WBEZ News

The Thanksgiving holiday is a reminder of the genocide of millions of Native Americans and the start of a long history of white immigrants stealing their land. Host: Araceli Gómez-Aldana; Reporter: María Inés Zamudio; Guest: River Kerstetter

Players in the National Women’s Soccer League say they were emotionally and verbally abused by the longtime coach of the Chicago Red Stars

Most people know salsa music. And, you may be aware of other Latin music traditions like: bachata, merengue and the ever popular reggaeton. There’s another Latin music style that doesn’t get a lot of attention but is loved just the same by those who still listen and dance to it.

About 50 Chicago public high schools have voted to get rid of police officers in the last year and a half. Now officials say they are figuring out ways to de-escalate conflicts without police. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Adriana Cardona Maguigad

Local historian Sherman Dilla Thomas discusses the Indigenous history of Chicago’s Sauganash neighborhood. Host: Mary Dixon, Lisa Labuz; Producer: Cianna Greaves

World-renowned oceanographer Sylvia Earle discusses how climate change affects the oceans, and how the oceans affect us here in Illinois. Host: Melba Lara; Producer: Lauren Frost

Chicago and Illinois are experiencing high transmission rates, with more than 400 new cases per day in the city. So what does this mean for the upcoming holidays? Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Katie O'Connell

Former Inspector General Joe Ferguson gave Cook County prosecutors information about the scandal at the Chicago Park District. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Dan Mihalopoulos

Language preventing Blacks from owning property can’t be enforced, but its lingering presence still evokes pain and anger. Host: Lisa Labuz; Reporter: Natalie Moore

Restrictive covenants and deeds meant to keep Black residents out of white neighborhoods are unenforceable today, but their lingering presence still evokes pain and anger. Host: Lisa Labuz; Reporter: Natalie Moore

The disruption in the global supply chain has been impacting Chicago area small business owners and entrepreneurs. They say they are having a hard time getting goods. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Claudia Morell

Chicago has experienced several high-profile shootings near public schools this fall at a time when gun violence is up in the city. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Adriana Cardona Maguigad

Maryan Abdulkarim's family moved to Finland in the 1990s from Somalia. She says Afro-Finns have long felt invisible in a country known for its efficient social welfare government. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Natalie Moore; Producer: Lauren Frost

Prisons in Finland focus on actual rehabilitation and don’t emphasize punishment. Often inmates can leave for school or work, but there are still shortcomings to this system. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Natalie Moore

Anu Partanen, author of the book "The Nordic Theory of Everything" provides a glimpse behind how Finnish society informs their open prison system. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Natalie Moore

John Catanzara often clashed publicly with Mayor Lori Lightfoot. He faced criticism recently for comparing a vaccine mandate to Nazi Germany. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Chip Mitchell

The United States has the highest prison population in the world, while Finland has one of the lowest. WBEZ explored the open system model in this Nordic country, and the philosophy behind it. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Natalie Moore

Paul Kearns, director of Argonne National Laboratory, shares takeaways from the major global climate change summit “COP26.” Host: Melba Lara; Producer: Lauren Frost

If the City Council doesn’t agree on new political boundaries by Dec. 1, voters could end up picking a map themselves. Host: Lisa Labuz; Reporter: Mariah Woelfel

A third of Finnish prisons operate as “open,” allowing inmates to leave the facility for work or school - and the model is seen as successful. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Natalie Moore

A gun detection software the city of Chicago uses is facing increased scrutiny from aldermen and a growing number of activists. Host: Araceli Gómez-Aldana; Reporter: Claudia Morell

After months of juggling added COVID-19 duties, vaccines could lighten the school nursing load and help them refocus on student needs. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Susie An

A school community on the Northwest Side in Chicago is reeling after fire destroyed a playground where many kids could go to feel safe. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Adriana Cardona Maguigad

A billing error left a Chicago homeowner with a $25,000 dollar water bill and a lien against her property. The case shows how a small billing mistake can lead to serious legal consequences without the homeowner ever knowing.

As the Chicago ward remap deadline approaches, Asian American advocates make one last push for a ward of their own. Grace Pai leads Asian Americans Advancing Justice Chicago. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Esther Yoon-Ji Kang