Greetings from the Windy City

CHICAGO -- From the 37th floor of the John Hancock Building in Chicago, I swear I can see the entire Midwest. Lake Michigan stretches out to the eastern horizon; the city reaches north, south and west; and just beyond that is rich farmland. The view reminds me of all of the exciting stories waiting to be told on Al Jazeera America.
 
Chicago has such a colorful history: Al Capone, the Union Stockyards, the Cubs, Bulls and Bears. But, it is so much more. It’s a global business leader; a melting pot of cultures; a leader in academia; and a compass for America’s zeitgeist.
 
I’ll be traveling into the heart of the city’s many diverse neighborhoods to talk about politics, crime, education, the economy, and the arts. Chicagoans love to talk, so they’ll have a lot to say about these issues and more. But, we won’t stop at the city’s boundaries.
 
I’ll also be traveling around the Midwest. I’ll talk to farmers about new technology and trade. I’ll talk to residents in large and small towns that dot the countryside about the issues affecting them. And, I’ll bring you stories about these resilient residents who have survived floods, droughts, tornadoes and everything else Mother Nature has thrown at them.
 
We have a terrific team in Chicago. Everyone is psyched about Al Jazeera America and raring to go. We all see this as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to launch something really special. Journalists tend to be pretty jaded, but we’re all like kids in a candy store.
 
I have a laundry list of stories that I can’t wait to tell, so stay tuned!

-- Diane Eastabrook,
Al Jazeera America Chicago correspondent