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Reset with Sasha-Ann Simons

English, Talk, 1 season, 2092 episodes, 1 day, 20 hours, 48 minutes
About
WBEZ's daily talk show brings listeners the news and conversations that matter most to their day-to-day lives.
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: July 26, 2024

Illinois Democrats endorse Kamala Harris in her presidential bid. Plus, body-cam footage of a fatal police shooting in Springfield renews calls for police reform. Reset breaks down those stories and more in the Weekly News Recap. Our panel this week: Brandon Pope, reporter and anchor for CW 26; Leigh Giangreco, freelance journalist; and Jake Sheridan, City Hall reporter for Chicago Tribune. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
7/26/202444 minutes, 47 seconds
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Off the Beaten Path: The Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art

From jade pagodas and incense burners to mosaics, cameos and even dioramas, treasures abound in this suburban museum. Reset learns why this museum is a real hidden gem. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
7/26/202413 minutes, 57 seconds
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You’ll Have A Gouda Time Pairing Vegan Cheeses And Wine

Charcuterie plates and wine are a classic cocktail hour snack. But 70% of the world is lactose intolerant, with more people limiting dairy because of environmental concerns. Luckily, there are tasty vegan cheese options that you can bring to your next party, and yes, you can still pair them with wine! Reset learns how the art of making vegan cheese has improved over the years, and best practices for pairing wine and dairy free cheese. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
7/25/202413 minutes, 52 seconds
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Mental Health Workers Could Respond Differently To 911 Calls Than Police

When Illinois resident Sonya Massey called 911, she wanted help with a potential prowler. Instead, a police officer shot and killed her in her home. Illinois State Police released bodycam footage to the public this week, leading to renewed calls for police reform and accountability, as well as alternatives to police responses. A growing number of cities are redirecting some 9-1-1 calls to unarmed crisis workers, rather than police. One new program just launched in Evanston, and Chicago is continuing to pilot another approach. Reset checks in with a panel about these alternatives. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
7/25/202421 minutes, 29 seconds
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Police Killing Of Illinois Woman Sonya Massey Sparks Outrage

llinois prosecutors are seeking first-degree murder charges against the police officer who shot and killed Sonya Massey in her home during a 911 response call. Reset digs into the state’s response and how the country is reacting. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
7/24/202412 minutes, 40 seconds
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How Biden’s History-Making Exit Could Rewrite His Legacy

With Joe Biden’s bombshell decision to drop out of the 2024 race, he joins the small pool of former presidents who decided not to seek reelection when they were eligible. Presidents like Lyndon B. Johnson, Harry Truman and Theodore Roosevelt. But no presidential incumbent has ever dropped out this close to an election. Reset discusses how Biden’s decision fits into a wider history, as well as what this means for his legacy, with Will Howell, a professor of the Harris School of Public Policy at the University of Chicago. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
7/24/202414 minutes, 9 seconds
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DNC Delegates Pivot After Biden Exits 2024 Race

A majority of delegates say they’re backing Vice President Kamala Harris, but the DNC Rules Committee will meet Wednesday to determine an official framework for how the party's nominee will be selected. Reset checks in with three delegates from Illinois to discuss their concerns with weeks to go before the national convention. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
7/23/202415 minutes, 56 seconds
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A Breakdown Of What’s Next For Voters, Delegates And Donors

After President Joe Biden announced the end of his reelection bid, he and other Democratic figures shared their support for Vice President Kamala Harris as the new nominee. We talk with Chicago Sun-Times Washington bureau chief Lynn Sweet about what’s next. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
7/23/202414 minutes, 54 seconds
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President Biden Dropped Out. Here’s How Mayor Johnson Says That Will Impact The DNC.

As we get ready for a historic Democratic National Convention, we hear how Joe Biden’s decision to drop out of the presidential race could affect the way Chicago plans to host tens of thousands of visitors in a few short weeks. We’re joined by Mayor Brandon Johnson. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
7/22/202414 minutes, 23 seconds
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This Month, There’s A Movement To Be Plastic-Free

Plastic Free July is a movement that sets out to address the skyrocketing rise of plastic waste in the city, suburbs, lakes — even in us. That’s right, even our bodies have microplastics in them. Reset sits down with sustainability advocates and the founder of a low-plastic start-up in Chicago to find out more ways we can ditch plastic, and what progress is being made on the state level. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
7/22/202418 minutes, 40 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: July 19, 2024

Milwaukee hosts the Republican National Convention as Chicago prepares to host next month’s Democratic Convention. Meanwhile, a new poll shows nearly two-thirds of Democrats think President Biden should withdraw from the presidential race. Reset dives into these and other top local stories in the Weekly News Recap. Our panel this week: Alex Degman, statehouse reporter for WBEZ; Ray Long, Chicago Tribune investigative reporter; and Justin Laurence, government and politics reporter for Crain’s Chicago Business. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
7/19/202446 minutes, 5 seconds
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The History Of The Chicago River And The Bridges Crossing It Are Right Under Your Nose

On the Chicago Riverwalk, there’s a museum hidden inside a five-story limestone tower that rises from the DuSable bridge. The McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum tells the story of the movable bridge and how the urban river has changed over time. Two Reset producers headed to check out the gears that move the bridge, the stunning views from inside the bridgehouse and learn the history of the river. It’s the first in a new series highlighting museums in the Chicago area that are off the beaten path. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
7/19/202413 minutes, 43 seconds
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The Inside Scoop On Pitchfork This Weekend

Pitchfork music fest is back for its 18th year. With more mainstream headliners and new emerging artists, what should attendees expect? Reset gets a preview of the fest from a pair of in-the-know music folks. Plus, two local artists performing this weekend stop by to talk about their music and the pre-fest jitters. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
7/18/202424 minutes, 29 seconds
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Racial Equity In Chicago Arts Funding On The Rise, But The Future Is Uncertain

Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) arts organizations have seen their funding from major donors nearly double over the past three years. Yet, the authors of a new report worry that this boost is temporary. Reset hears from a leader in anti-racist advocacy to learn why funding for BIPOC arts has been fluctuating, and what steps advocates may need to take to continue advancing racial equity in the arts. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
7/18/202412 minutes, 47 seconds
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How The Pandemic Changed Everything – From Traditions To Shopping

In the midst of the fear and frustration that came with the COVID-19 pandemic, many of our outlooks, our priorities, and even our habits changed. The pandemic’s impact was far reaching – whether it be in pop culture to how we shop. That’s the premise of a new book aiming to help readers frame the current moment and reconcile their pre- and post-COVID lives. Reset sits down with the author of The Time We Have: Essays on Pandemic Living to unpack the changes and lessons learned from the pandemic. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
7/17/202414 minutes, 33 seconds
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Some Young Delegates In Illinois Say They’re Sticking With Biden

A majority of young voters are worried that Biden is too old to effectively serve a second term in the White House. Yet, some of Illinois’ youngest delegates are sticking by his side. Reset hears why these delegates are concerned by Trump’s campaign, and why they think Biden should stay in the race. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
7/17/20249 minutes, 11 seconds
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How We Can Protect Lake Michigan’s Eroding Shoreline

Some areas of Illinois’ Lake Michigan shoreline are losing up to one hundred feet of shoreline per year. Others are so poorly protected from high water that entire neighborhoods are flooding. These are just some of the problems erosion poses. But how does erosion work? And how can we stop—or at least slow—it? Reset digs deeper with an advocate and a reporter. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
7/16/202416 minutes, 31 seconds
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How The Influx Of DNC Attendees And Protestors Could Affect Nearby Hospitals

Rush University Medical Center, Cook County’s Stroger Hospital and UI Health Stroger are preparing for the worst case scenario, be it a mass shooting, an explosion, or tear gas, but say they’re prepared for any contingency. Reset hears how the hospitals will ensure smooth service in the face of the expected traffic delays and in case of emergency. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
7/16/202415 minutes, 43 seconds
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How The Assassination Attempt of Donald Trump Is Affecting The RNC

Less than two days after an apparent assassination attempt on former president Donald Trump, the Republican National Convention kicked off in Milwaukee on July 15th. Reset checked in with a WBEZ reporter who is on the ground at the RNC to get a preview and hear how the news is affecting delegates. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
7/15/202412 minutes, 4 seconds
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Feel The Groove With Smooth Rogers

Enjoy a summery vibe with instruments reminiscent of the funk and soul of the 1970s. The new album Roger That! is out now and pairs reflections on love and loss with a fun, upbeat sound. Zac Bron, front person of Smooth Rogers, joins Reset to discuss the new album and their musical inspirations. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
7/13/202414 minutes, 28 seconds
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WBEZ's Weekly News Recap: July 12, 2024

Mayor Johnson calls for federal help after more than 100 people were shot over the Fourth of July weekend. Multiple U.S Congress members from Illinois call for President Biden to step aside. Reset breaks down those stories and more in the Weekly News Recap. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
7/13/202445 minutes, 19 seconds
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Celebrating 50 Years Of Chicago’s Iconic Patel Brothers Grocery Store

Fifty years ago, Mafat and Tulsi Patel opened their first grocery store off Damen and Devon avenues. Fast forward to 2024, and Patel Brothers is the nation’s largest Indian grocery chain with 52 stores across the country. Reset learns how the iconic grocer came to be and the impact of connecting the community with South Asian foods and ingredients with one of the partners, Swetal Patel. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
7/12/202414 minutes, 24 seconds
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Chicago’s Most Marginalized Students Least Likely To Get Into CPS Elite Schools

A student’s elementary school is a key predictor of who gets into an elite, test-in high school, WBEZ found. Students from mostly low-income and Black neighborhood schools rarely get into these high schools. New WBEZ data analysis demonstrates the barriers to enrollment at these elite schools. Reset gets the breakdown from a WBEZ education reporter. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
7/11/202414 minutes, 8 seconds
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Meet The Illinois Rugby Player Heading To The Olympics

Lauren Doyle played four sports in high school, and was on the cheer team—none of them were rugby. It wasn’t until she was in college at Eastern Illinois University that she was recruited onto the team. After a successful college career, she was quickly placed on the brand new Olympic team for the 2016 games—the first Olympics with rugby as a sport since the 1920s. After playing again in Tokyo, she and Team USA return to the world stage this month in Paris. Reset sits down with her to get the story. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
7/11/202412 minutes, 46 seconds
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Best Day Trips Outside Of Chicago

Summer vacation doesn’t have to break the bank. If you’re low on PTO, strapped for cash, or just want to get out of dodge for a day, there are plenty of trips you can take within 3.5 hours of Chicago. Whether you’re looking for nature, swimming, antiquing, or small town charm, there’s a destination for you. Reset gets a roundup of must see destinations this summer from Lauren Viera, writer, author 500 Hidden Secrets of Chicago Chevon Linear and Kameron Stanton, founders of Black People Outside. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
7/10/202415 minutes, 58 seconds
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How The Chevron Decision Could Impact Your Health

The Supreme Court recently struck down a decades-old precedent known as ‘Chevron,’ which instructed judges to defer to the expert advice of federal agencies in cases where laws are vague. Many of the agencies which are affected by the change deal with matters of public health, like the Food and Drug Administration, Centers for Disease Control, Environmental Protections Agency, or Centers for Medicare and Medicaid. Reset learns more about how this decision will affect the lives of everyday Americans. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
7/10/202416 minutes, 25 seconds
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Mayor Johnson Vows ‘Consequences’ In Wake of Violent Fourth Of July Weekend

Mayor Brandon Johnson said there will be “consequences” for this past weekend’s gun violence that killed 19 people and wounded over 100. Reset gets the latest about the weekend’s shootings, including what help the mayor is calling for from the federal government. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
7/9/202412 minutes, 23 seconds
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What’s That Building? Pritzker Pavilion

Is it a flower? Flames? No, it’s a music venue! When the Jay Pritzker Pavilion opened in Millennium Park, many people struggled to describe the venue. Despite the debate over the shape, you’ll rarely hear the structure described as a lousy place for a concert. Reset met up with our resident architecture sleuth, Dennis Rodkin, to understand how the open-air design still creates the sound of an indoor concert. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
7/9/202416 minutes, 24 seconds
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Dr. Anthony Fauci Shares His Journey As 'America’s Doctor'

Dr. Anthony Fauci served under seven U.S. presidents. Before COVID-19, he fought the HIV/AIDS epidemic, Ebola, and Zika. Reset’s Sasha-Ann Simons sits down with Fauci to discuss his new memoir, his “nightmare” that came true, and what really went on behind the scenes between him and the Trump Administration.
7/8/202432 minutes, 35 seconds
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Embracing Middle Age With A ‘Chrysalis Mindset’

Sports cars. Divorce. Loneliness after retirement. The 40’s, 50’s and 60’s have gotten a bad rap. But these decades don’t need to be a downer, they can instead be a time of blossoming. That’s an idea championed by Chip Conley, author of Learning to Love Midlife: 12 Reasons Why Life Gets Better With Age. Reset learns about this idea and ways of creating a vibrant, connected life. We sat down with Conley and Lowell Nelson, a local retiree and volunteer. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
7/8/202420 minutes, 30 seconds
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Meet The Keepers Of Your Local ‘Micro-Zoo’

Two turtles and a flock of ducks swim along in a pond on the front porch of Stephen and Kim Benson's Old Town home. The couple wanted to make their home more animal-friendly, and to bring a bit of wonder to the block. So, bit by bit, the Benson family turned their Old Town front porch into a ‘mini-zoo’ in 2022. It’s been a neighborhood staple ever since. Reset sits down with the couple to hear their story. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
7/6/202410 minutes, 48 seconds
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WBEZ's Weekly News Recap: July 5, 2024

Downtown traffic is snarled due to NASCAR street closures. New laws went into effect on July 1, including a gas tax hike and wages increases. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court declines hearing challenges to Illinois’ assault weapons ban. Reset sits down with a panel of journalists to go behind these headlines and more. Our panel today: Mariah Woelfel, WBEZ city politics reporter; Christian Farr, NBC-5 Chicago reporter; Daniel Knowles, Midwest correspondent for The Economist. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
7/5/202445 minutes, 17 seconds
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Could A 25 Mile Per Hour Speed Limit Make Chicago’s Streets Safer?

There were 148 traffic deaths in Chicago in 2023. In the same year, there were over 2 million speeding violations caught on camera alone. In May, the City Council heard arguments in favor of reducing the citywide speed limit from 30 miles per hour to 25. But would that be enough to make Chicago drivers change their ways? Reset digs into the data with Alden Loury, WBEZ data projects senior editor. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
7/3/202410 minutes, 51 seconds
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New Laws Go Into Effect As City Continues DNC Prep

The 5 year phase in for the minimum wage increase for tipped workers goes into effect. A new program offers driver’s licenses to undocumented immigrants. Plus, alderpeople react to President Biden’s debate performance. Reset gets the latest from City Hall. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
7/3/202414 minutes, 5 seconds
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How To Take Control Of Your Anxiety

Feeling anxious or nervous is normal. It’s a feeling that is a part of being human. But for millions of Americans, that feeling is constant and can impact their daily lives. In fact, more people are feeling more anxious compared to 2023. People are particularly worried about the economy, gun violence, the presidential election and current events. Reset discusses how to recognize anxiety, navigate it and get anxiety under control. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
7/2/202415 minutes, 56 seconds
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Federal Government Cracks Down on Beauty Schools And Other For Profit Colleges

Career oriented programs often target first-generation, low-income, and minority students for recruitment and leave them with tens of thousands of dollars in debt. But new federal regulations go into effect today that could take funding away from 60% of Illinois’ for-profit schools unless they’re able to improve performance. Reset sits down with Amy Qin, WBEZ data reporter, Esther Yoon-Ji Kang, WBEZ race, class, and communities desk and Lisa Kurian Philip, WBEZ higher education reporter who investigated these practices. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
7/2/202416 minutes, 15 seconds
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Kids Of Family Vloggers Will Now Be Paid Under New Illinois Law

In the age of social media, “family vloggers” have monetized the lives of their children, documenting milestones ranging from potty training to pimples. But when those kids grow up, there’s not much guarantee that they will get their share of the profits – much less their privacy back. Now, Illinois is the first state in the nation to ensure that child social media influencers receive compensation for their work. Reset spoke with an Illinois teen who inspired the law as well as a content creator about this issue – and what more regulations are needed. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
7/1/202417 minutes, 34 seconds
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What Does ‘Food Justice’ Look Like in Chicago?

About a decade ago, 38,000 Chicago residents lived more than a mile from a supermarket or superstore. That number jumped to 102,000 residents by 2023, according to a WBEZ and Sun-Times analysis. A wave of grocery store closures on the South and West Sides last year prompted Mayor Brandon Johnson to propose a city-owned grocery store as one solution. And community members are building creative models to address this issue sooner rather than later. Reset sat down with three of the people working on bringing their visions of food justice in Chicago to life. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
7/1/202421 minutes, 4 seconds
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A Sneak Peak Into Boiler Room Chicago With DJ Janesita And Rebecca Black

Chicago’s dance and electronic music scene will be on full display this weekend at Grant Park. But much of this scene started underground in basements and boiler rooms. This event is part of the London-based Boiler Room platform which puts a spotlight on underground music, culture and DJs all around the world. Reset checks in with Janesita, a local DJ performing at Boiler Room Chicago on Saturday, to learn more about the event, Chicago’s underground music scene and how she brings her culture and heritage to the party. Reset also hears from artist and musician Rebecca Black ahead of her DJ set at the Boiler Room afterparty and learns more about her latest album. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
6/29/202434 minutes, 2 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: June 28, 2024

Joe Biden and Donald Trump face off in a presidential debate, Chicago makes a deal with some protesters ahead of the Democratic National Convention, and NASCAR gets ready to shut down some Chicago streets. Reset goes behind these headlines and more in the Weekly News Recap. This week’s panel: Jon Seidel, federal courts reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times; David Greising, president of the Better Government Association; and Carrie Shepherd, Chicago reporter for Axios. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
6/28/202445 minutes, 18 seconds
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Celebrating Caribbean Heritage Month With Food

June is Caribbean American Heritage Month and to commemorate we’re getting into the food traditions of the 33 Caribbean islands and continental countries in Central and South America. Reset talks Caribbean root veggies, herbs, and lesser known dishes, as well as fan faves with Urban Pilon’s Roberto Perez and D’s Roti and Trini Cuisine’s Dawn Lewis. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
6/28/202414 minutes, 34 seconds
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Teenage Trans Activists Telling Their Stories

Article: There’s been a wave of bills making their way through state legislatures across the country – bills that directly impact trans youth by restricting bathroom access, name changes, healthcare, and participation in sports. So it was more important than ever for one Highland Park, Ill., family to find empowering and positive messages about trans youth – except they say they couldn’t find any. That’s when they created the GenderCool Project, which brings trans and non-binary youth together to tell their own stories and create community. Reset hears from two of the teens involved in GenderCool – Sky, a rising high school junior, and Chazzie, an incoming freshman at University of Arizona – and learns more about youth-led trans advocacy. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
6/27/202414 minutes, 7 seconds
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The End Of Federal COVID Relief Money Leaves Public Services Strapped For Cash

After COVID-19 relief money runs out, Chicago Public Schools and the Regional Transit Authority, which oversees CTA, Metra, and Pace, are two of the agencies with the biggest projected shortfalls. Reset sits down with education and transportation reporters to learn more. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
6/27/202413 minutes, 42 seconds
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How To Be A Better Educator To Transgender Students

Families have been fleeing to Illinois to protect their transgender and non-binary children from anti-trans laws and enroll them in more inclusive schools. The Supreme Court agreed to review one law this week that restricts gender-affirming care. But many of the laws on the books directly relate to school policy. Across the nation, many educators are fighting back and confronting these school policies. A new book is hoping to give teachers a guide to create more inclusive classrooms – no matter the laws in their state. It’s called “The Advocate Educator’s Handbook.” To hear more, Reset sat down with the co-authors Rebecca Kling, a nationally known trans advocate based in Chicago, and Vanessa Ford, a former educator and a parent to a trans child. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
6/26/202420 minutes, 26 seconds
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How Canada’s Immigration Policy Compares to Chicago

Nearly half of Toronto’s 2.7 million population identifies as immigrants. As the United States doubles down on restrictive immigration policies, particularly around asylum, Canada is viewed as the friendlier neighbor where politicians describe immigrants as a possible solution to labor shortages. But Canada now faces immigration problems too — a housing crunch and a rising cost of living. The government has made policy changes aimed at reducing the influx of temporary foreign workers and international students. This spring, the Chicago Sun-Times traveled to Toronto to explore how the country’s approach to immigration differs from the U.S., where it is a highly debated and politicized issue. Reset sat down with Chicago Sun-Times reporter Elvia Malagón who made the trip. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
6/26/202414 minutes, 22 seconds
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Former Ald. Ed Burke Sentenced To Two Years In Prison

Former 14th Ald. Ed Burke was Chicago’s longest serving councilman. Burke was charged with racketeering, bribery and attempted extortion while serving on city council. These corruption charges landed him two years in prison, $2 million in fines and one year of supervised release. Reset gets the details on the sentencing and other plans from the Mayor’s office from WBEZ’s city government and politics reporters Tessa Weinberg and Mariah Woelfel. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
6/25/202412 minutes, 19 seconds
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Small Kids Are Accidentally Eating Cannabis Edibles

A rise in small children accidentally overdosing and poisoning themselves from cannabis edibles is raising alarms for legislators and parents across Illinois. Reset learns about how to identify poisoning and overdosing symptoms in children, and what conversations legislators are having about reducing the risk to kids and teens. We sit down with the state Medical Cannabis Advisory Board’s Dr. Leslie Mendoza Temple and Chicago Sun-Times reporter Mitchell Armentrout. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
6/25/202411 minutes, 46 seconds
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Where Illinois, The Midwest Stand Two Years After Dobbs Decision

Illinois borders three states with abortion bans, and two with gestational limits. Since the Supreme Court overturned a federal right to an abortion, providers, lawmakers and advocates have been working to ensure that Illinoisans, and people traveling to the state, can access the medical procedure. Reset learns about the current state of access to abortions in Illinois, legal challenges to reproductive rights, and what’s ahead. Our panel includes: Jennifer Welch, President and CEO, Planned Parenthood Illinois; Megan Jeyifo, executive director of the Chicago Abortion Fund; and Steven Schwinn, professor at the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
6/24/202418 minutes, 25 seconds
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What’s That Building? The Salt Shed

Looking for some fun things to do this summer? Alongside days at the beach or bike rides through a park, maybe check out some live music! Starting today, Reset is profiling a few of the music hot spots in Chicago for our "What’s That Building" series. First up? That warehouse with the iconic roof: The Salt Shed. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
6/24/202419 minutes, 39 seconds
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‘Decolonizing Your Plate,’ And Embracing The Foods Of Your Cultural Heritage

Nutritionists are raising the alarm that focusing on one diet as “the best” can make people feel like their own heritage foods aren’t adequate – or even healthy. This can affect mental and physical health. Reset learns more about how to value traditional foodways. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
6/22/202413 minutes, 22 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: June 21, 2024

Mayor Johnson explores making reparations a reality. Cooling centers close for Juneteenth holiday during a record-breaking heat wave. Candidates for Chicago’s first-ever elected school board line up in the heat to get on the ballot. And Chicago City Council considers public financing of aldermanic campaigns. Reset dives into these top stories and more with a panel of local journalists. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
6/21/202445 minutes, 18 seconds
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In Chicago’s Running Scene, There’s A Place — And A Pace — For Everyone

Why are all your friends running a half-marathon? How come the park is swarmed with run clubs every weekend? Should you be waking up at the crack of dawn to get your miles in? Running surged in popularity as a solo sport during COVID, and has burst onto the public scene in the years since. For example, the Chicago Marathon neared 50,000 runners in 2023, a threshold it’s expected to break this year. Reset digs into Chicago’s rich running culture with three runners and organizers. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
6/21/202419 minutes, 30 seconds
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Behind ‘Dim Sum and Drag’, Chicago’s Asian Pacific Islander Drag Brunch

Dim Sum and Drag is a vibrant display of Asian American and Pacific Islander heritage and LGBTQ+ glamor in Chicago. You can check out Dim Sum and Drag’s latest installment on Saturday, June 22. Performers will be celebrating the event’s three-year anniversary. Reset sat down with a drag performer and DJ to hear more. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
6/20/202414 minutes, 10 seconds
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Do You Want To Retire Or Work Forever?

Do I have enough money saved? How will I spend my time once I’m no longer working? What if I have a medical emergency or accident? These are just some of the questions that we all face when thinking about retirement. It’s not an easy decision, and everyone thinks about it differently. Reset talks about retirement with Chicago Sun-Times columnist Mary Mitchell, Suburban Cook County Area Agency on Aging President Diane Slezak, and listeners. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
6/19/202418 minutes, 3 seconds
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Chicago Temperatures Are The Hottest They’ve Been In 70 Years

We’re not even officially in summer and it’s hot, hot, hot here in Chicagoland. So much so that Monday’s record-breaking temperature was the hottest it’s been in this area on that date (June 17) since 1887. Reset hears what’s ahead for the week, and the season. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
6/18/202411 minutes, 24 seconds
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Cook County Jail Had A Record Number Of Deaths Last Year

A new Injustice Watch investigation reveals that 18 detainees died at Cook County Jail, the highest number of people in almost a decade. A spokesperson for Sheriff Tom Dart points to an influx of fentanyl-laced paper smuggled into the jail as the “primary driver” for the spike. Advocates say there’s more need for oversight. Reset sits down with Injustice Watch reporter Carlos Ballesteros who followed this for over a year. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
6/18/202413 minutes, 2 seconds
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Comparing Chicago And Colombia’s Immigration Policies

While there are tens of thousands of migrants in Chicago, there are millions in Colombia. And the South American country takes an integration approach, providing healthcare and job opportunities to migrants. Reset discusses what Chicago and the U.S. can learn from these Colombian policies. This story is part of The Democracy Solutions Project, a collaboration between WBEZ, the Chicago Sun-Times and the University of Chicago’s Center for Effective Government, with funding support from the Pulitzer Center. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
6/18/202422 minutes, 38 seconds
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Everyone’s Got A Memorable Childhood Sports Story. What’s Yours?

Summer is tied to childhood memories. Italian ice. Running through the backyard sprinkler. Hanging out at the beach. Sports are tied to that, too. Kicking a ball down the street. Catching a baseball game. Cannonballs off the diving board. To ring in the summery temperatures, we’re collecting stories about favorite sports memories. Whether it’s an embarrassing story or a moment of glory. Here’s a taste of what we’ve heard from listeners.
6/17/20249 minutes, 40 seconds
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This Musician Recorded Her New Album In A 200-Year-Old Church

Toronto singer and songwriter Abigail Lapell is out with a new album, Anniversary, which features 11 intimate songs that explore youth, grief and eternal love. The multi-instrumentalist joined fellow Canadian group Great Lake Swimmers at the historic St. Mark’s Church in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario to record this latest project. Inspired by many milestones in her life – from turning 40 to the 15th anniversary of her father’s passing – Lapell showcases her vocals, guitar, piano and more on this new project. Reset checked in with the singer ahead of her Chicago show. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
6/15/202423 minutes, 10 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: June 14, 2024

The news can be a lot to handle. On our Weekly News Recap, we give you the top stories from the week, and dive into their nuances. This week, Chicago’s City Council approved one of the largest ever police misconduct settlements, but deferred on an earlier teen curfew and ethics ordinance. Senate Republicans blocked Sen. Tammy Duckworth’s bill to protect in vitro fertilization. And Riot Fest departs the city for the suburbs. Reset dives into these and other major local news with Heather Cherone, WTTW Chicago politics reporter, Salem Collo Julin, Editor-in-Chief of the Chicago Reader and Greg Hinz, political columnist, Crain’s Chicago Business. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
6/14/202447 minutes, 22 seconds
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Illinois Is Hitting Pause On A Booming Carbon Capture Industry

Lawmakers in Springfield want more federal oversight and regulations on a controversial technology that is at the center of meeting the Biden administration’s national climate goals. Reset finds out more about the “gold rush” carbon capture industry, and also gets an update on “Cicada Watch 2024.” For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
6/14/202413 minutes, 4 seconds
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What’s In Season: Herbs, Strawberries And Lettuce

Whether you’re poking around at farmer’s markets or tending a veggie garden, learning what’s ready to be harvested is a way to get in rhythm with the seasons in the Midwest. Plus, it often means eating produce at peak ripeness. Reset talks about what to cook and how to tend to a veggie garden with Eliza Fournier, urban farm center director, College of Lake County For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
6/13/202415 minutes, 50 seconds
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The Future and History Of Black Queer Spaces In Chicago

We celebrate pride every June, but year-round, Chicagoans are carving out spaces to protect and center Black queer joy. And there’s a long history of Black queer Chicagoans creating these spaces across the city. The tradition of Black queer nightlife in this city is marked with a great deal of creativity, resilience and plenty of lessons to be learned across generations of organizers. To learn more about this history, Reset spoke to the Chicago Reader’s DMB, Executive Sweet Party’s Pat McCombs and Party Noire’s dr.nick alder. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
6/13/202428 minutes, 16 seconds
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Take A Guided Soundwalk!

Next time you’re on a walk, try leaving your phone and headphones at home and make what’s happening around you your next playlist. This is something called a soundwalk. People can be guided through a soundwalk to slow down, become more present and begin to notice and pay attention to the interplay of sounds happening around us. To learn more about this practice and how to try it this summer, Reset spoke to Midwest Society for Acoustic Ecology’s Eric Leonardson, Summer Soundwalk Series’ Paige Naylor and artist Hai-Wen Lin. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
6/12/202417 minutes, 37 seconds
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More Than Half of Americans Will Have Cardiovascular Disease By 2050, Says American Heart Association

Six in ten. That’s how many people are projected to be impacted by cardiovascular disease by the year 2050, according to new studies from the American Heart Association. To learn more about these predictions and how this health problem could eventually affect more than half of the country’s population, Reset spoke with Dr. Mitchell Elkind of the AHA. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
6/12/202419 minutes, 36 seconds
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Homelessness in Chicago Is Nearly Three Times Higher Than Last Year

An increase in Chicago’s homeless population. A proposed quiet zone around a West Loop women’s clinic. A $50 million settlement paid by the city to four men wrongly convicted of a murder as teenagers. And more. Reset spoke with WBEZ city government and politics reports Tessa Weinberg and Mariah Woelfel to unpack the news coming out of city hall this week. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
6/11/202413 minutes, 16 seconds
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Behind The Messy Rhetoric Around The WNBA

Fouls on the basketball court are usually a dime a dozen, but Chicago Sky guard Chennedy Carter’s body check against WNBA rookie Caitlin Clark sparked nationwide conversations about what’s considered to be “too aggressive” during games. Conduct like that in a professional league is far from disorderly, so why did it cause such a stir? Reset hosts a roundtable discussion to break down the rhetoric and what the season’s coverage could look like going forward. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
6/11/202417 minutes, 50 seconds
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What’s That Building: Take This Tour Of The Lakefront Trail

Chicago loves its architecture tours – but this one is free! You can hit up the path along Lake Michigan — and keep your eyes peeled for architectural gems and important historical markers from the South Side to downtown. We check in with Dennis Rodkin for our “What’s That Building” series. And you can take the tour yourself by following the sites he highlights here. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
6/10/202415 minutes, 35 seconds
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What Are Fibroids And Why Will A Majority Of Women Get Them?

Fibroids are the most common non-cancerous tumor that grows inside the uterus. According to the U.S. National Institutes of Health, around 1 in 4 women of reproductive age have fibroids. While not everyone who has them experiences symptoms, it can cause pain that can impact a person’s daily life. Fibroids can cause heavy and painful menstrual cycles, cramping, bloating, lower back pain and frequent urination. Reset checks in with a doctor to learn more about these uterine growths and treatment. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
6/10/202419 minutes, 50 seconds
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This Weekend, Head Over To The Largest Free Blues Festival In The World

There’s a type of blues music that is native to Chicago. It can be characterized by its use of guitar, harmonica and rhythm sections. Between June 6-9, the largest free blues festival in the world is returning to Chicago. Legendary bluesman Buddy Guy will headline in one of his final performances. Reset checks in with three blues musicians to learn about the scene in Chicago and what to expect for the fest this year. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
6/8/202425 minutes, 33 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: June 7, 2024

So much news, so little time. From a proposed teen curfew downtown to DNC security updates to sex-crazed “zombie” cicadas, Reset dives into the top local stories in the Weekly News Recap. Our panel this week is: The Chicago Sun-Times Mitchell Armentrout, WTTW’s Brandis Friedman, and Block Club Chicago’s Melody Mercado. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
6/7/202446 minutes, 28 seconds
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IL DCFS Faced Crisis For Years. Here’s How The New Director Is Approaching The Job

Illinois’ Department of Children and Family Services has faced challenges and reports of dysfunction for years – from failing to report cases of abuse in schools to reports of improper use of funds. But the department has just come under new leadership, and could see its focus—and efficacy—change. Reset checks in with the new leader of the embattled DCFS for how she plans to right the ship. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
6/7/202413 minutes, 1 second
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What Does Good Restaurant Hospitality Look Like In Chicago

Dining out can be a treat. But as a guest, interactions with hosts, servers and bartenders can sometimes make or break a meal. And behind the scenes, there are dozens of decisions and approaches for staff to consider. Reset hears from two hospitality leaders – Patricia Prosen, owner Que Rico Mexican restaurant, and Loren Agron, manager Ed Debevic’s – about how they approach service in Chicago. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
6/6/202413 minutes, 44 seconds
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Toxic ‘Forever Chemicals’ Are Rising In Lake Michigan. Here’s How To Limit Your Exposure.

Chemicals like per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are on the rise in Lake Michigan, according to a new study published by the American Chemical Society. To learn more about this issue, Reset sat down with Chicago Tribune environment reporter Michael Hawthorne and Erik Olson, senior strategic director for health at the Natural Resources Defense Council. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
6/6/202415 minutes, 49 seconds
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What Biden’s Border Shutdown Could Mean For Chicago

A new executive order from President Biden temporarily suspends the entry of most asylum seekers attempting to cross the border without authorization. The restrictions will continue until two weeks after unauthorized border crossings dip to or below a seven-day average of 1,500 per day, according to the Biden administration. Reset discusses what this means for current and future asylum seekers in Chicago. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
6/5/202417 minutes, 22 seconds
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Brandon Johnson Plans To Make Good On A Campaign Promise

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is aiming to make good on a campaign promise to expand mental health services. Six city-run mental health clinics were closed in 2016 under Chicago’s then-mayor Rahm Emanuel. A majority of the closed clinics were on the city’s south and west sides. Two administrations later, Johnson is sharing plans to reopen the first clinic in Roseland. We dig into the plan and other news out of Chicago’s City Hall, including a potential sidewalk plowing initiative, with WBEZ city politics reporter Tessa Weinberg. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
6/5/202413 minutes, 55 seconds
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From Chicago To Mars: Discover Your Inner Scientist

As school winds down and we head into summer, it’s a great chance to dip a toe into the world of science. All you need is an internet connection and a curious mind. The Zooniverse program at Chicago’s Adler Planetarium brings together more than 2 million volunteer scientists worldwide to join research teams in diverse fields from astronomy to ecology, to even the history of science itself. Reset learns more about how you can participate with Samantha Blickhan, director of Zooniverse at Adler Planetarium; and Karen Weigert, director of Loyola University Chicago’s Baumhart Center for Social Enterprise and Responsibility. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
6/4/202413 minutes, 59 seconds
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City Watchdog: Chicago Police At Risk Of Violating Protestors’ Rights At DNC

As the Democratic National Convention and inevitable protests approach, Chicago’s Inspector General is raising the alarm. The IG’s latest report suggests that Chicago police are unprepared for protests and mass gatherings, and warns that police tactics like pepper spray and "kettling" protestors can escalate tensions. Meanwhile, some experts expect a push of Russian propaganda around the DNC. We dig into what to know with Chicago Sun-Times reporter Tom Schuba. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
6/4/202414 minutes, 40 seconds
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Inside WBEZ’s Summer Guide Of Chicago’s Must-Sees And Can’t-Misses

From street fests to must-see performances, WBEZ’s arts and culture team is highlighting a guide of summer events and excitement. Reset checks in with senior editor Cassie Walker Burke, theater reporter Mike Davis, and arts reporter Courtney Kueppers. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
6/3/202414 minutes, 12 seconds
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Six Lung Collapses, Then A Rare Disease Diagnosis

Thirty million people live with a rare disease in the United States. And for many of them, it often takes years to get a diagnosis. For one Chicago woman, those years were marked by uncertainty and doctors’ dismissal of her growing pain as she experienced lung collapse after lung collapse. She was eventually diagnosed with a rare form of endometriosis. Reset sits down with her to hear her story and to talk about how women navigate physical pain and the medical system. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
6/3/202417 minutes, 45 seconds
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How To Stay Safe Swimming In Lake Michigan

Summer is on its way, and temperatures are rising. But if you’re planning to dive into the water, you need to make sure you’re careful, too. Reset breaks down some warning signs for drowning and tips to stay safe in the water. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
6/1/202417 minutes, 24 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: May 31, 2024

Illinois politicians have partisan reactions to Trump’s guilty verdict. Milwaukee braces for the Republican National Convention in July. Democrats decide to nominate Joe Biden virtually ahead of August’s Chicago convention to meet an Ohio ballot deadline. Lawmakers in Illinois approve a $53 billion state budget. Reset dives into these and other top local stories in the Weekly News Recap with Simone Alicea, City Cast Chicago executive producer, Amanda Vinicky, WTTW political correspondent and Alex Degman, WBEZ statehouse reporter. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
5/31/202445 minutes, 57 seconds
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The History Of Baseball’s Negro Leagues

Major League Baseball is now incorporating statistics of Negro League players in their record books. Since this change, ball players like Josh Gibson have dethroned legends like Ty Cobb and Babe Ruth. Reset learns more about the history of the Negro Leagues and Black baseball stars with the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum co-founder and author Larry Lester. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
5/31/202418 minutes, 53 seconds
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Chicago Is Training City Workers And Citizens To Help Prevent Suicide

There’s a shortage of mental health workers in Chicago, but the rate of suicide is increasing in certain communities. To address this, CDPH is implementing a new approach that trains city workers and people who live in areas with high suicide rates to help prevent suicide by connecting people in need to available resources. Reset learns about the gaps this city run program is aiming to fill. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
5/30/202416 minutes, 36 seconds
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A CPS Teacher’s Diary Of His Final School Year

For Chicago teachers, a note from the principal detailing their assignment for the upcoming school year is a mere formality. Some return to the same grade level or subject as the year before. But for others, including veteran teacher Gregory Michie, the switch was a “sucker punch.” Michie was reassigned to teach media literacy to all grade levels, from kindergarten through eighth grade, a challenge he hadn’t encountered before. In a series of diary entries, he chronicles his experiences of his final year in Chicago Public Schools. Now readers can learn from Michie’s experience in his published book, “176 Days: A Teacher’s Diary of an Unexpected Year.” Reset sits down with Michie to learn more about the lessons he learned. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
5/30/202412 minutes, 54 seconds
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The DOJ Is Suing Live Nation. Here’s What That Might Mean For Chicago’s Music Scene.

The Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against Live Nation, an events promoter and venue operator, alleging that the company has monopolized the ticket-selling marketplace after it merged with Ticketmaster back in 2010. Live Nation, as you might expect, disagrees. Reset checks in with an independent venue owner and Chicago musician to hear how this lawsuit could impact the local music scene. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
5/29/202415 minutes, 11 seconds
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What’s That Building? Former Little Village Firehouse

The National Museum of Mexican Art plans to turn this long-vacant structure into the Yollocalli youth arts center. Located at 2358 S. Whipple St., the former Little Village firehouse will have performance and studio spaces, an indoor garden made from an old spiral staircase and disco balls. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
5/29/202411 minutes, 5 seconds
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Illinois Closer To Passing The Budget

Lawmakers technically have until June 30th to pass the budget – but their legislative session was supposed to end last week. Reset hears an update from a statehouse reporter in Springfield. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
5/28/202414 minutes, 20 seconds
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Diners Not Yet Convinced By The Carp Rebrand

Asian carp is so bountiful in the Mississippi and Illinois rivers, and causes such a problem for the fishing industry here that the Illinois Department of Natural Resources rebranded it as the “copi” fish – short for copious to entice diners to eat it and help control the population. Reset learns more about how the rebrand has worked out for restaurants so far, why some diners are still resisting and what a local entrepreneur is doing to promote the fish. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
5/28/202412 minutes, 42 seconds
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New York’s Chanel Beads On Their Debut Album

Chanel Beads is an experimental band that hails from the DIY scene of New York. They just released their debut album Your Day Will Come. It features an array of tracks full of electronic drums, droning violins and heavily-processed vocals. Reset chats with Chanel Beads front person Shane Lavers to learn more about the band and this newest release. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
5/25/202414 minutes, 9 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: May 24, 2024

Chicago City Council approves another $1.3 million to resolve two lawsuits involving police misconduct during 2020 protests. Northwestern University’s president testifies about pro-Palestinian protests before Congress. Reset goes behind the headlines of those stories and much more in our Weekly News Recap. The panelists today are ABC 7 anchor Ravi Baichwal, WBEZ city politics reporter Mariah Woelfel, and Alex Nitkin, reporter with the Illinois Answers Project. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
5/24/202446 minutes, 2 seconds
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CPS Explores What Safety Looks Like Without School Resource Officers

Earlier this year, the city’s Board of Education unanimously voted to remove school resource officers, or SROs, from school buildings. Since then, Chicago Public Schools has come up with a new school safety plan without police officers, that instead explores alternatives that focus on mediation over punishment. Reset checks with Chalkbeat reporter Reema Amin to learn more about this new safety plan. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
5/24/202413 minutes, 38 seconds
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Is CPS Failing To Support Migrant Students?

There are nearly 9,000 migrant children attending CPS schools. This influx of students is shining a light on CPS’ lack of resources, particularly for Spanish-speaking children. Reset sits down with Chalkbeat reporter Reema Amina and Block Club Chicago reporter Mina Bloom about their latest work investigating how CPS is falling short in meeting the needs of all their students. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
5/23/202412 minutes, 31 seconds
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Some Illinois Families Will Get $120 Per Kid In Grocery Money This Summer

When school lets out for the summer break, many students can lose access to consistent meals. But now, kids experiencing food insecurity will be eligible for a seasonal grocery benefit. Reset digs into why the Summer EBT program is a big deal — and what other resources families can use this summer. We talk with Man-Yee Lee, director of communications for the Greater Chicago Food Depository, and Carmen Moorer, youth services manager for the Chicago Heights Public Library. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
5/23/202411 minutes, 50 seconds
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Cook County Suburbs Are Losing Population. Far Southwest Suburbs Are Gaining.

It’s not just the city of Chicago that’s losing population, it’s also neighboring suburbs in Cook County, according to new Census data. Meanwhile, some suburbs farther out from Chicago are gaining big time. Reset learns more about this trend, who is going where, and some of the factors at play. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
5/22/202420 minutes, 10 seconds
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What To Watch For During Today’s Chicago City Council Meeting

Within the packed agenda before it, Chicago City Council is set to introduce ordinances that call upon Mayor Brandon Johnson to fire CTA President Dorval Carter, amidst calls for “new leadership” in the transit agency. Reset hears a preview of this week’s Chicago City Council meeting from WBEZ city government and politics reporters Mariah Woelfel and Tessa Weinberg. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
5/22/202412 minutes, 6 seconds
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As Our Cicada Overlords Arrive, The Caterpillars Are The Real Winners

What does a bird think when it sees billions of cicadas flying around? Lunchtime. More than just a nuisance, periodical cicadas are an important player in the forest ecosystem. A 2023 study published in the journal Science, found that 80 species of birds started eating cicadas instead of caterpillars during the Brood X emergence, which had an effect on trees where the caterpillars live. Reset learns how the current eruption of cicadas affects the forest ecosystem, and the ripple effects we could be seeing for years to come. We talk to ecologist Zoe Getman-Pickering and Karen Weigert, director of Loyola University Chicago’s Baumhart Center for Social Enterprise and Responsibility. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
5/21/202414 minutes, 13 seconds
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Meet The Chicago Photographer Documenting Demolition In The City

Chicago tears down a lot of buildings — the city issued nearly a thousand demolition permits in 2023 alone. But it’s not always clear why or what exactly is being torn down in the city. One Chicago photographer has made it his mission to document these doomed buildings before they get razed. Reset sits down with Soren Spicknall to talk about his photo series “Leave the Seat Empty.” For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
5/21/202412 minutes, 34 seconds
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Illinois’ Role In The LGBTQ+ Rights Movement

Here in Chicago and Illinois, we have a rich history of LGBTQ+ activism. Now, we can visit a traveling exhibit about the last 50 years of fighting for LGBTQ+ rights. The exhibit, called “Queer Justice,” is being featured at Chicago’s Center on Halsted. Reset checks in with Camilla Taylor, the deputy legal director for litigation at Lambda Legal, a national legal organization that focuses on LGBTQ+ rights and for those living with HIV. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
5/20/202410 minutes, 27 seconds
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DEI Is Under Attack. Here’s What’s At Stake.

Criticism of diversity, equity and inclusion programs across the country is on the rise in state legislatures, schools, and at some private companies. While DEI is intended to correct inequities within an organization, opponents of DEI programs argue it instead promotes division. Reset sits down with Alida Miranda-Wolff, Chicago DEI expert and author of The First-Time Manager: DEI to hear how to foster a safe, inclusive and productive workplace. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
5/20/202448 seconds
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Frontman of AJJ Says it’s “an Honor” to Fight the Status Quo

Co-founders of the folk-punk group AJJ join Reset to discuss their latest album Disposable Everything. The band has eight studio albums and twenty years of performing under their belts. Sean Bonnett and Ben Gallaty talk about the therapy of song-writing, collaborations, and advice for the newcomers. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
5/18/202414 minutes, 7 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: May 17, 2024

We look back on Brandon Johnson’s first year in office. Plus, money news! The IRS audit of Trump Chicago Tower could cost the former president $100 million, former West Side hospital executive charged with embezzlement, and lawmakers debate the state budget in Springfield as busloads of CPS teachers arrive at the Capitol to lobby legislators. Reset breaks down these stories and much more with David Greising, president of the Better Government Association, Nick Blumberg, a correspondent for WTTW News and Tessa Weinberg, city government and politics reporter for WBEZ. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
5/17/202446 minutes, 35 seconds
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Happy 20th Birthday Millenium Park!

The greenspace is a point of pride for many Chicagoans, and hosts many popular events throughout the year. But people were conflicted about it early on, especially about the unique art it holds. Reset digs into the archives, and hears from Loyola professor Timothy Gilfoyle to learn more about the history of the city’s famous park. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
5/17/202413 minutes, 57 seconds
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Chicago Theater You Should See In May

WBEZ’s May highlights of productions feature a mix of works at storefront and big-name theaters.The mix of local and national talent on stage is a testament to Chicago’s place in the theater ecosystem. Reset gets the scoop from WBEZ’s theater reporter, Mike Davis. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
5/16/202415 minutes, 8 seconds
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Number of Cyclists In Chicago Doubles, But Riders Still Worry About Safety

More and more Chicagoans are opting for bikes to get around the city. According to a new analysis, the number of cyclists have doubled in the last five years in Chicago. But with more folks biking, what needs to be done to keep them safe? Reset checks in with Active Transportation Alliance’s executive director Amy Rynell, and Lacey Cordero, volunteer, with Chicago Family Biking on current efforts to address biking safety in the city and what more needs to be done. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
5/16/202416 minutes, 47 seconds
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Civic Federation Raises Red Flag On Future Solvency of State Transit Agencies

The watchdog group is out with a 62 page analysis of the state’s proposed FY20205 budget. It notes that Governor Pritzker’s $800 million in tax changes will help close the state’s budget deficit, but that any more could overwhelm taxpayers. If left unchecked, the report says the CTA, PACE and Metra face an over $700 million deficit as soon as 2026. Reset learns more about the impact this could have on Chicago area transit riders from Joe Ferguson, president of the Civic Federation. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
5/15/202410 minutes, 32 seconds
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Why Are Asian Americans Less Likely To Seek Mental Health Care?

Asian Americans are often perceived to be more adjusted, successful and thriving compared to other minority groups in the U.S. – largely due to stereotypes rooted in the model minority myth. But research suggests that Asian Americans experience higher rates of mental illness and fare worse with their mental health compared to non-Asian people. Reset digs into why with University of Chicago’s Yoonsun Choi, and Chicago writer Ada Cheng. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
5/14/202418 minutes, 59 seconds
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Bad Record Keeping Leaving People Behind Bars For Longer Than Sentenced

Some people incarcerated in Illinois prisons could be eligible for immediate release. That’s due to a new state law that would take time off prisoner’s sentences for taking part in work, educational, reentry or substance abuse programs. But the law isn’t being consistently applied to eligible prisoners. Reset learns more about why and how that can change from Open Campus’s Charlotte West, and the Illinois Prison Project’s Candace Chambliss. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
5/14/202415 minutes, 18 seconds
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What’s That Building: The Former La Luce Building Near Ogden

A charming four-story Queen Anne-style structure from 1892 near Ogden has seen better days. The city’s landmark commission announced its new status back in 2021 to save it from certain demolition but three years later, is its dilapidated state all there is to it now? Reset learns more about this city landmark from architecture sleuth, and Crain’s Chicago Business residential real estate reporter, Dennis Rodkin. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
5/13/202413 minutes, 42 seconds
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Using Taste, Smell, Memory To Recreate Lost Recipes

You likely have a favorite food. Maybe it reminds you of someone, or some time in your life. But if you don’t have the recipe, or you make it and it doesn’t taste quite like what you remember, what do you do? Reset checks in with UChicago Neuroscience Professor Leslie Kay and Great American Baking Show winner Martin Sorge for tips on recreating dishes from memory. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
5/13/202413 minutes, 4 seconds
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Red Scarves’ Latest Album Explores Failure And Doing Your Best

Local indie band Red Scarves is out with their new album ‘Nice Try.’ It features nine tracks that navigate themes of failure, freedom and just doing your best. The four best friends came together during lockdown in the summer of 2020 to write the music for this latest project. Reset sits down with two of the four members of the group, Ayethaw Tun and Ryan Donlin, to learn more about how the band came together, their collaborative process of making music and the journey of releasing ‘Nice Try.’ For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
5/11/202412 minutes, 46 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: May 10, 2024

What a week in news! University of Chicago launched a pre-dawn raid on a pro-Palestinian encampment. President Biden comes to town. And 95 adults file a lawsuit alleging physical and sexual abuse at Illinois juvenile detention centers. Reset breaks down these stories and much more with Block Club Chicago’s Mick Dumke, Washington Post’s Kim Bellware, and Fox 32’s Paris Schutz. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
5/10/202444 minutes, 35 seconds
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Chicago Sits On One-Fifth Of The World’s Freshwater Supply. Here’s How Local Players Are Protecting That.

Water scarcity and what the UN calls “water-related hazards” – like flooding and drought – are increasing around the globe. As water supplies dry up, eyes turn to water havens, like the Great Lakes region. So how does a city like Chicago meet the need and protect the water resources from those who would only profit from it? Multiple players are coming together to do this under the banner of the blue economy in Chicago. Reset learns more about these efforts from Reset sustainability contributor Karen Weigert, Tikal Industries Christian Guerrero, and Current’s Alaina Harkness. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
5/10/202415 minutes, 19 seconds
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Hater Extraordinaire And ‘Most Ethical Guy In Music’: Remembering Chicagoan Steve Albini

In the world of music recording, Chicagoan Steve Albini was an international legend, even a pioneer. Albini passed away from a heart attack this week at 61. But his impact on fellow engineers and the industry will not be soon forgotten. WBEZ engineer Dave Miska shares how and why Albini spoke to a generation of punk Gen X-ers. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
5/9/20246 minutes, 45 seconds
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Inside Chicago’s ‘Fossil Lab’

The Fossil Lab is run by UChicago paleontologist Paul Sereno. It recently moved from the university campus to a space in Washington Park where visitors can see 3D renderings of dinosaurs and a wide variety of fossils. Reset sits down with Sereno to learn more about the community learning opportunities he’s planning for the lab. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
5/9/202415 minutes, 20 seconds
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Meet The Chicagoan Telling Deaf And Immigrant Stories Through Animation

Schantelle Alonzo is the daughter of Filipino immigrants and grew up in Chicago’s Albany Park. She was born deaf in her left ear and felt she didn’t see her story represented in animations she grew up seeing. Today, she creates short films to share stories of underrepresented communities like the deaf, Asian Americans and immigrants. Reset sits down with the animator to learn more about the impact she hopes to leave on people viewing her work. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
5/8/202413 minutes, 29 seconds
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Chicago Faces Another Lawsuit Over DNC Protest Permits

Bodies Outside of Unjust Laws, a coalition for reproductive justice and LGBTQ+ liberation, filed a federal lawsuit against the city last Thursday. That suit alleges the city violated their first and fourteenth amendment rights by denying their request to protest by the Water Tower on Michigan Ave, where many Democratic National Convention delegates will be staying. Plus, Mayor Johnson scraps his plan to relocate a downtown migrant shelter to the 11th ward. Reset hears the latest in city politics from WBEZ’s Tessa Weinberg and Mariah Woelfel. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
5/8/202412 minutes, 11 seconds
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Your Gas Bill Could Soar In Illinois

A new report finds Illinois residents could see a rate increase in their gas bills of 50% over the next 10 years. That report, from the Building Decarbonization Coalition and Groundworks Data, shows the state’s continued investment in natural gas infrastructure. Reset talks through meaningful intervention options with WBEZ’s Juanpablo Ramirez-Franco. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
5/7/20246 minutes, 53 seconds
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Ready To Ditch Your Smartphone For A ‘Dumb Phone’?

Nine out of ten people in the U.S. own a smartphone, according to the Pew Research Center. As our society becomes built around this technology, some people are nostalgic for a different time – when cell phones didn’t dominate and distract us. Reset discusses the topic with CPS principal Seth Lavin, who got rid of his smartphone, and TJ Driver, co-founder of Brick, a device that disables apps on your smartphone temporarily. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
5/7/202413 minutes, 53 seconds
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Latest On Pro-Palestinian Protests On Chicago Campuses

Student organizers from Northwestern, University of Chicago, DePaul and the School of the Art Institute have all set up pro-Palestinan encampments in recent weeks. Reset gets the latest on the protests from WBEZ’s Lisa Kurian Philip, The Depaulia’s Lilly Keller and The Daily Northwestern’s Jacob Wendler. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
5/6/202418 minutes, 22 seconds
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What’s That Building? Quinn Chapel AME Church

Quinn Chapel is an icon in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood that the community is in the process of restoring. The building sits on the corner of 24th and Wabash. It has a long history of Black activism and was once a station on the Underground Railroad, helping Black people escape enslavement. Reset learns more about this building and renovation project from architecture sleuth Dennis Rodkin. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
5/6/202412 minutes, 36 seconds
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Rosie Tucker Tells Hard Truths with Their New Record

UTOPIA NOW! is the latest from the queer indie super star Rosie Tucker. The album explores the failings of the music industry, the dangers of fame, and reflections on identity. Rosie joins Reset to talk about new music and the artists that inspired their sound. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
5/4/202417 minutes, 9 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: May 3, 2024

Protests continue on local university campuses. Lawmakers return to Springfield for spring session, where the Bears’ stadium plans are sidelined by the governor’s aides and other political leaders. Meanwhile, Mayor Johnson prepares to relaunch a guaranteed basic income program and the speed limit could be lowered in Chicago. Reset goes behind those headlines and more with Axios’ Monica Eng, Chicago Tribune’s Ray Long and WBEZ’s Mariah Woelfel. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
5/3/202444 minutes, 7 seconds
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Gardeners, Get Ready, Set, Plant!

May is the time to get garden beds ready, and harden off your seedlings so you can get your veggies in the ground now for bountiful summer months. Reset gets tips for getting veggie gardens started and spring veggie recipes from cultural historian and chef Jordan Wimby and the Chicago Botanic Garden’s Chester Jankowski. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
5/3/202413 minutes, 5 seconds
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Ready Or Not, Illinois Braces For The Sweet (Screaming) Song Of Cicadas

Producer: Jules Yaeger Editor: Meha AhmadIllinois’ biggest cicada season in over two centuries is beginning. Around a trillion cicadas will emerge from the ground all across the state—in urban, suburban, and rural areas alike. Reset checks in with Allen Lawrance with the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum and Stephanie Adams with the Morton Arboretum about the impact of this insect on people and plants this summer. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset. Mixer: Brenda Ruiz
5/2/202413 minutes, 8 seconds
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World Press Freedom Day

Last year, Calumet City cited a Daily Southtown reporter for seeking comment from public employees. That’s one out of at least 165 incidents that interfered with journalists seeking and conveying information to the public last year, according to the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker. But many violations of press freedom go unreported or under the radar. To mark World Press Freedom Day this week, Reset checked in with Seth Stern, director of advocacy at Freedom of the Press Foundation, to learn more. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
5/2/202418 minutes, 24 seconds
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Chicago Legal Group Wants Limited Solitary Confinement In Illinois Prisons

A report from the Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights, and other groups, says the state’s continued practice of solitary confinement violates international human rights. But change may be on the horizon. Illinois’ general assembly is considering legislation that would restrict solitary confinement, and hopefully create change in the system. Reset learns more from James Swansey with Restore Justice, and David Shapiro with the Chicago Lawyers’ Committee. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
5/1/202415 minutes, 38 seconds
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Use It Or Lose It: The Tale of Covid Relief Money Burning A Hole In Chicago’s Pocket

For this week’s update from City Hall, we learn about Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s plan to spend the remaining federal COVID-19 dollars before the funds expire at the end of the year. Plus, why the Mayor didn’t attend the funeral of a slain CPD officer, and how he’s defending support for the Chicago Bears $4.7 million stadium proposal. We get the latest from WBEZ’s Tessa Weinberg. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
5/1/20249 minutes, 51 seconds
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Grammy-Award Winning Singer Laufey In Chicago

A jazz icon to some, a breakout pop star to others, the Icelandic-Chinese singer Laufey has skyrocketed into popularity. Her debut album dropped in 2020, and just three years later she won a Grammy for her 2023 album ‘Bewiched’. Reset sat down with the 25-year-old for more on stardom and how her lyrics resonate with fans of all ages. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
4/30/202426 minutes, 39 seconds
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CTA Continues To Struggle, Illinois Lawmakers Want to Consolidate Chicago Transit Agencies

From the recent death of an employee on the job raising concerns about driver safety, to a program meant to bolster employment that’s falling short of its goals, and a controversial appointment to the board, the Chicago Transit Authority continues to struggle. Reset talks through these issues, and some possible solutions, with Block Club Chicago’s Manny Ramos, Chicago Sun-Times’ Lauren FitzPatrick, and Commuters Take Action’s Morgan Madderom. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
4/30/202414 minutes, 6 seconds
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Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation Regains Sovereignty Over Some Of Their Homelands

In 1849, the U.S. government illegally auctioned off land owned by the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation. Over the past two decades, the Tribal Nation has purchased some of their land back. This month, The U.S. Department of the Interior placed those 130 acres into a trust, formally recognizing the tribe’s ability to govern portions of their homelands. This is the first time this has happened in Illinois. Reset checks in with Joseph “Zeke” Rupnik, a chairman of the Prairie Band, on their efforts to regain sovereignty over the entire Shab-eh-ney Reservation. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
4/29/202412 minutes, 26 seconds
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Openlands Plants Its 10,000th Tree In Time For Arbor Day

The Chicago based non-profit, Openlands, brings trees to you! The organization’s program introduces the public to caring for the environment through teaching residents how to identify, care for, plant and advocate for trees. Reset talks with Openlands CEO, Michael Davidson and TreeKeeper #1905, Pablo Rodriguez. We also talk with Reset sustainability contributor Karen Weigert. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
4/29/202417 minutes, 7 seconds
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Jazz Trumpeter Wynton Marsalis Honors Duke Ellington In CSO Concert

Duke Ellington was born April 29, 1899. Today, 125 years after his birth, a concert series celebrates the pianist and composer's monumental impact on music. Reset talks with Wynton Marsalis, Grammy award-winning jazz master, about Ellington’s enduring impact on music and how he continues to honor Ellington’s legacy. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
4/27/202421 minutes, 26 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap, April 26, 2024

The Chicago Bears revealed plans for a new domed lakefront stadium – and successfully drafted their quarterback pick. The family of Dexter Reed filed a civil rights lawsuit over his killing by police. Chicago campuses see anti-war protests, and specialty grocers Dom's Kitchen & Market and Foxtrot face class action lawsuits from now-former employees. Reset breaks down these stories and much more with NBC-5 Chicago’s Christian Farr, Chicago Sun-Times’s Mitchell Armentrout, and Chicago Tribune’s Dan Petrella. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
4/26/202446 minutes, 32 seconds
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Netflix’s ‘Good Times’ Reboot Met With Backlash

Fifty years after the 1974 debut of the iconic “Good Times” sitcom, a new animated reboot of the show was launched on Netflix and fans of the original show are not having a good time. The sitcom depicted a Black family making ends meet in public housing in Chicago. Its co-creator, Chicagoan Eric Monte, quickly became known as the “Godfather of Sitcom,” as he was also the mastermind behind shows including “The Jeffersons” and “What’s Happening.” Reset checks in with Monte’s daughter Cynthia Crisp, WBEZ’s Natalie Moore, and journalism professor Arionne Nettles about the show’s legacy and remake. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
4/26/202418 minutes, 29 seconds
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How One Chicagoan Modernized Her Great-Great-Great Grandfather’s Pre-Prohibition Pale Ale

Laurin Mack loves Chicago and loves beer. So maybe it was inevitable that she would go on to tap into her great-great-great grandfather’s brewing legacy, and share his story of the beers that “built Chicago.” She re-opened the Conrad Seipp Brewing Company in 2020, and began the process of excavating the recipe for his pre-Prohibition pale ale. Several years, and two styles of beer later, you can now purchase Seipp beer at select Binny’s and Jewel locations. Reset sat down with Mack to learn more about “the beer that built Chicago” and the process of re-creating the past for the present moment. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
4/25/202412 minutes, 44 seconds
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Chicago Wants To Create One System For Migrant And Homeless Shelters

his attempt at unification comes as the number of migrants staying in shelters has decreased from a peak of nearly 15,000 people in January to about 8,600 as of Wednesday. The city and state has shut down 11 shelters set up specifically for migrants. But combining Chicago’s shelter systems is still a major change – and will require a lot of coordination. Reset learns more about what this consolidation could mean for Chicago from Nell Salzman with the Chicago Tribune, and Jenn Torres, a volunteer helping with migrants. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
4/25/202415 minutes, 24 seconds
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Foxtrot, Dom’s Kitchen & Market Workers And Customers Shocked At Sudden Closure

Outfox Hospitality, the parent company of Foxtrot and Dom’s Kitchen & Market, is filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, according to food-and-beverage newsletter Snaxshot. The move comes five months after the two Chicago-based companies merged. Reset learns more about what is going on from Eater Chicago’s Ashok Selvam and attorney Connie A. Lahn. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
4/24/202413 minutes, 37 seconds
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O’Hare Terminal Upgrade Halted Over City Budget Concerns

Passengers traveling through O’Hare’s Terminal 3 could soon see wider concourses, renovated restrooms, revamped baggage claim area and more. However, budget concerns have halted the construction of a global terminal and satellite concourses, leading Mayor Johnson to propose a major change in the order of construction. Reset hears the latest from WBEZ’s Tessa Weinberg. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
4/24/202412 minutes, 31 seconds
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Why Did Most Cook County Suburbs Pass On A Piece Of A $20 Million Pie?

Migrants in Cook County suburbs still need housing and immigration support, but even with a pool of funds $20 million deep, few suburbs have applied for the assistance. The deadline closed this past Friday with only 4 out of about 100 suburbs sending in applications. Reset finds out more with WBEZ reporter Kristen Schorsch; Julie Solis, homeless prevention program manager from Respond Now, a non-profit in the south suburbs; and Alison Leipsiger, Evanston policy coordinator. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
4/23/202414 minutes, 32 seconds
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A 1950s Gold Coast NightClub Was Once The Hottest Spot In Chicago

Attracting performances by Richard Pryor, Barbra Streisand and Ella Fitzgerald, Mister Kelly’s on Rush Street was a destination for audiences of all races in the 1950s and ’60s. Reset talks about the Newberry Library’s latest exhibit on the importance of the venue with the library’s Vince Firpo, David Marienthal who donated some of the archival material, and freelance audio producer and journalist Andrew Meriwether. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
4/23/202415 minutes, 19 seconds
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Actor Harry Lennix On ‘Reading The Room’ In Chicago Theater

Legendy playwright August Wilson – considered one of the most important Black voices in theater – wrote the story of his life in the play How I Learned What I Learned. Today, that script is coming to life in a one-man show at the Broadway Playhouse in Water Tower Place. And Chicago-bred actor Harry Lennix (The Blacklist, Matrix Reloaded) is stepping into the role of August Wilson himself. How I Learned What I Learned is on a limited run until May 5, and Reset sits down with the actor for more on what audiences can expect. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
4/22/202413 minutes, 43 seconds
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Anyone Can Fall For Scams, Not Just Older Adults

Producer: Max Lubbers Editor: Meha AhmadWhile anyone can get scammed, older adults tend to face higher fraud losses. Victims over the age of 60 lose a collective $28.3 billion annually to scams or financial abuse, according to an AARP report. Still, people of any age can fall for these and other scams. Reset learns more about how to protect yourself and your loved ones with Chicago Sun-Times’s Stephanie Zimmerman, Wayne State University’s Peter Lichtenberg, and Chicago Fed’s Leslie McGranahan. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset. Mixer: Brenda Ruiz
4/22/202414 minutes, 18 seconds
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Rethinking Country Music Spaces

This week marks the 100 year anniversary of the first radio broadcast of National Barn Dance in Chicago. That's a variety show that predates the Grand Ole Opry and is credited with popularizing country music. And it's high time that the genre writ large acknowledges the history and role of Black musicians and fans in shaping the genre, says Francesca Royster, author of "Black Country Music: Listening For Revolutions." We sat down with her to learn more about the history, the opportunity of this moment and of course, to dig into Beyoncé's latest album, "Cowboy Carter."
4/20/202416 minutes, 9 seconds
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NYC Rapper MIKE Is Mastering The Pen

MIKE is on tour performing his latest album “Pinball,” produced in collaboration with Tony Seltzer. You can catch him at Metro next week. The 25-year-old artist tells Reset about keeping it real in his music, his friendship with the legendary Earl Sweatshirt and other friends out with new music. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
4/20/202414 minutes, 6 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: April 19, 2024

Tensions rise between Chicago’s top cop and oversight agency. City Council delays vote on Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s bond plan. Protesters block the road to O'Hare to raise awareness on war in Gaza. Reset goes behind the headlines of those stories and many more in our Weekly News Recap with Brandon Pope of CW26, Alex Nitkin of the Illinois Answers Project for the Better Government Association, and Sam Charles of the Chicago Tribune. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
4/19/202444 minutes, 48 seconds
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Tips On Reducing Your Food Waste

According to the USDA, about one third of food produced in the United States is never eaten and ends up in landfills, where it produces methane that contributes to climate change. Additionally, all of the fuel, water and resources that went into growing and transporting the food is wasted. Reset hears from local chef Devon Quinn and food writer Lisa Shames on their tips and tricks for creatively reusing ingredients rather than adding to a landfill. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
4/19/202416 minutes, 3 seconds
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America’s Top Librarian: ‘We’re Fighting For Our Lives’

Libraries are a haven of free access to books, movies, magazines, and even social supports. But those spaces have faced attacks and an unprecedented number of book bans – 4,349 instances of book bans across 23 states – in just the last half of 2023. Reset talks with Emily Drabinski, the head of the American Library Association, on why the county is divided between attacking and protecting libraries. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
4/18/202412 minutes, 12 seconds
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Chicago’s Role In Shaping The Country Music Genre

The first episode of the variety show Barn Dance aired on WLS on April 19, 1924. An event honoring this anniversary imagines what an episode of the show would sound like in 2024, with musicians, historical context and performances. It will be broadcast live on WFMT. Reset learns about the history of country music in Chicago, how the scene has evolved and what characterizes the sound today with Chicago historian Paul Durica, author Francesca Royster, Lawrence Peters of the Lawrence Peters Outfit, and musical director Jefferey Thomas. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
4/18/202420 minutes, 39 seconds
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Chicago Top Watchdog Wants To Know How City Could Improve Your Life

Chicago’s Office of Inspector General investigates misconduct on all levels of city government. And now it’s asking Chicago residents to weigh in on what’s important to them, and what governmental process or body they want to learn more about. It’s the office’s latest attempt to get public input on the inspector general’s priorities for the coming year. Reset sits down with Deborah Witzburg, the city’s inspector general, for more. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
4/17/202411 minutes, 45 seconds
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Addressing Inequities In Black Maternal Health

Hospitals and clinics that offer maternal healthcare have been closing on the South Side for years. And this puts mothers in those communities at risk. Reset sat down with UChicago Medicine’s inaugural Chief Obstetrical Transformation Officer, Dr. Sarosh Rana, and The South Side Healthy Community Organization’s chief operating officer, Sarah Janvier, to learn about what work needs to be done to create safer conditions for Black mothers. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
4/17/202416 minutes, 17 seconds
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How Black Chicago Has Swayed American Culture

Chicago is more than just the place where Arionne Nettles grew up, she writes, it’s in her DNA. In her debut book, We Are The Culture: Black Chicago’s Influence on Everything, Nettles takes readers through the history of how Black Chicagoans have led pop culture in America for decades, and gives insight into the ways culture shapes our lives and spreads across borders. Reset sits down with Nettles to discuss the city’s Southern roots, its cultural contributions and her own Chicago upbringing. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
4/16/202417 minutes, 53 seconds
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Chicago’s Newly Elected Local School Councils Face Unique Challenges

Since 1989, LSCs have won funding for their schools, removed corrupt faculty, renamed schools and even opened new campuses. Ideally, an LSC is typically made up of a school’s principal, a couple of teachers, parents, community members, and even students. But that’s not always the case. Reset learns more about Local School Councils in Chicago from two council members, Chinella Robinson and JP Paulus, and Chalkbeat Chicago’s Reema Amin. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
4/16/202414 minutes, 12 seconds
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Chicago’s Influence On Poetry

Chicago has given the world many wonders: architecture, ketchup-less hot dogs, house music. But did you know about the influence the city has had on poetry? Slam poetry got its start in Chicago in the 1980’s, spawning worldwide competitions, including the largest youth poetry festival in the world, right here in Chicago. Reset sits down with three local artists, Haiku Fest founder Regina Harris Baiocchi, Chicago’s first-ever Poet Laureate avery r. Young, and Illinois’ fifth Poet Laureate Angela Jackson, to learn what makes Chicago’s poetry scene unique. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
4/15/202415 minutes, 10 seconds
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What’s That Building? Schulze Bakery

The smell of bread used to waft out of a five-story building in Washington Park. After years of vacancy, the factory is back on the market. So what’s that building? Architecture sleuth Dennis Rodkin stops by Reset to dig into the past and future of the Schulze Bakery. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
4/15/20249 minutes, 35 seconds
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Chicago’s Alvin Cobb Trio Is Out With New Music

Alvin Cobb, Jr. is an Atlanta-native who found his way to Chicago to play jazz. He’s worked alongside several musicians both in and out of the jazz world, like Chance the Rapper, Nola Adé and Marcus Printup. Reset sat down with the musician to hear more about his journey and on making his first album featuring fellow jazz artists Katie Ernst and Julius Tucker. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
4/13/202412 minutes, 29 seconds
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WBEZ Weekly News Recap, April 12, 2024

Chicago’s Civilian Office of Police Accountability releases body cam footage from a deadly March traffic stop where officers fired nearly 100 shots in less than a minute. Plus, new legislation aims to close a race gap in teacher evaluations, and stargazers head downstate for a total solar eclipse. Reset goes behind the headlines of those stories and much more in our Weekly News Recap with Andy Grimm of the Chicago Sun-Times, Ravi Baichwal at ABC 7 News, and Leigh Giangreco with Crain’s Chicago Business. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
4/13/202443 minutes, 37 seconds
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Chicagoan Tackles Family Dysfunction In Her New Memoir

Life wasn’t always easy for poet Nikki Pitan, who grew up with domestic violence, and fatphobia affecting her self esteem in her far South Side home. She tells Reset about how her new memoir outlines her lifelong journey of healing and breaking those generational cycles. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
4/12/202417 minutes, 13 seconds
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Eating With The Seasons: ‘Polar Coaster’ Spring

Spring is coming and going in Chicago so fast you might think you’re on a bit of a roller coaster. Reset turns to cultural historian and chef, Jordan Wimby (aka Melanin Martha), for more on cool-season crops to plant now and in-season veggies for your dinners this week. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
4/11/202412 minutes, 9 seconds
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Evanston Township High School Is Third School In the Country To Pass Green New Deal

Congress has yet to pass a Green New Deal, a set of policies that aims to reduce emissions and provide a just transition to green jobs. So, high schoolers and the Sunrise Movement are taking matters into their own hands. Evanston Township High School is the third high school in the U.S. to pass a Green New Deal of their own. Reset learns more about the effort with student Milo Slevin and Reset Sustainability Contributor Karen Weigert. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
4/11/202415 minutes, 1 second
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This Chicago Doctor Worked In A Gaza Hospital. Here’s What She Saw.

Dr. Tammy Abughnaim normally works as an emergency physician in Chicago. But in March, she spent two weeks living and working in Al-Aqsa Hospital, as part of a team under the World Health Organization. When it came time to leave, Dr. Abughnaim says she begged to stay longer. Reset host Sasha-Ann Simons sat down with Dr. Abughnaim to hear about her experience in Gaza. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
4/10/202425 minutes, 43 seconds
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Could Illinois Be The Next ‘Right-To-Die’ State?

Illinois could soon join 10 states in the nation which allow what advocates call “medical aid in dying.” A bill in Springfield would give terminally ill people with six months or less to live the option to end their lives by self-administering a drug provided by a physician. Illinois lawmakers are considering the future of this legislation during the spring session, so Reset spoke with the bill’s co-sponsor Sen. Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) to learn more about it. Plus, hears from opponents like Access Living’s Amber Smock and supporters like ACLU of Illinois’ Khadine Bennett. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
4/10/202428 minutes, 38 seconds
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EXPO Chicago Art Fair Kicks Off

Thousands of artists and nearly 200 galleries from around the world are showcasing their work here in Chicago. We check in with WBEZ's Courtney Kueppers. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
4/9/20246 minutes, 49 seconds
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Chicago Fed Prez On The Economy, Health Of Our Financial System

The latest jobs report shows the U.S. economy is strong, but how consumers perceive and feel about it isn’t as positive. So, what’s really going on? Reset sits down with Austan Goolsbee, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, to find out how the economy is doing and to get a lesson on how the Fed works. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
4/9/202417 minutes, 38 seconds
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This Chicago Dentist Has The World’s Largest Collection Of Toothpicks

In his new book, Chicago-area dentist Steven Potashnick digs into the surprising significance of the toothpick in Western culture. It features photos of his extensive collection of 1,500 toothpicks, which is believed to be the largest in the world. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
4/8/202412 minutes, 32 seconds
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How Chicago’s Selective Enrollment Schools Came to Be

Chicago’s school board recently voted to prioritize neighborhood schools and de-emphasize selective enrollment schools, but board members are not ending school choice. Reset dives into the history of how selective schools came to be — from the space race to integration efforts. We talk with WBEZ education reporter Sarah Karp, who recently reported on this history for Curious City. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
4/8/202416 minutes, 26 seconds
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Valebol, The New Super Duo Changing The Sound Of Pop

The self-described “breeze-pop” duo is out with their debut album. VV Lightbody and Daniel Villareal have paired up to explore a genre that is out of their comfort zone. The self-titled album is wall-to-wall dancy, dreamy, and inspired. VV and Daniel join Reset to talk about the new release and a show at Thalia Hall in June. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
4/6/202418 minutes, 58 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: April 5, 2024

The Johnson administration has a new chief of staff, and Chicago has its first-ever chief homelessness officer. The Chicago Symphony Orchestra named its youngest-ever conductor and music director. Plus, swimming in the Chicago River? It’s happening. Reset dives into the top local news with Better Government Association president David Greising, Block Club Chicago reporter Quinn Myers and WTTW host and anchor Brandis Friedman. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
4/5/202445 minutes, 40 seconds
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How To Eat Deliciously On Vacation

For many of us, a big part of traveling is dining and trying local specialties. Reset reminisces about the best dishes we’ve had while traveling and gets tips from pros like Reset’s Andrea Guthman, WBEZ’s Cianna Greaves and Eater Chicago’s Ashok Selvam on planning meals while on vacation. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
4/5/202413 minutes, 57 seconds
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Thousands Sue In Chicago Over Black Hair Relaxers Linked To Cancer

Nine out of 10 Black women have used hair relaxing chemicals to straighten their thick curls. But lawsuits have been piling up in state and federal courts across the country for years claiming chemicals in hair relaxers are causing cancer. Reset hears from Traccye Love, one plaintiff in these cases, and learns more about an investigation by WBEZ’s Natalie Moore and the Chicago Sun-Times’ Andy Grimm. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
4/4/202415 minutes, 28 seconds
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Investigation Finds Illinois Hospitals Deny Care To Sexual Assault Survivors

Caring for yourself or a loved one after a sexual assault can be a harrowing experience, and an American Public Media investigation finds hospitals in Illinois have made it more challenging for victims. From delaying treatment, to throwing away rape kits and failing to notify child or adult protective services of the incident, Reset digs into how this can lead to a loss of evidence with American Public Media’s Kate Martin. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
4/4/202411 minutes, 11 seconds
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Phylicia Rashad’s ‘Purpose’ Peels Back The Layers Of Fictional Civil Rights Icon’s Family

The Jasper family in “Purpose” has been a pillar of Black American politics for decades as civil rights leaders, pastors and congressmen. But like all families, there are secrets and lies beneath the surface. Reset sits down with the Steppenwolf Theatre Company’s Glenn Davis, for more on the rehearsal process and inspiration for this show. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
4/4/202416 minutes, 57 seconds
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Who is Chicago’s First Chief Homelessness Officer?

Mayor Brandon Johnson appointed Sendy Soto to the position where she will be tasked with creating a five-year plan to address homelessness in Chicago. Reset learns more about this and other ongoing events in City Hall with WBEZ’s Tessa Weinberg. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
4/3/202413 minutes, 15 seconds
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Are You Up To Date On Your MMR Vaccine?

Suburban Cook County confirmed its first measles case, bringing the total number of cases in the Chicago area to 53. City officials have vaccinated over 5,000 migrants since the first cases were reported at a migrant shelter in Pilsen. Reset checks in with RUSH University Medical Group’s Dr. David Ngyuen on best practices to protect yourself against these viruses. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
4/2/202413 minutes, 4 seconds
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Pregnant People In Illinois Jails Aren’t Getting The Care They Need

A new report from the ACLU of Illinois and the Women’s Justice Institute details the inadequate care pregnant women receive in jails across the state. Reset digs into those details with Women’s Justice Institute’s Alexis Mansfield, Alliyah Thomas who was pregnant while incarcerated, and the Marshall Project’s Shannon Heffernan. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
4/2/202417 minutes, 34 seconds
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Drive Down Memory Lane On The Historic Route 66

Once considered “the Main Street of America,” Route 66 stretches from the Midwest in Chicago to the West Coast in Los Angeles. Today, there’s a campaign to preserve the untold stories of the 2,440-mile highway. Reset learns more about that effort from the National Trust of Historic Preservation’s Amy Webb. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
4/1/20249 minutes, 7 seconds
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What’s That Building? More like What’s That Astronaut Statue?

Driving down Route 66, some 60 miles southwest of downtown Chicago, a massive astronaut statue, placed outside of a restaurant near Wilmington, Illinois used to be visible. But it’s no longer there. Reset learns more about the Gemini Giant, where it used to stand, and why it’s up for sale now. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
4/1/202412 minutes, 13 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap, March 28th: Flag burning at City Hall, residents lack heat, and more

Chicago alders want to censure Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez over his attendance at a rally where a veteran burned the American flag in front of City Hall. Plus, a WBEZ analysis finds more Chicagoans lacked heat in January than any month since 2019. Reset dives into these and other top local stories with City Cast Chicago’s Jacoby Cochran, WBEZ statehouse reporter Alex Degman, and WTTW Chicago politics reporter Heather Cherone. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
3/31/202438 minutes, 29 seconds
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Vocalist Lizz Wright on Grief, Gospel, and Lessons from her Grandmother

With a new album out next month, Lizz Wright joins Reset to discuss “defining loves” in her life, the artistry she finds in cooking, and growing up steeped in gospel music. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
3/30/202425 minutes, 41 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap, March 28th: Flag burning at City Hall, residents lack heat, and more

Chicago alders want to censure Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez over his attendance at a rally where a veteran burned the American flag in front of City Hall. Plus, a WBEZ analysis finds more Chicagoans lacked heat in January than any month since 2019. Reset dives into these and other top local stories with City Cast Chicago’s Jacoby Cochran, WBEZ statehouse reporter Alex Degman, and WTTW Chicago politics reporter Heather Cherone. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
3/29/202438 minutes, 29 seconds
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New Book ‘2020’ Covers The Year Everything Changed

A lot happened in 2020. Beyond a global pandemic, the year was also marked by a divisive presidential election, the spread of misinformation and mass protests, just to name a few. A new book by author and NYU sociologist Erik Klinenberg, titled 2020: One City, Seven People and the Year Everything Changed, charts the transformation of a nation. Reset learns more from the author himself on his process and on why it’s important to look back to learn. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
3/29/202421 minutes, 4 seconds
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Reimagining ‘Huckleberry Finn’ From The Black POV

James reimagines the Mark Twain classic Adventures of Huckleberry Finn – this time telling it from the perspective of the enslaved character Jim. Everett has written 30 books, including Erasure, the 2001 novel adapted into the Oscar-winning film American Fiction. Reset talks with the author about what his new work can teach us about agency and art of balancing satire and irony while conveying the horrors of slavery. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
3/28/202410 minutes, 35 seconds
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Chicagoans Reflect On Four Years Of COVID-19

Earlier this month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ended its five-day quarantine recommendation for people who test positive for COVID-19, announcing that people can return to activities after symptoms improve for at least 24 hours. It’s a big change from the required 10-day quarantine period from four years ago when the World Health Organization first declared COVID-19 a pandemic. Reset reflects on the impact of four years of COVID-19 with Steven Thrasher, author of The Viral Underclass: The Human Toll When Inequality and Disease Collide, and Megan E. Doherty, co-leader of Care Not COVID, an advocacy group pushing for safer healthcare settings. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
3/28/202416 minutes, 37 seconds
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Could Artificial Intelligence Save The Rainforest?

Rainforests are complex ecosystems that house over half of the world’s species, but they’re under threat from deforestation and climate change, and gathering data about the shifts in populations is difficult and unreliable. But AI could help. Reset hears from the Morton Arboretum’s Chuck Cannon, and Loyola University’s Karen Weigert on efforts to build accessible tools that can be used to monitor the species that call rainforests home. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
3/27/202413 minutes, 28 seconds
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‘The Exvangelicals’: Why Some Are Leaving The White Evangelical Church

For the most part, Sarah McCammon followed the rules set by her Evangelical family. She was taught to obey God, not to question her faith, and that her eternal salvation was secured in heaven. She later left the church, but soon saw the power of evangelical Christian beliefs on the political right after covering the Trump campaign in 2016 for NPR. Reset learns more about McCammon’s journey and the power she sees in that conservative religious community. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
3/27/202426 minutes, 11 seconds
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From Gen X To Gen Z: Swapping Notes On Sex Miseducation

When it comes to talking about sex, taboos and stigma can – and do – lead to myths and misinformation – particularly for women. From disproportionately impacted by long-term effects of STDs to infertility to even just being prepared for changes in their menstrual cycle, many women – across age groups – say the sex education they were offered in school and social circles left them woefully unprepared. Reset sat down with DePaul student Tyesha Thomas, Northwestern’s Dr. Traci Kurtzer, and co-host of WBEZ’s When Magic Happens podcast Cheryle Jackson to discuss sexual health and how the knowledge gap seems to persist across generations. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
3/26/202438 minutes, 22 seconds
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Chicago’s Kids Still Facing Lead Exposure. What Can Be Done?

Chicago still has more lead service lines than anywhere else in the country, and it’s impacting more than two-thirds of Chicago children under 6 years old. The CDC says there are no known safe levels of lead in a child’s body, and that constant exposure can damage the brain and nervous system, lead to slow growth and development, including learning and behavioral problems. Reset talks through solutions and resources with Chakena Perry of the Natural Defense Council, Brenda Santoyo with the Little Village Environmental Justice Organization, and Michael Hawthorne with the Chicago Tribune. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
3/26/202421 minutes, 40 seconds
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Still A Close Race For Cook County State’s Attorney

Nearly a week after Illinois’ primary election, the race for Cook County State’s Attorney gets closer and closer as election officials tally up the remaining mail in and provisional ballots. Plus, the city announces plans to close temporary shelters housing migrants at 5 city parks, and transition the facilities back to their former use as a recreation destination for residents. Reset digs into this and more city politics happenings with WBEZ’s Tessa Weinberg. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
3/25/202410 minutes, 46 seconds
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Y La Bamba Brings Its Indie Folk To Chicago

Front person Luz Elena Mendoza Ramos sits down with Reset to talk language and identity in song writing. You can catch their show Sunday, March 24, at Metro. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
3/23/202413 minutes, 31 seconds
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Chicagoland Palestinian Americans Reflect On Ramadan

Ramadan is a time for fasting, good deeds and charity for Muslims around the world and here in Chicago. But the holiday’s usual celebrations are more somber due to the war in Gaza. Reset sat down with a group of local Palestinian Americans to discuss how the holy month feels this year. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
3/22/202420 minutes, 44 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: March 22, 2024

Delays to election results leave some holding their breath. Chicago sues Glock over its ability to turn its weapons semi-automatic. And the Bring Chicago Home referendum flounders during the primary election this week that saw a record-low voter turnout. Reset delves into these and other top local stories with WGN’s Tahman Bradley, the Chicago Tribune’s Ray Long, and WTTW’s Amanda Vinicky. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
3/22/202441 minutes, 55 seconds
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Investing In Climate Change Solutions

Local heir to the Walmart fortune, Lukas Walton, founded Builders Vision to address environmental challenges. And recently, the group won a Parkinson Award from Loyola University Chicago’s Baumhart Center for Social Enterprise and Responsibility for its work. Reset sits down with Matt Knott, president and chief operating officer of Builders Vision, and Karen Weigert, Reset sustainability contributor, to learn more. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
3/22/202412 minutes, 40 seconds
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What You Don’t Know About The 1980 Chicago Classic ‘The Blues Brothers’

It’s hard to find a more iconic Chicago movie than “The Blues Brothers”, and the chance to learn something new about the 1980 film? Yes please! Reset sits down with Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author Daniel de Visé about the new stories he uncovered while researching the making of this cult favorite. Daniel’s book, “The Blues Brothers: An Epic Friendship, the Rise of Improv, and the Making of an American Film Classic” is available now wherever you buy books. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
3/21/202417 minutes, 31 seconds
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Chicago Dedicates TODAY As Rick Bayless Day

Mayor Brandon Johnson is recognizing the decades-long career of Rick Bayless and the impact he has had on the city’s restaurant scene and on making Chicago a food destination. The prolific chef owns several restaurants and brands, and he also supports small farmers and the arts in Chicagoland. Reset sits down with Bayless to reflect on his career and accomplishments. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
3/21/202417 minutes, 23 seconds
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2024 IL Primary: Biden, Trump Show Weaknesses

President Joe Biden and former president Donald Trump each won their primaries in Illinois on Tuesday. But a growing call for a protest vote among Dems and a never-Trump wing among Republicans could mean that both candidates have to shore up their support before the general election in November. Meanwhile, other items on the ballot remain too close to call, including the Bring Chicago Home ballot referendum. Reset digs into who won, who didn’t and which races are still too close to call with WBEZ state politics reporter Dave McKinney. For more on the latest results, go to WBEZ.org. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to Wbez.org/reset.
3/20/202410 minutes, 19 seconds
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How A 1990s Illinois Race Changed The Way We Count Votes Today

Long before there was Bush v. Gore and the “dimpled chad” fiasco in Florida, there were Penny Pullen and Rosemary Mulligan, two suburban Chicago Republicans vying for the same state house seat in a race so close, it was decided at points by a handful of votes, a coin toss and eventually the Illinois Supreme Court. Reset talk with author Patrick Wohl about his new book “Down Ballot: How A Local Campaign Became A National Referendum On Abortion” for more on the significance of that race and why every vote counts. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
3/20/202420 minutes, 28 seconds
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The Mind-Gut Connection

Microbes are everywhere, including in our stomachs, and they have a big influence on our overall health in a variety of ways. Reset explores the mind-gut connection with UChicago Medicine’s Alyse Bedell. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset
3/19/202416 minutes, 28 seconds
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What’s That Building? Strangers Home Missionary Baptist Church

The latest in our series What’s That Building? takes us to the former Cabrini-Green neighborhood to visit a boarded up church that community members and preservationists are working hard to save. Reset checks in with our architecture sleuth Dennis Rodkin for the story. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
3/19/202412 minutes, 33 seconds
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Chicago’s Rich History Of Migration

Officials call the 37,000 migrants who have arrived in Chicago since August 2022 an “unprecedented” situation. But a WBEZ analysis showed that earlier waves from Europe, the South and Mexico rivaled the current situation in size and scope. Reset explores the connections between current migration to Chicago and what happened in the past with WBEZ data reporter Amy Qin and UIC history professor Lilia Fernández. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
3/18/202420 minutes, 19 seconds
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Chicagohenge: A Misnomer (But Also A Golden Opportunity)

Tuesday, March 19, isn’t just Primary Day in Illinois — it’s also the best day to experience the phenomenon known as “Chicagohenge” when the sun aligns perfectly with Chicago’s grid. Reset checks in with Geza Gyuk, director of astronomy at the Adler Planetarium. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
3/18/20245 minutes, 40 seconds
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WBEZ’s Spring Arts And Culture Guide

Music, theater, dance, art, opera, whatever your artistic bucket list includes this spring, we have something you’ll love. Reset sits down with WBEZ arts and culture senior editor Cassie Walker Burke to get the lowdown on some shows and events you may want to check out. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
3/18/202412 minutes, 51 seconds
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LA Musician Neyva’s Tunes Are Out Of This World

Southeast LA is a second home for artist and musician Neyva. The first, they say, is Saturn. “That’s my home planet,” Neyva says. Reset checks in with Neyva to hear more of their eclectic, otherworldly music ahead of their March 17 show at the Empty Bottle. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
3/16/202415 minutes, 1 second
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: March 15, 2024

Migrants face an eviction deadline amid a measles outbreak. The State Capitol is placed in lockdown while lawmakers are in Springfield. The Illinois Supreme Court sides with the Johnson administration, denying an appeal to the “Bring Chicago Home” referendum. Meanwhile, the Chicago Bears say they’re committed to keep Chicago as their home, pledging billions for a new lakefront stadium. Reset goes deeper into those top local stories and more in the Weekly News Recap with Dan Petrella, Chicago Tribune state government reporter Dan Petrella, Chicago bureau chief of the New York Times Julie Bosman and WBEZ city politics reporter Mariah Woelfel. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
3/15/202444 minutes, 40 seconds
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Cook County Primary Ballots Include Judges. Do You Know Who You’ll Vote For?

Candidates for president, Congress and state senate might be familiar, but have you ever been at a loss when voting for judges? Reset sits down with Injustice Watch managing editor Jonah Newman to learn what you should know about judicial elections in Cook County before filling out your primary ballot. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
3/15/20249 minutes, 44 seconds
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Get Out Of Your ‘Pasta Sauce Rut’ With The Sporkful’s Dan Pashman

If cacio e pepe can get a makeover with chili crisp, what else is possible? Well, according to Dan Pashman, host of The Sporkful Podcast, “Anything’s Pastable.” We check in with Pashman to learn more about his forthcoming cookbook out March 19. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
3/14/202415 minutes, 1 second
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Combatting Housing Insecurity In Chicago

The City of Chicago shut down construction on a temporary shelter by the Orange Tent Project. You might recognize the group’s bright orange tents across the city. Today on the podcast, we discuss why that shelter was shut down with Chicago Sun-Times reporter Sophie Sherry. We also dig into a WBEZ analysis detailing how nearly half of Chicagoans are paying over 30% of their income on rent and utilities with WBEZ sata projects editor Alden Loury. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
3/14/202413 minutes, 38 seconds
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An Oral History Of Americans’ Working Lives Today

A tattoo artist. Stay-at-home parents. A funeral director. A school custodian. Mark Larson talks to more than 100 people in a variety of professions for his new book “Working In The 21st Century: An Oral History of American Work in a Time of Social and Economic Transformation.” Reset checks in with the author. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
3/13/202419 minutes, 15 seconds
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Latest On Chicago Measles Cases, Bears Stadium

Chicago officials have confirmed five measles cases. Plus, the Chicago Bears say they want to stay in the city. Reset learns more about these and other stories from WBEZ city government and politics reporters Tessa Weinberg and Mariah Woelfel. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
3/13/202411 minutes, 4 seconds
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The Medical Limbo Of ‘Prior Authorization’

Your doctor says you need this treatment. But your insurance company says they don’t agree. Your pharmacist receives your prescription, but won’t fill it until your insurance provider greenlights it. This back-and-forth is called “prior authorization” and it’s how your health insurance company determines what medicines they will or will not cover. It also creates lengthy wait times for patients who need the medicine immediately – if they’re able to get it at all. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker recently announced he’ll introduce a bill to stop what he called “predatory insurance practices.” Reset learns more about how this impacts patients and health care providers from UChicago Harris School of Public Policy assistant professor Zarek Brot-Goldberg and Reset listener Jackie Covarrubias, who says her father’s chemotherapy medication often gets denied by his insurance. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
3/12/202416 minutes, 7 seconds
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Chicago Will Enforce 60-Day Shelter Stays For Migrants. Where Will They Go?

City records show that nearly 12,000 people are currently staying in migrant shelters. That’s down from a peak of nearly 15,000 in January, but that number could drop precipitously now that Chicago officials are preparing to enforce a 60-day shelter stay limit. The first wave of migrants is set to be moved out on March 16. Reset learns more about what this means for migrants. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
3/12/202419 minutes, 40 seconds
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How WBEZ Started As A Remote Learning Tool

WBEZ got its start back in the 1940s. Reset kicks off a new bi-weekly series on Chicago history with a look inward with former WBEZ news director, program director and host Ken Davis. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
3/11/202414 minutes
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What’s That Building? Robert Franks Memorial

In the latest installment in our series What’s That Building, architecture sleuth Dennis Rodkin shares the story of the Robert Franks Memorial building in Chicago’s North Lawndale neighborhood. Robert “Bobby” Franks was 14 years old back in 1924 when fellow teens Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb killed him and left his body outside of Chicago. The premeditated murder became known as the “crime of the century.” Afterward, Franks’ father put money toward a boys’ club that he thought would have made his son proud. Amazingly, the building still serves boys today with a variety of enrichment programs. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
3/11/20249 minutes, 10 seconds
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Twin Peaks Frontman Lake J Out With New Solo Project ‘Dizzy’

Cadien Lake James, aka lake j, is the latest member of the Chicago indie band Twin Peaks to release a solo album. It’s called Dizzy. Reset checks in with him about his creative process and his new music. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
3/9/202414 minutes, 7 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: March 8, 2024

Illinois lawmakers return to Springfield. Former state Senator Terry Link is sentenced to probation for tax evasion. Plus, votes will count for the “Bring Chicago Home” referendum, and former president Donald Trump remains on the primary ballot. Reset goes behind those headlines and more with WTTW political correspondent Amanda Vinicky, WBEZ city government and politics reporter Tessa Weinberg and Crain’s Chicago Business government and politics reporter Leigh Giangreco. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
3/9/202444 minutes, 28 seconds
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How To Eat With The Seasons In The Midwest

Where can Midwesterners start if they want to eat seasonally? Getting a garden going can take a lot of planning, but each month on the podcast, we’ll drop a little inspiration to help you foster your green thumb and learn to eat with the seasons whether you’re gardening or just shopping for groceries. Reset check in with chef and cultural historian Jordan Wimby. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
3/8/202413 minutes, 22 seconds
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March Recs From WBEZ’s New Theater Reporter

What made Mike Davis fly all the way from Washington state to cover Chicago’s theater scene? Reset learns more about Davis and hears his recommendations for upcoming shows, including “Port of Entry” from the Albany Park Theater Project. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
3/7/20249 minutes, 36 seconds
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llinois Lawmakers Want To Protect State Wetlands

A 2023 Supreme Court ruling removed decades-old protections for wetlands. Now, Illinois lawmakers are fighting back. Illinois lawmakers are hoping to pass protections for the state’s wetlands this spring. Reset checks in with Juanpablo Ramirez-Franco, environment reporter for WBEZ and Grist. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
3/7/20244 minutes, 51 seconds
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Mark Your Calendars, Plan Your Skygazing Picnic: A Solar Eclipse is Coming

Four and a half minutes. That’s how long it will take for the moon to pass between the earth and the sun. Chicagoans won’t have to travel to catch a glimpse of the partial eclipse, but southern Illinois will experience “totality” for the second time in a decade. Reset learns more about how you can safely view this celestial phenomenon from: Geza Gyuk, director of astronomy at the Adler Planetarium; Ashley Walker, a third-year astronomy PhD student at Howard University and founder of Black in Astro; and Tom Auchter, a member Northwest Suburban Astronomers.
3/7/202414 minutes, 59 seconds
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One Of The Largest Feminist Bookstores In The Nation Thrives In Chicago

Chicago saw a wave of feminist bookstores opening in the 1970s, but how many are still open today? Women and Children First in Andersonville has stood the test of time for 45 years and find their work more relevant today than ever. Reset checks in with Linda Bubon, one of the store’s co-founders, and its current co-owners, Sarah Hollenbeck and Lynn Mooney, on the throughline to the bookstore’s success.
3/6/202417 minutes, 50 seconds
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‘Bring Chicago Home’ Appeal, Voter Turnout: The Latest On Your Local Ballot

The Chicago Board of Elections is appealing last week’s decision by a Cook County judge rendering the “Bring Chicago Home” measure invalid. Real estate industry groups against the measure say it violates state law by combining both a tax hike and a tax cut in the same question. Reset catches up on the latest with WBEZ city politics reporters Mariah Woelfel and Tessa Weinberg. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
3/6/20248 minutes, 39 seconds
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One Chicago Family’s Fight Against An Ultra Rare Disease

When you hear about “rare” diseases, it can be easy to think we’re talking about a one-in-a-million case. But actually, the “rare” is far more common than you think. About 1 in 10 Americans suffer from a rare disease. But because there are so many different kinds, getting diagnosed or even treated can be a nightmare of doctor appointments, long wait times on phone calls, and jumping through hoops. That was the case for young Charlie Sims. At just four years old, his parents noticed their son was exhibiting behavioral changes that compelled them to consult a doctor. Now seven years old, Charlie is the first and only person to receive therapy for his rare disease. Reset sits down with his parents, Matt and Leigh Sims, and RUSH pediatric neurologist Dr. Elizabeth Berry-Kravis to find out more about his story, and the importance of advocating for yourself and your family when seeking medical care. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
3/5/202418 minutes, 34 seconds
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The Pros And Cons Of Digital IDs

Illinois is considering a bill that would allow residents to carry a digital version of their driver’s license or state ID, but privacy experts have some concerns. Reset learns more about the legislation from co-sponsor State Rep. Kam Buckner and Matthew Kugler, privacy expert and Northwestern University professor of law. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
3/5/202415 minutes, 15 seconds
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How Chicago Teens Are Fighting Gun Violence

Project Unloaded aims to shift the narrative around gun ownership and how the presence of a gun can change how a story ends. Reset checks in with the group’s founder Nina Vinik, program manager Olivia Brown and member of its Youth Council, Edgar Vilchez. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
3/4/202416 minutes, 26 seconds
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Chicago Now Home To Seven State-Designated Cultural Districts

Gov. JB Pritzker announced seven areas across Chicago as official cultural districts. This distinction will allow organizations located in those districts to apply for state funds to back efforts to preserve those communities. Reset hears from the leaders in two Chicago cultural districts and learns how state funding could support preservation efforts in Humboldt Park and Chinatown. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
3/4/202413 minutes, 51 seconds
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UK DJ Barry Can’t Swim Visits Chicago

Chicago has a vibrant electronic dance and house music scene. And one of the UK’s rising DJs, Barry Can’t Swim, made a stop in town during his When Will We Land? tour. Reset sat down with the artist ahead of his Chicago show to learn more about the album and his musical journey. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
3/2/202417 minutes, 30 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: March 1, 2024

Chicago sports teams are in a race for revenue for new stadium projects. CTA President Dorval Carter answers tough questions from alders and riders. Confusion remains over the Bring Chicago Home ballot referendum. Reset breaks down those stories and much more with a WTTW News correspondent Nick Blumberg, Chicago Sun-Times reporter Mitchell Armentrout and NBC-5 Chicago reporter Christian Farr. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
3/1/202441 minutes, 41 seconds
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The White Sox, Bears, Red Stars All Want New Stadiums. But Should You Foot The Bill?

Chicago White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf, who also owns the Chicago Bulls, recently traveled to Springfield to ask the state for public funding to back plans to move the team from 35th Street to the South Loop. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker has expressed his reluctance to fund the move whereas Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has been more open to the idea. But as taxpayers, how is this investment going to benefit us? Reset sits down with public finance expert Justin Marlow of UChicago’s Harris School of Public Policy to talk about why and how our tax money goes toward funding sports stadiums. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
3/1/202411 minutes, 3 seconds
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Trump Appeals Illinois Ruling To Kick Him Off The Ballot

Former president Donald Trump’s legal team on Thursday appealed an Illinois judge’s order to kick him off the state’s primary ballot. Cook County Judge Tracy Porter issued the ruling on Wednesday, though she put an immediate stay on her own order until Friday in anticipation of Trump’s appeal. The ruling comes as the nation’s highest court is set to rule on a similar effort to remove Trump from the ballot in Colorado. Reset digs into what to know — and what comes next — with WBEZ state politics reporter Dave McKinney. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
2/29/202411 minutes, 24 seconds
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Illinois Considers Ranked Choice Voting. Here’s How It Would Work.

An Illinois task force is studying whether the state should adopt ranked choice voting or another system for the 2028 presidential primary. The state’s current system, plurality voting (also known as winner-take-all) is common around the country, but some critics say its too limiting. Reset hears from WBEZ statehouse reporter Mawa Iqbal on what’s ahead for ranked choice voting in Illinois. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset
2/29/20245 minutes, 15 seconds
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What The Fight To Block A Giant Supermarket Merger Could Mean For Your Next Grocery Trip

The Federal Trade Commission – along with eight states, including Illinois, and the District of Columbia – are suing to block the biggest supermarket merger in history. The parent companies of Mariano’s and Jewel-Osco are looking to join forces but the FTC argues that the merger could eliminate competition and even mean higher prices for millions of customers. Additionally, there are concerns that the merger would affect worker’s ability to seek higher wages and better benefits. Reset hears from NPR business correspondent Alina Selyukh and Eater Chicago editor Ashok Selvam about how this lawsuit might affect the grocery shopping experience for Illinois shoppers. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
2/28/202416 minutes, 16 seconds
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Common Misconceptions About Disordered Eating

Eating disorders impact nearly one in 10 people in the U.S., and these behavioral conditions can have serious health consequences. Reset sits down with Jennifer Wildes, UChicago Med associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral neuroscience, and Kate Merkle, registered dietitian and psychotherapist and founder of Nourishment Works, to learn more about recognizing signs and symptoms of eating disorders. Plus, we check in with Debbie Heywood, a Nourishment Works patient, to learn about her recovery experience. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
2/28/202432 minutes, 35 seconds
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How Worried To Be About 75 Degrees In February

Temperatures in the 70s in February? Late winter feels like late spring in Chicago this week. Reset talks with Max Grover, atmospheric data scientist at the Argonne National Laboratory, to learn more about this mild winter weather and climate change. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
2/27/20247 minutes, 55 seconds
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Black People In Evanston Reparations Program Tell Their Stories

In 2019, Evanston became the first U.S. city to create a reparations program to address historical inequalities between Black and white residents. Today on the podcast, we talk about a project where students are recording the stories of some of those recipients. Reset hears from Laurice Bell, executive director of Shorefront Legacy Center, Elizabeth Cox, Evanston resident and recipient of reparations, and Maasai Gentle, a senior at Evanston Township High School. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
2/27/202418 minutes, 12 seconds
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Judge Nixes Mayor Johnson’s ‘Bring Chicago Home’ Ballot Referendum

A Cook County judge ruled Friday that Mayor Brandon Johnson’s plan to alter the real estate transfer tax to raise up to $100 million a year to fight homelessness is invalid. Reset checks in with WBEZ city government and politics reporter Tessa Weinberg. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
2/26/202411 minutes, 29 seconds
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Chicago Theaters Get A $670,000 Boost. What Impact Will It Have?

The Bayless Family Foundation is giving grants to Definition Theatre, TimeLine Theatre Company, the Chicago Children’s Theatre and the Remy Bumppo Theatre Company. The funding will go toward theater programming and operations. Reset sits down with TimeLine Theatre artistic director PJ Powers and Chicago Children’s Theatre co-founder and artistic director Jacqueline Russell. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
2/26/202414 minutes, 36 seconds
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Teen Punk Band Uniflora Plays One Of Chicago’s Top Rock Venues

Chicago’s punk scene is fresher — and younger — than ever. Case in point: The teen band Uniflora just played Metro’s iconic stage. The high school sophomores discuss their new single “Hellgirl,” the new age of Chicago DIY music and how their parents shaped their musical sensibilities. Reset checks in with drummer Ruby O’Brien, bassist Theo Williams and guitarist and vocalist Quinn Dugan. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
2/24/202416 minutes, 6 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: Feb. 23, 2024

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker delivers his budget address. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson unveils a major economic development plan. Chicago closes four migrant shelters. Early voting resumes after a temporary pause. Reset goes behind the headlines of those stories and much more with WBEZ state politics reporter Dave McKinney, Crain’s Chicago Business government and politics reporter Justin Laurence and Brandis Friedman, co-anchor of WTTW’s “Chicago Tonight” and host of “Chicago Tonight: Black Voices.” For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
2/23/202445 minutes, 1 second
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Second City Is ‘Black By Popular Demand’ For A Second Year

The sketch comedy and improv show “Black By Popular Demand” examines the Black experience in America, and no topic is off limits. The seriously funny performance is playing at The Second City in Chicago Fridays and Saturdays through March 25. Reset checks in with the show’s director Rob Wilson. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset. To sign up for our daily newsletter, go to wbez.org/resetnews.
2/23/202415 minutes, 36 seconds
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Gov. Pritzker Zeroes In On Predatory Healthcare Practices

In his annual budget address Wednesday, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker announced sweeping medical reforms to root out predatory healthcare practices, erase $4 billion in medical debt and invest in Black maternal health by opening birth centers. Reset gets the scoop from WBEZ public health and politics reporter Kristen Schorsch. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset. To sign up for our daily newsletter, go to wbez.org/resetnews.
2/22/202413 minutes, 58 seconds
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How To Be A ‘Supercommunicator’ With Charles Duhigg

The author of ‘The Power of Habit’ is out with a new book on the neuroscience and psychology of how we communicate with one another. It’s called Supercommunicators: How To Unlock The Secret Language Of Connection. Reset checks in with award-winning journalist and writer Charles Duhigg. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to WBEZ.org/reset.
2/22/202433 minutes, 55 seconds
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Analysis: What Gov. Pritkzer’s Budget Address Tells Us About The Future In Illinois

Governor Pritzker delivered his annual budget address Wednesday. WBEZ state politics reporter Dave McKinney breaks down what you need to know about the state’s finances and future outlook. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to WBEZ.org/reset.
2/21/202412 minutes, 17 seconds
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Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker’s FULL Budget Address

Governor Pritzker delivered his annual budget address Wednesday. Reset is providing his full speech for listeners of the podcast. You can also find an episode in our feed where WBEZ’s Dave McKinney provides context and analysis about the governor’s assessment of the state of Illinois’ finances and what lies ahead for Illinoisans. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to WBEZ.org/reset.
2/21/202451 minutes, 43 seconds
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After 14 Terms In Congress, Could Someone Unseat Rep. Danny Davis?

Rep. Danny Davis, a Democrat, has been representing parts of downtown Chicago and the West Side since 1997, but he faces a number of challengers in the March 19 primary election. Meanwhile, in the 4th Congressional district, Democrat Jesus “Chuy” Garcia also has a notable challenger who wants to take his seat. So, what factors could contribute to who wins in those races? And what do the races tell us about the way the political winds are blowing in the Democratic Party? Reset checks in with WBEZ city government and politics reporters Mariah Woelfel and Tessa Weinberg. For another dose of Reset — beyond the podcast — sign up for our daily newsletter at wbez.org/resetnews.
2/21/202410 minutes, 50 seconds
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Actor Billy Dee Williams On Playing Lando Calrissian

Billy Dee Williams got his start as an actor on Broadway when he was seven years old and later made sci-fi history as ‘Star Wars’ con man turned good guy Lando Calrissian. Reset chats with Williams about his new memoir ‘What Have We Here: Portraits Of A Life’ ahead of a WBEZ event on Thursday, Feb. 22. For a full archive of Reset conversations, head over to wbez.org/reset.
2/20/202415 minutes, 49 seconds
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Chicago’s Buoyant Ventures Invests Millions Into Climate Tech Startups

Imagine making a mid-career pivot and going on to raise $76 million to support climate-technology startups. That’s what Amy Francetic did when she helped found the women-led Chicago venture fund Buoyant Ventures. Reset meets Francetic and learns about how Buoyant is working to fight climate change by investing in young companies with big ideas. We’re also joined by Karen Weigert, Reset Sustainability contributor and director of Loyola University Chicago’s Baumhart Center for Social Enterprise and Responsibility.
2/20/202419 minutes, 13 seconds
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Award-Winning Food Writer And His Father Out With ‘A Very Chinese Cookbook’

Chicagoan Kevin Pang is a James-Beard award winning food writer. He and his dad have a cooking channel called the Hunger Pangs, where they cook traditional Cantonese recipes and Chinese-American classics, which they adapted into the New York Times 2023 Best Cookbooks List. A Very Chinese Cookbook. Reset hears from Kevin on the significance of Lunar New Year foods and the power of cooking with family to preserve memory.
2/20/202418 minutes, 46 seconds
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Time To Hit The Polls Early! Here’s What You Need To Know.

Whether you’re a long time resident or new to the area, we have the latest on what you need to know to vote early in Illinois’ Primary election. Reset hears from Max Bever, Director of Public Information at the Chicago Board of Elections, on how to make the best out of your early voting experience.
2/19/202410 minutes, 37 seconds
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Chat With Chicago Folk Singer Naomi Ashley On Catching The ‘Love Bug’

Chicago folk singer Naomi Ashley’s new album Love Bug explores the different stages of love, from infatuation to obsession to heartbreak and beyond. Reset sits down with the artist for more on what it takes to turn heartbreak into a love song.
2/17/202418 minutes, 54 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: February 16, 2024

Residents on the South and West sides claim their 911 calls were ignored, as data shows the rapid response teams made traffic stops instead. Parts of Lurie Children’s Hospital’s system have been restored after a cyberattack forced it to shut down. And a Yelp list ranks a Chicago restaurant’s pizza as number one in the country. Reset hears more about those stories and more with Chicago Tribune state government reporter Dan Petrella, WBEZ criminal justice reporter Patrick Smith, and WBEZ city government and politics reporter Mariah Woelfel.
2/16/202444 minutes, 51 seconds
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Illinois Looking To Follow Chicago In Eliminating Subminimum Wage For Tipped Workers

Chicago became the largest U.S. city to outlaw a lower minimum wage for tipped workers last year. Now, Democratic lawmakers in Springfield have introduced legislation that would get rid of the lower minimum wage for the state’s tipped workers, something advocates for higher pay call the “subminimum wage.” Reset hears two perspectives on the proposed legislation: Audra Wilson, president and CEO of the Shriver Center on Poverty Law, and Mario Ponce, owner of Takito Brands restaurants.
2/16/202419 minutes, 44 seconds
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National Public Housing Museum Exhibit Humanizes Housing Crisis

More than half of U.S. tenants can’t afford their rent. Here in Chicago, thousands — tens of thousands by one measure — are experiencing homelessness. To complicate matters, the city continues to struggle to find shelter for the more than 35,000 migrants who have arrived in Chicago since August 2022. Reset goes behind the scenes of Evicted, a new exhibition at the National Public Housing Museum in Chicago with its Executive Director, Lisa Yun Lee, to shine a light on national housing policies and tenants’ rights.
2/15/202416 minutes, 29 seconds
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Mayor Brandon Johnson Ending Shot Spotter Contract In September

Chicago is severing ties with Shot Spotter – rebranded just last year as Sound Thinking – at the end of the summer. Supporters of the gunshot detection technology say this will slow response times to gunshot victims, but studies by the city and county officials find the tech system rarely produces documented evidence of a gun crime. Reset learns more from WBEZ criminal justice reporter Chip Mitchell.
2/15/202412 minutes, 49 seconds
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The Art of Asking Good Questions (That Could Lead To Love!)

There’s no perfect formula to love, but a set of good questions can get you far. Reset chats with dating coach and founder of Smart Dating Academy Bela Gandhi on her best advice for deepening relationships.
2/14/202420 minutes, 47 seconds
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Bring Chicago Home Is On The Ballot

Bring Chicago Home is an initiative to create a dedicated funding stream in the city budget to support the city’s unhoused population. Reset chats with WBEZ’s city government and politics reporter Mariah Woelfel about how that referendum could impact not just the unhoused, but also renters and the real estate market.
2/14/202412 minutes, 52 seconds
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Victor Migrated From Venezuela. He’s Grown To Love Chicago

Since August 2022, over 35,000 people have come to Chicago from the southern border, most sent here by plane or bus. Reset hears from a father of two about his journey to Chicago and when he hopes to be reunited with his family.
2/13/202412 minutes, 59 seconds
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It’s Never Too Late To Learn To Be A FireFighter!

Firefighters are an important part of keeping a community safe. Not only do they literally put out fires, they also help clean up hazardous materials and in some cases, make sure our buildings are up to code. And Skokie Citizens Fire Academy teaches interested residents about all that goes into the job, plus some firefighting skills. Reset learns more about the program from Inspector Timothy Taylor and hears from its oldest graduate, Mort Feldberg.
2/13/202413 minutes, 4 seconds
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One Migrant Traveled From Caracas, Venezuela To Chicago. This Is His Story.

Chicago officials have spent nearly 160 million dollars on the migrant crisis, from shelter and clothing, to food and funding for other services for the 13 thousand migrants in the city today. Reset hears from one migrant who may be subject to the city’s eviction notice for migrants staying in city run shelters on his journey of getting to Chicago and his hopes for the future.
2/12/202417 minutes
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Chicago Jazz Philharmonic’s Latest Show Honors Women Ahead Of Their Time

Lil Hardin Armstrong, Mary Lou Williams and Nina Simone are notable singers of their time, but trumpeter, composer and director of the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic, Orbert Davis, wanted to highlight their songwriting skills. In a new composition for the Philharmonic, Davis confronts the gender inequalities in jazz. Reset learns more about why Davis wanted to highlight each of the singer-songwriters with his new composition debuting this weekend.
2/12/202413 minutes, 5 seconds
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Local Improv Jazz Saxophonist Mai Sugimoto Celebrates Human Connection In New Album

During the pandemic, saxophonist Mai Sugimoto, bassist Joshua Abrams and drummer Isaiah Spencer came together to perform and honor the life and legacy of Chicago saxophonist Fred Anderson. From that moment on, Sugimoto recognized the magic and chemistry of the trio leading to the creation of her latest album “Sunlight Filtering Through Leaves". Reset sits down with the Japanese-born, Chicago-based improvised jazz artist to learn about her journey in music.
2/10/202420 minutes, 21 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap, Feb. 9, 2024: Lurie Cyberattack, IL Races To Watch And More

A judge rules that an Illinois challenge to former President Donald Trump appearing on the ballot won’t be delayed. Meanwhile, Springfield takes up the so-called “subminimum wage” for tipped workers and Chicago’s elected school board. Reset goes behind those headlines and more in the Weekly News Recap, this week with Simone Alicea, executive producer of City Cast Chicago, Alex Nitkin, reporter with the Illinois Answers Project for the Better Government Association, and Amanda Vinicky, WTTW political correspondent.
2/9/202444 minutes, 40 seconds
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Take A Deep Breath. Your Air Could Soon Be Cleaner.

The Environmental Protection Agency is strengthening air quality standards on industries like factories, power plants, and vehicles that emit soot. Those fine particulate particles have been found to collect in people's lungs, cause respiratory problems, and have even been linked to cancer. Reset learns more about this change from Chicago Tribune reporter Michael Hawthorne, and how the change could improve our health from Brian Urbaszewski, Director of Environmental Health Programs at the Respiratory Health Association.
2/9/202420 minutes, 30 seconds
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City Council Requires CPD To Explain Inconsistent 911 Response Times

Chicago Police have been found to have varied response times to emergency calls across the city, and now the City Council is requiring the department to conduct a workforce study to identify why. The city’s governing body also discussed a recent resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, as well as solutions to the migrant crisis. Reset learns the latest from WBEZ’s city government and politics reporter Mariah Woelfel.
2/8/202410 minutes, 33 seconds
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How The Kennedy Expressway Cemented Segregation In Chicago

Chicago’s expressways can be traced back to the 1908 Plan of Chicago that envisioned a road system of roads that connected the city center to distant neighborhoods. But in the process of constructing them, thousands of residents were displaced – more than half of whom were Black, despite being only 23% of the city’s total population. And the result was the entrenchment of segregation in Chicago. For a walk through this history, Reset turns to two reporters: Richard Cahan, journalist, author Lost In America: Photographing the Last Days of our Architectural Treasures, and Susy Shultz, freelance editor and journalist, looking into this legacy.
2/8/202420 minutes, 54 seconds
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Increased Calls For Violence Prevention Work For Chicago Teens

It’s a tragic story that’s all too common in the city: gun violence ending young lives too soon. But a new public-private effort headed up by gun violence prevention nonprofit Chicago CRED aims to reduce shootings by 50% in the next five years. Reset speaks to Arne Duncan, former U.S. Secretary of Education and Founder of Chicago CRED, on how he plans to improve safety among Chicago teens.
2/7/202418 minutes, 25 seconds
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Chicago’s Household Income And Education Levels Are Rising

The Census Bureau's latest 5-year dataset was released in December, and WBEZ just crunched the numbers for Cook County tracts. But the gap between Cook County’s highest and lowest earning areas is among the highest in the nation. Reset learns more about what’s driving that change and which neighborhoods are being left behind from WBEZ’s Data Projects Editor Alden Loury.
2/7/202413 minutes, 51 seconds
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Here’s Why You Should Consider Running For Your Local School Council

As Chicago begins its transition to an elected school board in the fall, Local School Councils (LCSs) could become the place for candidates to prove themselves. LSCs are a unique and powerful feature of Chicago’s public school system, and the deadline to run for a seat is Feb. 8. Reset talks to Crystal Paul, a freelance journalist, and Karonda Locust and JP Paulus, LSC members, about the upcoming elections in spring.
2/6/202418 minutes, 37 seconds
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WBEZ’s Guide For Voting In The Illinois’ Primary

Illinois’ primary election is March 19th, but early voting starts as early as next week. Do you know where you’re voting? Or how to vote by mail? Whether you’re a long-time resident or new to the area, WBEZ’s primary guide’s got you covered. Reset learns more from WBEZ government and politics editor Tony Arnold.
2/5/202411 minutes, 52 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: February 2, 2024

City Council approves Gaza ceasefire resolution and Chicago becomes the largest city in the U.S. do so. Mayor Brandon Johnson gives migrants more time in shelters. And Chicago Tribune reporters go on strike for the first time in the paper's nearly 180-year history. Reset hears more about those stories and more with Chicago Tribune investigative reporter Ray Long, AXIOS Chicago reporter Monica Eng and WBEZ city government and politics reporter Mariah Woelfel.
2/2/202445 minutes, 22 seconds
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Can Chicago Handle Going Electric?

With recent pushes by Chicago’s city council to go electric and move away from natural gas in new buildings, it makes us wonder, “Could our power grid even handle that?” Reset discusses this question and more with Reset’s sustainability contributor and director of Loyola University Chicago’s Baumhart Center for Social Enterprise and Responsibility Karen Weigert.
2/2/202415 minutes, 10 seconds
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Chicago City Council Votes To Pass Ceasefire Resolution

Chicago becomes the largest city in the U.S. to call for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. With a narrow vote of 23 against and 23 in favor, Mayor Brandon Johnson cast a tie-breaking vote to pass the resolution. Reset checks in with WBEZ city government and politics reporter Mariah Woelfel to understand how the city’s ceasefire resolution fits into the larger picture.
2/1/202412 minutes, 15 seconds
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Funding For Expanded Pre-K Will Run Out

Thousands of parents rely on free preschool options which Chicago Public Schools has been able to expand thanks in part to COVID relief funding. But that money is set to run out in the next school year. So what will this mean for parents and the kids enrolled in these programs? Reset finds out from Reema Amin, reporter at Chalkbeat Chicago.
2/1/202413 minutes, 58 seconds
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Trump Will Stay On The Illinois March Primary Ballot

After a unanimous vote, the Illinois State Board of Elections decides to keep former president Donald Trump on the primary ballot. The Board decided the suit is out of their authority and jurisdiction. Reset checks in with WBEZ statehouse reporter Mawa Iqbal to get the latest update.
1/31/20249 minutes, 6 seconds
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Shelter Deadline Pushed Back Again, Saving 1,900 Migrants From February Eviction

The 1,900 migrants who were set to be evicted from shelters Thursday will now be able to stay until at least mid-March. Reset learns the latest on the 60-day shelter limit, City Council’s upcoming vote on a Gaza cease-fire resolution and how polling staff shortages will impact the Illinois primary election from Tessa Weinberg, WBEZ city government and politics reporter.
1/31/202412 minutes, 4 seconds
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‘Be A Revolution’: Author Ijeoma Oluo Inspires Everyday People To Take Action

As we continue to better understand systems of oppression in America, the question is: What can we do about them? That’s what writer Ijeoma Oluo tackles in Be A Revolution: How Everyday People Are Fighting Oppression and Changing the World — And How You Can, Too. Oluo documents her years spent shadowing movement workers across the country in areas including gender justice, disability justice, systemic racism and education. Reset sits down with Oluo to learn more about her call to action and how people can bring positive change to their own communities.
1/30/202444 minutes, 50 seconds
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Legendary Meteorologist Tom Skilling On Chasing Tornadoes, Predicting Weather And Retirement

Since he was just 14 years old, meteorologist Tom Skilling has predicted the weather, and helped Illinoisians understand the science behind it. He’s guided residents through rain and shine, floods and droughts, blizzards and heat waves. He’s chased tornadoes — and been chased by them. Reset talked to the longtime meteorologist about his legendary career ahead of his retirement.
1/30/202422 minutes, 53 seconds
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Common’s Top Advice? ‘Whatever You Feel Is Feeding You, Just Do That’

The Chicago rapper, activist and actor Common spills on the importance of staying grounded, setting boundaries and taking time for self. That’s advice from his new book “And Then We Rise: A Guide to Loving and Taking Care of Self.”
1/29/202427 minutes, 23 seconds
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Meet The New Leader Of Chicago’s National Museum Of Mexican Art

In 1987, Carlos Tortolero opened the National Museum of Mexican Art’s doors in Pilsen with the guiding principles that it should be free and accessible. Now, as the longtime leader takes a step back, the organization welcomes José Ochoa as its new leader. Reset learns more about José Ochoa’s plans for the museum.
1/29/202415 minutes, 30 seconds
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Pitchfork GQ? What The Merger Means For Music Criticism

Chicago shaped the early years of Pitchfork, a music review site that laid off half its staff last week. We caught up with the original Pitchfork crew: Ryan Schreiber, founder of Pitchfork, Chris Kaskie, co-founder of Pitchfork Music Festival and former co-owner of Pitchfork, and Amy Phillips, ex-executive editor of Pitchfork to hear the history of the pillar of music journalism. And talked about the future of music criticism with Alejandro Hernandez, freelance music journalist and Britt Julious, music critic for the Chicago Tribune.
1/27/202431 minutes, 57 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap, Jan 26, 2024

Mayor Johnson wants Chicago to say goodbye to gas. Pritzker joins Democratic governors in asking the federal government for help with addressing the needs of migrants. A Chicago police officer is sentenced for participating in the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol. Nearly a third of alders ask Mayor Johnson to scrap the 60-day shelter limit policy for migrants, while City Council debates cracking down on dollar stores. Reset goes behind the headlines of those stories and much more in our Weekly News Recap with Leigh Giangreco, government and politics reporter, Crain’s Chicago Business, Brandon Pope, reporter/anchor at CW 26 and Madison Savedra, Block Club Chicago reporter covering Pilsen, Little Village and Back of the Yards.
1/26/202444 minutes, 29 seconds
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The Future Of Rogers Park’s Roman Susan Up In The Air

Art space and gallery Roman Susan in Rogers Park has a new landlord. Loyola University purchased the building it occupies along with other businesses and residential tenants. As Roman Susan’s lease comes to an end next year, the future of the community art space is uncertain. To learn more about it and its impact in Rogers Park, Reset spoke with Roman Susan executive director Kristin Abhalter Smith and managing director Nathan Abhalter Smith. Check out the rest of our interviews and conversations at wbez.org/reset.
1/26/202418 minutes, 1 second
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More Seniors Saying No To Nursing Homes, Choosing ‘Aging In Place’

As the U.S. population ages, many Americans are thinking about what they want their golden years to look like. And more and more are saying “no” to nursing homes and “yes” to staying put. Aging in place is the practice of seniors staying in their homes with care from friends, family, and/or paid staff, rather than living in a retirement facility. It’s been gaining popularity as a way for seniors to maintain independence. Reset learns more about how to effectively, and safely, age in place with Mary Mitchell, columnist at the Chicago Sun-Times, and Margaret Laraviere, executive director of the Area Agency on Aging. Check out the rest of our interviews and conversations at wbez.org/reset.
1/25/202423 minutes, 11 seconds
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More Young and Middle-Aged Adults are Getting Diagnosed with Cancer

A new American Cancer Society report shows more adults under the age of 50 are being diagnosed with certain cancers. Some researchers point to changes in lifestyle, environment, ultra-processed foods, or something more unidentifiable. Reset learns more about this study and cancer outcomes from Dr. Adam DuVall, assistant professor of medicine at UChicago Medicine, and Dr. Christina Annunziata, senior vice president of extramural discovery science at the American Cancer Society.
1/25/202424 minutes, 4 seconds
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Illinois Eyes Ban On Red Dye No. 3, Other Harmful Additives

Illinois lawmakers are looking to ban five ingredients listed to be banned in a proposed bill in Springfield have been connected to cancer, behavioral problems in children, and overall to poor health outcomes. Reset hears more about the legislation under consideration in the state Senate from Stephanie Zimmermann, consumer investigations reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times. We also learn about the long term health impact of these additives in our foods from Rochelle Trotter, entrepreneur, health coach, and founder & CEO of R’Culinare.
1/24/202418 minutes
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What Chicago Can Learn From New York’s Migrant Response

As Chicago delayed its 60-day shelter-stay limit due to weather, New York has been enforcing its limit on single adults for months — and in January, started removing families. But advocates in New York City warn of chaos and inhumane conditions as the city has cast migrants on to the street. Reset compares the two city’s responses to the migrant crisis with Michael Loria, a reporter with the Chicago Sun-Times, and Giulia McDonnell Nieto del Rio with the New York-based outlet, Documented.
1/24/202418 minutes, 6 seconds
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Advocates Push For A Gas-Free Chicago

An ordinance to be introduced Wednesday in Chicago’s City Council would raise emissions standards and require new buildings to go electric. That means stoves, water heaters and furnaces that run on gas would no longer be part of the architecture of most new buildings in Chicago if a new proposal passes in City Council. Reset talks with advocates for the legislation, Sarah Moskowitz of the Citizens Utility Board and 49th Ward Alderwoman Maria Hadden about the benefits of such a move, as well as the concerns that groups like Peoples Gas and the American Gas Association have about the proposed changes.
1/23/202418 minutes, 7 seconds
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Amid Bus Driver Shortage, CPS Might Get Creative

Under a major bus driver shortage, Chicago Public Schools isn’t providing busing to general education students for the rest of the school year. The district is in early talks with a ride-share service that provides students transportation in other districts across the nation, like Denver Public Schools in Colorado. Reset talks with Jewél Jackson, investigative education reporter for the Illinois Answers Project, and Ismael El-Amin, a parent of two Chicago Public Schools students, on the best way to bridge the gap.
1/23/202420 minutes, 24 seconds
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One Pastor’s Perspective On Extension Of Migrant Shelter Deadline

Officials have touted the Unity Initiative, a donation-funded partnership between the city of Chicago and its faith community, as one reason the city is no longer relying on police stations as shelter. Reset checks back in with Jonathan de la O, pastor of Starting Point Community Church in Belmont Cragin, about participating in that program and what migrants need ahead of an impending stay limit being imposed at city-run shelters.
1/22/202414 minutes, 28 seconds
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Johnson Administrations’s ‘Do-Not-Hire’ List Under Scrutiny

Four former employees in the mayor’s office say they were improperly placed on City Hall’s do-not-hire list. Reset talks with Leigh Giangreco, government and politics reporter for Crain’s Chicago Business and David Greising, president, Better Government Association about those stories and how the city’s do-not-hire list is supposed to work.
1/22/202413 minutes, 31 seconds
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Reflecting on Arnold Randall’s Accomplishments Leading Cook County’s Forest Preserves

From overseeing the forest preserves’ centennial celebration to making a strategic conservation plan for the next century, Arnold Randall left an indelible mark during his 13 years as the general superintendent of Cook County’s forest preserves. Ahead of his departure from the district, Reset reflects with Randall on his legacy and conservation in Cook County over the past decade.
1/20/202416 minutes, 58 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: Jan. 19, 2024

Continued freezing temperatures add another challenge to housing migrants. Car insurance rates are on the rise. And Illinois releases new assault weapons registration rules after only a fraction of eligible gun owners registered their weapons with the state. Reset breaks down these stories and more with Ravi Baichwal anchor at ABC 7 News, Stephanie Zimmermann, consumer investigations reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times and Paris Schutz, reporter and anchor, WTTW.
1/19/202444 minutes, 19 seconds
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After New Law, Field Museum Covers Some Native American Displays

Museums like the Field are now federally required to get “free, prior and informed consent” from tribes or descendants before allowing display of cultural items or ancestral remains. The Field already does not display those remains, but it does hold one of the largest collections in the nation. Reset hears from Debra Yepa-Pappan, artist and former community engagement coordinator for the Native American exhibition renovation at the Field Museum, about the museum’s repatriation procedures and the changes following these rules.
1/19/202414 minutes, 27 seconds
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Chicago-Area Company Launches ‘Jaws’-Themed Pinball Machine

Stern Pinball, based in suburban Elk Grove Village, created a new machine styled after Steven Spielberg’s classic summer blockbuster Jaws. Reset gets the scoop from Zach Sharpe of Stern Pinball and horror fan Moses Gibson of The Horror House Shop.
1/18/202415 minutes, 19 seconds
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Chicago Has A Plan To Improve CTA Buses, But Some Advocates Want More

The Chicago Transit Authority and Chicago Department of Transportation released a plan in November that aims to create a more reliable bus service in the city. Reset learns more on what the plan includes from Jennifer Henry, CTA’s director of strategic planning. We then heard from public transit advocates Kyle Lucas of Better Streets Chicago and Julia Gerasimenko of Active Transportation Alliance about what improvements they’d like to see to the CTA bus system.
1/18/202427 minutes, 51 seconds
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Expanding The Child Tax Credit Could Help Families. Here’s How.

A bipartisan deal reached in the U.S. Senate could expand the child tax credit for lower income families, many of whom do not currently earn enough to qualify. Lawmakers are trying to pass the bill before the current filing deadline of Jan. 29, but it’s unclear if it can pass in the House. Additionally, there’s a bill in the Illinois House to create a permanent child tax credit. Reset learns about the proposed expansions from Deirdre Walsh, NPR Congressional correspondent and how this could benefit lower income families in Illinois from Audra Wilson, president and CEO, Shriver Center on Poverty Law and Mykela Collins, parent ambassador, Ada S. McKinley Community Services.
1/17/202420 minutes, 28 seconds
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We Are Ditching Diet Culture In 2024

Around this time of the year, people are starting to work toward their New Year's resolutions. For many, their goals are to lose weight, work out more or eat healthier. But how can we embrace a more positive and less anxious relationship with our bodies, food and movement? Reset discusses with a panel of health and nutrition experts: Bethany Doerfler, a research specialist and clinical dietitian for Northwestern Medicine Digestive Health Center; Dana Buccheri, the owner and trainer of StrongWithDana; and Àngel Casas, a non-diet personal trainer.
1/17/202431 minutes, 59 seconds
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Chicago Migrants Get Brief Reprieve From Shelter Eviction

With frigid temperatures, Chicago officials postponed kicking newly-arrived migrants out of city shelters. But the new deadline is still looming. Reset spoke with a panel of people who are connecting migrants with resources: Veronica Saldaña, a volunteer lead for the police station response team, Annie Gomberg, another lead volunteer, and Andre Gordillo, director of New Vecinos – or “New Neighbors” in English – at New Life Centers, a nonprofit that is partnering with the state to provide services.
1/16/202417 minutes, 38 seconds
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Budget Eats To Try During Chicago Restaurant Week

Chicago Restaurant Week can be a fun opportunity to eat new dishes and set menus at a more affordable price — and this year 414 restaurants are participating. Reset hears from local foodies Monica Eng and Louisa Chu, co-hosts of the Chewing Podcast, on their picks and suggestions to make the most of the event.
1/16/202414 minutes, 8 seconds
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What Would Improve Chicago’s Union Station? You Have A Chance To Weigh In

Amtrak is getting $93 million in federal funds to renovate Union Station, which will include upgrades to the ventilation systems, expansion of platforms and changes to make the facility comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Amtrak is currently seeking public comment on proposed improvements to the station that the company says serves more than three million passengers annually. Reset finds out more about the renovation goals and how the public can weigh in with Mark Magliari, spokesperson for Amtrak Government Affairs; Sarah Freishtat, transportation reporter for the Chicago Tribune; and Mark Walbrun, a retired industry expert.
1/15/202431 minutes, 46 seconds
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‘King: A Life’ Biography Offers A Revealing Portrait of MLK

During his life and since his assassination, Martin Luther King Jr. was and has been the face of the Civil Rights movement, but how much do you know about the man behind the myth? King: A Life taps new material, including an unpublished memoir by King’s father and FBI surveillance tapes, to give a full, unflinching portrait of King. On MLK Day, Reset revisits a conversation with the Chicago-based author of the biography, Jonathan Eig.
1/15/202430 minutes, 30 seconds
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How To Spot A Snowy Owl And The Signs Of An ‘Irruption’

Snowy owls are a rare and coveted sight for bird watchers in the Midwest, but if you know what to look for you might have a better chance at spotting them. Reset learns more about snowy owl irruptions — the term for the mysterious and unpredictable migration cycle for the arctic bird — from Stephanie Beilke, senior manager in conservation science at Audubon Society Great Lakes and Edward Warden, president of the Chicago Ornithological Society.
1/13/202414 minutes, 23 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: January 12, 2024

A winter storm hammers Chicago, migrants housed on CTA buses, and, as the weather worsens, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson delays a 60-day limit on how long migrants can stay in city shelters. Reset goes behind the headlines of those stories and much more in our Weekly News Recap with panelists Carrie Shepherd, reporter for Axios; Dave McKinney, WBEZ state politics reporter; and A.D. Quig, Cook County and Chicago government reporter for the Chicago Tribune.
1/12/202444 minutes, 28 seconds
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Chicago Braces For Frigid Temps And Almost A Foot Of Snow

Weather disasters are wreaking havoc across the country this week as Chicago prepares for a winter storm expected to hit today. Reset talks with atmospheric scientist Scott Collis with Argonne National Laboratory to learn more.
1/12/202413 minutes, 54 seconds
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The Best Time To Surf Lake Michigan In… Winter!

Ask any Midwestern surfer and they’ll tell you: the worse the weather, the better the waves. But beware of wading in those waters unless you know what you’re doing. As surfers navigate both environmental hazards and extreme weather, the difficulty and shared risk has built a tight-knit community on the Third Coast. Reset speaks with local surfers Mo McFadden and Rex Flodstrom and WBEZ freelance reporter Zachary Nauth to learn more about winter surfing on the Great Lakes.
1/11/202421 minutes, 21 seconds
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Meet Josh Long, New Chief For CPS Special Education

Josh Long, Chicago Public Schools’ new chief of the Office of Diverse Learner Supports and Services, was the principal of Southside Occupational Academy High School for 14 years. Reset learns more about how the department's new leader plans to support special education students throughout the district.
1/11/202411 minutes, 58 seconds
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Harvey Residents Say Their Homes Were Boarded Up While They Were Still Inside

Apartments at a building in south suburban Harvey got boarded up — while some residents say they were still inside. Videos of the situation went viral on TikTok. Reset gets the latest on the story and discusses tenants’ rights across Cook County with Daily Southtown reporter Hank Sanders and two organizers with the Metropolitan Tenants Organization: Philip DeVon and David Wilson.
1/10/202422 minutes, 54 seconds
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City Hall Update: A New Housing Commissioner And More Pushback To Bring Chicago Home

A group of real estate and business groups are pushing back against the city’s proposed real estate transfer tax that’s meant to combat homelessness, also known as the Bring Chicago Home ordinance. Plus, Brandon Johnson is trying to move away from Tax Increment Financing. Reset learns more from WBEZ city government and politics reporters Tessa Weinberg and Mariah Woelfel.
1/10/202413 minutes, 40 seconds
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Your Guide To Health Screenings And Checkups At Every Age

What’s considered a normal blood pressure? How often should I get a Pap test? What am I at risk for at my age? Reset checks in about checkups and screenings with Dr. Sam Wainwright, a pediatrician and health services researcher at University of Illinois Chicago, and Dr. Steven Rothschild, a family medicine physician with RUSH University Medical Group.
1/9/202433 minutes, 36 seconds
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Work Permits Are Hard To Get For Migrants

Only a small fraction of migrants have been approved for the documents they need to start working legally, according to a CBS Chicago review of internal city data. But not everyone is eligible for work permits under Temporary Protected Status. Reset discusses who is left out and checks in on the permit process for new arrivals with Eréndira Rendón, vice president of immigrant justice at The Resurrection Project and Sabrina Franza, general assignment reporter, CBS 2.
1/9/202413 minutes, 28 seconds
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Work Permits Are Hard To Get For Migrants

Only a small fraction of migrants have been approved for the documents they need to start working legally, according to a CBS Chicago review of internal city data. But not everyone is eligible for work permits under Temporary Protected Status. Reset discusses who is left out and checks in on the permit process for new arrivals with Eréndira Rendón, vice president of immigrant justice at The Resurrection Project and Sabrina Franza, general assignment reporter, CBS 2.
1/9/202413 minutes, 29 seconds
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One Chicago-Area Woman’s Fight To Get Her Family in Gaza To Safety

A Northwestern law student is suing the Biden administration over what she says is its failure to evacuate her U.S. citizen family members from Gaza. Palestinian American Yasmeen Elagha has spent the last three months talking, negotiating and pleading with different U.S. agencies — and even different governments — for help to get her family in Gaza to safety. Reset sits down with Elagha for more on her story.
1/8/202416 minutes, 22 seconds
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Food Friday: Bye Bye Hot Dog Bun. Hello Hot Dog Croissant

Move over hot dog bun, there’s a new carb in town. The pastry chef at Daisies, the Logan Square pasta emporium, joined forces with The Weiner Circle to bring a new twist to Chicago’s favorite dog and the Midwestern classic pigs in a blanket. Reset discusses the newest twist on a Windy City classic with WBEZ staffers Katie O'Connell, Cianna Greaves and Reset’s own Meha Ahmad.
1/8/202411 minutes, 10 seconds
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The Metropolitan Jazz Octet Takes On Bowie

Fans of David Bowie will know of his deep love of jazz. Though he never ventured into the genre in a literal sense, the inspiration is clear when you listen to his impressive body of work. The Metropolitan Jazz Octet, in partnership with Paul Marinaro, is reimagining some of Bowie’s classics with a new show titled “The Bowie Project.” Paul and MJO Co-founder Jim Gailloreto join Reset to discuss their love of the psychedelic space explorer, adapting Bowie's work in a new medium, and how the MJO came to be.
1/6/202419 minutes, 54 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: Jan. 5, 2024

A group of Illinois residents have challenged Donald Trump’s candidacy. An undercount of people living in group quarters on the 2020 Census might mean Illinois isn’t losing population after all. Plus, there’s a slew of new laws you may have missed – like an e-cigarette ban in indoor public spaces. Reset breaks down those stories and more with Alex Nitkin, reporter with the Illinois Answers Project, Quinn Myers, Block Club Chicago reporter covering Wicker Park, West Town and Bucktown, and WBEZ education reporter Sarah Karp.
1/5/202446 minutes, 27 seconds
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What’s That Building? The History Of 5 Buildings Housing Migrants

Reset learns the history of two schools, hotels and a warehouse that are currently being used to house migrants for our What’s That Building series with architecture sleuth Dennis Rodkin.
1/5/202416 minutes, 34 seconds
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Hobbies And Activities To Warm Your Soul This Winter

Want to get out of your comfort zone and try something new this winter? Reset sat down with Jenny LeFlore, creator of Mama Fresh, Alison Cuddy, cultural producer and freelance journalist, and Breezy Fasano, co-founder of Chicago Craft Club to get tips on how to stay active and connected this winter.
1/4/202430 minutes, 12 seconds
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What Kids (And Families) Need To Thrive In The First Year

A new program for West Side families wants to help ease the burdens of parenthood during the first year of a baby’s life. Reset learns more about West Side Healthy Parents & Babies by speaking with Ayesha Jaco, executive director of West Side United, Katelyn Kanwischer, director of maternal and child health initiative at Lurie Children’s Hospital, and WBEZ public health and county government reporter Kristen Schorsch.
1/4/202418 minutes, 30 seconds
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Understanding Chicago’s Crime Prevention Strategy

This year the city of Chicago is rolling out a violence-prevention strategy to bring resources and investment to four of its most crime-impacted neighborhoods: West Garfield Park, Little Village, Englewood and Austin. This comes after a drop in homicides and gun violence both locally and nationally in 2023. But Chicago did experience an unusual spike in robberies last year. Reset learns more about crime in Chicago and the steps being taken to reduce it by speaking with Chicago’s deputy mayor of community safety Garien Gatewood and Kim Smith, the director of programs at the University of Chicago Crime Lab.
1/3/202418 minutes, 45 seconds
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Madigan, Migrants, DNC To Mark 2024 Chicago Politics

The year ahead will be a big one for local politics. Former Illinois House speaker Mike Madigan goes on trial, Alderman Ed Burke will be sentenced after being convicted on 13 charges in his federal corruption trial, the Illinois primary is coming up on March 19, and the Democratic National Convention comes to town this summer. WBEZ government and politics reporters Tessa Weinberg and Mariah Woelfel give a preview of the stories that will shape Chicago politics in 2024.
1/3/202414 minutes, 15 seconds
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How To Keep Your 2024 New Year’s Resolution

Is 2024 the year some of us finally keep a New Year’s resolution? It can be easier said than done, but experts say if you follow the best practices unearthed through research, it’s doable. Reset turns to Katy Milkman, professor at The University of Pennsylvania, host of the Choiceology podcast and author of How To Change: The Science of Getting from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be for tips and tricks on how to actually make desired changes.
1/2/202415 minutes, 35 seconds
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Chicago Dream-Pop Duo OK Cool

At a breezy 17 minutes, fawn – the 2023 EP from Chicago band OK Cool – explores big topics in a precise yet carefree way. Reset revisits a conversation with Haley Blomquist and Bridget Stiebris – creative partners behind OK Cool – about the duo’s stop-motion music videos, musical inspirations, and their collaborative writing process.
12/28/202318 minutes
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Laying Jazz To Rest: Angel Bat Dawid On Her Album ‘Requiem For Jazz’

Angel Bat Dawid’s latest album explores the potential “death” of jazz, providing an Afrofuturist requiem to lay it to rest. Increasingly layered, the Chicago artist’s 2023 release also draws parallels to Mozart’s last work. In this April 2023 conversation, Angel Bat Dawid joined Reset to talk about her early days learning the clarinet, her goals for teaching Black children and the 1959 documentary that inspired her latest work.
12/27/202323 minutes, 34 seconds
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Revisiting International House Music With ‘Global Currency’

As Reset wraps the year, we’re giving some of our favorite interviews with musical guests an encore presentation. Today, we take a look back at a conversation with DJ Mochi and DJ IGGY – the founders of Global Currency – and play some tunes from South America, Africa, and more.
12/26/202316 minutes, 13 seconds
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Food Friday: Movies That Are A Love Affair With Food

Your upcoming holidays may be full of movie nights and good food. So, why not combine the best of both worlds? From Big Night to Tampopo, Reset digs into the films that inspire us to eat and cook delicious food with Monica Eng, Axios Chicago reporter and co-host of Chewing Podcast, and Jesse Dukes, co-host of Upper Middlebrow.
12/23/202317 minutes, 32 seconds
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WBEZ Weekly News Recap: Dec. 22, 2023

Former alderman Ed Burke is found guilty of racketeering, bribery and attempted extortion. A months-long strike of adjunct professors at Columbia College ends. Meanwhile, Texas Governor Greg Abbott sent migrants to Chicago this week by plane. Reset goes behind those headlines and more with David Greising, president and CEO of the Better Government Association, Amanda Vinicky, WTTW political correspondent, and Jon Seidel, federal courts reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times, on the Weekly News Recap.
12/22/202346 minutes, 30 seconds
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What’s That Building: The Real-Life Locations From ‘A Christmas Story’

Set in the 1930s, A Christmas Story takes place in the fictitious town of Hohman. Reset learns more about the real-life places in Hammond, Indiana that inspired the iconic holiday film from WBEZ architecture sleuth Dennis Rodkin.
12/22/202311 minutes, 58 seconds
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Best Albums Of 2023 (Chicago’s Version)

Sorry Taylor Swift, but we’re doing our end of year albums the Reset way. We’re talking about the Best Albums of 2023 (Chicago’s Version) with the co-host of Sound Opinions, Greg Kot, music critic for the Chicago Tribune, Britt Julious, and host and producer at Vocalo, Nudia Hernandez.
12/21/202346 minutes, 7 seconds
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New Lifeguard Lawsuits Filed Against Chicago Park District

New lawsuits against the Chicago Park District allege lifeguarding for teens was no day at the beach. Dan Mihalopoulos, WBEZ investigative reporter on government and politics who broke the story of the toxic workplace culture and sexual abuse in the city’s lifeguard program, shares details from the latest lawsuits.
12/21/202315 minutes, 13 seconds
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Merry Mocktails For The Holiday Season

The holidays can add extra pressure to drink. But a cup of good cheer doesn’t have to include alcohol — and a growing movement toward mocktails is motivating the creation and distribution of more fun, non-alcoholic beverages. Reset talks with WBEZ’s Courtney Keuppers and Mary Moss, owner of Beverly Dry Goods, who searched for Chicago’s most creative mocktails and found recommendations for sober folks in 12 Chicago neighborhoods all in time for the festive season.
12/20/202314 minutes, 48 seconds
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Catholic Priests Can Now Bless Same-Sex Couples

According to new guidance released this week by the Vatican, “irregular” unions should not be denied the right to receive God’s blessing. Pope Francis’ guidance did not, however, amend church doctrine on marriage. Reset speaks with Steve Millies, associate professor of public theology and director of Bernardin Center at the Catholic Theological Union Mary Donnelley, board president at Dignity Chicago and Chris Pett, former national Dignity president to learn more.
12/20/202315 minutes, 11 seconds
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How NOT To Get COVID-19 This Holiday Season

Medical experts expect respiratory virus hospitalizations to continue to rise in Chicago. One reason? Only 11 percent of Chicagoans have gotten the most recent flu and COVID-19 vaccine. Reset chats with Dr. Mia Taormina, an infectious disease specialist with Duly Health and Care, about precautions to keep in mind this holiday season.
12/19/202314 minutes, 12 seconds
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Volunteer-Led Support Groups Bring Mental Health Care To Migrants

Producer: Landon Jones Editor: Brenda RuizIllinois has one of the greatest shortages of mental health care workers in the country, and new arrivals to Chicago face even greater barriers to access. This is because migrants may be disconnected from their families and support systems, lack a job or permanent address or have language or cultural barriers that keep them from seeing a therapist or social worker. Reset learns more about the need for mental health care in the city’s migrant shelters from Kristen Schorsch, WBEZ public health and county government reporter, Laura Pappa, director of behavioral health education at Northwestern Family Medicine, Veronica Armenta-Sanchez, licensed social worker and Aimee Hilado and Rebecca Ford-Paz from the Coalition for Immigrant Mental Health.
12/19/202327 minutes, 34 seconds
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Survivors Of Gun Violence Share Their Stories In Essays

The Trace, a non-profit newsroom covering gun violence, created a Survivor Storytelling Network, with the aim of helping survivors tell their stories in essay form. The goal is to reach a broad audience to add nuance to the conversation about causes of violence and the fluctuating ideas of redemption and justice. Each essay offers a peek into the ways violence rearranges a life. Reset hears the stories of Aja Johnson, Marlon English, and Jaree Noel, who are survivors of gun violence in Chicago, and Justin Agrelo, Chicago Community Engagement Reporter for the Trace who led the project.
12/18/202345 minutes, 34 seconds
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Chicago post-punk band La Rosa Noir makes waves with its debut ‘Arellano’

Fans of Johnny Cash, Television and the Beach Boys can sink their teeth into this new melting pot of classic genres. La Rosa Noir’s songs have changed over many years of performing, and listening to the polished and orchestrated studio album, Arellano, you can tell. Yeshi Regalado, frontwoman of La Rosa Noir, and Jannese Espino, her lead guitarist, join Reset to talk about their Chicano heritage, musical inspirations and the new album.
12/16/202324 minutes, 12 seconds
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As 2023 Comes To An End, How Has Chicago’s Plan For Housing Migrants Evolved?

This week Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson touted a near end to the use of police stations to shelter migrants. But, there are still a lot of unanswered questions about how the new city-run shelters will be managed. Reset spoke with the city’s deputy chief of staff Cristina Pacione-Zayas about the city’s strategy to house migrants.
12/16/202314 minutes, 34 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: December 15, 2023

Voters won’t get to weigh in on Chicago’s welcoming ordinance. Chicago workers will have to wait until July for the new mandatory ten days of paid leave. The fate of Alderman Ed Burke is now in the hands of a jury. Reset goes behind those headlines and more in our Weekly News Recap with WBEZ criminal justice reporter Patrick Smith, editor and reporter for Block Club Chicago Mick Dumke and reporter and anchor at CW 26 Brandon Pope.
12/15/202344 minutes, 32 seconds
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Kids Are Still Climbing Over Trains In Hammond, Indiana

Months ago, footage of kids crawling under and over stopped train cars at a railroad crossing put the spotlight on Hammond, Indiana. Reset checks in back with Joce Sterman, a national investigative reporter for Investigate TV, for an update on what has changed since – especially as a new video reveals a stopped train car beginning to move forward as a young girl tried to walk across the tracks.
12/15/202312 minutes, 55 seconds
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Wrapping Up 2023 With The Best And Newest Restaurants In Chicago

From Michelin stars to James Beard nominations, it’s been a year of culinary greatness for Chicago. Reset sits down with local food writers and foodies alike to highlight the city’s best new restaurants. If you enjoyed this conversation, check out our previous episode on the best movies of 2023.
12/14/202331 minutes, 9 seconds
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Guns From Indiana Shops Linked To Chicago Crimes

A recent ProPublica investigation finds gun sellers face few repercussions for failing to prevent illegal gun sales. The investigation also finds that tens of thousands of guns sold in cities outside Illinois have been linked to crimes in Chicago. Reset checks in with Vernal Coleman, reporter for ProPublica’s Midwest newsroom, to learn more.
12/14/202314 minutes, 15 seconds
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Former Chicago IG Joe Ferguson To Lead Civic Federation

The late Laurence Msall, who previously led the Civic Federation, was a wizard of public finance, someone who knew the ins and outs of city and state budgeting and had a keen eye for cost-effective approaches to government. Joe Ferguson brings a different background and perspective as a former federal prosecutor and good government advocate who spent 12 years as a tenacious city watchdog for Chicago. Reset talks to Ferguson about his plans for the group.
12/13/202318 minutes, 37 seconds
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How To Tip Properly This Holiday Season

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. But, let’s face it, gift giving can be stressful. So how should you pass along goodwill and cheer to service and tipped workers — and what’s the standard? Reset speaks with culture and etiquette coach Akilah Siti Easter about how to properly tip this season.
12/13/202316 minutes, 29 seconds
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No Migrant Tent Camp For Morgan Park And Other Chicago City Council News

Chicago lawmakers have scrapped plans to build a migrant camp in Morgan Park a week after the state stopped a potential camp in Brighton Park. Meanwhile, conservative Democrats on the council are asking for the resignation of seven officials from the Johnson Administration for greenlighting construction on toxic land in Brighton Park. Reset learns the latest about housing for migrants and other news from Chicago’s City Council from WBEZ city government and politics reporter Tessa Weinberg.
12/12/202314 minutes, 53 seconds
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Beware Of These Scams During The Holiday Season

Tis the season of giving. And the season of scams. There are a lot of different ways scammers are scheming to take your money and information. Reset sits down with Tom Johnson of the Better Business Bureau to learn about the top scams to look out for this holiday season. Get info on the latest happenings in Chicago and dig deeper into Reset conversations with our newsletter. Sign up at wbez.org/resetnews.
12/12/20239 minutes, 30 seconds
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Learning A Language For The First Time At Six Years Old

Mahbuba, a refugee from Afghanistan, didn’t have a way to communicate for the first six years of her life. Expressing herself as a deaf child was difficult. With no access to education in rural Afghanistan as a deaf girl, she didn’t experience language education until coming to Chicago. Reset talks with author and freelance journalist Elly Fishman who covered Mahbuba’s story. If you want to hear more stories like this, check out our full catalog of interviews at wbez.org/reset.
12/11/202323 minutes, 32 seconds
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In Chicago, Robberies Spiked From July To Thanksgiving

Robberies in Chicago have increased more in the last five months than in any other consecutive five-month period since 2001. From July 1 to November 26, 2023, nearly 5,000 people filed reports of robbery with the Chicago Police Department. Reset speaks with the journalists behind the investigation, WBEZ data projects editor Alden Loury and Chicago Sun-Times staff reporter Sophie Sherry, to learn more.
12/11/202316 minutes, 57 seconds
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Food Friday: Chopped Episode Winner Chef Javauneeka Jacobs

Competing on a cooking show can be ruthless and cutthroat, but Chef Javauneeka Jacobs handles it with ease. Reset learns about the chef’s journey through the kitchen and into success — and her winning dish, Chef J’s Cassoulet Mexicano, which is being served at Rick Bayless’ Frontera Grill through December.
12/9/202311 minutes, 25 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: Dec. 8, 2023

Governor Pritzker halts construction on a migrant tent camp in Brighton Park, while criticism grows over new protocols for seating the public at City Council meetings. Reset breaks down these stories and much more with executive producer of City Cast Chicago Simone Alicea, Block Club Chicago reporter Quinn Myers and WBEZ Politics & Government editor Angela Rozas O'Toole.
12/8/202334 minutes, 34 seconds
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Most CPS Grads Don’t Finish College In Four Years

Chicago Public Schools graduates take longer to complete college than students nationally, according to a study from the University of Chicago. Reset checked in with two co-authors of the study, as well as CPS’s director of College Pathways Brian Harris to hear about this issue – and discuss what efforts are needed to solve it. For more conversations like this one, check out our full catalog of interviews at wbez.org/reset.
12/8/202315 minutes, 23 seconds
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What’s That Building?: The Leaning Tower Of Niles

For those who often drive past the Leaning Tower of Niles, it might have lost its novelty. But for one Chicagoan the off kilter, domed, belltower structure was a new sight thanks to detours caused by construction on the Kennedy Expressway. So why is there a replica of the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Illinois? We speak with Reset’s architecture sleuth Dennis Rodkin to find out. If you liked this conversation, you can find more interviews with Dennis Rodkin in WBEZ’s “What’s That Building?” series at wbez.org/reset.
12/7/202310 minutes, 24 seconds
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Ald. Ramirez Discusses State Decision To Cancel Migrant Tent Shelter In Her Ward

City officials faced pushback on construction of a winterized migrant shelter in Brighton Park from the community and health advocates even before an environmental study showed unhealthy levels of mercury at the site. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker nailed the coffin shut on this project citing health concerns. Reset hears from Alderwoman Julia Ramirez, 12th Ward, on the move and on what comes next.
12/7/202312 minutes, 50 seconds
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Wrapping Up 2023 With The Best Movies Of The Year

We go to the movies for magic. To laugh, to cry, to care… at least that’s what Nicole Kidman says in the preview that runs before films start. We chat about our favorite flicks (and those that missed the mark!) with Brandon Pope, anchor at CW-26 and host of Season 4 of WBEZ’s Making Podcast, Michi Trota, Hugo Award winning editor and culture critic, and Cody Dericks, seasonal manager at the Music Box Theater and film critic for the website Next Best Picture.
12/6/202335 minutes, 50 seconds
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Eve Ewing On How Guaranteed Income Is Changing Lives In Cook County

For many, a little extra cash each month could go a long way. So one local scholar and sociologist set out to understand what a no-strings-attached monthly stipend could do for Chicago residents. Reset sits down with Eve L. Ewing about her limited podcast series “Guaranteed,” which examines what $500 monthly cash payments are making possible for some residents.
12/6/202334 minutes, 5 seconds
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Choosing A Medicare Plan In 2024

Generally, seniors 65 and older – who are retired and no longer use employer-provided insurance – will need to choose between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage. This can be a daunting choice, with tradeoffs to each. Reset learns about the different parts to Medicare and gets advice for thinking through the options with Mary Mitchell, columnist and director of culture and community engagement for the Chicago Sun-Times, and Tricia Neuman, executive director of KFF’s Program on Medicare Policy.
12/5/202327 minutes, 16 seconds
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Investigation Reveals Flaws In How CPD Handles Cases Of Missing Black

The reporters on the seven-part series from City Bureau and the Invisible Institute found that Chicago detectives repeatedly brushed off family members' concerns, mishandled evidence and recorded inaccurate data that made finding missing people harder. Reset learns more from the duo behind the investigation, Trina Reynolds-Tyler, data director at the Invisible Institute, and Sarah Conway, senior reporter at City Bureau.
12/5/202318 minutes, 7 seconds
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‘Art Deco Nutcracker’ Brings More Diversity To Ballet

It’s challenging to become a classically trained professional ballerina, and people of color say they face more significant financial and accessibility challenges than their white counterparts when breaking into the field. Reset talks with Tatiana Chen, Shania Cook, and Rozhan Shabahang about being leads in A & A Ballet’s production of the Nutcracker and what it’s like to be part of the growing diversity in ballet.
12/4/202316 minutes, 16 seconds
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The Biggest Chicago Animal News Of 2023

From lions and a zebra born at the Lincoln Park Zoo, to spottings of snapping turtles, bats, and rats throughout Chicago, the reminder that wildlife is here, not just on TV, is all around. Reset revisits some of the biggest animal stories from this year with Seth Magle and Dave Bernier of the Lincoln Park Zoo.
12/4/202329 minutes, 26 seconds
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World AIDS Day 2023: Honoring Lives Lost And Forging A Future Free Of Stigma

Since the start of the AIDS epidemic, what’s changed? The medicine. What’s continued? The stigma. Reset brings together two people living with HIV in a conversation crossing generations and speaks with Dr. Sadia Haider of RUSH University Medical Center about efforts to educate heterosexual women about HIV transmission.
12/1/202331 minutes, 34 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: Dec. 1, 2023

The Illinois primary is 109 days away. The Ed Burke trial is heating up. And the city of Chicago teams up with churches to house migrants. We’ll break down those stories and more in WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap with panelists Monica Eng, reporter for Axios Chicago, Michael Loria, reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times, and Dave McKinney, WBEZ state politics reporter.
12/1/202344 minutes, 18 seconds
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Aldermanic Prerogative Fuels Segregation In Chicago, HUD says

Federal investigators are taking aim at the role aldermanic prerogative has on the lack of affordable housing in Chicago. After a nearly five-year investigation, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development found that alderpersons’ ability to veto affordable housing proposals has been “instrumental in creating Chicago’s patterns of segregation.” Reset learns more from Roderick Wilson, executive director of Lugenia Burns Hope Center; and Monica Dillon, resident of the 41st ward and member of Neighbors for Affordable Housing. For more Reset news delivered straight to your inbox, visit wbez.org/resetnews.
12/1/202313 minutes, 4 seconds
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Meet A Pastor Housing Migrants In His Belmont Cragin Church

As winter sets in, a new partnership between the city and local churches called the Unity Initiative will house newcomers on a temporary basis in an effort to address the migrant crisis in Chicago. Reset checks in with Chicago Sun-Times reporter Michael Loria and Rev. Jonathan de la O of Starting Point Community Church. For more conversations like this, check out our full catalog of interviews at wbez.org/reset.
11/30/202316 minutes, 17 seconds
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Are You Smarter Than An 8th Grader?

All eighth graders in Illinois public schools need to take this test to graduate. Traditionally, it’s been a 15 true-false question quiz covering the U.S. and Illinois constitutions. Now, more school districts are moving away from that version and opting for short answer questions that require more critical thinking. Reset discusses how civic education these days is focusing less on dates and facts and stressing the important role students play in shaping democracy. Plus, we’ll see if a couple of our WBEZ colleagues can pass the test!
11/30/202316 minutes, 17 seconds
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Sun-Times Sports Columnist Rick Telander Is Now A Published Poet

Sports writer Rick Telander started writing poetry when he was hospitalized with a serious illness and thought about what kids who were in his situation might be going through. Reset talks with Telander about seeing his longtime side project come to fruition with the publication of Sweet Dreams: Poems and Paintings for the Child Abed. If you liked this conversation, check out our full catalog of interviews with Chicago artists and newsmakers at wbez.org/reset.
11/29/202317 minutes, 49 seconds
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Work On Migrant Tent Camp To Begin In Brighton Park

Nearly 26,000 migrants and asylum seekers have arrived in Chicago since August 2022. The post-Thanksgiving cold snap has highlighted just how important it is to find housing for the thousands currently sleeping in police stations, tents and the city’s airports. Reset gets the latest on the Johnson administration’s plans for a tent camp in Brighton Park and hears about other efforts to house migrants and asylum seekers from WBEZ city government and politics reporter Tessa Weinberg. To explore our full catalog of interviews, head on over to wbez.org/reset.
11/29/202315 minutes, 43 seconds
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What A Foxtrot And Dom’s Kitchen Merger Means For Chicago

Chicago-based Foxtrot Market and Dom’s Kitchen and Market — both upscale supermarkets with food service — will join forces. Reset talks with Virginia Lee, a market research expert and Food Institute writer, about what the merger means. To explore our full catalog of interviews, head on over to wbez.org/reset.
11/28/202312 minutes, 5 seconds
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Here’s How One Artist Is Creating Space For Indigenous Queer Writers

After having often felt like the only Native or queer person in a room, River Ian Kerstetter set out to make her own space with TIES Poetry, a series of open mics and readings celebrating Indigenous queer, trans and Two-Spirit writers. Reset talks with Kerstetter about the group and their own artistic journey. For more conversations like this, check out our full catalog of interviews at wbez.org/reset.
11/28/202315 minutes, 48 seconds
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COVID Hospitalizations Are Up In The Chicago Area

Hospitalizations are nowhere near past years, but the virus is still here. Plus, two new vaccinations to protect babies against RSV were approved this year, but rollout has been spotty. Reset gets insight into the increase in cases and the state of vaccine access for COVID and RSV from infectious disease specialist Dr. Mia Taormina. For more conversations like this, check out our full catalog of interviews at wbez.org/reset.
11/27/202313 minutes, 46 seconds
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Netflix’s ‘High on the Hog’ Features Chicago Food History

The latest season of the docuseries High on the Hog: How African American Cuisine Transformed America continues tracing the development of American food and food culture by examining more (relatively) recent history: Reconstruction and the Great Migration. Reset learns more about the history of Black cooking in Chicago with James Beard award-winning chef Erick Williams and Dario Durham, co-host of the history and food podcast 77 Flavors of Chicago. For more conversations like this, head over to wbez.org/reset.
11/23/202317 minutes, 19 seconds
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New Book Highlights Untold Story Of Civil Rights Activist Mollie Moon

The new book Our Secret Society: Mollie Moon and the Glamour, Money and Power Behind the Civil Rights Movement introduces readers to a figure whose story has largely been overshadowed– until now. Reset learns more about how Moon shaped the Civil Rights Movement from author and historian Tanisha Ford. For more conversations like this, check out our full catalog of interviews at wbez.org/reset.
11/22/202332 minutes, 49 seconds
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What We Know About Train Safety After The CTA Yellow Line Crash

Federal investigators are so far saying a “design issue” caused the Yellow Line crash, but a full investigation still needs to be conducted. Reset dives into what we know about the crash — and what it means for train safety with Sophie Sherry of the Chicago Sun-Times and DePaul University’s Joseph Schwieterman. For more conversations like this, check out our full catalog of interviews at wbez.org/reset.
11/22/202313 minutes, 58 seconds
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Inside The Corruption Trial of Ed Burke

Chicago politics can be complicated, but jury members in former and longtime alderman Ed Burke’s corruption trial had to quickly get up to speed. Reset gets the latest on the trial from WBEZ city government reporter Mariah Woelfel. For more conversations like this one, browse our full catalog of interviews at wbez.org/reset.
11/21/202315 minutes, 37 seconds
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On Transgender Day Of Remembrance, A Push To End Transphobic Violence

At least 26 trans or gender-nonconforming people have been killed in the U.S. this year, the majority of whom were Black trans women, according to the Human Rights Campaign. Transgender Day of Remembrance reminds us to pause and mourn these people’s lives — as well as celebrate the resilience of the trans community. Reset discusses the meaning of Transgender Day of Remembrance with Zahara Bassett, founder and CEO of Life Is Work, a West Side social service agency for trans and non-binary people. For more conversations like this, check out our full catalog of interviews at wbez.org/reset.
11/21/202312 minutes, 42 seconds
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Volunteers Blindsided By 60-day Cap For Migrants In Chicago Shelters

The city unveiled the next phase of its migrant response and resettlement efforts, which imposes limits on how long people can stay in city-run shelters based on when they arrived. The city says this is meant to free up shelter space and fast track resettlement efforts. Reset hears from volunteers Erika Villegas and Debra Michaud about how they’re preparing to help people navigate these limits. For more conversations like this, check out our entire catalog of interviews at wbez.org/reset.
11/20/202315 minutes, 41 seconds
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Reset Lost & Found: Where Can I Buy Green Coffee Beans?

One Evanston man searched high and low for green coffee beans since he moved to the city from Seattle. He wanted to find them because he likes to roast at home — a method preferred by some coffee lovers because it can be cheaper, tasty and provides more control over the brew. One of our producers lent a hand. Along the way, Reset learned about the joys of at-home roasting. Do you have a Chicago-area question Reset could help you find an answer to? Give us a call at 888-915-9945.
11/20/202311 minutes, 24 seconds
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Chicago Symphony Orchestra Up For More Than One Grammy In 2024

Jessie Montgomery, CSO’s Mead Composer-in-Residence, is nominated for “Best Contemporary Classical Composition.” CSO’s audio engineer Charlie Post has picked up a third nomination for “Best Engineered Album, Classical” with the CSO album Contemporary American Composers. Reset checks in with Montgomery and two CSO musicians to celebrate the honor and talk classical music in the modern day. To hear more conversations with Chicago’s 2024 Grammy nominees, head over to wbez.org/reset.
11/18/202321 minutes, 13 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: Nov. 17, 2023

An earthquake rocks Illinois. Alders approve Mayor Brandon Johnson’s first city budget. More than 100 people are arrested for protesting outside the Israeli Consulate. Reset goes behind those headlines and more in our Weekly News Recap with Axios Chicago’s Carrie Shepherd, David Greising, president of the Better Government Association, and WBEZ investigative reporter Dan Mihalopoulos. For more on the week’s top stories, check out our catalog of interviews at wbez.org/reset.
11/17/202344 minutes, 42 seconds
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Chicago Launches Reentry Program For People Released From Jail And Prison

Mayor Brandon Johnson lists reducing recidivism as part of his community safety plan. In that spirit, his office has launched a collaboration between the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services and community groups to fast track housing and jobs for people getting out of Cook County Jail and state prisons. Reset learns more about this collaboration and how it works. For more conversations about topics impacting Chicagoans, head over to wbez.org/reset.
11/17/202319 minutes, 21 seconds
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Grammy Nominee Dom Flemons On Where Music And Memory Merge

Dom Flemons is a Grammy-award winning singer-songwriter and folklorist up for Best Folk Album at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards. Flemons sat down with WBEZ’s Jason Marck to talk about some of the big ideas that run through his work, like preserving and pushing forward Black musical traditions. Check out more of our conversations with Grammy-nominated Chicago talent at wbez.org/reset.
11/16/202322 minutes, 38 seconds
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Chicago Police Could Be Banned From Joining Extremist Groups

The Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability, or CCPSA, recently voted to pass a policy that could ban Chicago police from actively participating in hate and extremist groups. Reset discusses the ban with CCPSA commissioner Remel Terry to understand how it will work and what this change could mean for the department. To hear more Reset interviews like this, go to wbez.org/reset.
11/16/202311 minutes, 21 seconds
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Chicago Jazz Singer Kurt Elling Nominated For A New Grammy Jazz Category

Kurt Elling has been a jazz singer for nearly 30 years. He’s won two Grammys and been nominated for more than a dozen. And now he’s snagged another nomination in an all new category: Best Alternative Jazz Album. Reset chats with Kurt Elling about his latest album “SuperBlue: The Iridescent Spree” after working on it with fellow musicians Charlie Hunter, Corey Fonville and DJ Harrison during the COVID-19 lockdown. We spoke to Kurt as a part of our Chicago Grammy nomination week. To hear more of those interviews, go to wbez.org/reset.
11/15/202318 minutes, 44 seconds
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Educating More Teens, Young People About HIV Medication

According to AIDSVu, about 1 in 5 of all new HIV diagnoses in 2021 were among people ages 13 to 24, with Black youth disproportionately affected. And while HIV medication pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, is safe for all ages, it’s mostly been geared towards adults. Reset learns about a new campaign to reach more teens and young adults in the 13 to 24 age group and explore how expanding information and health care options for teens can improve health outcomes with longtime AIDS advocate Jim Pickett, PrEP4Teens youth leader Ryder Kennedy, TaskForce’s Chris Balthazar and muralist and artist David Gauna. To hear more conversations like this, go to wbez.org/reset to check out our full catalog of interviews.
11/15/202332 minutes, 11 seconds
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Finding ‘The Light Inside’ With J. Ivy, Chicago Poet And Grammy Nominee

Chicago J. Ivy won the first Grammy Award in the Spoken Word category earlier this year, and now he’s up for another one. Reset catches up with J. Ivy to hear more about his recent project. Check out more of our conversations with Grammy-nominated Chicago talent, go to wbez.org/reset.
11/14/202333 minutes, 43 seconds
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The Barriers To Mental Health Care In Chicago

A recent study by the Collaborative for Community Wellness found several barriers that make it difficult to get mental health resources for Chicagoans, especially for folks who are uninsured or undocumented. Reset hears more about the study and what changes advocates want to make with WBEZ city government and politics reporter Mariah Woelfel. Listen to more Reset at wbez.org/reset.
11/14/202314 minutes, 24 seconds
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Chicago’s Third Coast Percussion On Their 2024 GRAMMY Nomination

The 2024 GRAMMY nominations are in and Chicago artists are getting some love. Reset talks with Chicago’s Third Coast Percussion about their latest nomination and learns more about the group with ensemble members David Skidmore and Robert Dillon. You can engage with Reset in so many ways! Along with our live show and podcast, you can also sign up for our newsletter at wbez.org/resetnews.
11/13/202314 minutes, 46 seconds
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The Push To Remove Chicago’s Lead Service Lines Gets A Boost

A $336 million loan will be used over five years to primarily fund the city’s program that replaces lead service lines when they break or leak. The Department of Water Management’s other programs to replace lead service lines at daycares and for low-income homeowners will continue. Reset learns about the scope of this effort and how this could help improve Chicagoans’ water from Reset sustainability contributor Karen Weigert and commissioner of the Department of Water Management Andrea Cheng. To check out our entire catalog of interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
11/13/202314 minutes, 50 seconds
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SAG-AFTRA Actors Win AI Protections, Streaming Bonus

The strike is over. The negotiating committee for the actors’ union SAG-AFTRA won increases in minimum rates, greater access to health care and baseline protections against AI technology for its members. The union also conceded streaming residuals by agreeing to split among union actors an estimated $120 million bonus paid out by studios for streamed content deemed “successful” during the 3-year contract. Ahead of the member vote to ratify, Reset checks in with Charles Andrew Gardner, president of SAG-AFTRA Chicago, to learn more. Want to stay up to date with all things Reset? Sign up for our newsletter at wbez.org/resetnews.
11/11/202315 minutes, 5 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: Nov. 10, 2023

One of Brandon Johnson’s top City Council allies resigns his leadership post; state legislators wrap up fall veto session; President Biden visits UAW workers at Belvidere auto plant and is met with protesters. Reset goes behind those headlines and more in our Weekly News Recap with Leigh Giangreco, government and politics reporter for Crain’s Chicago Business; Ravi Baichwal, anchor at ABC7; and Jon Seidel, federal courts reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times. If you want to check out more Reset conversations, go to wbez.org/reset.
11/10/202345 minutes, 7 seconds
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New Program To Help Chicago’s Asylum Seekers In Chicago Apply For Work Authorization

A new federal program is launched Thursday in Chicago. Its goal is to help bring assistance to asylum seekers and new arrivals to apply for work permits. It’s a collaborative effort between the White House, Illinois, Chicago’s City Hall and Pilsen-based community organization The Resurrection Project. Reset gets more details about the program with Erendira Rendon, vice president of immigrant justice at The Resurrection Project, to learn how it will operate and how they plan on helping all new arrivals. To listen to more of our coverage on migrants and asylum seekers in Chicago, go to wbez.org/reset.
11/10/202313 minutes, 47 seconds
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Chicago-Area Family Mourns The Loss Of Over 30 Relatives Killed In Gaza

Each day Mohammed Abu Realh and his nephew, Mohammed AbuSafia, wait to hear from their remaining family in Gaza. In the last month, they’ve lost more than 30 relatives in airstrikes. Reset sits down with them to remember their family’s lives, and talk about the continued fear they’re facing. To hear more of Reset’s coverage on the local impact of the ensuing war, go to wbez.org/reset.
11/9/202333 minutes, 25 seconds
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What To Know About Chicago’s ‘Mansion Tax’ On The March Ballot

In March, Chicago voters will get to decide the future of the city’s Bring Chicago Home ordinance. The ordinance would raise the city’s tax rate on properties sold for over a million dollars and would lower tax rates on properties sold for less than that. According to Mayor Brandon Johnson’s camp, this referendum is a key part of his plans to address homelessness in Chicago. Reset hears from Bring Chicago Home organizers Kennedy Bartley of United Working Families and Electa Bey of Communities United. We also hear from Farzin Parang of the Building Owners and Managers Association to understand what those opposed are concerned about. If you want to listen to more Reset, you can check out our full catalog of interviews at wbez.org/reset.
11/9/202318 minutes, 27 seconds
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Why More And More Kids Are Becoming Nearsighted

The number of kids being diagnosed with myopia, or nearsightedness, is increasing. And if our tech habits continue, eye doctors predict that half of the world’s population will have myopia by 2050. Scary. Reset talks to Dr. Lisa Thompson, an attending physician of Pediatric Ophthalmology at Cook County Medical Center, and Dr. Noreen Shaikh, an optometrist at Lurie Children’s Hospital, to understand the way screen time is affecting children’s eyes. Stay up to date with Reset by signing up for our daily newsletter at wbez.org/resetnews.
11/8/202315 minutes, 24 seconds
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Mayor Johnson Is Without A Floor Leader In Chicago’s City Council

On Monday, Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa, 35th Ward, resigned from two key leadership positions at the urging of Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Aldermanic Black Caucus after an interaction Ramirez-Rosa had last week with Ald. Emma Mitts, 37th Ward. Reset learns more.
11/8/202316 minutes, 16 seconds
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What Parole Can Teach Us About Fixing Mass Incarceration

The U.S. leads the world in mass incarceration, with nearly two million people behind bars. But what paths are there to rehabilitation and freedom? Reset speaks with Chicago-based journalist Ben Austen about his new book “Correction: Parole, Prison and the Possibility of Change.” If you want to listen to more conversations like this, check out wbez.org/reset.
11/7/202330 minutes, 48 seconds
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How Rabbis Are Leading Chicagoland Congregations Through War, Rise In Antisemitism

On October 7, Hamas attacked Israel, killing 1,400 people and kidnapping more than 240. Reset hears how two area rabbis are confronting the attack, the war and growing antisemitism as they help congregants deal with the grief, sadness and other emotions they’re facing. For Reset’s full coverage of the Israel-Hamas war and how it’s affecting the Chicago area, head over to wbez.org/reset.
11/7/202317 minutes, 27 seconds
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Chicago-Area Arab Americans, Muslims Say Islamophobia Has Reached New Highs

In the last month, two Chicago-area Muslim schools have received violent threats, a six-year-old Palestinian American boy was fatally stabbed and a suburban man was charged with a hate crime for threatening to shoot two Muslim men. For some Arab and Muslim Chicagoans, these news stories take them back to their lives in the days and weeks after 9/11. Reset learns more about what the community is experiencing from Chicago Sun-Times reporter Nader Issa. For Reset’s full coverage of the Israel-Hamas war and how it’s affecting the Chicago area, head over to wbez.org/reset.
11/6/202314 minutes, 44 seconds
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Latest Chicago School Board Election Map To Be Discussed In Fall Veto Session

Next year, for the first time, Chicago voters can elect the members of the Chicago Board of Education. We check in with WBEZ education reporter Sarah Karp on one hurdle that’s standing in the way: the state legislature needs to agree on a voting map.
11/6/202313 minutes, 15 seconds
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Chicago Resavoir’s Latest Album Blends Bedroom Jazz, Hip-Hop, Soul And More

I don’t ONLY like to listen to one type of music,” says Resavoir frontman Will Miller. So, of course, his new work is a blend of genres. Resavoir started as a musician collective, but during the pandemic Miller embraced a more solitary style of making music. The hard work paid off, and the new album is out now. Reset talks with Will Miller, frontman of Resavoir and the man behind the project.
11/4/202321 minutes, 24 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: Nov. 3, 2023

Chicago gets the season's first snowfall, fierce debate continues in City Council over where to house the more than 20,000 migrants, and Mayor Brandon Johnson heads to Washington D.C. with other mayors, looking for federal help. Reset goes behind those headlines and more with Paris Schutz, reporter and anchor with WTTW; Daniel Knowles, Midwest correspondent with The Economist; and Tina Sfondeles, chief political reporter of the Chicago Sun-Times.
11/3/202344 minutes, 51 seconds
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Understanding The Long Term Effects Of Gun Violence

For the second Halloween in a row, Chicago saw a mass shooting. Reset learns about the shooting that happened in North Lawndale over the weekend and what survivors need to heal from the physical and emotional trauma of gun violence. If you want to listen to more conversations exploring topics that impact Chicagoans, check out wbez.org/reset.
11/3/202332 minutes, 3 seconds
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Chicago’s Role In The War On Disco, And Beyond

Disco is at the root of many of our favorite music genres today, but there’s more to its history than Saturday Night Fever, and you don’t have to look far to find it. Reset learns more about The War on Disco and the genre’s influence on popular music from Ayana Contreras, music and content director at our sister station Vocalo 91.1 FM. If you want to check out our entire catalog of interviews, go to wbez.org/reset.
11/2/202318 minutes, 23 seconds
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Inside One Chicago School’s Support Group For Migrant Students

Chicago Public Schools doesn’t track immigration status, but this year nearly 8,000 students are enrolled in the district as English-language learners, compared to a yearly average of around 3,000. Reset speaks with Chalkbeat Chicago reporter Reema Amin to learn more about a program at Brighton Park Elementary to support the unique needs of migrant students.
11/2/202319 minutes, 30 seconds
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Why Is There A Housing Crisis In Chicago?

Chicago is juggling multiple housing crises at once. There’s a growing number of unhoused Chicagoans; more asylum seekers are arriving in the city; and there’s a lack of affordable housing overall. Reset discusses how Chicago’s housing system has evolved over the years and explores potential solutions.
11/1/202344 minutes, 59 seconds
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More Than 80% Of Cook County Property Owners Will Soon Pay Higher Tax Bills

Cook County property tax bills are due Dec. 1, and most homeowners will be paying more than last year. Reset explores why bills are rising with WBEZ Cook County and public health reporter Kristen Schorsch and Chicago Tribune county and city government reporter A.D. Quig.
11/1/202320 minutes, 2 seconds
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Sohla El-Waylly Teaches The Basics Of Home Cooking In Debut Book

Chef Sohla El-Waylly’s debut cookbook explains the hows and whys of cooking, introducing the fundamental skills any home cook needs to be confident in the kitchen. Reset speaks with the chef about her career and Start Here: Instructions for Becoming a Better Cook. If you want to check out our entire catalog of interviews, go to wbez.org/reset.
10/31/202316 minutes, 36 seconds
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Pianist Pat Leary Turning Music Into Meditation

Do you have a morning ritual? For Chicago pianist Pat Leary, each day starts behind the keys improvising beautifully calming tunes. He recorded this practice and turned it into an album. And Reset chats with the musician to learn more. If you want to check out our entire catalog of interviews, go to wbez.org/reset.
10/31/202318 minutes, 3 seconds
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The Scramble To Help Chicago’s Asylum Seekers, Unhoused As Temperatures Drop

Temperatures are dropping in the Chicago area and there are thousands of asylum seekers and unhoused without adequate shelter. The Johnson Administration recently announced sending warming buses to locations around the city, but what else is needed? Reset checks in with leaders and volunteers working directly to provide services to new arrivals and the existing homeless population in Chicago to talk about the current situation, how we should be talking about the needs of these two groups and future solutions. If you want to listen to previous conversations about this crisis in Chicago, check out wbez.org/reset.
10/30/202337 minutes, 51 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: October 27, 2023

Happy Friday! We’re back with our Weekly News Recap where we bring you the top stories this week and go behind the headlines with a panel of Chicago journalists. This week we were joined by CW 26 reporter and anchor Brandon Pope, Chicago Tribune state government reporter Dan Petrella and Block Club Chicago reporter Quinn Myers, covering Wicker Park, West Town and Bucktown. If you want to check out more Reset conversations like this, go to wbez.org/reset.
10/27/202346 minutes, 52 seconds
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More Therapists Are Practicing Climate Aware Therapy

More people are starting to bring their climate anxiety, also known as eco-distress, to their therapists. And as more are starting to become aware of climate change, therapists and other professionals are starting to practice climate therapy. Reset explores what climate therapy looks like in practice and how we can turn that distress into action with Marilee Feldman of the Life Counseling Institute practice and Karen Weigert of Loyola University Chicago’s Baumhart Center for Social Enterprise and Responsibility. Sign up to receive our daily newsletter at wbez.org/resetnews.
10/27/202320 minutes, 16 seconds
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Science Friday Host Ira Flatow Is Coming To Chicago

If you’re an avid public radio listener, you’re probably familiar with the weekly educational program Science Friday. And if you’re a fan, you have a chance to catch host Ira Flatow and the rest of the SciFri team on Sunday, Oct. 29 for a special live event! Reset chats with journalist and host Ira Flatow to get to know him more and learn more about the Don’t Be A Stranger event. Check out our entire catalog of Reset interviews at wbez.org/reset.
10/26/202316 minutes, 1 second
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Food Insecurity In A First-World Country?

According to an annual report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for 2022, 17 million households are food insecure. That’s up from 13.5 million households in 2021. This trend is reflected with what’s happening in Chicago where 1 in 5 American households are food insecure. Reset discusses what contributes to food insecurity and what could be done to address the problem with Sophie Milam of the Greater Chicago Food Depository. We host interviews like this every day and dive deeper into conversations in our daily newsletter. Sign up at wbez.org/resetnews.
10/26/202318 minutes, 35 seconds
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Bats! Bats! Bats!

Halloween is just around the corner and do you know what winged animal might be waiting there, too? Bats! There are swarms of bats making their ways through Chicago as they migrate to warmer places to get away from the cold. Reset talks with Liza Lehrer, assistant director of the Urban Wildlife Institute at Lincoln Park Zoo, to learn about our bat friends. Visit wbez.org/reset to hear more of our interviews like this.
10/25/202313 minutes, 16 seconds
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Ald. Ramirez Weighs In On Migrant Tents In Brighton Park

The city of Chicago is eyeing a vacant lot in Brighton Park to serve as a winterized base camp to house migrants. Last week, Ald. Julia Ramirez of the 12th ward went to a protest outside of the site to hear residents’ concerns and it turned violent. Reset hears from Alderwoman Julia Ramirez about getting more feedback ahead of a community hearing tonight.
10/25/202313 minutes, 55 seconds
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Illinois Pot Growers Struggle To Raise Funding

Craft cannabis growers in Illinois face systemic obstacles to gaining a foothold in the industry, so Illinois is investing millions in an effort to solve the problem. Reset learns more from Alex Nitkin, reporter with the Illinois Answers Project of the Better Government Association.
10/24/202315 minutes, 58 seconds
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CPD Officers Linked To Extremist Anti-Government Group The Oath Keepers

There are nine officers who were on a leaked membership list for the anti-government group the Oath Keepers currently serving in the Chicago Police Department. Reset learns about the investigation into the way these officers interacted with the public and what’s being done to address the extremism and racism within CPD with WBEZ investigative reporter Dan Mihalopoulos and Chicago Sun-Times criminal justice reporter Tom Schuba. For more interviews like this one, go to wbez.org/reset.
10/24/202327 minutes, 26 seconds
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Graphic Novelist Daniel Clowes Out With New Book

The new graphic novel ‘Monica’ bends genre and reality to confront the themes of belonging, family and home. Reset talks with the author about the novel.
10/23/202319 minutes
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Millions In U.S. Hold Antisemitic Views, Condone Political Violence

Anti-hate group the Anti-Defamation League and the University of Chicago’s Chicago Project on Security and Threats surveyed 8,000 American adults to learn about the connections between antisemitic views, political violence and antidemocratic conspiracy theories. We talked through the results of the survey, how they connect to antisemitism we’ve seen since the start of the Israel-Hamas war and what the poll might tell us about the 2024 presidential election cycle in the U.S. Check out more conversations like this at wbez.org/reset.
10/23/202321 minutes, 51 seconds
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Preview Sen Morimoto’s New Album ‘Diagnosis’

Chicago DIY superstar Sen Morimoto says his forthcoming album “Diagnosis” is a commentary on capitalism, the music industry and more. Ahead of the November 3 album release, we had a listening party with Sen. Check out more conversations like this at wbez.org/reset.
10/21/202318 minutes, 30 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: Oct. 20, 2023

The nation mourns the killing of six-year-old Wadea Al-Fayoume. Meanwhile, as the city attempts to set up housing for migrants ahead of winter, some residents are upset. We went behind these headlines and more with Block Club Chicago’s Melody Mercado, WTTW’s Heather Cherone and Axios Chicago reporter Monica Eng. Check out more conversations like this at wbez.org/reset.
10/20/202344 minutes, 38 seconds
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Chicago Jews Call For Ceasefire At U.S. Capitol

Jewish Voice For Peace and If Not Now planned protests in cities across the country and in Washington D.C. at the White House and U.S. Congress. They’re calling for a ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas. Reset hears from an organizer who went to D.C. and a local rabbi about why they support this movement.
10/20/202318 minutes, 31 seconds
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What’s Needed To Keep Hospitals Running In Gaza?

After hundreds died in an explosion at al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City Tuesday night, international efforts to verify claims about who is responsible have been unsuccessful — and it’s overshadowed the loss of life and trauma inflicted on health care workers and civilians seeking safety. Reset speaks with a Dr. Zaher Sahloul, a local doctor who is president of MedGlobal — an NGO with doctors working in Gaza — to get an update on the needs of Gazans amid demands for an end to the blockade on international aid and war monitoring.
10/19/202316 minutes, 14 seconds
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Could Chicago Migrants Go To St. Louis?

Cities like Chicago and New York have more migrants than they can handle. St. Louis says it would like more migrants to come to town. We get the story from Esther Yoon-Ji Kang, WBEZ race, class, communities reporter.
10/18/20238 minutes, 41 seconds
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A ‘Human Library’? People Volunteer To Be ‘Open Books’

At Morton College in Cicero Thursday, you can visit a “human library.” No, we’re not kidding. It’s a library where you can “check out” a person — like you would a book — to listen to their life story. Each “reader” can ask questions that you might avoid in polite conversation. Reset spoke with Prairie Markussen, organizer of a “human library” event at Morton College, and Alejandro Joleanis, a human “book” participating in the library.
10/18/202331 minutes, 19 seconds
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Budget Season Is Underway In Chicago

Lawmakers in City Council have until the end of the calendar year to approve the budget. Reset talks with WBEZ’s Mariah Woelfel and Tessa Weinberg about the process as well as steps the administration is taking to house migrants ahead of the cold winter months to come.
10/18/202314 minutes, 55 seconds
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Evanston Mother And Daughter Still Among Hamas Hostages

Nearly 200 people from more than 30 nations have not been seen since Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. Among them are an Evanston mother and daughter. Reset speaks with the family’s rabbi Meir Hecht of Chabad of Evanston about their kidnapping and how it’s impacting the Evanston community.
10/17/202316 minutes, 33 seconds
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Advocates Want To Stop Overdoses On The CTA. Here’s How.

Last year, 60 people died from opioid-related overdoses on the CTA, according to an analysis by the Chicago Reader. Reset talked with impacted Chicagoans and the reporter who broke down those numbers.
10/17/202323 minutes, 33 seconds
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Palestinian American Boy In Suburban Chicago Killed In Alleged Hate Crime

A Palestinian American boy and his mother were stabbed by their landlord, in their home on Saturday, October 14. The boy died and the mother is in critical condition. The accused killer yelled anti-Muslim epithets and stabbed the child 26 times. Reset hears how media and political rhetoric of the Israel-Hamas war may have played into this attack. Ahmed Rehab, executive director of the Chicago office of CAIR, the Council on American-Islamic Relations, also explains what he hopes U.S. politicians and Chicagoans will learn from the tragic story.
10/16/202319 minutes, 27 seconds
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Young Man in a Hurry Has a New Album

Actor Brought a Vice is a new record from Chicago band Young Man in a Hurry. Frontman Matthew Baron joins Reset to talk about the new release. Check out more interviews like this one at wbez.org/reset.
10/14/202321 minutes, 7 seconds
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Chicago Interfaith Group Reacts To War Between Israel And Hamas

Chicagoans on their way home from an interfaith trip in Jerusalem had to take shelter as rockets from Gaza struck Israel. Reset hears from three of them about their experiences, and the conversations they’re having with community members about radical empathy as the war in the Middle East continues. Check out more conversations like this at wbez.org/reset.
10/13/202331 minutes, 22 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap, October 13, 2023

Residents voice opposition to new migrant shelters. Chicago Marathon winner breaks world record. Northwestern’s new stadium plan faces resistance. Reset goes behind those headlines and more in our Weekly News Recap. If you want to check out past News Recaps or other conversations, you can see our entire catalog at wbez.org/reset.
10/13/202347 minutes, 5 seconds
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How Will Mayor Johnson Invest In Housing In Chicago?

Mayor Brandon Johnson called housing an “essential focus” of his administration’s focus. The question is, will he be able to put the money where his mouth is? Reset sits down with stakeholders to hear what they want to see from the administration and what housing investment could look like under the mayor’s proposed budget plan. To hear more conversations like this one, check out our full archive at wbez.org/reset.
10/13/202318 minutes, 6 seconds
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Father-Son Duo’s Epic Bike-Ride Film To Show At Festival

After three open heart surgeries, Donnie Seals Sr. knew he had to change his life, so he took up cycling. His son joined him in the pursuit, eventually proposing an epic bike ride from St. Louis to Chicago to celebrate his dad’s health — and they caught it all on film. Reset talks with the father-son duo about what this journey meant to them, and how it takes on health disparities in the Black community. Like the Reset podcast? Then you’re going to love our daily newsletter. Subscribe at wbez.org/resetnews.
10/12/202316 minutes, 44 seconds
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Mass Exodus From Illinois? New Report Debunks The Myth

The population of Illinois is becoming more educated, more foreign-born and higher paid, according to a report conducted by the Illinois Economic Policy Institute and the Project for Middle Class Renewal at the University of Illinois. Reset turns to a co-author of the report to learn more about the state’s shifting demographics and the fact that, contrary to popular belief, the state’s population is not on a steep decline. To hear more conversations like this one, check out our full archive at wbez.org/reset.
10/12/202313 minutes, 2 seconds
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Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s Full Budget Address

Johnson spoke Wednesday at City Council, laying out his plans for Chicago in the coming fiscal year. This is his full address.
10/11/202341 minutes, 4 seconds
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What’s In Mayor Johnson’s Chicago Budget Proposal?

Mayor Brandon Johnson presented City Council with his first city budget proposal Wednesday. From supporting migrants to a $538 million budget gap to investing into historically disinvested people in Chicago, there’s a lot to address. Reset breaks down some of the mayor’s plans with Mariah Woelfel, WBEZ city government and politics reporter, and Justin Marlowe, research professor at the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy. Like the Reset podcast? Then you’re going to love our daily newsletter. Subscribe at wbez.org/resetnews.
10/11/202316 minutes, 29 seconds
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Chicago Jews, Palestinians React To Israel-Hamas War

Many Chicagoans have connections to friends, family and loved ones in the Middle East. On Monday morning, Reset spoke with David Jacobson of Evanston whose son and daughter live in Israel as well as with Deanna Othman of Oak Lawn. She has family in Gaza. Stay up to date and listen to more from Reset at wbez.org/reset.
10/11/202317 minutes, 46 seconds
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President Joe Biden’s Full Address On Israel-Hamas War

President Biden spoke to the nation Tuesday afternoon after a call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This is his full address.
10/10/202310 minutes, 47 seconds
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Lawsuit Alleges AI Discriminates Against Renters Using Housing Vouchers

Evanston-based housing advocacy group Open Communities recently filed a federal lawsuit alleging companies using AI to discriminate against renters — specifically renters that would use housing vouchers. Reset spoke to WBEZ race, class, communities reporter Esther Yoon-Ji Kang about the story and learned how leasing companies use AI chatbots. You can listen to more of our interviews at wbez.org/reset.
10/10/202310 minutes, 19 seconds
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New Fathers Can Also Experience Postpartum Depression

When you think of postpartum depression, often you’ll think of mothers. But did you know fathers can also suffer from the condition? Reset spoke with Dr. Sam Wainwright of UI Health’s Two-Generation Clinic and his patient Lushon Lee about this effort to understand postpartum depression among new fathers. You can check more of our conversations at wbez.org/reset.
10/10/202320 minutes, 43 seconds
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Keeping Indigenous Languages, Traditions Alive

For many Native Americans, their families have lost their language and history because of years of Indigenous people forced to go to boarding schools where they had to assimilate to white culture. Reset spoke with president of the American Indian Association of Illinois, Dorene Wiese about preserving languages and oral history. To hear more conversations like this one, you can find an archive of our work at wbez.org/reset.
10/9/202323 minutes, 24 seconds
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How The Healthcare System Is Still Failing Black Americans

Average life expectancy in the U.S. decreased by just under three years because of the COVID pandemic. But, if you break it down further by racial and ethnic group, life expectancy for Black and Hispanic people declined about four years. There are a number of reasons for this disparity. Dr. Brian H. Williams is a trauma surgeon and author of the new book The Bodies Keep Coming: Dispatches from a Black Trauma Surgeon on Racism, Violence, and How We Heal joins Reset. We check in with him about his experiences in healthcare as a Black man and seeing how ongoing inequities in the system are impacting his non-white patients. Check out the rest of our catalog of interviews at wbez.org/reset.
10/9/202317 minutes, 23 seconds
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The History Of Filipinos In Chicago

Filipinos have been living in the Windy City since at least the early 1900s. From the first wave of men coming from the Philippines to the U.S. to forming a community in Chicago to the second wave of Filipino women arriving, there’s a rich history of Filipinos in the Windy City. Reset celebrates Filipino American History Month by talking about the history of Filipinos in the city and learning about an upcoming exhibit featuring the archived photos of the community from the mid 1900s with Ruben Salazar and Ashley Dequilla of the Filipino American Historical Society of Chicago. Check out more conversations like this at wbez.org/reset.
10/7/202314 minutes, 56 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: Oct. 6, 2023

NASCAR is coming back to Chicago. Mayor Brandon Johnson is planning a visit to the southern border and has appointed the city’s first chief homelessness officer. Illinois Congressman Mike Quigley was the only Democrat to vote ‘no’ on a bill that helped avoid a government shutdown. Reset discusses these stories and more with a panel of Chicago journalists: Madison Savedra, Block Club Chicago reporter covering Pilsen, Little Village and Back of the Yards, Alex Nitkin, reporter with the Illinois Answers Project for the Better Government Association and Crain’s Chicago Business political columnist Greg Hinz. If you want to check out past News Recaps or other conversations, you can see our entire catalog at wbez.org/reset.
10/6/202343 minutes, 18 seconds
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Filipino American Culture Is About Much More Than Just Food

October is Filipino American History Month. It’s a time to reflect on the experiences of people that came before, connect with others in the community and build a stronger sense of identity being Filipino American. Starting October 6, an exhibition called “More Than Lumpia” will be held at the Catacombs Gallery at the Epiphany Center for the Arts until November 17. It aims to challenge stereotypes and narratives about Filipino Americans and shed light on the work of Filipino artists who are often underrepresented in the art space. We spoke with Cesar Conde, an artist and curator of the exhibition, to learn more about it and discussed with artists Abby Mendoza and Jimmy Bulosan about exploring their identity through art. For more conversations like this, check out our entire catalog of interviews at wbez.org/reset.
10/6/202320 minutes, 29 seconds
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Former Northwestern Football Player Giving Back To Student Athletes

Ramon Diaz is a former Northwestern football player who played from 2005 to 2008. Now, he’s bringing a lawsuit against the school, alleging hazing and racist treatment. Reset gets the latest on the multiple allegations against Northwestern and what’s next. You can check out more of our conversations at wbez.org/reset.
10/5/202313 minutes, 44 seconds
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Chicago’s Arts And Culture Orgs Are In ‘Crisis’

Galleries, museums and theaters are still feeling the impact of the pandemic. According to a report on the health of arts and culture in the city, donations, memberships and attendance numbers are down and haven’t gotten back to pre-pandemic levels. Reset learns about what’s been happening and discusses potential solutions Leslé Honoré, poet and CEO of Urban Gateways, Kacie Smith of Arts Alliance Illinois and Kara Riopelle, managing director at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater. If you love Reset, then you’ll also love our daily newsletter! You can sign up at wbez.org/resetnews.
10/5/202322 minutes, 51 seconds
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This Día De Muertos, Remember People With Alzheimer’s And Other Dementias

Reset learns more about why Hispanics and Latinos are more at risk for the diseases. We also talk about the altar honoring those lost to the diseases at the National Museum of Mexican Art’s Día de Muertos exhibit. Our guests are Cesareo Moreno, chief curator at the museum, and Amelia Garza, manager of diversity and inclusion at the Alzheimer’s Association. You can also find our full catalog of interviews at wbez.org/reset.
10/4/202316 minutes, 29 seconds
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Long COVID Researchers Work To Identify Causes, Treatments

Not many people who suffer from long COVID end up fully recovering from complications. So-called long-haulers can experience a myriad of debilitating symptoms, including extreme fatigue, brain fog and difficulty sleeping. Reset learns more about the study with Nirav Shah, primary investigator of RECOVER studies and director of infectious disease research at NorthShore – Edward-Elmhurst Health. We also check in with Chimére L. Sweeney, a long COVID patient, writer and advocate to see how she’s been living with the condition. You can also find our full catalog of interviews at wbez.org/reset.
10/4/202317 minutes, 58 seconds
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Illinois Residents Must Register Assault Weapons By Jan. 1

In August, the Illinois Supreme Court upheld the assault weapons ban, which took effect earlier this year. Residents who owned these weapons prior to the ban now must register them by January 1. Reset checks in with Chicago Sun-Times reporter Mary Norkol and Adam Winkler, author of the book Gunfight: The Battle over the Right to Bear Arms in America. Did you know Reset also has a daily newsletter? Each edition features a breakdown of one big topic in news or culture, fun activities to try in the Chicago area and a chance to weigh in. Sign up at wbez.org/resetnews.
10/3/202312 minutes, 40 seconds
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Chicago Authors Sound Off On Their Books Being Used To Power Artificial Intelligence

Meta, Bloomberg and others pirated more than 190,000 e-books to train generative AI, according to a dataset made searchable by The Atlantic. The news has sent shockwaves through the publishing industry. Reset speaks with Chicago authors Rebecca Makkai, Sonali Dev, and Ben Austen about their copyrighted material being used to train generative AI without their permission. You can also find our full catalog of interviews at wbez.org/reset
10/3/202323 minutes, 46 seconds
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Student Loan Payments Restart, But Biden’s Got A Plan B

Borrowers suffering from financial hardship and other classes of people with outstanding federal student loans could benefit from President Biden’s latest efforts to wipe out student debt. The news came just as payments resumed after a suspension during the pandemic. Reset gets the latest on student loan forgiveness from WBEZ higher education reporter Lisa Philip. And don’t forget, we’re bringing you conversations like this every day. Find our full catalog of interviews at wbez.org/reset.
10/2/20238 minutes, 3 seconds
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Public Opinion On Climate Change Is Changing

It’s officially fall. The season of pumpkins, leaves changing colors and 80 degree days, apparently. A recent poll shows that more adults in the U.S. are experiencing extreme weather and that more of them believe a warming planet is partially to blame. Reset discusses this shift in public opinion and fighting climate change with Lesley Showers of the Climate Action Museum and Reset sustainability contributor Karen Weigert. You can also find our full catalog of interviews at wbez.org/reset.
10/2/202315 minutes, 28 seconds
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Talking Heads Make A Comeback On The Big Screen

The Talking Heads 1984 classic concert film Stop Making Sense is back in theaters, and this time it’s in 4K. Reset hears from Michael Phillips of the Chicago Tribune, Camryn Lewis of Music Box Theatre and WBEZ’s Lisa Labuz. For more stories like this, check out Reset’s daily newsletter. You can sign up at wbez.org/resetnews.
9/30/202318 minutes, 22 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: Sept. 29, 2023

The auto workers’ strike expands to Chicago. Hundreds more migrants arrive from the U.S.-Mexico border. The Chicago Park District quietly settles sexual misconduct cases. Plus, is a government shutdown inevitable? Reset breaks down the top stories of the week with David Greising of the Better Government Association, Rummana Hussain of the Chicago Sun-Times and WBEZ’s Dan Mihalopoulos. And don’t forget, we’re bringing you conversations like this every day. Find our full catalog of interviews at wbez.org/reset.
9/29/202344 minutes, 35 seconds
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What’s That Building? Chicago Icons: The former John Hancock Center

In another installment of What’s that Building, Reset gets a glimpse into the history of an elegant 100-story high-rise on the Mag Mile. Reset talks to journalist Dennis Rodkin about 875 N. Michigan’s unique design, why the name changed from the John Hancock Center, and what happened to the Signature Room.
9/29/202313 minutes, 44 seconds
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‘This Puts Me In Panic Mode’: How A Government Shutdown Could Impact You

As a potential government shutdown looms, over 42,000 Illinois federal workers are at risk of losing their paychecks. Some might even need to go without pay until funding comes through. And many governmental programs that people rely on – like food stamps and child care assistance – also hang in the balance. Reset learns more about who will be impacted from WBEZ statehouse reporter Mawa Iqbal. We also hear more about what changes Chicagoans could see from Kellie O’Connell, CEO of Nourishing Hope, a Chicago food pantry, and Tamisha Holifield, a parent who uses Head Start and WIC programs. For more deep dives into local news, check out Reset’s daily newsletter. It arrives in your inbox Monday through Friday at 10 a.m. You can sign up at wbez.org/resetnews.
9/28/202318 minutes, 20 seconds
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Illinois Traffic Stops Of Black Drivers Reach A 20-Year High

A decades-old Illinois law is supposed to prevent Black drivers from being pulled over disproportionately, but it’s not working. In fact, the numbers are going in the wrong direction. Reset checks in with Alden Loury and Matt Kiefer from WBEZ’s data team for more on their investigation. For more deep dives into local news, check out Reset’s daily newsletter. It arrives in your inbox Monday through Friday at 10 a.m. You can sign up at wbez.org/resetnews.
9/28/202315 minutes, 31 seconds
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Meet Chicago School Board President Jianan Shi

Jianan Shi says he leads by “listening and collaborating” and that his experience as an immigrant shapes his views on how schools can lift up kids and their families. At 33, Shi is the district’s youngest leader in decades. And perhaps surprisingly for a board exec, he’s not a parent. Reset learns more about his vision for Chicago Public Schools. If you like this podcast, check out our conversation on why Chicago student math scores still lag behind pre-pandemic levels. You can also find our full catalog of interviews at wbez.org/reset.
9/27/202317 minutes, 4 seconds
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Mayor Johnson’s Latest Moves On Development, Migrants

The Johnson administration is ditching INVEST South/West, the Lightfoot-era program that aimed to bring economic development to underserved neighborhoods. It says it has its own approach. Meanwhile, the mayor and his allies are under fire for hiring a controversial security firm to monitor tent housing for migrants. Reset talks with WBEZ city government and politics reporters Tessa Weinberg and Mariah Woelfel. You can learn more about the Chicago region in Reset’s daily newsletter. It arrives in your inbox Monday through Friday at 10 a.m. Sign up at wbez.org/resetnews.
9/27/202314 minutes, 19 seconds
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How Medical Debt Affects Your Credit Score

Did you know that unpaid doctor and hospital bills can lower your credit score? The Biden administration is taking steps to stop that from happening. Reset checks in with Edith Avila Olea from the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights and Carrie Chapman from the Legal Council for Health Justice. If you like this podcast, you may be interested in our interview on why more adults over 65 are giving cannabis a try. You can also check out our full catalog at wbez.org/reset.
9/26/202318 minutes, 41 seconds
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What Chicago Can Learn From Colorado On Safe, Healthy Housing

The Windy City’s current system calls for annual inspections for some highrise apartments, but other rental units are only inspected when they’re built or when there’s a complaint. Dozens of people have died over the past few years in building fires in Chicago in structures the city knew had fire safety issues. Reset learns more about what issues tenants face today and where city officials can find solutions with Alex Nitkin, investigative reporter for the Illinois Answers Project at the Better Government Association, and John Bartlett, executive director of the Metropolitan Tenants Organization. You can check out more of Reset’s work at wbez.org/reset.
9/26/202317 minutes, 16 seconds
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Little Amal Journeys To Chicago This Week

She’s a 12-foot wooden puppet of a Syrian girl who walks for the hundreds of thousands of displaced people worldwide, half of whom are children. Little Amal is making friends through art, food and education in a months-long tour across the United States — and this week she’ll be in Chicago. Reset speaks with local partners about where you can meet Little Amal and what you can learn from her while she’s in the city. Our guests include Lauren West, from the Syrian Community Network, Jacqueline Russell of the Chicago Children’s Theater and Paige Whitson-Martini of the Chicago Shakespeare Theater. Did you know Reset also has a daily newsletter? Each edition features a breakdown of one big topic in news or culture, fun activities to try in the Chicago area and a chance to weigh in. Sign up at wbez.org/resetnews.
9/25/202313 minutes, 27 seconds
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City Council Panel Votes To Raise Minimum Wage For Tipped Restaurant Workers

Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration and the Illinois Restaurant Association struck a compromise Wednesday to raise tipped workers’ minimum wage over the next five years. The measure still needs approval from the full Council before it goes into effect. Reset checks in with WBEZ city government and politics reporter Tessa Weinberg and Saru Jayaraman, president of One Fair Wage.
9/25/202315 minutes, 1 second
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Fall Into Sweater Weather With These Outdoor Activities

Happy first day of fall! Don’t be left wondering what you’ll do on the weekend this fall. WBEZ has you covered. Reset checks in with WBEZ editor Cassie Walker Burke on the station’s Fall Bucket List to keep you in the loop.
9/23/202313 minutes, 20 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: Sept. 22, 2023

Chicago sues chemical manufacturer Monsanto over polluted waterways. The defensive coordinator of the Chicago Bears resigns, and the team cuts its backup quarterback. Reset breaks down those stories and more with this week’s panel of journalists: Leigh Giangreco, government and politics reporter at Crain’s Chicago Business, Jacoby Cochran, host of City Cast Chicago, and Mick Dumke, investigative editor and reporter at Block Club Chicago.
9/22/202344 minutes, 40 seconds
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Chicago Public Schools Math Scores Lag Behind Pre-Pandemic Levels

Math scores remain low and low-income students are especially lagging, according to Chicago Public Schools data released this week. Reset talked with CPS director of math to hear about the district’s strategies to address the gap – and WBEZ’s Sarah Karp, who has covered this issue.
9/22/202321 minutes, 1 second
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How To Have A Great First (Or 100th) Date

Whether you’ve been with the same sweetie for decades or are trying to lock it down with someone new, dates play an important role in maintaining the spark in a relationship. Dating expert Bela Gandhi offers tips for planning romantic outings, and Reset producer Claire Hyman plans a date for a Chicago couple.
9/21/202330 minutes, 36 seconds
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This Ain’t Your Grandkids’ Pot Scene: More Senior Citizens Are Giving Cannabis A Try

Nearly a decade after medical marijuana became legal in Illinois, senior citizens are the fastest-growing age group of cannabis users. Reset speaks with Dr. Rahul Khare, founder and CEO of Innovative Care, Tom Gliszewski, owner of the Chicago Cannabis Company, and Jungle Cae, a social media cannabis educator, to learn more about safely using pot.
9/21/202330 minutes, 15 seconds
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More People Are Trying Voice Acting, But The Pros Say It’s Not So Easy

Chicago has long been an advertising industry hub, attracting all kinds of voice artists looking to make a buck. You may be more likely to succeed as a voice actor than for film or TV, but don’t expect that sending off a few voice recordings will be enough to bring the checks flying in. Reset learns more about the industry from Tal Rosenberg, freelance writer for Chicago Magazine. We’ll also meet two local voice actors: Harlan Hogan and Morgan Lavenstein.
9/20/202319 minutes, 32 seconds
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Chicago Actors On Strike Sound Off As WGA Set To Return To Negotiating Table

TV and film production has slowed to a near-halt after unions for actors and writers started striking earlier this summer. But this week, the Writers Guild of America is set to return to the negotiating table with major Hollywood studios. But what about SAG-AFTRA’s effort? Reset checks in with Charles Andrew Gardner and Courtney Rioux, two local union members, about the progress of their strike.
9/20/202318 minutes, 39 seconds
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Mayor Johnson Still Sees Pushback For Progressive Agenda Items

Mayor Brandon Johnson is receiving some pushback for his progressive campaign pledges in the City Council, from raising wages for restaurant workers to raising revenue for the unhoused. Reset checks in with WBEZ city government reporters Tessa Weinberg and Mariah Woelfel on the mayor’s achievements and shortfalls.
9/19/202315 minutes, 53 seconds
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The Link Between Zoos And Brain Health

Research shows spending stress-free time in nature regulates the nervous system and contributes to healthy brain function. In a new pilot program at the Lincoln Park Zoo, people with dementia and their loved ones and caregivers can do that and more. The Memory Enrichment program, which was developed in partnership with Sunrise Senior Living, is the first of its kind at a zoo or aquarium. Reset spoked to program creator Bill Green to learn more about why the program was developed and how it reduces the symptoms of dementia.
9/19/202314 minutes, 53 seconds
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The End Of Cash Bail In Illinois

Illinois became the first state in the U.S. to eliminate cash bail after years of debate and legal challenges. The change — which went into effect Monday, Sept. 18 — will dramatically impact the way people are detained in jail before trial. Reset discusses what this means for Illinois with WBEZ criminal justice editor Patrick Smith.
9/18/202313 minutes, 55 seconds
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Restorative Justice Leads To Fewer Suspensions At CPS

Chicago Public School data shows that the number of suspensions across the district dropped from 49,708 in 2014 to about 10,000 in 2022. The district also started moving away from a zero tolerance policy for misconduct and toward more restorative practices like peace circles that encourage students to reflect on their actions. Reset checks in with WBEZ Education reporter Sarah Karp for the details.
9/18/202312 minutes, 36 seconds
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An Innovative Girls Mental Health Program In Chicago

Teenage girls in the U.S. are reporting record levels of sadness and suicidal ideation. Reset speaks with the director of a school-based group counseling program and a health policy reporter to learn about how the Chicago-based program, Working on Womanhood, could become a national model to combat the crisis of mental health in girls.
9/16/202317 minutes, 39 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: Sept. 15, 2023

Chicago opens its first casino. Libraries are evacuated over bomb threats. Mayor Johnson reveals a projected $538 million budget deficit for Chicago. Reset goes behind the headlines of those stories and much more with Carrie Shepherd, Chicago Axios reporter and Ray Long, investigative reporter at the Chicago Tribune.
9/15/202346 minutes, 39 seconds
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Chicago Sun-Times Columnist Mary Mitchell Launches Column On Aging

Mary Mitchell has been writing columns for the Sun-Times since the 1990s, but she’s taking her work in a new direction. Her new column ‘Starting Over’ will publish on Sundays, and focus on redefining what it means to be an older American. Reset gets to know the columnist and explores how ageism continues to be prevalent in our lives today.
9/15/202314 minutes, 2 seconds
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All Laughs With Comedian And Exhausted Chicago Gurl Maggie Winters

Comedian Maggie Winters is About to Blow Up! This week, we hear from the Chicago-native about how her experience growing up in the city has shaped her journey in comedy, including her recent one-woman comedy show.
9/14/202314 minutes, 25 seconds
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Fighting poverty in Chicago as U.S. poverty soars

Poverty rose 12.4% in 2022 according to census data released Tuesday. So, why the rise? Reset talks with an economist who studies household finances and the labor market and with two Chicago leaders working to end poverty.
9/14/202323 minutes, 21 seconds
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Chicago mobilizes to help Moroccans and Libyans

On September 8, 2023, a 6.8-magnitude earthquake devastated major cities in Western Morocco. The death toll is close to 3,000 and thousands more have been injured. Days later, heavy rainfall broke two dams in Libya leading to massive flooding killing over 2,000 people. Reset talks with an international relief organization about efforts to respond to these disasters.
9/13/202312 minutes, 40 seconds
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Mayor Brandon Johnson’s Plan To Move Migrants From Police Stations To Tents

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson announced a plan to move roughly 1,600 migrants from Chicago police stations to tent camps around the city. These tents are being modeled after the ones built in New York City that can house up to 1,000 people. Reset turned to WBEZ city government and politics reporters Mariah Woelfel and Tessa Weinberg to get the latest on that plan and on the city’s financial forecast.
9/13/202315 minutes, 55 seconds
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Illinois Becomes New Home For Out-Of-State Trans Youth And Families

More than a dozen states have passed laws that restrict the full participation of transgender students in K-12 schools, according to a Chalkbeat analysis. And at least 18 states have passed laws restricting gender-affirming health care for minors. Reset speaks with an organizer and a parent on how Illinois has become a new home for people leaving states that have passed laws targeting trans youth and adults.
9/12/202321 minutes, 49 seconds
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What A Red Line Extension Could Mean For Chicago’s Far South Side

The $3.7-billion project — 50 years in the making — has reached what transit officials call “the final phase” of the federal funding process. When complete, the Red Line will include four new stops, including a new terminus at 130th Street near Altgeld Gardens. Reset checks in with community leaders from the far South Side: Cheryl Johnson with People for Community Recovery, Rev. Otis Moss III from Trinity United Church of Christ, and Andrea Reed with Greater Roseland Chamber of Commerce. And they sound off about the potential positive impacts of connecting their neighborhoods to the El system.
9/12/202323 minutes, 39 seconds
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What We’re Watching On TV This Fall And Our Favorites So Far

With writers and actors on strike, studios are banking on reality TV more than ever. From The Golden Bachelor to The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Primetimer editor-in-chief Danette Chavez, WBEZ Morning Edition anchor Mary Dixon, and CW26 anchor and reporter Brandon Pope tell us what they’re watching – and skipping – this fall.
9/11/202323 minutes, 37 seconds
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Groundwater Depletion Is A Big Problem For The Great Lakes Region

According to the EPA, approximately 90% of the nation’s water systems rely primarily on groundwater. Reset turns to water supply experts, like UIC’s Freshwater Lab director Rachel Havrelock, and Illinois Environmental Council Executive Director Jen Walling, to learn about sustainable ways to relieve Illinois’ stressed water systems. We also talk with Illinois’ 11th District State Representative Ann Williams.
9/11/202317 minutes, 52 seconds
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Live-Action Clue Extends Run In Downtown Chicago

Hasbro’s classic murder mystery board game comes to life in Clue: A Walking Mystery. In this immersive investigation, “detectives” will visit various locations across downtown Chicago to collect clues and solve puzzles in order to find out who did it, with what weapon and in what room. Reset speaks with director of operations and actor Sophie Grimm and game designer Juliana Moreno to learn more about the popular whodunnit experience.
9/9/202311 minutes, 31 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: Sept. 8, 2023

The political career of the nation's longest serving state House Speaker comes to an end, while prosecutors prepare for the trial of Ed Burke. Plus the Taste of Chicago returns to Grant Park as the city’s first casino gets ready to open its doors. Reset breaks down these top local stories and more with Melody Mercado, Block Club Chicago reporter, Rick Pearson, chief political reporter at the Chicago Tribune, and Brandon Pope, reporter and anchor at CW26.
9/8/202336 minutes, 41 seconds
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You’ll Soon Be Able To Buy Narcan At Walgreens

Narcan, the nasal spray version of opioid overdose reversal drug naloxone, will become available this week at pharmacy chains like Walgreens, CVS and Walmart without a prescription. Reset talks with harm reduction experts, including Fanya Burford-Berry with the West Side Heroin/Opioid Task Force, John Wernings with the Chicago Recovery Alliance and Chelsea Laliberte Barnes with the Illinois Harm Reduction & Recovery Coalition.
9/8/202320 minutes, 8 seconds
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What If Adults ‘Played’ With Their Friends Like Kids?

Catching up and chatting isn’t the only way for the older set to socialize. What if adults “played” with their friends like kids do? Reset checks in with Rhaina Cohen, producer and editor at NPR’s Embedded podcast, who explores the topic in a forthcoming book and an article in The Atlantic titled “What Adults Forget About Friendship.” We also hear from Reset digital engagement producer and improv comedian Claire Hyman.
9/7/202331 minutes, 49 seconds
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Switching From Diesel to Electric Vehicle Could Save Lives in Chicago

Chicago is one of the nation’s freight hubs and the 17th most ozone-polluted city in the country, which the American Lung Association says can lead to heart and lung conditions and, in some cases, even death. Reset hears from two experts — Brian Urbaszewski from the Respiratory Health Association and Northwestern postdoctoral scholar Sara Camilleri — on a new study showing how Black and brown Chicagoans have borne the brunt of the city’s pollution.
9/7/202316 minutes, 37 seconds
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Sink Your Teeth Into World Dumpling Fest

From Chinese bao and Haitian doumbrey, to Filipino lumpia [loom-pee-AH] and South Asian samosas, Reset talks with event organizer Mónica Félix and Phillipe Sobon, a founder of Polombia, a participating restaurant, about how dumpling-like dishes can be unique in every culture.
9/6/202313 minutes
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Will Temporary Casino Medinah Temple Open Its Doors Soon?

We’re back with another update on the Johnson administration. This week, we’re taking a look at the long-awaited Medinah Temple temporary casino. WBEZ’s city government and politics reporters Tessa Weinberg and Mariah Woelfel give us the latest updates on what’s left to be done before opening day.
9/6/202315 minutes, 12 seconds
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Chicago’s Rat Problem Is Out Of Control

Chicago is losing a war with city rats. Reset discusses the root of the rat problem and takes a close look at a recent investigation into possible solutions. We spoke with Better Government Association reporter Casey Tuner, Block Club Chicago reporter Mina Bloom and Landmark Pest Solutions’ Rebecca Fyffe.
9/5/202321 minutes, 51 seconds
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Music For Plants And People Who Love Them

Inspired by the 1976 electronic album for plants and plant people, the Empty Bottle is organizing a celebration of electronic music and plants at the Garfield Park Conservatory. Reset learns more about the two day event from Brent Heyl, an organizer of Plantasia, and musician Jonn Wallen.
9/2/202316 minutes, 33 seconds
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WBEZ Weekly News Recap, September 1, 2023

Illinois politicians press the federal government to grant work permits to migrants and questions remain about the White Sox game shooting as the team announces its new General Manager. Reset breaks down these stories and more with Alice Yin, politics reporter for the Chicago Tribune, Patrick Smith, criminal justice reporter at WBEZ, and Brandis Friedman, WTTW co-anchor and correspondent and host of “Chicago Tonight: Black Voices”.
9/1/202344 minutes, 12 seconds
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Canceled Chicago Swim Club Vows To Return Next Year

For the past three summers, the lakefront near Buena Park on the North Side has been home to a popular event: Friday Morning Swim Club. It started with a handful of friends and grew exponentially — nearly 3,000 people participated at its peak this summer. Reset talks with reporter Katie Anthony, and Megan, an attendee, about the popular swim club and what led to its cancellation.
9/1/202314 minutes, 29 seconds
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WTB Icons: Baha’i House of Worship

In the latest in our series of Chicago’s Architectural Icons, we learn about the history of the gorgeous Baha’i House of Worship in Wilmette from Dennis Rodkin, real estate reporter for Crain’s Chicago Business.
8/31/202311 minutes, 59 seconds
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Biden Strips Wetland Protections Following SCOTUS Ruling

A new rule from the Environmental Protection Agency could strip federal protections from up to 63% of the nation’s wetlands. Reset hears from Paul Botts, executive director of The Wetlands Initiative, and Allyson Chiu, climate reporter for the Washington Post, on what this ruling means for the health of wetland ecosystems and the environment at large.
8/31/202316 minutes, 9 seconds
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Your Library Card Can Do More Than You Think

This year the Chicago Public Library system is celebrating 150 years of service to Chicagoans, and a lot has changed in the last century and a half. With a library card, Chicago residents can stream movies and music, get digital magazine subscriptions, listen to audiobooks, and so much more! Reset turns to a CPL branch manager, Kendall Kidder-Goshorn, to learn tips and tricks to make the most of your library card.
8/30/202315 minutes, 46 seconds
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Johnson Administration Addresses Migrant Housing Crisis

The Chicago City Council Committee on Housing and Real Estate gave initial approval for Chicago to buy land to convert a Marine Corps training center into a temporary migrant shelter. We got an update on the groundwork the Johnson administration is laying to create more infrastructure for newly-arriving migrants. We talked to WBEZ politics reporters Mariah Woelfel and Tessa Weinberg.
8/30/202315 minutes, 7 seconds
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New Study: Expressive Writing Helps Treat PTSD

The health benefits of therapeutic writing have been studied since the 1980s, but a new study from researchers at Boston University found that writing exposure therapy is as effective as other forms of therapy recommended by the Department of Veterans Affairs to treat post traumatic stress disorder. We talked to one of the authors of the study, Denise Sloan, who’s a psychologist and the associate director of the Behavioral Science Division of the National Center for PTSD, and Professor of Psychiatry at Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston University.
8/29/202330 minutes, 24 seconds
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Loophole In The Consumer Protection Law Costing Consumers Billions

The Electronic Funds Transfer Act – passed in 1978 – is meant to protect U.S. consumers from being defrauded when they make a transaction via an ATM, debit card or direct deposit or by point-of-sale and phone transactions. But the law makes an exception for wire transfers. And in recent years, wire fraud has exploded as scammers are making use of the loophole. According to the FBI, its Internet Crime Complaint Center received reports of this type of fraud totaling $2.4 billion in losses in 2021. Reset sat down with Stephanie Zimmermann, consumer investigations reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times, to learn more.
8/29/202315 minutes, 14 seconds
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Chicago Hospital Changes Its Midwife Program. Patients Aren’t Happy.

Starting September 1, Swedish Covenant Hospital in Lincoln Square, Chicago will combine midwives with obstetricians in a single department to care for pregnant people. The move scales back a midwifery program that some patients praise as defining their pregnancy and delivery experience. We talked to two journalists, WBEZ’s Kristen Schorsch & Block Club Chicago’s Kayleigh Padar, to learn more about this shift and how midwives can play a fundamental role in patients’ care experience.
8/28/202315 minutes, 47 seconds
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Alpacas, Pools And Video Games: WBEZ Kids Share How They Spent Their Summers

What did you do this summer? If you’re anything like the children of WBEZ staff, you made the most of your time off. From an alpaca farm in Korea to staycations at the local pool, the kids of WBEZ shared the favorite things they did this summer and what they’re looking forward to this school year. We talked to nine-year-olds Auggie and Ethan, eight-year-old Kezzia and four-year-olds Claire and Margot.
8/28/202311 minutes, 49 seconds
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Comedian Jay Pharoah’s Upcoming Special Is About More Than Impressions

From Barack Obama to Jay-Z, comedian Jay Pharoah is best known for his uncanny impressions. Pharoah sits down with Reset ahead of his show and comedy special taping at The Den Theatre in Wicker Park on Saturday, Aug. 26.
8/26/202325 minutes, 20 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: Aug. 25, 2023

Bomb threats force suburban libraries to close their doors. A jury finds longtime chief of staff to former House Speaker Madigan guilty. And a Chicago alderman calls for a quiet zone around a downtown clinic that provides abortion services. Reset breaks down these top local stories and more in the Weekly News Recap with Chicago Sun-Times reporter Nader Issa, WBEZ city government and politics reporter Tessa Weinberg and Washington Post national and breaking news reporter Kim Bellware.
8/25/202344 minutes, 55 seconds
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Maple & Ash Steakhouse Accused Of PPP Fraud

Investors are suing the successful Chicago restaurant, saying its owners misappropriated Paycheck Protection Program funds for personal use, including the purchase of a $2 million Learjet in 2021. Reset checks in with WBEZ’s Dan Mihalopoulos.
8/25/202313 minutes, 32 seconds
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Chicago Festivals Highlight Latin Music, Dance And Environmental Justice

Summer is THE time for festivals in Chicago, and this weekend has a slew of them! We chat with Sandra Treviño, an organizer of the LatiNxt Festival, and a participating artist, Alex Aguayo of Chicago band Cabeza de Chivo. They tell us the festival celebrates the diverse genre of Latin music and how it’s evolved over time. We also learn about the connection between dance and the environment people can experience at the Uptown Rhythm Festival with event organizer Shiwali Tenner, Chi-Nations Youth Council member Anthony Pochel Tamez and Soul Line dancing teacher Adjora Stevens.
8/24/202331 minutes, 43 seconds
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Chicagoland Under An Excessive Heat Warning

Experts are urging residents to stay cool this week as a heat wave pushes through Northeastern Illinois. Temperatures may reach the triple digits, and it will feel even hotter. Reset checks in with Illinois State climatologist Trent Ford about why we’re seeing such hot weather and what people need to do to stay safe.
8/24/202312 minutes, 14 seconds
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A Deep Sea Explorer On Her Favorite Underwater Worlds

Ever wondered about life down in the depths of the ocean? For many of us, the deep ocean remains a mystery. In her new book, The Underworld, explorer and author Susan Casey uncovers the mysterious world of sea creatures and objects beneath the waves.
8/23/202320 minutes, 20 seconds
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Mayor Brandon Johnson’s First 100 Days In Office

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s allies want him to make good on his campaign promises, but 100 days into his first term, some say he’s less ambitious than his predecessors and hasn’t achieved enough. The mayor has defended his approach, saying it’s important to spend time building bridges. Reset checks in with WBEZ city government and politics reporter Mariah Woelfel about what the new mayor has accomplished so far.
8/23/202313 minutes, 57 seconds
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One Alderman’s Push To Protect Abortion Patients

A city law is supposed to protect abortion seekers from harassment by anti-abortion protesters as they enter clinics, but enforcing the buffer zone around the medical facilities has been a challenge. Reset hears from 34th ward Alderman Bill Conway about changes he says could strengthen the so-called “bubble ordinance” in Chicago.
8/22/202311 minutes, 43 seconds
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What would it take to bring State Street back to life?

Shopping on State Street holds fond memories for Chicagoans, but the growing popularity of online shopping has pushed storefront vacancies to record levels. A new city-commissioned panel offers recommendations on how to revitalize State Street. We checked in with two experts on the panel: Mark Kelly, former Commissioner of Chicago's Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), and Michael Edwards, president and CEO of Chicago Loop Alliance.
8/22/202314 minutes, 30 seconds
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30 years Of ‘The Fugitive’ With Director Andrew Davis

Director Andrew Davis is best known for his 1993 action-thriller “The Fugitive,” starring Harrison Ford and Tommy Lee Jones. The Chicago-set film celebrates its 30th anniversary this month. And the film showcases a wide scope of early-’90s Chicago – from the realistic chaos of Cook County Hospital to a two-flat on 90th and Houston. A native Chicagoan, Davis says his local roots influenced his works, with other movies set in the city such as “Stony Island.” Reset talks with the director about the role Chicago plays in his work.
8/21/202320 minutes, 28 seconds
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Youth Climate Activists Scored A Major Win In Montana. Could Illinois Be Next?

Held v. Montana is the first lawsuit of its kind to go to trial, with plaintiffs ranging from age 5 to age 22. It’s also a landmark ruling: climate change must now be considered when approving or renewing future fossil fuel projects in the state. Reset gets reaction from Danica Sun and Natasha Bahtia, youth climate activists in Illinois, and what they’re working on here. Then we turn to two policy experts: Howard Learner of the Environmental Law and Policy Center, and Karen Weigert, director of Loyola University, to learn what kind of related lawsuit could be possible in Illinois.
8/21/202318 minutes, 21 seconds
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Damon Locks On His New Album: ‘New Future City Radio’

With free jazz and hip-hop influenced samples, the new album from the Chicago-based multidisciplinary artist takes the shape of a fictional pirate radio station, preaching ideas for a new future and societal change. The new album, released last month, is called New Future City Radio. Reset talks with Locks about meaning, multimedia collage, and his work as an educator.
8/19/202317 minutes, 31 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: August 18, 2023

Chicago Public School students are heading back to the classroom, with thousands still unclear how they’re getting there. President Biden issues a disaster declaration for Cook County and a man is sentenced for setting fire to a Peoria Planned Parenthood. Reset goes behind those headlines and more with Monica Eng, Chicago reporter for AXIOS; Becky Vevea, bureau chief for Chalkbeat Chicago; and Dan Petrella, Chicago Tribune state government reporter on the Weekly News Recap.
8/18/202343 minutes, 27 seconds
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Tips For HS Seniors & College Freshmen: From FAFSA To Choosing A Major

Rising seniors and incoming college students have big decisions to make: from how to pay for college to picking a major that will pay off in the long run. From FAFSA to scholarships to finding a lucrative career. Reset gets tips on how students and families can prepare for college finances. We also get advice on how to find out the cost (and pay-off) of a major. For help, we turn to Lynne Baker with the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, and Stacia Edwards, City Colleges of Chicago Deputy Provost.
8/18/202330 minutes, 4 seconds
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Leaders Say They Want To Fix Special Education in CPS

Chicago Public School leaders say they want to fix special education services in the district. And that fix becomes increasingly urgent, as the number of CPS students who rely on special ed has grown steadily since 2018. But some parents say the district is focusing too much on legal mandates and not quality education. WBEZ education reporter Sarah Karp shares the latest on how Chicago schools are serving students with special needs and what more parents and faculty are calling for.
8/17/202315 minutes, 56 seconds
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Ditching Perfectionism And Embracing The Messy

Perfectionism is harming us – at least, according to Chicago author L’Oreal Thompson Payton. She stops by Reset to talk about her new book, growing up with the idea of “working twice as hard to get half,” and how breaking her Peloton streak helped her ditch perfectionism.
8/17/202322 minutes, 57 seconds
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How Not To (Summer) Slide Into The New School Year

Summer vacation might be fun, but all play and no work can make Jack a dull boy. Or rather, it can make students run the risk of losing some of the lessons learned and academic gains from the previous school year. And this can mean starting the next school year on the wrong foot. We hear from UChicago Education Lab’s Monica Bhatt, Northwestern School of Education and Social Policy’s Paula Hooper, and Mama Fresh blogger Jenny LeFlore, on how parents and teachers can work to get their students back on track sooner rather than later.
8/16/202330 minutes, 32 seconds
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Chicago’s Top Doc Is Out Of A Job

Pediatrician Dr. Allison Arwady led the Chicago Department of Public Health through the COVID-19 pandemic. A Lightfoot appointee, Arwady’s leadership has been scrutinized by progressives and ultimately led to her dismissal by Mayor Brandon Johnson. We spoke with Becky Vevea, Bureau Chief for Chalkbeat who has followed Arwady’s career.
8/16/202315 minutes, 24 seconds
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Chicago Was Made For Walking – And So Are You

A recent study from the Medical University of Poland found that just 4,000 steps a day can reduce your risk of death of any cause. So, say goodbye to that 10,000 step goal. We know that there are health benefits – both physical and mental – of walking, but we wanted to hear from the average Chicagoan about why they love to walk. Reset walks the walk with guides who lead walking tours about the art and joys of walking. Linda Tinson leads Walking Meditation at Unity Chicago and is a nurse practitioner, Maria Barwegen, Free Chicago Walking Tours, Hillary Marzec, Inside Chicago Walking Tours, Dr. Sheila Dugan, professor and chairperson of the department of physical medicine and rehabilitation at Rush University medical center
8/15/202332 minutes, 58 seconds
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Johnson Picks CPD Veteran Snelling As Top Cop

Mayor Brandon Johnson has chosen 29 year CPD veteran Chief of Counterterrorism Larry Snelling as top cop after a month-long wait. Reset discusses what challenges Snelling will face if he’s confirmed with Chip Mitchell, WBEZ criminal justice reporter
8/15/202317 minutes, 47 seconds
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How To Fix More Stuff – And Why It’s Getting Harder

Fixing stuff around your house can be intimidating. You need the right tools, parts and know-how to take on many home or car projects. Fortunately, there are places and people in Chicago who are here to help. Reset talks to Tessa Vierk, founder of the Chicago Tool Library, Nancy Bennett, education manager at Rebuilding Exchange and Molly Heyen, co-founder of Gearhead Workspace about their workshops and programming that teach all things DIY. Then they talk to advocates Gay Gordon, executive director of The Repair Association and Kyle Wiens, founder and CEO of iFixit about the Right To Repair movement.
8/14/202329 minutes, 26 seconds
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Rethinking How We Fund The Arts In Chicago

Fewer performances, less staff – those are just a few ways arts organizations have had to cut back to keep their doors open. But that can’t go on forever; could there be a better way? Reset learns how arts organizations are funded and how it needs to evolve to keep up with the changing entertainment economy with Claire Rice, executive director, Arts Alliance Illinois Julie Jenkins, artistic director of The Midnight Circus and Dave McDermott, executive director of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago
8/14/202330 minutes, 38 seconds
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Jessica Alba And Lizzy Mathis Are Rolling Up Their Sleeves

As two business women, actress Jessica Alba and Lizzy Mathis know that it’s easy for a house to get out of control when trying to juggle family and work life. That’s why in their new show, “Honest Renovations”, they want to make the lives of families easier by giving the home a makeover. Reset talks to the co-hosts about their new project and what it was like to get their hands dirty with the construction.
8/12/202316 minutes, 24 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: August 11, 2023

We learn more about the role of fentanyl in causing opioid overdoses to reach record highs in Cook County, the nine-year-old shot while playing outside, and the woman tapped to chair the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Reset breaks down these top local stories and more with Paris Schutz, reporter and anchor, WTTW, John Fountain, journalism professor, Roosevelt University and David Greising, president of the Better Government Association.
8/11/202345 minutes, 59 seconds
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West Town Mural Festival Attracts Artists from Across the Globe

Artists from across the globe have gathered in Chicago this week for Titan Walls, the city’s 5th annual mural festival. Festival goers can enjoy food and drink while watching more than a dozen artists paint murals on the walls of District Brew Yards in the West Loop. Reset talks about the ins and outs of public art with Chicago-based muralists.
8/11/202316 minutes, 36 seconds
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Hobbies Make You Live Longer But Don’t Have to Be Forever

Crafting can be the low-commitment, low-stakes and low-cost relationship you need in your life. Reset discovers more on how to let your creative side shine, and maybe learn a new skill with Greta Johnsen, host of WBEZ’s Nerdette podcast, Donna Palicka, owner of Sister’s Art Studio, Shaun Devine, founder and instructor of Chicago School of Woodworking, Andy Kuby, turning-saw instructor at Chicago School of Woodworking and Chris Busse, owner of Penguin Foot Pottery.
8/10/202332 minutes, 44 seconds
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Credit Card Debt In U.S Tops $1 Trillion

Since the start of the pandemic, people have opened more than 70 million new credit card accounts. In addition to the quantity of cards, interest rates have also been rising, reaching 22.2% in May. Reset talks to Michelle Singletary, personal finance columnist with the Washington post, to learn what this means for the average consumer and best practices for navigating and paying credit card debt.
8/10/202314 minutes, 16 seconds
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What Do You Think A New Illinois Flag Should Look Like?

Gov. JB Pritzker approved a commission to explore whether or not Illinois needs a new flag. The current one — which has been the same for about a century — has a lot going on. An American eagle clutching a stars-and-stripes-decorated shield while taking a bite out of a red banner in the foreground. There’s a yellow sun over blue water in the background, and a gray rock bearing the years 1818 and 1868. But what would an updated flag look like now? What should it look like? We turn to a longtime flag maker for his take. Reset talks to Carl “Gus” Porter III, owner of WGN Flag Company for insight on what makes a flag iconic.
8/9/202316 minutes, 16 seconds
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Thousands Of Illinois Residents Just Lost Their Medicaid Coverage. More Will Lose It In The Coming Months.

Over 47,000 Illinoisians lost Medicaid coverage at the start of August and hundreds of thousands more could lose coverage before the redetermination process is complete. Reset discusses how to get reinstated and what residents need to do to prove coverage eligibility with Samantha Olds Frey, CEO of Illinois Association of Medicaid Health Plans.
8/9/202312 minutes, 9 seconds
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Breaking Down Cycles of Generational Trauma

Trauma can be passed down from generation to generation. It can impact families and whole communities and our relationships with both. But how do you identify it and – more importantly – break the cycle and take the first step towards healing? Reset sits down with Dr. Niranjan Karnik from the University of Illinois Chicago, Amanda Seanior with RUSH’s Division of Community Behavioral Health, and Vee L. Harrison, with the West Side Heroin/Opioid Task Force and author of Hood Healing.
8/8/202333 minutes, 33 seconds
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Why You’re Paying More For Car Insurance And What To Do About It

Illinois drivers’ car insurance rates are going up – and women, renters, and drivers with any credit score below an “excellent” rating may be among the folks getting hit the hardest. Reset digs into what’s going on and what drivers can do about it with Chicago Sun-Times consumer investigations reporter Stephanie Zimmermann.
8/8/202312 minutes, 53 seconds
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You Don’t Have To Be A Master Chef To Cook More From Home

Cooking after a long day at work can feel like a chore even if it saves you a buck. Today, Reset talks with a few folks about how to put the fun back in cooking and cook like a pro even if you’re a kitchen novice. Our guests are Lisa Counts, executive chef at The Chopping Block and Jordan Wimby, a food preservationist and cultural historian.
8/7/202319 minutes, 12 seconds
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What Will Full Day Kindergarten Look Like?

Kindergarten classes in 2027-2028 will have a focus on “play based learning.” Reset discusses the impact with an early childhood education expert Katherine Zinsser, psychologist and UIC associate professor.
8/7/202313 minutes, 51 seconds
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What Makes The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies?

Life can get a little sour between work and politics and our personal lives, but never fear! National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day is here! Reset checks in with bakers Joana Fischer, owner of Twisted Cookie and Michelle Manske, kitchen manager at Defloured bakery, to hear about their favorite chocolate chip cookies.
8/5/202312 minutes, 54 seconds
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WBEZ Weekly News Recap: August 4, 2023

More lawsuits filed against Northwestern University in sports hazing scandal. Meanwhile, 40 teens are arrested in South Loop after a disorderly Sunday night. Plus, businesses brace for hundreds of thousands of Lollapalooza fans. Reset goes behind the headlines with.Rummana Hussain, editorial board member and columnist at Chicago Sun-Times, Carrie Shepherd, Chicago reporter for Axios and Dan Mihalopoulos, WBEZ investigative reporter on government and politics.
8/4/202344 minutes, 50 seconds
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Citizen Scientists Map Chicago’s Heat Inequities

Chicago is one of 18 communities across the country to participate in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s project to train citizen scientists to measure and map the hottest parts of cities, known as urban heat islands. Reset learns how this data will help the city of Chicago reduce the health impacts of extreme heat with Kyra Woods, project manager for the Office of Climate and Environmental Equity, Karen Weigert, director of Loyola University Chicago’s Baumhart Center for Social Enterprise and Responsibility and Dulce Garduño, volunteer with Heat Watch program.
8/4/202319 minutes, 10 seconds
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What’s That Building? Chicago Icons: 860-880 N. Lake Shore Drive

Mies Van Der Rohe is practically a household name for some Chicagoans due to his many buildings around the city. Today in another installment of our Chicago Icons series, Reset gets to go inside one of his modern marvels on the lakefront.
8/3/202313 minutes, 47 seconds
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A Lollapalooza Survivor Guide

Large crowds, summer heat and parking: what could be worse? Reset discusses how to navigate those issues and get the most with WBEZ Lollapalooza veterans Dave Miska, Studio Operations Manager, WBEZ, Mary Dixon, Morning Edition Anchor, WBEZ, and Stephen Bekoe, Vocalo morning host and producer to learn how to make the best out of the weekend.
8/3/202320 minutes, 3 seconds
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A Conversation About Having Better Conversations

Do you have the gift of gab? Well, whether you love small talk or you don’t, we could all benefit from learning how to have better and more engaging conversations. Reset has a conversation about having conversations and how to navigate tough discussions with Paula Marantz Cohen, author of Talking Cure: An Essay on the Civilizing Power of Conversation; dean of the Pennoni Honors College and professor of English at Drexel University, Stephanie Boron, assistant clinical professor at Northwestern University and Danielle Portis, licensed clinical professional counselor at Rose Gold Crowns
8/2/202330 minutes, 34 seconds
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A Step Toward A ‘Mansion Tax’ In Chicago

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is supporting an additional levy on sales of homes over $1 million to fund services for unhoused people. Meanwhile, Chicago’s interim police superintendent is in hot water, the city budget process is about to kick into gear and street vendors are calling on Mayor Johnson for help. Reset discusses those stories with WBEZ reporters Tessa Weinberg, Mariah Woelfel and Esther Yoon-Ji Kang.
8/2/202315 minutes, 52 seconds
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The Hollywood Strike Hits Home In Chicago

SAG-AFTRA and the Writers Guild of America are on strike simultaneously for the first time in 63 years. Reset learns about the demands of writers and actors and explores how this national strike is impacting our local scene with Eric Chaudron, executive director of SAG-AFTRA Chicago, Ilyssa Fradin, SAG-AFTRA member and National Board Representative for the Chicago Local, Martín Zimmerman, WGA West Captain and playwright and actor J. Nicole Brooks.
8/1/202330 minutes, 12 seconds
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You Thought COVID Was Gone. But It’s Back.

We’re riding another wave of COVID-19 as we enter August. Cases and hospitalizations are on the rise, according to the CDC. Reset gets the latest on what we need to know moving forward with Dr. Mia Taormina, infectious disease specialist with Duly Health and Care.
8/1/202311 minutes, 54 seconds
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Say Goodbye To Cashiers At Grocery Stores

From sipping wine while shopping to more self-checkout, the customer experience at grocery stores has been changing in recent years. Reset learns about those changes with Steve Caine, expert in Bain & Company’s Retail and Customer Strategy and Marketing practices.
7/31/202315 minutes, 20 seconds
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America’s Aging Population Is Straining The Caregiving System

The U.S. population of adults over 65 is rapidly growing. So how do we meet the challenge of caring for an aging population? Reset learns about creating a long-term care plan and finding resources for caregivers.
7/31/202328 minutes, 49 seconds
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A Pitchfork Retrospective: Chicago Talent Make Their Festival Debuts

Ethan Schwabe, Reset’s engineer and occasional music correspondent, shares interviews with attendees and artists at Chicago’s iconic Pitchfork Music Festival.
7/29/202319 minutes, 51 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: July 28, 2023

Northwestern University faces a new lawsuit from a former female volleyball player amidst its hazing scandal. Meanwhile, another Chicago Park District lifeguard is fired after allegations of misconduct surfaced two years ago. Plus, City Council alders complain of criminal activity outside neighborhood migrant shelters. Reset breaks down these stories and much more with Angela Rozas O'Toole, WBEZ senior editor for politics and government, John Chase, deputy metro editor at the Chicago Tribune, and Christian Farr, NBC-5 Chicago reporter.
7/28/202345 minutes, 29 seconds
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Lawsuits Allege Eviction Policies Discriminate Against Black Renters

Two lawsuits filed against two large Cook County landlords allege that blanket policies of rejecting rental applicants with prior eviction filings discriminate against Black applicants. Reset learns more about the lawsuits and what housing advocates hope to accomplish with Dennericka Brooks, director of the Housing Practice Group at Legal Aid Chicago, and Emily Werth, senior staff attorney at the ACLU of Illinois.
7/28/202315 minutes, 36 seconds
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Still Kicking At 100: Meet Chicago’s Longtime Mom-And-Pop Shops

Chicago has changed a lot in the last century. And every day, it can feel like another local longtime bar or shop is forced to shutter. But there are some things you can still rely on, like the mom-and-pop shop that’s been around the corner forever. Reset meets a few of the Chicagoans at the helm of longtime family shops for advice.
7/27/202334 minutes, 1 second
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Chicago’s Housing Prices Remain Resilient

Housing prices are hitting an all-time high in Chicago, and it’s making the city the hottest market in the nation. Reset find out why with Dennis Rodkin, residential real estate reporter at Crain’s Chicago Business.
7/27/202312 minutes, 30 seconds
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Homelessness In The Face Of More Frequent Extreme Weather

Every summer, Chicago officials release recommendations on how to stay cool in extreme heat. But the suggestions can be challenging to follow for people experiencing homelessness. Reset talks through available options for unhoused people and what else can be done to support them with Andy Robledo, a Chicagoan providing tents to homeless encampments and Colleen Ryan, nurse practitioner with Heartland Alliance Health.
7/26/202317 minutes, 17 seconds
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The Renewed Push For The ‘Treatment Not Trauma’ Plan

Organizers and officials recently held a summit to discuss how the city responds to mental health crises, with Mayor Brandon Johnson saying he would invest in more social services. Reset discusses how it could affect Chicagoans with Northwestern University’s Dr. Eric Reinhart, anthropologist of policing, prisons, and public health, and Emily Piff, member of Jewish Council on Urban Affairs.
7/26/202318 minutes, 8 seconds
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What You Need To Know About Paying Back Student Loans

Millions of borrowers will have to start paying back their student loans starting this fall, after three years of payment pauses. Reset digs into what borrowers need to know and do to prepare themselves for October. Our guests are Lisa Philip, WBEZ higher education reporter, and Jack Wallace, the head of government affairs and industry relations at Yrefy.
7/25/202330 minutes, 16 seconds
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July Rains Prove Too Much For Chicago’s Expensive Back-Up Plan

Chicago’s $3.8 billion Deep Tunnel flood-control project was seemingly ready to go before the torrential downpours in early July. But as the rain came down, runoff overflowed onto streets and into residents’ homes in what would become a record-setting storm. So why didn't the Deep Tunnel system reduce floods like it’s supposed to? Reset gets the latest from Chicago Tribune environment and public health reporter Michael Hawthorne.
7/25/202315 minutes, 21 seconds
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People With Disabilities Don’t Always Get A Fair Shot At Jobs

July is Disability Pride Month — a time to celebrate those with a range of physical and mental abilities. But one of the key issues the disabled community still faces is accessibility in the workplace. Reset discusses what’s being done to help with a panel of Chicago disability advocates: Daisy Feidt, vice president of Access Living; Jamie Sandberg, assistant director of Duman Opportunity Center at Jewish Child and Family Services of Chicago; and Emily Blum, executive director of Disability Lead.
7/24/202317 minutes, 17 seconds
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People With Disabilities Don’t Always Get A Fair Shot At Jobs

July is Disability Pride Month — a time to celebrate those with a range of physical and mental abilities. But one of the key issues the disabled community still faces is accessibility in the workplace. Reset discusses what’s being done to help with a panel of Chicago disability advocates: Daisy Feidt, vice president of Access Living; Jamie Sandberg, assistant director of Duman Opportunity Center at Jewish Child and Family Services of Chicago; and Emily Blum, executive director of Disability Lead.
7/24/20230
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How To Protect Victims of Domestic Abuse

The recent case of a Little Village mother and daughter fatally shot in their home highlights the need for greater protections for survivors of domestic abuse. Reset talks with folks who work with survivors about how society can step up to better assist and protect them. Our guests are Stephanie Love-Patterson, executive director of Connections for Abused Women and their Children (CAWC), and Maralea Negron, director of policy, advocacy, and research at The Network.
7/24/202316 minutes, 44 seconds
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Barbenheimer Is Here

Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer and Greta Gerwig’s Barbie may be perfect opposites on the vibe spectrum, but that’s not stopping crowds of moviegoers from pairing them together for a five-hour double feature. Reset hears from Chicagoans gearing up for the experience, which folks are calling OppenBarbie, Barbenheimer or Boppenheimer. Our panel is Ross W Berman IV, wrestling journalist; Brianna Wellen, writer and editor at Primetimer; and Daniella Mazzio, writer and performer.
7/22/202317 minutes, 51 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: July 21, 2023

Illinois becomes the first state to eliminate cash bail. Kim Foxx publishes names on State’s Attorney’s “Do Not Call” list of officers they will not call to testify in court. Jesse Jackson passes the torch at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition. Reset goes behind the headlines of these stories and more in the Weekly News Recap. Our panel this week: Amy Guth, host of Crain’s Chicago Business podcast “The Daily Gist”; Patrick Smith, WBEZ criminal justice reporter; Alex Nitkin, reporter with the Illinois Answers Project for the Better Government Association.
7/21/202345 minutes, 30 seconds
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A Possible End To Tipping In Chicago?

A proposal in Chicago’s City Council would end lower minimum wage for tipped workers like waitstaff and bartenders. But the proposal faces opposition from the hospitality industry. We turn to Ald. Jessie Fuentes of the 26th Ward, one of the council members behind the proposal, for more.
7/21/202315 minutes, 22 seconds
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Hollywood On Strike: Inside The Fight Against 30-Cent Checks

We check in with Maureen Ryan, author of the new book Burn It Down: Power, Complicity, and a Call for Change in Hollywood, about what led to the current double strike in Hollywood and what needs to change to get the industry back on track.
7/20/202323 minutes, 2 seconds
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COPA Chief: Claims of CPD Misconducts With Migrants ‘Unsubstantiated’ So Far

At this time, Chicago’s Civilian Office of Police Accountability does not have “sufficient evidence” to recommend disciplinary actions be taken against officers. Reset discusses the ongoing investigation with Andrea Kersten, chief administrator, COPA
7/20/202315 minutes, 46 seconds
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Quick – Strike A Pose: Finding Voguing Classes In Chicago

Voguing is a dance style created by Black and Latino queer communities that went mainstream in the ‘90s, when big acts like Madonna started incorporating the style into their work. WBEZ podcast host Erin Allen reached out to Reset because she was struggling to find a place in Chicago that taught the dance style. For our “Lost & Found” series, Reset got in touch with TEXTUREDance in Buena Park to learn about voguing’s roots and a few moves to boot.
7/19/202316 minutes, 54 seconds
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The Constellation of Chicagoans Helping Migrants Day To Day

A team of WBEZ reporters spent a day embedded on the West Side where migrants are in a holding pattern, staying in the 12th District police station, a tent city or a nearby shelter. The result is a look into a slice of the migrant experience, and the network of Chicagoans who have stepped up to help them. Reset talks to WBEZ reporters Kristen Schorsch, Mariah Woelfel, and Claudia Morell. We also check in with Erika Villegas, a volunteer helping migrants at the 8th District police station, and Sonia Lopez, employee of New Life Centers.
7/19/202332 minutes, 41 seconds
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Can A Robot Have The Heart Of A Poet?

Artificial intelligence can do a lot, but can it write a poem as lovely as a tree? The explosion of AI technology has placed a vulnerability on the creative world. Writers of novels, poetry, and scripts all face the possibility of being replaced by software coded to mimic their own human experiences (see: the current Hollywood crisis and strikes). But many artists have remained confident in the idea that a computer simply can’t beat the creativity and emotion of the human soul. But that’s not for lack of trying. Writer Robbie Q. Telfer investigates this through his latest book of poetry “lonely line breaks: ChatRQT.” Reset sits down with the poet about the book and his experiences with AI.
7/18/202313 minutes, 55 seconds
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What’s Next After The End Of Affirmative Action?

It’s been a couple weeks since the SCOTUS decision, so how will the country’s selective schools continue to promote diversity? Reset discusses what’s next with Oiyan Poon, associate professor affiliate of higher education leadership at Colorado State University and Anthony Chen, associate professor of sociology at Northwestern University.
7/18/202316 minutes, 12 seconds
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Jesse Jackson Steps Down As Head Of Rainbow PUSH

The civil rights organization Rainbow PUSH has welcomed a new leader after its longtime president and founder, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, formally announced his exit Saturday. To learn more about Jackson’s legacy and the future of the organization, Reset sits down with Ambassador Carol Moseley Braun, U.S. Senator from Illinois (1993-99), and Delmarie Cobb, political strategist who worked for Rev. Jackson’s presidential campaign in 1988. Correction: The interview refers to the announcement and event happening on Sunday. It was on Saturday.
7/17/202323 minutes, 11 seconds
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Who Are The Three Finalists For Chicago’s Top Cop?

Thursday evening the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability announced the three finalists seeking the title of Chicago’s top cop: Chicago Police Department veterans Angel Novalez and Larry Snelling, and Shon Barnes, the police chief in Madison, Wisconsin. This leaves Mayor Brandon Johnson with about 30 days to make a decision. Reset gets the latest updates on the search and hears more on the finalists.
7/17/202314 minutes, 7 seconds
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‘Live On Logan’ Kicks Off This Sunday

“Live on Logan” is a free weekly jazz show hosted in Palmer Square this summer. Reset will talk with the Chicagoan who founded the series and a musician performing this weekend. Plus, a family farm in Wisconsin hosts an annual music festival with deep roots in Chicago’s DIY scene. We’ll talk with a prolific local musician who co-organizes the fest.
7/15/202317 minutes, 16 seconds
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WBEZ Weekly News Recap, July 14, 2023

Hazing scandal hits Northwestern University football program; tornadoes touch down in the suburbs and near O’Hare Airport; community activists protest for better living conditions for migrants. Reset goes behind the headlines of these stories and more with Alden Loury, WBEZ data projects editor, Heather Cherone, Chicago politics reporter for WTTW and Mick Dumke, editor and reporter for Block Club Chicago.
7/14/202343 minutes, 56 seconds
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FDA Approves First Over-The-Counter Birth Control Pill

The Food and Drug Administration approved Thursday the first over-the-counter birth control pill in the U.S. Reset learns more about the medication and what its approval means for contraceptive access in Illinois and beyond with Kai Tao, co-founder and principal of Impact and Innovation at Illinois Contraceptive Access Now.
7/14/202316 minutes, 40 seconds
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Grab A Bite And Cut A Rug At Pullman Park

The Chicago SummerDance series is back! All dancers, no matter the age or skill level, are invited to take free dance lessons happening at parks all across the city. This kick-off event on Saturday, July 15, will happen in partnership with Taste of Chicago at Pullman Park. Reset learns more about the event and what to look forward to.
7/13/202316 minutes, 21 seconds
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Northwestern Baseball And Football Programs Under Investigation

Northwestern football head coach Patrick Fitzgerald was fired Monday after allegations of abuse. Now, baseball coach Jim Foster is under fire. Reset discusses the updates about the current investigations with Jonathan Bullington, senior reporter at Chicago Tribune and Cheryl Raye-Stout, WBEZ sports contributor.
7/13/202315 minutes, 23 seconds
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‘Anti-Dopamine Parenting’ Could Change Your Kids’ Screen Time Habits

Research shows that screens – and the hyper-social connections they provide – can trigger dopamine responses in users so frequently it can turn us into actual addicts. And for kids, that’s especially concerning. That’s why some people are trying “anti-dopamine parenting.” Reset checks in with two experts on what a digital rest could look like for kids. Devorah Heitner is author of Screenwise: Helping Kids Thrive (and Survive) in Their Digital World and Growing Up in Public. Dr. Khalid Afzal is assistant professor of child and adolescent psychiatry at the University of Chicago Medicine.
7/12/202329 minutes, 49 seconds
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Chicago Nonprofit No Shame On U’s New Guide On Teen Mental Health

When Wendy Singer’s daughter was going through a mental health crisis, she didn’t know where to turn for help. Her experience led to the creation of a new comprehensive, free guide for parents and caregivers when a child is going through a serious mental health challenge. Reset talks to Singer about her new guide.
7/12/202314 minutes, 1 second
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What Are We Gonna Do About These Floods?

After the Chicago area got battered by rains, flooded basements, and more rain to come, Reset checks in on what non-profits and elected officials are doing to combat climate change and mitigate flooding. We talk to Trent Ford, Illinois state climatologist, Kyra Woods, policy director for Chicago’s Environment and Sustainability Team, and Margaret Frisbie, executive director for the Friends of the Chicago River.
7/12/202335 minutes, 51 seconds
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Inside Mayor Johnson's Four-Year Plan For Chicago

Mayor Johnson released a 223-page report charting his four-year plan for Chicago. We talked to WBEZ city government and politics reporters Tessa Weinberg and Mariah Woelfel to learn more about Johnson’s vision for the city.
7/11/202314 minutes, 50 seconds
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Illinois Air Quality Worst It’s Been In 10 Years

The Illinois EPA announced an “Air Pollution Action Day” for the thirteenth time this year. Those announcements are issued when air quality is at or above an unhealthy level for sensitive groups, and the first half of 2023 has had more than any year in the last decade. So what should we do when there’s an advisory, and how does poor air quality affect our mental and physical health? We spoke to Zac Adelman, executive director of the Lake Michigan Air Directors Consortium, Stacy Montgomery, researcher with Northwestern’s Climate Change Research Group, Steve Mosakowski, director of respiratory care at RUSH university medical center, and Gina Ramirez, Midwest outreach manager at Natural Resources Defense Council.
7/11/202330 minutes, 43 seconds
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Is Meta’s Threads The New Twitter?

Meta just rolled out its Twitter competitor, Threads. And as other social media platforms like Spill, Mastodon, Bluesky and Post are hitting the market, what does this mean for the future of social media? Reset discusses with Ross Schulman of the Electronic Frontier Foundation, Naomi Nix of The Washington Post, Jim Speta of the Northwestern University School of Law, Arionne Nettles of the Northwestern University Medill School of Journalism and Paul Booth of DePaul University.
7/11/202333 minutes, 29 seconds
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Helping Young People Get Back On Track After The Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic threw many young people off the path to graduation or getting jobs out of school. So, how do you reach the folks not in school or in the workplace? Reset checks in with Chalkbeat Chicago reporter Mila Koumpilova about her reporting on programs working to get these young people back on track.
7/10/202316 minutes, 3 seconds
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Helping Young People Get Back On Track After The Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic threw many young people off the path to graduation or getting jobs out of school. So, how do you reach the folks not in school or in the workplace? Reset checks in with Chalkbeat Chicago reporter Mila Koumpilova about her reporting on programs working to get these young people back on track.
7/10/202316 minutes, 3 seconds
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Women Face Discrimination At Every Age In The Workplace

According to a recent Harvard Business Review report, women in leadership positions face ageism at every age. Reset chats with UChicago professor Amy Hilliard, Rohini Dey of Vermillion and Let’s Talk Womxn and Karen Layng, national president of the board of directors of Girl Scouts USA to hear how they’ve navigated discrimination in the workplace and how they’re changing things for future generations of working women to come.
7/10/202330 minutes, 8 seconds
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Puerto Rican Artist Edra Soto On Decade-Long Project “GRAFT”

Artist Edra Soto immigrated from Puerto Rico to Chicago in 1998. Since beginning her life as a transplant to Chicago, she’s worked on a decade-long project exploring how she is inhabiting space in a new country, culture and home. As well as highlighting Puerto Rican architecture and its roots. through her sculptures. Reset chats with the “GRAFT” artist to learn more.
7/10/202315 minutes, 11 seconds
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American Songster Dom Flemons Fuses Music And Memory

Dom Flemons is on a mission to uncover, preserve and push forward America’s musical past — particularly Black musical traditions.The world renowned singer-songwriter and folklorist sits down with Jason Marck, host of WBEZ’s Radio Z and senior producer of Curious City, to talk about some of the big ideas that run through his work.
7/8/202321 minutes, 22 seconds
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The Bear’s Love Letter To Chicago’s Food Scene

The second season of the hit FX show The Bear makes a point of highlighting the vibrant restaurant and bar scene across Chicago. Reset talks to two foodies about the show’s portrayal of some of city’s most beloved spots.
7/7/202316 minutes, 49 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: July 7, 2023

Record rain floods basements and puts a damper on NASCAR’s downtown street race. Mayor Johnson shakes things up at the Chicago Board of Education. Reset breaks down these stories and much more with Jacoby Cochran, City Cast Chicago Host, Brandon Pope, reporter/anchor at CW 26, and Hannah Meisel, politics reporter, Capitol News Illinois.
7/7/202344 minutes, 54 seconds
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Mayor Johnson Replaces Nearly Entire Chicago Board Of Ed

Mayor Brandon Johnson shook things up Wednesday when he replaced nearly the entire Chicago Board of Education with new appointees. The seven-seat board that was once largely filled with consultants, bankers and lawyers will now be dominated by educators and education activists. Reset gets the rundown on what this means for Chicago schools.
7/7/202311 minutes, 31 seconds
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Is Remote Work Healthy? Well…It’s Complicated.

The pandemic changed how and where we work from, and recent articles suggest remote work could be detrimental to our physical and mental health. Reset digs into those claims and learns what employees need to feel fulfilled wherever their ‘office’ may be.
7/6/202331 minutes, 21 seconds
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Fake Baseball Broadcasts For The Nostalgic Insomniacs Among Us

Northwoods Baseball Radio Network on WSLP-AM features fictitious matches between teams such as the Baraboo Bombers vs. the Big Rapid Timbers and the Old Timers Exhibition! Reset learns more on the eclectic broadcast from its creator and host, Mr. King.
7/6/202314 minutes, 22 seconds
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Abortion Bans Are Driving Women With High-Risk Pregnancies To Chicago

Over a year since the overturn of Roe vs. Wade and many states across the country have instituted abortion bans. For high-risk pregnancies that often means a tough decision between finding out-of-state means for reproductive care or delivering a child with little to no chance of surviving. Reset hears from a high-risk pregnancy patient and healthcare experts on the issue.
7/6/202326 minutes, 22 seconds
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Monument Honoring Victims Of Police Violence Receives Grant

The Mellon Foundation granted Chicago $6.8 million to invest in several monument projects. One of those will include the Rekia Boyd Project on the West Side. Reset talks to Scheherazade Tillet, executive director of A Long Walk Home and one of the organizers of the monument.
7/5/202314 minutes, 32 seconds
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Can Peacekeepers Help Reduce Summer Violence?

On the heels of another violent Fourth of July weekend, Reset checks in with a panel of anti-violence workers trying a variety of solutions to end cycles of violence in Chicago.
7/5/202330 minutes, 53 seconds
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Actor Judy Greer On Her ‘Sixth Sense’, Perimenopause And Her Steppenwolf Debut

Actor Judy Greer has made a career out of being one of the most versatile people in any room or set in Hollywood. With more than 150 film and TV credits to her name, you’ve seen her in everything from rom-coms like “13 Going On 30" to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. And this month, you can see her debut at Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre with the play “Another Marriage.” Reset sits down with the booked-and-busy actress to go behind the curtain of her new play and talk about working in a fickle and changing industry.
7/4/202321 minutes, 9 seconds
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What’s Your Favorite Mural In Chicago? Celebrating The Art That Makes Our Day

Chicago is home to several mural corridors – from Pilsen to Rogers Park. These murals tell stories and are available for everyone to see. Reset learns more about the art form from muralists Sandra Antongiorgi and Rahmaan Statik, and also Robert Herguth, who writes the weekly Murals and Mosaics newsletter for the Chicago Sun-Times.
7/3/202325 minutes, 50 seconds
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One Year Later, New Film ‘Memorial’ Is Love Letter To Highland Park

On July 4, 2022, seven people died and dozens more were wounded in a shooting during Highland Park’s annual Independence Day parade. An upcoming documentary called “Memorial” features the stories and voices of survivors of the Highland Park shooting. We talk with Highland Park-born filmmaker and director Jonathan Siskel, and two survivors of the shooting, Jacqueline von Edelberg and Rachel Lander.
7/3/202333 minutes, 13 seconds
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Invest South/West Faces Rising Construction Costs

A new report by Crain’s Chicago Business reveals the sky-high construction costs for housing developments being built through the city’s Invest South/West initiative — one of former Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s signature programs. Reset learns more about the cost disparity and what the status of the project is under the Johnson administration with Alby Gallun, Crain’s Chicago Business senior reporter covering real estate and David Doig, president of Chicago Neighborhood Initiatives.
7/3/202316 minutes, 48 seconds
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Poet And Musician Kara Jackson On Her Debut Album

Kara Jackson is known for being the National Youth Poet Laureate from 2019 to 2020. And now, she’s receiving glowing reviews for her debut album, Why Does the Earth Give Us People to Love. The Chicago-based singer-songwriter joins Reset to talk about her inspirations, her mandatory piano lessons growing up in a musical household and other local artists who encouraged her latest work.
7/1/202320 minutes, 11 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: June 30, 2023

Some Chicago drivers experience road rage over street closures for NASCAR race; Canadian wildfires fill Chicago’s air with smoke and haze; President Biden comes to town for fundraisers and kicks off his political messaging with what he calls “Bidenomics”. Reset breaks down these stories and much more with Mike Flannery, political editor at Fox 32 News, Ben Kesling, reporter, Wall Street Journal and Derrick Blakley, former CBS2 Chicago politics reporter Journal
6/30/202346 minutes, 15 seconds
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Fulton Market’s Ever Is On 'The Bear'

Season two of FX’s The Bear is a hit – receiving a 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. Fans are raving about everything from the story telling, the food to the cameos. Reset chats with Michael Muser, co-founder of Ever in the West Loop, one of Chicago restaurants featured on the show
6/30/202316 minutes, 27 seconds
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ACLU Alleges Racial Discrimination In Chicago Traffic Stops

The American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit this week against the city of Chicago and the Chicago Police Department over unlawful traffic stops. The suit alleges that Black drivers are four to seven times more likely than white drivers to be pulled over and that Latino drivers are twice as likely. Reset hears more about the suit from Alexandra Block, Senior Supervising Attorney for the Criminal Legal System and Policing project at ACLU Illinois.
6/30/202315 minutes, 31 seconds
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Supreme Court Ends Affirmative Action

This morning the Supreme Court ruled in a landmark affirmative action case stating that race-based admissions practices at Harvard University and the University of North Carolina are unlawful. Reset talks to University of Illinois Chicago law professor Steve Schwinn and WBEZ higher education reporter Lisa Philip about what the ruling will mean for the future of college admissions.
6/29/202316 minutes, 36 seconds
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Celebrating Black Women And ‘Sheroes’ In Sci-Fi

FACETS movie theater and Color Comics are coming together to host a screening and discussion about Black women in science fiction and fantasy TV shows. They’ll explore the characters of Star Trek Discovery’s Michael Burnham, Lovecraft Country’s Hippolyta and Doctor Who’s ‘The Fugitive Doctor. Reset hears from one of the panelists, WBEZ audio producer Cianna Greaves, to learn more.
6/29/202312 minutes, 27 seconds
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Fans Say NASCAR Chicago Experience Will Be One To Remember

The long-anticipated street race is finally happening this weekend and everyone has an opinion. Reset chats with Neil Steinberg, columnist for Chicago Sun-Times and two locals who are looking forward to NASCAR.
6/29/202315 minutes, 8 seconds
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Preserving Chicago’s Vintage Neon Signs

A proposed ordinance would create protections for some of Chicago’s most iconic vintage outdoor signs. Reset learns about the history of these signs, and their importance in the urban landscape and about restoring vintage signs from a Martin Treu, author of Signs, Streets, and Storefronts: A history, of architecture and graphics along America’s Commercial Corridors.
6/28/202335 minutes, 2 seconds
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Canadian Wildfire Smoke Is Blanketing Chicago

Wildfire smoke from Canada continues to smoother Chicago today. Experts anticipate the air quality index, as tracked by Air Now, could exceed Tuesday’s high of 288 - the second highest ranking that government agency tracks. Reset hears from Kelly Nichols, Senior Manager of Policy & Advocacy, Respiratory Health Association of Chicago and Dr. Ravi Kalhan, Northwestern Medicine deputy division chief of pulmonary and critical care medicine on what to expect
6/28/202318 minutes, 53 seconds
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Should Chicago Give Tipped Workers A Real Wage?

Chicago’s hourly minimum wage is set to rise to $15.80 starting July 1, while tipped workers will get paid $9.80 an hour. Reset learns more about the so-called “subminimum wage” for tipped workers and the latest on discussions around phasing it out. We check in with Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa of the 35th Ward; Sam Toia, president and CEO of the Illinois Restaurant Association; and Terri Evans, owner of Windy City Ribs & Whiskey.
6/28/202334 minutes, 12 seconds
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Coming Out: Supporting LGBTQ Children

Research shows that queer youth who are supported by their families grow up to be happier and healthier adults. But some parents can feel unequipped to navigate their child’s coming out. Reset hears from two Chicago families about their experience navigating and supporting their own LGBTQ children: Florrie Chappa with the group Mama Bears joins the show with her son Javier Chapa with Howard Brown Health, and Mike Mazzeo, a parent of a nonbinary child.
6/27/202330 minutes, 43 seconds
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How Are Those Summer Jobs Coming Along, Chicago?

As Chicago’s youth start their summer jobs, we follow up on Mayor Johnson’s campaign promise to bring more employment opportunities. WBEZ city government and politics reporter Tessa Weinberg gives us the update.
6/27/202314 minutes, 15 seconds
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Chicago Public Library Celebrates 150 Years With New Podcast

The library is open, free of charge to all, bringing resources for accessing knowledge. And In the midst of battles over freedom of speech and book bans, the Chicago Public Library is committed to being a sanctuary for books. Reset talks with Alison Cuddy, host of the podcast Library for the People, about the ways the library has lived out its mission and served the people of Chicago for the past 150 years.
6/27/202319 minutes, 55 seconds
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Previewing The Supreme Court’s Upcoming Decisions

This week, Supreme Court justices are expected to drop opinions on several cases about major issues including student loan forgiveness and affirmative action. Reset learns more about how they could rule with Steven Schwinn, professor at University of Illinois Chicago School of Law.
6/26/202315 minutes, 42 seconds
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Chicago Is Ready, Set, Go For NASCAR Weekend

The NASCAR Chicago Street Race will take place on July 1 and 2, bringing tens of thousands of spectators to downtown and closing off many roads to cars, buses and pedestrians. Reset hears from 1st Ward Ald. Daniel La Spata about what to expect before, during and after the events.
6/26/202314 minutes, 11 seconds
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The Future Of One Of The Last Wholesale Butcher Shops In Chicago

The former warehouse district of Fulton Market was a hub for meatpacking and meat wholesalers in the 19th and 20th centuries. But as the price of rent continues to increase in the area, many of these shops have left. Reset learns about Peoria Packing’s history as a mainstay in the West Loop and the changing nature of the neighborhood. We talk with Paul Durica, director of exhibitions at Chicago History Museum.
6/26/202312 minutes, 49 seconds
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Celebrating Chicago’s Forgotten Black Cowboys

Reset hits the road and heads to South Shore for a day of barrel racing and horse tricks. The Broken Arrow Riding Club’s Speed and Action Rodeo and Horse Show is an annual event that puts a spotlight on the city’s little-known cowboy scene. Reset spends the day at the rodeo and learns more about the often-overlooked contributions of Black cowboys in American history. We talk to documentarian Charles Perry; Murdock, director and president of Broken Arrow Horseback Riding Club; and club members Amber Leslie, Korey Flowers, and Devyn Branscomb.
6/24/202336 minutes, 20 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: June 23, 2023

Chicago’s NASCAR race is gearing up. Illinois scales back healthcare benefits for undocumented immigrants. Cook County projects a nearly $86 million budget. And one Chicago startup is on a mission to make sustainable seafood with fungi. Reset goes behind the headlines of these stories and more in the Weekly News Recap. Our panel today: Paris Schutz, WTTW reporter and anchor; Amanda Vinicky, WTTW political correspondent; and Mariah Woelfel, WBEZ city government and politics reporter.
6/23/202345 minutes, 59 seconds
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Frontwoman Of Chicago Band Fran Is Home From Tour

After some time on the road, Fran is back in Chicago. The local indie band will perform at the Empty Bottle on Friday. Doors open at 9 p.m. Reset talks to frontwoman and songwriter Maria Jacobson about the tour, her band’s latest album Leaving and the inspiration she gleaned from Alan Watts and his book The Wisdom of Insecurity.
6/23/202321 minutes, 54 seconds
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A Guide To Summer In Chicago

Summertime is in full swing! From festivals to art exhibits to live music performances, there are hundreds of things to do in the city this season. Reset gets a taste of the summer fun with the folks behind upcoming events and WBEZ’s latest summer guide.
6/23/202313 minutes, 28 seconds
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Overturning Roe V. Wade Has Had Unintended Consequences

As we approach one year since Roe v. Wade was overturned, there is a lot of process. States across the U.S have banned the right to abortion, and some of those laws are having unintended consequences for mothers and families. Reset hears from providers and patients affected by the Dobbs v. Jackson decision last summer and how Illinois is protecting mothers.
6/22/202326 minutes, 54 seconds
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The Astonishing Plot Of Smuggling Mifepristone Into The U.S

Mifepristone has recently been in the headlines after conflicting court rulings about the abortion drug's FDA approval more than 20 years ago. But even before that, the drug had been the subject of controversy. Cover Up: The Pill Plot, is a new podcast series that shares the shocking story of how mifepristone was smuggled into the U.S., kicked off a U.S. Supreme Court battle, and led to the founding of a secret lab to manufacture a copy of the drug. Reset talks to creator and host of the series, TJ Raphael, about why this history has yet to be told and what it reveals about the current debate.
6/22/202318 minutes, 1 second
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Meet The Leaders Who Are Paving The Way For A New Chicago

Ten organizers, artists and advocates are receiving a no-strings-attached $25,000 grant to support their work in the fields of art, media, storytelling and justice. The award is given annually by the Field Foundation, with support from the MacArthur Foundation. Reset learns more about who the leaders are and the future they envision for Chicago. We talk to Mark Clements, community organizer at the Chicago Torture Justice Center; Glo Choi, community organizer at HANA Center; Ling Young, youth organizer at Southside Together Organizing for Power; Vanessa Harris, president and founder at Strategy for Access Foundation; Yvette Moyo, founder and executive director at Real Men Charities.
6/22/202333 minutes, 28 seconds
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Monument Honoring Victims Of Chicago Police Torture Gets Greenlight

The city of Chicago will be receiving nearly $7 million dollars to fund eight memorial projects including a memorial dedicated to survivors of torture by the “Midnight Crew” in the South Side. Reset learns about this effort to honor over 100 survivors of police torture from Dan Mihalopoulos, investigative reporter for WBEZ’s government and politics team.
6/21/202310 minutes, 59 seconds
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The Warehouse Could Become Official City Landmark Of House Music

City Council goes for a vote today on making the Warehouse a Chicago landmark. Music director and resident DJ Frankie Knuckles helped the Warehouse grow to be regarded as the birthplace of house music. Reset speaks with DJ Lady D Jackson and DJ Terry Hunter about what this landmark status would mean for the city and the iconic music genre.
6/21/202316 minutes, 53 seconds
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The Rent Is Too Damn High

Chicago renters must make at least $50,000 a year, or work two jobs at minimum wage, to afford a modest one-bedroom apartment. That’s according to a new study by Housing Action Illinois and the National Low Income Housing Coalition. Reset discusses the causes of and solutions to the lack of affordable rental housing in Chicago and Illinois with Bob Palmer, policy director for Housing Action Illinois.
6/21/202316 minutes, 3 seconds
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Teens Are Experiencing A Mental Health Crisis

Health experts are raising the alarm on rising rates of depression, suicide and other mental health issues among U.S. teens. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, youth between the ages of 10 to 25 years old make up 15% of all suicides. Reset discusses why the teen mental health crisis is happening, the role social media plays and how Chicago-area organizations are working to address the problem.
6/20/202346 minutes, 22 seconds
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Status Update: Brandon Johnson’s Busy First Month As Mayor

Mayor Brandon Johnson is a month into the job; so how’s it going? Reset talks to WBEZ reporters Mariah Woelfel and Tessa Weinberg to get an update on Johnson’s initial political and policy moves, his negotiating style with City Council, how well he's keeping campaign promises and his handling of the city’s resource crisis for asylum seekers.
6/20/202315 minutes, 46 seconds
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Juneteenth Reading Recommendations

Juneteenth has only been a federal holiday since 2021. If it’s new to you or you want to learn more, here are some resources.
6/19/20238 minutes, 16 seconds
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Two Chicagoans Work To Introduce More Black People To The Outdoors

Almost 70% of visitors to national parks in the U.S. are white, and Black people are the most underrepresented group to visit them. Reset meets Chevon Linear and Kameron Stanton, the Chicago couple working to change that through their popular TikTok account Black People Outside and through meet-up events.
6/19/202316 minutes, 23 seconds
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Hip-hop's Influence On American Culture And Music

Hip hop marks its 50th anniversary this summer. For Juneteenth, we look back on that history and celebrate highlights of the genre.
6/19/202325 minutes, 4 seconds
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Chicago rising stars and talented transplants sweep Vocalo Radio’s top 5 for June

Five fresh hip-hop and R&B tracks are "In Rotation” all month on Vocalo Radio, WBEZ’s sister station. Chicago emcee Jovan Landry brings the heat on a new catchy tune with an uplifting message, singer th0rn’s latest track will make you want to dance, and up-and-coming Chicago artists Elijah LeFlore and Galaxy Francis team up for a summer banger. Michigan musician Bri Miller and Ohio native Amar Miller also top the list with their smooth vocals. Reset learns more about the new songs and the artists behind them.
6/17/202316 minutes, 57 seconds
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Chicago Florist Celebrates Black Men By Giving Them Flowers

Reset talks with florist John Pendleton of Black Men Flower Project, which allows Black men to give other Black men a bouquet.
6/17/202315 minutes, 39 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: June 16, 2023

Asylum seekers, NASCAR, a ban on book bans, and the latest from City Hall. Reset goes behind the headlines of these stories and more with David Greising with the Better Government Association, Brandis Friedman with WTTW’s “Chicago Tonight,” and WBEZ reporter and editor Natalie Moore.
6/16/202344 minutes, 50 seconds
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The Best Pizza By The Slice In Chicago

Chicago is a deep dish and tavern-style town, but there’s good pizza by the slice available if you know where to look. Join Reset and Curious City as we go on the hunt for delicious single slices around the city.
6/16/202320 minutes, 50 seconds
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What’s That Building? Chicago Icons: Chinatown Gate

Reset heads out to Chinatown to hear about some key sites in the neighborhood, including the Chinatown Gate on Wentworth Ave. just south of Cermak Road. Sasha-Ann Simons speaks with What’s That Building contributor Dennis Rodkin of Crain’s Chicago Business.
6/15/202312 minutes
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How Can We Reduce Homelessness In Chicago?

Since February, police officers have been turning unhoused people away at O’Hare International Airport so they won’t sleep there. The situation is just one sign of how persistent and pervasive homelessness is in Chicago. Shelter beds are full, and recently arrived asylum seekers are also in need of the social safety net. Reset learns more about the options left for the city’s unhoused population and what solutions social service agencies and the city’s new administration are considering with guests Elvia Malagón, social justice and wage gap reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times, and Ali Simmons, case and outreach worker with the Law Project of the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless.
6/15/202314 minutes, 19 seconds
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Illinois Legislators Continue To Strengthen Abortion Access

lllinois Democratic lawmakers continue pushing to keep abortion accessible after the U.S. Supreme Court reversal of Roe v. Wade last year. Since then, five measures expanding and protecting abortion access passed in Springfield, while GOP lawmakers have failed to pass anti-abortion-rights bills. Reset talks to Mawa Iqbal, statehouse reporter for WBEZ about the efforts.
6/15/20239 minutes, 10 seconds
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Illinois Reparations Commission Looks At The Enduring Costs Of Slavery

Earlier this year, Illinois formed the African Descent-Citizens Reparations Commission to look into economic inequities due to the impacts of slavery. Reset learns more about the commission’s mission and work with Illinois State Rep. Will Davis (D-Homewood) and Marvin Slaughter, chair of the African Descent-Citizens Reparations Commission.
6/14/202315 minutes, 45 seconds
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What’s That Building? 600 W. Washington

In another installment of our series “What’s That Building,” Reset learns about a building in the West Loop that played an important role in Chicago’s transit history with Dennis Rodkin, residential real estate reporter at Crain’s Chicago Business.
6/14/202312 minutes, 47 seconds
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Pat Sajak Says He’s Leaving Wheel Of Fortune

Longtime Wheel of Fortune host Pat Sajak says he’ll be leaving the show after its 41st season, which starts in the fall. He was raised in Chicago and initially pursued a career in radio. Reset learns more about Sajak’s Chicago roots and the void he’ll leave in the game show world with Darel Jevens, entertainment editor for the Chicago Sun-Times
6/14/20237 minutes, 37 seconds
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MC Omar Offendum’s Show Pays Tribute To Chicago’s Arab History

In his show “Little Syria,” MC and rapper Omar Offendum explores the forgotten history of Syrian Americans in Manhattan. Offendum performed earlier this month at the Old Town School of Folk Music, along with DJ Thanks Joey and Chicago-born multi-instrumentalist Ronnie Malley. Reset sat down with the three artists to talk about weaving both different languages and genres in his music.
6/13/202321 minutes, 52 seconds
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'What’s That Building?’: 15-19 S. Wabash Ave

A downtown building known for its legacy pipe and cigar lounge, holds layers of history dating possibly as far back as before the great Chicago fire in 1871. Reset’s architecture sleuth, Dennis Rodkin, reveals the stories within this classic marvel in The Loop.
6/13/202311 minutes, 25 seconds
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Catalytic Converters Keep Getting Stolen In Chicago

Widespread catalytic converter theft has cost millions of dollars in repairs for car owners across the city. A Chicago Sun-Times analysis looks into how the thefts are pulled off and how the city is working to crack down on the crime. Reset speaks with Stephanie Zimmermann, consumer investigations reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times, to find out what you should know about the issue.
6/13/202316 minutes, 44 seconds
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Creating Community During The Loneliness Epidemic

How is Chicago responding to the growing sense of loneliness in the U.S? Reset talks to groups working to build social connection and community in the area. The panel features Jeremy Foster, president and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Chicago; Julia Logan Labow, director of impact and learning at OneTable; and Jacob Rosenblum, Shabbat dinner host for OneTable.
6/12/202315 minutes, 53 seconds
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Why Is America In A Loneliness Epidemic?

According to recent data from the U.S Census Bureau, Americans are spending more time alone. But what happens when a lack of social connection leads to loneliness? Reset talks to Eve Escalante, clinical social worker with RUSH University Medical Center, about what’s behind the so-called “loneliness epidemic” in America and ways to build connections.
6/12/202315 minutes, 53 seconds
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Hammond Gets $7 Million To Eliminate Dangerous Rail Crossings

Stalled trains and blocked railroad crossings have created dangerous conditions for residents of cities like Hammond, Ind., for decades. Now a first round of federal funding aims to change that. Reset talks to Joce Sterman, national investigative reporter for InvestigateTV, to learn more about the $570 million nationwide plan.
6/12/202315 minutes, 47 seconds
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What’s that Building? Chicago Icons: The Wrigley Building

Typically Reset’s “What’s That Building?” series feature architecture stories often lost to history or overlooked in the Chicago area. Over the next few episodes, however, the series is giving a fresh look at some of the city's most iconic buildings. What better place to start than with the gleaming Wrigley Building on the riverfront? Reset talks to its architecture sleuth Dennis Rodkin to get the story.
6/10/202311 minutes, 14 seconds
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What Trump’s Second Indictment Means For His Presidential Run

Former President Donald Trump is set to be arraigned in federal court again — this time in Florida. A grand jury has indicted him on seven counts related to classified documents he stored in his Mar-a-Lago home. He has denied any wrongdoing. Reset hears reactions from Congressman Mike Quigley, who represents Illinois’ 5th District. Then Reset turns to Alvin Tillery, professor of political science and director of the Center for the Study of Diversity and Democracy at Northwestern University, to hear what the charges could mean for Trump’s presidential campaign.
6/9/202320 minutes, 6 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: June 9, 2023

Chicago’s tourism industry rebounds, with hotels setting a record for highest occupancy rates. Meanwhile, three Chicago chefs take home the coveted James Beard Award. Reset goes behind the headlines of these stories and more with Alex Nitkin, reporter with the Illinois Answers Project for the Better Government Association, Carrie Shepherd, Chicago reporter for Axios, and Rummana Hussain, editorial board member and columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times.
6/9/202345 minutes, 46 seconds
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The Golf World Gets A Surprising Merger

The tension between the PGA and Saudi-backed PIF has been growing for years. The two are now united in a historic merger in an attempt to move past antitrust lawsuits, accusations of human rights abuses and confusion among players. Reset gets analysis from Chicago-area golf expert Rory Spears, co-host of Golfers on Golf Radio, and editor and director of content for Golfersongolf.com.
6/8/202315 minutes, 26 seconds
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Asian Americans And The Affirmative Action Debate

The U.S. Supreme Court is set to rule on two cases challenging affirmative action by the end of June. One case alleges Harvard’s admissions policies discriminate against Asian Americans. Reset checks in with WBEZ higher education reporter Lisa Philip for what to expect from the ruling and how Asian Americans got wrapped up in the debate.
6/8/202310 minutes, 37 seconds
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Chicago Cyclists Ask Drivers To Be Vigilant This Summer

As cycling season kicks into high gear this summer, parents who bike with their kids in the city are pushing for changes that will make the roads safer for them and their children. Reset talks with Courtney Kueppers, a digital producer and reporter for WBEZ, to learn more about these efforts.
6/8/20239 minutes, 40 seconds
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Impact Of CPS School Closures 10 Years Later

For their Chicago’s 50 Closed Schools project, WBEZ and Chicago Sun-Times education reporters investigated the impact of massive school closures a decade ago. Reset dives into their latest story on the so-called “welcoming schools” that received displaced students with reporters Sarah Karp and Nader Issa.
6/8/202314 minutes, 55 seconds
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What’s Up With The Fluffy Stuff All Over Chicago?

The Chicago area has been blanketed by dandelion-like fluff for the past week. Reset learns more about what’s behind the weird event and the role the plant its from plays in the ecosystem with Karen Weigert, director of Loyola University Chicago’s Baumhart Center for Social Enterprise and Responsibility, Jessica Turner-Skoff, science communication leader, Morton Arboretum, and Jalene LaMontagne, professor of biological sciences, DePaul University.
6/7/202315 minutes, 47 seconds
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Chicago’s 311 Help Line Can’t Keep Up With Demand

A surge in calls for shelter requests is overwhelming Chicago’s 311 help line. Reset discusses how the hotline works and what can help the city’s shelter system serve unhoused people and asylum seekers better with WBEZ reporters and a panel of advocates and shelter workers.
6/7/202330 minutes, 23 seconds
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Chicago Bears Now Eyeing Naperville As Potential Home

How do you like the sound of the Arlington Heights Bears? Well, how about the Naperville Bears? That’s right. The Chicago Bears are now exploring the western suburb as a potential spot for its new stadium. Reset checks in with WBEZ sports contributor Cheryl Raye-Stout for the latest.
6/7/202313 minutes, 34 seconds
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The Spinosaurus Makes Its Debut At The Field Museum

The Field Museum is welcoming its newest and biggest addition to its collection of dinosaurs. In the main hall, you can find a 46-foot-long cast of one of the most scientifically up-to-date Spinosaurus in the world. Reset puts on its paleontology hat and learns more about the dinosaur with Jingmai O'Connor, an associate curator of fossil reptiles.
6/6/202314 minutes, 20 seconds
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Nobody Likes Traffic. How is it Affecting Chicagoans?

From construction on the Kennedy Expressway to road closures because of Nascar, traffic in Chicago is getting worse. Reset discusses how the congestion is affecting drivers and potentially putting cyclists and pedestrians in danger with Rick Resnick of See it All mini tour bus company, Audrey Wennink of the Metropolitan Planning Council and Sharon Hoyer, a cyclist and Streetsblog freelance journalist.
6/6/202332 minutes, 32 seconds
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‘Flash Drought’ And Air Quality Alerts Hit Chicago Area

If your lawn has not looked quite as green and lush as usual, you can blame a “flash drought” and one of the driest months of May in 150 years. And if you’re getting air quality alerts in your area, you can blame Canada. Reset checks in with atmospheric scientist Scott Collis.
6/6/202312 minutes, 11 seconds
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Playwright Celine Song On Her Directorial Debut of “Past Lives”

The director of the new A24 film “Past Lives” joins Reset to talk about going from the stage to the big screen. After working as a playwright for the past 10 years, Celine Song is starting her career in film. She sat down with us to talk about making a movie about real life and touching on themes of love, fate and immigration.
6/5/202322 minutes, 51 seconds
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Queer Fam Pride Jam Provides All-Ages Fun In The Sun

While Pride Month is usually packed with events to celebrate and support the LGBTQ community, queer families are often left with a few options. To learn more, Reset chats with Keewa Nurullah and Kristen Kaza, co-organizers of a free, all-ages Pride event.
6/5/202314 minutes, 26 seconds
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Chicago Outdoor Dining Is Here To Stay. Here Are Our Favorite Patios

Chicago welcomes patio season with a win for restaurants. We talk with Chicago foodies Nick Kindelsperger, Marnie Shure, and Jack Dengel about the city’s new permanent outdoor dining policy and our favorite spots to wine and dine this summer.
6/5/202326 minutes, 13 seconds
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Music Box Theatre Is Bringing Back 'House On Haunted Hill'

Looking for a theater experience that beats the summer blockbusters? Music Box Theatre will be screening William Castle’s House on Haunted Hill on June 7 and 8, complete with gimmicks the legendary director was known for. Reset learns more about Castle’s contributions to the genre, and what the theater is planning for the event with Morgan Wiercinski and Jeremy Marder, co-programmers of the event.
6/3/202313 minutes, 17 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: June 2, 2023

Chicago’s City Council approves $51 million for migrant services. Meanwhile, Illinois lawmakers pass a new budget in Springfield. Reset goes behind those headlines with A.D. Quig, Cook County and Chicago government reporter for the Chicago Tribune, CW 26 reporter/anchor Brandon Pope and WBEZ city government and politics reporter Tessa Weinberg.
6/2/202345 minutes, 46 seconds
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Hari Kondabolu On Touring, Fatherhood And New Comedy Special

Reset sits down with comedian Hari Kondabolu to chat about his new material and his executive producer role on a film about immigration and the rise of the far right in the U.S. and Germany.
6/2/202320 minutes, 22 seconds
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A Closer Look At EPA Funds To Replace Lead Lines

Illinois leads the nation in the number of lead service lines, yet it received a smaller share of federal funding to replace those lead pipes than states like Florida and Texas. Reset gets the details from Michael Hawthorne, an environment and public health reporter for the Chicago Tribune.
6/2/202317 minutes, 15 seconds
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How The Debt Ceiling Impacts The Student Loan Crisis

Reset breaks down what the debt ceiling deal could mean for your student loans with Cody Hounanian, executive director of the Student Debt Crisis Center, and Jack Wallace, the head of government affairs and industry relations at student loan refinance group Yrefy.
6/1/202318 minutes, 43 seconds
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City Council Approves $51 Million In Aid For Migrants

In a 34-13 vote Wednesday, Chicago’s City Council approved $51 million to help care for migrants. The decision came after an intense debate among council members and residents. Reset gets the latest from WBEZ reporters Indi Khera and Mariah Woelfel, who have been covering the migrant crisis.
6/1/202315 minutes, 44 seconds
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No, It’s Not Your Imagination — Many Products You Buy Are Shrinking

Companies are keeping prices the same while shrinking quantities. While inflation has dropped from its 40-year high in June 2022, the phenomenon of “shrinkflation” has not disappeared. Many items, from paper towels to Oreos, are getting smaller while prices remain the same. Reset talks to Chicago Sun-Times investigative reporter Stephanie Zimmerman and consumer advocate Edgar Dworsky about why “shrinkflation” is happening and about its impact on consumers.
6/1/202317 minutes, 24 seconds
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Illinois Poised To Help Freelancers, Gig Workers Get Paid On Time

A bill that’s passed in both the Illinois House and Senate would provide basic protections for freelancers requiring clients to pay them within 30 days of work completed. But it still needs Governor J.B. Pritzker’s signature to be law. Reset digs into how this legislation protects freelancers’ right to compensation with two freelancers: writer Anna Burgess and audio producer Mary Mathis.
5/31/202315 minutes, 25 seconds
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Most Americans Think They Can Swim, But Many Can’t

Swimming season is here. Reset discusses water safety with Chicagoan Dave Benjamin, co-founder and executive director of the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project. Benjamin has made it his mission to prevent drownings in Lake Michigan and beyond.
5/31/202313 minutes, 56 seconds
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Checking In With Chicagoans Helping Migrants

From housing to health, Chicago agencies, groups and individuals are taking on the challenge to help asylum seekers create a home in the city. Reset checks in with people working on the ground to support migrants and learn about an effort to provide trauma-informed training to volunteers.
5/31/202332 minutes, 8 seconds
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What Toll Does Seeing Gun Violence Have On Kids?

Half of Chicagoans witness a shooting by age 40, according to a recent study from the Journal of the American Medical Association. And the average age for witnessing the shooting is only 14 years old. Reset learns about how this trauma can impact young people’s developing brains and discusses efforts to help students heal and turn the tide of violence.
5/30/202333 minutes, 51 seconds
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‘The Little Mermaid’ Remake Is Finally Here

After months of hype and controversy, the live-action remake of the Disney princess classic, “The Little Mermaid,” is finally in theaters. Reset talks to culture writer Brittney Pierre and CW-26 anchor Brandon Pope about their thoughts on the film.
5/30/202318 minutes, 16 seconds
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How To Navigate The Chicago-Area Real Estate Market

Buying or selling a home is one of the biggest financial decisions many people make in their lifetimes, but many people have been avoiding making moves due to high interest rates and high prices. Now, things could be starting to change in the Chicago area. Reset talks with a real estate expert Ilyce Glink about how to navigate this unique market moment.
5/30/202318 minutes, 31 seconds
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Gearing Up For 2024 With The Democracy Solutions Project

In what ways is democracy under threat in the United States? And how do we strengthen our union? Those are two of the key questions posed in a new series of reports, editorials, podcasts and radio segments from WBEZ and the Sun-Times called “The Democracy Solutions Project,” which will run through the 2024 presidential election. The project is a partnership between Chicago Public Media and the University of Chicago’s Center for Effective Government at the Harris School of Public Policy. To kick off the project, Reset sits down with the center’s director Will Howell.
5/29/202315 minutes, 54 seconds
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How Civic Engagement Can Strengthen Democracy

In what ways is democracy under threat in the United States? And how do we strengthen our union? Those are two of the key questions posed in a new series of reports, editorials, podcasts and radio segments from WBEZ and the Sun-Times called “The Democracy Solutions Project,” which will run through the 2024 presidential election. The project is a partnership between Chicago Public Media and the University of Chicago’s Center for Effective Government at the Harris School of Public Policy. Reset sits down Eric Liu of Citizen University to hear more about the role civic engagement can play in strengthening democracy.
5/29/202316 minutes, 18 seconds
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The Meaning of Memorial Day

As we celebrate Memorial Day, Reset talks to a veteran and service member parent working to serve veterans in need.
5/29/202323 minutes, 11 seconds
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Southside Rapper Kayo Performs Faves From His Debut Album

The rapper Kayo explores loss, acceptance and perspective in his latest work. Ahead of his show at the Epiphany Center next week, the artist stopped by WBEZ’s performance studio to share some songs and his story. Reset sits down with the Chicago-based rapper to hear about his journey so far and what’s to come.
5/27/202319 minutes, 21 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: May 26, 2023

Illinois lawmakers pass a budget and wrap up their spring session. Neighbors on Chicago’s Northwest side are divided over proposals to shelter migrants at local City College. Reset goes behind the headlines with Tina Sfondeles, Chicago Sun-Times chief political reporter, Paris Schutz, reporter and anchor for WTTW-TV, and Mariah Woelfel, WBEZ city politics reporter.
5/26/202345 minutes, 47 seconds
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A New Police Academy Is Learning From NYC, LA, But Not Chicago

A new police training program is underway in Chicago. And it’s drawing from successes in departments in other major cities like New York and LA. The Policing Leadership Academy will focus on just that: training police leaders and supervisors. But even though it’s here in Chicago, the lesson plan won’t be based on practices within the Chicago Police Department. As the academy welcomes its first cohort, Reset turns to Roseanna Ander, Executive Director of the Crime Lab, Kenneth Corey, Former New York Police Chief of Department and Director of Outreach and Engagement at the University of Chicago Policing Leadership Academy, and Charlie Beck, former LAPD Police Chief and interim Chicago police superintendent in late 2019 to early 2020, who helped design the six-month program.
5/26/202316 minutes, 55 seconds
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What Would The End Of Affirmative Action Mean For Legacy Admissions?

The upcoming Supreme Court decision on race-conscious admissions is raising questions about legacy admission policies and other practices that tend to favor white, wealthier students at the expense of historically underrepresented ones. Reset speaks with WBEZ higher education reporter Lisa Philip on the latest from the case.
5/26/202313 minutes, 50 seconds
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What Chicagoans Want To Change About The CTA

Dirty cars, crime and significant delays are a few of the problems riders have pointed out about the Chicago Transit Authority in recent years. Reset discusses the woes of riding the CTA with Natalie Moore, interim editor of WBEZ’s Race, Class and Communities Desk and Cassie Walker Burke, external editor at WBEZ. Then we hear from Illinois State Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Chicago), co-chair of Mayor Johnson’s transition team transportation subcommittee and Brian Steele, CTA spokesperson about how they plan to address the issues.
5/25/202329 minutes, 33 seconds
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Behind The Adderall Shortage And Living With ADHD

Back in October, the FDA announced a shortage of amphetamine mixed salts, more commonly known as Adderall, which is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. This has had real impacts on individuals and families in Chicago trying to get their hands on the stimulant. So, what’s behind the shortage? Reset dives into a conversation about the demand for ADHD medication, overdiagnosis and what it’s like living and treating the condition with Steven Meyers, licensed clinical psychologist with Chicago ADHD Associates and Zoe Smith, child and adolescent clinical psychologist and assistant professor with the department of psychology at Loyola University.
5/25/202334 minutes, 41 seconds
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Chicago Is Wildin’ Out: From A Chonky Turtle To A Fox Family In The Park

Chicago is having an urban wildlife moment. Has this always been the case, or is this emergence of city critters indicative of something bigger? Reset checks in with a panel of wildlife experts and ecologists, including Seth Magle, director of the Urban Wildlife Institute at Lincoln Park Zoo, Al Scorch, botanist with Crime Pays But Botany Doesn’t, Tyler LaRiviere, Chicago Sun-Times photographer and Rebecca Fyffe, urban wildlife manager.
5/25/202332 minutes, 2 seconds
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Chicago Comedian Adapts Her Humor From Social Media To The Stage

West Side Chicagoan @mycousin_tiera is being heralded by some as the city’s best kept comedy secret. You might recognize her from short Instagram and TikTok skits which have garnered millions of views. Now, the mother whose punchlines often focus on what it’s like to raise children, is on a multi-city comedy tour with stops in the Chicagoland area this weekend. Reset gets to know comedian Tiera Oleary and hear what to expect from her stage performance.
5/24/202314 minutes, 44 seconds
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New Report Details The Extent Of Clergy Sex Abuse In Illinois

After a five-year investigation, the AG’s office released a 696-page report showing that the Catholic church failed to acknowledge hundreds of clerics and brothers who abused at least 1,997 across Illinois dioceses. Reset talks with Bob Herguth of the Chicago Sun-Times who has been covering the investigation for years and Larry Antonsen, an abuse survivor and leader of SNAP Chicago, Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests.
5/24/202318 minutes, 12 seconds
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How Hope Chicago Is Boosting College Enrollment Rates

Hope Chicago is a college-access nonprofit that launched in 2022 with the goal of getting more Black and brown students from the South and West sides into college. But, it doesn’t stop there. The group also wants to send parents to college too. Reset checks in with CEO Janice Jackson to learn more about the organization’s work and hopes for the future.
5/24/202316 minutes, 28 seconds
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Ready Or Not, Cicadas Are Coming To Chicago

Around the Chicago area, cicadas are starting to emerge, and you could see many, many more soon. Next year, the din will get even louder as 13-year and 17-year periodical cicadas come out of the ground. Reset checks in with Allen Lawrance of the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum in Chicago to learn everything there is to know about the fascinating insects.
5/23/202313 minutes, 23 seconds
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City Council Committee Fails To Aid Migrants During Surge

New reporting from Block Club Chicago shows that Chicago City Council’s Committee on Immigrant and Refugee Rights didn’t meet for more than a year as the city struggled with its migrant crisis. Reset checks in with Block Club’s Mick Dumke.
5/23/202315 minutes, 31 seconds
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Best Things To Do On Chicago’s Lake, Rivers This Summer

Ready for Summertime Chi? Lake Michigan and the Chicago River are fantastic ways to enjoy your Chicago summer. Reset hears about all the reasons to appreciate our lakefront and waterways and gets some aquatic inspiration to kick off our summer. We check in Marlon Harvey, commodore at the Jackson Park Yacht Club; Alex Surmach, vice president of the board of directors at Learn Scuba Chicago; and John Quail, director of conservation at Friends of the Chicago River.
5/23/202319 minutes, 29 seconds
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Illinois Lawmakers Go Into Overtime To Pass A Budget

Illinois lawmakers are back in the Capitol this week for an extended spring session after failing to agree on and pass a budget. For more on what the sticking points are and what else is on the agenda before the spring session wraps up, Reset gets a Springfield update from WBEZ statehouse reporter Alex Degman.
5/22/202314 minutes, 23 seconds
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Chicago Closed 50 Public Schools In 2013. Ten Years Later, Did The City Keep Its Promises?

When 50 Chicago Public Schools were closed a decade ago, then-Mayor Rahm Emanuel and district leaders promised students would be better off and that the buildings would be transformed into community assets. A new WBEZ and Chicago Sun-Times series takes a closer look at those promises and the long-term consequences on the city’s district, neighborhoods and families. Reset learns more from the team behind the series: Kate Grossman, WBEZ senior editor for education; Sarah Karp, WBEZ education reporter; Lauren FitzPatrick, Chicago Sun-Times investigative reporter; and Nader Issa, Chicago Sun-Times education reporter.
5/22/202343 minutes, 22 seconds
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How The Johnson Administration Can Prioritize The Arts

Chicago is home to a rich arts scene, but advocates say more can be done to support arts education, expand access to the arts and recognize that the arts can be a powerful economic engine for the city. Reset talks to Leslé Honoré, poet and CEO of Urban Gateways, Monica Trinidad, co-founder of For the People Artists Collective, Abby Pucker, founder of GERTIE, a Chicago arts wayfinding platform, about the ways the Johnson administration could lean into the arts. The trio are co-chairs of Johnson’s transition subcommittee on arts and culture.
5/22/202317 minutes, 1 second
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A Guide To Chicago’s Summer Farmers Markets

WBEZ is out with a new guide to 80 markets you can find in Chicago and the suburbs this summer, just in time for farmers market season. Reset learns more about where to find fresh produce, flowers and other extras at markets in the region with Julia Binswanger, WBEZ audio producer and curator, Veah Larde, market manager at Austin Town Hall City Market, and Liz Abunaw, founder and owner of Forty Acres Fresh Market.
5/20/202315 minutes, 14 seconds
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How Asian Americans Are Making Their Mark On Chicago’s Music Scene

It’s AAPI Heritage Month. Reset invited three Asian American artists in Chicago’s thriving music scene to talk about the AAPI’s community’s contribution to the arts. Sen Morimoto, Yna Pineda, and Stuti Sharma share their fave AAPI musicians in Chicago, discuss resources the city may be lacking and talk through how their heritage influences their craft.
5/19/202319 minutes, 56 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: May, 19, 2023

Brandon Johnson is inaugurated as Chicago’s new Mayor. Illinois lawmakers work to wrap up their spring session. Reset breaks down those stories and more with Alice Yin, politics reporter for the Chicago Tribune, Christian Farr, NBC-5 Chicago reporter, Angela Rozas O'Toole, WBEZ Politics & Government editor.
5/19/202344 minutes, 16 seconds
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First 12 Weeks: The Unique Challenges Of LGBTQ+ Parents

A new WBEZ project called First 12 Weeks chronicles the journeys of three new mothers. From isolation to breastfeeding to expectations, these mothers faced a lot in just the first few weeks postpartum. But, they also persevered through. In the final installment of the series, Reset discusses the challenges new LGBTQ+ parents face with Elly Fishman, reporter and WBEZ contributor and Dr. Liz Glassgow, executive director of Innovations to Improve Maternal Outcomes in Illinois and medical director of the UI Health Two-Generation Clinic
5/19/202312 minutes, 27 seconds
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Asian And Asian American Representation Is Growing

Asian Americans have been reported to be the fastest-growing racial group in the country. And this is also a time when AAPI representation in the media has been growing and celebrated with historic wins for films like Everything Everywhere All At Once. While more representation and visibility of AAPI folks is still needed, it begs the question of what’s next? Reset dives into a discussion with writer and fire performer, Michi Trota, and environmental justice fellow at the Grist, Siri Chilukuri, about the growth of representation for the Asian American Pacific Islander community, and what to do with more visibility.
5/18/202332 minutes, 56 seconds
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The Supreme Court Rejects Bid to Block Illinois Assault Weapon Ban

The saga continues for the Illinois assault weapons ban as the question of “Can I legally buy an assault rifle?” has a new answer for the third time this year. Reset hears from statehouse reporter for WBEZ, Mawa Iqbal, and Highland Park Survivor, Ashbey Beasley, on the latest.
5/18/202313 minutes, 57 seconds
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First 12 Weeks: Navigating Loneliness And Isolation

A new WBEZ project called First 12 Weeks chronicles the journeys of three new mothers. Today, we hear the story of Asel, a new mother and Kyrgistanian immigrant. Reset talks with reporter Elly Fishman and Annie Conquest, a certified nurse-midwife at Erie Family Health Centers.
5/18/202319 minutes, 21 seconds
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Creating Culturally Competent Care For Asian Amercians

Reset discusses the barriers and stigma Asian Americans face when it comes to both physical and mental health, and how groups are working to increase access to culturally-competent care They speak to a panel of experts featuring Heain Chung, director of direct services at KAN-WIN, Brandon Liu, licensed marriage and family therapist and Shobhana Johri Verma, executive director of South Asian American Policy and Research Institute.
5/17/202334 minutes, 16 seconds
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Why Do We Struggle To Hire Young People?

The pandemic affected employment in a massive way, but it especially affected young people. And not all young people have recovered or been able to make their way into the workforce. Between 2019-2021, the unemployment rate has almost doubled for Black women, from 32 to 59 percent. Reset learns why and what efforts there are to address these barriers with Matthew Wilson, Associate Professor of Economic & Workforce Development and UIC Great Cities Institute.
5/17/202328 minutes, 12 seconds
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First 12 Weeks: A New Mom Navigates Cross-Cultural Challenges

A new WBEZ project called First 12 Weeks chronicles the journeys of three new mothers. Today, we hear the story of Kristal from West Englewood. Reset talks with reporter Elly Fishman and Kristal’s caregiver Karie Stewart, a certified nurse-midwife in the department of obstetrics and gynecology at UI Health.
5/17/202316 minutes, 12 seconds
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How Mayor Johnson Will Address Mental Health

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has released plans for how he’ll tackle youth employment, crime and public safety, but he hasn’t said quite as much about how he’ll go about reopening shuttered mental health clinics, a pledge he made on the campaign trail and in his inaugural address. Reset learns more about that and the first four executive orders Johnson issued on his first day in office from Tessa Weinberg, WBEZ city government and politics reporter.
5/16/202314 minutes, 43 seconds
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Get To Know The Real, Radical Martin Luther King Jr.

During his life and since his assassination, Martin Luther King Jr. was and has been the face of the Civil Rights movement, but how much do you know about the man behind the myth? Reset talks with author Jonathan Eig about his biography King: A Life. It taps new material, including an unpublished memoir by King’s father and FBI surveillance tapes, to give a full, unflinching portrait of King.
5/16/202330 minutes, 52 seconds
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What Challenges Lie Ahead For Mayor Johnson?

Mayor Brandon Johnson has been inaugurated. Listen to his address in full in today’s other episode. For some analysis, we talked to Northwestern University professor Jaime Dominguez, WBEZ city politics reporter Mariah Woelfel, WBEZ data projects editor Alden Loury, and Connie Mixon, a professor of political science at Elmhurst University.
5/15/202321 minutes, 58 seconds
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Mayor Johnson’s Inauguration Address

The city of Chicago has a new Mayor. In his inaugural address, Mayor Brandon Johnson spoke about his upbringing and humble beginnings, key moments in Chicago history and his hope and pride in Chicago. Here’s Mayor Johnson’s full address. Check out our analysis in another episode out today.
5/15/202342 minutes, 10 seconds
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A New Cookbook On How To Make The Most Out Of Your Fruits

James Beard-Nominated Chef Abra Berens focuses her latest cookbook, Pulp: A Practical Guide to Cooking with Fruit, on varieties grown along the “Fruit Belt” along Lake Michigan. Reset learns more on how Berens cooks her favorites into sweet and savory treats.
5/15/202314 minutes, 24 seconds
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Chicago bakers face off on ‘The Great American Baking Show’

Britain’s popular and wholesome baking competition returns stateside with its spin-off “The Great American Baking Show.” And this season, Chicago is well represented, with three local residents heading to the English countryside and competing to best impress judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith. The Chicago contestants Martin Sorge, Sarah Chang and Nirali Chauan, join Reset for more on competing in the famous bake-off tent, the terror of the technical challenges and the friendships made along the way.
5/13/202314 minutes, 40 seconds
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MC Omar Offendum’s Show Pays Tribute to Chicago’s Arab History

In his show “Little Syria,” MC and rapper Omar Offendum explores the forgotten history of Syrian Americans in Manhattan. Offendum will be performing Friday and Saturday night at the Old Town School of Folk Music, along with DJ Thanks Joey and Chicago-born multi-instrumentalist Ronnie Malley. And for their Chicago show, Offendum will pay homage to the city’s rich history of Arab American communities. Reset sits down with the three artists to talk about weaving both different languages and genres in his music.
5/12/202324 minutes, 3 seconds
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WBEZ Weekly News Recap, May 12, 2023

Chicago braces for possibility of more migrants arriving from Texas as pandemic border restrictions are lifted. Brandon Johnson prepares for his inauguration as Chicago’s next Mayor. Reset goes behind the headlines with Rummana Hussain, Chicago Sun-Times.editorial board member and columnist, Amanda Vinicky, WTTW political correspondent and Dan Petrella, Chicago Tribune state government reporter.
5/12/202345 minutes, 48 seconds
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Keep Your Eyes Peeled For These Upcoming Summer Films

Summer is just around the corner, and whether you prefer a bucket of popcorn at a movie theater or kicking back on the couch at home, there are a ton of movies making their debut in the coming months. And according to Chicago movie critic Richard Roeper, there are 15 films we should add to our watch list. Reset gets a preview of summer 2023’s movies to watch with Richard Roeper, entertainment columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times.
5/12/202322 minutes, 31 seconds
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Nicole Chung On ‘Grieving Under Capitalism’

Several years after publishing a riveting memoir about her adoption story, Nicole Chung returns with a new book on grief, forgiveness and capitalism. Reset talks to the bestselling author about navigating her guilt and anger over her parents’ deaths, and how she couldn’t tell her family’s story without confronting broken systems in the United States.
5/11/202319 minutes, 37 seconds
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Chicago Declares A State Of Emergency Over Migrant Crisis

On Tuesday, outgoing mayor Lori Lightfoot declared a state of emergency regarding the influx of migrants into Chicago. The declaration comes as Title 42 is set to expire today, which allowed for the immediate expulsion of migrants who crossed the U.S, Mexican border. Reset gets an update from Elvia Malagón, social justice and wage gap reporter at the Chicago Sun-Times, about the asylum seekers arriving in Chicago and what the city plans to do next. They also talk to Helena Olea, associate director of programs at Alianza Americas about how migrants are faring.
5/11/202315 minutes, 37 seconds
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What Lies Ahead For Chicago’s Incoming City Council

Chicago’s ushering in a new City Council next week, and its members are younger, more progressive and more diverse than any previous council in the city’s history. Reset heard from Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa of the 35th Ward about this historic group.
5/11/202317 minutes, 14 seconds
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How The Jazz Institute Is Fostering Next-gen Jazz Improvisers

The Jazz Institute of Chicago is cultivating the next generation of musicians. The Institute provides opportunities for middle and high school students to learn improvisations on jazz standards alongside experienced musicians. Reset talked with three participating students — Brandon Harper, Zach Bezirgan and Oscar Evely — as well as the Institute’s executive director, Heather Ireland Robinson, about the institute's teaching philosophy.
5/10/202326 minutes, 35 seconds
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How To Save For Retirement At Any Age

A new survey found that more and more working Americans say they don’t feel confident they’ll have enough money to live comfortably when they retire. And nearly half of all Baby Boomers report having no money saved for retirement. Reset turns to Christine Benz, a personal finance and retirement planning expert, for advice.
5/10/202324 minutes, 52 seconds
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Illinois Schools Have A Lead Problem

A recent Chicago Tribune investigation found that lead is showing up in the water at public schools all across the state. Reset learns more about the findings and the impact lead can have on kids from Emily Hoerner, Chicago Tribune investigative data reporter.
5/10/202310 minutes, 55 seconds
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Kanye West’s Rise And Fall From Grace

Season five of WBEZ’s Making podcast brings you the origin stories of some of the world’s biggest leaders and game changers. The latest installment begins with a two-part exploration into the making and “unmaking” of Chicago’s Kanye West, now known as Ye. Reset chats with Making host Brandon Pope.
5/9/202316 minutes, 43 seconds
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Mayor Lori Lightfoot Says Farewell To City Hall

Monday, May 8 marked the start of Mayor Lightfoot’s final week as mayor of Chicago, and she delivered a goodbye address. Reset hears what she said and reviews her tenure with Tessa Weinberg and Mariah Woelfel, WBEZ city government and politics reporters.
5/9/202317 minutes, 32 seconds
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Bears Take Key Step Toward Demolition Of Arlington Racecourse

The Chicago Bears are one step closer to moving away from Soldier Field to northwest suburban Arlington Heights. The team filed paperwork Wednesday to begin the demolition of the Arlington International Racecourse, which sits on the site of their proposed new stadium. Reset gets the latest details on the team’s next steps from WBEZ sports contributor Cheryl Raye-Stout. The Chicago Bears are one step closer to moving away from Soldier Field to northwest suburban Arlington Heights. The team filed paperwork Wednesday to begin the demolition of the Arlington International Racecourse, which sits on the site of their proposed new stadium. Reset gets the latest details on the team’s next steps from WBEZ sports contributor Cheryl Raye-Stout. Get Reset in your inbox every morning by signing up for our newsletter.
5/9/202313 minutes, 18 seconds
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Chicago’s Contributions To Country And Folk Music

While Nashville often gets the credit for being the home of country music, Chicago has played an important role in the genre’s history since the very beginning. In his new book, Country & Midwestern: Chicago in the History of Country Music and the Folk Revival, author Mark Guarino celebrates the artists, venues, and organizers who made up the vibrant folk and country scene throughout the city. Reset talks to the author and musicians Robbie Fulks and Jane Baxter Miller, who were part of the scene in the ’80s and ’90s
5/8/202335 minutes, 51 seconds
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Car Insurance Rates Are About to Increase

The state’s historical relationship of being hands-off with regulating car insurers is leading to potential negative outcomes for consumers. Reset learns the details from Chicago Sun-Times reporter Stephanie Zimmerman and hears from State Rep. Will Guzzardi who wants to pass legislation to combat the potential rate hikes.
5/8/202315 minutes
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Stalled Trains In Hammond, Indiana, Are Putting People In Danger

Stalled trains and blocked railroad crossings are normal in communities like Hammond, Ind. This has been an issue in the city for decades, but it’s getting worse and putting children in danger. Reset talks to Sterman, national investigative reporter for InvestigateTV and Mike Hull, president of Hammond Local 556, to find out why this is a persistent problem from. They also hear from Hammon Community members Carlotta Blake King and Akicia Henderson about what solutions they’d like to see.
5/8/202319 minutes, 13 seconds
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Friko Performs Live And Opens Up About Recent Success

With a South by Southwest debut, and Bonnaroo in their future, it’s safe to say local indie-trio Friko are blowing up. The band joins Reset in the WBEZ’s performance studio to play a LIVE set and chat about putting a song together, their friends in the scene, and plans for the future.
5/6/202337 minutes, 26 seconds
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WBEZ Weekly News Recap, May 5, 2023

Police stations, park district buildings, closed schools being used to house migrants, as more arrive on buses from Texas. Mayor-Elect Johnson chooses an interim police superintendent. Reset goes behind the headlines on the Weekly News Recap with Mike Lowe, reporter for WGN TV News, David Greising, president of the Better Government Association and Ray Long, Chicago Tribune investigative reporter and author of The House That Madigan Built: The Record Run of Illinois’ Velvet Hammer
5/5/202345 minutes, 4 seconds
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Why Aren’t All Neighborhoods ‘Walkable’?

Is your neighborhood or town walkable? When Reset asked that question on Twitter, most people said yes — with room for improvement. Plus, a recent report shows that the demand for walkable neighborhoods far outstrips the supply. That, combined with today’s housing crisis, emphasizes the need for more mixed-income and well-connected real estate. Reset digs into what makes communities walkable, with Courtney Cobbs, co-founder of Better Streets Chicago, Sam Kling, a fellow and director of global cities research at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and Jose Manuel Almanza, director of advocacy and movement building for Equiticity
5/5/202334 minutes, 46 seconds
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What It Can Mean To Finish School As An Older Adult

From finishing up a degree, going for the first time, or pursuing a different career, going back to school as an adult can look so different from person to person. Whatever the reason, going back to school later in life presents opportunities and challenges. It can also be intimidating. Reset hears from non-traditional students about what going back to school was like and the impact it’s had on their lives. We also learn about programming that creatively meets the needs of adult students.
5/5/202332 minutes, 55 seconds
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Chicago Dream-Pop Duo OK Cool Release Their New EP

At a breezy 17 minutes: fawn, the new EP from Chicago band OK Cool, explores big topics in a precise yet carefree way. When asked about the band's name, bassist Haley Blomquist says “...it fits the lack of seriousness I feel like we have.” Haley and Bridget Stiebris, creative partners behind OK Cool, join Reset to talk stop-motion music videos, musical inspirations, and their EP release show this evening at Schubas Tavern.
5/4/202319 minutes, 9 seconds
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Chicago Is Running Out Of Resources, Shelter For Asylum Seekers

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott says he will continue to bus more migrants to sanctuary cities like Chicago over the next few weeks. But the city is already struggling to find shelter and resources for more than 8,000 migrants who’ve arrived in Chicago since August. Reset talks to Sun-Times reporter, Elvia Malagón, and WBEZ reporter, Mike Puente, about the conditions asylum seekers are facing.
5/4/202315 minutes, 2 seconds
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Media Representation Of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders

New research from Nielsen shows that Asian American, Native Hawaiin and Pacific Islander audiences watch more streaming content than the general population. But how well are these communities represented on screen? Reset digs into the report with Patricia Ratulangi, vice president of global communications for diversity, equity and inclusion at Nielsen.
5/4/202312 minutes, 46 seconds
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Chicago’s Willis Tower Turns 50

The Chicago skyline’s tallest member is celebrating a major birthday. Reset hears from Randy Stancik, General Manager of SkyDeck Chicago at Willis Tower and Dennis Rodkin, reporter for Crain’s Chicago Business about the significance of the 50th anniversary.
5/3/202315 minutes, 48 seconds
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What The ComEd Verdict Means For Michael Madigan

On Tuesday, 12 jurors handed down a guilty verdict to the four defendants in the ComEd bribery trial. Though a big win for the prosecutors, the fight is long from over as the case will likely head to Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals. Reset hears the latest from a WBEZ political reporter, Dave McKinney, and what’s next for the defendants and former House Speaker Michael Maddigan, who is set to begin his trial on April 1, 2024.
5/3/202312 minutes, 25 seconds
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Chicago’s Greyhound Bus Station Is At A Crossroads

Real estate investor Twenty Lake Holdings bought the land Chicago’s Greyhound station is situated on last year and plans to turn the plot into residential developments. If the station were to close, Chicago would become the largest metropolitan area without an inter-city bus terminal. Reset discussed the implications of a closure or relocation on riders with Lee Bey, Chicago Sun-Times editorial board member and architecture critic.
5/3/202310 minutes, 29 seconds
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Meet The New Head Of Little Village’s Chamber of Commerce

The two mile stretch of shopping along 26th street in Little Village is the second-highest-tax-revenue generating shopping district in the city of Chicago. Jennifer Aguilar, a former member of the group’s board, will lead the organization that supports Mexican and bilingual businesses across Chicago. Reset sat down with her to find out her top priorities in her new role.
5/2/202310 minutes, 34 seconds
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Federal Judge Blocks Illinois Assault Weapon Ban

After the Northern District refused several lawsuits attempting to block the ban, a Southern District judge has ruled in favor of allowing assault weapons across the state. The ruling comes in the midst of a flurry of lawsuits and legislation following the Highland Park shooting. Reset checks in with WBEZ statehouse reporter Mawa Iqbal.
5/2/20239 minutes, 30 seconds
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What Will Chicago’s New Mayor Do First?

Brandon Johnson will be inaugurated as Chicago’s 57th mayor on May 15. Reset talks with Emma Tai, one of the co-chairs of the overall team, about how the work of planning the next administration is coming together.
5/2/202312 minutes, 2 seconds
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Introducing ‘The Democracy Solutions Project’

In what ways is democracy under threat in the United States? And how do we strengthen our union? Those are two of the key questions posed in a new series of reports, editorials, podcasts and radio segments from WBEZ and the Sun-Times called “The Democracy Solutions Project,” which will run through the 2024 presidential election. The project is a partnership between Chicago Public Media and the University of Chicago’s Center for Effective Government at the Harris School of Public Policy. To kick off the project, Reset sits down with the center’s director Will Howell.
5/1/202315 minutes, 41 seconds
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Chicago To Texas: Stop Sending Migrants, We Are Tapped Out

Mayor Lightfoot is sounding the alarm as Texas Gov. Greg Abbott prepares to bus more migrants to Chicago starting Monday. Recently arrived asylum seekers, including children, are sleeping on the floor of police stations as the city and aid organizations struggle to provide housing and services to an increasing number of migrants arriving from Central and South America. Reset checks in with Laura Mendoza, immigration organizer with The Resurrection Project, and Mario Garcia, executive director of Onward Neighborhood House — two groups working on the ground to help migrants in Chicago.
5/1/202314 minutes, 55 seconds
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How Laundry Is Polluting The World’s Oceans And Lakes

The frequency with which we buy new clothes, wash and care for them and design clothes all contribute to this problem. But many environmental advocates say that the greatest responsibility of addressing this pollution is on manufacturers, not individuals, and that finding ways to design and manufacture clothes without petrochemicals is what’s needed. Reset learns about the scope of this problem, the way microplastics harm aquatic and human life and what can be done about it with Andrea Densham, senior strategic advisor with Alliance for the Great Lakes and Karen Weigert, director of Loyola University Chicago’s Baumhart Center for Social Enterprise and Responsibility
5/1/202321 minutes
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Chance The Rapper’s ‘Acid Rap’ Mixtape Is Turning 10

Chance the Rapper’s mixtape Acid Rap turns 10 this week, and the independent Chicago rapper is celebrating this major milestone with a concert at the United Center on Aug. 19. Reset hears from one of his early-career mentors, Ayana Contreras, content director of Vocalo, about his music and career.
4/29/202316 minutes, 49 seconds
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The Power Of Books To Change Minds

New data from the American Library Association show attempted book bans are at its highest since the organization began collecting data more than 20 years ago. In 2022, there were more than 1,200 reported attempts to ban library books and resources. During National Library Week, Reset catches up with Tracie D. Hall, executive director of the American Library Association, to learn more about why book challenges are on the rise and what made the ALA’s list of the most challenged books.
4/28/202316 minutes, 20 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: April 28, 2023

Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx announces she’s not running for a third term. Plus, Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson picks more members of his transition team. Reset goes behind the headlines of these stories and more with Alex Nitkin, reporter with the Illinois Answers Project for the Better Government Association, Heather Cherone, Chicago politics reporter for WTTW, and Kimberley Egonmwan, commentator for WVON and attorney.
4/28/202346 minutes, 18 seconds
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Have We Been Teaching Reading All Wrong?

Only one in four third graders in Illinois can read at grade level, a gap that has only widened since the COVID-19 pandemic. To address this disparity in literacy, the Illinois State Board of Education is seeking to overhaul the way reading is taught by the state, and lawmakers want to give them a deadline to do it. Reset hears the latest on the proposed changes from Cassie Walker Burke, WBEZ editor.
4/28/202316 minutes, 23 seconds
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A New Bill Seeks To Promote Native American History

Chicago is home to many federally recognized Native American tribes, including the Potawatomi. However, the guidance for teaching Native American history is based on pre-1900 standards. Reset hears from Susie An, WBEZ education reporter, who has been following the issue and Andrew Johnson, board member of the Chicago American Indian Community Collaborative, about how to improve education and how this relates to the fight for native land.
4/27/202317 minutes, 46 seconds
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More Women Are Choosing Not To Have Children, But It’s Not A New Phenomenon

In her new book Without Children: The Long History of Not Being a Mother, University of Chicago gender historian Peggy O’Donnell Heffington investigates the biggest reasons women have given for not having children and the impact it has on society today. Reset talks with the author.
4/27/202328 minutes, 49 seconds
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Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx’s Legacy

Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx has decided not to run for a third term, leaving the seat up for grabs next fall. Kim Foxx made history in 2016 when she became the first Black woman to be elected Cook County State’s Attorney. The progressive prosecutor announced Tuesday she won’t seek another term. Reset discusses what’s next for Foxx and the country’s second-largest prosecutor's office with WBEZ criminal justice reporter Patrick Smith.
4/27/202315 minutes, 50 seconds
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What Could Downtown’s New 20-Year Plan Look Like?

Chicago leaders are working on a new vision for downtown development over the next two decades and will kick off their planning process with a public webinar Thursday. What does the updated plan mean for the Loop’s future? We’ll get background from a reporter and hear from community members on what the city should prioritize.
4/26/202329 minutes, 31 seconds
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Meet Chicago’s First-Ever Poet Laureate

Chicago’s first-ever poet laureate is avery r. young — an award-winning composer, teacher, visual artist and producer. young believes poetry is all around us, and that our earliest exposure comes from learning something as simple as the cadence of the alphabet. In his new role, he’ll act as an ambassador for poetry in Chicago, and create new public programming for young people and students. Reset sat down with the poet to hear more.
4/26/202318 minutes, 3 seconds
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Men Dying Much Earlier Than Women In The U.S.

In 2021, the U.S. life expectancy was about 73 years for men and about 79 years for women – the biggest gap in a quarter-century. Boys and men at every age are at higher risk of death than girls and women, according to the CDC. Some people point to biological factors — like high levels of testosterone weakening the immune system — while others point to social factors such as masculinity and a lack of support. Reset discusses what’s behind the growing longevity gap between men and women, and what can be done to improve physical and mental health outcomes among men. We talked to Dr. Omer Raheem from the University of Chicago, Dr. Sam Wainwright from UI Health, Todd Adams, executive director of MenLiving and Erik Treese and Mervin Colin Canham from the ManKind Project.
4/26/202331 minutes, 32 seconds
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How To Understand College Financial Aid

Financial aid letters aren’t federally regulated and can vary wildly from college to college. Most high school seniors across the country must decide where to go to college in the fall by May 1. Money can play a big role in which school they pick, and that can be challenging if you don’t have a good grasp of what your financial aid package offers. Reset learns more about how to understand those award letters from WBEZ higher education reporter Lisa Philip.
4/25/202315 minutes, 53 seconds
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Creating Spiritual Healing For Trauma Survivors

The Chicago-based nonprofit Surviving the Mic is led by, and serves, Black and brown femme survivors of sexual harm. After years of being volunteer-run, it’s now a nonprofit — allowing the group to reimagine how a healing art space can also function as a spiritual, church-like community. The group will begin hosting so-called Survivor’s Revivals on Sundays featuring poetry, storytelling and meditation. Reset learned more about the group and how its members are creating a space for survivors of sexual violence to heal. We spoke to executive directors Niiki Patin, Mojdeh Stoakley and Saunté Harden-Tate.
4/25/202331 minutes, 37 seconds
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How Can We Address Xylazine Usage And The Opioid Crisis?

Public health and drug enforcement officials are raising alarms about a veterinary tranquilizer known as Xylazine. Reset hears from Matt Kiefer, digital editor for WBEZ, and Dr. David A. Ansell, Professor of Medicine at Rush University Medical Center, about how substance is impacting the opioid epidemic and what health and community organizers are doing to address it. Then they talk to Lindsay Allen, health economist, assistant professor in Northwest, and Vauna Hernandez, executive director of Phoenix House, about how expanding medicaid for residential treatment centers could help the opioid crisis.
4/25/202333 minutes, 35 seconds
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SCOTUS Allows Access To Abortion Pill, What Comes Next?

On Friday, the Supreme Court ruled to allow continued access to the drug Mifepristone by sending it back to the courts. Reset gets the latest on the case what it means for reproductive care access with Kristen Schorsch, health and county government reporter with WBEZ and Megan Jeyifo executive director Chicago Abortion Fund
4/24/202314 minutes, 8 seconds
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Chicagoland Is A Rails-To-Trails Hotbed

From the Green Bay Trail to the Illinois Prairie Path to the 606 to the I&M Canal Trail, the Chicago area has a lot of beautiful trails to cycle on that were once train lines or canal paths. And more are in the works. Reset learns more about existing trails with Christine Hubert, Joliet resident, volunteer for Ride Illinois, and Alan Cubbage, president of the Evanston Bike Club, member of the National Rails to Trails organization.
4/24/202318 minutes, 7 seconds
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Hyde Park’s Promontory Point Is Now A Historic Landmark

The Chicago City Council unanimously voted Wednesday to designate Promontory Park, a longstanding staple in the Hyde Park area, an official city landmark. Reset talks with Alderman-elect Desmon Yancy, 5th Ward and Ward Miller, executive director of Preservation Chicago, to learn more about the lengthy process to make this happen and what the designation means for the city and its residents.
4/24/202313 minutes, 46 seconds
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Isabel Olive Connects With Her Roots in Half Gringa’s New EP ‘Ancestral Home’

Chicago band Half Gringa’s new EP contains a unique blend of alt-country rhythm, folk-inspired vocals and a dash of crunchy distorted guitars. Reset discusses ancestors, musical inspirations and coping with loss through music.
4/22/202322 minutes, 26 seconds
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Chef Rodolfo Cuadros Wants To Expand Plant-Based Options In Chicago

Research has shown cutting down or cutting meat out of your diet is one way to be kind to our planet. To celebrate Earth Day this weekend, Reset learns more about what inspired one James Beard Award-nominated chef, Rodolfo Cuadros, to open his third restaurant that serves Mexican vegan food.
4/21/202312 minutes, 59 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: April 21, 2023

Alderman Ed Burke gives his final speech on the floor of the City Council. Meanwhile, a judge upholds Illinois’ assault weapons ban. Reset goes behind the week’s headlines with Monica Eng, Chicago reporter for AXIOS, Carrie Shepherd, lead producer of daily podcast and newsletter City Cast Chicago, and Patrick Smith, criminal justice reporter, WBEZ.
4/21/202344 minutes, 55 seconds
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What Programs Are There For Chicago’s Youth?

Twice over the weekend, large gatherings of young people turned violent — leaving three teens shot. This reignited a conversation about where teens should gather, what kinds of structure and support they need, and how to create safe spaces for teens to hang out especially in the warmer months.Reset checks in with Eric Davis, executive director of The BASE Chicago and Melissa Mister, Chief of Strategy and Staff, After School Matters, about the youth programming they provide and hears Carvell Anderson, After School Matters alum, about his experience being involved in after-school program
4/21/202323 minutes, 43 seconds
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Illinois Legalized Marijuana 3 Years Ago, How’s It Going?

Reset gets an update on how the cannabis industry from Edie Moore, National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws Chicago chapter, Akilah Easter, dean of the urban agriculture department at Olive-Harvey College, and Melissa Picciola, director of pro bono and community partnerships at Chicago Legal Aid, to find out how its changed and evolved in the last three years, and where promises fell short when it came to clearing public records.
4/20/202320 minutes
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Supreme Court Set To Rule On Abortion Pill Access By Friday

The high court is expected to drop its opinion deciding two conflicting federal rulings questioning FDA approval of mifepristone, a drug commonly used for abortions. Reset digs into when justices will drop that decision and how it could impact abortion access across the country with Steven Schwinn, Professor at University of Illinois Chicago Law School.
4/20/202314 minutes, 49 seconds
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President Biden Wants To Expand Child Care Access. Is It Enough?

Providing childcare can be expensive. In fact, parents in Cook County with young children are spending about 20 percent of their income on, according to a recent report. Reset hears from Kaya Jackson, a local childcare provider in Chicago, who plans to bring her concerns to legislators in D.C.
4/20/202313 minutes, 3 seconds
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‘Redefine The Drive’ Aims To Revamp DuSable LSD On The North Side

The Illinois and Chicago Departments of Transportation launched their “Redefine The Drive” study in 2013. This spring and fall there will be more public hearings where people can weigh in on the latest plans. Reset talks with transportation experts Joseph Schwieterman, professor of public policy at DePaul University, Sam Kling, director of Global Cities research at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, and MarySue Barrett, former president of the Metropolitan Planning Council, about the plans that exist so far.
4/19/202329 minutes, 1 second
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WBEZ Investigation Reveals Health Disparities In Prisons

Nearly half of medical positions inside Illinois Prisons are unfilled, according to a recent WBEZ story looking at these realities of an aging incarcerated population. Reset speaks to criminal justice reporter, Shannon Heffernan, to learn more.
4/19/20238 minutes, 49 seconds
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Why Are Prescription Drug Prices So Damn High?

Americans spend roughly $1,300 every year on prescription drugs. The Kaiser Family Foundation found that cost leads people to not fill prescriptions, skip doses or cut their pills in half to ration the medicine. Reset learns why drug prices are so high, and offers recommendations on how to navigate options for lowering the amount you pay monthly.
4/18/202330 minutes, 22 seconds
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The Fight Over Gender-Affirming Care

Lawmakers across the country have proposed over 100 pieces of legislation related to banning health care options for LGBTQ people. Indiana and Idaho are the latest states to pass bills that limit access to gender-affirming care for minors. Reset digs into why this care has become a target for GOP lawmakers with Lauren Chapman, digital editor for Indiana Public Broadcasting and Nora Huppert, staff attorney at Lambda Legal, and hears the personal story of a transgender woman living in Indiana.
4/18/202334 minutes, 59 seconds
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The Biden Administration Is Making EVs Mandatory

Last week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced its most stringent rules to date on tailpipe emissions. The agency believes these rules could reduce CO2 emissions by 7.3 billion tons through 2055 and could result in 67% of vehicles being electric by 2032. Reset talks to Dany Robles from the Illinois Environmental Council, Brian Urbaszewski from the Respiratory Health Association, and Larissa Koehler from the Environmental Defense Fund about what impact the rules could have on the climate and public health.
4/18/202319 minutes, 33 seconds
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Chicago Needs More Third Spaces For Teens

A large gathering in the Loop over the weekend turned violent, leaving two teenagers shot and more than a dozen people arrested. Reset checks in with Kara Crutcher from Good Kids Mad City to hear how city officials are responding, and what solutions are on the table to prevent further violence among young people.
4/17/202314 minutes, 30 seconds
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There’s Still A Lot We Don’t Know About Ozempic

Some are hailing the diabetes medication Ozempic as a miracle drug, while others claim its weight loss side effects perpetuate disordered eating. And as the drug continues to make headlines, it’s becoming harder to access for people who need it to manage their diabetes. Reset talked to Dr. Disha Narang, an endocrinologist at Northwestern Medicine, and Dr. Kim Dennis, a psychiatrist at SunCloud Health, to discuss the mental, physical and ethical implications of Ozempic.
4/17/202329 minutes, 42 seconds
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Illinois Schools Are Getting Fake Calls About Active Shooters During SATs

Responders have not identified actual threats as a result of these fake active shooter reports. But Illinois State Police say these so-called “swatting” incidents are targeting schools throughout the U.S. Reset digs into why these threats are happening and how schools are responding with Sophie Sherry, Chicago Sun-Times reporter.
4/17/202310 minutes, 30 seconds
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Angel Bat Dawid’s Funeral for Jazz

The Chicago musician Angel Bat Dawid draws parallels between Mozart and the ’60s documentary “The Cry of Jazz” in her latest album, Requiem for Jazz. Angel joins Reset to talk about the new album, her hopes for future Black musicians, and her early days learning the clarinet.
4/15/202324 minutes, 14 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: April 14, 2023

Chicago gets the DNC, staff at local universities continue to strike, and workers at the Museum of Science and Industry vote to unionize. Reset breaks down these stories and much more with Alice Yin, politics reporter for the Chicago Tribune, David Greising, president and CEO of Better Government Association, and Dave McKinney, WBEZ state politics reporter.
4/14/202344 minutes, 8 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: April 14, 2023

Chicago gets the DNC, staff at local universities continue to strike, and workers at the Museum of Science and Industry vote to unionize. Reset breaks down these stories and much more with Alice Yin, politics reporter for the Chicago Tribune, David Greising, president and CEO of Better Government Association, and Dave McKinney, WBEZ state politics reporter.
4/14/202345 minutes, 25 seconds
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New Book ‘Made In Chicago’ Is By Foodies, For Foodies

The city is a food writer’s delicious playground, and a new guide book aims to point you to all the best dishes created in the city. Reset learns about the origin stories that started them all with Monica Eng, author of Made in Chicago and Chicago reporter for AXIOS and David Hammond, author of Made in Chicago and Chicago food writer
4/14/202314 minutes, 33 seconds
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The Search Is On For A New CPD Superintendent

Chicago residents weighed in on what they want in the city’s next police chief at a town hall meeting Tuesday night. The next meeting is set for April 19 at St. Sabina Church in Auburn Gresham on the South Side. Reset hears from leaders of Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability, Anthony Driver and Remel Terry, about the progress in their search.
4/14/202316 minutes, 41 seconds
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Five Tracks You Need On Your Playlist This April

Vocalo’s Stephen Bekoe stops by Reset to share the top five tracks he’s spinning this month.
4/13/202311 minutes, 4 seconds
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How To Love New Clothes And The Planet

Fast fashion stresses water supply, leaches chemicals into the environment and requires diesel and gasoline to transport the goods. Reset learns about the problem with Karen Weigert, director of Loyola University Chicago’s Baumhart Center for Social Enterprise and Responsibility. Sasha-Ann Simons also sits down with fiber artist and teacher Kristine Brandel, and Katherine Bissell Cordova, executive director of Chicago Fair Trade, about how to reuse clothes in creative ways to keep them from heading to the landfill.
4/13/202331 minutes, 44 seconds
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Future Of Mifepristone And Abortion Access In Illinois

U.S. district court judge Matthew Kacsmaryk ruled a ban on the Food and Drug Administration’s approval of medical abortion pill mifepristone. Since then, the Biden administration has urged the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals to keep the drug available to Americans as litigation continues. Reset breaks down what’s happening nationwide and locally with Lee Hasselbacher, director of the University of Chicago’s Center for Interdisciplinary Inquiry and Innovation in Sexual and Reproductive Health, Illinois Democratic Representative Kelly Cassidy of Chicago, and Jennifer Welch, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Illinois
4/13/202330 minutes, 36 seconds
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Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson’s Public Safety Promises And Challenges

Reset digs into the five ways Mayor Elect Brandon Johnson plans to improve public safety in Chicago with WBEZ criminal justice reporters Chip Mitchell and Patrick Smith.
4/12/202315 minutes, 13 seconds
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How The Carbon Dioxide Pipeline Planned For Illinois Would Work

Thanks to its unique geology, companies are eyeing Illinois to be the terminus of carbon dioxide pipelines that send liquid CO2 long distances to be stored deep underground so the gas does not need to be released into the atmosphere. Reset talks to Chicago Tribune reporter Nara Schoenberg about how the technology works and what people from downstate Illinois have to say about the greenhouse gas being stored in Illinois sandstone.
4/12/202311 minutes, 18 seconds
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You Don’t Have To Be Rich To Collect Art

Do you have to be wealthy and knowledgeable about everything there is to know about art to be a collector? Not according to Chicago artist Patric McCoy. In our Chicago Innovator series, we get to know the people shaking up the city. In this installment, Reset talked to McCoy about his journey to embracing the term “art collector,” and about his new exhibit, which chronicles Black gay culture in the 80s.
4/12/202313 minutes, 19 seconds
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Why Does It Take Four Years For a Murder Case To Go To Trial?

An investigation from the Chicago Tribune shows how a cascade of failures within the Cook County criminal justice system leads most murder cases to take four years to go to trial, with some lasting up to or more than a decade. Reset talks with journalists Megan Crepau and Joe Mahr, who reported “Stalled Justice,” and with Shapearl Wells, a Chicago woman who’s still seeking justice in her son’s death.
4/11/202318 minutes, 6 seconds
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How Do You Support Your Fave Artists When Streaming Doesn’t?

Independent artists have it harder than ever and big streaming platforms pay less than a penny per listen. So how can you give back to the person behind that song you have on repeat? Reset learns more about finding new artists and supporting them outside of the streaming platforms. We spoke to Sen Morimoto, musician and co-owner of Sooper Records, Shane Bradley, AKA DJ Moonlanding, Marketing Director at Audiotree Music, and Stephen Bekoe, a host at our sister station Vocalo.
4/11/202321 minutes, 46 seconds
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How A Little ‘Cultural Competency’ Could Improve Your Next Doctor’s Visit

There are a lot of long-standing disparities in healthcare, from unequal allocation of resources to a lack of diverse representation of providers. Reset spoke to Neelam Dhadankar, a healthcare policy analyst at Access Living, and Myles Brady Davis, the communications director at Equality Illinois, about how mandated cultural competency courses for medical professionals could solve some of these inequities.
4/11/202315 minutes, 32 seconds
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For Your Health, Go Hug Your Dog

Because science says so! In honor of National Hug Your Dog Day, Reset sits down with Mark Lukas, a volunteer at PAWS, and his own pup, to find out more about the bond between dog and man.
4/10/202315 minutes, 53 seconds
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Here’s Why Public Universities Are Striking In Illinois

Public university professors across Illinois are fed up, with faculty from Chicago State University and Eastern Illinois University already on strike, and staff at Governor’s State University set to strike on Tuesday. Reset learns more about what’s driving faculty at public universities in Illinois and across the country to hit the picket line. Reset checks in with WBEZ higher education reporter Lisa Philip and Valerie Goss, CSU faculty union president.
4/10/202317 minutes, 34 seconds
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A Conversation With Chicago’s New City Council Members

Chicago’s new City Council will be more progressive, more diverse and younger than it’s been in years past when new members are sworn in May 15. Reset sits down with 11th Ward Ald. Nicole Lee and 46th Ward Ald. Angela Clay to discuss the importance of representation at City Hall, their top priorities when they take office and their plans for working with mayor-elect Brandon Johnson.
4/10/202317 minutes, 17 seconds
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Chicago Innovators: Black-Owned Beauty And Hair Care Brands In The City

Reset talks to Simone and Jory Luster of Luster Products, one of the biggest Black-owned hair care manufacturers in the world. We also talk to Leslie Roberson, CEO and founder of the Black Beauty Collective, a new black-owned beauty supplier in Hyde Park.
4/8/202317 minutes, 31 seconds
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What's That Building? Lutheran And McCormick Schools Of Theology

The Lutheran School of Theology has been a modernist mainstay in Hyde Park since 1967. Now the school along with its neighbor, McCormick Theological Seminary, has been purchased by the University of Chicago. Reset talks to architecture sleuth Dennis Rodkin to learn about the history of the buildings and how they’ll be incorporated into the UChicago campus.
4/7/202311 minutes, 45 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: April 7, 2023

Chicago gets a new mayor. The trial of ComEd lobbyists continues. Two firefighters die in the line of duty within two days. Protesters postpone the opening of an Englewood grocery store. Reset breaks down these stories and much more with Wall Street Journal reporter Ben Kesling, Block Club Chicago investigative editor and reporter Mick Dumke and WBEZ data projects editor Alden Loury.
4/7/202345 minutes, 25 seconds
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A New Book Weaves The Narratives Of Two Chicago Bosses

David Barksdale and Mayor Richard J. Daley are names you might not put together. But scholar Lance Williams does just that in his new book, King David and Boss Daley: The Black Disciples, Mayor Daley and Chicago on the Edge. Williams argues that amid urban renewal in the city two men ruled their respective Black and Irish neighborhoods with an iron fist. Reset talks to Lance Williams to learn the story.
4/7/202318 minutes, 48 seconds
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Meet Chicago’s own ‘Estate Sale Goddess’

When the owners of a local vintage and antique store opened shop in 2009, they weren’t expecting people to also come to them with questions about estate liquidation. That’s when their store morphed into the Estate Sale Goddess. Reset chats with Lynn and Ty McDaniel to learn more about what it takes to run their business and what people need to know about navigating estate sales.
4/6/202315 minutes, 21 seconds
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Chicago Has A Residential Fire Problem

Two Chicago firefighters died in the line of duty this week battling housefires. Fire Commissioner Annette Nance-Holt called the back-to-back losses “unprecedented.” The tragedy has some Chicagoans wondering how the city could prevent residential fires before they happen. Reset talked to David Greising from the Better Government Associations about solutions to this overlooked public safety issue.
4/6/202314 minutes, 22 seconds
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Roy Wood Jr. On ‘The Daily Show’ And White House Correspondents Dinner

After seven years as a correspondent for The Daily Show, Roy Wood Jr. will now get behind the desk as a guest host this week. Wood will also be venturing into new territory as the emcee of the White House Correspondents Dinner at the end of April. Reset speaks with the entertainer about these two big gigs, and how fatherhood has changed his outlook on his life career.
4/6/202322 minutes, 34 seconds
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Brandon Johnson Is The New Mayor Of Chicago

The results are in and Chicago voters have chosen Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson as the next mayor of the city. Reset dives into the results with a panel of experts including Jaime Dominguez, professor Northwestern University; Connie Mixon, professor of political science and director of the urban studies program at Elmhurst University; and political strategist Delmarie Cobb.
4/5/202346 minutes, 14 seconds
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Brandon Johnson Reflects On His Victory And What Lies Ahead As Chicago’s New Mayor

Reset speaks to mayor elect Brandon Johnson about his victory and his initial plans as the new mayor of Chicago.
4/5/202312 minutes, 34 seconds
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University of Chicago’s Oriental Institute Starts A New Chapter

The University of Chicago founded the Oriental Institute in 1919 to be on the cutting edge of research into ancient West Asia and North Africa. More than 100 years later, the institution was in need of an update. Reset learns all about the changes with Marc Maillot, associate director and chief curator at newly-rebranded Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures Museum at the University of Chicago.
4/5/202315 minutes, 18 seconds
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The Untold Story Of The Week After MLK’s Death

Today marks 55 years since the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr., who was killed during Holy Week (the time between Palm Sunday and Easter). Reset talks to Vann Newkirk, host of The Atlantic’s new podcast “Holy Week,” which explores the week following King’s assassination, and how it set the stage for today’s fight over voting rights, redlining and critical race theory.
4/4/202318 minutes, 40 seconds
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Abortion Access Is On The Ballot In Wisconsin

How did one state Supreme Court race become possibly the most consequential election of 2023? Reset learns what the state race could mean for abortion access in Wisconsin, and how this will impact services provided in Illinois. Reset checks in with Molly Beck from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and Brigid Leahy, vice president of public policy for Planned Parenthood Illinois Action.
4/4/202316 minutes, 7 seconds
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How The Lenard Clark Case Changed Chicago Forever

In 1997, thirteen-year-old Lenard Clark was brutally beaten by three white teenagers in Bridgeport for being Black in a white neighborhood. A new podcast by Yohance Lacour, who covered the incident and its aftermath as a young journalist, revisits the story decades later in “You Didn’t See Nothin.” Reset spoke with Lacour to learn more about the new series.
4/4/202314 minutes, 29 seconds
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What Do Violence Prevention Workers Want To See From Chicago’s Next Mayor?

After a spike of shootings in 2016, Chicago stepped up its violence prevention efforts. Reset sat down with some of the leaders of this endeavor to learn what’s changed in the eight years since the movement began. We talked to Dominique McCord from Metropolitan Peace Initiatives, Teny Gross from the Institute for Nonviolence, Chris Patterson from Illinois’ Office of Firearm Violence Prevention, and Kanoya Ali from Chicago CRED.
4/3/202332 minutes, 40 seconds
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New Docuseries Immortalizes Raucous Comiskey Park

A new three-part documentary tells the story of the last season the White Sox played at the original Comiskey Park before it was demolished in the early ’90s. Reset learned a piece of Chicago baseball history from Matt Flesch, the producer and director of the docuseries “Last Comiskey.”
4/3/202313 minutes, 45 seconds
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Could Better PR Build Trust Between Chicagoans And CPD?

Do you know what a police officer does on a day-to-day basis? It’s not something Chicago’s Police Department grants public access to, and it’s what Chicago’s new Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability leader Anthony Driver says has led to a lack of empathy and understanding between the community and police. Reset spoke with WBEZ reporter Patrick Smith to learn more.
4/3/202310 minutes, 29 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: March 31, 2023

Several recent polls show a tight race between Chicago mayoral runoff candidates Brandon Johnson and Paul Vallas. City Council members are pushing to have more independence from the next mayor. Plus, the Fed’s star witness takes the stand in the ComEd bribery trial. Reset breaks down these top local stories and more in the Weekly News Recap with Kim Bellware, national and breaking news reporter for The Washington Post, John Fountain, journalism professor at Roosevelt University and Heather Cherone, Chicago politics reporter for WTTW.
3/31/202337 minutes, 37 seconds
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Michael League On His Jazz Ensemble Snarky Puppy

This year the jazz fusion ensemble Snarky Puppy won their fifth Grammy. Michael League, founder and bandleader, joins Reset to chat about the band's beginnings, his label GroundUP Music and how sounds from around the world influence his work. You can catch Snarky Puppy this evening at the Riviera Theatre this evening.
3/31/202324 minutes, 23 seconds
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MAYORAL FORUM Paul Vallas And Brandon Johnson Debate One Last Time Before April 4 Runoff

On March 30, Reset’s Sasha-Ann Simons sat down with mayoral hopefuls Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson for their last forum before the April 4 runoff.
3/31/202356 minutes, 24 seconds
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Ed Yong Takes Us To A New Dimension

In his latest book, An Immense World, science writer Ed Yong takes a break from his tireless pandemic reporting for The Atlantic to invite readers inside the wondrous and innumerable different ways animals perceive the world around them — from bees and songbirds to scallops and crocodiles. Reset talked to the award-winning writer to learn more about the book and some of his favorite quirky wildlife.
3/31/202317 minutes, 23 seconds
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Proposed Bill Would Allow Patients To Sue Pregnancy Crisis Centers

There are nearly 100 crisis pregnancy centers in Illinois, but many of them do not provide abortion care, medication or contraceptives. A proposed bill would allow people to sue the centers for deception, misrepresentation of facts and interfering access to abortions. Reset discussed the proposed legislation with WBEZ reporter Mawa Iqbal and Megan Jeyifo, executive director of the Chicago Abortion Fund.
3/30/202315 minutes, 29 seconds
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Sneezens Greetings! Climate Change Hates You.

Spring this year in Chicago means flowers blooming, pollen galore and (because of that pollen) what’s shaping up to be one of the worst allergy seasons in recent history. Reset spoke to allergist Dr. Baiju Malde from Northwestern about how to muscle through an epic sneezing season. We also learned how climate change plays a hand.
3/30/202317 minutes, 59 seconds
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A Plea For No More ‘Us Vs. Them’ In Chicago

The Chicago Sun-Times editorial board says that “us vs. them” thinking in economic development needs to become a thing of the past and that lifting up neglected neighborhoods in the city can benefit Chicago as a whole. Reset talks with editorial board member and architecture critic Lee Bey.
3/30/202315 minutes, 22 seconds
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What Happens Next To TikTok?

Members of Congress questioned TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew about the safety and security of the app and expressed their concern that China would access information about Americans through the app. Reset digs into the latest on the hearings and the fate of the video-sharing app with Washington Post tech writer Shira Ovide.
3/29/202313 minutes, 37 seconds
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What A Deadly Fire In Mexico Tells Us About Migrants In Chicago

After at least 38 migrants died in a fire in an immigration detention facility near the U.S.-Mexico border, Reset shares the latest on migrants and asylum seekers making their way to the U.S. with Gladis Molina Alt, executive director of Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights and Nicole Hallett, director of the Immigrants’ Rights Clinic at the University of Chicago Law School.
3/29/202317 minutes, 25 seconds
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Chicago Innovator: Building Community With ‘Queers On The Rocks’

The Chicago-based group Queers on the Rocks is building a community of LGBTQ climbers and promoting representation of queer athletes. Reset talked to group organizers Danya Rosen and Daniel Bedoya.
3/29/202317 minutes, 12 seconds
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Highland Park Survivor Speaks Out After Nashville School Shooting

Yesterday a 28-year-old shooter killed three 9-year-old children and three staff members — all in their 60s — at an elementary school in Nashville, Tennessee. In a twist of fate, Ashbey Beasley, a survivor of the Highland Park shooting, was in the area during the attack. Reset checks in with Beasley about Monday’s tragic events and her push for gun reform in Washington.
3/28/202320 minutes, 2 seconds
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How Do You Lead A School Through A Mass Shooting?

The Covenant School in Nashville is the latest school to be targeted by a mass shooter. What do schools in Illinois do to prepare for a school shooting? And what runs through the minds of educators when they hear about Sandy Hook, Uvalde and now Nashville? Reset spoke to two local education advocates for their perspective: Katherine Buitron-Vera, former school safety consultant and volunteer with March Fourth, and Nate Pietrini, executive director at High Jump and former principal at Hawthorne Scholastic Academy.
3/28/202318 minutes, 6 seconds
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How Mayoral Candidates Johnson And Vallas Grew Up

hat were the mayoral hopefuls like as kids? Teens? Young adults? Brandon Johnson is the son of a pastor and one of 10 kids in a family who lived in Elgin. Paul Vallas, the second of four kids, started life in Roseland and as a teen moved to suburban Alsip. Reset heard from WBEZ reporters Mariah Woelfel and Tessa Weinberg to learn more about the candidates’ backstories.
3/28/202313 minutes, 10 seconds
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The Director Of Chicago Shakespeare Theater Takes A Bow

Barbara Gaines has directed more than 60 productions since founding the Chicago Shakespeare Theater in 1986. We talked to the artistic director ahead of her final production of "The Comedy of Errors," which runs through April 23.
3/27/202316 minutes, 40 seconds
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Masks Off: Chicago Hospital Group Among First To Drop Mandate

All Advocate Health Care locations in the Chicago area are dropping mask requirements and easing visitor limits starting Monday. The policy changes at the health care system will affect patients and care teams at locations in Chicago, the suburbs and Northwest Indiana. Reset hears the details of Advocate’s plans from Chicago Sun-Times reporter David Struett and checked in with University of Chicago infectious disease specialist Dr. Emily Landon.
3/27/202311 minutes, 36 seconds
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Progressive Chicago Aldermen On What Comes Next

Back in 2019, a wave of younger, more progressive aldermen joined Chicago’s City Council, some of them self-identified Democratic socialists. This year, they won a second term. Reset is joined by two progressive aldermen — one soon to start his third term in office, the other his second — to hear about their plans for the coming years and how they see themselves working with a Vallas or a Johnson administration. Alderman Carlos Ramirez-Rosa, 35th Ward joined the council in 2015. Alderman Andre Vasquez, 40th Ward, joined in 2019.
3/27/202323 minutes, 57 seconds
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Drag Is Under Attack Across The Country

Across the country, drag performances are under attack: Republican lawmakers in states like Arizona, Oklahoma, Idaho and Kansas are moving to regulate when and where drag can take place, and Tennessee has already restricted performances in public. We checked in with ACLU Illinois’s Ed Yohnka after an Illinois bakery announced it’s closing this month after threats last summer for planning a drag event. We also heard from Alex Grelle, Chicago drag theater queen and performer, to hear his thoughts on the state of drag.
3/25/202315 minutes, 54 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: March 24, 2023

More dramatic testimony in the ComEd trial. Abortion opponents descend on the State Capitol. Meanwhile, endorsements continue to roll in for Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson. Reset goes behind those headlines and more in our Weekly News Recap with Paris Schutz, reporter and anchor, WTTW-TV, A.D. Quig, Cook County and Chicago government reporter for the Chicago Tribune and Jon Seidel, federal courts reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times.
3/24/202344 minutes, 55 seconds
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Chicago’s Hottest Spring Events

In Chicago, you have to take advantage of every warm day you can. Luckily, WBEZ’s got you covered with a guide to the hottest events of the season. We checked in with editor Cassie Walker Burke to get the scoop.
3/24/202315 minutes, 48 seconds
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What Happens When Chicago Police Seize Guns

The Chicago Police Department has prioritized seizing illegal guns. A new investigation suggests that tactic is not leading to meaningful improvements to public safety and that it’s upending the lives of Black men in the city, who have guns seized at five times the rate of any other racial group. Reset learns more about the arguments for and against this tactic and what happens when police prioritize seizing guns with Lakeidra Chavis and Geoff Hing from The Marshall Project.
3/24/202316 minutes, 58 seconds
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Inside The Illinois Affordable Housing Crisis

A new report shows no state in the country has enough affordable housing for the families most in need. Reset discusses what’s driving the shortage in Illinois, how a lack of affordable housing can put a family’s health at risk and how organizations and lawmakers are working to close the gap with Bob Palmer, policy director of Housing Action Illinois, Amanda Henley, community expert of the Housing Committee at the Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Dr. Nancy Heil, chair of the Housing Committee at the Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Guacolda Reyes, chief real estate development officer of the Resurrection Project and Illinois State Rep. Will Guzzardi (D-Chicago).
3/23/202333 minutes, 27 seconds
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‘When Magic Happens’: Get To Know WBEZ’s Newest Podcast

“Three Black women. Three generations. No filters.” That’s the tagline for WBEZ’s latest podcast. Reset sits down with “When Magic Happens’ hosts Cheryle Jackson, Jennifer “Shea Love” Long and Taylor Coward.
3/23/202317 minutes, 2 seconds
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Meet The Chicagoan Who Makes Sex Scenes Safe Yet Realistic

How do you help actors feel safe during intimate scenes in film with nudity or simulated sex? Hire an intimacy coordinator. Much like a stunt coordinator in action movies, intimacy coordinators are essential in scenes involving full or partial nudity. As a part of our Chicago Innovators series, Reset is joined by Chicago-based intimacy coordinator Jessica Steinrock to learn about her work.
3/22/202313 minutes, 9 seconds
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Many Chicago Homes Have Dangerous Levels Of Lead Paint

Lead paint was banned in Chicago in 1978, but many city homes still contain potentially toxic levels of the substance. Reset learns the details of an investigation into this citywide problem from WTTW’s Paris Schutz.
3/22/202315 minutes, 4 seconds
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Illinois Families Are Drowning In Medical Debt

A new report details the financial and emotional toll medical debt is having on Illinois families. Meanwhile, a proposed state law could be a win-win for both debt-burdened patients and the hospitals that treat them. Reset digs into the problem and possible solution with two authors of the report: Luvia Quiñones from the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) and Carrie Chapman from Legal Council For Health Justice.
3/22/202321 minutes, 56 seconds
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BIPOC Med Students Reflect On Their Journeys To Becoming MDs

Match Day is when medical students find out where they’ll be doing their residencies. It can be a festive, or stressful, affair, with schools hosting ceremonies for students and families. Reset checked in with two medical students at RUSH Medical College — Jordan Cisneros and Sharice Hall — to hear about the process of getting their match and to hear about the challenges Black and Latino med students face on their journeys to becoming MDs.
3/22/202317 minutes, 29 seconds
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The Nepali Government Wants Its Necklace Back

A collection of South Asian art, donated by the late arts patron Marilynn Alsdorf is causing problems for the Art Institute of Chicago and raising questions about origin and ownership. ProPublica and Crain’s Chicago Business recently published an investigation which uncovered evidence that at least several pieces in the large collection were stolen and exported illegally. Reset sits down with Elyssa Cherney from Crain’s and Steve Mills from ProPublica to learn more. We also hear from Erin Thompson from the City University of New York. She’s the only art crime professor in America.
3/21/202317 minutes, 2 seconds
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Don’t Text Me — Lolla and Pitchfork Lineups Just Dropped

In Chicago, the unofficial marker of spring is when the music festival lineups for Lollapalooza and Pitchfork are released. Reset reviewed the 2023 headliners and musical guests for the fests with Ayana Contreras, content director for Vocalo and Leor Galil, writer for the Chicago Reader.
3/21/202317 minutes, 40 seconds
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Next Chicago Mayor Will Be Flooded With Water Troubles

Hundreds of thousands of lead pipes need to be replaced. Homes are flooding due to climate change. Water bills are too high for some residents to afford. And parts of Chicago’s shoreline are falling into the lake. Those are a few of the water issues Chicago’s next mayor will need to address, according to a new op-ed in the Chicago Sun-Times. Reset speaks with Joel Brammeier, president and CEO of the Alliance for the Great Lakes, for more.
3/21/202314 minutes, 53 seconds
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Chicagoans Reflect On 20 Years Since Iraq War Began

It’s been two decades since the U.S. invaded Iraq over alleged weapons of mass destruction. Hundreds of thousands of people were killed, and no “WMDs” were found. Today many analysts say the war and 2011 American withdrawal destabilized the country and paved the way for the Islamic State’s rise to power in 2014. Reset hears from Iraqi refugee Ekram Hannah (with MIRA: Middle Eastern Immigrant and Refugee Alliance) and Thomas Day, a former military journalist and veteran, about how they are reflecting on 20 years since the start of the war.
3/20/202321 minutes, 53 seconds
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Indiana-born Aminah Nieves On Her Role in The Prequel Series ‘1923’

Teonna Rainwater’s story of abuse is just one of the brutal pieces of historical fiction in the “Yellowstone” prequel “1923.” The hit series has a stellar cast that includes Harrison Ford, Helen Mirren and Hammond, Indiana’s own Aminah Nieves. Reset learns more about Nieves and what it’s like to play her character Teonna Rainwater.
3/20/202315 minutes, 51 seconds
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The Revolving Door Of Child Placement In Illinois’ Foster System

Tens of thousands of children in the Illinois foster care system face a constant cycle of being moved from one place to another. Reset speaks to CBS-2 Chicago investigative journalist Dave Savini about his team’s investigation into this ongoing issue.
3/20/202318 minutes, 29 seconds
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Andy Shauf on His New Album Norm

Religious imagery, small town ideals, and complicated relationships shape the work of Andy Shauf, a Canadian singer-songwriter. We discuss his interest in God as a concept and the new album Norm. Andy Shauf joins Reset ahead of his show in Chicago.
3/18/202319 minutes
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: March 17, 2023

The trial of the so-called “ComEd Four” is now underway, and the search for Chicago’s next police superintendent is on. Meanwhile, mayoral endorsements keep rolling in. Reset breaks down these top local stories and more in the Weekly News Recap with The Washington Post’s Kim Bellware, Chicago Tribune’s Ray Long and former CBS-2 politics reporter Derrick Blakley.
3/17/202345 minutes, 59 seconds
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Chicago Leads On Global Conservation Efforts On Land And Sea

The Shedd Aquarium and The Morton Arboretum have been named the first Centers for Species Survival focused on trees and freshwater species. They’re now part of a network of nine other centers around the world. Reset learns more about how this designation will expand their conservation efforts globally. We check in with Chuck Knapp, vice president of conservation research at Shedd Aquarium and co-chair of the IUCN SSC Iguana Specialist Group; Silvia Alvarez Clare, director of global tree conservation at the Morton Arboretum; and Karen Weigert, director of Loyola University Chicago’s Baumhart Center for Social Enterprise and Responsibility.
3/17/202314 minutes, 50 seconds
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New Rail Merger Could Bring More Train Traffic To Chicago Area

Groups opposed to the Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern merger say they don’t want the additional noise, potential disruptions and increased risk of crashes and exposure to hazardous materials the merger could bring. Reset learns more about the deal from WTTW investigative reporter and producer Jared Rutecki.
3/17/202315 minutes, 11 seconds
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The Long-Awaited ‘ComEd Four’ Trial Is Now Underway

Four people with connections to ComEd and former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madgian go on trial over an alleged bribery scheme to push the utility company’s legislative agenda in Springfield. WBEZ investigative reporter Dan Mihalopoulos and Chicago Sun-Times federal courts reporter Jon Seidel join Reset to explain the players, the stakes and what it all means for Illinois politics.
3/16/202316 minutes
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Who Will Be The Next Chicago Police Superintendent?

Chicago’s next mayor will have to choose the new Chicago Police Department superintendent. Reset hears analysis from police accountability experts and a former CPD sergeant about what they’d like to see in the next hire and what challenges lie ahead.
3/16/202318 minutes, 48 seconds
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Black Families Hit Hardest By Rise In Sudden Infant Deaths

A new CDC study reveals an increase in the rate of unexpected deaths among infants during the first year of the pandemic, particularly among Black infants. Reset speaks with health experts about risk factors for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUIDS), and how to be proactive about infant safety.
3/16/202315 minutes, 58 seconds
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Governor Pritzker Signs Mandatory Paid Leave Into Law

Illinois is now the third state in the U.S. to mandate paid leave to be used for any reason. Reset checks in with WBEZ statehouse reporter Alex Degman for the latest details of the Paid Leave for All Workers Act, which Governor JB Pritzker signed into law Monday.
3/15/20237 minutes, 41 seconds
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Beyond Campaign Talking Points, What Can Reduce Crime In Chicago?

Paul Vallas has positioned himself as the “tough on crime” candidate. Meanwhile, Brandon Johnson is calling for a comprehensive approach to public safety. Northwestern University professor Andrew Papachristos joins Reset to discuss what’s shaping the candidates’ views and what research shows about efforts that really work on the ground.
3/15/202316 minutes, 47 seconds
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Chicago’s Top Doc On $23.8 Million Settlement With E-Cigarette Maker JUUL

The lawsuit against JUUL Labs is one of several steps the city of Chicago has taken in recent years to stop smoking rates from climbing. Reset checks in with Chicago Public Health Commissioner Dr. Alison Arwardy about how vaping affects teens’ lungs and overall health and how the city plans to use the settlement money to fight underage smoking.
3/15/202316 minutes, 22 seconds
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How Recent Bank Failures Fit Into Fed’s Fight Against Inflation

New data out Tuesday show inflation remains a thorn in the side of the U.S. economy. Meanwhile, bank failures have Americans on edge. Reset checks in with NPR chief economics correspondent Scott Horsley for the latest on inflation, recent bank failures and what it all means for the economy.
3/14/202312 minutes, 41 seconds
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Illinois Supreme Court Hears Oral Arguments On SAFE-T Act

State lawmakers passed a law eliminating cash bail, as part of the SAFE-T Act, that went into effect Jan. 1. But some prosecutors filed lawsuits challenging the law’s constitutionality, putting the law on hold a week into the new year. WBEZ reporters Mawa Iqbal and Shannon Heffernan join Reset to discuss the oral arguments heard by the state’s highest court Tuesday morning.
3/14/202313 minutes, 32 seconds
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How Culpable Are Chicago Officials For Fatal Fires In The City?

At least 53 people have died in residential fires in Chicago since 2021. An investigation from the Better Government Association and the Chicago Tribune shows the city could be doing more in response to complaints about faulty wiring, missing smoke detectors and other safety issues. It also shows that inspections have been lagging. Reset learns why the city has failed to prevent these deaths and discusses potential solutions with Better Government Association reporter Alex Nitkin and former City of Chicago Inspector General Joe Ferguson.
3/14/202317 minutes, 19 seconds
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How Vallas And Johnson Would Handle Taxes And City Finances

Crime has overshadowed the economy in the Chicago mayor’s race, but it’s important to understand how a Vallas or a Johnson administration will approach budgeting, property taxes, pension payments and the city’s finances. WBEZ city politics reporter Mariah Woelfel explains.
3/13/202311 minutes, 10 seconds
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How To Vote In Chicago’s April 4 Mayoral Runoff

It’s a quick turnaround between the Feb. 28 municipal election and the April 4 runoff, but the Chicago Board of Elections is ready. Reset checks in with Max Bever from the Chicago Board of Elections about everything Chicago voters need to know as they prepare to pick a mayor and vote in key aldermanic races that have also gone to a runoff.
3/13/20238 minutes, 58 seconds
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Architects Re-imagine Bungalows And Three-Flats To Create New Housing Options In Chicago

A Chicago Architecture Center design competition aims to bring creative new forms of affordable housing to six neighborhoods on Chicago’s South and West sides. Reset talks to the center’s CEO Eleanor Gorski about the Come Home Initiative.
3/13/202315 minutes, 8 seconds
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Where To Find The Best Hot Chocolate In Chicago

Some folks — much of the Reset team included — can’t get their day started without a strong cup of coffee. But host Sasha-Ann Simons is not one of those people. In fact, her morning go-to is hot chocolate. So to feed the anti-coffee host’s sweet tooth, and to get folks through this chilly season, Reset is on the hunt to find the best hot chocolate in Chicago with some help from listener recommendations.
3/11/202312 minutes, 19 seconds
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Numero Group Gives New Life To Archival Music

Japanese rock. Ohio soul. UK rave. Country noir. Those are just a few of the many playlists curated by the folks at Numero Group, a Chicago record label that focuses on curating collections of archival music. Reset checks in with Numero Group co-founders Rob Sevier and Ken Shipley about giving new life to records from the past that have been neglected, overlooked or not widely distributed.
3/10/202313 minutes, 22 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: March 10, 2023

Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson face off in Chicago’s first mayoral runoff debate, and the endorsements in the race are rolling in. Field Museum staff vote to unionize, and faculty at Chicago State University are voting on whether to strike. Reset breaks down those top local stories and more in our Weekly News Recap with New York Times Chicago bureau chief Julie Bosman, Chicago Sun-Times education reporter Nader Issa and Hyde Park Herald reporter Aaron Gettinger.
3/10/202343 minutes, 55 seconds
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Illinois Mental Health Program For Kids Plagued By Problems

Screening, Assessment and Support Services, or SASS, is an Illinois program that focuses on connecting kids from low-income homes with mental health services. But some children are falling through the cracks. Reset digs into a WBEZ investigation of the issues and shortfalls with reporters Kristen Schorsch and Sarah Karp.
3/10/202320 minutes, 50 seconds
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Bill McKibben Says Baby Boomers Need To Join Gen Z In The Climate Fight

Around the world, young people are on the frontlines of the fight to protect our planet from climate change. And for good reason — they’ll bear the brunt of destruction. Reset talks to author and environmentalist Bill McKibben about why “experienced Americans” over 60 also play a vital role in taking on climate action.
3/9/202317 minutes, 21 seconds
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Takeaways From Chicago’s First Mayoral Runoff Debate

Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson clarified their policies and took digs at their opponent at the NBC-5 and Telemundo Chicago forum. Reset catches up on the debate with WBEZ city government and politics reporter.
3/9/202314 minutes, 25 seconds
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Illinois Set To Lose Some Of Its Last Remaining Prairieland

The FAA has approved the Rockford International Airport’s plan to build a road through a section of native dry gravel prairie, home to an endangered species called the rusty patched bumblebee. Reset hears from environmental activist Robbie Telfer of the group Save Bell Bowl Prairie about how we got here and how this will impact some of the last prairieland in Illinois.
3/9/202311 minutes, 5 seconds
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Vallas, Johnson Head Into First Mayoral Runoff Debate

Former Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas and Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson will face off in the first mayoral runoff debate Wednesday night at 6 p.m. on NBC 5 and Telemundo Chicago. Reset discusses with Tessa Weinberg, WBEZ city government and politics reporter.
3/8/20239 minutes, 37 seconds
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It’s About Damn Time…To Celebrate Women Film Directors

You can see award-winning movies from international film festivals at the Gene Siskel Film Center through the end of March. Eleven of them are directed by women. To mark International Women’s Day, Reset talks to Rebecca Fons, director of programming at the Siskel about the festival and some of her favorite women-directed films from the series.
3/8/202311 minutes, 23 seconds
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Mayor Lightfoot Wants More Chicagoans To Move Downtown. Will They Come?

In cities across the country, fewer people are going downtown than they did before COVID-19. Here in Chicago, developers have responded to the city’s request for proposals with six ideas for how to bring LaSalle Street back to life. Reset gets the details from Block Club Chicago reporter Melody Mercado.
3/8/202315 minutes, 30 seconds
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Chicago’s All-Women Mariachi Band Is Breaking Cultural Barriers

The group Mariachi Sirenas is challenging stereotypes while honoring Mexican traditions. Reset sits down with members Ibet Herrera and Laura Velazquez to learn more about their music and roots.
3/7/202316 minutes, 35 seconds
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Cook County Is The Worst Smog Polluter In The Country

New EPA data show that air pollution from Chicago and the rest of Cook County makes its way to neighboring states, and Wisconsin suffers the worst. Reset checks in with Chicago Tribune environmental reporter Michael Hawthorne for more on how Chicago and its suburbs are polluting places like Wisconsin, Michigan and even Connecticut.
3/7/202316 minutes, 38 seconds
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New Bill Would Make Ticketing Illinois Students Illegal

A $200 ticket for truancy. A $175 fine for having a vape pen. A $450 ticket for disorderly conduct. In schools across Illinois, students are being ticketed and fined for minor offenses that previously may have warranted a trip to the principal’s office or detention. Reset talks to reporters Jennifer Smith Richards and Jodi Cohen who have shone a light on the ticketing. Their work has prompted a bill in Springfield that aims to make the practice illegal.
3/7/202312 minutes, 4 seconds
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What Will It Take To Save Chicago Theaters?

Pandemic-era federal funds were a lifeline for Chicago theaters. Now, those federal funds are drying up. And theater seats aren’t filling up at the same rate as before the pandemic. Do theaters need to rethink their business model to stay alive? Reset checks in with Jeannie Lukow, executive director of Porchlight Music Theater, Kara Riopelle, managing director with Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Chicago Tribune critic Chris Jones and Claire Rice, executive director, Arts Alliance Illinois.
3/6/202319 minutes, 11 seconds
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Women Make 82 Cents For Every Dollar Men Make

In recent decades, more women have pursued higher education and have joined the workforce, helping narrow the wage gap between men and women during the '80s and '90s. But that progress has stalled over the past two decades, according to a new Pew Research Center analysis. Reset talks to Felicia Davis Blakley, president and CEO of Chicago Foundation for Women and Sharmili Majmudar, executive vice president of policy and organizational impact at Women Employed about closing the gap in the Chicago area.
3/6/202320 minutes, 41 seconds
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Chicago Mayoral Hopefuls Vallas, Johnson Differ Sharply On Education

The Chicago mayoral runoff pits a serial schools CEO against a former high school social studies teacher backed by the teachers union. Reset talks to Chicago education reporters Sarah Karp and Mauricio Peña about the candidates’ deep ties to education and different approaches to schooling.
3/6/202313 minutes, 39 seconds
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Chicago’s Top Federal Prosecutor Steps Down

For the past five years, U.S. attorney John Lausch has led major corruption cases against Ald. Ed Burke and former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. His last day as U.S attorney for the Northern Illinois District is March 11. Reset discusses his time in office and his impact on Chicago and Illinois politics with Jon Seidel, federal courts reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times.
3/4/202312 minutes, 58 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: March 3, 2023

Mayor Lori Lightfoot is dealt a disappointing loss. Meanwhile, aldermanic seats are filling up after a wave of retirements from City Council. Plus, both the city’s top cop and top federal prosecutor announce their resignations. Reset breaks down the week’s biggest stories with WTTW Chicago politics reporter Heather Cherone, WBEZ city politics reporter Mariah Woelfel and recently retired Chicago Sun-Times columnist Maudlyne Ihejirika.
3/3/202344 minutes, 10 seconds
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Black Joy: Marshall Callery Shares His Love For Performing

The 23-year-old Chicagoan has appeared on Showtime’s hit show “The Chi,” and hosts his own youth-led talk show. Reset talks to the multi-talented actor about his love for performing, networking and giving a platform to young people for our series on black joy.
3/3/202313 minutes, 45 seconds
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Can Chicago’s New District Councils Change Policing For The Better?

Chicago’s new police District Councils are designed to bring more community input to police oversight and accountability. The three-member councils can recommend policies but not enact them — so what power do they really have? Reset talks to three newly elected representatives: Anthony Michael Tamez, 17th Police District Council member; Brad Kessler, 18th Police District Council member; and Daniel Martin, 16th Police District Council member.
3/3/202319 minutes, 49 seconds
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Chicago Police Officer Killed, Top Cop Resigns

Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown resigned his post Wednesday, less than a day after incumbent Mayor Lori Lightfoot lost her bid for reelection. The news also comes on the same day the city learned that a Chicago police officer was shot and killed in the line of duty. Reset turns to WBEZ criminal justice reporter Patrick Smith for the latest details.
3/2/202311 minutes, 25 seconds
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Aldermen-elect Get Ready To Shake Up City Council

By the time Wednesday morning came around, people across the city already knew who their aldermen-elect were. Some wards are seeing familiar faces while a handful are welcoming fresh faces. Reset sits down with Alderwoman-elect Julia Ramirez of the 12th Ward and Alderperson-elect Jessie Fuentes of the 26th Ward to talk about their plans.
3/2/202314 minutes, 55 seconds
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How Crime Shaped The Chicago Mayor’s Race

Chicago voters were focused on crime and public safety when deciding on who should be the next mayor of Chicago. Reset hears from WBEZ criminal justice reporter Patrick Smith, Elmhurst University professor Connie Mixon and Democratic political strategist Delmarie Cobb about the role this issue played in the election.
3/2/202316 minutes, 43 seconds
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Brandon Johnson On Advancing To Chicago’s Mayoral Runoff

Mayor Lori Lightfoot lost her bid for a second term in office. Meanwhile, former CPS CEO Paul Vallas and Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson, the top two vote getters, will head to a runoff on Apr. 4. Reset checks in with Johnson the morning after he learned he’s still in the running to be the next mayor of Chicago.
3/2/20239 minutes, 4 seconds
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Lightfoot Out, Vallas And Johnson Head To Apr. 4 Runoff

Reset analyzes the results of Chicago’s municipal election — from a historic mayor’s race to aldermanic races to police district councils. Panelists include WBEZ city politics reporter Mariah Woelfel, WBEZ data projects editor Alden Loury and Northwestern University political science professor Jaime Dominguez.
3/1/202335 minutes, 6 seconds
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How CTA Trains Got Their Colors

Chicagoans use the CTA to get around the city and use the color lines depending on where they need to go. But color coding isn’t always how the trains were organized. Reset talks to reporter Kayleigh Padar and transit historian Graham Garfield about when the color system was adopted and how some long-time Chicagoans are still nostalgic for the old days.
3/1/202313 minutes, 47 seconds
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What’s That Building? Century And Consumers Buildings

The Century and Consumers Buildings on State Street have a commanding presence in Chicago’s Loop. But after 17 years of being held in limbo, the federal government plans on spending $52 million to demolish them. Reset learns more about the pair of early 20th-century skyscraper structures and the fight to save them with Dennis Rodkin, residential real estate reporter at Crain’s Chicago Business.
2/28/202311 minutes, 48 seconds
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SCOTUS To Decide Future Of Student Debt Forgiveness

The Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Biden v. Nebraska today, the case that will decide the fate of the president’s student loan forgiveness program. Reset hears analysis from Steven Schwinn, professor at the University of Illinois Chicago Law School, NPR higher education reporter Elissa Nadworny and directly from people who would benefit from having their debt forgiven.
2/28/202331 minutes, 1 second
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Headed To The Polls? Here’s What You Need To Know.

It’s Election Day in Chicago. Are you prepared? Reset discusses what to expect at the polls and gets a quick voter guide on key races in this year’s municipal election from Tessa Weinberg, WBEZ city politics and government reporter and Amy Qin, WBEZ data reporter.
2/28/202311 minutes, 12 seconds
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What’s That Building? Wendell Phillips High School

The Bronzeville high school on Chicago’s South Side has been fertile ground for numerous writers, civil rights leaders, professional athletes and more. For the latest in our “What’s That Building?” series, Reset hears from Dennis Rodkin of Crain’s Chicago Business about the history of the school and why it’s produced so many illustrious alumni.
2/27/202316 minutes, 31 seconds
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Chicagoans Are Working Together To Help Migrants

Chicago is struggling to keep up with the number of migrants coming into the city. As officials scramble to open more housing, Chicagoans are stepping up to help migrants themselves. Reset gets the latest on how those efforts are shaping up with Elvia Malagón, social justice and wage gap reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times, Evelyn Figueroa, director of Pilsen Food Pantry and Jen Durham, volunteer for Nuevos Vecinos. Then Reset talks to WBEZ education reporter Nereida Moreno about migrant students in CPS.
2/27/202322 minutes, 14 seconds
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Illinois Could Soon Have Mandatory Paid Leave

Most industrialized nations offer workers paid time off, but it’s still somewhat rare in the United States outside of what’s often called “white collar” work. Reset discusses the Paid Leave For All Workers Act with Ben Opp, HR hotline advisor at HR Source and Mark Maxwell, political editor at KSDK News in St. Louis and former Capitol bureau chief for WCIA in Springfield.
2/27/202321 minutes, 6 seconds
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Presenting City Cast Chicago

We’re switching it up and sharing one of our favorite podcasts: City Cast Chicago. It’s hosted by Reset regular Jacoby Cochran and features interviews with news and culture makers from across the city. So be sure to subscribe to their podcast so you can be even more of a Chicago insider.
2/25/202324 minutes, 15 seconds
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Isabel Olive Connects With Her Roots In Half Gringa’s New EP ‘Ancestral Home’

Chicago band Half Gringa’s new EP contains a unique blend of alt-country rhythm, folk-inspired vocals and a dash of crunchy distorted guitars. Reset discusses ancestors, musical inspirations and coping with loss through music.
2/25/202323 minutes, 31 seconds
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Dede Cadet Brings Racial Justice To Interior Design

While navigating the nonprofit world, Dede Cadet discovered her newfound passion: decorating homes. This hobby has since grown to a slew of projects, different aesthetics and true happiness. Reset speaks to the artist about her life, journey and joy.
2/24/202318 minutes, 40 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: Feb. 24, 2023

The race for Chicago’s next mayor is in its final stretch. Who is in the lead, and what did voters this week say is the top issue on their minds? Also: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis visits Chicago and a favorite local show gets the ax. Reset breaks down these stories and much more with Jacoby Cochran, City Cast Chicago host, Tiffany Walden, editor-in-chief and co-founder of The Triibe, and Rachel Hinton, enterprise reporter for Illinois Answers Project with Better Government Association.
2/24/202345 minutes, 41 seconds
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Re-Imagine Chicago: How City Council Works In Toronto

Toronto — the hometown of Reset host Sasha-Ann Simons — and Chicago were both incorporated as cities in the 1830s. And the similarities between Hogtown and the Hog Butcher for the World don’t end there. Reset takes a closer look at how legislative politics works in Toronto and whether those systems could be instructive for Chicago.
2/24/202329 minutes, 23 seconds
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Ukrainians In Chicago React To One Year Anniversary Of War

It’s been one year since Russia invaded Ukraine. Reset hears from Ukrainian refugees about what it’s like building a life in Chicago, including: Olha Tsvyntarna, Ukrainian who fled the war, Anna Cirilli, principal at St. Nicholas Cathedral School, Oksana Vasylenko, Ukrainian refugee, mother of son attending St. Nicholas school, John Hewko, CEO of Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation, and Dan Diaczun, president of the Illinois division of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America.
2/23/202331 minutes, 30 seconds
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DJ Spinderella Shows Public Housing’s Impact On Music

DJ Spinderella is an iconic figure in hip-hop and music, rising to fame as one-third of the trio Salt-N-Pepa. And now, she’s swapping out headphones for a museum curator hat to design the music room of the National Public Housing Museum in Chicago. Reset talks to the DJ about the connection between public housing and music, her curator vision and the soundtrack to her childhood.
2/23/202316 minutes, 4 seconds
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Re-Imagine Chicago: What If The Mayor Had A Different Set Of Powers?

Chicago has a “strong mayor” system, and during the pandemic, Mayor Lightfoot gained additional emergency powers. Things work differently in Phoenix, Ariz., which operates under a “weak mayor” or “council-manager” system. Reset examines the benefits and drawbacks of how things work in Phoenix, and what lessons Chicago can learn with David Swindell, associate professor and director for the Center for Urban Innovation at Arizona State University and Rick Naimark, former deputy city manager at Phoenix City Council.
2/23/202324 minutes, 12 seconds
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Medicaid Renewals Resuming Across Chicago And The Nation

In May, COVID-19 public health and national emergency declarations will end. That means hundreds of thousands of Illinois residents could lose access to Medicaid starting this summer. Resets speaks with healthcare experts Samantha Olds Frey and Jeff McInnes to learn more.
2/22/202315 minutes, 29 seconds
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What’s Next For Chicago’s City Council?

Unprecedented turnover among alderpersons, new ward boundaries and — possibly — a new mayoral administration could usher in a major sea change in how the Chicago City Council does business. Reset explores the challenges and opportunities for the legislative body after the Feb. 28 election with Alex Nitkin, Better Government Association reporter, Erin Hegarty, city hall reporter for The Daily Line, Jamie Nesbitt Golden, Bronzeville reporter for Block Club Chicago and Joe Ferguson, former City of Chicago Inspector General.
2/22/202346 minutes, 30 seconds
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Re-Imagine Chicago: Why Aldermen Work More Like ‘Mini-Mayors’

With the municipal election next week, Reset is revisiting our “Re-Imagine Chicago” series. What is the history of Chicago’s aldermanic system, and how does it impact residents and the city’s ability to get things done? Reset discusses with Chicago History Museum curator Julius L. Jones, 20th Ward Alderwoman Jeanette Taylor and 22nd Ward Alderman Michael Rodriguez.
2/22/202321 minutes, 48 seconds
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Meet Grammy Award-Winning Chicago Poet J. Ivy

Spoken word poetry got its own Grammy category this year and J. Ivy’s album, The Poet Who Sat By The Door, makes him the first to win. Reset chats with the Chicago-born artist about his journey, from being assigned poetry homework to writing his latest album.
2/21/202316 minutes, 4 seconds
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Another Quake Struck Turkey and Syria. Here’s How You Can Help.

A 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck the Turkey-Syria border region Monday, just weeks after a two other major quakes devastated the region. Reset hears from humanitarian advocates Amina Demir, COO at Zakat Foundation and Dr. Zaher Sahloul, president and co-founder of MedGlobal, about how to best support their recovery efforts.
2/21/202315 minutes, 4 seconds
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Re-imagine Chicago: How City Government Works In The Windy City

With the municipal election next week, Reset is revisiting our “Re-Imagine Chicago” series. Is Chicago's City Council set up to best serve its residents? The "strong mayor" form of government has its pros and cons, but what could a better system look like? Reset explores that question with Dick Simpson, professor of political science at the University of Illinois at Chicago, former aldermen of the 44th ward (1971-1979), Helen Shiller, former alderman of the 46th ward (1987-2011), and Will Howell, director of University of Chicago’s Center for Effective Government at the Harris School of Public Policy.
2/21/202324 minutes, 49 seconds
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Rebecca Makkai's New Novel ‘I Have Some Questions For You’

Rebecca Makkai pulls from her own life to explore the country’s problematic obsession with true crime in her new novel. Reset talks with her about the intersection of cancel culture, systemic racism and the fetishization of the missing white woman in I Have Some Questions For You.
2/20/202322 minutes, 52 seconds
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Voting Tips For Chicago’s Municipal Election

Early in-person voting and mail-in voting are underway for Chicago’s 2023 municipal elections. Whether you’ve dropped off your ballot or are waiting until election day on Feb. 28, we’ve got you covered. Reset breaks down voting options and voter turnout with Max Bever, director of public information at the Chicago Board of Elections.
2/20/202313 minutes, 47 seconds
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Why Gov. Pritzker Is Promoting Home Visits

“We’re not reaching enough families in these vital infant and toddler years,” Gov. JB Pritzker said during his State of the State speech Wednesday. “Smart Start’s expanded home visiting funding will allow us to help even more families.” Reset talks to Katelyn Kanwischer from Lurie Children’s Hospital and Sherneron Hilliard of Family Focus about what home visiting programs are like now and what they need to support more families moving forward.
2/20/202314 minutes, 22 seconds
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Black Joy: Rochelle Trotter Combines A Love Of Food With Giving Back

Rochelle Trotter founded R’Culinare Consulting to help businesses reach their goals in the food and beverage industry. Through her non-profit The Charles and Rochelle Trotter Culinary Endowment, she’s also helping young people break into the industry. Reset talks with Trotter about creating and spreading joy through food.
2/18/202319 minutes, 51 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: Feb. 17, 2023

Gov. JB Pritzker gives the State of the State address and unveils plans for education funding, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot focuses attacks on Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Bears take a giant leap toward Arlington Heights. We break down these top local stories and more with Brandon Pope, reporter/anchor at CW 26, Corli Jay, reporter with Crain’s Chicago Business and Derrick Blakley, former CBS2 Chicago politics reporter.
2/17/202345 minutes, 53 seconds
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Chi Sounds Like: Mashing-Up Sci-Fi With Black Culture To Create New Narratives

WBEZ’s sister station Vocalo features movers and shakers who work to bring healing, joy and inquiry to their communities throughout Chicago as part of the Chi Sounds Like series. Reset highlights a Vocalo feature about painter Ennis Martin.
2/17/20238 minutes, 2 seconds
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Diaper Prices Are Too Damn High

Ask any new parent and they’ll tell you diapers can be expensive, costing between 80 and 100 dollars a month. New legislation in Springfield could lighten that load for parents. Reset gets the the details from Lee Ann Porter, founder and executive director of Loving Bottoms Diaper Bank and with State Sen. Karina Villa.
2/17/202312 minutes, 12 seconds
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Free Preschool Could Be Coming To Illinois By 2027

Yesterday, Governor Pritzker announced bold plans for Illinois when it comes to early childhood education. Reset digs into the impact these investments could have, what the programs might look like and how the state will pay for them with State Sen. Cristina Pacione-Zayas, UIC senior lecturer and program coordinator Catherine Main and UChicago economist James Heckman.
2/16/202323 minutes, 30 seconds
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Chi Sounds Like: Writer Tempestt Hazel Revels In Bronzeville’s History And Culture

WBEZ’s sister station Vocalo features movers and shakers who work to bring healing, joy and inquiry to their communities throughout Chicago as part of the Chi Sounds Like series. Reset highlights a Vocalo feature on writer and founder of Sixty Inches From Center Tempestt Hazel.
2/16/20239 minutes, 55 seconds
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Beyond Braille: Hadley Creates Resources For People With Visual Impairments

Around 12 million people in America over the age of 40 have a visual impairment, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For Low Vision Awareness Month, Reset checks in with Julie Tye and Douglas Walker of the Winnetka-based nonprofit Hadley about its free tools and resources for people with vision loss.
2/16/202319 minutes, 44 seconds
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Chi Sounds Like: Teaching Neighbors To Be First Responders

WBEZ’s sister station Vocalo features movers and shakers who work to bring healing, joy and inquiry to their communities throughout Chicago as part of the Chi Sounds Like series. Reset highlights a Vocalo feature on a training coordinator for a nonprofit saving lives through first response training.
2/15/20238 minutes, 37 seconds
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Governor Pritzker’s State Of The State Address

We take a listen to Governor Pritzker as he provides an overview of his proposed budget for Illinois. And Reset checks in with WBEZ state politics reporter Dave McKinney and two lawmakers after the speech.
2/15/202356 minutes, 53 seconds
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Two Million In Illinois Set To Lose Pandemic Food Benefits

In response to the pandemic, the Illinois Department of Human Services issued emergency allotments to help people pay for food. But those will go away by Feb. 28, even though food prices remain high. Reset talks with advocates Patricia Fernandez, Kellie O’Connell, and Alici McNeal as well as Christina, a recipient of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP.
2/15/202320 minutes, 6 seconds
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After-School Killings Spike Near CPS Schools

There were 41 after-school shooting incidents in 2022 near public schools in Chicago involving people 19 years old and younger. And in the last decade, there was an average of three murders of kids under 17 each year, a WBEZ/Chicago Sun-Times analysis found. Now calls are growing louder for city officials and the district to take action. Reset finds out more on what’s behind the spike in shootings near CPS schools and learns about potential solutions with reporters Sarah Karp and Nader Issa.
2/14/202315 minutes, 47 seconds
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Chi Sounds Like: Empowering Young People With African American Histor

Vocalo radio, WBEZ’s sister station, features movers and shakers who work to bring healing, joy and inquiry to their communities throughout Chicago as part of the Chi Sounds Like series. Reset highlights a Vocalo feature on a multidisciplinary artist who brings empowerment and joy through connecting youth to their African roots and history.
2/14/202310 minutes, 16 seconds
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Why No Ranked Choice Voting In Chicago?

With nine candidates running in the Chicago mayoral election, it is widely assumed there will be a runoff election, which is all too common in municipal elections here. Some argue that moving to a ranked choice voting system could help prevent runoffs and make voting more democratic. Reset hears from advocates Andrew Szilva and Alisa Kaplan about why they want to see ranked choice voting instituted in Chicago and Illinois. Then we’ll hear from FairVote research analyst Rachel Hutchinson about how the system has worked in other cities and states and from a professor of public policy, Anthony Fowler, about the positives and drawbacks of the system.
2/14/202316 minutes, 28 seconds
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Chicago Resiliency Fund 2.0 To Give Out $500 Payments

Federal stimulus checks provided a lifeline to many folks earlier in the pandemic, but many didn’t qualify or weren’t able to access payments. The Chicago Resiliency Fund 2.0 aims to distribute one-time $500 payments to people who may have missed out on prior COVID stimulus money. Reset talks to nonprofit workers Katie Durrah and Kathryn Socha about coordinating fund distribution.
2/13/202314 minutes, 16 seconds
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Introducing Vocalo’s ‘Chi Sound Like’ Series

Vocalo radio, WBEZ’s sister station on 91.1, is celebrating 15-years of bringing more Chicago artists and stories to the airwaves. Check out Chi Sounds Like for a full list of archived interviews. Reset chats with Ari Mejia who produced the series and the station director, Ayana Contreras to learn more about their programming and features a Vocalo interview with Djedi Ohm
2/13/202315 minutes, 23 seconds
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Meet Lane Tech’s ‘Chicago Style Bot Dogs’ Robotics Team

Robotics season has begun. Never heard of it? It’s when high school robotics teams meet up to meet the next challenge issued by First Robotics. Reset checks in with the Lane Tech team’s head coach Robert Berg, seniors Gabby Weffer and Joaquin Valencia and junior Jane Bazzell.
2/13/202317 minutes, 55 seconds
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Black Joy: Rico No Suave Explores His Afro-Cuban Roots Through Salsa

The Chicago native brings his personality to life on the dance floor and through his talk show The Rico No Suave Show. Reset checks in with Rico No Suave about embracing his Afro-Cuban heritage, his electrifying salsa skills and what’s bringing him joy.
2/11/202315 minutes, 9 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: Feb. 10, 2023

Three candidates are in a statistical dead heat in the Chicago mayor’s race. UIC faculty have a contract. Locals help earthquake victims. Meanwhile, big changes may be coming for needy parents as lawmakers in Springfield propose a diaper allowance. Reset breaks down these stories and much more with NBC 5’s Christian Farr, former Chicago Sun-Times columnist Maudlyne Ihejirika, and John Fountain, journalism professor at Roosevelt University.
2/10/202344 minutes, 35 seconds
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Chicago Innovators: A People-Powered Seesaw Fabric Shredder

Recycling fabric is harder than it might seem, as most fabrics are a mix of fibers and material types, requiring different techniques that can’t be done on a large scale. Reset checks in with local weaver Emily Winter, co-founder of the Weaving Mill, who is trying out a community-driven way to deal with textile waste.
2/10/202316 minutes, 55 seconds
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Forum Analysis: Ja’Mal Green, Roderick Sawyer

From crime to transportation to education, we spent an hour talking about top issues with organizer Ja’Mal Green and Ald. Roderick Sawyer. Reset breaks down our second round of mayoral forums with Mariah Woelfel, WBEZ city government reporter, Chip Mitchell, WBEZ criminal justice reporter and Chris Berry, professor in the Harris School of Public Policy at the University of Chicago.
2/10/202335 minutes, 17 seconds
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Chicago Mayoral Forum: Ja’Mal Green, Roderick Sawyer

In the second of our mayoral forums, we pose voter questions to candidates organizer Ja’Mal Green and Alderman Roderick Sawyer live from the University of Chicago.
2/9/202350 minutes, 22 seconds
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Chicago Innovators: Bringing Sports, Academics To Kids

Reset sits down with Eric Davis and Frank Brim leaders of the BASE Chicago, an organization based in West Garfield Park that provides a range of programming for urban youth from baseball and softball training, to violence prevention and even college readiness.
2/9/202317 minutes, 18 seconds
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Forum Analysis: Lightfoot, Garcia, Vallas, Buckner, King

From crime to transportation to education, we spent an hour talking about top issues with Alderwoman Sophia King, State Rep. Kam Buckner, former CPS CEO Paul Vallas, Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Congressman Chuy Garcia. Reset breaks down our first round of mayoral forums with Mariah Woelfel, WBEZ city government reporter, Chip Mitchell, WBEZ criminal justice reporter and Jason DeSanto, a senior lecturer in the Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law and a Democratic debate strategist.
2/9/202332 minutes, 5 seconds
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Chicago Mayoral Forum: Lightfoot, Garcia, Vallas, Buckner, King

Chicago Public Media and the University of Chicago’s Institute of Politics are hosting two forums with the city’s mayoral candidates. First up, at the University of Illinois Chicago, we pose voter questions to Mayor Lori Lightfoot, Congressman Chuy Garcia, former CPS CEO Paul Vallas, State Rep. Kam Buckner and Alderwoman Sophia King. On Thursday Feb. 9, we’ll bring you our second forum with thr remaining candidates: organizer Ja’Mal Green, businessman Willie Wilson, Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson and Alderman Roderick Sawyer.
2/8/202359 minutes, 36 seconds
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Chicago Innovators: Expanding Food Access In Englewood

Dion’s Chicago Dream provides free boxes of fruits, vegetables and water to residents throughout Chicago on a weekly basis, as well as stocking a Dream fridge in Englewood that residents can “shop” from at their convenience. Reset sits down with the founder of the organization, Dion Dawson, to learn about the partnership and how its ability to provide food to food-insecure families has grown.
2/8/202312 minutes, 51 seconds
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Here’s Where Chicago’s Mayoral Candidates Stand On Health Issues

With Chicago’s mayoral race heating up, the nine candidates vying for the city’s top job have a lot to say about health. Mental health, health equity and lead pipes are top of mind for Chicago voters who responded to WBEZ’s People’s Agenda survey. Reset talks to WBEZ reporters Kristen Schorsch and Tessa Weinberg to find out where the candidates stand.
2/8/202315 minutes, 21 seconds
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Chicago Orgs Helping Turkey And Syria After Earthquake

Rescue efforts are underway, and the number of casualties is expected to climb. Reset checks in with Dr. Zaher Sahloul, president and co-founder of MedGlobal and Amina Demir, COO of the Zakat Foundation of America, about the situation on the ground and what Chicagoans can do to help.
2/7/202314 minutes, 17 seconds
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Chicago Innovators: Artists Blake Jones and Steve Seeley

Chicago has an amazing art scene! So as a part of our Chicago Innovators series, we’re featuring two artists who are preparing for an upcoming joint exhibition. Reset chats with artists Blake Jones and Steve Seeley about their work, inspiration and hopes for the future.
2/7/202311 minutes, 34 seconds
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What Chicago’s Mayoral Candidates Have Planned For Public Schools

The next mayor will inherit a bevy of challenges when it comes to Chicago Public Schools, including a looming budget deficit and declining enrollment. Reset talks to Sarah Karp, WBEZ education reporter, to find out how the mayoral candidates will approach these challenges.
2/7/202316 minutes, 28 seconds
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Building Spiritual Resilience With Rev. Otis Moss III

In his new book ‘Dancing In The Darkness,’ Moss draws on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s idea of three sides making up a complete life: the personal, the communal and the spiritual. Reset checks in with Moss, Senior Pastor at Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, about his vision for spiritual resilience and why he believes it’s time to fight for the soul of the country.
2/6/202319 minutes, 42 seconds
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Chicago Innovators: How Hemp Can Heal Our Soil

On average, lead levels in Chicago soil are about 11 times above the natural baseline levels. Lead pollutes both our city’s water and soil, and researchers are trying to find ways to lower our chances of long-term exposure. Reset chats with Kevin Erickson, senior manager of sustainable agriculture at the School of Environmental Sustainability at Loyola University, to learn about the possibilities of growing hemp in contaminated soil in order to transform that soil.
2/6/202317 minutes, 2 seconds
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Top Med Schools Rebel Against U.S. Rankings System

What does it mean to be a “top-ranked” medical school? Many of the schools withdrawing from the long-standing rankings system say those rankings perpetuate inequities in medical education that then spill over into medical care. Reset talks with Dr. Vineet Arora, assistant dean at University of Chicago’s Pritzker School of Medicine, and Hannah Priddy, a fourth-year medical student at University of Chicago, about how to improve diversity, equity and inclusion in medical schools.
2/6/202315 minutes, 24 seconds
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What Chicago’s Mayoral Candidates Have Planned For Public Schools

The next mayor will inherit a bevy of challenges when it comes to Chicago Public Schools, including a looming budget deficit and declining enrollment. Reset talks to Sarah Karp, WBEZ education reporter, to find out how the mayoral candidates will approach these challenges.
2/6/202316 minutes, 28 seconds
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How To Find New Music And Support Artists Without Spotify

Independent artists have it harder than ever, and big streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music pay less than a penny per listen. So how can you give back to the person behind that song on repeat? Musician Sen Morimoto, DJ Shane Bradley and Vocalo Host Stephen Bekoe join Reset to talk about how to find new music without streaming and how to support your favorite artists.
2/4/202322 minutes, 40 seconds
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Bias Against Bodies: Medical Fatphobia Has Real Consequences

We’re taught from a young age that fatness and weight gain are inherently unhealthy. But research shows being fat is not itself unhealthy, and anti-fat bias is immeasurably harmful to our health. The Health At Every Size framework of care presents solutions. Reset digs into the barriers larger-bodied people face in medicine — and how that impacts every other part of their lives with Dr. Kate Johnson, interim chair of psychiatry at Loyola University, and Mikey Mercedes, writer and doctoral student at Brown University’s school of public health. Then Reset talks to Evette Dionne about her new memoir Weightless and confronting medical fatphobia.
2/3/202335 minutes, 58 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: Feb. 3, 2023

We’re only a few weeks away from Chicago’s mayoral election, COVID-19 public health emergency declarations are set to end in May, and Beyoncé is coming to Chicago. Reset breaks down these stories and much more with WBEZ editor Alden Loury; Lorraine Forte, head of the editorial board for the Chicago Sun-Times; and Maxwell Evans, reporter for Block Club Chicago.
2/3/202344 minutes, 47 seconds
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75 Years Since The Chicago Sun-Times First Hit Newsstands

The Sun-Times is celebrating its 75 years of informing Chicago-area readers this week. Since January 2022, it has been part of Chicago Public Media alongside WBEZ and Vocalo. Reset talks with Sun-Times staffers Neil Steinberg and Stefano Esposito about the paper’s past, present and future.
2/3/202316 minutes, 13 seconds
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Bias Against Bodies: Fatphobia And Weight Stigma In The Workplace

There are currently no federal U.S. laws that protect people from weight-based discrimination, and only a handful of cities and states have such laws on the books. Reset talks to professor Esther Rothblum and advocate Brandie Solovay about why this discrimination persists and how to address it.
2/2/202319 minutes, 3 seconds
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Chicago Opera ‘The Factotum’ Blends Soul, Funk, Hip Hop And The Black Barbershop

Ready for some hip-hopera? Reset talks with Rajendra Ramoon Maharaj, director, dramaturg and co-book writer for The Factotum, a fresh spin on The Barber of Seville that takes place on the South Side of Chicago and highlights diverse voices and diverse life experiences in a way that’s often missing from the genre of opera.
2/2/202313 minutes, 6 seconds
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The Chicago Reader Looks To The Future

After a tumultuous few years, the Chicago Reader moved to non-profit status in 2022. A six-month nationwide search for the right person to lead the new organization led to tapping a homegrown talent with experience at the Better Government Association and other Chicago-based organizations. Reset checks in with the former publisher and the publisher-to-be who starts in mid-February.
2/2/202316 minutes, 54 seconds
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Bias Against Bodies: The Evolution Of Plus-Size Fashion

Plus-size fashion has come a long way in the 119 years since Lane Bryant opened its doors in 1904, but it still has a long way to go. Many people still struggle to access the same clothing options as straight-size people. Reset learns more from fashion blogger Natalie Craig and journalist Gianluca Russo, author of The Power of Plus. Then we’ll hear from Jovana Savic, founder of Thick Mall, a local vintage market offering more options to plus-size customers and local writer Megan Kirby who covered Thick Mall for the New York Times.
2/1/202336 minutes, 56 seconds
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New WBEZ Must-Listen: ‘Shoes Off: A Sexy Asians Podcast’

This newest WBEZ podcast shares stories of Asian Americans and their relationships with identity, confidence, and success. Reset chats with the hosts Susie An and Esther Yoon-Ji Kang, along with producer Stephanie Kim to get a behind-the-scenes look at the pod.
2/1/202318 minutes, 15 seconds
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FDA Set To Ease Blood Donation Restrictions On Gay, Bisexual Men

A lifetime ban on gay and bisexual men donating blood was instituted in 1985, but change is afoot. Reset hears from Dr. Anu Hazra, University of Chicago infectious disease specialist, Jim Pickett, senior advisor with AVAC, Global Advocacy for HIV Prevention, Luke Romesberg, director of Youth Housing Program at the Center on Halsted, and Jennifer Brier, professor of history and gender and women’s studies, UIC.
2/1/202334 minutes, 29 seconds
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Mental Health Care Is Out Of Reach For Many Migrants

Many asylum seekers arrive in Chicago with little knowledge of where they’ll sleep or how they’ll access food and care, especially mental health care. Reset hears about one migrant’s experience from Chicago-Sun Times journalist Elvia Malagón and from professor and social worker Aimee Hilado about what support migrants needs most.
1/31/202315 minutes, 10 seconds
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Bias Against Bodies: Traveling With Plus-Size Women

Structural fatphobia is everywhere, including the skies. Almost no one can get comfortable on airplanes, and that’s especially true for fat and plus-size people. Reset speaks to podcast hosts Nicci Nunez and Alex Stewart who are leading trips around the world for plus-size people.
1/31/202317 minutes, 48 seconds
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How Chicago Voters Can Make Informed Decisions In The City Election

Chicago has some major decision-making to do in the February 28 election, and WBEZ and the Chicago Sun-Times are here to help you get up-to-date on the issues you care about. Reset talks to politics editors Tony Arnold and Angela Rozas O’Toole about the new mayoral questionnaire and quiz.
1/31/202314 minutes, 18 seconds
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Bias Against Bodies: The Argument For ‘Weight-Neutral’ Fitness

For countless Americans, the start of a new year brings renewed goals of weight loss, exercise and trying the latest diet trend. But for the sake of both mental and physical health, advocates are calling for a weight-neutral approach to fitness. Reset learns about what that would look like with Louise Green, C.P.T., plus-size trainer and founder of Big Fit Girl and Mirna Valerio, runner, speaker and author of A Beautiful Work in Progress.
1/30/202322 minutes, 53 seconds
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Chicagoans React To Fatal Police Beating Of Tyre Nichols

Residents in Chicago and surrounding areas held vigils and protests demanding police accountability after the release of body cam footage that showed Memphis police officers brutally beating 29-year-old Tyre Nichols. He later died from his injuries. Reset talks with Sharon Fairley from the University of Chicago Law School, co-founder of the Let Us Breathe Collective Damon Williams and founder of the Lake County Chapter of Black Lives Matter Clyde McLemore.
1/30/202320 minutes, 42 seconds
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Chicago Woos Laid-Off Foreign Tech Workers

How can Chicago become a technology hub to, perhaps one day, compete with the likes of Silicon Valley? A coalition of businesses in Chicago thinks one step could be hiring thousands of foreign workers, all of them H-1B visa holders laid off in recent weeks by companies like Microsoft and Google. The group will need to move quickly. When an H-1B visa holder is let go from an American company, they have 60 days to find work or leave the country. Reset talks with Brad Henderson and Nuwan Samaraweera of P33 who are leading the Chicago H-1B Connect Coalition.
1/30/202314 minutes, 50 seconds
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How To Cope With Major Life Changes

Dr. Maya Shankar started her podcast A Slight Change of Plans as a pandemic project. Now, she is nearly three years into hosting insightful conversations about change. Reset gets a lesson in coping with change from the cognitive scientist and podcast host.
1/28/202320 minutes, 44 seconds
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What’s That Building? Thornton Distilling Co.

Reset explores a distillery at one of the oldest remaining brewing sites in Illinois with architecture sleuth Dennis Rodkin.
1/27/202311 minutes, 38 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: Jan. 27, 2023

The NRA files a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of Illinois’ assault weapons ban. Classes are back in session at UIC as faculty end their strike. A White Sox pitcher is investigated for domestic abuse allegations. Reset goes behind those headlines with John Chase, deputy metro editor at the Chicago Tribune, Dave McKinney, WBEZ state politics reporter and Brandis Friedman, WTTW co-anchor and correspondent and host of “Chicago Tonight: Black Voices”
1/27/202345 minutes, 30 seconds
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27 Days. 40 Mass Shootings In America.

Article: (Two sentences max) With the seemingly never-ending barrage of gun violence, how do you cope? Do you go numb? Can’t sleep? That’s all normal according to the American Psychological Association. Reset talks with a psychologist Iggy V Ladden and pastor Raymond Chang and hears from WBEZ listeners.
1/27/202322 minutes, 37 seconds
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Minority-Led Startups Get A Boost At Chicago Tech Incubator

An incubator on the South Side of Chicago aims to launch new businesses and train young people to be entrepreneurs. Reset checks in with James Parker, CEO and founder of 1921 Coworking and Incubator.
1/26/202315 minutes, 50 seconds
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What’s That Building? The Delaware Building

The Bryant Block, now known as the Delaware Building, was one of the most regal to be built downtown after the Great Chicago Fire. But in subsequent years, it became a hotbed of gossip and intrigue. Reset gets the story from their architecture sleuth Dennis Rodkin.
1/26/202312 minutes, 12 seconds
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Expanding What ‘Tourist Destination’ Means In Chicago

A new grant from the city’s tourism arm Choose Chicago seeks to help 12 Chicago neighborhoods draw more tourism: Auburn Gresham, Austin, Back of the Yards, Englewood, Lincoln Park, Lincoln Square, New City, North Center, North Lawndale, Roseland, South Chicago and Hyde Park. Reset hears more about the program with vice president of Choose Chicago Rob Fojtk and hears from folks in neighborhoods who could receive this money.
1/26/202325 minutes, 25 seconds
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Who Got Snubbed In Oscar Nominations?

Nominations for this year‘s Academy Awards were released this week, with the film “Everything Everywhere All at Once” leading the pack with 11 nominations. Meanwhile, critically-acclaimed films like “The Woman King,” “Till” and “Nope” were shut out of Hollywood’s biggest night of the year. Reset talks with a pop culture writer Michi Trota and a cinematic superfan, Jeremy Marder from the Music Box Theatre, for their takes on this year’s nominees.
1/25/202320 minutes, 57 seconds
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What’s That Building? First Baptist Church Of Hammond

In this installment of Reset’s on-going series “What’s That Building?” the show learns about a mini-architecture district in Hammond, Indiana, just over the border from Illinois. Reset hears from its architectural sleuth, Dennis Rodkin, about the First Baptist Church in Hammond, and how it came to preserve so much building history.
1/25/202310 minutes, 20 seconds
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How Safe Are Common Menstrual Products?

Companies that make disposable and reusable period products like tampons, cups, pads and underwear aren’t required to list the chemicals they contain. This came into focus after popular period underwear brand Thinx settled a class action lawsuit that alleged the company’s marketing misrepresented the safety of the products. Reset learns from health experts Anna Pollack and Jhumka Gupta of George Mason University about the research that goes into ensuring these products are safe and accessible.
1/25/202318 minutes, 50 seconds
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Chicago Asian Americans React To California Mass Shooting

Lunar New Year started Sunday. It’s supposed to be a time of celebration. But how might mass shootings targeting Asian Americans impact local Lunar New Year events? Reset is joined by Tuan Huynh and Van Huynh who are organizing festivities in Chicago, Alderwoman Nicole Lee and Stephanie Foerster from the Uptown Chamber of Commerce.
1/24/202318 minutes, 45 seconds
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What’s That Building? The Sheldon and Harriet Peck Homestead

Reset architecture sleuth Dennis Rodkin takes us to the Sheldon and Harriet Peck Homestead, a confirmed Underground Railroad site in west suburban Lombard.
1/24/202313 minutes, 11 seconds
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The COVID Pandemic Is Now Three Years Old

As we mark three years with COVID-19, the FDA has announced the U.S. will soon move to a single dose of vaccine each year, like an annual flu shot. Reset checks in on that as the importance of sleep for our health with infectious disease specialist Dr. Mia Taormina of Duly Health and Care.
1/24/202314 minutes, 29 seconds
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‘What’s That Building?’ The Preston Bradley Center Gets A Second Act

The Preston Bradley Center has been a staple of Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood since 1925. It was recently under threat of demolition, but former Uptown resident Dan Ivankovich decided to save the building and transform it into a multi-purpose space to serve the local community. Reset learns about the building's history and what it might look like in the future with Dennis Rodkin, reporter for Crain’s Chicago Business.
1/23/202313 minutes, 3 seconds
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What’s Next In The Fight For Abortion Access?

Jan. 22 marked 50 years since Roe v. Wade. Reset discusses the past, present and future of reproductive rights with journalist Shefali Luthra and abortion advocate Alicia Hurtado.
1/23/202316 minutes, 34 seconds
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Public Libraries Fight Back Against Book Bans

Chicagoland libraries are coming into conflict with parents who say they’re exercising their First Amendment right to protest a variety of children’s books about LGBT acceptance and body positivity. Reset talks to WBEZ metro reporter Adora Namigadde and Lindsey Dorfman, executive director of the Glenview Public Library.
1/23/202312 minutes, 55 seconds
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Chicago DJs Celebrate International House Music With ‘Global Currency’

We ALL like to dance. A couple Chicago DJs are proving just that with their party, Global Currency, celebrating international club music inspired by one of Chicago’s musical exports — house music. DJ Mochi and DJ IGGY join Reset to share some tunes from South America, Africa, and more.
1/21/202318 minutes
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Lost & Found: Where Are The Best Fabric Stores In Chicago?

In our series “Lost And Found,” Reset helps listeners locate things in the Chicago area they’re struggling to find. In this installment, digital engagement producer Claire Hyman helps a set designer find fabric, wallpaper and more. And Bob Doepel, founder of Chicago Scenic Studios, explains a day in the life of a set designer.
1/20/202314 minutes, 47 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: Jan. 20, 2023

The Illinois Rifle Association sues to stop the state’s weapons ban, Nicor Gas proposes income-based utility rates, and the Chicago Bears have their sights set on Arlington Heights. Reset goes behind the headlines with Paris Schutz, reporter and anchor, WTTW-TV, Carrie Shepherd, lead producer of the podcast City Cast Chicago, and Steve Daniels, Crain’s Chicago Business senior reporter.
1/20/202344 minutes, 43 seconds
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Why Are People Fighting Over Stoves?

No, there’s not a ban on gas stoves. But concerns over indoor air pollution’s effect on our health led the US Consumer Product Safety Commission to discuss the possibility of the first ever safety regulation of new gas stoves. Reset discusses how this debate fits into the push to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels with Loyola University Chicago’s Baumhart Center for Social Enterprise and Responsibility, Karen Weigert and Brent Stephens, Professor and Department Chair in the Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering at Illinois Tech. Then Reset learns about the difference between induction and gas stoves with reporter Khaya Himmelman.
1/20/202331 minutes, 18 seconds
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Lost & Found: Where Can I Find Fresh Hot Peppers In Chicago?

Is it getting hot in here? In this installment of Reset Lost and Found, a spice enthusiast called the show in search of fresh hot peppers in Chicago. So our Digital Engagement Reporter, Claire Hyman, located markets throughout the city that sell varieties of chiles. Plus, a local chef Sebastian White gives us some inspiration for how to incorporate a little heat in our cuisine.
1/19/202313 minutes, 36 seconds
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How Should Artificial Intelligence Be Used In The Classroom?

Generative AI tools like ChatGPT and DALL-E are becoming more and more impressive and accessible to anyone with a computer, including students. Some educators expressed concerns about cheating, while others are embracing AI as a teaching tool. Reset speaks with a WBEZ reporter Char Daston and CPS teacher Brady Dunnink about how ChatGPT is impacting city classrooms. Then they talk with Leigh Ann DeLyser from CSForAll and Charles Fadel of the Center for Curriculum development about how and whether to expand AI to more education programs.
1/19/202331 minutes, 20 seconds
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Re-thinking Safety In Queer Spaces

Instances of LGBTQ hate crimes are increasing across the country, and Chicago isn’t immune. This week, a hammer-wielding man yelled slurs and attacked a queer-owned business in Rogers Park. Reset talks with journalist Jake Wittich, and Slo’mo producer Kristen Kaza about the impact of these attacks and what can be done to preserve safety in queer spaces.
1/19/202318 minutes, 53 seconds
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Lost & Found: Where Can You Get A Cup of Swedish Egg Coffee?

In our series Lost and Found, producers track down things in Chicago that a Google search can’t uncover. Elizabeth emailed the show asking where she can find her friend’s favorite drink: Swedish egg coffee. Reset brings on producer Claire Hyman and Tre Kronor owner Patty Rasmussen to learn about the history of the beverage and how to make it.
1/18/202314 minutes, 34 seconds
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Confronting Anti-Asian Hate After Indiana Student Attacked

An Asian American student was stabbed multiple times in the head while waiting to get off a bus at Indiana University. The attack has yet to be called a hate crime, though the attacker reportedly targeted the victim because she was “Chinese.” It’s clear that anti-Asian violence continues even past the surge the U.S. saw in 2020. But what more needs to be done? Reset discusses with a panel of Asian American activists and community members.
1/18/202323 minutes, 14 seconds
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UIC Faculty Go On Strike

University of Illinois Chicago United Faculty union takes to the picket line after failing to reach an agreement with UIC administration. Reset hears from WBEZ reporter Lisa Philip and UIC faculty member Kate Floros.
1/18/202312 minutes, 3 seconds
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Chicagoans Sound Off On Public Transit Struggles

WBEZ surveyed CTA riders about their experiences and got thousands for responses. Reset hears from WBEZ’s Cassie Walker Burke and Courtney Kueppers about what riders had to say.
1/17/202330 minutes, 52 seconds
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Lost & Found: What Happened To My Favorite Painting?

In our series “Lost And Found,” Reset digital engagement producer Claire Hyman helps listeners locate things in the Chicago area they’re struggling to find. In this installment, she helps a woman find a beloved painting that had once hung in her office downtown before it up and vanished. As part of search, we hear from the painter himself George C. Clarke.
1/17/202314 minutes, 16 seconds
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Sankofa Wellness Village Wins Chicago Prize

Sankofa Wellness Village will receive $10 million from the Pritzker Traubert Foundation. Reset revisits its conversation with prizewinners Theodore Joseph, Ayesha Jaco and Kemena Brooks about their plans to improve West Garfield Park.
1/17/202318 minutes, 3 seconds
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A Personal Finance Expert’s Top Tips For 2023

Reset sits down with a financial expert and author Christine Benz to answer listeners’ burning personal finance questions about spending, saving and investing.
1/16/202331 minutes, 23 seconds
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Historic Bronzeville Honored As National Heritage Area

Chicago’s Black cultural hub receives a national landmark recognition that will help it preserve its historical sites. Reset chats with Bernard Turner, executive director of the Black Metropolis National Heritage Area Commission and with WBEZ editor Alden Loury about the designation and what it could mean for the neighborhood.
1/16/202314 minutes, 8 seconds
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Meet The Journalists Whose Medium Is TikTok

TikTok has a reputation for its seemingly bottomless well of dance trends and lip sync videos, but there are as many sides of TikTok as there are users. It has quickly become a forum for cultural conversation, and many Gen Z users even get their news from the app. Reset hears from TikTokkers journalists, Chris Vazquez and Jack Corbett, about building an audience, keeping people from scrolling away, and what makes the app tick.
1/14/202318 minutes, 49 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: Jan. 13, 2023

Reset dives into the biggests stories and behind the headlines from local stories with Brandon Pope, reporter and anchor at CW 26, Dan Petrella, Chicago Tribune state government reporter and Alex Nitkin, Better Government Association reporter.
1/13/202346 minutes
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Would You Watch A 13-hour Film?

Maybe you binged an entire season of a show in a weekend or watched an epic like Titanic, but compared to the films in the new series at the Gene Siskel Film Center, those seem like a TikTok video. In its ‘Settle In’ series, viewers watch what can only be described as marathon films that test their endurance. Reset learns about the series and the history of these films with programming director Rebecca Fons.
1/13/202315 minutes, 8 seconds
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How Humans Are Healing The Ozone Layer

Global action and a commitment by nation’s leaders to stop producing a harmful chemical used in aerosols and refrigerators has shifted the course of this looming problem. Reset learns more about how the world changed course with climate scientist Kristina Dahl and ozone layer expert Stephen Montzka.
1/13/202314 minutes, 52 seconds
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What’s That Building? The Chicago Freedom Center

In another episode of What’s that Building, Reset gets a glimpse of Chicago's rise and fall as a behemoth in the newspaper industry. Reset talks to journalist Dennis Rodin about the Tribune Freedom Center and what will soon take its place along the Chicago River.
1/12/202311 minutes, 2 seconds
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Chicago’s Terrible Traffic And Commuting Alternatives

Chicago beat L.A, Houston and other traffic-clogged cities to be named the city with the worst congestion and traffic for the second year in a row, according to a report from the mobility analytics firm, Inrix. Reset speaks with transit expert Joseph Schwieterman about why and how this affects people's lives.
1/12/202334 minutes, 3 seconds
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City Council Takes On Teen Vaping

Another city official is making it a priority to protect against the health risks of e-cigarettes and liquid nicotine products. Reset hears from Ald. Napolitano about his new ordinance and from Dr. Maria Rahmander of Lurie Children’s Hospital about the health risks associated with teen e-cig use.
1/11/202314 minutes, 30 seconds
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Chicago Principals May Soon Be Allowed To Unionize

A bill granting Chicago principals and assistant principals collective bargaining rights was approved by the Illinois Senate late last week. It now heads to Governor JB Pritzker’s desk for final approval. Reset learns more from WBEZ education reporter Sarah Karp and State Sen. Cristina Pacione-Zayas.
1/11/202311 minutes, 51 seconds
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Migrants In Chicago Need Housing

Reset gets the latest from advocates Reverend Sandra Castillo and Ere Rendon from the Resurrection Project. Both have been working to find asylum seekers permanent housing.
1/10/202317 minutes, 5 seconds
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Mayoral Ads Go On The Attack, And Voters Get Their Chance To Be Heard

From bio ads to attack ads, what messages are Chicago’s mayoral candidates sending to voters? Reset breaks down the spin with political analyst Jason DeSanto and how this might affect who pulls out ahead. Then WBEZ’s Alex Keefe stops by to talk about the People’s Agenda — Chicago residents’ chance to help shape WBEZ’s election coverage and Reset’s mayoral forums on Feb. 7, 8 and 9.
1/10/202318 minutes, 39 seconds
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Lake Swimming And Other Creative Ways To Enjoy Winter In Chicago

Every Chicagoan knows the winters can be a real drag, and a long drag at that. But some residents have found passions that make the cold season a little easier. Reset hears from Alison Cuddy, who discovered the joy of winter swimming, Rhonda Wheatley who makes art journals, and comedians Deanna Ortiz and Mila Rao who practice and teach the art of comedy.
1/9/202330 minutes, 23 seconds
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Chicago’s Top Doc Discusses Mental Health Resources, COVID-19

Reset checks in with Dr. Allison Arwady, commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health, about steps the city is taking to improve access to mental health resources for residents. We also get an update on COVID-19 in the city.
1/9/202319 minutes, 2 seconds
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What is Adaptive Clothing?

After seeing his grandmother struggle to get dressed in assisted living, the founder of Joe & Bella decided to create an adaptive fashion brand that worked for older adults and was actually fashionable. Reset talks to Ben Graham, vice president of marketing for Joe & Bella, about adaptive apparel and hears from Reyes Witt and Hugo Colin from Columbia College about a recent collaboration with fashion students.
1/7/202314 minutes, 36 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: Jan. 6, 2023

Reset goes behind the headlines of the biggest local stories of the week with Erin Hegarty, City Hall reporter for the Daily Line, A.D. Quig, Cook County and Chicago government reporter for the Chicago Tribune and Tony Arnold, WBEZ politics editor.
1/6/202345 minutes, 4 seconds
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How To Make Friends As An Adult

Once a week Reset hosts a conversation on Twitter Spaces to bring you interviews beyond the show. Reset recently spoke to Dr. Marisa G. Franco and New York Times “friendship correspondent” Anna Goldfarb about why it’s difficult to make new friends in adulthood and how we can forge new connections at any stage in life.
1/6/202318 minutes, 37 seconds
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Is It Even Possible To Make The NFL Safer?

Reset explores the debate around health and safety in the NFL after Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest and was resuscitated on the field. We check in with WBEZ sports contributor Cheryl Raye-Stout and former Chicago Bears linebacker Sam Acho.
1/6/202321 minutes, 26 seconds
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Meet The Chicago Teen Who’s Now A Chess Master

In the past two decades, Chicago Public Schools has built a vibrant chess program. Reset checks in with CPS student and chess master Avi Kaplan, CPS chess coordinator Arlecia Taylor and CPS chess consultant David Heiser.
1/5/202317 minutes, 43 seconds
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Will 2023 Be The Year Of Gun Control?

Supporters of an Illinois bill are pushing for an assault weapons ban as the state marks six months since the deadly mass shooting in Highland Park. Reset checks in with the bill’s sponsor, State Rep. Bob Morgan (D-Deerfield) and youth organizer Rachel Jacoby of March For Our Lives
1/5/202320 minutes, 25 seconds
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Chicago Poised To Return To ‘High Risk’ For COVID-19

Reset hears the latest on COVID, the flu, RSV and more from Dr. Mia Taormina, infectious disease specialist with Duly Health and Care
1/4/202314 minutes, 54 seconds
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Tech Trends To Watch In 2023

If you don’t think news out of the tech world affects you, think again. With your favorite streaming service shaking things up and the metaverse looming, this might be a big year for the tech we use every day. Reset checks in with Tatum Hunter, Washington Post technology writer.
1/4/202312 minutes, 49 seconds
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Is Crime In Chicago Getting Better Or Worse?

Murders dropped 13% in 2022, but all reported crimes were up 12% during the same time period. Reset goes behind the statistics with Chicago Sun-Times reporters Andy Grimm and Tom Schuba.
1/4/202317 minutes, 3 seconds
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Bias Against Bodies At The Gym

Exercise can be fraught for people with larger bodies. So, how about a weight-neutral approach to fitness? We kick off our “Bias Against Bodies” series with plus-size trainer and founder of “Big Fit Girl” Louise Green and runner, speaker and author Mirna Valerio. Next week, we explore the challenges of flying on an airplane for people with larger bodies.
1/3/202323 minutes, 6 seconds
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How To Self-Care In 2023

Reset explores different approaches to self-care and ways we can prevent the cycle of burnout with therapist, podcast host and author Matthias Roberts, speaker and author Laura Vanderkam and author Jonathan Malesic.
1/3/202331 minutes, 35 seconds
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Reset Music Faves: Introducing ‘FINOM’

We’re revisiting some of our favorite music interviews from 2022. Today, we’re featuring the art rock duo FINOM, formerly known as OHMME. The band is made up of Macie Stewart and Sima Cunningham, who are veterans in Chicago's DIY music scene. They test the boundaries of their voices and their instruments to create a strange — yet spellbinding — sound. Reset sat down with FINOM to talk about the name change and break down some of their music.
1/2/202326 minutes, 7 seconds
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Chicago Native Matt B Talks Grammy Nod And Afrobeats

Reset chats with artist Matt B about his recent Global Music Grammy nomination and what led him to the Afrobeats genre.
12/31/202215 minutes, 20 seconds
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Top Chicago Eats Of 2022, And Where To Find The Best Burger In Town

Reset gets the dish on some of the best restaurants from this past year. Chicago Tribune food critic Nick Kindelsperger and co-hosts of the podcast “77 Flavors of Chicago” Dario Durham and Sara Faddah all share the best grub they had in 2022.
12/30/202235 minutes, 25 seconds
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Reset Music Faves: When Andrew Bird Can’t Sleep At Night, He Writes

We’re revisiting some of our favorite interviews with Chicago musicians from the past year. We spoke with multi-instrumentalist Andrew Bird back in April. Bird discussed performing, songwriting, and the violin he bought when he was sixteen years old.
12/30/202217 minutes, 47 seconds
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Our Favorite TV Shows From 2022

From comedies like “Abbott Elementary'' to epic sci-fi like “Andor”, 2022 was a fantastic year for the small screen. Reset assembles a panel featuring: Danette Chavez, editor-in-chief of Primetimer, Brandon Pope, reporter/anchor at CW 26, and Arionne Nettles, journalist, lecturer at Northwestern University. They share their picks and some shows that flew under the radar.
12/29/202244 minutes, 35 seconds
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When Will The Airline Cancellations End?

Winter storm Elliott brought ice, sub-zero temperatures and high winds to much of the U.S. leading to a cascade of cancellations and delays over the busiest travel weekend of the year. On Monday alone there were over 4,000 flight cancellations in the U.S. and over 9,000 delays. Reset learns how this happens, what you need to know as a passenger, and what advocates are pushing for to make travel smoother. We talk to David Schaper, NPR transportation correspondent, and Andrew Appelbaum, staff attorney for Flyers Rights.
12/29/202214 minutes, 40 seconds
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Reset Music Fave: Ravyn Lenae On Local Musicians And Her New Album

Chicago R&B artist Ravyn Lenae is out with her debut album Hypnos. It’s been four years since she released her last EP, and fans are overjoyed. Ravyn joins Reset to discuss musical inspirations, Chicago artists and her new music. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
12/28/202218 minutes, 43 seconds
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Best Movies Of 2022

Reset reviews the best movies of the year with Chicago Tribune film critic Michael Phillips, PRISM editor Michi Trota and Facets film program director Charles Coleman.
12/28/202245 minutes, 33 seconds
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Reset Music Fave: Folk Artist Jess Shoman Of Tenci Discusses Her Roots In Chicago’s DIY Music Scene

We're revisiting our conversation with Jess Shoman, frontwoman of the band Tenci. She joined Reset to discuss her music, recent tour and Chicago’s DIY music scene. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us
12/27/202217 minutes, 38 seconds
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Reset Music Faves: Chicago Artist Saba Discusses New Album ‘Few Good Things’

Saba’s latest album “Few Good Things,” took almost four years to finish. “Part of the personal evolution that you hear is just the time spent sitting with the record, tweaking the record, and being able to be present,” he told Reset. The Chicago hip-hop artist takes us inside his follow-up to 2018’s “CARE FOR ME” and tells us how vulnerability fuels his process. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
12/26/202218 minutes, 27 seconds
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Reset Music Faves: Please Have A Seat And Listen To Nnamdi’s New Album

Chicago multi-instrumentalist Nnamdi visits Reset on the release day of his impressive new album, Please Have A Seat. He also shares who he’s excited about in the Chicago music scene, and why he’s already looking ahead to what’s next.
12/24/202219 minutes, 26 seconds
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WBEZ Weekly News Recap: Dec. 23, 2022

Students hold a walkout after shooting at a high school in Pilsen; COVID cases rise as holidays approach; Frigid temps hit Chicago; and a new round of marijuana licenses is announced. Reset goes behind those headlines and with Amy Guth, host of Crain’s Chicago Business podcast, “Daily Gist”, David Greising, president, CEO Better Government Association, and Becky Vevea, bureau chief, Chalkbeat Chicago, on the Weekly News Recap
12/23/202250 minutes, 19 seconds
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How To Keep Your Car Running In A Polar Vortex

A winter storm is upon us. It’s bringing snow and dropping temperatures, so for those that have cars, here’s what you need to know to winterize your vehicle. Reset gets some inside tips from auto expert, Joe Betancourt Jr. of Joe’s Expert Auto in Lincoln Park.
12/23/202213 minutes, 37 seconds
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Chicagoans Celebrate 2022

With all of us closing the book on 2022, we’re taking a moment to look back on some of the best things that happened to Chicagoans. Reset talks to listener Margot McMahon about finishing a book about her parents who were longtime activists in Chicago.
12/22/202222 minutes, 44 seconds
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Guns Are The Leading Cause Of Death For Kids In The U.S.

In 2020, gun deaths surpassed car accidents as the leading cause of death for American children. Reset hears from Brandy Martin, who has lost family members to gun violence, and journalist Ben Austen, who’s been reporting these stories of loss.
12/22/202216 minutes, 21 seconds
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A Teen Leader And A Counselor Discuss Black Mental Health

How do you take care of yourself and your mental health while pursuing both school, passion projects and the pressure that comes with both? For the latest in our Black mental health series, Reset hears from Adeeb Borden, CEO of Black Youth Leadership 21, about how he balances high ambitions and self care. Then, Reset hears from Black mental healthcare provider Tasha Jackson about her career, as well as challenges and disparities in the mental health field.
12/21/202230 minutes, 24 seconds
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Ending Ageism In The Workplace

The Urban Institute and ProPublica published a study in 2018 that found that 56% of workers 50 or older said they were pushed out of jobs they’d had for a long time and long before they wanted to retire. Reset hears from Mary O’Donnell, president of RRF Foundation for Aging, and Tom Kuczmarski, member of RRF Board of Trustees and founder of Kuczmarski Innovation consulting firm, who say we’re in a unique moment to tackle ageism in the workplace.
12/21/202213 minutes, 34 seconds
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Let’s Talk About Work-Life Balance

Quiet quitting has been a big buzzword this year. For some, it means having clear boundaries between work and life. For others, it looks like not putting any extra effort into your job. Reset digs into how some people’s views on work-life balance is changing with Reset producer Micah Yason, Major League Baseball writer Justice delos Santos, product designer Viet Nguyen, and Mike Melendrez, founder of Red Circle Inc.
12/20/202233 minutes, 18 seconds
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COVID Is Rearing Its Ugly Head. Again.

Dozens of Illinois counties are now deemed high-risk for COVID-19 transmission. The flu and RSV are also hitting hard. Reset sits down with Dr. Mia Taormina, infectious disease specialist with Duly Health and Care.
12/20/202218 minutes, 52 seconds
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How To Make The Biggest Impact With Your Donations

An estimated 30 percent of charitable donations happen during the holiday season, but with so many causes to choose from, how should we think about maximizing impact? Reset speaks with Dylan Matthews, senior correspondent and lead writer for Vox and Future Perfect, Tim Bresnahan, senior director of gift planning at Chicago Community Trust, and Michael Plant, founder and director of the Happier Lives Institute.
12/19/202223 minutes, 18 seconds
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Vic Mensa On The Power Of Books

Rapper, activist and actor Vic Mensa wants to provide potentially transformative books to underserved prison libraries across the state. Reset learns more about his latest initiative, Books Before Bars. GUEST: Vic Mensa, Chicago rapper
12/19/202222 minutes, 1 second
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Slow Jams, Fun Vibes Land In Vocalo Radio’s Top 5 For December

Bekoe shares the top five tracks he’s spinning on WBEZ’s sister station Vocalo on 91.1 FM in December.
12/17/202213 minutes, 3 seconds
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Chicago Singer Elizabeth Moen On Her New Album ‘Wherever You Aren’t’

Moen’s latest release shows off her unique combination of genres, borrowing elements from country, soul and some classic rock. Reset checks in with the Chicago singer songwriter.
12/16/202222 minutes, 54 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: Dec. 16, 2022

Assault weapons ban. Red Line extension. A new alderperson. Stricter fines for blocking bike lanes. Crypto controversy. CPD Whistleblower settlement. Reset goes behind the week’s headlines with Chicago Sun-Times chief political reporter Tina Sfondeles, ProPublica Illinois reporter and columnist Mick Dumke and City Cast Chicago host Jacoby Cochran.
12/16/202247 minutes, 11 seconds
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The Fentanyl Crisis Isn’t Slowing Down

Fentanyl is ravaging communities across the country. Why are we seeing so many fentanyl-related overdoses and what makes it so deadly? Reset speaks with experts Tanya Sorrell, co-chair of the Illinois Harm Reduction and Recovery Coalition, and Taylor Wood, lead technician and drug checking program manager for the Chicago Recovery Alliance.
12/16/202219 minutes, 1 second
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Jewish Tradition Of Shabbat Dinner Resonates With Millennials And Gen Z

Shabbat has been around since the first chapter of Genesis, but it’s recently taken off in a new way for the millennial and Gen Z crowd. Reset chatted with Aliza Kline, CEO of OneTable and Leah Weinstein, head of OneTable’s Chicago Chapter, about how they’re making Shabbat accessible for young people.
12/15/202218 minutes, 15 seconds
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Ready To Go Green? Consider A Heat Pump

Heat pumps can be air conditioners in the summer and can work in conjunction with your furnace to heat your home in the winter. And despite misconceptions, they can work in cold climates. Reset learns practical tips you need if you’re considering buying a heat pump and how they fit into the fight against climate change with Reset Sustainability contributor Karen Weigert, and Brandon Clement, sales manager at Deljo Heating and Cooling.
12/15/202220 minutes, 15 seconds
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Beyond Talk Therapy In Black Mental Health

Chatting with a psychologist once a week is far from the only way that Black people are taking charge of their mental health. Reset hears from wellness advocates DeAnna Taylor, certified life coach and founder of Mom-Care Oasis, Ytasha Womack, a writer and dance therapist and her sister Veronica Womack, associate director of inclusive learning communities at Northwestern University.
12/14/202226 minutes, 53 seconds
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Aspiring Chicago Firefighters Face Application Hurdles

The Chicago Fire Department has long had a diversity problem, with a predominantly white and male staff. Despite new testing procedures aimed at boosting Black and Brown applicants, some are still being locked out. Reset learns more about the issue with Lieutenant Quention Curtis, head of Chicago’s Black Fire Brigade, and Will Lee, reporter for the Chicago Tribune.
12/14/202213 minutes, 41 seconds
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Toys That Foster Social And Emotional Learning

Need holiday gift ideas? “Social and emotional learning” toys can help kids practice skills like identifying emotions, self-soothing and communicating needs. Reset digs deeper with Jessica Jama, product manager at the Chicago-area toy company hand2mind.
12/13/202217 minutes, 2 seconds
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What Slowing Inflation Means For You

Inflation slowed in November for the fifth consecutive month. Reset discusses the numbers with David Wessel, director of the Hutchins Center on Fiscal and Monetary Policy at the Brookings Institution.
12/13/202213 minutes, 59 seconds
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Making Inclusive, LGBTQ-affirming Sex Ed A Reality

A viral video of the dean at Francis W. Parker school talking about an optional LGBTQ sex ed class got Reset thinking about what makes good sex ed, and why LGBTQ focused sex education is so important. Reset hears from sex educators and LGBTQ organizers Luke Romesberg, director of the Youth Housing Program at the Center on Halsted, and Stephanie Skora, Chief Operating Officer of Brave Space Alliance.
12/13/202233 minutes, 29 seconds
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How To Teach Asian American History

Earlier this year, Illinois educators began to roll out lessons on Asian American history to fulfill a new requirement in the state. Reset discusses the challenges of teaching traditionally underrepresented histories and how educators are working together to share a richer story of Asian Americans with Grace Pai, executive director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice Chicago, and Laura Houcque Prabhakar, educator for Noble Schools in Chicago.
12/12/202215 minutes, 14 seconds
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Illinois Poised To Ban Assault Weapons

As lawmakers meet to discuss gun control proposals in Springfield, the nation prepares to mark the 10th anniversary of the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary that killed 27 people, many of them children. Reset talks with Sara Knizhnik, chair of the Gun Violence Prevention Initiative for the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office.
12/12/202210 minutes, 31 seconds
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Actor Isaiah Washington Makes Directorial Debut With ‘Corsicana’

Reset checks in with the actor about his new film Corsicana, a fictionalized retelling of the story of Bass Reeves, a formerly enslaved man who became the first Black deputy U.S. Marshal west of the Mississippi.
12/12/202218 minutes, 34 seconds
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Sandra Cisneros Aims To Be A ‘Woman Without Shame’ In New Poetry Collection

What sets poet Sandra Cisneros apart is how she writes with biting honesty about her life. Reset learns about her latest book Woman Without Shame and how it illustrates how she’s found beauty in self-love, feminism and aging.
12/10/202214 minutes, 3 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: Dec. 9, 2022

Five mayoral candidates face challenges that could remove them from the ballot. Chicago holds its largest citizenship ceremony on record. Faculty at the University of Illinois at Chicago announce a potential strike date. A Chicago-based architect is awarded one of the highest honors in the profession. Meanwhile, details continue to be revealed about plans for Chicago’s casino. Reset goes behind those headlines and more on the Weekly News Recap with Better Government Association reporter Alex Nitkin, WBEZ senior education editor Kate Grossman and WTTW political reporter Heather Cherone.
12/9/202246 minutes, 7 seconds
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The Importance Of Cultural Competency For Black Mental Health

After the first installment of Reset’s series on Black mental health, listeners called in with stories of cultural competency in their mental health experience. Reset hears from Charles, a Black man and Oak Park Resident, who has had a positive experience with a therapist of another race.
12/8/202211 minutes, 14 seconds
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WNBA’s Brittney Griner Returning From Russia After Prisoner Swap

The Biden Administration announced her release as part of a prisoner exchange. The U.S released Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout. Reset talks with sports reporters Cheryl Raye-Stoutand Annie Costabile, about Griner’s release and what impact her detention has had on WNBA players who routinely play in Russian basketball leagues in the offseason.
12/8/202212 minutes, 43 seconds
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How Fixing Abandoned Homes Can Reduce Gun Violence

A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found a link between gun violence and abandoned homes. Researchers found that fully restored areas showed about a 13% decrease in gun assaults there. Reset discusses the findings with Kanoya Ali, housing coordinator at Chicago CRED that works individually with at-risk individuals to reduce gun violence through coaching, workforce development and advocacy.
12/8/202212 minutes, 32 seconds
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SCOTUS Debates Discrimination, Elections and Student Loan Debt

Can a website designer refuse to work with same-sex couples even though the state has an anti-discrimination law? How much power should state courts have when it comes to federal elections? The Supreme Court will soon be weighing in. Reset gets a rundown on these issues and more and what it could mean for us with Steven Schwinn, professor at University of Illinois Chicago Law School.
12/7/202212 minutes, 27 seconds
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Chronicling 60 Years Of Jewish Athletes And Sports Fans

How has American Jewish culture shaped sports in the United States? That’s the question host Meredith Shiner answers in her new eight-part podcast The Franchise: Jews, Sports, and America. Reset gets the scoop on the podcast, which drops new episodes every Wednesday
12/7/202211 minutes, 15 seconds
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Why Is The TSA Experimenting With Facial Recognition?

Airline security can be notoriously challenging, especially around the holidays, but some airports are turning to facial recognition technologies to speed up the process. Reset learns more about the risks and benefits of this tech at the airport from Geoffrey Fowler, tech columnist for the Washington Post
12/7/202210 minutes, 25 seconds
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Meet The Creative Minds Behind HBO’s ‘South Side’

Reset is joined by creators of HBO’s South Side Diallo Riddle and Bashir Salahuddin, as well as actor Sultan Salahuddin, to discuss the comedy series based in Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood
12/6/202220 minutes, 51 seconds
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Why Doctors Want A Federal Assault Weapons Ban

Gun violence is now one of the leading causes of death among children in the U.S. Does that make it a public health crisis? Some medical professionals think so. Reset talks with Highland Park physician and mass shooting survivor Dr. Elliot Lieberman about why he’s lobbying Congress for a federal ban.
12/6/202210 minutes, 59 seconds
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Karaoke Gets Personal In Storytelling Event At Schubas Tavern

At Karaoke Storytellers events, performers tell a short story about a song, which they then perform karaoke-style. Reset talks with show creator Connor Gorman and show host Jacoby Cochran of the City Cast Chicago podcast.
12/6/202212 minutes, 59 seconds
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‘Friendly Fraud’ Scam On The Rise In Chicago Restaurants

This kind of fraud occurs when diners enjoy their meal, then call their bank or credit card company to report the charge as fraud, leaving the restaurant to forfeit the tab and the server’s tip. Reset hears more about how this is affecting the local restaurant industry with Crain’s Chicago Business reporter Ally Marotti.
12/5/202214 minutes, 48 seconds
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Chicago Alternatives To The Big Box Gym

Reset talks to some independent gym owners who are actively making an inclusive place for anyone to get active. They include Annie Padrid, owner of the gym The Space in Hyde Park, Jake Goldstein, co-owner of The Gym Pod, and Alex Nsiah-Kumi, co-owner of Paramount Fitness and Personal Training.
12/5/202229 minutes, 51 seconds
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Chicago’s Christkindlmarkets and German Holiday Culture

Guten tag! It’s the winter season in the city, and you know what that means! We get to see annual beloved events again like Christkindlmarket. The bustling seasonal market is one of the most iconic winter traditions in Chicago. And who doesn’t love to swing by and get a drink in one of their famous mugs? But do you know the history and significance behind these markets? Reset hears from local Chicago German cultural experts. GUEST: Monica Jirak, Executive Director of Dank Haus Maren Biester, CEO of German American Events, Organizers of the Christkindlmarkets For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
12/3/20229 minutes, 37 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: Dec. 2, 2022

Illinois lawmakers finish up year’s final legislative session by compromising on controversial criminal justice bill and gather in Springfield to unveil a new historical marker. Reset goes behind those headlines and more in our Weekly News Recap. GUESTS: Alice Yin, politics reporter for the Chicago Tribune Christian Farr, NBC-5 Chicago reporter Dan Mihalopoulos, government and politics reporter with WBEZ For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
12/2/202245 minutes, 33 seconds
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Spotify Tracks Our Listening Habits And We Like It… Kind Of.

Spotify tracked our listening history, and YOURS, all year to give you Spotify Wrapped. Are you uneasy yet? Reset shares our favorite songs of the year and digs into the good, the bad, and the ugly of Spotify. GUEST: Tammy McCann, award-winning Chicago singer Isabel Reidy, lead singer of indi-pop band Izzy True Che “Rhymefest” Smith, Chicago hip-hop artist and humanitarian For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
12/2/202217 minutes, 59 seconds
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Congress Quashed A Rail Strike By Forcing A Deal Between Workers And Bosses

Congress passed a bill forcing an agreement between companies and rail workers to avoid a rail strike. Reset talks to a labor expert Robert Bruno, professor and director of the Labor Education Program at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, to find out what this means for rail workers and other unionization efforts around the country.
12/1/202214 minutes, 37 seconds
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These Teens Went To COP27 And Brought Ideas Back To Chicago

The world’s leaders met in Egypt for the COP27 summit on climate change — and these Chicago teens met with them. The United Nations Climate Change Conference is an annual convening of countries to talk about and address climate change issues. The summit has youth observers — and this year, some of them were from Chicago. Reset talks with youth climate activists Antonio Padilla and Fatima Perez, high school seniors and members of Zero Waste Ambassadors at Solorio High School, about their experience at COP27.
12/1/202213 minutes, 31 seconds
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Online Shopping In The Age Of Scams & Annoying Advertisements

Here’s what to look out for when doing your holiday shopping online.Reset learns how to tell good and bad quality items when shopping online with Heather Kelly, Tech reporter for the Washington Post.
11/30/202216 minutes, 23 seconds
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The Magnificent Mile Is Less Than Magnificent These Days. What Could A Rebirth Look Like?

For decades the Magnificent Mile on Chicago’s Michigan Avenue was a staple of downtown. But in the last few years, the number of vacancies along Chicago’s iconic downtown stretch has continued to rise. A group of business owners and urban planners think it’s time to rethink what the Mag Mile could be and have some ideas. Reset sits down with Judy Crown, freelance reporter with Crain’s Chicago Business, and Mag Mile business owner Nichole Benolken to learn what could be in store.
11/29/202212 minutes, 49 seconds
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CPD To Alter Deeply Flawed Gang Database

A recent lawsuit mandates the Chicago Police Department must change their gang-database. Mayor Lightfoot says there are ‘legitimate’ reasons for the Criminal Enterprise Information System, and rejects ideas of abolishing it. Reset learns more about the system and how advocates want to see it changed with Heather Cherone, political reporter for WTTW.
11/29/20228 minutes, 25 seconds
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Why Hundreds Of Pilots Are Volunteering To Fly Patients Across State Lines

Abortion bans might be the law of the land in some states, but they don’t have jurisdiction on the skies. Volunteer pilots can fly right through loopholes to get patients seeking abortion care across state lines. Reset gets the scoop on Illinois nonprofit Elevated Access from freelance journalist Elly Fishman and Mike, a pilot and founder of Elevated Access.
11/28/202216 minutes, 41 seconds
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Chicago Prize 2022 Finalist Reimagines South Shore Intersection

Six groups are fighting for their chance to revitalize their community and win $10 million. Today Reset discusses a plan that could provide Chicago’s South Shore with more affordable housing, a health center and commercial spaces. We talk to Leon Walker with DL3 Realty; Ms. Jera Slaughter, resident of South Shore and founder of the South Shore 7th Ward Community Council and Community Round Table; and Anthony Simpkins, president of Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago.
11/28/202221 minutes, 34 seconds
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One of Chicago’s ‘Chosen Few’ DJs just got nominated for a Grammy

Reset sits down with Chicago-based DJ Terry Hunter about his recent Grammy nomination for his remix of Beyoncé’s “Break My Soul” and how he wants to see house grow in the future.
11/26/202215 minutes, 55 seconds
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Catch ‘The Princess Bride’ in Concert At The Chicago Symphony Orchestra This Week

Behind every great movie is an equally great score. And there is a long tradition of orchestras playing movie scores live—including this weekend at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.Reset talks to the CSO at the Movies conductor Richard Kaufman and a local music critic Britt Julious about The Princess Bride in concert.
11/25/202216 minutes, 57 seconds
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Skip The Turkey Sandwich. Here’s How To Jazz Up Thanksgiving Leftovers

Thanksgiving is a time filled with food, loved ones, and more food. So much food we aren’t sure what to do with the rest. Reset speaks with Jordan Wimby, known as Melanin Martha — a food preservationist and cultural historian — about new ways to use your Thanksgiving leftovers.
11/24/202214 minutes, 19 seconds
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Big Tech Is Training Your Kid To Be Its Consumer Forever

Children and preteens wield $1.2 trillion in purchasing power every year. This is through items they buy directly, or that they convince their parents to buy for them, according to a 2018 Viacom report. And tech companies know it. Reset learns more about the effects tech and advertising can have on children’s learning and values with Susan Linn, psychologist, child play expert and author of Who’s Raising the Kids?: Big Tech, Big Business, and the Lives of Children.
11/23/202218 minutes, 9 seconds
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Meet The Woman Behind Five Nursing Schools Across The Chicago Area

Reset sits down with Ebony Scott, CEO of Scott School of Careers, who opened several nursing schools herself across the city to find out how she did it and what compelled her to take action.
11/22/202213 minutes, 44 seconds
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The World Cup Kicked Off This Week, But Controversies Continue To Swirl

The 2022 World Cup is underway in Qatar. The host country has received pushback on a number of recent decisions, from the sale of beer to players’ right to protest. Reset checks in with Brian Sandalow, contributing sports writer to Chicago Sun-Times and two professors from Northwestern in Qatar — Susan Dun and Craig LaMay — about the tumultuous backdrop of this year's World Cup.
11/22/202216 minutes, 52 seconds
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Chicago Prize 2022 Finalist Says People Shouldn’t Have To Leave Their Neighborhood To Survive, Thrive

Ten million dollars is up for grabs to fund real estate and community development plans in the South and West sides. This grant comes out of the Pritzker Traubert Foundation and will be awarded in December. Reset sits down with one of the six finalists to talk about the need for a community hub and to centralize resources for youth, seniors and returning citizens in Back of the Yards. We hear from Craig Chico, president and CEO of Back of the Yards Neighborhood Council; Father Dave Kelly, executive director of Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation in Back of the Yards; and Matt Mosher, partner and cofounder of Park Row Development.
11/21/202215 minutes, 34 seconds
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Many Stillbirths In The U.S. Are Preventable. What’s Stopping Us?

There are more than 20,000 stillbirths in the U.S each year, but research suggests that many of them could be preventable. Reset speaks with ProPublica investigative reporter Duaa Eldeib, and Dr. Bob Silver, professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Utah, to learn about the obstacles to preventing stillbirths, and how more babies could be delivered safely.
11/21/202215 minutes, 7 seconds
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'When One Of Our Spaces Is Threatened, We All Feel Threatened'

After a shooting at an LGBTQ nightclub in Colorado over the weekend killed five people and injured dozens more, people are devastated. We talk with local voices Kristen Kaza, producer of Slo’mo, one of Chicago’s longest running LGBTQ centered parties; and McKensie Mack, founder and CEO of MMG Earth — a Black and non-binary led research and change management firm — about what they’re feeling when safe spaces are no longer safe.
11/21/202212 minutes, 28 seconds
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‘Lake Song’ Explores The Successes And Hardships Of Life In Chicago In 2098

There is no more walking down the streets of Chicago. The lake has taken the land. This is the story of a new audio drama called Lake Song. Reset explores the story of success and survival in the future Windy City with Jeremy McCarter, founder and executive producer for Make-Believe Association, and Laura Alcalá Baker, co-creator, casting director and line producer for Lake Song.
11/19/202215 minutes, 36 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: Nov. 18, 2022

Cook County unanimously passes next year’s budget, while Cook County homeowners finally get a look at their property tax bills. Meanwhile, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot rolls out an ambitious plan for the CTA. Reset goes behind those headlines and more with Amanda Vinicky, WTTW political correspondent, Monica Eng, Chicago reporter for AXIOS, and A.D. Quig, Cook County and Chicago government reporter for the Chicago Tribune in our Weekly News Recap.
11/18/202244 minutes
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Food Friday: New Restaurants We Love

Thanksgiving is nearly here, and as you get ready for the big meal, we’re telling you all about our favorite new food spots to hit up when you’re hungry. Reset digs into local foodies’ Nick Kindelsperger, food critic for the Chicago Tribune, and Steve Dolinsky, author and the NBC-5 food reporter, about new restaurant picks and we share our own.
11/18/202216 minutes, 6 seconds
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Historic Bronzeville Sets Sights On Green Tech Innovation To Spur Economic Development

If your neighborhood has historic disinvestment, few grocery stores and you don’t have a car, you might have to take two buses just to get the food you need. A new initiative in Bronzeville is hoping to bridge this gap with an app that calls an electric rideshare vehicle to your door, bringing green technology to the neighborhood and addressing entrenched problems. Reset talks to Paula Robinson, managing member at Bronzeville Partners LLC, and Billy Davis, general manager at Jitney EV, to talk about this initiative and how intentional workforce development is essential in making sure South Side residents benefit from the transition to a green economy.
11/17/202220 minutes, 13 seconds
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Meet The People Behind Bronzeville’s Omni Ecosystems

Reset digs deeper into efforts to cultivate living landscapes in manmade environments like the roofs of buildings across the city. Molly Meyer, CEO and founder of Omni Ecosystems, and Mike Repkin, director of research and development at Omni Ecosystems, join us to talk about why reconnecting with nature that way is so important.
11/17/202219 minutes, 5 seconds
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Seeking Environmental Justice On Chicago’s South Side

Black and Latino residents in Chicago are more likely than their white counterparts to be exposed to industrial pollution. As a result, they have higher rates of asthma and other chronic health conditions. Reset explores why environmental racism exists on the South Side, where the industrial hotspots are today, and how local leaders are working toward environmental justice with Karen Weigert, Reset Sustainability contributor and director of Loyola University Chicago’s Baumhart Center for Social Enterprise and Responsibility, Gina Ramirez, mother living on the Southeast Side and Midwest outreach manager for Natural Resources Defense Council, and Naomi Davis, founder and president of Blacks In Green.
11/17/202221 minutes, 11 seconds
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Sen. Duckworth Lays Out Priorities For Lame Duck Session, 118th Congress

Duckworth plans to push for an assault weapons ban, stronger benefits for U.S. veterans and their families, water protections and more when the next Congress is sworn in in January, and she says there’s a lot of important work to do before that during the lame duck session. Reset talks to newly-reelected U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth about those priorities and why she believes bipartisanship is still a possibility, even with a divided legislative branch.
11/16/202216 minutes, 44 seconds
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City Council Approves $13.5 Million In Subsidies For Black-Owned Grocery Company

Whole Foods just checked out of Englewood, and it’s just one of the grocery stores that closed recently on the city’s South and West sides. Will millions in city subsidies deliver healthy solutions for food deserts? Reset talks with Alderman Jason Ervin, 28th Ward, as well as Asiaha Butler, executive director of R.A.G.E Englewood, who is looking to expand food access.
11/16/202216 minutes, 9 seconds
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Chicago City Colleges Are Expanding Partnership With One Million Degrees

Chicago City Colleges and the non-profit One Million Degrees announced a new partnership to provide students mentorship, coaching and professional development support. Reset talks with Aneesh Sohoni, CEO of One Million Degrees, and Juan Salgado, Chancellor of the City Colleges of Chicago, to learn more about the partnership and its potential impact.
11/15/202213 minutes, 56 seconds
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Chicago Aldermen At Odds Over Plan To Fight Homelessness

In 2018, the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless proposed an ordinance that would tax home sales over $1 million at a higher rate in an effort to fight homelessness in Chicago. On Monday, Mayor Lightfoot and her allies in City Council blocked a hearing for that ordinance, known as Bring Chicago Home. Reset breaks down what happened and what’s next with Carla Johnson, grassroots leader with the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, and Ald. Matt Martin, 47th Ward, and Ald. Maria Hadden, 49th Ward, the two sponsors of the ordinance.
11/15/202215 minutes, 17 seconds
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Multi-Talented Chicago Artists Top Vocalo Radio’s November Playlist

As outside temperatures drop, so has new music from a handful of rising Chicago artists. Bundle up to a range of sounds from musicians Human Bloom and Sam Hudgens, DIY R&B songstress ALIAH, and rapper Vicki Street. Plus, singer ASXA returns with powerful vocals. Reset sits down with Vocalo Radio’s Stephen Bekoe to hear his top 5 picks “In Rotation” for November.
11/15/202212 minutes, 30 seconds
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Chicago Prize 2022 Finalist Wants To Spur A Tech Revolution In Greater Grand Crossing

Industries like tech and business are difficult to get into if you don’t have the access to opportunities that will teach you the things you need to know. One of the finalists of the Pritzker Traubert Foundation’s $10 million dollar Chicago Prize wants to bring those opportunities to Greater Grand Crossing. Reset talks to finalists Rhonda Hopps, executive director for the Comer Education Campus, Greg Mooney, board chair for the Comer Education Campus, and Vondale Singleton, founder of C.H.A.M.P.S. Male Mentoring Program, to hear their pitch to increase access not only in their community, but to neighboring communities.
11/14/202217 minutes, 34 seconds
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Twitter Was A Hub For Many Marginalized Groups. What Now?

Twitter has long been a crucial place for socializing and sharing information, especially among marginalized communities, but the chaos unleashed by Elon Musk’s takeover has many worried that their beloved forum is dissolving before their eyes. Reset breaks down what’s next for Twitter’s chronic illness community with Brianne Benness, host of the podcast No End In Sight and creator of #NEISVoid, and for Black Twitter with Keith Reed, contributing writer at The Root and co-host of the podcast Run Tell This.
11/14/202220 minutes, 21 seconds
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As Layoffs Hit Tech Industry, How Vulnerable Is Chicago? Plus, A Layoff Survival Guide

Major technology companies like Meta, Twitter and Salesforce all announced layoffs over the last several weeks. But smaller start-ups, including some here in Chicago, are also making cuts. Reset speaks with an expert on venture capital, Craig Wortmann, and a local tech journalist for Crain’s Chicago Business, John Pletz, to find out what this latest wave of layoffs means for Chicago and for the economy. We also hear from Danielle Abril, Washington Post reporter, about tips for surviving a layoff.
11/14/202228 minutes, 38 seconds
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Chicago Band ‘Smut’ Draws Inspiration From The 90s

How the Light Felt, the latest album from Chicago alternative band Smut, is out now. Reset checks in with vocalist Tay Roebuck, bass and synth player Bell Cenower and guitarist Andrew Min.
11/12/202218 minutes, 39 seconds
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Ready To Play? You’re Living In The Heyday Of Board Games

Winter is right around the corner, so it’s time for some indoor fun. Reset gets board game recommendations from JP Nery, owner of Chicagoland Games.
11/11/202216 minutes, 3 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: Nov. 11, 2022

Congressman Chuy Garcia joins the mayoral race. Democrats dominate the midterms. Chicago’s City Council approves Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s 2023 budget. Reset goes behind those headlines and more with Chicago Tribune chief political reporter Rick Pearson, CW 26 reporter and anchor Brandon Pope, and FOX 32 political editor Mike Flannery.
11/11/202245 minutes, 8 seconds
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See A Local Magician At A Hidden Chicago Theater

A hidden door in what looks like a laundromat. A theater with dining-room-style seating where magicians come right to your table. All this is an ordinary evening at the Chicago Magic Lounge in Andersonville. Reset learns more about their shows with Joey Cranford, CEO and co-founder of Chicago Magic Lounge, and speaks to one of their current magician residents Paige Thompson.
11/10/202212 minutes, 58 seconds
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Long COVID Continue To Impact Americans

So many people are suffering silently due to long COVID. But, they’ve also come together to support each other in their fight for access to quality care. Reset talks with Dr. David Putrino, director of rehabilitation innovation for the Mount Sinai Health System in New York City, Dr. Pete Thomas, internal medicine and preventive community medicine specialist at Howard Brown Health in Chicago, Kathie Kane-Willis, director of policy and advocacy at Chicago Urban League, and Samantha Lane, LCSW for Humboldt Park Counseling and host of the Long COVID Support & Processing Group. We also dive deeper with Netia McCray, director of education for the COVID-19 Longhauler Advocacy Project, Fiona Lowenstein, founder of the Body Politic COVID-19 Support Group and editor of The Long COVID Survival Guide and Chimére L. Smith, long COVID patient consultant in Baltimore.
11/10/202236 minutes, 34 seconds
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No Red Wave Whatsoever In Illinois Midterm

The polls closed last night, and some races in other states are still too close to call. But most results are in for Illinois and Cook County elections. Reset breaks down everything you need to know about the midterm elections with, Dave McKinney, WBEZ state politics reporter, Tina Sfondeles, Chicago Sun-Times chief political reporter.
11/9/202236 minutes, 19 seconds
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Helping Student-Athletes Navigate NCAA Academic Eligibility

Imagine being a student-athlete. You secured your athletic scholarship and got accepted into college. But then, the NCAA tells you that you’re academically ineligible to play in school. This isn’t an uncommon situation. Reset discusses the challenges of navigating certain academic requirements set by the NCAA and talks to Joyce Anderson, co-founder and COO of Honest Game, a group working with high schools and students to prepare them to play in college.
11/9/202211 minutes, 48 seconds
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What Chicago’s New Budget Means For You

A few months ahead of Chicago’s municipal elections, aldermen approved the mayor’s spending plan 32-18. Reset explores the biggest takeaways from Chicago’s newly-approved budget with WTTW politics reporter Heather Cherone.
11/8/202214 minutes, 39 seconds
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The Philosophy Of Board Games

Games are fun, but are they art? One philosopher makes the case. Reset talks to C. Thi Nguyen, associate professor of philosophy at the University of Utah.
11/8/202216 minutes, 37 seconds
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Chicago Prize 2022 Finalist Wants To Build A One-Stop-Shop For Education, Health, And Fresh Food

Cultivate Collective is combining wellness and sustainability to bring greener options and opportunities to the Southwest Side. They’re one of six groups from the South and West sides that are in the running for a $10 million dollar grant from the Pritzker Traubert Foundation. The Chicago Prize will be awarded to the group with the best pitch for a development project in their neighborhood on the South or West sides. Reset explores speaks with Niquenya Collins, president of Cultivate Collective; Sarah Elizabeth Ippel, board member of Cultivate Collective and executive director of the Academy for Global Citizenship; and Kris De la torre, sustainability officer for Cultivate Collective.
11/7/202214 minutes, 10 seconds
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Meet Chicago’s New (And First!) Karaoke King

Typically, karaoke go-tos include Whitney Houston or ABBA. But Edgewater resident Jason E. Jackson subverted those expectations when he went the operatic route to win the first Chicago Sings Karaoke competition. Reset riffs with Chicago’s first-ever karaoke champion.
11/7/202212 minutes, 52 seconds
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RSV Is Forcing An ‘All Hands On Deck’ Scenario at Children’s Hospitals

The respiratory illness RSV is straining pediatric hospitals across the country, with Advocate Children’s Hospital’s chief medical officer tweeting: “We are in a major crisis and we absolutely need all hands on deck for our children!!!” Reset checks in with Dr. Mia Taormina of Duly Health and Care about what signs to watch out for when it comes to RSV.
11/7/202213 minutes, 49 seconds
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A Chicago Bike Shop Is Training A New Generation Of Mechanics

In an effort to expand bike transit to the South and West sides, the Chicago bike shop Working Bikes partnered with Divvy to train future bike mechanics. The program pays a weekly stipend and could lead to employment at Divvy. Reset speaks with the instructor for the program Xail Hernandez and one of the graduates, Eli Jackson.
11/5/202212 minutes, 58 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: Nov. 4, 2022

Reset goes behind the biggest local headlines with Lynn Sweet, Washington Bureau Chief for the Chicago Sun-Times, Carrie Shepherd, lead producer of the podcast City Cast Chicago, and Alex Degman, statehouse reporter for WBEZ.
11/4/202244 minutes, 44 seconds
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What’s Going On With The U.S. Economy?

The latest jobs report out Friday shows the U.S. economy added 261,000 jobs in October. But can job growth stay strong as the Federal Reserve works to tamp down inflation? Reset checks in with Diane Swonk, chief economist at financial services firm KPMG.
11/4/202215 minutes, 52 seconds
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Northwestern Surgeons Complete Groundbreaking ‘Heart In A Box’ Transplant

A patient at Northwestern Medicine’s Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute is expected to go home this week after receiving the state’s first heart donated after circulatory death. Reset learns more from the institute’s Dr. Jane Wilcox about how this technology could help save countless lives.
11/3/202213 minutes, 32 seconds
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Turn Your Jack-o’-lantern Into Compost, Not Harmful Methane Gas

Food waste emits methane as it breaks down, a process that contributes to global warming. Reset talks to Jonathan Pereira, executive director Plant Chicago and Amy DeLorenzo of the Illinois Food Scrap and Composting Coalition about composting pumpkins after Halloween to keep them out of landfills. Plus, we get some pumpkin cooking tips from Jordan Wimby, a food preservationist and cultural historian also known as “Melanin Martha.”
11/3/202218 minutes, 58 seconds
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The Hard Hair Choice For Black Women

For decades chemical relaxers have been central to the hair regimen of many Black women. Recently, court cases and ongoing studies have challenged that these same chemical relaxers are linked to cancer. Reset convenes a panel featuring Arionne Nettles, lecturer at Northwestern University; Mary Mitchell, Chicago Sun-Times columnist; and Dr. Maya Green, Chief Medical Officer at Howard Brown Health on what this means for Black hair.
11/2/202218 minutes, 42 seconds
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Conservative-Funded Fake Newspapers Make The Rounds Ahead Of Election Day

Reset talks about recent reports of ring-wing campaign mailers disguised as newspapers with NPR media correspondent David Folkenflik and WBEZ politics reporter Dan Mihalopoulos. Then Reset learns about the importance of media literacy with Michelle Ciulla Lipkin, executive director of National Association for Media Literacy Education, and Alex Mahadevan, director of MediaWise at the Poynter Institute.
11/2/202234 minutes, 17 seconds
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Fighting Environmental Racism In Chicago

If you’re not going to fight for your community, then who is? Residents of the Southeast Side came together when a car-shredding facility planned to move its factory to their neighborhood. But with General Iron behind them, what’s left to do in the fight for clean air and water on the Southeast Side? Reset talks to two local residents: Gina Ramirez, Midwest outreach manager for the Natural Resources Defense Council, and Vanessa Bly, co-founder of Bridges // Puentes Justice Collective about their work to improve the lives and health of their neighbors.
11/1/202214 minutes, 37 seconds
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Political Violence On The Rise In The U.S.

The recent attack of Paul Pelosi has once again put a spotlight on rising political violence in the U.S. It’s just one of many examples of threats and attacks, particularly by far-right groups, that have occurred in the wake of Donald Trump’s former presidency. Reset speaks with historian Kathleen Belew about why we’re seeing this rise and violence and how it might affect the election just one week away.
11/1/202214 minutes, 35 seconds
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Chicago Prize 2022 Finalist Focuses On Health to Reinvest In West Garfield

One community-based project will get $10 million from the Pritzker Traubert Foundation for the best plan to improve the lives of residents on the South or West Side of Chicago through economic development projects. Reset speaks with Theodore Joseph of the Garfield Park Rite to Wellness Collaborative; Ayesha Jaco with West Side United; and Kemena Brooks with Community Builders, to learn about their Chicago Prize submission to create a safer and healthier community in West Garfield Park.
10/31/202218 minutes, 38 seconds
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SCOTUS Could OverHaul College Admissions

The Supreme Court heard two cases that could determine whether colleges and universities are allowed to consider race as one of many factors in the admissions process. Reset discusses what we learned from Monday’s oral arguments with Steven Schwinn, professor of law at University of Illinois Chicago Law School and co-editor of Constitutional Law Prof Blog. Then Reset learns what local college students have to say about affirmative action with Nereida Moreno, WBEZ education reporter.
10/31/202222 minutes, 49 seconds
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Meet The Man Bringing High-Quality Tents to Chicago’s Homeless

A good Samaritan’s work is currently at risk of being undone by the city and some neighbors. Andy Robledo has been supplying Chicago’s homeless with high-quality tents for about a year to brace for colder weather. But now some of those tents face removal by the city. Reset finds out more about Robledo’s efforts and what the city’s “sweeps” of tents and encampments could mean for Chicago’s unhoused.
10/31/202213 minutes, 56 seconds
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Kevin Morby Shares How ‘Photographs Live On’

Kevin Morby latest album, This Is A Photograph, explores anxiety, love, and even mortality. Morby sat down with Reset to discuss his musical influences, his latest tour, and his midwestern roots.
10/29/202221 minutes, 31 seconds
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It’s Easier Than Ever To Turn A Handgun Into An AR-15

Weapon modifications like switches and extended magazines are making guns deadlier. Reset hears from Chicago Sun-Times reporters Stephanie Zimmerman and Frank Main to find out where this hardware is coming from and how it's affecting violent crime.
10/28/202214 minutes, 36 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: Oct. 28, 2022

Candidates up and down the ballot are making their final pitches to voters ahead of the midterms, reported hate crimes are up in Chicago, and more local workers are unionizing as inflation puts the squeeze on Americans. Reset goes behind the headlines with its panel guests: Kimberley Egonmwan, commentator for WVON and attorney, Dave McKinney, WBEZ state politics reporter, Paris Schutz, reporter and anchor, WTTW-TV.
10/28/202246 minutes, 23 seconds
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Jemele Hill Holds Nothing Back In Her New Memoir ‘Uphill’

Sports journalist and cultural commentator Jemele Hill’s new memoir Uphill is a thought-provoking, humorous and inspiring account of her rise to becoming an influential sports journalist and media iconoclast. Reset learns from Hill about growing up in Detroit, being a Black woman in sports media and how she found her voice as a writer and cultural critic.
10/27/202225 minutes, 34 seconds
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Ready For A Haunted Chicago Boat Tour?

Chicago is known for its architecture boat tours. Some companies run a haunted version, which is a treat, not a trick. Reset sets sail on one such tour and talks with Patrick Croft and Jake Thomas, haunted boat tour guides with Seadog River Tours.
10/27/202214 minutes, 45 seconds
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Chicago Urban Legends And Ghost Stories

From Resurrection Mary to the Candyman, there is no shortage of urban legends and ghost stories in Chicago. What is behind all this local mythology and lore? Author and historian Adam Selzer joins Reset to dig into what goes bump in the night in Chicago.
10/26/202216 minutes, 10 seconds
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There’s Beauty In Decay Happening Everywhere, All At Once

From plants and critters dying to the passing of our loved ones, death and decay is all around us, and one Chicago professor argues there’s beauty in it. Reset talks with Liam Heneghan, DePaul professor of Environmental Science and Studies, about how we benefit from death and decay.
10/26/202218 minutes, 41 seconds
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Bamboo, Jumping And Danger: Traditional Dance ‘Tinikling’ Is A Celebration Of Filipino Culture

Tinikling is a traditional Filipino dance that involves bamboo sticks, a lot of jumping and a bit of danger. But for many Filipinos, it’s more than just a dance. Reset talks with Ginger Leopoldo, executive director of Center for Immigrant Resources and Community Arts-Pintig, or CIRCA-Pintig. We also hear from dancers Neil Lagatao and Ysabel Claudio, students at Loyola University and members of KAPWA Loyola.
10/25/202217 minutes, 15 seconds
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Whole Foods Is Leaving Englewood. What’s Next?

The Whole Foods on 63rd and Halsted is the largest grocery store in Englewood, but it’s closing for good on November 13. Reset talks with Cecile De Mello, executive director Teamwork Englewood, Asiaha Butler, executive director of R.A.G.E Englewood, Sana Syed, senior director of strategic initiatives with the Inner-City Muslim Action Network and Go Green On Racine, Ezra Lee, farm manager for Growing Home, and Daniel Mackey, workforce development manager for Growing Home.
10/25/202239 minutes, 30 seconds
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Chicago Prize 2022 Finalist Aims To Revitalize Roseland

The Pritzker Traubert Foundation is set to invest $10 million dollars into a single community-driven initiative aimed at bettering the lives of residents on the South or West Side of Chicago. Reset sits down with Abraham Lacy and Florence Hardy of the Far South Community Development Corporation, one of the finalists for the prize.
10/24/202213 minutes, 54 seconds
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Does Private Security Actually Reduce Crime?

Neighborhoods across Chicago are hiring private security firms to combat crime. Reset talks with Ald. Sophia King, 4th Ward, about why she’s bringing the idea to Bronzeville. Then, researchers Macro Fabbri from the University of Bologna and Will Pelfrey from Virginia Commonwealth University explain what research tells about the effectiveness of private security patrols.
10/24/202223 minutes, 43 seconds
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Fall Out Boy Guitarist Joe Trohman On His Memoir ‘None Of This Rocks’

You likely know Joe Trohman best for his role as the guitarist and founder of Chicago band Fall Out Boy. But his new autobiography, None of This Rocks, reveals much more about the artist and his relationships, as he tells Reset.
10/22/202217 minutes, 31 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: Oct. 21, 2022

Reset goes behind the headlines on the Weekly News Recap with Tina Sfondeles, Chicago Sun-Times chief political reporter, Jacoby Cochran, City Cast Chicago host, and Ray Long, Chicago Tribune investigative reporter and author of The House That Madigan Built: The Record Run of Illinois’ Velvet Hammer.
10/21/202244 minutes, 19 seconds
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Celebrate Diwali And Your Sweet Tooth At These Spots

The Hindu festival of lights, Diwali, is coming up Monday and you might consider celebrating it with a variety of South Asian desserts. Reset talks with Ashok Selvam, editor of Eater Chicago, and Jasmine Sheth, James Beard Foundation grant winner and creator of Tasting India, about South Asian desserts to celebrate the holiday this year.
10/21/202216 minutes, 59 seconds
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Chicagoans Step Up To Counteract Anti-Asian Hate

Hate crimes against the Asian American Pacific Islander community have been on the rise since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Reset talks with Seong-Ah Cho, director of organizing for Asian Americans Advancing Justice Chicago and Natasha Chan, board member for Asians are Strong, about the steps they and their organizations are taking to combat that hate.
10/20/202216 minutes, 26 seconds
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U.S Credit Card Debt Rising At Fastest Rate In 20 Years

Americans now owe $877 billion on their credit cards. Reset talks with Olga Gorbachev, associate professor of economics at the University of Delaware and Chrisitan Weller, fellow at the Center for American Progress about how debt is affecting families and what it could mean for the economy.
10/20/202222 minutes, 40 seconds
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TikTok Is Transforming The Internet, And It’s Just Getting Started

About 100 million Americans now use TikTok, including two-thirds of teens. “We’re not talking about a dance app,” Abbie Richards, a researcher who studies disinformation on TikTok, tells the Washington Post. “We’re talking about a platform that’s shaping how a whole generation is learning to perceive the world.” Reset checks in with Washington Post tech reporter Drew Harwell to examine the spectacular rise of the world’s favorite video-sharing platform and what comes next for TikTok and its users.
10/19/202217 minutes, 12 seconds
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Are There Enough Resources For Migrants Arriving In Chicago

Thousands of Central and South American migrants have arrived in Chicago, and leaders across the city are rushing to provide adequate housing and support for them. But some aldermen are calling on Mayor Lightfoot to do more. For more on what efforts are happening right now to support asylum seekers in Chicago, Reset checks in with 12th Ward Ald. George Cardenas; Stephanie Willding of Community Health; Mario Garcia with Onward Neighborhood House; and Swathi Staley of YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago.
10/19/202229 minutes, 48 seconds
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Why Abortion Is A Deciding Factor For Some Illinois Voters

A new poll from WBEZ and the Chicago Sun-Times finds more than half of Illinois voters are in favor of keeping abortion legal. Reset talks with WBEZ politics reporter Kristen Schorch for more on what this issue means for voters.
10/18/202212 minutes, 59 seconds
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Stephanie Foo Tackles Generational Trauma In ‘What My Bones Know’

Reset sits down with author Stephanie Foo to discuss her memoir What My Bones Know. The book details Foo’s struggle with Complex PTSD, a little understood disorder. She explores her childhood trauma, the impact of C-PTSD on her life and others, and how she found recovery.
10/18/202220 minutes, 18 seconds
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Chicagoans Fret Over Jewel-Mariano’s Merger

Kroger and Albertsons, the owners of Mariano’s and Jewel Osco chains, recently announced a $20 billion merger. Locally, this deal unites one of the oldest Chicago franchises with its primary competitor. Reset checks in with listeners and with Ashok Selvam, editor of Eater Chicago, and Brianna Wellen, associate editor at The Takeout.
10/17/202223 minutes, 44 seconds
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A Museum For Public Housing

After 15 years of planning and fundraising, leaders broke ground on the National Public Housing Museum in Chicago. Reset checks in with the organization’s executive director Lisa Yun Lee and the vice chair of its board Crystal Palmer.
10/17/202217 minutes, 10 seconds
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From Serena to Maya Angelou, ‘Making’ Explores Black Icons’ Origin Stories

From "Making Oprah to Making Obama, WBEZ is bringing listeners another season of the podcast that explores the roots and early years of icons, leaders and game changers. Reset sits down with the new host of Making, Brandon Pope, about what to expect this season.
10/15/202213 minutes, 24 seconds
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WBEZ Weekly News Recap: Oct. 14, 2022

AT&T admits to bribery, agrees to a $23 million fine, while additional charges are filed against former House Speaker Mike Madigan. Reset goes behind the headlines on the Weekly News Recap with WBEZ reporter Mike Puente; WBEZ investigative reporter Dan Mihalopoulos; and Kimberley Egonmwan, commentator for WVON and attorney.
10/14/20221 hour, 31 minutes, 9 seconds
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Food Friday: Coffee, Coffee, Coffee

Spend this fall season extra caffeinated. Reset digs into what makes a delicious cup of coffee. Also: the return of Coffee Con! We talk to Kevin Sinnott, host and creator of Coffee Con; Hara Kumaran, roaster for Metric Coffee; and Felton Kizer, co-founder of Monday Coffee.
10/14/202229 minutes, 38 seconds
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What does accessibility look like in the world of dance?

Ladonna Freidheim, a wheelchair dancer, has tried to join dance classes before, only to be met with: “What about our floors?” So how can dance studios make sure they’re opening their doors to people of all abilities? Reset explores what accessibility looks like in the dance world with Sarah Najera, artistic and executive director of MOMENTA Dance Company, and Ladonna Freidheim, wheelchair dancer and founder of ReinventAbility.
10/13/202236 minutes, 2 seconds
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Applications now open for $500 monthly payments from Cook County

Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle is urging people to apply for a guaranteed income program called the Cook County Promise. About 32,000 applications will be chosen at random, and the winners get those monthly $500 payments for two years to spend however they choose. Reset checks in with Preckwinkle about the basics of the program. We also hear from Rachel Pyon with Equity and Transformation, a group of activists that have started their own guaranteed income program in West Garfield Park.
10/13/202232 minutes, 17 seconds
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Why So Many Children Are Being Hospitalized Right Now

We dig into what you need to know about why kids are filling up hospital beds this season, and how to keep children in your life safe, with Dr. Kshetrapal, emergency medicine physician at Lurie Children’s Hospital.
10/12/202221 minutes, 4 seconds
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Chicago’s New Program Is Like Couples Counseling For Civilians And Police

Could voluntary mediation be the answer to building trust between Chicagoans and police officers? The city of Chicago launched a new pilot program that brings in mediators to guide conversations between police and people filing low-level misconduct claims against them. Reset talks about the benefit of community-police mediation and how successful this practice has been in other cities with Rae Kyritsi, programs director at the Center for Conflict Resolution in Chicago, and Jules Griff, director of the New Orleans Community-Police Mediation Program.
10/12/20221 hour, 4 minutes, 20 seconds
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Queer Fiction Is Booming

The demand for LGBTQ representation in literature is growing across genres. Reset talks to authors Bea Hitchman and Anita Kelly and bookseller and TikTokker Laynie Rose Rizer.
10/11/202232 minutes, 56 seconds
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The Most Chicago Tour You’ll Ever Go On

From iconic spots to little-known hidden gems, your chance to explore the city in a new way has arrived. Every October, the Chicago Architecture Center hosts a public festival that celebrates design throughout the city, and this year visitors have the opportunity to visit over 20 neighborhoods and culturally significant sites. Reset hears about the festival and what to expect from this year’s open house from Hallie Rosen, Director of Program Director of Program Operations and head of Open House Chicago
10/11/20221 hour, 59 seconds
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How Black Pastors Are Working To Save Parishioners’ Mental Health

Chicago faith leaders delivered sermons about mental health issues to destigmatize the subject and provide congregants with resources. Reset talks with Pastor Ira Acree of Greater St. John Bible Church and Katie McKillen, Chicago Regional Vice President of Evolent Health.
10/11/202231 minutes, 5 seconds
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As Russia Attacks Ukraine With Missiles, Ukrainian Chicagoans Weigh In

Russian forces Monday launched the most violent attack Ukraine has seen in months. In what Russian president Vladimir Putin called a reaction to an attack on a Russian bridge, Russian missiles targeted cities across Ukraine, including the capital, Kyiv. So far 11 have been reported dead and more than 60 have been injured. Reset checks in with Ukrainian Americans in Chicago: policy expert John Hewko, CEO of Rotary International; Iuliia Skuibida, a refugee camp volunteer; and history educator Olya Soroka with the Holodomor Descendants Network.
10/10/202215 minutes, 45 seconds
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These Educators Talk About Why ‘You Can’t Celebrate Someone Like Columbus’

In recent years, there’s been a lot of movement on recognizing the enduring culture, history, and impact of Indigenous peoples. And yet the way it’s taught in schools still has a long way to go. But the way it’s taught in schools still has a long way to go. Reset talks with Patty Loew, Northwestern University professor and citizen of Mashkiiziibii; and Gina Caneva, a library media specialist at East Leyden High School in Franklin Park.
10/10/202216 minutes, 37 seconds
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Please Have A Seat And Listen To Nnamdi’s New Album

Chicago multi-instrumentalist Nnamdi visits Reset on the release day of his impressive new album, Please Have A Seat. He also shares who he’s excited about in the Chicago music scene, and why he’s already looking ahead to what’s next.
10/8/202219 minutes, 40 seconds
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DACA Recipients’ Futures Are In Limbo

DACA, or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, is an Obama-era policy that granted protected legal status to undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children. But this week, the 5th Circuit court in New Orleans, La. declared DACA to be illegal. The court allowed current recipients to reapply, keeping the status of the program unchanged, but the future of it uncertain. Reset hears from DACA recipients Erendira Rendon, vice president of immigrant justice at The Resurrection Project; and Dulce Dominguez, development director at Alianza Americas.
10/7/202214 minutes, 45 seconds
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WBEZ Weekly News Recap, October 7, 2022

Pritzker and Bailey faced off on TV, just in time for early voting to begin; several children were among victims of gun violence over the weekend; and the Chicago Red Stars owner is out in the wake of a women’s soccer abuse scandal. Oh, and Chicago is about to kick off a citywide karaoke contest. Reset goes behind the headlines on the Weekly News Recap with AXIOS’s Monica Eng, Lynn Sweet of r the Chicago Sun-Times, and the BGA’s David Greising.
10/7/202245 minutes, 56 seconds
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We Need A Better Farming System Before The Food Chain Breaks

Agriculture is a vital industry that we all rely on — after all, it’s what feeds us. But in 2020, the industry was responsible for 11.2% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, which contributes to a warming planet. This, in turn, creates challenges for growers whose seasons are impacted by intense rainfall and warmer night time temperatures. Reset learns more about this with Illinois state climatologist Trent Ford; Liz Moran Stelk, executive director of Illinois Stewardship Alliance; and Andy Hazzard, founder of Hazzard Free Grain farm in Pecatonica, IL.
10/6/202230 minutes, 15 seconds
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Yes, Dwarves, Mermaids And Hobbits Can Be Black

There has been no end in sight to the debate around a Black actress playing Ariel in the upcoming live-action “Little Mermaid.” But the debate, the backlash, and the never-ending nitpicking doesn’t end there. Reset talks through the problematic reasoning against Black actors in recent fantasy shows and films, and the importance of diversity on screen.
10/6/202216 minutes, 39 seconds
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The Onion’s Supreme Court Brief Is A Hell Of A Read

The Onion is going to the mat to protect the right to parody. And their brief filed with the Supreme Court reads like, well, a hilarious Onion article. Reset checks in with Onion head writer Mike Gillis.
10/5/202211 minutes, 38 seconds
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Actor Justin Baldoni Tackles ‘Boys Don’t Cry’ Mentality And Toxic Masculinity

In his new book Boys Will Be Humans, actor Justin Baldoni creates an instructional guide to unlearning toxic masculinity and embracing emotions.
10/5/202219 minutes, 31 seconds
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When Home Isn’t Safe, Where Can Kids Go? This Chicago Group Says ‘We Hold The Door Open’

Reset sits down with leaders of the BASE Chicago, an organization based in West Garfield Park that provides a range of programming for urban youth from baseball and softball training, to violence prevention and even college readiness.
10/4/202217 minutes, 36 seconds
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Report: Abuse In Women’s Soccer Is ‘Systemic’

A new independent investigation shows abuse allegations were swept under the rug as coaches moved from team to team. Reset talks through the report with two sports reporters and explores how it could impact generations of young female soccer players to come.
10/4/202219 minutes, 2 seconds
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BONUS: Listen To Mayor Lightfoot’s Full Budget Address

No new property taxes, funds to support migrants, an increase in the police budget, and more were included in Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s budget address Monday. Hit play to listen to the full speech.
10/3/202237 minutes
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Eve Ewing: ‘This Is A Tough History To Tell’

In 1919, Chicago erupted into race riots after white beachgoers killed a Black teen named Eugene Williams. Poet Eve Ewing tells the story of that so-called "Red Summer" in her poetry collection 1919. Now, playwright J. Nicole Brooks has re-imagined Ewing's poems as a play, which debuts at the Steppenwolf Theatre on Oct. 4. Reset sits down with Ewing about the adaptation, the emotional weight of that summer in 1919, and how it continues today.
10/3/202214 minutes, 55 seconds
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Life After Incarceration Is Another Difficult Sentence: ‘When Does It End For Us?’

There are 44,000 federal rules, laws and policies that restrict and sanction people after incarceration that pose “permanent punishments.” WTTW is hosting a four part mini-series exploring the barriers that exist for the 3.3 million people in Illinois that have been incarcerated. Reset hears more about the series and how permanent punishments impact people’s lives from WTTW host Brandis Friedman, Marlon Chamberlain of Heartland Alliance’s Fully Free campaign and Celia Colón, founder of Giving Others Dreams.
10/3/202227 minutes, 46 seconds
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How a wooden seesaw addresses the problem of fabric waste

No matter how hard we try, we all generate trash. And the fabrics we don’t want anymore — clothes, towels, blankets, rags — are harder to recycle than they might seem, as most fabrics are a mix of fibers and material types, requiring different techniques that can’t be done on a large scale. A local weaver implements sustainable techniques at an artist-run industrial mill in Humboldt Park–but even so, there’s still fabric scraps leftover. So she’s trying out a community approach to deal with these scraps. It involves a people-powered fabric shredder.
10/1/202217 minutes, 5 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: Sept. 30, 2022

Due to declining enrollment, Chicago is no longer the country’s third-largest school district. Northwestern unveils plans for a new football stadium in Evanston. Reset takes a deep dive into these stories and much more in our Weekly News Recap with Natalie Moore, WBEZ reporter on the Race, Class and Communities desk, Mick Dumke, reporter and columnist ProPublica Illinois, and Heather Cherone, Chicago politics reporter for WTTW News.
9/30/202235 minutes, 53 seconds
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Are You Bready For Fall Baking?

OK, bakers! Get your starters ready. Cooler weather calls for heartier meals that aren’t complete without breads of all kinds, shapes and sizes. (also bonus: it’s Bread Week, GBBO fans!) Reset checks in with a local James Beard Award-winning baker about his new bread cookbook.
9/30/202214 minutes, 2 seconds
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Chicago Makes It Easier For Some Homes To Ditch Gas, Switch To Electric

To reduce their carbon footprints, New York and Los Angeles have banned gas-powered stoves and heating in new construction. Chicago is taking a different approach. A new ordinance requires new homes to be “electric ready.” The city isn’t banning gas appliances in homes, but wants residents to more easily be able to switch to electric ones if they choose. But how can people who can’t afford to buy a new home be part of this transition? Reset finds out more about electrification, and checks in with an advocate to learn more about these efforts. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
9/29/202215 minutes, 18 seconds
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Highland Park Shooting Victims Are Suing Gunmaker Smith & Wesson

The nearly dozen suits, filed in Lake County, claims the shooting was “predictable and preventable.” They add to the over 100 charges the shooter already faces, which include first-degree murder, attempted murder and aggravated battery with a firearm. Reset get the details and learns how the suit could impact the alleged shooter’s pending criminal case. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
9/29/202213 minutes, 45 seconds
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She Tested Public WiFi Security So You Don’t Have To

Yes, hackers can spy on some of what you’re doing on your laptop if you’re browsing the web in a coffee shop. But public networks are worlds safer than they were a few years ago. Reset learns the do’s and don’ts of using public WiFi networks. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
9/28/202212 minutes, 22 seconds
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What Mayor Lightfoot’s Invest South/West Has, Hasn’t Done In Three Years

Invest South/West is Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s signature economic development plan. Reset explores why so few projects appear to be moving forward three years since the mayor announced the program. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
9/28/202213 minutes, 20 seconds
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With Book Banning On The Rise, Libraries Are Creating “Sanctuaries”

We spoke to learn why people are targeting these books, and what libraries are doing to protect access to challenged titles. GUEST: Deborah Caldwell-Stone, director of the Office for Intellectual Freedom of the American Library Association and executive director of the Freedom to Read Foundation at American Library Association Commissioner Chris Brown, Chicago Public Library
9/27/202214 minutes, 40 seconds
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Mayor Lightfoot Wants Housing To Replace Empty Offices On LaSalle Street

The city is pushing for 1,000 new housing units to revitalize Lasalle Street. Despite being synonymous with Chicago’s financial services industry, Lasalle Street has a higher vacancy rate than any other area downtown. Reset talks to a reporter for a breakdown of the city’s goals and plans. GUEST: Melody Mercado, Block Club Chicago reporter covering the Loop, West Loop, River North and the Gold Coast
9/27/202216 minutes, 5 seconds
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Two African American Women Who Coach High School Football Are Breaking Barriers A Setting Records

Coach K and Coach Knikkie bonded over a love of the sport, and cheer each other on, even when their teams face off, which was another record setting event in Illinois. Reset sits down with the coaches and learns about what drives and unites them and how they hope to draw positive attention to their schools. GUEST: Konesha Rhea, Head Varsity Football Coach DuSable Panthers Jouscelyn Mayfield, Christian Fenger Academy High School
9/26/202219 minutes, 47 seconds
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Do You Want To Land A Job? Leave This Off Your Resume

The pandemic has forced many people to rethink their job paths, so Reset talked to three professional coaches about how to take the next step in our careers. GUESTS: Phoebe Gavin, career and leadership coach and executive director of talent and development at Vox.com Kate Brooks, board-certified career coach and counselor Bianca Jeanty, career coach and speaker
9/26/202220 minutes, 36 seconds
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From “Land Barbara” to Gritty: The Best Moments From ‘Abbott Elementary’ Premiere

Abbott Elementary is back after collecting a few awards at the Emmys. Reset chatted about our initial impression of the start of Season 2 with a TV critic and panel of Abbott fans. GUEST: Danette Chavez, Editor-in-Chief of Primetimer Brandon Pope, reporter/anchor at CW 26 Arionne Nettles, journalism lecturer at Northwestern University
9/24/202219 minutes, 56 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap Sept. 23, 2022

More migrants are bused up to Chicago from Texas, Mayor Lightfoot appoints a new North Side alderman, while City Council approves a measure to protect abortion access. Reset goes behind the headlines on the Weekly News Recap. GUESTS: Dan Petrella, Chicago Tribune state government reporter Erin Hegarty, City Hall reporter, the Daily Line Christian Farr, NBC-5 Chicago reporter
9/23/202242 minutes, 29 seconds
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Chicagoans Shout Out Their Fave Local Eats

Only two Chicago spots made the New York Times’ 2022 list of America’s best restaurants. But we think they overlooked some of our other great restaurants. Because regardless of what kind of food you’re in the mood for, you’ll easily find it in Chicago. Reset talks through our overall favorite spots and what you should order when you visit for yourself. GUEST: Aimee Levitt, freelancer and former deputy editor at Eater Chicago Steve Dolinsky, author and the NBC-5 food reporter
9/23/202218 minutes, 44 seconds
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No Love For Chicago’s O’Hare, Midway Airports Survey

Have your airport experiences in Chicago been sub-par? You’re not alone. A recent survey of the country’s airports found that travelers are increasingly frustrated with O’Hare and Midway airports. Reset hears more about how those airports are ranked.
9/22/202214 minutes, 34 seconds
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The Predicted ‘Future’ Of Climate Migration Is Here

The warming planet is causing more intense storms and extreme weather, which is forcing millions of people to flee their homes around the world. Some experts say this problem will only get worse as conditions become more unbearable. Reset talks with Juan Declet-Barreto with the Union of Concerned Scientists and Gaia Vince, author Nomad Century: How Climate Migration Will Reshape Our World.
9/22/202215 minutes, 42 seconds
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Librarians Are On The Front Lines Of A New Culture War

Efforts to ban books are on the rise, presenting challenges to schools and libraries across the country. And a new report from PEN America says challenges to library books are not just coming from concerned parents, but are actually part of an organized political effort. Reset checks in with Jonathan Friedman of PEN America and Susie An, WBEZ education reporter to learn more about the report and what’s at stake
9/21/202212 minutes, 59 seconds
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Why One Chicago Woman Is Showing Youth A Whole New World

Chicagoan Crystal Dyer wanted to help the young people in her Austin community be exposed to the beauty of the wide world. A travel agent herself, she knew what getting out of your environment and exploring the world could do to your perspective. So she began a program to do just that: connect at-risk youth—many of whom may have never been on a plane before, or owned a passport — with different countries, cultures and people. Reset talks to Dyer about why she chooses travel to connect with youth
9/21/202211 minutes, 56 seconds
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She Sued A Local Plant For Causing Her Cancer. A Jury Awarded Her $363 Million

Sterigenics in Dupage County and two companies in Lake County used the cancer-causing chemical ethylene oxide in sterilization processes for years before nearby residents began to report higher-than-normal levels of a number of cancers. Reset speaks with Michael Hawthorne, reporter at the Chicago Tribune, about the first lawsuit against Sterigenics over use of the known carcinogen, which Springfield considered banning in 2019.
9/20/202212 minutes, 32 seconds
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Cooking For A Cause: How Chicago Chefs Are Teaming Up For Tigray

Earlier this year, Chicago chefs rallied to cook for Ukrainians — it was an event that raised hundreds of thousands of dollars in humanitarian aid due to the war in Ukraine. Now, local chefs are teaming up again — this time, for the Tigray region of Ethiopia. Ethiopians in the country’s northern Tigray region are experiencing possibly the worst health crisis in the entire world. This is due to a two-year conflict between the ruling party and the central government, as well as the worst drought the country has seen in 40 years. Reset talks to two of the organizers behind Chicago Chefs Cook For Tigray to find out more about what to expect at the night of culture and food.
9/20/202210 minutes, 3 seconds
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Dr. Taormina Tackles Your Covid, Flu, and Monkeypox Questions As We Swing Into Fall

Sweater weather is just around the corner but with it comes flu season. Reset answers your most asked questions about colds, flus, covid and monkeypox with the help of Dr. Mia Taormina, infectious disease specialist with Duly Health and Care
9/19/202216 minutes, 30 seconds
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Immigrants Bused To Chicago From Texas Need Emergency Housing, Healthcare

Volunteers and nonprofits are meeting people as they arrive and helping to provide housing, healthcare and food. But these immigrants are in a precarious position because they can’t legally work in the country until six months after they submit their asylum application. Meanwhile, that application process requires money for legal fees, and many of the non-profits that help immigrants with this process are at capacity. Reset speaks with Laura Mendoza, immigration organizer, The Resurrection Project, Johannes Javi, director of ICDI’s Chicago Immigrant Transit Assistance program, Nicole Hallett, director, Immigrants’ Rights Clinic, University of Chicago Law School, Ed Pratt, Executive Director, Interfaith Community for Detained Immigrants, about local efforts to support migrants’ needs in the short- and long-term needs
9/19/202232 minutes, 57 seconds
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Whitney Talks About Their New Album, SPARK

Critically-acclaimed band, Whitney, released their 4th album, SPARKS, this past week. The new album experiments with synthesizers and other electronic elements that make the new record a departure from the band's typical sound. Reset caught up with the band about the inspiration behind the new record. GUESTS: Julien Ehlrich and Max Kakacek, members of the band, Whitney
9/17/202221 minutes, 23 seconds
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WBEZ’s Chicago News Recap: September 16, 2022

MIllions of Illinois taxpayers will soon receive one-time tax rebates, while republican gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey releases his tax returns for public scrutiny. Reset goes behind the headlines on the Chicago News Recap. GUESTS: Amanda Vinicky, WTTW political correspondent Mariah Woelfel, WBEZ city government reporter Mike Lowe, reporter for WGN TV News
9/16/202245 minutes, 7 seconds
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The Child Poverty Rate Has Decreased Dramatically According To A New Study

In a new report from the New York Times and non-partisan research group Child Trends, the number of children living in poverty in the U.S. dropped significantly from the early 1990s to just before the COVID-19 pandemic. Reset speaks with one of the authors of the report, a reporter from the New York Times and researcher at Northwestern University on the findings and their implications. GUESTS: Dana Thomson, senior research scientist at Child Trends Jason DeParle, reporter for the New York Times Christine Percheski, associate professor of sociology at Northwestern University. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
9/15/202216 minutes, 21 seconds
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At This Chicago School, Dozens Of Ukrainian Refugees Start Fresh

More than a hundred thousand refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine are here in the United States. Many of those refugees are children, and one place here in Chicago that is stepping up to help is Saint Nicholas Cathedral School in Ukrainian Villages. This school year they have taken in 75 Ukrainian refugee students, bought supplies for their families, and created an English immersion summer camp for the last weeks before school starts. Reset checks in with principal Anna Cirilli on how things are going, and with Anna Savchenko, the reporter who visited the school for WBEZ. GUESTS: Anna Cirilli, principal at St. Nicholas Cathedral School Anna Savchenko, education reporter, WBEZ For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
9/15/202213 minutes
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Why The Chicago Skyway Is Now Under Australian Management

The Chicago Skyway is under new management: the Australian company Atlas Arteria, which owns and operates toll roads in Europe and the United States. In 2005, Chicago leased the Skyway to private shareholders. The shareholders can buy or sell, but the city has to remain in the agreement for 99 years. Reset learns more Chicago Tribune reporter Robert Channick and toll road expert Robert W. Poole, director of transportation for the Reason Foundation.
9/14/202212 minutes, 58 seconds
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Ending Systemic Racism In Tech

The nonprofit civil rights advocacy organization Color of Change presented its Black Tech Agenda to members of Congress this week in a push for policy solutions to advance racial equity in the technology industry. Reset learns more about the group’s plan from Washington Post reporter Cristiano Lima and Rashad Robinson, president of the advocacy group Color Of Change.
9/14/202214 minutes, 3 seconds
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Film Uncovers A Battle for Privilege and Power as Aid Effort Builds New School in Haiti

What seemed like a simple international aid project spirals out of control. How (Not) to Build A School in Haiti details the long and complicated process it took to build a new school in a rural town north of the country’s capital, Port-au-Prince. The project comes to a sudden halt when a headstrong American construction worker clashes with a Haitian leader. Reset talks with a Chicago-based filmmaker and a Haitian creole translator about how the development process comes to life on screen.
9/13/202214 minutes, 36 seconds
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New Bill Could Put First Wind Farm in Lake Michigan Off Chicago’s Southeast Side

Lake Michigan could be the home of Illinois' first off-shore wind farm. The Rust Belt to Green Belt Act could help fund wind turbines 15 miles off the coast of Chicago’s Southeast side. Reset talks to one of the sponsors of the legislation as well as a reporter and community organizer about the details.
9/13/202219 minutes, 5 seconds
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Inner-City Muslim Action Network Celebrates 25 Years And Counting

Inner-City Muslim Action Network (IMAN) celebrates its 25th anniversary with an anniversary fundraising gala this Saturday, September 17th, at The Geraghty. Among its many initiatives, IMAN advocates for access to fresh produce, runs a health center and a grocery store, and provides resources to ease the transitions of formerly incarcerated people. Reset talks with executive director Rami Nashashibi and deputy executive director Alia Bilal about IMAN’s past, present and future.
9/12/202214 minutes, 14 seconds
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Chicago Got Drenched This Weekend With Nearly 5 Inches Of Rain

Chicago received torrential rainfall leaving entire blocks submerged underwater in parts of the city. Reset speaks with an atmospheric scientist and other experts, as well as Chicagoans affected by the storm.
9/12/202232 minutes, 15 seconds
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Influencers Are Using Fake Musician Accounts To Get Verified On Instagram

A new investigation from ProPublica reveals a million-dollar Instagram verification scheme. Reset talks with ProPublica reporter Craig Silverman to learn more about the inner workings of the scheme and the motivation of its users.
9/10/202215 minutes, 7 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: Sept. 9, 2022

As football season kicks off, Bears release plans for a new stadium in Arlington Heights. Plus, aldermen feel the pressure over a near ten percent pay raise, while more announce they’re leaving City Council. Reset goes behind the headlines on the Weekly News Recap with Paris Schutz, correspondent and anchor, WTTW-TV, Laura Rodríguez Presa, Chicago Tribune reporter, and Alex Nitkin, Better Government Association reporter.
9/9/202238 minutes, 4 seconds
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Argonne Laboratory Will Lead Community Specific Climate Change Research

The lab was one of three cities to receive a $25 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy. Reset checks in with Cristina Negri, director of Argonne’s Environmental Sciences Division and CROCUS lead and Naomi Davis from Blacks in Green.
9/8/202216 minutes, 8 seconds
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New Course Teaches Health Professionals How To Debunk Medical Misinformation

After experiencing a surge in medical misinformation during the pandemic, Dr. Vineet Arora and Sara Serritella decided medical professionals needed training to help combat it. Reset sits down with Dr. Arora and Serritella to learn about their new course and how to prevent medical misinformation from spreading.
9/8/202216 minutes, 41 seconds
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Ibram X. Kendi’s ‘Magnolia Flower’ Weaves A Black And Native Love Story

Ibram X. Kendi’s new picture book Magnolia Flower celebrates its release this week. The book, adapted from a short story by Zora Neale Hurston, tells the story of Magnolia, the daughter of parents who escaped slavery and the Trail of Tears. It features vibrant illustrations of the characters and the island where they find freedom by the artist Loveis Wise. Reset talks with Ibram X. Kendi.
9/7/202217 minutes, 23 seconds
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Chicago’s Top Doc On New COVID-19 Boosters

New COVID-19 vaccines are available to Chicago residents this week. The city has received 150,000 doses of both the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech boosters, which target omicron subvariants. Reset gets the latest from Dr. Allison Arwady, commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health.
9/7/202216 minutes, 15 seconds
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Every other industry has a union. What about sex work?

Sex work is a broad umbrella that encompasses various forms of labor. Similar to workers in other fields who push for unionization, sex workers often experience unsafe situations, like overpolicing and physical violence. However, sex workers have long been excluded from unions because of the stigma attached to their line of work. Reset checks in with activists who are working to change the paradigm. GUESTS: Rebelle Cunt, a writer, activist, and founder and director of Heaux History, a multimedia archive that explores the history of Black, Brown and Indigenous sex workers and erotic labor Audrey Winn, trial attorney at the U.S. Department of Labor
9/7/202217 minutes, 28 seconds
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‘No More Police’ Is A Roadmap To A World Without Law Enforcement

What does safety look like? What do we need to be safe? What threatens that safety? Reset hears from Andrea Ritchie, co-author of the new book No More Police: A Case for Abolition and explores new ways to think about public safety.
9/6/202219 minutes, 40 seconds
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The State Of Contraceptive Care In Illinois

Since the Dobbs decision overturning Roe v. Wade, Illinois medical professionals and advocates are working to make sure people have access to contraceptive care. Reset talks with Dr. Debra Stulberg, primary care physician at the University of Chicago Medical Center, and Kate Thiede, executive director of Illinois Contraceptive Action Now, an organization working to get free and low-cost contraception to people.
9/6/202216 minutes, 17 seconds
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Jobs Report Shows Slight Rise In Unemployment

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics this morning released the August Jobs Report. The report shows that though employers hired over 300,000 new workers, unemployment rose slightly to 3.7% as more people look for jobs. Reset breaks down the data with Diane Swonk, chief economist at KPMG financial services firm.
9/6/202212 minutes, 2 seconds
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Introducing ‘FINOM’

The art rock duo OHMME recently announced that they will be changing their name to FINOM. The band is made up of Macie Stewart and Sima Cunningham, who are veterans in Chicago's DIY music scene. They test the boundaries of their voices and their instruments to create a strange yet spellbinding sound. Reset sat down with FINOM to talk about the name change and break down some of their music.
9/6/202222 minutes, 6 seconds
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This Chicago Coach Gives Senior Citizens A Second Chance At Sports Dreams

Through sports, Milligan’s team is overcoming ageism they face in their older years… and racial injustice they experienced in their youth. Through training, participants learn that it’s never too late to dream.
9/5/202217 minutes, 56 seconds
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Cost Of Childcare ‘Can Be Out Of Reach’

For some parents, the average cost of childcare in Illinois exceeds the annual tuition for most of the state’s public universities.
9/5/202214 minutes, 55 seconds
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WBEZ Weekly News Recap, September 2, 2022

The aldermanic exodus from City Council continues, Chicago’s Inspector General criticizes police policy of canceling days off and the prosecution rests in the R. Kelly trial. Reset goes behind the headlines with Erin Hegarty, City Hall reporter for the Daily Line, Kimberly Egonmwan, commentator for WVON and attorney, and John Byrne, senior political reporter for the Chicago Tribune.
9/2/202244 minutes, 13 seconds
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Flooding In Chicago Basements Is A Common And Systemic Problem

Advocates say flooding disproportionately impacts low-income people of color in Chicago. A neighborhood think tank found that about 75% of all flood damage claims paid between 2007 and 2016 were in predominantly Black and brown communities. Reset explores how what seems like an individual problem on private property is actually a systemic issue with Karen Weigert, director of Loyola University’s Baumhart Center for Social Enterprise and Responsibility, Leslé Honoré, communications director for the Center for Neighborhood Technology, and Bob Dean, CEO, Center for Neighborhood Technology.
9/1/202222 minutes, 7 seconds
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Chicago Bulls Shift From The Court To The Community For First-Ever Bulls Fest

In the inaugural Bulls Fest, the Chicago Bulls bring together some of the hottest musical acts, the arts, and of course, basketball for the two-day event. Reset learns more from Adrienne Scherenzel-Curry, VP of community engagement for the Bulls Jamiece Adams, founder of Swish Queer Basketball Club, and Zissou Tasseff-Elenkoff, owner and curator of All Star Press.
9/1/202220 minutes, 1 second
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The Great Resignation Hits Chicago’s City Council

Ald. Tom Tunney, 44th, announced Tuesday that he won’t seek reelection in 2023. He’s just the latest in a wave of aldermen who have resigned, announced their retirements or thrown their hats into the ring in the mayoral race. Reset looks ahead to local elections with Mariah Woelfel, WBEZ city government reporter, Heather Cherone, political reporter for WTTW, and Jake Wittich, Block Club Chicago reporter.
8/31/202218 minutes, 14 seconds
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A Conservative Majority On The Illinois Supreme Court? It Could Happen In November

The state Supreme Court has long been in Democratic hands, but Republicans are pushing to regain control this November. Reset hears about the GOP strategy and what influence a right-leaning court could have on life in Illinois with Dave McKinney, WBEZ state politics reporter.
8/31/202214 minutes, 57 seconds
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To Increase Preschool Enrollment, Volunteers Go Door-To-Door

Despite universal free pre-K in Chicago, enrollment in South and West-Side schools lags behind the city average. Reset checks in with WBEZ education reporter Nereida Moreno. We also hear from Michelle Morton, a parent ambassador for the organization Community Organizing and Family Issues. She goes door-to-door spreading awareness and helping parents with the preschool enrollment process.
8/30/202216 minutes, 53 seconds
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Heart Of Afghanistan Brings Its Musical Fusion To Chicago

The Heart of Afghanistan is a band made of three family members that tells the history of Afghan music and poetry through performance. Reset sat down with one member, Elham Fanoos, to learn more about the band's story and their current tour.
8/30/202213 minutes, 25 seconds
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Advocates Say There Are Inconsistencies In The Way The U.S. Welcomes Afghan And Ukrainian Refugees

Both groups can enter on humanitarian parole, but Afghans have to pay $575 for the application and Ukrainians are not required to do so. It’s one of several key differences that make it much harder for Afghans to enter the country. Reset talks to Adam Bates, policy counsel for the International Refugee Assistance Project.
8/30/202215 minutes, 43 seconds
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How To Begin Rebuilding Your Social Life

The pandemic has undoubtedly affected all the relationships in our lives, our friendships in particular. So how can we get back on track and start making platonic connections or rebuilding friendships that fell to the wayside? Reset gets tips from Kat Vellos, connection coach; author of We Should Get Together: The Secret To Cultivating Better Friendships and Connected from Afar.
8/29/202217 minutes, 32 seconds
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Chicagoans React To Student Loan Debt Forgiveness

President Biden has announced up to $20,000 of student loan debt forgiveness per individual who makes less than $125,000 a year. The announcement has sparked relief and ire, with some people saying it’s too much money, and others saying it doesn’t go far enough. Reset hears reactions from Chicagoans who are having some of their debt forgiven.
8/29/202216 minutes, 9 seconds
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WBEZ Weekly News Recap, August 26, 2022

Former Alderman Patrick Daley Thompson heads to prison in Wisconsin and a Chicago cop charged in the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol rejects a plea deal. Reset goes behind the week’s headlines with Carrie Shepherd, lead producer, City Cast Chicago podcast, Brandon Pope, reporter/anchor at CW 26, and Patrick Smith, WBEZ criminal justice reporter.
8/26/202231 minutes, 34 seconds
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Promoting Access To Indigenous Foods In Chicago

Chef Jessica Pamonicutt champions Indigenous foods in her catering business. Though these ingredients have been hard for Native people living in urban areas to access for generations, factors including climate change and inflation are making them more inaccessible than ever. Reset sits down with Chef Jessica to discuss her inspiration, connecting with her cultural identity through food, and the importance of food sovereignty.
8/26/202214 minutes, 39 seconds
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U.S. Ambassador To The UN Comes To Chicago

This week the U.S Ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield spoke to address food insecurity worldwide and in the region. Reset spoke to the Ambassador about her visit and how global food security issues affect Chicago and Illinois.
8/26/202213 minutes, 16 seconds
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The Inflation Reduction Act Could Help Make Your Home Energy Efficient

The Inflation Reduction Act gives residents incentives to make their homes more energy efficient through building upgrades. Advocates say these renovations could save you money. Reset speaks with policy experts – Ari Matusiak, CEO of Rewiring America, Jen Walling, Executive Director at Illinois Environmental Council, and Dave Kolata, Executive Director at Citizen Utility Board – to understand how these incentives will be implemented and who will have access to them.
8/25/202213 minutes, 58 seconds
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Dissecting This Election Year’s Political Messages

With a statewide election just over two months away, candidates are in full-on campaign mode. Reset takes a look at campaign ads and political messaging with Connie Mixon, Professor of Political Science and Director of the Urban Studies Program at Elmhurst University, and Delmarie Cobb, a political strategist.
8/25/202215 minutes, 25 seconds
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Inside The New Podcast ‘Vibe Check’

Podcast nerds everywhere have thought, at one time or another, that they should make a podcast with their best friends. That’s just what former NPR host Sam Sanders, author Saeed Jones, and Broadway producer Zach Stafford are doing with Vibe Check. The weekly podcast series from Stitcher, which aims to tackle news and pop culture through a Black and queer lens, recently debuted.
8/24/202222 minutes, 4 seconds
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Chicagoans Reflect On Ukrainian Independence And Six Months Of War

WBEZ recently held an open mic in Ukrainian Village and people with ties to Ukraine shared their stories of leaving Ukraine, living with fear and anger, and figuring out ways to help out. Reset spoke to WBEZ reporter Anna Savchenko, who hosted the open mic, and participants Olha Tsvyntarna, Dania Hrynewycz, and Harrison Jozefowicz.
8/24/202243 minutes, 41 seconds
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Re-imagining Safety In Schools

In the wake of the Uvalde and Highland Park mass shootings, the safety of students is front of mind for many parents. But is more police in schools the answer? And what other approaches can work? Reset explores the role that police play in some Chicago-area schools and across the country and discusses what other models are being used to ensure students stay safe. Our guests are Micere Keels, associate professor of comparative human development at UChicago, Benjamin Feigenberg, associate professor of economics at the University of Illinois Chicago, Ling Young, youth organizer at STOP Chicago, and Anna Durr, restorative justice coordinator at STOP.
8/24/202232 minutes, 11 seconds
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Traffic Deaths Hit A 20-Year High

In the first three months of 2022, traffic deaths in the United States hit a 20-year high, according to a report released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration last week. Reset talks with Ald. Matt Martin, 47th Ward and three local organizers — Courtney Cobbs, co-founder of Better Streets Chicago, David Simmons, executive director of Ride Illinois, and Jim Merrell, managing director of advocacy at Active Transportation Alliance — to discuss what road safety looks like in Chicago and what improvements can be considered.
8/23/202229 minutes, 44 seconds
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Who Should We Memorialize In Chicago?

A new report published by the Chicago Monuments Project recommends the removal of 13 monuments across Chicago, in addition to funding for new monuments to be designed and installed. Reset talks with Heather Cherone, political reporter for WTTW, and Rebecca Zorach, professor of Art and Art History at Northwestern University to discuss the report and its implications.
8/22/202217 minutes, 7 seconds
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The ‘Green Flags’ Of A Healthy Relationship

We hear plenty about the “red flags” you should look for in a relationship but not nearly enough about the “green flags.” Reset talks to Anita Chlipala, dating and relationship therapist, and Bela Gandhi, dating coach and founder of Smart Dating Academy, on what works in a relationship and how to spot it.
8/22/202228 minutes, 47 seconds
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Chicago Latin Rock Band Así Así On Their Debut Album ‘Mal De Otros’

The 8-track record blends elements of rock, dance, and Latin music together to create a unique sound. It’s out now. Reset checks in with Fernando De Buen López from Así Así.
8/20/202215 minutes, 18 seconds
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The Power Of The Lesbian Bar

The Lesbian Bar Project listed only 21 lesbian bars in the country two years ago, and none were in Chicago. Reset looks at why there are so few queer women focused spaces in the city and how they are evolving with Renauda Riddle, owner of Nobody’s Darling, Hannah Viti, DJ at Party SloMo, and Zoe Schor, owner of Dorothy.
8/19/202216 minutes, 9 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: Aug 19, 2022

Hundreds of thousands of local students prepare to return to school, while politicians head to Springfield for the Illinois State Fair. Reset goes behind the week’s headlines with Heather Cherone, Chicago politics reporter for WTTW News, Ray Long, Chicago Tribune investigative reporter, and Sarah Karp, WBEZ education reporter.
8/19/202231 minutes, 57 seconds
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The Ripple Effects Of America’s Gun Violence Epidemic

In Chicago, 2,400 kids lost parents to gun violence over a five-year period, according to an analysis by the Washington Post. Reset hears from Oji Eggleston, executive director of Chicago Survivors, and John Woodrow Cox, staff reporter at the Washington Post who talked with kids and their families to explore this little-discussed facet of America’s gun violence epidemic.
8/18/202216 minutes, 53 seconds
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Colleges Ease COVID Restrictions For The Fall

Most colleges and universities have rolled back masking and testing mandates. Reset checks in with Elissa Nadworny, NPR education reporter, and Robert Jones, chancellor of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, to hear what schools are doing.
8/18/202216 minutes, 32 seconds
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Survivors Say It’s Far Too Hard To Report A Sexual Assault

After being sexually assaulted by a man who was later arrested for alleged gropings in downtown Chicago, one survivor said it was very difficult to get law enforcement to take her story seriously. Reset talks with Block Club Chicago reporter Melody Mercado and Mallory Littlejohn, legal director at the Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation, about what happened and what needs to change. A national hotline is available for people looking for support or resources related to sexual assault. The number is 1-800-656-4673.
8/17/202216 minutes, 32 seconds
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Climate Bill Could Spur ‘Super Hot Rock Energy’ And Other Green Tech

The Inflation Reduction Act signed by President Biden this week will pump billions of dollars into green technologies. Reset checks in with Washington Post Innovations reporter Pranshu Verma.
8/17/202216 minutes, 17 seconds
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Pregnancy Complications Are Up During The Pandemic

Rates of preeclampsia were already on the rise among pregnant Americans for decades — then came COVID. A study published last week found pregnancy and birth outcomes worsened in the United States during the pandemic. Reset checks in with a senior author of the study Dr. Jose Figueroa, Assistant Professor of Health Policy and Management at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Eleni Tsigas, CEO of the Preeclampsia Foundation, and Dr. Melissa Simon, OB-GYN at Northwestern University Medicine.
8/16/202222 minutes, 49 seconds
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Why DoorDash And Grubhub Drivers Are Working To Unionize

Drivers from Uber and Lyft have asked for the option to unionize, and now food delivery drivers from companies like DoorDash and Grubhub are joining in. Reset hears more about what local and national ride-share and delivery advocacy groups want from Chris Liebelt from Chicago Uber Drivers and Lenny Sanchez from Independent Drivers Guild.
8/16/202217 minutes, 21 seconds
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A Message Of Justice, Healing And Hope For Black Girls As R. Kelly Trial

R. Kelly returns to the courtroom to stand trial for federal child pornography charges. Earlier this year, the R&B singer was sentenced to 30 years in prison for sex-trafficking. Reset digs into the trial and how it fits into a larger conversation around gender-based violence with Salamishah Tillet, co-founder of A Long Walk Home.
8/15/202214 minutes, 23 seconds
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How To Root Out Injustice In America’s Legal System

In Fixing Legal Injustice, former public defender and death row expert Andrea Lyon explains what is wrong with the criminal justice system through her clients’ stories and historical perspective, and she proposes one solution— an independent Defender General of the United States.
8/15/202219 minutes, 51 seconds
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Tenci and Friendship on their Collaboration

Jess Shoman, from Tenci, and Dan Wriggins, from Friendship, chat with Reset ahead of their show this evening at the Hideout. You can find more about the show at the Hideouts website.
8/14/20229 minutes, 10 seconds
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Mohsin Hamid Talks New Book ‘The Last White Man’

In The Last White Man, Mohsin Hamid takes a page out of Franz Kafka’s book when his own main character wakes up one day looking completely differently. Reset talks to the critically-acclaimed author about how his latest work explores race and belonging.
8/13/202219 minutes, 32 seconds
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Should Public Parks Be Used For Music Festivals?

A community effort to boot Riot Fest from Douglass Park on Chicago’s West Side is gaining momentum. Reset hears from organizers about what some residents are demanding, and how festival organizers and the city are responding.
8/12/202220 minutes, 57 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: Aug. 12, 2022

From a budget forecast to what’s believed to be the biggest mass exoneration in U.S. history, it’s been a busy news week in Chicago and Illinois. Reset digs deeper into those stories and more on the Weekly News Recap with Chicago Tribune reporter A.D. Quig, City Cast Chicago host Jacoby Cochran and David Greising of the Better Government Association.
8/12/202233 minutes, 9 seconds
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Which States Are Truly In The Midwest?

It’s an expansive region, stretching from the Appalachian foothills to the Great Plains. But the exact states are up for debate. Reset settles the debate with listeners and a data columnist working to define regions in the U.S. using Airbnb data.
8/11/202212 minutes, 20 seconds
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The Potential Benefits Of A Four-Day Work Week

Studies have shown a connection between working fewer hours and lower carbon emissions. But experts say the environmental benefits of a shorter workweek depend on how people spend their time when they’re not on the job.
8/11/202218 minutes, 43 seconds
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Tracy Baim’s Influence On Chicago Journalism

After years with the Chicago Reader and decades in community journalism, publisher Tracy Baim will turn over leadership to fresh voices by the end of the year. Reset sits down with Baim to learn about her inspiration and visions for the future.
8/10/202216 minutes, 20 seconds
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The Broken Organ Transplant System

The national organ transplant system has run for 36 years but a report from the White House shows it’s repeatedly failed and crashed for hours at a time. Reset hears more about why this program has never been audited and how it could be improved from The Washington Post’s Joe Menn.
8/10/202213 minutes, 30 seconds
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Where Abortion Rights Stand, Six Weeks Post-Roe

Indiana has become the first state to pass a new abortion ban since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June. But it likely won’t be the last. Reset talks to Shefali Luthra with The 19th and WBEZ reporter Michael Puente about the state of abortion rights in Indiana and nationwide.
8/9/202215 minutes, 27 seconds
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How To Prep For The End Of The Student Loan Moratorium

With the two-year student debt moratorium set to expire this month, Reset gets advice on how to keep payments under control from Yanely Espinal with Next Gen Personal Finance.
8/9/202216 minutes, 25 seconds
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Reset Lost and Found: Swedish Egg Coffee

In a new series called “Reset Lost and Found,” producers track down things in Chicago that a Google search can’t uncover — like where to find Swedish egg coffee in Chicago. In the first edition of the series, Reset freelance producer Claire Hyman teaches us how to make the beverage and Tre Kronor owner and chef Patty Rasmussen gives us a history lesson.
8/8/202216 minutes, 8 seconds
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North Shore Superintendent On School Safety, Mental Health

A month after the deadly Fourth of July parade shooting in Highland Park, Reset checks in with North Shore superintendent Michael Lubelfeld about his district’s plans for school safety and mental health for the upcoming school year.
8/8/202215 minutes, 35 seconds
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How To Know Your Device’s ‘Death Date’

Why do we find ourselves having to buy new devices every few years? And is that by design? Reset turns to Washington Post tech columnist Geoffrey Fowler for answers, and discusses how consumers can push the tech industry to create longer-lasting products.
8/6/202215 minutes, 11 seconds
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Devon Price Wants To ‘Unmask Autism’

Devon Price didn’t realize he was autistic until after he finished his Ph.D. in psychology. Now, he’s devoting much of his career to researching and writing about autism. Reset learns more about the inequities autistic people face and how to find community as an autistic adult.
8/5/202218 minutes, 7 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: Aug. 5, 2022

Governor JB Pritzker declares monkeypox a public health emergency while his Republican challenger comes under fire for an old social media post. Reset does a deep dive on those stories and more with WBEZ’s Dave McKinney, The Daily Line’s Alex Nitkin and NBC 5 Chicago reporter Christian Farr.
8/5/202237 minutes, 20 seconds
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What’s In The Surprise Senate Climate Deal?

In a surprise announcement last week, West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin announced a compromise deal on climate, health care and taxes. Reset sustainability contributor Karen Weigert breaks down the details of the Inflation Reduction Act.
8/4/202216 minutes, 45 seconds
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Exploring Illness Under Capitalism In ‘The Viral Underclass’

In his new book, Northwestern University professor Steven Thrasher shows the inequalities in who is able to survive viruses and how systems of oppression keep people sick. Reset learns more about 'The Viral Underclass: The Human Toll When Inequality and Disease Collide.'
8/4/202220 minutes, 13 seconds
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Teen Beaten By Oak Lawn Police Released From Custody

Seventeen-year-old Hadi Abuatelah was released from custody Tuesday, after being hospitalized for injuries sustained during his arrest. A video widely shared on social media shows Oak Lawn police officers tackling and beating the teen, whom they say resisted arrest after being pulled over. Reset gets the latest from Chicago Sun-Times reporter Andy Grimm and CAIR-Chicago staff attorney Emma Melton.
8/3/202216 minutes, 38 seconds
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How The 1968 DNC Changed Media And Politics

With local leaders vying to host the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Reset looks back at the fateful 1968 convention with film and media professor Heather Hendershot.
8/3/202216 minutes, 37 seconds
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Wisconsin Doctors Drive Hours To Provide Abortions In Illinois

With abortion almost completely banned in Wisconsin, some providers are making long commutes to serve patients across the Illinois border. Reset learns more about the partnership from WBEZ public health and politics reporter Kristen Schorsch and Kristen Schultz of Planned Parenthood of Illinois.
8/2/202214 minutes, 15 seconds
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Dissecting Beyonce’s Latest Album ‘Renaissance’

People across the internet are raving about Beyonce’s seventh studio album Renaissance, which draws influence from house and disco music. But does it get the Chicago house seal of approval? Tiffany Walden of The TRiiBE and legendary Chicago house DJ Darlene Jackson weigh in.
8/2/202216 minutes, 47 seconds
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Jeremy Allen White On ‘The Bear,’ Italian Beef And The Chicago Accent

The Bear on FX and Hulu is the breakout show of the summer. The dark comedy explores grief, family and food with plenty of easter eggs for the sharp-eyed Chicago viewer. Reset sits down with the show’s lead actor about what brought him to the role and his hopes for Season 2.
8/1/202219 minutes, 56 seconds
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Makaya McCraven’s New Album Was 7 Years In The Making

The self-proclaimed beat scientist talks about his career and what can be expected from his latest record, In These Times. Reset talks to the Chicago-based jazz artist ahead of his show at the Salt Shed this week.
8/1/202221 minutes, 42 seconds
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What You Need To Know About COVID-19 Boosters

Millions of doses of updated COVID-19 booster shots could be available in the U.S. by early September, according to Pfizer and Moderna. Reset checks in with infectious disease specialist Dr. Mia Taormina for the latest COVID-19 news and guidance.
8/1/202212 minutes, 28 seconds
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Erika Sanchez Bares It All In Her New Memoir ‘Crying In The Bathroom’

Erika Sánchez’s memoir Crying in the Bathroom tells the intimate story of her life. Discussing everything from white feminism to body image, to her battle with depression, Sánchez holds nothing back and, in turn, offers readers a look into the life of a woman who’s come into her own — by her own terms.
7/30/202218 minutes, 12 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: July 29, 2022

Mayor Lori Lightfoot wants a dome on Soldier Field, Google is buying the Thompson Center and Illinois remains a monkeypox hotspot. Reset dives deeper into those stories and more on the Weekly News Recap with WTTW’s Paris Schutz, AXIOS Chicago reporter Justin Kaufmann and Chicago Tribune’s Rick Pearson.
7/29/202229 minutes, 53 seconds
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The Best Chicken Wing Spots In Chicago

Today is National Chicken Wing Day. Whether you like them sweet, savory or Chicago-style, we’ve got you covered. Reset explores the best spots in town with Chicago Tribune food critic Nick Kindelsperger and gets recommendations from listeners.
7/29/202216 minutes
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Inside Margo Jefferson’s New Memoir

Pulitzer Prize-winning author Margo Jefferson has been lauded as one of the most nuanced thinkers on race, class and feminism working today. Reset talks to the Chicago native about her new memoir, 'Constructing a Nervous System.'
7/28/202213 minutes, 25 seconds
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Google Buys Chicago’s Thompson Center

The tech giant’s move into the glassy state office could bring thousands of jobs downtown. But what will this mean for the historical legacy of the building? Reset brings on Jonathan Solomon with the Chicago firm Preservation Futures and Crain’s Chicago Business reporter Danny Ecker to discuss.
7/28/202214 minutes, 31 seconds
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Aurora Man Saves Driver Stuck On Train Tracks

Last fall, Lewis Medina saved a driver stuck in a railroad crossing as a train was approaching at 40 mph. He stops by Reset to share his story and how he feels about receiving a 2022 Carnegie Medal.
7/27/202215 minutes, 5 seconds
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Bolingbrook Man Rescues Neighbor From Attack

Last spring, Tony Rivera helped rescue his neighbor from a brutal stabbing. Reset learns more about his story and what it means to be honored with a 2022 Carnegie Medal.
7/27/202213 minutes, 35 seconds
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Monkeypox Cases Spike In Chicago

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention said on Monday that there were 344 monkeypox cases in Illinois. That’s a big leap from last Friday, when there were 238 reported cases. We check in with Dr. Anu Hazra, University of Chicago infectious disease specialist and Aaron Gettinger, Hyde Park Herald reporter.
7/27/202216 minutes, 31 seconds
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Many Millennials Stay Put In Their Hometowns

A new study by the U.S. Census Bureau and Harvard University found that more than two-thirds of millennials live within 100 miles of where they grew up. In Chicago, three-quarters of people who grew up in the area stayed close by. Reset brings on Ben Sprung-Keyser, a lead researcher of the study, to discuss what the report tells us about the labor market.
7/26/202217 minutes, 25 seconds
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Monarch Butterflies Flutter Closer Toward Extinction

Monarch populations have gone down between 22% and 72% over the past 10 years, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Reset turns to Allen Lawrence with the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum for more.
7/26/202211 minutes, 16 seconds
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‘The Funnel’ Explores Black Resilience

The Funnel explores love and ancestral power shared across generations of Black women facing housing injustice in Chicago. Reset talks with director Charlene Carruthers to learn more about the new short film.
7/25/202212 minutes, 46 seconds
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Inside Chicago’s Cosmic Country Cookout

If you’re looking for an out-of-this-world festival, the Cosmic Country Cookout on Sunday is bound to have something you’ll love. Reset talks with event organizer Sully Davis and Lavender Country’s Patrick Haggerty for more details.
7/23/202213 minutes, 44 seconds
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A Guide To Northwest Indiana’s Secret Gems

From shipwrecks to singing port-a-potties, Secret Northwest Indiana serves as a history book and travel guide about hidden gems in the Hoosier state. Reset talks with author Joseph Pete for more.
7/22/202216 minutes, 9 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: July 22, 2022

Illinois Congressman Adam Kinzinger is in the national spotlight for leading Thursday’s Jan. 6th committee hearing while Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky makes her own headlines in D.C. Reset takes a deep dive into those stories and more on the Weekly News Recap.
7/22/202232 minutes, 10 seconds
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Chance The Rapper Stops By Vocalo

Chicago’s own Chance the Rapper recently shared about his new music and future plans with WBEZ’s sister station Vocalo Radio. Reset hears highlights from the interview with Vocalo’s Ayana Contreras.
7/21/202218 minutes, 35 seconds
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What’s Behind Europe’s Heat Wave?

Reset discusses why Europe is experiencing record-setting heat and how Chicago’s new 10-year plan looks to address rising temperatures with Reset Sustainability Contributor Karen Weigert, Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford and Chicago Chief Sustainability Officer Angela Tovar.
7/21/202232 minutes, 1 second
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Online Dating Sucks. What’s The Best Way To Meet Someone New In Person?

Reset gets tips for finding a love connection offline with freelance writer Amanda Chatel and Chicago dating experts Bela Gandhi and Anita Chlipala.
7/20/202223 minutes, 42 seconds
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When Librarians Are The First To Go, CPS Students Lose Out

Chicago Public Schools has full-time librarians at only about 20% of its schools, and students of color are hit the hardest by this shortage. Reset learns more about this issue with Chicago Sun-Times education reporter Nader Issa and two CPS librarians who were recently laid off.
7/20/202221 minutes, 41 seconds
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CPD Sees Cluster Of Police Suicides This Month

Three Chicago police officers have died by suicide in July. Reset discusses what can be done to address mental health challenges facing the Chicago Police Department with Alexa James, a former CPD mental health adviser. Plus, we get the latest on the new 988 Crisis and Suicide Lifeline with Philip Martinez of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Illinois.
7/19/202231 minutes, 46 seconds
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Chicago Groups Receive Anti-Violence Federal Funds

So far this year, there have been nearly 350 homicides and over 1,000 shootings in Chicago. Now, many anti-violence groups throughout the city are getting federal COVID relief money to ramp up their efforts. Reset learns more from WBEZ criminal justice reporter Patrick Smith.
7/19/202215 minutes, 45 seconds
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Some Report Trouble Getting Lifesaving Meds Post-Roe

Pharmacists in some states with abortion bans are reportedly refusing to fill prescriptions for methotrexate because it can be used to end a pregnancy. Reset discusses why access to methotrexate and other drugs could become an issue of sex discrimination in post-Roe America with Vox senior correspondent Ian Millhiser and Dr. Cuoghi Edens with the University of Chicago Medicine.
7/18/202217 minutes, 36 seconds
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Kayak For Conservation With The Shedd

If you’re looking for an excuse to get out on the water this summer, the Shedd Aquarium wants to float an idea by you: kayaking for conservation on the Chicago River. Reset dives deep into the program with Jaclyn Wegner, the aquarium’s director of conservation action.
7/18/202211 minutes, 9 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: July 15, 2022

Aldermen debate ethics reforms in City Council, Illinois prepares for increased demand in abortions from women in neighboring states, and the Chicago Cubs are getting sued. Reset takes a deep dive into these stories and more in the Weekly News Recap.
7/15/202229 minutes
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Forever Chemicals In Illinois' Drinking Water

A new investigation shows 6 out of 10 Illinoisans get their drinking water from a facility where forever chemicals have been found. Reset talks to Chicago Tribune reporter Michael Hawthorne for more details.
7/14/202217 minutes, 15 seconds
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Rising Food Costs Drive Up Inflation

Surging costs for food, gasoline and rent played the biggest role in pushing inflation to a new 40-year high. Reset digs into the latest numbers with NPR’s Scott Horsley, and hears from Chicago restaurant owners about how rising prices are affecting their businesses.
7/14/202217 minutes, 45 seconds
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Meet The Shedd’s Animal Ambassadors

Reset’s live broadcast at the Shedd Aquarium got truly wild with a green-winged macaw, a red-footed tortoise, and animal care specialists Katie Majerowsk and Charlie Jacobsma.
7/13/202215 minutes, 31 seconds
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An Indigenous Approach To Conservation

Reset sits down with Cook County ethnobotanist Adam Kessel to learn about Indigenous conservation techniques and native plants in the Chicago area.
7/13/202212 minutes, 53 seconds
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Inside America’s Medical Debt Crisis

More than 100 million Americans are in medical debt, according to a new investigation by Kaiser Health News and NPR. Reset learns more about what’s driving America’s medical debt crisis with lead investigator Noam Levey.
7/12/202220 minutes, 40 seconds
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Follow Along ‘The Great Muslim American Road Trip’

A new three-part PBS docuseries follows a Midwest couple as they embark on a cross-country road trip to explore Islam’s rich history in the U.S. Reset talks to Mona Haydar and Sebastian Robins about their experience on The Great Muslim American Road Trip.
7/12/202218 minutes, 31 seconds
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Are We Gearing Up For Another COVID-19 Surge in Illinois?

As BA.5 becomes the dominant COVID-19 strain in much of the country, Reset checks in with an expert to find out what precautions we should be taking. GUEST: Hannah Barbian, virologist at Rush University Medical Center
7/11/202212 minutes, 30 seconds
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Unpacking Biden’s Executive Order On Abortion

President Joe Biden signed an executive order on abortion access Friday, two weeks after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. Reset discusses what the federal action means for reproductive rights with University of Chicago’s Lee Hasselbacher, Brigid Leahy with Planned Parenthood Illinois Action and Diana Parker-Kafka of Midwest Access Coalition.
7/11/202220 minutes
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Brittney Griner Is Still Stuck In Russia

Phoenix Mercury star center Brittney Griner pleaded guilty Thursday to drug charges in Russia and faces up to 10 years in prison. But the U.S. says she’s been wrongfully detained, leading many of her supporters to wonder why officials haven’t done more to intervene. GUESTS: Julie DiCaro, writer and editor at Deadspin Cheryl Raye-Stout, WBEZ sports contributor
7/9/202221 minutes, 6 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: July 8, 2022

A devastating Fourth of July massacre in Highland Park, a prison sentence for former Ald. Patrick Daley Thompson and NASCAR racing through Chicago streets. Reset takes a deep dive into these stories and more in the Weekly News Recap with The Washington Post’s Kim Bellware, ProPublica’s Mick Dumke and WGN-TV reporter Mike Lowe.
7/8/202226 minutes, 35 seconds
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Chicago Author Pens ‘Miss Marvel: Beyond The Limit’

Teen superhero Kamala Khan has taken the small screen by storm in the new Disney+ show, Ms. Marvel. But she’s been around in comics, including a new graphic novel collecting the first five issues of Ms. Marvel: Beyond the Limit. Reset talks to the first South Asian woman to write Kamala Khan in the comics.
7/7/202226 minutes, 51 seconds
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‘The Tomorrow Game’ Explores Gun Violence In Chicago

Reset talks to sociologist Sudhir Venkatesh about his new book The Tomorrow Game, which follows the story of two rival teens on the Chicago’s South Side and a community that’s trying to save them from gun violence.
7/6/202216 minutes, 6 seconds
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Remembering The Highland Park Victims

As we learn the identities of the seven people killed in the Highland Park parade shooting, their loved ones are speaking out about how they want them to be remembered. Reset hears from WBEZ education reporter Susie An, who talked to the friends, families and neighbors of those who were killed or injured in the deadly attack.
7/6/202210 minutes, 5 seconds
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A Mass Shooting In Highland Park

A shooter opened fire on a July 4th parade route in suburban Chicago, killing seven people and injuring dozens more. Reset checks in with WBEZ education reporter Sarah Karp and Chicago Sun-Times Washington Bureau Chief Lynn Sweet, who was at the parade, for the latest on how the community is responding.
7/5/202218 minutes, 21 seconds
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Talking To Kids About Highland Park

Dr. Tali Raviv, associate director of the Center for Childhood Resilience at Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, explains how to discuss the tragic mass shooting in Highland Park, Ill., with children of different ages.
7/5/20227 minutes, 23 seconds
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Another White Shooter Apprehended ‘Without Incident’

The Highland Park shooter was arrested “peacefully” despite being heavily armed. Meanwhile, an unarmed Black man in Akron, Ohio, was shot 60 times and killed by officers. Reset checks in with Brookings Institution senior fellow Rashawn Ray, who says the two stories help illustrate the fact that Black people are many times more likely than white people to be killed by police in the U.S.
7/5/202212 minutes, 45 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: July 1, 2022

Reset goes behind the week’s headlines, in Chicago and beyond with John Byrne, senior political reporter for the Chicago Tribune, Brandon Pope, reporter and anchor at CW 26 and Heather Cherone, Chicago politics reporter for WTTW News.
7/1/202229 minutes, 38 seconds
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Chicago's Cheesemonger Champion

Chicago cheese expert Cara Condon took home the 2022 Cheesemonger Invitational top prize in New York. Reset learns more about her win.
7/1/20229 minutes, 43 seconds
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Black Maternal Mortality Post-Roe (Part Three)

Planned Parenthood of Illinois is working to break down barriers to prenatal and postpartum care for Black birthing people. Reset gets the latest on the new Bridges to Prenatal Care program and more from their director of health equity and impact, Deloris Walker.
6/30/202211 minutes, 16 seconds
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Black Maternal Mortality Post-Roe (Part Two)

While abortion is still legal in Illinois, experts expect the overturning of Roe v. Wade to have a lasting impact on existing healthcare inequities in the region. Reset discusses the relationship between abortion access and pregnancy health outcomes with Dr. Sadia Haider, division director of family planning at Rush University Medical Center, and Mathematica health analyst Sara Bovat.
6/30/202218 minutes, 31 seconds
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Black Maternal Mortality Post-Roe (Part One)

Black Chicagoans are six times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white Chicagoans, according to a 2019 city report. Reset breaks down national and local efforts to make pregnancy and childbirth safer for Black parents with Jamila Taylor with The Century Foundation and Dr. Candice Robinson of the Chicago Department of Public Health.
6/30/202215 minutes, 53 seconds
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Gov. JB Pritzker, Rep. Darren Bailey To Face Off In November

Reset breaks down everything you need to know about the race for Illinois governor with WBEZ state politics reporter Dave McKinney, Chicago Sun-Times Washington bureau chief Lynn Sweet and David Greising, president and CEO of the Better Government Association. Plus, we check in with GOP strategist Chris Robling about what Republicans are prioritizing ahead of the midterm elections.
6/29/202242 minutes, 37 seconds
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The Present And Future Of Brain Health

For decades, researchers have chased a pharmaceutical cure for memory loss to no avail. But research released last year suggests that dementia rates have actually declined in the United States over the last decade. Reset talks with the co-authors of American Dementia: Brain Health in an Unhealthy Society. GUEST: Dr. Daniel R. George, medical anthropologist and associate professor at Penn State College of Medicine Dr. Peter J. Whitehouse, professor of neurology at Case Western Reserve University and professor of medicine at the University of Toronto
6/28/202218 minutes, 54 seconds
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A Woman Reflects On Her Illegal Abortion

Before Roe v. Wade went into effect in 1973, abortion was illegal in the U.S. And people seeking the procedure were forced to receive care outside of the healthcare system and in the shadows. Linda Buczyna shares her story with Reset.
6/28/202221 minutes
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Abortion Politics, Past And Present

Reset digs into the conservative movement that successfully overturned Roe. Plus, we look at the Democratic strategy to protect abortion rights at the federal level and what the Supreme Court’s ruling could mean for the midterm elections. GUESTS: Mary Ziegler, law professor at the University of California, Davis; author of Dollars for Life: The Anti-Abortion Movement and the Fall of the Republican Establishment Lynn Sweet, Chicago Sun-Times Washington Bureau Chief
6/27/202227 minutes, 29 seconds
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Abortion Rules In ‘Trigger Law’ States

Abortion is now illegal in at least 10 states. More total or near-total bans will go into effect soon. Reset checks in on states that neighbor Illinois where it’s now impossible or nearly impossible to have an abortion. GUESTS: Molly Beck, Wisconsin politics and state government reporter at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Sarah Fentem, health reporter at St. Louis Public Radio Aprile Rickert, health reporter at WFPL News in Louisville, Kentucky.
6/27/202218 minutes, 40 seconds
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Religious Groups Divided Over Roe Decision

As the nation continues to react to the Supreme Court ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade and debate a path forward, faith communities remain divided over whether people should have the right to an abortion. GUESTS: Eman Abdelhadi, assistant professor of comparative human development at University of Chicago Rabbi Amanda Green, associate rabbi at Chicago Sinai Congregation Joanne Terrell, associate professor of Theology, Ethics & the Arts at CTS who is ordained in Christianity and Buddhism Nadiah Mohajir, founder and co-executive director of HEART Women and Girls, a national reproductive justice and education organization
6/27/202225 minutes, 24 seconds
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Years Ago She Had An Abortion. Now She’s Helping Others Get Them

Following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, Reset talks to someone who works on the frontlines of abortion access. Christy Uchida is a volunteer host with the Midwest Access Coalition, which provides logistical support to people who have abortions.
6/27/202211 minutes, 58 seconds
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Illinois Abortion Providers Respond To The Fall Of Roe V. Wade

With the Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe v. Wade, Illinois is now one of the only states in the Midwest where people can access abortion care. Reset checks in with Dr. Erin King, executive director of Hope Clinic for Women, and Dr. Amy Whitaker, chief medical officer at Planned Parenthood of Illinois.
6/27/202219 minutes, 6 seconds
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Supreme Court Overturns Roe V. Wade

In a much-anticipated decision in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization case, the Supreme Court reverses the constitutional right to an abortion Friday. Reset gets the latest from WBEZ public health and politics reporter Kristen Schorsh and Amanda Becker, Washington correspondent for The 19th News.
6/24/202214 minutes, 4 seconds
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Title IX Turns 50

Title IX turns 50 today. Elizabeth Tang with the National Women's Law Center tells us more about the landmark law. Plus, we hear from Melissa Isaacson, a former high school athlete who was among the first generation of Title IX beneficiaries.
6/23/202220 minutes, 16 seconds
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Climate Change And The Supreme Court

The Supreme Court is set to rule on a case that could prevent the Environmental Protection Agency from regulating power plant emissions. We learn more from Northwestern law professor David Dana and Reset sustainability contributor Karen Weigert.
6/23/202218 minutes, 39 seconds
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Why Alzheimer’s Research Needs To Embrace Diversity

A new national study is seeking a diverse group of participants to prevent future memory loss and to find treatment that works for everyone. Reset talks with neurologist Dr. Neelum Aggarwal for more on the study.
6/22/202213 minutes, 57 seconds
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Kim Foxx On How To Stop Gun Violence

After 47 people were shot in Chicago over the weekend, Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx weighs in on what more action can be taken to curb gun violence.
6/22/202221 minutes, 50 seconds
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In New Book, Ed Yong Explores How Animals Perceive The World

In his new book "An Immense World," Ed Yong takes readers inside the wondrous and innumerable different ways animals perceive the world around them. Reset checks in with the Pulitzer Prize-winning writer to learn more.
6/21/202218 minutes, 55 seconds
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Chicagoans React To Biden’s Executive Order Protecting LGBTQ Rights

This month, President Biden signed an executive order combating “discriminatory legislative attacks” following a wave of anti-LGBTQ bills introduced in state legislatures across the country. Reset talks to three Chicago-based advocates to understand what this order means.
6/21/202214 minutes, 44 seconds
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‘Melanin Martha’ Is Treating Trauma With Food

Food preservationist and cultural historian Jordan Wimby — aka ‘Melanin Martha’ — is addressing access, trauma, queerness and self-care through cooking.
6/20/202216 minutes, 23 seconds
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Modern Blues With Chicago’s Melody Angel

Chicago blues guitarist Melody Angel is bringing a youthful edge to the blues with her new album Foxy. We hear her story and her music.
6/19/202222 minutes, 1 second
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Luvvie Ajayi Makes Good Trouble

Author, speaker and podcast host Luvvie Ajayi tells us about her latest book Rising Troublemaker: A Fear-Fighter Manual For Teens.
6/18/202218 minutes, 54 seconds
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Best Chicago Restaurants

Chef Erick Williams of Virtue Restaurant & Bar in Hyde Park is the James Beard Award for best chef in the Great Lakes region. Reset producer Brenda Ruiz introduces us to Williams and Beard finalists Jason Hamel of Lula Cafe in Logan Square and Genie Kwon and Timothy Flores of Kasama in Ukrainian Village.
6/17/202214 minutes, 53 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: June 17, 2022

The governor’s race, the mayor’s race, tornado sirens in Chicago and much more. Reset breaks down the biggest stories of the week. GUESTS: Amanda Vinicky, WTTW political correspondent Jacoby Cochran, host of City Cast Chicago Mariah Woelfel, WBEZ city government reporter
6/17/202231 minutes, 24 seconds
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‘Last Summer On State Street’ Pays Tribute To Forgotten Stories Of Black Girls

Chicago author Toya Wolfe’s debut novel Last Summer on State Street is a coming-of-age story about growing up in the Robert Taylor Homes in Bronzeville in the late '90s.
6/16/202219 minutes, 10 seconds
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CPS Has Fewer Police Officers in Schools. How’s the Transition Going?

In the last two years, the number of police officers inside Chicago Public Schools has dropped by one-third. Since 2020, it’s been up to local school councils to decide whether to keep officers in the building.
6/16/202214 minutes, 11 seconds
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The Best Free Things To Do In Chicago This Summer

As prices continue to rise, Reset breaks down the latest inflation data and explores WBEZ’s new guide to the best free activities and events in Chicago this summer.
6/15/202213 minutes, 30 seconds
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Two Women On Why They Ended A Pregnancy

As a Supreme Court decision on Roe v. Wade approaches, Reset talks with two women who decided to end their pregnancies.
6/14/202224 minutes, 52 seconds
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President Trump’s ‘Big Lie’ Debunked

Everything you need to know about the Jan. 6 hearings on Capitol Hill. Plus, why likely GOP voters in Illinois still back Trump.
6/13/202228 minutes, 3 seconds
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Chicago’s Bashir Salahuddin Goes From ‘South Side’ To Airborne With ‘Top Gun’

Reset talks to Chicago actor and producer Bashir Salahuddin about what it was like to play alongside Tom Cruise in the new film Top Gun: Maverick, and his big plans for the third season of HBO’s South Side. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
6/11/202217 minutes, 16 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: June 10, 2022

Mayor Lightfoot kicks off her reelection campaign. Plus, a new Chicago Sun-Times/WBEZ Poll reveals a shift in the Republican race for governor. Reset goes behind the headlines in the Weekly News Recap.
6/10/202233 minutes
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Creative Solutions To Chicago Food Deserts

Half a million Chicagoans live in food deserts. We meet four local leaders working to solve that problem.
6/9/202229 minutes, 59 seconds
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When Illinois DCFS Can’t Find Housing For Incarcerated Teens, They Stay In Jail

When children are released from the Cook County Juvenile Center on Chicago’s Near West Side, they’re expected to be picked up by a guardian. But many kids under the care of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services are not assigned housing and are forced to wait in jail until a guardian arrives — sometimes for months. Reset gets the latest from the WBEZ criminal justice reporter Patrick Smith, who uncovered the story. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
6/8/202215 minutes, 15 seconds
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Northwestern University Engineers Create Smallest-Ever Walking Robot

The half-millimeter-long robotic crab joins a menagerie of tiny robots inspired by the natural world. Reset checks in with Northwestern University professor John Rogers about the tiny crab and other creations his team developed that could soon help monitor air quality, track disease outbreaks and even clear clogged arteries within our bodies. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
6/7/202213 minutes, 39 seconds
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How Strict Are Gun Laws In Illinois Compared To Other States?

Illinois has the eighth strictest gun laws in the nation, according to the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence. Reset talks with reporters and an expert to understand what separates Illinois from states with even stricter gun laws. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
6/6/202218 minutes, 9 seconds
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Owners Of The Label Sooper Records Discuss Chicago DIY And The Artists They Represent

Artists owned and operated, the founders of local record label, Sooper Records, join Reset to explain how the business started, their own beginnings in Chicago’s music scene and share some of the music from artists on their label. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
6/4/202222 minutes, 55 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: June 3, 2022

An ethics bill stalls in Chicago’s City Council. Meanwhile, the mayoral race heats up with two new candidates.Plus, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul files the state’s first-ever hate crime lawsuit. Reset goes behind the week’s headlines in the Weekly News Recap with Chicago Tribune investigative reporter Ray Long, Alex Nitkin with the The Daily Line and WBEZ investigative reporter Dan Mihalopoulos. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
6/3/202226 minutes, 19 seconds
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New CPD Data Show Shootings Are Down in 2022

Chicago had its most violent Memorial Day weekend in five years. However, new data from the Chicago Police Department show shootings this year are below the pace of 2021 and 2020. Reset gets the latest on these trends, and what residents are doing to keep communities safe. Plus, we’ll look at how Illinois schools are preparing students and teachers for an active shooter. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
6/2/202224 minutes, 55 seconds
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What You Need to Know About The 1st Congressional District Race

Earlier this year, Illinois First Congressional District Representative Bobby Rush announced that he will not be seeking reelection after holding the position for nearly three decades. Now, there are 21 candidates vying for his seat. Reset learns more about some of the candidates and what’s at stake for the voters of the first district. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
6/1/202232 minutes, 14 seconds
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What Is — And Isn’t — Protected By The Second Amendment?

The Second Amendment is only 27 words long, but the text has been fiercely debated for centuries. Debate focused on the meaning of militias and who belonged to them until the Supreme Court ruled in District of Columbia v. Heller that private citizens have a right to handguns in the home for protection. Reset learns more about the history of the Second Amendment and how it’s interpreted today. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
5/31/202214 minutes, 7 seconds
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When Andrew Bird Can’t Sleep At Night, He Writes

Multi-instrumentalist Andrew Bird has a new album out June 3rd. It’s called Inside Problems. Bird joined Reset last month to discuss performing, song-writing, and the violin he bought when he was sixteen years old. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
5/28/202220 minutes, 3 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: May 27, 2022

Workers at two Starbucks in Edgewater neighborhood become the first in Chicago to vote for unionization, while Chicago prepares to roll out a universal basic income program. Reset goes behind the week’s headlines in the Weekly News Recap. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
5/27/202232 minutes, 10 seconds
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Illinois Anti-Violence Activists On Building Safer Communities

After the shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, many are wondering how we can create safe, nonviolent communities. Reset talks about gun violence prevention and restorative justice with Dion McGill of Strengthening Chicago’s Youth at Lurie Children’s Hospital and Sara Knizhnik with the Gun Violence Prevention Initiative for the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
5/26/202217 minutes, 44 seconds
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Chicagoans React To Texas School Shooting And A Decade Of Failed Gun Legislation

A gunman killed 19 children and two teachers Tuesday at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, a small city west of San Antonio. The 18-year-old shooter was a student at the local high school and was killed by law enforcement. Parents and children alike are struggling to manage their stress and fears in the wake of the massacre. Reset gets the latest from a reporter on the ground in San Antonio, takes time to hear from Chicagoans in that aftermath, and a doctor offers some mental health advice to help them cope. We also dig into why there has been so little movement on gun legislation since Sandy Hook in 2012. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
5/25/202232 minutes, 31 seconds
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Does Chicago Have A Park Problem?

Chicago prides itself on its beautiful outdoor spaces — but when you look at the lack of seating and amenities in places like Grant and Millennium parks, it makes a person wonder: just who are Chicago’s downtown parks designed for? Reset checks in with Chicagoans who sparked a conversation on social media about public spaces, and digs into the history behind them with a professor of urbanism. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
5/24/202228 minutes, 18 seconds
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Bucktown Residents Hire Private Security Firm To Guard Their Streets

As carjackings have increased during the pandemic, some Chicago neighborhoods are turning to private security firms to patrol their streets. Hyde Park, Bucktown, and now Lincoln Park’s Fullerton area have all hired P4 Security Solutions, a private security company which hires off-duty police officers to keep watch and report suspicious activity to the Chicago Police. Reset talks with a reporter who covered this story, as well as a resident of Bucktown. We also hear from the private security company providing the guards. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
5/23/202232 minutes, 24 seconds
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‘There’s Definitely Something In The Water In Chicago’: Ravyn Lenae On Local Musicians And Her New Album

Chicago R&B artist Ravyn Lenae is out with her debut album Hypnos. It’s been four years since she released her last EP, and fans are overjoyed. Ravyn joins Reset to discuss musical inspirations, Chicago artists and her new music. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
5/21/202222 minutes, 16 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: May 20, 2022

Chicago’s controversial new ward map gets approved. Meanwhile, Mayor Lori Lightfoot pushes for an earlier curfew for teens under 18. Plus, Illinois becomes the first state in the Midwest to ban “ghost guns." Reset goes behind the headlines in WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
5/20/202229 minutes, 35 seconds
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Chicago Organizations Are Collecting Baby Formula Donations Amid Nationwide Shortage

The nationwide shortage of baby formula continues to be a source of stress for families with little ones. In Chicago, organizations across the city are collecting donations to help. Reset learns more about where to donate or find baby formula in the Chicago area, and why breastfeeding isn’t the ultimate solution to the crisis. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
5/19/202217 minutes, 18 seconds
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In Prisons, 'You Feel The Darkness': Reimagining Safety Behind Bars

Chicago Beyond is bringing together correctional officers and administrators, formerly incarcerated people and their families to shift the current understanding of safety, which they say is based on control, to one that makes people whole. They are launching this initiative next week. Reset checks in with people impacted by the carceral system who are leading this work. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
5/18/202220 minutes, 12 seconds
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What The Mental Health Labor Shortage Means For You

Reset brings on Alexa James with NAMI Chicago to discuss how the nationwide mental health workforce shortage is affecting Illinois providers. Plus, we check in with Natali Rehman, director of behavioral health at the Inner-City Muslim Action Network, and Jennie Hull, chief program officer for Lakeview Pantry, about how Chicago social service organizations are stepping up to help. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
5/17/202215 minutes, 19 seconds
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Chicagoans React To Buffalo Shooting: ‘Black People Have Never Had Consistent Safety In America’

A Chicago pastor and an activist share what’s running through their minds in the aftermath of the racist attack at a New York grocery store.
5/16/20221 hour, 2 minutes, 35 seconds
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Folk Artist Jess Shoman Of Tenci Discusses Her Roots In Chicago’s DIY Music Scene

We're revisiting our conversation with Jess Shoman, frontwoman of the band Tenci. She joined Reset to discuss her music, recent tour and Chicago’s DIY music scene. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
5/14/202220 minutes, 15 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: May 13, 2022

Chicago is now at “medium” risk for COVID-19 transmission. Meanwhile, the City Council strikes a tentative deal in the ward remap saga. Plus, President Biden visits Kankakee and Chicago. Reset goes beyond the headlines with WTTW co-anchor and correspondent Brandis Friedman, City Cast Chicago host Jacoby Cochran and WBEZ city government reporter Mariah Woelfel. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
5/13/202230 minutes, 18 seconds
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Can We Get A Break On The Cost Of Everything?

April saw a price spike of 0.3%, which is a breath of fresh air from March’s striking 1.2% jump. Experts say that we’re past the peak of inflation, so does this mean there’s light at the end of the tunnel? Reset checks in with prices in housing, food, gas, and more. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
5/12/202221 minutes, 32 seconds
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Where Will You Live Under Chicago’s New Ward Map?

Will Chicago’s 36th Ward really resemble a ‘pool noodle’? Enough members of Chicago’s City Council have reached a tentative compromise on the city’s ward remap, the full council still has to confirm the remap in a vote next week. If approved, it would take the issue off the June ballot and out of the hands of voters. Reset hears more on the deal and reaction from both sides. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
5/11/202215 minutes, 51 seconds
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CPS Launches Suicide Prevention And Mental Health Campaign

This month, Chicago Public Schools is launching the “Please Stay” suicide prevention and mental health campaign for students in grades 7-12. The effort is in response to the rise in depression, self-harm and suicide among U.S. children and teens. Reset checks in with WBEZ education reporter Susie An, Dr. Sameer Vohra with the Illinois Children’s Mental Health Partnership and Dr. Niranjan Karnik with the Institute for Juvenile Research at University of Illinois Chicago to discuss what Illinois schools and organizations are doing to help students prioritize their mental health and to get the help they need. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
5/10/202222 minutes, 21 seconds
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Public defenders are now handling deportation cases in Cook County

Gov. JB Pritzker signed a bill in August 2021 that allows Cook County staff attorneys to represent undocumented immigrants in federal court.
5/9/202217 minutes, 30 seconds
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Chicago Artist Saba Discusses New Album ‘Few Good Things’

Saba’s latest album “Few Good Things,” took almost four years to finish. “Part of the personal evolution that you hear is just the time spent sitting with the record, tweaking the record, and being able to be present,” he told Reset. The Chicago hip-hop artist takes us inside his follow-up to 2018’s “CARE FOR ME” and tells us how vulnerability fuels his process. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
5/7/202218 minutes, 18 seconds
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WBEZ Weekly News Recap: May 6, 2022

Mayor Lightfoot announces the former Chicago Tribune publishing plant in River West as the site of the city’s first casino. Plus, Chicago unveils its bid to host the 2024 Democratic National Convention as the downtown area continues to see a spike in crime. Reset goes behind the week’s headlines in the Weekly News Recap. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
5/6/202229 minutes, 34 seconds
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SNL Alum Sasheer Zamata Talks Stand-Up, ‘Woke’ And Hot Dogs

Sasheer Zamata has kept busy since leaving SNL. She’s starred in Hulu’s hit show Woke and ABC’s Home Economics, and has also produced stand-up comedy specials. Reset checks in with the comedian as she embarks on a nationwide comedy tour to talk about how her childhood impacted her performance trajectory and what she’d like to say to fans who ask her why she doesn’t do impressions. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
5/5/202218 minutes, 36 seconds
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Chicago inches toward 200 homicides in 2022, and Anti-Semitic flyers left outside homes in Highland Park

Chicago had 178 homicides during the first four months of this year, according to a report from the city’s police department. Reset discusses how the data compares with previous years and gets the latest on CPD’s plan for addressing homicides and violent crime as we head into the summer. Plus, last week on Holocaust Remembrance Day, anti-Semitic leaflets were left outside homes in north suburban Highland Park and Glencoe. Experts say it’s not an isolated incident. Reset learns more about how officials are responding and digs into a new report that shows anti-Semitic incidents reached historic levels in 2021. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
5/4/202223 minutes, 58 seconds
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Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker Reacts To Supreme Court Leak On Roe v. Wade

A leaked U.S. Supreme Court draft opinion suggests the nation’s highest court is ready to overturn Roe v. Wade. Reset discusses what this could mean for reproductive rights in the U.S. and if Congress could take action in the absence of Roe with Amanda Becker, Washington correspondent for The 19th. Plus, we hear from Gov. JB Pritzker about the future of abortion access in Illinois. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset.
5/3/202218 minutes, 25 seconds
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A Month Away From The Illinois Primary, Here’s What You Need To Know

Reset explores key races ahead of Illinois’ primary election on June 28. GUESTS: Heather Cherone, political reporter for WTTW News Hannah Meisel, NPR Illinois government and politics editor For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
5/2/202214 minutes, 41 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: April 29, 2022

Parents and teachers protest Chicago Public Schools budget cuts and the head of the Chicago Reader steps down amid employee protests. Reset goes behind the headlines in the Weekly News Recap. GUESTS: Alex Nitkin, City Hall reporter for The Daily Line Patrick Smith, WBEZ criminal justice reporter
4/29/202231 minutes, 53 seconds
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Preserving Trees And Wetlands Play Key Role In Mitigating Climate Change

Trees and wetlands sequester carbon, suck up storm water, provide relief from extreme heat and help purify the air. A recent IPCC report found that the restoration of both are important in responding to climate change. Ahead of Arbor Day, we learn about efforts in the Chicago area to create more wetlands, plant more oak trees and create tree canopy in areas that have low canopy coverage. GUEST: Lydia Scott, director Chicago Region Trees Initiative, The Morton Arboretum, Paul Botts, executive director The Wetlands Initiative Karen Weigert, director of Loyola University’s Baumhart Center for Social Enterprise and Responsibility, Doug Widener, executive director of the Lincoln Park Conservancy, Lauren Umek, urban ecologist and project manager for the Chicago Park District
4/28/202230 minutes, 54 seconds
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Why Labor Unions Are Winning Big Right Now

This week, two Illinois Starbucks coffee shops won union elections, Chicago Reader staff’s protesting forced one of the co-owners to step down, and University of Illinois Chicago graduate students bargained for higher wages. Guests: Katie Prout, staff writer, The Chicago Reader and member of the union’s bargaining committee, Yasmin Zacaria Mikhaiel, audience engagement manager, The Chicago Reader and union member, Michael Mueller, shift lead at Starbucks in Cary, Illinois, Matt DeVilbiss teaching assistant, PhD candidate, organizing chair of UIC’s graduate employees organization, Bob Bruno, director of the labor education program at the School for Labor and Employment Relations at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
4/27/202229 minutes, 50 seconds
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Mayor Lightfoot Is Investing $30 Million To Address Declining Life Expectancy

New data from the Chicago Department of Public Health shows that Chicagoans’ life expectancy dropped almost two years on average in 2020. For Black and Latinx residents, life expectancy decreased by an even greater margin. Reset learns more about Chicago’s plans to address the gap from Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady, ACCESS Community Health Network CEO Donna Thompson and Ayesha Jaco, executive director at West Side United.
4/26/202230 minutes, 59 seconds
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A Time For Reinvention: How Two Chicago Restaurateurs Are Weathering Inflation, COVID

Nearly 1 in 6 restaurants around the country have closed during the pandemic, according to industry estimates. Those left standing are faced with rising inflation and supply chain issues. So second-generation restaurateurs in the Chicago area say they’re leaning on their parents’ advice and legacy to weather the economic storm, and taking the moment to consider reinvention. Guests: Lori Seay co-owner of Soul Veg City restaurant, Arel Israel, co-owner of Soul Veg City restaurant Producer: Stephanie Kim, Andrew Meriwether Host: Sasha-Ann Simons
4/25/202216 minutes, 30 seconds
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WBEZ Weekly News Recap, April 22, 2022

Reset goes behind the headlines of the week’s top stories, from the chaos around mask guidance on air and train travel, to the fight to save Chicago’s “free and freaky” alt weekly. GUEST: Brandon Pope, reporter/anchor at CW 26, Amanda Vinicky, WTTW political correspondent
4/22/202230 minutes, 16 seconds
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Janelle Monáe Takes Readers Inside Her Queer, Afrofuturistic World In ‘The Memory Librarian’

In her new book The Memory Librarian, Janelle Monáe expands on the afrofuturistic world of her album Dirty Computer. The collection of five short stories center around Black and queer protagonists on a journey of self-love and discovery. Reset talks to Monáe about entering the literary space, afrofuturism and finding joy ahead of her book talk on Friday at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Chicago. Guest: Janelle Monáe, singer-songwriter, actor and author of The Memory Librarian: And Other Stories of Dirty Computer
4/21/202213 minutes, 36 seconds
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An Overview Of Illinois’ Cannabis Industry Two Years After Marijuana Legalization

How is Illinois’ weed industry doing two years in? The state promised legalizing recreational cannabis would bring a windfall of tax revenue and would incorporate social equity as a core value of the industry. Reset checks in with Tom Schuba, a Chicago Sun-Times reporter covering cannabis, about what progress has been made and what still needs to be done.
4/20/202220 minutes, 48 seconds
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Can a New Low-Nicotine Cigarette Authorized by the FDA Actually Help You Smoke Less?

More than 150 Chicago-area convenience stores are now selling a new low-nicotine cigarette that can help you smoke less.The company, 22nd Century Group, is able to market the product in this way after gaining special authorization from the Food and Drug Administration. Reset learns more about this decision, what it means for the tobacco industry at large and why it’s drawn criticism from some medical experts. GUESTS: Lisa Schencker, Chicago Tribune health care business reporter John Pritchard, vice president of regulatory science for 22nd Century Group Thomas Carr, national director of policy for the American Lung Association
4/19/202216 minutes, 33 seconds
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Uninsured Patients Drown In Medical Bills From Private Doctors

Earlier this year, Congress passed the No Surprise Act, that looked to cap big bills from private medical companies and independent physicians. Yet, uninsured patients are still being blind-sided in tens of thousands of dollars in bills. Reset examines the inaccessible healthcare here in Chicago. GUESTS: Kristen Schorsch, WBEZ’s public health and politics reporter Carrie Chapman, senior director of policy and advocacy at the Legal Council for Health Justice in Chicago Edith Avila Olea, policy manager with the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights
4/18/202221 minutes
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: April 15, 2022

Illinois lawmakers pass a $46 billion budget plan over the weekend after a marathon session in Springfield. Meanwhile, another candidate enters the 2023 mayoral race. Plus, Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s pick for Chicago’s next inspector general passes a key test. Reset goes behind the headlines on the Weekly News Recap with The Daily Line reporter Erin Hegarty and David Greising, president and CEO of the Better Government Association
4/15/202229 minutes, 54 seconds
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Remembering Chicago’s First Black Mayor On His Would Be 100th Birthday

Harold Washington died months into his second term as Chicago’s first Black mayor but he left an impact people can still see in the city today. Reset hears about a new exhibit at the Harold Washington Library celebrating his contributions to Chicago. You can learn more about Harold Washington’s time in politics and relevance today At the Table with Laura Washington & Lynn Sweet virtual event, April 21st. GUEST: Stacie Williams, Division Chief of Archives and Special Collections at the Chicago Public Library
4/14/202217 minutes, 12 seconds
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Comedian Negin Farsad Kicks Off Her Tour In Chicago

Comedian Negin Farsad is coming to town to showcase her new stand-up show, Negin Farsad Presents: An Evening of Comedy From Her Mouth Hole. Reset chats with her about creating art in quarantine, hosting a podcast and mixing politics with humor. GUEST: Negin Farsad, comedian
4/13/202216 minutes, 3 seconds
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New U. Chicago Study Aims To Reduce Black Maternal Mortality

Maternal deaths rose during the first year of the pandemic by 14 percent, according to a new report from the National Center for Health Statistics. But the mortality rate of Black women was nearly three times that of white women. For Black Maternal Health Week, Reset learns more about the health disparities Black women are more likely to face during and after pregnancy and local efforts to reduce them. GUESTS: Karie Stewart, director of midwifery services at UChicago Medicine Stephanie Ivey, patient at UChicago Medicine Felicia Davis Blakley, president and CEO of the Chicago Foundation for Women
4/12/202218 minutes, 48 seconds
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Springfield Recap: New Budget Plan Includes $1.8 Billion In Tax Cuts For Illinois Residents

Illinois Democrats have approved a balanced budget plan for 2023 that includes $1.8 billion in tax cuts and direct inflation payments for thousands of residents across the state. Reset checks in with two reporters for the latest in Springfield. GUESTS: Dave McKinney, WBEZ state politics reporter Hannah Meisel, NPR Illinois government and politics editor
4/11/202227 minutes, 40 seconds
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WBEZ Weekly News Recap, April 8, 2022

Lawmakers looking to get tough on crime and give back money to taxpayers before wrapping up the spring legislative session. South Side Alderman Ray Lopez becomes the first candidate to challenge Mayor Lightfoot, while the Mayor’s gas giveaway proposal stalls in City Council. Reset goes behind the headlines on the Weekly News Recap. GUESTS: Paris Schutz, reporter and anchor, WTTW-TV John Chase, Deputy Metro Editor, Chicago Tribune
4/8/202229 minutes, 31 seconds
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Biden Administration Extends Student Loan Repayment Pause Until The End Of August

The Biden administration announced Wednesday it’s again extending the moratorium on federal student loan payments until Aug. 31. The U.S. Department of Education also plans on resetting the accounts of seven million borrowers who are in default. Reset learns more about how these repeated extensions are affecting borrowers and what else could be done to address the $1.6 trillion Americans owe in student debt. GUEST: Natalia Abrams, president and founder of Student Debt Crisis Center
4/7/202211 minutes, 19 seconds
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New Book Explores A Year In The Life Of A Chicago ER Doctor During

In his new book The Emergency: A Year of Healing and Heartbreak in a Chicago ER, Dr. Thomas Fisher takes us back to the early, scary days of the pandemic, when almost everything was unknown and a violent summer ensued. Reset talks with the doctor about his experience and how the pandemic exposed racial inequalities in the healthcare system. GUEST: Dr. Thomas Fisher, emergency medicine physician, UChicago Medicine
4/6/202217 minutes, 23 seconds
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Air Travel Is Soaring To Pre-Pandemic Levels

Crowds are returning to airports for spring break travel, but will high fuel prices impact airfares? And is it time to drop the COVID travel restrictions? Reset hears from two travel industry experts. GUESTS: Elaine Glusac, Frugal Traveler columnist for the New York Times Joseph Schwieterman, Director of DePaul University’s Chaddick Institute for Metropolitan Development
4/5/202214 minutes, 52 seconds
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Why Some Want To Decriminalize Psychedelics In Illinois

Psychedelics are largely illegal throughout Illinois but ketamine is available for therapies. Reset hears from the sponsor of a bill seeking to decriminalize plant-based psychedelics, and from a Chicago group about the psychedelic therapies they offer. GUEST: Representative La Shawn K. Ford - D, 8th District of Illinois, Judy Seals, nurse practitioner at Field Trip Health Center in Chicago
4/4/202217 minutes, 41 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: April 1, 2022

Mayor Lightfoot reignites a monumental debate, announcing the statue of Christopher Columbus statue may return to Grant Park. Meanwhile, Democrats eye Chicago as a potential host city for the 2024 convention. Reset talks with WVON commentator and attorney Kimberley Egonmwan and Chicago Sun-Times chief political reporter Tina Sfondeles about the Chicago area’s biggest stories of the week. GUEST: Tina Sfondeles,Chicago Sun-Times chief political reporter, Kimberley Egonmwan [ee-GO-wen], commentator for WVON and attorney
4/1/202231 minutes, 11 seconds
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The Pandemic Made The Opioid Crisis Worse. Illinois Is Taking Action

Gov. JB Pritzker is pledging new resources to help fight the opioid epidemic in Illinois. Reset takes a closer look at the state’s plans and talks to two advocates working on the ground on the West Side of Chicago. GUEST: David Jones, Illinois’ new chief behavioral health officer, Luther Syas, director of outreach at the West Side Heroin/Opioid Task Force, Gail Richardson, outreach specialist at the West Side Heroin/Opioid Task Force
3/31/202217 minutes, 4 seconds
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Mayor Lightfoot Expects Columbus Statue To Return To Grant Park

In July of 2020, city crews quietly and quickly removed the Christopher Columbus statue from Grant Park after protesters tried to pull it down themselves. Now, she says the statue may be returning to its pedestal. Reset talks to Northwestern University art professor Rebecca Zorach about how statues can help frame our understanding of history, and what should be done about monuments that are deemed problematic. GUEST: Rebecca Zorach, Professor of Art and Art History, Northwestern University
3/30/202210 minutes, 54 seconds
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Chicago City Council confirms Nicole Lee As Its First Asian American Alderwoman

Chicago’s City Council unanimously confirmed Nicole Lee as the new alderman of the 11th Ward at its Monday meeting. Reset gets an update on this and more from WBEZ reporters Becky Vevea and Mariah Woelfel. Guests: Becky Vevea, WBEZ political reporter, Mariah Woelfel, WBEZ reporter city government reporter Producer: Brenda Ruiz, Andrew Meriwether
Host: Sasha-Ann Simons
3/29/202213 minutes, 59 seconds
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Oscars 2022: The Highs, The Lows and The Punchlines

Hollywood wrapped its biggest night of the year with a bang, with plenty of surprises, laughs and drama. From CODA winning Best Picture to the slap heard around the world, Reset recaps the highs and lows of the 94th Academy Awards with two film critics and a movie superfan. GUESTS: Michael Phillips, film critic at the Chicago Tribune Brandon Weiss, Music Box Theatre concessions Robert Daniels, freelance film critic with RogerEbert.com and the New York Times
3/28/202218 minutes, 41 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: March 25, 2022

City Council enters a new era of electronic voting and area drivers line up for a mayoral candidate’s free gas. Get all the news of the week in a half hour on the Weekly News Recap. GUEST: Amanda Vinicky, WTTW political correspondent Alex Nitkin, city hall reporter, The Daily Line
3/25/202232 minutes, 51 seconds
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2022 Poised To Be Worst Year For Gay, Trans Rights in U.S.

With a record number of anti-LGBTQ bills introduced across the country— the majority of which target trans people — 2022 is being called “the worst year for LGBTQ and trans people.” Reset talks through the recent deaths of two Chicago trans women and the violence their community faces on a regular basis. GUEST: Iggy V Ladden (they/them), licensed therapist, Founder of Chicago Therapy Collective Aster Gilbert (she/they), Manager of the Training & Public Education Institute, Center on Halstead
3/24/202220 minutes, 36 seconds
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How Illinois Leaders Are Fighting Against Anti-Asian Hate Attacks

Since the start of the pandemic, the national coalition Stop AAPI Hate has tracked over 10,000 incidents of verbal harassment and physical assault against Asian people nationwide. Reset discusses the problem and solutions with Josina Morita, commissioner of the Illinois Asian American Caucus, and Grace Pai, executive director at Asian Americans Advancing Justice Chicago.
3/23/202217 minutes, 37 seconds
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The Twists, Turns, And Lessons Learned After Pandemic Year 2

It’s been two years since Gov. JB Pritzker declared a statewide stay-at-home order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Illinois. Since then, the pandemic has taken many twists and turns and has shaped our lives in countless ways. Reset reflects on the lessons we’ve learned and what we want to take us with moving forward. GUEST: Jonathan Malesic [ma-LESS-ik], author of The End of Burnout: Why Work Drains Us and How to Build Better Lives
3/22/202219 minutes, 19 seconds
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A Preview Of Ketanji Brown Jackson’s Supreme Court Nomination Hearings

The confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson kick off Monday. Her nomination is being praised by Democrats and condemned by the GOP. Reset previews what to expect from the hearings for President Biden’s pick. GUEST: Steven Schwinn, Professor of Law, University of Illinois Chicago Law School; Co-Editor, Constitutional Law Prof Blog
3/21/202215 minutes, 30 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: March 18, 2022

Crime and policing dominated the local news cycle this week. The mayor’s vaccine deadline for Chicago Police came and went, and Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx declined to press charges against the officers who shot and killed Adam Toledo and Anthony Alvarez last March. Plus, the city’s ward remapping may end up in the hands of the people. And former mayoral candidate Willie Wilson gives gas away for free, with lines around the block. GUESTS: Heather Cherone, political reporter for WTTW News Patrick Smith, WBEZ criminal justice reporter
3/18/202232 minutes, 6 seconds
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Dick Durbin Warns Of ‘Last-Minute Charges’ Against Biden’s SCOTUS

Illinois’ senior senator will have a front row seat to history being made, as Judge Jackson could soon be the nation’s first Black female Supreme Court Justice. But the Republican National Committee has called Jackson a radical, left wing activist. How will Sen. Durbin keep the hearings from turning into a bitter partisan process? The senator also shares his concerns over what’s next in Ukraine, and gives a look ahead to Democrats’ priorities for the midterms. Guest: Sen. Dick Durbin
3/17/202215 minutes, 50 seconds
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Police Won’t Face Charges For Killing Adam Toledo And Anthony Alvarez

Reset checks in with a police accountability expert following State’s Attorney Kim Foxx’s decision not to file criminal charges against the officers who shot and killed 13 year-old Adam Toledo and 22-year-old Anthony Alvarez. GUEST: Craig Futterman, Clinical Professor at University of Chicago Law School; founder of Civil Rights and Police Accountability Project of the Mandel Legal Aid Clinic
3/16/202216 minutes, 36 seconds
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How Florida’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ Bill Could Impact Local Queer Youth

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is expected to sign the controversial “Don’t Say Gay” bill into law, which would limit discussions of sexual orientation and gender identity in elementary schools. And now, similar measures are being introduced in at least seven other states. Reset uncovers the effects these restrictions could have on queer youth across the U.S. GUESTS: LaSaia Wade, founder and CEO of Brave Space Alliance Dr. Joseph Mello, political science professor at DePaul University
3/15/202214 minutes, 31 seconds
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An Update On The War In Ukraine From A Reporter On The Ground

Russia attacked a military base just outside Lviv, Ukraine, near the Polish border this weekend, killing at least 35 people. Reset checks in with freelance journalist Julian Hayda, who’s reporting on the ground in Lviv, about the aftermath of that attack and the latest developments in the war in Ukraine. Guest: Julian Hayda, freelance journalist, 3rd generation Ukrainian-American, former WBEZ producer (Three Holy Hierarchs Kyiv Theological Seminary)
3/14/202219 minutes, 47 seconds
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WBEZ Weekly News Recap: March 11, 2022

Chicago schools remove its mask mandate. Mike Madigan pleads not guilty. Plus, actor Jussie Smollett is sentenced to 150 days in jail and 30 months of probation. Reset goes behind the week’s headlines on the Weekly News Recap with Crain’s Chicago Business government and politics reporter A.D. Quig and Chicago Sun-Times reporter Nader Issa. GUEST: Nader Issa [NAY-der EE-suh], Chicago Sun-Times reporter, GUEST: A.D. Quig, government and politics reporter at Crain’s Chicago Business
3/11/202221 minutes, 9 seconds
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The Legacy of Hazel Johnson, ‘Mother of The Environmental Justice Movement’

Hazel M. Johnson founded People for Community Recovery to address tenant issues at Altgeld Gardens, including concerns about asbestos, lead contamination and high rates of cancer among residents. She died in 2011. In honor of Women’s History Month, Reset checks in with Johnson’s daughter, and current executive director of the People for Community Recovery, to hear more about her legacy and the work that continues. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
3/10/202217 minutes, 57 seconds
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With U.S. Ban On Russian Oil, How High Will Gas Prices Jump In Chicago?

In the latest round of economic sanctions against Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine, President Joe Biden announced Tuesday a ban on U.S. imports of Russian oil. The move comes as the country is already seeing record-high gas prices. GUEST: Ryan Kellogg, professor and deputy dean for academic studies at the UChicago Harris School of Public Policy, Molly Hart, AAA spokesperson
3/9/202219 minutes, 25 seconds
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Try, Try Again: Congress Finally Passes Anti-Lynching Bill

It has taken more than 100 years and 200 tries for congress to pass a bill that would make lynching a federal hate crime. But, on Monday, the Emmett Till Antilynching Act passed the Senate unanimously. We heard from Reverend Wheeler Parker, Emmett Till’s cousin, and Alvin Tillery, an associate professor at Northwestern University, about why this bill took a century to pass and what it means for racial justice activists. GUEST: Professor Alvin Tillery, Director of the Center for the Study of Diversity and Democracy; and Associate Professor of Political Science and African American Studies, GUEST: Rev. Wheeler Parker, cousin and last witness to Emmett Till
3/8/202216 minutes, 12 seconds
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Black Women ‘Have Used Their Light To Be A Lighthouse’

From Issa Rae to Jonelle Monae and from Stacey Abrams to Kamala Harris, there is no shortage of the amazing Black women who shape, inspire and change us. In honor of them, Chicago artist Harold Green III aims to honor and celebrate trailblazing Black women through art and poetry in his upcoming book Black Roses. Guest: Harold Green III, author
3/7/202216 minutes, 25 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: Madigan, Masks, And Mayor Lightfoot

Former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan faces federal racketeering charges. Plus, Illinois and Chicago lift their mask and vaccine mandates as the state’s public health director announces she’s stepping down. Reset goes behind the headlines on the Weekly News Recap. GUEST: Rachel Hinton, Better Government Association reporter, Dan Petrella, Chicago Tribune state government reporter
3/4/202227 minutes, 57 seconds
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The Real DEA Agents of Netflix Hit ‘Narcos’ Discuss Pablo Escobar’s Reign of Terror

Reset talks to the retired DEA special agents who took down Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar in the early 1990s. Javier Peña and Steve Murphy served as consultants on the first two seasons of the Netflix series Narcos, which follows Ecobar’s rise to power as head of the Medellin Cartel. They’re scheduled to speak Friday at City Winery. GUEST: Javier Peña, retired special DEA agent, Steve Murphy, retired special DEA agent
3/3/202217 minutes, 18 seconds
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Grading Biden’s First SOTU

In his first State of the Union address Tuesday, President Joe Biden addressed the Ukraine crisis and tackled a wide range of issues affecting Americans, including inflation and childcare. Reset checks in with a Democratic speechwriter for the biggest takeaways and possible missed opportunities. GUEST: Jason DeSanto, senior lecturer in the Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law; Democratic speech writer
3/2/202214 minutes, 12 seconds
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Why COVID-19 Widows Are Turning to Each Other For Support

All throughout the pandemic, we’ve heard countless facts and figures about the toll COVID-19 has taken on our world. But what often gets lost in the data are the people we’ve lost and the loved ones who are left grieving. Reset hears from two women who lost their husbands to the virus, and what they want people to understand about their grief. Guest: Dr. Sandra McGowan, physician at McGowan Family Health and Wellness Center, Pamela Addison, founder of the Young Widows and Widowers of COVID-19 Facebook group
3/1/202217 minutes, 6 seconds
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Local Ukrainians Rally To Protest Russian Invasion

Ukrainian-Americans in Chicago speak out as Russian troops continue to attack their home country. Reset hears from two Ukrainian-Americans in Chicago. Guest: Dan (Ihor) Diaczun, president of the UCCA - IL, Maria Bandrwisky, grad student in Chicago
2/28/202214 minutes, 31 seconds
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Weekly News Recap: Ukraine, A Mask Optional Chicago, And More

Chicagoans are reacting to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and prepare for the lifting of mask and vaccine mandates. Guests: Kimberley Egonmwan, commentator for WVON and attorney Paris Schutz, reporter and anchor, WTTW-TV
2/25/202233 minutes, 27 seconds
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Chicago Restaurant Owners Have Mixed Emotions About Unmasking

Illinois plans to lift mask and vaccine card requirements by Feb. 28, and Chicago and Cook County will follow suit. Reset discusses how restaurant owners and workers feel about the change. GUEST: Sam Toia, President & CEO of the Illinois Restaurant Association. Robert Gomez, owner of Beat Kitchen and Subterranean
2/24/202214 minutes, 19 seconds
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What U.S. Sanctions On Russia Could Mean For you

President Biden says Russia has officially begun its invasion of Ukraine. Reset checks in with Congressman Mike Quigley about what the escalating conflict means for Ukrainians and the NATO alliance, and how new sanctions against Russia might be felt in Chicago. GUEST: Rep. Mike Quigley, IL D-Chicago
2/23/202214 minutes, 6 seconds
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New Docuseries Examines The Effects Of Segregation On Chicago Today

WTTW’s FIRSTHAND: SEGREGATION docuseries puts a human face on the impact racial divisions have on individuals across the city through 15 personal stories. Reset speaks with the executive producer and director of the docuseries to learn more. GUEST: Dan Protess, Executive Producer, Teresa White, José Rico, Executive Director, Nan Parson of Action Ridge
2/22/202226 minutes, 45 seconds
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Reset Gets Into a Jazzy Groove With Artist Wynton Marsalis

A special immersive concert at the Symphony Center this weekend will pay tribute to important moments and figures in Black history. Saturday’s Freedom, Justice and Hope performance will feature award-winning jazz musician Wynton Marsalis with the Jazz at Lincoln Center and Equal Justice Initiative founder Bryan Stevenson as a special guest. Reset learns more about the event and how the arts have shaped justice movements in America.
2/21/202215 minutes, 26 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: Feb. 18, 2022

Illinois’ gubernatorial race heats up and a member of the Daley dynasty is convicted of tax fraud. Reset goes behind the headlines on the Weekly News Recap.
2/18/202227 minutes, 41 seconds
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How Will Lifted COVID-19 Restrictions In Illinois Affect Immunocompromised People?

For some, the news that Illinois will be lifting mask and vaccine card mandates by the end of the month is a relief — a sign that the worst part of the omicron surge is behind us. But for immunocompromised people, that’s not the case. Reset talks to infectious disease specialist Dr. Emily Landon and Atlantic staff writer Ed Yong, who wrote about this issue in the magazine. Plus, we hear from immunocompromised people and caregivers of immunocompromised people about their thoughts.
2/17/202224 minutes, 14 seconds
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What’s Next For Ukraine? And The Chicago Council On Global Affairs Turns 100

The Chicago Council on Global Affairs is celebrating 100 years of helping Chicagoans understand what’s happening in the world and Chicago’s place in it. Reset gets the latest on the Ukrainian crisis and discusses whether diplomacy is still an option to avoid war. GUEST: Ivo Daalder, President, Chicago Council on Global Affairs
2/16/202214 minutes, 53 seconds
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Indiana Steel Mill to Pay $3 Million Over 2019 Chemical Spill in Lake Michigan

The steel mill owner Cleveland-Cliffs has agreed to pay $3 million to settle lawsuits by government and non-profit organizations. The company is accused of violating the Clean Water Act more than 100 times, including a cyanide and ammonia spill in August 2019 that killed thousands of fish and closed Lake Michigan beaches. Reset checks in with one of the environmental groups behind the lawsuit for the latest. GUEST: Howard Learner, ELPC’s Executive Director
2/15/202215 minutes, 40 seconds
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Youth organizers pressure lawmakers to expand voting rights in Illinois prisons

A group of youth organizers in Chicago is calling on state lawmakers to pass legislation that would restore voting rights to people in Illinois prisons. Reset checks in with the nonprofit Chicago Votes for more on SB 828 and what residents can do to get involved. GUESTS: Frederique Desrosier, policy associate at Chicago Votes Katrina Pfidd, communications and digital strategy manager at Chicago Votes
2/14/202214 minutes, 37 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: Illinois To End Mask Mandate

Sasha Ann Simons, Block Club Chicago reporter Kelly Bauer, and NBC 5 Chicago reporter Christian Farr go behind the week’s headlines in WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap. Guests: Christian Farr, NBC-5 Chicago reporter Kelly Bauer, breaking news editor Block Club Chicago
2/11/202230 minutes, 3 seconds
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Local Group Explores The Root Causes Of CPS Enrollment Drop

Declining birth rates and the outmigration of Black families away from Chicago are leading to a decline in the number of school-age children across the city, according to a study by a local education advocacy group. This trend can be found in cities across the country and has real implications for the revenue CPS receives as well as the quality of resources available to students. Reset checks in with an analyst who conducted the study. Guest: Hal Woods, Chief of Policy Kids First Chicago
2/10/202211 minutes, 18 seconds
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Wanna Get Paid? Start By Sharing Your Salary

A viral tweet from journalist Vikkie Walker sparked a nationwide conversation about pay transparency after she posted her salary so anyone applying to her old job would know how to negotiate pay. So, why are we so secretive about salaries? And what’s at stake when we keep that information to ourselves? Guests: Victoria Walker, journalist Andrew Challenger, senior vice president at employment consulting firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas Reset tackles the taboo topic of pay transparency.
2/9/202215 minutes, 21 seconds
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The Confusing School Mask Debate: Illinois Parents Sound Off

A downstate judge has overruled Illinois’ mask mandate in schools. Reset hears from parents on both sides of the masking divide and gets an update from a Springfield reporter about how the Governor plans to appeal.
2/8/202217 minutes, 30 seconds
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Illinois Congressman Adam Kinzinger discusses his censure and the future of the GOP

Illinois Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger was one of just 10 House GOP members who voted to impeach President Trump after the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol. And he’s one of just two Republicans on the House Committee investigating that attack. What’s his political future?
2/7/202216 minutes, 14 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: Van Dyke Is Out And Pritzker Makes Big Promises

Reset gets you up to speed with all of it during our Weekly News Recap with WBEZ’s Dave McKinney and Alex Nitkin from The Daily Line.
2/4/202228 minutes, 49 seconds
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Why Some Media Experts Are Optimistic About Future Of Local News

Two experts discuss Chicago Public Media’s acquisition of the Chicago Sun-Times and other models for reinvigorating local news coverage. Guests: Mark Jacob, independent journalist Victor Pickard, professor at the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Pennsylvania
2/3/202211 minutes, 50 seconds
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Former CPD Officer Jason Van Dyke to be Released From Prison

The 2014 murder of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald and the trial of his shooter, former Chicago police officer Jason Van Dyke, was supposed to be a watershed moment for the Chicago Police Department and the city itself. Reset discusses how much Chicago and CPD have changed in the last three years with an attorney who led the negotiations of Chicago’s consent decree and a law professor.
2/2/202213 minutes, 16 seconds
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Did You Know That Black History Month Got Its Start in Chicago?

This February marks the 46th recognized Black History Month, but the history behind this commemorative month begins further back in time right here in the Windy City. Reset checks in with an urban historian for the story.
2/1/202212 minutes, 16 seconds
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Imagining The Restaurant Industry Without Overwork, Exhaustion and Abuse

Restaurant work and rest don’t often mix, but after a brush with death, one local chef is giving herself and her staff a chance to take a deep breath and relax. Reset checks in with her about this and other shifts she’s making as well as with a reporter who writes about the food and beverage industry. GUEST: Bo Fowler, chef and owner of Owen and Engine and Bixi Josh Noel, Chicago Tribune reporter
1/31/202211 minutes, 53 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: Jan. 28, 2022

Reset talks to WTTW co-anchor Brandis Friedman and Chicago Tribune City Hall reporter John Byrne for the big headlines of the last few days in the Weekly News Recap.
1/28/202228 minutes, 20 seconds
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The City Of Chicago Declares 2022 A ‘Year Of Healing’

The year 2022 is being labeled as the “Year of Healing” for Chicago, which will focus on restorative racial transformation around the city. Reset checks in with Candace Moore, the city’s first chief equity officer, to understand what she has in plan for this year.
1/27/202211 minutes, 58 seconds
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New Study Finds Cash Aid To Low-Income Mothers Increases Infant Brain Activity

What role does money play in child development? New research suggests it could affect brain activity. Reset digs into the study and discusses the implications for policies and programs in the U.S. with one of the co-authors of the report and a local researcher.
1/26/202214 minutes, 39 seconds
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Vaccine And Mask Protests Divide Chicago Suburb Of Highland Park

Omicron may have reached its peak, but protests over vaccine and mask mandates seem to be on the rise. Suburbs from north suburban Highland Park to Naperville are grappling with protests over COVID policies at restaurants and museums, and west suburban St. Charles has closed its public library indefinitely for in-person services after receiving threats over its mask mandate. Reset checks in with a local elected official and a business owner from Highland Park on navigating the protests.
1/25/202213 minutes, 5 seconds
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Roe v. Wade-Future Of Reproductive Rights In The U.S.

It’s been 49 years since Roe v. Wade established the Constitutional right to a safe and legal abortion. But now, due to restrictive state laws, women are traveling across state lines to abortion-friendly havens like Illinois to get the procedure. Reset talks to a bioethicist and the head of a downstate abortion clinic about the future of reproductive rights in the U.S. and the politics around Roe.
1/24/202214 minutes, 26 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: Jan. 21, 2022

Chicago passes the Omicron peak as Lori Lightfoot returns to CIty Hall after testing positive for COVID, and the gubernatorial race heats up with an injection of big bucks to J.B. Pritzker’s campaign war chest. Reset checks in with local journalists about those stories and other big news of the week.
1/21/202229 minutes, 10 seconds
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WBEZ’s Parent Company Chicago Public Media Acquires The Chicago Sun-Times

Reset interviews WBEZ’s CEO, Matt Moog, about the company’s acquisition of the Chicago Sun-Times.
1/20/202212 minutes, 50 seconds
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Opioid Crisis Reaches Record-Breaking Numbers In Cook County

The opioid crisis has gotten less attention during the pandemic, even though deaths have reached record-breaking numbers. What can we do to limit overdoses?
1/19/202215 minutes, 23 seconds
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Who Dies Most During This Third Wave Of COVID-19?

As Omicron cases continue to strain hospitals across the country, the Surgeon General is warning that the worst is yet to come. Here in Cook County, new data shows that Black Chicagoans and suburban residents over 60 are dying at disproportionate rates.
1/18/202212 minutes, 31 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: Jan. 14, 2022

As the omicron wave continues, Mayor Lori Lightfoot tests positive for COVID-19. Students return to classrooms this week after a standoff between the city and the Chicago Teachers Union. Plus, employees at the Art Institute of Chicago vote to form a union.
1/14/202231 minutes, 1 second
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How To Avoid COVID-19 Testing Scams In The Chicago Area

Reset digs into what you need to know before you head out for a COVID-19 test. We check in with Block Club Chicago breaking news editor Kelly Bauer and Steve Bernas with the Better Business Bureau of Chicago and Northern Illinois for the latest.
1/13/202214 minutes, 26 seconds
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Chicago Public Schools Lockout’s Effect On School Counselors, Social Workers And Mental Health

School counselors and social workers were among the CPS staff who have been locked out of the google classroom by Mayor Lightfoot in the past week, during the standoff between the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Public Schools. Reset checks in with a counselor and social worker from a North Side CPS school about how the lockout has impacted their work.
1/12/202217 minutes, 15 seconds
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Chicago Pastor Rev. Otis Moss joins hunger strike for voting rights and democracy

Over the last year, at least 19 states have passed laws making it harder to vote. Since January 6th, 25 religious leaders from around the country have been on a hunger strike to urge Congress to pass voting rights legislation. Reset talks with Rev. Otis Moss, who is one of the hunger strikers.
1/11/202216 minutes, 21 seconds
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Chicago Businesses Weigh In On City Vaccine Mandate

It’s been one week since Cook County and Chicago rolled out a vaccine mandate for most indoor spaces. The order requires customers five and older to show proof of vaccination at restaurants, bars, gyms and movie theaters. Reset checks in with several business owners and staff for an update on how they’re handling the mandate.
1/10/202217 minutes, 32 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: Jan. 7, 2022

Cook County launches vaccine mandate for restaurants, bars and gyms; Chicago cancels school after teachers refuse to teach in-person, and longtime Congressman Bobby Rush announces retirement. Reset goes behind the headlines on the Weekly News Recap with WVON’s Kimberly Egonmwan and the Chicago Tribune’s Dan Petrella.
1/7/202226 minutes, 53 seconds
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Reflecting On The Jan. 6th Insurrection And Illinois Participants Facing Justice

Reset brings on a WAMU Reporter, Margaret Barthel, who covered the Jan. 6 insurrection in the U.S. Capitol to reflect, and Chicago Sun-Times Federal Courts reporter, Jon Seidel, discusses the charges and sentences for people from the Chicago region who participated in the insurrection.
1/6/202217 minutes, 4 seconds
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Allison Arwady, Chicago’s Top Doctor On The Omicron Holiday Surge And In-Person Learning

As the omicron variant continues to spread the country, Chicago is implementing new vaccine mandates for indoor venues to encourage residents to get their shots. Meanwhile, the Chicago Teachers Union votes to switch to remote learning amid the post-holiday COVID surge. Reset checks in with the city’s top doc, Dr. Allison Arwady, for the latest COVID guidelines.
1/5/202216 minutes, 13 seconds
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Chicago-Area Frontline Workers Give Inside Look Into Overwhelmed Hospitals: ‘People Don’t Realize What We’ve Been Asked To Do’

Hospitalizations from COVID-19 are at an all-time high in Illinois, and doctors, nurses and staff are under tremendous pressure.
1/4/202214 minutes, 51 seconds
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COVID Year 3 Begins, And Your Questions Get Answered

Reset brings on an infectious disease expert for our weekly check-in to provide clarity and answers to your questions, comments and concerns about COVID-19. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
1/3/202215 minutes, 58 seconds
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How To Help Your Family Setup And Protect Their Tech This Holiday Season

If you give your parents new tech, chances are you’ll have to be their tech support and install it for them. Heather Kelly, technology help desk reporter at The Washington Post helps Reset cover what you need to know when they ask other tech questions so you sound like a pro.
12/22/202112 minutes, 8 seconds
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2021 Was A Year Of Climate Shock And Reckoning On Environmental Racism

Reset Sustainability Contributor, Karen Weigert, gives a retrospective on the sustainability highs and lows for 2021. She’s joined by Naomi Davis of the environmental justice coalition “Blacks In Green” to evaluate the progress in Chicago for the last year in defeating environmental racism and inequity.
12/21/202126 minutes, 15 seconds
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WBEZ Weekly News Recap, December 17, 2021

City Council holds its last session of 2021, passing the sports betting ordinance and unanimously approving a near 3 million dollar settlement for Anjanette Young, for a wrongful raid Chicago police carried out on her home. Reset goes behind the headlines on the Weekly News Recap.
12/17/202132 minutes, 16 seconds
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Chicago’s Legacy Of Broken Promises To Former Cabrini Green Project Residents

A new investigation from the Better Government Association lays out the failed promises of jobs and housing made to Cabrini’s residents — predominantly Black Chicagoans — and where those promises stand today. Reset gets the details from investigative reporter Alejandra Cancino.
12/16/202115 minutes, 17 seconds
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How Cook County approaches crisis communication during pandemic

Reset checks in with the Cook County Department of Public Health to discuss how experts are handling the messaging around COVID and its new variants -- and how the county hopes to reach people who are still skeptical about vaccines.
12/15/202115 minutes, 22 seconds
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Inflation Worries: What’s Causing Prices To Keep Going Up?

Inflation’s at its highest level in 39 years. What’s behind the trend and when might it end?
12/14/202116 minutes, 31 seconds
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Dr. Mia Taormina Answers Questions As The Omicron Reaches Chicago

As all Illinois counties enter a “high-transmission” zone and the omicron variant arrives in Chicago, Reset checks back in with Dr. Mia Taormina for the latest public health guidance.
12/13/202112 minutes, 58 seconds
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What Goes Wrong When Couples Disagree About COVID Vaccines

Disagreements about vaccines have highlighted growing divisions in our country— and, for some of us, our homes, too. Reset explores what happens when couples and co parents don’t agree on vaccines with Jessica Calarco, associate professor of sociology at Indiana University, and Lyz Lenz, author of the newsletter Men Yell at Me.
12/11/202118 minutes, 39 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: Dec. 10, 2021

Actor Jussie Smollett is found guilty of five charges that he staged and made a false report of a hate crime against himself. City Council struggles to redraw the ward boundaries and the new Omicron variant arrives in Chicago as COVID cases and hospitalizations surge throughout the state.
12/10/202131 minutes, 14 seconds
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How Should The U.S. Respond If Russia Invades Ukraine, Again?

President Joe Biden on Tuesday warned Russian President Vladimir Putin of consequences if his country invades Ukraine. Illinois Congressman Mike Quigley gives Reset his take on the crisis and other news from Capitol Hill.
12/9/202113 minutes, 47 seconds
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How Senator Tammy Duckworth’s ASAP Act Will Help Her And Other Disabled Persons Access Mass Transit

The federal infrastructure bill includes a provision that will make transit stations across the country fully accessible. The All Stations Accessibility Program (ASAP) Act sets aside $1.75 billion in grants for upgrades and improvements to meet or exceed the standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reset checks in with U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth for the latest on the ASAP Act, which she helped introduce, and the $2 trillion social spending plan.
12/8/202112 minutes, 2 seconds
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Investigative Report Reveals Costly Consequences Of Drug Arrests. What Does Reform Look Like?

An investigation by the Chicago Sun-Times and Better Government Association found tens of thousands of people jailed on low-level drug possession cases had their charges routinely dropped in Cook County, but the consequences are costly. Reset checks in with reporters and local drug policy experts for details and analysis.
12/7/202127 minutes, 34 seconds
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New Book ‘American Dementia’ Explores Present And Future Of Brain Health

For decades, researchers have chased a pharmaceutical cure for memory loss. But despite the fact that no disease-modifying biotech treatments have emerged, new research suggests that dementia rates have actually declined in the United States over the last decade. Why is this happening? And what does it mean for brain health in the future? Reset talks with the co-authors of American Dementia: Brain Health in an Unhealthy Society. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
12/6/202116 minutes, 15 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: Dec. 3, 2021

Illinois is in the midst of a COVID surge, surpassing 11,000 new cases for the first time this year, while newly released standardized test scores show the impact the pandemic had on learning. Plus, the latest on the criminal trial of actor Jussie Smollet. Reset goes behind the headlines on the Weekly News Recap.
12/3/202129 minutes, 33 seconds
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Spotify ‘Wrapped Lists' Are Out For 2021

Spotify Wrapped lists are out. What songs did you listen to this year? Which did you turn to just get you through it? We break out our playlists and share our favorite tracks, ear worms and guilty pleasures as the year winds down.
12/2/202118 minutes, 45 seconds
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Future Of Roe v. Wade Hangs On Today’s Supreme Court Arguments In Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization

On the heels of the opening oral arguments in the biggest challenge to Roe v. Wade that has come before the Supreme Court, Reset asks local leaders and experts about their reactions.
12/1/202119 minutes, 3 seconds
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One Day To Go And Chicago Aldermen Are No Closer To A Ward Remap Agreement

There’s one day left before Chicago City Council members have to pass the final remap of Chicago’s 50 wards. A heated battle between the city’s Black and Latino caucuses have forced both sides to give ground in time for the final vote. Reset checks in on where things stand.
11/30/202116 minutes, 39 seconds
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What We Know About The Omicron Variant

A new strain of COVID-19 has been detected in at least 15 countries. Reset checks in with a New York Times science reporter for the latest on the Omicron variant and how the U.S. is preparing for its arrival. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
11/29/202112 minutes, 7 seconds
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Thanksgiving 2021: Avoid The Fights And Pass The Potatoes

When we see relatives and friends at the Thanksgiving table this year, the conversation may turn to politics, the pandemic, social and racial justice, and other topics where people don’t always agree. Reset talks to a conflict resolution specialist about setting boundaries with loved ones and strategies to diffuse dinner-table squabbles.
11/24/202136 minutes, 46 seconds
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How The American Jury System Works, Or Not

Recent court cases have many thinking about what makes the jury system flourish and fail. Reset hears from an expert on what you should know about the jury selection process.
11/23/202112 minutes, 37 seconds
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What the Rittenhouse verdict means for the future of self-defense, gun rights

Kyle Rittenhouse took an AR-15 assault-style rifle across state lines and shot and killed two people, but a jury ruled that he was acting in self-defense and the verdict was “not guilty” on all charges. Reset talks with a Second Amendment expert about what this says about gun rights in America and learns how right-wing extremist, vigilante and militia groups are responding to the verdict.
11/22/202138 minutes, 35 seconds
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Finland Is The So-Called Happiest Country On Earth — Afro-Finns Weigh In

Despite the Nordic country’s utopian reputation, Finns of African descent often face racial profiling and discrimination. WBEZ’s Natalie Moore talked with Finns of African descent about their experiences living in the social welfare state.
11/20/202119 minutes, 14 seconds
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Kyle Rittenhouse Acquitted Of All Charges

Today Kyle Rittenhouse was found not guilty on all charges. Reset talks to an array of journalists and experts about the verdict. Reset goes behind those headlines and more in the Weekly News Recap.
11/19/202147 minutes, 16 seconds
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You Actually CAN Create A Healthy Relationship With Your Screens

Cooler weather means more time indoors, and that can often mean more screen time. So, how do we set boundaries that work? Listeners call in with their life hacks.
11/18/202119 minutes, 19 seconds
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Journalist Jon Hansen gives us some good news

Most Chicago journalists spend a lot of time pointing out what’s wrong with our city. Jon Hansen’s doing something different. He hosts Block Club Chicago’s podcast It’s All Good, which celebrates Chicagoans who are doing something good for their neighborhood.
11/17/202111 minutes, 58 seconds
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Illinois’ Truck Driver Shortage Adds To U.S. Supply Chain Issues

The American Trucking Associations says the industry faces a shortage of 80,000 drivers. That’s up 30% from the estimated shortage before the pandemic. Reset explores why Illinois trucking companies are concerned about this issue and what the shortage means for the supply chain crisis.
11/16/202115 minutes, 13 seconds
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David Sedaris Shares His Laughs, Pains And Neuroses Performing On His New Book Tour

Most NPR listeners recognize David Sedaris from what’s become a holiday tradition: the re-airing of his 1992 account of spending two Christmas seasons working as an elf at Macy's in New York. Since “Santaland Diaries,” Sedaris has penned numerous books, become a regular contributor to The New Yorker and been inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Letters.
11/15/202115 minutes, 38 seconds
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How The Infrastructure Bill May Eliminate Lead Pipes And Improve Broadband In Illinois

President Joe Biden pledged to replace every lead pipe in the U.S. Illinois lawmakers estimate the state will receive at least $1.7 billion to improve its drinking and wastewater infrastructure. Biden also expects the bill to help close the digital divide. Reset asks experts what investments may be in store for Illinois.
11/13/202127 minutes, 9 seconds
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WBEZ Weekly News Recap, November 12, 2021

Chicago cancels school to motivate parents to vaccinate as COVID cases rise. The Chicago Police Department cancels days off in anticipation of a verdict in the Kyle Rittenhouse murder trial. Reset goes behind those headlines and more in the Weekly News Recap.
11/12/202130 minutes, 32 seconds
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New Podcast, ‘Some Of My Best Friends Are’, Digs Into Race And Racism

Some of My Best Friends Are... is hosted by Khalil Gibran Muhammad and Ben Austen, two best friends who grew up together on Chicago’s South Side in the 1980s. They invite listeners in with engaging conversations on how race affects their friendships and work, while using pop culture and historical events as a guide. Reset checks in with the duo behind the mic.
11/11/202117 minutes, 4 seconds
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How Might ‘Amazon Fresh’ Stores Compete With Chicago Grocery Chains

A new Amazon Fresh grocery store housed at the former Dominick's grocery in Morton Grove will open Thursday. The store will join others that offer “Just Walk Out” and other new technology that allow customers to skip a checkout line altogether. Reset brings on an expert to discuss how this might change the grocery store landscape.
11/10/202113 minutes, 8 seconds
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83 people await potential exoneration in cases tied to former Chicago Police Officer Ronald Watts

It’s one of the most shameful chapters in Chicago police history. For a decade, a unit led by former police sergeant Ronald Watts terrorized residents of the Ida B. Wells housing project on the city’s south side, fabricating charges and planting evidence. Reset has the latest on what’s becoming Cook County’s largest-ever exoneration.
11/9/202118 minutes, 27 seconds
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Sesame Street’s ‘Maria’, Sonia Manzano, talks about her new kids show, ‘Alma’s Way’, that celebrates diversity

Reset chats with Sonia Manzano about her new kids TV show highlighting problem-solving strategies for kids and cultural diversity. Manzano is best known for her role as Maria on Sesame Street.
11/8/202112 minutes, 34 seconds
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WBEZ Weekly News Recap, November 5, 2021

Three top Chicago Park officials are fired over lifeguard sexual assault scandal and the standoff over vaccine mandates between Mayor Lightfoot and the head of the Fraternal Order of Police continues. Reset goes behind the week’s headlines on the Weekly news Recap.
11/5/202127 minutes
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Young Afghan evacuees are suffering in Chicago shelters

After weeks at a shelter where no staff members speak their languages, some Afghan refugee children have hurt themselves and others. After a ProPublica investigation, Illinois lawmakers demanded a probe into conditions. Reset checks in with the ProPublica reporter about her investigation.
11/4/202110 minutes, 59 seconds
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Dr. Allison Arwady On Chicago’s COVID Vaccine Rollout For Kids

Pediatricians and pharmacies are preparing for the newest round of COVID shots, which could start being offered in the next few days. About 15 million doses are already being shipped to vaccination sites throughout the country, but some parents still have concerns when it comes to their kids.
11/3/202118 minutes, 45 seconds
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Kal Penn On His New Memoir And Championing His Indo Heritage

Actor and former White House staffer Kal Penn joins Reset to discuss his new memoir, You Can’t Be Serious. The book is a series of funny, awkward and inspiring stories about his life, from his early roles in Hollywood to finding love in Washington D.C. Penn will speak at the Chicago Humanities Fest on Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021 at 7 p.m.
11/2/202117 minutes, 10 seconds
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Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez On COVID-19 Vaccines For Kids

Pedro Martinez has been in charge at Chicago Public Schools for a little more than a month, and what a month it’s been. Reset checks in with Martinez about the role schools will play as pediatric COVID-19 vaccines begin to roll out in Chicago as well as other topics like dwindling enrollment and student mental health during the pandemic.
11/1/202117 minutes, 36 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: Oct. 29, 2021

Illinois politicians wrap up the fall legislative session in Springfield by repealing the state’s abortion parental notification law and passing a new Congressional map, as Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger announces he won’t seek reelection. Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s 2022 budget sails through City Council, but she remains at odds with the police union over vaccine mandates.
10/29/202129 minutes, 17 seconds
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Reset Gets A Behind The Scenes Tour Of The Farm On Ogden

Reset broadcasts live from the Farm on Ogden in Chicago’s North Lawndale neighborhood. The show will tour the facility, meet staff and community leaders, and learn how healthy food provides physical, mental and spiritual wellness.
10/28/202118 minutes, 51 seconds
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John Lithgow Leads New Audible Drama ‘The Guilty’

John Lithgow’s list of accolades includes two Tonys, six Emmys and two Golden Globes. Now, the veteran actor leads the cast of James Patterson’s latest audio murder mystery The Guilty. The drama is available Oct. 28 on Audible. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
10/27/202119 minutes, 5 seconds
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Chicago Reader celebrates 50 years of staying ‘free and freaky’

The Chicago Reader started small. But over the decades, the alt-weekly pioneer has influenced and shaped the news ecosystem in Chicago and beyond. Reset reflects on the Reader’s greatest achievements and changes as it marks its 50th anniversary, and asks listeners about their experience with the paper.
10/26/202120 minutes, 54 seconds
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Chicago’s Joe Ferguson talks fighting corruption under three mayors

Chicago’s inspector general is charged with getting the mayor and city agencies to be transparent, ethical and accountable. Reset talks with the man who held that job for 12 years, overseeing the Daley, Emanuel and Lightfoot administrations.
10/25/202132 minutes, 11 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: Oct. 22, 2021

Legislators are back in Springfield debating Congressional maps, abortion laws and law enforcement changes. And mourners honor Chicago civil rights icon Timuel Black. Reset goes behind the headlines in our Weekly News Recap.
10/22/202129 minutes, 5 seconds
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Equity Look At Chicago’s High-stakes, High-stress High School Admissions Process

Last year 26,000 students applied to the city’s eleven selective enrollment high schools. Less than five thousand were offered spots. CPS says new changes to the admissions process will promote equity and access. Reset hears from the head of High Jump, a non-profit helping talented low-income middle schoolers prepare and apply for high school.
10/21/202121 minutes, 36 seconds
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Kids could see COVID vaccines by early November

The Biden administration on Wednesday announced new details about its plan to roll out vaccines for children ages 5 to 11. Reset checks in with a White House reporter and pediatrician for the details.
10/20/202138 minutes, 40 seconds
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First Salvo In Election 2022 Begins As Illinois Legislators Debate A Redrawn Congressional Map

Illinois’ population declined for the first time ever in the 2020 census, resulting in the loss of a U.S. House seat. Reset examines the new Congressional map drawn up by Illinois Democrats.
10/19/202111 minutes, 49 seconds
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Chicago Sky Win First WBNA Championship

The Chicago Sky on Sunday won its first championship and the city’s first basketball title in 20 years. Reset checks in with Cheryl Raye-Stout for the details.
10/18/202112 minutes, 20 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap Oct, 15 2021

Chicago historian and civil rights activist Timuel Black dies at age 102. Park District CEO Mike Kelly resigns over the city’s lifeguard abuse scandal. Plus, first lady Jill Biden visits Chicago to honor of Hispanic Heritage Month. Reset goes beyond the headlines in our Weekly News Recap with host Sasha-Ann Simons.
10/15/202125 minutes, 2 seconds
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Timuel Black, Legendary Civil Rights Historian And Activist Dies At 102

Chicago civil rights activist and cultural icon Timuel Black died Tuesday at age 102. He was a historian, teacher, storyteller and music-lover who dedicated his life to ending segregation, voter disenfranchisement and discrimination. Reset pays tribute to the legend and speaks with several people who knew and worked with him.
10/14/202127 minutes, 55 seconds
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Outgoing Inspector General Issues Warnings To Chicago Fire Department, City Council

As Joe Ferguson wraps up his final days as Chicago’s inspector general, he releases two new audits sounding the alarms on fire department response times and City Council finances. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
10/13/202115 minutes, 44 seconds
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‘Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act’ Links Poor Health Outcomes To Environmental Racism, Climate Change

Reset talks with an epidemiologist whose research powered a pending Congressional bill. The “Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act of 2021” links poor maternal health outcomes for Black women to climate change and environmental racism
10/12/202117 minutes, 30 seconds
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‘Reckoning’ Highlights Japanese American Redress Movement In Chicago

Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, 120,000 people of Japanese descent were forcibly removed from their homes, uprooted from the lives they built and stripped of their civil rights. The aftermath of Japanese American incarceration led to a national movement for reparations. Reset learns about a new multimedia experience about the Japanese American redress movement in Chicago and the lessons their story holds for communities seeking justice and healing today.
10/11/202121 minutes, 44 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap for October 8, 2021

President Joe Biden visits Chicago, Mayor Lightfoot and Kim Foxx go head to head, and shots are fired between Illinois billionaires. Also: an actor buys Bozo. Reset goes behind the week’s headlines on the Weekly News Recap.
10/8/202128 minutes, 4 seconds
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Chicago group pushes for justice and equity in city ward remap process

As aldermen work on new ward boundaries, the Chicago Advisory Redistricting Commission has published its own independent map. Reset talks with two of the commissioners on why they believe City Council should vote on their independent “People’s Map,” which includes fewer gerrymandered wards and attempts to give residents fair and equitable representation in city government.
10/7/202115 minutes, 16 seconds
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As U.S. private sector adds 568,000 new jobs this quarter, too many have not benefited

We talked to ADP’s chief economist Nela Richardson to break down the latest report, and ask why the economic recovery hasn’t impacted everyone.
10/6/202113 minutes, 21 seconds
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Chicago Police Supt. David Brown partially blames bail reform for violent crime spikes

WBEZ’s Chip Mitchell joins Reset for a recap of Monday’s Chicago Police budget hearing.
10/5/202112 minutes, 58 seconds
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150 years ago, Chicago burned to the ground. What really happened, and what’s only myth?

On the night of Oct. 8, 1871, a fire broke out in Chicago. It started in or around a small barn owned by Patrick and Catherone O’Leary and would ultimately shape the city into what it is today. Historian Carl Smith joins Reset to tell the real story of the blaze that destroyed — and ultimately redefined — Chicago.
10/4/202114 minutes, 17 seconds
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WBEZ Weekly News Recap for October 1, 2021

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle announces she’ll seek a fourth term and Northwestern University temporarily suspends Greek life after multiple women allege being drugged at frat houses. Reset goes behind the headlines on the Weekly News Recap.
10/1/202130 minutes, 10 seconds
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WBEZ, Chicago Sun-Times In Talks To Merge Into One Of America’s Largest Nonprofit News Orgs

Public Media and the Chicago Sun-Times are in talks about joining forces to become a single nonprofit news organization. CPM’s board of directors approved the proposed deal in a meeting Wednesday night, paving the way for CPM to acquire the Sun-Times, a move that would create one of the largest nonprofit news organizations in the nation.
9/30/202116 minutes, 28 seconds
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Rep. Mike Quigley Sees Horrible Consequences From Inaction On Infrastructure Bill And Debt Ceiling

A government shutdown will go into effect Thursday at midnight if Congress does act to fund the federal government. Meanwhile, lawmakers are getting closer to voting on two massive pieces of President Biden’s agenda: A $1 trillion infrastructure package and a $3.5 trillion spending plan. Reset checks in with a local lawmaker who sits on the powerful Appropriations Committee.
9/29/202113 minutes, 8 seconds
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Comedian Phoebe Robinson On Pop Culture, White Guilt, Childlessness

Phoebe Robinson’s new book of essays Please Don’t Sit On My Bed In Your Outside Clothes is out September 28. Reset talks with the comedian, actor and author.
9/28/202117 minutes, 54 seconds
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Derek Chauvin Conviction Appeal Restarts Conversation On Police Reform

The police killing of George Floyd ignited nationwide protests in the summer of 2020. More than a year after Floyd’s death, where are we when it comes to police reform?
9/27/202117 minutes, 3 seconds
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WBEZ Weekly News Recap: September 23, 2021

Mayor Lightfoot unveils her budget proposal for 2022 while continuing to receive opposition from the police union over the vaccine mandate. Reset goes behind the headlines on the Weekly News Recap.
9/24/202126 minutes, 56 seconds
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New Book Demystifies And Empowers The Vagina

Female sexual anatomy, especially the vagina, has been, and still is, one of the most politicized, misconstrued and misunderstood aspects of human biology. Reset meets an OB-GYN who demystifies and empowers the vagina in her new book.
9/23/202122 minutes, 44 seconds
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New Box Set Celebrates Pastor T.L. Barrett’s Legendary Gospel Music

For more than 40 years in Chicago, Pastor T.L. Barrett has been delivering sermons, speaking up for civil rights and political issues, and singing gospel songs on the piano with his congregation. Now, his life’s work will be captured in a new five-album collection, I Shall Wear A Crown. Reset sits down with the South Side preacher to discuss the new box set, his life and career, and his hopes for the future.
9/22/202118 minutes, 34 seconds
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SkyDay Project: Artists, Scientists, Kids And Citizen Scientists, Like You, Unite To Fight Climate Change

Sky Day Project brings together artists and scientists to contemplate, discuss and act on the climate crisis. Each September, SkyDay Project encourages school-aged children to look up and photograph the sky in support of the climate and planet. Reset learns more about the project’s approach during the COVID pandemic.
9/21/202117 minutes, 49 seconds
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FDA Panel Rejects Universal COVID Booster Shots, Limits To High-Risk Adults

The White House originally planned to roll out COVID-19 booster shots starting Monday. Then, on Friday, an advisory panel for the FDA voted against recommending a third shot for most Americans. Reset checks in with an infectious disease specialist to break down the latest on boosters.
9/20/202116 minutes
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Ken Burns Documentary Takes New, Deeper Look At Icon Muhammad Ali

The subject of countless documentaries, movies and biographies, it’s hard to determine just what is left to learn about Muhammad Ali. Filmmaker Ken Burns joins Reset to discuss his comprehensive look at Ali’s life, with footage even his family has never seen.
9/18/202120 minutes, 7 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap, September 17, 2021

Illinois’s last Sears store prepares to shut its doors, Chicago Park District Inspector General resigns as its revealed the State’s Attorney is investigating allegations of sexual abuse by city lifeguards, and Mayor Lightfoot announces a plan to sue gang members for their assets. Reset’s Weekly News Recap goes behind the week’s headlines.
9/17/202125 minutes, 55 seconds
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Chicago Child's Alleged Killing By His Mother Puts Spotlight On Mental Health Access

A South Side Chicago mother faces first-degree murder charges for the shooting death of her young son, but her family says the real culprit here is mental illness. And though family and colleagues around the woman reportedly did attempt to connect her with help, her husband said “it was too late.” Reset talks with NAMI Chicago about how to connect to resources, practice conversations with family, and other ways to help loved ones with mental health issues.
9/16/202115 minutes, 36 seconds
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Deepak Chopra Considers How COVID Forces ‘Living Outside the Box’

Author and alternative medicine advocate Deepak Chopra stops by Reset to preview his forthcoming podcast, Mind Body Zone: Living Outside the Box. It’s available on September 12 on Audible.
9/15/202117 minutes, 31 seconds
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Netflix Comedy ‘Chicago Party Aunt’ Highlights The Best Of ‘Chi-Town’

Reset talks to comedian Chris Witaske, the creator of the popular Chicago Party Aunt Twitter account, to discuss his new Netflix series and how it celebrates the “best damn city in the world.”
9/14/202113 minutes, 40 seconds
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Has Chicago's Mail Service Improved In The Post-Trump Era?

Could postal carrier schedule changes deliver worse service and delayed mail to the Chicago region? Reset checks in with the president of the Chicago letter carriers union and takes listener calls.
9/13/202117 minutes, 22 seconds
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Famed Journalist Carol Marin’s 9/11 Memories And Lessons For Future Reporters

Veteran Chicago journalist Carol Marin joins Reset to share her memories of 9/11 and lessons she wants to pass on to the next generation of journalists.
9/11/202116 minutes, 5 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: Sept. 10, 2021

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul opens an investigation into the Joliet Police Department, and Chicago Police move closer to finalizing a new 8-year contract. Reset goes behind the week’s headlines on the Weekly News Recap.
9/10/202123 minutes, 49 seconds
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Chicago-Area Survivor Of 9/11 Attacks Finds Hope

Reset talks with a survivor of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks about where he finds hope as we approach the 20th anniversary of 9/11.
9/9/202116 minutes, 12 seconds
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New Illinois Law Gives School Students 5 Mental Health Days Off

From COVID-19 to climate change and gun violence, kids have a lot on their minds these days. A new Illinois law will soon let them take off five mental health days a year.
9/8/202117 minutes, 52 seconds
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How Chicago Is Preparing For Climate Change

Hurricane Ida’s flooding caused massive death and destruction in the northeast, leaving communities across the country questioning how prepared they are for extreme weather. Reset examines how prepared Chicago is for climate change.
9/7/202112 minutes, 10 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: Sept. 3, 2021

Illinois lawmakers hold a one day session in Springfield where they redraw legislative maps, charge forward with changing energy policy and reject an ethics bill. Reset goes behind the headlines of the week’s news.
9/3/202130 minutes, 14 seconds
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Shot And Forgotten: What Chicago’s Survivors Need To Heal

In Part Three of our collaboration with The Trace, Reset continues exploring what resources survivors of gun violence in Chicago need, and what recovery looks like without it. In this interview, we turn to experts on the front lines of providing long-term support and wraparound services to survivors. GUESTS: Eddie Bocanegra, senior director of READI Chicago Dr. Tanya Zakrison, trauma surgeon at UChicago Medicine
9/2/202134 minutes, 24 seconds
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Shot and Forgotten: The Road To Recovery

In Part Two of our collaboration with The Trace, Reset continues exploring the stories of survivors of gun violence in Chicago — what resources they need, and what recovery looks like without it. In this interview, residents Les Jenkins and Natalie Manning share what their roads to recovery have looked like, and what resources they could have used from the city.
9/1/202140 minutes, 57 seconds
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Shot And Forgotten: The Hidden Crisis Among Chicagoans Surviving Gun Violence

Of every six people shot in Chicago, five survive. But while much of the attention from the media, law enforcement, city leaders and the public is on homicides, there is a hidden crisis across the city: survivors face physical, psychological and emotional recovery with little to know help. In Part One (of three) of our collaboration with the nonprofit newsroom The Trace, Reset learns the stories of survivors of gun violence in Chicago: what resources they need, and what recovery looks like without it. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating to help other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
8/31/202123 minutes
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New Book Shows Chicago's Sullivan High School As A Haven For Refugee Teenagers

At Sullivan High School on Chicago’s North Side, more than 40 languages are spoken and students hail from over 50 countries. As world events force residents to leave their home countries and flee to America for safety, the school’s population demographics tend to change. Journalist and author Elly Fishman joins ‘Reset’ to discuss what makes Sullivan High so special as she documents in her new book, ‘Refugee High: Coming Of Age In America.’
8/30/202120 minutes, 23 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: Aug. 27, 2021

Governor JB Pritzker reinstates the mask mandate indoors while Chicago’s police union pushes back on Mayor Lori Lightfoot requiring COVID vaccines of city employees. Reset goes behind the week’s headlines on the Weekly News Recap.
8/27/202132 minutes, 20 seconds
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Re-Imagine Chicago: Manish Jain Calls Modern Education System ‘One Of The Greatest Crimes Against Humanity’

Education innovator and former Chicagoan Manish Jain calls, “[t]he modern factory-schooling education system…one of the greatest crimes against humanity.” Reset asks Jain, co-founder of Swaraj University in Udaipur, India why he believes we must “hack” our education system.
8/26/202120 minutes, 3 seconds
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Re-Imagine Chicago: Obstacles To School Reform Blamed on Teachers' Unions And School Administrators

Stanford political scientist Terry Moe argues that, while urban school systems are in desperate need of innovative reforms, productive change is often blocked by stiff resistance from education’s vested interests — notably, teachers unions and school boards. Moe joins Reset for the latest installment of our series “Re-imagine Chicago.”
8/25/202118 minutes, 46 seconds
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Re-imagine Chicago: ‘Rethinking Schools’ And Breaking The ‘School-To-Prison Pipeline’ Thru Antiracist Curriculum

A national coalition of teachers (“Rethinking Schools”) is pushing back against white backlash to antiracist school curriculum like Critical Race Theory (CRT). A Seattle-based teacher tells Reset how Black history in schools will help deconstruct systemic racism and break the “school-to-prison pipeline.”
8/24/202122 minutes, 7 seconds
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Re-imagine Chicago: Chicago's Turbulent History In Creating Better Schools

Two veteran education journalists: WBEZ education reporter Sarah Karp; and Lorraine Forte from the 'Chicago Sun-Times' editorial board and 'Catalyst Chicago' discuss the uphill history to improving Chicago area schools. From decades of reporting, they’ve seen and heard it all.
8/23/202118 minutes, 59 seconds
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Dr. Mia Taormina Answers Your COVID-19 Questions

An infectious disease specialist shares the latest public guidance about COVID-19, boosters, mask mandates and more. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
8/20/202120 minutes, 19 seconds
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Re-Imagine Chicago: How To Implement Reforms At CPD

In our final conversation for “Reimagine Chicago: Public Safety,” we talk to the deputy inspector general of Chicago and a civilian within the police department to discuss why some reforms are harder than others to get done. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
8/19/202121 minutes
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Re-Imagine Chicago: Fewer Responsibilities, Better Policing?

In the U.S. we’ve been trained to call 911 almost regardless of the circumstances, and who responds to those calls? Police officers. Even when they may not have specialized training for the crisis at hand. But what if it were different? What if police didn’t handle mental health calls? Or property crime? Or paperwork? Could fewer responsibilities lead to better policing? Reset explores those questions for the latest in our series, “Re-Imagine Chicago.” For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
8/18/202125 minutes, 14 seconds
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Re-Imagine Chicago: How Police Militarization Impacts Public Safety

U.S. police departments kill far more citizens per 10 million people than departments in any other developed nation. Why is that? And what can Chicago and other U.S. cities learn from other cities and countries? Reset brings on Washington Post columnist and author Radley Balko and Rutgers University sociologist Paul Hirschfield for the latest in our series “Re-Imagine Chicago.” For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
8/17/202133 minutes, 13 seconds
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Re-imagine Chicago: Despite Consent Decree, Police Reform Remains Elusive

Chicago has the second-largest police force in the country, one with a stained history and a complicated relationship with the communities it policies. So what would it take to achieve significant and efficient reform in CPD? For the latest in our series “Reimagine Chicago,” Reset digs into public safety and policing. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
8/16/202122 minutes, 17 seconds
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Weekly News Recap: August 13, 2021

The city mourns a slain officer, relations grow tense between Mayor Lightfoot and CPD, and the Mayor and police worsen, and Illinois is expected to win big in Biden's $1 trillion infrastructure bill. Reset goes behind the week’s headlines in the Weekly News Recap.
8/13/202153 minutes, 33 seconds
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Re-Imagine Chicago: Former Alderman Weighs In On Community Investment

A former Chicago alderman with some big ideas helps us wrap up our series on how community investment and economic development could work better in Chicago.
8/12/202117 minutes, 51 seconds
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Re-Imagine Chicago: Top City Officials On How To Improve Community Investment

How can community investment and economic development work better for all Chicago residents? Reset checks in with two top city officials to hear their ideas and to hear them react to some creative solutions proposed earlier in our Re-imagine Chicago series.
8/11/202120 minutes, 52 seconds
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Re-Imagine Chicago: How TIFs Work And How They Could Work Better

For our series Re-Imagine Chicago, Reset checks in with an expert on public finance and municipal economic development and TIF critics for their creative ideas for re-imagining one of the city’s key economic development tools.
8/10/202121 minutes, 52 seconds
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Re-Imagine Chicago: How Mayors Have Approached Community Investment

In the second installment of our series Re-imagine Chicago, we explore how community investment works in the city. We learn about how recent Chicago mayors have approached economic development at the neighborhood level. We also hear from people working in two Chicago neighborhoods about what type of investment they need.
8/9/202118 minutes, 53 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: Aug. 7, 2021

Pritzker announces a statewide schools mask mandate, Cubs move closer to a sports betting building and the latest on the cannabis lottery.
8/7/202155 minutes, 47 seconds
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Re-imagine Chicago: How Do We Make City Government More Effective?

After a week of exploring how Chicago’s City Council and mayoral system work, we take stock of what we learned and what we can change. Reset talks to the city's top watchdog, a longtime alderman, and a community leader for what solutions they think are needed.
8/6/202157 minutes, 42 seconds
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Re-imagine Chicago: O Canada, What Can Chicago's City Council Learn From You?

Toronto and Chicago have a few things in common. But their city council and ward system look pretty different. So what can Chicago learn?
8/5/202159 minutes, 12 seconds
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Re-Imagine Chicago: What Can We Learn From... Phoenix, Arizona?

Chicago has a “strong mayor” system, and during the pandemic, Mayor Lightfoot gained additional emergency powers. Things work differently in Phoenix, Ariz., which operates under a “weak mayor” or “council-manager” system. Reset examines the benefits and drawbacks of how things work in Phoenix, and what lessons Chicago can learn.
8/4/202148 minutes, 40 seconds
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Reimagine Chicago’s City Council: Why Aldermen Work More Like ‘Mini-Mayors’

All week, we’re asking: how can the government in Chicago work better for its residents? It’s part of our series “Re-Imagine Chicago,” where we pull back the curtain on the city’s major institutions and systems, and explore how they could work better. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
8/3/202149 minutes, 17 seconds
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Reimagine Chicago: How City Council Works In The Windy City

Is Chicago’s City Council set up to best serve its residents? The “strong mayor” form of government has its pros and cons, but what could a better system look like? In the first installment of our “Re-imagine Chicago” series, we dive into the powers of two engines that make Chicago run: the mayor and the aldermen.
8/2/202149 minutes, 17 seconds
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WBEZ's Weekly News Recap

Lollapalooza rocks Chicago as COVID cases surge, causing new mask requirements. Plus, Chicago Police reach a tentative contract agreement.
7/30/202123 minutes, 7 seconds
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Chicago Athletes At Tokyo Olympics Face Mental Health Strains, Blazing Heat, And COVID-19

From COVID-19 to the heat to athletes being open about the mental strain of performing at the highest level, the Tokyo Olympics have been anything but ordinary. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
7/29/202153 minutes, 8 seconds
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Biden All In On ADA, But Is It Enough?

President Biden was one of the original backers of the Americans With Disabilities Act. But does it go far enough?
7/28/202116 minutes, 27 seconds
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Billionaire Joe Mansueto Bets Big On Chicago

Joe Mansueto, the billionaire founder of Morningstar, continues to look for ways to invest in Chicago, its people, and its neighborhoods.
7/27/202114 minutes, 47 seconds
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Dr. Mia Taormina Answers Your Covid-19 Questions

Chicago is preparing to welcome thousands of people downtown for Lollapalooza as city officials warn about an uptick in COVID-19 cases.
7/26/202116 minutes, 8 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap For July 23, 2021

Crime continues to make headlines, City Council approves civilian oversight of police and Pritzker makes little news with reelection bid.
7/23/202123 minutes, 4 seconds
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Chicago Leads The Nation With New Report Outlining Equitable Transportation Push

The City of Chicago’s brand new ‘Strategic Plan for Transportation'’ aims to transform mobility and access “...in the wake of the pandemic, economic, and racial justice…”
7/22/202118 minutes, 57 seconds
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COVID-19 Pandemic And Opioids Cause Record Drug Overdose Deaths

Overdose deaths in the U.S. spiked to a record 93,000 last year, according to new federal data. Opioids are at the heart of these tragedies. Reset asks two experts to explain the factors driving these deaths and what can be done about it.
7/21/202117 minutes, 55 seconds
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COVID-19’s Delta strain: Where It’s Spreading, How To Stop It

The Delta variant is now the dominant COVID-19 strain around the world. Here in the U.S., areas with low vaccination rates are battling outbreaks driven by the variant. Reset brings on Pulitzer Prize-winner Ed Yong for the latest on the COVID-19 surge in neighboring Missouri and why this year might be worse than last year for some communities For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
7/20/202115 minutes, 13 seconds
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If You Can’t Stand The Heat...Call Chicago’s New Fire Commish Annette Nance-Holt

In over three decades working in a largely white-male dominated profession, Annette Nance-Holt has risen to the top. As Chicago’s first female Fire Commissioner, she’s vowed to create a Fire Department that reflects its communities. Reset finds out what changes trailblazing Fire Commissioner Annette Nance-Holt hopes to bring to the Chicago Fire Department. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
7/19/202114 minutes, 53 seconds
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WBEZ's Weekly News Recap

Lightfoot administration departures continue with resignation of two commissioners. Chicago Police Supt. David Brown and Gov. JB Pritzker stop by the White House this week for presidential meetings. Plus, COVID-19 infections are rising again in parts of the state. Reset goes behind the headlines with local journalists on the Weekly News Recap. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
7/16/202124 minutes, 19 seconds
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The New Child Tax Credit: What You Need To Know

Starting today, tens of millions of families are beginning to receive monthly payments of up to $300 per child. It’s part of the newly expanded Child Tax Credit under President Biden’s American Rescue Plan. Reset brings on experts to discuss what you need to know about the advance payments and opens the phones to listeners to hear about how the funds will help their families. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
7/15/202119 minutes, 57 seconds
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Are Internet And Cable Companies Messing With Your Mind...And Your Bill?

Internet companies get away with sneaking additional fees into the fine print all the time. We talk to tech columnist Geoffrey Fowler about how to avoid the extra charges. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
7/14/202112 minutes, 26 seconds
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Would You Work 10-Hour Days For A Four-Day Work Week?

New research out of Iceland shows promising results for shorter workweeks. Researchers say employees were happier and, in some cases, more productive. So is it time for more U.S. companies to move to a four-day workweek? Reset brings on an expert on work optimization and opens the phones to listeners to discuss what the ideal work schedule is and how the pandemic has affected the way we view work-life balance. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
7/13/202120 minutes, 19 seconds
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Medical Ethicist Helps You Navigate Changing COVID-19 Guidelines

How do we navigate the pandemic amid changing guidelines and new information about the virus, variants and vaccines? For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
7/12/202118 minutes, 1 second
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WBEZs Weekly News Recap

President Biden visits Mchenry County to outline his plan for middle class families, Chicago’s Inspector General announces his resignation and Illinois announces its first vaccine lottery winner. Reset goes behind the headlines of the week’s news. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
7/9/202123 minutes, 55 seconds
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An Encampment In Avondale Pulls Chicago’s Homelessness Crisis Into Sharp Focus

Do Chicago’s “cleaning” of homeless encampments protect the health and safety of residents? Or do they perpetuate the cycle of homelessness?
7/8/202116 minutes, 7 seconds
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President Biden In Crystal Lake To Pitch Plan For Investment In Families, Education

President Joe Biden will visit Illinois Wednesday for the first time since taking office. Reset checks in with NPR White House correspondent Asma Khalid for the details. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
7/7/202116 minutes, 31 seconds
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Pritzker Uses Pandemic To Change Way Illinois Thinks About Childcare

hildcare is one of the biggest expenses and worries of families in this country. Governor Pritzker is making permanent a pandemic policy of $1 per month child care for families with incomes up to 250 percent of the federal poverty level. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
7/6/202118 minutes, 28 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap

The latest on efforts to fight crime, both in the city and City Council. The minimum wage increases to $15 an hour for most workers in Chicago, and Illinois lawmakers deliver a tough message to the postmaster general. Reset goes behind the week’s headlines with two local journalists. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
7/2/202121 minutes, 17 seconds
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1800 Degrees: Chicago Fire Chief Says Leave Fireworks To The Pros

Reset talks with a Chicago Fire chief about proper fireworks safety on July 4. Residents in some neighborhoods have complained of upper respiratory sickness they believe was caused by illegal fireworks activity on their blocks. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
7/1/202115 minutes, 40 seconds
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Journalist And Host Phil Ponce Steps Away After 30 Years At WTTW

The local media landscape has been changing lately, with many journalists stepping down. And now Chicago is also saying goodbye — well, almost — to another longtime newsman: Phil Ponce. Reset sits down with Ponce for a look back on his legendary career. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
6/30/202116 minutes, 32 seconds
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Aldermanic Prerogative: Grass-Roots Democracy Or Invitation To Corruption?

Some see aldermanic prerogative as essential to making Chicago the city that works, while critics say it’s why Chicago is one of the nation’s most corrupt cities. Mayor Lightfoot campaigned on a promise to limit aldermanic powers, but are her reform efforts inciting a City Council revolt? Reset asks: What exactly is aldermanic prerogative? For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
6/29/202117 minutes, 4 seconds
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Chicago Music Venues: How They Survived, How They’ll Move Forward

After 15 months of COVID-19 shutdowns and attendance restrictions, city and state officials are now allowing music venues to operate at 100 percent capacity. Reset brings on two local venue owners to discuss their experience during the past year and what they are banking on for the future. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
6/29/202114 minutes, 12 seconds
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wbez's-weekly-news-recap

A vote to rename parts of Lake Shore Drive after Chicago’s first non-indigenous settler, John Baptiste DuSable, was once again delayed after an angry confrontation between the mayor and Ald. Jeanette Taylor. Meanwhile, in the western suburbs, neighborhoods continue to clean up following a fierce tornado. Reset goes behind the week’s headlines with local journalists. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
6/25/202122 minutes, 57 seconds
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Jamie Lee Curtis On The Joys Of Summer Camp

Sleepaway camp is a right of passage for some kids and a significant milestone. While it’s exciting, it can also be worrisome. As families prepare to send their kids off to overnight camp, actor Jamie Lee Curtis and Audible are releasing season two of her kids podcast, Letters from Camp.
6/24/202120 minutes, 53 seconds
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Post-Pandemic Screen Wean: Getting Your Kids Off Their Devices

After a year of on-line life and learning, parents are struggling with how to unplug their kids from the technology that kept them connected during the pandemic. How to keep the battle over screen time from turning into a screaming match. Reset talks tech with Washington Post technology reporter Heather Kelley. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
6/23/202114 minutes, 18 seconds
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Divided By A River And Race: Two Towns And The Death Of A Young Black Man

Investigators in Benton Harbor, Mich. are reopening the 30-year-old cold case of Black teen Eric McGinnis’s death, following the emergence of a new eye witness. Chicago author Alex Kotlowitz For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
6/22/202113 minutes, 32 seconds
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Uber, Lyft Are Expensive, So Does That Mean Cabs Are Back?

Even as customers return to cabs and ride shares, companies are finding it hard to get drivers back behind the wheel. A.D. Quig of Crain’s Chicago Business explains why. Plus, we hear from riders and drivers. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
6/21/202115 minutes, 9 seconds
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Dr. Mia Taormina Answers Your COVID-19 Questions

Reset brings on an infectious disease expert for our weekly check-in to provide clarity and answers to your questions, comments and concerns about COVID-19.
6/20/202118 minutes, 42 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap

Lawmakers were back in Springfield dealing with energy, an elected school board and gun control. Meanwhile, Illinois rolls out a shot at big money in a special lottery for vaccinated residents. Reset goes behind the headlines with local reporters.
6/18/202128 minutes, 37 seconds
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Meet The Humboldt Park Gators

Reset checks in with members of the Humboldt Park Gators, Chicago’s only all-girls baseball team, as they compete against boys’ travel teams from the city and nearby suburbs this summer.
6/17/202115 minutes, 39 seconds
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Overwork And Burnout Are Killing Us

Overwork and long hours contributed to more than 745,000 deaths worldwide in just one year, according to a recent study from the World Health Organization. Reset dives into how overwork is deadly, and best practices for prioritizing one’s mental and physical health while not sacrificing professional success.
6/16/202117 minutes, 7 seconds
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Why Affordable, Quality Childcare Services Are Hard to Find

Affordable and quality childcare services are rare, sometimes costing as much as public university tuition. But this is not a new issue and has been challenging the industry before the pandemic. Reset brings on a reporter to talk more about how childcare services and providers are doing as the world slowly opens back up.
6/15/202114 minutes, 49 seconds
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What’s In A Name? ‘Boystown’ Renamed Northalsted

“Boystown” is the nickname first used in the 1980’s to describe Chicago’s North Side LGBTQ neighborhood around Wrigley Field. But LGBTQ activists are asking the name be dropped, arguing it excludes lesbian, transgender and other queer residents and visitors. Reset explores the debate over renaming “Boystown” to Northalsted.
6/14/202112 minutes, 8 seconds
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An Infectious Disease Expert Answers Your COVID-19 Questions

Reset brings on an infectious disease expert for our weekly check-in to provide clarity and answers to your questions, comments and concerns about COVID-19.
6/13/202114 minutes, 58 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: June 11, 2021

Reset goes behind the headlines in our Weekly News Recap with host Sasha-Ann Simons.
6/11/202127 minutes, 13 seconds
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How Two Groups Are Combating Gun Violence Against Children In Chicago

So far this year in Chicago, 147 kids have been shot and more than 20 have been killed, according to the latest data from the Chicago Police Department. Reset talks to two organizations about the impact of gun violence on children and families in Chicago and solutions to the ongoing issue.
6/10/202115 minutes, 2 seconds
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How-And Why-Illinois Can Be An Electric Vehicle Leader

Fifteen states and Washington DC signed onto a memorandum of understanding to accelerate efforts for the electrification of trucks and significantly cut carbon emissions. Reset talks with experts and a community activist about how the effort will cut the current disproportionate number of deaths of people who live in marginalized communities. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
6/8/202122 minutes, 36 seconds
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Frida Kahlo’s Largest Chicago-Area Exhibit In 40 Years Opens

The McAninch Arts Center premiered their Frida Kahlo exhibit on Saturday in suburban Glen Ellyn. The museum and the town are ready to celebrate the exhibit, and the visitors will make their way to celebrate a summer of related events in what is being called “The Year of Frida.” Today on Reset, we talk to the director and the curator of the exhibit on what to expect at the exhibit and how Glen Ellyn was picked to celebrate the works of the internationally known Mexican artist. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
6/7/202111 minutes, 1 second
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Dr. Mia Taormina Answers Your COVID-19 Questions

Reset brings on an infectious disease expert for our weekly check-in to provide clarity and answers to your questions, comments and concerns about COVID-19.
6/6/202131 minutes, 29 seconds
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WBEZ's Weekly News Recap

New ethics laws, an elected school board for Chicago and a bill allowing college sports betting. The pandemic brought on a backlog of bills in Springfield. Reset gets a rundown on which bills did and didn’t make it through Springfield this week. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
6/4/202121 minutes, 7 seconds
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The Politics Of Inclusivity: Changing Title Of Alderman To Alderperson

New language within a bill headed towards governor Pritkzer allows for rewording of government positions to make them more gender neutral. In Chicago, that means a change in title for the position from alderman to alderperson. Today on Reset, we bring on a politics reporter and an alderman to speak on the significance of the change in language. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
6/3/202117 minutes, 26 seconds
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Should Lake Shore Drive Be Renamed For DuSable? You Shared, ‘Reset’ Listened

The name “Lake Shore Drive” is as Chicago as our famous 7-topping hotdog, but some aldermen want to honor Chicago’s first non-native Black resident by renaming part of the drive after Jean Baptise Point DuSable. WBEZ's Natalie Moore helps Reset take the pulse of listeners about the proposed change, which is expected to be voted on in City Council in June.
6/2/202116 minutes
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Can I Take Your Word For It? Ethics And The Honor System In The COVID Era

If you’re fully vaccinated, the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control says you can shed your masks and go back to many of the activities you stopped doing because of the pandemic. But how do we know who is fully vaccinated and who’s not? Reset brings on a bioethicist and opens the phones to listeners to discuss the COVID-19 honor system and other ethical challenges during the pandemic. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
6/1/202118 minutes, 39 seconds
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Dr. Mia Taormina Answers Your COVID-19 Questions

Reset brings on an infectious disease expert for our weekly check-in to provide clarity and answers to your questions, comments and concerns about COVID-19.
5/30/202116 minutes, 14 seconds
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WBEZ's Weekly News Recap

Clean energy, ethics, an elected school board and marijuana expansion — COVID-19 caused a backlog of bills in Springfield. Now legislators are frantically trying to finish up the spring session by Monday’s deadline. Reset gets an update on state legislation and finds out what’s been happening with police reform in Chicago, as well as a stalled plan to rename parts of the Outer Drive after Jean Baptiste DuSable. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
5/28/202124 minutes, 19 seconds
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The Color Of Corporate America: What’s Changed Since George Floyd?

A year after the killing of George Floyd, companies and corporations took major steps to combat racial inequity and diversity within its organizations. From addressing hiring discrepancy to incorporating more people of color in leadership, those are just of the few steps companies have taken to combat systemic racism in this country. Reset speaks with a reporter and ceo more about the significance of this past year in corporate America. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
5/27/202118 minutes, 18 seconds
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Alderman Wrestle Over Lake Shore Drive, Police Reform And More

The Chicago City Council is taking up a number of major ordinances and measures Wednesday, including renaming the iconic outer Lake Shore Drive. WTTW’s Heather Cherone gives Reset a City Council update. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
5/26/20219 minutes, 49 seconds
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George Floyd’s Murder Sparked Important Conversations Around Race

One year after George Floyd’s murder, his death has amplified the Black Lives Matter movement around the world and sparked new conversations around policing and racism in schools and workplaces and between family and friends. Reset brings on two guests and opens the phones to listeners to reflect on the one-year anniversary of Floyd’s murder and how to find healing from “racial battle fatigue.” For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
5/25/202126 minutes, 59 seconds
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Combating Fake News: Could IL Require Media Literacy For High Schoolers?

A new bill would require Illinois school districts to add media literacy instruction as part of their computer literacy curriculum. Reset checks in with a co-sponsor of the legislation and a media literacy expert for more For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
5/24/202114 minutes, 35 seconds
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Dr. Mia Taormina Answers Your COVID-19 Questions

Reset brings on an infectious disease expert for our weekly check-in to provide clarity and answers to your questions, comments and concerns about COVID-19.
5/23/202117 minutes, 47 seconds
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WBEZ's Weekly News Recap

Reset breaks down the week’s top stories in our Weekly News Recap with host Sasha-Ann Simons, this week joined by Brandis Friedman of WTTW and David Greising of the Better Government Association
5/21/202119 minutes, 47 seconds
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How Single-Parent Families Navigate Additional Pandemic Challenges

There’s not another country in the world with more kids living in single-parent households than in the U.S. And for a lot of those families, the pandemic has been especially challenging. Reset brings on a researcher — and opens the phones to listeners — to learn more about how the pandemic is overloading single-parent households and what can be done to support these families. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
5/20/202119 minutes, 14 seconds
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Two Years In: What Has Lori Lightfoot Done For Chicago?

Two City Hall reporters grade the mayor's first two years in office and take a look at what she may prioritize in the second half of her term.
5/19/202118 minutes, 25 seconds
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As Relief Programs End What’s Next For Renters And Landlords?

As the pandemic lifts, Governor JB Pritzker says it’s time to phase out the statewide ban on evictions. Reset takes listener calls and learns about the state’s new Illinois Rental Payment Program. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
5/18/202116 minutes, 32 seconds
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How Are You Feeling About The CDC’s Quick Flip On Masks?

Chicago and Illinois entered the “Bridge Phase” of the pandemic on Friday, which allows for greater capacity limits at bars, restaurants and other businesses. Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released new guidelines saying vaccinated people can skip masks in most public settings. So, how are Chicagoans feeling about these changes? Reset takes listeners' calls and brings on Jenny LeFlore of Mama Fresh, a blog that connects Chicago moms to kid-friendly events around the city. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
5/17/202117 minutes, 17 seconds
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Dr. Mia Taormina Answers Your COVID-19 Questions

Reset brings on an infectious disease expert for our weekly check-in to provide clarity and answers to your questions, comments and concerns about COVID-19.
5/16/202122 minutes, 59 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap

Illinois moves to the next-to-last phase of Gov. JB Pritzker’s reopening plan. More fans will soon be allowed in Chicago stadiums. Plus, Northwestern’s athletic director resigns. Reset breaks down the week’s top stories in our Weekly News Recap with host Sasha-Ann Simons. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
5/14/202121 minutes
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Cheney Ousted As GOP Leader, IL Bill Bans Hair Discrimination In Schools

Reset brings on Democratic state Sen. Mike Simmons to discuss his new proposal to ban hair discrimination in Illinois schools.
5/12/202119 minutes, 24 seconds
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Black Mothers Share Solutions For Chicago's Gun Violence

Journalist Arionne Nettles said she noticed the relatively little recognition Black mothers received for their efforts to deter gun violence in their communities. And so, she spent eight months speaking with Black mothers across the U.S. about how gun violence has shaped their lives and solutions they envision. Reset talks to Nettles about her New York Times piece, and to two of the Chicago mothers she interviewed for their solutions.
5/11/202117 minutes, 45 seconds
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Home Sales Heat Up, And Chicago Loses A Star Architect

The pandemic is causing a home buying frenzy in Chicago. Plus, we remember architect Helmut Jahn. He died in a cycling accident Saturday at age 81. Reset’s “What’s That Building?” contributor discusses what’s driving the real estate market to new highs and what Jahn’s legacy will be in Chicago. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us.
5/10/202111 minutes, 8 seconds
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Dr. Mia Taormina Answers Your COVID-19 Questions

Reset brings on an infectious disease expert for our weekly check-in to provide clarity and answers to your questions, comments and concerns about COVID-19.
5/9/202111 minutes, 8 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap

Resignations of top leadership at the Cook County State's Attorney and Civilian Office of Police Accountability offices. Governor Pritzker is ready to loosen COVID restrictions and wants the state fully reopened by June 11. Chicago prepares for a pre-pandemic summer as Ravinia and Grant Park Orchestras announce their musical lineups and the Chicago Auto Show returns to McCormick Place. Reset breaks down the week’s top stories in our Weekly News Recap with guest host Susie An. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
5/7/202121 minutes, 9 seconds
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Sheriff Tom Dart: This Isn't About Jail, It's About Social Services

Sheriff Tom Dart is urging Cook County residents to take advantage of his newly unveiled Community Resource Center for those facing mental health, substance abuse and housing issues. He joins Reset more on the one-stop support agency. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
5/6/202116 minutes
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Shooting And Homicides Are Up In Chicago. What’s The Solution?

Gun violence is on the rise in Chicago. More than 1,000 people have been shot in the city so far this year. Last year at this time, only 720 people had been shot. Reset checks in with the violence prevention program, Rapid Employment and Development Initiative, or READI Chicago, to discuss solutions to Chicago’s gun violence. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
5/6/202113 minutes, 59 seconds
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Asian Americans Now Fastest Growing Immigrant Group, And Mariachi For Mother’s Day

A new study by Pew says Asian Americans are the fastest growing immigrant group in the U.S., and some talented teens talk mariachi music for Mother’s Day. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
5/4/202118 minutes, 16 seconds
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Chicago Public Schools CEO Janice Jackson To Resign

News broke Monday morning that Janice Jackson, CEO of the Chicago Public Schools, is leaving the district after three years at the helm. Reset discusses the news and what it could mean for students, teachers and the district as a whole as planning is still underway for how to re-open schools in the fall. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
5/3/20219 minutes, 11 seconds
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Dr. Mia Taormina Answers Your COVID-19 Questions

Reset brings on an infectious disease expert for our weekly check-in to provide clarity and answers to your questions, comments and concerns about COVID-19.
5/2/202119 minutes, 20 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap

Another alderman comes under federal indictment. This time he’s a nephew of one mayor and grandson of another. Video released of another fatal shooting by Chicago police renews calls for foot pursuit reform and Illinois loses a Congressional seat. Plus, as the weather warms, the city loosens COVID restrictions, in hopes for a normal summer For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
4/30/202121 minutes, 27 seconds
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Closing The Gap On Transportation: Local Officials Share Plans To Increase Transit Equity (Part 4)

As the world draws closer to pre-pandemic “normal”, there is a renewed government focus on equitable transit solutions in the Chicago region. Reset turns to a regional transit head, and to Cook County public officials to hear their plans. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
4/29/202120 minutes, 3 seconds
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Closing The Gap On Transportation: Solving ‘Transit Deserts’ (Part 3)

Millions of people, especially people of color, are cut off from quality food, jobs, healthcare and education because they lack access to suitable transportation. Reset asks the scholar and researcher who coined the term “Transit Deserts” for suggestions on solutions. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
4/28/202116 minutes, 32 seconds
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Closing The Gap On Transportation: Walking Or Biking While Black Can Be Deadly (Part 2)

Many have heard of “driving while Black”, but also “biking while Black” or even “walking while Black”, can have deadly consequences for Black Americans. A public health historian and scholar explains for Reset how legacy policies, planning and practices disproportionately endanger African American pedestrians, joggers and cyclists. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
4/27/202121 minutes, 36 seconds
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Closing The Gap On Transportation: ‘Just Sustainabilities’ In Cities (Part 1)

Professor Julian Ageyman originated a concept called “Just sustainabilities", which says that, “Who can belong in cities will determine what cities can become.” Agyeman joins Reset to discuss how transit justice fits into his concept of cities and equitable city life. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
4/26/202119 minutes, 10 seconds
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Dr. Mia Taormina Answers Your COVID-19 Questions

In this bonus Sunday podcast, Reset brings on an infectious disease expert for our weekly check-in to provide clarity and answers to your questions, comments and concerns about COVID-19.
4/25/202118 minutes, 56 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap

The federal government took swift action after guilty verdicts were announced in the police killing of George Floyd, with the Department of Justice announcing an investigation into the Minneapolis Police Department. Here in Chicago, both the City Council and public high schools met in-person for the first time since the start of the pandemic. Reset breaks down the week’s top stories in our Weekly News Recap with host Sasha-Ann Simons. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
4/23/202121 minutes, 9 seconds
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Airlines Aim For More Equity And Inclusion

As air travel opens up slowly, United Airlines aims to address the industry-wide lack of diversity in the cockpit. By 2030, the Chicago-based airline plans to hire 5,000 new pilots with half of them being women and people of color. Reset learns more about the new diversity goal and other ways the industry can better support women and people of color. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
4/22/202120 minutes, 2 seconds
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The Verdict Is In. Now...How Do We Prevent Future Police Killings?

After former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty on all counts in the murder of George Floyd, how do we make meaningful change in our policing system to prevent future police killings? Reset checks in with a criminal law expert and a scholar who studies race and policing in America. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
4/21/202116 minutes, 9 seconds
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Leaders, Lawyers Calling For DOJ To Investigate Toledo Shooting

Latino community leaders and lawyers are asking the Department of Justice to investigate the fatal police shooting of 13-year-old Adam Toledo. Meanwhile, Ruben Roman, 21, who was with Toledo the night of the shooting and was charged with firing his gun before police arrived, has been released on bond. His bail was paid for by the non-profit Chicago Community Bond Fund. Reset checks in with a criminal defense lawyer and a courts reporter for the latest in the case. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
4/20/202111 minutes, 1 second
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“I Was Once Adam”: Anti-Violence Activist Shares His Story, Solutions

Advocates from the anti-violence initiative Increase the Peace held a peace walk for Adam Toledo Sunday night in Little Village. Executive director Berto Aguayo joins Reset to discuss how Chicago’s Latino community is healing following the release of body cam footage that captured a Chicago Police officer shooting and killing the 13-year-old last month. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
4/19/202116 minutes, 26 seconds
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The Latest COVID-19 Info From Dr. Ngozi Ezike

Dr. Nogzi Ezike talks to Reset about the uptick in cases, traveling and how the pause in use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is impacting Illinois.
4/18/202118 minutes, 26 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap

ideo drops of the fatal police shooting of 13-year old Adam Toledo. High schools set to re-open in Chicago. COVID-19 continues. And much more. Reset breaks down the biggest local stories of the week in the Weekly News Recap. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
4/16/202123 minutes, 25 seconds
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Talk To Them Before They See It: You, Your Kids, And Videos Of Police-Involved Shootings

Many little kids go through a phase where they say they want to grow up to be a police officer. So how do you talk to them about the police-involved deaths and shootings that are all over the news? As officials release body-cam footage of a Chicago cop shooting 13-year-old Adam Toledo in Little Village, Reset brings on an expert to discuss how to talk to kids and teens about this incident, the video and the systemic problem with police shootings across the country. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
4/15/202112 minutes, 40 seconds
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Toledo Family Sees Video, Law School Dean Calls For Police Accountability

WBEZ reporter Patrick Smith updates us on the CPD video of the shooting of 13-year old Adam Toledo. And UIC law school associate dean Samuel Jones gives us his take on police accountability in Chicago and beyond. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
4/14/202122 minutes, 25 seconds
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Vaccine Passports: What Are They And Why They’re Stirring Debate

The Biden administration says it will not develop mandatory vaccine passports, but leaders and businesses around the world are split on the idea. Reset takes a closer look at vaccine passports and why they’re stirring debate. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
4/13/202118 minutes, 57 seconds
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Illinois Expands Vaccine Eligibility Today, And Why Black Women Are More Vulnerable To COVID

Why are Black women dying of COVID-19 at three times the rate of white men? Also, we catch you up to speed on the latest COVID and vaccine news in Chicago and Illinois.
4/12/202122 minutes, 30 seconds
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Dr. Mia Taormina Answers Your COVID-19 Questions

Reset brings on an infectious disease expert for our weekly check-in to provide clarity and answers to your questions, comments and concerns about COVID-19.
4/11/202118 minutes, 34 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap

Activists and city officials react to the Adam Toledo shooting. The suburbs hold elections. Plus, COVID infections and vaccinations are up. Reset breaks down the week’s top stories in our Weekly News Recap with host Sasha-Ann Simons. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
4/9/202120 minutes, 57 seconds
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Thanks To Reporters, New Buyer Pops Up In Race To Buy Tribune

Like it’s done with every newspaper in its portfolio, New York-based hedge fund Alden Global Capital was going to purchase, then gut Tribune Publishings. Then two journalists from Chicago Tribune went on a quest in search of a new investor for the company. Now an unforeseen contender has emerged, showing up with a higher bid than Alden. Gary Marx, former investigative reporter at the Chicago Tribune and one of the two journalists leading this campaign joins Reset to give us the latest. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
4/8/202113 minutes, 51 seconds
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Three Chicagoans Working Hard To Get Vaccines Into Arms

President Biden announced on Tuesday that every American adult will be eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations on April 19th. Various community stakeholders tell Reset what the announcement could mean for Chicago-area residents. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
4/7/202115 minutes, 49 seconds
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Ken Burns Gives The “Ken Burns Treatment” To Hemmingway

Filmmakers Ken Burns and Lynn Novick explore the legendary life of writer and adventurer Ernest Hemingway in a new three part, six-hour documentary series on PBS. Reset takes a closer look at the making of Hemingway. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
4/6/202114 minutes, 29 seconds
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Reformers Sense Opportunity Now That Mass Incarceration Isn’t Just A “Black Problem”

White populations in U.S. jails have jumped significantly in recent years, while Black and Hispanic populations have steadily declined. Some experts say that these trends might sway white Americans’ to rethink the shared costs of the nation’s incarceration system. Reset brings on two legal experts who co-authored a recent piece on the topic to discuss these trends and what they might mean for reformers looking to end mass incarceration. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast and please leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us. For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset
4/5/202119 minutes, 14 seconds
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WBEZ's Weekly News Recap

COVID-19 numbers jump in Chicago, the Loretto vaccine scandal widens, and cops shoot and kill a 13-year-old Little Village. WTTW’s Paris Schutz and WBEZ’s Patrick Smith take you inside those local and state stories and others on WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast and please leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us. For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
4/2/202122 minutes, 45 seconds
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Civil Rights And Social Justice: The Legacy Of Rabbi Robert Marx

Rabbi Robert J. Marx was a lifelong champion for justice. He founded the Jewish Council on Urban Affairs in 1964 as a way to mobilize the Jewish community to stand up for economic, racial and social justice. Marx also worked closely with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Reset talks to two of his disciples, who reflect on Rabbi Marx’s life, legacy and lasting impact on Chicago and beyond. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast and please leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us. For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
4/1/202118 minutes, 46 seconds
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Study: Childhood Trauma Leads To Physical Problems Later In Life

With so many kids experiencing ACE’s or Adverse Childhood Experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, we revisit a conversation around a 2019 study that shows the more ACE’s a kid has growing up, the more likely they will have health problems or shortened life spans as adults For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast and please leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us. For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset
3/31/202118 minutes, 4 seconds
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Why Is It So Hard To Convict A Cop Of...Anything?

Why does the legal system seem tilted towards law enforcement? Why is it so difficult to get a conviction for murder or excessive force for a police officer, even in a high-profile case where video evidence seems to back up the charge? Reset looks for answers from Craig Futterman, a law professor at the University of Chicago who specializes in civil rights and police accountability. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast and please leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us. For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
3/30/202113 minutes, 47 seconds
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Colleges Consider Mandatory Vaccinations For Students This Fall

As more states move to make all adults eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, Rutgers University is requiring all students to get vaccinated before arriving on campus in the fall. Now, Illinois State University and other public higher education institutions across the state want to follow suit. Reset discusses what this means for college campuses, and how schools and students have been navigating the pandemic at large. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast and please leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us. For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
3/29/202114 minutes, 53 seconds
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Dr. Mia Taormina Answers Your COVID-19 Questions

Reset brings on an infectious disease expert for our weekly check-in to provide clarity and answers to your questions, comments and concerns about COVID-19
3/28/202125 minutes, 42 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap

Coronavirus cases continue rising across Chicago and Illinois. A Loretto Hospital executive at the center of a vaccine scandal resigns. Plus, Evanston becomes the first city in the U.S. to offer Black residents reparations. Reset breaks down the week’s top stories in our Weekly News Recap with host Sasha-Ann Simons. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast and please leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us. For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
3/26/202119 minutes, 48 seconds
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Local Governments Solve Issues In Equitable Ways Using Citizen Engagement

In the era of COVID-19 and deep inequality, local governments say community engagement has become essential to delivering equitable outcomes. Reset talks with Chicago and suburban elected officials on how they’ve changed the way they seek residents input before making decisions. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast and please leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us. For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
3/25/202117 minutes, 46 seconds
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Local Innovator Uses Mushroom Power To Reduce Waste, Save The Planet

U.S. Landfills are at 85 percent filled, and that is a big problem because we’ll continue to keep on making trash, but won’t have anywhere to put it. Today on Reset, we have an innovator who is breaking down and recycling our waste using an unlikely method-mushrooms! For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast and please leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us. For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
3/24/202115 minutes, 38 seconds
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How The Rise In Anti-Asian Attacks Is Deeply Rooted In U.S. History

While anti-Asian attacks and violence have increased at an alarming rate in the U.S. during the COVID-19 pandemic, experts and advocates say these attacks aren’t new. Reset talks to a historian and two activists about the long history of systemic racism and discrimination against Asian communities in the U.S. and ways to support Asian American and Pacific Islander communities moving forward.
3/23/202118 minutes, 12 seconds
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Kim Foxx On Carjackings Cash Bail And Criminal Justice Reform

Cook County residents haven’t had to worry about it for a year, but the reprieve is over: jury duty is back. After a long delay due to the pandemic, jury trials are starting back up today in Cook County. Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx joined Reset for more on what her office will be focused on — from violent crimes to carjackings — as jury trials resume. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast and please leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us. For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
3/22/202116 minutes, 35 seconds
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Dr. Mia Taormina Answers Your COVID-19 Questions

Reset brings on an infectious disease expert for our weekly check-in to provide clarity and answers to your questions, comments and concerns about COVID-19. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast and please leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us. For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
3/21/202129 minutes, 7 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap

Gov. JB Pritzker unveils his plans to reopen the state and expand vaccine eligibility. Illinois lawmakers begin the redistricting process. Plus, a shooting spree in Atlanta sparks fear and anger in Chicago-area Asian communities. Reset breaks down the biggest news of the week in our Weekly News Recap with host Sasha-Ann Simons. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast and please leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us. For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
3/19/202121 minutes, 38 seconds
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Breaking The Silence Around Hate Crimes Aimed At Asian Communities

The Atlanta shootings on Tuesday have sparked fear and anger in Chicago-area Asian communities. Six of the eight victims were of Asian descent — a reminder of the ongoing wave of anti-Asian hate crimes and discrimination across the country. Over the last year, nearly 3,800 incidents of racism and violence against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders across the U.S. have been reported to Stop AAPI Hate. Reset talks to WBEZ’s Esther Yoon-Ji Kang, a local official and a community leader about the rise in anti-Asian attacks and ways to move forward. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast and please leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us. For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset
3/18/202116 minutes, 25 seconds
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State Program Turns Student Debt Into Down Payment On A Home

A new program from the Illinois Housing Development Authority is looking to help those Illinoisans most burdened by student loan debt in an effort to boost homeownership in the state. We talk to the head of the IHDA about the program and why this is a priority. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset
3/17/202115 minutes, 7 seconds
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Famed Author And Poet Sandra Cisneros Reconciles With Chicago

Over the years, Mexican-American poet and best-selling author Sandra Cisneros has earned many awards and accolades. Now, she has a new honor to add to the list: the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame’s Fuller Award for lifetime achievement. Reset talked to Cisneros about receiving the award, her relationship with Chicago and her love for the city's writing community For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast and please leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us. For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset
3/16/202114 minutes, 36 seconds
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Meet Two Of Chicago's Newest Arts Leaders

The House Theater and Hubbard Street Dance are two well-known members of Chicago’s arts community. And each has recently named a new artistic director. Reset talks with them about the big task of navigating House and Hubbard out of the choppy waters of the pandemic.
3/15/202119 minutes, 33 seconds
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Dr. Mia Taormina Answers Your COVID-19 Questions

Reset checks in with an infectious disease specialist for our weekly check-in to provide clarity and answers to your questions, comments and concerns about COVID-19.
3/14/202120 minutes, 24 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap

Each week, WBEZ and Reset take you inside the biggest local and state stories from the last 7 days with help from 2 great guests. This week, WBEZ’s Patrick Smith and Block Club Chicago’s Dawn Rhodes break down everything from COVID-19 vaccine distribution to the stimulus package to what Chicago is doing about a rash of police suicides. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast and please leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us. For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
3/12/202120 minutes, 30 seconds
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Closing The Gap On Mental Health: Current Mental Health Policy In Chicago

For the final entry in this edition of our Closing the Gap series, Reset explores disparities in mental health care and how the coronavirus pandemic is changing the way we think about this issue. We look at how local government — past and present — has handled mental health policy. Plus, Ald. Rosanna Rodriguez Sanchez discusses her push to reallocate city dollars away from police and into public mental health services. And the CEO of Chicago-based Thresholds talks about taking calls from residents across the state who are struggling with anxiety and depression
3/11/202133 minutes, 34 seconds
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Closing The Gap On Mental Health: Challenging Norms In Mental Health Therapy (Part 3)

Today, or closing the gap series looks at cultural and racial disparities in accessing and providing quality mental health care, especially for family therapy. Reset hears from an expert on how to bring equity into treatment. Then, research shows that the entire human body holds vital answers to healing from mental trauma. Two experts share with Reset their experience with the healing power of Movement Therapy. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast and please leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us. For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
3/10/202135 minutes, 28 seconds
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Closing The Gap On Mental Health: When Clinics Close (Part 2)

Reset continues our weeklong series Closing The Gap with a focus on the availability-or the lack of it-of mental health treatment in Chicago. We look back at the city’s decision to close 7 clinics under Mayor Daley, then half of the 12 remaining clinics during the Emanuel administration. Then we talk to Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart, who was among those who raised concerns about the 2012 closings and the impact it might have on his jail population. Finally we visit with Jennifer Smith, program director at the Encompassing Center, a mental health clinic on the west side created by and for members of the community. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast and please leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us. For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
3/9/202133 minutes, 43 seconds
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Closing The Gap On Mental Health: The Impact Of The Pandemic (Part 1)

After a year of social isolation, record job losses, and more than half a million deaths in the U.S. alone, experts say the COVID-19 pandemic may lead to a national mental health crisis. For our ongoing series Closing the Gap, Reset explores disparities in mental health care, how the pandemic is impacting our bodies and minds and what resources are available in the Chicago region. We’ll also introduce you to individuals and organizations working to uplift residents during this difficult time.
3/8/202138 minutes, 10 seconds
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Dr. Mia Taormina Answers Your COVID-19 Questions

Reset checks in with an infectious disease specialist for our weekly check-in to provide clarity and answers to your questions, comments and concerns about COVID-19.
3/7/202130 minutes, 10 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap

Reset breaks down the biggest local news stories of the week with a couple of great journalists. Host Sasha-Ann Simons is joined this week by Paris Schutz of WTTW-11 and Mary Ann Ahern of NBC-5 For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast and please leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us. For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset
3/5/202120 minutes, 21 seconds
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Author Luvvie Ajayi Jones On Finding Courage In Times Of Fear

These days… there’s a lot to be afraid of. The pandemic, for one. Losing a loved one. Lack of job security. Trying something new. Spiders. But what do you do when fear creeps up on you? How do you fight the thing you’re afraid of? In her new book, Professional Troublemaker: The Fear-Fighter Manual, Chicago best-selling author Luvvie Ajayi [uh-JAH-ee] Jones talks about how to confront and overcome the fear that holds you back. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast and please leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us. For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset
3/4/202115 minutes, 23 seconds
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Fred Hampton Biographer Says ‘Judas And The Black Messiah’ Misses The Mark

Actor Daniel Kaluuya accepted a Golden Globe on Sunday for his role as Fred Hampton in the new biopic Judas and The Black Messiah. In his acceptance speech, Kaluuya called for people to learn more about Hampton's life, not just his death. Reset brings on a leading expert on the Illinois Black Panther Party and Fred Hampton for his take on how well the movie treats Hampton’s story. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast and please leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us. For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset
3/3/202118 minutes, 30 seconds
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Rep. Kinzinger On The Future Of The GOP, Trump’s Place In It

After laying low at his Florida estate for a month, Trump blasted the Biden administration, and promised to stay in the Republican Party for a possible 2024 run for presidency at ;ast weekend’s CPAC convention Reset checks in with Illinois Congressman Adam Kinzinger about how much power Trump still holds over the Republican Party and what’s next for Republicans, nationally and in Illinois. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast and please leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us. For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset
3/2/202115 minutes, 51 seconds
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Black Cops Form New Group Focused On Policing With Equity

A group of Black Chicago Police officers have formed a professional organization to lend their voices to solving long-standing tensions between law enforcement and communities of color. Reset hears from two founding members of the Black Public Safety Alliance, which had its official launch over the weekend. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast and please leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us. For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset
3/1/202117 minutes, 28 seconds
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Dr. Mia Taormina Answers Your COVID-19 Questions

Reset brings on an infectious disease expert for our weekly check-in to provide clarity and answers to your questions, comments and concerns about COVID-19.
3/1/202132 minutes, 38 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Roundup

Reset breaks down the biggest news stories of the week in our Friday News Roundup with host Sasha Ann Simons and this week’s guests, AD Quig of Crain’s Chicago Business, and David Greising of The Better Government Association. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast and please leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us. For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
2/26/202120 minutes, 18 seconds
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Mail Delivery Disruptions Lead To Frustration For Many Chicagoans

Thousands of pieces of delayed or undelivered mail. Inaccurate reporting of mail conditions. Mail sitting at post offices for days. These are some of the issues flagged in a recent report from the USPS Office of the Inspector General investigating complaints involving four post offices on the South and West Sides. Reset takes a closer look at ongoing mail issues in the Chicago area and what’s being done to address them. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast and please leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us. For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset
2/25/202118 minutes, 40 seconds
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Chicago’s Top Doc Says City ‘Waiting For Additional Vaccines’ To Arrive

As facts on the ground change around the COVID-19 virus, so do the rules in Chicago about where we can go and what we can do safely. Reset checks in with Dr. Allison Arwady for the latest on the Johnson & Johnson one-shot vaccine, vaccine supply in Chicago, and what folks need to know before heading back to the lakefront and public parks. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast and please leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us. For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
2/24/202118 minutes, 20 seconds
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Relief For Small Businesses Key To COVID Economic Recovery

In recent weeks, public health measures around the pandemic have improved, but the U.S. economy is still facing dire straits as Congress decides what steps to take next. Reset brings on a national economist to discuss where things stand, when we could see improvements and answer listener questions. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast and please leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us. For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
2/23/202116 minutes, 40 seconds
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Will Office Workers Ever Go Back To The Office?

COVID-19 has shown companies that flexible work practices are not only possible but should become an option as offices open up again, and many employees say they no longer want to work five days a week in the office. Reset looks at the factors business leaders are weighing as they decide whether to bring employees back to the office.
2/22/202114 minutes, 46 seconds
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Dr. Mia Taormina Answers Your COVID-19 Questions

Reset brings on an infectious disease expert for our weekly check-in to provide clarity and answers to your questions, comments and concerns about COVID-19.
2/21/202127 minutes, 45 seconds
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New Film Shows Immigration Story Through Eyes Of Korean Americans

Actor Steven Yeun talks about making “Minari”, and how it’s the first film he’s been involved with that shows the immigrant experience through the eyes of a recently-arrived Korean family to the U.S.
2/20/202118 minutes, 25 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Roundup

Governor JB Pritzker lays out his budget plan and promises no tax hikes. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is in hot water with the city’s inspector general. Plus, a political career spanning half a century is cut short by the fallout from a federal bribery scandal. Reset breaks down the week’s top stories in our Friday News Roundup with host Sasha-Ann Simons. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast and please leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
2/20/202121 minutes
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Madigan Sends Shockwaves Around State With Resignation Email

Longtime Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan on Thursday announced he’s resigning from office at the end of February. The 78-year-old Democrat has been a fixture and a power player in Springfield for half a century, but questions about his ties to the ComEd bribery scandal laid him low in recent years. Reset looks back on Madigan’s reign in Springfield and gets reaction from state lawmakers. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast and please leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us. For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
2/18/202120 minutes, 27 seconds
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Gov. Pritzker Acknowledges Pain, Sacrifice In Annual Address

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker delivered his State of the State address Wednesday on his plans for next year’s Illinois state budget. Reset digs into the main takeaways with WBEZ’s Tony Arnold and checks in with a lawmaker for her reaction. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast and please leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us. For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset
2/17/202115 minutes, 48 seconds
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BONUS POD: Gov. Pritzker’s Full State of the State Address

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker delivered his annual State of the State address today. We've got expert analysis from WBEZ reporter Tony Arnold in our companion podcast. This is the governor's complete address
2/17/202136 minutes, 49 seconds
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Mother Nature Really Giving It To Chicago With Snow, Icy Temps

Monday night’s snowstorm created hazardous road conditions for commuters throughout the Chicago region. Reset brings on a local meteorologist, a traffic reporter and hears from for the latest on the storm and its impact on the region. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast and please leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us. For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
2/16/202122 minutes, 20 seconds
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How Congo Square Theatre Is Staying Afloat During The Pandemic

The latest COVID-19 stimulus bill earmarked $15 billion for arts funding, including relief for concert venues and theaters. Reset checks in with the head of Chicago’s Congo Square Theatre to discuss how artists are getting through the pandemic and what to expect from their 2021 production schedule.
2/12/202111 minutes, 54 seconds
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To Solve Chicago’s Homelessness Crisis, Advocates Say We Can’t Look Away After The Cold Ends

Chicago’s deep freeze is expected to stick around for a while and could be the longest cold snap in February in 60 years. The leaves many homeless Chicagoans vulnerable to the bitter cold amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Reset checks in with local organizations working toward long-term solutions to homelessness in the city and around Illinois
2/11/202116 minutes, 46 seconds
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GM Pledges To Produce Only Zero-Emissions Vehicles By 2035

American carmaker General Motors on Thursday announced an ambitious plan to only sell zero-emission vehicles by 2035. Reset finds out if the news is as game-changing as it sounds. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast and please leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us. For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset
2/10/202111 minutes, 37 seconds
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Hotels And Restaurants Fight For Survival During COVID-19

Leisure and hospitality businesses are suffering due to COVID-19, but many in the industry are fighting — and getting creative — to survive. Reset hears from a hotel union that’s working to help its Chicago-based workers survive job losses and a local chef who is helping provide mutual aid for others in her industry as COVID-19 continues to force restaurants and other food businesses to close. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast and please leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us. For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset
2/9/202114 minutes, 34 seconds
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Do We Still Need Black History Month?

The U.S. is currently grappling with how the country approaches issues of race. One seemingly counterintuitive question: Is recognizing a Black History Month a good thing? Meaning, does it still help with the struggle for racial equity? Some critics say the month marginalizes the Black experience, while many others continue to see it as a crucial time to recognize Black history. Reset brings on the current head of the Smithsonian — the first Black historian to ever hold the position — and two Black writers who have depicted the Black American experience to weigh in on those questions. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast and please leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us. For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset
2/8/202120 minutes, 26 seconds
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Dr. Mia Taormina Answers Your COVID-19 Questions

Reset brings on an infectious disease expert for our weekly check-in to provide clarity and answers to your questions, comments and concerns about COVID-19.
2/7/202127 minutes, 53 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Roundup

Mayor Lori Lightfoot sends her “best and final offer” to the Chicago Teachers Union, raising the stakes for a strike. Illinois loosens COVID-19 restrictions across the state. Plus, the Obama Presidential Center gets the greenlight to break ground in 2021 after years of delays. Reset breaks down the biggest news of the week in our Friday News Roundup with host Sasha-Ann Simons. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast and please leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us. For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
2/5/202119 minutes, 56 seconds
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Chicago’s Top Cop Responds To Spate Of Carjackings, Homicides

Chicago recorded 51 homicides in the first month of 2021 — the highest number of January homicides in four years. This comes as city leaders grapple with a recent spike in carjackings. Mayor Lightfoot says CPD is adding 40 more police officers to address the growing number of cases. Reset brings on the head of the Chicago Police Department for more on the city’s response. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast and please leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us. For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
2/4/202119 minutes, 23 seconds
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Tech Divide Prevents Many Seniors From Scheduling COVID-19 Vaccinations

Chicago residents 65 and older are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine as a part of Phase 1B. However, many in this group are finding the technological landscape daunting and difficult to navigate. Reset brings on an elder care expert and a medical researcher focused on Chicago’s gaps in health information to lay out the issue and offer possible solutions. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast and please leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us. For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
2/3/202118 minutes, 59 seconds
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Artists Lobby Biden, Lawmakers To Help Industry That Generates Billions

On Inauguration Day, working artists kicked off the Be An #ArtsHero campaign, a 100-day push for legislation that will help arts workers survive a pandemic that has brought their industries to a standstill. Reset checks in with one of the campaign’s organizers and hears from a reporter covering how the pandemic has hit one prominent arts organization in Chicago. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast and please leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us. For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset
2/2/202112 minutes, 22 seconds
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Medical Ethicist On Vaccine Line Jumpers: ‘I Predicted A Black Market’

COVID-19 vaccines are still a scarce resource. But a growing number of reports show that some individuals are getting vaccinated ahead of more vulnerable candidates. Reset brings on two medical ethicists to weigh in on the current picture around and possible steps for prevention. For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us. For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
2/1/202117 minutes
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Dr. Mia Taormina Answers Your COVID-19 Questions

Reset brings on an infectious disease expert for our weekly check-in to provide clarity and answers to your questions, comments and concerns about COVID-19.
1/31/202133 minutes, 38 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Roundup

WBEZ’s Weekly News Roundup takes you inside the biggest local and state stories of the past 7 days. This week on the roundup we’re joined by WTTW’s Brandis Friedman, and WBEZ’s Becky Vevea
1/30/202120 minutes, 24 seconds
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Closing The Gap: Streamlining Supply Chain Issues Across Illinois (Part 4)

In the final installment in our most recent Closing the Gap series, Reset explores disparities in vaccine access and distribution in the greater Chicagoland region
1/29/202121 minutes, 33 seconds
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Closing The Gap On Vaccine Access: Building Trust In The Immunization (Part 3)

In the latest installment in our series Closing the Gap, Reset explores disparities in COVID-19 vaccine access and distribution in the greater Chicagoland region.
1/28/202127 minutes, 20 seconds
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Closing The Gap On Vaccine Access: Ensuring Diversity In Clinical Trials (Part 2)

In the latest installment in our series Closing the Gap, Reset explores disparities in vaccine access and distribution in the Chicago region.The series continues with a closer look at the push for diversity in clinical trials with Chicago’s first two COVID-19 vaccine trial participants and two health care workers leading efforts to vet the vaccine at the local and national levels. For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
1/26/202124 minutes, 13 seconds
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Closing The Gap On Vaccine Access: Bringing Equity To Vaccinations (Part 1)

In the latest installment in our series Closing the Gap, Reset explores disparities in vaccine access and distribution in the greater Chicagoland region.The series kicks off with three thought leaders’ recommendations on what needs to happen in the current and coming phases of vaccine rollout to ensure our most vulnerable populations are prioritized for vaccination.For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
1/25/202123 minutes, 58 seconds
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Dr. Mia Taormina Answers Your COVID-19 Questions

Dr. Mia Taormina, infectious disease specialist at the DuPage Medical Group, checks in to provide clarity and answers to listeners' COVID-19 questions, comments and concerns. Look for our latest interview with her in your podcast feed every Sunday.For more Reset interviews and news, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating to help other listeners find us. For more about the show, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter @WBEZreset.
1/24/202118 minutes, 27 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Roundup

A new president, changing COVID-19 regulations in Illinois, and a looming Chicago teachers strike are some of what we're covering, as WBEZ’s Weekly News Roundup takes you inside the biggest local and state stories of the past 7 days. This week on the roundup we’re joined by WTTW politics reporter Heather Cherone, and WBEZ Illinois politics reporter Dave McKinneyFor more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.For more about the program, head to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
1/22/202119 minutes, 27 seconds
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From COVID To The Capitol: How Biden Will Try To Heal A Nation In Crisis

After 4 years of chaos and thousands of Americans dying every day from COVID-19, President Biden’s administration needs to get to work. Fast.Reset talks about the president’s priorities for his first 10 days in office, and we’ll compare and contrast his speech with inaugural speeches of the past.For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. It helps other listeners find us.For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
1/21/202125 minutes, 58 seconds
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Talking To Your Kids About The News: Be Honest, Play To Age And Maturity

Reset brings on an expert to offer advice on how to discuss thorny topics like the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol and impeachment with kids of all ages.For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.For more about the program, gor to the WBEZ website and follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
1/20/202113 minutes, 47 seconds
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Chicago’s Top Doc Details Local Vaccine Distribution Plans

Chicago Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady explains the city’s latest COVID-19 vaccination and mitigation efforts.For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us. For more about the program, head to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
1/20/202114 minutes, 27 seconds
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Dr. Mia Taormina Answers Your Latest COVID-19 Questions

Dr. Mia Taormina, infectious disease specialist at the DuPage Medical Group, checks in to provide clarity and answers to listeners' COVID-19 questions, comments and concerns. Look for our latest interview with her in your podcast feed every Sunday. For more Reset interviews and news, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating to help other listeners find us. For more about the show, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter @WBEZreset. 
1/17/202118 minutes, 45 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Roundup

WBEZ’s Weekly News Roundup takes you inside the biggest local and state stories of the past 7 days. This week on the roundup we’re joined by Amanda Vinicky, longtime statehouse reporter for WTTW, and David Greising, president of the Better Government Association.For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.For more about the program, head to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
1/15/202116 minutes, 9 seconds
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Suburban GOP Official: The Republican Brand Has Been Decimated In Illinois

Reset checks in with a local Republican leader to discuss the historic impeachment vote against President Trump and how that may impact the future of the GOP in Illinois.For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset
1/14/202122 minutes, 9 seconds
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National Day Of Racial Healing Comes At A Critical Time For The U.S.

The Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation Greater Chicago initiative is virtually hosting its fifth annual National Day of Racial Healing on Jan. 19. This is against the backdrop of last week’s violent seizure of the U.S. Capitol by rioters, including avowed white supremacists.Reset brings on one of the lead organizers and two youth leaders to discuss what they have planned for the day.For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset
1/13/202116 minutes, 38 seconds
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Outcry Over Police Union Prez’s Support Of Rioters, State Capitals Prepare For Armed Protests

The battle against right-wing extremists who are threatening violence in U.S. capitals ahead of next week’s inauguration.Plus Chicago FOP president John Catanzara’s comments after last week’s coup attempt has brought condemnation, but he still backed by the majority of the rank-and-fileFor more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
1/12/202122 minutes, 19 seconds
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Illinois Speaker Mike Madigan Is Down, But Don’t Count Him Out

After more than three decades at the helm, Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan is suspending his campaign to retain his powerful leadership position. Madigan won only 51 votes in a closed-door roll call held Sunday by House Democrats.Reset discusses what led to Madigan’s decision and what it means for the future of the Democratic Party in Illinois.For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast and please leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.For more about the program, head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
1/11/202115 minutes, 32 seconds
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Dr. Mia Taormina Answers Your COVID-19 Questions

Dr. Mia Taormina, infectious disease specialist at the DuPage Medical Group, explains the latest coronavirus science and the precautions to take to navigate the pandemic. Look for our latest interview with her in your podcast feed every Sunday.For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us. For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
1/10/202124 minutes, 2 seconds
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Kenosha DA Says No Charges For Cops In Blake Shooting

Kenosha County District Attorney Michael Graveley announced this week he will not file charges agains Rusten Sheskey or any of Sheskey's fellow officers on the scene in connection with the shooting in the back of Jacob Blake in August. Reset brings you reaction and context from a reporter, the head of Black Lives Matter in Lake County, and one of the Blake family's attorneys. For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us. For more about the program, head to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
1/9/202120 minutes, 4 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Roundup

President Trump's most radical followers storm the U.S. Capitol, the COVID-19 vaccine rollout is steady, but slow, and Mayor Lightfoot threatens teachers who don't show up for school. We'll take you inside those stories and more on WBEZ's Weekly News Roundup. For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us. For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
1/8/202125 minutes, 58 seconds
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Reporter Describes Mayhem Inside U.S. Capitol: ‘Like We Were In A Foreign Country’

For the first time since the War of 1812, the U.S. Capitol was breached as right-wing extremists whipped into a frenzy by President Trump stormed the complex.Reset talks to a reporter who was trapped in the building during the takeover and brings you reaction from a range of Illinois lawmakers.For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.For more about the program, head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
1/7/202111 minutes, 34 seconds
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Start Small: Experts Explain How To Achieve Your Goals In 2021

Reset talks to 2 experts who explain how smaller, achievable goals are the key to success, and failure will only make you stronger and wiser.For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us. For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
1/5/202113 minutes, 12 seconds
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Chicago’s Top Doc Says City’s Vaccine Rollout Smoother Than Most

Reset checks in with Dr. Allison Arwady about the latest on COVID-19 in Chicago and the city’s vaccination distribution plans.For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
1/4/202113 minutes, 37 seconds
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Corruption, Clemency, and Mayoral Memes: The Biggest Political Stories Of 2020

To say it’s been a wild 2020 in Illinois and Chicago politics would be an understatement. The year started with the legalization of marijuana, saw a pandemic that shut down every corner of Illinois, streets filled with protesters in the wake of a police killing, boarded up storefronts, and even the early release of former governor Rod Blagojevich.Reset breaks down those stories and more during our Year In Review: Chicago and Illinois Politics in 2020.GUESTS: Heather Cherone, Chicago politics reporter at WTTWDavid Greising, president and CEO of the Better Government Association
1/1/202130 minutes, 42 seconds
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Closing the Gap On Food Insecurity: What Would It Take To Solve The Problem (Part 4)

As many as 50 million Americans will experience food insecurity by the end of 2020, up from 35 million this time last year. The COVID-19 pandemic has pushed an increasing number of people to the financial brink and turning to food pantries for assistance.For the latest installment in our “Closing The Gap” series, Reset brings on experts, policymakers and residents to discuss the fight against food insecurity and explore personal solutions to closing the hunger gap.GUESTS: Diane Schanzenbach, director of the Institute for Policy Research at Northwestern UniversityKate Maehr, CEO of Greater Chicago Food DepositoryAngela Odoms-Young, associate professor of kinesiology and nutrition in the UIC College of Applied Health Sciences
12/31/202026 minutes, 18 seconds
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Closing the Gap on Food Insecurity: The Hunger Industrial Complex (Part 3)

What is the hunger industrial complex, and who is pulling the strings in our nation’s food system? In the latest installment of our Closing the Gap series, Reset brings on a food security expert who says the problem is much bigger than we think — and that “more food” is not the answer to ending hunger in the U.S. Also, a farmer joins the show to share why agriculture is the “revolutionary” solution to historic injustice for Black people.GUESTS: Andy Fisher, executive director of EcoFarm; author of Big Hunger: The Unholy Alliance Between Corporate America and Anti-Hunger GroupsKamal Bell, CEO of Sankofa Farms
12/30/202022 minutes, 10 seconds
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Closing The Gap On Food Insecurity: The View From The Food Bank (Part 2)

What does a household that is food insecure look like? And who is most impacted? We talk to folks who have experienced food insecurity in their own families. We also hear from one of Illinois’ biggest food banks about how they’re addressing the “invisible” problem of hunger in the suburbs.
12/29/202019 minutes, 50 seconds
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Closing The Gap On Food Insecurity: Hunger Worsens In Illinois (Part 1)

Food insecurity is one of the nation’s leading health crises, affecting 1 in 6 people — and the pandemic is making things worse. Now, with illness and record job loss, more people than ever are worrying about barren cupboards.So what does food insecurity look like in Illinois? Who is most affected, and what resources are available to help residents make ends meet? In this four-part series, Reset takes a deep dive into what food insecurity looks like in Chicago and the suburbs, and how local organizations are working to close the gap in certain communities.GUEST: Craig Gundersen, professor of agriculture and economics at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; creator of Feeding America’s “Map The Meal Gap”
12/28/202017 minutes, 4 seconds
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COVID-19 Relief Package Serves Airlines Steak, Leaves Restaurants Crumbs

President Trump attacked Congress’ $900 billion COVID-19 emergency relief package.Reset talks to a congressional reporter and business writer covering the relief efforts, and a columnist who explains why the money earmarked for restaurants won’t be enough to keep businesses afloat.For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
12/23/202015 minutes, 6 seconds
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Botched Chicago Police Raid Raises Fresh Calls For Reform

Chicago’s City Council held a hearing Tuesday morning to find out more details about the wrongful raid on Anjanette Young’s West Side home. The hearing comes as lawmakers and community leaders are calling for swift police reform in Chicago and Illinois.Reset talks to an activist working with Chicago lawmakers to draft legislation that would restrict no-knock warrants and raids in the city.For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
12/22/202015 minutes, 30 seconds
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What COVID-19 Stimulus Plan Could Mean For Chicago

Congress’s latest $900 million stimulus package includes $600 checks to eligible Americans, $13 billion in food assistance, and protection for renters. What it doesn’t include is the funds struggling state and local governments were hoping for from Capitol Hill. We check in with a few experts on what the aid package includes, where it falls short, and what it means for Chicago and Illinois.
12/21/202025 minutes, 39 seconds
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Dr. Mia Taormina Answers Your COVID-19 Questions

Dr. Mia Taormina, infectious disease specialist at the DuPage Medical Group, explains the latest coronavirus science and the precautions to take to navigate the pandemic. Look for our latest interview with her in your podcast feed every Sunday.For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
12/20/202018 minutes, 38 seconds
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Saturday BONUS Pod: WBEZ Profiles CPS Teacher In Audio Documentary

In this bonus podcast episode, Reset shares an incredible audio documentary from WBEZ education reporter Sarah Karp that takes listeners inside the challenges of teaching during the pandemic.For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
12/19/202023 minutes, 22 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Roundup

A COVID-19 vaccine arrives, Gov. Pritzker wrestles with a massive state deficit, and Mayor Lightfoot finds herself in a real jam over a botched CPD raid. Those are just some of the state and local stories we dive into with Dawn Rhodes of Block Club Chicago and Paris Schutz of WTTW.For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us. For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
12/18/202023 minutes, 4 seconds
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Why Many Black Americans Won’t Get A COVID-19 Vaccine

A new Kaiser study showed that 35% of Black people were either ambivalent toward or disinterested in getting a COVID-19 vaccine.Reset unpacks what’s behind the distrust of the vaccine with a Chicago community health professional and a historian who specializes in Black medical history.For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
12/17/202017 minutes, 56 seconds
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Innocent Chicagoans Traumatized As Police Execute 'Wrong Raids'

An investigation by CBS 2 reporter Dave Savini forced the Chicago Police Department to release disturbing body-cam footage of officers conducting a “wrong raid”, leaving an innocent woman traumatized.Savini joins Reset to talk about that incident, and more than 50 others he found where CPD officers smashed down doors and held frightened women and children at gunpoint.For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
12/16/202012 minutes, 50 seconds
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It’s Here! First Chicagoans Get COVID-19 Vaccine

Emergency room doctors, nurses and other front line medical workers have put their lives on the line to care for others during the pandemic. That’s why they’re the first to get the new vaccine.Reset talks to one of the doctors who gave someone their first vaccine dose today. Plus 2 people who run community health facilities talk about the challenges of getting the vaccine to skeptical patients.For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.For more about the program, go to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
12/15/202018 minutes, 3 seconds
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First In Line Prepare For Vaccine Rollout In Chicago Area

Emergency room physicians, nurses and folks in long-term care facilities will be some of the first people in the Chicago area to receive the Pfizer vaccine. The vaccinations are scheduled to begin Tuesday at Loretto Hospital on Chicago’s West Side.Reset checks in with some of the people who will be first in line to see how they’re feeling and what’s on their minds. We talk with WBEZ’s Kristen Schorsch to hear more about the city and state’s plans for distributing the vaccine.For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.
12/14/202019 minutes, 32 seconds
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Dr. Mia Taormina Answers Your COVID-19 Questions

Dr. Mia Taormina, infectious disease specialist at the DuPage Medical Group, explains the latest coronavirus science and the precautions to take to navigate the pandemic. Look for our latest interview with her in your podcast feed every Sunday. For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us. For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
12/13/202022 minutes, 52 seconds
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New Reset Host Sasha-Ann Simons Ready To Connect With Chicagoans

After 15 years in broadcasting, with high-profile gigs in Washington D.C. and Toronto, Sasha-Ann Simons has landed in Chicago as the new host of Reset.WBEZ’s Susie An talks with Simons about her journey, the unique perspective she brings to Reset listeners, and why she just can’t stop dancing!For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
12/12/202013 minutes, 30 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Roundup

How does the city and state plan to roll out the first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine when they arrive? What’s going on with the plan to possibly re-name Lake Shore Drive? Those are just some of the state and local stories we’ll tackle with WBEZ’s Dave McKinney and WTTW’s Heather Cherone on WBEZ’s Weekly News Roundup
12/11/202019 minutes, 24 seconds
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Why The Economic Recovery May Be Headed In The Wrong Direction

Weekly jobless claims in the U.S. jumped to 853,000 last week — the highest since September. Nearly every state saw an increase in claims, with Illinois leading the pack.Reset takes a closer look at what these numbers mean for the state of economic recovery in the U.S.For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
12/10/202014 minutes, 2 seconds
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Asian American Groups Battle Fake News, Mobilize Georgia Voters

President-elect Joe Biden won Georgia by less than 13,000 votes, thanks in part to a large Asian American turnout.But election season isn’t over yet for Georgia, with two senate runoff elections coming up in January. Reset checks in with organizers in Chicago and Atlanta to discuss their “get out the vote” efforts and the unique challenges of rallying a diverse community.For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us. For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
12/9/202022 minutes, 10 seconds
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Substitute Teaching Was Already Hard. Then Came COVID-19

School districts in Illinois and across the country are scrambling to find substitute teachers during the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s part of a growing teacher shortage nationwide.Reset takes a closer look at how the pandemic is exacerbating the substitute shortage in the Chicago area and how local districts are ramping up their recruitment efforts.For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
12/8/202019 minutes, 25 seconds
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Mutual Aid Programs Bring Hope And Help To Chicagoans During COVID-19

During this pandemic organizations fighting against poverty have stepped up to create Mutual Aid programs for people throughout Chicago, including My Block, My Hood, My City.The non-profit’s CEO and founder Jahmal Cole joins Reset to talk about what his organization is up to this holiday season, and how you can help.For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
12/7/202011 minutes, 53 seconds
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Dr. Mia Taormina Answers Your COVID-19 Questions

Dr. Mia Taormina, infectious disease specialist at the DuPage Medical Group, explains the latest coronavirus science and the precautions to take to navigate the pandemic. Look for our latest interview with her in your podcast feed every Sunday.For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
12/6/202024 minutes, 16 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Roundup

The alarmingly rapid spread of the coronavirus, hospital systems on the brink, trouble ahead for House Speaker Mike Madigan and more. NBC-5’s Mary Ann Ahern and WBEZ’s Dan Mihalopolous give you context and understanding to the biggest local and state stories this week.For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.For more about the program, head to the WBEZ website and follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
12/4/202021 minutes, 17 seconds
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Police Killing Of Fred Hampton Remembered Via WBEZ Archives

WBEZ archivist Justine Tobiasz recently uncovered a short audio documentary on the life and death of activist, organizer, and Black Panther leader Fred Hampton. Hampton was killed by Chicago police while sleeping in his home on Dec. 4th, 1969.For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. It helps other listeners find us. For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
12/3/202022 minutes, 58 seconds
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Illinois Prisoners Face Hurdles, Retribution When Reporting Abuse And Safety Issues

Illinois prisoners rely on grievances to flag dangerous conditions, from guard abuse to unsanitary conditions and poor medical care. But with virtually no oversight, the system leaves thousands of prisoners vulnerable to harm.Reset brings on WBEZ’s Shannon Heffernan for more on the issue.For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
12/2/202013 minutes, 5 seconds
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Why World AIDS Day Matters Even More During The COVID-19 Pandemic

This year, World AIDS Day is a reminder that the COVID-19 pandemic isn’t the only public health crisis the world is facing right now.Reset discusses the importance of World AIDS Day and the parallels between AIDS and COVID-19.For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.For more about the program, head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
12/1/202011 minutes, 20 seconds
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CPS Chief Janice Jackson: ‘Our Kids Have To Go Back To School’

Chicago Public Schools officials are determined to get students back to in-person learning after winter break. But the Chicago Teachers Union remains in opposition, saying that even with the district’s COVID mitigation efforts, it’s still not safe enough to return to in-person learning. Reset sits down with CPS CEO Janice Jackson for more on the district’s decision.For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
11/30/202023 minutes, 44 seconds
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Your Weekly COVID Update With Infectious Disease Expert Dr. Taormina

Dr. Mia Taormina, infectious disease specialist at the DuPage Medical Group, explains the latest coronavirus science and the precautions to take to navigate the pandemic. Look for our latest interview with her in your podcast feed every Sunday.For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating and a review. That helps other listeners find us.For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
11/29/202017 minutes, 9 seconds
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WBEZ's Weekly News Roundup

Millions travel for the holiday against the advice of medical experts and local leaders trying to flatten the surge of coronavirus. Meanwhile, Mayor Lightfoot gets her 2021 budget, and Mike Madigan tries to hang on to his speakership in the Illinois House. WTTW’s Heather Cherone and WBEZ’s Becky Vevea take on all the big local and state stories in our Weekly News Roundup.For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us. For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
11/27/202020 minutes, 12 seconds
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The Flat Five Bring Harmonies And Hope On New Album, ‘Another World’

Five successful Chicago musicians who love tight harmonies came together to do what they love best: sing. A few times a year, their schedules would permit them to gather, and those occasional gigs at the Hideout became legend. Fast-forward more than 5 years — work and families and COVID-19 has made scheduling tougher than ever, but The Flat Five have managed to release a second album, Another World.For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
11/26/202019 minutes, 6 seconds
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Holiday Anxiety And Depression Made Worse By The Pandemic

Feelings of isolation can lead to depression, substance abuse, and worse for millions during a normal holiday season. Add in the anxiety and social distancing of a global pandemic, and you have the recipe for more mental health crises.Reset talks to two experts about how to recognize and beat some of those feelings in the age of COVID-19.For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
11/25/202017 minutes, 55 seconds
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Millions Traveling Over Holiday Weekend Despite Warnings

Although numbers are down, millions will still travel over the Thanksgiving holiday despite pleas from experts and politicians. Reset talks to NPR’s David Schaper about what it’s like inside airports and airplanes. Plus University of Illinois Chancellor Robert Jones updates us on how effective the university’s Covid-19 mitigation measures were during the first semester.
11/24/202015 minutes, 15 seconds
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Why COVID-19 Is Hitting Some Illinois Nursing Homes Harder Than Others

In Illinois counties hardest hit by COVID-19, for-profit nursing homes have nearly double the COVID-19 deaths per bed as nonprofit facilities. WBEZ’s Chip Mitchell joins Reset for more on this issue.
11/23/202013 minutes, 11 seconds
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An Infectious Disease Expert Answers Your COVID Questions

Dr. Mia Taormina, infectious disease specialist at the DuPage Medical Group, explains the latest coronavirus science and the precautions to take to navigate the pandemic. Look for our latest interview with her in your podcast feed every Sunday.For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
11/22/202018 minutes, 59 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Roundup

Mike Madigan on the ropes, Covid-19 surges in Illinois and Mayor Lightfoot's budget. We'll do a deep dive on those stories and more with Crain's Chicago Business' A.D. Quig and WTTW's Paris Schutz on WBEZ's Weekly News Roundup For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast. And leave us a rating and a quick review. It really helps other listeners find us.For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
11/20/202023 minutes, 49 seconds
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Party Trumps Identity In 2020 Voting Patterns

An expert on voter demographics tells Reset what the data from Election 2020 reveal about the present and future of American democracy.For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. It really helps other listeners find us.For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
11/19/202013 minutes, 9 seconds
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Illinois Rolls Back To Tier 3 COVID Restrictions On Friday

Just before the holiday season, COVID-19 is tightening its grip on Illinois. Cases are surging, and hospitals are strained. Both are expected to grow exponentially without countermeasures. And starting Friday, those countermeasures take effect as Illinois rolls back to Tier 3 restrictions — which includes the closing of museums, casinos, and movie theaters, and stricter capacities for most businesses. Reset breaks down what to know about the new restrictions.For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating and a review. That helps other listeners find us. For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
11/18/202011 minutes, 49 seconds
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How Biden Administration Can Solve Social Issues, Save The Economy And The Planet

A wide range of experts explain how integrating sustainability measures into every aspect of American life and government will increase our ability to tackle military, economic, social, and environmental problems. For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us. For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
11/17/202021 minutes, 53 seconds
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Chicago’s Top Doctor On Fighting COVID-19 And Rolling Out A Vaccine

Reset checks in with Dr. Allison Arwady, commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health, about the city’s new stay-at-home advisory and how prepared Chicago is to roll out a vaccine when it becomes available.For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating and a review. That helps other listeners find us.For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
11/16/202018 minutes, 20 seconds
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Your Weekly COVID Update With Infectious Disease Expert Dr. Taormina

Dr. Mia Taormina, infectious disease specialist at the DuPage Medical Group, explains the latest coronavirus science and the precautions to take to navigate the pandemic. Look for our latest interview with her in your podcast feed every Sunday.For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
11/15/202017 minutes, 20 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Roundup

After a long and careful count, Lauren Underwood has kept her congressional seat in the 14th district. Meanwhile, Gov. Pritzker is contemplating another statewide lockdown as Covid-19 cases skyrocket across Illinois. WTTW’s Amanda Vinicky and Better Government Association president David Greising take you inside those stories and more on WBEZ’s Weekly News RoundupFor more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. It really helps other listeners find us.For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
11/13/202022 minutes, 5 seconds
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What Will U.S. Foreign Policy Look Like Under President Biden?

President Trump’s foreign policy was based around the idea of “winners and losers,” and the theory that he alone could solve problems by sitting down one-on-one with other foreign leaders.Ivo Daalder of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs tells Reset how the Biden administration’s approach is likely to be different, and what Biden’s past as a U.S. senator and vice president tell us about how he will handle things as president.For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
11/13/202018 minutes, 7 seconds
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Where Will The Money Come From To Run Illinois?

WBEZ’s Dave McKinney looks at how the Illinois state legislature can handle the big items on its agenda if they haven’t met since May, and have put off the six-day fall veto session due to a COVID-19 spike in the state.And Civic Federation president Laurence Msall has ideas to generate revenue now that the graduated income tax failed with the voters on election day.For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
11/11/202018 minutes, 29 seconds
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Health Care For 20 Million Hangs In The Balance As SCOTUS Considers Obamacare

As COVID-19 cases spiral to unseen levels in the United States, the Trump administration and its allies continue attempts to dismantle the Affordable Care Act, which provides health care to more than 20 million Americans. What will the Supreme Court say to their arguments this time? Plus, infectious disease expert Dr. Mia Taormina answers listener questions about the coronavirus.For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us. For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
11/10/202020 minutes, 21 seconds
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Trump Campaign Running Out Of Options As Proof Of ‘Rigged Election’ Fails To Materialize

Pulitzer Prize-winner David Fahrenthold of the Washington Post and Aaron Del Mar, Palatine Township Republican Chairman and former Cook County Republican Party Chairman, provide astute analysis on the Trump campaign’s strategy going forward, and what this election tells us about the electorate in Illinois.For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
11/9/202020 minutes, 49 seconds
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The Election Might Be Over, But The Pandemic Isn't

Dr. Mia Taormina, infectious disease specialist at the DuPage Medical Group, explains the latest coronavirus science and the precautions to take to navigate the pandemic. Look for our latest interview with her in your podcast feed every Sunday.For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
11/8/20206 minutes
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BONUS: President-elect Joe Biden's Full Victory Speech

President-elect Joseph R. Biden addressed the nation Saturday night in Wilmington, Delaware, hours after a win in Pennsylvania earned him the electoral votes necessary to secure the U.S. presidency. This is his full victory speech.For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. It really helps other listeners find us.For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
11/8/202014 minutes, 21 seconds
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Chicago Musician Andrew Bird Expands His Repertoire With New Acting Role

The multitalented musician and native Chicagoan Andrew Bird gifts us with new projects this Fall, including an acting role in the FX television drama Fargo and the release of a new holiday album entitled "Hark!".For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us. For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
11/7/202014 minutes, 46 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Roundup

Governor JB Pritzker’s graduated income tax amendment was sunk. Freshman Democrat Sean Casten holds on in the 6th District. Perennial candidate Jim Oberweis holds a slim lead in the 10th with ballots still to be counted. There was a lot more to this election than Biden vs. Trump. WTTW’s Heather Cherone and WBEZ’s Dave McKinney join Justin Kaufmann to break it all down on WBEZ’s Weekly News Roundup.For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. It really helps other listeners find us.For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
11/6/202023 minutes, 45 seconds
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Even If Biden Wins, Many Americans Pained By Trump’s Continued Appeal

Many communities-particularly those of color-feel like they’ve been specifically targeted by this administration’s policies over the last four years. And they see this tight race as a slap in the face, regardless of who ultimately wins.Reset hears from a professor, an activist, and listeners about how they feel about the results and where they think the country is headed.For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. It helps other listeners find us.For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
11/5/202016 minutes, 19 seconds
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Tech Giants Are Now Countering Election Misinformation. Is It Too Little, Too Late?

Tech companies like Google, Facebook and Twitter have ramped up efforts to combat misinformation surrounding the election. Is it too little, too late?Reset checks in with two experts.For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us. For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
11/3/202013 minutes, 43 seconds
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Chicago Area Hospitals Brace For Influx Of COVID-19 Patients

Even as cases of COVID-19 rise in Illinois, the state’s contact tracing program isn’t fully operational, and hospitals who got some reprieve over the summer are bracing for the possibility of a flood of new patients.Reset talks with WBEZ’s Kristen Schorsch as well as two doctors from area hospitals who lay out what the situation is on the ground and what they’re doing to prepare for the coming wave.For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
11/2/202019 minutes, 6 seconds
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Dr. Taormina Answers Your Latest COVID-19 Questions

Dr. Mia Taormina, infectious disease specialist at the DuPage Medical Group, explains the latest coronavirus science and the precautions to take to navigate the pandemic. Look for our latest interview with her in your podcast feed every Sunday.For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
11/1/202024 minutes, 1 second
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Roundup

From soaring COVID-19 cases to another police-related shooting in Waukegan to Tony LaRussa returning to Chicago to manage the White Sox, Reset’s Justin Kaufmann sits around the virtual table this week with Pro Publica’s Mick Dumke and A.D. Quig of Crains to talk about the biggest local and state stories for WBEZ’s Weekly News Roundup.For more Reset interviews, please subscribe CMBS/8 c to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
10/30/202020 minutes, 19 seconds
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Mayor Lightfoot: ‘We Have To Remain Diligent’ In Fight Against COVID-19

Reset checks in with Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot about COVID-19 restrictions, the city budget and schools.For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
10/29/202017 minutes, 38 seconds
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Dr. Emily Landon Says Shutting Down Indoor Dining Key To Curbing COVID-19

COVID-19 numbers and hospitalizations are rising at an alarming rate in Chicago and Illinois. But as Gov. Pritzker moves to shut down indoor dining in parts of the state, restaurants are pushing back. UChicago Medicine infectious disease expert Dr. Emily Landon explains how dire the situation is, while restaurateur Rohini Dey describes how she’s trying to save her business.For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
10/28/202017 minutes, 57 seconds
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Kim Foxx And Pat O’Brien Make Their Cases In State’s Attorney Race

Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx won office four years ago with a mandate to reform the criminal justice system. She makes the case for why she deserves another term while her challenger, former judge and prosecutor Pat O’Brien, lays out why he thinks he should take over the office.For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. That helps other listeners find us.For more about the program, you can head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
10/27/202027 minutes, 43 seconds
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Alarming Trend As Fewer Kids Are Vaccinated During The Pandemic

The pandemic, a lack of trust in the health system and misinformation are leading to a drop in the number of Chicago kids getting vaccinated for preventable diseases like the measles, mumps and rubella. We check in with community health clinics and a reporter to hear more about the situation and what’s being done to reverse the trend.For more Reset interviews, please subscribe to this podcast and leave us a rating. It really helps other listeners find us.For more about the program, head over to the WBEZ website or follow us on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
10/26/202016 minutes, 18 seconds
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Dr. Taormina Answers Your Latest COVID-19 Questions

Dr. Mia Taormina, infectious disease specialist at the DuPage Medical Group, explains the latest coronavirus science and the precautions to take to navigate the pandemic. Look for our latest interview with her in your podcast feed every Sunday.For more Reset interviews, head over to the WBEZ website. You can also follow the show on Twitter at @WBEZreset.
10/25/202024 minutes, 3 seconds
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WBEZ’s Weekly News Roundup

From Mayor Lightfoot’s new budget plan, to a fresh round of Covid-19-related business closures to no sitting on Santa’s lap this year at Macy’s, Reset’s Justin Kaufmann sits around the virtual table with Heather Cherone and Laura Washington for the best wrap-up of Chicago and Illinois news on WBEZ’s Weekly News Roundup
10/23/202018 minutes, 57 seconds
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Peace Prize Nominee, Federal Prisoner: Gov. George Ryan On His Complicated Legacy

Illinois Gov. George Ryan shocked the nation when he commuted the death sentences of more than 150 inmates three days before he left office in 2003. In this interview, the Republican details his personal evolution from staunch supporter of capital punishment to ardent opponent. He also discusses his complicated legacy as a Nobel Peace Prize nominee who also served years in federal prison on corruption charges. His new book is called Until I Could Be Sure: How I Stopped the Death Penalty in Illinois.
10/22/202016 minutes, 37 seconds
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BONUS POD: Mayor Lightfoot’s Full Budget Address

This is Chicago Mayor Lightfoot’s full budget address from the morning of Oct. 21, 2020. The mayor outlines the fiscal challenges faced by the city due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the measures she would like to take to right the fiscal ship. For expert analysis and to hear two key aldermen’s reaction to the speech, look for the other Reset podcast that dropped in your feed today.
10/21/202054 minutes, 6 seconds
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Mayor Lightfoot Lays Out Hard Realities For 2021 Budget

With Chicago already facing difficult pension problems, the COVID-19 crisis has dealt an even bigger blow to the city’s economy. WBEZ city politics reporter Becky Vevea and two Chicago aldermen break down and react to Mayor Lightfoot’s budget address as she tries to navigate some very choppy fiscal waters for 2021.
10/21/202019 minutes, 2 seconds
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'COVID Fatigue' Is Real, But Letting Your Guard Down Might Kill You Or Someone You Love

With a recent uptick in COVID-19 across Illinois, Gov. Pritzker has begun talking about a return to Phase 3 restrictions.Reset talks to infectious disease specialist Dr. Emily Landon about what a resurgence of  cases means for local residents, and gives you advice on best practices to curb the spread of the virus.
10/21/202014 minutes, 27 seconds
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New Book Looks At Life And Work Of James A. Baker III "The Man Who Ran Washington"

New York Times political reporter Peter Baker discusses his new book on the unlikely rise of James A. Baker III, and how his influence over Washington, the White House, and global politics spanned a generation. 
10/19/202014 minutes, 8 seconds
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Sorkin Inspired By Today's Protests While Making Chicago 7 Film

The writer and director behind The West Wing and A Few Good Men talks about his new film, The Trial of the Chicago 7, and how today's protests harken back to the anti-Vietnam war protests of the late 1960's. And Lee Weiner, one of the actual defendants in the trial, tells us how close the movie came to reality.  
10/18/202024 minutes, 55 seconds
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NASA Is Shooting For The Moon Again

Decades after the Apollo 11 mission, NASA is now laying the groundwork to send its first woman and next man to the moon’s surface by 2024. Reset talks to Kathy Lueders — the first-ever woman to lead NASA’s human spaceflight programs — about its Artemis plan and what the new mission might mean for women interested in space.
10/16/202016 minutes, 39 seconds
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WBEZ’s Chicago And Illinois News Roundup for Oct 16, 2020

A shocking lawsuit is filed against the former head of the Chicago Police Department, plus the latest on Covid-19 in Illinois, Chicago public schools announce a re-opening plan, and more. Go inside the biggest local and state stories of the week with WBEZ's Weekly News Roundup. Guests this week are WBEZ's criminal justice reporter Patrick Smith and WTTW correspondent, anchor and host of "Chicago Tonight: Black Voices" 
10/16/202030 minutes, 10 seconds
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The Army Embraces Strategic Napping To Combat Fatigue

For soldiers, getting a good night’s sleep is crucial. Fatigue can impact decision-making and sometimes lead to disaster. To address that problem, the Army is embracing “strategic napping” as part of a new holistic approach to health. Reset learns more about the policy change and talks to a sleep researcher about the benefits of napping.
10/14/202013 minutes
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Jeff Ullrich On Getting Diagnosed With Autism At 45

What is it like to have autism throughout your entire life and never have it diagnosed until you are an adult? Rolling Meadows-native Jeff Ullrich explains how his world has changed after finding out he was autistic at the age of 45.GUEST: Jeff Ullrich, co-founder of the Earwolf podcasting network; founder of Midroll
10/13/202011 minutes, 12 seconds
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Former CIA Director Highlights Love Of Country In New Bio

John Brennan has served 6 presidents as a member of-and ultimately head of-the CIA. Brennan chronicles his rise as the son of an immigrant growing up New Jersey to a man making decisions that will affect millions of lives.
10/12/202019 minutes, 11 seconds
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WBEZ's Chicago And Illinois News Roundup for Oct 9, 2020

Covid cases blowing up in neighboring states, the dire financial situation facing Mayor Lightfoot, Governor Pritzker's push to get his fair tax amendment, and the sale of Second City are just some of the stories we cover with WTTW's Paris Schutz and the Better Government Association's David Greising on our Weekly News Roundup 
10/9/202021 minutes, 39 seconds
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The Outlook Isn’t Rosey: The Latest On The Covid Economy

From the current state of our covid-ravaged economy to what the future looks like to the state of the restaurant industry in Chicago, Chris Farrell of Marketplace and chef/entrepreneur Rick Bayless weigh in on how bad things are, and what we need to do to turn it all around.
10/8/202022 minutes, 36 seconds
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Covid-19 Stimulus In Limbo, Kurt Elling Celebrates 25 Years With Streamed Concerts

Millions of people and thousands of businesses are desperate for some help from the federal government because of the pandemic, but congress and the president can’t seem to get a package together. Later, Internationally recognized jazz vocalist Kurt Elling rolls out a series of livestreamed shows to mark the 25th anniversary of this first album’s release. We’ll talk about his quarter century in jazz, how he’s changed as an artist, and why he’s so excited to be back living in Chicago after a dozen years in New York
10/7/202025 minutes, 15 seconds
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Social Media Feeding Us A “Funhouse Mirror” Version Of Reality

The documentary “The Social Dilemma” shows how social media causes addiction, impacts mental health, and spreads misinformation. Tristan Harris, a former Google engineer now working against big tech and one of the key voices in the film, joins to explain how it all works and what we can do about it.
10/6/202018 minutes, 44 seconds
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Can Chicago Public Schools Be Made Safe For Teachers, Staff?

Some parents want their kids back in the classroom. So does Chicago Public Schools. So do teachers. But the teachers union is concerned that the district hasn’t taken the necessary steps to keep faculty and staff safe. Reset brings you the latest on CPS’ reopening plan.
10/5/202017 minutes, 41 seconds
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WBEZ's Chicago and Illinois News Roundup for Oct. 2, 2020

Mayor Lightfoot relaxes restrictions on bars and restaurants, suburban parents are demanding their schools reopen, and House Speaker Mike Madigan is refusing the governor's request to tell a panel of lawmakers what he knows about the Com Ed allegations swirling around him. Those are some of the stories we unpack with our panel of journalists this time around on WBEZ's Weekly News Roundup  
10/2/202021 minutes, 11 seconds
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Fixing Excessive Force In American Policing

The U.S. is reckoning with growing calls to rethink and reform American policing, particularly around practices that use force on civilians. We talk to two policing experts to discuss factors that lead to undue force and some possible alternatives.
10/1/202015 minutes, 27 seconds
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Illinois Schools Are Calling Kids Back To The Classroom, But Is It Time?

Suburban school districts in Illinois are putting plans into motion to switch students from all-remote classes to in-person or hybrid learning. And that leaves parents, teachers and students with more questions than answers. Reset checks in with WBEZ education reporter Susie An, and hears from teachers and parents on this issue.
9/30/202018 minutes, 27 seconds
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Wynton Marsalis Is Back With Powerful New Extended Work ‘The Ever Fonky Lowdown’

Wynton Marsalis has created a new extended piece-part music and part spoken word-that critiques the tribalism encouraged by some world leaders to keep the masses suspicious of each other, while they take all the money and power. Reset learns more about Marsalis’ new extended work, The Ever Fonky Lowdown.
9/29/202020 minutes, 26 seconds
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What To Know About Amy Coney Barrett, Trump’s Supreme Court Nominee

Reset checks in with Doug Cassel of the University of Notre Dame to discuss the law school’s legacy and legal philosophy. We also hear from WBEZ’s Patrick Smith for more on Judge Barrett’s background. 
9/28/202019 minutes, 40 seconds
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Should We Take The Cops Out Of Most 911 Calls?

Amid nationwide calls for racial justice and alternatives to policing, more cities are looking to shift non-emergency calls to crisis intervention teams.Reset takes a look at one community-based public safety system that’s seen success in Eugene, Ore., and how other cities are exploring the model.
9/24/202018 minutes, 27 seconds
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NASA Gears Up To Back To The Moon, Then Mars

NASA has released the details of their Artemis lunar exploration program, which plans to send the first woman and the next man to the surface of Earth’s moon by 2024.Reset brings on the first-ever woman to lead NASA’s human spaceflight programs to learn more about the agency’s plans, and what this mission might mean for women interested in space.
9/23/202016 minutes, 43 seconds
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Isabel Wilkerson’s New Book Reveals America’s Caste System

Pulitzer Prize-winning author Isabel Wilkerson says that the inconvenient truth of race and racism has exploded the myth that there are no castes in America since Day 1. And she describes the artificial hierarchy that determines everything from respect to resources, who gets the benefit of the doubt and who is considered beautiful in her new book “Caste: The Origins Of Our Discontents”.
9/22/202019 minutes, 46 seconds
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WBEZ’s Chicago And Illinois News Roundup: Sept. 18, 2020

Contract negotiations continue between the Chicago Police union and members of the Lightfoot administration. Governor JB Pritzker warns of statewide budget cuts if Congress fails to act on coronavirus relief. Plus, a former state senator pleads guilty to federal tax evasion. We break down the biggest news of the week in our Weekly News Roundup, this week with host Becky Vevea of WBEZ.
9/18/202022 minutes, 23 seconds
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New Podcast Sheds Light On Chicago’s Roots In Modern White Supremacy Movement

The newest season of WBEZ’s Motive podcast explores how America's white supremacist movement recruits young people, and how the playbook started in Chicago’s punk music scene.We’ll hear from the podcast’s host and one of its lead subjects for a preview of season three.
9/17/202013 minutes, 39 seconds
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Does Chicago’s Affordable Housing Law Actually Create Affordable Housing?

A new report commissioned by the mayor says that Chicago is falling short of its promises to create affordable housing. We’ll talk to Housing Commissioner Maria Novara about the report, how far we’ve come, and how much more we need to do.
9/16/202014 minutes, 59 seconds
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Chicago Ramping Up Contact Tracing And Other Programs To Fight Coronavirus

Mayor Lori Lightfoot just announced a new contact tracing program to help stop the spread of coronavirus. We check in with the city’s top public health official to hear more about that, and all the latest on the local response to COVID-19 in our region.
9/15/202018 minutes, 30 seconds
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Robocalls A Key Weapon For Those Who Want To Tilt Election

Pre-recorded calls are reaching Illinois residents, warning them of the false consequences of mail-in voting. Reset learns more about robocalls spreading misinformation in an attempt to suppress the vote ahead of the 2020 presidential election.
9/14/202015 minutes, 49 seconds
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WBEZ’s Chicago And Illinois News Roundup: Sept. 11, 2020

Nearly two dozen groups sue Illinois over its cannabis license lottery. Chicago Public Schools start the school year remotely. Plus, aldermen vote to protect affordable housing around the planned Obama Presidential Center. We break down the biggest news of the week in our Weekly News Roundup with guest host Kimberly Egonmwan.
9/11/202023 minutes
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Dozens Of Applicant Groups Question State’s Cannabis Equity Policies

Nearly two dozen groups are suing Illinois to keep new cannabis retail licenses from going to “politically connected” companies. Only 21 out of 700 groups qualified for the state’s lottery system to determine who will be allowed to open pot shops.We’ll take a closer look at the state’s cannabis lottery system and why lawmakers say Black and brown business owners are being left behind.
9/10/202016 minutes, 50 seconds
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Chicago Actor-Comedian T. Murph Breaks Out With “Woke”

Hulu is rolling out a new series called “Woke”, featuring a Black cast, writers, and producers. Chicago-based actor and comedian T. Murph co-stars, and we talk to him abut the roll, what this show means at this moment in time, and his background in Chicago’s comedy scene.
9/9/202018 minutes, 7 seconds
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Can Remote Learning Work For Chicago’s Homeless Kids?

Nearly 16,000 in the CPS system don’t have a permanent home. That makes school difficult in the best of circumstances. In the middle of an unprecedented pandemic, where children need computers and internet access, it’s a real problem. We talk with a number of folks who are working to make remote learning available to these students.
9/8/202016 minutes, 45 seconds
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WBEZ’s Chicago And Illinois News Roundup: Sept. 4, 2020

Presidential candidates visiting Kenosha, the rise of Covid-19 in Illinois, and Chicago’s looming budget deficit. We take you deep inside those stories and more on WBEZ’s Weekly News Roundup
9/4/202020 minutes, 27 seconds
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Rick Steves Keeps The Spirit Of Travel Alive During Covid-19

The COVID-19 pandemic is likely to make this Labor Day weekend far less travel-packed than usual as people opt to stay at home. But famed travel writer Rick Steves urges you to keep a traveler’s mindset during the pandemic, and talks about ways of exploring the world and your neighborhood during while stuck at home.
9/3/202018 minutes, 13 seconds
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Expanding Mental Health Services For Police Officers

Police officers have one of the most stressful jobs in America, and a recent survey found that the suicide rate in the CPD is 60% higher than the country’s average. We talk to 2 experts in police mental health, and unpack Mayor Lightfoot’s new initiatives and resources to help cops be the best they can be for themselves, their colleagues, and most important, the communities they're sworn to protect. 
9/2/202016 minutes, 17 seconds
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Trump Visits Kenosha Despite Pleas From Governor

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers practically begged President Trump not to come to Kenosha. But that’s exactly what he did today. Reset talks to an investigative reporter, a state lawmaker, and an activist about the visit, the realities on the ground in Kenosha, and their plans to heal the rifts and move the city forward.
9/1/202017 minutes, 44 seconds
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More Than Just A Marvel Character: Remembering Chadwick Boseman

With a nearly all-Black cast, featuring a story about strong, intelligent Black people who governed themselves, that took place in a sophisticated world they created that blends the modern and the traditional, Black Panther became more than just another superhero movie. It’s a “if you can see it, you can be it” moment that filled audiences with pride and perspective. Which is why the death of lead actor Chadwick Boseman from cancer at age 43 has caused an outpouring of grief. We discover how and why the film and its star made such a deep global impact.
8/31/202017 minutes, 53 seconds
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WBEZ’s Chicago And Illinois News Roundup: Aug. 28, 2020

Police charge an Antioch teen with killing two people after a protest in Kenosha, Wis. The Republican National Convention wraps up in North Carolina. Plus, Mayor Lighftoot makes moves toward building a Chicago casino.Reset breaks down the biggest stories of the week in our Weekly News Roundup with host Justin Kaufmann.
8/28/202024 minutes, 11 seconds
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Pro Athletes Boycott Games For Racial Justice

It’s become bigger than a mere sports story. When the Milwaukee Bucks decided not to take the court last night, they were sending a statement on the police shooting of Jacob Blake in nearby Kenosha, Wis., and the Black Lives Matter movement as a whole. Other teams quickly followed suit, and NBA, MLB, WNBA and MLS games were postponed in solidarity.Sports legal analyst Exavier Pope weighs in, along with former Bulls great Craig Hodges and former Bears linebacker Sam Acho.
8/27/202022 minutes, 5 seconds
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Letter To Lightfoot: Make Good On Public Safety Promises

25 community groups, including the Cook County Public Defender, signed a letter to Mayor Lori Lightfoot, condemning her use of police force against protesters during the unrest in Chicago in recent months. The letter asks the mayor to “make good” on campaign promises around public safety. Reset checks in with one of the signatories to the letter on what they think the mayor has gotten wrong, but can still get right, when it comes to public safety in Chicago.
8/26/202013 minutes, 7 seconds
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Underserved: Black Wisconsin And The South East Corner Of The State

The recent police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wis., is calling attention to the state’s track record on inequality and policing in Black communities. Reset talks with an urban studies expert who published new research on national Black outcomes, and a business leader whose recent op-ed highlights the impacts of segregation in Milwaukee.
8/25/202019 minutes, 21 seconds
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Will National Guard Hurt Or Help In Kenosha?

There was unrest on the streets of Kenosha last night after a policeman shot an unarmed black man 7 times in the back. The Wisconsin governor has called in the national guard to keep the peace, but if Portland is a test case, it shows that militarization can actually escalate the situation.
8/25/202018 minutes, 8 seconds
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WBEZ’s Chicago And Illinois News Roundup: Aug. 21, 2020

Police ban protests outside Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s Logan Square home over safety concerns. Chicago Public Schools puts out its final remote learning plan. Plus, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris formally accept the Democratic Party’s nomination for president and VP. Reset breaks down the biggest stories of the week in our Friday News Roundup.
8/21/202025 minutes, 59 seconds
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USPS Backs Off Changes Following Public Outcry, 20-State Lawsuit

Illinois on Tuesday joined a coalition of 20 states in a lawsuit against Postmaster General Louis DeJoy and President Donald Trump, challenging drastic operational changes at the U.S. Postal Service. Facing backlash, the postmaster general said USPS would suspend operational changes until after the presidential election. Reset checks in with Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul about the lawsuit and what he’ll be watching between now and November.
8/20/202012 minutes, 49 seconds
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Congressman Chuy Garcia On The 2020 Democratic National Convention

As the 2020 Democratic National Convention moves into Day 3, Reset checks in with Congressman Chuy Garcia of Illinois to discuss highlights from the virtual event.
8/19/202017 minutes, 45 seconds
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Celebrating Ray Bradbury’s 100th Birthday, And The New Book ‘Dark Black’

Chicago writer Sam Weller is out with a new collection of short stories called "Dark Black." Weller is also the official biographer of the late, great author Ray Bradbury — he would have turned 100 this week.
8/19/202010 minutes, 57 seconds
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Chicago Protesters Demand Police Accountability For 'Kettling'

Protests in Chicago for police accountability once again turned violent this weekend. Reset talks with a reporter who was on the ground Saturday.Also, a law professor discusses the legality of social media surveillance.
8/17/202020 minutes, 22 seconds
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WBEZ’s Chicago And Illinois News Roundup: Aug. 14, 2020

Mayor Lori Lightfoot restricts overnight access downtown following civil unrest and looting. Public health officials warn of rising coronavirus cases across the state. Plus, local officials react to Kamala Harris’ VP nomination. Reset breaks down the week’s top stories in our Friday News Roundup.
8/14/202028 minutes, 54 seconds
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Women Affected Most By Covid Economy, And Women Of Color Battling Massive Pay Gap

Today is Black Women’s Equal Pay Day, the day in 2020 the average black woman’s pay catches up to a white man’s...from 2019. We talk to two women studying and trying to change that gap. Plus the how’s and why’s of working women being hit hardest in this covid economy.
8/13/202024 minutes, 46 seconds
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Illinois Congressmen React To Biden’s VP Pick of Kamala Harris

Sen. Kamala Harris has made history as the first Black and Asian-American to be put up as a candidate for vice president of the U.S. by a major political party We check in with Cong. Robin Kelly and Cong. Raja Krishnamoorthi, 2 Democratic members of the Illinois congressional delegation, to get their reaction to Joe Biden’s pick for a running mate in 2020.
8/12/202015 minutes, 49 seconds
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Carol Moseley Braun On Biden’s Potential VP Pick, Black Biz Owners React To Being Looted

Carol Moseley Braun broke a number of barriers in her political career. She talks about the possible barrier-breakers Joe Biden may pick as a running mate. Plus black small business owners react to their stores being looted early Monday in the city’s Gold Coast neighborhood.
8/11/202016 minutes, 15 seconds
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Chicago and Illinois News Roundup For Aug. 7, 2020

Covid-19 is back on the rise in Illinois, CPS does an about face on remote learning, and House Speaker Mike Madigan stands firm. ProPublica Illinois’ Mick Dumke and WTTW’s Brandis Friedman break down those stories and more on Reset’s Friday News Roundup.
8/7/202016 minutes, 26 seconds
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Tracking Covid-19’S Rise in Chicago’s Suburbs

Chicago was once a coronavirus hotspot. So why are covid-19 positivity rates down in the city, but rising with alarming frequency in the suburbs and surrounding counties? Reset talks with a reporter, and two county health officials to find out where, and why rates of infection are up.
8/6/202015 minutes, 48 seconds
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CPS Switches Gears, Will Start School Year With Remote Learning Only

WBEZ education reporter Sarah Karp brings us all the info, plus we get reaction from parents, teachers, students, and the teacher’s union president on today’s announcement that Chicago Public Schools will do remote learning for at least the 1st quarter of the year.
8/5/202029 minutes, 40 seconds
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The Fight Against Covid-19 From Chicago to Champaign

Reporter Heather Cherone on the latest covid numbers and info according to the Chicago Department of Public Health, and the Chancellor of the University of Illinois on the precautions put in place to assure the start of the fall semester in Champaign-Urbana
8/4/202019 minutes, 4 seconds
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Illinois Could Be Facing A Serious Covid-Related Eviction Situation

Thousands remain unemployed because of the covid pandemic. And despite Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker extending the deadline on Illinois’ eviction moratorium, thousands of renters in the state are facing eviction. Reset talks with a legal services group for Chicago tenants in need of help. 
8/3/202013 minutes, 31 seconds
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Chicago and Illinois News Roundup: July 31, 2020

From the continuing Covid-19 crisis to Mayor Lightfoot lashing back at President Trump to Mike Madigan feeling the heat, Laura Washington and Charlie Meyerson join Justin this week for the Friday News Roundup
7/31/202025 minutes, 10 seconds
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CPS CEO Janice Jackson On The Fluctuating School Plan

Parents, teachers and students are informed and asking questions about Chicago Public Schools’ current plan to reopen schools in the fall. We talk to CPS CEO Janice Jackson about that plan, and how it could change depending on circumstances around the covid-19 crisis.
7/29/202018 minutes, 43 seconds
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Work From Home’s Future As Google Extends Practice Through July 2021

The Atlantic’s Derek Thompson studies and writes about our work habits. As companies extend their “work from home” timelines, how are we adapting, and what practices will we carry into the future?
7/28/202014 minutes, 47 seconds
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How Coronavirus Changed Illinois, And Checking In On Long-Term Care Facilities

6 months in, 2 reporters look at how the pandemic has changed life in Illinois, and the manager of a long-term care facility describes what he’s done to keep his residents safe, and their families informed.
7/27/202023 minutes, 37 seconds
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Chicago and Illinois News Roundup: July 24, 2020

From violence in Chicago to the Com-Ed scandal in Springfield, we unpack a lot of big news on this week’s Friday News Roundup. Joining us this time around is NPR correspondent Cheryl Corley and Better Government Association President & CEO David Greising
7/24/202026 minutes, 22 seconds
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Baseball Is Back, And The Woman Who Changed Illini Football

Opening Day without the threat of snow? Cheryl Raye Stout previews the Cubs and the Sox as MLB begins it’s covid-shortened season. And Illini head coach Lovie Smith has added another name to his already “most diverse college football staff in the nation”. We talk with new head of high school recruitment Ashton Washington
7/23/202023 minutes, 45 seconds
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Daniel Knox Puts His Stamp On The Music Of Mr. Rogers

Chicago musician Daniel Knox is known for compositions filled with wit and dark humor and his deep-voiced delivery. But on his new album he plays straight, soothing renditions of some of Fred Rogers’ most beloved songs to help us cope with these difficult, often scary times.
7/22/202016 minutes, 31 seconds
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Prof. Duchess Harris Literally Wrote The Book On John Lewis

Legendary civil rights leader and congressman John Lewis is remembered by the woman who wrote his biography. Prof. Duchess Harris is the author of John Lewis: Civil Rights Leader and Congressman. Also Congressman and former Black Panther leader Bobby Rush remembers his friend and colleague.
7/21/202020 minutes, 3 seconds
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What Are My Rights When I Protest Peacefully?

This weekend’s protests in Chicago over the Christopher Columbus statue in Grant Park devolved into violence between Chicago police and protesters. Reset talks with two legal experts on what rights and recourse protesters have in these situations.
7/20/202017 minutes, 42 seconds
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Chicago’s 1995 Heatwave - Part 5 of 5: Lessons Learned

All week we’re looking back 25 years to Chicago’s deadly heatwave in 1995. Today we wrap up the series by looking at the lessons we learned, and the plans the city’s put in place to make sure it never happens again.
7/18/202016 minutes, 56 seconds
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Chicago and Illinois News Roundup: July 17, 2020

Gov. JB Pritzker and Mayor Lori Lightfoot threaten to bring back COVID-19 restrictions if cases continue to rise. The Chicago Teachers Union pushes back on calls to reopen schools in the fall. Plus, a new report sheds light on the firing of former Chicago Police Supt. Eddie Johnson. Heather Cherone and Lee Bey are the panel for this week’s Friday News Roundup.
7/17/202028 minutes, 31 seconds
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Chicago’s 1995 Deadly Heatwave - Part 4 of of 5: Two Key City Council Voices That Pushed For Action

All week we’re looking back 25 years to Chicago’s deadly heatwave in 1995. Today we talk to the former aldermen Helen Shiller and Dorothy Tillman. Both witnessed how the poor in their communities were dying, and pressed then-Mayor Daley to take action.
7/16/202017 minutes, 1 second
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Chicago’s 1995 Deadly Heatwave - Part 3 of 5: The Man At The Morgue

All this week we’re looking back 25 years to Chicago’s deadly heatwave of 1995. Today we talk to the former head of Chicago’s medical examiner’s office, who dealt with the hundreds of bodies as politicians and others downplayed the danger.
7/15/202013 minutes, 8 seconds
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SERIES: Chicago's 1995 Deadly Heatwave - Part 2 of 5 : Documentary, ‘Cooked: A Survival By Zip Code’

In a five-part series, Reset commemorates the 25th anniversary of Chicago's 1995 heatwave that killed at least 739 people over five days. In part 2, we meet Judith Helfand, filmmaker behind the documentary “Cooked: A Survival By Zip Code.” The film is free-streaming through PBS for the next year.
7/14/202010 minutes, 18 seconds
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SERIES: Chicago's 1995 Deadly Heatwave - Part 1 of 5: Lessons Learned 25 Years Later

In a five-part series, Reset commemorates the 25th anniversary of Chicago's 1995 heatwave that killed more than 700 people over five days. In part 1, we meet sociologist Eric Klinenberg. He wrote the definitive text on the heatwave and lessons learned.
7/13/202017 minutes, 32 seconds
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Chicago And Illinois News Roundup: July 10, 2020

Sun-Times columnist and ABC 7 political guru Laura Washington teams up with WBEZ investigative reporter Dan Mihalopolous to take you inside the biggest local and state stories this week in RESET’s Friday News Roundup.
7/10/202030 minutes, 31 seconds
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Chicago Hip Hop Artist Leads Young Activist Discussion

Young activists are leading the 2020 protest movement, setting the agenda for issues like police reform and social justice. Reset checks in with local hip-hop artist Matt Muse to discuss how activists are setting the course here in Chicago.
7/10/202014 minutes, 27 seconds
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Man Dies In Joliet Police Custody, Whistleblower Stripped Of Badge

A Joliet police sergeant was placed on leave and stripped of police duties Monday after blowing the whistle on the death of a man held in police custody. CBS Chicago’s Dave Savini joins Reset with details of his ongoing investigation of the alleged cover-up in the death of Eric Lurry
7/8/202012 minutes, 28 seconds
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WBEZ Investigation: Big Businesses Benefit From Fed's Covid-19 Small Business Loan Program

The federal government’s Paycheck Protection Program, or PPP, was created to help small businesses stay afloat during the covid-19 crisis. WBEZ reporter Dan Mihalopoulos looked into where those funds went in Illinois, and found out many beneficiaries weren’t exactly the mom-and-pop operations te money was supposed to support.
7/7/202015 minutes, 25 seconds
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Chicago And Illinois News Roundup: July 2, 2020

Mayor Lori Lightfoot spars with President Donald Trump over the city’s response to recent gun violence. Advocates criticize CPD’s plan to arrest teens on “drug corners” ahead of the holiday weekend. Plus, Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx plans to drop charges against those arrested in recent protests.   Reset breaks down the biggest stories of the week in our weekly news roundup.
7/2/202025 minutes, 16 seconds
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Back To School, Back To Broadway In The Age Of Covid-19

Pediatrician and spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics Dr. Shelly Varizi-Flais discusses the AAP’s recommendation that children return to school in the fall. And Chris Jones ponders the future of Broadway, the theater scene, and the culture engine that drives the economy of America’s biggest cities.
7/2/202024 minutes, 9 seconds
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Move Underway To Scrap Lane Tech “Indian” Mascot. Could Blackhawks Be Next?

Chicago’s biggest public high school, Lane Tech, is setting the wheels in motion to change the school’s “Indians” mascot, after a push from alumni that called it “wrong and racist.” Reset hears from an alum — who once played the mascot role at Lane Tech — on why he thinks it’s time for a change. We also take a look at why other potentially offensive mascots in Illinois sports haven’t gone anywhere, and what it would take.
6/30/202012 minutes, 58 seconds
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Illinois' Top Doc Updates The State's Fight Against Covid-19

Dr. Ngozi Ezike has shaped and led Illinois’ response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We talk with Dr. Ezike about how far the state has come, and how far we have to go in the fight against the novel coronavirus.
6/29/202014 minutes, 39 seconds
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Chicago And Illinois News Roundup: June 26, 2020

The state is moving into Phase 4 of the coronavirus reopening, city deals with increasing violence, and President Trump says Chicago is like “living in hell”. We’ve got all the week’s big stories for you as A.D. Quig of Crain’s and David Greising of the Better Government Association join Justin Kaufmann for the Friday News Roundup
6/26/202031 minutes, 8 seconds
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Progressives Not Making Much Progress With Mayor, CPD, CPS

Progressive activists and politicians in Chicago believe that now is the time to reform Chicago schools, the police department, and more. But the protests and the shifts in attitudes in the wake of the killing of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police have yielded few tangible results. Ald. Rosanna Rodriguez-Sanchez (33rd) discusses her frustration with the mayor, CPS, the police, and more.
6/25/202012 minutes, 36 seconds
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Chicago’s Black Drag Community Calls Out Boystown Racism

More than 50 of Chicago’s top drag performers signed an open letter demanding change for how Black performers are treated in Boystown. Two of the leaders of that movement discuss the history of the scene, their grievances with it, and the solutions they’d like to see.
6/24/202014 minutes, 19 seconds
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Playwright J. Nicole Brooks Puts Chicago History On Stage

J. Nicole Brooks has made a name for herself by writing plays about Chicago and its long history with racial injustice and segregation. Reset discusses how this current protest moment informs her craft, her play about Jane Byrne that got shut down because of the covid-19 pandemic, and more
6/23/202017 minutes, 15 seconds
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Doctor’s New Memoir Recounts Battling AIDS In Chicago

In his new memoir “Plague Years: A Doctor’s Journey Through The AIDS crisis,” Dr. Ross Slotten gives us a first-hand account of fighting for patients and battling AIDS during the epidemic that exploded in the 1980's. 
6/22/202016 minutes, 43 seconds
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Chicago And Illinois News Roundup: June 19, 2020

From the continued protests over police misconduct to the latest on the city and state’s handling of the covid-19 pandemic, we’ve got all the week’s local news for you in less than 30 minutes. WTTW’s Heather Cherone and the Chicago Tribune’s John Byrne join Justin Kaufmann for the Friday News Roundup
6/19/202027 minutes
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DACA Recipient Speaks After SCOTUS Renders Decision

The U.S. Supreme Court decided on the future of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program this morning. Reset talks with a DACA recipient and the head of a immigration nonprofit to get their response.
6/18/202014 minutes, 3 seconds
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My Block, My Hood, My City Raises Money For Small Businesses

As the COVID-19 pandemic and George Floyd protests continue to impact the lives of many, the South Side nonprofit My Block, My Hood, My City is assisting residents across the city.The organization’s founder joins Reset to talk about how they’re helping Chicago’s neighborhoods during difficult times.
6/17/202017 minutes, 41 seconds
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Why Is It So Hard To Bring Bad Cops To Justice?

American police officers are known to have wide ranging work and legal protections when it comes to harm done on the job. Reset talks with two legal scholars about the legal and social landscape of accountability for officers and why it’s so hard to prosecute bad acting officers for misconduct.
6/16/202021 minutes, 59 seconds
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Sen. Durbin: “There’s A Real Chance” Congress Can Pass Police Reform

Sen. Dick Durbin talks about the possibility of passing police reform in congress, the “Defund the Police” movement, and why congress should continue to help those laid off by the coronavirus pandemic.
6/15/202016 minutes, 45 seconds
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(Jenn White’s Final) Chicago And Illinois News Roundup: June 12, 2020

From the mayor’s outrage at a videotape showing police misconduct to the latest on the governor’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic, we’ve got all the week’s local news for you in less then 30 minutes. WTTW’s Heather Cherone and Paris Schutz join Jenn White on her final broadcast as host of Reset before she heads off to Washington, D.C. to host the national NPR program 1A.
6/12/202025 minutes, 9 seconds
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New Chicago Police Union President Stands Ground On Reform, Community Relations And More

The new head of Chicago’s police union gives his opinions about local calls for reform, police misconduct, and the relationship between the police and the public. WBEZ’s Patrick Smith joins us for context and analysis.
6/11/202046 minutes, 59 seconds
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America’s Police: Community Servants Or Domestic Soldiers?

When and how did America’s police forces move from “serve and protect” to “us versus them”? We discuss the militarization of the police in the U.S. That comes right after a conversation with an activist who explains why she wants to see CPD defunded.
6/10/202029 minutes, 24 seconds
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Lightfoot Answers Listener Questions, Updates On Protests, Covid Crisis

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot takes listener questions, and talks about how she's navigating a global pandemic as well as the ongoing protests and unrest following the death of George Floyd, the Minneapolis man who died after an officer knelt on his neck.
6/8/202028 minutes, 15 seconds
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WBEZ’s Chicago And Illinois News Roundup: June 5, 2020

Prosecutors bring charges against four former Minneapolis police officers involved in the death of George Floyd. Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul asks Congress for broader authority to investigate “unconstitutional policing.” Plus, Chicago eases COVID-19 restrictions on non-essential businesses.Reset breaks down the biggest news of the week in our Friday News Roundup with host Jenn White.
6/5/202026 minutes, 52 seconds
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'The Talk': Conversations Parents Have To Have With Their Black Kids

Reset talks with author Imani Perry about her book, Breathe: A Letter to My Sons and the conversation parents are having with their children about what it means to be Black in America.
6/4/202017 minutes, 15 seconds
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Could Chicago's Ed Board Follow Minneapolis And Cut Ties With Police?

The Minneapolis Board of Education on Tuesday voted unanimously to terminate its contract with the city’s police department.Reset learns more about this decision and what it could mean for other school districts across the nation.
6/3/202016 minutes, 50 seconds
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Advice On Talking To Kids About Racism, Protests And George Floyd’s Death

Reset checks in with two experts on how to talk to kids about racism, protests and police brutality in the wake of George Floyd’s death. Plus, they dig into the effects racism can have on the health and well-being of young people.
6/2/202020 minutes, 9 seconds
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The Demand For Change Across The Country, And What Comes Next

From Minneapolis to New York, D.C. to Detroit, to right here in Chicago, the chants can be heard: “I can’t breathe,” “No justice, no peace” and “Black lives matter.” Across the country, people have taken to the streets to express their hurt and their outrage.Today on Reset, we take stock of what’s led the country to this moment, and start to talk about the steps needed to achieve racial equity once and for all.
6/1/202035 minutes, 11 seconds
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WBEZ’s Chicago And Illinois News Roundup: May 29, 2020

Illinois moves into the next phase of Governor JB Pritzker’s plan to reopen the economy. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot says the city is on track to reopen June 3. Plus, state lawmakers pass a new $40 billion dollar budget.  Reset breaks down the week’s top stories in our Friday News Roundup with host Jenn White.
5/29/202023 minutes, 20 seconds
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Sen. Dick Durbin On Congress’ Latest Responses To The Pandemic

IL Sen. Dick Durbin gives his perspective on where the federal government is standing up, and where it’s falling down when it comes to the physical and economic health of Americans during the covid-19 crisis
5/28/202018 minutes, 27 seconds
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The Latest On Cook County’s Fight Against The Coronavirus

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle on Tuesday blocked a resolution to share the addresses of COVID-19 patients with first responders. Preckwinkle joins Reset to discuss her first legislative veto and COVID-19 recovery efforts in Cook County.
5/27/202018 minutes, 2 seconds
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When Different Places Disagree On How To Contain The Virus, It Makes It Harder To Control It Overall

Public health officials say COVID-19 is spreading differently across different parts of the country, which makes the crisis that much harder to contain. Science writer Ed Yong talks about his new article article for The Atlantic, "America's Patchwork Pandemic Is Fraying Even Further". 
5/26/202017 minutes, 55 seconds
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The Feminist Movement Has Left Many Women Behind

Chicago author Mikki Kendall talks about her new book and offers a critique of how modern feminism continues to fail marginalized women, and offers ideas on how that can be changed. 
5/21/202019 minutes, 34 seconds
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Things To Read, Watch And Do With Author Luvvie Ajayi

Author, blogger, podcast host...that just scratches the surface for Luvvie Ajayi. So who better to turn to for ideas when it comes to what to read, watch, and do while the stay-at-home order is still in effect?
5/20/20200
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Mayor Lightfoot’s First Year Filled With Challenges

From a billion-dollar budget shortfall to a global pandemic, we look at the challenges and triumphs of Lori Lightfoot’s first year as mayor of Chicago.
5/19/202024 minutes, 32 seconds
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Businesses Push Back On Closures...During 1918 Pandemic

A medical historian helps us compare and contrast the COVID-19 pandemic to the flu of 1918. There's a lot we've learned, but we're repeating many of the same mistakes. 
5/18/202014 minutes, 46 seconds
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Covid-19 In Cook County Jail And Stay-At-Home Photos

The Cook County Jail has been called a ‘petri dish’, with hundreds of inmates and staff hit by the novel coronavirus. We find out how bad things really are, and what’s being done to mitigate the problem. Plus a Chicago photographer documents her neighbors-from a distance-during the stay-at-home order.
5/16/202024 minutes, 25 seconds
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WBEZ’s Chicago And Illinois News Roundup: May 15, 2020

We bring you all the big state and local news this week as the covid-19 crisis continues. WBEZ state politics reporter Dave McKinney and Sun-Times columnist Laura Washington break it all down, from City Hall to the statehouse and everywhere in between.
5/15/202022 minutes, 55 seconds
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Actor Carrie Coon Recommends Things To Read, Watch, And Do

You’ve seen actor Carrie Coon on the big screen in Gone Girl and Avengers: Infinity War. You’ve seen her on the small screen in shows like Fargo on FX. Here in Chicago, she’s a Steppenwolf regular. Today, Carrie offers advice for Reset listeners looking for things to read, watch and do while we stay at home during the covid-19 crisis
5/14/202012 minutes, 24 seconds
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Re-Opening Retail: Can You Save Jobs And Lives At The Same Time?

Cell phone tracking could play a major part in re-opening the economy. How many people are in the same place at the same time, how long they stay, where they come from and where they’re going are keys to determining which businesses can safely open. Katherine Baiker, Dean of the Harris School for Public Policy at the University of Chicago, explains how it might work.
5/13/202016 minutes, 49 seconds
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Covid-19 Symptoms Or Seasonal Allergies?

Spring is here, and so are seasonal allergies. But the symptoms of those allergies are coming during the coronavirus pandemic, and some of those symptoms may be similar. Allergist Dr. Baiju Malde explains the differences, what we should be looking for, and how to best keep yourself safe from the allergens and the virus that’s floating around right now.
5/12/202013 minutes, 9 seconds
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John Moe’s Hilarious World Of Depression

In his podcast, The Hilarious World of Depression, writer and humorist John Moe talks to very funny and creative people about their battle with this incredibly common, debilitating, yet still-stigmatizing disease. We talk about the podcast and the memoir he's just crafted from lessons he's learned through these conversations, and his own battles with depression.
5/11/202015 minutes, 36 seconds
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WBEZ’s Chicago And Illinois News Roundup: May 8, 2020

We bring you all the big state and local news this week as the covid-19 crisis continues. David Greising of the Better Government Association and Heather Cherone of WTTW break it all down, from City Hall to the statehouse in Springfield and everywhere in between.
5/8/202023 minutes, 17 seconds
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Writer Samantha Irby Says Wow, No Thank You To Getting Older

Writer Samantha Irby talks about her book Wow: No Thank You. From parenting, to home ownership, to going to a club and realizing you look like everyone’s mom, Irby tackles growing older in a collection of (often painfully) hilarious essays.
5/6/20200
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Your Latest Questions about COVID-19 Answered

From symptoms to best practices and more, the news around COVID-19 is constantly changing and being updated. Infectious disease expert Dr. Mina Taormina returns to answer a new batch of questions from us, and from listeners
5/4/202029 minutes, 38 seconds
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WBEZ’s Chicago And Illinois News Roundup: May 1, 2020

We bring you all the big state and local news this week as the covid-19 crisis continues. John Byrne from the Chicago Tribune and Amanda Vinicky of WTTW break it all down, from City Hall to the statehouse in Springfield and everywhere in between.
5/1/202023 minutes, 58 seconds
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Things To Read, Watch, and Do With Author Nnedi Okorafor

We’re all doing our best to cope under the current circumstances. But it always helps to get ideas of things to read, watch, and do during the stay-at-home order. So each week, we reach out to a creative Chicagoan to get their ideas. This week, we get some of those ideas science fiction, fantasy, and magical realism author Nnedi Okorafor
4/30/202011 minutes, 47 seconds
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A Dose Of Reality: What Lies Ahead For Covid-Covered America

When it comes to battling the covid-19 virus, it's not just that we’re not doing things right. It’s that we’re doing things wrong. And we’re doing them for the wrong reasons. We still have a chance to turn things around and save lives, but the future is going to look a lot different than we imagined a few months ago. NY Times’ science and health reporter Donald McNeil looks into that future in his latest article “The Coronavirus In America: The Year Ahead”
4/29/202016 minutes, 51 seconds
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Comedian Cameron Esposito's New Memoir Is Painfully Funny

Comic Cameron Esposito talks about feeling different and alone growing up in the very straight, very Catholic, very bucolic western suburbs of Chicago in her sometimes painful, often hilarious new memoir Save Yourself
4/28/202020 minutes, 35 seconds
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Former CDC Director Talks About 'Boxing In' COVID-19

Former CDC chief Dr. Tom Frieden talks about what needs to be done now, and going forward, to make people safe and to beat back the spread of COVID-19
4/27/202012 minutes, 59 seconds
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WBEZ’s Chicago And Illinois News Roundup: April 24, 2020

Two journalistic heavyweights, Carol Marin and Mick Dumke, take you inside the biggest stories in Chicago and Illinois this week on our Friday News Roundup.
4/24/202024 minutes, 25 seconds
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Chicago Author Suggests Things To Read, Watch, Do While We Stay At Home

Hearing from doctors and epidemiologists is important, but we can’t hear from them every day. Which is why today’s RESET guest is Chicago author Rebecca Makkai. Makkai shares things to read, watch and eat while we’re sheltering in place.
4/23/202013 minutes, 48 seconds
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How Close Are We To A Covid-19 Vaccine?

Virologist and DePaul University associate professor of health sciences Sarah Connolly describes what it will take to create a covid-19 vaccine, and how far away scientists are from a human trial.
4/22/202013 minutes, 49 seconds
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How And Why Oil Is $0 Per Barrel Today

Journalist and author Antonia Juhasz explains why oil has plunged to record-low levels, and what it means for the industry, the American economy, and for you.
4/21/202014 minutes, 17 seconds
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Can The U.S. Survive The Worst-Case COVID-19 Scenario?

For years, public health and science experts warned that the U.S. was not prepared to handle a global pandemic. Reset checks in with Atlantic science writer Ed Yong for his latest piece on how COVID-19 could radically reshape summer across the country, and how the pandemic could end.
4/20/202018 minutes, 44 seconds
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Chicago And Illinois News Roundup: April 17, 2020

Heather Cherone has moved from the Daily Line to WTTW, but she continues to bring us fantastic state and local political coverage. She's joined by Better Government Association's CEO (and long-time journalist) David Greising to deconstruct the biggest news stories of the week on our Friday News Roundup. 
4/17/202022 minutes, 51 seconds
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Sen. Dick Durbin Updates Us On Congress’ Fight Against Covid-19

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois joins Reset for an update on what Capitol Hill is doing to help the American people deal with COVID-19.
4/16/202018 minutes, 40 seconds
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Grammy-winner Rhymefest Gives Us Things To Read, Watch, Do

Rapper, producer, humanitarian, activist and South Sider Che “Rhymefest” Smith suggests things to read, watch and do that’ll inspire, calm and make us appreciate what we have in this difficult times.
4/15/202015 minutes, 42 seconds
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Cook County Reassessing Property Values In Wake Of Covid Crisis

The Cook County assessor’s office is planning to review every single property in the county because of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Reset checks in assessor Fritz Kaegi for more on the process.
4/14/20200
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Kim Foxx On covid-19 In The Cook County Jail

With no way to do social distancing, America’s jails and prisons are petri dishes for covid-19. Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx talks about the way she’s trying to overcome these challenges as more guards, detainees, and workers at the jail come down with the virus.
4/13/202019 minutes, 45 seconds
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Masks: What You Need To Know. And Remembering John Prine

Masks. We should wear them. We shouldn’t wear them. They work. They don’t work. We’ve heard a lot of conflicting and changing information about masks. Find out the real story, as an expert answers questions from us and from you. Plus we remember “The Mailman from Maywood”, the legendary John Prine, who passed away yesterday at age 73.
4/10/202028 minutes, 26 seconds
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Your Questions About Covid-19 Answered

News and information about the covid-19 virus-how it spreads, how long it lasts in various environments, and best practices to protect ourselves-is constantly changing. Infectious disease specialist Dr. Mia Taormina keeps us up to date, and answers those questions from Jenn and from listeners like you.
4/10/202021 minutes, 18 seconds
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Chicago And Illinois News Roundup: April 10, 2020

There’s plenty of state and local news this week as the covid-19 crisis continues. We break it all down with AD Quig of Crain’s Chicago Business, and Laura Washington of the Sun Times and ABC7
4/10/202023 minutes, 41 seconds
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Cyber Safety During The Covid Crisis, And A Poet’s Perspective On The Outbreak

As more and more of our work and family life has gone all online, a cyber security expert gives us tips on how to avoid being hacked. And poet Kevin Coval looks at the Covid crisis from his unique perspective, and lays some amazing poetry on us.
4/7/202025 minutes, 34 seconds
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What We Know About Chicago’s New Top Cop

He still needs to be confirmed by the city council, but Mayor Lightfoot’s pick to run the Chicago Police Department is the former chief of police in Dallas. WBEZ’s Patrick Smith gives us some intel on why he was chosen and how he’ll run CPD.
4/6/202012 minutes, 43 seconds
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Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot Answers Questions from Reset & Listeners

Mayor Lori Lightfoot joins us for an extended conversations about the covid-19 pandemic, the city’s plans and preparedness, first responders, the city’s public schools, what the situation means for the city budget and the overall economy, and more
4/3/202024 minutes, 45 seconds
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Centralizing Philanthropy, Serving Chicago’s Most Vulnerable

As we concentrate on taking care of ourselves and our own, who’s looking after the most vulnerable populations in and around Chicago? Helene Gayle of the Chicago Community Trust explains how the precious dollars are making their way to the folks that need it most
4/1/202014 minutes, 38 seconds
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ER Doctor Talks Updates, Preparations For Area’s Emergency Rooms

Dr. Ernie Wang, chief of emergency medicine at NorthShore University HealthSystem, updates us on the mental and physical health of area emergency room staff, and if they have the resources needed as hospitals see an increase in COVID-19 cases.
3/31/202015 minutes, 48 seconds
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Can We Learn Lessons From The Ebola Outbreak?

Former head of USAID and current president and CEO of the ONE Campaign Gayle Smith talks about how we can apply lessons learned during the Ebola outbreak to the current Covid-19 pandemic
3/30/202018 minutes, 36 seconds
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WBEZ’s Chicago And Illinois News Roundup: March 27, 2020

Reset breaks down the biggest news of the week in WBEZ’s Friday News Roundup with host Jenn White.GUESTS: Paris Schutz, WTTW political correspondent and hostBecky Vevea, WBEZ government and politics reporter
3/27/202019 minutes, 39 seconds
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IL Rep. Brad Schneider On The Stimulus Package: Focus Needs To Be On Main Street, Not Wall Street

In a rare bipartisan move, late Wednesday the U.S. Senate unanimously passed a $2 trillion emergency bill to grant economic relief to individuals, families and businesses dealing with the novel coronavirus pandemic.The so-called “CARES Act”, once approved by the House and signed by the President, would be the largest economic rescue package in American history.This comes as the Labor Department this morning announced that nearly 3.3 million Americans applied for unemployment benefits last week — more than quadruple the previous record set in 1982.Some economists predict the unemployment rate could go as high as 30 percent. This would match levels during the Great Depression.Reset checked in with Congressman Brad Schneider, who represents Illinois’ 10th district in Lake County, for more on the bill, including how it helps hospitals in Illinois access the resources they need. 
3/26/202019 minutes, 7 seconds
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Doctors, Nurses Plead For More Supplies. Here's How Some People Are Answering The Call.

Reset talks to a Chicago ER doctor about life in the emergency room amid supply shortages. We also check in with a member of a citizen-led initiative to help get those needed supplies to Chicago-area healthcare workers. 
3/25/202016 minutes, 25 seconds
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How Are Universities And Students Coping With COVID-19?

Among the many responding in time to the novel coronavirus are university and college campuses.Reset talks with a WBEZ education reporter and an associate vice chancellor of the University of Illinois System, and takes your calls. 
3/24/202030 minutes, 3 seconds
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Chicago Chefs Discuss Coronavirus Restaurant Closures

Reset looks into how restaurant owners and chefs are reacting to their businesses being closed during the coronavirus pandemic.GUESTS: Jason Hammel, chef and owner of Lula Cafe in ChicagoVictor Love, owner of Josephine’s Southern Cooking
3/23/202012 minutes, 12 seconds
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Things To Read, Watch And Do While You’re Stuck At Home

Greta Johnsen of WBEZ’s Nerdette podcast is a voracious reader and consumer of groovy pop culture. In a twist on the Reset broadcast’s “See Hear Eat” segment, Greta gives us some ideas for things to “Read Watch Do”.
3/22/202012 minutes, 29 seconds
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Friday News Roundup For March 20, 2020

Heather Cherone of the Daily Line and David Greising of the Better Government Association take on the Covid-19 crisis and Illinois primaries on our Friday News Roundup.
3/20/202023 minutes, 46 seconds
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Covid-19: Questions From You Answers From Experts

There is no better way to fight the global coronavirus pandemic than to be informed. Today’s podcast is devoted to questions from listeners like you, and experts who give sound, scientific answers and advice. Please, share this podcast with your friends and family.
3/19/202031 minutes, 1 second
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The Big Takeaways From The Illinois Primaries

We talk with State’s Attorney Kim Foxx and Congressman Sean Casten about their primary wins, and WBEZ’s Dave McKinney talks about how those and other important races shook out in yesterday’s Illinois primary.
3/18/202018 minutes, 48 seconds
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Coronavirus Hitting Homeless Hard

For some, the coronavirus outbreak is a big inconvenience. But for the homeless population in and around Chicago, it’s a huge threat. We get the latest on how covid-19 is affecting the homeless, and we’ll get the latest updates from the Chicago Food Depository on how you can help.
3/17/202015 minutes, 4 seconds
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Doctors Answer Coronavirus Questions

Real experts. Scientists. Doctors. That’s who we’ve lined up to answer questions from listeners about the coronavirus. How it’s transmitted, how lethal it is, best practices to keep yourself and your loved ones safe, and much more
3/16/202024 minutes, 43 seconds
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The Unwritten Rules For Living In Chicago

Putting ketchup on a hot dog?! That a no-no here in Chicago. We’ll talk about that, and other unique, often quirky unwritten rules for living in Chicago.
3/15/202019 minutes, 1 second
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Friday News Roundup For March 13, 2020

The closings, cancellations, and confusion from the spread of the novel coronavirus tops our list of biggest local news stories this week. We cover that and more with Chicago Tribune reporter Dan Petrella, Crain’s podcaster Amy Guth, and WBEZ editor Kate Grossman
3/13/202030 minutes, 18 seconds
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Social Distancing The Best Way To Break The Coronavirus Pandemic

We know the novel coronavirus, or covid 19, easily spreads from person to person. Atlantic writer Yascha Mounk says that’s exactly why we need to stop congregating, and start self-quarantining.
3/12/202017 minutes, 37 seconds
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How We Choose Our Delegates In Illinois

Who are the people that ultimately nominate a candidate for a major party? Where do they come from and how do they get to the convention? We’ll look at how Illinois chooses its delegates. And how Biden beat Bernie in Michigan, a state where Sanders had so much success 4 years ago.
3/11/202020 minutes, 17 seconds
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Gov. Prizker Declares State of Emergency Over Coronavirus

The latest on the covid-19 outbreak in Illinois and what government officials are doing to keep the virus at bay. And the Tribune’s Rick Pearson talks about the congressional race in the 14th district. 7 GOP hopefuls are lining up to take on freshman Democrat Lauren Underwood
3/10/202021 minutes, 29 seconds
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Chicago Prize Finalists Share Vision For Auburn Gresham

With a $10 million grant up for grabs, we talk to another finalist organization for the Pritzker-Traubert Foundation’s “Chicago Prize”. From a healthy lifestyle hub to office spaces and more, we focus is on the work being done by Catalytic Development of Auburn Gresham
3/9/202016 minutes, 41 seconds
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Reset Sunday Podcast: Closing The Gap Pt. 4

In the 4th and final installment of our Closing The Gap series, we look at how early childhood education can strengthen health outcomes for individuals and families in low income communities. 
3/8/202024 minutes, 37 seconds
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Friday News Roundup For March 6, 2020

WTTW’s Paris Schutz, AD Quig from Crain’s Chicago Business, and David Greising of the Better Government Association take you deep into the biggest local stories of the week on our Friday News Roundup.
3/6/202028 minutes, 49 seconds
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Film Festival Highlights Issues Of The Environment, Sustainability

Film festival highlights how we can look differently at the environment, our own sustainability practices, and the intersection of the environment and social justice. Films will play in multiple venues in Chicago, suburban cook, and surrounding counties. Oneearthfilmfest.org
3/5/202018 minutes, 53 seconds
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Resource Helps You Decide On Candidates For Judge

Jonah Newman of Injustice Watch talks about the organizations’s guide to help you decide who to vote for when it comes to the large slate of judgeships up for grabs in Cook County. And WBEZ’s Mariah Woelfel gives you the latest in the primary contest for Illinois’ 3rd congressional district
3/4/202018 minutes
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Getting Mental Health Care To New And Expectant Mothers

The Northwestern Medicine program COMPASS gets new and expectant mothers individualized mental health care quickly. And the latest updates on coronavirus in Illinois.
3/3/202020 minutes, 33 seconds
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Little Village Group Vying for $10 Million Prize

The Pritzker Traubert Foundation is giving away a $10 million grant that’ll be given to a group or groups working to improve certain neighborhoods in Chicago. Today, we highlight the work of another of the finalists for the Chicago Prize
3/2/202015 minutes, 42 seconds
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Closing The Gap Part 3: Access To Healthcare

Part 3 of our series Closing The Gap focuses on access to healthcare, and how that can determine life expectancy.
3/1/202018 minutes, 59 seconds
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Friday News Roundup For Feb 28, 2020

Coronavirus, city towing, and CPS dumping Columbus Day. Those are just some of the local stories we cover with journalists Mick Dumke, Heather Cherone, and Kristen Schorsch on our Friday News Roundup
2/28/202029 minutes, 43 seconds
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How To Actually Prepare For Coronavirus, And A New Generation Gets To Experience MLK's 'I Have A Dream' Speech

A new virtual reality exhibit at the DuSable Museum allows visitors to step into history and witness one of the most iconic civil rights moments in America.Also, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says it’s only a matter of time before the coronavirus begins to spread in the U.S., though local state and city officials are urging calm. We talk to an infectious disease expert on what real preparation and prevention looks like.  
2/27/202024 minutes, 14 seconds
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Sen. Carol Mosely Braun Talks Op-Ed, The Disintegration Of The Senate

Seventy former U.S. Senators — 48 Democrats, 18 Republicans and four Independents — published a Washington Post op-ed Tuesday calling on incumbent Senators to form a bipartisan caucus committed to making the Senate function as the framers intended. Reset sits down with one of the co-signers: Illinois Democrat Carol Moseley Braun, who served in the Senate from 1993 to 1999.
2/26/202016 minutes, 19 seconds
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Jesse Jackson’s Best Speeches Now In Book Form

The Rev. Jesse Jackson’s speeches have moved and inspired audiences around the world for more than 50 years. Acting as editor, Prof. Grace Kim has gathered many of Jackson's most famous oratorical moments in book form for the first time. We talk with Jackson and Kim about Keeping Hope Alive: Sermons and Speeches of Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr.
2/25/202020 minutes, 30 seconds
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Keeping Safe On The CTA

From keeping safe on the EL to using carbon credits while flying, Reset contributor Mary Wisniewski has a full slate of transportation news. Plus, what the suburbs are doing to lure companies back after so many have made the switch to new digs in the city.
2/24/202021 minutes, 39 seconds
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Closing The Gap Pt. 2: What Changed In Englewood?

In the first round of our series “Closing The Gap”, we look at the disparities in life expectancy across Chicago. Here in part 2, we take a closer look at Englewood, the neighborhood with some of the lowest life expectancies not only in Chicago, but in the country.
2/23/202016 minutes, 48 seconds
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Friday News Roundup for Feb. 21, 2020

Two Illinois governors grabbed the biggest headlines this week. The former one is a convicted felon. The current one is trying to get a budget passed. WTTW’s Amanda Vinickey, the BGA’s David Greising, and WBEZ’s Dave McKinney break it all down.
2/21/202027 minutes, 54 seconds
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Reset In Englewood: Policing and Food Policy

Find out how Chicago Police District 7 in Englewood is gaining the trust of the community. And a UIC researcher breaks down how the diets of various racial groups are affecting the environment.
2/20/202025 minutes, 49 seconds
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Reset Bonus: Governor Pritzker’s Budget Speech and What It Means For You

Gov. Pritzker talks about the state of the state’s economy, and his plans and priorities for the budget. You'll hear the entire speech, and analysis from WBEZ's Tony Arnold
2/19/202054 minutes, 50 seconds
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Disgraced Governor Rod Blagojevich Returns Home

President Trump commuted the sentence of former governor Rod Blagojevich. We’ll hear parts of Blago’s press conference and analysis from WBEZ’s Dave McKinney
2/19/202011 minutes, 19 seconds
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ACLU Illinois Gets New Top Litigator

Chicago Native Nusrat Choudhury is excited about coming back to her hometown to fight injustice as new top litigator for ACLU Illinois. She outlines the types of cases she’s interested in taking on as the ACLU celebrates a century of defending civil liberties in the U.S.
2/18/202016 minutes, 21 seconds
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Local Group Competing For Chicago Prize

We talk to one of the finalists for the Chicago Prize. It’s a $10 million grant given out to a group or groups working on innovative solutions to make their neighborhoods safer, or greener, or creating more opportunities or have better amenities for their residents.
2/17/202019 minutes, 34 seconds
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Friday News Roundup For Feb. 14, 2020

A final four for Chicago’s top cop job, the one-year anniversary of the mass shooting in Aurora, and Jussie Smollett is indicted… again. Those stories and more as ProPublica’s Mick Dumke, WTTW’s Paris Schutz, and WBEZ’s own Patrick Smith join us for this week’s Friday News Roundup.
2/14/202031 minutes, 22 seconds
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Dump The Tests: Some Illinois Universities Rethinking Admissions Process

Northern Illinois University is one of the first higher education institutions to go fully test-blind in their admissions process, alongside other Illinois schools opting for test-optional admissions.Reset sits down with two Illinois admissions directors and a veteran higher education journalist to hear about this trend. llinois University
2/12/202019 minutes, 24 seconds
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Neighbors, City Say Company Causing Dangerous Pollution

IL Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-8th) responds to President Trump’s proposed budget, and we look at a north side metal recycler that’s been accused for years of polluting the neighborhood.
2/11/202022 minutes, 27 seconds
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Esperanza Fills Health Care Gaps On Chicago’s Southwest Side

A decade and a half ago, residents of Chicago’s Southwest side saw a real need for access to bilingual physical and mental health resources. Today, Esperanza has four locations across the Southwest Side, providing healthcare to thousands.
2/10/202017 minutes, 21 seconds
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Closing The Gap, Life Expectancy in Chicago, Pt. 1

Over the next several Sundays, we’re bringing you our series Closing The Gap, where we look at the huge disparities in life expectancy between rich and poor neighborhoods in Chicago. How big is the gap? Why does this gap exist? And what people are doing to close the gap?
2/9/202022 minutes, 9 seconds
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Reset’s Friday News Roundup For Feb. 7, 2020

From the turmoil at the Iowa caucus, to the protests at Lincoln Park High, guilty pleas from state officials to a proposed ban on red light cameras, we go deep on all the big local and regional news stories in our Friday News Roundup.
2/7/202024 minutes, 33 seconds
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President Trump’s Been Acquitted. Now What?

American University professor and historian Allan Lichtman has correctly predicted every presidential contest since 1984. In 2016, he predicted Donald Trump would become president, and that he’d be impeached. One day after Trump’s acquittal by the senate on two impeachment charges, we reached out to Lichtman to find out what he thinks comes next for this presidency, the country and the 2020 elections
2/6/202020 minutes, 10 seconds
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Will Illinoisans Be Able To Bet On Sports By March Madness?

Last June, Illinois passed a bill legalizing sports betting. But almost eight months later, it still hasn’t launched.Sports betting analyst Sam Panayotovich and Rush Street Gaming CEO Greg Carlin join Reset to discuss.GUESTS: Sam Panayotovich, sports betting analyst for NBC SportsGreg Carlin, CEO of Rush Street Gaming
2/5/202021 minutes, 14 seconds
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Second City Celebrates Black History Month

Second City shines a light on black performers past and present for Black History Month. And Cécile Shea talks about what Brexit might mean for Chicago and the Midwest.
2/4/202023 minutes, 15 seconds
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Small Local Quality-Of-Life Changes Key To Climate Action

Former EPA leader Gina McCarthy now heads the National Resources Defense Council. She says thinking about climate change in terms of melting glaciers is too overwhelming for people to deal with. By thinking about how we build our homes and how we grow our feed, we can make a huge difference.
2/3/202023 minutes, 48 seconds
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Black Hair The Star Of Oscar-Nominated Animated Short

An Oscar-nominated animated short looks at the relationships between a young black girl, her hair, and her dad. Two of the people behind the film talk about the deep personal and cultural meanings of the film.
2/2/202018 minutes, 45 seconds
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Friday News Roundup For Jan. 31, 2020

Dan Petrella from the Chicago Tribune, David Greising of the Better Government Association, and WBEZ’s Dave McKinney talk about the governor’s State of the State address, a retooling of the Chicago Police Department and more in our Friday News Roundup with host Jenn White. 
1/31/202028 minutes, 20 seconds
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South Side Hospital Mergers Aim To Decrease Health Disparities

Four South Side hospitals are merging, in hopes of bringing more new and comprehensive health care options closer to the people who need them most. We speak with two of the CEO’s involved to learn about their plans to diminish the glaring health disparities between the north and south sides of the city.
1/30/202011 minutes, 58 seconds
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BONUS: Illinois Gov. Pritzker's Full State Of The State Address

In case you missed it, or want to take a closer listen, here's Gov. Pritzker's State of the State speech, given at noon today in Springfield
1/29/202035 minutes, 19 seconds
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Groups Bring Legal Aid To Marginalized Communities

Access to justice can only happen if individuals and groups have access to legal expertise and resources. Marginalized communities both in urban and rural areas often are without this access to legal aid. Governor Pritzker allocated $10 million of this year’s state budget to help fund organizations that provide legal aid, and we talk to 2 women that’ll help allocate those funds.
1/29/202015 minutes, 32 seconds
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Groups Tackle Sexual Assault On College Campus

A recent report showed a quarter of undergraduate women at 30 universities across the country have been sexually assaulted. This week, two groups at Northwestern University hosted MeToo founder Tarana Burke on campus.We talk to some of the leaders of those groups about their efforts to raise awareness and create programs designed to eradicate the problem.
1/28/202017 minutes, 6 seconds
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New ALA Director Says Libraries On Front Lines Of Social Justice

Tracie Hall talks about her plans and goals as she becomes the first African American woman to lead the American Library Association. The ALA the world’s largest and oldest organization dedicated to the advancement of libraries and their important role as holders and disseminators of knowledge.
1/27/202019 minutes, 59 seconds
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Celebrating Lunar New Year With Food and Culture

Monica Eng and Louisa Chu, co-hosts of the Chewing Podcast, talk about the history of Chinese food in Chicago, and Monica softens her stance on Americanized Chinese food.
1/26/202014 minutes, 43 seconds
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Friday News Roundup For Jan. 24, 2020

Illinois state politics gurus Amanda Vinicky (WTTW) and Tony Arnold (WBEZ) bring us the latest news out of Springfield in our Friday News Roundup
1/24/202022 minutes, 49 seconds
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Chicagoans Gather To Heal Wounds Of Racism

In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, we hear from the folks behind Truth Racial Healing, and Transformation Greater Chicago. They’ve planned events across the area to help people better understand each other, and to help individuals heal from racial trauma.
1/23/202014 minutes, 37 seconds
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CPD Overhauls Crucial Training Program That Senior Officials Once Called ‘A Hot Mess’

For decades, the Chicago Police Department’s field training program has been in shambles. But officials say they’re turning it around.Reset takes a look at CPD’s efforts to overhaul the program that could determine the future of policing in Chicago.
1/22/202026 minutes, 52 seconds
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SNL’s Chris Redd Says You Need To Bomb To Grow

Chicagoan Chris Redd talks about wanting to be a rapper and a wannabe gangster before finally finding himself as a standup comic, and eventually a cast member on Saturday Night Live.
1/19/202022 minutes, 54 seconds
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Friday News Roundup For Jan. 17, 2020

The City Council, The County, and The State are all on the agenda, as WBEZ state politics reporter Dave McKinney, Daily Line managing editor and City Hall reporter Heather Cherone and A.D. Quig, government and politics reporter at Crain’s Chicago Business join us for the Friday News Roundup
1/17/202031 minutes, 11 seconds
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A Possible Construction Slowdown For Chicago, And The Rise Of Cli-Fi

Is Chicago’s decade-long building boom slowing down? And, as temperatures and sea-levels rise, so does the interest in Cli-Fi, or Climate Change Fiction
1/16/202020 minutes, 59 seconds
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$10 Million Up For Grabs To Reinvigorate Chicago Neighborhoods

6 community organizations are trying to win $10 million to advance their work investing in the future of certain Chicago neighborhoods
1/15/202017 minutes, 17 seconds
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Illinois Governor Pritzker And Lieutenant Governor Stratton Reflect On First Year In Office

Today on Reset, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker discusses his first year in office. We talked about legal cannabis, a graduated income tax...and why he wanted to expand gambling statewide.We also hear Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton about her work to make criminal justice in Illinois more fair and equitable.
1/14/202026 minutes, 30 seconds
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Illinois Senate President John Cullerton Reflects On Four Decades In Springfield

After 41 years as a legislator in Springfield, including the last decade as Senate President, Chicago Democrat John Cullerton is bowing out of politics to honor a long-standing promise to his wife to spend more time with family.Reset talks with Cullerton about some of the biggest moments in his political career, the ongoing federal investigations into Illinois lawmakers and what challenges and opportunities lay ahead for his successor.
1/13/202021 minutes, 45 seconds
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When People Say “Don’t Go To The South or West Side”

Many people born and raised in Chicago, and many newbies to the city, are told to not go to the South or West sides of the city. Many of those who say it have never actually been to those neighborhoods, or know anyone from those neighborhoods. We’ll look at what happens to a neighborhood and the people in it when their community is on an unofficial “do not visit’ list.
1/12/202017 minutes, 34 seconds
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Friday News Roundup for Jan 10, 2020

WBEZ’s, Tony Arnold, Better Government Association CEO David Greising, and Shia Kapos of Politico talk about the biggest local news stories of the week on our Friday News Roundup
1/10/202031 minutes, 1 second
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Preckwinkle’s 2020 Previews And Predictions Plus 2019's Biggest Sustainability Stories

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle talks about her priorities for the the new year, and Reset’s Sustainability Contributor Karen Weigert looks back at the biggest environmental stories of 2019
1/9/202023 minutes, 11 seconds
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Minority Business Owners Hoping To Claim Stake In Legalized Cannabis Industry

The state will distribute 75 new recreational marijuana dispensary licenses by May 1. Reset takes a look at how minority business owners are working to enter the legal cannabis industry.
1/7/202016 minutes, 35 seconds
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A History Of Chicago Theater And A Church Schism

Why the United Methodist Church is preparing to split, and a new book chronicles the history of Chicago’s famed theater scene
1/6/202023 minutes, 41 seconds
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Friday News Roundup For Jan 3, 2020

Pot. Weed. Grass. Doobie. Mary Jane. Whatever you want to call it, marijuana is legal in Illinois. That’s the biggest story in a week of big stories we cover as we begin a new year on the Friday News Roundup.
1/3/202031 minutes, 23 seconds
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2019 Homicide Numbers And Kids Chess Champions.

Homicides and shootings were down in Chicago in 2019 compared to recent years. We’ll get the numbers and the reasons behind them. Plus we’ll hear from a group of 8th grade girls from the city’s South Side are the state chess champs.
1/2/202023 minutes, 16 seconds
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The Best Reads Of 2019

Looking for something to read as the weather turns cold? Our panel of book experts and our listeners talk about the favorite things they read in 2019
12/31/201936 minutes, 47 seconds
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Why Chicago Is The Most Polish City In The U.S.

Historian Dominic Pacyga takes us inside his new book, American Warsaw: The Rise, Fall, and Rebirth of Polish Chicago
12/30/201916 minutes, 36 seconds
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Where Black America And Gothic Culture Come Together

Author Leila Taylor takes us into the dark heart of the American Gothic, analyzing the ways it relates to race in America in the twenty-first century.
12/27/201922 minutes, 7 seconds
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A 60-Year History Of Gentrification In Chicago And Beyond

Matthew Sherman talks with Natalie Moore about his new book “Newcomers: Gentrification and Its Discontents”, a history of gentrification in Chicago, San Francisco, and Brooklyn over the last 60 years.
12/26/201922 minutes, 41 seconds
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Chicago’s Segregation Perpetuated By Public And Private Policy

A new book by Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor looks at how a mix of federal policy and private industry perpetuated the segregation lines in cities like Chicago
12/23/201922 minutes, 34 seconds
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Reset’s Friday News Roundup For Dec. 20, 2019

Mayor Lori Lightfoot blocks a six-month delay on recreational weed sales starting Jan.1. Cook County Board proposes a 3% pot tax. Plus Gov. JB Pritzker signs a pension consolidation bill,Reset breaks down these stories and more in WBEZ’s Chicago and Illinois News Roundup.GUESTS: A.D. Quig, government and politics reporter at Crain’s Chicago BusinessClaudia Morell, WBEZ City Hall reporterLolly Bowean, Chicago Tribune reporter
12/20/201925 minutes, 50 seconds
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U.S. House Impeaches President For ‘High Crimes And Misdemeanors’

Reset talks to Democratic Congressman Mike Quigley of Illinois’ 5th district, who was one of the 230 house votes in favor of impeachment.
12/19/201921 minutes, 33 seconds
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In Illinois, Some Prisoners Are Asked: Which Eye Could You Do Without?

A WBEZ investigation found multiple prisoners have been denied eye surgery because of a “one good eye” policy.Also, survivors of crime in Illinois are some of the least likely in the United States to apply for victim compensation and services.Reset finds out why from two crime victims advocates.
12/18/201927 minutes, 55 seconds
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What’s Next In The Impeachment Process

The deadline to sign up for healthcare through the Affordable Care Act has been extended until tomorrow morning. Dan Weissmann, host of the podcast “An Arm and a Leg” brings us the details and breaks down why accessing health insurance in this country is so costly and confusing. But first, a look at what to expect on Wednesday when — for just the third time in American history — the House of Representatives will debate and vote on whether to impeach a sitting president.
12/17/201928 minutes, 21 seconds
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Folded Map Project Meets Chicago’s West Side

Tonika Lewis Johnson’s “Folded Map” project brings together residents across Chicago’s segregation lines, and the project has expanded to include West Side addresses.Reset sits down with Tonika and her first pair of West Side map twins to hear about the experience. 
12/16/201919 minutes, 14 seconds
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Reset’s Friday News Roundup For Dec. 13, 2019

Daily Line’s Heather Cherone, Chicago Sun Times and ABC 7’s Laura Washington, and WTTW’s Paris Schutz dive into the biggest stories in and around Chicago this week.
12/13/201929 minutes, 18 seconds
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Can Chicago Survive The Next Big Recession, Plus The Hanukkah Latke

Sun-Times City Hall Reporter Fran Spielman breaks down the latest Moody’s report that says Chicago and Detroit are at the bottom of a list of major American cities when it comes to how well they’d fare when the next big recession hits. Plus searching for the perfect latke ahead of Hanukkah
12/11/201920 minutes, 21 seconds
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Impeachment Plus A Crafty Activist

Shannon Downey mixes crafts and activism to create “Craftivism”, and IL Congressman Krishnamoorthi talks about the articles of impeachment.
12/10/201923 minutes, 22 seconds
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Closing The Gap Series Looks At Non-Equal Access To Contraceptive Care

Our Closing The Gap series digs into the disparities in contraceptive health and education. We talk to two professionals who are working to close the gap.
12/8/201919 minutes, 28 seconds
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Reset’s Friday News Roundup For Dec. 6, 2019

WBEZ’s Patrick Smith, WTTW’s Amanda Vinicky, and Crain’s A.D. Quig take a deep dive into the biggest stories in and around Chicago this week.
12/6/201920 minutes, 59 seconds
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SNAP Changes Plus This Week’s See Hear Eat

The Trump administration is changing certain eligibility rules for receiving food assistance, and it could affect many in Illinois. Plus the newest member of the WBEZ/Vocalo family gives us great tips on some things to see, hear, and eat this weekend around Chicago.
12/5/201919 minutes, 51 seconds
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Fred Hampton's Legacy in Chicago 50 Years After His Killing

Today marks 50 years since police killed the young Black Panthers leader during a pre-dawn raid. Reset looks at how Hampton's legacy lives on in Chicago. Also: Chicago's winter parking ban went into effect this week. We look at what you need to know to avoid getting your car towed. 
12/4/201919 minutes
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HIV Infection Rates Down In Cities, But On The Rise In Rural Areas

Rates of HIV diagnoses are falling in cities across the country like New York, Philadelphia and right here in Chicago. That’s the good news. The bad news: cases of the virus are cropping up more and more in rural areas like West Virginia and other parts of Appalachia. Reset sits down with Steven Thrasher, assistant professor at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, for more on this issue.  We also check in with Jill Hopkins, the host of the Morning Amp on WBEZ’s sister station Vocalo. She introduces us to some of the talented folks around the city that are being highlighted in Vocalo’s series “This Is What Chicago Sounds Like.”
12/3/201923 minutes, 35 seconds
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Lightfoot Fires Chicago’s Top Cop, Former Madigan Campaign Worker Reaches $275K Settlement

This morning, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot fired the city’s top cop Eddie Johnson. The mayor said the CPD superintendent "repeatedly lied to her." The move was particularly stunning in its timing. It comes just weeks ahead of his scheduled retirement.Reset  also sits down with political consultant Alaina Hampton. On Friday, Hampton reached a $275,000 settlement in a federal lawsuit against Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan's political committees. The settlement comes nearly two years after Hampton came forward with allegations of sexual harassment against (Kevin Quinn,) a former top aide to Madigan.
12/2/201923 minutes, 55 seconds
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A Post Turkey-Day Break

The Reset podcast is taking the day off, but we'll be back on Sunday when Jenn talks to KP of the Portland band Black Belt Eagle Scout
11/29/201951 seconds
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The Real First Thanksgiving, And Holiday Sides

There’s a lot we know about the origins of Thanksgiving. The problem is, we’re not taught the real history in school. For that, we turn to David Silverman, professor of history at George Washington University. He’s the author of the book This Land is Their Land: The Wampanoag Indians, Plymouth Colony, and the Troubled History of Thanksgiving. Plus WBEZ’s Monica Eng goes through the array of side dishes that folks have on their Thanksgiving table. And it’s a lot more interesting than mashed potatoes.
11/27/201917 minutes, 38 seconds
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Lightfoot’s Budget Passes, Local Rep Fights For Maternal Health

We’ll hear how the vote went down as Chicago’s City Council passes Mayor Lightfoot’s first budget. And Rep. Robin Kelly (D-2nd) talks about her fight to improve health care for women during pregnancy and the first year after they give birth.
11/26/201922 minutes, 28 seconds
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Kim Foxx Running For Reelection, Has Challengers And Challenges

Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx has announced she’s running for reelection. She’s raising plenty of money and has the endorsement of a number of high-profile politicians. But can she get past the missteps associated with the Jussie Smollett case? We hear from Foxx, and WBEZ criminal justice reporter Patrick Smith
11/25/201922 minutes, 57 seconds
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Black Belt Eagle Scout Wants To Inspire Indigenous People

KP of Black Belt Eagle Scout talks about moving off her small reservation to go to college, finding her place in the world and in Portland's music scene, and starting a band of her own to tell her story as a brown, queer, indigenous person. Her latest album "At The Party With My Brown Friends" is filled with dreamy sounds and personal stories. It's garnered rave reviews and made her one of the most talked about indie-rock musicians in 2019. 
11/24/201920 minutes, 49 seconds
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Are “Quiet Rooms” In Schools More Like Solitary Confinement?

A new investigation by the Chicago Tribune and ProPublica Illinois found some disturbing information about the use of so-called Quiet Rooms for students in schools across Illinois. The practice is banned in 19 states, and while many teachers and school officials call it a useful tool to keep students and staff safe from violent behavior, often it’s the only tool at their disposal and can be misused.
11/24/201916 minutes, 59 seconds
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Friday News Roundup For Nov. 22, 2019

WBEZ’s Tony Arnold, A.D. Quig of Crain’s Chicago Business, and the Chicago Tribune’s John Byrne talk about the city budget, indictments in Springfield, and much more in our Friday News Roundup.
11/22/201926 minutes
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Lenny Bruce Comes Alive On Chicago Stage

Controversial comic Lenny Bruce talked about taboo subjects from the stage in the 1960’s. From religion to sex to race relations, Bruce attacked what he saw as hypocrisy, and forced his audiences to confront uncomfortable truths. Reset sits down with actor and writer Ronnie Marmo about his one-man play "I’m Not A Comedian...I’m Lenny Bruce," which highlights what Bruce means to him and where he thinks Bruce fits into today’s conversations about free speech."I'm Not A Comedian...I'm Lenny Bruce" is playing at The Royal George Theatre through Jan. 5.
11/21/201918 minutes, 32 seconds
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Link Found Between ACEs And Major Health Issues

A new study from the CDC shows children exposed “Adverse Childhood Experiences”-neglect, abuse, an incarcerated or addicted parent-have a much higher risk of heart disease, diabetes, depression, and other debilitating diseases when they get older. We find out more and what some are trying to do to prevent it.
11/20/201916 minutes, 42 seconds
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Famed Cartoonist Lynda Barry Says Anyone Can Draw

Celebrated Cartoonist Lynda Barry is now a little more celebrated: she just became a MacArthur "Genius Grant" winner. Barry talks about how, no matter what they think, anyone can draw. She lays out the case in her new book “Making Comics”
11/19/201914 minutes, 43 seconds
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Spotlight On State And National Politics

Senate President John Cullterton is retiring after 4 decades in the statehouse, and U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley is front-and-center in the impeachment hearings. We’ll find out what the Illinois senate will be like without Cullerton, and what kinds of questions Quigley is preparing for witnesses on capitol hill this week.
11/18/201923 minutes, 16 seconds
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Asian Americans Seek Environmental Justice, Chicago Seeks Solutions To Low Recycling Rate

Some in the Asian American community are looking to get their neighbors involved in a movement that would bring environmental justice to Chinatown and Bridgeport. Plus WBEZ’s Jerome McDonnell puts together a roundtable to help boost Chicago’s incredibly low recycling rate
11/15/201923 minutes, 29 seconds
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Chicago Losing A Spanish-Language Newspaper, Veto Session Wraps In Springfield

After 16 years, TribPub is pulling the plug on its Spanish-language newspaper Hoy. We talk with current and future staffers about what it means for the Latinx and the greater Chicago community. And NPR Illinois statehouse reporter Brian Mackie gives us up-to-the-minute info on the final hours of the fall veto session in Springfield.
11/14/201921 minutes, 52 seconds
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Is Cyber War The New Nuclear War?

New York Times national security correspondent David Sanger talks about cyber warfare, and what the U.S. is doing to thwart hackers and the countries that sponsor them that are working to cause mayhem in everything from our power grids to our elections.
11/13/201919 minutes, 50 seconds
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City Budget Hearings, Stemming Gang Violence in Chicago And El Salvador

Alderman wrap up 2 weeks of budget hearings. What did they learn about it, and will they vote for it? Plus, one woman says giving gang members knowledge and options, and treating them like human beings, can help stem the tide of violence in Chicago and El Salvador
11/12/201921 minutes, 47 seconds
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Gun Violence Memorial Turns Numbers Into The Painfully Personal

Mothers who’ve lost sons talk about personal items donated to the Gun Violence Memorial Project, and Transportation contributor Mary Wisniewski on making the streets safer for pedestrians and bikers
11/11/201927 minutes, 36 seconds
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No, Your Cat Won't Eat Your Eyeballs

Author Caitlin Doughty destigmatizes death for kids and adults alike by answering 35 questions about death, dead bodies, and decomposition in her new book “Will My Cat Eat My Eyeballs”.
11/10/201917 minutes, 44 seconds
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Reset’s Friday News Roundup For Nov. 8, 2019

Our weekly roundtable featuring some of the best journalists in Chicago breaking down the biggest stories of the last 7 days.
11/8/201928 minutes, 4 seconds
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Chicago’s Top Cop Announces Retirement

Superintendent Eddie Johnson announced he’ll be stepping down at the end of the year. How did he do in the job? And what does it mean for Chicago's policing future? Reset brings you analysis and reaction from a variety of sources.
11/7/201920 minutes, 23 seconds
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Women’s History Comes To Life In New Graphic Book

How CPS is making up the strike-related lost school days. Plus Chicago historian Mikki Kendall tells amazing stories from women’s history via the new graphic novel “Amazons, Abolitionists and Activists: A Graphic History of Women’s Fight For Their Rights”
11/6/201924 minutes, 3 seconds
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Pulling Out Of Paris, And Overburdened Nurses

Action on climate change being taken on local level as Trump gives 2020 date to pull U.S. out of Paris Accord. And Hospital understaffing and lack of safety guidelines forcing nurses to quit and putting patients at risk.
11/5/201927 minutes, 1 second
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George R.R. Martin, And The Pressures Of College Debt On Middle Class Families

Indebted, the new book by NYU professor Caitlin Zaloom looks at the crushing pressures the college loan system puts on middle class families. And WBEZ’s Nerdette nerds out with Game of Thrones author George R.R. Martin.
11/4/201925 minutes, 8 seconds
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Ibram X. Kendi Explains How To Be An Antiracist

Author, Historian, and the director of American University’s Antiracist Research and Policy Center Ibram X. Kendi talks about his personal story and how it ties into his new book “How To Be An Antiracist”.
11/3/201920 minutes, 57 seconds
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Reset’s Friday News Roundup For Nov. 11, 2019

Our panel of journalists take a deep dive into the biggest news stories of the week, including winners and losers in the teacher’s strike, and more elected officials busted by the feds.
11/1/201926 minutes, 54 seconds
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Where Have Chicago’s Manufacturing Jobs Gone? And This Week’s What’s That Building

Manufacturing on Chicago’s South and West Sides kept whole communities squarely in the middle class. But when those jobs left in the 1960’s and 70’s, there was no plan to re-invigorate the neighborhoods or retrain the people. Those areas of the city are still feeling the effects of the economic shift. We take a deep dive with 4 WBEZ reporters who’ve been telling the story of Chicago’s manufacturing losses.Plus Dennis Rodkin brings us the history of the ornate Murphy Auditorium just off the Magnificent Mile on E. Erie.
10/31/201924 minutes, 53 seconds
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Hospitals Closing Up Baby Delivery Services, Chicago Teachers Strike Day 10

We find out why more than one Chicago area hospital is closing or cutting back on their OB/GYN services from Tribune reporter Lisa Schencker. And WBEZ’s Sarah Karp brings you the latest on the Chicago teachers strike, now in its 10th day.
10/30/201916 minutes, 18 seconds
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IL Rep. Arroyo Arrested For Bribery, Unions Emboldened After Years Of Decline

IL State Rep. Luis Arroyo is accused of trying to bribe a state senator with monthly payments in exchange for support on legislation that would benefit a client Arroyo also lobbies for. And with major auto workers, nurses, and teachers strikes happening across the country, we take the temperature of the American labor movement, and why unions seem to be having a moment in the spotlight.
10/29/201920 minutes, 44 seconds
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Lake County Residents Push Ethylene Oxide Ban, And Fall Veto Session Begins

Illinois lawmakers gather in Springfield today to kick off the fall veto session. Legislators are expected to vote on some big ticket items, including House Bill 38-88. That’s legislation that would effectively ban emissions of ethylene oxide, a cancer-causing gas.Ethylene oxide was the gas being emitted from the Sterigenics plant in DuPage county before it was closed down earlier this year. Meanwhile, it’s still being put into the air by two facilities in Lake County.Reset talks to two scientists from the group Stop EtO--that's “Stop Ethylene Oxide”--in Lake County. We also check in with Brian Mackey, the state government and politics reporter for WUIS and NPR Illinois, for a rundown on what’s on the agenda this fall.
10/28/201926 minutes
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Poet Saeed Jones Searches For His Authentic Self

Poet Saeed Jones’s new memoir How We Fight For Our Lives is at once raw and painful...and achingly beautiful. Jones writes about growing up black and gay and trying figure out how to carve out an identify separate from the people he loves most. An identity that is authentically him...and space where he can find joy in himself.
10/27/201921 minutes, 36 seconds
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Reset’s Weekly News Roundup For Oct. 25, 2019

Heather Cherone of the Daily Line, John Byrne of the Chicago Tribune, and WBEZ’s Claudia Morell talk about the mayor’s budget address, Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson and much more on our Friday News Roundup.
10/25/201930 minutes, 14 seconds
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Mayor Lightfoot Takes Listener Questions

One day after Mayor Lightfoot’s first budget address, she answered questions from Reset and from listeners across the city. No filters, nothing pre-arranged. Just a straight Q & A.
10/24/201929 minutes, 22 seconds
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Reset Bonus Podcast-Mayor Lightfoot's Complete Budget Speech

Reset Bonus Pod: In case you missed it, we're bringing you Mayor Lori Lightfoot's 2020 budget speech, unedited and in its entirety 
10/23/201939 minutes, 53 seconds
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Analyzing Mayor Lightfoot's 2020 Budget Speech

Our panel of experts break down Mayor Lightfoot's first budget speech, where she described her plans to fill a deficit of over $800 million 
10/23/201924 minutes, 23 seconds
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Wiping Away Medical Bills, The Muslim Experience In Chicago

The Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III talks about how his congregation raised the money to wipe out over $5 million in medical debt for 6,000 South Side residents.And a new exhibition is up at the Chicago History Museum that focuses on the past, present, and future of the diverse Muslim communities in Chicago and the suburbs.
10/22/201922 minutes, 57 seconds
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City Club Raids, South Side Photographs

What were the feds looking for when they raided the City Club of Chicago, and why was Mike Madigan's name on the list? And Lee Bey's new book Southern Exposure documents architecture on the South Side.
10/21/201921 minutes, 6 seconds
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How Lonnie Bunch III Built The Most Popular Museum In America

How do you build a museum from scratch...that encompasses 400 years of African American history? How do you get it to tell hard truths, without making it a completely depressing experience for visitors? And how do you do it in a politically charged time, when the African American experience continues to shift and change? You talk to Lonnie Bunch. He explains how he managed to pull it off in his new memoir A Fool’s Errand: Creating the National Museum of African American History and Culture in the age of Bush, Obama, and Trump
10/20/201920 minutes, 50 seconds
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Reset’s Friday News Roundup for Oct. 18, 2019

Teachers on strike, cops getting fired, and where pot will be sold in the city are just some of the stories our panel of takes on in Reset’s Friday News Roundup featuring WTTW’s Paris Schutz, The Daily Line’s Heather Cherone, and David Greising of the Better Government Association.
10/18/201930 minutes, 43 seconds
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The Teachers Strike! And Building Sustainability Into Our Neighborhoods

The Chicago teachers and support staff are on strike. You’ll hear the latest from WBEZ’s Senior Education Editor Kate Grossman. Plus Reset’s Sustainability Contributor Karen Weigert talks about how we can all benefit from sustainability programs at the micro level.
10/17/201915 minutes, 14 seconds
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The Dems Debate, Plus Shopping For Japanese Ingredients

For 15 years, Jason DeSanto worked as a speechwriter and debate prepper for U.S. senators and presidential candidates. DeSanto brings his take on last night’s big Democratic debate.Plus Monica Eng kicks of our series Global Groceries by taking you through Mitsuwa Japanese Marketplace, and explains some of the staples of Japanese cooking.
10/16/201924 minutes, 27 seconds
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What Will It Take To Keep Chicago Teachers From Striking?

Sarah Karp brings you the latest on the negotiations between the teacher’s union and the city, and Chip Mitchell explains how far Chicago police officials went to justify the shooting of Laquan McDonald.
10/15/201922 minutes, 9 seconds
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Toni Preckwinkle On County Budget, Samantha Power On Politics And Policy

Toni Preckwinkle introduces her 2020 budget for Cook County. And former U.N. Ambassador Samantha Power talks American diplomacy in the age of Trump.
10/14/201922 minutes, 54 seconds
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An Important Message For Morning Shift Listeners

Why haven't you seen a daily podcast in your feed this week? As we wind down Morning Shift and ramp up our new program Reset, Jenn White explains how we've got you covered from a programming perspective (more of the news and conversations that matter to you), and from a technical perspective (no need to unsubscribe/resubscribe).  Check out the short message from Jenn, and see you back here very soon! 
10/2/20191 minute, 39 seconds
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Cubs’ Retiring Organist: “Wrigley Is A Cathedral”

Gary Pressy attended every Cubs home game for 33 years. No, he isn’t a die-hard season ticket holder. He’s the club’s organist. But all great streaks eventually come to an end, and a few weeks ago, he announced his retirement. Before playing his last 7th inning stretch, Pressy sat down with WBEZ’s sports contributor Cheryl Raye Stout to talk about his life, his career, and the special place the organ has in the atmosphere at Wrigley Field.
9/26/201918 minutes, 15 seconds
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Illinois Farmers Getting Some Help From Taiwan

Farmers in Illinois and across the Midwest are hurting. Because of the weather. Because of competition with massive agribusiness. Because of the trade war with China. Last week, Taiwan doubled its order of Illinois soybeans. Cecile Shea of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs explains why it might not be the boon that farmers were hoping for, and explains what might be ahead for consumers in this “war of the tariffs” between China and the U.S.
9/26/201912 minutes, 43 seconds
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House Ready To Impeach, Teachers Ready To Strike

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi has called for an official impeachment inquiry yesterday. That means the 6 House of Representatives committees investigating the president and his administration will determine if there’s enough evidence for the House to proceed with impeachment hearings. HuffPost congressional reporter Arthur Delaney fills us in on the latest, and Congressman Brad Schneider (D-IL 10th) gives his take on where this is all going and what it means for congress and the country.Then Chicago Teachers Union President Jesse Sharkey updates us on the continuing negotiations between the CTU and Chicago Public Schools, and the possibility of a teacher’s strike.
9/25/201922 minutes, 21 seconds
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U.N. Sustainability Summit And The King’s Speech At Chicago Shakespeare

When it comes to climate change, much of the world is sitting up, taking notice, and pledging to do something, while the Trump administration rolls back environmental regulations and denies there’s even a problem. We talk about the recent UN Climate Action Summit with Karen Weigert.Plus we hear from actor Harry Hadden-Paton about his role as England’s King George VI, and how the king overcame a stutter to lead his nation through WWII with the help of his speech therapist.
9/24/201925 minutes, 35 seconds
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Nurses Strike And Crime On The El

Nurses at the University of Chicago Medical Center went on a one-day strike last Friday, highlighting what they see as staffing issues that put patients at risk. We’ll find out more about the strike from Tribune healthcare reporter Lisa Schencker, and Denise Summers, a member of the union representing the 2,000+ nurses that hit the picket lines.Then, crime is up on the El. We’ll find out what kinds of crimes, and what’s being done to curtail them from our transportation contributor and Chicago Tribune transportation columnist Mary Wisniewski
9/23/201921 minutes, 19 seconds
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Journalist Paul Tough’s new book examines the promise of higher education

A college education can greatly improve socioeconomic mobility. In The Years That Matter Most: How College Makes Or Breaks Us, journalist Paul Tough examines the many barriers to higher education for low income and minority students.
9/20/201917 minutes, 20 seconds
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Morning Shift’s Friday News Roundup For Sept. 20, 2019

No pot stores on the Mag Mile, and the mayor’s refusal to release all the documents related to the Laquan McDonald case are just some of the stories we’re covering in today’s Friday News roundup
9/20/201930 minutes, 33 seconds
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City Council To Vote On Ticket Reforms

WBEZ reporting has found the way the City of Chicago dishes out fines and fees associated with car tickets has affected disadvantaged neighborhoods of color more than any other. Mayor Lori Lightfoot is trying to change that, and some of her reforms will get a vote tomorrow at City Council. City Comptroller Reshma Soni describes the reforms Lightfoot is pushing, and how she thinks they’ll help people, and the city, in the long run.Plus one woman’s mission to pair parents of children with special needs with employers offering a decent wage and flexible schedules.
9/17/201921 minutes, 4 seconds
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Poet Kevin Coval’s Newest Work Looks At Gentrification

From the late 1980’s and into the 90’s, Chicago’s Wicker Park was both a working-class neighborhood and a hub for young creatives searching for community and a place to hone their art. 10 years later, the area became a magnet for developers looking to cash in on Wicker Park’s hip nature and the close proximity to downtown.Poet and activist Kevin Coval’s new book “Everything Must Go: The Life And Death of An American Neighborhood” examines the changes that Coval witnessed, what gentrification meant to Wicker Park, to Chicago, and to neighborhoods in cities facing a similar situation and fate.
9/16/201913 minutes, 2 seconds
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Chicago's Kaina Poised For Big Breakout

Chicago singer-songwriter Kaina Castillo has been performing at venues across the city since she was a teen. The Irving Park native built a name for herself along the way, and is now touring on her first full-length album, Next to the Sun.
9/15/201919 minutes, 25 seconds
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Friday News Roundup For Sept, 13, 2019

From federal oversight of Chicago’s public schools tied to last year’s news of CPS’s oversight of sexual abuse and assault cases, to judges in high places to an unfolding story of the continued failure of the state’s Department of Children and Family Services, our round table of reporters break down the biggest news of the week on our Friday News Roundup
9/13/201930 minutes, 8 seconds
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The Battle Over TIF Money For Lincoln Yards

Driving for a rideshare company like Uber or Lyft may be your ticket to some extra money. But if you owe fines or fees to the city, you may be blocked from doing the job. WBEZ’s Elliot Ramos explains what’s happening, and who’s affected most.Plus activists argue in court that developer Sterling Bay has no right to use public money from TIFs to build their mega-development known as Lincoln Yards. Find out what the judge said yesterday.
9/12/201921 minutes, 51 seconds
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Chicago’s Police Overtime Problem

Mayor Lightfoot is trying to plug a Grand Canyon-sized budget hole. It’s somewhere in the neighborhood of $860 million. Every penny counts. So when she found out that the Chicago Police Department dished out nearly $70 million in overtime-for just the first 6 months of 2019-she called in the superintendent to find out what was going on. Sun Times reporter Fran Spielman takes us through the past, present, and future of the city’s police overtime.Plus Lynn Scarlett, Vice President of Policy and Government Relations at the Nature Conservancy, talks about the effect of the Trump administration’s many environmental rollbacks.
9/11/201921 minutes, 27 seconds
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Uber’s Chicago Move, Chemical Spills In NW Indiana

Uber wants to be more than a rideshare company. They want to dominate a number of transportation markets in the same way Amazon has become a one-stop shopping experience. To that end, Uber has leased the massive old post office building that straddles the entrance to the Eisenhower expressway, with plans to turn it into the headquarters for Uber Freight. But the company hasn’t turned a profit yet, and Wall Street isn’t as forgiving with companies as they were when tech first began to boom.Then, steel companies are dumping poisonous chemicals into rivers and streams the feed directly into Lake Michigan. We’ll find out what’s going on, and the environmental impact.
9/10/201921 minutes, 56 seconds
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A Teacher At Heart: One Man Leaves Academia And Returns To The Classroom

Gregory Michie was born to teach. After years as a CPS teacher, Michie took a job as an education professor. He thought he was leaving the rough-and-tumble of daily teaching for a less stressful gig at a university. But a decade later, he was back. Michie’s new book “Same As It Never Was: Notes On A Teacher’s Return To The Classroom” looks at his return to the same school, the same grade level, and the same subjects he taught before he left in the 1990’s...and how the system and the kids have changed, and stayed the same.
9/8/201920 minutes, 39 seconds
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Lightfoot Goes After Ted Cruz: Friday News Roundup For Sept. 6, 2019

David Greising of the Better Government Association, Amanda Vinickey of WTTW and A.D. Quig of Crains’ Chicago Business break down the biggest news stories of the week, including Mayor Lightfoot’s twitter spat with Sen. Ted Cruz, the latest on the city budget, the most recent talk of a looming teacher’s strike, and much more.
9/6/201927 minutes, 14 seconds
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Growing Up Bears: Chairman George McCaskey On His Family's Business And Passion

Bears' chairman George McCaskey talks to Cheryl Raye Stout about his life and work as the grandson of the team's-and the NFL's-founder George Halas
9/5/201930 minutes, 3 seconds
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Chicago Below National Average For Murder Cases Solved, Prose

WBEZ’s Patrick Smith explains why prosecution numbers for murder cases are so low. And things to do this weekend around Chicago with See, Hear, Eat.
9/4/201919 minutes, 34 seconds
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CPS Teacher Returns To Classroom After Stint In Academia

In his new book, Chicago Public Schools teacher Gregory Michie writes about what it was like to return to teach in the same middle school in Chicago’s Back of the Yards neighborhood where he began his career after more than a decade as an education professor.Morning Shift digs into what’s different about the teaching profession this decade compared with the late 1990s and how Michie navigates his role as a white teacher in a school that’s almost exclusively made up of black and brown students.
9/3/201920 minutes, 33 seconds
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Nick Offerman Loves The Simple Things In Life

Actor, author, and woodworker Nick Offerman talks about his family, his time in Chicago, and his philosophy on life as he prepares to take his one-man show on the road. He’ll hit the Chicago Theater Sept. 15th.
9/1/201919 minutes, 47 seconds
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Bonus Pod - Mayor Lori Lightfoot's State of the City Speech

Mayor Lightfoot's complete speech from 8-29-19
8/30/201927 minutes, 14 seconds
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Lightfoot’s State Of The City: Friday News Roundup For August 30, 2019

Mayor Lightfoot had good news and bad news when she delivered her state-of-the-city speech last night. The good was the number of reforms and cost-saving measures she implemented in her first 100 days. The bad news is, those reforms may not be enough to save us as we face major-and immediate-fiscal challenges. WBEZ political reporter Dan Mihalopoulos fills in for Jenn White, and is joined by Heather Cherone of the Daily Line and Paris Schutz of WTTW for a lively roundup of the speech, and the other important local news of the week.
8/30/201926 minutes, 49 seconds
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What Will The Mayor Say Tonight? And The Many Layers Of Gone With The Wind

In the latest installment of The Movie That Made Me, Lesle Honore of the KLEO Community Family Life Center talks about her attachment to, and struggles with, the classic film Gone With the Wind.Plus A.D. Quig of Crains’ takes a stab at what Mayor Lightfoot will say tonight at her first State of the City address. The speech airs at 6pm here on WBEZ.
8/29/201925 minutes, 40 seconds
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Cook County State’s Attorney ReadyTo Expunge Pot Records

Tens of thousands of people in Cook County have a hard time getting a job, finding housing, or moving on to become productive citizens after a conviction for a marijuana-related offense. But when weed becomes legal in Illinois on January 1, many of those convictions will be expunged. This will break down some of the barriers so that these people can better provide for themselves and their families. Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx talks about the work that her office is doing in tandem with San Francisco-based Code For America to make these expungements happen.Plus WBEZ education reporter Sarah Karp answers some of the questions we couldn’t get to with CPS CEO Janice Jackson yesterday.
8/28/201920 minutes, 43 seconds
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CPS CEO Janice Jackson Answers Your Questions

From budgets to hiring, from staffing to special ed, people in Chicago have a lot of questions when it comes to the 2019-2020 school year at Chicago’s public schools. CPS CEO Janice Jackson joins us for an extended one-on-one where she talks about those issues, answers questions from listeners, and addresses the possibility of a teachers strike
8/27/201927 minutes, 10 seconds
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Lightfoot’s First 100 Days Fast Approaching. How’s She Doing?

When Lori Lightfoot campaigned for Mayor of Chicago, she talked about rooting out corruption, making government more transparent, including communities in discussions about how to make better policy, and having an all-around more equitable city that works for everyone. 3 key members of her transition teams talk about how they’ve done so far, and the work that still needs to be done to keep those promises.Then, the trend was to tear down Englewood in order to save it. The problem is, nothing has gone into those empty spaces. So what’s the plan? What do the residents want? And how can neighbors and the city bring new housing and investment to the neighborhood?
8/26/201925 minutes, 9 seconds
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CJ Run Finds Community, Inspiration In Chicago

CJ Run was born in Germany, grew up in England, spent their high school years in rural North Carolina, and finally found community and a sense of belonging at college in Champaign-Urbana. Now, they’ve moved to Chicago, and the music is flowing like never before. They hope that music provides inspiration to kids like them who are trying to figure out who they are and what life’s all about.
8/25/201920 minutes, 28 seconds
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Chicago’s Billion Dollar Budget Hole: Friday News Roundup For Aug. 23, 2019

Mayor Llightfoot and the billion dollar budget hole. Why national Democrats need to stop in Chicago. A Tea Party firebrand looks to run against Trump. And rampant bullying and sexual harassment in the statehouse outlined in a new report. Those stories and more on this week’s Friday News Roundup.
8/23/201926 minutes, 28 seconds
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Harassment In Springfield, And CHA Head Abruptly Resigns

Last year a staffer in Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan’s office came forward with allegations of sexual harassment against her superior Kevin Quinn. Now a new report fully outlines the circumstances and situations women have endured for years. And while Madigan himself has not been accused of wrongdoing, the powerful politician has apologized for not seeing it, or responding to these allegations in a timely manner.Plus Eugene Jones Jr. was the CHA’s 5th CEO in 4 years. Residents liked his accessibility and his can-do spirit. But just a few months after he refuted rumors that he was moving on from the job, Jones turned in his resignation.
8/22/201920 minutes, 5 seconds
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Planned Parenthood and Title X, A Growing Peace Campus In Englewood

The Trump administration’s decision to withhold funds from health providers that talk about abortions has led Planned Parenthood to leave the federal program Title X and go without the millions in funds that comes with it. We talk about what that means for the organization, and women across the country and in IllinoisPlus we look at the nonprofit I Grow Chicago, and the services and a safe space they provide for the residents of Englewood and beyond.
8/20/201921 minutes, 32 seconds
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County Dems Make 2020 Picks, Social Media And The Next Election

It’s not quite the old smoke-filled back room of yore, but Cook County Democrats met late last week to choose who they’ll be supporting in the 2020 elections. WBEZ county reporter Kristen Schorch explains who got the nod, and how the county party’s backing helps a candidate.Then Mother Jones’ AJ Vicens talks about the reporting he’s done around election tampering via social media, and how rules to combat it might inadvertently be hurting municipal elections across the country, including here in Chicago.
8/19/201915 minutes, 38 seconds
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Markets In Tizzy Over Inverted Yield Curve, Chicago’s Safe House

Over the last week, news reports and business channels have been throwing around the term Inverted Yield Curve. We’ll find out what it means, and what it has to do with a possible future recession or economic downturn.Then we’ll talk to the folks who run a house on the city’s Southwest Side that serves as transitional housing for men who need to escape emergency situations, like if their life is in danger.
8/18/201922 minutes, 34 seconds
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Friday News Roundup for August 16, 2019

Bumps in the road for a future Chicago casino. A long-time politician says she won't stand for reelection. State's Attorney Kim Foxx gets a primary challenger. Those stories and more, broken down by 3 of the best journalists in the city. This week we're joined by WTTW's Paris Schutz, New York Times Chicago bureau chief Monica Davie, and freelance reporter Kim Bellware
8/16/201920 minutes, 45 seconds
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State's Attorney Takes Aim At Juul, KLEO Celebrates City Youth

From paying social media influencers to their ad campaigns to the flavors themselves, Lake County State’s Attorney Michael Nerheim believes that Juul, the biggest player in the growing e-cigarette market, is going directly after children. So he’s going directly after the company with a lawsuit.Plus K.L.E.O. is a non-profit serving kids on the south side through a variety of programs from helping navigate through first jobs to the arts and more. We hear more about their mission and their successes, and get a preview of their Peace Festival that’s taking place this Saturday from executive director Lesle Honore.
8/15/201920 minutes, 4 seconds
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Future Chicago Casino Profits And A New Elder Abuse Task Force

A new survey says that Chicago and Illinois will do quite well once a successful casino opens in the city. But it also says that the profits for the casino’s actual owner will be so low, we may see a situation where no one wants to build one in the first place.And 20,000 cases of elder abuse were reported in Illinois last year, and experts say the number of actual abuse cases is much higher. We talk to 2 members of a new state task force combating abuse of the elderly and those with disabilities.
8/14/201921 minutes, 18 seconds
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Trade War With China Affecting Illinois Farmers, Consumers

It’s been well over a year since the Trump administration started slapping tariffs on Chinese goods. China has responded in kind, and Illinois corn and soybean producers are taking a hit as one of their biggest export markets dries up. Additional tariffs will mean average consumers in the state will start feeling it as well.Plus the Chicago Tribune’s food writers have searched out the best middle eastern food in and around Chicago. We hear about some of their favorites
8/14/201924 minutes, 50 seconds
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Waukegan Gambling And Young Poets Honor Gwendolyn Brooks

Pro Publica Illinois has taken another deep dive into gambling in the state. This time the focus is on Waukegan, the gambling interests there, and the influence they’re exerting.Plus the Gwendolyn Brooks Youth Poetry Awards give young people a chance to put their world into words.
8/12/201924 minutes, 58 seconds
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Billy Branch: 50 Years Of The Blues

Billy Branch was born in Chicago, but he was raised in LA. He’d never been exposed to the blues until, at 17, he moved back to Chicago to attend UIC, and wandered into Grant Park for what many aficionados call “the greatest blues concert ever”. From that moment he was hooked. A few years later he was touring the world with Willie Dixon’s band, and he’s been leading his own band Sons of Blues since the late 70’s.Branch talks about his life in blues and his new album, Roots and Branches: A Tribute to Little Walter
8/11/201919 minutes, 32 seconds
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Minority-Owned Small Businesses Can’t Get Capital Needed To Grow

Small business loans are not being dished out at past rates in minority and low-income areas across Chicagoland and across Illinois. That’s according to a new study from Chicago’s Woodstock Institute. The lack of investment from banks essentially leaves communities without gasoline for their economic engines. We hear from the study’s author, and 2 small business owners trying to access additional capital.Plus this week’s See Hear Eat has a seriously nerdy bent to it as Chicago’s “King of Geeks” weighs in on fun things to do in and around the city this weekend.
8/8/201925 minutes, 28 seconds
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Does CPS Have Enough Teachers?

A new WBEZ investigation found 1 in 3 CPS schools continue to have teacher vacancies. Some kids have gone all year without a teacher. And most of those schools are in black neighborhoods. WBEZ’s Sarah Karp explains what she found.And the impact of Toni Morrison. The prolific author died earlier this week.
8/7/201918 minutes, 53 seconds
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Illinois Fiscal Picture Looking Brighter. Barely.

Ratings agencies-which determine how fiscally stable a government entity is, which ultimately determines how much it will cost that government to borrow money-have taken a dim view of Illinois’ finances over the last several years. But this week, the state was offered a glimmer of hope. Erik Kim, Senior Director at Fitch Ratings in NYC, believes that the governor and the legislature are taking the right steps to eventually get the state out of it’s financial mess.Plus State Senator Tom Cullerton is under investigation for his alleged involvement in a no-show job for the teamsters. WBEZ state politics reporter Tony Arnold fills us in.
8/6/201921 minutes, 57 seconds
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Chicago Kids Combating Gun Violence In Schools, Neighborhoods

One weekend in America, two more mass shootings. While the national media focuses on the massacres in El Paso and Dayton, 7 were killed and nearly 50 wounded in Chicago between Friday and Sunday nights.Earlier this year, as we marked the 20th anniversary of the Columbine High School shooting, we brought in two Chicago teens working hard to rid their schools and communities of gun violence.
8/5/201913 minutes, 45 seconds
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Updates On Area Road Construction, And Rocky Makes An Impact

Construction updates, distracted drivers, and new rail cars are some of the transportation stories you’ll hear from Tribune reporter and WBEZ transportation contributor Mary Wisniewski.Plus anti-hate activist Christian Picciolini talks about Rocky on the latest installment of The Movie That Made Me.
8/4/201923 minutes, 39 seconds
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Friday News Roundup for August 2, 2019

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker made the bulk of the headlines this week. We’ll find out what they said, what they meant, and how they plan to move forward on a number of issues and promises with our panel of journalists. This week we’re joined by Heather Cherone, A.D. Quig, and Dave McKinney.
8/2/201927 minutes, 2 seconds
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New Illinois Law Aims To Even Playing Field For Job Applicants

Pritzker signed a bill that prohibits potential employers from asking applicants about their past salaries. Revealing past salaries often perpetuates the fact that women and minorities are paid less for the same work than white men.Plus the University of Illinois Cancer Center has re-tooled a successful app for the Latinx community. The app, now available in Spanish, helps keep patients informed about their treatment and the support available for a successful recovery.
8/1/201923 minutes, 2 seconds