WBEZ News

BLM Chicago cofounder Aislinn Pulley spoke with WBEZ about the many factors she believes have culminated in people taking to the streets. Host: Melba Lara

Allure Dyer ended up at a Chicago high school she didn't want to attend, but this valedictorian found it to be a place of unexpected opportunities. Host: Susie An Reporter: Sarah Karp

No gym? No problem. Competitive bodybuilder Daniel Zhou says significant others make great weightlifting equipment during quarantine. Host: Melba Lara Producer: Lynnea Domienik, Joe DeCeault

Along with restaurants, businesses like salons, non-essential retail stores, and gyms are opening back up under tight restrictions across the state Friday. Patrons said nothing about returning to their favorite businesses felt normal. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Mariah Woelfel

Certain businesses are reopening in Illinois, including restaurants. Some essential workers are worried about the influx of thousands of new people they'll be interacting with. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Michael Puente

Data kept by the state show that in 80% of COVID-19 cases, the patient’s job is unknown — vital to preventing potential future outbreaks. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Kristen Schorsch

Salons preparing to re-open are putting state-mandated protocols in place: temperature checks, social distancing, face masks. But some stylists don’t feel safe to face clients.
 
 Host: Melba Lara
 Reporter: Mariah Woelfel

College prep usually ramps up during junior year. But with no in-person school and SATs postponed, anxiety among the class of 2021 grows. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Adriana Cardona Maguigad

Chicago renters who rely on their landlords to pay for water services have few options when the water has been shut off by the city. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: María Inés Zamudio

A valedictorian from the south suburbs wants to help girls of color get into the sciences. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Susie An

Millions may recover from COVID-19's physical symptoms, but the anxiety of 'what-ifs' may haunt us for some time. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Kate McGee

Students are taking Advanced Placement tests from home now. Can the same be done for the SAT college entrance exam? Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Susie An

Working parents are flummoxed about how they're supposed to go back to work if daycares are still closed. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Mariah Woelfel

For the first time ever, Chicago Public School students won’t be allowed to graduate without a plan for what they will do after high school. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Sarah Karp

How has the pandemic affected our stress levels and how does that translate into what hobbies or activities we partake in? Host: Mary Dixon Speaker: Amy Bohnert

More people could be asked to collect their own sample for COVID-19 tests... but are they accurate? Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Kate McGee

Chicago and Illinois restaurants offer ideas on how they can open more quickly as the city and state offer reopening plans. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Monica Eng

A group of Chicago teens lost out on a once-in-lifetime chance to perform with the Lyric Opera, but are still finding ways to connect and shine online. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Adriana Cardona Maguigad

Flooding damage to the rare, natural communities at Illinois Beach State Park extends over hundreds of acres. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Jerome McDonnell

A small-business owner from southern Illinois says she notified officials about the “insane” disclosure of Social Security numbers and other personal data.
 
 Host: Mary Dixon
 Reporter: Dan Mihalopoulos

“Frida: 20-20” was billed as the Chicago area’s largest exhibit of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo’s work in more than 40 years. Then, the pandemic hit. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Carrie Shepherd

Deanna Othman tells us how this Ramadan is different from years past but also a blessing; a chance to focus on the true meaning of this holy month. Host: Melba Lara Producer: Isabel Carter, Joe DeCeault

Fewer people are coming to the ER for heart attacks and strokes. Data shows they may be adding to the pandemic’s climbing death toll. Host: Melba Lara, Lisa Labuz Reporter: Kristen Schorsch

Two graduates concentrating in comedy writing at DePaul are looking to make their classmates laugh during their virtual graduation speech. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Kate McGee

Adam Hollingsworth, a 33-year-old father of four, just wants to bring a little happiness to people during the pandemic, one ride at a time. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: María Inés Zamudio

As the pandemic drags on, Illinois’ governor is taking a harder line against businesses who violate his stay-at-home order. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Tony Arnold

The COVID-19 shutdown has led to budget cuts, threatens struggling universities and could exacerbate inequities at community colleges. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Kate McGee

Parents fear exposing their kids to COVID-19 or new mysterious illness. But not getting vaccinations on time is a bigger risk to kids’ health, doctors say. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Mariah Woelfel

As meat processing plants are required to stay open during the pandemic under an executive order by the Trump administration, some workers feel that their health is not a priority. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Michael Puente

The coronavirus pandemic forced the Chicago Police Department to close its academy in March. It put a hold on trainings that are central to the department’s aspirations for reform. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Patrick Smith

Researchers are sounding the alarm that the extended coronavirus school shutdown could devastate some students academically. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Sarah Karp

An outlier even in the Illinois GOP, this farmer and state legislator opposes government control but welcomes federal farm subsidies. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Dan Mihalopoulos

Martin G. Johnson is filming and live streaming whether people in the community are adhering to social distancing rules. Host: Melba Lara Producer: Chip Mitchell, Alexandra Salomon, Joe DeCeault

As healthcare workers continue to fight against all odds during the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health professionals are asking: how can doctors and nurses protect themselves? Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Mariah Woelfel

Patricia Rodriguez started feeling sick in mid-March just before the Illinois primary. She shares what it’s like to recover from COVID-19 by yourself. Host: Annie Russell Reporter: Kate McGee

The city will measure COVID-19 testing capacity, hospital bed availability and infection rates to decide when to fully reopen. Host: Greta Johnsen Reporter: Becky Vevea

Some camps have already canceled due to the COVID-19 outbreak, and others are rethinking their programs to ensure camper safety. Host: Greta Johnsen Reporter: Susie An

As WBEZ gathers personal dispatches from folks enduring the coronavirus pandemic, Tamara Frankel explains what it’s like to be an expectant mom right now. Host: Greta Johnsen Producer: Candace Mittel Kahn, Joe DeCeault

WBEZ is sharing stories from Chicago area teachers, parents and students. Today we hear a story from Eileen Limon, a high school valedictorian from Chicago’s Southwest Side. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Adriana Cardona-Maguigad

After Lightfoot homed in on the West Side, one teen said “black and brown youth aren’t going to listen … if she is only coming after them.” Host: Greta Johnsen Reporter: Adriana Cardona Maguigad

Could months without physical contact harm parents’ chances of reuniting with their children? Host: Greta Johnsen Reporter: Natalie Moore

In Cook County, the ZIP codes most impacted by the coronavirus are not among those receiving the highest rates of testing, a WBEZ analysis shows. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Maria Ines Zamudio

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker says he will take a more regionalized approach to opening the state’s economy. He unveiled a plan Tuesday that divides the state into four regions. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Tony Arnold

Some bartenders and customers talk about missing the community they’ve created at their neighborhood bars. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Carrie Shepherd

Doctors warn that introducing new people to your household is risky, but it could be doable with strict rules. Host: Susie An Reporter: Monica Eng

Chicago adopts a tougher approach that’s sparking a debate about whether now is the time to worry if students are on track academically. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Susie An

Safia Rasheed runs 'Your Bountiful Harvest' on Chicago’s South Side. She shares what its been like trying to sustain community supported agriculture during the coronavirus pandemic. Host: Melba Lara Producer: Joe DeCeault

An easing of COVID-19 restrictions allowed garden centers and nurseries to reopen, just in time for warm weather and pent-up demand. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Linda Lutton

Remote learning has been a struggle for Illinois due to COVID-19. In Chicago Public Schools, students who don’t speak English at home are among those who struggle most. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Adriana Cardona Maguigad

Governor J.B. Pritzker’s first stay at home order was expiring, and he put out a new one Friday. With the beautiful weekend Chicago’s City Hall was set on breaking up big parties. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Dan Mihalopoulos