Francine Knowles – Page 6

Children receive a meal at the Hyde Park Neighborhood Club in June 2023. (Jamie Kelter Davis / for the Greater Chicago Food Depository)

Column: South suburban parents encouraged to apply for program to combat child hunger over the summer

April 29, 2024 at 2:50 p.m.

A federally funded permanent government benefits program will give families a benefit of $120 per eligible child for the summer to buy food at grocery stores, farmers markets or other...

U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly introduces her CARE For Moms Act Sept. 18, 2023 in Washington. (Robin Kelly office)

Column: South suburban doctors propose solutions to combat high Black maternal death rates

April 15, 2024 at 2:37 p.m.

Women on the South Side of Chicago and in the south suburbs are at a particular disadvantage in accessing care given the closure of hospital obstetrics units in recent years,...

A home for sale recently in Lynwood. (Francine Knowles/for Daily Southtown)

Column: South suburban home buyers expected to enter what remains a sellers’ market

April 1, 2024 at 2:24 p.m.

With interest rates no longer spiking, housing industry professionals in the south suburbs and others expect more buyers to enter what they say remains a sellers’ market as the spring...

Susette Lunceford, from left, a member of the Cook County Commission on Women's Issues, Dr. Shelley Amuh and Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller. Lunceford nominated Amuh for the unsung hero award. (Lara Cooper)

Column: Flossmoor resident, OB/GYN receives unsung heroine award for work mentoring pregnant teens and moms

March 18, 2024 at 3:39 p.m.

Dr. Shelley Amuh, of Flossmoor, an obstetrician and gynecologist who founded The Puddle Project, a mentorship program for pregnant teens and teen parents, received the Cook County 2024 Peggy A....

The Highway Construction Careers Training Program was recently involved in a concrete pouring project at the Center for Hard to Recycle Materials Center. (South Suburban College)

Column: South Suburban College training program seeks to increase diversity in construction trades

February 20, 2024 at 3:25 p.m.

Students are introduced to 24 trades and get training in mathematics for the trades, job site readiness, concrete flatwork, blueprint reading orientation, first aid/AED/CPR, introduction to tools and forklift operation

Governors State University professor Rashidah Muhammad created the annual read-in to showcase the writings of African Americans. (Governors State University)

Column: Governors State Black History Month read-in takes place amid attacks on Black history

February 6, 2024 at 10:23 a.m.

The National African American Read-In at Governors State takes place from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Feb. 26 at Engbretson Hall. The event, among read-ins being held across the...

Column: Inflation adjustments will move some filers into lower tax brackets this filing season

January 22, 2024 at 1:03 p.m.

As tax filing season gets underway this month, filers can expect to see changes in tax brackets and higher standard deductions that could benefit them, and they are advised to...

Joliet Area/South Suburban Alumnae Chapter volunteers help pack 3,000 bags of food for the children in Harvey Elementary District 152 April 5, 2023.

Column: Delta chapter marks 50 years of service in the south suburbs

January 8, 2024 at 12:52 p.m.

A commitment to community service prompted a team of 17 African American women to launch the Joliet Area/South Suburban Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., and that commitment...

Jennifer Petterson, marketing and communications executive with Pathlights, wearing a Blackhaws hat with her family, including her brother, Brent Sifton, from left, during Christmas 2021 in Thomas, Ontario, Canada.

Jennifer Petterson photo, December 2021, Ontario
- Original Credit:

Column: Subjects of previous columns share most cherished Christmas memories

December 25, 2023 at 5:15 a.m.

I grew up in a two-family flat in Detroit. My family lived upstairs and my godparents lived downstairs. Among my fondest and most cherished Christmas/New Year's season memories are my...

Michelle Reed, left, general manager of the Petco store in Homewood, and Nalaysha Moore, a cashier, show some of the pet gifts for sale.

Column: Furry friends are a key part of the holiday season

December 11, 2023 at 1:04 p.m.

When Nalaysha Moore does her Christmas shopping, her family's dog, Stormie, is on her gift list. South Holland resident Moore has plenty of company when it comes to shoppers buying...

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