Laura Washington

Laura Washington is a contributing columnist for the Chicago Tribune and political analyst at ABC-7. Before moving to the Tribune, she served as a longtime contributing columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times. Washington brings more than two award-winning decades of experience as a non-profit professional and multi-media journalist. She specializes in African American affairs, local and national politics, race and racism, and social justice.

Young people have been the earliest and most eager adopters of cryptocurrency, and President Joe Biden needs their votes.

Opinion |
Laura Washington: President Joe Biden’s campaign needs to lean in on cryptocurrency

June 3, 2024 at 5:00 a.m.

Young people have been the earliest and most eager adopters of cryptocurrency, and President Joe Biden needs their votes.

Beverly Halloran, a participant in the Indie Bookstore Day “bus extravaganza," shops for books at Bookie’s in Chicago on April 27, 2024. (Vincent Alban/Chicago Tribune)

Opinion |
Laura Washington: New Barnes & Noble stores in Chicago signal that books are back

May 27, 2024 at 5:00 a.m.

Barnes & Noble closed all its stand-alone stores in the Chicago area years ago. Now the company is diving back in.

Rising and elevated prices cast an ominous shadow over President Joe Biden's political accomplishments.

Commentary |
Laura Washington: The economy trumps all when it comes to the presidential race

May 20, 2024 at 5:00 a.m.

Rising and elevated prices cast an ominous shadow over President Joe Biden's political accomplishments.

Lucas Mendoza, 5, helps his mother, Holly Mendoza, clear the snow off her vehicle as she and her daughter, Eliana, 5, wait, in the 2200 block of West Cermak in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood on March 22, 2024. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

Commentary |
Laura Washington: The only thing I hate more than Chicago winter? Spring.

May 13, 2024 at 5:00 a.m.

I am a child of summer. That means that I get to enjoy about 2 ½ months of consistently warm weather.

Chicago Public Schools students gather with other students and activists during a rally at a pro-Palestinian encampment at the University of Chicago on May 1, 2024, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Commentary |
Laura Washington: Deep divides over war in Middle East couldn’t come at a worse time for Democrats

May 6, 2024 at 5:00 a.m.

If young voters stay home in November because they are turned off by the heavy-handed handling of the war in Gaza, Democrats will suffer mightily.

A new North Side dispensary, Sway, is deeply rooted in the history of America’s AIDS crisis.

Commentary |
Laura Washington: North Side dispensary Sway is deeply rooted in LGBTQ+ history

April 29, 2024 at 5:00 a.m.

A new North Side dispensary, Sway, is deeply rooted in the history of America’s AIDS crisis.

There is no outrage over the endless flood of illegal guns into Chicago that has put it at the top of the list of the number of mass shootings nationwide.

Commentary |
Laura Washington: Where is the outrage for the victims of Chicago’s latest mass shooting?

April 22, 2024 at 5:00 a.m.

There is no outrage over the endless flood of illegal guns into Chicago that has put it at the top of the list of the number of mass shootings nationwide.

Evidence markers are placed near a police SUV as police investigate the scene of a shooting where an officer and one person were shot near the 3800 block of West Ferdinand Street on March 21, 2024, in Chicago. Dexter Reed was shot and killed by police in the shooting. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Commentary |
Laura Washington: We know one thing from the Dexter Reed shooting. Driving while Black is a systemic problem.

April 15, 2024 at 5:00 a.m.

Dexter Reed’s death occurred in Chicago’s 11th police district, a predominantly Black area. In 2023, 10% of all the total traffic stops happened there.

Artist Brendan Fernandes with his piece "From Hiz Hands", Aug. 27, 2018, at DePaul Art Museum in Chicago. (Erin Hooley/Chicago Tribune)

Commentary |
Laura Washington: Expo Chicago comes but once a year. A call to art lovers to make the pilgrimage.

April 8, 2024 at 5:05 a.m.

Every April Expo Chicago convenes artists from near and far to showcase their work. Columnist Laura Washington looks forward to it each year, and sees opportunity for growth.

Poll watchers observe while central count election judges process primary election mail-in ballots on March 24, 2024, at the Chicago Board of Elections. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Commentary |
Laura Washington: What does the slow count for state’s attorney’s race mean for November?

April 1, 2024 at 5:00 a.m.

The slow vote counting in the Cook County state's attorney's race affects the perception of election integrity in November and beyond.

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