In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons

Earlier this year, the city’s Board of Education unanimously voted to remove school resource officers, or SROs, from school buildings. Since then, Chicago Public Schools has come up with a new school safety plan without police officers, that instead explores alternatives that focus on mediation over punishment. Reset checks with Chalkbeat reporter Reema Amin to learn more about this new safety pla...

There are nearly 9,000 migrant children attending CPS schools. This influx of students is shining a light on CPS’ lack of resources, particularly for Spanish-speaking children. Reset sits down with Chalkbeat reporter Reema Amina and Block Club Chicago reporter Mina Bloom about their latest work investigating how CPS is falling short in meeting the needs of all their students. For a full archive of...

When school lets out for the summer break, many students can lose access to consistent meals. But now, kids experiencing food insecurity will be eligible for a seasonal grocery benefit. Reset digs into why the Summer EBT program is a big deal — and what other resources families can use this summer. We talk with Man-Yee Lee, director of communications for the Greater Chicago Food Depository, and Ca...

It’s not just the city of Chicago that’s losing population, it’s also neighboring suburbs in Cook County, according to new Census data. Meanwhile, some suburbs farther out from Chicago are gaining big time. Reset learns more about this trend, who is going where, and some of the factors at play. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Within the packed agenda before it, Chicago City Council is set to introduce ordinances that call upon Mayor Brandon Johnson to fire CTA President Dorval Carter, amidst calls for “new leadership” in the transit agency. Reset hears a preview of this week’s Chicago City Council meeting from WBEZ city government and politics reporters Mariah Woelfel and Tessa Weinberg. For a full archive of Reset int...

What does a bird think when it sees billions of cicadas flying around? Lunchtime. More than just a nuisance, periodical cicadas are an important player in the forest ecosystem. A 2023 study published in the journal Science, found that 80 species of birds started eating cicadas instead of caterpillars during the Brood X emergence, which had an effect on trees where the caterpillars live. Reset lear...

Chicago tears down a lot of buildings — the city issued nearly a thousand demolition permits in 2023 alone. But it’s not always clear why or what exactly is being torn down in the city. One Chicago photographer has made it his mission to document these doomed buildings before they get razed. Reset sits down with Soren Spicknall to talk about his photo series “Leave the Seat Empty.” For a full arch...

Here in Chicago and Illinois, we have a rich history of LGBTQ+ activism. Now, we can visit a traveling exhibit about the last 50 years of fighting for LGBTQ+ rights. The exhibit, called “Queer Justice,” is being featured at Chicago’s Center on Halsted. Reset checks in with Camilla Taylor, the deputy legal director for litigation at Lambda Legal, a national legal organization that focuses on LGBTQ+...

Criticism of diversity, equity and inclusion programs across the country is on the rise in state legislatures, schools, and at some private companies. While DEI is intended to correct inequities within an organization, opponents of DEI programs argue it instead promotes division. Reset sits down with Alida Miranda-Wolff, Chicago DEI expert and author of The First-Time Manager: DEI to hear how to f...

Co-founders of the folk-punk group AJJ join Reset to discuss their latest album Disposable Everything. The band has eight studio albums and twenty years of performing under their belts. Sean Bonnett and Ben Gallaty talk about the therapy of song-writing, collaborations, and advice for the newcomers. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

We look back on Brandon Johnson’s first year in office. Plus, money news! The IRS audit of Trump Chicago Tower could cost the former president $100 million, former West Side hospital executive charged with embezzlement, and lawmakers debate the state budget in Springfield as busloads of CPS teachers arrive at the Capitol to lobby legislators. Reset breaks down these stories and much more with Davi...

The greenspace is a point of pride for many Chicagoans, and hosts many popular events throughout the year. But people were conflicted about it early on, especially about the unique art it holds. Reset digs into the archives, and hears from Loyola professor Timothy Gilfoyle to learn more about the history of the city’s famous park. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset...

WBEZ’s May highlights of productions feature a mix of works at storefront and big-name theaters. The mix of local and national talent on stage is a testament to Chicago’s place in the theater ecosystem. Reset gets the scoop from WBEZ’s theater reporter, Mike Davis. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

More and more Chicagoans are opting for bikes to get around the city. According to a new analysis, the number of cyclists have doubled in the last five years in Chicago. But with more folks biking, what needs to be done to keep them safe? Reset checks in with Active Transportation Alliance’s executive director Amy Rynell, and Lacey Cordero, volunteer, with Chicago Family Biking on current efforts...

The watchdog group is out with a 62 page analysis of the state’s proposed FY20205 budget. It notes that Governor Pritzker’s $800 million in tax changes will help close the state’s budget deficit, but that any more could overwhelm taxpayers. If left unchecked, the report says the CTA, PACE and Metra face an over $700 million deficit as soon as 2026. Reset learns more about the impact this could hav...

Asian Americans are often perceived to be more adjusted, successful and thriving compared to other minority groups in the U.S. – largely due to stereotypes rooted in the model minority myth. But research suggests that Asian Americans experience higher rates of mental illness and fare worse with their mental health compared to non-Asian people. Reset digs into why with University of Chicago’s Yoons...

Some people incarcerated in Illinois prisons could be eligible for immediate release. That’s due to a new state law that would take time off prisoner’s sentences for taking part in work, educational, reentry or substance abuse programs. But the law isn’t being consistently applied to eligible prisoners. Reset learns more about why and how that can change from Open Campus’s Charlotte West, and the...

A charming four-story Queen Anne-style structure from 1892 near Ogden has seen better days. The city’s landmark commission announced its new status back in 2021 to save it from certain demolition but three years later, is its dilapidated state all there is to it now? Reset learns more about this city landmark from architecture sleuth, and Crain’s Chicago Business residential real estate reporter,...

You likely have a favorite food. Maybe it reminds you of someone, or some time in your life. But if you don’t have the recipe, or you make it and it doesn’t taste quite like what you remember, what do you do? Reset checks in with UChicago Neuroscience Professor Leslie Kay and Great American Baking Show winner Martin Sorge for tips on recreating dishes from memory. For a full archive of Reset inter...

Local indie band Red Scarves is out with their new album ‘Nice Try.’ It features nine tracks that navigate themes of failure, freedom and just doing your best. The four best friends came together during lockdown in the summer of 2020 to write the music for this latest project. Reset sits down with two of the four members of the group, Ayethaw Tun and Ryan Donlin, to learn more about how the band c...

What a week in news! University of Chicago launched a pre-dawn raid on a pro-Palestinian encampment. President Biden comes to town. And 95 adults file a lawsuit alleging physical and sexual abuse at Illinois juvenile detention centers. Reset breaks down these stories and much more with Block Club Chicago’s Mick Dumke, Washington Post’s Kim Bellware, and Fox 32’s Paris Schutz. For a full archive of...

Water scarcity and what the UN calls “water-related hazards” – like flooding and drought – are increasing around the globe. As water supplies dry up, eyes turn to water havens, like the Great Lakes region. So how does a city like Chicago meet the need and protect the water resources from those who would only profit from it? Multiple players are coming together to do this under the banner of the bl...

In the world of music recording, Chicagoan Steve Albini was an international legend, even a pioneer. Albini passed away from a heart attack this week at 61. But his impact on fellow engineers and the industry will not be soon forgotten. WBEZ engineer Dave Miska shares how and why Albini spoke to a generation of punk Gen X-ers. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

The Fossil Lab is run by UChicago paleontologist Paul Sereno. It recently moved from the university campus to a space in Washington Park where visitors can see 3D renderings of dinosaurs and a wide variety of fossils. Reset sits down with Sereno to learn more about the community learning opportunities he’s planning for the lab. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Schantelle Alonzo is the daughter of Filipino immigrants and grew up in Chicago’s Albany Park. She was born deaf in her left ear and felt she didn’t see her story represented in animations she grew up seeing. Today, she creates short films to share stories of underrepresented communities like the deaf, Asian Americans and immigrants. Reset sits down with the animator to learn more about the impact...