In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons

Epizódok

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  WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: Sept. 18, 2026 25.09.2026 44p

  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 25p

  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 27p

  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 35p

  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 31p

  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.
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  WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: Sept. 18, 2026 18.09.2026 45p

  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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  A New Chicago Book Teaches Kids Why We Vote 17.09.2026 23p

  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.
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  What’s Behind The Spike In Suicide-Related ER Visits By Chicago’s Youth? 16.09.2026 31p

  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 Medicine Rafiah Maxie-Cole, a licensed social worker and founder of Soul Survivors of Chicago For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.
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  Would You Declare A Major In A.I.? 15.09.2026 25p

  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 UIC 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. 11, 2026 11.09.2026 46p

  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 producer Violet Miller, Chicago Sun-Times general assignment reporter  For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop. 
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  New Doc ‘American Doctor’ Tells Story Of Healthcare Workers On The Frontlines In Gaza 09.09.2026 33p

  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 documentary Dr. Thaer Ahmad, emergency physician on Chicago's South Side and humanitarian who has worked in conflict zones including Gaza, Syria and Kenya For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop. 
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  Behind The Story: Reporters Reflect On Anniversary of Operation Midway Blitz 08.09.2026 18p

  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
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  WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: September 4, 2026 04.09.2026 48p

  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 editor Paris Schutz, political and investigative reporter, NBC 5 For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop. 
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  Inside The Idea To Make A 15-Minute Train From Downtown To O’Hare 03.09.2026 33p

  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 Flyer Dave Lundy, co-founder and CEO, O’Hare Flyer Joseph Schwieterman, director of the Chaddick Institute for Metropolitan Development,   DePaul University
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  How Is Jazz Doing In Chicago? 02.09.2026 29p

  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 activist Heather 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.
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  What’s Changed Since Operation Midway Blitz? 01.09.2026 34p

  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. 
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  Ask The Mayoral Candidate: Joe Holberg 31.08.2026 38p

  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. 
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  WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: August 28, 2026 28.08.2026 47p

  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 reporter For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.
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  Ask The Mayor: August 2026 27.08.2026 39p

  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. 
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  Remembering Dolly Parton 26.08.2026 18p

  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.