Le Monde Launches Route 66 Series From Chicago Ahead of US Midterms

Le Monde has kicked off a six-part series called “Route 66, pouls de l'Amérique,” marking the 100th anniversary of the iconic highway and timed just ahead of the upcoming US midterm elections. The first episode starts in Chicago, where it follows the route and interacts with locals. Known for its connection to Barack Obama, Chicago is now turning its attention to quantum computing to help revitalize an economically challenged area. The series seeks to capture the mood of the country during this politically charged time. The initial article is titled “tous les sujets ne doivent pas nécessairement nous diviser,” which translates to “not all topics need to create division,” and it’s featured in Le Monde's international section, published on October 20, 2026.