WBEZ News

In the last couple of weeks, Illinois has seen a high number of days with precipitation. Illinois State Climatologist, Doctor Trent Ford shares how this spring stacks up so far. Host: Melba Lara; Producer: Lauren Frost

The featured artists belonged to the South Side Community Art Center and their artwork spans from the center’s founding in 1940 through the 1980s. Host: Lisa Labuz; Reporter: Natalie Moore; Guest: Zakkiyyah Najeebah

Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown talks about the initiative and the department’s efforts to improve its murder clearance rate. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Patrick Smith

The parents say the boy was relentlessly bullied but Latin didn’t inform them or investigate, as required by law. Latin strongly denies wrongdoing. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Susie An

The City of Chicago is examining how city governments around the world are using housing policies to promote wealth building in communities where a majority of residents are people of color. Professor Robert Chaskin on the research team shares specifics behind the study. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Natalie Moore

Police have blamed young people seeking joyrides for the uptick, but Professor Robert Vargas, director of the UChicago Justice Project, points to perpetrators with economic motivations. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Patrick Smith

Kenner, 65, has become synonymous with Whitney Young Magnet High School over her 32 years at the highly prestigious selective enrollment school. Host: Lisa Labuz; Producer: Lauren Frost

On Earth Day last Friday, dozens of people gathered in downtown Chicago to push for more green policies at Chicago Public Schools. We talk to Jelena Collins, a senior at Oak Park and River Forest High School and leader of the Chicago Climate Youth Coalition. Host: Melba Lara; Producer: Lauren Frost

The funds, part of the federal government’s response to the pandemic, were budgeted for anti-violence efforts, but have not yet been spent. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Patrick Smith

Jennifer Soble, executive director of the Illinois Prison Project, suggest the department of corrections bears some of the blame for the convictions. Host: Melba Lara; Producer: Lauren Frost

Picture it: “Golden Girls” lovers wearing swag, meeting former writers and producers and a giant wicker purse in honor of character Sophia. Host: Araceli Gómez-Aldana; Reporter: Natalie Moore

In some South and West side neighborhoods, as many as 60% of adults could be eligible for the program, shows a WBEZ analysis. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Esther Yoon-Ji Kang

The Biden administration plans to lift a Trump-era immigration policy used to turn away migrants at the border, including those seeking asylum. Fasika Alem, program director with the United African Organization, provides the latest. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: María Inés Zamudio

The number of vacated convictions tied to former Chicago Police Sgt. Ronald Watts is now 213. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Chip Mitchell

The Ukrainian National Museum of Chicago’s traditional ‘pysanka’ egg-painting class is growing in popularity amid the war abroad. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Adora Namigadde

In our new series, "Kids Ask," we hear from a 6-year-old who had a question about war. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Susie An

In a surprise move, Lightfoot granted interviews only to reporters of color for a single day in 2021. But several local journalists say access to the mayor ended just as abruptly. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Mariah Woelfel

A personnel hemorrhage since late 2020 has cut the size of Chicago’s Law Department by a quarter, a WBEZ analysis of city data finds. Host: Lisa Labuz; Reporter: Chip Mitchell; Producer: Lauren Frost

Urban historian Shermann “Dilla” Thomas looks back at Mayor Harold Washington's legacy, on what would have been his 100th birthday. Host: Mary Dixon, Lisa Labuz; Producer: Cianna Greaves

Professor Robert Jackson, an environmental scientist at Stanford University, helps us answer a question about the effect of gas stoves on the climate. Host: Melba Lara; Producer: Lauren Frost

Rob Wildeboer, part of the WBEZ team working on our investigative podcast "Motive," provides an update from the trial of two Illinois prison guards accused of beating a person who died. part of the WBEZ team working on our investigative podcast "Motive," provides an update from the trial of two Illinois prison guards accused of beating a person who died. Host: Melba Lara; Producer: Lauren Frost

Data show the South and West sides of Chicago are the hardest hit. "We’re all struggling to keep up. There’s still a huge need." Host: Lisa Labuz; Reporter: Jane Vaughan

One low-income patient got a 100% discount on her hospital bill. But then came more than $8,000 in bills from the independent doctors who treated her. Host: Lisa Labuz; Reporter: Kristen Schorsch

As Illinois school districts fill gaps with $7.9 billion in federal relief money, the spending reveals the depths of chronic underfunding. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Susie An

Parents and community members say the reduction in resources will hurt students already struggling with the effects of the pandemic. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Sarah Karp