Author: WBEZ Chicago

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In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons - The Uptown Theatre Turns 100. What’s Next For The Always-Closed Movie Palace?

Famous for its grandeur and colossal size, the Uptown Theatre celebrates its 100-year anniversary. Over the last century, the Uptown has seen its highs and lows, but after being shuttered in 1981, the “palace” now needs a $190-million revamp. Robert Loerzel’s new book, The Uptown: Chicago’s Endangered Movie Palace, relives the glory days of the theatre through photos and archives. Many, like Loerzel, hope the Uptown Theatre will be restored to its former purpose and splendor through the help of donor and state funding. Reset hears more about the Uptown Theatre’s history and future from Loerzel, Preservation Chicago executive director Ward Miller, and David Syfczak, caretaker for the Uptown Theatre for the last 30 years. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
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Reset with Sasha-Ann Simons - Trump Cuts Deal A Blow To HIV/AIDS Prevention In Chicago

Since HIV and AIDS were first declared an epidemic in the 1980s, numerous non-profit, private, and federal organizations have been created to combat the disease. But many Black-LED HIV and AIDS organizations struggle to cover operating costs as they work on prevention, education, and case management. As the Trump Administration makes drastic cuts to HIV/AIDS prevention funding, organizations that serve the communities on the frontlines of this crisis face an uncertain future. On today’s Reset, we hear about the current state of the HIV-AIDS fight in Chicago, and why we see a funding gap between Black-led and other organizations. Today’s panel: Timothy Jackson, director of policy and advocacy for the AIDS Foundation of Chicago; and Hannah Peewee, associate director of communications for Taskforce Prevention and Community Services. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
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Reset with Sasha-Ann Simons - Trump Cuts Deal A Blow To HIV/AIDS Prevention In Chicago

Since HIV and AIDS were first declared an epidemic in the 1980s, numerous non-profit, private, and federal organizations have been created to combat the disease. But many Black-LED HIV and AIDS organizations struggle to cover operating costs as they work on prevention, education, and case management. As the Trump Administration makes drastic cuts to HIV/AIDS prevention funding, organizations that serve the communities on the frontlines of this crisis face an uncertain future. On today’s Reset, we hear about the current state of the HIV-AIDS fight in Chicago, and why we see a funding gap between Black-led and other organizations. Today’s panel: Timothy Jackson, director of policy and advocacy for the AIDS Foundation of Chicago; and Hannah Peewee, associate director of communications for Taskforce Prevention and Community Services. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
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Reset with Sasha-Ann Simons - How To Talk About Wine Without Being Annoying

Ordering wine and learning how to pair it with meals and summer produce can be intimidating – but it doesn’t have to be! We talked to a chef, master sommelier and a food writer to learn how to pair what wine with what food, and how to do it in the least pretentious way possible. Today’s panel: Maggie Hennessy, WBEZ contributor and food writer; Paul Virant, owner Gaijin, Vistro Prime and Petite Vie; Martin Beally, master sommelier, director of wine, beverage and ops integration at Cooper’s Hawk Winery and Restaurants. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
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Reset with Sasha-Ann Simons - ChatGPT Is Not Welcome At Your Next Therapy Visit

AI therapy? Not if you’re in Illinois. The state has banned the use of artificial intelligence for mental health therapy. It is just the third state to put restrictions on the use of AI in the field, joining Nevada and Utah. While some therapists support the ban, others are opposed, arguing that AI allows them to be more present in their client meetings. Others also vouch for AI therapy as a cheaper mental health care option for those who cannot afford professional care. Reset hears more about what the ban could mean for mental health care patients and providers in Illinois. Today’s panel: Aaron Weiner, PhD, licensed clinical psychologist and addiction specialist; Blase Ur, assistant professor of computer science, University of Chicago; Joel Rubin, executive director, National Association of Social Workers, Illinois chapter; Mario Treto Jr., Secretary of Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
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Reset with Sasha-Ann Simons - WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: August 15, 2025

Lots of news this week! President Trump threatens to deploy the National Guard to Chicago. Texas House Democrats announce plans to leave Illinois and return home. And the Cook County State’s Attorney decides not to file charges against officers who killed motorist Dexter Reed. Reset breaks down these stories and much more with WBEZ statehouse reporter Alex Degman, WTTW News correspondent Nick Blumberg and Chalkbeat Chicago reporter Reema Amin. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
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Reset with Sasha-Ann Simons - Illinois Is Helping Black Residents Trace Their Ancestry Back To Africa

A new program is helping Illinoisans of African descent reconnect and reclaim ancestral ties lost due to the transatlantic slave trade. In a period spanning over 400 years, more than 13 million men, women, and children were forcibly transported across the Atlantic Ocean to work in the Americas, devastating familial bonds. Now, the Illinois Family Roots Pilot program is offering free DNA testing so people can trace their roots into the past and connect with living relatives. Reset learns more about the state program and hears from two Chicago-area residents who connected after DNA testing showed they were related. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
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Curious City - School is in session, and we put the CPS butter cookie to the test

Summer is coming to an end, and it’s time to go back to school. Today, the number of Chicago Public School students complaining about school lunch might only be matched by the complaints over homework assignments. So it may come as a surprise that decades ago CPS students actually looked forward to eating cafeteria lunch. In our last episode, WBEZ’s Sarah Karp found that privatization of food services and revamped health guidelines shifted the menu for CPS students. During Karp’s reporting, many alumni kept mentioning an old lunchtime staple, the famed CPS butter sugar cookie. This was a cookie served district wide and baked fresh by lunchroom staff during the 1960s-1980s. The cookie has long been discontinued in schools, but there’s still a cult following. Dozens of copycat recipes pop up on a simple internet search, and one woman even turned it into a business. Curious City decided to put this cookie to the test. With the help of CPS culinary instructor Jeffrey Newman and a dupe recipe, we re-created this classic lunchroom treat. Is it worth all the hype? Will current CPS students like it? Or is this merely a dose of childhood nostalgia?