There’s been a lot of grocery news lately: Foxtrot and Dom’s closing. The Kroger-Albertsons merger. Not to mention all the communities in Chicago that don’t even have a grocery store. But big grocery chains aren’t the only option for Chicagoans to get fresh food. Matthew Ruffi is the board president of Chicago Market and senior program director for Link Up Illinois. He tells host Jacoby Cochran about some grocery alternatives and how to bring more options to your neighborhood.

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Are Grocery Chains Chicago’s Only Option?

Chicago’s daily news podcast, fresh every weekday at 6 a.m. Host Jacoby Cochran brings you timely conversations with news and culture makers; activists and artists; bus drivers and students; those who love and hate this place—all in 15 minutes a day. It’s a smart and delightful new way to connect with the city we share. Learn more and subscribe to our morning newsletter at citycast.fm/chicago.

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As Summertime Chi heats up, some neighborhoods will be hotter than others. And with those higher temps come bigger risks from extreme heat. Last year we talked with Tribune reporter Sarah Macareg, who investigated and mapped these disparities. She told us what she found and explained what the city could do to protect all Chi neighborhoods. 

Good News: Crosstown Classic at Wrigley 

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Why Extreme Heat is Worse in Some Neighborhoods

Chicago Public Schools’ new funding formula moves away from enrollment-based funding to a needs-based approach that they say prioritizes the most vulnerable schools and students. But Chicago Sun-Times education reporter Nader Issa tells host Jacoby Cochran how individual school budgets are a mixed bag, with hundreds of schools expected to see staff and after-school program cuts next school year. We’re also joined by Injustice Watch’s Kelly Garcia to discuss Cook County’s plan to reduce the size of the juvenile detention center, the governor’s push to rebuild two state prisons, and more things we are looking forward to in June.

Good News: Karaoke Storytellers This Sunday

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School Budget Cuts, Rebuilding Prisons, and Cicada Malört

If you're new here, welcome! We’ve put together a starter pack for you, with episodes and articles to welcome you to the City Cast Chicago community. 

Can you believe we’re almost halfway through the year? Since time seems to fly even faster in the summer, we’re here with tips to make the most of June in Chicago. We’re making our summer bucket lists, planning our festival season, and staying safe while swimming and boating.

For even more tips on how to make the most of May in Chicago, check out Hey Chicago’s take on what to do this month. 
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Your Guide to June in Chicago

Sick of expensive grocery store eggs and dreaming of ways to avoid them? Living in a big city, you might think there are a lot of rules about keeping chickens and other farm animals in your yard. But Chicago actually has some of the most permissive urban livestock laws on the books. Viviana Okakpu from Advocates for Urban Agriculture tells host Jacoby Cochran about what Chicagoans should know about having livestock in their backyard. 

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How Many Chickens Can You Keep in Chicago?

We at City Cast Chicago have spent a lot of time covering public housing, from the legacy of demolition, to private development on public housing land, to the Chicago Housing Authority’s decades-long waitlists. Now the head of CHA is under fire following investigations from Block Club Chicago into the agency’s scattered-site program. Host Jacoby Cochran talks with reporters Rachel Hinton and Mick Dumke about two properties that exemplify ongoing problems at the CHA.

Good news: Peace Fest Englewood

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Are Grocery Chains Chicago’s Only Option?

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