WBEZ News

Alex Degman provides the latest from Springfield, where the Illinois House has passed an assault weapons ban and increased protections for abortion providers. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Alex Degman

A local restaurant owner shares the traditions of fasting and feasting for Ethiopian Orthodox Christmas. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Cianna Greaves

Ten people are running for Chicago mayor - and we want YOU to weigh in on what the candidates should be talking about. That's why WBEZ is launching "The People's Agenda." WBEZ's Engagement Editor, Al Keefe shares more. Host: Mary Dixon; Producer: Cianna Greaves

Deputy Commissioners Malcolm Whiteside and Chris Sauve, speak about the City of Chicago’s tree recycling program. It starts this Saturday and runs for two weeks. Host: Melba Lara; Producer: Lauren Frost

After a Springfield scandal, Mike Noonan left the state to fire up a second career — as a certified connoisseur of fine, organic weed. Host: Clare Lane; Reporter: Dan Mihalopoulos

Winter Storm Elliott is extremely chill - not in a good way. Our intrepid Indi Khera will report on ways to navigate this weather. Host: Claire Lane; Reporter: Indira Khera

“Expect a lot of joy”: The Leo High School choir spreads Christmas cheer at their winter concert. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Lauren Frost

A mounting body of research shows specific ways students should be taught to read. But many popular lessons aren’t aligned with that science. Host: Melba Lara; Reporters: Lauren Frost, Cassie Walker Burke

Cole's time in Chicago would set the foundation for his success, including his cherished holiday tunes. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Cianna Greaves

Road salt, meant to clear roads and sidewalks of ice and snow, often ends up in our local waterways, where it raises chloride levels and can harm aquatic life. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Indira Khera

You may know White because his name is on your driver’s license or you’ve seen his tumblers at parades. But there’s a lot more to White’s legendary political career as it comes to an end. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Dave McKinney

With crime once again a top issue in Chicago, some aldermen running for reelection face challengers who say their way of combating it is outdated. Host: Melba Lara; Reporters: Mariah Woelfel, Tessa Weinberg and Lauren Frost

Critics want to know who will pay for security and physical damage to downtown. But the bigger question is: Is anyone clamoring for this? Host: Melba Lara; Reporters: Lauren Frost and Mark Guarino

The city of Chicago will present several preliminary plans for the development of a vacant lot in the Pilsen neighborhood. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Indira Khera

The veteran detective was demoted for speaking out about a shooting of an unarmed teen by an off-duty officer in 2017. Lambert’s lawyers had sought as much as $2 million. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Chip Mitchel and Cianna Greaves

Chicagos first-ever police district council elections are next February. We hear from one of the candidates. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Anna Savchenko

Since the pandemic began, Chicago Public Schools has spent more than $300-hundred million dollars on classroom technology. But is that money being used effectively? Host: Melba Lara; Reporters: Mila Koumpilova and Lauren Frost

A new exhibit at the Field Museum highlights areas not often associated with each other, parts of Chicago’s South Side and Northwest Indiana known as the Calumet Region. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Michael Puente

Chicago Public Schools lacks a cohesive plan for using computers in the classroom or a reliable way to track them, WBEZ and Chalkbeat found. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Sarah Karp

New research led by University of Chicago professor Tiffany Shaw explains weather patterns in hemispheres and their growing asymmetry. Host: Melba Laura; Reporter: Lauren Frost

Have you heard about the Danish expression of hygge? We talk to an expert who will tell us how to incorporate its principles into our our lives this winter. Host: Araceli Gomez-Aldana; Reporter: Araceli Gomez-Aldana

The day United Flight 553 crashed in Chicago “was just like someone dropped a big, huge anvil on the ground.” Host: Mary Dixon: Reporter: Cianna Greaves

The city of Chicago is asking for ideas on ‘the other Michigan Avenue’ in the Roseland neighborhood. Planning officials will put together development teams to pitch housing and retail on the commercial strip. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Natalie Moore

But a rise in flu and respiratory illness among kids and a potential spike in COVID this winter worries doctors, students and school leaders. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Nereida Moreno

Wondering how to switch to solar power? A climate reporter walks us through the steps. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Lauren Frost

Despite approved revisions around the SAFE-T Act – a sweeping criminal justice reform bill – there was still plenty of opposition in the General Assembly. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporters: Alex Degman and Mawa Iqbal.

As Lightfoot faces a crowded field for reelection, previous supporters are questioning whether they’ll vote for her again. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Mariah Woelfel

Chicago winters are getting warmer, which has positive and negative consequences. Illinois State Climatologist, Doctor Trent Ford shares more. Host: Melba Lara; Producer: Lauren Frost

In Chicago, it’s easy to find watch parties for fans of many different teams competing for soccer’s world championship. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Dan Mihalopoulos

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