Podcasts about Newsmakers

A longtime crop insurance agent and member of both the Iowa and American Soybean Association board of directors, Pat Swanson may be new to USDA but not to the many crop insurance programs farmers depend on. On Newsmakers this week, we speak with Risk Management Agency Administrator Pat Swanson about her plans to lead the agency and how her background serving on the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation has prepared her for the role.Plus, hear from two former USDA undersecretaries, Robert Bonnie and Bruce Knight, for perspective on USDA's reorganization plan, which will move more than half of the 4,600 current Washington-based staff to five regional hubs across the U.S.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD

Chef Beverly Kim, James Beard Award–winning chef and restaurateur, joins Lisa Dent to detail a who’s who of female Chicago chefs coming together for a culinary and musical experience.

Khader Zahdan, Co-Owner of Donut Dudes, joins Lisa Dent to share his story, love for doughnuts, and how a childhood memory became a business venture with his brother.

Ron Kittle, 1983 AL Rookie of the Year as a member of the Chicago White Sox, joins Lisa Dent to remember Cubs legend and Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg following his passing on July 28th. Kittle shares stories and pays tribute to Sandberg’s memory.

Mike Lowe from WGN-TV joins Lisa Dent to give an update on his battle with cancer. Lowe shares some of his stories of meeting and becoming friends with Ryne Sandberg as both were undergoing radiation treatments. He reflects on meeting Sandberg, his childhood hero. And what his legacy means to Chicago.

U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL 8) joins Lisa Dent while on the road to share some stories from rural Illinoisans that will be affected by President Trump’s budget bill. Then, Rep. Krishnamoorthi addresses questions concerning the Epstein files. And he shares his thoughts on a potential presidential pardon for Epstein’s accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell.

Lisa Dent checks in with the newsroom to hear their stories.

Guests: Dale Erquiaga, Author

Guests: Dale Erquiaga, Author

LaVonté Stewart, founder and executive director of Lost Boyz Inc., joins Lisa Dent to talk about his 17-year mission to uplift and empower young people on Chicago's South Side. As grant funding dwindles, Stewart reflects on the organization’s impact and the uncertainty ahead, emphasizing the importance of continued investment in youth development and community safety.

Frank Giammarese, Director of Public Safety for the Bloomingdale Police Department, joins Lisa Dent to discuss a recent spike in trespassing cases tied to a viral TikTok trend. He urges residents to take the issue seriously and warns that anyone caught trespassing will face prosecution

Dr. Hermene Hartman, Chicago media pioneer and founder of N'Digo, joins Lisa Dent to discuss the 2025 State of Black America report from the National Urban League.

Lisa Dent checks in with the newsroom to hear their stories.

After a drowning during Black Yacht Weekend, 16th Ward Ald. Stephanie Coleman joins Lisa Dent to discuss her proposal to require all boaters to wear life vests. She stresses the importance of stronger safety measures to prevent future tragedies on Chicago's waterways.

Deborah Witzburg, Chicago Inspector General, joins Lisa Dent to discuss recent findings of widespread PPP loan fraud involving city employees and residents. The investigation uncovered that bus drivers, police officers, and others falsely claimed to run small businesses in order to receive pandemic relief funds.

Send us a textGlobal Liver Institute President and CEO Larry Holden joins Roger Green to discuss recent Washington political and regulatory activities, their potential impact on the liver community, and ways we can respond.Larry starts by acknowledging that we are in for "dark times" under the current administration and describes some current government actions that are causing major setbacks, as well as others that have the potential to do so. Specifically, he details the challenges caused by budget cuts, reallocation of funds away from major universities, staff reductions and, along with them, a loss of expertise in technical areas where knowledge and experience are pivotal.Without minimizing these challenges, Larry proceeds to suggest actions that individuals and organizations can take to reduce losses to the greatest extent possible — and even create some "wins" — for people living with liver disease. He describes tactics for giving legislators something they value (mainly publicity and contacts) to build a relationship, gain access and create a sympathetic ear for liver community messages. The conversation itself shifts back and forth between some of the current challenges and the steps advocates can take to mitigate losses and, whenever possible, achieve "wins." Sometimes discouraging, sometimes educational, this is an essential conversation for all current and potential advocates for liver patients to hear.

Ron Johnson tells MacIver why he ultimately supported the Big Beautiful Bill, even though it doesn't go nearly far enough to correct the country's long term fiscal problems.

Dr. Dana Varble, Chief Veterinary Officer for the North American Veterinary Community, joins Lisa Dent to talk all things pets. She shares if you should walk your dog during heat waves and whether all dog breeds can swim. Then, as always, Dr. Varble answers your pet questions.

Dr. Willie Wilson, Chicago businessman and entrepreneur, joins Lisa Dent to discuss his effort to give out free gas and groceries in Hinsdale.

Lisa Dent checks in with the newsroom to hear their stories.

Alex Caprariello, National Correspondent for NewsNation, joins Lisa Dent to discuss an executive order signed by President Trump pushing cities and states to remove homeless people from the streets.

Marisa Boynton, Recreation Supervisor for Lake Zurich, joins Lisa Dent to discuss the Lake Zurich Farmers Market. Boynton shares what shoppers can expect.

Lisa Dent checks in with the newsroom to hear their stories.

Guests: Kristen Kennedy, Executive Director, Domestic Violence Resource Center

Guests: Kristen Kennedy, Executive Director, Domestic Violence Resource Center

Lisa Dent checks in with the newsroom to hear their stories.

Lou Manfredini joins Lisa Dent in his new weekly segment, Ask Lou, where he answers your questions about all things home repair.

Alex Gangitano, White House correspondent at The Hill, joins Lisa Dent to discuss Ghislaine Maxwell. Ghislaine, the former girlfriend of Jeffrey Epstein, is currently in jail for assisting in Epstein’s abuse of underaged girls. The DOJ interviewed Maxwell to find out if she had more information about Epstein’s client list.

Jim Chilsen, Communications Director of the Citizens Utility Board, joins Lisa Dent to discuss electricity bills in Illinois. Chilsen shares that in addition to the heat waves keeping temperatures high, AI data centers are contributing to the increased cost to electricity bills in Illinois.

Guests: Donny Gilman, GM Lance Gilman Real Estate Services

Guests: Donny Gilman, GM Lance Gilman Real Estate Services

Dr. Sindhu Aderson, Central Region Medical Director for Northwestern Medicine Immediate Care, joins Lisa Dent to discuss the warning signs of heat stroke. As Chicago faces its most severe heat wave of the summer, Dr. Aderson shares the warning signs of heat stroke and what preventative steps people can take to keep themselves safe.

Dr. Susan Buchanan, Clinical Associate Professor of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences at the University of Illinois Chicago School of Public Health, joins Lisa Dent to discuss high lead levels in water. Dr. Buchanan shares the dangers of lead levels present in young children, and how to protect them.

Joseph Schwieterman, DePaul University professor and author of Terminal Town, a history of Chicago's transportation hubs, joins Lisa Dent to talk about Chicago’s Union Station celebrating 100 years since its opening. Schwieterman details the many changes that the station has gone under in its first century.

Teresa Murray, a consumer watchdog with the U.S. Public Interest Research Group (PIRG), joins Lisa Dent to discuss a nationwide recall of over 5 million above-ground pools after nine children have drowned. Then, Murray shares the details of Ford’s recall of two of their SUV models.

Guests: Gabriel Urza, Attorney and Author

Guests: Gabriel Urza, Attorney and Author

Dr. Hermene Hartman, Chicago media pioneer and founder of N'Digo, joins Lisa Dent to discuss the state of the media following the cancellation of the Late Show with Stephen Colbert, and defunding of public broadcasting.

Patrick Dolan, Employment Lawyer at Conti & Dolan, joins Lisa Dent to discuss workplace relationship ethics. After a viral video showing two Astronomer employees caught apparently having an affair at a Coldplay concert, Dolan shares what people should do if they are dating a co-worker.

Monica Eng, reporter with Axios Chicago, joins Lisa Dent to discuss an uptick in ICE arrests of non-criminal immigrants.

Errol Schweizer, retail merchandising, product development and brand strategy expert, joins Lisa Dent to discuss how in Chicago, and across the country, grocery prices have increased drastically since 2019. Schweizer shares what factors are contributing to the continued rise in prices at grocery stores.

Dr. Matthew J Blecha, Vascular Surgery at Loyola Medicine, joins Lisa Dent to discuss what chronic venous insufficiency is. President Donald Trump was seen with swollen ankles. The White House later announced that the president had chronic venous insufficiency. Dr. Blecha shares some information about the condition and what may cause it.

Nationally syndicated financial columnist and author Terry Savage joins Steve Dale, filling in for Lisa Dent, to discuss Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and his relationship with Donald Trump. Then, Savage shares some updates about the stock market.

Ald. Bill Conway, 34th Ward, joins Steve Dale, filling in for Lisa Dent, to discuss the NASCAR Chicago Street Race not returning in 2026. Ald. Conway shares that while NASCAR will not be in Chicago next year, the street race could return in 2027. Then, he discusses the CTA and the budget cliff that the […]

Guests: Ken Gray, (R) Assemblyman, AD 39

Lisa Dent checks in with the newsroom to hear their stories.

Karen Conti, partner at Conti & Dolan, LLC., joins Lisa Dent to unpack the latest developments in the Jeffrey Epstein case following the DOJ's memo stating there is no list of perpetrators and reaffirming suicide as the cause of death.

Lisa Dent checks in with the newsroom to hear their stories.

Lou Manfredini joins Lisa Dent in his new weekly segment, Ask Lou, where he answers your questions about all things home repair.

Sandy Dingus, Marketing Coordinator at Edgebrook Center, joins Lisa Dent to share the Edgebrook Farmers Market. Every Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., May 7 through October 29, 2025, enjoy the best of the season at the Edgebrook Farmers Market, located at 1639 North Alpine Road in Rockford, Illinois. It's a perfect midweek stop for […]