Morning Shift Podcast

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.

Illinois lawmakers passed a $55.2 billion state budget Saturday night, successfully filling a $1 billion gap by levying tax hikes on tobacco users, sports gamblers and out-of-state corporations with a footprint in Illinois. Reset spoke with WBEZ statehouse reporter and Chicago Sun-Times reporter Mitchell Armentrout about what the budget means for you and why lawmakers did not pass a bill to fund public transit. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Illinois pumps hundreds of millions of dollars a year into childcare programs – yet it doesn't provide enough support or relief for thousands of families and providers, according to an investigation from the Illinois Answers Project. Reset dives into the investigation to find out where families are being left behind. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

If you need a one-stop shop to browse the best concert offerings at a range of venues and different price points, sit back and get ready to scroll. From blues to rock to dance music, WBEZ's summer concert guide has you covered. Reset learns about summer shows to put on your radar. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Illinois legislators are tackling unfinished business before the end of the spring legislative session. President Trump pardons a former Chicago gang leader. Navy Pier gets a new marina. Reset breaks down these stories and much more with Chicago Sun-Times chief political reporter Tina Sfondeles, Better Government Association president David Greising and City Cast Chicago host Jacoby Cochran. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

he first major wave of Koreans to the United States was in 1903. Later, thousands of Koreans fled the country to escape famine and political turmoil. This is just the beginning of over 100 years of migration of the Korean diaspora to places like the U.S., China, South America and more. Reset gets a brief history on Korean migration, activism and organizing in the Chicago area and beyond with the executive director of the HANA Center Danae Kovak, executive director of the Asian American Advancing Justice Chicago Grace Pai, and associate professor of Asian American History at Northwestern Ji-Yion Yuh, author of the book “Beyond the Shadow of Camptown: Korean Military Brides in America.” For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Niall Harbison is best known as a dog rescuer turned social media star. He shares the heartwarming – and heartwrenching – stories on X and Instagram. Though he mostly operates in Thailand, he's calling on Americans to help, too. While on the U.S. tour for his new book “Tina, The Dog Who Changed The World.” Harbison is looking to rally local support to join his cause in helping save the millions of street dogs that need a bit of human help. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

It can take a lot of energy to maintain your lawn. You have to mow it, water it, remove weeds, deal with pests, aerate the soil and much more. On top of it taking up your energy, it also takes up a lot of resources and water. Nearly one third of all residential water use across the country, according to the EPA. That's almost 9 billion gallons per day. To learn more about grass lawn alternatives and how to make our cottagecore dreams come true, Reset sits down with conservation scientist Becky Barak, Reset sustainability contributor Karen Weigert and Lincoln Square resident Mary Arents, who transformed her yard into a native garden. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Illinois is the only state where homeowners face foreclosure because they can't pay their property taxes. On top of foreclosure, those homeowners are not entitled to any proceeds from the sale of their home. Reset learns more from a new investigation from Injustice Watch and the Investigative Project on Race and Equity that explains why. Injustice Watch reporter Carlos Ballesteros and Investigative Project on Race and Equity reporter Emeline Posner break it down for us. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Medicaid accounts for about 56% of the funds Cook County Health uses to treat patients. Experts warn the cuts that House Republicans are advancing could have a serious impact on people's health, on emergency rooms and that they could force Cook County to cut staff or reduce staff hours. For more about these potential impacts and how providers are bracing, Reset talks with Kristen Schorsch, WBEZ Cook County and public health reporter, and Dr. Mark Loafman, chair of family and community medicine at Cook County Health.

The understanding that our lives are shaped by our parents is extremely ubiquitous. However, the influence of siblings is much less known. In her book, “The Family Dynamic: A Journey Into The Mystery of Sibling Success,” Susan Dominus shares her findings after spending time with multiple sets of high-achieving siblings to understand how sibling relationships affect each other. Reset sat down with the author to talk about family, define success and understand the ways siblings shape one another. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Khmai Cambodian Fine Dining and sister restaurant Kaun Khmai, specializing in Cambodian street food, highlight the stories of Cambodia and revive recipes that were almost lost to war and genocide. Reset sits down with the owner and chef to learn the story of her family in this incredible tale of how food healed and revived them from the wounds of war. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

With this yo-yo weather, what do your gardens need? Reset gets more info from director Urban Farm Center at College of Lake County Eliza Fournier and takes listeners' questions. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Congresswoman Lauren Underwood opts out of Senate race. Lincoln artifacts auctioned off for millions. South suburban Dolton plans to acquire Pope Leo XIV's childhood home. Reset breaks down these stories and much more with a panel of journalists. This week's panel includes WTTW News correspondent Nick Blumberg, WBEZ data projects editor Alden Loury and Chicago Sun-Times investigative reporter Bob Herguth. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

In 1975, the Vietnam War ended with the fall of Saigon. Afterward, a large wave of Vietnamese refugees fled the country and arrived in neighboring countries like Cambodia and the Philippines – and the United States as well. Many found community on the coasts like in California or New York, but others created enclaves in the Midwest cities like Chicago. To mark 50 years since the end of the Vietnam War and in honor of Asian American, Native American and Pacific Islander Month, Reset learns more about the history of the Vietnamese community in Chicago. Panel: Vân Huynh, executive director of the Vietnamese Association of Illinois Tam Nguyen, employment counselor at Chinese Mutual Aid Association Ngoan Le, the first executive director, Vietnamese Association of Illinois; former chief of the Illinois Bureau of Refugee and Immigrant Services. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Look out! Here comes Spider-Man – along with his villains and other well-known Spider-Verse characters. It's all part of a new immersive exhibition at the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry. It brings together a collection of artifacts, iconic moments from every era, and wall-to-wall artwork from Spider-Man's first comic book appearance in 1962. Reset learns more about the superhero's evolution and what the exhibition offers with Voula Saridakis, MSI's head curator. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Millions of people across the country rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP for food assistance, including nearly 2 million people in Illinois. The program is fully funded by the federal government with states helping pay for administrative costs. But that could change. House Republicans are proposing an estimated $300 billion in cuts to SNAP spending and looking to states to fill the financial gaps. On top of that, they're also looking to make working requirements for benefits steeper. Reset talks about what the impact of SNAP cuts could mean for Chicagoans with director of communications at the Greater Chicago Food Depository Man-Yee Lee mother and SNAP recipient Veronica Cox. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Illinois lawmakers have until the end of the month to hammer out a budget deal. Public transit agencies in the Chicago area say they're facing a $770 million shortfall. Reset discusses what's at stake for transit riders with Audrey Wennink of the Metropolitan Planning Council and Justin Marlowe of UChicago's Harris School of For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Since the pandemic, chronic absenteeism is a bigger problem for CPS high school students, but the district and schools are working to address the issue. Reset explores what's driving this trend and what's being done to solve the problem with WBEZ education reporter Sarah Karp. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

SCOTUS is set to rule on birthright citizenship after Trump's executive order on January 20. How has the right evolved in the United States? Reset dives into the history of birthright citizenship and its resonances today with associate professor of history at Occidental College Jane Hong. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

The Libby McNeill & Libby plant in Blue Island, Illinois, once a bustling hub for canning local produce, has sat mostly vacant since it closed in 1968. After years of neglect under a nonprofit's ownership, the city recently took control of the 515,000-square-foot site. Now surrounded by dumped debris and in need of major repairs, the building poses serious redevelopment challenges. Still, city officials and preservationists remain cautiously optimistic about its future potential. Reset spoke with Dennis Rodkin of Crain's Chicago Business to explore the building's past, present, and what could come next. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

President Trump signed an executive order barring birthright citizenship for children whose parents lack legal status in the U.S. and for some visa holders. Three judges have filed national injunctions to block this order, and the Supreme Court is deliberating the case. If the court sides with the Trump administration, automatic citizenship could be denied to kids in 28 states. Reset learns what's at stake for Illinoisans from UIC law professor Steve Schwinn, Dulce Ortiz of the Illinois Coalition of Immigrant and Refugee Rights and the Mano a Mano Family Resource Center and Ana Gil Garcia the Illinois Venezuelan Alliance. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

As JB Pritzker goes back and forth on a third gubernatorial term and former Mayor Rahm Emanuel makes his own media rounds, speculation intensifies about whether the two Illinois politicians have plans to run for president. Reset gets the latest from WBEZ state politics reporter Dave McKinney. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

As we celebrate Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we focus on the cuisine from the Hawaiian islands and where to find it in Chicago. Reset learns more from Ivan Lee, who opened Aloha Eats with his father in 2004. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Nearly a dozen South Side elementary students sickened after ingesting marijuana edibles. Mayor Johnson reaches the midpoint of his term. Congressional competitions heat up in the race to replace retiring Sen. Durbin and Rep. Schakowsky. Reset goes behind the headlines of those stories and much more in our Weekly News Recap with a panel of journalists. This week we have Block Club Chicago reporter Mack Liederman, WBEZ senior editor of government, politics and safety Angela Rzas O'Toole, and government finance and accountability reporter with the Illinois Answers Project at the Better Government Association Alex Nitkin. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Before Hawaiʻi was annexed by the United States in 1898, the nation was led by a constitutional monarchy and was recognized as an independent kingdom. Before Hawai'i's last monarch, Queen Lili'uokalani, was overthrown by non-native American businessmen in 1893, the queen sent a royally-charted Hula troupe to the World's Columbian Exposition to share the culture and stories of Kanaka Maoli, or Native Hawaiians. This is just the beginning of the community's history in Chicago. In honor of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Reset learns more about Hawaiian migration to Chicago, the legacy of Hula and reclaiming the culture with executive director of Aloha Center Chicago Lanialoha Lee, hula teacher, visual artist and co-curator of Chicago's Legacy Hula exhibit at the Field Museum Napuahinano Sumberg and education committee chair of the Ke Ali`i Victoria Ka`iulani Hawaiian Civic Club-Chicago and Associate Director for Outreach & Strategy at the Newberry Library Kahakulani Blaisdell For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

The Trump administration is rolling out a series of proposals aimed at reversing America's declining birth rate — from a $5,000 “baby bonus” for new mothers to symbolic awards for large families. But critics say these incentives miss the mark, arguing that what families really need is long-term support like paid leave, affordable child care, and access to early education.Reset explores the politics behind the push, what's driving lower birth rates, and whether government perks can really influence such a deeply personal decision with author and history professor at University of Chicago Peggy O'Donnell Heffington For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Because of crime-free housing ordinances, 1 in 4 Illinoisans live in rental properties that require them to sign a lease that says they could be evicted if accused of a crime – even a minor offense that isn't prosecuted. A year-long investigation by the New York Times combed through police data and interviewed dozens of landlords and tenants to learn the effects of these laws. Reset learns more about these ordinances and hears about potential solutions with Illinois Answers Project reporter Sidnee King Pineda, and journalist Ben Austen. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

In Illinois, it is illegal for any housing provider to deny a tenant solely based on how they pay for rent. And in Chicago, “source of income” is a protected class and allows alleged victims of discrimination to file complaints with the Chicago Commission on Human Relations. But new reporting from WBEZ finds that people are being discriminated against for using rental assistance, in spite of local laws aimed at preventing that. Reset digs into why landlords are rejecting Section 8 vouchers, and who is most impacted with WBEZ data projects editor Alden Loury and data intern Ashley Soriano. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Gen Z and millennial candidates are running for public office, and they're not afraid to take on members of their own parties who have been in power for decades. Reset talks with Chicago Tribune state government reporter Olivia Olander, NPR politics reporter Elena Moore and Illinois State Rep. Nabeela Syed. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Ocean Vuong is perhaps best-known for his 2019 novel “On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous” and deeply intimate poetry collections such as “Night Sky with Exit Wounds” (2016) and “Time Is a Mother” (2022). In his new novel, the Vietnamese-American author tells the story of friendship and acting with kindness even when you're filled with hopelessness. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

The National Institutes of Health is the largest public funder of biomedical research in the world, but under the Trump administration, NIH is freezing funding to several universities, including Northwestern. One of the projects being delayed is cutting-edge research on ovarian and pancreatic cancer. Reset learns more about the effect of this freeze on patients and early career scientists with Josh Leonard, professor of chemical and biological engineering at Northwestern University. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Chicago's newly passed “green social housing” ordinance creates a city-owned, nonprofit developer that will issue loans to companies that build eco-friendly homes. Reset breaks down what's in the plan and gets thoughts on this approach from affordable housing advocates Daniel Kay Hertz of Impact for Equity and Courtney Hanson of People for Community Recovery. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

The new Pope has Chicago roots, Mayor Brandon Johnson's housing initiative gets City Council approval, and new candidates crowd the race to replace Sen. Durbin. Reset goes behind those headlines and much more in our Weekly News Recap. This week's panel features CW 26 reporter Brandon Pope, Chicago Sun-Times reporter Mitchell Armentrout and Chicago Tribune editor Chris Jones. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

To mark Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Reset learns more of the past, present and future of Illinois's South Asian community with the executive director of the South Asian American Policy & Research Institute Shobhana Johri Verma, and education consultant, South Asian American Policy & Research Institute Julie Thomas Achettu. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Thursday, May 8, the papal conclave chose Robert Prevost to be the next head of the Roman Catholic Church. He was born and raised in the Chicago area and is the first American pontiff. Reset gets local reaction to the announcement from Bob Herguth, Chicago Sun-Times investigative reporter, Father Michael Trail, St. Thomas the Apostle parish in Hyde Park Mary FioRito, attorney, former top aide to Cardinal George, the late predecessor to Cardinal Blase Cupich, the Archbishop of Chicago. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Reset talks with early childhood education advocates about Head Start's uncertain future. The panel includes Pamela Epley, Vice President of Academic Affairs at the Erikson Institute and Nadia Gronkowski, Program Manager of Advocacy & Policy at Start Early. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Lawndale Christian Legal Center ran a pilot program in 2015 that provided wraparound services including stable housing, a car to get to work and mental health services to men ages 18 to 26 who were on probation. This not only kept them out of prison but helped break the cycle of recidivism. This program has now expanded, and 20 men will have a chance to live in an apartment and participate in a residential workforce development program at LCLC's new headquarters at the Deer Center. Reset learns more about the impact of this program from participant Frederick Dennis and founder and CEO of Lawndale Christian Legal Center Cliff Nellis. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

A construction project turned part of Lincoln Square into a temporary car-free zone, leading to a local debate over whether pedestrianized streets should be made permanent. Reset discusses with Rony Islam, organizer of the pedestrian walkway and neighborhood resident Dena Pavlovic, manager of ENJOY Lincoln Square gift shop. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

DePaul University President Robert Manuel will take part in a hearing this week called “Beyond the Ivy League: Stopping the Spread of Antisemitism on American Campuses.” Haverford College and California Polytechnic State University presidents are also called to testify. Reset digs into what's behind the hearing with WBEZ higher education reporter Lisa Kurian Philip. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

President Trump signed three executive orders last week cracking down on immigration enforcement. One order demands that federal officials compile a list of “sanctuary cities,” who refuse to cooperate with federal officials' efforts to arrest immigrants, suspending or terminating federal funds for these jurisdictions where appropriate. Mayor Johnson says Chicago won't concede. Reset sits down with an immigration lawyer to break down what Trump's executive order means for Illinois. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.