Leonard Bernstein was a larger than life figure. The first American conductor and the first American Jew to burst on the nation’s concert stage, Bernstein landed like a meteor into virtually every American home through the then new medium of television. His groundbreaking Omnibus shows on CBS and his Young People’s Concerts, which brought the world the likes of a then 16 year old Andre Watts, the first Black concert pianist on the major concert stage, cemented his place in the classical firmament.
Maestro World Premiere at NYFF61. Streaming on Netflix Dec. 20
Posted inNational
Richard Roundtree, Trailblazing “Shaft” Actor, Dies at 81
Roundtree’s legacy extended beyond the 1970s classics. Richard Roundtree, the iconic actor renowned for portraying the suave private detective in the groundbreaking “Shaft” film series, has died at 81. His longtime manager, Patrick McMinn, confirmed that Roundtree succumbed to pancreatic cancer at his residence in Los Angeles on Tuesday. The legendary actor, who also battled […]
Posted inEducation
Joliet Public Schools District 86 new Principals for a Day
Joliet Public Schools District 86 recently welcomed community and business members into elementary and junior high schools for the district’s annual Principal for a Day Celebration. “Honorary” principals shadowed the school principals on Illinois Principal Appreciation Day on October 20, 2023. The special guests helped with student arrival, morning announcements, classrooms visits, recess supervision, and […]
Posted inNational
U.S. Agencies brace for surge in hate crimes amidst Israel-Hamas conflict; minority communities on heightened alert
The DHS’s recent intelligence assessment emphasizes an expected increase in antisemitic and Islamophobic hate attacks in the country as the conflict progresses. The agency also cautions that the ongoing war could elevate the threat of terrorism and targeted violence on American soil. As the Israel-Hamas conflict escalates, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and […]
Posted inNational
House Republicans elect Mike Johnson as new Speaker after weeks of turmoil
The long and turbulent journey, which has lingered and prevented America from aiding its Israeli and Ukraine allies, saw Johnson become the party’s fourth nominee for the role since the MAGA wing of the caucus ousted McCarthy. In a protracted and contentious process that ground Congress to a halt for over three weeks, House Republicans […]
Posted inLatest News
I-80 and Houbolt road interchange closure beginning on Friday
The Houbolt Road Reconstruction Project between I-80 and US Route 6 is nearing completion. The improvements include the modification of the interchange at I-80 to become a Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI). DDI’s are becoming more common in our area, with existing locations at the I-88 / IL Route 59 interchange as well as at the […]
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Attorney General Raoul files lawsuit against Meta for Business practices harming children
Raoul, Bipartisan Coalition Allege Meta Knowingly Targets Youth with Addictive Features That Exacerbate Depression, Anxiety and Thoughts of Self-Harm in Youth Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced on Tuesday that his office filed a lawsuit against Meta Platforms Inc. (Meta), the company that owns and operates Facebook and Instagram, for its harmful business practices targeting children. […]
Posted inState
Gov. Pritzker proposes creation of new Unified Early Childhood State Agency
Governor Pritzker was joined by Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton, Deputy Governor Grace Hou, Deputy Governor Martin Torres, elected officials, and state agency directors at the Carole Robertson Center for Learning to announce a proposal to create a new state agency to house all early childhood programs and funding. The new unified agency will provide a […]
Posted inLifestyle
59th Chicago International Film Festival Spotlight Kidnapped by Marco Bellocchio
Kidnapped (Rapito, in Italian) tells the true story of Edgardo Mortara, the sixth child of a Jewish family in Bologna, Italy. In 1851, when the boy was born, Bologna was part of the Papal State and subject to its harsh Taliban-like edicts.
Posted inLifestyle
New York Philharmonic presents Beethoven’s “Emperor” Piano Concerto with Leif Ove Andsnes
The distinguished Norwegian pianist Leif Ove Andsnes was the featured soloist in the second installment of the Celebrate Japp! Series honoring conductor Japp van Zweden’s final season as Music Director of the New York Philharmonic.
