WBEZ News

Picture it: “Golden Girls” lovers wearing swag, meeting former writers and producers and a giant wicker purse in honor of character Sophia. Host: Araceli Gómez-Aldana; Reporter: Natalie Moore

In some South and West side neighborhoods, as many as 60% of adults could be eligible for the program, shows a WBEZ analysis. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Esther Yoon-Ji Kang

The Biden administration plans to lift a Trump-era immigration policy used to turn away migrants at the border, including those seeking asylum. Fasika Alem, program director with the United African Organization, provides the latest. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: María Inés Zamudio

The number of vacated convictions tied to former Chicago Police Sgt. Ronald Watts is now 213. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Chip Mitchell

The Ukrainian National Museum of Chicago’s traditional ‘pysanka’ egg-painting class is growing in popularity amid the war abroad. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Adora Namigadde

In our new series, "Kids Ask," we hear from a 6-year-old who had a question about war. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Susie An

In a surprise move, Lightfoot granted interviews only to reporters of color for a single day in 2021. But several local journalists say access to the mayor ended just as abruptly. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Mariah Woelfel

A personnel hemorrhage since late 2020 has cut the size of Chicago’s Law Department by a quarter, a WBEZ analysis of city data finds. Host: Lisa Labuz; Reporter: Chip Mitchell; Producer: Lauren Frost

Urban historian Shermann “Dilla” Thomas looks back at Mayor Harold Washington's legacy, on what would have been his 100th birthday. Host: Mary Dixon, Lisa Labuz; Producer: Cianna Greaves

Professor Robert Jackson, an environmental scientist at Stanford University, helps us answer a question about the effect of gas stoves on the climate. Host: Melba Lara; Producer: Lauren Frost

Rob Wildeboer, part of the WBEZ team working on our investigative podcast "Motive," provides an update from the trial of two Illinois prison guards accused of beating a person who died. part of the WBEZ team working on our investigative podcast "Motive," provides an update from the trial of two Illinois prison guards accused of beating a person who died. Host: Melba Lara; Producer: Lauren Frost

Data show the South and West sides of Chicago are the hardest hit. "We’re all struggling to keep up. There’s still a huge need." Host: Lisa Labuz; Reporter: Jane Vaughan

One low-income patient got a 100% discount on her hospital bill. But then came more than $8,000 in bills from the independent doctors who treated her. Host: Lisa Labuz; Reporter: Kristen Schorsch

As Illinois school districts fill gaps with $7.9 billion in federal relief money, the spending reveals the depths of chronic underfunding. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Susie An

Parents and community members say the reduction in resources will hurt students already struggling with the effects of the pandemic. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Sarah Karp

All across Chicago, teachers are trying to help students recover from the impacts of the pandemic. A recent class was brought to Morgan Park High School by the Special Olympics. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Sarah Karp

Springs are warming in Illinois, but plants are still in danger of the “spring freeze.” State Climatologist, Doctor Trent Ford, explains the changing patterns we’re seeing in Illinois. Host: Lisa Labuz; Producer: Lauren Frost

Members of the General Assembly also said yes to a handful of anti-crime measures backed by Democrats, in an attempt to water down calls from Republicans saying they’re soft on crime. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Alex Degman

A wave of new City Council members campaigned against incumbents by citing their low attendance at meetings. Now, the freshmen are outperforming the veterans. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Claudia Morell

The Chinese American Service League has launched and effort to collect disaggregated data, to better inform policymakers about the unmet needs of specific Asian American Pacific Islanders , or AAPI, populations. Host: Clare Lane; Reporter: Esther Yoon-Ji Kang; Producer: Lauren Frost

A Chicagoan who emigrated from Mexico is organizing a humanitarian mission to Ukraine, to help feed refugees fleeing the war. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Anna Savchenko

Horacio Mendez, president and chief executive officer of the Woodstock Institute, discusses fair lending, wealth creation and financial reform. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Natalie Moore

Jennifer Garross, a social worker responding to 911 calls, says she hasn’t yet needed a cop’s presence but she can imagine situations in which she would. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Chip Mitchell

The allegations in a newly unsealed whistleblower lawsuit target Brian Hynes, a lawyer with close ties to disgraced ex-Ald. Danny Solis. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Dan Mihalopoulos, Dave McKinney

WBEZ contributor Shermann "Dilla" Thomas and Lisa Labuz discuss the legacy of Chicago's longest-serving First Lady, Maggie Daley. Producer: Cianna Greaves

Shannon Heffernan details reporting around two mental health workers, who say they observed troubling behavior from other staff. Host: Melba Lara; Producer: Lauren Frost

Water from the Great Lakes could soon become a hot commodity. Dave Dempsey, author of "Great Lakes for Sale," talks about water commercialization in our weekly climate conversation. Host: Melba Lara; Producer: Lauren Frost

Each year, Trans Day of Visibility is a day to celebrate transgender and non-binary people. But this year’s celebration in Chicago turned somber as participants mourned the recent deaths of two Black trans women. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: María Inés Zamudio

In the Beverly neighborhood, an unlikely duo of nuns attend a weekly class that's like a cross between dance aerobics and strolling. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Natalie Moore

More than 300 psychiatrists, psychologists, counselors and social workers say Chicago police officers should not respond to mental health emergencies. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Esther Yoon-Ji Kang

Evanston made national headlines when it passed reparations, but the program's limited scope still causes pain for former residents. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Araceli Gómez-Aldana

Some Chicagoans are finding a sense of belonging at a small gift shop in Ukrainian Village as the war carries on abroad. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Anna Savchenko

In our weekly climate conversation, we hear from a listener who’s grappling with whether to have kids in the face of climate change. Meghan Kallman and Josephine Ferorelli, the co-founders of Conceivable Future, collect testimonials from people across America struggling with the same questions. Host: Melba Lara; Producer: Lauren Frost

It’s Chicago restaurant week. And for some restaurants, it’s an opportunity to recover from the debilitating economic effects of the pandemic. Host: Araceli Gómez-Aldana; Producer: Cianna Greaves

WBEZ investigated claims that guards at an Illinois prison beat people in a place with no cameras. It’s part of the new season of the podcast Motive. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Shannon Heffernan

Since 2008, the city has seen trends that may be connected to a warming planet, like extreme heat waves and rainstorms. Climate advisor to Mayor Lori Lightfoot, Kyra Woods says it's time for a new perspective on climate change in Chicago. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Indi Khera

Risking fines from the Federal Communications Commission, this radio pirate has kept his “audio noir” on air 24/7 for 15 years. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Linda Lutton

As the war in her home country continues, WBEZ reporter Anna Savchenko shares how fear has shaped the lives of her Ukrainian family over generations. Host: Mary Dixon; Producer: Ariel Van Cleave

Democratic Governor JB Pritzker and legislative Democratic leadership say progress has already been made. But some reform groups and GOP members say it’s not enough. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Dave McKinney

Doctor Scott Collis, atmospheric scientist at Argonne National Laboratory, explains why there are so many different projections on the effects of climate change. Host: Melba Lara; Producer: Lauren Frost

Tonika Lewis Johnson uses her art to show how racism and discriminatory housing practices have hurt Black families in Chicago. Her latest installation called "Inequity for Sale" in Englewood is direct and bold. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Natalie Moore

South Side Rev. Norman Hernan Moran encourages residents to express the emotions brought forth by the pandemic instead of bottling them up. Host: Araceli Gómez-Aldana; Producer: Adora Namigadde

Reverend Emily McGinley offers reflections on comfort in the midst of isolation during the pandemic. Host: Mary Dixon; Producer: Adora Namigadde

In Illinois and other states, legal challenges have been filed arguing the federal “illegal re-entry” law violates the Constitution’s equal protection clause. Judith Miller, a law professor at the University of Chicago, discusses the arguments around illegal re-entry. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: María Inés Zamudio

West Side Rev. Marshall Hatch Jr. looked to the past for guidance as he led his community through COVID-19 and a racial reckoning. Host: Mary Dixon; Producer: Lauren Frost

The 1st District open seat, held by Rush for 15 terms, attracted a long list of hopefuls looking to represent the South Side and suburbs. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Becky Vevea

How did this winter stack up to winters of years past? Illinois State Climatologist Doctor Trent Ford gives us the stats. Host: Melba Lara; Producer: Lauren Frost

For North Side Rabbi Lizzi Heydemann, the COVID-19 pandemic has been a canvas upon which to practice patience, forgiveness and acceptance. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Lauren Frost

What started as a routine executive appointment changed into a monumental leadership opportunity with the arrival of COVID-19. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Alex Degman

Buildings across Chicago are lighting up at night in the blue and yellow colors of Ukraine’s flag. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Anna Savchenko