Category: 4-FrequentNewsStreams

Some Illinois residents checking the mail have been in for a big surprise: A letter confirming that their medical debt has been erased. Reset learns more about the program and looks at other recent efforts to erase medical debt in our area with Elizabeth Whitehorn, director of the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services and Rev. Otis Moss III, senior pastor at Trinity United Church of Christ. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

A year and a half ago, Oak Park’s architecturally significant Village Hall was headed for demolition. But the building, a modernist structure designed in the mid-1970s by architect Harry Weese, survived that threat. And late last week the village board selected a River North architecture firm to work out a plan for revitalizing the building for long-term use. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Chicago footwork is essential to the city’s history of electronic dance music and culture. It was pioneered in the 1990s by dancers, DJs and producers like DJ Rashad, DJ Spinn, DJ Clent, RP Boo and more on Chicago’s South and West sides. And it’s characterized by fast choppy vocal samples, interesting basslines and hi-hats and snares. Reset sits down with Litebulb, Steelo and P-Top of The Era Footwork Crew to learn more about the evolution of Chicago footwork and its continuing legacy. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

There’s a plot twist in the years-long Jussie Smollett case and we got a look at the “magic list” of former Illinois House speaker Mike Madigan. Reset breaks down those stories and more with CW-26 reporter and anchor Brandon Pope, WTTW Chicago politics reporter Heather Cherone, WBEZ criminal justice editor Patrick Smith and Chicago Sun-Times federal courts reporter Jon Seidel. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

As President-elect Donald Trump prepares for his second term, same-sex couples are preparing for potential setbacks in LGBTQ rights and legal protections. Reset learns more from parent Tia Lantzy and attorney Nidhi Desai. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

While the Thanksgiving meal can be delicious, making it — and getting it on the table — can be stressful, especially for the pies. Reset gets tips for crusts, fillings, time management and more with Martin Sorge, winner of Season 6 of the Great American Baking Show. And we’ve got a special guest for this episode: Reset senior producer Meha Ahmad!

President-elect Trump has chosen North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum to lead the Department of the Interior, former NY Congressman Lee Zeldin to head the EPA and Chris Wright, the owner of fracking company Liberty Energy to lead the Department of Energy. Reset discusses what impact this could have nationally, and what is, and will continue to happen at the state level to safeguard the environment. With director of Loyola University Chicago’s Baumhart Center for Social Enterprise and Responsibility Karen Weigert. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Chicago comedians Josh Linden and Paula Skaggs have published a new book that aims to make life more bearable — even if only by a tiny bit. Tiny Pep Talks: Bite Size Encouragement for Life’s Annoying, Stressful, and Flat-Out Lousy Moments is out now. Reset sits down with the two comedian-authors Josh LIden and Paula Skaggs to hear more. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

President-elect Donald Trump has proposed 10% to 20% tariffs on all imported goods and even higher tariffs on goods coming in from China and Mexico. Reset explores what that could mean for the Chicago area with Cécile Shea of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, Mike Galiga of Barcode Supplies and Hara Kumaran of Metric Coffee. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Poochie is a foul-mouthed employee of The Wiener’s Circle, the North Side hot dog stand where rude customer service — and rude customers — are part of the schtick. Kevin Pang is a documentarian and best-selling author who uses words and phrases like “mouth feel,” “artisanal,” and “meltingly tender.” The unlikely pair take their friendship and tastebuds around the region on “Poochie & Pang (eat Chicago).” Reset sits down with the duo. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.