University closed in observance of MLK Jr. holiday, Chicago experiences extreme cold, and 14 East hosts first Public Newsroom of the school year
Plus, a new murder mystery miniseries on Hulu
Welcome back to ‘In the Loop’! We’ve got a good one for you today. It’s your newsletter team — Alexandra, “Mo”, Isabella, Sam, Emily, Elizabeth and Hailey — back with your go-to Monday night newsletter!
Today, the nation celebrates the MLK Jr. holiday to honor his life and legacy in different ways. DePaul was closed in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day since first deciding to close the university on this holiday back in 2016. Tomorrow, January 16, the Office of Institutional Diversity and Equity will host the 27th annual prayer breakfast in the Lincoln Park Student Center to honor the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Tonight, 14 East Community Engagement Editor Monique “Mo” Petty-Ashmeade details the five major takeaways from 14 East Magazine’s first Public Newsroom of the year on Mental Health Reporting in Marginalized communities in case you missed it! Panelists included Kirsten Schorsch, a reporter on WBEZ Chicago’s government and politics team; Josh Mcghee, an investigative reporter covering the intersection of criminal justice and mental health; and Arturo Carrillo, a licensed clinical social worker and Director of Health and Violence Prevention at Brighton Park Neighborhood Council.
In other Chicago news, the city has been experiencing an extreme cold front after the first snowstorm of the year last Tuesday. Freezing temperatures have followed suit, expecting to stay until Wednesday and to reach as low as 25 below zero. We hope you are keeping warm, DePaul!
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 tonight’s news!
14 East Public Newsroom on Mental Health Reporting in Marginalized Communities: Five Major Takeaways
By Monique “Mo” Petty-Ashmeade
On Wednesday January 10, Kristen Schorsch (WBEZ), Josh McGhee (Mindsite News) and Dr. Arturo Carrillo (Brighton Park Neighborhood Council) joined 14 East Magazine in our first Public Newsroom of the school year on Mental Health Reporting in Marginalized Communities.
The three panelists gave insight into how reporters can cover mental health in marginalized communities. As Chicago recently released their 2024 City Budget plans , there have been questions around where the funds are being allocated for mental health resources and pressing public concern on the reopening of Chicago’s two public mental health facilities. Closing the gap on who has access to these resources and research provided to the public could change how we speak of and report on mental health within our communities. The three panelists helped to shed light on how reporters can do their part, whether it is through advocating or uplifting through research. Below, you can find my five major takeaways on how to report about mental health.
1.) Humanize people in their stories
This idea may sound easier said than done at times especially when dealing with trauma. The best way to do this is through actively trying to understand the full scope of the situation, which means building community with the people that you are talking to. Even taking on trauma-informed training can serve as an understanding of how to better interact with those who have endured trauma. These training sessions can walk one through how a person may experience trauma and allow reporters the tools to create a safe environment and recognize trauma responses or signs that someone is triggered. Schrosch expressed that the overall point is to ensure that you are thoughtful in your interviewing and storytelling.
2.) Dissemination of research is crucial in pushing the conversation forward
The question often arises: how can we further the ever-developing conversation around mental health? While it is important to dig into the research and study policy as a reporter one must lean towards offering solutions. Dr. Carrillo, a licensed clinical social worker, emphasized the importance of research in these areas. He explained that research can only reach as far as the media allows it. Therefore, when reporters take the time to implement and disseminate these research studies through their work, a whole new conversation is now unlocked where we can begin to acknowledge solutions.
3.) Persistence is key!
As reporters, there are times when getting answers from sources can be difficult. However, don't allow these barriers to prevent you from reporting. Communicate with other sources, utilize tools such as FOIA (Freedom of Information Act), attend public meetings, and if need be, show up in person. You never know who may be ready to talk later down the line.
4.) While reporting on these matters is important, always look for solutions
As the journalism field evolves, being knowledgeable in policy and the system is helpful but as a reporter it is also important to look towards solutions for these issues. As mentioned earlier, helping to make research accessible to the public through media elevates the impact and reach of these issues. This allows for people to look towards what the real problem is and begin to brainstorm around ways to fix it.
5.) Utilize communication as a form of community care and self care
When reporting on these stories it is important to communicate with your sources, giving them a heads-up on when you plan to contact them or emphasizing that you will need more than one interview with them in an effort to fully tell the story. The panelists expressed that offering your sources a chance to hear the story before its release can further build trust and leave no room for miscommunication. In terms of self-care for journalists when dealing with these difficult stories, it may be best to talk about what you are covering with others which may lead to new ideas or connections.
DePaul News
By Alexandra Murphy
University closed in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day
DePaul remained closed today in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, after the university first decided to stay closed for the holiday back in 2016. Annually, DePaul hosts an prayer breakfast which according to the DePaul alumni page, “is an opportunity that brings together members from across the DePaul community to honor the life and living legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as an activist for social justice within the African-American community.” This year, DePaul’s Office of Institutional Diversity and Equity is hosting the 27th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer breakfast from 10 a.m to 12 p.m. in the Lincoln Park Student Center on Tuesday to “reflect on Dr. King’s profound impact through the diverse perspectives of politics, religion, and art.” Find out more about the prayer breakfast here.
DePaul Sophomore banks $10,000 after half-court shot
DePaul University Sophomore, Connor Koy, attended the DePaul men’s basketball game on Tuesday with $10,000 in his pocket. Throughout the game against Creighton, five students were given the opportunity to shoot a half-court shot to win prize money. The five students were all chosen at random by checking in through the DePaul Athletics app. Koy took the fifth and final shot of the night during half-time as the crowd erupted in cheers. What does Koy plan to do with the 10k? He said he will save a large portion and use the rest to attend an NFL game or March Madness. Find out more about the game here.
Former DePaul basketball coach, Joey Meyer, passed away at the age of 74
Former DePaul coach, Joey Meyer, passed away at the age of 74 on December 29 in the Chicago suburb of Hinsdale. Joey Meyer played at DePaul and coached the Blue Demons to seven NCAA Tournament appearances in 13 seasons. Meyer first played for his father, Ray Meyer, for three seasons from 1968-1971 playing in 75 games total for DePaul. Meyer went on to serve as an assistant for his father for 11 seasons after taking over when he retired in 1984. Read more about Joey Meyer’s legacy here.
Chicago Headlines
By Isabella Salinas
Chicago experiences extreme cold after the year's first snowstorms - On Tuesday the city had its first winter storm of the year with snowfall upwards of six inches of snow. Not only was there snow dumped on the city, areas were also affected by slushy rainfall. The city then had another winter storm on Friday which started on Thursday night and was expected to linger until early Sunday, followed by freezing temperatures which are expected to stay until Wednesday and can reach temperatures as low as 25 degrees below zero. The city will see a high in temperature at a mere nine degrees. To read more on the weather, stay updated with NBC5 and their weather reports.
Chicago Bulls Ring of Honor - On Friday, the Chicago Bulls celebrated their inaugural Ring of Honor ceremony during halftime against the Golden State Warriors. The ceremony was set to honor 13 men and the entire 1995-96 team who went 72-10 and ended up winning the championship. Many of the notable names from that season were not in attendance including Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman. However, the announcement of the former Chicago general manager Jerry Krause caused Bulls fans in the audience to boo him, which led to many criticizing the city's etiquette. To read more about the event, ESPN has more information.
Extension on shelter limits for migrants - Due to the extreme cold and wind chills in the city that can go as low as 25 degrees below zero, Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration is extending their 60-day limit on migrants living in temporary shelters, which was announced in November and has given about 650 migrants a new January 22 deadline. Before this extension, migrants had between the ninth and the 21st to find a new shelter to live in. To learn more about the extension Block Club Chicago has the story.
Contest to name the “rat-hole” in Roscoe Village - Chicago has a new unofficial landmark after local artist and comedian Winslow Dumaine shared a photo on social media of seemingly an imprint of a rat on the sidewalk. The imprint has since been dubbed as “the Chicago rat hole” where Chicagoans have been coming together to visit the rat hole which is located near 1918 W. Roscoe St. Since then, the Lakeview Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce decided to get residents in on the fun by hosting a competition to name the landmark. The top five names will go through another round of voting to select the most popular name. Submit your name ideas here until January 18, and to read more on the new unofficial landmark Block Club Chicago has the story.
National Headlines
By Sam Freeman
Three migrants drown near the Texas border – Three migrants drowned in the Rio Grande near Eagle Pass, Texas, according to officials on Saturday. According to the Department of Homeland Security, Border Patrol agents were “physically barred” by Texas Military Department agents while trying to respond to a distressed call from Mexican authorities about two children and a woman who were trying to cross the border at Shelby Park. The military department claims that the migrants had drowned before Border Patrol requested access. Tensions between the Biden administration and Gov. Greg Abbott has intensified, and a spokesperson from Homeland Security said in a statement: “The Texas governor’s policies are cruel, dangerous and inhumane and Texas’ blatant disregard for federal authority over immigration poses grave risks.” Colbi Edmonds from The New York Times has more information.
Iowa principal who risked his life in the Iowa school shooting has died – The principal of Perry High School, Dan Marburger, died after protecting students during a shooting. The attack occurred on January 4 at 7:30 a.m. as students were gathering before class. According to the Department of Public Safety, Marburger had put himself in harm’s way to protect his students. An 11-year-old middle school student was killed and six were injured, including Marburger. News of his death was posted on a GoFundMe page for his family, and it was confirmed by Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home & Crematory. In a Facebook post the night of the shooting, his daughter, Claire Marburger wrote, “As I heard of a gunman, I instantly had a feeling my Dad would be a victim as he would put himself in harm's way for the benefit of the kids and his staff. That's just Dad." Scott McFetridge and Trisha Ahmed from the Associated Press have the story.
Extreme cold hits the U.S. South – Severe weather conditions in the South have caused governors to declare states of emergency. In Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott issued a message warning that the state would experience temperatures below freezing for several hours this week. Officials in Texas are urging residents to conserve energy by avoiding the use of large appliances and turning off the lights. Other states, including Alabama, Kentucky and Mississippi, have declared states of emergency due to hazardous driving conditions. In Iowa, the National Weather Service warned of “life-threatening cold,” as temperatures reach 10 degrees below zero on Monday morning in Des Moines, where the presidential caucus has begun. Des Moines is expecting lows of 35 degrees below zero Monday through Tuesday morning. Other parts of the Midwest are also experiencing dangerously low temperatures. Stephanie Saul from The New York Times has more information.
Celebrations for the MLK Jr. holiday are held across the nation – People gather to celebrate the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. In Philadelphia, President Joe Biden volunteered at a nonprofit food bank, where he filled donation boxes with apples. In South Carolina, Vice President Kamala Harris was scheduled to give the keynote speech for the NAACP’s “King Day at the Dome.” The event began in 2000 when people gathered at the Capitol lawn to call for the removal of the Confederate flag from the Statehouse. The flag was removed in 2015 after a racially motivated shooting killed nine at Charleston church. At the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, the King Center’s annual commemorative service was held. King’s daughter, Bernice King, told the crowd that her father “left us with Kingian nonviolence as a blueprint to make of this old world a new world.” Jeff Martin, Seung Min Kim and Michael Casey of the Associated Press have the story.
14 East Pueblo: Kali Uchis Releases ‘Orquídeas’
By Emily Figueroa
Kali Uchis released her fourth studio album ‘Orquídeas’ this past week and it sits at number two on Apple Music’s top 10 albums. The album features Peso Pluma, KAROL G, Rauw Alejandro and more, helping Uchis create her second Latin album.
Just last fall, Uchis was the first Latin female artist to reach a billion streams, she was mentioned in the 2023 TIME100 Next, and she topped off the accomplishment with her Coachella performance in the spring.
This past year has proved to be full of milestones for the singer, and now the new record announcement brought in a surprise of its own, Uchis and partner Don Toliver are expecting a baby. Uchi’s music video for “Tu Coraźon Es Mío” gave fans a look into her private pregnancy and relationship.
Her emerging steps into motherhood has made her career and personal life come full circle. In a Billboard interview, the artist revealed her album title is meant to represent her Colombian heritage and fertility.
“The flower, for me, it always symbolized timelessness, femininity, luxury,” said Uchis. “It has an eerie, mystical quality about it as well. It’s also the national flower of Colombia, so for me it all tied in.”
Uchis has kept her commitment to producing bilingual albums and introducing Hispanic artists along the way. Keep an eye out this Wednesday for her new music video with Peso Pluma for their song “Igual Que un Ángel”.
Hey, Check This Out!
With Featured Columnist Elizabeth Gregerson
Chicagoans are currently experiencing below freezing temperatures, commuting in conditions where the air is physically painful. There couldn’t be a better time to watch a television series that takes place in Iceland, right?
A Murder at the End of the World is the latest visually stunning series created, produced, directed and written by Brit Marling and Zal Batmanglij. The team’s previous television hit was The OA, which had two seasons on Netflix before being canceled by the streaming service back in 2019. The OA’s cult-like following campaigned and petitioned for the show's return, creating more anticipation to see what Marling and Batmanglij would do next.
At the center of A Murder at the End of the World is amateur Gen-Z detective Darby Hart, played by Golden Globe award winning actor Emma Corrin. After the success of her true crime novel, a first hand account of catching a serial killer, Darby finds herself invited to an illusive tech billionaire’s Icelandic retreat alongside other well known artists, business executives and activists .
Darby is forced to confront ghosts from her past and monsters in the present when, one by one, guests are found murdered. With a blizzard closing in, the guests and staff have no escape and nowhere to hide.
The show weaves modern day issues like technology, finance and global warming into the classic whodunnit format, all inside the otherworldly scenery of Iceland. Meticulously thought out by the creators and expertly executed by the cast, A Murder at the End of the World makes it impossible for even the biggest murder mystery fans to uncover its secrets.
Stay warm, stay inside and watch A Murder at the End of the World, streaming on Hulu.
Resources
Need resources regarding warming 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