Category: 4-FrequentNewsStreams

Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx has decided not to run for a third term, leaving the seat up for grabs next fall. Kim Foxx made history in 2016 when she became the first Black woman to be elected Cook County State’s Attorney. The progressive prosecutor announced Tuesday she won’t seek another term. Reset discusses what’s next for Foxx and the country’s second-largest prosecutor's office with WBEZ criminal justice reporter Patrick Smith.

Chicago’s first-ever poet laureate is avery r. young — an award-winning composer, teacher, visual artist and producer. young believes poetry is all around us, and that our earliest exposure comes from learning something as simple as the cadence of the alphabet. In his new role, he’ll act as an ambassador for poetry in Chicago, and create new public programming for young people and students. Reset sat down with the poet to hear more.

Chicago leaders are working on a new vision for downtown development over the next two decades and will kick off their planning process with a public webinar Thursday. What does the updated plan mean for the Loop’s future? We’ll get background from a reporter and hear from community members on what the city should prioritize.

In 2021, the U.S. life expectancy was about 73 years for men and about 79 years for women – the biggest gap in a quarter-century. Boys and men at every age are at higher risk of death than girls and women, according to the CDC. Some people point to biological factors — like high levels of testosterone weakening the immune system — while others point to social factors such as masculinity and a lack of support. Reset discusses what’s behind the growing longevity gap between men and women, and what can be done to improve physical and mental health outcomes among men. We talked to Dr. Omer Raheem from the University of Chicago, Dr. Sam Wainwright from UI Health, Todd Adams, executive director of MenLiving and Erik Treese and Mervin Colin Canham from the ManKind Project.

Financial aid letters aren’t federally regulated and can vary wildly from college to college. Most high school seniors across the country must decide where to go to college in the fall by May 1. Money can play a big role in which school they pick, and that can be challenging if you don’t have a good grasp of what your financial aid package offers. Reset learns more about how to understand those award letters from WBEZ higher education reporter Lisa Philip.

The Chicago-based nonprofit Surviving the Mic is led by, and serves, Black and brown femme survivors of sexual harm. After years of being volunteer-run, it’s now a nonprofit — allowing the group to reimagine how a healing art space can also function as a spiritual, church-like community. The group will begin hosting so-called Survivor’s Revivals on Sundays featuring poetry, storytelling and meditation. Reset learned more about the group and how its members are creating a space for survivors of sexual violence to heal. We spoke to executive directors Niiki Patin, Mojdeh Stoakley and Saunté Harden-Tate.

Public health and drug enforcement officials are raising alarms about a veterinary tranquilizer known as Xylazine. Reset hears from Matt Kiefer, digital editor for WBEZ, and Dr. David A. Ansell, Professor of Medicine at Rush University Medical Center, about how substance is impacting the opioid epidemic and what health and community organizers are doing to address it. Then they talk to Lindsay Allen, health economist, assistant professor in Northwest, and Vauna Hernandez, executive director of Phoenix House, about how expanding medicaid for residential treatment centers could help the opioid crisis.

On Friday, the Supreme Court ruled to allow continued access to the drug Mifepristone by sending it back to the courts. Reset gets the latest on the case what it means for reproductive care access with Kristen Schorsch, health and county government reporter with WBEZ and Megan Jeyifo executive director Chicago Abortion Fund

From the Green Bay Trail to the Illinois Prairie Path to the 606 to the I&M Canal Trail, the Chicago area has a lot of beautiful trails to cycle on that were once train lines or canal paths. And more are in the works. Reset learns more about existing trails with Christine Hubert, Joliet resident, volunteer for Ride Illinois, and Alan Cubbage, president of the Evanston Bike Club, member of the National Rails to Trails organization.

The Chicago City Council unanimously voted Wednesday to designate Promontory Park, a longstanding staple in the Hyde Park area, an official city landmark. Reset talks with Alderman-elect Desmon Yancy, 5th Ward and Ward Miller, executive director of Preservation Chicago, to learn more about the lengthy process to make this happen and what the designation means for the city and its residents.