The Crisis Cast

While the March '24 primary revealed a disappointing truth in voter participation – it reinforced a shift in ideology within Chicago's neighborhoods and some collar suburbs. Research and public policy analyst Frank Calabrese returns to the Crisis Cast to share what his maps predict about voter trends. During this episode, Lissa Druss & Thom Serafin start digging for the truths that separate the mayoral elections of 2019 and 2023. Plus, we'll get out Frank's political microscope for a deeper look at the Cook County State's Attorney race.

In the spring of 2021, Lissa & Thom introduced us to a foursome of teens from Naperville Central High School on a mission. They saw their peers suffering through depression, and took action. Through a support group called Beyond Charity – they went on a mission to stop the stigmas associated with mental illness. During this episode of the Crisis Cast, we re-visit the inspiration these teens provided. The youth mental health crisis is far from over, as schools and families still struggle to find and fund critical resources. The four guests from this episode are now making their mark on college campuses. They are studying health system policy, economics, criminal justice, and entrepreneurship. Their leader, Aparna Ramakrishnan will spend this summer working as a Congressional intern in Washington D.C.

As the 2024 major league baseball season opens, Lissa & Thom take a look at the crisis facing the Chicago White Sox. We have one of the coolest heads in the room join us for a conversation about where the South Siders might call home. David Haugh has been the co-host of the morning show on WSCR since 2018. Known for his deep reporting and wise writing for nearly two decades at the Chicago Tribune, Haugh joins the Crisis Cast to talk about public funding for new stadiums. There are also leadership complexities tied to owner Jerry Reinsdorf and his franchise's front office. Plus, Thom Serafin took our microphones to Arizona for feedback from Sox fans themselves at Spring Training.

Once again, we dive into Lissa & Thom's roots in journalism to further explore the challenges of 21st century newsrooms. During this this episode, the Crisis Cast probes a guide to being tenacious, but fair with ABC7's political reporter Craig Wall. With more than 25 years of covering Chicago news and politics, Wall shares how the exponential number of news sources have changed the perception of reporting. Plus, we'll consider whether the real crisis is news consumers' lack of interest in different perspectives. Craig Wall is a native of Milwaukee, a U.S. Navy veteran, and graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a B.A. in journalism.

Chicago Tribune investigative reporter Ray Long makes a return visit to the Crisis Cast to prep Lissa & Thom for the upcoming trial of former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan. During this episode we take a deeper dive into the "minds" that surrounded Madigan, and his unparalleled career in state government. Long also unpacks the recent sentencing of former Madigan aide Tim Mapes, and lays out the remaining legal timelines for former Speaker Madigan. Ray Long is author of The House That Madigan Built: The Record Run of Illinois' Velvet Hammer, and a two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist.

We celebrate the first week of Women's History Month by revisiting a conversation with the first Black woman elected to the U.S. Senate. Carol Moseley Braun was also the first woman to represent Illinois as a U.S. senator. Three years ago, the Chicago native visited with Lissa Druss & Thom Serafin the morning after attending the inauguration of President Joseph R. Biden. The Senator shared the details of her experience as a teen, marching with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. through Chicago's Marquette Park. You'll hear why Carol Moseley Braun believes in the resiliency of democracy. Plus, we learn the truths revealed to her as a U.S. Ambassador, about the world's view of racism in America. Recorded: January 21st, 2021

On so many episodes, we've explored and dissected the peril of shrinking local news rooms. This conversation will feel different. Shamus Toomey is among the defining innovators in the growth of journalism. As publisher and co-founder of Block Club Chicago, Shamus has forged the unthinkable – a team of reporters that has tripled in size since November of 2017. During this episode of the Crisis Cast, Lissa & Thom get to the "DNA" of how Block Club found its footing and funding. Plus, Shamus shares the lessons learned as a young reporter for City News and the unlikely story that catapulted Block Club Chicago to being a household name for neighborhood news.