Author: WBEZ Chicago

We’re not even officially in summer and it’s hot, hot, hot here in Chicagoland. So much so that Monday’s record-breaking temperature was the hottest it’s been in this area on that date (June 17) since 1887. Reset hears what’s ahead for the week, and the season. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

A new Injustice Watch investigation reveals that 18 detainees died at Cook County Jail, the highest number of people in almost a decade. A spokesperson for Sheriff Tom Dart points to an influx of fentanyl-laced paper smuggled into the jail as the “primary driver” for the spike. Advocates say there’s more need for oversight. Reset sits down with Injustice Watch reporter Carlos Ballesteros who followed this for over a year. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

While there are tens of thousands of migrants in Chicago, there are millions in Colombia. And the South American country takes an integration approach, providing healthcare and job opportunities to migrants. Reset discusses what Chicago and the U.S. can learn from these Colombian policies. This story is part of The Democracy Solutions Project, a collaboration between WBEZ, the Chicago Sun-Times and the University of Chicago’s Center for Effective Government, with funding support from the Pulitzer Center. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Summer is tied to childhood memories. Italian ice. Running through the backyard sprinkler. Hanging out at the beach. Sports are tied to that, too. Kicking a ball down the street. Catching a baseball game. Cannonballs off the diving board. To ring in the summery temperatures, we’re collecting stories about favorite sports memories. Whether it’s an embarrassing story or a moment of glory. Here’s a taste of what we’ve heard from listeners.

Toronto singer and songwriter Abigail Lapell is out with a new album, Anniversary, which features 11 intimate songs that explore youth, grief and eternal love. The multi-instrumentalist joined fellow Canadian group Great Lake Swimmers at the historic St. Mark’s Church in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario to record this latest project. Inspired by many milestones in her life – from turning 40 to the 15th anniversary of her father’s passing – Lapell showcases her vocals, guitar, piano and more on this new project. Reset checked in with the singer ahead of her Chicago show. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

The news can be a lot to handle. On our Weekly News Recap, we give you the top stories from the week, and dive into their nuances. This week, Chicago’s City Council approved one of the largest ever police misconduct settlements, but deferred on an earlier teen curfew and ethics ordinance. Senate Republicans blocked Sen. Tammy Duckworth’s bill to protect in vitro fertilization. And Riot Fest departs the city for the suburbs. Reset dives into these and other major local news with Heather Cherone, WTTW Chicago politics reporter, Salem Collo Julin, Editor-in-Chief of the Chicago Reader and Greg Hinz, political columnist, Crain’s Chicago Business. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Lawmakers in Springfield want more federal oversight and regulations on a controversial technology that is at the center of meeting the Biden administration’s national climate goals. Reset finds out more about the “gold rush” carbon capture industry, and also gets an update on “Cicada Watch 2024.” For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Whether you’re poking around at farmer’s markets or tending a veggie garden, learning what’s ready to be harvested is a way to get in rhythm with the seasons in the Midwest. Plus, it often means eating produce at peak ripeness. Reset talks about what to cook and how to tend to a veggie garden with Eliza Fournier, urban farm center director, College of Lake County For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

We celebrate pride every June, but year-round, Chicagoans are carving out spaces to protect and center Black queer joy. And there’s a long history of Black queer Chicagoans creating these spaces across the city. The tradition of Black queer nightlife in this city is marked with a great deal of creativity, resilience and plenty of lessons to be learned across generations of organizers. To learn more about this history, Reset spoke to the Chicago Reader’s DMB, Executive Sweet Party’s Pat McCombs and Party Noire’s dr.nick alder. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.