Reset with Sasha-Ann Simons - WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: March 10, 2023

Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson face off in Chicago’s first mayoral runoff debate, and the endorsements in the race are rolling in. Field Museum staff vote to unionize, and faculty at Chicago State University are voting on whether to strike. Reset breaks down those top local stories and more in our Weekly News Recap with New York Times Chicago bureau chief Julie Bosman, Chicago Sun-Times education reporter Nader Issa and Hyde Park Herald reporter Aaron Gettinger.

Reset with Sasha-Ann Simons - Illinois Mental Health Program For Kids Plagued By Problems

Screening, Assessment and Support Services, or SASS, is an Illinois program that focuses on connecting kids from low-income homes with mental health services. But some children are falling through the cracks. Reset digs into a WBEZ investigation of the issues and shortfalls with reporters Kristen Schorsch and Sarah Karp.

Reset with Sasha-Ann Simons - Bill McKibben Says Baby Boomers Need To Join Gen Z In The Climate Fight

Around the world, young people are on the frontlines of the fight to protect our planet from climate change. And for good reason — they’ll bear the brunt of destruction. Reset talks to author and environmentalist Bill McKibben about why “experienced Americans” over 60 also play a vital role in taking on climate action.

Reset with Sasha-Ann Simons - Illinois Set To Lose Some Of Its Last Remaining Prairieland

The FAA has approved the Rockford International Airport’s plan to build a road through a section of native dry gravel prairie, home to an endangered species called the rusty patched bumblebee. Reset hears from environmental activist Robbie Telfer of the group Save Bell Bowl Prairie about how we got here and how this will impact some of the last prairieland in Illinois.

Reset with Sasha-Ann Simons - It’s About Damn Time…To Celebrate Women Film Directors

You can see award-winning movies from international film festivals at the Gene Siskel Film Center through the end of March. Eleven of them are directed by women. To mark International Women’s Day, Reset talks to Rebecca Fons, director of programming at the Siskel about the festival and some of her favorite women-directed films from the series.

Reset with Sasha-Ann Simons - Mayor Lightfoot Wants More Chicagoans To Move Downtown. Will They Come?

In cities across the country, fewer people are going downtown than they did before COVID-19. Here in Chicago, developers have responded to the city’s request for proposals with six ideas for how to bring LaSalle Street back to life. Reset gets the details from Block Club Chicago reporter Melody Mercado.

Reset with Sasha-Ann Simons - Cook County Is The Worst Smog Polluter In The Country

New EPA data show that air pollution from Chicago and the rest of Cook County makes its way to neighboring states, and Wisconsin suffers the worst. Reset checks in with Chicago Tribune environmental reporter Michael Hawthorne for more on how Chicago and its suburbs are polluting places like Wisconsin, Michigan and even Connecticut.