Media
For the past four days, columnists across Chicago have been opining at length on the death of former Blagojevich adviser and fundraiser Chris Kelly. Most have stretched hard to forge news out of speculation. But some have allowed the story to be as simple as, in all likelihood, it really is.
Media
If your communications plan is not Internet based yet, it had better be soon. If you don't believe having a social media presence is fundamental to contemporary success, you'd better re-examine your beliefs. And if you think you're going to mobilize tomorrow's supporters by half-hearted, cut-rate ou
Media
Last week's sudden shut-down of Chitown Daily News means one fewer online source for independent community news about the Windy City. If you're hoping to find a local online news site, here's a look at the best of what's left.
Media
As initially reported on Gapers Block, the Windy City's leading independent local news website, Chitown Daily News, has laid off its reporting staff and is shutting down, to re-tool as a for-profit venture. The surprise news comes in the wake of the C-BOM bloggers meetup called last month to discuss
Media
On the morning of Saturday, August 29th, more than two dozen Chicago bloggers sat down to talk about the future of the local blogosphere at the C-BOM: Chicago Blogging & Online Media meetup. The invitation-only event was an opportunity for Windy City scribes to continue a discussion about community
Media
Two competing local blogs offer all the housing porn you could ever want to to help you make your next Windy City real estate decision. From floorplans to photo spreads to video walkthroughs, let's look at two hotly competitive real estate sites: Joe Zekas's YoChicago; and Maureen Wilkey's Rent or B
Media
As widely reported this week, Chicago-based hyperlocal newsfeed aggregator EveryBlock.com was bought out by MSNBC for an undisclosed sum likely in the millions. At a time when Windy City foundations are posturing to be the nonprofit saviors of online local news, the surprise sale may point to a diff
Media
Bilingual neighborhood news in Chicago isn't just for readers of Extra anymore. Last month, the Pilsen Planning Committee launched Pilsen Portal, a self-described bilingual community blog discussing life and happenings in one of the Windy City's primary Latino neighborhoods. It's a site with great p
Media
Chicago's grassroots media training shop, Community Media Workshop, has posted online a multimedia roundup of last month's Making Media Connections conference. I was among those interviewed regarding the future of columneering and journalism in Chicago.
Media
As reported yesterday with far too much column space on Crain's Small Business Blog, the paper formerly known as The Printed Blog has ceased publication after a short, six-month lifespan. If you're scratching your head right now wondering what paper I'm talking about, that's entirely my point.
Media
I seldom take seriously local bloggers intent on taking over the online world. That is, with one exception: Steve Rhodes, Publisher and Editor of The Beachwood Reporter. Heading one of Chicago's top, homegrown news and content networks, every day Rhodes goes up against the best and brightest of the
![Don't [Blank] Around with The Daily Blank](/content/images/size/w600/2025/05/thedailyblank.jpg)
Media
'Fuck you, I'm from here!' Such was the reply from Justin Vestal, a staff writer at The Daily Blank, Chicago's new news satire site that yesterday launched into beta. Sitting down with their stable of comedy bloggers earlier this month, I had asked him what people should make of the fact that this W