WBEZ News

Retired Dallas Police Chief David Brown recounts his life and policing philosophy in a memoir he wrote after retiring. Brown has been tapped to be Chicago’s next top cop. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Patrick Smith

The 2020 Summer Olympics have a new start date, and while the Games will go on some local Olympic hopefuls have been impacted by the delay. Host: Lisa Labuz Reporter: Cheryl Raye Stout

As residents are staying at home, the U.S. Census Bureau is reminding households to fill out their 2020 census forms. A look at how the decennial count affects how everyone does business. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Esther Yoon-Ji Kang

A former Dallas police chief who was thrust into the national spotlight following a shocking tragedy is slated to be the next leader of the Chicago Police Department. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Patrick Smith

Illinois hospitals are scrambling to beef up their staffs as they prepare for a surge in coronavirus cases. Experts say the number of COVID-19 cases in the state could peak in the next month. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Mariah Woelfel

A group of high school broadcast students are continuing their regular TV news show while school is closed. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Susie An

In Illinois, there are nearly 50 confirmed cases of COVID-19 at one DuPage County nursing home. Six residents there have died from the disease. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Adriana Cardona Maguigad

The coronavirus pandemic is affecting the funeral home industry. With CDC guidelines restricting mass gatherings and health officials urging social distancing, services are being altered. Host: Mary Dixon Interviewee: Barbara Kemmis

About 40% of households in Illinois have filled out the census. That’s higher than the nationwide figure, but still short of the count the state is hoping for. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Esther Yoon-Ji Kang

All across the country workers are worried about making ends meet during Coronavirus shut downs. A look at how Chicagoland workers worried about their bills have been managing. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Patrick Smith

While the new coronavirus pandemic hasn’t derailed college admissions decisions, it is raising a lot of questions for Chicago area students as they decide where to attend. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Kate McGee

CPS announced that it won’t move instruction completely online when remote learning starts on April 13th. That’s because there are big differences not just in who has technology, but also who knows how to use it Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Sarah Karp

April 1st means for many people that rent or mortgage payments are now due. That’s making the economic crisis brought about by the coronavirus outbreak very real for people. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Linda Lutton

If you need a nudge to finally fill out your census form, here's one. Experts say, in national emergencies like the COVID-19 outbreak, census data is key to relief and recovery efforts. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Esther Yoon-Ji Kang

Like many of Chicago’s cultural institutions, the Shedd Aquarium is closed to the public,. But that doesn’t mean the animals inside aren’t getting visitors. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Lauren Frost

Many colleges and universities across the Chicago area are starting online classes this week after schools extended spring break and closed down campuses to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Kate McGee

A west suburban high school is donating a cache of equipment from its science labs to a hospital on Chicago’s West Side, to help treat coronavirus patients. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Chip Mitchell

As part of a series called Schools Out, WBEZ is talking to Chicago area teachers, parents and students about how they’re spending their time during the school shutdown. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Adriana Cardona Maguigad, Kate McGee

Since the outbreak began, there have been reports nationwide of Asian Americans being verbally abused, physically attacked and spat upon. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Esther Yoon-Ji Kang

Officials in resort towns are asking owners of vacation homes and tourists to keep their distance during the coronavirus outbreak. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Dan Mihalopoulos

Chicago Public Schools is giving 100,000 devices to its highest-need students, but that isn't enough to deal with the city's digital divide. Host: Melba Lara Reporter Sarah Karp

18th Street Distillery harnessed its four stills to produce 1,000 gallons of sanitizer for nurses and first responders in Northwest Indiana. Host: Annie Russell Reporter: Michael Puente

The news on COVID-19 keeps on coming, and this weekend was no exception. A look at what you might've missed since Friday. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Maria Ines Zamudio

Michael Bane, a 42-year-old Berwyn resident hospitalized since March 21, says his experience has been nothing short of ‘brutal.’ Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Mariah Woelfel

The COVID-19 crisis is blocking many important rituals in our lives. But one Chicago high school teacher recently put on his online minister hat to help a couple have their big day. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Monica Eng

The number of COVID-19 cases in Illinois is now climbing dramatically every day. Chicago leaders say they’re dipping into their emergency stockpile to make sure hospitals have enough supplies. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Kristen Schorsch

Last month, Amari Allen and T-Nice Gresham talked about their childhoods and what it means to take responsibility for their lives at a young age. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Bill Healy

While a record number of Illinois workers have filed for unemployment benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic, tens of thousands remain ineligible for such benefits: undocumented immigrants. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Maria Ines Zamudio

A Northwestern University researcher is trying to develop a new medical face mask that would sanitize itself and deactivate viruses on contact. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Kate McGee

Lakefront path users reacted differently to the closure of the lakefront trail by Mayor Lori Lightfoot. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Monica Eng

WBEZ Education looks at how Chicago area teachers, parents and students spend their time during the coronavirus school shutdown. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Sarah Karp, Susie An

'SHOP IN PLACE' Chicago seeks to connect small neighborhood businesses with Chicagoans who want to buy local during the coronavirus outbreak. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Linda Lutton

The Coronavirus crisis means that couples who live together are now doing just about everything together. Chicago-area couples counselors give their advice on making prolonged isolation with a partner work. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Patrick Smith

One Chicago mom says she refuses to let her son regress during the school shutdown — even while she waits for guidance from his school. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Sarah Karp

COVID 19 is presenting lots of questions, but few answers. That’s fueled by fear, stress and anxiety…for all of us. Some strategies can help address our mental health during this time. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Carrie Shepherd

The many people in Illinois who have lost their jobs because of the coronavirus outbreak also are having trouble filing for unemployment benefits. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Dan Mihalopoulos

COVID-19 has forced patients to make a tough calculation: Put off treatment, or go to a hospital where you could be exposed to the virus? Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Mariah Woelfel

Holy Trinity High School already had an e-learning plan and is now trying it out full time and sharing tips on what works and what doesn’t. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Adriana Cardona-Maguigad

Chicago area teachers, parents and students share how they’re spending their time as schools are shutdown during the coronavirus pandemic. Host: Lisa Labuz Reporter: Kate McGee

Cook County’s public health system treats the most vulnerable people, but treating so many uninsured patients is straining the government’s finances. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Kirsten Schorsch

Chicago Tribune reporter Dan Hinkel co-authored a recent report on the more than ten million dollars in campaign funding Bill Conway got from his father, William Conway Jr. Host: Melba Lara Interviewee: Dan Hinkel

Next Tuesday, two veteran congressmen from Chicago are up against a crowd of young candidates who say it’s time for new blood in Washington. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Claudia Morell

Illinois officials are ramping up Coronavirus prevention efforts as there are now 11 confirmed cases in the Chicago region. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Mariah Woelfel

Chicago announced two additional cases of coronavirus over the weekend. One involves a school employee who had been traveling. In the other case, it is unknown how the victim contracted the virus. Host: Lisa Labuz Reporter: Sarah Karp

After the recent slayings of two men in Chicago's Chinatown, long-simmering racial tensions in the neighborhood have gotten worse between Chinese and black community members. Host: Lisa Labuz Reporter: Esther Yoon-Ji Kang

Twenty four Chicago charter campuses went on strike for the first time last winter. A year later, schools are adjusting to a new reality. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Adriana Cardona-Maguigad

In less than two weeks, Illinois voters will influence what’s now shaping up as a two candidate race between former Vice President Joe Biden and U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Dave McKinney

A political battle in Chicago’s backyard has become one of the most watched Congressional primaries. Democratic Congressman Dan Lipinski is in a fierce rematch with progressive challenger Marie Newman in Illinois’ Third District. Reporter: Mariah Woelfel

Northwestern University has the first program in Illinois to offer a full liberal arts curriculum to the incarcerated. The prison education program is ready to expand now with a $1 million grant from the Mellon Foundation. Reporter: Natalie Moore

An international fashion designer whose clothes have been worn by Michelle Obama and Oprah is showing his love for Chicago in a new art exhibit. Host: Kate McGee Reporter: Carrie Shepherd