South African trans advocates at Iranti-org create hate crime reporting app to influence policy reform
By Julia Lowe Medill Reports Despite having one of the most progressive constitutions in the world, South Africa has no law specifically protecting the human rights of transgender people. But organizations like Iranti-org fight for the protection and support of the trans community, gaining progress from the ground up and the government down. Founded in […]
Justin Broiles’ ‘chop wood, carry water’ motto to follow him throughout NFL journey
By Zain Bando Medill Reports Justin Broiles is far from finished when it comes to taking the next step toward making an NFL roster. Although the six-year Oklahoma defensive back was waved by the Bears May 8, Broiles remains content with a focused mindset that everything else will fall into place with the right attitude, […]
WATCH: Chicago This Week — Episode 7
Text by Damita Menezes Medill Reports On the latest episode of “Chicago This Week,” Medill reporters cover the inauguration of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and vigils held for slain CPD officer Areanah Preston, meet the newest members of the Chicago Sky and more. This episode will air on Chicago Access Network Television (CAN-TV) Channel 21 […]
Repair your broken items for free at Repair Cafe Chicago
By Damita Menezes Medill Reports If you have any broken items or torn clothes lying around in your home, bring them to the repair cafe. Its volunteers will attempt to repair almost anything. Dara Salk, a founding volunteer of the Repair Cafe in Chicago, has been leading a dedicated team of volunteers in an effort […]
South Africans in the dark as privatization battle rages over energy crisis
By John Volk Medill Reports Arslan Ahmed Rana, 33, sits quietly in the back room of his Johannesburg tailor shop. His blue-checkered suit flatters his build, and he’s taken great care to coif his hair and line up his short beard. But the dark circles under his eyes tell a different story. He pushes his […]
Brown twins continue football journeys after overcoming adversity, getting selected in 2023 NFL draft
By Connor Smith Medill Reports Hours after Tod Creneti met Chase and Sydney Brown, he had dinner with the then-16-year-old twin brothers, who had just completed the 1,300-plus-mile drive from their hometown of London, Ontario in Canada to Bradenton, Florida. Creneti and the Brown twins sat at one end of the table while their mother, […]
WATCH: Chicago This Week — Episode 6
Text by Abby Bustin Medill Reports On the latest episode of “Chicago This Week,” Medill reporters cover the housing crisis due to the latest influx of asylum seekers, hear from a Chicago Bears top recruit, visit a special Mother’s Day fashion show and more. This episode will air on Chicago Access Network Television (CAN-TV) Channel […]
Chicago considers installing public restrooms with revenue from company that manages bus stops
By Damita Menezes Medill Reports Chicago city officials are considering a plan to install public restrooms across the city, according to Ald. Daniel La Spata, who proposed a pilot program in 2021. The city is exploring the possibility of incorporating public restrooms as part of a renegotiated contract with JCDecaux, the company responsible for operating […]
WATCH: Mentoring group in Bedford Park seeks to positively influence young people’s lives through vintage car restoration
By MacKenzie Coffman, Hannah Baggenstoss and Jonathan Aguilar Medill Reports Located about 15 miles south of Chicago, Automotive Mentoring Group has been helping young men and women develop work and life skills through restoring classic vehicles since 2007. In the hopes of steering people away from street violence, AMG trains students in all aspects of […]
After de-verification, fake Twitter accounts spread misinformation about road closure
By Damita Menezes Medill Reports Twitter users were in a frenzy on April 21 as a number of fake Twitter accounts impersonated the Chicago Department of Transportation and Mayor Lori Lightfoot, spreading misinformation about the closure of DuSable Lake Shore Drive. The fake announcement was called out by Chicago Tribune reporter Jake Sheridan. “My best […]