Primary election day is Tuesday. Of the many races we’re watching, we’re diving a little deeper into the open race for the 7th Congressional District. Jessica Mordacq with Austin Weekly News and Forest Park Review has been profiling the candidates. She joins host Jacoby Cochran and freelance reporter Brandon Pope to talk about what she’s learned, plus the new CTA safety plan, what’s happening for St. Paddy’s Day weekend, and Oscars buzz.

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Acting head of Chicago Animal Care and Control, Susan Cappello, has been leading the department for three years and is Mayor Brandon Johnson’s pick for the permanent role. But her appointment has been met with vehement opposition from shelter volunteers and others in the animal care community. Ahead of an expected confirmation vote next week, host Jacoby Cochran and executive producer Simone Alicea break down the controversy. Plus, why so many Chicago breweries are closing and digging into Chicago’s lack of public bathrooms.

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Why is Chance the Rapper and his former manager facing off in court? How are the city’s independent music venues performing financially? What Chicago music are you listening to currently? We’ve got freelance music journalist Britt Julious and co-founder of Real Ones Ben Moskow with us to break down these questions.

Good News: Andersonville Restaurant Week

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Once again, Illinois lawmakers are weighing whether to allow school districts to pay board members. Remember, Chicagoans will elect the entire CPS school board in November for the first time. Host Jacoby Cochran and executive producer Simone Alicea weigh in on the debate. Plus, the entire City Cast Chicago team joins to discuss the Portillo’s national expansion and Simone’s first-ever visit to the beloved franchise.

Good News: Early Voting at Chicago Universities

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Which companies, super PACs, and industries are pumping the most money into our local elections? What sites made Preservation Chicago’s “Most Endangered Buildings” list? Host Jacoby Cochran is joined by executive producer Simone Alicea and contributor Leigh Giangreco to discuss, including what some of their favorite springtime parks across the city.

Good News: Poet Laureate Celebration and Rooted and Radical Youth Poetry Finals

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Homelessness is one of the major issues that cities like Chicago are trying to solve. The state of Utah is planning to build a 16-acre homeless campus on the outskirts of Salt Lake City, where unhoused people with mental illnesses or addiction issues could be sheltered and in some cases involuntarily committed. This controversial idea is the brainchild of conservative think tanks, and it’s one that’s very much being embraced by the Trump administration and the Utah legislature. City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast Salt Lake podcast host Ali Vallarta about how this plan is meant to work, the concerns about forced institutionalization, and why the state is pushing for this even though it goes against the recommendations of local experts and service providers.

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How close is the school board to selecting a permanent CPS CEO? Will the Aspira Charter network remain open through the school year? How are students reacting to ongoing DEI rollbacks across the University of Illinois system? Host Jacoby Cochran is joined by Chalkbeat Chicago’s Reema Amin and Chicago Reader’s Devyn-Marshall Brown to answer these questions and more. Plus, have you checked out the Chicago Reader’s Best of 2025 winners?

Check out the best sober-focused music series and the best new club for queer and trans people getting started with strength training.

Good news: DMB & The Etymology, Chicago Printmakers Collaborative, Miyagi Records Yard Sale

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Earlier this week, the Chicago Fire officially broke ground on the city’s first new stadium development in over 30 years. Host Jacoby Cochran and executive producer Simone Alicea discuss how neighbors are responding and the timeline for the 78 megadevelopment. Plus, they’re looking at proposed People’s Gas rate hikes and some of Chicago’s most iconic neon signs (and why there are fewer of them these days).

Good news: LGBTQ Lunar New Year Dinner,  Haymarket Sausage Fest, and Chicago Palestine Film Festival

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A Northwest Side charter network, an iconic South Side cleaners, and a North Side art museum all announced closures in recent weeks. Executive producer Simone Alicea and host Jacoby Cochran dive into the details. Plus, attack ads are picking up in primary races, and Amazon delivery drones are coming to Chicago’s south suburbs.

Good News: Women in Dance Festival, Farmdega at Monday coffee, 312 All Star Basketball Tournament, Winter Walk & Bonfire

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There has been a lot of headlines in recent months about crime on the CTA following high profile incidents in late 2025, ongoing tension with the feds over the presence of cops on public transit, and an overall feeling that even after improvements in hirings and wait times, CTA still has a lot to do concerning rider experience and safety. Executive producer Simone Alicea and host Jacoby Cochran are discussing recent public transit crime statistics. Plus, the city council is proposing a new tourism improvement district, and listeners have thoughts on Waymo in Chicago.

Good News: Annual Chicago Birthday Party

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