WBEZ News

Some Chicago neighborhood origin stories may surprise you.

The state spent nearly $150,000 in a civil discrimination case involving Democratic state Sen. Michael Hastings, whose wife accused him of domestic violence. Host: Lara Melba; Reporter: Dan Mihalopoulos

R. Kelly trial closing arguments begin today. Ethnomusicologist Stephanie Shonekan speaks about the legacy of Kelly's music. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Cianna Greaves

St. Nicholas Cathedral School in Ukrainian Village has become a hub for 75 students and their families, who have fled the war in their home country. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Anna Savchenko

A string of grocery store closures in South and West Side neighborhoods have revealed clear disparities in food access across the city, as some researchers and activists begin to apply an alternate lens to this issue. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Melissa Renee Perry

Marcos Diaz was murdered on June 25 in Chicago. Witnesses are cooperating with police. But his family is still waiting for justice. Host: Mary Dixon, Reporter: Patrick Smith

For more than a decade, CHA has transferred land on former public housing sites for a CVS pharmacy, Mariano’s, Target and XS Tennis. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Natalie Moore

City agencies and nonprofits are providing temporary shelter and other services to about 60 migrants who arrived by bus Wednesday night. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Esther Yoon-Ji Kang

After a two year search, Latonya Maley is the new executive director of Affinity Community Services. It’s a nonprofit focused on the needs of the Black LGBTQ community in Chicago. Host: Susie An; Reporter: Natalie Moore

As a CTU staffer mulls a mayoral run, and hopefuls vie for the union’s nod, questions swirl about the CTU’s ability to unseat Lori Lightfoot. Host: Lisa Labuz; Reporter: Sarah Karp, Mariah Woelfel

We visit a prison in Illinois offering incarcerated women the chance to earn a bachelor's degree, the first cohort of Northwestern’s Prison Education Program. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Anna Savchenko

The potential for a shift in control of the state’s highest court could impact major issues, including abortion and gun rights. Host: Clare Lane Reporters: Dave McKinney and Lauren Frost

Evanston council member Devon Reid says it’s time to remove a ban on the public display of female breasts. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Sonal Soni

The phenomenon known as “corn sweat” and how it contributes to our humidity in Illinois. Host: Clare Lane; Producer: Lauren Frost

A Joliet family and those of other medically needy kids have struggled and often had to pay more after Aug. 10 recall. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Cianna Greaves

Jon Seidel with the Chicago Sun-Times explains the trial's progress and what charges could mean for the singer. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Cianna Greaves

WBEZ found low enrollment in many high-poverty schools and stronger rates in North Side areas, where wealthier families live. Host: Araceli Gómez-Aldana Reporter: Nereida Moreno

The Aux looks to empower Black businesses while providing essential health and wellness services in Evanston. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Melissa Renee Perry

Last month the International Union for Conservation of Nature designated the butterfly as Endangered. Here's what you can do.

Shawn Childs, an antiviolence worker on the city’s West Side, speaks about keeping the kids of Chicago’s Police beat 11-12 safe.

This weekend movie fans gathered armed with their fedoras and sunglasses to celebrate.

As the pandemic enters a new phase, Chicago public schools are scaling back safety mitigation efforts.

"Imagine Englewood if..." is a Chicago-based nonprofit that's expanding and scaling up its programming and resources offered to families. WBEZ’s Natalie Moore talked to Executive Director Michelle Rashad about the future of Englewood. Host: Melba Lara; Producer: Lauren Frost

In our weekly climate conversation, we discuss a new poll that shows a change in how many Americans are concerned about climate change affecting them personally. Host: Clare Lane; Producer: Lauren Frost

Administrators are preparing for everyone — whether they’re still struggling or seem fine — and paying attention to both students and staff. Host: Lisa Labuz; Reporter: Susie An

The second federal trial against R&B singer R. Kelly begins today in Chicago. The 55-year-old faces charges of producing child pornography, and obstruction of justice. Host: Lisa Labuz, Mary Dixon; Reporter: Jon Seidel

Douglass Park in Chicago’s North Lawndale neighborhood is now home to three of the city’s biggest music festivals. Residents have been organizing to evict them from the park because the festivals block access. Host: Clare Lane; Reporter: María Inés Zamudio

The Schaumburg Democrat joined House Speaker Nancy Pelosi with the intention of strengthening ties with Taiwan and talking microchip manufacturing. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Mawa Iqbal

Only one in 20 eligible kids under 5 in Illinois have received a first dose. That leaves pediatricians and child care providers trying to troubleshoot. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Lisa Philip

But researchers stress the drop could actually benefit the district’s remaining students by allowing CPS to spend more per student. Host: Lisa Labuz; Reporter: Sarah Karp

This summer, more kids were able to stay in early intervention programs and get ready for school. Thanks to a new state law, kids who turn 3 over the summer don’t need to be cut from an important early intervention program. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Susie An

A federal judge is holding the Illinois Department of Corrections in contempt for its failures to provide healthcare for incarcerated people. Alan Mills, an attorney involved in the lawsuit, explains the significance of the contempt order. Host: Melba Lara; Producer: Rob Wildeboer

You may have heard about the Great Resignation sweeping across the country right now as people reprioritize their lives following the COVID-19 pandemic. Well, the Chicago City Council isn’t immune to the trend. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Mariah Woelfel

Historian Shermann “Dilla” Thomas examines the late “Star Trek” actress' local roots. Host: Mary Dixon; Producer: Cianna Greaves

A group of teenage interns spent this summer learning about climate change and its sociological impact, as part of the Nature Conservancy’s Youth Environmental Thinkers program. Host: Melba Lara; Producer: Lauren Frost

There was still a crowd at Market Days despite rising monkeypox cases that are mainly affecting the queer community. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Sonal Sani

Experts say it’s important to be intentional in how we communicate about monkeypox, to avoid stigmatizing. Host: Melba Lara; Guest: Dr. Anu Hazra

According to organizers, Avondale residents say affordable housing is their top priority for the vacant, triangular-shaped lot. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Natalie Moore

Research shows that the number of ‘pharmacy deserts’ on Chicago’s South and West sides has increased in recent years. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Esther Yoon-Ji Kang

GOP heavyweights haven’t backed Bailey’s campaign directly since he won the nomination, and even his supporters worry about how he’ll secure statewide support. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Dave McKinney

Illinois has managed to stay ahead of a national teacher shortage, but a closer look as schools restart reveals a lot of churn and burnout. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Susie An

Different parts of the country have been experiencing fires, floods, and extreme heat. We find out how they’re all connected, in our weekly climate conversation. Host: Melba Lara; Guest: Dr. Scott Collis

We continue our conversations with about violence and possible solutions with residents of Police Beat 1112 on Chicago's west side. Host: Lisa Labuz; Reporter: Chip Mitchell

The Republican-controlled Senate approved its bill with three restrictions over the weekend, but just barely. As it moves to the more conservative Indiana House this week – it’s uncertain whether those restrictions will survive. Host: Lisa Labuz; Reporter: Michael Puente

Abortion providers from Wisconsin are making two-hour treks each way, hoping to help provide access in Illinois to patients from their home state. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Kristen Schorsch

According to data analysis by a climate science communication group called Climate Central, summer nights are warming faster than days in the United States. Dr. Andrew Pershing, Director of Climate Science there, helps us take a look at how hot it’s getting close to home. Host: Melba Lara; Producer: Lauren Frost

Historically Black colleges are a tradition in many families, but after the racial reckoning of 2020 more students are applying to these schools. Host: Claire Lane; Reporter: Anna Savchenko

Reporters talk to residents of a west side neighborhood about the city's violence and possible solutions. Host: Claire Lane; Reporter: Chip Mitchell

The ordinance aims to draw investment near transit on Chicago’s South and West sides and stave off gentrification on the North Side. Host: Melba Lara, Araceli Gómez-Aldana; Reporter: Natalie Moore

Chance the Rapper stopped by the Vocalo studios on June 30 to chat with on-air hosts Bekoe, Ayana Contreras and Nudia Hernandez. He lays out his reasons for purchasing The Chicagoist news website, possible future plans for it and discusses his civic education endeavors.