Lisa Kurian Philip
@lkpwrites.bsky.social
Covering racial inequity in higher education for WBEZ Chicago and Open Campus Media. I love making radio. Like, LOVE it.
It has been a rollercoaster of a year, both personally and professionally (a 🧵). I went from attending my close college friend's memorial to reporting on Trump's attacks on programs that have helped people I love both go to college & feel like they belong there. (1/?)
www.wbez.org/education/20...
www.wbez.org/education/20...
UIC faculty and students fought for cultural centers. New federal guidance could take them away.
President Trump’s Education Department is threatening programs for diverse students. Experts say universities need to fight back.
www.wbez.org
December 19, 2025 at 2:47 PM
It has been a rollercoaster of a year, both personally and professionally (a 🧵). I went from attending my close college friend's memorial to reporting on Trump's attacks on programs that have helped people I love both go to college & feel like they belong there. (1/?)
www.wbez.org/education/20...
www.wbez.org/education/20...
“I haven’t been there through Pastor Brown’s whole life, but at least I know that he’s been through some things,” Gates said of Brown. “You have to go through … some type of trial in life to be able to show me that you’re worth that ‘mentor’ status.”
www.wbez.org/education/20...
www.wbez.org/education/20...
In Austin, Black mentors are making college possible
Black men in the West Side community face some of the biggest hurdles to getting a degree. Just 1 out of 4 who make it to college graduate in six years.
www.wbez.org
December 18, 2025 at 4:50 PM
“I haven’t been there through Pastor Brown’s whole life, but at least I know that he’s been through some things,” Gates said of Brown. “You have to go through … some type of trial in life to be able to show me that you’re worth that ‘mentor’ status.”
www.wbez.org/education/20...
www.wbez.org/education/20...
From @sammiesmylie.bsky.social at Chalkbeat: Illinois quietly changes scholarship for teachers of color amid lawsuit, threats from federal government
www.chalkbeat.org/chicago/2025...
www.chalkbeat.org/chicago/2025...
Lawsuit dismissed after Illinois opens teaching scholarship to all students, regardless of race
Gov. JB Pritzker signed a law that replaces the Minority Teachers of Illinois scholarship, getting rid of the word “minority” and race and ethnicity eligibility requirements.
www.chalkbeat.org
December 18, 2025 at 3:03 PM
From @sammiesmylie.bsky.social at Chalkbeat: Illinois quietly changes scholarship for teachers of color amid lawsuit, threats from federal government
www.chalkbeat.org/chicago/2025...
www.chalkbeat.org/chicago/2025...
Reposted by Lisa Kurian Philip
Once again, I'm a lot of fun at parties.
December 11, 2025 at 1:49 AM
Once again, I'm a lot of fun at parties.
Reposted by Lisa Kurian Philip
"At least $5.9 trillion will be inherited by billionaire children over the next 15 years, the bank calculates."
Billionaires are inheriting record levels of wealth, UBS report finds reut.rs/3MFJWnW
Billionaires are inheriting record levels of wealth, UBS report finds
The spouses and children of billionaires inherited more wealth in 2025 than in any previous year since reporting began in 2015, according to UBS's Billionaire Ambitions Report published on Thursday.
reut.rs
December 4, 2025 at 12:43 PM
"At least $5.9 trillion will be inherited by billionaire children over the next 15 years, the bank calculates."
Reposted by Lisa Kurian Philip
Curious about how to access police body-cam video through public records? This new guide explains when recordings are eligible, how long they're kept and how to write a proper FOIA request.
https://www.bettergov.org/2025/12/02/how-to-foia-for-body-camera-footage/
https://www.bettergov.org/2025/12/02/how-to-foia-for-body-camera-footage/
How to FOIA for Body Camera Footage
Under Illinois’ Freedom of Information Act, there is a presumption that government records are open to the public. Body cam footage is an anomaly. Its availability is dictated by the […]
www.bettergov.org
December 3, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Curious about how to access police body-cam video through public records? This new guide explains when recordings are eligible, how long they're kept and how to write a proper FOIA request.
https://www.bettergov.org/2025/12/02/how-to-foia-for-body-camera-footage/
https://www.bettergov.org/2025/12/02/how-to-foia-for-body-camera-footage/
Reposted by Lisa Kurian Philip
Rep. Delia Ramirez introduced the resolution criticizing the agency and is urging her party to take a firmer stance against the administration’s immigration enforcement agenda.
Democrats bring resolution condemning ICE treatment of pregnant, postpartum immigrants
Rep. Delia Ramirez introduced a resolution criticizing ICE and is urging her party to take a firmer stance against the administration’s immigration enforcement agenda.
19thnews.org
December 3, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Rep. Delia Ramirez introduced the resolution criticizing the agency and is urging her party to take a firmer stance against the administration’s immigration enforcement agenda.
Reposted by Lisa Kurian Philip
A U.S. postal worker on Long Island is accused of trying to help a man escape from ICE custody earlier this month, according to a federal criminal complaint: https://gothamist.visitlink.me/YNagDp
US postal worker charged with breaking man out of ICE custody on Long Island
Police arrested the worker and the man she tried to free.
gothamist.visitlink.me
November 21, 2025 at 1:20 AM
A U.S. postal worker on Long Island is accused of trying to help a man escape from ICE custody earlier this month, according to a federal criminal complaint: https://gothamist.visitlink.me/YNagDp
Reposted by Lisa Kurian Philip
Oh wow @reuters.com got the photo here:
November 14, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Oh wow @reuters.com got the photo here:
Highlight of my week: Calling into @wbez.org's Say More to chat with Hari Kondabolu about how Indians really do f***ing love mangoes, what journalists can learn from comedians in these dark times and the most common mispronunciation of his name (Hasan Minhaj 😂)
www.wbez.org/say-more-wit...
www.wbez.org/say-more-wit...
Hari Kondabolu: What’s So Funny about Chicago?
Comedian, writer and frequent ‘Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me’ guest Hari Kondabolu returns to Chicago to tape a new comedy special.
www.wbez.org
November 14, 2025 at 9:18 PM
Highlight of my week: Calling into @wbez.org's Say More to chat with Hari Kondabolu about how Indians really do f***ing love mangoes, what journalists can learn from comedians in these dark times and the most common mispronunciation of his name (Hasan Minhaj 😂)
www.wbez.org/say-more-wit...
www.wbez.org/say-more-wit...
This week #IL students and faculty delivered stacks of postcards to the state higher education board asking for $25M meant for their public universities to be released. Their colleges have been squeezed by federal cuts, decreases in international students and decades of declining state funding.
November 14, 2025 at 8:52 PM
This week #IL students and faculty delivered stacks of postcards to the state higher education board asking for $25M meant for their public universities to be released. Their colleges have been squeezed by federal cuts, decreases in international students and decades of declining state funding.
Young people in #Chicago age 18-29 can apply to be part of a Civic Matchmaking program run by Chicago Votes and The Civic Success Project. More info here:
November 11, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Young people in #Chicago age 18-29 can apply to be part of a Civic Matchmaking program run by Chicago Votes and The Civic Success Project. More info here:
Stop what you're doing and read this piece by @vanessalop.bsky.social:
"I carry the weight of his sacrifice while navigating the gaping hole left by his departure. I am the daughter who made it, who did better while knowing that “better” came with a cost."
chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/2...
"I carry the weight of his sacrifice while navigating the gaping hole left by his departure. I am the daughter who made it, who did better while knowing that “better” came with a cost."
chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/2...
He worked hard to give me a home. ICE took his: How I lost my father to deportation
Deportation has taken away the father I once knew and given me back a person I no longer recognize.
chicago.suntimes.com
November 10, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Stop what you're doing and read this piece by @vanessalop.bsky.social:
"I carry the weight of his sacrifice while navigating the gaping hole left by his departure. I am the daughter who made it, who did better while knowing that “better” came with a cost."
chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/2...
"I carry the weight of his sacrifice while navigating the gaping hole left by his departure. I am the daughter who made it, who did better while knowing that “better” came with a cost."
chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/2...
Reposted by Lisa Kurian Philip
Our review of 700+ videos of the Portland protests shows a wide gap between the reality on the ground and the characterizations by Trump, Fox News and DHS, which said its office in the city was under “coordinated assault by violent groups.”
By @robwdavis.bsky.social and Steve Suo
By @robwdavis.bsky.social and Steve Suo
What Really Happened in Portland Before Trump Deployed the National Guard
In the two months before Trump’s decision, criminal charges were announced against only three people. On nights when physical conflict did erupt, it often came from police firing on, shoving, pepper-s...
www.propublica.org
November 9, 2025 at 4:00 AM
Our review of 700+ videos of the Portland protests shows a wide gap between the reality on the ground and the characterizations by Trump, Fox News and DHS, which said its office in the city was under “coordinated assault by violent groups.”
By @robwdavis.bsky.social and Steve Suo
By @robwdavis.bsky.social and Steve Suo
Reposted by Lisa Kurian Philip
NEW: U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis is allowing the deposition of Border Patrol boss Greg Bovino to expand to FIVE hours (she'd limited it to 2), and she wants to hear about use of force by CBP in Little Village on Wednesday and Thursday.
Plus a reminder to "preserve all body-worn camera footage."
Plus a reminder to "preserve all body-worn camera footage."
October 23, 2025 at 8:11 PM
NEW: U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis is allowing the deposition of Border Patrol boss Greg Bovino to expand to FIVE hours (she'd limited it to 2), and she wants to hear about use of force by CBP in Little Village on Wednesday and Thursday.
Plus a reminder to "preserve all body-worn camera footage."
Plus a reminder to "preserve all body-worn camera footage."
Reposted by Lisa Kurian Philip
NEW: I found 17 sheriffs in Illinois that have contracts to detain people for ICE through U.S. Marshals Service contracts. IL law explicitly prohibits these types of intergovernmental service agreements. news.wttw.com/2025/10/22/d...
Despite Illinois Sanctuary Laws, At Least 17 County Sheriffs Have Contracts to Hold People in ICE Custody
To ascertain if county jails are complying with the state’s TRUST Act, WTTW News sent Freedom of Information Act requests to each of the 90 county jails in Illinois to obtain copies of intergovernment...
news.wttw.com
October 22, 2025 at 3:15 PM
NEW: I found 17 sheriffs in Illinois that have contracts to detain people for ICE through U.S. Marshals Service contracts. IL law explicitly prohibits these types of intergovernmental service agreements. news.wttw.com/2025/10/22/d...
Reposted by Lisa Kurian Philip
Haunting photo posted by the 40th Ward Instagram. The caption says that the photo represents the remnants of two workers who were taken by ICE today. Chilling.
October 22, 2025 at 4:39 AM
Haunting photo posted by the 40th Ward Instagram. The caption says that the photo represents the remnants of two workers who were taken by ICE today. Chilling.
Reposted by Lisa Kurian Philip
FULL STORY: A Border Patrol agent pointed a gun at state Rep. Hoan Huynh while he warned North Side residents that immigration agents were conducting enforcement operations, said Huynh, a Vietnam refugee who is running to represent Illinois' 9th District in Congress. @wttw.bsky.social
Illinois State Rep. Says Border Patrol Agent Pointed a Gun as He Was Warning Residents About Immigration Raids
State Rep. Hoan Huynh, a candidate to represent Illinois’ 9th District in Congress, said he was in Albany Park when he was confronted by six Border Patrol agents.
news.wttw.com
October 21, 2025 at 11:19 PM
FULL STORY: A Border Patrol agent pointed a gun at state Rep. Hoan Huynh while he warned North Side residents that immigration agents were conducting enforcement operations, said Huynh, a Vietnam refugee who is running to represent Illinois' 9th District in Congress. @wttw.bsky.social
A federal judge on Monday declined to block Northwestern from disciplining students who refused to complete an online anti-bias training the graduate student plaintiffs say characterizes criticism of Israel as antisemitic, Casey He reports.
#chicago #highered
chicago.suntimes.com/education/20...
#chicago #highered
chicago.suntimes.com/education/20...
Judge declines to block Northwestern from disciplining students over antisemitism training
Lawyers for students suing the university say the online module discriminated against them based on national origin. Northwestern argues it’s meant to foster civility on campus.
chicago.suntimes.com
October 21, 2025 at 1:30 PM
A federal judge on Monday declined to block Northwestern from disciplining students who refused to complete an online anti-bias training the graduate student plaintiffs say characterizes criticism of Israel as antisemitic, Casey He reports.
#chicago #highered
chicago.suntimes.com/education/20...
#chicago #highered
chicago.suntimes.com/education/20...
In an email shared with @wbez.org, University of Illinois Chicago leaders said race, gender and other factors will no longer be considered in financial aid and faculty tenure decisions.
@opencampus.org #chicago #highered #college
www.wbez.org/education/20...
@opencampus.org #chicago #highered #college
www.wbez.org/education/20...
University of Illinois Chicago drops race, gender as factors in financial aid and faculty hiring
Some faculty see the changes as “voluntary capitulation” to the Trump administration. UIC leaders say they align with “current legal standards” and new University of Illinois System policy.
www.wbez.org
October 20, 2025 at 9:31 PM
In an email shared with @wbez.org, University of Illinois Chicago leaders said race, gender and other factors will no longer be considered in financial aid and faculty tenure decisions.
@opencampus.org #chicago #highered #college
www.wbez.org/education/20...
@opencampus.org #chicago #highered #college
www.wbez.org/education/20...
Reposted by Lisa Kurian Philip
The DHS Twitter has been tagging and calling out a local journalist writing on immigration in Chicago. Local journalists covering what’s happening need continual support especially as they write these important stories.
October 17, 2025 at 11:36 PM
The DHS Twitter has been tagging and calling out a local journalist writing on immigration in Chicago. Local journalists covering what’s happening need continual support especially as they write these important stories.
Going on @wbez.org's Say More with Princeton President Christopher Eisgruber at 10am CT today to talk about his book "Terms of Respect: How Colleges Get Free Speech Right." Please call in with questions and comments!!!
#chicago #highered #campus #freespeech
#chicago #highered #campus #freespeech
October 17, 2025 at 1:44 PM
Going on @wbez.org's Say More with Princeton President Christopher Eisgruber at 10am CT today to talk about his book "Terms of Respect: How Colleges Get Free Speech Right." Please call in with questions and comments!!!
#chicago #highered #campus #freespeech
#chicago #highered #campus #freespeech
Reposted by Lisa Kurian Philip
The deployment of tear gas throughout the Chicago area is a growing health concern. ICE is deploying tear gas in residential neighborhoods, near children, playgrounds, stores, etc. What are the health implications on our communities?
October 12, 2025 at 7:53 PM
The deployment of tear gas throughout the Chicago area is a growing health concern. ICE is deploying tear gas in residential neighborhoods, near children, playgrounds, stores, etc. What are the health implications on our communities?
Reposted by Lisa Kurian Philip
NEW investigation from @lkpwrites.bsky.social:
IL colleges are contracting w/ for-profit businesses called online program managers which are paid as much as 50% tuition revenue for each student they enroll.
www.wbez.org/education/20...
IL colleges are contracting w/ for-profit businesses called online program managers which are paid as much as 50% tuition revenue for each student they enroll.
www.wbez.org/education/20...
Students for profit? University of Illinois campuses pay company per online student
Consumer protection advocates say the practice incentivizes the company to enroll as many students as possible, regardless of whether they'll benefit. University leaders says their standards aren't co...
www.wbez.org
October 10, 2025 at 2:56 PM
NEW investigation from @lkpwrites.bsky.social:
IL colleges are contracting w/ for-profit businesses called online program managers which are paid as much as 50% tuition revenue for each student they enroll.
www.wbez.org/education/20...
IL colleges are contracting w/ for-profit businesses called online program managers which are paid as much as 50% tuition revenue for each student they enroll.
www.wbez.org/education/20...