In the Loop

When the Cubs open their 2016 playoff run on Friday, you might notice a few things different from last year. Or even last week. From the roster to the security lines, WBEZ sports contributor Cheryl Raye-Stout gives us the lowdown on all the changes afoot at Wrigley Field as the Cubs hunt for their first World Series in 108 years.

Tuesday’s night’s Vice presidential debate could be Mike Pence’s biggest political moment to date, so what can we expect from the Indiana governor when he steps up to the dais?  Morning Shift talks to WBEZ Northwest Indiana reporter Michael Puente about Pence’s political past and future and what strategies and issues he’s likely to use as he attempts to bolster Donald Trump’s argument that he should be the next President of the United States.

Senator Tim Kaine and Governor Mike Pence take the stage Tuesday night to sell their candidates, and themselves, during the only Vice Presidential debate. WBEZ and Chicago History Museum will host a watch party for the debate, including a conversation with Joel Goldstein, author of The White House Vice Presidency: The Path to Significance, Mondale to Biden. For last week’s first presidential debate watch event, our panel tackled debate strategy, debate prep, and the role of the moderator. We hear excerpts from that conversation to gear up for the VP debate. Kitty Kurth is a long-time Democratic strategist, Chip Englander has been doing that work for Republicans and Jason DeSanto teaches at Northwestern University’s Pritzker School of Law. Journalist Laura Washington served as moderator. This is an excerpt of that event.

Bedbugs were discovered last week on a Red Line train, which shouldn’t be too much of a surprise since Chicago topped Orkin’s list of Top 50 bedbug cities for the fourth consecutive year. But it still had a lot of commuters worried. If bedbugs can hop a ride on the Red Line, how much do we need to worry about our homes? Morning Shift spoke with Orkin entomologist John Kane about how to prevent, identify and treat a bedbug infestation.

There are 48 statues of historically significant men in Chicago’s public parks, but zero of women. A similar dynamic is also at play on the University of Chicago campus, but that’s about to change. Early next year, the school will install a bronze bust of Georgiana Simpson — the first African American woman to receive a Ph.D. — in Reynolds Club, a building that now functions as a student union but was once home to the university’s men’s-only club. Morning Shift talked to Asya Akca and Shae Omonijo, the two U of C political science students who proposed the statue and are now working with the university and a sculptor to get it ready for its debut in 2017.

There are a number of ways to vote in the November elections. You can do it early. You can do it by mail. You can get help if you need assistance getting to the polls. But each way of voting has its own rules, regulations, and deadlines.  WBEZ State Politics Reporter Tony Arnold navigates you through the voting world in and around Chicago. Plus, we touch on some of the local issues at play in this election cycle, like term limits.

A leading voice in the Black Lives Matter movement, DeRay McKesson will now be teaching a seven-week Black Lives Matter seminar at the University of Chicago, where he is a fellow at the university’s Institute of Politics.  DeRay McKesson joins us to talk about digital organizing and what he thinks can be the solutions to police violence against African Americans. 

The last time we spoke to Wendy Mateo and Lorena Diaz on Morning Shift, they were kicking off their acting careers after gaining popularity with their Youtube skits.  Now, the Chicago comedy duo known as Dominizuelan have a new play showing at the Steppenwolf Theater called Tumbao.  Morning Shift talks with Lorena and Wendy about how the play tackles gentrification, cultural identity and everyday conversations in Latino families…all while making you laugh.

In surprise move, the Chicago Tribune endorsed Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson Friday morning, calling him a “principled” option. Listen to Morning Shift's conversation with John McCormick, Chicago Tribune Editorial Page Editor about the newspaper’s announcement.

That chill is in the air which can only mean one thing: fall is back in Chicago. For some, cold weather may mean the end of planting season. But there are ways to keep your green thumb strong through the dropping temperatures. And what about protecting all that hard work in your summer garden?  Morning Shift talks with Chicago Botanic Garden’s Eliza Fournier about the tips and tricks to planting in the fall.