How is the U.S. economy doing? And what can we expect in 2025 when it comes to tariffs, jobs, inflation, interest rates and more? Reset checks in with KPMG chief economist Diane Swonk.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
As Chicagoans hunker down for what feels like the coldest stretch of a long Midwest winter, local indoor gardens are providing an escape and a taste of warmer days to come. Reset checks in with the Chicago Botanic Garden’s associate vice president Jodi Zombolo and their orchid flori-culturist Johanna Hutchins for what’s on the docket for February.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Ian Maksin is one musician with a cello, but he can sound like an entire band. The cellist has toured the world, performing on his instruments and singing in nearly 40 languages. He has perfected bringing a fuller sound to audiences even when he’s playing solo. Reset sits down with Maksin ahead of a slew of shows in the Chicago area.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
The Department of Justice sues Illinois and Chicago over immigration laws after Brandon Johnson agrees to testify on Capitol Hill with other sanctuary city mayors. Alder is ousted from City Council meeting and 102-year-old Chicago Bears matriarch, Virginia McCaskey, dies. Reset dives into these and other top local stories in our Weekly News Recap with Chicago reporter for Axios Carrie Shepherd, WBEZ city politics reporter Mariah Woelfel and president of Better Government Association David Greising.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement has detained more than 100 people in the Chicago area in an effort to carry out President Trump’s campaign promise of mass deportations. But on Monday, dozens of stores and restaurants closed as part of Day Without Immigrants in protest and to honor the contributions of immigrants. Reset checks in with Héctor Aguirre, co-owner of La Malinche Coffee and Tea House, a business in Pilsen that participated.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
President Donald Trump unveiled a plan to “take over” the Gaza Strip and displace all the Palestinians living there. World leaders scoffed at the idea, and the White House has since begun to walk it back. Reset checks in with Eman Abdelhadi, assistant professor of sociology, University of Chicago and Deanna Othman, freelance journalist, Chicago media coordinator of American Muslims for Palestine Palestinian Americans.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Only Congress can shut down the Department of Education, but President Trump is preparing an order that aims to downsize the agency and possibly move some of its functions to other departments. Reset learns more about what’s in the works and how changes to DOE could affect education in Illinois with higher education reporter for the Washington Post Danielle Douglas-Gabriel.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Chicago is a city of food as much as it is a city of neighborhoods and cultural communities.
Last episode, we talked about how Chicago may not have a concentrated Filipino enclave, in the way neighborhoods like Chinatown and Humboldt Park are cultural hubs. But the community comes together and supports each other nonetheless.
And Filipino food in Chicago is definitely a part of that. This cultural cuisine has been on the scene for a long time, but only in the past few years has it really started to get its flowers. It’s even grabbed the attention of the Michelin Guide and James Beard Awards. Today, we taste some creations by serial entrepreneur, Francis Almeda as well as chef and owner of A Taste of the Philippines, Kathy Vega Hardy. And we talk about why Vega Hardy says “a sense of community” goes a long way for Filipino food entrepreneurs in the city.
While some students are faced with a trip to the principal’s office for vaping or ditching class, others are met with the police intervention. While Illinois bans schools from fining students, a ProPublica and Chicago Tribune investigation found that schools exploit a loophole in the law by enlisting police to issue citations. Reset unpacks the proposed legislation that would prevent students from being fined for misbehavior with ProPublica reporter Jennifer Smith Richards.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Health officials think that dead and sick birds showing up between Hyde Park and Wilmette could be a sign that the highly contagious bird flu is spreading in the Chicago area.
Reset learns more about avian flu and discusses what this could mean for birds, pets and Chicago-area residents with infectious disease specialist at the University of Chicago Dr. Emily Landon and the director of Chicago Bird Collision Monitors Annette Prince.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
