleyball team won their fourth match in a row on Friday night with a score of 3-0 against St. Thomas.
On Saturday, DePaul’s volleyball team won their fifth match in a row against Evansville with a score of 3-0.
DePaul’s golf team tied for fifth place on Saturday during their first tournament in the fall 2023 slate.
The DePaul women’s soccer team lost 0-1 against Loyola University Chicago on Sunday.
Chicago Headlines
By Alexandra Murphy
Mayor Brandon Johnson says Chicago will spend $255.7 million on the migrant crisis by the end of the year – The ongoing migrant crisis will end up costing taxpayers more than a quarter of a billion dollars by December 31, Mayor Brandon Johnson told the City Council on Friday. Johnson also let City Council members know his plan to move asylum seekers out of police stations and into giant tents before temperatures start to drop. From August to December of 2022, the city of Chicago spent $17.5 million to care for asylum seekers. With the pace of new arrivals increasing, the city spending from January to July 23 rose to $115.2 million. Through the rest of the year, mayoral aides expect the migrant crisis to cost the city another $123 million amounting to a total of $255.7 million. The Chicago Sun-Times and NBC Chicago have more.
Judge to set trial date in December for Highland Park shooting – A trial date for the alleged Highland Park mass shooter Robert Crimo III will be set at his next court date. Assistant State’s Attorney Ben Dillon told the judge that the discovery in the July 4, 2022 parade shooting should be concluded in coming weeks and is expected to be wrapped up by the next court date. The next appearance was set by Judge Victoria Rossetti for December 11 where she said a trial date will be set. Crimo is being held in lieu of bail on seven accounts of first degree murder and dozens of other felonies related to the Highland Park Independence Day parade. His father, Robert Crimo Jr., is scheduled to stand trial in November on reckless conduct charges. Chicago Tribune’s Clifford Ward has more.
First Chicago casino opened Saturday in River North – Chicago’s first ever casino, Bally’s temporary gaming hall at Medinah Temple, opened last Saturday and will be open 8 a.m. to 5 a.m. seven days a week, officials confirmed. The casino includes 750 slot machines, 55 table games, two restaurants and a cafe and will operate for about two years while a permanent casino is being constructed at the Chicago Tribune’s publishing plant in River West. Bally’s was chosen in May 2022 from three finalists to be Chicago’s first casino. Block Club Chicago’s Melody Mercado has more on the story.
Biden administration pledged $1.95 billion to fund South Side CTA Red Line extension – The Biden administration pledged $1.95 billion to fund the extension of the CTA’s Red Line going from 95th street to the city’s southern border near 130th street. The federal funding will come from the $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill signed into law by President Joe Biden in November of 2021. Mayor Brandon Johnson said the $3.6 billion plan to build 5.6 miles of new train tracks and four new stations would “right a historic wrong.” WTTW’s Heather Cherone has more.
National Headlines
By Sam Freeman
Novak Djokovic wins the U.S. Open – Novak Djokovic beat Daniil Medvedev in the U.S. Open on Sunday, securing his 24th Grand Slam title. Djokovic, the 36-year-old tennis player from Serbia, holds the highest record of 24 wins in the Open era. The Open era began in 1968; while Margaret Court also achieved 24 wins, 13 of those came before professionals were allowed to play in the Slam events. The win also makes Djokovic the oldest male to win the U.S. Open during the U.S. Open era. Upon victory, Djokovic hugged his daughter, son and wife, and he also put on a shirt with “24” and “Mamba Forever” written on it as a tribute to the late NBA star Kobe Bryant. The Associated Press has more information.
The U.S. marks 22 years since 9/11 – Today, Americans look back on the 9/11 terrorist attack that affected every corner of the nation. President Joe Biden spoke at a military base in Anchorage, Alaska, encouraging Americans to protect democracy. Almost 3,000 people were killed when hijacked planes hit the Pentagon, the trade center and a Pennsylvania field. “We know that on this day, every American’s heart was wounded,” Biden said. “Yet every big city, small town, suburb, rural town, tribal community — American hands went up, ready to help where they could.”Jennifer Peltz and Karen Matthews from the Associated Press have the story.
China spreads disinformation about the Lahaina fires using different methods – When wildfires overtook Maui last month, China’s information warriors falsely claimed in a series of digital posts that the fires were created by American intelligence agencies. To encourage this claim, they included photographs generated by artificial intelligence, revealing the use of new technology for the spread of disinformation. Previously, China used propaganda to defend its policies on Taiwan and other subjects. The use of propaganda on the Hawaii fires demonstrates a disruption of trust with the United States. President Joe Biden and Congress are debating how they should respond to China without causing open conflict; they’re also discussing how to reduce the risks of AI. David E. Sanger and Steven Lee Myers from the New York Times have more information.
Michigan State football coach suspended after sexual harassment allegations – Michigan State football coach Mel Tucker was suspended on Sunday without pay, after allegations that he sexually harassed Brenda Tracy, an activist and rape survivor. The University hired a Title IX to investigate the allegations, and a hearing is scheduled for Oct. 5 to determine if Tucker violated the school’s sexual harassment policy. Tucker is in his third year of a $95 million contract that lasts for 10 years. If fired, the university will not need to pay him the remainder of his contract. The Associated Press has the story.
14 East Pueblo: Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month
By Emily Figueroa
Hispanic Heritage Month kicks off September 15 with the theme “Latinos: Driving Prosperity, Power, and Progress in America.” The month celebrates the Independence Day anniversary for Latin American Countries and the achievements Hispanics have earned in the past years.
To join in on the festivities, Chicago has a range of events and celebrations that appreciate the culture, history and influence of Hispanics.
For sports fans, the Chicago Cubs will host a Hispanic heritage celebration on September 16. Your ticket will include a limited edition Cubs sugar skull bobblehead and a “¡Todos Un Equipo!” pennant.
If sports are not your thing, attend Destinos, the 6th Chicago International Latino Theatre Festival. From September 28 to November 12, catch a theater production including Latino theater artists and companies by The Chicago Latino Theatre Alliance.
A slow-paced activity to take in the meaning behind this month is at the Field Museum. For the entirety of Hispanic Heritage Month, the museum will offer live performances from Chicago Latinx cultural organizations and talks with scientists of Latin descent. Illinois residents are eligible for free days until October 12.
The biggest celebration you can attend will be this weekend. The lively Street Mexican Independence Day Parade is back with the theme “Tu Mexico, Tu Chicago." Each float will represent a different Mexican state and its traditions. After 26 years, this will be the first time the parade is happening on Mexican Independence Day.
Hey, Check This Out!
With Featured Columnist Elizabeth Gregerson
Pumpkins are popping up on front porches and Starbucks has switched up their menu. Even if you don’t consider yourself a full fledged supporter of ‘spooky season,’ you cannot deny that Fall is on its way. If you're struggling to get in the pumpkin spice (or apple cinnamon) mood when Illinois keeps doling out 80 degree days, perhaps a suspenseful murder mystery novel will do the trick.
As the picture on the front of the book suggests, “The Perfect Place to Die” by Bryce Moore is not for the faint of heart. The sepia toned cover features a woman’s expressionless face laid atop the blurred image of a skeleton, or is it the other way around? This ambiguous image is the first of many conundrums the reader will contemplate within the book’s 320 pages.
Historical fiction meets true crime in “The Perfect Place to Die” where the story revolves around the events of the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair. The novel follows Zuretta, a young woman who travels from Utah to Chicago to find her missing sister Ruby. Zuretta soon learns her sister was employed at a local Englewood hotel, The Castle, where women have been known to go missing. While Zuretta and Ruby’s story is one of fiction, the owner of The Castle and his hotel are based on the real life of serial killer H.H. Holmes.
“The Perfect Place to Die,” while scary, is an easy read. Some may categorize it as a young adult novel. Despite its readability, the story itself will intrigue and unnerve adult readers of all ages. Moore, the author, is a librarian. His research and attention to detail add richness and depth to the already heartbreaking origins of the story. Chicago readers will appreciate the neighborhood references and real life locations peppered throughout the pages.
Available in paperback, audiobook and e-reader formats, “The Perfect Place to Die” is guaranteed to keep you engaged and maybe even a little afraid as the season starts to change.
Resources
Need resources regarding cooling centers, rental assistance, abortion access, COVID-19 testing and vaccines or mental health? Check out our complete list here.
That’s it for today! See you next Monday.
The 14 East Newsletter Team