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Read more about the article A University of Illinois student finds peace in KharmaEmma Weissmann
Hailey Anderson, a University of Illinois student, rides her horse, Kharma. Spring 2014.

A University of Illinois student finds peace in Kharma

Most students choose to spend their off hours studying, hanging out with friends or catching up on sleep. But Hailey Anderson, a senior physics student at the University of Illinois, spends her free time in a different way: caring for her pet, Kharma.

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Read more about the article One community garden provides more than fruits and vegetables
Two vacant lots have been turned into gardens and provide affordable produce to area residents. Spring 2014.

One community garden provides more than fruits and vegetables

By Karyna Rodriguez/For CU-CitizenAccess.org -- One person can make a difference. Nicole Bridges embodies that statement more than almost anyone I’ve ever met. Nicole…

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Read more about the article Growing up Asian in a white family; one adoptee’s strugglePhoto provided
Claire Hampton with her mother. Claire was born in Seoul, South Korea and came to the United States when she was four months old.

Growing up Asian in a white family; one adoptee’s struggle

By Earn Saenmuk/For CU-CitizenAccess.org -- There was a girl in my Korean class. Well, there were more than one, but this particular one was…

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Read more about the article Race makeup of local police staff mirror national trendsDarrell Hoemann/C-U Citizen Access
The window for the Urbana Police Department office inside the Urbana City Hall on Thursday, September 4, 2014. photo by Darrell Hoemann/C-U Citizen Access

Race makeup of local police staff mirror national trends

The racial makeup of police departments across the country has grown to become a heated national issue after a white police officer shot and killed Michael Brown – an unarmed black teenager – in Ferguson, Mo., last month. An initial analysis by CU-CitizenAccess.org of local police staff numbers revealed a race gap mirrored in national and regional reports. The staff information was obtained through requests made under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act.

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Read more about the article Bike friendly Chambana draws new version of polo
A small community of cyclists in Champaign-Urbana enjoying bike polo. Spring 2014.

Bike friendly Chambana draws new version of polo

Champaign-Urbana is a biking town, and as an avid biker, that was something I noticed very quickly upon moving here. Bike lanes run all through both cities as well as campus. Shops like The Bike Co-op and Neutral Cycle provide local cyclists with affordable service and offer to teach people who come in how to maintain a bike themselves, while other stores deal with high-end, professional equipment. People get together to go on group rides.

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Read more about the article Changes to bilingual program in one Champaign school forces some parents to make difficult decisionDarrell Hoemann/CU-CitizenAccess.org
Giovanna Olea in the community center in Shadowwood community on Thursday, April 17, 2014. photo by Darrell Hoemann/The Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting

Changes to bilingual program in one Champaign school forces some parents to make difficult decision

By Giovanna Olea/For CU-CitizenAccess.org – Giovanna Olea works for CU-CitizenAccess.org as a community ambassador in a computer lab at Shadow Wood Mobile Home Park. CU-CitizenAccess.org has…

Continue ReadingChanges to bilingual program in one Champaign school forces some parents to make difficult decision
Read more about the article Community Ambassador at Shadow Wood keeps kids engaged throughout the summerDarrell Hoemann/CU-CitizenAccess.org
Giovanna Olea in the community center in Shadowwood community on Thursday, April 17, 2014. photo by Darrell Hoemann/The Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting

Community Ambassador at Shadow Wood keeps kids engaged throughout the summer

By Giovanna Olea/For CU-CitizenAccess.org - Giovanna Olea works for CU-CitizenAccess.org as a community ambassador in a computer lab at Shadow Wood Mobile Home Park. CU-CitizenAccess.org has opened…

Continue ReadingCommunity Ambassador at Shadow Wood keeps kids engaged throughout the summer
Read more about the article One family’s struggle for health insuranceDarrell Hoemann/CU-CitizenAccess.org
Giovanna Olea in the community center in Shadowwood community on Thursday, April 17, 2014. photo by Darrell Hoemann/The Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting

One family’s struggle for health insurance

By Giovanna Olea/For CU-CitizenAccess.org -- Giovanna Olea works for CU-CitizenAccess.org as a community ambassador in a computer lab at Shadow Wood Mobile Home Park. CU-CitizenAccess.org has opened…

Continue ReadingOne family’s struggle for health insurance