Stories by Medill School of Journalism

Lucha libre, or “free wrestling,” is woven into the fabric of Mexico’s cultural identity. It’s an acrobatic, flamboyant and thrilling choreographed sport that melds athletics and theater to symbolize the ultimate battle between good and evil.

Students from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism traveled to Mexico City in early 2026 to report on stories shaping life in and around the city.

Just steps from the city’s Monument to the Revolution, a unique community is taking shape. The neighborhood, known as “Little L.A.,” is populated by people who spent decades in the U.S. and are now struggling to adapt to a country they barely remember.

In Mexico City, sex work is legal but largely informal — a form of work that many women rely on to pay rent, buy food and cover medical costs.

On the waterways of Xochimilco, just south of Mexico City’s center, communities are working to preserve a farming system that has sustained life for centuries.

For decades, street art has been dominated by men, not only in Mexico but around the world. Now, a growing movement of women artists is changing that reality by reclaiming public space and transforming the city’s walls into bold statements of visibility and power.

Residents said the rapid construction is destroying local infrastructure, severing the very pipelines that communities depend on for daily life. For many, the disruptions have come with little warning and even less explanation.

Women’s softball is gaining momentum across the world, and in Mexico, the sport’s growing popularity is creating new opportunities for women and girls who historically have had few places to compete professionally.

For 60 years, Tlaxcala, two hours outside of Mexico City, has been one of Latin America’s most important textile recycling centers. But one family-owned business is imagining something different.

In an effort to combat suicide trends, two community-led organizations in Chicago — No Kids Die in the Chi and Soul Survivors of Chicago — are working to intervene early and provide young people with culturally grounded support.

Chicago’s lack of affordable housing impacts thousands of residents across the city. This problem is exacerbated when accessibility accommodations, such as needing a wheelchair, are also necessary.

According to a 2025 report by the University of Illinois Chicago Great Cities Institute, Latinos make up about 30% of the city and the majority of CPS students, yet only around 6% of philanthropic arts funding is directed toward Latino arts.

“The more children can see folks that look like them, that talk like them, that understand the cultural nuances they have, the easier it becomes to teach them, the easier it becomes to reach them,” longtime South Shore educator Wayne Issa said.

The classes help seniors learn how to use technology — from identifying online scams to using Google Maps to navigate public transportation. Seniors develop independence and autonomy and overcome significant language barriers.

Chicago has more lead service lines than any other city in the U.S. with more than 400,000 lead water service lines are still active in the city. Local officials are not moving fast enough to address the cascading disparities and environmental injustices, community advocates say.

Students from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism traveled to Buenos Aires, Argentina, in early 2025. Once in Argentina, teams of reporters covered a wide array of issues facing Argentinians and found that many of the challenges in the South American country mirror those in the United States.

In 2018, the Argentine government passed Justina’s law, effectively making every Argentinian over the age of 18 an organ donor unless they opt out. While much progress has been made, many in the country believe there is still work that needs to be done.

In Buenos Aires, one restaurant is transforming the lives of neurodivergent employees with a thoughtful system designed for inclusion.

In Buenos Aires, Argentina, an innovative restaurant is changing lives and challenging perceptions. Alamesa is a high-end eatery that is almost entirely staffed by individuals with neurodivergence.

Amid economic hardship and social stigma, thousands of informal recyclers power Argentina’s waste system and fight for recognition, respect and survival.

In the streets of Buenos Aires, Argentina, waste pickers are treating trash like treasure. The so-called cartoneros provide vital recycling services while earning a livelihood for their families.

Meet the real women behind the new Disney Plus series ‘Meet the Spartans,’ inspired by a rugby team born inside the walls of San Martin Prison in Argentina. Their pioneering program known as Las Esparantas uses rugby to build community, confidence and a path away from reoffending.

Professional rugby player Eduardo “Coco” Oderigo started a sports rehabilitation program for men in one of Buenos Aires’ most restrictive prisons. Now, almost two decades later, the program has expanded to include women.

After President Javier Milei’s sweeping deregulation decree, government health care support has dwindled, leaving millions of retirees dependent on nonprofits for access to vital prescriptions.

With deep cuts to public health programs under President Javier Milei, retirees face tough choices. Grassroots groups are stepping in to meet urgent needs.

Colegio María de Guadalupe, located outside Buenos Aires, is recognized for its efforts to uplift students through family involvement, job training and values-based education.