Ex-boxing champions inspire youth through training, guiding them away from past errors
By Jason Beeferman, Qi Zhao and Rika Kojima Medill Reports A former heavyweight champion, Fres Oquendo, and an Olympic bronze medalist, Nate Jones, have joined forces to teach boxing to teenagers and kids in Melrose Park, Ill. Boxing provided a safe haven during their troubled past as teenagers. Their mission is to teach disciplines keeping […]
Women boxers in Puerto Rico strive to break the barrier in the male-dominated sports arena
By Rika Kojima Medill Reports Boxing is one of the most popular sports in Puerto Rico. For some, it is not merely a sport but also a way of life. Puerto Rico has the highest number of world champions per capita in the world. There are also prominent female boxers. This video portrays some of […]
Beyond the pandemic: How to set up an ideal work-from-home space
By Yue Li Medill Reports “It’s just temporary. …” Sure. As of June, 66% of Americans worked remotely, at least part time, while 68% would prefer to be fully remote, according to recruiting site Zippia. “Working from home actually works,” said Mohamad Awada, the lead author of a 2021 research study on productivity during the […]
Looking back at Mark Buehrle’s perfect game 14 years later
By Jonah Dayton Medill Reports Scott Reifert had just ignored the president. Mark Buehrle was sitting in the White Sox media room, answering questions from reporters just minutes after throwing the 18th perfect game in Major League Baseball history, when Reifert got the call. “(White Sox owner) Jerry Reinsdorf was standing to the right of […]
Argentine tattoo artist helps women embrace their scars
By Ryan Hayes-Owens and Drake Wilson Medill Reports BUENO AIRES — Diego Staropoli is best known as a celebrity tattoo artist. But after losing his mother, aunt and grandmother to breast cancer, Staropoli began providing free tattoos to women who had mastectomies. What began as tattoos to replace scarred areolas has since expanded to help […]
I illustrate to not forget: Combating architectural extinction in Buenos Aires through art
By Amy Boyle and Lena Folke Medill Reports In a city where architectural heritage is under threat, Argentinian artist and architect Natalia Kerbabian uses her artistic talent to bring the past back to life. Kerbabian’s drawings of now-demolished houses capture memories, so as to not forget. Joining Kerbabian in her mission is Yamila Rambaldi and […]
On the cutting edge: New Chicago hair salon gives gender norms the snip
By Amanda Rosenberg Medill Reports Franky Halloran laughs happily to herself as she completes a four-hour coloring session with one longtime client. “Damn, dude, this looks so fucking dope!” exclaims 39-year-old Halloran, owner of We Fucking Love Your Hair salon (WFLYH for short). Her amusement and joy harmonize with the whirring of blow dryers and […]
New Zealand’s Shane van Gisbergen says phone call led to one-off NASCAR race, Sprint Cup victory
By Zain Bando Medill Reports Shane van Gisbergen held back tears after conquering Chicago’s first-ever NASCAR street race in Grant Park Sunday. The Grant Park 220 overtime victory made van Gisbergen the first driver since Johnny Rutherford in 1963 and the seventh all-time to win a Sprint Cup Series race in his NASCAR debut. Van […]
Chicago Street Course provides one-of-a-kind racing experience for drivers
By Jared Ramsey Medill Reports Thousands of people congregated in Grant Park over the holiday weekend, but the draw wasn’t fireworks over Lake Michigan, it was race cars flying around downtown. The first street race in NASCAR’s history took over downtown Chicago this weekend as the world’s best drivers raced on iconic Chicago streets best […]
PHOTOS: Sights from inaugural NASCAR Chicago Street Race
By Kierstin Lindkvist Medill Reports Kierstin Lindkvist is a Medill graduate student in the sports media specialization. Follow her on Twitter @KLindkvistNews or Instagram @kelindkvist, and connect with her on LinkedIn.