WBEZ News

The county is treating an influx of migrants while preparing for a wave of low-income patients to lose Medicaid health insurance. Host: Araceli Gomez-Aldana; Reporter: Kristen Schorsch

A WBEZ/Sun-Time analysis shows the academic outcomes for students affected by school closures ten years ago. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Sarah Karp

It's summer festival season. Go for the headliners, but stay for these local up-and-comers worthy of their own spotlight. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Andrew Meriwether and Cianna Greaves

The recoveries and years of data sharing are helping to shed light on who is doing the carjacking and why, but arrest rates are still low. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Patrick Smith

With the budget up for debate, lawmakers are returning to Springfield after missing a self-imposed deadline. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Alex Degman and Cianna Greaves

While the measure is expected to pass, aldermen are debating prioritizing funding for migrant aid before investments for neighborhoods. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Tessa Weinberg
 and Mariah Woelfel

The mayor promised the 46 buildings left would get a second life. The Sun-Times and WBEZ visited every building and community to see what happened. Host: Mary Dixon; Sarah Karp

The Supreme Court is expected to ban race-conscious admissions, raising questions about legacy admissions policies that disadvantage underrepresented students. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Lisa Philip

A team of WBEZ and Chicago-Sun Times reporters ventured onto the river this week to catch their own glimpse of the hefty turtle, nicknamed “Chonkosaurus.” Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Indira Khera

The company wouldn’t divulge how much it has paid and maintains that no ratepayer dollars are being used for the expense. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Dave McKinney

For at least three years, a data error has caused chaos in the lives of people who were promised a clean record if they did probation. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Shannon Heffernan

Five Chicago Police officers are accused of violating department policy on social media. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Dan Mihalopoulos

As Johnson begins his term as Chicago mayor, he faces two immediate issues: an influx of migrants and potential summer violence. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Mariah Woelfel

We speak with a mom who is new to the U.S. and new to parenting for our new series First 12 weeks. Host: Araceli Gomez; Reporter: Araceli Gomez

As America’s largest newspaper chain continues closing small newspaper offices around the country, a startup in western Illinois is filling the void. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Alex Degman

We hear from new mother Kristal Acuña Pitts. She shared her experience with an intimate audio diary that begins with an early morning feeding. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Araceli Gomez

Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson pledged to reopen mental health clinics. But now that approach is “yet to be determined.” Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Tessa Weinberg

In a new series, we talk to some of the city’s unsung heroes: people who make schools run. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Nereida Moreno

After a tumultuous and historic four years in office, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is bidding farewell to residents. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Cianna Greaves and Mariah Woelfel

The National Weather Service office in suburban Romeoville issued its first-ever dust storm warnings. The State Climatologist joins us to explain. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Lauren Frost

The data analyst spoke at length about deliberations in the high-profile trial and how she perceives the once-powerful former House speaker. Host: Araceli Gomez-Aldana; Reporter: Dave McKinney

Illinois lawmakers are debating a measure to reimburse benefits skimmed from people who need financial help buying food. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Kristen Schorsch

Texas Governor Gregg Abbott continues to send asylum-seekers crossing the border, many from Venezuela, by bus or plane to Chicago. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Michael Puente

Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson today named his selection to head the Chicago Police Department as the city searches for a permanent leader. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Chip Mitchel

The convictions could impact the bribery trial next year of one-time House Speaker Michael Madigan, but could also ignite new ethics reforms and questions about how politicians are lobbied. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Dave McKinney

Professors at Chicago State University striked for two weeks last month to fight for fair salaries and workloads. Many students supported their professors. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Lisa Philip

Four former executives and lobbyists at ComEd were convicted on every count they faced related to a wide-ranging bribery scheme. WBEZ’s Dave McKinney recaps the scene. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Dave McKinney

In an Oct. 25 scuffle, a sergeant claimed that a detainee in a wheelchair tried to break his wrist using handcuffs. Body cam videos don’t back that up. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Patrick Smith

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