Twenty-two of the WNBA’s best players will take over the Bulls’ court this weekend for a full slate of All-Star events leading up to the 2026 game on Saturday.  

A number of superstar players — like A’ja Wilson, Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese who was traded from the Sky to the Atlanta Dream earlier this year — will play in the league's 24th All-Star game. No current Sky players were selected for the game.

The main event will take place at the United Center. The 3-point and Shooting Stars contests will be held Friday at Wintrust Arena and several feature events and practices at the new Obama Presidential Center campus.

In the Loop checks in with WBEZ sport contributor Cheryl Raye-Stout and WBEZ reporter Somer Van Benton to discuss the weekend’s events. 

GUESTS: Cheryl Raye-Stout, WBEZ sports contributor

Somer Van Benton, WBEZ audio news desk reporter

Chicago can feel up to 8 degrees hotter than suburbs and rural areas because there are more buildings and asphalt, and fewer plants to aid the natural process of keeping an area cool. 

Areas  of the city with the least amount of greenspace and high levels of industry can be even hotter than the city average temperature. 

So, how do we identify where those hotter areas are and help residents adapt to the extreme heat? 

In the Loop explores the urban heat island effect and how city residents and officials are helping Chicagoans adapt to high temperatures.  

GUESTS: Max Berkelhammer, professor, earth and environmental sciences UIC 

Lindy Wordlaw, Assistant Commissioner, Department of Environment

Nedra Sims-Fears, executive director, Greater Chatham Initiative

Voice is an important part of how we express ourselves. It is especially important for trans people who want their voice to be more aligned with their gender identity. But many are unaware of what resources exist. 

In the Loop talks to voice teachers who are providing tools to help trans and gender-expansive people develop a voice they love and feel confident in. 

GUESTS: Altamira Fulton, voice coach and cofounder of Vocal Team

Liz Jackson, founder of the Voice Lab

Chicago, a city famously built on a swamp, is not stranger to floods. However, as storms become more severe and more frequent, residents will likely have to deal with flooded basements, streets and other damage more often.  

With climate change driving worsening weather, Chicagoans are rolling up their sleeves to prepare. In the Loop hears from local organizations working to make communities more flood-resilient.

GUESTS: Zach Wirtz, the director of the Chicago Region Trees Initiative, Morton Arboretum 

Nina Idemudia, CEO, Center for Neighborhood Technology

Bre’Shaun Reddick, Local Partnership Manager, Alliance for the Great Lakes 

In the Loop and WBEZ listeners talk to Mayor Johnson about housing, crime, and education issues in Chicago. 

GUEST: Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson