Reader staffers share stories that fascinate, alarm, amuse, or inspire us.

Hey, did you read:

• That the death toll in Tianjin is up to 50, with more than 700 injured? —Drew Hunt

• That the phone part of cellphones really suck—especially compared to old landlines? —Ryan Smith

• That despite attempted government crackdowns, the online black market for drugs is thriving? —Mick Dumke

• That ISIS is using rape as a recruiting tool? —Aimee Levitt

• That Donald Trump's campaign is starting to resemble his forays into professional wrestling? —Drew Hunt

• About why the battle over identity politics is so frustrating for everybody involved? —Tanner Howard

• That the only place in Chicago with a concentration of poor white people happens to be where Loyola University students live? —Mick Dumke

• About why so many supermodels are from the midwest? —Brianna Wellen

• About the new public artwork at the Garfield Park Conservatory, by local artists Luftwerk? —Sue Kwong

• Jeff Weiss on his acid-infused three days at the Grateful Dead Fare Thee Well tour? —Tal Rosenberg