In the ‘City of Neighborhoods,’ a summer of fun
By Ebony JJ Curry Medill Reports Chicago is the third largest city in America and also one of the most visited. Last year, nearly 58 million people visited the Windy City, according to a projection by Choose Chicago, the city’s tourism bureau. Those numbers peak in the summer months. And for locals who endure the […]
The story behind the ‘Bird City Saint’ and why the artist hopes it empowers others
By Jessy Zhou Medill Reports It’s common sight on murals in Chicago — a bird head on a human body, looking skyward, often accompanied by a quote. The image, called the Bird City Saint, is a signature of Joseph “Sentrock” Perez, a muralist and sculptor who moved to Chicago from Arizona to pursue a career […]
Swimming with the trash
By Stephanie Fox Medill Reports Only days after his 51st birthday, Ben Lecomte found himself miles off the coast of Tokyo, swimming next to a small boat filled with scientists, a doctor and a film crew. Everyone on the vessel watched in awe as Lecomte finished his 8 hours in the water that day–a feat […]
Chicago officials promote water safety as beach weather approaches
By Nicole Croteau Medill Reports Chicago officials met Wednesday to discuss water safety and drowning prevention as summer approaches and the city’s pools open up for the season. Drowning is the second highest cause of accidental death for U.S. children between the ages of one and 14, according to the World Health Organization.
How the owners of Bonus Round Game Café put the pieces of their dream into play
By Andy Graham Medill Reports For many Chicagoans, work and play are two separate concepts. They power through their workday so that they can return to their homes and unwind. However, for the owners of Bonus Round Game Café in Lakeview, work and play go hand in hand. Husband and wife team Drew Lovell and […]
Stoned drivers targeted by new breathalyzer technology
By Brady Jones Medill Reports Slowed reaction time. Reduced ability to make decisions. Impaired coordination. Memory loss. Difficulty in problem-solving. These are some of the symptoms listed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) describing people who drive under the influence of marijuana. And right now, it is very difficult for law enforcement […]
Goat yoga comes to Chicagoland
By Nicole Croteau Medill Reports In the old parable, the sheep go to heaven; the goats do not. But at Reverse the Kerrs farm in Elgin, the goats are getting closer to nirvana. Original Goat Yoga has come to the farm, where 10 baby goats join owner Danielle Kerr’s weekly classes. It’s the first Chicago-area […]
Dads who exercise may pass down cognitive benefits to their offspring
Mouse study shows offspring of active fathers are better at learning and remembering By Valerie Nikolas Medill Reports Men, if you want smarter kids, it may be time to hit the gym. When it comes to baby-bearing, women often get the brunt of the responsibility, especially before a child is born. But new evidence shows […]
Northwest Indiana residents grapple with implications of dead swans
By Lauren Robinson Medill Reports Northwest Indiana is a region of many small refuges. For its human occupants, that might be a quiet spot on Whihala Beach facing north, toward Chicago’s glimmering skyline. For wildlife, that might be a bird sanctuary by a casino in Hammond — or perhaps a discharge of warm water from […]
Gender-neutral salon helps people express their identity through hairstyles, wild or otherwise
By Thomas Ilalaole Medill Reports Barbara & Barbara salon in Logan Square started off as a small shop in the back of an art gallery. But their idea to create a gender-neutral space — where LGBTQ+ people and others could come to express their personal style through their hair — caught on. Now the salon […]
