WBEZ News

During the contentious 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, thousands of young people gathered to protest. Many were also there to document the events with cameras. Today, their footage allows a window into what that week was like on the ground. As Chicago prepares to again host the DNC, WBEZ’s Courtney Kueppers took a look back at key moments from ‘68 with some people who were there. H...

With the Democratic National Convention coming to town, we’re talking with Chicagoans about what they love about the city, and its people. First up in our ‘This is Chicago’ series. Writer Jonathan Eig tells us what Chicago means to him. Reporter: Anna Savchenko, HOST: DIXON

The Chicago White Sox shocked no one earlier today (THURS) when they fired manager Pedro Grifol after less than two seasons in the position. He finishes his tenure with the worst win percentage for any manager in White Sox history. The team also announced that three assistants are getting canned, too. WBEZ sports contributor Cheryl Raye-Stout joins me now to discuss what’s next for the South Sider...

You’re listening to WBEZ. The Chicago Bears are an old-school NFL team … but last night, they entered a new era. HOST: LABUZ

Garbage is piling up in Chicago’s South Shore neighborhood. In the alleys… In the streets ... The litter is becoming unsustainable. In fact, it has racked up more sanitation code violations than any other south side community. One block club is trying to clean up on its own because it’s running into obstacles with getting help from the city. WBEZ’s Juanpablo Ramirez-Franco has the story. HOST: DIX...

It’s been nearly a year since Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson pitched the idea of city-owned grocery stores to address food access issues in South and West Side neighborhoods. A recent study found the idea “necessary, feasible, and implementable.” Morning Edition host Mary Dixon spoke with Ameya Pawar, Senior Advisor at The Economic Security Project, a nonprofit working in partnership with the city...

Television writer Eli Bauman spent the summer of 2008 canvassing door to door in Nevada to campaign for Barack Obama. In 2016, he used that experience as inspiration for his first musical — 44: The Obama Musical. The show makes its Midwest premiere in Chicago this weekend and tells the story of Obama’s presidency. WBEZ’s Mike Davis spoke with Bauman at Epiphany Center for the Arts where the cast w...

A team of scientists spent the last two weeks launching weather balloons across Chicago. The goal? Figure out how extreme heat varies from neighborhood to neighborhood. WBEZ’s Juanpablo Ramirez-Franco has the story. HOST: LARA

A march near the Democratic National Convention in Chicago will focus on Biden administration support for Israel in Gaza. Some Democrats are worried the protest could play into Donald Trump’s hands. WBEZ’s Chip Mitchell reports. HOST: DIXON

Massey was killed by former Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Grayson in her Springfield home. Massey’s family believes Grayson never should have been given a badge and a gun by the Sangamon County sheriff - and they say the tragedy exposed holes in current policy. But as WBEZ’s Mawa Iqbal reports, their push for a new state law is being met with some doubt. HOST: DIXON

Chicago is on the cusp of hosting the Democratic National Convention – the super bowl of Democratic politics. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is in charge of welcoming all – from delegates to high-profile officials to protesters. WBEZ’s Tessa Weinberg reports on what this moment means for Chicago’s freshman mayor. HOST: DIXON

The last time Chicago hosted a Democratic National Convention, Dick Durbin found himself in the spotlight as a rising U.S. Senate candidate. Now, nearly 30 years later, Illinois’ senior senator once again will be a focus at the upcoming Democratic convention as he contemplates his future. WBEZ’s Dave McKinney has more.

Scholarship programs funded by private donors are sometimes the only ticket to college for low-income and first-generation students. But what happens when the donors change their minds? WBEZ’s Lisa Kurian Philip reports on the abrupt end of a scholarship program that’s left hundreds of Chicago students in the lurch. HOST: LABUZ

People from all over the country travel to Illinois for abortions. Access has disappeared across much of the South and Midwest. That brings a bigger spotlight on Chicago and potential for tensions to simmer as the city hosts the Democratic National Convention next month. Abortion providers and advocates are making sure clinics will be safe and that patients can get to their appointments in case tr...

Former President Donald Trump took a trip to Chicago yesterday for what became a confrontational interview at the annual convention of the National Association of Black Journalists. Several NABJ members spoke out against hosting Trump — who’s known for spreading disinformation — and some say the end result proves it wasn’t the right move. WBEZ’s Mariah Woelfel was there and brings us this report....

The Chicago Police Department has been under scrutiny over the past several years for pulling hundreds of thousands drivers over for low-level traffic violations. Most were Black and Latino drivers. A WBEZ analysis finds CPD traffic stop data shows a significant decrease in the volume of stops this year, but questions remain. Here to dig into the numbers with us is WBEZ data reporter Amy Qin. HOST...

We’re heading into day 3 of the Olympic Games in Paris, France. The games got off to a glorious start with the opening ceremonies on Friday and yesterday (SAT), and the first days of competition. Joining us to talk about the games is Stacy St. Clair. She’s covering the Olympics for the Chicago Tribune.

As the rate of diabetes rises in Chicago, one neighborhood stands out in particular: Belmont Cragin. But community health organizations in the Northwest Side neighborhood have a new partner in the battle against the disease – local restaurants. A new dining effort helps residents make sustainable lifestyle changes to reverse the impact of diabetes ... and it’s caught the attention of one local hos...

Chicago is the first American city to stage J.R.R Tolkien’s epic adventure, The Lord of The Rings. But this version, now at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, is a musical. WBEZ’s Mike Davis has more on how the epic story was remade for the stage. The production runs through September 1.

From reminders of the hurdles they’ve had to overcome to confidence in Harris’ ability to lead, these delegates describe what the Vice President’s nomination means to them. WBEZ's Tessa Weinberg reports. Host: DIXON

The 2024 Olympics are getting underway today (WED) in Paris. Several of the athletes representing the U.S. are from right here in Illinois, including Tori Franklin. She is a triple jumper in the track and field event. This is her second Olympic experience. Franklin sat down with WBEZ’s Noah Jennings to discuss her early days in the Chicago suburbs and her goals in Paris. HOST: LARA

The National Weather Service has confirmed the Chicago and Rockford areas saw 27 tornadoes touch down last Monday alone. That brings the statewide total to over one hundred this year – already surpassing the annual average of 50. Here now to discuss the implications of this staggering number is Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford. HOST: LARA

With President Biden’s decision to end his reelection campaign - Democratic Illinois Governor JB Pritzker’s name is being discussed in a new light this morning. Many Democrats have already thrown their support behind Vice President Kamala Harris to be the party’s nominee. But Pritzker didn’t mention her in his statement yesterday. WBEZ State Politics reporter Dave McKinney joined Morning Edition h...

At 10 this morning, Sangamon County officials are supposed to release body camera footage of the night 36-year-old Sonya Massey was killed. Sheriff’s deputy Sean Grayson shot Massey earlier this month, after she had called 911 to her Springfield home to report a prowler. Grayson, who has since been fired, now faces murder charges. Meanwhile, Massey’s family and friends mourned the loss and cheered...

The Pitchfork Music Festival is kicking off today in Chicago’s Union Park. One of the many performers at the three-day festival will be musician and former Chicago and National Youth Poet Laureate Kara Jackson. Jackson sat down with Vocalo’s Nudia Hernandez to discuss her musical inspirations, and what she expects out of her Pitchfork debut. HOST: LARA