WBEZ Chicago

The Rundown | Chicago News

News EN ↓ 1667 episodes

In one bite-sized episode every weekday, we'll keep you informed, tickled, geeked, and pondering on Chicago's news, culture and people. Each episode starts with a quick news roundup from the WBEZ newsroom, followed by a deep-dive into one of the biggest or most curious stories from our city. The Rundown podcast is a one-stop-shop for all things Chicago.

Author

WBEZ Chicago

Category

News

Podcast website

www.wbez.org

Latest episode

Jul 10, 2026

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Episodes

The Country in Our Hearts: Episode 4 27.09.2025

Chicago is home to people and cultures from all over the world — including a large Kurdish community. The story of how they came to America is an epic one, a story of bloody genocide, of freedom fighters, of sacrifice and above all… perseverance. All month, we’ve been hearing from host and reporter Rose Gilbert from Nashville Public Radio in a series called “The Country in Our Hearts.” It’s focuse...

Friday, September 26, 2025 26.09.2025

Broadview Mayor Katrina Thompson is accusing Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents of “making war on my community.” Four Chicago alderpersons voted against a symbolic resolution to apologize to Black residents for slavery. Republican Darren Bailey formally announced his gubernatorial campaign yesterday during a tour of the state. Plus, Chicago youth organizations brought together a group of t...

Thursday, September 25, 2025 25.09.2025

Illinois abortion-rights advocates and providers are preparing for an influx of patients from Wisconsin. At 29 years old, Walter “Red” Burnett is now the city’s youngest alderperson. The first satellite designed at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign was deployed to space Wednesday. Plus, The fifth solo project from Chicago musician Jeff Tweedy comes out Friday. We hear how “Twilight Overr...

Wednesday, September 24, 2025 24.09.2025

The Illinois Department of Public Health is recommending COVID-19 vaccinations for most people in the state, in direct contrast to recent guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A Chicago police officer is accused of using his law enforcement credentials to buy guns, including an AR-style rifle, for a man who then smuggled them into Mexico. Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Wil...

Tuesday, September 23, 2025 23.09.2025

Illinois Democrats in Congress have signed a letter asking the federal government to end what it's calling "dangerous and reckless immigration operations" in the state. New video obtained by the Sun-Times is raising questions about the narrative put forth by the Department of Homeland Security after the September 12th shooting death of Silverio Villegas González in Franklin Park. The Illinois Depa...

Tuesday, September 23, 2025 23.09.2025

Illinois Democrats in Congress have signed a letter asking the federal government to end what it's calling "dangerous and reckless immigration operations" in the state. New video obtained by the Sun-Times is raising questions about the narrative put forth by the Department of Homeland Security after the September 12th shooting death of Silverio Villegas González in Franklin Park. The Illinois Depa...

Monday, September 22, 2025 22.09.2025

A WBEZ investigation found the city is months behind a federal deadline to notify residents about their lead pipes. Summer officially ends today, as warm, dry forecasts have persisted through September. Beloved Loyola nun Sister Jean has retired from official campus duties. Plus, WBEZ’s Melba Lara sits down with two members of the Chicago punk band Rise Against to talk about their latest album.

The Country in Our Hearts: Episode 3 20.09.2025

Chicago is home to people and cultures from all over the world — including a large Kurdish community. The story of how they came to America is an epic one, a story of bloody genocide, of freedom fighters, of sacrifice and above all… perseverance. We continue the series “The Country in Our Hearts” from host and reporter Rose Gilbert at Nashville Public Radio. In it, she focuses on the story of one...

Thursday, September 18, 2025 18.09.2025

Advocates are urging U.S citizens to step up and help immigrant workers with food and financial assistance. Illinois House Speaker Emmanuel “Chris” Welch said state lawmakers have no plans to change legislative maps to try to send more Democrats to Congress in next year's elections. Chicago Public Schools is being tightlipped on how it will respond to a threat from the federal government to strip...

Wednesday, September 17, 2025 17.09.2025

The latest phase of ramped up immigration enforcement activities in Chicago coincided with Mexican Independence Day. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has condemned the death on Friday of a man shot by US immigration agents in Franklin Park. And, architecture buffs can see new sites at this year’s Open House Chicago. Plus, The number of CPS students in special education is at its highest in at l...

Tuesday, September 16, 2025 16.09.2025

The Border Patrol agent who led an enhanced immigration enforcement in Los Angeles has arrived in Chicago. Mayor Brandon Johnson has signed an executive order aimed at protecting protesters amid any federal law enforcement presence. And, today is Mexican Independence Day. Plus, there are two more events this month with Chicago's prestigious jazz festival. WBEZ’s Courtney Kueppers gets the scoop fr...

Monday, September 15, 2025 15.09.2025

Chicago City Council voted in favor of settling nearly 200 police misconduct cases tied to disgraced former police Sergeant Ronald Watts, costing city taxpayers a total of $90 million. Gov. JB Pritzker said he and his family feel safe in light of escalating political threats. Enrollment is up for international students at the University of Illinois despite federal immigration policies. Plus, if yo...

The Country in Our Hearts: Episode 2 13.09.2025

Chicago is home to people and cultures from all over the world — including a large Kurdish community. The story of how they came to America is an epic one, a story of bloody genocide, of freedom fighters, of sacrifice and above all… perseverance. We continue the series “The Country in Our Hearts” from host and reporter Rose Gilbert at Nashville Public Radio. In it, she focuses on the story of one...

Friday, September 12, 2025 12.09.2025

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker is calling for a full accounting of the circumstances behind what he called the troubling, fatal shooting of a Franklin Park man by a federal immigration enforcement agent. More than 20 Chicago alderpersons are calling for a review of security measures at City Hall following the shooting of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. A new study finds low-income patients with...

Thursday, September 11, 2025 11.09.2025

The city is moving forward with a 90-million-dollar settlement to resolve 176 lawsuits tied to a former Chicago police sergeant. New data released by the Census Bureau shows a fast-growing immigrant community in Chicago. And, the long-running Taste of Chicago food festival will move back to its mid-summer time slot next year. Plus, Jenna Fischer is the star of the world premiere play “Ashland Aven...

Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025 10.09.2025

The Chicago Public Schools Board of Education meeting was placed on a soft lockdown today after a Brinks security officer shot an alleged robber. Federal agents have seized illegal vaping products nationwide as the Trump administration cracks down on items often used by teens. And, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker says the Supreme Court is reversing years of progress. Plus, Immigration enforcement ac...

Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025 09.09.2025

A protest is planned for today in response to President Trump's escalating immigration enforcement in Chicago. The National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture cut the ribbon on a new outdoor education space and garden yesterday. And, Pitchfork co-founder Mike Reed is back with a new music festival, called Sound and Gravity. Plus, while bracing for the deployment of the National Guard, we look...

Monday, September 8, 2025 08.09.2025

The Department of Homeland Security says it is launching an ICE operation in Illinois. The Bears will show off their new-look offense on the national stage tonight. And, it’s apple picking season. This year's crop is right on track. Plus, President Trump has been threatening to send the National Guard to Chicago. Sun-Times national political reporter Tina Sfondeles has more on what she is see...

The Country in Our Hearts: Episode 1 06.09.2025

Chicago is home to people and cultures from all over the world — including a large Kurdish community. The story of how they came to America is an epic one, a story of bloody genocide, of freedom fighters, of sacrifice and above all… perseverance. This is a series called “The Country in Our Hearts” and it’s brought to us by Nashville Public Radio. That city is home to the largest Kurdish community...

Friday, September 5, 2025 05.09.2025

The city of Chicago tries to prepare immigrant residents ahead of increased immigration enforcement expected soon. Choose Chicago, a tourism marketing agency, is trying to change the city’s violent narrative by highlighting the arts. Plus, Chicago’s Printers Row Lit Fest is celebrating its 40th anniversary this weekend. Organizers say it’s more important now than ever to gather.

Thursday, September 4, 2025 04.09.2025

Governor Pritzker is urging Chicagoans to get out their phones and record federal agents they see on the streets. Organizers of events this weekend are grappling with the possibility that federal agents could soon arrive in the city. And, Angel Reese may be on the bench for the Chicago Sky’s final Indiana Fever matchup of the season. Plus, while President Trump is attempting to send the National G...

Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025 03.09.2025

The White House is still considering whether to send National Guard troops to Chicago. Meanwhile, the Trump administration is challenging Illinois laws that provide in-state tuition and financial aid to immigrant students who live here but lack legal status. And, The Chicago Public Library has announced its One Book, One Chicago pick for 2025. Plus, with the looming threat of federal troops i...

Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025 02.09.2025

President Donald Trump says he plans to direct federal law enforcement intervention in Chicago and Baltimore. Most of Illinois’ congressional Democrats have signed a strongly worded letter telling the President to keep troops out of Chicago. And, many people are mourning after a violent Labor Day weekend in Chicago. Plus, you can find Will Liverman on opera stages across the country. But this summ...

Friday, August 29, 2025 29.08.2025

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker said he would welcome more help from the feds to tackle crime in Chicago, but not from the National Guard. Some Illinois veterans are sounding the alarm against President Donald Trump’s threats to send the National Guard to Chicago. More than 10,000 people are expected to cycle down a car-free DuSable Lake Shore Drive in Chicago on Sunday morning. Plus, city officials hel...

Thursday, August 28, 2025 28.08.2025

Some Black faith leaders and elected officials are denouncing President Trump’s threats to send the military to Chicago. Chicago's airports expect nearly 1.8 million passengers to make their way through O’Hare and Midway airports through Tuesday. Free Narcan boxes are now available inside blue newsstand boxes in the Uptown neighborhood, making the life-saving drug more accessible. Plus, today is g...

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