WBEZ News

First-year teacher Alexia Dukes spoke with her mentor, Maria Rivera, about how the pandemic changed everything. Producer: Bill Healy

Latinos are testing positive for COVID-19 at a higher rate than other groups, and that’s especially true for residents of East Chicago in Northwest Indiana. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Michael Puente

Mercy Hospital has served Chicago’s South Side for nearly 170 years. This week, it announced plans to close next year, citing financial problems. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Kristen Schorsch

As school districts backtrack on plans to mix remote and in-person school, parents are divided on the push to start all remote in the fall. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Susie An

The pandemic has upended summer plans for college students, from internships to travel to jobs. Instead, many turned to summer school. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Kate McGee

Chicago-born music artist Juice WRLD had his life and career tragically cut short when he passed away in December. He was 21 years old. Earlier this month, his estate released a new album of his music called “Legends Never Die.” Host: Susie An, Mariah Woelfel Guest: Bekoe

In just the past two months there have been more than 850 shootings in Chicago. But throughout the city there are hundreds of anti-violence workers who have not given up hope. Host: Susie An

Do you need a car for drive-thru COVID-19 testing? Are self-administered tests accurate? Sadiya Khan, an epidemiologist at Northwestern University, answers these questions and more. Host: Lisa Lazbuz Reporter: Kristen Schorsch

During ComEd’s eight-year bribery scheme, the company won two lucrative bills – and customers across northern Illinois are paying for it. Host: Melba Lara, Lisa Labuz Reporter: Dan Mihalopoulos

After a memorial at Rhodes Funeral Home in Gresham ended in a gunfight, one funeral home owner says a shift in gang culture is to blame. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Monica Eng

COVID-19 cases are rising among older children. In Dupage County they now make up nearly 20% of all cases. Dr. Jihad Shoshara runs a pediatric practice in the county, and explains what that means. Host: Mary Dixon Producer: Mariah Woelfel

Greater Auburn-Gresham Development Corporation in Chicago is just down the street from the funeral home where 15 people were shot earlier this week. Carlos Nelson leads the organization and has long championed revitalization of 79th Street. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Natalie Moore

Donna Clarke of Neighborhood Housing Services wants Chase to invest $1 billion, mostly in the form of home loans and small business loans. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Linda Lutton

President Donald Trump and Attorney General William Barr announced Wednesday that federal agents will surge into Chicago to help combat rising crime. Reset's Justin Kaufman broke down the president's remarks. Host: Melba Lara

Chicago Public Schools officials are proposing a back-to-school plan for the fall that includes in-person and remote learning. But with the COVID-19 crisis far from over, students and parents are mixed about a return to the classroom. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Adriana Cardona Maguigad

Chicago's entertainment venues have been shut down in the coronavirus pandemic. And now the owners of many small music clubs are banding together to ask Congress for help riding it out. Host: Mary Dixon Guest: Katie Tuten

Servers at Chicago restaurants say customers are risking their health every time they walk in the door. Governor J.B. Pritzker says if cases go up much more, indoor dining and bars could be first to go. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Vivian McCall

Police say they are working on a plan to return the bikes, but lawyers worry protesters could “implicate themselves” by showing up in person. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Monica Eng

The Chicago History Museum acquired more than five million images and negatives that belonged to the newspaper. In a new exhibit over 80 years of Chicago history is on display, as captured by photographers at the Chicago Sun-Times. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Carrie Shepherd

As the electric utility Commonwealth Edison pays a $200 million fine, Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan has denied wrongdoing. "He has never made a legislative decision with improper motives," a spokeswoman said. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Tony Arnold

CPS released a plan Friday, days after the Chicago Teachers Union said it wanted remote learning only this fall. Most students will be in schools two days a week and, on the other three days, learn remotely or work on assignments from home. Host: Melba Lara, Mariah Woelfel Reporter: Sarah Karp

A few years ago, a mutual friend introduced Haley Fitzsimons to the man who would later become her husband.  She talked to Kevin for StoryCorps Chicago about meeting in person for the first time. Producer: Bill Healy

School districts in suburban Chicago are releasing their reopening plans for the fall, and it’s clear things won’t be the same. Plans vary from in-person instruction to going fully remote for the start of the year. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Susie An

Soon after the pandemic hit Illinois, numerous nurses and doctors told WBEZ that a chaotic and stressful work life was harming their emotional well-being. We check back in with a few of them to see how COVID-19 has changed their lives since. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Mariah Woelfel

Universities are preparing to welcome students back for on-campus learning but one professor says schools aren’t doing enough to protect the health of the host communities. Host: Mary Dixon Guest: Sheldon Jacobson