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.
My latest for @wbez.org and @opencampus.org about the painting over a trans flag with an alleged hate symbol and Northwestern University's decision not to intervene.
www.wbez.org/education/20...
www.wbez.org/education/20...
Trans students felt threatened by this symbol of the far right. Why didn’t Northwestern intervene?
Campus leaders say they don’t police “The Rock” unless the content poses an immediate threat or is profane. The decision has some questioning whom administrators see as worthy of protection.
www.wbez.org
February 4, 2026 at 9:49 PM
My latest for @wbez.org and @opencampus.org about the painting over a trans flag with an alleged hate symbol and Northwestern University's decision not to intervene.
www.wbez.org/education/20...
www.wbez.org/education/20...
Reposted by Lisa Kurian Philip
“I think the best defense against an ICE officer potentially seizing your camera in a public space is other people recording that action and then being able to use that footage as evidence in court, when you sue them,” FPF's @trevortimm.bsky.social said.
How to Film ICE
Filming federal agents in public is legal, but avoiding a dangerous—even deadly—confrontation isn’t guaranteed. Here’s how to record ICE and CBP agents as safely as possible and have an impact.
www.wired.com
February 3, 2026 at 4:58 PM
“I think the best defense against an ICE officer potentially seizing your camera in a public space is other people recording that action and then being able to use that footage as evidence in court, when you sue them,” FPF's @trevortimm.bsky.social said.
Reposted by Lisa Kurian Philip
UPDATE — The Chicago Chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) is calling for the immediate release of Lemon and Fort, and for all charges against them to be withdrawn.
thetriibe.com/2026/01/jour...
thetriibe.com/2026/01/jour...
NABJ Chicago calls for the immediate release of journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort arrested after filming Minnesota church protest • The TRiiBE
Journalism organizations condemn the arrests of Don Lemon and Georgia Fort as vindictive attacks on press freedom.
thetriibe.com
January 30, 2026 at 6:58 PM
UPDATE — The Chicago Chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) is calling for the immediate release of Lemon and Fort, and for all charges against them to be withdrawn.
thetriibe.com/2026/01/jour...
thetriibe.com/2026/01/jour...
Reposted by Lisa Kurian Philip
Big changes to college affordability are coming ⏰
New limits on student loans, repayment plans, and Pell Grants begin in 2026.
➡️ Visit edtrust.org for more.
#HigherEd #StudentLoans #Educationpolicy
New limits on student loans, repayment plans, and Pell Grants begin in 2026.
➡️ Visit edtrust.org for more.
#HigherEd #StudentLoans #Educationpolicy
January 26, 2026 at 8:16 PM
Big changes to college affordability are coming ⏰
New limits on student loans, repayment plans, and Pell Grants begin in 2026.
➡️ Visit edtrust.org for more.
#HigherEd #StudentLoans #Educationpolicy
New limits on student loans, repayment plans, and Pell Grants begin in 2026.
➡️ Visit edtrust.org for more.
#HigherEd #StudentLoans #Educationpolicy
Reposted by Lisa Kurian Philip
Memory is a fragile thing in this moment, so it is important to keep in mind that Hakeem Jeffries refused to whip his caucus against ICE funding earlier this week.
January 24, 2026 at 8:00 PM
Memory is a fragile thing in this moment, so it is important to keep in mind that Hakeem Jeffries refused to whip his caucus against ICE funding earlier this week.
Reposted by Lisa Kurian Philip
As Border Patrol immediately — and some would say reflexively — declares the latest killing in Minnesota to be a good shooting:
A reminder that the bearer of the message — Cmdr. Greg Bovino — lied about why he lobbed tear gas in a Chicago neighborhood, per a U.S. judge www.wbez.org/immigration/...
A reminder that the bearer of the message — Cmdr. Greg Bovino — lied about why he lobbed tear gas in a Chicago neighborhood, per a U.S. judge www.wbez.org/immigration/...
Judge blasts Trump’s Chicago border ‘Blitz,’ extends curbs on use of force that ‘shocks the conscience’
Judge Sara Ellis said Trump's Justice Department lacks credibility, partly because of a lie told by U.S. Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino.
www.wbez.org
January 24, 2026 at 10:13 PM
As Border Patrol immediately — and some would say reflexively — declares the latest killing in Minnesota to be a good shooting:
A reminder that the bearer of the message — Cmdr. Greg Bovino — lied about why he lobbed tear gas in a Chicago neighborhood, per a U.S. judge www.wbez.org/immigration/...
A reminder that the bearer of the message — Cmdr. Greg Bovino — lied about why he lobbed tear gas in a Chicago neighborhood, per a U.S. judge www.wbez.org/immigration/...
Reposted by Lisa Kurian Philip
Our reporting has found that ICE sent 600 immigrant kids to detention in federal shelters in 2025.
A 17-year-old was detained at a traffic stop because officers couldn’t make contact with his dad, who is deaf.
Another kid ended up in a shelter after making a wrong turn:
A 17-year-old was detained at a traffic stop because officers couldn’t make contact with his dad, who is deaf.
Another kid ended up in a shelter after making a wrong turn:
January 22, 2026 at 1:50 AM
Our reporting has found that ICE sent 600 immigrant kids to detention in federal shelters in 2025.
A 17-year-old was detained at a traffic stop because officers couldn’t make contact with his dad, who is deaf.
Another kid ended up in a shelter after making a wrong turn:
A 17-year-old was detained at a traffic stop because officers couldn’t make contact with his dad, who is deaf.
Another kid ended up in a shelter after making a wrong turn:
I wonder how #IL universities who have backed away from #DEI programs will respond. Will they reinstate initiatives? I'm thinking of the University of Illinois system, for instance, which in October banned the consideration of #race/#gender in scholarship decisions.
bravo @democracyforward.org & @aft.org.
and shame on all the universities that dismantled their legally secure and morally just diversity, equity and inclusion programs becuase Trump sent them an angry letter.
democracyforward.org/news/press-r...
and shame on all the universities that dismantled their legally secure and morally just diversity, equity and inclusion programs becuase Trump sent them an angry letter.
democracyforward.org/news/press-r...
January 21, 2026 at 7:55 PM
I wonder how #IL universities who have backed away from #DEI programs will respond. Will they reinstate initiatives? I'm thinking of the University of Illinois system, for instance, which in October banned the consideration of #race/#gender in scholarship decisions.
Reposted by Lisa Kurian Philip
🔴 "Government invasion into a reporter’s home and the seizure of journalistic materials is exactly the kind of scenario our First Amendment was conceived to protect against."
Today, we joined over two dozen organizations in condemning the outrageous government invasion.
Today, we joined over two dozen organizations in condemning the outrageous government invasion.
January 15, 2026 at 8:58 PM
🔴 "Government invasion into a reporter’s home and the seizure of journalistic materials is exactly the kind of scenario our First Amendment was conceived to protect against."
Today, we joined over two dozen organizations in condemning the outrageous government invasion.
Today, we joined over two dozen organizations in condemning the outrageous government invasion.
The #Trump administration is starting to seize people's pay to cover their defaulted student loans. More than 177,000 #IL residents are at risk. Here's how you can prevent this situation - or try to get out of it.
@opencampus.org @wbez.org #studentdebt
www.wbez.org/education/20...
@opencampus.org @wbez.org #studentdebt
www.wbez.org/education/20...
What to know if you’re one of 170,000 people in Illinois behind on student loans
The Trump administration is resuming withholding wages from student loan borrowers in default. Here are some steps you can take to prevent that.
www.wbez.org
January 15, 2026 at 2:38 PM
The #Trump administration is starting to seize people's pay to cover their defaulted student loans. More than 177,000 #IL residents are at risk. Here's how you can prevent this situation - or try to get out of it.
@opencampus.org @wbez.org #studentdebt
www.wbez.org/education/20...
@opencampus.org @wbez.org #studentdebt
www.wbez.org/education/20...
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."