Hilary Shenfeld - Journalist

29/05/2024

A remembrance of Bernie Mac's Unexpected Death at 50. I interviewed Mac's widow after his death in 2008.

Bernie Mac died on Aug. 9, 2008, at the age of 50, surrounded by loved ones. Here’s everything to know about the beloved comedian's death and how his family has handled his loss.

19/01/2024

Michigan police officer can't reach a guy who has fallen into a frozen lake but he knows just who can help -- the guy's dog! Quick thinking by Officer Kammeron Bennetts is a real lifesaver. My story:

A Michigan police officer used a rescue dog attached to a dog's collar to pull the canine's owner to safety, after he fell into a frozen lake

18/09/2023

Very tragic story -- a Romeoville, Ill. mother, father, two young kids and three dogs were all shot to death. A neighbor tells me they seemed like a nice, quiet family. My story:

Police have not discussed any suspects in the killings of Alberto Rolon, Zoraida Bartolomei and their two children.

20/07/2023

Tragic story -- Bolingbook, Ill. man fatally shoots wife accidentally, then kills himself. My story:

Laurie Hendrickson, 60, and Simeon Hendrickson, 61, of Bolingbrook, Ill., died on Saturday

14/07/2023

The attorney who represented relatives of some victims of serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer tells me that the fact the Netflix series just got 12 Emmy nominations is further traumatizing them. My story:

"Awarding Emmys to shows like the Jeffrey Dahmer series contributes to glamorizing or desensitizing violence," Thomas M. Jacobson said in a statement to PEOPLE.

13/07/2023

Queeni Glenn tells me she didn't even realize her purse was missing in Chicago until it was returned to her by Jamie Foxx. My story:

Jamie Foxx returned a missing purse to a woman in Chicago on Monday, and she tells PEOPLE the actor 'looked very good' and his voice 'was calm'

09/06/2023

Dale Wheatley tells me someone left 3 severed heads next to his desk as retaliation for him complaining about the condition of bodies he delivers to medical schools for research. He also believes burning sage throughout the building was a message telling him he was an "evil spirit" who should leave. My story:

Dale Wheatley, the transportation coordinator for the Anatomical Gift Association of Illinois, filed a police report after discovering three disembodied heads sitting near his desk

26/05/2022

Katie Clark didn't think she'd be able to become a doctor after two teen pregnancies interrupted her education, but a little spark inside her told her to keep going, and this Ohio mom of 4 is about to become an attending physician at the age of 43. My story:
https://people.com/human-interest/ohio-mom-refuses-to-let-teen-pregnancies-stop-her-from-becoming-a-doctor/

05/05/2022

Absolutely love this story about 13-year-old Elliott Tanner who is a one-in-a-million genius graduating from the University of Minnesota next week and then starts there this fall as a Ph.D. student in physics. Elliott tells me he's just a regular kid but I knew something was up when he said he likes listening to his dad's Steely Dan vinyl albums! Such an amazing kid! My story: https://people.com/human-interest/13-year-old-boy-is-graduating-from-college-and-set-to-start-his-doctorate-in-physics-this-fall/

Elliott Tanner, 13, will be graduating from the University of Minnesota soon, where he also plans to attend graduate school in the fall.

29/04/2022

New fine dining restaurant Lupi & Iris coming to Milwaukee, adding to the city's already cool dining scene. Chef Adam Siegel will offer Mediterranean inspired dishes. My story: https://www.restaurant-hospitality.com/chefs/chef-adam-siegel-open-new-lupi-iris-milwaukee

Former Bartolotta Restaurants chef is partnering with developer Michael DeMichele on new Mediterranean fine-dining spot

28/04/2022

Chicago chef Danny Grant is trying out a new concept combining a cafe and a gourmet market. He named the place after his beloved Aunt Sophie, who sounds like a real firecracker. My story:

Café Sophie is the latest addition to the growing multiconcept group What If Syndicate

13/04/2022

Celebrated restaurateurs Michael and Tara Gallina are revamping beloved St. Louis area restaurant Bar Les Frères. My story:

The couple behind the acclaimed Vicia is expanding in the St. Louis, Mo., suburbs

11/04/2022

Got a chance to talk to Alpana Singh about her newest restaurant in Chicago, which has a very fitting name: Alpana!

The operator wants the Gold Coast restaurant to be a ‘neighborhood stalwart’

31/03/2022

Fyre Festival Scammer Billy McFarland's high-flying social life is long behind him. Prison life for him has meant working at a sewage treatment plant and going to the commissary where he can get ham chunks for $3.40. My story:

In 2018, the New York con man was found guilty of fraud and sentenced to six-years in prison. What's his life like at the Milan Federal Correctional Institution in Michigan?

23/03/2022

The bunnies keep reproducing as only rabbits can and the math is getting out of hand. Now an Orlando rabbit rescue is asking people to foster the fluffle (real word). My story:

At least 50 domestic bunnies are hopping around Azalea Park near Orlando after an unknown individual dumped three pet rabbits in the Florida neighborhood in November

19/01/2022

Parents of young kids are speaking out on toll COVID-19 is taking on them. They're stressed, exhausted and feeling judged. The anxiety even caused one woman to break out with eczema on her eyelids. My story:

"It feels like a marathon, but nobody knows where the finish line is," mom Caroline Colley tells PEOPLE