In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons

City Council approves a new parking meter deal, another candidate drops out of the race for Chicago School Board president, and OpenAI alerts the City of Chicago that its technology targeted an online city database. 

In the Loop breaks down those stories and more in the Weekly News Recap.

GUESTS: David Greising, Better Government Association president

Sarah Karp, WBEZ education reporter

For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Today’s episode features conversations grounded in movement. First, we check in with a doctor whose new book explores the impacts of nontraditional medicines – like dance, food and community – on our cognitive health. 

Plus, we sit down with Evanston mother Megan Lassman about training to run and push her 21-year-old daughter in a stroller in the Chicago Marathon.

GUESTS: Dr. Geeta Maker-Clark, author of Medicine for All People: Science and Ancient Wisdom for Revolutionary Healing

Megan Lassman, Evanston mother

For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

The Obama Presidential Center uses its honeybee hives to educate visitors about ecosystems, sustainability and urban agriculture. The two hives were added to the grounds early this spring. The idea began in 2009, when First Lady Michelle Obama started the White House Kitchen Garden. The Obamas were the first to establish a beehive on the White House grounds. 

In the Loop goes onsite with OPC’s resident beekeepers as they inspect the colony and prepare the bees for the coming winter.

GUESTS: Thad J. Smith, Westside Bee Boyz, Resident Beekeeper at the Obama Presidential Center

Janelle Dunlap, Westside Bee Boyz, Resident Beekeeper at the Obama Presidential Center

For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

The Look Back to Go Forward exhibit at Harold Washington Library displays artifacts collected from 5,000 Chicago youth that were sealed in a time capsule in 2021. 

While five years might not seem like a long time, Living Record executive director Stacey Gillett says that opening time capsules on a short-term basis can increase the likelihood that students get to see and reflect on their entries, rather than the capsule being lost to time. 

In the Loop learns more about this project and collaboration with the Chicago Public Library. 

GUESTS: Stacey Gillett, Living Record co-founder and executive director 

Chris Brown, Chicago Public Library Commissioner

For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

There’s so much happening right in Chicago sports on all fronts. 

For the first time in history, both the White Sox and Cubs secured their seats in the playoffs on the same day. The Bulls are about to begin training camp. The Bears are hobbled but hopeful as they turn to a QB who is the backup to their backup. And that’s not all.  

In the Loop gets the inside scoop ahead of the week’s busy sports schedule. 

GUESTS: Cheryl Raye Stout, WBEZ sports contributor

For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Google gives the public a peek into its plans for the Thompson Center. O’Hare comes in dead last in a nationwide consumer survey on airport satisfaction. Plus, Republican gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey gets a presidential endorsement.

In the Loop breaks down those stories and more in the Weekly News Recap.

GUESTS: Brandon Pope, Fox 32 political reporter

Leigh Giangreco, freelance journalist

Mitchell Armentrout, Chicago Sun-Times government and politics reporter

For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop. 

Residents from Bridgeport, Armour Square and Chinatown are coming together to protest the development of a new Amtrak maintenance facility in their area.

The proposed White Sox stadium would essentially switch neighborhoods with the current Amtrak facility near Roosevelt Road. 

Residents are not the only Chicagoans calling for the development to slow down; City Council members are also pushing for hearings.

 In the Loop sits down with community members to hear their concerns.

GUESTS: Maria LaGiglio, Bridgeport resident

Jonathan Chen, Bridgeport resident

For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop. 

ComEd has plans for a new power substation in a pedestrian area of Lincoln Park, citing growing power demand on the North Side. But members of the newly-formed Diversey Community Coalition oppose the one-acre industrial mega-project. They argue the land should be used for housing, which would keep families near local schools and drive foot traffic to local businesses. 

In the Loop sits down with advocates and officials to understand what’s at stake and unravel questions about the legal frameworks that could see the project move forward without community involvement. 

GUESTS: State Rep. Ann Williams, IL.11th district

Kyle Donash, member, Diversey Community Coalition

For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

From The Oprah Winfrey Show to Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me!, many legendary talk shows that reach the national stage were created in Chicago.

So, to mark In the Loop’s one-year anniversary, we sat down with longtime hosts to chat about getting into the industry and what makes Chicago special. 

Then, we caught up with local jazz legend Kurt Elling, ahead of his show at the CSO’s Symphony Center stage with the Freedom Riders band. And local singer and songwriter V.V. Lightbody stopped by to perform a song off her new album “Period Piece,” which drops on Oct. 9. 

GUESTS: Kathy O’Malley, former host, The Kathy & Judy show on WGN radio

Jacoby Cochran, City Cast Chicago host

Richard Steele, former WBEZ host

Kurt Elling, Chicago jazz singer and songwriter

V.V. Lightbody, Chicago singer and songwriter

For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

What is the greatest threat to American democracy?

In his new book, UChicago professor Robert Pape warns it’s normalized political violence. He says violence isn’t most dangerous when wielded by extremists, but when it’s accepted by everyone else as a “regular” part of politics.

In the Loop learns more about the signs for passive acceptance of violent populism.

GUESTS: Robert Pape, professor of political science at the University of Chicago and author of Our Own Worst Enemies: America in the Age of Violent Populism

For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.