WBEZ News

Chicago pays tribute to Jerry Springer, the former daytime talk show king whose controversial and dramatic program aired from NBC Tower in the 1990s. WBEZ's Natalie Moore offers reflections on his legacy beyond weekday afternoons. Host: Mary Dixon

Efforts include more janitors, more powerwashing and two dozen station upgrades, part of a bigger effort to boost public confidence in public transit. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Samantha Callender

In a new book, Wesley G. Skogan says stop-and-frisk helped cops seize guns but damaged community trust — and efforts to solve shootings. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Chip Mitchell

Some existing lessons on Native American history are incomplete and possibly inaccurate, according to many Indigenous people. Host: Lisa Labuz; Reporter: Susie An

Fermilab in the western suburbs of Batavia, Illinois hosts the DUNE project, researching the elusive neutrino particle. This undertaking includes underground caverns and a high energy beam being shot from Illinois to South Dakota. Sam Zeller, a senior scientist, and deputy director of the project, spoke with WBEZ's Indi Khera.

As Cook County State’s Attorney, Foxx has faced intense scrutiny. WBEZ's Patrick Smith analyzes her decision to step down. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Patrick Smith and Lauren Frost

As Illinois’ legal pot industry and the demand for educated workers grow, schools and companies are collaborating on marijuana classes. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Alex Degman

What happens after my compostable waste gets picked up off my front porch? WBEZ's Courtney Kueppers hopped on an electric van to find out. Host: Araceli Gomez-Aldana; Reporter: Courtney Kueppers

Financial aid letters are notoriously hard to understand. With college decisions due soon, we offer a guide for making sense of your letters. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Lisa Philip

The federal bribery trial of four former Commonwealth Edison executives and lobbyists is expected to go to the jury next week. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Dave McKinney

Hiring more teens is part of Johnson’s immediate plan to stem crime. A study shows Chicago’s teen employment lags the national rate. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Mariah Woelfel

When Walmart closed down four stores in Chicago last weekend, workers got just a few days’ notice. Now, they have to find new jobs. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Esther Yoon-Ji Kang

Mayor Lori Lightfoot ended her final City Council meeting on Wednesday without a farewell address of her own. Host: Melba Lara: Reporter: Mariah Woelfel

Families who participate say it’s been essential for their children, while others say it hurts the public schools that most students attend. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Susie An

A new Public Knowledge Ethnic Studies grant from the Mellon Foundation gives the Chicago Public Library $2 million to make access to Black history archives more equitable. Host: Melba Lara: Reporter: Adora Namigadde

One of the four defendants accused of bribing former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan has begun her testimony in her own defense and is due back on the stand today. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Dave McKinney

Sunday marked the last day for four of the eight Walmart stores in Chicago: three neighborhood markets and one Supercenter. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Michael Puente

What happens when a patient accuses her doctor of sexual assault . WBEZ's Araceli Gomez Aldana speaks with Jody Madeira, a professor and Co-Director of the Center for Law, Society and Culture at Indiana University’s Mauer School of Law.

Clinicians take walk-ins and appointments at some local libraries. The service is open to all Chicagoans, regardless of insurance or ability to pay. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Shannon Heffernan

The EXPO Chicago art fair is expected to attract art lovers and collectors to Navy Pier this weekend. The four-day art exposition will feature more than three-thousand dynamic artworks from around the world. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Cianna Greaves

A haircut with Mexican and indigenous roots has gained widespread popularity among Gen-Z Latinos in Chicago — despite the controversy it can stir up. It’s called The Edgar. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Nereida Moreno

The doctor-patient relationship requires trust. What happens when a patient feels like a doctor hasn’t upheld professional responsibility? Host: Araceli Gomez-Aldana; Reporter: Araceli Gomez-Aldana

Rohini Dey, owner of the Indian-Chinese restaurant Vermillion in River North speaks about gender disparities in the industry and her new organization ‘Let’s Talk Women’. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Cianna Greaves

Stephanie Quintana transferred to Northeastern Illinois University because it is structured to support non-traditional students. Now, graduation is in sight. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Lisa Philip

Professors at Northeastern Illinois University say they are fighting for the existence and soul of their institution. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Lisa Philip

Federal prosecutors are expected to finish presenting their evidence this week in the ComEd bribery trial. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Dave McKinney

Faculty at three public regional universities in Illinois are striking or on the verge of striking following years of declining state investment. WBEZ’s Lisa Philip spoke to Ralph Martire, director of the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability, about the link between dwindling state funding and today’s labor strife. Host: Melba Lara

WBEZ speaks with Johnson about the whirlwind of the past 24 hours, how he will try to reduce crime in the city, and how he’ll select his administration. Host: Melba Lara; Reporters: Mariah Woelfel and Lauren Frost

We break down how Brandon Johnson proved victorious in his campaign for Chicago mayor. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Mariah Woelfel

Nine months after a court appointed monitor made the allegations, there is no evidence the corrections department investigated. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Shannon Heffernan

In the April 4 runoff between Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson, voter turnout may be what decides the outcome. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Amy Qin

The young women started a nonprofit to introduce chess to more girls. So far they’ve reached 550 students with free lessons, a podcast and more. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Nereida Moreno

Pastor Don Abram believes the Black Church exists to uplift those on the margins. Now, he's helping them welcome LGBTQ+ folks. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Adora Namigadde

The Cubs and White Sox play their first games today. WBEZ sports contributor Cheryl Raye Stout talks about whether this is gonna be the year for either Chicago team. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporters: Cianna Greaves and Cheryl Raye Stout

Liesl Olson started as director at The Jane Addams Hull-House Museum earlier this month. She joins WBEZ to talk about her future plans for this landmark of Chicago history. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Lauren Frost

CPCs are accused of deception — and steering patients away from abortions despite an Illinois law requiring facilities to refer patients for services they don’t provide themselves. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Mawa Iqbal

Federal prosecutors in Chicago played some damaging undercover recordings in their criminal case against four former Commonwealth Edison executives and lobbyists. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Dave McKinney

Paul Vallas plans changes to CPS’ structure and to prioritize testing while Brandon Johnson wants to guarantee a baseline of resources for each school. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Sarah Karp

The middle child of 10 and a pastor for a father, Johnson chose public service instead of church leadership, and his faith guides that path still. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Tessa Weinberg

Throughout Chicago’s mayoral race, candidate Paul Vallas has said CPD retirees are low-hanging fruit for replenishing sworn police ranks. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Chip Mitchell

How much snow did we get this winter? And how much rain should we expect this spring? We’re talking Chicago weather in this week’s climate conversation. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Lauren Frost

After losing a bid for a legal injunction that would let them stay, some vendors bounced between packing up and making last-minute sales. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Michael Puente

In his years in the public limelight, Paul Vallas has developed a reputation for accessibility — and wonk. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporters: Mariah Woelfel

Four former ComEd executives and lobbyists are on trial for allegedly bribing House Speaker Michael Madigan to advance legislation that steered hundreds of millions more profit to the power company. Host: Melba Lara; Reporters: Dave McKinney and Lauren Frost

All 18 of Cook County’s public housing developments will soon have mental health workers on site. Officials say it’s the first such initiative in the U.S. and part of an effort to help residents recover from the pandemic. Host: Melba Lara; Reporters: Esther Yoon-Ji Kang and Lauren Frost

A report says US police departments face a three-fold crisis: an erosion of community trust, a violent-crime surge, and dwindling police staffing. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Chip Mitchell

Chicago Chinatown leaders fought for representation in City Council but two candidates face off in the 11th Ward runoff — one Asian and one white. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Esther Yoon-Ji Kang

Chicago and Northwest Indiana rank high on a list of places with the worst air pollution in the U-S. We talk to a reporter from The Guardian U-S who worked on the ranking. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Lauren Frost

Michael McClain was speaking as an ‘agent’ of Michael Madigan. Recommends to Lou Lang to resign from the Illinois General Assembly.

Federal prosecutors are giving jurors a lesson in Illinois politics, as they make their case against four former Commonwealth Edison executives and lobbyists. Host: Melba Lara; Reporters: Lauren Frost and Dave McKinney