In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons

Episoder

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  WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: Oct. 16, 2026 16.10.2026 45min

  A Palatine teen is arrested for plotting a massacre at a Hindu temple in Aurora. Buildings and landmarks across the city welcome the public inside for Open House Chicago. Plus, candidates for Chicago School Board president face off in a WBEZ forum.   In the Loop breaks down these stories and much more with a panel of journalists. GUESTS: Carrie Shepherd, Axios Chicago reporter  Brandis Friedman, anchor of  WTTW’s “Chicago Tonight”  Kate Grossman, WBEZ assistant managing editor For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop. 
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  Medicare Advantage Plans Are Disappearing 15.10.2026 24min

  Medicare Advantage, a healthcare plan run by private insurance companies, covers more of what traditional Medicare doesn’t cover without having to pay premiums for a supplemental policy or “Medigap” plans.  However, as open enrollment for 2027 begins Oct. 15, many seniors with private Medicare coverage are being confronted with fewer options. In The Loop finds out why this is happening and what this means for you. GUESTS: Dan Weissmann, host and executive producer of the podcast “An Arm and A Leg” For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop. 
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  Malcolm Gladwell Wants Us To Have An Honest Conversation About Gun Violence 14.10.2026 30min

  In his new book, The American Way of Killing: The Invention of an Epidemic, best-selling author and journalist Malcolm Gladwell explores how current ‘dishonest’ conversations about gun violence prevent us from getting to the root causes. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop. 
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  Meet The Chicago Sisters Competing In The Amazing Race 13.10.2026 26min

  Saran and Dafina Dunmore call themselves ‘besters,’ sisters and best friends. They live and work close to each other, and now they’ve taken their relationship to another level: competing in a reality TV show, racing across continents and solving puzzles and obstacles.  In the Loop sits down with the sisters to hear how the experience of participating in a reality TV competition deepened their relationship.  GUESTS: Saran Dunmore, Amazing Race contestant Dafina Dunmore, Amazing Race contestant Correction: All female teams have won previous seasons of the Amazing Race.  For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop. 
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  Loyola Professors Encouraging Pen To Paper Writing To Tackle AI 12.10.2026 27min

  In an effort to encourage students to think critically without the use of technology, a group of professors at Loyola University are piloting a writing class for freshmen where students write essays completely tech-free.  In The Loop sits down with professors and a current student in their class to learn more.  GUESTS: Sherrie Weller, professor of English, Loyola University Chicago Brandiann Molby, professor of English, director of the Writing Center, Loyola University Chicago Ella Paris, first-year undergraduate student, Loyola University Chicago For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop. 
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  Actor Johnny Galecki Stars In ‘Kowalski’ At Lookingglass Theatre 09.10.2026 31min

  “Kowalski” brings together Galecki as the established playwright Tennessee Williams and Chicago’s Jacob Moskovitz as a young Marlon Brando trying to break into acting.  In the Loop talks with Galecki about the role and what took from TV to the stage.  GUESTS: Johnny Galecki, actor  For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.
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  WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: Oct. 9, 2026 09.10.2026 45min

  With back-to-back losses for the White Sox, all eyes are on Game 5. Trump denies disaster relief to Illinois for the damage caused by summer storms. New lawsuits are filed over ICE agents’ actions during Operation Midway Blitz. Plus, Chicago wins the best big U.S. city title for the 10th year in a row.  In the Loop breaks down these stories and much more with a panel of Chicago journalists.  GUESTS: Melody Mercado, Block Club Chicago reporter   Nick Blumberg, WTTW News correspondent Dave McKinney, WBEZ & Chicago Sun-Times politics and government editor  For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.
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  What If Mrs. O’Leary Finally Got To Tell Her Own Story? 07.10.2026 19min

  The Chicago City Council cleared her name in 1997, but the narrative of the O’Leary cow starting the Great Chicago Fire is hard to shake.  “Mrs. O’Leary didn’t start the fire. But someone did” – that’s the takeaway from a new work of historical fiction that explores Mrs. O’Leary’s perspective, and who might be responsible for the blaze.  In the Loop sits down with the author ahead of the 155th anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire, and hears a bit of the audiobook.  GUEST: Melissa Birks, author of the Mrs. O’Leary audiobook For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop. 
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  ‘One Day Came a Rumble’: How Midway Blitz inspired a children’s book to help kids cope during scary times 06.10.2026 18min

  A new bilingual children’s book inspired by the sights and sounds of ICE immigration enforcement in the Chicago area aims to help kids build skills for coping with hard times. Published by Trellis Press in Rockford, One Day Came a Rumble uses bright colors and a playful story to teach kids how to manage life's anxieties and uncertainty.   GUESTS: Elizabeth McChesney, author, One Day Came a Rumble (co-written with Daniel Hatcher) Steve Musgrave, illustrator, One Day Came a Rumble For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop. 
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  ‘Something Followed Us Home’ Is Sure To Make You Sleep With The Lights On 05.10.2026 17min

  “Something Followed Us Home” explores 17 scary tales from 17 Latin American authors. From the supernatural, real-life massacres to A.I., Pelayo curates an anthology of thought-provoking stories highlighting Latiné horror.  In The Loop sits down with Cynthia Pelayo to learn more about the inspiration behind her latest collection of tales.  GUESTS: Cynthia Pelayo, Chicago horror novelist and poet, editor of the new collection Something Followed Us Home: Tales of Latiné Horror For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop. 
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  WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: Oct. 2, 2026 02.10.2026 37min

  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 president Sarah Karp, WBEZ education reporter For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.
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  Day Of Movement: Dancing And Dementia, A Woman Trains To Push Daughter In Chicago Marathon 01.10.2026 27min

  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 Healing Megan Lassman, Evanston mother For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.
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  The Buzz At The Obama Presidential Center 30.09.2026 19min

  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 Center Janelle Dunlap, Westside Bee Boyz, Resident Beekeeper at the Obama Presidential Center For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.
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  Rewind Five Years: What Was Life Like For Chicago Youth In 2021? 29.09.2026 28min

  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 Commissioner For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.
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  Chicago Sports Report: Catch Up On The Latest With WBEZ’s Cheryl Raye Stout 28.09.2026 22min

  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 contributor For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.
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  WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: Sept. 18, 2026 25.09.2026 44min

  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 reporter Leigh Giangreco, freelance journalist Mitchell Armentrout, Chicago Sun-Times government and politics reporter For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop. 
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  What Do Bridgeport Residents Think Of Amtrak’s New Maintenance Center? 24.09.2026 25min

  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 resident Jonathan Chen, Bridgeport resident For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop. 
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  Chicagoans Push Back Against A ComEd Substation 23.09.2026 27min

  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 district Kyle Donash, member, Diversey Community Coalition For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.
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  Happy Birthday To ‘In The Loop’ 22.09.2026 35min

  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 radio Jacoby Cochran, City Cast Chicago host Richard Steele, former WBEZ host Kurt Elling, Chicago jazz singer and songwriter V.V. Lightbody, Chicago singer and songwriter For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.
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  In America, Are We 'Our Own Worst Enemies'? 21.09.2026 31min

  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 Populism For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.