WBEZ News

Nearly all of CPS' 340,000 students were due back in-person for the first time since March 2020 as questions circulate about the district's readiness. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Sarah Karp

We’ve had a lot of scorching days in the Chicago area this summer. Illinois State Climatologist, Doctor Trent Ford helps explain why. Host: Melba Lara; Producer: Lauren Frost

There are about 35,000 Asian Americans living in greater Chinatown — more than enough for a majority in a single Chicago ward. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Esther Yoon-Ji Kang

Chicago Public Schools students are due back in classrooms on Monday. Teachers are focusing on making up for the drawbacks of virtual learning. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Adriana Cardona-Maguigad

Twenty years ago, Latanya Rutledge was a student at an alternative high school. Now she works there. Producer: Billy Healy

WBEZ has an update on the state of the district as its 341,000 students gear up for the first day of school on Monday. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Sarah Karp

Schools say they’re prepping to support students but some teens worry they could be penalized if they’re not ready emotionally to go back to “normal.” Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Susie An

New teams will consist of a cop, paramedic and mental-health clinician. Some advocates are concerned because the police will retain a role. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Chip Mitchell

“Greenwashing” is a term that describes when companies market their products as environmentally friendly. Xi Marquez helps us understand who’s greenwashing and who’s actually green. Host: Melba Lara; Producer: Lauren Frost

We spent the summer talking with Chicagoans working to reduce shootings. Here's what they say is driving violence — and is needed to stop it. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Patrick Smith

Top elections forecaster David Wasserman says Illinois Democrats' aim for a three-seat swing in congressional seats could have national implications. Host: Araceli Gómez-Aldana Reporter: Dave McKinney

The Park District's deputy inspector general says he was taken off the job in an attempt to “impede and obstruct” the investigation into alleged sexual misconduct at the city's public beaches and pools. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Dan Mihalopoulos

WBEZ conducted the survey after health experts have for months reiterated the important role local leaders can play in persuading people to get vaccinated. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Mariah Woelfel

WBEZ finds wealthier areas show much higher teen vaccination rates. With no immunization mandate, local districts face a season of uncertainty. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Sarah Karp, Susie An

Members of the anti-violence program Chicago CRED are graduating high school Thursday, a major moment in their path away from gun violence. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Patrick Smith

As mourners prepare for the funeral of slain Chicago Police Officer Ella French, her death is hitting other female cops hard. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Chip Mitchell; Speakers: Aquarius Leonard, Briana Nieves, Tawanda Johnson, Tena Al Farah

TikTok historian Shermann “Dilla” Thomas discusses Fred Rice Junior, Chicago’s first African American Police Superintendent, who was appointed in August 1983. Host: Mary Dixon, Lisa Labuz; Producer: Cianna Greaves

How one city of Chicago nursing contract reveals a larger trend in the healthcare industry of relying on temporary nurses to fill critical staffing shortages. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Claudia Morell

What can we do when someone says they don’t believe in climate change at all? Melissa Widhalm, operations manager for the Purdue Climate Change Research Center, shares some tips. Host: Melba Lara; Producer: Lauren Frost

From rebuilding relationships to anticipating learning gaps, four teachers share what’s on their minds as they return to classrooms. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Adriana Cardona-Maguigad

Putt-putt and avian conservation meet in the newly restored course, located in Douglass Park. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Lauren Frost

Chicago flutist Jennie Oh Brown speaks with writer Howard Reich about the complex relationship between musicians and critics. Producer: Billy Healy

A young woman whose complaint prompted an ongoing investigation makes her first public comments on alleged misconduct at the city’s beaches and pools. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Dan Mihalopoulos

Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in Chicago, and the nation. We visit the seniors of "36 Mandrake," at some local courts in Cottage Grove on the South Side. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Natalie Moore

Treatment for infertility wasn’t deemed essential during the pandemic. Now, doctors see the return of old patients — and a long list of new ones. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Araceli Gómez-Aldana

The Illinois legislators who wouldn’t answer -- Black Democrats and white Republicans -- represent some of the least vaccinated areas. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Tony Arnold, Dave McKinney

With more than $1.8 billion heading Chicago’s way in COVID-19 relief, some hope city officials listen to how the public wants the money spent. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Mariah Woelfel

Chicago Police Department Chaplain Father Dan Brandt says slain Officer Ella French was an animal lover and a great police officer. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Patrick Smith

Dr. Scott Collis, atmospheric scientist at Argonne National Laboratory, and Illinois State Climatologist, Dr. Trent Ford share local takeaways from the U.N. climate change report released Monday. Host: Melba Lara; Producer: Lauren Frost

Many have become homeless despite federally-funded programs, and 60,000 Illinois households are behind on rent and could face eviction. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Odette Yousef

As the nation’s third largest public school district searches for new leadership, advocates are looking for systemic changes. Host: Lisa Labuz; Reporter: Sarah Karp

Sources said the UIUC campus church’s culture, structure and charismatic leader were among the reasons why so many stories of sexual abuse remained hidden for so long. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Esther Yoon-Ji Kang, Susie An

More on the culture and power structure at Covenant Fellowship Church, which allowed spiritual abuse and the mishandling of sexual misconduct to go unchecked for years. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Esther Yoon-Ji Kang, Susie An

TikTok Chicago historian Sherman "Dilla" Thomas talks about the life of intrepid Jean-Baptise Point DuSable and the long fight for recognition for Chicago's founder. Host: Lisa Labuz; Producer: Cianna Greaves

Teachers are, once again, facing uncertainty with a return to school this fall. As the new year approaches, they are squeezing a little more out of summer break. Host: Lisa Labuz; Reporter: Adriana Cardona-Maguigad

Ever heard of carbon offset programs, meant to balance out your carbon footprint? Umair Irfan, science writer for Vox, shares more on how well they actually work. Host: Melba Lara; Producer: Lauren Frost

A church in downstate Illinois is grappling with what former members call a past culture of spiritual abuse and mishandling of sexual misconduct. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Esther Yoon-Ji Kang, Susie An

Indoor masking is now recommended in most of Illinois. But, health experts explain this delta-fueled COVID-19 surge may not be as deadly. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Linda Lutton

Asiaha Butler is a co-founder of RAGE, the Resident Association of Greater Englewood. She shares how the pandemic has contributed to youth homelessness, and how that might be contributing to the violence in Chicago. Host: Lisa Labuz, Mary Dixon; Producer: Cianna Greaves

Mike Grover died at age 38 earlier this year. Last month, his wife Lea told their three daughters about her favorite memory of him. Host: Melba Lara; Producer: Bill Healy

The Chicago Tribune and the Better Government Association have been reporting on a breach at the Illinois Attorney General's office which took place in April, and who might be behind it. Host: Melba Lara; Guest: Jared Rutecki

In Chicago, areas flush with resources are also flush with trees. But a new city agency could be tasked with changing that “tree inequity." Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Mariah Woelfel

The Jackson Park Football field in Chicago's Woodland neighborhood was bustling with teens again after the long pandemic shut down. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Adriana Cardona Maguigad

As the Chicago Bears looks to improve on their 8-8 record last year, veteran players report to training camp today to prepare for the 2021-22 season. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Cheryl Rae Stout

Something as big as climate change can impact even the little parts of life. During this week's climate conversation we’re talking REALLY small: insects, with Professor Alex Harmon-Threatt, pollination ecologist at the University of Illinois. Host: Melba Lara; Producer: Lauren Frost

Paula Robinson is a Chicago developer who pushed to make sure residents had their voice heard in a new megadevelopment on the city's South Side. Plans for "Bronzeville Lakefront" on the former site of Michael Reese Hospital were approved by the city earlier this week. Host: Araceli Gómez-Aldana; Reporter: Natalie Moore

Chicago Public Schools leaders are insisting that almost all students should be back in classes full time this fall, but some parents are pushing back. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Sarah Karp

A sweeping plan to address climate change in the Chicago region involves goals ranging from reducing C02 emissions to addressing social equity issues. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Michael Puente

Doctor Emily Landon, infectious disease specialist with UChicago Medicine, details the precautions people should still be taking as COVID-19 cases rise in Illinois. Host: Melba Lara; Producer: Lauren Frost

U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland visited an anti-violence program on the city’s West Side on Thursday. Eddie Bocanegra runs READI Chicago, and shared more on Garland's visit. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Patrick Smith