WBEZ News

Chicago officials announced a new project to review monuments and public art in the city’s collection. This comes after a summer of protesters vandalizing or toppling statues connected to white supremacy. Erin Harkey of the city’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events is helping lead the effort. Host: Melba Lara, Lisa Labuz Producer: Lauren Frost

After an unpredictable first month of college, many freshmen are developing their own routines amid the COVID-19 pandemic. But it’s obvious this semester is still lacking in many ways. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Kate McGee

Chase Bank is planning to increase home lending to African American and Latino families in Chicago to the tune of $600 million dollars. The bank wants to address some big inequities revealed by WBEZ this past summer. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Linda Lutton

The future of Chicago’s iconic sketch comedy club and improv school The Second City is in flux. Longtime owner Andrew Alexander stepped down in June as CEO after former and current performers accused Second City of racism and sexism. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Carrie Shepherd

The Chicago Reporter has produced investigative reporting on racial and economic inequality for decades. But alumni of the Reporter say they’ve learned that the owner, the Community Renewal Society, recently put the publication on hiatus and removed its editor and publisher with no explanation. Host: Melba Lara Guest: Laura Washington

Young Chicagoans are signing up in droves to work the polls this year compared to 2016, according to an age breakdown of a “record” number of applicants from the Chicago Board of Elections. The Board is creating a list of back-up judges after already assigning 12,659 of them, with more applications still being processed. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Mariah Woelfel

Chicago plant stores are thriving during the pandemic as plant lovers flock to them, particularly in Latino communities. Some Latinos have turned their deep cultural connections with plants into successful businesses. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Maria Ines Zamudio

Bill Durkin reflects on the life of his younger brother Bob, who was estranged from the family for decades before a late-in-life reunion. He spoke with his friend Casey McCarthy, the two were recorded by StoryCorps. Producer: Billy Healy

The previously unreported allegations were outlined in a recently unsealed motion as part of Kelly’s divorce proceedings. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Patrick Smith

Classes are starting to open up for in-person learning across the region, and some teachers say they feel safe with their school’s plan. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Susie An

Affordable housing is a scarce commodity. Today hundreds of units on the South Side are being auctioned off. There’s no guarantee the housing will remain affordable. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Linda Lutton

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s plan to reduce Chicago’s high levels of gun violence relies heavily on street outreach organizations. The work means almost daily contact with trauma and pain, and many of these outreach workers have their own past traumatic experiences. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Patrick Smith

During Tuesday night’s presidential debate, moderator Chris Wallace asked President Donald Trump if he would condemn white supremacists. Odette Yousef looks at the beginnings of the youth white supremacist movement in the U.S. and in Chicago in the WBEZ Podcast Motive, and provides some context for the president's remarks. Host: Lisa Labuz Producer: Lauren Frost

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot today is releasing a 108-page plan to tackle the city’s long running gun violence problem. Susan Lee, Chicago’s Deputy Mayor For Public Safety, spoke about the new violence reduction plan, which outlines a “public health” approach that includes more community-based investment and victims’ services. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Patrick Smith

Early voting has started in Illinois. Millions of ballots have been mailed out to voters who already requested them. Still, many people are afraid they won't be able to make sure their vote is counted this year. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Claudia Morell

For the first time since 2008, both of Chicago’s Major League Baseball teams are headed to the playoffs. This week the Cubs will face the Miami Marlins at Wrigley Field, and the Sox are traveling to Oakland to take on the A’s. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Cheryl Raye Stout

On Saturday, President Donald Trump nominated appeals court Judge Amy Coney Barrett to be the country’s next Supreme Court justice. Barrett serves on the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago and is a law professor at Notre Dame in Indiana. Host: Marie Lane, Susie An Reporter: Patrick Smith

From problems transferring patients to concerns about hospital staffing, WBEZ follows up to see what, if anything, has changed. Host: Marie Lane, Lisa Labuz Reporter: Kristen Schorsch

Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago asked over 2,000 parents about their most pressing concerns and challenges when it comes to teens and social media. During the pandemic social media is one of the few ways young people can still have social interactions. Host: Lisa Labuz, Mary Dixon Speaker: Doctor Claire Coyne

Trump is trying to shore up his support with Latinos in Florida and other swing states. In the Chicago area, Latinos says support for Trump is growing. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Michael Puente

This school year is looking a lot different than it did during the spring when school buildings were first shut down because of the coronavirus pandemic. Reporter Susie An is following two suburban high school students through a critical year, as part of a new project from WBEZ’s Education Team called 2020 lessons. Host: Mary Dixon

Chicago’s homeless already worry about where to safely sleep when the cold arrives. COVID-19 is making that harder. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Mariah Woelfel

Former U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan is calling on the city of Chicago to partially defund its police department by hundreds of millions of dollars, to help with violence prevention. Duncan is the founder of a Chicago anti-violence group known as Chicago CRED which provides therapy and jobs to those most likely to engage in violence. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Patrick Smith

Doctors recommend creating a mental health plan for yourself as we head into winter and coronavirus cases continue to rise. This can include vitamin D supplements, light therapy, and creating safe plans for social interaction. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Mariah Woelfel

There are 42 days until Election Day, but local election authorities want you to see that as your last day to vote in Illinois. WBEZ’s Claudia Morell shares lessons learned from the March Primary, and how local election authorities are preparing for November. Host: Mary Dixon