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 I am a Chicago-based freelance journalist and recently completed my Masters degree at Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism. I graduated from the University of Michigan in 2024 with a B.A. in Organizational Studies and minor in English. I am currently working as a Medill Reports Fellow, where I am responsible for copy editing and publishing my peer's work. 

My Work

Medill Reports Chicago •

As new Illinois law looms on third party restaurant reservation platforms, diners weigh if Hogsalt restaurants are worth hype — or price - Medill Reports Chicago

By Kaitlyn Luckoff
Medill Reports
If you set an alarm for 9 a.m. 21 days in advance, log onto Resy and cross your fingers, like Zoe Hannon did, you might get a reservation for a special occasion at a restaurant by Hogsalt — a restaurant group with establishments where diners clamor for a reservation to pay up to $250 for a porterhouse steak.
“We always joke if we want to get a table for someone’s birthday dinner, it’s like going to war 21 days in advance,” said Hannon, a frequent diner at Hogsal...
Women's Health •

Saunas And Steam Rooms Both Have Benefits—But Experts Say This One May Be Better For Your Health

The newest social club? Saunas. Spending time in dry heat is a win-win—you can reap health benefits while hanging out with your friends (which seems like a trend everyone is doing now at wellness clubs). But steam rooms aren’t getting the same treatment—is there a reason why? Are they as helpful for your health?In short, both saunas and steam rooms use heat to increase the body’s core temperature and sweat rate, says exercise physiologist Rachelle Reed, PhD, ACSM-EP. The main difference between...
Medill Reports Chicago •

4 months after founder’s death, Foursided continues to thrive - Medill Reports Chicago

By Kaitlyn Luckoff
Medill Reports
A bright arrangement of pastel mugs, candles, trinkets and decorative flowers creates a springtime garden in the window of one of Foursided’s Lakeview stores. Three miles north, customers are greeted by smiling produce painted above the door of Foursided’s Andersonville location.
Foursided is celebrating, regardless of the season. The business has two gift shops in Lakeview, one in Andersonville and a framing location in each neighborhood. All five of these esta...
Medill Reports Chicago •

Adult ballerinas chasséing down memory lane: ‘More than just a side hobby’ - Medill Reports Chicago

By Kaitlyn Luckoff
Medill Reports
Debra Cannon, 66, leaves her job at Abbott Laboratories around 5 p.m. every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday – and puts on a ballet leotard. 
“I like the feel of being in ballet, wearing ballet clothes,” she said.
Cannon suits up for Melanie Cortier’s 90-minute advanced beginner/intermediate class at Chicago Ballet Arts in Evanston. The studio offers $17 drop-in sessions for adults five days a week.  
Cortier invites students to come to class in whatever is comfo...
Women's Health •

These Easy Lifestyle Tweaks May Help You Live Longer, Experts Say

Women's Health may earn commission from the links on this page, but we only feature products we believe in. Why Trust Us?When you think of stress, you might turn to the family drama that kept you from sleeping at night or an overwhelming, heart-racing panic about an anxiety-inducing work project. However, there could be another type of stress occurring in your body that you likely aren’t aware of, and it has some long-term health effects. Fortunately, there are ways to reduce it and keep your bo...
Block Club Chicago •

Beachwater Bagels At Middle Brow Delight Logan Square With Crispy, Fluffy Sourdough Bagels

LOGAN SQUARE — Beachwater Bagels has brought a new contender to the Logan Square breakfast market: a charred-on-the-outside, twice-baked, fluffy bagel with seeds and spices on the inside.Beachwater Bagels is a Saturday pop-up from the baking team at Middle Brow Bungalow, 2840 W. Armitage Ave., that’s been drawing long lines since launching in November, according to Middle Brow owner Pete Ternes.Beachwater Bagels sells only three types of its crispy bagels — plain, “seeds,” and “swirls” — along w...
Block Club Chicago •

Lizzano Focacceria And Spritzeria Brings Taste Of Italy To River North

RIVER NORTH — A casual Italian restaurant specializing in panini and spritzes has opened in River North, inspired by its 29-year-old owner’s travels in Italy.Lizzano Focacceria and Spritzeria opened last month in a former Peet’s Coffee at 636 N. Wells St., offering a focused menu of sandwiches, Italian meat boards and spritz cocktails.Owner Gabriel Fleury is no stranger to the food business. Born and raised in Brazil of Italian heritage, Fleury opened his first endeavor, a smoothie and acai bowl...
ILLN - The Online News Source of Illinois' Latinos •

¡Presente! CPS Representative Carlos Rivas - ILLN

Lifelong Humboldt Park resident, and newly elected CPS District 3 Representative, Carlos Rivas, 35, knew he would pursue a career in education from a very young age. 


“I want to be able to provide that same support that my teachers provided me to other students and families,” Rivas said. “That love aspect is definitely what brought me into education.” 


His experience growing up in a single parent household with three brothers was not always easy, especially having his mother work as a lunc...
ILLN - The Online News Source of Illinois' Latinos •

Carlos Rivas Jr. is Elected as First Chicago Public School District 3 General - ILLN

Chicago residents took the opportunity to vote for Chicago Public Schools school board representatives in their districts for the first time in over 30 years this Election Day. District 3 candidate Carlos Rivas Jr., won the race for his district according to the Associated Press.  


“We’ll be able to bring up the individual needs of our community,” said Rivas, 35, a former CPS teacher and Humboldt Park resident. “Every community in Chicago is so different. We’re a city of neighborhoods, and ev...
The Detroit News •

Detroit's last free-standing synagogue is getting a $6M makeover

This story corrects an earlier version to say George Roberts lives in Detroit.

Detroit — When Jay Hack attended an event at a synagogue in Detroit with his wife nearly eight years ago, not only was he surprised by the pleasant experience, but he was also astounded to discover the temple had been founded by his family nearly a century ago.

"My dad's grandfather, Nathan, was a builder, and he built the synagogue in honor of my great-great-grandfather (Isaac Agree). It was a cool thing to live do...
The Detroit News •

Refuel your stomach and car at Metro Detroit gas station restaurants

A french toast fried chicken sandwich atop   sweet potato toast, drizzled with jalapeño maple syrup and topped with beef bacon is tempting.If you aren't already drooling, consider a brisket grilled cheese, Nashville chicken wrap or a Yemeni hot chicken sandwich, just to name a few of Hisham Diab's wild creations at Pump 5 Grille.Yet, the craziest aspect of this restaurant may be that these out-of-the-box concoctions are served entirely out of a Mobil gas station in Livonia.  "The inspiration wi...
The Detroit News •

Cider, beer, and lots of fun at annual Cider Dayze Festival

There's no better way to ring in the fall than with cider, beer, live music and lots of food.Those who are 21 and older should look no further for a fun seasonal celebration than Blake Farms annual Cider Dayze Festival. Taking place rain or shine for the seventh year, Blake's Hard Cider, Blake's Brewing and the Armada Lions Club will host the festival Saturday-Sunday. The festival will showcase nearly 70 cideries, breweries and wineries as well as live music, a silent disco and other games along...
The Detroit News •

Trouble in cherry crop paradise. Michigan growers may have to leave nature's candy to rot

This year's plentiful cherry season could end up the pits for some Michigan farmers as a good portion of the crop might end up left on the ground due to a lack of demand for the tart fruit.The state's cherry farmers say their bountiful crop comes as many of them are also struggling to find processors to pit their cherries amid an expedited timeline to get cherries shaken off trees.Worsening matters, farmers are facing skyrocketing costs, a labor shortage and competitively priced imports, said Gr...