WBEZ News

Six months into the pandemic, people are still anxious if every little cough and sneeze could be a sign of COVID-19. Now add seasonal allergies and the flu to the mix as we head into fall and winter. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Kristen Schorsch

With COVID-19 restricting capacity and discouraging patrons, the summer for restaurants in Chicago was awful. Owners and workers worry the fall and winter will be even worse. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Vivian McCall

Under a 1983 Illinois state law, the consumer watchdog Citizens Utility Board can’t accept power company money. A WBEZ investigation has found the group took in $11.5 million from ComEd-funded foundations while it was taking up ComEd’s cause. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Dave McKinney

Dequarion Williams is 21 and lives in North Lawndale. Last month, he spoke to Brendan Epton, who’s the same age as Dequarion, but has had a different life trajectory. Producer: Bill Healy

Barring any last-minute changes, the U.S. Census Bureau has less than two weeks to finish counting residents. But tech issues, decreased funding and a shortened timeline have led to a chaotic time for census enumerators and the people they’re counting. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Esther Yoon-Ji Kang

Some Chicago Public Schools Teachers say it’s hard to keep students engaged for long hours online while supporting those who are lagging behind. This fall, reporter Adriana Cardona Maguigad is following a special education teacher who is helping students beyond academics, as part of a new project from WBEZ’s Education Team called 2020 lessons. Host: Mary Dixon

A Congressional report out Wednesday reveals “multiple missed opportunities that could have turned the trajectory” of the Boeing 737 Max. Congressman Jesus “Chuy” Garcia is a member of the committee and discussed the recent findings. Host: Melba Lara Producer: Carrie Shepherd

Universities across Illinois have started reporting fall student enrollment numbers. The data is highly anticipated because many schools had no idea what to expect as students figured out if they should start or continue college during a pandemic. Host: Melba Lara, Mary Dixon Reporter: Kate McGee

More than 500 parents and students rallied Sunday to pressure Governor JB Pritzker to reinstate high school athletics amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Nearby states have resumed fall athletics putting Illinois students at a disadvantage for athletic scholarships. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Kate McGee

State and federal orders are in place to keep renters from being evicted during the pandemic. Landlords say those orders are hurting them because many can no longer afford to pay their mortgages. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Michael Puente

Donald Dew directs the Counting on Chicago Coalition, and he's working to increase Chicago’s response rate in the 2020 census. Data collection is ending in just a few weeks, after the U.S. Census Bureau bumped up the deadline by a month to September 30th. Host: Kate McGee Producer: Lauren Frost

College is taking many forms this fall as some students return to campus for remote classes and others login from home. Reporter Kate McGee is following a few freshmen from the Chicago area during their first semester as part of a new project from WBEZ’s Education Team called 2020 lessons. Host: Mary Dixon

Chicago public school students logged in this morning for their first day of remote school. Reporters were with students and school leaders Tuesday, capturing the mix of hope and nerves across the city. Host: Kate McGee Reporter: Minju Park

For decades, Nancy Green played the Aunt Jemima character that has long been on pancake boxes. She died in 1923 and was buried in an unmarked plot of land on the city’s South Side. Over the weekend she got a headstone honoring her life and her legacy. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Natalie Moore

A social worker in Chicago raised money over the summer so each of her students could get a special basket of things to help them deal with their feelings. Host: Susie An Reporter: Sarah Karp

Republicans triggered a House investigation into State House Speaker Michael Madigan’s dealings with ComEd, but the speaker’s ouster appears to be a political longshot. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Dave McKinney

Seniors struggle with isolation and the pandemic has only made that worse. Experts say isolation can be risky for their physical and mental health. But organizations around the Chicago area are trying to help with online classes, teletherapy, and visits to senior citizens’ homes. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Edie Rubinowitz

Sister Carol Fox is 83 years old, a Dominican nun who lives on her own in suburban Chicago. A few months ago, Lenore Fox Monti asked her aunt to record a remote interview for StoryCorps. Producer: Bill Healy

Some families are hiring tutors to oversee remote learning pods, and some worry this could leave some kids further behind. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Susie An

Community members in Chicago’s Edgewater and Rogers Park neighborhoods are trying to keep an independent bookstore open after its owner died last month. A GoFundMe campaign for Heirloom Books has already raised about $13,000. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Vivian McCall

Tensions are high again in Kenosha Tuesday as President Donald Trump’s visit to the town brought out demonstrators, some supporting the president and others opposing him. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Michael Puente

President Trump is expected to visit Kenosha, Wisconsin Tuesday, a city once known for automotive manufacturing. Despite the turmoil of the last week and half, Kenosha residents say their city is a great place to raise a family. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Michael Puente

Two midwives have ambitious plans to open a freestanding birthing center on the South Side. Pregnant women have few options to deliver. And there will be fewer choices next year after Mercy Hospital in Bronzeville closes. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Kristen Schorsch

Gun violence continues to take lives in Chicago. There was a mass shooting at a pancake house this weekend and in a separate incident two police officers were shot. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Sarah Karp

If a rider won't wear a mask, CTA bus drivers aren't allowed to confront them. Drivers say more needs to be done to help push mask wearing and social distancing. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Mariah Woelfel