Morning Shift Podcast

City Council approves a new parking meter deal, another candidate drops out of the race for Chicago School Board president, and OpenAI alerts the City of Chicago that its technology targeted an online city database. In the Loop breaks down those stories and more in the Weekly News Recap.GUESTS: David Greising, Better Government Association presidentSarah Karp, WBEZ education reporterFor a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Today's episode features conversations grounded in movement. First, we check in with a doctor whose new book explores the impacts of nontraditional medicines – like dance, food and community – on our cognitive health. Plus, we sit down with Evanston mother Megan Lassman about training to run and push her 21-year-old daughter in a stroller in the Chicago Marathon.GUESTS: Dr. Geeta Maker-Clark, author of Medicine for All People: Science and Ancient Wisdom for Revolutionary HealingMegan Lassman, Evanston motherFor a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

The Obama Presidential Center uses its honeybee hives to educate visitors about ecosystems, sustainability and urban agriculture. The two hives were added to the grounds early this spring. The idea began in 2009, when First Lady Michelle Obama started the White House Kitchen Garden. The Obamas were the first to establish a beehive on the White House grounds. In the Loop goes onsite with OPC's resident beekeepers as they inspect the colony and prepare the bees for the coming winter.GUESTS: Thad J. Smith, Westside Bee Boyz, Resident Beekeeper at the Obama Presidential CenterJanelle Dunlap, Westside Bee Boyz, Resident Beekeeper at the Obama Presidential CenterFor a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

The Look Back to Go Forward exhibit at Harold Washington Library displays artifacts collected from 5,000 Chicago youth that were sealed in a time capsule in 2021. While five years might not seem like a long time, Living Record executive director Stacey Gillett says that opening time capsules on a short-term basis can increase the likelihood that students get to see and reflect on their entries, rather than the capsule being lost to time. In the Loop learns more about this project and collaboration with the Chicago Public Library. GUESTS: Stacey Gillett, Living Record co-founder and executive director Chris Brown, Chicago Public Library CommissionerFor a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

There's so much happening right in Chicago sports on all fronts. For the first time in history, both the White Sox and Cubs secured their seats in the playoffs on the same day. The Bulls are about to begin training camp. The Bears are hobbled but hopeful as they turn to a QB who is the backup to their backup. And that's not all.  In the Loop gets the inside scoop ahead of the week's busy sports schedule. GUESTS: Cheryl Raye Stout, WBEZ sports contributorFor a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Google gives the public a peek into its plans for the Thompson Center. O'Hare comes in dead last in a nationwide consumer survey on airport satisfaction. Plus, Republican gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey gets a presidential endorsement.In the Loop breaks down those stories and more in the Weekly News Recap.GUESTS: Brandon Pope, Fox 32 political reporterLeigh Giangreco, freelance journalistMitchell Armentrout, Chicago Sun-Times government and politics reporterFor a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop. 

Residents from Bridgeport, Armour Square and Chinatown are coming together to protest the development of a new Amtrak maintenance facility in their area.The proposed White Sox stadium would essentially switch neighborhoods with the current Amtrak facility near Roosevelt Road. Residents are not the only Chicagoans calling for the development to slow down; City Council members are also pushing for hearings. In the Loop sits down with community members to hear their concerns.GUESTS: Maria LaGiglio, Bridgeport residentJonathan Chen, Bridgeport residentFor a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop. 

ComEd has plans for a new power substation in a pedestrian area of Lincoln Park, citing growing power demand on the North Side. But members of the newly-formed Diversey Community Coalition oppose the one-acre industrial mega-project. They argue the land should be used for housing, which would keep families near local schools and drive foot traffic to local businesses. In the Loop sits down with advocates and officials to understand what's at stake and unravel questions about the legal frameworks that could see the project move forward without community involvement. GUESTS: State Rep. Ann Williams, IL.11th districtKyle Donash, member, Diversey Community CoalitionFor a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

From The Oprah Winfrey Show to Wait Wait Don't Tell Me!, many legendary talk shows that reach the national stage were created in Chicago.So, to mark In the Loop's one-year anniversary, we sat down with longtime hosts to chat about getting into the industry and what makes Chicago special. Then, we caught up with local jazz legend Kurt Elling, ahead of his show at the CSO's Symphony Center stage with the Freedom Riders band. And local singer and songwriter V.V. Lightbody stopped by to perform a song off her new album “Period Piece,” which drops on Oct. 9. GUESTS: Kathy O'Malley, former host, The Kathy & Judy show on WGN radioJacoby Cochran, City Cast Chicago hostRichard Steele, former WBEZ hostKurt Elling, Chicago jazz singer and songwriterV.V. Lightbody, Chicago singer and songwriterFor a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

What is the greatest threat to American democracy?In his new book, UChicago professor Robert Pape warns it's normalized political violence. He says violence isn't most dangerous when wielded by extremists, but when it's accepted by everyone else as a “regular” part of politics.In the Loop learns more about the signs for passive acceptance of violent populism.GUESTS: Robert Pape, professor of political science at the University of Chicago and author of Our Own Worst Enemies: America in the Age of Violent PopulismFor a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Google gives the public a peek into its plans for the Thompson Center. O'Hare comes in dead last in a nationwide consumer survey on airport satisfaction. Plus, Republican gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey gets a presidential endorsement.In the Loop breaks down those stories and more in the Weekly News Recap.GUESTS: Brandon Pope, Fox 32 political reporterLeigh Giangreco, freelance journalistMitchell Armentrout, Chicago Sun-Times government and politics reporterFor a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

From the November midterms to Chicago's municipal election in February, elections are just around the corner. A new book by a local author wants to share that excitement with future voters. Violet Goes Voting is the latest work by L'Oreal Thompson Payton. Inspired by her experience taking her own daughter to the polls, the new children's book teaches kids about civic engagement and making their voices heard.In the Loop sits down with the author.GUESTS: L'Oreal Thompson Payton, owner, Zora's Place; author, “Violet Goes Voting”For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

More and more kids are showing up in emergency rooms with suicidal thoughts and self-harm. According to the Centers for Disease Control, suicide is the second-leading cause of death for children and young adults in the U.S., with rates among Black youth rising faster than any other demographic. Yet only about 10% of Illinois hospitals have psychiatric beds for children and teens. On today's In the Loop, how are communities and hospitals dealing with the rise in suicidal behaviors among kids? GUESTS: Dr. Audrey G. Brewer, pediatrician and a researcher in the Department of Pediatrics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineRafiah Maxie-Cole, a licensed social worker and founder of Soul Survivors of ChicagoFor a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

This fall students at Northwestern can declare a major in A.I., while UIC offers Artificial Intelligence as a concentration.In the Loop learns more about what it means to pursue this course of study, particularly as A.I. leaders are urging government oversight and caution.  GUESTS: Samir Khuller, chair of computer science at Northwestern Engineering  Michael Bennett, associate vice chancellor for data science and AI strategy at UICFor a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop. 

Chicago journalists reflect on covering Operation Midway Blitz one year after the aggressive immigration crackdown began. Illinois House Republicans call for ethics reforms after the state's legislative watchdog resigned. Plus, a proposed plan to move the White Sox into a new South Loop stadium is unveiled.In the Loop breaks down those stories and more.GUESTS: Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune state government reporter Simone Alicea, City Cast Chicago executive producerViolet Miller, Chicago Sun-Times general assignment reporter For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop. 

In the Loop talks with the executive producer and a Chicago physician featured in the new documentary American Doctor, which follows three American physicians working alongside Palestinian healthcare workers in besieged southern Gaza amid war. GUESTS: Hamza Ali, co-founder of Watermelon Pictures, and executive producer of the American Doctor documentaryDr. Thaer Ahmad, emergency physician on Chicago's South Side and humanitarian who has worked in conflict zones including Gaza, Syria and KenyaFor a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop. 

During the aggressive 10-week campaign, around 4,000 people in the Chicago area were detained, and 2,700 were deported. Reporters from the WBEZ and Chicago Sun-Times newsroom reflect on the anniversary of the launch of Operation Midway Blitz. GUESTS: Mariah Woelfel, WBEZ city government reporter Araceli Gomez Aldana, WBEZ news reporter Candace Dane Chambers, visual journalist, Chicago Sun-Times

Chicago's Catholic archbishop and nuns oppose a controversial end-of-life law set to go into effect next week. A mass shooting in Washington Park draws President Trump's criticism over city and state responses to crime. And one year after Chicago's Operation Midway Blitz, federal immigration agents still face no charges. GUESTS: Monica Eng, Axios Chicago reporter Alden Loury, WBEZ data projects editorParis Schutz, political and investigative reporter, NBC 5For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop. 

What if you could hop on a train to O'Hare International Airport and it only took 15 minutes to get there? That's the idea behind the O'Hare Flyer, a fast-rail connecting the Loop to the airport using existing railways from CSX and Union Pacific.Leaders behind the project hope to get started next year.In the Loop hears from the people who want to make the idea a reality. We also check in with a transportation expert about what this could mean for travelers.GUESTS: Mark Walbrun, co-founder and chief development officer, O'Hare FlyerDave Lundy, co-founder and CEO, O'Hare FlyerJoseph Schwieterman, director of the Chaddick Institute for Metropolitan Development,  DePaul University

The Chicago Jazz Festival is back, bringing big sounds and homegrown talent to Millennium Park and the Chicago Cultural Center starting Thursday.In the Loop checks in with two notable figures in Chicago's jazz community to hear about this year's lineup, plus what's next for a new generation of jazz in the city. GUESTS: Isaiah Collier, award-winning saxophonist, composer and activistHeather Ireland Robinson, executive director of the Jazz Institute of Chicago For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

It's been almost a year since the launch of Operation Midway Blitz – a surge in immigration enforcement that led to Chicagoans being apprehended, beaten, shot and even killed by heavily-armed, masked agents roving through residential neighborhoods. Additionally, the agents often escalated situations by using tear gas on residents who were gathered to document ICE activity. In the Loop sits down with rapid responders to hear what's changed since Midway Blitz, and what immigration enforcement looks like now.GUESTS: Cristóbal Cavazos, executive director, Casa DuPage Workers Center Antonio Gutierrez, strategic coordinator, Organized Communities Against Deportations  For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop. 

In The Loop is interviewing candidates for Chicago mayor, and inviting listeners to join the conversation and ask their own questions. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop. 

Chicago home prices rose faster than any other U.S. city in the past year. Immigration agents are involved in a highway crash, while the Mayor issues any executive order targeting city contractors doing business with ICE. In the Loop breaks down those stories and more in the Weekly News Recap.GUESTS: Carrie Shepherd, Axios Chicago reporter Alex Nitkin, Illinois Answers Project government finance and accountability reporter Sarah Karp, WBEZ senior education reporterFor a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is once again in the hot seat, answering our questions – and yours – during our monthly public forum “Ask The Mayor.” For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop. 

We honor the late country music icon, Dolly Parton. The family of the acclaimed singer announced her death at 80 years old yesterday. In an interview with People on Friday, August 21, Parton said, “I'm still healin', I'm still workin'! You know me — as I've often said — I've dreamed myself into a corner and I still have so many things I want to achieve, so I'm gonna keep on working as long as I can to see everything come to life.”In the Loop's discusses the legacy and impact of Dolly Parton. Plus, Indiana residents may be getting federal assistance for weather damage and a first look at the 62nd Chicago International Film Festival.  GUESTS: Somer Van Benton, WBEZ reporter Clare Lane, WBEZ Morning Edition anchor Erica Thompson, Chicago Sun-Times arts and entertainment reporter For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop. 

Tensions over race and gender have manifested in former NBA players disrupting games and Republican lawmakers sending a letter to the WNBA's commissioner demanding "accountability."  In the Loop discusses the politicization of the WNBA and why it's become a flashpoint for culture wars. GUESTS: Cheryl Raye-Stout, WBEZ sports contributorQuita Wiggins, host Quita in the Mornings on YouTubeFor a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Robert Washington-Vaughns started the Black Men Flower Project in 2021 after delivering flowers to his friends as a token of his appreciation for them. Since then the award winning non-profit has sent more than 2,500 bouquets to Black men across the country in an effort to promote healing and connection. In the Loop sits down with one of the people behind the love to talk about challenging stereotypes of Black masculinity through beauty and self care. GUESTS:  John Caleb Pendleton, vice-chair and lead Chicago florist, The Black Men Flower Project; founder of Planks and PistilsFor a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop. 

In 2014, President Barack Obama stepped up to the podium in the White House Briefing Room to update the country on the economy, foreign policy and more. But all anyone could seem to talk about was the president's fashion choice for the day. The president, known for usually wearing a navy or gray suit, made a rare fashion divergence – one that was described as everything from hands “cool” to “unpresidential.” But where is that suit now? We hear about a veteran Sun-Times reporter's cross-country mission to locate the infamous suit.GUESTS: Lynn Sweet, Chicago Sun-Times special correspondentTerrell Frazier, lead interviewer for the Obama Presidential Oral HistoryFor a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop. 

Mayhem breaks out in the Wrigley stands during the Crosstown Classic. Hundreds of union members rallied outside the Shedd Aquarium. Commutes are about to get pricer after the Illinois Tollway Board approved its first toll hike in nearly 15 years, and Gov. Pritzker signed a disaster proclamation to help areas hit by this summer's record-breaking storms.In the Loop breaks down those stories and more.GUESTS: Becky Vevea, Chalkbeat Chicago bureau chiefShia Kapos, Politico reporter and author of Politico's Illinois Playbook newsletterCheryl Raye-Stout, WBEZ sports contributorFor a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Getting a citizenship, asylum or a permanent residency case in front of a judge is a notoriously slow process. Now, the Trump administration is speeding it up with so-called “mega master” calendar hearings where dozens of people are asked to appear in immigration court on short notice. This means people have to scramble to find a lawyer, arrange childcare, and get the day off work, leaving many unable to attend their court hearing. But, if people fail to show up to court, it could mean an automatic deportation order.The administration says it's a way to reduce the number of cases backlogged but some advocates call it a tactic to further the administration's goal of mass deportations.In the Loop sits down with an immigration reporter to get the latest and hears from an Illinois lawmaker calling for the end of the “mega master” court hearings.GUESTS: Adriana Cardona-Maguigad, WBEZ Immigration reporterU.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-8)For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

In The Loop is interviewing candidates for Chicago's next mayor, and inviting listeners to join the conversation and ask their own questions. Today at the mic: U.S Representative Mike Quigley of Illinois' 5th District.Plus: WBEZ City Hall reporter Mariah Woelfel shares the ins and outs of the Chicago mayoral race so far. GUESTS: U.S  Representative Mike Quigley of Illinois' 5th District.Mariah Woelfel, WBEZ City Hall reporterFor a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

In Illinois, there are two categories of experts that can diagnose autism: psychologists and developmental physicians. But because openings with these experts are few and far between, families can be put on a waitlist that could last anywhere from months to years.That is, until now. Gov. JB Pritzker signed the Illinois Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Practice Act early July and it allows speech-language pathologists trained in autism diagnosis evaluation to diagnose the condition in children under age three enrolled in the state's Early Intervention program.In the Loop sits down with the lead researcher of the study and hears from two mothers of children with autism about navigating the process of getting a diagnosis. A GUESTS: Megan Roberts, professor, Roxelyn and Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Northwestern UniversityKiana Spears, parent of a child who was diagnosed as part of the Reduce the Wait studyDebra Vines, CEO and founder, The Answer Inc.For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop. 

Improv, short for improvisational theater, is often known for its comedic elements. But there's another kind of improv where eliciting laughter from the audience isn't the main goal. Dramatic improv explores the full spectrum of emotions, from the funny to the sad, to the furious! In the Loop learns more about dramatic improv, and what it can teach us about being human. GUESTS: Tony Rielage, artistic director and head instructor, Theatre MomentumStephanie Kilper, therapist and ensemble member of Theatre MomentumFor a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson moves to further regulate data centers, Governor J. B. Pritzker signs a law allowing rideshare drivers to unionize, while the shocking discovery of dozens of decomposing bodies at a South Side funeral home raises calls for more government oversight. We dig into those stories and more in our Weekly News Recap.GUESTS: Nick Blumberg, WTTW News correspondentMaxwell Evans, Block Club Chicago reporter  Dan Mihalopoulos, WBEZ investigative reporter  For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop. 

For decades, the South Side of Chicago didn't have an operating trauma care center. This forced severely wounded people to drive to the West or North sides for care – their chances of survival reducing with every passing minute.   After a successful community-organizing campaign, University of Chicago reopened its adult trauma care center in 2018. One of the doctors behind this vital community resource is Dr. Selwyn Rogers, the founding director of the center. Because of his work, countless lives were saved. Now, Dr. Rogers is out with a new book that chronicles his experiences in the trauma bay and provides critical analysis of America's gun violence epidemic. In the Loop sits down with him to talk more about the lasting and rippling impacts of gun violence and what to do to make meaningful change.GUEST: Dr. Selwyn Rogers, founding director, University of Chicago Medicine Trauma Center; author, Healing the Gun Violence Epidemic: Ending Violence, Rebuilding Communities,and a Trauma Surgeon's Vision for Restoring HopeFor a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop. 

The American Red Cross has declared an emergency blood crisis in the U.S. as supplies fall to its lowest levels since the pandemic. The impacts of the blood shortage are being felt in emergency rooms and trauma care as hospitals are being forced to manage dwindling reserves.In the Loop hears from the head of the Illinois Red Cross and blood donation advocates about the impact of the blood crisis on hospitals, and what you can do to help.  GUESTS: Kellie O'Connell, CEO of American Red Cross of IllinoisDr. Ashlesha Patel, associate chair of obstetrics and gynecology at Cook County Health James Cappleman, former alderman of the 46th Ward, blood donation advocateFor a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop. 

Illinois has joined a growing number of states that regulate the way social media companies can interact with minors. The Children's Online Social Media Safety Act aims to create guardrails for kids while still giving them an option to learn and connect with people through social media. In the Loop chats with experts about what families need to know about these new regulations and the potential privacy concerns of age verification.GUESTS: Devorah Heitner, author of Screenwise: Helping Kids Thrive (and Survive) in Their Digital WorldMarshini Chetty, professor of computer science, University of ChicagoMawa Iqbal, WBEZ senior statehouse reporter For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

As schools gear up to welcome students back to class this month, they'll also have to come up with an idea of how to use – or protect against – artificial intelligence tools. The Illinois State Board of Education last month released a comprehensive framework on how K-12 school districts should use AI more responsibly, and is leaving it in the districts' hands to develop more specific policies.  In the Loop discusses how AI affects our learning, and how students, teachers and parents are navigating the rapidly changing landscape of education. GUESTS: Cassie Creswell, Executive Director of Illinois Families for Public SchoolsWilliam Hubbard, UChicago's Law School's AI CommitteeMakiya Seminera, Chalkbeat ChicagoKatie Page, Instructional Technology Coordinator, District 214For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop. 

The feds threaten to prosecute Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart, Chicago Public Schools hope state lawmakers will approve funding, and a former top CPS executive is charged with COVID loan fraud. Also, we say good-bye to 91-year-old Chicago jazz legend Geraldine de Haas.We cover these stories and more in our Weekly News Recap.GUESTS: Brandis Friedman, anchor of  WTTW's “Chicago Tonight” Dan Petrella, Chicago Tribune political writer Sophie Sherry, Chicago Sun-Times staff reporterFor a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

How high would you be willing to go to secure that new condo? On the North Side, some Chicagoans are going hundreds of thousands of dollars above the asking price, and even waiving inspections, all to beat the competition. In the Loop hears from a buyer and realtor who are currently navigating this turbulent housing market, alongside a reporter covering Chicago real estate.GUESTS: Abby Miller, Chicago Sun-Times reporterEllie Howie, Lake View residentGrigory Pekarsky, co-owner of Vesta Preferred RealtyFor a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Today marks 60 years since Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. led a coalition of Chicago residents and community leaders on a march through the city's Marquette Park to demand an end to segregation and racist housing policies. But what started out as a peaceful demonstration turned into a bloody riot as a white mob attacked the protest and injured dozens of people. Last weekend, hundreds of Chicagoans – including Mayor Brandon Johnson – retraced the steps of those marchers through Marquette Park to pay reverence to the leaders of movements past and recognize the fight against social, economic and racial injustices that we face today.  Today on In the Loop, we hear from two local organizers about the enduring significance of the march and how they are using lessons from the past to lead a new generation of activists. GUESTS: Rami Nashashibi, executive director of the Inner-City Muslim Action Network Jacqulyn Hamilton, activist, organizer and deputy director of the Chicago Freedom SchoolFor a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

In The Loop is interviewing candidates for Chicago mayor, and inviting listeners to join the conversation and ask their own questions. First mayoral candidate at the mic: Illinois State Comptroller Susana Mendoza.Plus: a scientist from Argonne National Laboratory shares how and why we've been seeing extreme weather events in the region, like severe storms, dangerous heat, and lots and lots of tornadoes. GUESTS: Susana Mendoza, Chicago mayoral candidate and Illinois' state comptroller Scott Collis, atmospheric scientist, Argonne National LaboratoryFor a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.