In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons

Agriculture is a vital industry that we all rely on — after all, it’s what feeds us. But in 2020, the industry was responsible for 11.2% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, which contributes to a warming planet. This, in turn, creates challenges for growers whose seasons are impacted by intense rainfall and warmer night time temperatures. Reset learns more about this with Illinois state climatologis...

There has been no end in sight to the debate around a Black actress playing Ariel in the upcoming live-action “Little Mermaid.” But the debate, the backlash, and the never-ending nitpicking doesn’t end there. Reset talks through the problematic reasoning against Black actors in recent fantasy shows and films, and the importance of diversity on screen.

The Onion is going to the mat to protect the right to parody. And their brief filed with the Supreme Court reads like, well, a hilarious Onion article. Reset checks in with Onion head writer Mike Gillis.

In his new book Boys Will Be Humans, actor Justin Baldoni creates an instructional guide to unlearning toxic masculinity and embracing emotions.

Reset sits down with leaders of the BASE Chicago, an organization based in West Garfield Park that provides a range of programming for urban youth from baseball and softball training, to violence prevention and even college readiness.

A new independent investigation shows abuse allegations were swept under the rug as coaches moved from team to team. Reset talks through the report with two sports reporters and explores how it could impact generations of young female soccer players to come.

No new property taxes, funds to support migrants, an increase in the police budget, and more were included in Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s budget address Monday. Hit play to listen to the full speech.

In 1919, Chicago erupted into race riots after white beachgoers killed a Black teen named Eugene Williams. Poet Eve Ewing tells the story of that so-called "Red Summer" in her poetry collection 1919. Now, playwright J. Nicole Brooks has re-imagined Ewing's poems as a play, which debuts at the Steppenwolf Theatre on Oct. 4. Reset sits down with Ewing about the adaptation, the emotional weight of th...

There are 44,000 federal rules, laws and policies that restrict and sanction people after incarceration that pose “permanent punishments.” WTTW is hosting a four part mini-series exploring the barriers that exist for the 3.3 million people in Illinois that have been incarcerated. Reset hears more about the series and how permanent punishments impact people’s lives from WTTW host Brandis Friedman,...

No matter how hard we try, we all generate trash. And the fabrics we don’t want anymore — clothes, towels, blankets, rags — are harder to recycle than they might seem, as most fabrics are a mix of fibers and material types, requiring different techniques that can’t be done on a large scale. A local weaver implements sustainable techniques at an artist-run industrial mill in Humboldt Park–but even...

Due to declining enrollment, Chicago is no longer the country’s third-largest school district. Northwestern unveils plans for a new football stadium in Evanston. Reset takes a deep dive into these stories and much more in our Weekly News Recap with Natalie Moore, WBEZ reporter on the Race, Class and Communities desk, Mick Dumke, reporter and columnist ProPublica Illinois, and Heather Cherone, Chic...

OK, bakers! Get your starters ready. Cooler weather calls for heartier meals that aren’t complete without breads of all kinds, shapes and sizes. (also bonus: it’s Bread Week, GBBO fans!) Reset checks in with a local James Beard Award-winning baker about his new bread cookbook.

To reduce their carbon footprints, New York and Los Angeles have banned gas-powered stoves and heating in new construction. Chicago is taking a different approach. A new ordinance requires new homes to be “electric ready.” The city isn’t banning gas appliances in homes, but wants residents to more easily be able to switch to electric ones if they choose. But how can people who can’t afford to buy...

The nearly dozen suits, filed in Lake County, claims the shooting was “predictable and preventable.” They add to the over 100 charges the shooter already faces, which include first-degree murder, attempted murder and aggravated battery with a firearm. Reset get the details and learns how the suit could impact the alleged shooter’s pending criminal case. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this...

Yes, hackers can spy on some of what you’re doing on your laptop if you’re browsing the web in a coffee shop. But public networks are worlds safer than they were a few years ago. Reset learns the do’s and don’ts of using public WiFi networks. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and...

Invest South/West is Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s signature economic development plan. Reset explores why so few projects appear to be moving forward three years since the mayor announced the program. For more Reset interviews, subscribe to this podcast. And please give us a rating, it helps other listeners find us. For more about Reset, go to wbez.org and follow us on Twitter @WBEZReset

We spoke to learn why people are targeting these books, and what libraries are doing to protect access to challenged titles. GUEST: Deborah Caldwell-Stone, director of the Office for Intellectual Freedom of the American Library Association and executive director of the Freedom to Read Foundation at American Library Association Commissioner Chris Brown, Chicago Public Library

The city is pushing for 1,000 new housing units to revitalize Lasalle Street. Despite being synonymous with Chicago’s financial services industry, Lasalle Street has a higher vacancy rate than any other area downtown. Reset talks to a reporter for a breakdown of the city’s goals and plans. GUEST: Melody Mercado, Block Club Chicago reporter covering the Loop, West Loop, River North and the Gold Coa...

Coach K and Coach Knikkie bonded over a love of the sport, and cheer each other on, even when their teams face off, which was another record setting event in Illinois. Reset sits down with the coaches and learns about what drives and unites them and how they hope to draw positive attention to their schools. GUEST: Konesha Rhea, Head Varsity Football Coach DuSable Panthers Jouscelyn Mayfield, Chris...

The pandemic has forced many people to rethink their job paths, so Reset talked to three professional coaches about how to take the next step in our careers. GUESTS: Phoebe Gavin, career and leadership coach and executive director of talent and development at Vox.com Kate Brooks, board-certified career coach and counselor Bianca Jeanty, career coach and speaker

Abbott Elementary is back after collecting a few awards at the Emmys. Reset chatted about our initial impression of the start of Season 2 with a TV critic and panel of Abbott fans. GUEST: Danette Chavez, Editor-in-Chief of Primetimer Brandon Pope, reporter/anchor at CW 26 Arionne Nettles, journalism lecturer at Northwestern University

More migrants are bused up to Chicago from Texas, Mayor Lightfoot appoints a new North Side alderman, while City Council approves a measure to protect abortion access. Reset goes behind the headlines on the Weekly News Recap. GUESTS: Dan Petrella, Chicago Tribune state government reporter Erin Hegarty, City Hall reporter, the Daily Line Christian Farr, NBC-5 Chicago reporter

Only two Chicago spots made the New York Times’ 2022 list of America’s best restaurants. But we think they overlooked some of our other great restaurants. Because regardless of what kind of food you’re in the mood for, you’ll easily find it in Chicago. Reset talks through our overall favorite spots and what you should order when you visit for yourself. GUEST: Aimee Levitt, freelancer and former de...

Have your airport experiences in Chicago been sub-par? You’re not alone. A recent survey of the country’s airports found that travelers are increasingly frustrated with O’Hare and Midway airports. Reset hears more about how those airports are ranked.

The warming planet is causing more intense storms and extreme weather, which is forcing millions of people to flee their homes around the world. Some experts say this problem will only get worse as conditions become more unbearable. Reset talks with Juan Declet-Barreto with the Union of Concerned Scientists and Gaia Vince, author Nomad Century: How Climate Migration Will Reshape Our World.