We answer your most pressing questions about Chicago’s controversial winter tradition.
Curious City - How Do You Solve A Problem Like Lead Pipes? Lessons From Cities Getting It Done
Rust Belt cities tackling their lead problems offer advice for Chicago on funding, public education and getting political buy-in.
Curious City - Christmas Tree Lots: Who Are The Folks Who Keep The Season Bright?
"It’s fast, it’s furious and it’s over in about three and a half weeks."
Curious City - City On Fire: Chicago Race Riot 1919
Chicago’s "Red Summer" of 1919 comes alive in this radio drama from WBEZ's Natalie Moore. It’s history with a twist.
Curious City - Chicago Police Hope To Build Trust With Experiment In Community Policing
With trust in police at a historic low, the Chicago Police Department’s latest community policing initiative puts relationship building at its center.
Curious City - Little Fingers And Screechy Sounds: Why Do So Many Kids Learn To Play The Recorder?
The recorder often inflicts squeaky torture on parents. Music teacher Valerie DePriest explains why it became a staple in music education.
Curious City - Ida B. Wells’ Lasting Impact On Chicago Politics And Power
She’s best known for her anti-lynching work in the South, but Wells spent nearly four decades advancing black equality in Chicago.
Curious City - The Case Of The Chicago Mothman
Following several recent reports of a strange winged creature around the Chicago area, we try to find out what the heck is going on.
Curious City - DIY Bike Detective: Tips For Tracking Down Your Stolen Bicycle In Chicago
Once you recover from the initial shock, experts recommend piecing together evidence, spreading the word, and hitting the street stat.
Curious City - Floods, Carp, And Crap: The Environmental Impacts Of The Chicago River Reversal
The effects of the groundbreaking engineering feat are still being felt today — as far as the Gulf of Mexico.