Hip-Hop edition, Chicago’s first city-wide composting program, and U.S tells Israel to delay Gaza Invasion
Plus, some Latinx owned coffee shops you should try
Welcome back to ‘In the Loop’! We’ve got a good one for you today. It’s your newsletter team — Alexandra, Kiki, Lauren, Sam, Emily, Elizabeth, Hailey, and 14 East staff — back with another Monday night newsletter to start off your week!
First, a preview into 14 East Magazine’s Hip-Hop Edition, which is going to be released this Friday, October 27 in celebration of hip-hop’s 50th anniversary this year. For the feature tonight, 14 East staff has compiled our favorite songs throughout the decades all in one Spotify playlist for our readers! To see more coverage on the edition this Friday, you can go to 14 East’s website here.
In Chicago, the first ever city-wide composting program was a part of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s proposed budget for next year. This program currently has 15 drop off locations and according to Johnson, is one of the easiest ways for people to address climate issues within their city. Also, DePaul students continue to express concerns over campus safety and inclusivity and in national news, the Biden administration has advised Israel to hold off on an invasion of Gaza.
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With that, let’s get into tonight's news!
Hip-Hop Edition Preview: Staff Top Picks
By 14 East staff
14 East Magazine is celebrating hip-hop's 50th birthday this year with a special edition coming out this Friday! Keep a lookout for coverage on 14 East staff’s top pick’s, artist profiles, album reviews, and more! For now, here is a Spotify playlist with 14 East Staff’s favorite hip-hop tracks. Listen here:
DePaul News
By Kiki Dyball
Former blue demon Mark Aguirre returns as assistant to DeWayne Peevy
A former member of DePaul's basketball program is now returning as a special assistant to DePaul’s Vice President and Athletic Director, DeWayne Peevy. Mark Aguirre played for three seasons as a blue demon from 1979-1981 and helped lead DePaul's team to the Final Four in the NCAA Tournament during his first-year season. Aguirre ultimately became DePaul’s all-time leading scorer with 2,182 points. The addition of Aguirre to DePaul’s athletic program could work in favor for the team as DePaul works towards restoring their basketball program. More here.
DePaul creates interactive game to prepare study abroad students
Colleges and universities around the country are seeing increasing participation in study abroad programs after pandemic lows, and DePaul is expecting study abroad program enrollment to be over 1,000 students this year. Game designer Jes Klass designed the Buddy Abroad game, which is an interactive game that helps students navigate travel and wellness during their abroad experience. Not only does Buddy Abroad highlight packing and travel tips, but the game also emphasizes the importance of understanding your own wellbeing and health while being abroad. Members of the DePaul community can now contact Klass or the Study Abroad Office to access the game without charge.
Students express concern over campus safety and inclusivity after DePaul President’s absence at town hall meeting
DePaul President Robert Manuel was absent at Monday night's Inclusivity and Safety Town Hall, leaving students disheartened over Manuel’s commitment to address concerns according to a recent DePaulia article. The town hall intended to connect university administration with students who expressed apprehension over potential racial profiling due to DePaul's recent ID policy which requires all students to present their IDs when entering university buildings. Students worry these new protocols could adversely affect students of color, transgender students who appear different from the picture on their IDs and students with disabilities who cannot easily access their IDs. Manuel’s absence at the town hall has left students disappointed and concerned over their president's commitment to caring for their concerns. Valerie Johnson, associate provost for diversity, equity and inclusion, assured students that the university’s errors should not be taken as a sign of negligence; just because they do not always get it right, does not mean they do not care.
DePaul professor helps bridge legal support gap for newly arrived migrants in Chicago
DePaul professor Kathleen Arnold is working towards supplying resources for lawyers and caseworkers representing migrants in Chicago. With migrants coming to Illinois from 13 different countries, Arnold is helping by creating reports on country conditions and affidavits for a non-profit organization providing legal aid to new migrants. She is also drafting materials for lawyers and caseworkers to use in their asylum case applications. With the help of some students at DePaul, Arnold is providing resources that are typically only available to the wealthy refugees; she is yielding this resource for free to the ones who cannot afford this support. As more migrants continue to land in Chicago and struggle to seek asylum, actions like Kathleen Arnolds are significant. More information here.
Chicago Headlines
By Lauren Sheperd
Nonprofit asks for winter gear for migrants – One Warm Coat is – a national organization – is working with the city to track down and donate 18,000 coats for migrants this winter. The nonprofit which focuses on providing coats to adults and children in need is teaming up with Cradles to Crayons, Chicago Lights, Erie Health and other Chicago organizations to reach this goal by the end of October. According to Beth Amodio, the organization’s president and CEO, donations from every size from infant to mens 4XL will be taken as long as they are gently used and in good condition. Block Club’s Joanna Hou has more information on the program and how to donate.
New city budget makes space for city-run composting program – Chicago’s first city-wide composting program is a part of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s proposed budget for next year. Of the $25 million going to climate initiatives, $6 million will go to the composting program, which currently has 15 drop off locations. According to Johnson, composting is one of the easiest ways for individuals to address climate issues within their city. Chicago is following in the footsteps of other big cities such as Minneapolis, New York and Washington in creating a city-run composting program. Phyllis Cha of the Chicago Sun-Times has more.
Jelly Belly to move back to Chicago under new ownership – Chicago's Ferrara Candy Company is expected to purchase Jelly Belly later this year, which is currently based in California. According to a joint announcement from both companies, the deal will likely be finalized by the end of the year, though terms have not been made public yet. Jelly Belly – which originally started in Belleville, Ill. in 1869 – left the state for California about a century ago. With over 100 flavors of jelly beans, the company has 800 employees in Illinois, California and Thailand that will become a part of Ferrara after the deal is finalized. Ferrara also owns popular candy brands including SweetTARTS and Laffy Taffy. NBC Chicago’s staff has more.
Rookie leads Bears to second season win – Rookie quarterback Tyson Bagent led the now 2-5 Bears to a win yesterday. Frustration has been high around the city as the Bears have struggled and currently have the worst record in the NFC North. Begent went undrafted out of Shepherd University in West Virginia and led three touchdown drives for the Bears yesterday after starter and second year player, Justin Fields was sidelined. The final score against the Las Vegas Raiders was 30-12. AP Sports’ Andrew Seligman has more.
National Headlines
By Sam Freeman
Synagogue president is killed in Detroit, motive is not determined, according to authorities – The president of a synagogue in Detroit was killed near her home on Saturday. Authorities say the motive is not determined yet. The president, Samantha Woll, 40, led the Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue, which is the only stand-alone synagogue in Detroit. She was found Saturday unresponsive on a street near east downtown. The Detroit Police found her with several stab wounds and a trail of blood leading to her house. She was declared dead at the scene. Before she led the synagogue, Woll worked in Democratic state politics. She was the political director for Dana Nessel, the attorney general of Michigan, and a campaign manager for State Senator Stephanie Chang. She was also a deputy on the chief of staff of U.S. Representative Elissa Slotkin. “Sam is already missed, and the brutality of her death is beyond words,” said Chang on social media. Colbi Edmonds from the New York Times has the story.
U.S. tells Israel to delay Gaza invasion – The Biden administration has advised Israel to hold off on an invasion of Gaza, hoping it will buy time to negotiate for hostages and allow humanitarian aid to reach Palestinians in Gaza. The administration still supports Israel’s attempt to eradicate Hamas, which is the group that controls Gaza and orchestrated an attack that killed 1,400 people. After Hamas released two American women on Friday, the administration has more urgently advised that Israel stall its attack, so negotiations of the other 212 hostages could ensue. President Biden called Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday afternoon, and there would be a “continued flow of this critical assistance” into Gaza, according to a White House Summary. Edward Wong, Eric Schmitt, Michael D. Shear and Ronen Bergman from the New York Times have more information.
Nine Republicans vying for speaker of the House nomination – After Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio (R) failed to become speaker of the House, nine other Republican representatives are seeking the position. The new candidates are Jack Bergman of Michigan, Byron Donalds of Florida, Tom Emmer of Minnesota, Kevin Hern of Oklahoma, Mike Johnson of Louisiana, Dan Meuser of Pennsylvania, Gary Palmer of Alabama, Austin Scott of Georgia and Pete Sessions of Texas. Rep. Mike Flood of Nebraska introduced a “unity” pledge on Friday that asks that Republicans commit "to support the Speaker Designate elected by the House Republican Conference — regardless of who that candidate is — when their election proceeds to the House Floor." At least six of the candidates have signed the agreement. A forum for the contenders was held today, and the vote to narrow down the list of candidates is scheduled for Tuesday. Emma Bowman from NPR has more information.
Trump is fined $5,000 for violating gag order – On Friday, a New York judge issued a fine of $5,000 against former President Donald Trump because he didn’t remove an item about a court staff member from his website. New York Supreme Court Judge Arthur Engoron issued the order because of its potential safety consequences. “In the current overheated climate, incendiary truths can, and in some cases already have, led to serious physical harm, and worse,” Engoron wrote. Additional violations of the gag order could result in further financial fines or imprisonment. Trump’s lawyer said he had no intention of ignoring the order. The former president is currently facing separate criminal charges in New York, Florida and Georgia. He pleaded not guilty to all charges. Shayna Jacobs from The Washington Post has more information.
14 East Pueblo: Latino Owned Coffee Shops
By Emily Figueroa
If the fall season doesn’t motivate you to try a new seasonal drink, our list of Latino owned coffee shops might do the trick. Stop by one of these locations and settle in with a book or plan your last-minute Halloween costume.
This shop is located at 3832 W Diversey Ave. The café has a modern Mexican style and was opened in 2014, years after the owners moved from Tijuana, Mexico. Their fall menu includes a maple spice latte, pumpkin spice horchata drink and more classics. Their services do not stop at coffee, they have flower bouquets, tortas and pastries. Follow their Instagram so you’ll never miss out on an event.
A Cup of Joe was created to give the SouthWest Side of Chicago a local cafe that has entertainment and drinks. They have two locations in Garfield Ridge and Pilsen, which host events and invite all artists to share their culture. Visit the Garfield location on October 29 to decorate your own sugar skull in honor of Dia De Los Muertos.
In West Humboldt Park you can find Tasa Coffee Roasters, owned by a couple who turned their interest in coffee into a business. Enjoy their freshly roasted coffee and empanadas at the shop, or get their coffee delivered to your home.
Hey, Check This Out!
With Featured Columnist Elizabeth Gregerson
In honor of 14 East’s upcoming Hip-Hop issue, this week’s column is a hip-hop themed book recommendation.
Released on October 10, Fashion Killa by Sowmya Krishnamurthy recounts the history of how hip-hop influenced the fashion industry.
Krishnamurthy’s book showcases her skills as a music journalist. Fashion Killa provides a rich retelling of how fashion has been a driving force in society for hundreds of years. Krishnamurthy makes the case that fashion has largely been used by the powerful as an expression of their self perceived elitism. Krishnamurthy carries the idea that those who could not afford the highest fashions would never gain entry into a royal court hundreds of years ago into the modern landscape of exclusionary luxury brands.
Fashion Killa tells the story of Dapper Dan, a Harlem fashion designer who created handmade, luxury pieces for the people mainstream luxury brands would not sell to; Black rappers, hip-hop artists and athletes. The same brands who excluded Dan’s customers started to see his success and began to take legal action against him, forcing him to close his business.
Dapper Dan’s story is one of many that Krishnamurthy uses to give context to the way racism and prejudice functioned in the fashion industry. She then goes on to use figures like the group Run-DMC, Snoop Dogg and L.L. Cool J to highlight how one hip hop celebrity’s influence could make a brand’s popularity explode. Krishnamurthy also navigates the conversation of how the fashion industry often appropriates hip-hop culture for its own benefit before uplifting actual members of the hip-hop community.
Fashion Killa is available in print, e-book and audiobook formats from all major retailers. Fashion history buffs and music aficionados alike will appreciate Krishnamurthy’s comprehensive and effective analysis of, as the book’s tagline says, “How Hip-Hop Revolutionized High Fashion.”
Resources
Need resources regarding warming areas, 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