How the Maroon is Reporting on UChicago’s Ties to Epstein

Two members of the UChicago Board of Trustees had ties to Epstein, new documents show.

Maroon reporters Nathaniel Rodwell-Simon and Boris Archipov share more about their investigation of the more than three million documents from the Epstein estate made public by the Department of Justice on January 30. Their reporting, which resulted in three articles published in the news section last week, covers newly released email exchanges between UChicago Trustees Thomas Pritzker and David Rubenstein with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein and his associates.

Featuring: Aubrey Barb, Nathaniel Rodwell-Simon, and Boris Archipov

Edited by: Aubrey Barb

“We’re Building the Netflix for AI-Generated Movies”: Third-Year Aron Frishberg on His New AI Startup

Mona co-founder Aron Frishberg talks AI, film, and how his UChicago education has impacted his career.

Maroon Weekly host Aubrey Barb sits down with Aron Frishberg, a UChicago third-year currently on a leave of absence to pursue his AI-generated film startup, Mona. Aron discusses life during the early stages of a startup, how AI-generated films might impact the entertainment industry, and the continued importance of his UChicago education in the entrepreneurial world.

Edited by: Aubrey Barb

Featuring: Aron Frishberg and Aubrey Barb

How to Spend Valentine’s Day in Chicago, According to Maroon Arts Editors

Arts and Culture Editors Violet Conklin and Noël Da dish on their favorite date spots and share suggestions for how to spend Valentine’s Day, with a date or friends.

Violet and Noël share two Chicago date ideas. Violet’s: skate at Midway Plaisance for the special Valentine’s Day event, grab lunch at Plein Air, and partake in a book swap at the Seminary Co-op. Noël’s: take the Metra downtown, dine at the Chicago Athletic Association, and end the night with jazz at Winter’s Jazz Club. The editors also share their thoughts on planning a first date, Valentine’s Day traditions, and love stories in pop culture. Tune in to prepare for your Valentine’s Day!

Featuring: Aubrey Barb, Violet Conklin, Noël Da

Edited by: Aubrey Barb

Film Historian Speaks at Annual MLK Celebration, Democratic Senate Candidates Debate ICE and Campaign Funding

The Maroon recaps the top stories from the week.

Film historian Jaqueline Stewart spoke on the power of media at the University’s annual MLK celebration. At I-House, candidates in the race to fill the U.S. Senate seat left vacant by Democratic Senator Dick Durbin debated policy objectives and “dark money” campaign funding.

Featuring: Aubrey Barb and Amber Lin

Edited: Aubrey Barb

The Maroon Weekly: My.UChicago Data Breach, Mearsheimer Discusses U.S. Relations with Venezuela and Iran

The Maroon has the top stories from the week.

A data breach in the my.UChicago portal may have allowed users unauthorized access to personal information. Political science professor John Mearsheimer packed the room for his talk on the U.S.–Venezuela relations in the aftermath of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s ousting.

Featuring: Aubrey Barb and Amber Lin

Edited by: Aubrey Barb

The Maroon Weekly: AI at ISAC's New Data Research Center, Hear About How a Legal Aid Clinic for Immigrants Has Adapted Amid Heightened ICE Presence

The Maroon has the top stories from the week.

The Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures (ISAC) launched a new data research center that uses artificial intelligence to aid researchers. A South Side legal aid clinic for immigrants is adapting amid heightened ICE presence; reporter Celeste Alcalay discusses how organizers say their work has changed.

Featuring: Aubrey Barb, Amber Lin, and Celeste Alcalay

Edited by: Aubrey Barb

The Maroon Weekly: Officers Detain Man in Hyde Park, Meet a 2026 Rhodes Scholar, Student’s Startup Streamlines High School Club Communication

Reporters Aubrey Barb and Amber Lin interrupt coverage to share sad news. Fourth-year student Joyce Qi passed away in an "automobile accident" early on the morning of January 18, Dean of the College Melina Hale wrote in an email to students.

The email invited students to "gather, connect with others in our community, and honor Joyce’s memory" at Bond Chapel on Monday, January 19, between 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m.

The top news stories from the week:

A man was detained in Hyde Park on the morning of January 14 in what is suspected to be federal immigration activity. Rhodes Scholar Tori Harris opens up about embarking on research in African diasporic archaeology at Oxford University. Finally, a look at ClubHub, a third-year student’s start-up which seeks to improve the organization of student-run clubs in high schools around the country.

Featuring: Aubrey Barb and Amber Lin, Edited by: Aubrey Barb

The Maroon Weekly: Kuvia Returns, UChicago Researchers Recognized at 2025 Chicago Quantum Summit, Performative Male Contest

The winter festival Kuvia, a beloved campus tradition, returns this week for the first time since 2024. At the eighth annual Chicago Quantum Summit, two University researchers received awards for their work in the field of quantum computing. And, back in November, the Center for the Study of Gender and Sexuality hosted a so-called Performative Male Contest, joining the viral internet trend and opening up discussions about gender as a social construct.

Featuring and edited by: Aubrey Barb

The Maroon Weekly: Vigil for UChicago Dining Employee, University Trustees in Epstein Files, Budget Deficit Update

Maroon reporter Aubrey Barb has an update on the latest news, as students return from winter break.

The Organization of Black Students held a vigil for Keith Butler, a cook who worked at Bartlett Dining Commons. Businessman Thomas Pritzker and New York Times columnist David Brooks appear in new photographs released by the Epstein estate. Also, university administrators remain cautiously optimistic about future reductions to the budget deficit.

Featuring and edited by: Aubrey Barb

The Arts Podcast, E7: Tate McRae Got So Close

It’s episode seven of the Arts podcast!

Episode Description

On this episode, your favorite podcast hosts review Tate McRae’s most recent album, So Close to What. They are joined by special guest Justin (resident Tate McRae stan and expert) as they spar over whether or not this album was able to achieve what seemed to be Tate’s vision. Tune in to hear what we love and hate from Tate!

Hosted by: Elizabeth Eck, podcast editor; Tiffany Li, editor-in-chief; Nolan Shaffer, arts editor Edited by: Tiffany Li, editor-in-chief