In the Loop (Segments)

The department has long had a diversity problem, with a predominantly white and male staff. And despite new testing procedures aimed at boosting Black and Brown applicants, some are still being locked out. Reset learns more about the issue with a CFD lieutenant and the reporter who covered the issue. GUESTS: Lieutenant Quention Curtis, head of Chicago’s Black Fire Brigade Will Lee, Chicago Tribune...

You’ve probably heard the phrase “social and emotional learning” a lot when it comes to education, but what exactly does that look like in practice? There are toys out there that help kids practice skills like identifying emotions, self-soothing and communicating their needs. Reset learns more about social and emotional learning toys, or SEL toys, and about the positive impact they can have on chi...

The NBA unveiled six newly-designed trophies Tuesday — all named after and honoring NBA legends — with the new MVP statue paying tribute to Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan. The Michael Jordan Trophy stands at 23.6 inches tall, and weighs 23.6 pounds — a nod to Jordan’s jersey number (23) and number of NBA championships (6). Reset finds out more about the new MVP trophy and how it pays tribute...

A viral video of the dean at Francis W. Parker school in Lincoln Park talking about an optional LGBTQ sex ed class made Reset wonder: What makes good sex ed? And what does inclusive, LGBTQ-affirming sex ed look like? [WBEZ Reset] Reset hears from sex educators and LGBTQ organizers. GUESTS: Stephanie Skora, chief operating officer of Brave Space Alliance Luke Romesberg, director of the Youth Housin...

Inflation has now dropped for five consecutive months, but it may not fall to levels the Federal Reserve considers manageable until 2024. Reset brings you the latest on price increases and the Fed’s moves to curb inflation. GUESTS: David Wessel, director of the Hutchins Center on Fiscal and Monetary Policy at the Brookings Institution

Article: The new film “Corsicana” tells the story of Bass Reeves, a formerly enslaved man who became the first Black deputy U.S. Marshall west of the Mississippi. GUEST: Isaiah Washington, actor and director of “Corsicana”

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. GUESTS: Grace Pai, executive director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice Chicago Laura Houcque Pra...

Communities and businesses that were excited by the state’s climate initiatives say they’re still waiting for real-world results over a year after CEJA became law. Reset speaks with an advocate and journalist about what is causing the delays and if any developments are on the horizon. GUESTS: Yami Newell, associate director of Community Projects at Elevated Chicago Brett Chase, reporter for the Ch...

A solid morning routine can boost positivity, energy, even productivity, according to the National Alliance On Mental Illness. It can even help lower “decision fatigue.” But with hybrid work, maintaining a morning routine can be a challenge, especially if you’re starting from scratch. Reset gets tips on how to set reasonable goals for yourself as you balance working from home with working from the...

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 one Chicago-area resident who’s working to reduce shootings and create safer communities. GUEST: Sara Knizhnik, chair of the Gun Violence Prevention Initiative for the Lake Co...

The Red Line Extension project has been decades in the making, and now transit on the far South Side may finally be within reach. City Council is expected to vote this week on a proposal to fund the Red Line Extension using revenue from downtown property taxes. Reset breaks down the funding proposal with two of the project’s advocates. GUEST: Cheryl Johnson, executive director of People for Commun...

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. GUESTS: Alex Nitkin, Better Government Association reporter Kate Grossman, WBEZ senior ed...

You don’t have to look far to satisfy your sweet tooth in a foodie city like Chicago. Reset hears from a few pastry chefs across town to mark the holiday. GUESTS: Genie Kwon, co-owner of Kasama Timmy Gibbons, pastry chef at Lost Larson Sandra Holl, baker at Floriole

When the Bail Reform Act was passed in 1984, it was meant to keep the majority of federal defendants awaiting trial out of jail. Fast forward to today and the situation couldn’t be more different. A new report from the Federal Criminal Justice Clinic reveals what it calls a “culture of detention” in the federal court system. Reset speaks with the author of the report and a public defender to under...

More than three months after the first bus of asylum seekers arrived from the Texas border to Chicago, journalists from Block Club Chicago and Borderless Magazine interviewed them on how it’s going and if they think the journey was worth it. Reset gets an update on their experiences and what legal challenges get in the way of being able to find employment and send money home to their families. GUE...

The Biden Administration announced her release as part of a prisoner exchange. The U.S released Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout. Reset talks with two sports reporters about Griner’s release and what impact her detention has had on WNBA players who routinely play in Russian basketball leagues in the offseason. GUESTS: Cheryl Raye-Stout, WBEZ sports contributor Annie Costabile, sports reporter for t...

A report released Wednesday from the Urban Institute found single-family lending amounts in majority-white neighborhoods are much higher than in majority-Black neighborhoods. Reset breaks it down with a researcher. GUEST: Brett Theodos, senior fellow and director of the Community Economic Development Hub at the Urban Institute

Queer characters are showing up as lead characters more and more in film and media, but sometimes they fall into harmful stereotypes. Reset explores queer characters in media and why representation alone isn’t enough. GUESTS: Samantha Chery, multiplatform editor in features for the Washington Post Sonal Soni, former fellow at the City Monitor, former intern at WBEZ

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 with the leader of a group that works individually with at-risk individuals to reduce gun violence through coaching, workforce development and advocacy. GUEST: Kanoy...

The SkyDay Project rethinks how to teach environmental science through student-led art projects and creates a yearly international competition. Reset talks with winners of the competition about their experience with taking daily photos of the sky and hears their poems. GUESTS: Ben Whitehouse, founding executive director of SkyDay Daniella and Deknav, students, Knightsbridge School International

Airline security can be notoriously challenging especially around the holidays, but some airports are turning to facial recognition technologies to speed up the process. But research has proven facial recognition technology is significantly less accurate for women and people of color. Reset learns more about the risks and benefits of this tech at the airport. GUEST: Geoffrey Fowler, tech columnist...

How has American Jewish culture shaped sports in the United States? That’s the question host Meredith Shiner answers in the new eight-part podcast The Franchise: Jews, Sports, and America. Reset gets the scoop on the podcast, which drops new episodes every Wednesday. GUEST: Meredith Shiner, host of podcast The Franchise: Jews, Sports, and America

How has American Jewish culture shaped sports in the United States? That’s the question host Meredith Shiner answers in the new eight-part podcast The Franchise: Jews, Sports, and America. Reset gets the scoop on the podcast, which drops new episodes every Wednesday. GUEST: Meredith Shiner, host of podcast The Franchise: Jews, Sports, and America

COVID cases are on the rise in Illinois along with many parts of the country. As a result, CDC director Rochelle Walensky is encouraging those in high-case areas to wear masks indoors despite mask mandates being largely discarded. Reset explores this change in messaging and what you should do as the holidays approach. GUEST: Dr. Emily Landon, infectious disease specialist at the University of Chic...

COVID cases are on the rise in Illinois along with many parts of the country. As a result, CDC director Rochelle Walensky is encouraging those in high-case areas to wear masks indoors despite mask mandates being largely discarded. Reset explores this change in messaging and what you should do as the holidays approach. GUEST: Dr. Emily Landon, infectious disease specialist at the University of Chic...