In the Loop (Segments)

Indiana’s Republican-controlled Senate begins its special legislative session Monday, where they will take up a proposal that would ban abortion in the state, allowing only for limited exceptions. Reset checks in with WBEZ Northwest Indiana reporter Mike Puente, live from the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis. Host: Sasha-Ann Simons Producer: Meha Ahmad, Marie Mendoza Guest: Michael Puente

As COVID cases continue to surge in Illinois, Dr. Allison Arwady said mask and vaccine mandates won’t return in the near future. That’s because the hospitalization rate for COVID in Illinois has remained relatively stable, even as infections tick up. However, if 10% of hospital beds are filled with COVID patients, mandates could make a comeback. Reset had our weekly checkup with an infectious dise...

Service delays, violent crime and inaccurate trackers. Those are some of the concerns commuters have been raising since the COVID-19 pandemic sent ridership plummeting on the Chicago Transit Authority. Reset discusses the CTA’s response to these issues and what needs to be done to solve them. Host: Sasha-Ann Simons Producer: Brenda Ruiz Guest: P.S. Sriraj

After becoming a cadet at 17, Kristen Ziman rose through the ranks to become the first female police chief in the history of the Aurora Police Department. In that role, she met the biggest challenge of her career: responding to the deadly workplace mass shooting at Henry Pratt Company in 2019. Reset talks to Ziman about the tough lessons she’s learned about policing during her 30-year career, and...

Chicago organizer and author directs a film that in only 16.5 minutes, creates compelling relationships and tenderly tells stories of resilient Black women’s love for each other. Reset talks with the director to learn more about the film. Host: Sasha-Ann Simons Producer: Lynnea Domienik Guest: Charlene Carruthers

Illinois Congressman Adam Kinzinger is in the national spotlight for leading last night’s January 6th committee hearing, while Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky makes her own headlines in D.C. Host: Michael Puente Producer: Andrea Guthmann Guest: Monica Eng, Greg Hinz, Tina Sfondeles

If you’re looking for an out of this world festival, the Cosmic Country Cookout is bound to have something you’ll love. Reset talks with an event organizer and the first openly gay country artist. Host: Michael Puente Producer: Brenda Ruiz Guest: Sully Davis, Patrick Haggerty

Have you ever wondered why there’s a Scottish castle in Rust Belt Indiana? Well, Joseph Pete, the author of Secret Northwest Indiana: Guide to Weird, Wonderful, Obscure, looked into it. In his book, which came out in May of this year, Pete explores all the oddities the Hoosier state has to offer, and answers questions Host: Michael Puente Producer: Claire Hyman Guest: Joseph Pete

July is Disability Pride Month, and Chicago boasts one of the longest-running disability pride parades in the country. Reset learns more about what to expect at the event Host: MIchael Puente Producer: Stephanie Kim, Sarah Stark Guest: Alec Cabacungan, Justin Cooper

Activists at the Hana Center, a Korean-American immigrant rights group in Irving Park, use Pungmul drumming when they protest. The loud, wooden drums originate from the Korean working class and have become a symbol of protest in Korea. This summer, the Hana Center has opened its Pungmul drumming classes to the public for the first time. Reset learns more about Pungmul drumming from Kevin Lee, an e...

Host: Sasha-Ann Simons Producer: Stephanie Kim Guest: Dennis Rodkin

Puppy organized crime might sound cute, but it doesn’t end well for our four-legged friends. A new podcast explores puppy mills, fraudulent dog rescues, and the brokers who traffic dogs across state lines. Reset talks puppy mills and how to avoid them with the “Puppy Kingpin” team. The final episode of Smoke Screen: Puppy Kingpin is out now. Host: Sasha-Ann Simons Producer: Sasha-Ann Simons, Sarah...

A record-setting heat wave is rolling through central Europe this week, leading to fires and deaths linked to extreme temperatures. An Illinois climatologist explains what’s behind the weather. Reset also talks to spokespeople from the mayor’s office to find out how Chicago’s leaders are preparing the city for more days of extreme heat as climate change continues to increase the number of severe w...

After a two-year investigation, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development found the City of Chicago violated its residents’ civil rights by moving big polluting businesses from white communities to predominantly black and brown neighborhoods, which are places that already bear the brunt of environmental issues in the city. HUD is demanding that Chicago change its zoning and planning pract...

Host: Sasha-Ann Simons Producer: Brenda Ruiz Guest: Ayana Contreras

A recent study from Johns Hopkins University and the Georgia Institute of Technology show biases in artificial intelligence programs can translate into racist and sexist decisions. Reset discusses the findings of the study and how those biases can affect us even today. Host: Sasha-Ann Simons Producer: Brenda Ruiz Guest: Pranshu Verma

The Urban Institute found that between 2011-2017, majority-white neighborhoods in Chicago received 4.6 times as much market investment per household as majority-Black neighborhoods, and 2.6 times as much investment as majority-Latino neighborhoods. Host: Sasha-Ann Simons Producer: Lynnea Domienik Guest: Ja’Net Defell

Chicago Housing Authority has approved leasing land to Chicago Public Schools to build a new high school in Chinatown. This comes after Mayor Lori Lightfoot replaced Chicago Public Schools board member Dwayne Truss with Former Ald. Michael Scott. Some are speculating this is due to Truss’ lack of support for the new high school. Reset checks in with a WBEZ Education reporter for the latest. Host:...

Host: Sasha-Ann Simons Producer: Marie Mendoza Guest: Mariah Woelfel

In addition to building libraries, librarians provide crucial education in technology and media literacy. Of 513 schools in the CPS system, fewer than 100 have full-time librarians. Reset breaks down this self-made shortage with recently laid off CPS librarians. Host: Sasha-Ann Simons Producer: Sarah Stark Guest: Nader Issa, Nora Wiltse, Leslie Westerberg

Dating apps abound, but infinite swiping can be an exhausting way to look for romance. Reset checks in with a few dating experts to learn best practices for meeting a mate without the help of platforms like Tinder or Hinge. And listeners call-in with their questions and two cents about dating during a pandemic. Host: Sasha-Ann Simons Producer: Claire Hyman Guest: Amanda Chatel, Bela Gandhi, Anita...

Before the nationwide launch of the new 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, callers had to dial at least 10 digits: 800-273-8255. That number will still work, but experts are hoping the new three-digit number will make it easier for people in a mental health crisis to get the support they need. Reset learns about this change and what the transition will look like in Illinois. Host: Sasha-Ann Simons P...

Three police officers have died by suicide in the past month. Experts say the culture of overwork and lack of adequate mental health resources are large contributors to this crisis. Reset learns more from a former CPD mental health adviser. Host: Sasha-Ann Simons Producer: Marie Mendoza Guest: Alexa James

It’s been a long three years since it’s initial release date, but The Devil Wears Prada: The Musical raises their curtains tonight. Reset talks with one of the show’s actors. Host: Sasha-Ann Simons Producer: Brenda Ruiz Guest: Michael Tacconi

There have been over 1,200 shootings and over 300 homicides in Chicago in 2022, as of the end of June. The nearly 40 violence prevention groups that were awarded money from the American Rescue Plan funds do things like help raise money to cover funerals, fund violence prevention workers and counselors who sit with families in hospitals after a shooting, and help convince people to not retaliate wi...