Curious City

Chicagoans have become familiar with how COVID-19 is spread from person to person and what types of safety measures they should be taking during this time. But WBEZ has gotten several questions from pet owners who are wondering about the risks to their furry friends, things like-- are cats and dogs susceptible to the virus and who will care for my pet if I get hospitalized with COVID-19? Scientist...

Governor Pritzker’s  “stay-at-home” order  has left lots of Chicagoans wondering how ⁠they can safely enjoy the outdoors during the COVID-19 pandemic. While the city’s lakefront, adjacent parks, the 606 and Riverwalk  have been closed  because people were congregating in large groups, many natural areas in the region remain open. So people  can  still   go outside to walk, run or bike ride, as lon...

WBEZ is answering lots of your other frequently asked questions about the COVID-19 outbreak in Illinois here . Life in Chicago has changed dramatically this past week, from schools and restaurants closing to evolving policies around social distancing and public events. As Chicagoans — and most people across the country — hunker down at home over the next few weeks, Curious City is answering questi...

Fourteen-year-old Evan Robinson is a Chicago foodie — you might have even seen him on Master Chef Junior . Over the years, when he’s gone to see his orthodontist on 55th Street in Hyde Park, he’s noticed a tasty mystery. “We always see all these different Thai restaurants,” he says, referring to Snail Thai Cuisine, Siam Thai Cuisine and Thai 55 Restaurant.. “I think that’s crazy that there are thr...

This curated episode from WBEZ and Comedy Central’s South Side Stories explores why every Harold’s chicken tastes different.

Police records show that dibs disputes have led to everything from broken mirrors to life-threatening acts of retaliation.

It’s sung everywhere from summer camps to soccer games. We dig into the song’s contested origins, and how it became such a hit.

From raw celery to “milk toast,” we explore the biggest food fads of the era — and the restaurants that served them.

We explore a phenomenon called “cuffing” and the (short) lengths Chicagoans will go for love.

Back in the 1940s, Chicago school kids took local field trips that would be unthinkable today.

Chicago is geographically in the Midwest. But many people believe that being “Midwestern” is something else entirely.

From mail carriers to photographers, we asked people who spend a lot of time in the cold how they stay warm.

The common stereotype for Midwesterners is that we’re polite, friendly...and passive-aggressive. But is there any truth to that?

Do the animals go somewhere warm, like Florida? Does the zoo give them coats? We took a behind-the-scene tour of the zoo to find out.

We uncover the history and bask in the glow of a ubiquitous Chicago bar sign.

Commuters are regularly hit with the announcement “Gambling is prohibited on CTA trains.” We find the reason behind the rule and look for those who inspired it.

We answer your most pressing questions about Chicago’s controversial winter tradition.

Rust Belt cities tackling their lead problems offer advice for Chicago on funding, public education and getting political buy-in.

"It’s fast, it’s furious and it’s over in about three and a half weeks."

Chicago’s "Red Summer" of 1919 comes alive in this radio drama from WBEZ's Natalie Moore. It’s history with a twist.

With trust in police at a historic low, the Chicago Police Department’s latest community policing initiative puts relationship building at its center.

The recorder often inflicts squeaky torture on parents. Music teacher Valerie DePriest explains why it became a staple in music education.

She’s best known for her anti-lynching work in the South, but Wells spent nearly four decades advancing black equality in Chicago.

Following several recent reports of a strange winged creature around the Chicago area, we try to find out what the heck is going on.

Once you recover from the initial shock, experts recommend piecing together evidence, spreading the word, and hitting the street stat.