Freelance food writer Lisa Shames joins Bob Sirott to share another growing trend in the city that focuses on cafés in retail stores and what their purpose is. Some of the places where you can grab coffee and a snack include Postcard, Kith Treats, and Soloway Coffee.

John Dreznes, Beverly Records third generation, joins Bob Sirott to talk about the history of Beverly Records, how they plan on celebrating Record Store Day, and the rising popularity of vinyl among younger generations. Choose Chicago’s director of corporate communications Isaac Reichman also joins Bob to share details about what’s happening in and around the city this weekend, like CIVL Fest, Brendan Hunt at the Steppenwolf Theatre, and the opening of The Hand & The Eye.

Marianne Murciano, Bob Sirott’s wife and founder of Savvy-Planet, joins Bob to discuss the topic of Artificial Intelligence and whether it’s really helping or hurting us. She explains how it could make us more passive with its responses and how to use it the right way.

Marianne joins Bob for a weekly segment Fridays following the 8:30 am newscast. For more savvy tips, go to Savvy-Planet.Com. Share your own savvy tip: [email protected]. Follow Marianne on Twitter (@marimur), Instagram (@havanagirl), and on Facebook (SirottAndMurciano).

Shamus Toomey, Editor in Chief and co-founder of Block Club Chicago, joins Bob Sirott to share the latest Chicago neighborhood stories. Shamus has details on:

The Video Strip Outlived Blockbuster And Is Still Renting Out 25,000 Movies On The South Side: As the film and streaming industries have shifted, so has Joe Trutin’s McKinley Park store. It stocks 25,000 titles alongside popcorn and pop culture collectibles and serves as a UPS dropoff site.

Restoration Of Sears Sunken Garden To Begin Friday After Years Of Planning: The garden, once part of Sears, Roebuck and Co.’s sprawling West Side campus, will be closed for the duration of the work. The first step will be repairing the historical pergola.

Swan Boat Rentals Are Returning To The Humboldt Park Lagoon: The pedal boat rentals were not offered last summer after the concessionaires decided not to open due to slow business, but the boats will return for the season this month.

Sponsored by Great Lakes Credit Union – Committed to financially empowering local communities. For more info go to GLCU.org.

On April 17th, 2026, Steve Grzanich shares today’s potential market drivers:

Jim DeRogatis, co-host of Sound Opinions, joins Bob Sirott to talk about what a New York jury ruled on the Ticketmaster-Live Nation civil case and whether or not that will impact future ticket prices. He also explains the history of the merger of the two companies and how much money each person could receive if a deal is reached.

President and CEO of the Better Business Bureau Steve Bernas joins Bob Sirott to talk about a wide variety of scams that are popping up, including calls about tax returns, fake texts claiming to be from the Secretary of State’s office, and social media investment groups. He also explains what ghost tipping scams are and how he will be celebrating the BBB’s 100th anniversary.

Quinn Myers, reporter for Block Club Chicago, joins Bob Sirott to share the latest Chicago neighborhood stories. Quinn has details on:

Da Local Boy, The Loop’s Hawaiian Food Hotspot, Named One Of NYT’s Best Restaurants: Nate Domingo and his wife Dianne didn’t intend to open a restaurant, but now they have two — one in suburban Highwood, one Downtown — and both are drawing raves.

‘Indiana Jones Of Paleontology’ To Open Science Center For Teens In Washington Park: University of Chicago professor Paul Sereno hopes his space, Scitopia Chicago, inspires the next generation of scientists.

To learn more about the Lathrop homes redevelopment, click on the headline: Major Funding Package For Long-Delayed Lathrop Homes Redevelopment Clears Council

Sponsored by Great Lakes Credit Union – Committed to financially empowering local communities. For more info go to GLCU.org.

Cindy Pearlman Gaber, senior writer for the New York Times and entertainment columnist for the Las Vegas Review-Journal, joins Bob Sirott to talk about a preview of Tom Cruise’s new movie, Ben Stiller’s bowling documentary, and a Martha Stewart biopic. She also shares details about an Earth, Wind & Fire documentary and “The End of Oak Street” starring Anne Hathaway.

Vice President of Lending for Team Hochberg at Atlantic Coast Mortgage and host of WGN’s “Home Sweet Home Chicago” David Hochberg joins Bob Sirott to talk about why home sellers in the Midwest aren’t following the trend of cutting prices and who is most likely to miss “buy now, pay later” loan payments. He hosts “Home Sweet Home Chicago” on Saturdays from 10am to 1pm on WGN Radio. You can call him at 855-56-David, or check out the Team Hochberg website.