HuffPost Goes Local: Introducing HuffPost Chicago

We are rolling out our first local version of The Huffington Post. We've decided to start with Chicago because it's always been a great news town -- offering a vibrant mix of politics, sports, business, music, food, and urban life.

Transferring The Huffington Post's blend of news, opinion, and community -- delivered with our familiar look and attitude -- to a local level, HuffPost Chicago is part local news source, part resource guide, and part virtual soap box -- featuring a collection of bloggers who know and love Chicago, and are looking to share their takes on everything from the Cubs to City Hall to the hot new local band to the best place for Greek food (and I can testify that there is a lot of that in Chicago!).

HuffPost Chicago also features a rotating at-a-glance roundup of local services -- with info and takes on the city's restaurants, clubs, real estate, sporting events, movies, plays, and other local happenings. Use it to read the latest crime stats, a nightclub's hours, or the places to find the lowest priced gas.

HuffPost Chicago is being edited by Ben Goldberger, a former staff reporter with the Chicago Sun-Times. He's put together a fun and useful collection of Chicago news, local gossip, buzzworthy stories, and Windy City-centric opinion. And, of course, a comments section that will allow Chicagoans a chance to sound off on anything and everything.

We plan to roll out local versions of HuffPost in dozens of cities. So check out HuffPost Chicago and use the comment section to let us know what you think, what you want more of, what you want less of, and what cities you think should be next.

Follow Arianna Huffington on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ariannahuff

Comments

[weddedgay]

Welcome to the 2016 Olympics host city!!

That is why you picked Chicago first isn't it?

[neuron]

If you need a scoop on what's happening in Lascassas TN, I'll be available.­..

[venicesurfer]

you started this because obama is from there. just be honest.

[Okieborn]

It is a "WINNER !!
THANK YOU !!

[chic111]

Thank you for making Chicago your first 'local" city!!! I have lived here almost my whole life, (well, I did grow up in Evanston) and I think Chicago is wonderful!! I will be looking forward to reading this on a daily basis and contributing when I can.

GO CUBS!!!!! They have been truly awesome this year!

Chic (A "chic" from chicago!!)

[Czoe]

Don't you mean -Go White Sox?

[Ladyrantsalot]

This will come in handy. I abandoned the Tribune when they endorsed BushBoy and need a source of news for Chicago. Thanks!

[krisis]

I'm excited by the concept of HuffLocal - not only from the perspective of eventually having it for the cities I'm most interested in, but in using it to explore the microcosm of places foreign to me.

I'm sure we think our own town merits a local page, all for different reasons. In the case of Philadelphia I think there is a lot to offer - partially because politically we are so overwhelmingly and continuously democrat-lead, but we still explore the same problems of a highly partisan area. Clearly the distance across the aisle isn't the only element of bureaucracy. Also, we have a vibrant (and vociferous) local blogging culture documenting our media, sports, music, dining, and even architecture, but they are currently lacking for a centralized bond.

[Bocababs]

Are there any jobs up there? After this election in the Spring of 2009, I am moving back there.
I would rather be cold with friendly people, than warm with unfriendly people.

[chic111]

From what I understand the unemployment rate here is about the same as the national rate.

Good luck to you!!!

[HelixScanr]

Kewl...
Arianna... "You go Giiirrrl!" Glad to hear it. I've just got involved with HuffPo this May and finding it really informative and enjoyable, though navigation is a little awkward.
PS. I found the "MI6 promises not to turn female agents into 'Honey Pots' " so funny, what a double-entendre.
Here's an idea, if interested, favicon each section - like what's already done with 23/6
(ex. Off The Bus use it's logo as favicon. [ Hm ]= media; [ Hp]= politics, etc...") This would make navigation easier for users. These favicons act as visual indicators of where one is within the site.
The code would look like this: link rel="shortcut icon" href="/[section_id ]/favicon.­ico" replace [section_id] with the name of the directory containing the respective favicon.ic­o H overlayed a with little p for Politics for example.
Good luck

[gretchenart]

This is a great idea. Following is a link to some pictures of Chicago. Maybe you will have a forum for pictures of the day along with news or?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gretchenart-photoalbum/sets/72157600085275946/

Gretchen

[chrispychilla28]

Sweet!

Go Cubs!

Go Greek Cuisine!

[Czoe]

Go White Sox - Go Cardinals!!!!!!!!

[marschallin]

Thank you, Arianna, for making Chicago your first city...

Chicago is the ideal city: beautiful, sporty, artsy, funky, witty, funny...Su­per-charge­d on personality, it also boasts some of the best restaurants in the nation.

Thanks again for being so savvy!!!

[KOisGod]

Please add a SF bay area page!

Love YOU Arianna

[MizKit]

This is great. Thanks. I miss out on the local news as I read the NYT rather than the Chicago papers (not a huge fan of the Tribune's editorial slant) and I watch the Daily Show rather than the local news casts. So sometimes I feel a little out of the loop on local issues.

[dgsweet]

One of the things that distinguishes Chicago is that it has become one of the world's great theatre cities.

But there has been little recognition of this online.

So, yes, let's have a genuine local Chicago culture feature. Please.

[NeoAnderson]

Congratulations and good luck.