Matt Bubala from WGN Radio 720

The special meeting was held Friday afternoon after four alderman called for the Governor Pritzker to declare a state of emergency and send in the Illinois National Guard over the city’s recent unrest. Friday’s vote was 30-17 to delay the decision. Raymond Lopez of the 15th Ward was one of the four alderman who proposed […]

COVID-19 has shut down Navy Pier once before, but now it’s temporarily closing again to save money as the weather starts to change and because of low visitor attendance during the pandemic. Cory Jobe, Vice President of Communications at Navy Pier, joins Matt Bubala to discuss what Chicagoans can still check out by September 8.

This star is roughly 65 light years away from Earth. A new study led by astrophysicist Brian Fields from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign suggests this great extinguisher of life on Earth could have been a distant and completely foreign phenomenon.

Executive Producer Abbey LeVine joins The Matt Bubala Show to discuss her new film concept, COVID POV. It details stories that tell the struggles and hope of the pandemic. COVID POV is shot on individual’s phones and told with their voice. The filmmakers are digging deep into thousands of minutes of raw, unique footage sent by worldwide contributors […]

Blockbuster Blake Stubbs joins Matt Bubala to talk all things movies and television. Movie lovers that are longing for the ultimate 90’s sleepover party can rent out the last Blockbuster for $4 a night. Sandi Harding, the store manager of the last Blockbuster in the world, will soon allow stays at the Bend, Oregon. Check […]

Political opposition researcher Sonia Van Meter joins Matt Bubala to discuss Joe Biden’s pick for Vice President, Kamala Harris.

Steve Bernas, President and CEO of the Better Business Bureau, chats with Matt Bubala about a new BBB study about COVID-19 scams.

Mike Wall, senior writer at space.com joins the Matt Bubala Show to discuss SpaceX’s return to Earth with NASA astronauts Bob Benken and Doug Hurley near Pensacola, FL. The journey was more dramatic with a standoff with Tropical Storm Isaias, however the Gulf of Mexico remained calm.

Marcus Kirby joins Matt Bubala to discuss the leap of faith he took in March: his online house plant business, The Succulent City. Kirby went from making the same amount of income from his house plant business as he did when he was a server. He tells his success here. To order, visit his website.

Lindsey Wander, CEO of WorldWise Tutoring, joins The Matt Bubala Show to chat about how to get kids excited about e-learning. Wander chats about summer enrichment programs, learning pods, and customized e-learning plans. [audiohttps://serve.castfire.com/audio/3779139/3779139_2020-08-09-153339.64kmono.mp3]

As Chicago Public Schools work on finalizing a remote learning plan, Heidi Stevens wrote in her latest column to not worry about how they got to the decision of the remote learning, but rather understand that CPS had to take time to come to this difficult decision for the fall.

The first dog to test positive for COVID-19 in the U.S. has died. Buddy the German Shepard was also diagnosed with cancer, but there has been limited research about COVID-19 and pets. Dr. Marks has the real story on The Matt Bubala Show. She also shares tips for owners on how to keep pets safe […]

Due to COVID-19 concerns, Chicago airports are limiting access. Aviation Safety Analyst David Soucie joins The Matt Bubala Show to discuss the lates on transportation and travel.

Democratic opposition researcher Sonia Van Meter joins The Matt Bubala Show to discuss what’s going in Texas and the country. She tells listeners if she thinks the Democrats are excited about a November election or if it will be delayed.

Activists have led sit-ins and marches to demand less funding for the Police Department. One proposal calls for the creation of an elected council, the Civilian Police Accountability Council (CPAC), which has recently seen more support. Block Club Chicago reporter Alexandra Chaidez joins the Matt Bubala Show to discuss what CPAC would mean for the city.

The Oscars announced they were making changes to the nomination process, and the Emmys followed after. Earlier this week The Emmys announced that the number of nominees in most categories will now be determined by how many shows or actors submit entries. Big-ticket best drama and comedy series categories will have eight nominees each, no […]

Elizabeth Austin is a local writer who grew up with Gone With the Wind, a gift she received in 1975 for Christmas. Austin threw away her book. She writes, “I don’t think I’d ever thrown away a book before—at least, not one that was still intact. But this book was different. I didn’t want to […]

Matt chats with Block Club Chicago reporter Alexandra Chaidez about defunding the police and what it means for the city. Blockbuster Blake Stubbs chats about the new Emmy changes and what people can expect when returning to movie theaters. Elizabeth Austin is a local writer who grew up living Gone With the Wind, but threw […]

This weekend, Matt chats with guests Nina Tiberi from Chalking It Over talks about her creations around Chicago, Mike Wall from space.com joins the conversation to talk about the possibility of an asteroid reaching Earth in our lifetime and other space exploration news.

While many artists are looking for creative ways to connect with fans, alt-rock duo Local H did just that. The duo announced a drive-in concert on June 25 at the Harvest Moon Drive-In in Gibson City, IL. Within minutes, the show sold out and due to the popular demand, frontman Scott Lucas and Ryan Harding […]

Scientists say that an asteroid the size of New York City’s Empire State building passed Earth. Mike Wall from space.com joins the conversation to chat about what would happen if it went unnoticed reaching Earth and other space exploration news.

You may see some colorful art strolling around Chicago as it slowly begins to re-open. The work is done by the volunteers at Chalking It Over, who’s mission is to spread messages of love and hope through chalk images on the plywood of boarded up businesses. Nina Tiberi joins the Matt Bubala Show to talk […]

Troy LaRaviere joins the conversation to discuss race issues across America, CEO of City Health Tech Ibraheem Alinur talks proper hand washing techniques, Dr. Karla Ivanovich chats about mental health and Los Angeles business owner Alan Kokozian talks about his challenges of rebuilding his business.

Alan Kokozian and his father Tony have owned Tony K Shoes in Los Angeles for 32 years. The family business was looted, destroyed and burned down in the midst of violent protests that took place on Melrose Avenue. Kokozian says his insurance company doesn’t cover for looting and civil unrest. As a neighborhood staple business, […]

Troy LaRaviere joins the show to discuss race issues and protests this past week.

Ibraheem Alinur is graduating college this year and he’s already a CEO. He joins Matt Bubala to discuss his hand- washing device, OPAL and how it’s paving the way for our future. OPAL is City Health Tech’s first step to standardize community health education, promote healthy hand washing habits, and collect data to provide valuable insights to help […]

Dr. Karla Ivankovich, friend of the Matt Bubala Show and resident counselor, joins the show to talk about how to stay healthy mentally during a pandemic, nationwide protests and loss of everyday life. Ivankovich says it’s okay for people to cut themselves some slack when feeling stressed because most people have never experienced living through […]

Known to be a late-night spot, Flash Taco–intended on closing early due to COVID-19. Due to a high demand of loyal customers, Flash Taco decided to open back up to the public. Owner Ulysses Salamanca chats about his reopening plan.

Former Chicago Bears player and Managing Partner at The Insurance People—a Chicago-based company providing health, business, and workers comp insurance—Desmond Clark, provides insights on pandemic exclusion policies, what types of plans and policies restaurants should consider going forward, and how insurance companies will adapt to the change of landscape with their policies and services.

Businesses are entering phase 3 which allows non-essential retail stores, salons, barber shops, offices and more will be able to reopen — but they must follow health and safety rules from the state. Matt chats with local salon owner, Adele Shawgo about new precautions she will have to take for her salon, Spoil Me. For […]

Matt chats with Ryan Burrow live from Minneapolis about updates on the protests. At 1:30, we chat with Ed Komenda, reporter for the Reno Gazzette Journal and USA Today about the re-opening of Las Vegas. Local business owners Adele Shawgo, Grant Warner and Ulysses Salamanca also join the show to discuss entering phase 3 and […]

This Memorial Day weekend, Matt and Jess have a very special in studio guest: Roger Badesch! He joins the show to chat about his new book, The Unplanned Life. At 2am, we chat with Washington Post reporter David Byler about Tammy Duckworth as a Vice Presidential candidate for Joe Biden. Illinois is entering phase 3 […]

The city has released guidelines for how businesses can reopen in Phase 3. That’s expected to happen in early June, Mayor Lori Lightfoot said last week. The guidelines say outdoor dining will be allowed at restaurants through an application process. Outdoor dining will include rooftops, rooms with retractable roofs and rooms where 50 percent or […]

Jason Steffen from the Kepler project talks about parallel universes and the possibility of it.

The COVID-19 shutdown has caused some films to be more available sooner. Movie critic Blake Stubbs chats with Matt Bubala about the top picks.

Washington Post political columnist and data analyst David Byler joins The Matt Bubala Show to discuss why he thinks Tammy Duckworth is his best option for Vice President. For more information on David’s work, visit here.

WGN Radio newsman, educator and beloved friend of the Matt Bubala Show, Roger Badesch joins Matt and Jess in-studio to discuss his new book, The Unplanned Life. Yes, we stuck to old tradition and ordered pizza. For more information on how to purchase Roger’s book, visit the link here.

For more than 80 years, Chicago’s flag has featured four red stars, but Mayor Lori Lightfoot wants the city’s response to the coronavirus pandemic to warrant adding another of the symbols to the iconic banner. Chicago historian Jeff Nichols joins the Matt Bubala Show to talk about the public’s response.

When Wisconsin’s extended stay at home order got shut down, crowds visited bars throughout the state…and many Illinois residents joined in. The Daily Beast reporter Jonathan Ballew joins the Matt Bubala Show to discuss his experience chatting with Illinois residents who shared weekend travel plans.

This weekend, we are back at it again! This full show episode features our very own Mark Carman, Chicago historian Jeff Nichols, Chicago Brand Ambassador for Aberlour Single Malt Scotch Callum O’Donnell, and Chicago journalist Jonathan Bellow. Throughout the show, we chat about online shopping, quarantine drinks and more!

Aberlour rhymes with happy hour…Chicago Brand Ambassador for Aberlour Single Malt Scotch, Callum O’Donnell joins the Matt Bubala Show to chat about World Whisky Day! While whisky drinkers are unable to visit local bars, O’Donnell gives recommendations on how to support your favorite spots and provides tips on making the perfect drink!

Steve Galster, environmental and human rights investigator and counter-trafficking program designer with Freeland joins the Matt Bubala Show live from Bangkok to discuss wildlife trafficking and the status of wet markets and the impact on infections diseases like COVID-19.