Schmich's zehr gut

Judge Joan Lefkow's life is in ruins, her mother and husband shot dead by bullets intended for her. But as she works through her grief, Judge Lefkow shares it with with a reporter. For if anything just comes from this tragedy, it must come from the example she sets, her will that justice must prevail.

Her story isn't told till nearly a year has passed. Online, at chicagotribune.com/lefkow, it stretches to 12 pages. It's a closely observed, and yes, a life-affirming story. And the reporter, Mary Schmich, refuses TV and radio requests to talk about it. She does not want to be a scandal-monger.

What a strange business, where the workers must apologize for doing their jobs.