WBEZ News

Some people locked up in prison in Illinois say personal appearance takes on a whole new significance behind bars. It’s one thing they can control.
 
 But in a prison… beauty and hygiene products can be expensive and hard to come by.
 
 Still, women in state custody have learned to reclaim their beauty.
 HOST: PUENTE

April 12, 2026 — Prisoncast!

As the U-S and Iran maintain an uneasy ceasefire, there are growing concerns about the Trump administration’s use of religion to justify its actions.
 
 Earlier this week Trump talked about wiping out an entire civilization. 
 
 And yesterday war secretary Pete Hegseth said, “God deserves all the glory.”
 
 That kind of rhetoric has drawn criticism from religious leaders including Pope Leo the 14th, and Cardinal Blase Cupich, head of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago.
 
 He spoke to WBEZ’s Michael Puente earlier today. 
 
 HOST: LARA

Starting this month (APRIL), the Chicago area will see a wave of events in honor of America’s 250th birthday. 
 
 Last year, the National Endowment for the Arts pledged millions of dollars in federal funding to projects tied to the milestone. 
 
 This came after a Trump-directed shakeup at the N-E-A caused the agency to shift focus to “America 250” programming grants.
 
 Several Illinois arts groups ended up taking the money – what did they do with it?
 
 HOST: LANE

It’s been one blow after another for many migrants in Chicago in the last year—the Trump administration ended programs that allowed them to work and live in the United States legally, and without a steady income finding affordable housing has become even harder. 
 
 And on top of that, these challenges make them particularly vulnerable to scams— and a new state housing law is only making a difficult situation worse.
 HOST: MELBA

A bag can hold a lot more than just your belongings – for some, it holds memories. 
 
 That’s the case for Chicago-based influencer Helena “Yoonie” Kim, who carefully restores vintage Coach bags in social media videos that rack up millions of views. 
 
 The passion for finding and restoring vintage Coach bags goes well beyond Kim. 
 
 It’s an Internet-wide trend. There are dozens of Facebook groups and hundreds of Depop shops bringing together hobbyists who curate their own vintage Coach collections. 
 
 HOST: LANE

The Men’s N-C-A-A basketball tournament has whittled down to four schools…The University of Illinois, UCONN, Michigan, and Arizona. 
 
 Illinois takes on UCONN in the first of 2 national semifinal games

Chicago is known for deep dish pizza, Italian beef, and classic dogs. 
 
 But where in town can you grab the best burger?
 
 WBEZ food contributor Maggie Hennessy has a new book called “The Burger Bible”. 
 
 She writes about 80 of the world’s best burgers, including a few in Chicago. 
 
 HOST: LANE

A Northwestern University psychology professor is recruiting transgender youth and their parents for a study. He says he’s aiming to find out “how gender dysphoric youth live their lives.”
 
 But parents of and advocates are warning against participating in the survey, saying the professor has an agenda and could harm the trans community.
 HOST: MELBA

In just a couple of years, Macquline King has gone from being an elementary school principal in Chicago Public Schools to interim CEO.
 
 Now she has the permanent position. 
 
 HOST: LANE

Navy Pier has unveiled a new symbolic sign marking the start of Route 66.
 
 HOST: PUENTE

H-I-V infection rates in Chicago are rising after declining for about two decades.
 
 Infections went up by 29% between 20-22 and 20-24, with about half of those cases affecting Latinos.
 
 It comes as federal funding for H-I-V treatment and prevention for the communities most at risk is under attack.

Anyone who has spent time around Chicago's DIY music scene has likely encountered Charles Joseph Smith. He’s the guy breaking it down on the dance floor and selling his homemade cassettes. 
 
 But in the background, Smith is also a piano prodigy and prolific composer … who is finally getting his due.
 
 HOST: LANE

A Chicago man convicted of laundering cocaine funds remains a major player in Illinois’ state regulated cannabis industry. 
 
 David Berger was found guilty late last year for aiding a Mexican cocaine trafficking ring back in 2021.
 
 But he’s still closely associated with a network of weed dispensaries operating in Chicago and Illinois under the name Ivy Hall. 
 
 HOST: LANE

Founded in 1850, Olivet Baptist Church is one of Chicago’s oldest Black churches.
 
 By 1916, Olivet had become a national model for how a church could serve Black migrants coming North during the Great Migration.
 
 The church went beyond spirituality and supported their everyday needs for survival.
 
 In part two of WBEZ’s Faith in Action series, Nicole Jeanine Johnson shares the story of Olivet’s legacy and its quest to reclaim its role as a community minded church. 
 
 HOST: LARA

Alt-rock band “The Academy Is..” is back with new music after nearly 20 years. 
 
 The Barrington natives returned to the scene with an ode to Chicago… a single titled “L Train” 
 
 HOST: LANE

We heard from Chicago-raised flutist Emma Gerstein in 20-24 after the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s European tour.
 
 But this year…Gerstein is touring with extra cargo. She recently gave birth to her second son.
 
 She filed this audio diary from the road to fill us in on what it’s like to perform at classical music’s highest level – with a 10-month-old baby in tow. 
 
 HOST: LANE

A Chicago charter school network found itself in such bad financial straits that it’s being forced to close the doors of its two high schools, for good.
 
 That sent some 570 students searching for a new school with less than three months in the year. 
 
 It is an unprecedented situation not just for the students, but also for the schools charged with taking them in.
 
 HOST: LANE

A growing number of *food delivery robots* are driving around Chicago’s north and west sides.
 
 Can Chicagoans and bots share the sidewalk?
 
 HOST: LANE

One of the more unusual pieces of theater on stage so far this year is White Rooster, by Lookingglass ensemble member Matthew Yee. 
 
 HOST: LANE

It’s March Madness time. 
 
 If you’re a college basketball aficionado, have you locked in your NCAA tournament picks?
 
 Well, brackets close today… so we’re bringing you some last minute tips to help you out.
 
 HOST: LANE

It’s a list that includes Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton, Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss and Governor J-B Pritzker to name a few.
 HOST: MELBA