WBEZ News

As mourners prepare for the funeral of slain Chicago Police Officer Ella French, her death is hitting other female cops hard. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Chip Mitchell; Speakers: Aquarius Leonard, Briana Nieves, Tawanda Johnson, Tena Al Farah

TikTok historian Shermann “Dilla” Thomas discusses Fred Rice Junior, Chicago’s first African American Police Superintendent, who was appointed in August 1983. Host: Mary Dixon, Lisa Labuz; Producer: Cianna Greaves

How one city of Chicago nursing contract reveals a larger trend in the healthcare industry of relying on temporary nurses to fill critical staffing shortages. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Claudia Morell

What can we do when someone says they don’t believe in climate change at all? Melissa Widhalm, operations manager for the Purdue Climate Change Research Center, shares some tips. Host: Melba Lara; Producer: Lauren Frost

From rebuilding relationships to anticipating learning gaps, four teachers share what’s on their minds as they return to classrooms. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Adriana Cardona-Maguigad

Putt-putt and avian conservation meet in the newly restored course, located in Douglass Park. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Lauren Frost

Chicago flutist Jennie Oh Brown speaks with writer Howard Reich about the complex relationship between musicians and critics. Producer: Billy Healy

A young woman whose complaint prompted an ongoing investigation makes her first public comments on alleged misconduct at the city’s beaches and pools. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Dan Mihalopoulos

Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in Chicago, and the nation. We visit the seniors of "36 Mandrake," at some local courts in Cottage Grove on the South Side. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Natalie Moore

Treatment for infertility wasn’t deemed essential during the pandemic. Now, doctors see the return of old patients — and a long list of new ones. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Araceli Gómez-Aldana

The Illinois legislators who wouldn’t answer -- Black Democrats and white Republicans -- represent some of the least vaccinated areas. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Tony Arnold, Dave McKinney

With more than $1.8 billion heading Chicago’s way in COVID-19 relief, some hope city officials listen to how the public wants the money spent. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Mariah Woelfel

Chicago Police Department Chaplain Father Dan Brandt says slain Officer Ella French was an animal lover and a great police officer. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Patrick Smith

Dr. Scott Collis, atmospheric scientist at Argonne National Laboratory, and Illinois State Climatologist, Dr. Trent Ford share local takeaways from the U.N. climate change report released Monday. Host: Melba Lara; Producer: Lauren Frost

Many have become homeless despite federally-funded programs, and 60,000 Illinois households are behind on rent and could face eviction. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Odette Yousef

As the nation’s third largest public school district searches for new leadership, advocates are looking for systemic changes. Host: Lisa Labuz; Reporter: Sarah Karp

Sources said the UIUC campus church’s culture, structure and charismatic leader were among the reasons why so many stories of sexual abuse remained hidden for so long. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Esther Yoon-Ji Kang, Susie An

More on the culture and power structure at Covenant Fellowship Church, which allowed spiritual abuse and the mishandling of sexual misconduct to go unchecked for years. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Esther Yoon-Ji Kang, Susie An

TikTok Chicago historian Sherman "Dilla" Thomas talks about the life of intrepid Jean-Baptise Point DuSable and the long fight for recognition for Chicago's founder. Host: Lisa Labuz; Producer: Cianna Greaves

Teachers are, once again, facing uncertainty with a return to school this fall. As the new year approaches, they are squeezing a little more out of summer break. Host: Lisa Labuz; Reporter: Adriana Cardona-Maguigad

Ever heard of carbon offset programs, meant to balance out your carbon footprint? Umair Irfan, science writer for Vox, shares more on how well they actually work. Host: Melba Lara; Producer: Lauren Frost

A church in downstate Illinois is grappling with what former members call a past culture of spiritual abuse and mishandling of sexual misconduct. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Esther Yoon-Ji Kang, Susie An

Indoor masking is now recommended in most of Illinois. But, health experts explain this delta-fueled COVID-19 surge may not be as deadly. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Linda Lutton

Asiaha Butler is a co-founder of RAGE, the Resident Association of Greater Englewood. She shares how the pandemic has contributed to youth homelessness, and how that might be contributing to the violence in Chicago. Host: Lisa Labuz, Mary Dixon; Producer: Cianna Greaves

Mike Grover died at age 38 earlier this year. Last month, his wife Lea told their three daughters about her favorite memory of him. Host: Melba Lara; Producer: Bill Healy