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News,
Mental Health,
Southern Lifestyle & Recipes


Tragedy Strikes Near CDC Headquarters: Officer Killed in Shooting Outside Emory University
A community mourns as investigators work to uncover why gunfire erupted steps from one of the nation’s leading public health institutions...
Natalie Frank
3 days ago3 min read


One-Pot Creole Jambalaya with Chicken & Turkey Sausage: A Healthier Take on a Southern Classic
This bold, flavor-packed one-pot jambalaya swaps in turkey sausage and lean chicken for a lighter yet authentic Creole dish Natalie C....
Natalie Frank
7 days ago1 min read


Shift in Chicagoans Attitudes Towards Work, Workplace During, After Pandemic According to Recent Survey, Based on Age
Changes in different age groups view of work, workplace occurred due to pandemic found in new survey Natalie C. Frank, Ph.D August 5,...
Natalie Frank
Aug 57 min read


Living Between Yesterday and Tomorrow: What It Really Means to Be Southern Today
Exploring the pride, paradox, and evolving identity of Southern life in a rapidly changing world Natalie C. Frank, Ph.D August 3, 2025...
Natalie Frank
Aug 31 min read


Chicago’s Special Education Shake-Up Sparks Urgency, Uncertainty, and Hope
As CPS restructures its special education department weeks before the start of school, families, advocates are left balancing cautious...
Natalie Frank
Jul 311 min read


Southern Belle Cheesecake with Bourbon Praline Drizzle: A Decadent Twist on Dixie Dessert Traditions
This rich, velvety cheesecake with warm, buttery praline sauce captures the soul of Southern hospitality, one luscious bite at a time...
Natalie Frank
Jul 291 min read


Why Every Southern Home Has a Room No One’s Allowed in
Unlocking the curious case of plastic-covered couches, unused china, and Southern hospitality’s strangest tradition Natalie C. Frank, Ph.D...
Natalie Frank
Jul 271 min read


SATIRE: HOA Gone Historical? This Southern Neighborhood is Run by Confederate Cosplayers
Discover the wild true-ish story of Magnolia Trace, where Civil War reenactors turned HOA tyrants patrol lawns and punish modernity HOA...
Natalie Frank
Jul 231 min read


SATIRE: National Avocado Shortage Leads to Emergency Toast Rationing
Millennials across the country brace as beloved brunch staple vanishes, prompting creative DIY solutions, and a black-market for avocados...
Natalie Frank
Jul 214 min read


Southern Zen: What Boiled Peanuts Reveal About Cultivating Patience in a Hectic World
A meditative journey into slow living, tender flavor, and life lessons tucked inside this humble Southern snack Natalie C. Frank, Ph.D. ...
Natalie Frank
Jul 191 min read


Where to Celebrate National Karaoke Day in Chicago
Try out one of these options to enjoy singing just to sing Natalie C. Frank, Ph.D July 19, 2025 Teo Romera /flickr [CC BY 2.0] CHICAGO,...
Natalie Frank
Jul 193 min read


Southern Lemon Meringue Pie with a Buttery Grits Crust: A Tangy Twist on a Dixie Classic
Discover the soul of the South in every bite of this bright, citrusy pie, with a surprising crust that honors Southern roots and elevates...
Natalie Frank
Jul 181 min read


Chicago Mayor Blocks ‘Snap Curfew’ in First Veto in Nearly 20 Years
Mayor Brandon Johnson’s stand against controversial curfew proposal sparks fierce debate over youth safety, policing power, civil...
Natalie Frank
Jul 161 min read


“Good Trouble” Ignites Again: Chicago Rises on John Lewis Anniversary to Defend Democracy
Thousands expected to gather in Chicago and beyond as civil rights icon’s legacy fuels a growing movement against Trump-era policies...
Natalie Frank
Jul 151 min read


The Unspoken Rules of Southern Gas Station Culture: Where Gossip Flows Like Sweet Tea and Boiled Peanuts Are Sacred
Inside the small-town South’s favorite gathering place, where pit stops turn into porch sittin’, strangers aren’t really strangers, and...
Natalie Frank
Jul 111 min read


Why Every Southern Town Has a Haunted Bridge, a Broken Bell, and a Lost Bride
How Southern ghost stories shape memory, identity, and the hidden grief behind every whispered tale Natalie C. Frank, Ph.D July 9, 2025...
Natalie Frank
Jul 91 min read


Chicago's Jarvis Beach Sees Massive Fireworks Display on July 4th
Despite the City of Chicago not hosting official July 4th fireworks for a number of years, beachfront displays were seen up and down Lake...
Natalie Frank
Jul 53 min read


July 4th Fresh Berry Red, White & Blue Poke Cake: A Naturally Sweet Southern Celebration
Made with real strawberries and blueberries, this cool and creamy cake brings patriotic flavor to your summer table — without the...
Natalie Frank
Jul 32 min read


From Prison to the Spotlight: Chicago Man Wrongfully Imprisoned for 35 Years Finds Redemption Through Theatre
After decades behind bars for a crime he didn't commit, Brian Beals reclaims his future, empowers his community through healing power of...
Natalie Frank
Jun 252 min read


Reclaiming the Kudzu: The Green Invader That Ate the South — And the Guilt We Buried With It
How an invasive vine became a symbol of unchecked ambition, forgotten shame, and the tangled beauty of Southern resilience Natalie C....
Natalie Frank
Jun 252 min read
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