Claire Murphy

Claire Murphy is a North Shore reporter with the Pioneer Press. She holds a master’s degree in investigative reporting from Northwestern University. Before joining the Tribune, she worked at the Chronicle of Higher Education. Her work has been featured in a number of local outlets, including the Illinois Answers Project and Block Club Chicago.

Anuj Chopra, a sixth to eighth grade science teacher at Pope John XXIII School in Evanston, is one of 30 finalists for this year's Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching, an honor recognizing Illinois teachers making an impact in the classroom despite ongoing staffing shortages. (Golden Apple Foundation)

Evanston teacher Anuj Chopra named Golden Apple Award finalist

March 18, 2026 at 9:00 a.m.

Evanston teacher Anuj Chopra, of the Pope John XXIII School, was chosen as one of 30 finalists for the Golden Apple award.

Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss speaks to supporters after celebrating the Democratic nomination in the 9th Congressional District race during an election night watch party at Double Clutch Brewing on March 17, 2026, in Evanston. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Daniel Biss wins race for Democratic nomination to succeed Jan Schakowsky in Illinois 9th District

March 18, 2026 at 10:59 a.m.

Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss won the Democratic nomination to succeed retiring U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky in the 9th Congressional District, which stretches from the North Side to Wilmette to Crystal...

Rabbi Jacki Honig is Congregation Beth Shalom's first female assistant rabbi. Honig joined the clergy team on July 1, 2025 and had her installation ceremony on Saturday, March 14, 2026. (Michael Balter/Congregation Beth Shalom)

First female assistant rabbi joins Northbrook’s Beth Shalom Jewish congregation

March 17, 2026 at 9:32 a.m.

Ask most adults what they wanted to be as a child, and the answer is often returned with a laugh or remark about how much they’ve changed since then. For...

A southwest view of the South Tower rendering of the Old Orchard Towers development project. The seven-story office space will be converted to 245 luxe apartment units and thousands of square feet in commercial business and retail space. (SGW Architecture & Design/Village of Skokie)

Skokie OKs modifications to Old Orchard Towers development plan

March 17, 2026 at 9:06 a.m.

Skokie trustees okayed modifications to the development at 5202 and 5250 Old Orchard Road, formerly the 7-story Old Orchard Towers.

The Niles Township High School District 219 welcomed three new faces to the Board of Education on May 6, 2023. From left to right: Amber Wood, Nour Akhras, Ken Durr, Lindley Wisnewski, David Ko, Kandice Cooley and Celia Stennett. (Niles Township High School District 219)

Skokie high school district tried to oust a Board member for non-attendance and got denied

March 12, 2026 at 1:15 p.m.

Niles Township High School D219 moved to censure Board Member David Ko for not attending meetings, but officials rejected the idea.

Wilmette Village Hall. (Brian L. Cox/for Pioneer Press)

Wilmette warns residents of fraudulent payment scam

March 10, 2026 at 4:05 p.m.

Wilmette said scammers have impersonated the village in emails, and demanded payment. These are fraudulent messages.

Evanston police arrested one person and recovered narcotics and cash on March 2, 2026, after an investigation into drug sales near Howard Street. While executing a search warrant, detectives recovered 30 grams of heroin/fentanyl, 38 grams of crack cocaine and over $460 in cash. (City of Evanston)

‘Long-term’ Evanston narcotics investigation leads to arrest, drug seizure, per police

March 9, 2026 at 4:18 p.m.

Evanston police have arrested a suspect and seized narcotics and cash after investigation into drug sales near Howard Street.

A pro-reparations sign sits outside a home in the 5th Ward on March 23, 2021, in Evanston. Aldermen approved the first expenditures in the city's municipal reparations program designed to compensate Black residents for codified discrimination. (Armando L. Sanchez/ChicagoTribune)

Evanston Reparations Committee seeks new revenue streams as original funding dwindles

March 6, 2026 at 4:52 p.m.

Evanston’s Reparations Program is exploring how to make payments as the original revenue source, cannabis tax, dwindles.

Carlos Mendez, 51, a former assistant principal at Washington Elementary, was formally indicted by a grand jury on March 4, 2026, with an arraignment date set for March 17. He is accused of acting with his partner, Maribel Flores-Hernandez, 34, in the sexual abuse of two family members over a two-year period. Mendez has been an employee of District 65 since 2011. (Claire Murphy/Pioneer Press)

Evanston-Skokie District 65 employees indicted for child sexual assault

March 5, 2026 at 12:39 p.m.

Grand jury indicted Carlos Mendez, Maribel Flores-Hernandez of District 65 on child sex abuse charges. Arraignment set for March 17.

Oceanique, a venerable Evanston restaurant, offers a North Shore Restaurant Month prix fixe menu.

North Shore Restaurant Month offers deals through March 31

March 9, 2026 at 11:12 p.m.

Participating restaurants in North Shore Restaurant Month are offering diners 15% off or prix fixe menus at a discounted rate.

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