WBEZ News

A major political earthquake in Illinois, as Michael Madigan has suspended his campaign to retain the title of Illinois House Speaker. The Chicago Democrat is often described as the most powerful politician in the state. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Tony Arnold

But how many teachers will show is unclear amid strong opposition to reopening from the Chicago Teachers Union, nurses and aldermen. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Sarah Karp

Colleges are trying to instruct and create performance opportunities for their arts students despite COVID-19 limitations. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Mark LeBien

As second doses begin for health care workers, Chicago hospitals met with Mayor Lori Lightfoot to figure out how to speed up COVID-19 vaccinations so that next priority groups can start. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Kristen Schorsch

WBEZ’s Patrick Smith reports on the way tens of thousands of bullets have scarred bodies, emotions and communities in Chicago. Host: Mary Dixon

Chicago teachers check in with high school students after the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Adriana Cardona Maguigad

Some young black activists in Chicago compared how police treated white extremists yesterday in the Capitol to their own experiences demonstrating this summer. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Linda Lutton

WBEZ’s Odette Yousef chronicled the rise of the modern day hate movement in the most recent season of the Motive podcast. She helps decipher some what was seen during yesterday’s attempted coup at the nation’s Capitol. Host: Lisa Labuz; Producer: Lauren Frost

Illinois lawmakers who witnessed firsthand yesterday’s historic and violent day at the nation’s Capitol talked about their experience as protesters stormed the building. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Mariah Woelfel

Members of Illinois’ congressional delegation sheltered in place at the U.S. Capitol after a mob of pro-Donald Trump extremists stormed the building. Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, a Democrat from the northwest suburbs was among them. Host: Melba Lara; Producer: Claudia Morell

19 year old Ieisha Lowe told her story to WBEZ’s Patrick Smith about the stray bullet that hit her this summer while she was walking near her house. Host: Mary Dixon

For every person killed in a city shooting, five are shot and survive. Those victims — about 50,000 since 2000 — are marked for life. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Patrick Smith

The first wave of CPS staff is due back Monday to prepare for the return of students. The Chicago Teachers Union is strongly opposed to reopening. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Sarah Karp

Too many Illinois Nature Preserves don’t get the care they deserve. The new group Friends of the Illinois Nature Preserves rallies support for what remains of the real Illinois. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Jerome McDonnell

There’s a city’s worth of people living in Chicago with injuries from gun violence. Their experiences are unique, their suffering is real and their needs are great. Stories from those who did not die. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Patrick Smith

Eve Creelman speaks with her young daughter Vivian about what it's like to go to second grade online. Host: Greta Johnsen; Producer: Bill Healy

This year, music fans swapped concerts and clubs for livestreams, but there was no shortage of new tunes to get us through the year. Bekoe from our sister station Vocalo reveals his favorite music from 2020. Host: Mary Dixon; Producer: Lauren Frost; Find more of 2020's best tracks on WBEZ.org

The consulates of some European Union countries in Chicago have seen a big increase in applications for citizenship and passports this year. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Dan Mihalopoulos

Activists and faculty for years have pushed for changes they say would make the university more welcoming to people of color. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Esther Yoon-Ji Kang

While you may have worked on your hobbies during quarantine, one north suburban high schooler ran mask distribution program in Illinois. Host: Marie Lane; Reporter: Vivian McCall

Families have endured challenging moments with remote learning, but they’ve also enjoyed times of unexpected fun. This fall, parents have been getting a rare peek into how their kids behave (or don’t behave) in class. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Susie An

At StoryCorps in Chicago, Steve Pemberton looked back over his childhood in the foster system, and the Christmas that changed his life. Host: Melba Lara; Producer: Bill Healy

In his 100th year of life, Oak Park resident Ulric Basil Crosby has now survived the coronavirus. Crystal Brown, his niece, helps take care of him. She shared more about Uncle Nip’s long life as they celebrate another Christmas together this year. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Mariah Woelfel

A creative, neighbor-to-neighbor effort to get food to people who need it continues to expand across Chicago. Love fridges are popping up on city streets: brightly painted with signs saying FREE FOOD, stocked by community donations. Host: Odette Yousef; Reporter: Linda Lutton

In cell-phone images and words, high schoolers at Benito Juarez Community Academy reflect on their fears, losses and hope. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Linda Lutton