WBEZ News

We sat down with one researcher that has been trying to to cut through the heated rhetoric and misinformation around cash bail. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Shannon Heffernan.

For nearly a century, Democrats have held Indiana’s 1st Congressional seat, but shifting population and politics could soon change that. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Michael Puente

The pandemic forced prison programs across Illinois to adapt to remote learning. It also paved a path for college students leaving prison. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Anna Savchenko

Yes, Chicago created the Pillsbury Doughboy and Rudolph. But its influence on the ad industry runs even deeper. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Cianna Greaves

Smaller and with less of a budget than many city departments, Lightfoot’s new climate office lacks enforcement power most of all, detractors say. Host: Melba Lara; Reporters: Mariah Woelfel and Lauren Frost

Because of extreme weather due to climate change, Chicago’s Metropolitan Water Reclamation District is thinking about how the city's water systems might need to adapt. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Indira Khera

An Illinois lawmaker says the state needs a single government agency to simplify regulation of the legal pot industry. Host: Clare Lane; Reporter: Alex Degman

Dixmoor can’t afford to replace its aging infrastructure. Some band-aids are available, but residents aren’t hopeful. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Adora Namigadde

Lynn Sweet, the Washington Bureau Chief for the Chicago Sun-Times analyzes the results of important House races in Illinois. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Tony Arnold

Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth were re-elected, the state Supreme Court remained under Democratic control and suburban members of Congress won re-election. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporters: Cianna Greaves and Dave McKinney

Labor researcher Alison Dickson dives into how the Kroger-Albertsons merger could hurt local grocery store workers. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporters: Esther Yoon-Ji and Lauren Frost

Climate expert Don Wuebbles argues why we should be optimistic about what can be done to address climate change. Host: Melba Lara; Producer: Lauren Frost

The 1st Congressional District in Northwest Indiana has been a Democratic Party stronghold for nearly a century. Jennifer-Ruth Green is looking to make history by flipping it in next week’s election. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Michael Puente

The city of Chicago is holding a karaoke contest. WBEZ producer Lauren Frost talked to some of the brave singers who took the stage in the first round. Reporter: Lauren Frost

Armstrong landed in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood 100 years ago. How did the city influence his music? Host: Mary Dixon, Reporters: Cianna Greaves and Ayana Contreras

Young kids often turn to their parents to understand why we do safety drills. One parent, along with a social worker, takes on this tough one. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Susie An

Listen to a sonic ofrenda from our sister station Vocalo that includes Chicagoans who are remembering loved ones who still live among us in spirit. Host: Melab Lara; Reporter: Ari Mejia

The court will hear two cases Monday challenging affirmative action in college admissions. A June decision could impact admissions next fall. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter Nereida Moreno

We asked the Illinois State Climatologist about which Halloweens have been the chilliest, wettest, foggiest and spookiest. Plus, how does this year compare? Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Lauren Frost

As we head into the final days of the campaign season, we break down changes to the bail system in Illinois and beyond. Host: Mary Dixon: Reporter: Shannon Heffernan and Cianna Greaves

The increase is meaningful in a district that has often had to do without. But vacancies are still a challenge, especially in schools with many low-income students. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporters: Noreida Moreno, Cianna Greaves and Sarah Karp

Increasingly, police are seizing ‘switches’ that convert handguns into illegal machine guns that can fire 20 shots in about a second. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Chip Mitchel

According to Chicago’s Public Health Department, the number of HIV diagnoses reported in 2020 was the lowest total since 1987. But, that's not the full story. Host: Melba Lara; Reporters; Lauren Frost and Natalie Moore

Members of City Council clashed with the mayor and voted down her appointment to lead the city’s education committee. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Mariah Woelfel

Aldermen spent the last two weeks grilling department leaders about their spending priorities. A vote on the budget is scheduled for early November. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporters: Mariah Woelfel and Cianna Greaves

Chicago aldermen discuss the city’s proposed $2 billion police budget for next year. Host: Melba Lara, Reporter: Chip Mitchell and Lauren Frost

If you’re a Jewel or Mariano’s shopper, you may be wondering how this merge would affect your pantry and your pocket. Reporter: Araceli Gomez-Aldana, Host: Mary Dixon

Lauren Bennett, who was shot twice, is among a group suing a gunmaker over the shooting. “Anything that could help prevent this,” she said. Reporter: Anna Savchenko; Host: Mary Dixon

The national unemployment rate for this population stands at about 27%. State lawmakers want to help — and say small businesses and communities would benefit, too. Reporter: Esther Yoon-Ji Kang; Host: Mary Dixon

With Roe v. Wade overturned, abortion has been a hot-button issue in races up and down the state’s ballot, from governor to legislators to the Illinois Supreme Court. Reporter: Kristen Schorsch; Host: Mary Dixon

Some 37% of downstate voters polled viewed Pritzker favorably — that’s higher than Bailey’s downstate favorability numbers. Host: Melba Lara; Reporters: Dave McKinney and Lauren Frost

In this week’s climate conversation, we’ll hear about what’s happening to the birds in our region and how climate change is playing a role. Host: Melba Lara, Reporter: Lauren Frost

The utility has also entered into a so-called deferred-prosecution agreement with U.S. Attorney John Lausch’s office, similar to the deal cut by ComEd when the feds charged it with bribery more than two years ago. Host: Clare Lane; Reporters: Dan Mihalopoulos and Lauren Frost

Chicago’s urban farms provide fresh produce to local communities and create green spaces across the city. But recently, they’ve started to feel the impacts of climate change. Host: Susie An; Reporter: Indira Khera

Chicago’s Board of Elections is reducing the number of voting precincts by 40 percent. What does this mean for voters? Host: Susie An; Reporter: Mariah Woelfel and Cianna Greaves

Schools across the state are required to teach a unit of Asian American history. That’s thanks to a new law called the TEAACH Act. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Susie An

The first-term incumbent senator for Illinois and GOP challenger Kathy Salvi are far apart on gun control, abortion and immigration policy. Host: Mary Dixon: Reporter: Dan Mihalopoulos

Animal Care and Control talked budget with City Council. From poop pick-up to wandering deer – aldermen raised a slew of animal-related complaints. Host: Lisa Labuz; Reporter: Mariah Woelfel

The winner will have a lot of discretion responding to a legal landscape being dramatically changed by a conservative U.S. Supreme Court. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Shannon Heffernan

Democrat Alexi Giannoulias and Republican Dan Brady square off to replace the politically popular Jesse White, who is retiring. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Mawa Iqbal

Last year, the federal government gifted the city around $2 billion in COVID-19 relief money. Now, that money is trickling down to our most vulnerable. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Mariah Woelfel

Nidia Ruedas-Gracia, a psychology professor at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, speaks about the racial reckoning happening in her profession. Host: Melba Lara; Reporters: Esther Yoon-Ji Kang, Lauren Frost

Urban farms grow fruits, vegetables and flowers all over Chicago. They produce food, offer educational opportunities, and they can have an impact on our climate. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Indira Khera, Lauren Frost

Illinois is allowing the use of food stamps at a handful of restaurants. The program is designed for people who are elderly, experiencing homelessness or are disabled. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Natalie Moore

It’s the final week of the Chicago International Latino Theater's Destinos Festival. It's the first festival since the death of the theater alliance's co-founder, Myrna Salazar. Host: Araceli Gomez-Aldana; Guest: Sara Carranza

We’re airing poems about Chicago all this week on WBEZ. Today’s poem is about finding solidarity during the COVID-19 pandemic. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Laura Frost

The Metropolitan Planning Council and the Latino Policy Forum offers a glimpse at some obstacles facing Latino workers and some solutions. Host: Mary Dixon, Reporter: Natalie Moore; Cianna Greaves

We’re airing poems about Chicago all this week on WBEZ. Today we are hearing from two poets. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Lauren Frost

Some candidates are hoping divisive national issues — such as access to reproductive healthcare — will galvanize Illinois voters. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Mariah Woelfel

We’re airing poems about Chicago all this week on WBEZ. Today’s poem is based on a memory from a West Side liquor store. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Lauren Frost