In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons

Do you love to sing in the shower? Are you a regular at your local karaoke bar? Well, get ready to sing your heart out in front of 5,000 Chicagoans! The Empty Bottle and Salt Shed Chicago are hoping to make it into the ranks of the Guinness Book of World Records for hosting what they’re calling World’s Largest Karaoke on Aug. 8. Expect to write your name and song of choice on a sheet of paper and...

TV and movies are streamed, our communication becomes data in the form of emails, texts and tweets, and AI appears in new parts of our lives. Our increasingly digitized economy is fueling the need for more places to store information. But large data centers use the same amount of water as small municipalities in the U.S. on a daily basis just to cool down their servers. Reset learns more about how...

Solidarity. Agency. Creativity. Those are just some of the words that describe Chicago’s disability arts scene. It’s Disability Pride Month, which honors the history and experiences of disability communities. But disabled artists are pushing the city’s creative scene forward on a year-round basis. Reset sat down with painter Riva Lehrer, media artist Andy Slater, and dancer Robby Lee Williams. For...

One day, you or a loved one will likely need long-term care. Whether it’s living in a nursing home or receiving care from family members, it can be difficult to know what’s the best and most affordable option. And with the rising cost of long-term care, it’s becoming increasingly inaccessible for families across the country. Reset hears caregivers’ stories and learns about the challenges of naviga...

The National Association of Black Journalists’ annual convention kicks off tomorrow on Michigan Avenue. Every presidential election year, the NABJ extends an invite to both candidates to attend the convention. Trump took them up on the offer just last night, sparking a firestorm among some Black journalists and NABJ members on social media. Reset sits down with two Black journalists in Chicago to...

The Board of Education has approved Chicago Public Schools’ proposed $9.9 billion dollar budget for the 2024-2025 school year, following pressure from the Chicago Teachers Union, Mayor Brandon Johnson, and even some board members. The budget excludes funding for upcoming union contracts, and Board of Education president Jinanan Shi called it “unfinished.” Reset learns what the budget is going to c...

Athletes who caught the public eye but didn’t get a chance to compete in 2020, including gymnast Simone Biles and runner Sha-Carri Richardson, will do so this year. Several sports, including surfing, rock climbing and skateboarding will return to the Paris games for the second time and breakdancing makes its debut. Reset gets insight into who, and what, to watch. For a full archive of Reset interv...

You can’t talk about Chicago blues without talking about Muddy Waters. His talent shaped the genre, and fostered a community of legends like John Lee Hooker, BB King and Chuck Berry. So for the latest in our "What's That Building?" series, architecture sleuth Dennis Rodkin takes us to Mojo Museum, the 19th century two-flat in Kenwood that was Muddy Waters' longtime home and rehearsal space. The sw...

Megan Hammond came to Chicago in 2018 to study music at Columbia College. Since then, she’s released her own songs that highlight her powerful vocals, artful lyricism and genre-bending range. Now, she’ll be taking the stage at Lollapalooza as a part of the Chicago Made Music Showcase on Sunday, Aug. 4. Reset sits down with the singer to hear how she became the artist and musician she is today. For...

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...

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.

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 f...

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...

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.

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...

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.

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.

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.

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 ful...

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 T...

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...

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.

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 equ...

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 T...

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.