Author: WBEZ Chicago

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Reset with Sasha-Ann Simons - Reflections On President Trump’s Second Inaugural Address

In his inaugural address, President Donald Trump laid out a series of executive actions he plans to take in the first days of his second term, including declaring a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border, declaring an energy emergency and promising to end electric vehicle “mandates.” Reset discusses with guests Rick Perlstein, historian and author of the books “The Invisible Bridge: The Fall of Nixon and the Rise of Reagan” and “Nixonland: The Rise of a President and the Fracturing of America”; Mitchell Armentrout, Chicago Sun-Times reporter covering government and politics, Aaron Del Mar, Palatine Township Republican chairman; Kathy Salvi, Chair of the Illinois Republican Party and Rep. Mike Quigley, IL D-Chicago. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
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Reset with Sasha-Ann Simons - Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson On Trump Presidency, MLK Jr. Day

During Donald Trump’s first term, Chicago was a frequent punching bag for the Republican president, who zeroed in on and often inflated the city’s issues with violence. As Trump is sworn into office for a second time, are Chicago and Illinois in his crosshairs, and if so, how will Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson work with or against the new president to protect his progressive agenda? Reset sits down with the mayor to hear what is top of mind for him with the new administration. Chicago Sun-Times reporter covering government and politics Mitchell Armentrout also joined the conversation. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
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Reset with Sasha-Ann Simons - What Happens To Chicago Arts Funding Under Trump?

Chicago’s arts economy is in flux. With COVID relief dollars drying up, changes to the city’s cultural affairs department and a second Trump presidency, future funding for the arts and artists in Chicago is up in the air. Reset checks in with WBEZ arts and culture reporter Courtney Kueppers and Chicago artist, weaver and owner of Burial Blankets Anders Zanichkowsky. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
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Reset with Sasha-Ann Simons - Food Network’s Jeff Mauro Loves Chicago And Sandwiches

Chicago-native Jeff Mauro centers Chicago delicacies and culture as a Food Network celebrity chef. He hosted the Emmy-nominated show “Sandwich King” on The Food Network where he currently co-hosts “The Kitchen.” Reset learns more about Mauro and his passion for Chicago food and sandwiches and tastes offerings from his company Mauro Provisions. 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: Jan. 17, 2025

CTA president Dorval Carter resigns. Mike Madigan’s defense rests its case. And Chicago’s first-ever elected school board members are sworn in. Reset dives into these stories and more with WBEZ city politics reporter Mariah Woelfel, Economist Midwest correspondent Daniel Knowles and Chicago Tribune Cook County and Chicago government reporter A.D. Quig. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
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Reset with Sasha-Ann Simons - Chicagoans Roll Up Their Sleeves To Help During LA Fires

As wildfires blaze across LA County, Chicagoans are mobilizing. Reset finds out how Chicagoans are using their skills to help in a time of crisis. We talk to Sarah Stegner, co-founder of Chicago Chefs Cook, and co-owner of Prairie Grass Cafe in Northbrook, Ill. We also check in with Terry Nosal, a Red Cross volunteer who flew from Chicago to LA to help. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
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Reset with Sasha-Ann Simons - Chicago Palestinians And Rabbis React To Potential Ceasefire

Negotiators for Israel and Hamas announced plans for a six-week ceasefire that would stop the fighting in Gaza, return 33 hostages to Israel and release around 1,000 Palestinian detainees from Israeli prisons. However, its future remains uncertain. Reset checks in with Palestinian Americans and Jewish leaders emergency physician Dr. Thaer Ahmad, journalist Deanna Othman, Rabbi Steven Philp of Mishkan and Rabbi Michael Schwab of North Suburban Synagogue Beth El. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
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Curious City - Why telling “the proper stories” is vital to understanding the Piasa

Roadside attractions aren’t always the kitschy photo op we imagine them to be. Some have a complicated history that you can’t see from the side of the road. Last episode, we took a road trip to Southern Illinois to look into a metal, firebreathing dragon. Today, we’re looking at a different landmark in nearby Alton: the Piasa. Unlike the Kaskaskia dragon, the Piasa has a centuries-old history that starts with the Indigenous people of what is now the Mississippi River. The Piasa — as most people know it — is a mythical creature painted on the bluffs of the Mississippi. The image depicts a winged figure with antlers, fangs and talons. It’s a recreation of the original image which was destroyed in the 1850s because of quarrying on the bluffs. Through the centuries, different stories have been told about the meaning and origins behind this creature, including one that is popular but fabricated. Dr. Mark Wagner, director of the Center for Archaeological Investigations at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, talks about the layered history of the mural. Logan Pappenfort, director of tribal relations for the Illinois State Museum, talks about why it’s important to uplift true cultural artifacts and says the real history behind them isn’t hard to uncover if you know where to look.
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Reset with Sasha-Ann Simons - America’s First Environmental Justice Officer Reflects On Biden Administration, And What’s Next

The Biden-Harris Administration is credited with some of the most sweeping climate legislation in history, but environmental justice was also at the forefront. The administration set a goal of investing 40% of all benefits from sustainability and green energy in communities overburdened with pollution. Reset checks in with the outgoing White House Chief Environmental Justice Officer Jalonne White-Newsome for her reflections on her tenure, successes, what didn’t work, and what’s ahead. We also hear from Karen Weigert, director of Loyola University Chicago’s Baumhart Center for Social Enterprise and Responsibility. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
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Reset with Sasha-Ann Simons - How Iconic Femmes Inspired ‘Knockout,’ A Dance Duet At Steppenwolf

For Erin Kilmurray and Kara Brody, “Knockout” began as a passion project before the pandemic in 2020. Through their combined experiences growing up with pop culture icons like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Charlie’s Angels, they found themselves intrigued and inspired by the femme fatale archetype. Through exploring their own lives and friendship, they created the hourlong dance performance “Knockout.” Intimacy, aggression, tension, desire, and softness all come together to tell a story that though is not linear in nature, and expresses womanhood in an original way. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.