WBEZ News

12 year old Chloe Langford had a creative take on a homework assignment about life at home during the COVID 19 pandemic. “All Day Long, the Coronavirus Song” now has over 33,000 views on YouTube. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Carrie Shepherd

Colleges in Chicago are becoming increasingly flexible with grading policies as a result of the COVID-19 shutdown. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Kate McGee

The local Jewish community is finding ways to make this year’s holiday meaningful despite the coronavirus crisis. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Monica Eng

Ari Mejia built a fort inside her house to help cope with staying at home. She shares one of many personal dispatches to come from folks who now find themselves alone, together. Host: Melba Lara Producer: Joe DeCeault, Linda Lutton

With schools closed due to COVID-19, this year has been particularly hard on Chicago public high school seniors. The year that usually marks an end of an era, is now marked by loss. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Adriana Cardona Maguigad

The coronavirus pandemic has canceled all the big events in the Chicago area. On one block in the northwest suburbs, neighbors have found a way to be together for a little bit, even while they keep apart. Host: Annie Russell Reporter: Dan Mihalopoulos

Not everyone can work from home during the coronavirus pandemic. Some are providing essential services during the outbreak, but they're living on the margins. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Natalie Moore

Meydi Guzman Rivas has been living with her school counselor for over a month now. She moved in after being held by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Now, she’s hopeful she’ll be given asylum. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Susie An

WBEZ News spent the weekend covering the COVID-19 pandemic. Since most of us were likely trying to relax and forget about this stuff for a short time, a quick catch up on the latest from Illinois. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Dan Mihalopoulos

Many schools are using Zoom for online class during the COVID-19 closures. And like many things on the internet, racist trolls have followed. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Kate McGee

Retired Dallas Police Chief David Brown recounts his life and policing philosophy in a memoir he wrote after retiring. Brown has been tapped to be Chicago’s next top cop. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Patrick Smith

The 2020 Summer Olympics have a new start date, and while the Games will go on some local Olympic hopefuls have been impacted by the delay. Host: Lisa Labuz Reporter: Cheryl Raye Stout

As residents are staying at home, the U.S. Census Bureau is reminding households to fill out their 2020 census forms. A look at how the decennial count affects how everyone does business. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Esther Yoon-Ji Kang

A former Dallas police chief who was thrust into the national spotlight following a shocking tragedy is slated to be the next leader of the Chicago Police Department. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Patrick Smith

Illinois hospitals are scrambling to beef up their staffs as they prepare for a surge in coronavirus cases. Experts say the number of COVID-19 cases in the state could peak in the next month. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Mariah Woelfel

A group of high school broadcast students are continuing their regular TV news show while school is closed. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Susie An

In Illinois, there are nearly 50 confirmed cases of COVID-19 at one DuPage County nursing home. Six residents there have died from the disease. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Adriana Cardona Maguigad

The coronavirus pandemic is affecting the funeral home industry. With CDC guidelines restricting mass gatherings and health officials urging social distancing, services are being altered. Host: Mary Dixon Interviewee: Barbara Kemmis

About 40% of households in Illinois have filled out the census. That’s higher than the nationwide figure, but still short of the count the state is hoping for. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Esther Yoon-Ji Kang

All across the country workers are worried about making ends meet during Coronavirus shut downs. A look at how Chicagoland workers worried about their bills have been managing. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Patrick Smith

While the new coronavirus pandemic hasn’t derailed college admissions decisions, it is raising a lot of questions for Chicago area students as they decide where to attend. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Kate McGee

CPS announced that it won’t move instruction completely online when remote learning starts on April 13th. That’s because there are big differences not just in who has technology, but also who knows how to use it Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Sarah Karp

April 1st means for many people that rent or mortgage payments are now due. That’s making the economic crisis brought about by the coronavirus outbreak very real for people. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Linda Lutton

If you need a nudge to finally fill out your census form, here's one. Experts say, in national emergencies like the COVID-19 outbreak, census data is key to relief and recovery efforts. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Esther Yoon-Ji Kang

Like many of Chicago’s cultural institutions, the Shedd Aquarium is closed to the public,. But that doesn’t mean the animals inside aren’t getting visitors. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Lauren Frost