Looped In: Chicago

Multiple suburbs of Chicago have now begun to pass ordinances responding to large numbers of migrants being bussed in from out-of-state. This week, Looped In: Chicago host and producer Jim Hanke speaks with WBBM reporter Carolina Garibay on what she saw and heard at the city's south loop landing zone. There, recently-arriving migrants were sleeping on buses, but spoke with Carolina about their hop...

WBBM sports reporters Rick Gregg and Josh Liss join host Jim Hanke this week to recap the Chicago Bears' below-average 7-10 season, while tackling questions on Justin Fields' future as the team's quarterback, where the new stadium will end up and what glimmers of hope are there for 2024. Plus, you'll hear audio from throughout the 2023 season from coaches, players and staff, direct from Halas Hall...

As multiple suburbs of Chicago have now begun to pass ordinances responding to large numbers of migrants being bussed in from out-of-state, host and producer Jim Hanke speaks with several guests this week about the latest update on this multi-layered and ongoing issue: WBBM's Carolina Garibay reports on what she saw at the city's south loop landing zone, where recently-arriving migrants were sleep...

Illinois is the first state to tackle the issue on many social media-user's minds: what about the children? Starting in July of this year, kids involved in their family's lucrative vlog content are now required financial compensation for their time on the screen.   In this episode, host Arielle Raveney unpacks the specifics of this bill and how growing up behind a screen could effect these kids in...

This is an encore presentation of a previous episode from 7/31/23. Small, indie hot sauce brands are like the new homemade craft beer brewers of recent years. In the last quarter century, the hot sauce market has almost doubled annually, leading to a value of $3 billion in 2022. So why has this obsession with heat gathered so much steam? This week, host Jim Hanke speaks with hot sauce influencer B...

As we approach a new year, host Jim Hanke welcomes several friends and previous guests of Looped In: Chicago to discuss what to expect in all things Cubs, White Sox, finance and auto news next year. Tune in to hear visits from Danny Parkins of 670 The Score, Jeff Gilbert of Detroit’s WWJ, and WBBM’s Rob Hart and Andy Giersher as they pontificate about their particular topics of focus. Follow Danny...

Chicago-area photographer Lenny Gilmore has shot portraits of some of the city's most recognizable personalities, from Chief Keef and Chance the Rapper to actor Michael Shannon and hockey's Marian Hossa. But in 2015, while documenting a local roller derby team, a fire was lit within Gilmore to pursue roller skating himself. And last year, the love affair became a commitment to roller skating every...

2023 has come and gone. This year was big for the Looped In team - we rebranded from Courier Pigeon, and we had the privilege to cover so many stories and communities. In this episode, we are showcasing two extended interviews from episodes you as our listeners liked the most: Turtel Onli from "The Fight for Truth and Justice in Comic Books," and Dr. Denise Sandoval from "History on Wheels: Cruisi...

Though bowling has yet to reach official Olympic-level competition, Chicago's connection to the sport is long-held. And last month, a competitor from our area even become the best bowler in the world, as AJ Johnson -- who essentially grew up at Parkside Lanes in Aurora -- took home the gold medal in singles bowling at the Pan Am Games in Santiago, Chile. On today's episode, WBBM sports reporter Ri...

Aside from full, edge-of-your-seat concert experiences, what set Beyoncé and Taylor Swift's concert films apart from the pack at the box office this year? Turns out they bypassed the studio system entirely, and brought both of their movies to audiences more directly. So what does this landmark move mean for the film industry going forward? On today's episode, host/producer Jim Hanke speaks with Ch...

Christmas is almost here! As you brave the weather for holiday shopping, followed by a night of family TV viewing of yuletide favorites, do you know which famous Christmas icons have Chicago roots? On today's episode, we explore the true stories behind Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer as well as the famous window displays of Marshall Field's, and how their original, winged character and creativity i...

Longtime Chicago sports media personality George Ofman, host of his own podcast -- Tell Me A Story I Don't Know -- has recently turned some of his best interviews over the years with fellow broadcasters, reporters, pro coaches and more into an intriguing new book of the same name. During this second of two episodes this week with Ofman, you'll hear audio from Tell Me A Story featuring conversation...

If you’re a lifelong listener to Chicago radio, you know George Ofman well. His nearly 50 years in sports journalism have brought him to WBBM, The Score and WGN, among other outlets. Now the host of his own podcast -- Tell Me A Story I Don't Know -- Ofman has turned some of his best interviews with sports broadcasters, reporters, coaches and more into an intriguing new book of the same name. Durin...

According to stats from the National Retail Federation, crime along Chicago's Magnificent Mile is down since 2020, despite viral videos of break-ins, crash-and-grabs and more seemingly painting a different story. So how are business development organizations and shop owners building consumer confidence, attempting to reverse stigmas, and working to attract more locals and tourists to Chicago's dow...

Nearly 75% of America's Native population currently reside in urban settings. In a move to recognize and push the advancement of that demographic, Illinois passed three separate bills this year to protect Native history and culture. But, how do these laws reflect the reality of Chicago's Native population, the third-largest out of all major US cities? In this episode Looped In: Chicago host Ariell...

This coming March, the ballot box will see a vote on Bring Chicago Home, an ordinance to determine if taxes should be increased on the sale of high-end properties -- ranging from residences to office buildings, valued at $1 million or more -- in order to fund programs to battle the city's homelessness crisis. Today, host Jim Hanke speaks with guests on both sides of the issue: Former mayoral candi...

This is an encore presentation of a previous Looped In: Chicago episode from July 2023, in honor Veterans Day. Since 2008 the Chicago hub for Honor Flight -- a nationwide non-profit -- has flown more than 10,000 US veterans to Washington, DC at no cost, in order to pay respect to their bravery and sacrifice. And in recent years, Vietnam veterans (who have notably struggled with various aspects of...

On this second half of a two-part episode, longtime WXRT disc jockey Terri Hemmert chats with WBBM anchor and resident radio-history buff Rob Hart about her 50 years on-air in Chicago, and educating students at Columbia College about how music and civil rights intersect. Be sure to tune into our first episode with Terri, awaiting you in your podcast feed. Follow  Terri Hemmert on Facebook  | Follo...

For five decades, Terri Hemmert has been a voice that Chicagoans rely on not just for new music or Beatles factoids, but for being an advocate of the arts. Inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2010, she first joined the on-air staff of WXRT in 1973, becoming the first female drive-time host on a Chicago rock radio station. Still, she humbly admits that her giddiness to play records and connect...

The last 7 days of October marked National Magic Week, to honor the infamous Houdini. But in a world of technology and CGI, where does magic fit in?  In this week's episode of Looped In: Chicago, host Arielle Raveney visits a local, popular magic venue to see if wonder still exists in the modern world.  ----- Mentioned in the Episode: The Chicago Magic Lounge | Magician Ben Barnes ----- See Photos...

From clothing stores to pharmacies, retail accounts for about one-fifth of Illinois' workforce and is the second-largest revenue generator in the state. So as crash-and-grab robberies (those that use the force of a large vehicle to break the entrance of a store) continue to rise, how does this affect our safety and our economy? This week, host Jim Hanke speaks with Rob Karr, President/CEO of the I...

Chicagoland's rich architectural history means that some of its most well-known buildings are approaching 200 years of existence. So with Halloween approaching, we were curious: Do the spirits of people who lived or worked there still inhabit them? On this week's episode, you'll hear theories around the science behind ghosts and the paranormal, as well as actual audio from an investigation host Ar...

Just before passing away earlier this month, 104-year-old Dorothy Hoffner of Chicago completed a record-setting tandem skydive, potentially becoming the oldest person to ever do so. On this week's episode, host Jim Hanke showcases audio from WBBM reporter Nancy Harty -- highlighting interviews with both Dorothy herself and close friend Joe Conant -- learning how skydiving became a passion for Doro...

Chicago's sanctuary city status has been put to the test as 18,000 Asylum Seekers have been bussed and flown here since August of last year. As busses continue to arrive by the dozen a day, how is the city grappling with this humanitarian crisis?  In this weeks episode of Looped In: Chicago, host Arielle Raveney speaks with WBBM reporters about community reaction, budget funding, and more.  -----...

As fall rolls in, the time of school sports is upon us. But what exactly does this look like for the kids and teens who play?  In this week's episode, we take a look at some of the barriers, benefits and psychological effects that youth sports have on young folks with WBBM Sport Reporters Rick Gregg and Josh Liss.  ------ Mentioned in the Episode: The Sports Shed | Top Tier North Baseball Club ---...