Journalist Robert E. Gutsche, Jr., whose work has appeared in the Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, and Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, is an assistant professor at Florida International University’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication.

“Robert Gutsche blows up the myth that local newspapers only report on their communities by showing us how they actively create their communities...and not always in good ways. Methodically innovative, this book illuminates journalism’s power to shape not only our sense of place but also our shared prejudices.”—Matt Carlson, St. Louis University, author of On the Condition of Anonymity: Unnamed Sources and the Battle for Journalism; “The book is compelling journalism as well as compelling research about journalism. With careful reporting, in-depth analysis, and lyrical writing, A Transplanted Chicago offers a powerful portrait of inner-city troubles in the heartland, troubles exacerbated and constructed by the news.”—Jack Lule, Lehigh University, author of Daily News, Eternal Stories: The Mythological Role of Journalism and Globalization and Media: Global Village of Babel; “Words and facts matter. But it also matters who is writing those words and culling those facts to report. This book meticulously peels back the curtain on reporting in one Midwestern town, showing clearly that stereotypes and innuendo regularly seep into “straight” news stories, disguised as authoritative reporting. Words meant to uncover truth end up driving it further into hiding.”—Robert E. Pierre, co-author of A Day Late and a Dollar Short: High Hopes and Deferred Dreams in Obama’s ‘Post Racial’ America; “one of the first serious studies of the issue of race in Iowa City”—LittleVillageMag.com.

• Table of ContentsAcknowledgmentsPrefaceIntroduction: Welcome to the Rural Ghetto: “Southeast Side” as “Little Chicago”One. How News Explains Everyday LifeTwo. Place and Its PurposeThree. Building the Ghetto: Reading News as Cultural MortarFour. News of “The Inner City”: Racializing the Southeast SideFive. What’s the Southeast Side? Using Mental Mapping to Construct PlaceSix. Whose Southeast Side? Mapping PlaceSeven. The Subtle Power of the Press: Place and Its Ideological FunctionEight. School News: Press Constructions of Schools-as-PlaceConclusion: On the Role of News, Place and Being HumanEpilogue: Beyond the Southeast Side: News ­Place-Making ElsewhereNotesReferencesIndex