Podcast Episodes

From UIC to Starbucks, Unions are Having a Moment

**UPDATE**

The Graduate Employees' Organization tweeted late Monday night that the strike was suspended. The podcast is updated to include that news.

Statement from UIC about a tentative agreement

After…

Published on 3 years, 7 months ago

Ald. Nicole Lee Aims to Chart New Course for 11th Ward

A month ago, Nicole Lee was appointed by Mayor Lori Lightfoot to finish the term of former 11th Ward Ald. Patrick Daley Thompson, following his conviction for tax fraud. An alderperson’s responsibili…

Published on 3 years, 7 months ago

Do Cameras Make Us Safer? Plus, Masks Off (Again) and the Great Potato Salad Debate

After a judge struck down the federal mask mandate on planes and public transit, Gov. Pritzker revoked the state’s mask policy on buses and trains. Soon after, CTA, Metra, and Amtrak, along with ride…

Published on 3 years, 7 months ago

Chicago Improv Alums Matt Walsh and Brad Morris Take on Tech Dependency in ‘Unplugging’

“Unplugging” opens in theaters this weekend in Chicago and suburbs. Eva Longoria and Matt Walsh star as a married couple who leave Chicago for a rural, getaway meant to be a digital detox. But things…

Published on 3 years, 7 months ago

The Illinois Lottery Comes From A Bronzeville Parlor Game

The Illinois Lottery as we know it today with Pick 3, Pick 4, and Mega Millions games has its roots in a 19th century parlor game known as “Policy.” Brought to Chicago in the 1880s, Policy was popula…

Published on 3 years, 7 months ago

New Podcast Makes Oprah a College Level Course

Oprah Winfrey—aka “The Queen of Talk”—covered everything from veganism to the L.A. Riots to Dr. Phil (yeah, she had some misses, too) over 25 years of her classic talk show, which started here in Chi…

Published on 3 years, 7 months ago

'You Want Harold, You Got Him': How Harold Washington Beat the Machine

Friday, April 15, would have been Harold Washington’s 100th birthday, and centennial celebrations continue this week. More than 30 years after his death, Chicago’s first Black mayor is still lauded a…

Published on 3 years, 7 months ago

CTA Safety, Sky High Grocery Bills, and Let's Go Bulls!

Earlier this week a man opened fire on a New York City subway train shooting 10 people and injuring 13 more. This tragedy, alongside four recent incidents of violence on or near CTA trains and buses,…

Published on 3 years, 8 months ago

Wondering What Your Alderperson is Doing All Day?

City Council members have a lot of meetings. But how many of the full council, committee, and subcommittee meetings do they actually attend? WBEZ, The Daily Line, and Crain’s Chicago Business analyze…

Published on 3 years, 8 months ago

How to Make Ukrainian Easter Eggs

In Ukrainian culture, “pysanky” is a centuries-old form of decorating eggs. In fact, it predates Easter itself. Using eggs, beeswax, and dyes, artists "write" colorful and elaborate art works embedde…

Published on 3 years, 8 months ago