Author: WBEZ Chicago

The Reset podcast is taking the day off, but we'll be back on Sunday when Jenn talks to KP of the Portland band Black Belt Eagle Scout

There’s a lot we know about the origins of Thanksgiving. The problem is, we’re not taught the real history in school. For that, we turn to David Silverman, professor of history at George Washington University. He’s the author of the book This Land is Their Land: The Wampanoag Indians, Plymouth Colony, and the Troubled History of Thanksgiving. Plus WBEZ’s Monica Eng goes through the array of side dishes that folks have on their Thanksgiving table. And it’s a lot more interesting than mashed potatoes.

We’ll hear how the vote went down as Chicago’s City Council passes Mayor Lightfoot’s first budget. And Rep. Robin Kelly (D-2nd) talks about her fight to improve health care for women during pregnancy and the first year after they give birth.

Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx has announced she’s running for reelection. She’s raising plenty of money and has the endorsement of a number of high-profile politicians. But can she get past the missteps associated with the Jussie Smollett case? We hear from Foxx, and WBEZ criminal justice reporter Patrick Smith

KP of Black Belt Eagle Scout talks about moving off her small reservation to go to college, finding her place in the world and in Portland's music scene, and starting a band of her own to tell her story as a brown, queer, indigenous person. Her latest album "At The Party With My Brown Friends" is filled with dreamy sounds and personal stories. It's garnered rave reviews and made her one of the most talked about indie-rock musicians in 2019. 

A new investigation by the Chicago Tribune and ProPublica Illinois found some disturbing information about the use of so-called Quiet Rooms for students in schools across Illinois. The practice is banned in 19 states, and while many teachers and school officials call it a useful tool to keep students and staff safe from violent behavior, often it’s the only tool at their disposal and can be misused.

WBEZ’s Tony Arnold, A.D. Quig of Crain’s Chicago Business, and the Chicago Tribune’s John Byrne talk about the city budget, indictments in Springfield, and much more in our Friday News Roundup.

Controversial comic Lenny Bruce talked about taboo subjects from the stage in the 1960’s. From religion to sex to race relations, Bruce attacked what he saw as hypocrisy, and forced his audiences to confront uncomfortable truths. 

Reset sits down with actor and writer Ronnie Marmo about his one-man play "I’m Not A Comedian...I’m Lenny Bruce," which highlights what Bruce means to him and where he thinks Bruce fits into today’s conversations about free speech.

"I'm Not A Comedian...I'm Lenny Bruce" is playing at The Royal George Theatre through Jan. 5.