Columns

Chicago school board president candidates Jessica Biggs, Hilario Dominguez and Victor Henderson participate in a forum at the Copernicus Center on Sept. 29, 2026. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)

David Greising: The race for Chicago school board president is about ideas — and character

By David Greising

October 10, 2026 at 10:01 a.m.

It will take savvy strategic thinking, backed by the character needed for leadership, to make...

Heidi Stevens: I wish we modeled better care for the young people who are making sense of the world right now

By Heidi Stevens

October 9, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

I hope that when we’re all writing our stories, the ones that are still being...

Far-right activist Jake Lang stands on the back of a truck displaying anti-Muslim messages during a demonstration outside the annual Palestine Fest at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Oct. 4, 2026. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)

Steve Chapman: Republicans are fanning baseless fears about American Muslims

By Steve Chapman

October 8, 2026 at 10:10 a.m.

You might expect that as the memory of the 9/11 attacks and the global war...

Balloons fall onto Illinois delegates after presidential candidate Donald Trump's speech during the Republican National Convention session at Fiserv Forum on July 18, 2024, in Milwaukee. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)

Laura Washington: The Donald Trump lovefest at the RNC was full of contradictions

By Laura Washington

July 22, 2024 at 5:00 a.m.

Mea culpas abounded at the convention. Donald Trump’s once-bitterly sworn enemies are now admiring allies.

Michael Sitkowski, chief budget officer for Chicago Public Schools, delivers a report to the Chicago Board of Education on the system's budgetary prospects during a meeting at William Jones College Prep high school on July 16, 2024. (Terrence Antonio James/baiduhai)

David Greising: The mayor learns who is really calling the shots on CPS budget

By David Greising

July 19, 2024 at 5:00 a.m.

It's rare to see an appointed board get into a public dustup with the mayor...

Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is rushed offstage by Secret Service agents after being grazed by a bullet during a campaign rally on July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pennsylvania. (Gene J. Puskar/AP)

Heidi Stevens: What if the assassination attempt on former President Trump shifts the tide on gun laws?

By Heidi Stevens

July 19, 2024 at 5:00 a.m.

What if the pithy memes about wishing our nation cared as much about third-graders as...

Palestinians evacuate a person who died at a site hit by an Israeli bombardment in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, July 13, 2024. Israel said it targeted Hamas’ military commander Mohammed Deif in a massive strike Saturday in the crowded southern Gaza Strip that killed at least 71 people, according to local health officials. Hamas immediately rejected the claim that Deif was in the area. (Jehad Alshrafi/AP)

Daniel DePetris: Will Israel’s attempt to kill top Hamas commander have ripple effects?

By Daniel DePetris

July 16, 2024 at 5:00 a.m.

Hamas leader Mohammed Deif’s death would be somewhat of a coup for Benjamin Netanyahu, whose...

President Joe Biden speaks at a news conference on July 11, 2024, on the final day of the NATO summit in Washington. (Jacquelyn Martin/AP)

Clarence Page: Biden hangs on, but the questions persist about whether he should continue to run

By Clarence Page

July 14, 2024 at 5:05 a.m.

The rumors were swirling that Joe Biden would announce he was bowing out of the...

Love is never wasted, writes Heidi Stevens. Even quarters saved for a washing machine that requires a debit card can come in handy. (David Tonelson/Dreamstime/TNS)

Heidi Stevens: ‘It’s hard on them, too, you know.’ Wisdom and advice for launching your kid after high school

By Heidi Stevens

July 12, 2024 at 9:11 a.m.

I put out a call for advice from parents who’ve launched their kids — to...

People react to projected results in Lyon, central France, after the second round of the nation's legislative elections on July 7, 2024. (Laurent Cipriani/AP)

Elizabeth Shackelford: France avoids a far-right government — for now

By Elizabeth Shackelford

July 12, 2024 at 5:00 a.m.

Now that the immediate threat of the National Rally has receded, will the parties be...

President Joe Biden walks from the podium after a news conference on July 11, 2024, on the final day of the NATO summit in Washington. (Jacquelyn Martin/AP)

Laura Washington: Democrats need to push Joe Biden out and roll the dice

By Laura Washington

July 13, 2024 at 6:14 p.m.

The enthusiasm level for a Joe Biden reelection is in minus territory.

Former President Donald Trump dances during a campaign stop at Racine Festival Park on, June 18, 2024, in Wisconsin. (Brian Cassella/baiduhai)

Clarence Page: Donald Trump takes us for fools when he says he knows nothing about ‘Project 2025’

By Clarence Page

July 10, 2024 at 5:05 a.m.

Every presidential cycle the Heritage Foundation compiles a policy blueprint for the GOP. This time...

Presidential reformist candidate Masoud Pezeshkian raises a fist after casting his vote in Iran's election as he is accompanied by former Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, left, at a polling station in Shahr-e-Qods near Tehran on July 5, 2024. (Vahid Salemi/AP)

Daniel DePetris: What does the election of a reformist as president mean for Iran?

By Daniel DePetris

July 9, 2024 at 5:00 a.m.

A little known reformist lawmaker, Masoud Pezeshkian, defeated a pillar of the conservative Iranian political...

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