The Columbia Chronicle

Chronicle Reports: Sounds from inside the downtown protest against National Guard, immigration threats

Over the weekend, the Chronicle reported that thousands gathered near Columbia’s campus to protest the Trump administration’s threats to send the National Guard to Chicago and increase immigration enforcement. Listen to the sounds our journalists heard from the streets.

Chronversations with Aaron Guzman: Students reflect on the first week of classes

A conversation with students about how they are feeling about week one classes amidst the administration change and tuition increase.

Chronversations with Aaron Guzman: Columbia hosts New Student Convocation

At Columbia’s New Student Convocation, President Shantay Bolton addressed the campus community and first-year and transfer students were given the opportunity to learn about campus organizations and resources.

Chronversations with Stella Huang: Faculty sees fresh possibility, positivity in President Bolton’s vision

At Columbia’s all-college faculty meeting, President Shantay Bolton outlined her vision with a focus on clarity, research-based strategy and community engagement. In this week’s Chronversations, host Stella Huang speaks with some faculty and staff about their perspectives on the meeting and the themes of collaboration, challenges in higher education and the path forward for Columbia.

Chronversations with Stella Huang: Inside Columbia’s Residence Halls

As the fall semester approaches, Columbia’s resident assistants are back in training, and they’ve got stories to tell. From game nights to apartment-style independence, tune in for a behind-the-scenes look at life in Columbia’s dorms and how community thrives in every hallway.

Chronversations with Stella Huang: When wildfire smoke turned Chicago’s sky orange

Last week, Chicago woke up to a hazy orange sky and some of the worst air quality in the world, for one day, even worse than cities known for heavy smog. The smoke came from wildfires burning over a thousand miles away in Canada. This week on Chronversations, host Stella Huang talks to students who were caught off guard, a biologist who explains how it traveled here, and a meteorologist who reveals why it might happen more often than we think — and what you can do about it.

Chronversations with Stella Huang: Lollapalooza then and now

What started as a touring alt-rock rebellion has become a global music giant. This week on Chronversations, host Stella Huang dives into Lolla’s evolution, from its legacy headliners to rising K-pop influence. She hits the streets to find out what festivalgoers really know about its history.

Chronversations with Stella Huang: Sweat, Sound, and Sparkle! Countdown to Lollapalooza

With Lollapalooza just around the corner, host Stella Huang talks with Columbia students and recent grads who are prepping for a weekend of unforgettable music in this week’s Chronversations. From first-timer jitters to veteran tips, hear how they’re planning for the festival, what artists they can’t wait to see and how Lolla feeds their creative lives.

Chronversations with Stella Huang: Inside new student orientation

This week on Chronversations, host Stella Huang meets the new wave of talented students getting their first taste of Columbia campus life. From pop culture surprises to creative ambitions, hear what they're excited for, what’s surprised them and how they’re ready to make their mark in Chicago.

Chronicle Reports with Stella Huang: Inside NASCAR 2025

What is it like to be a college journalist with a media pass at one of the largest events in Chicago? In this podcast, the Chronicle’s NASCAR analyst, Benjamin Sherman, takes us behind the barricades. From surprise driver interviews to the deafening thrill of the track, he shares what got him into racing, what surprised him most up close and what he’d shout through NASCAR's mic.