In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons

Typically Reset’s “What’s That Building?” series feature architecture stories often lost to history or overlooked in the Chicago area. Over the next few episodes, however, the series is giving a fresh look at some of the city's most iconic buildings. What better place to start than with the gleaming Wrigley Building on the riverfront? Reset talks to its architecture sleuth Dennis Rodkin to get the...

Former President Donald Trump is set to be arraigned in court again — this time in Florida. A grand jury has indicted him on seven counts related to classified documents he stored in his Mar-a-Lago home. He has denied any wrongdoing. Reset hears reactions from Congressman Mike Quigley, who represents Illinois’ 5th District. Then Reset turns to Alvin Tillery, professor of political science and dire...

Chicago’s tourism industry rebounds, with hotels setting a record for highest occupancy rates. Meanwhile, three Chicago chefs take home the coveted James Beard Award. Reset goes behind the headlines of these stories and more with Alex Nitkin, reporter with the Illinois Answers Project for the Better Government Association, Carrie Shepherd, Chicago reporter for Axios, and Rummana Hussain, editorial...

The tension between the PGA and Saudi-backed PIF has been growing for years. The two are now united in a historic merger in an attempt to move past antitrust lawsuits, accusations of human rights abuses and confusion among players. Reset gets analysis from Chicago-area golf expert Rory Spears, co-host of Golfers on Golf Radio, and editor and director of content for Golfersongolf.com.

The U.S. Supreme Court is set to rule on two cases challenging affirmative action by the end of June. One case alleges Harvard’s admissions policies discriminate against Asian Americans. Reset checks in with WBEZ higher education reporter Lisa Philip for what to expect from the ruling and how Asian Americans got wrapped up in the debate.

For their Chicago’s 50 Closed Schools project, WBEZ and Chicago Sun-Times education reporters investigated the impact of massive school closures a decade ago. Reset dives into their latest story on the so-called “welcoming schools” that received displaced students with reporters Sarah Karp and Nader Issa.

As cycling season kicks into high gear this summer, parents who bike with their kids in the city are pushing for changes that will make the roads safer for them and their children. Reset talks with Courtney Kueppers, a digital producer and reporter for WBEZ, to learn more about these efforts.

The Chicago area has been blanketed by dandelion-like fluff for the past week. Reset learns more about what’s behind the weird event and the role the plant its from plays in the ecosystem with Karen Weigert, director of Loyola University Chicago’s Baumhart Center for Social Enterprise and Responsibility, Jessica Turner-Skoff, science communication leader, Morton Arboretum, and Jalene LaMontagne, p...

A surge in calls for shelter requests is overwhelming Chicago’s 311 help line. Reset discusses how the hotline works and what can help the city’s shelter system serve unhoused people and asylum seekers better with WBEZ reporters and a panel of advocates and shelter workers.

How do you like the sound of the Arlington Heights Bears? Well, how about the Naperville Bears? That’s right. The Chicago Bears are now exploring the western suburb as a potential spot for its new stadium. Reset checks in with WBEZ sports contributor Cheryl Raye-Stout for the latest.

The Field Museum is welcoming its newest and biggest addition to its collection of dinosaurs. In the main hall, you can find a 46-foot-long cast of one of the most scientifically up-to-date Spinosaurus in the world. Reset puts on its paleontology hat and learns more about the dinosaur with Jingmai O'Connor, an associate curator of fossil reptiles.

From construction on the Kennedy Expressway to road closures because of Nascar, traffic in Chicago is getting worse. Reset discusses how the congestion is affecting drivers and potentially putting cyclists and pedestrians in danger with Rick Resnick of See it All mini tour bus company, Audrey Wennink of the Metropolitan Planning Council and Sharon Hoyer, a cyclist and Streetsblog freelance journal...

If your lawn has not looked quite as green and lush as usual, you can blame a “flash drought” and one of the driest months of May in 150 years. And if you’re getting air quality alerts in your area, you can blame Canada. Reset checks in with atmospheric scientist Scott Collis.

The director of the new A24 film “Past Lives” joins Reset to talk about going from the stage to the big screen. After working as a playwright for the past 10 years, Celine Song is starting her career in film. She sat down with us to talk about making a movie about real life and touching on themes of love, fate and immigration.

While Pride Month is usually packed with events to celebrate and support the LGBTQ community, queer families are often left with a few options. To learn more, Reset chats with Keewa Nurullah and Kristen Kaza, co-organizers of a free, all-ages Pride event.

Chicago welcomes patio season with a win for restaurants. We talk with Chicago foodies Nick Kindelsperger, Marnie Shure, and Jack Dengel about the city’s new permanent outdoor dining policy and our favorite spots to wine and dine this summer.

Looking for a theater experience that beats the summer blockbusters? Music Box Theatre will be screening William Castle’s House on Haunted Hill on June 7 and 8, complete with gimmicks the legendary director was known for. Reset learns more about Castle’s contributions to the genre, and what the theater is planning for the event with Morgan Wiercinski and Jeremy Marder, co-programmers of the event.

Chicago’s City Council approves $51 million for migrant services. Meanwhile, Illinois lawmakers pass a new budget in Springfield. Reset goes behind those headlines with A.D. Quig, Cook County and Chicago government reporter for the Chicago Tribune, CW 26 reporter/anchor Brandon Pope and WBEZ city government and politics reporter Tessa Weinberg.

Reset sits down with comedian Hari Kondabolu to chat about his new material and his executive producer role on a film about immigration and the rise of the far right in the U.S. and Germany.

Illinois leads the nation in the number of lead service lines, yet it received a smaller share of federal funding to replace those lead pipes than states like Florida and Texas. Reset gets the details from Michael Hawthorne, an environment and public health reporter for the Chicago Tribune.

Reset breaks down what the debt ceiling deal could mean for your student loans with Cody Hounanian, executive director of the Student Debt Crisis Center, and Jack Wallace, the head of government affairs and industry relations at student loan refinance group Yrefy.

In a 34-13 vote Wednesday, Chicago’s City Council approved $51 million to help care for migrants. The decision came after an intense debate among council members and residents. Reset gets the latest from WBEZ reporters Indi Khera and Mariah Woelfel, who have been covering the migrant crisis.

Companies are keeping prices the same while shrinking quantities. While inflation has dropped from its 40-year high in June 2022, the phenomenon of “shrinkflation” has not disappeared. Many items, from paper towels to Oreos, are getting smaller while prices remain the same. Reset talks to Chicago Sun-Times investigative reporter Stephanie Zimmerman and consumer advocate Edgar Dworsky about why “sh...

A bill that’s passed in both the Illinois House and Senate would provide basic protections for freelancers requiring clients to pay them within 30 days of work completed. But it still needs Governor J.B. Pritzker’s signature to be law. Reset digs into how this legislation protects freelancers’ right to compensation with two freelancers: writer Anna Burgess and audio producer Mary Mathis.

Swimming season is here. Reset discusses water safety with Chicagoan Dave Benjamin, co-founder and executive director of the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project. Benjamin has made it his mission to prevent drownings in Lake Michigan and beyond.