In the Loop (Segments)

Lack of health insurance, low pay and long hiring processes are all factors contributing to a shortage of substitute teachers in Illinois. Reset checks in with a reporter, a substitute teacher in a suburban district and a substitute teacher in Chicago Public Schools to hear what it’s been like.

A downstate Illinois judge ruled to halt a school mask mandate Friday. Now, some area districts have gone mask optional. Reset gets the latest on this developing story.

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?

Governor Pritzker unveils his new budget, the former police officer responsible for killing Laquan McDonald is released from prison and Blackhawks owner Rocky Wirtz comes under fire for controversial comments about an alleged sexual assault in the Blackhawks organization.

Remember the Beanie Babies craze during the '90s? The iconic plush stuffed animals swept the country and the world, but it all started about 30 miles west of Chicago in a Naperville cul-de-sac. Reset talks to one of the women who made it happen and with the journalist whose article kicked off the craze. Plus, we check in with the director of a documentary about Beanie Mania.

Local officials are trying new policing and crime prevention strategies to reduce the recent rise in violent crime. Reset talks to a researcher on what evidence-backed solutions they should consider.

Thousands of bars and restaurants have been forced to close during the pandemic. Reset learns how FoodLab Chicago is helping Black-owned businesses on the South Side survive COVID-19 and find creative new ways to attract customers.

The Winter Olympics kicked off in Beijing, China Friday. Reset checks in with Norge Ski Club in suburban Fox Grove Valley, a training ground for professional ski jumpers.

Older white males hold a lot of the wealth in America, but there are strategies that everyone can employ to achieve personal and generational wealth. Reset learns some tips for success and how we can all be “wealthy girls.”

Big changes are coming to Chicago’s media landscape with the partnership between WBEZ and the Chicago Sun-Times. Reset looks at what the future holds for local news, both here in Chicago, and at the national level.

The educational-services industry — that’s teachers — had the highest rate of quitting in 2021. Reset checks in with a career coach and former teacher to find out what’s motivating educators to quit and why companies are eager to hire them.

Dungeons & Dragons is nearly 50 years old, but it’s become more popular in recent years. Reset learns why people play it and how you can stream one campaign turned TV show now.

The 2022 winter Olympics in Beijing start Feb. 4, and all of the snow that athletes will use for various events will be made artificially. What are the environmental impacts of this? And can the winter games survive climate change? Reset checks in with Reset’s sustainability contributor to learn more.

At a town hall meeting Wednesday, Chicago Blackhawks owner Rocky Wirtz shut down questions about the alleged sexual assault incident against Kyle Beach in 2010. After the event, Wirtz issued an apology saying his response “crossed the line.” Reset shares the latest on what some are calling a PR nightmare for the Blackhawks.

After serving less than half his sentence, former Chicago police officer Jason Van Dyke was released from prison Thursday. Van Dyke was sentenced to six years and nine months for the 2014 killing of Chicago teen Laquan McDonald. Reset discusses Van Dyke and whether the U.S. Department of Justice will be persuaded by public pressure to bring federal charges against him.

Gov. JB Pritkzer returns to the Old State Capitol Wednesday to deliver his annual State of the State and budget address. Reset brings on WBEZ’s Dave McKinney for context and analysis. We also hear from a Republican lawmaker for live reaction.

If you haven’t already filed your taxes, your face may become the key to getting it done. Reset learns more about the facial recognition software the IRS started using this year.

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. Ahead of Van Dyke’s early release from prison Thursday, Reset discusses how much Chicago and CPD have changed in the last three years with an attorney who led the negotiations of Chica...

The Chicago region is in the middle of a serious snowstorm. A winter storm warning is in effect until 6 p.m. Wednesday, and more than 450 flights have been canceled at O’Hare and Midway. Reset checks in with the CTA and AAA for the latest on transportation in the area.

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.

Reset learns what Chicagoans should expect from this week’s winter storms and gets tips on how to stay safe in the snow.

A unionization effort is brewing at Starbucks across the U.S. Reset talks to an alderman who supports the union push.

The Lunar New Year begins today. It’s a holiday celebrated by two billion people in China, Korea, Vietnam, and across the Asian diaspora, including right here in Chicago. Reset talks with two Chicagoans to hear about their traditions and what the holiday means to them.

Reset talks with one of the filmmakers of a documentary that raises questions about how psychiatric drugs are being prescribed and used in the U.S. Plus, we hear from a military veteran and an expert featured in the film.

Scientists at the Argonne National Laboratory say wastewater could be the key to locating new COVID variants and learning how various strains move throughout different communities. Reset talks to a molecular biologist for more on the process.