WBEZ News

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Half Gringa, the alias of Chicago-based singer-songwriter Isabel Olive, is releasing her third album today
 
 In Cosmovisión, the Venezuelan and American singer explores themes like climate change and her dual heritage with complex melodies and ruminative lyrics. 
 
 I had a moment to chat with Olive before her performance at WBEZ. 
 
 Here’s some of our conversation.
 HOST: DIXON

Earlier this week workers from the Environmental Protection agency marched in downtown Chicago to protest plans to cut funding and staffing there.
 
 The head of the EPA says he wants to cut the agency’s budget by 65 percent.
 
 Some employees say this could compromise fundamental functions of the agency tasked with safeguarding the air, water and health of the country.
 
 WBEZ’s Juanpablo Ramirez-Franco (who-AHN-pah-BLOH rahm-EE-rez FRAHN-co) spoke with a scientist with the EPA’s environmental justice program based in the Chicago office. 
 
 Ellile Hagen believes her job is going to be eliminated.
 HOST: DIXON

A new opera that opens in Chicago this week throws out all the old conventions.
 
 The Listeners is set in the modern-day, features a cult and puts a complicated, female character in the spotlight. 
 
 WBEZ’s Courtney Kueppers has more on the genre-busting show. And, what comes next for opera.
 
 HOST: DIXON

When the play Purpose had its world premiere at Steppenwolf Theatre,
 
 
 There were whispers the show might make it to New York.
 
 
 The show opened on Broadway last weekend.
 
 
 WBEZ’s Mike Davis reports from the Theater District in New York.
 
 
 HOST: LABUZ

It’s been five years since Governor JB Pritzker issued the stay at home order at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. 
 
 WBEZ’S Isabela Nieto spoke with Illinoisans about how their lives have changed since 2020.
 
 HOST: GOMEZ-ALDANA

The principal of Lincoln Park High School made an appearance on Wheel of Fortune Thursday.
 
 
 And he invited students, parents and teachers to watch the broadcast with him in the school’s auditorium.
 
 WBEZ’s Anna Savchenko was there.
 HOST: LARA

It's been a year since Chicago police killed Dexter Reed during a traffic stop.
 
 Police say Reed fired on them first, wounding an officer and prompting 96 shots in response.
 Reed's family says police never should have pulled a 26-year-old black man in the first place.
 
 The Sun Times and the Investigative Project on race and equity looked at how police stops have changed and how they have it. HOST: PUENTE

DePaul University is sending students into Cook County Jail to learn alongside some of the people detained there.
 
 It gives both groups the chance to learn from a Depaul professor…and from each other.
 
 WBEZ's Lisa Kurian Philip takes us deep into the Little Village jail to hear what that sounds like. 
 HOST: LARA

It’s been five years since the pandemic began.
 
 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say approximately 1 in 5 adults have a health condition that might be related to their previous COVID-19 illness. 
 
 Researchers say long COVID can affect physical and mental health. 
 
 Symptoms can last a few weeks, months or even years. 
 
 WBEZ’s Araceli Gomez-Aldana talked to one Chicagoan about her battle with Long COVID and what’s been helping. 
 HOST: DIXON

When the pandemic hit five years ago, the stark health inequities in Chicago became much more visible. 
 
 People who live in West Garfield Park can expect to die 25 years earlier than those who live in the Loop. 
 
 WBEZ’s Kristen Schorsch explains how community leaders and public health officials are working to close this gap. 
 HOST: DIXON

COVID-19 upended the careers of many artists.
 
 For Oakbrook-raised musician Greta Morgan, the pandemic robbed her of her voice and sent her down a path she never would have predicted. 
 
 She tells her story in her forthcoming book, The Lost Voice, out later this spring. HOST: DIXON

The Field Museum in Chicago holds thousands of fossil specimens that come from the Mazon Creek fossil bed site near Morris, Illinois.
 
 But the journey for a fossil hunter to get their hands on one of these specimens can be surprisingly intense, and sometimes competitive.
 
 WBEZ contributor Zack Nauth (NAWTH) has been following this market for some time… and he sat down with All Things Considered host Melba Lara to share what he’s unearthed.
 
 That was WBEZ contributor Zack Nauth speaking with All Things Considered host Melba Lara.

Opening Day looks a little different this year for the Chicago Cubs.
 
 The team is starting their season in Japan today (TUES), and they’ve spent the past week exploring the country.
 
 Sun-Times Cubs reporter Maddie Lee is there in Tokyo and shared a close-up look at some of the team’s experiences so far in this audio postcard.
 
 HOST OUTRO: That was Sun-Times Cubs reporter Maddie Lee reporting from Japan.
 HOST: DIXON

Chicago police only solve about 6 percent of nonfatal shootings.
 
 That’s according to a new investigation in the Chicago Sun-Times today (SUN) by Andy Grimm.
 
 Andy joins Mike Puente now to talk about the story.

Northwestern University is one of a handful of higher education institutions that have drawn the ire of President Donald Trump.
 
 His administration says the school is not doing enough to combat anti-semitism.
 
 The Department of Justice says it’s coming to investigate the Evanston campus.
 
 And the Department of Education has threatened federal funding if the school doesn’t take further action to protect Jewish students.
 
 Recently the administration canceled 400 million in federal funding for Columbia University in New York – another school on that anti-semitism shortlist alongside Northwestern – intensifying fears in Evanston.
 
 Michael Simon heads Northwestern Hillel - the Jewish student organization. He joins me now to talk about this current moment.
 HOST: LARA

The Trump administration has threatened to pull funding from Northwestern if the university doesn’t do more to protect Jewish students.
 
 Now, Northwestern is requiring students to complete a new training about antisemitism.
 
 But, some faculty and students say it leaves no room for criticism of Israel — and that it will chill free speech. 
 
 WBEZ’s Lisa Kurian Philip reports.
 HOST: LARA

The bird flu epidemic has had a major impact on the poultry industry.
 
 It’s also taking the lives of a majestic bird that’s made parts of northern Indiana a popular landing spot. 
 
 WBEZ’s Michael Puente reports.
 HOST: DIXON

Classical music has been dominated by white, male composers for centuries. 
 
 Cuban-born musician Tania León has long brought a different sound to the genre. 
 
 WBEZ’s Courtney Kueppers spent the day with León at Northwestern University.
 HOST: DIXON

A Chicago mother-and-daughter team has brought together young girls of color and their moms for an etiquette workshop.
 
 There, WBEZ’s Esther Yoon-Ji Kang learns she needs to work on her own table manners — and brings us this story. 
 HOST: DIXON

You can’t talk about Chicago theater without talking about Jackie Taylor.
 
 
 As the CEO of Black Ensemble Theater, she’s produced over 100 musicals. 
 
 
 But her latest project, inspired by her love of Elvis, breaks her traditional mold.
 
 
 WBEZ’s Mike Davis reports from Uptown.
 
 HOST: DIXON

The people of Highland Park say even with Robert Crimo the third pleading guilty this week, they’re still trying to make sense of the collective trauma they experienced.
 
 Crimo admitted in court Monday that he killed seven people and wounded dozens more in the 20-22 mass shooting during the town’s 4th of July Parade.
 
 WBEZ’s Anna Savchenko visited the northern suburb to ask residents about his guilty plea.
 
 HOST: PUENTE

It’s hard enough being a PhD student in normal times. 
 
 There’s the long hours, skimpy paychecks…and constant pressure to publish. 
 
 But now, young researchers are up against what feels like an insurmountable roadblock: the uncertainty and instability of federal research funding under President Trump. 
 
 WBEZ’s Lisa Kurian Philip reports.
 
 HOST: LARA

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson was on the congressional hot seat yesterday - testifying before the House Oversight Committee on capitol hill about the city’s sanctuary status.
 
 WBEZ’s Mariah Woelfel spent time with Johnson in DC throughout the week and brings us this behind-the-scenes look. 
 HOST: LABUZ

Chicago disco-funk artist Ric Wilson has a personal style inspired by vintage, disco and his international travels. 
 
 He’s toured with such acts as Chromeo [crow-ME-oh] and the Black Pumas. 
 
 Wilson is gearing up to release a new EP this year. But first he sat down with our sister station Vocalo for their Getting Dressed series.
 
 HOST: LABUZ

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson told Congress today [WED] that the city’s sanctuary status helps reduce crime – not exacerbate it. REPORTERS: Tessa Weinberg and Mariah Woelfel; HOST: Clare Lane

As movie and TV production season kicks into high gear, City Hall has fewer ambassadors to seal future deals. REPORTER: Courtney Kueppers; HOST: Mary Dixon

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson plans to keep it cool, calm and collected at what’s expected to be an aggressive Congressional hearing on the city’s sanctuary status. REPORTERS: Tessa Weinberg and Mariah Woelfel; HOST: Mary Dixon

We talk to a legal scholar about how local universities are -- and should be -- responding to Trump's attacks on diversity, equity and inclusion. REPORTER: Lisa Kurian Philip; HOST: Melba Lara

President Donald Trump is ending the temporary protected status or TPS for Venezuelans soon.
 
 That program has allowed them to work legally and shielded them from deportation.
 
 Now, many Venezuelans in Chicago are trying to figure out a plan for what’s next. REPORTER: Adriana Cardona-Maguigad; HOST: Mary Dixon

A haunting new exhibit is bringing contemporary art inside an old Chicago mansion. REPORTER: Courtney Kueppers; HOST: Melba Lara

The man accused in the Highland Park 4th of July mass shooting shocked the northern suburbs today (MON) by pleading guilty to murdering seven people and attempting to kill dozens more. REPORTER: Anna Savchenko; HOST: Melba Lara

Rica Arepa opened a third location just last year. A young couple owns the restaurants and now employs 24 people. But business is way down because President Trump has made many Venezuelans scared to eat out. The owners themselves could face deportation as soon as September. If their business collapses, the impact will extend far beyond their family. REPORTER: Chip Mitchell; HOST: Mary Dixon

A Plainfield man has been found guilty of stabbing his Palestinian American tenant and killing her 6-year-old son in what authorities have called a hate crime. REPORTER: Anna Savchenko; HOST: Clare Lane

The U.S. Constitution gives federal law authority over conflicting state law, but state lawmakers have some means to push back. REPORTER: Mawa Iqbal; HOST: Mary Dixon

Guitarist Tom Morello is known for his work with Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave, but he’s taking on a new venture now… in the theater. REPORTER: Noah Jennings; HOST: Lisa Labuz

Chicago’s new school board will confront some big questions over the next month. REPORTER: Sarah Karp; HOST: Clare Lane

The story of a single mom who has been struggling to find an affordable place to live is emblematic of a growing rental affordability crisis outlined in a WBEZ data analysis. REPORTER: Amy Qin; HOST: Mary Dixon

The teenage winner of a local juried art show talks about what inspires her today, from Instagram art to anime. REPORTER: Cianna Greaves; HOST: Mary Dixon

It’s been more than two weeks since Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago paused gender care surgeries. Now families are speaking out about what it all means for their lives. REPORTER: Kristen Schorsch; HOST: Mary Dixon

We’ll preview some of the key races on the ballot in tomorrow’s primary elections in the Chicago suburbs. Reporter: Violet Miller; Host: Melba Lara

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries shares his plan to save American democracy. Reporter: Mary Dixon; Host: Mary Dixon

A letter from the U-S Department of Education is threatening programs for diverse college students across the Chicago area.
 
 But higher education experts say it is not legal.
 
 They’re calling on universities to stand up for their efforts to be inclusive to all students.
 
 WBEZ’s Lisa Kurian Philip reports.
 
 HOST: DIXON

A judge has temporarily blocked the Trump Administration’s efforts to shut down the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. To discuss how closing that agency could affect Illinoisans – and what can be done locally – WBEZ’s Esther Yoon-Ji Kang sits down with Horacio Mendez. He leads the Woodstock Institute, which is an organization focused on consumer financial protection. HOST: LANE

If you're tired of spending hours mindlessly scrolling through your smartphone…you may want to try your hand at crafting. 
 
 Classes and workshops where people can learn to create are growing in popularity as Chicagoans look for ways to avoid phone fatigue and meet new people. 
 
 WBEZ’s arts and culture team has put together a beginner's guide to crafting in Chicago. 
 
 Digital producer Esther Bergdahl spoke with our Lisa Labuz about why now is a great time to consider crafting. 
 HOST: DIXON

Democratic Illinois Governor JB Pritzker formally made his pitch for the next state budget in his annual address to state lawmakers today.
 
 Joining us now to talk about the budget plan is WBEZ statehouse reporter Alex Degman.
 HOST: LANE