Author: WBEZ Chicago

The Federal Trade Commission – along with eight states, including Illinois, and the District of Columbia – are suing to block the biggest supermarket merger in history. The parent companies of Mariano’s and Jewel-Osco are looking to join forces but the FTC argues that the merger could eliminate competition and even mean higher prices for millions of customers. Additionally, there are concerns that the merger would affect worker’s ability to seek higher wages and better benefits. Reset hears from NPR business correspondent Alina Selyukh and Eater Chicago editor Ashok Selvam about how this lawsuit might affect the grocery shopping experience for Illinois shoppers. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Eating disorders impact nearly one in 10 people in the U.S., and these behavioral conditions can have serious health consequences. Reset sits down with Jennifer Wildes, UChicago Med associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral neuroscience, and Kate Merkle, registered dietitian and psychotherapist and founder of Nourishment Works, to learn more about recognizing signs and symptoms of eating disorders. Plus, we check in with Debbie Heywood, a Nourishment Works patient, to learn about her recovery experience. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Temperatures in the 70s in February? Late winter feels like late spring in Chicago this week. Reset talks with Max Grover, atmospheric data scientist at the Argonne National Laboratory, to learn more about this mild winter weather and climate change. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

In 2019, Evanston became the first U.S. city to create a reparations program to address historical inequalities between Black and white residents. Today on the podcast, we talk about a project where students are recording the stories of some of those recipients. Reset hears from Laurice Bell, executive director of Shorefront Legacy Center, Elizabeth Cox, Evanston resident and recipient of reparations, and Maasai Gentle, a senior at Evanston Township High School. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

A Cook County judge ruled Friday that Mayor Brandon Johnson’s plan to alter the real estate transfer tax to raise up to $100 million a year to fight homelessness is invalid. Reset checks in with WBEZ city government and politics reporter Tessa Weinberg. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

The Bayless Family Foundation is giving grants to Definition Theatre, TimeLine Theatre Company, the Chicago Children’s Theatre and the Remy Bumppo Theatre Company. The funding will go toward theater programming and operations. Reset sits down with TimeLine Theatre artistic director PJ Powers and Chicago Children’s Theatre co-founder and artistic director Jacqueline Russell. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Chicago’s punk scene is fresher — and younger — than ever. Case in point: The teen band Uniflora just played Metro’s iconic stage. The high school sophomores discuss their new single “Hellgirl,” the new age of Chicago DIY music and how their parents shaped their musical sensibilities. Reset checks in with drummer Ruby O’Brien, bassist Theo Williams and guitarist and vocalist Quinn Dugan. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker delivers his budget address. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson unveils a major economic development plan. Chicago closes four migrant shelters. Early voting resumes after a temporary pause. Reset goes behind the headlines of those stories and much more with WBEZ state politics reporter Dave McKinney, Crain’s Chicago Business government and politics reporter Justin Laurence and Brandis Friedman, co-anchor of WTTW’s “Chicago Tonight” and host of “Chicago Tonight: Black Voices.” For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

The sketch comedy and improv show “Black By Popular Demand” examines the Black experience in America, and no topic is off limits. The seriously funny performance is playing at The Second City in Chicago Fridays and Saturdays through March 25. Reset checks in with the show’s director Rob Wilson. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset. To sign up for our daily newsletter, go to wbez.org/resetnews.

In his annual budget address Wednesday, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker announced sweeping medical reforms to root out predatory healthcare practices, erase $4 billion in medical debt and invest in Black maternal health by opening birth centers. Reset gets the scoop from WBEZ public health and politics reporter Kristen Schorsch. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset. To sign up for our daily newsletter, go to wbez.org/resetnews.