WBEZ News

Music teacher Trevor Nicholas is up for a Grammy as music educator of the year. His students share what makes him so special. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Sarah Karp

Chicago homicide deaths this year have totaled about 820. The victims include Javier Burch, a 29 year old known as Jay. Host: Melba Lara; Producer: Chip Mitchell

This is the latest Chicago has gone without a first measurable snowfall on record. State climatologist Dr. Trent Ford shares what’s causing the lack of flurries. Host: Melba Lara; Producer: Lauren Frost

The deepening polarity in Illinois' politics promises to shape next year’s race for governor, in what could be a big Republican year nationally. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Dave McKinney

When he was murdered in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood in July, Miles Thompson left behind his parents, step parents and three siblings. He's one of more than 800 people who have died by homicide this year in Chicago. Host: Melba Lara; Producer: Patrick Smith

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign labor professor, Robert Bruno, weighs in on whether we could see Chicago-area Starbucks workers vote to unionize. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Esther Yoon-Ji Kang

Leo Castillo and Sylvia Montigo talk about their brother and son Renee Castillo, who was shot and killed last month in Little Village, as part of our series "Remembering Those We Lost." Host: Melba Lara; Producer: Patrick Smith

WBEZ found a steep drop off in As and Bs among seventh graders in low-income schools last year. Those marks are key to high school admission. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Sarah Karp

A key figure in the movement to legalize the recreational use of marijuana in Illinois is now taking over as the leader of an organization pushing for cannabis legalization across the country. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Natalie Moore

Chicago’s Latino community is mourning the death of Mexican cultural icon Vicente Fernandez, a singer with a special connection to Chicago. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: María Inés Zamudio

Students in schools with middle class students also received fewer Ds and Fs, a disparity that widened during the pandemic, WBEZ found. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Sarah Karp

While the Asian American community may see its first slim-majority-ward in the proposed maps, efforts to consolidate Englewood appear to once again fail. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Mariah Woelfel

Experts say there are no residential facilities available for students requiring intensive mental health or behavioral support as needs surge. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Susie An

Keith Kompoltowicz, Watershed Hydrology Section Chief for the Detroit District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, forecasts future water levels in Lake Michigan for this winter and spring. Host: Melba Lara; Producer: Lauren Frost

For years advocates have argued charter schools were taking money away from district-run traditional public schools. CPS is now being pushed to share more information with parents about how the city’s charter schools are spending taxpayer dollars. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Adriana Cardona-Maguigad

The infrastructure bill sets aside nearly $3 billion for apprenticeship programs with a focus on workers facing barriers to employment. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Esther Yoon-Ji Kang

Chicago historian and TikTok star Shermann “Dilla” Thomas looks back at the life and career of White Sox legend, Minnie Minoso. Host: Mary Dixon, Lisa Labuz; Producer: Cianna Greaves

A peek behind Natalie’s trip to Finland covering their open prison system, as well as the whys and hows of Moore's reporting in her own words. Host: Melba Lara; Producer: Erin Kahoa

Lisa Chun, senior attorney with the National Immigrant Justice Center, explains what President Biden's new immigration enforcement priorities mean for immigrants in Illinois. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: María Inés Zamudio

While the global fashion world remembers him for his own label and work on Louis Vuitton’s men’s line, Abloh had deep Chicago connections, says Thomas Kearns, his former professor at Illinois Institute of Technology. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Natalie Moore

Former ally of indicted Madigan advisor speaks out for the first time about being implicated in explosive 2012 email that shook Springfield, Illinois. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Dave McKinney

Festive meals every year could look a lot different in the future, as climate change continues to affect our plants and animals. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Jessica Wolfrom; Producer: Lauren Frost

The Chicago Police Department’s outreach strategy now includes Officer Michael Carroll, an officer working with minority religious communities. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Adora Namigadde

The latest on the investigation into the tragic death of an Illinois State University graduate student who died two months ago downstate. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Eric Stock

Immigration activists say this is the time to pressure Senators to support an effort to create a pathway to citizenship through the budget reconciliation process. Host: Araceli Gómez-Aldana; Reporter: María Inés Zamudio; Guest: Lawrence Benito