In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons

Chicago is home to several mural corridors – from Pilsen to Rogers Park. These murals tell stories and are available for everyone to see. Reset learns more about the art form from muralists Sandra Antongiorgi and Rahmaan Statik, and also Robert Herguth, who writes the weekly Murals and Mosaics newsletter for the Chicago Sun-Times.

On July 4, 2022, seven people died and dozens more were wounded in a shooting during Highland Park’s annual Independence Day parade. An upcoming documentary called “Memorial” features the stories and voices of survivors of the Highland Park shooting. We talk with Highland Park-born filmmaker and director Jonathan Siskel, and two survivors of the shooting, Jacqueline von Edelberg and Rachel Lander.

A new report by Crain’s Chicago Business reveals the sky-high construction costs for housing developments being built through the city’s Invest South/West initiative — one of former Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s signature programs. Reset learns more about the cost disparity and what the status of the project is under the Johnson administration with Alby Gallun, Crain’s Chicago Business senior reporter co...

Kara Jackson is known for being the National Youth Poet Laureate from 2019 to 2020. And now, she’s receiving glowing reviews for her debut album, Why Does the Earth Give Us People to Love. The Chicago-based singer-songwriter joins Reset to talk about her inspirations, her mandatory piano lessons growing up in a musical household and other local artists who encouraged her latest work.

Some Chicago drivers experience road rage over street closures for NASCAR race; Canadian wildfires fill Chicago’s air with smoke and haze; President Biden comes to town for fundraisers and kicks off his political messaging with what he calls “Bidenomics”. Reset breaks down these stories and much more with Mike Flannery, political editor at Fox 32 News, Ben Kesling, reporter, Wall Street Journal an...

Season two of FX’s The Bear is a hit – receiving a 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. Fans are raving about everything from the story telling, the food to the cameos. Reset chats with Michael Muser, co-founder of Ever in the West Loop, one of Chicago restaurants featured on the show

The American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit this week against the city of Chicago and the Chicago Police Department over unlawful traffic stops. The suit alleges that Black drivers are four to seven times more likely than white drivers to be pulled over and that Latino drivers are twice as likely. Reset hears more about the suit from Alexandra Block, Senior Supervising Attorney for the Crim...

This morning the Supreme Court ruled in a landmark affirmative action case stating that race-based admissions practices at Harvard University and the University of North Carolina are unlawful. Reset talks to University of Illinois Chicago law professor Steve Schwinn and WBEZ higher education reporter Lisa Philip about what the ruling will mean for the future of college admissions.

FACETS movie theater and Color Comics are coming together to host a screening and discussion about Black women in science fiction and fantasy TV shows. They’ll explore the characters of Star Trek Discovery’s Michael Burnham, Lovecraft Country’s Hippolyta and Doctor Who’s ‘The Fugitive Doctor. Reset hears from one of the panelists, WBEZ audio producer Cianna Greaves, to learn more.

The long-anticipated street race is finally happening this weekend and everyone has an opinion. Reset chats with Neil Steinberg, columnist for Chicago Sun-Times and two locals who are looking forward to NASCAR.

A proposed ordinance would create protections for some of Chicago’s most iconic vintage outdoor signs. Reset learns about the history of these signs, and their importance in the urban landscape and about restoring vintage signs from a Martin Treu, author of Signs, Streets, and Storefronts: A history, of architecture and graphics along America’s Commercial Corridors.

Wildfire smoke from Canada continues to smoother Chicago today. Experts anticipate the air quality index, as tracked by Air Now, could exceed Tuesday’s high of 288 - the second highest ranking that government agency tracks. Reset hears from Kelly Nichols, Senior Manager of Policy & Advocacy, Respiratory Health Association of Chicago and Dr. Ravi Kalhan, Northwestern Medicine deputy division chief...

Chicago’s hourly minimum wage is set to rise to $15.80 starting July 1, while tipped workers will get paid $9.80 an hour. Reset learns more about the so-called “subminimum wage” for tipped workers and the latest on discussions around phasing it out. We check in with Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa of the 35th Ward; Sam Toia, president and CEO of the Illinois Restaurant Association; and Terri Evans, owner...

As Chicago’s youth start their summer jobs, we follow up on Mayor Johnson’s campaign promise to bring more employment opportunities. WBEZ city government and politics reporter Tessa Weinberg gives us the update.

Research shows that queer youth who are supported by their families grow up to be happier and healthier adults. But some parents can feel unequipped to navigate their child’s coming out. Reset hears from two Chicago families about their experience navigating and supporting their own LGBTQ children: Florrie Chappa with the group Mama Bears joins the show with her son Javier Chapa with Howard Brown...

The library is open, free of charge to all, bringing resources for accessing knowledge. And In the midst of battles over freedom of speech and book bans, the Chicago Public Library is committed to being a sanctuary for books. Reset talks with Alison Cuddy, host of the podcast Library for the People, about the ways the library has lived out its mission and served the people of Chicago for the past...

This week, Supreme Court justices are expected to drop opinions on several cases about major issues including student loan forgiveness and affirmative action. Reset learns more about how they could rule with Steven Schwinn, professor at University of Illinois Chicago School of Law.

The NASCAR Chicago Street Race will take place on July 1 and 2, bringing tens of thousands of spectators to downtown and closing off many roads to cars, buses and pedestrians. Reset hears from 1st Ward Ald. Daniel La Spata about what to expect before, during and after the events.

The former warehouse district of Fulton Market was a hub for meatpacking and meat wholesalers in the 19th and 20th centuries. But as the price of rent continues to increase in the area, many of these shops have left. Reset learns about Peoria Packing’s history as a mainstay in the West Loop and the changing nature of the neighborhood. We talk with Paul Durica, director of exhibitions at Chicago Hi...

Reset hits the road and heads to South Shore for a day of barrel racing and horse tricks. The Broken Arrow Riding Club’s Speed and Action Rodeo and Horse Show is an annual event that puts a spotlight on the city’s little-known cowboy scene. Reset spends the day at the rodeo and learns more about the often-overlooked contributions of Black cowboys in American history. We talk to documentarian Charl...

Chicago’s NASCAR race is gearing up. Illinois scales back healthcare benefits for undocumented immigrants. Cook County projects a nearly $86 million budget. And one Chicago startup is on a mission to make sustainable seafood with fungi. Reset goes behind the headlines of these stories and more in the Weekly News Recap. Our panel today: Paris Schutz, WTTW reporter and anchor; Amanda Vinicky, WTTW p...

After some time on the road, Fran is back in Chicago. The local indie band will perform at the Empty Bottle on Friday. Doors open at 9 p.m. Reset talks to frontwoman and songwriter Maria Jacobson about the tour, her band’s latest album Leaving and the inspiration she gleaned from Alan Watts and his book The Wisdom of Insecurity.

Summertime is in full swing! From festivals to art exhibits to live music performances, there are hundreds of things to do in the city this season. Reset gets a taste of the summer fun with the folks behind upcoming events and WBEZ’s latest summer guide.

As we approach one year since Roe v. Wade was overturned, there is a lot of process. States across the U.S have banned the right to abortion, and some of those laws are having unintended consequences for mothers and families. Reset hears from providers and patients affected by the Dobbs v. Jackson decision last summer and how Illinois is protecting mothers.

Mifepristone has recently been in the headlines after conflicting court rulings about the abortion drug's FDA approval more than 20 years ago. But even before that, the drug had been the subject of controversy. Cover Up: The Pill Plot, is a new podcast series that shares the shocking story of how mifepristone was smuggled into the U.S., kicked off a U.S. Supreme Court battle, and led to the foundi...