Morning Shift Podcast

Democratic Illinois lawmakers have slammed their Republican colleagues in the U.S. Senate for passing President Trump's tax and spending plan. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has named a new running mate. Meanwhile, Chicago alderpersons are scrutinizing the Chicago Police Department for its response to a recent ICE raid. Reset goes behind those headlines and more in our Weekly News Recap with WBEZ city politics reporter Mariah Woelfel, Chicago Sun-Times reporter Mitchell Armentrout and WCIU reporter/anchor Brandon Pope. Note: this conversation was recorded before the House passed the tax and spending bill. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Chicago has more lead water pipes than most U.S. cities, and nearly two-thirds of children under 6 are exposed to lead in drinking water. Efforts to make the city's water lead-free have been sluggish. A Biden-era mandate requires cities to replace 20,000 lead pipes a year by 2027. Chicago is set to replace less than half of that number this year, and estimates suggest the city's water systems won't be lead-free until 2076. Reset discusses with Inside Climate News reporter Keerti Gopal, WBEZ environment reporter Juanpablo Ramirez-Franco and Natural Resources Defense Council senior policy advocate Chakena Perry. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Trump's policy bill includes various cuts to Medicaid, implementing stricter requirements that will affect if people with disabilities receive health care coverage. Reset learns more about how this legislation could affect local Chicagoans with disabilities with Access Living policy analyst Sebastian Nalls and disability right activist and Medicaid recipient David Gayes. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Charles Leto, a 55 year old lifeguard from Lakeview who worked at Douglass Park pool, allegedly shot two teens on Thursday evening, killing Marjay Dotson, 15 and critically wounding Jeremy Herred, 14. Reset gets the latest in this case with WBEZ investigative reporter Dan Mihalopoulos. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

President Trump's tariff threats and warnings about turning Canada into a 51st state have left many Canadians wondering about the future of cross-border relations. Reset asks three Canadians to share how they're feeling about living in the U.S. right now. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

The Supreme Court last week ruled in favor of religious parents who demanded they should have the choice to pull their children out of lessons that included topics such as same-sex marriage. The 6-3 decision reversed a lower-court ruling that sided with the school system. Reset spoke with Pierce School of International Studies elementary school teacher Josh Lerner about what the ruling could mean for workload, academic freedom and classroom dynamics. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

In a 6-3 decision Friday, the U.S. Supreme Court limited the power of lower-court judges to block a president's executive orders. The decision prevents those judges from issuing what are known as “nationwide injunctions” and means that 28 states can begin to enforce President Trump's order to end birthright citizenship, at least temporarily. Reset spoke with Immigrants' Rights Clinic director and clinical law professor Nicole Hallett, UIC law professor Steven Schwinn, Midwest Regional Counsel for the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund Susanna Sandoval Vargas, Illinois Venezuelan Alliance co-founder Luciano Pedota and Congressman Jesus “Chuy” Garcia. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Climate change is big, overwhelming and scary, and can make us go numb. But there is very real grief to process. Reset sits down with playwright Rozina Kanchala to hear how she used her art and storytelling to help audiences process the enormity of climate change. Her play Come Along for the Ride: A Journey Through Climate Grief is playing in Chicago this weekend. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

A Midwest heat wave continues, Gov. JB Pritzker launches his campaign for a third term, hundreds rally for trans rights, and more. Reset goes behind the headlines of those stories and much more in our Weekly News Recap. Our panel today: Monica Eng, Axios reporter; Cindy Hernandez, Chicago Sun-Times general assignment reporter; Mack Liederman, Block Club Chicago reporter. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

The growing presence of manfluencers – social media influencers who present themselves as men's self improvement experts – is shown to have increasingly negative effects on the mental health of young men. Young boys are often exposed to this type of content quickly after joining social media, and this can deeply affect their perceptions of themselves along with their idea of masculinity. Reset sits down with Chuka Nestor Emezue, assistant professor in the Department of Women, Children and Family Nursing at Rush University; Todd Adams, cofounder and executive director of MenLiving; and Jermaine Lawrence Anderson, founder and executive director of I Am A Gentleman, Inc., to talk about the impact the manosphere has on young men, and what to do about it. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

JB Pritzker announced his 2026 run for office, being the first Illinois governor to seek a third term since 1991. In his announcement, Pritzker touted his administration's accomplishments over the last two terms, and slammed President Trump for his attacks on Illinois. Questions still remain about Pritzker's future presidential aspirations. Reset learns about what we know so far with Chicago Sun-Times reporter Mitchell Armentrout. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

In the face of expanded ICE raids, we get a view into what happens in immigration courts and ways advocates are ramping up efforts to connect immigrants to legal resources and Know Your Rights trainings. Reset sits down with immigration lawyer Carlina Tapia-Ruano and spokesperson Brandon Lee of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

A Black student experienced racist bullying while attending Wildwood Elementary IB School. Reports show that CPS and the school administration took limited action to protect her. Reset dives deeper into this story with Chicago Public Media reporters Sarah Karp and Nader Issa. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

The Chicago based show, It's Ok To Ask Questions which streams on Peacock showcases in-depth conversations with movers and shakers in the LGBTQ+ community about their lives, how the twists and turns of life affect their relationships and what motivates their work. Reset learns more about how these stories can create dialogue with Matthew Rodrigues, host of It's Ok To Ask Questions. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Since Roe v. Wade was overturned, Illinois has become a “haven” of sorts for people in states with abortion bans. In 2024, roughly 35,000 patients travelled to Illinois for abortion care. Reset discusses how these bans increase wait times that can leave people in dangerous positions with executive director of the Chicago Abortion Fund Megan Jeyifo, obstetrician gynecologist at UI Health Dr. Erica Hinz and the risks facing out of state patients with Chicago Sun-Times reporter Mitchell Armentrout.

Could “granny flats” help ease Chicago's affordable housing crisis? Many advocates and even political leaders think so – the problem is, they're banned in Chicago. And political gridlock makes legalizing them easier said than done. Reset finds out what the process of building Additional Dwelling Units is like and what's getting in the way of expanding this housing option across the city with a panel of guests: Brian Peterman, a Lakeview resident who built an ADU on his property; his mother-in-law Louise D'Agostino, who lives in the ADU, and Alex Nitkin, government finance and accountability reporter with the Illinois Answers Project of the Better Government Association. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Chicago's queer neighborhoods have a long historical lineage in Chicago. From the early underground gatherings in Towertown to the rise of Boystown. Reset sits down with a Chicago queer history scholar Professor Jennifer Brier of UIC to trace how these communities formed, adapted, and flourished in the face of discrimination and displacement, revealing how geography, activism, and culture shaped Chicago as a hub of queer life in the Midwest. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

There wasn't always a “B” in LGBTQ. For years, bisexual people were overlooked, misunderstood, or excluded from both queer and straight spaces. As part of our Pride Month series, Reset explores the ongoing fight for bisexual rights and visibility with co-founder of the Bisexual Queer Alliance Chicago Michael Oboza and queer performing artist Juju Minxxx. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

It's time for your favorite weekly news catch-up! This week: thousands gather for “No Kings” protests in the Chicago area, Mayor Brandon Johnson pushes back on presidential threats to increase deportations, and Chicago's City Council passes stricter teen curfew that could face a veto. Reset dives into these and other top local stories in our Weekly News Recap, with Ravi Baichwal, ABC-7 News anchor; Paris Schutz, Fox-32 political correspondent; and Francia Garcia Hernandez, Block Club Chicago reporter. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

June is Caribbean-American Heritage Month, so Reset takes the moment to explore the cuisine of the islands – including Jamaican staple ackee and saltfish – with a special guest. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Attention Bach buffs, Shostakovich stans and Debussy devotees! Head over to Grant Park and you can catch free classical concerts all summer long. But this isn't just an exciting opportunity to revel in the music, it's a chance for up-and-coming orchestral musicians and singers to be a part of the action through the Festival String and Vocal Fellowship. Reset sits down with two fellowship participants: violinist Maria Gabriela Mendez Martinez and violist Joshua Thaver. We also hear from fellowship manager Amelia Sie. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

ComEd recently announced a price increase in the cost of electricity that took effect starting on June 1st, but will not be reflected in electric bills until July. This price increase is due to demand across the country, largely attributed to the rapid development of data centers. Reset talks with the Citizens Utility Board Executive Director Sarah Moskowitz to learn more. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

About 10% of babies nationwide are born prematurely, with some ending up in neonatal intensive care. During childbirth and critical natal care, the spotlight is on mom and baby – often leaving fathers in the shadows. But a program at Northwestern aims to give new fathers the support they need. Reset learns more about the program from Brad O'Conner, a NICU Dad and therapist at theDepartment of Veteran Affairs and Dr. Cameron Boyd NICU Fellow at Northwestern. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Do you remember where you and your friends used to go to hangout after school? Many teenagers face the dilemma of not having a space to go spend time with friends besides school or home. Advocates argue that the lack of third spaces have contributed to large gatherings of teens, referred to as “takeovers” or trends in downtown areas. In some instances these gatherings have become violent. Reset talks with teenager Damarian Spann and The Triibe's systemic racism reporter Tonia Hill about these gatherings and the proposal that would allow police to implement a snap curfew with just a 30-minute warning. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Thousands of people gathered in Daley Plaza on Saturday, June 14, to protest the Trump administration's policies, including his mass deportation efforts. Reset sits down with WBEZ immigration reporter Adriana Cardona-Maguigad and Strategic Coordinator Organized Communities Against Deportations Antonio Gutierrez to discuss the latest. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Russ Steinberg's startup has been growing food on the 18th floor of this mid-70s office building since last July. It's a small operation at 1,000 square feet, sort of a baby step into indoor farming, but it's about to get much bigger. Reset checks in with regular contributor and Crain's real estate reporter Denis Rodkins for the full scoop. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Edna Lewis was a trailblazing chef and writer who helped define and elevate Southern cuisine. Reset sits the founder of National Soul Food Month and food writer Charla Draper to talk about the cultural roots of Lewis' cooking, and how her impact can be seen in Chicago's food scene. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Tempers flare as Governor Pritzker joins two Democratic Governors in testimony before the House Oversight Committee. Chicago leaders brace for massive “No Kings” protest as President Trump threatens to send military troops to quell protests in Democratic cities. Reset goes behind those headlines and more in our Weekly News Recap. This week's panelists include AXIOS Chicago reporter Carrie Shepherd, Chicago Tribune immigration reporter Laura Rodríguez Presa and Chicago Sun-Times reporter covering government and politics Mitchell Armentrout. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson joined Reset's Sasha-Ann Simons for a conversation on anti-ICE protests, transit funding, and included live questions from listeners. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Traveling out of O'Hare or Midway but not sure what your rights are when leaving or entering the country? Whether you're a green card holder, a citizen, or have a visa, traveling can be nerve-wracking with the increased crackdown on foreign nationals, like a new travel ban targeting 12 countries and placing travel restrictions on another seven. Reset finds out what to know about how the ban impacts travelers with executive director of CAIR-Chicago Ahmed Rehab. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

In 2022, Cook County announced its partnership with Undue Medical Debt, a nonprofit that buys old uncollectable bills from hospitals and forgives it. Since then, over half a million people have had their medical debts erased – wiping out a more than $664-million burden on residents. Reset learns more from WBEZ's health care reporter Kristen Schorsch; Cook County deputy chief of staff for health Matt Richards; and Dan Weissmann, host and executive producer of An Arm and a Leg podcast. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

The LGBTQ+ Intergenerational Dialogue Project brings together LGBTQ+ elders and younger adults in Chicago to share stories, build community, and bridge generational divides. Since 2019, it has engaged more than 130 participants through dialogue sessions, collaborative art projects, and university partnerships — helping to preserve the history of LGBTQ+ lives across generations. Reset learns about the project with its co-founder Karen Morris and participants Jonni Pepper-GoLions and Holly Davis. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

If you've ever wondered about the who, what, and where of Chicago's fish species, you're in luck. A new field guide gives a complete account of nearly 170 species of fish in northern Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana and Michigan. Reset learns more about the field guide Fishes of the Chicago Region with co-author Philip Willnick. We also pick the brain of Sun-Times outdoor columnist Dale Bowman. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Illinois lawmakers missed the deadline to vote on a bill to seal a $770 million budget gap for public transit next year. This has heightened concerns of service cuts of nearly 40% of CTA, Metra and Pace buses and trains. Reset turns to daily CTA rider and strategic advisor for Better Streets Chicago Alex Nelson and Chicago native and lifelong daily CTA rider Maya Roberts to hear their thoughts on the issue. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Not only is spending time outdoors linked to lower stress levels, it can be a way to recognize the importance of nature around us. With all of the events throughout the city, it can also be a great way to meet new people. Reset discusses some of the events around town this month with freelance outdoor and travel journalist Erica Zazo and Reset's sustainability contributor, director of Loyola University Chicago's Baumhart Center for Social Enterprise and Responsibility Karen Weigert. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Immigration agents detained at least 10 people in the South Loop after the government sent them instructions via text to show up for a routine appointment. The Chicago Fire's billionaire owner Joe Mansueto unveiled plans to build a $650 million stadium south of Roosevelt Road. Air quality in the city and suburbs was poor due to Canadian wildfires. Reset breaks down those stories and more with WBEZ midday anchor Lisa Labuz, Axios Chicago reporter Justin Kaufmann and Northwestern University's Natalie Moore. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

The Night Out in the Parks program brings free performances and events to parks in all 77 of Chicago's community areas, creating an opportunity for connection and exposure to different kinds of art. Reset gets a preview of what's in store this summer from Night Out in the Parks program and event manager Krista Brynski, South Side Jazz Coalition executive director Margaret Murphy and founder of Cabinet of Curiosity Frank Maugeri. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Masked ICE agents detained 10 immigrants in Chicago's South Loop on June 4, as city lawmakers, protesters and advocates for people in the U.S. without legal status attempted to disrupt the operation. Reset talks to Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez of the 25th Ward, Ald. Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez of the 33rd Ward, and Ald. Anthony Quezada of the 35th Ward, who were on the scene. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

As the Chicago Bears work to finalize a site for a new stadium, possibly outside city limits, Chicago's Major League Soccer team, which currently plays home games at Soldier Field, is developing its own plan for a future home in the city. Reset gets the details from Crain's Chicago Business commercial real estate reporter Danny Ecker. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

In the early 1990s Terence Alan Smith, a drag star who went by the name Joan Jett Blakk was involved in the Chicago movement for gay rights. She was a member of Queer Nation, which focused on anti-gay violence, trans rights, bi visibility, healthcare, housing, and more. Blakk never made it on the mayoral ballot in 1991, but her campaign put queer issues into the public consciousness. Reset checks in with former Queer Nation member Robert Castillo to learn more. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

From the I & M Canal Trail to the Major Taylor Trail, the Chicago area has a lot of beautiful trails to cycle on that were once train lines or canal paths, and there are plenty of other great rides in the city, on country roads and beyond. Reset talks with Ride Illinois volunteer Christine Hubert of Joliet and cyclist Ron Rodriguez of Oak Lawn about their favorite rides, safety tips and tricks for cyclists new and old. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Since the pandemic, the number of traffic-related deaths has been on the rise in Chicago. But that's not the case in Evanston, which saw a five-year stretch with no deaths. Reset talks with Evanston city engineer Lara Biggs and Dixon Galvez-Searle, transit advocacy steward for Southwest Collective, about the work underway to reduce traffic collisions and deaths in the city and suburbs. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.