WBEZ News

COVID-19 upended the careers of many artists. For Oakbrook-raised musician Greta Morgan, the pandemic robbed her of her voice and sent her down a path she never would have predicted. She tells her story in her forthcoming book, The Lost Voice, out later this spring. HOST: DIXON

When the pandemic hit five years ago, the stark health inequities in Chicago became much more visible. People who live in West Garfield Park can expect to die 25 years earlier than those who live in the Loop. WBEZ’s Kristen Schorsch explains how community leaders and public health officials are working to close this gap. HOST: DIXON

The Field Museum in Chicago holds thousands of fossil specimens that come from the Mazon Creek fossil bed site near Morris, Illinois. But the journey for a fossil hunter to get their hands on one of these specimens can be surprisingly intense, and sometimes competitive. WBEZ contributor Zack Nauth (NAWTH) has been following this market for some time… and he sat down with All Things Considered host...

Opening Day looks a little different this year for the Chicago Cubs. The team is starting their season in Japan today (TUES), and they’ve spent the past week exploring the country. Sun-Times Cubs reporter Maddie Lee is there in Tokyo and shared a close-up look at some of the team’s experiences so far in this audio postcard. HOST OUTRO: That was Sun-Times Cubs reporter Maddie Lee reporting from Jap...

Chicago police only solve about 6 percent of nonfatal shootings. That’s according to a new investigation in the Chicago Sun-Times today (SUN) by Andy Grimm. Andy joins Mike Puente now to talk about the story.

Northwestern University is one of a handful of higher education institutions that have drawn the ire of President Donald Trump. His administration says the school is not doing enough to combat anti-semitism. The Department of Justice says it’s coming to investigate the Evanston campus. And the Department of Education has threatened federal funding if the school doesn’t take further action to prote...

The bird flu epidemic has had a major impact on the poultry industry. It’s also taking the lives of a majestic bird that’s made parts of northern Indiana a popular landing spot. WBEZ’s Michael Puente reports. HOST: DIXON

The Trump administration has threatened to pull funding from Northwestern if the university doesn’t do more to protect Jewish students. Now, Northwestern is requiring students to complete a new training about antisemitism. But, some faculty and students say it leaves no room for criticism of Israel — and that it will chill free speech. WBEZ’s Lisa Kurian Philip reports. HOST: LARA

Classical music has been dominated by white, male composers for centuries. Cuban-born musician Tania León has long brought a different sound to the genre. WBEZ’s Courtney Kueppers spent the day with León at Northwestern University. HOST: DIXON

You can’t talk about Chicago theater without talking about Jackie Taylor. As the CEO of Black Ensemble Theater, she’s produced over 100 musicals. But her latest project, inspired by her love of Elvis, breaks her traditional mold. WBEZ’s Mike Davis reports from Uptown. HOST: DIXON

A Chicago mother-and-daughter team has brought together young girls of color and their moms for an etiquette workshop. There, WBEZ’s Esther Yoon-Ji Kang learns she needs to work on her own table manners — and brings us this story. HOST: DIXON

The people of Highland Park say even with Robert Crimo the third pleading guilty this week, they’re still trying to make sense of the collective trauma they experienced. Crimo admitted in court Monday that he killed seven people and wounded dozens more in the 20-22 mass shooting during the town’s 4th of July Parade. WBEZ’s Anna Savchenko visited the northern suburb to ask residents about his guilt...

It’s hard enough being a PhD student in normal times. There’s the long hours, skimpy paychecks…and constant pressure to publish. But now, young researchers are up against what feels like an insurmountable roadblock: the uncertainty and instability of federal research funding under President Trump. WBEZ’s Lisa Kurian Philip reports. HOST: LARA

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson was on the congressional hot seat yesterday - testifying before the House Oversight Committee on capitol hill about the city’s sanctuary status. WBEZ’s Mariah Woelfel spent time with Johnson in DC throughout the week and brings us this behind-the-scenes look. HOST: LABUZ

Chicago disco-funk artist Ric Wilson has a personal style inspired by vintage, disco and his international travels. He’s toured with such acts as Chromeo [crow-ME-oh] and the Black Pumas. Wilson is gearing up to release a new EP this year. But first he sat down with our sister station Vocalo for their Getting Dressed series. HOST: LABUZ

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson told Congress today [WED] that the city’s sanctuary status helps reduce crime – not exacerbate it. REPORTERS: Tessa Weinberg and Mariah Woelfel; HOST: Clare Lane

As movie and TV production season kicks into high gear, City Hall has fewer ambassadors to seal future deals. REPORTER: Courtney Kueppers; HOST: Mary Dixon

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson plans to keep it cool, calm and collected at what’s expected to be an aggressive Congressional hearing on the city’s sanctuary status. REPORTERS: Tessa Weinberg and Mariah Woelfel; HOST: Mary Dixon

We talk to a legal scholar about how local universities are -- and should be -- responding to Trump's attacks on diversity, equity and inclusion. REPORTER: Lisa Kurian Philip; HOST: Melba Lara

President Donald Trump is ending the temporary protected status or TPS for Venezuelans soon. That program has allowed them to work legally and shielded them from deportation. Now, many Venezuelans in Chicago are trying to figure out a plan for what’s next. REPORTER: Adriana Cardona-Maguigad; HOST: Mary Dixon

A haunting new exhibit is bringing contemporary art inside an old Chicago mansion. REPORTER: Courtney Kueppers; HOST: Melba Lara

The man accused in the Highland Park 4th of July mass shooting shocked the northern suburbs today (MON) by pleading guilty to murdering seven people and attempting to kill dozens more. REPORTER: Anna Savchenko; HOST: Melba Lara

Rica Arepa opened a third location just last year. A young couple owns the restaurants and now employs 24 people. But business is way down because President Trump has made many Venezuelans scared to eat out. The owners themselves could face deportation as soon as September. If their business collapses, the impact will extend far beyond their family. REPORTER: Chip Mitchell; HOST: Mary Dixon

A Plainfield man has been found guilty of stabbing his Palestinian American tenant and killing her 6-year-old son in what authorities have called a hate crime. REPORTER: Anna Savchenko; HOST: Clare Lane

The U.S. Constitution gives federal law authority over conflicting state law, but state lawmakers have some means to push back. REPORTER: Mawa Iqbal; HOST: Mary Dixon