Midwest
Illinois man loses job, dedicates life to traveling to all 195 countries
A man with a mission has set out to accomplish his goal of visiting all 195 countries in the world.
Connor Michalek is a 33-year-old blogger originally from Chicago, Illinois, who, at the age of 18, took a break from college to travel.
He told SWNS that he was studying economics at Texas Christian University when he decided to take a hiatus and travel to Bolivia.
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“I booked a trip to Bolivia and spent three months there staying with families,” he said, adding, “I really caught the travel bug from there — it [was] all about meeting new people and doing something out of [my] comfort zone.”
Connor Michalek (pictured here in Tunisia) lost his job at the end of 2022 and decided to travel full-time. (SWNS)
While there, Michalek organized homestays and took Spanish classes while also doing volunteer work.
Over the years, Michalek has never let his travel bug die.
He decided to take it to the next level after losing his job at the end of 2022.
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With a dream of visiting all 195 countries across the globe, Michalek chose full-time traveling as his next path.
“I flew into Morocco as it was a starting point where I could travel east around the world,” he told SWNS.
Michalek (pictured here in Nepal) said he’s always had a travel bug. (SWNS)
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From there, Michalek went to Mauritania and Senegal before going to Tunisia and beyond to Europe.
Michalek, who said he saved money over the years and sold big-ticket items to fund the trip, said that although it’s been an amazing journey, it hasn’t always been smooth sailing.
Now, 55 countries in, Michalek can admit he’s put himself in some “dodgy situations.”
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“In Senegal, we had problems at border control, but that was the only incident we ever had that was a problem for us,” he told SWNS.
Michalek, a travel blogger from Chicago, Illinois, has been to 55 countries (pictured here in Africa) and hopes to visit all 195. (SWNS)
Michalek loves the continent of Africa — stopping in 22 countries within the last year.
When in Malawi, Michalek helped raise awareness of HIV, saying that although “the people don’t have a lot, they are definitely rich in some aspects.”
Michalek told Fox News Digital that his favorite country to visit is Mexico for its beaches and tourist spots.
“The depth of its culture, with traditions and celebrations that go back centuries, is something you can feel in every place you visit,” he said.
Michalek (pictured here in the Sahara Desert) said that his travel journey hasn’t all been smooth sailing. (SWNS)
Next on his list is French Polynesia for Christmas before going to Austria to spend time with his partner’s family, he said.
Michalek believes there’s no better time to start traveling than when you’re young, saying, “When you’re young, you’re open, curious and still figuring out who you are.”
“If travel is something you’ve been dreaming about, make it happen now. The world has so much to teach us, and every experience, every challenge, every friendship you make along the way will be something you carry for the rest of your life,” he said.
“Embracing the unknown, stepping out of your comfort zone, and taking those risks will show you what life is really about.”
Other notable countries Michalek has explored include Peru, Albania, Croatia, Greece, Italy, Poland, Spain, India, Japan, Nepal, Turkey, Egypt and Mozambique.
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Cleveland, OH
Plan ahead: Road closures and where to watch the Cleveland Marathon
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – Cleveland is gearing up to host the Cleveland Marathon Sunday.
Over 13,000 runners are expected to participate in the half marathon and full marathon.
The marathon and half marathon will begin at 7 a.m., and the 26.3 After Mile Party will be from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Here are the road closures starting Sunday at midnight:
- St. Clair Avenue – from East 6th Street to Ontario Street – until 3:00 p.m.
Here are the road closures starting Saturday at 6 a.m.:
- St. Clair Avenue – from East 6th Street to West 9th Street – until 3:00 p.m.
- West 9th Street – from St. Clair Avenue to Superior Avenue – until 3:00 p.m.
- Superior Avenue – from West 9th Street to East 18th Street – until 7:30 a.m.
- East 9th Street – from Superior Avenue to Euclid Avenue – until 7:30 a.m.
- Euclid Avenue – from East 9th Street to East 22nd Street – until 7:30 a.m.
- East 22nd Street – from Euclid Avenue to Payne Avenue – until 8:00 a.m.
- Payne Avenue – from East 22nd Street to East 18th Street – until 8:00 a.m.
- East 13th Street – from Payne Avenue to Chester Avenue – until 8:00 a.m.
- Chester Avenue – from East 13th Street to East 12th Street – until 8:00 a.m.
- East 12th Street – from Chester Avenue to Superior Avenue – until 8:00 a.m.
- East 18th Street – from Superior Avenue to Lakeside Avenue – until 8:00 a.m.
- Lakeside Avenue – from East 18th Street to West 3rd Street – until 8:30 a.m.
- East 9th Street – from Lakeside Avenue to Erieside Avenue – until 8:30 a.m.
- Erieside Avenue – from East 9th Street to West 3rd Street – until 8:30 a.m.
- West 3rd Street – from Erieside Avenue to Lakeside Avenue – until 9:00 a.m.
- West 9th Street – from Lakeside Avenue to Front Avenue – until 9:00 a.m.
- Old River Road – from Front Avenue to Carter Road – until 9:00 a.m.
- Scranton Road – from Carter Road to Starkweather Avenue – until 9:30 a.m.
- West 14th Street – from Kenilworth Avenue to Buhrer Avenue – until 9:30 a.m.
- Buhrer Avenue – from West 14th Street to West 11th Street – until 9:30 a.m.
- West 11th Street – from Buhrer Avenue to Clark Avenue – until 9:30 a.m.
- Clark Avenue – from West 11th Street to West 14th Street – until 9:30 a.m.
- Kenilworth Avenue – from West 14th Street to West 11th Street – until 9:30 a.m.
- West 11th Street – from Kenilworth Avenue to Starkweather Avenue – until 9:45 a.m.
- Starkweather Avenue – from Scranton Road to Jefferson Avenue – until 9:45 a.m.
- Jefferson Avenue – from Starkweather Avenue to Professor Avenue – until 9:45 a.m.
- Professor Avenue – from Jefferson Avenue to Fairfield Avenue – until 9:45 a.m.
- Fairfield Avenue – from Professor Avenue to West 11th Street – until 9:45 a.m.
- Abby Avenue – from West 11th Street to West 19th Street – until 10:00 a.m.
- Lorain Avenue/Carnegie Bridge – from West 20th Street to Ontario Avenue – until 10:30 a.m., RTA traffic only
- Ontario Avenue – from Carnegie Avenue to Huron Road – until 10:30 a.m. with northbound traffic maintained, one lane southbound maintained
- West Huron Road – from Ontario Avenue to Superior Avenue – until 10:30 a.m.
- Detroit Avenue – from Superior Avenue to Lake Road Street – until 2:00 p.m., hard closure until noon then partial as necessary for runner right of way
- Shoreway – from East 55th Street to West Boulevard – from 2 a.m. until 3 p.m.
- Edgewater – from West Boulevard to West 115th Street – until 2 p.m.
- West 115th Street – from Edgewater to Lake – until 2 p.m.
- Lake – from West 117th Street to Shoreway Entrance until 2:30 p.m.
- Lake – from Detroit Avenue to West Boulevard – until 11:15 a.m.
- Clifton Blvd. – from Lake to West Boulevard – until 11:15 a.m.
- West Boulevard – from Clifton Blvd. to Edgewater – until 2 p.m.
Rolling closures are approximate and based on the time the last runner passes through an intersection. Closures may be adjusted as necessary.
Below is the information for parking.
- Public lots will be available throughout downtown, see clevelandmarathon.com for the full list
- Notes:
- Lot access may be restricted during the races
- Check Rates and hours in advance
- Notes:
- The only parking available at the Huntington Garage will be surface parking on Level 3
- Ride RTA to skip the traffic
Here is where you can cheer on the runners:
Copyright 2025 WOIO. All rights reserved.
Illinois
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Indiana
Motorcyclist killed in Wabash County crash after fleeing police
WABASH, Ind. (WISH) — A motorcyclist is dead in Wabash County after striking a utility pole in the early hours of Saturday morning.
State police say just before 3 a.m., officers with the Wabash County Police Department attempted to stop a motorcycle after the rider ran a red light.
The motorcycle did not stop and “fled at a high rate of speed.” Just moments later, the motorcycle traveled off the roadway near the intersection of Miami Street and Walter Street, and struck a utility pole.
Despite life-saving efforts, the rider was pronounced dead at the scene.
The person’s name has not yet been released by the Wabash County Coroner’s Office.
State police are actively investigating the incident, and no further information has been released.
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