Chicago - A message from the station manager

By Steve Rhodes

Last I heard, we had seven cases left in our census zone. We’ll probably be done by the time I get this posted.
That’s not to say the work is over; we’re sending enumerators to several states that need help, and there’s a zone (or two) in Chicago that we’d like to aid, if only they would have us.
But the end is near.
Technically, we have until October 31. That’s when the entire operation nationwide is scheduled to end. Lots of housekeeping – administrative tasks – to complete before then, too.
And then we’ll see. As always, I have a ton of projects I’d like to pursue – if only anyone was buying. And supervising two-dozen enumerators under difficult circumstances has only bolstered the confidence I have in my management and leadership skills – and that I should be leading a reporting team and/or newsroom somewhere. It’s way past time, but let’s just say the industry doesn’t hire people like me to do the kind of work I do best. That was proven long ago.
Anyway, here are a few things I’d like to bring to your attention.

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Posted on October 8, 2020

The [Monday] Papers

By Steve Rhodes

Wow, sorry for the week-long layoff in this space, we are trying to close out Chicago’s Census Zone 5. We are oh so close. As we have been for a week.

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Posted on October 5, 2020

The [Monday] Papers

By Steve Rhodes

Programming Note: There will be no column Tuesday. After that, it depends on the flow of census work this week. But @BeachwoodReport will remain active regardless, including presidential debate commentary.
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Start thread here . . .

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Posted on September 28, 2020

The [Thursday] Papers

By Steve Rhodes

Start here.

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Posted on September 24, 2020

The [Wednesday] Papers

By Steve Rhodes

I worked a case in the field today. I’m a supervisor, so I rarely work cases in the field. This was a case no one had been able to crack. The respondent sicced a dog on me. Sort of. While I hung around the building looking for clues, the door to the unit in question slowly opened and a dog charged out. There was a gate between the dog and me, and let’s say the dog lost its enthusiasm for the job quite quickly. I didn’t flinch. Eventually the resident came out and spoke to me briefly. So a partial completion, including the most important part: how many people lived there on April 1. #Census2020
My team of enumerators, whose work in the field I oversee from the comfort of my home, was amused.
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I’ll be able to tell these stories better and more fully once this thing is over.

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Posted on September 23, 2020

The Weekend Desk Report

By Steve Rhodes

“Jupiter and its enticing moon Europa shine in a new photo by the Hubble Space Telescope,” AP reports.
“Hubble snapped the picture last month when the planet was 406 million miles (653 million kilometers) away, and the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore released it Thursday. ”
How is that even possible?

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Posted on September 19, 2020

The [Tuesday] Papers

By Steve Rhodes

I hope to return on Thursday.
“President Barack Obama entered the White House in 2009 during a brutal recession, quickly pushed through a sizable stimulus package and then spent the next several years realizing it wasn’t nearly big enough. Joe Biden is determined not to have the same regrets if he wins,” Politico reports.

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Posted on September 15, 2020

The [Monday] Papers


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If Trump really did not want to cause a panic, what’s his excuse now for downplaying the virus? C’mon.


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Trump goes from state to state telling people lies about the places where they live – and they believe it. (Last week he told folks in Michigan that he had brought them “so many car plants.” How many, in reality: 0.)


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They knew. I said it at the time, when so many thought Fauci was a hero, that he was an enabler. And I dubbed Deborah Birx “Baghdad Birx.” Pay closer attention, people.

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Posted on September 14, 2020

The [Tuesday] Papers

By Steve Rhodes

Programming Note: I hope to be back Thursday. Census is killing me.

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Posted on September 8, 2020

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