R. Christian Smith

Christian Smith reports on Aurora city government for The Beacon-News. He grew up in Charleston, S.C., and graduated from Winthrop University in 2022. Previously, he has reported for The Citizen Times in Asheville, N.C., and The Morning News in Florence, S.C.

Carrying signs saying ‘Fair Contract Now,’ Aurora city employees picket outside City Hall

March 11, 2026 at 3:52 p.m.

A union of Aurora city employees picketed outside City Hall on Tuesday evening, just before a meeting of the Aurora City Council, to demand a "fair contract."

RiverEdge Park is located along the Fox River in downtown Aurora. (RiverEdge Park)

Final piece of RiverEdge Park renovation approved by Aurora City Council

March 11, 2026 at 12:41 p.m.

The Aurora City Council has approved the final major contract related to the RiverEdge Park renovation, which is set to be completed by the end of May.

At a launch event for the Aurora's Promise program in April 2025, former Mayor Richard Irvin presents incoming West Aurora School District kindergartener Sebastian Pruszkowski with a ceremonial $50 representing the actual $50 the city was placing into an education savings account created for him through the now-shuttered program. (R. Christian Smith/The Beacon-News)

Aurora ends child savings account program first launched with fanfare

March 10, 2026 at 3:34 p.m.

Aurora's child savings account program, announced with fanfare two years ago and launched last year, has been quietly shuttered.

The hotel at the site of the new Hollywood Casino-Aurora resort, which is set to open in the first half of 2026, as seen on Dec. 19, 2025. (R. Christian Smith/The Beacon-News)

Aurora working to set liquor rules for new Hollywood Casino resort

March 9, 2026 at 4:15 p.m.

The city of Aurora is working to establish rules around the sale of liquor and other alcohol at the new Hollywood Casino resort, which is set to open within the...

One of the five packages recently discovered within mastodon tusks displayed at Aurora's Phillips Park is dated 1935 and signed by Clarence R. Smith, an Aurora University professor who helped identify the mastodon bones discovered over 90 years ago in Aurora. (City of Aurora)

Package dated 1935 found in tusk of Aurora’s mastodon bones

March 6, 2026 at 5:32 p.m.

Inside of mastodon tusks first uncovered at Aurora's Phillips Park over 90 years ago, workers recently discovered a package dated to 1935.

The CyrusOne data center in Aurora on Feb. 2, 2026. Aurora is looking at proposed new regulations concerning data centers in the city. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)

Aurora planning commission recommends approval of data center regulations

March 5, 2026 at 5:59 p.m.

Aurora's Planning and Zoning Commission on Wednesday voted to recommend the city adopt regulations around data centers that are stricter than were originally presented by city staff.

A proposed package of campaign financing ethics reforms that Aurora Mayor John Laesch, seen here during his inauguration speech in May 2025, made a large part of his mayoral campaign is finally heading to a City Council vote next week after several delays. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

Aurora Mayor John Laesch’s proposed ethics reform package heads to a City Council vote

March 4, 2026 at 4:23 p.m.

Aurora Mayor John Laesch’s promised campaign ethics reform package heads to a final vote next Tuesday, but several aldermen have expressed concerns with it.

Visitors check out a booth at GreenFest in Aurora in 2024. The 2026 edition of GreenFest will be held May 2 at the old U.S. Post Office building at 18 W. Benton St. in downtown Aurora. (David Sharos/For The Beacon-News)

After a one-year hiatus, Aurora GreenFest set to return

March 3, 2026 at 9:28 a.m.

Aurora GreenFest, a festival that has been bringing people together around topics like sustainability and green living for 15 years, will be returning on May 2.

The Summer Concert Series at RiverEdge Park features affordable concerts along the river throughout the summer. (Thomas J. King)

Renovation of RiverEdge Park in Aurora nearing completion

March 2, 2026 at 3:26 p.m.

The renovation of RiverEdge Park in Aurora is nearing its completion as the final major purchase for the project makes its way through the city's approval process.

Aurora-rooted organization looks to help families affected by deportation

February 28, 2026 at 8:11 a.m.

Kalpulli Across Borders, a new organization with roots in Aurora, is looking to create a system of aid surrounding and helping immigrant communities.

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