We honor the late country music icon, Dolly Parton. The family of the acclaimed singer announced her death at 80 years old yesterday. In an interview with People on Friday, August 21, Parton said, “I’m still healin’, I’m still workin’! You know me — as I’ve often said — I’ve dreamed myself into a corner and I still have so many things I want to achieve, so I’m gonna keep on working as long as I can to see everything come to life.”

In the Loop’s discusses the legacy and impact of Dolly Parton. Plus, Indiana residents may be getting federal assistance for weather damage and a first look at the 62nd Chicago International Film Festival.  

GUESTS: Somer Van Benton, WBEZ reporter 

Clare Lane, WBEZ Morning Edition anchor 

Erica Thompson, Chicago Sun-Times arts and entertainment reporter 

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

Tensions over race and gender have manifested in former NBA players disrupting games and Republican lawmakers sending a letter to the WNBA’s commissioner demanding "accountability." 

In the Loop discusses the politicization of the WNBA and why it’s become a flashpoint for culture wars. 

GUESTS: Cheryl Raye-Stout, WBEZ sports contributor

Quita Wiggins, host Quita in the Mornings on YouTube

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

Robert Washington-Vaughns started the Black Men Flower Project in 2021 after delivering flowers to his friends as a token of his appreciation for them. 

Since then the award winning non-profit has sent more than 2,500 bouquets to Black men across the country in an effort to promote healing and connection. 

In the Loop sits down with one of the people behind the love to talk about challenging stereotypes of Black masculinity through beauty and self care. 

GUESTS:  John Caleb Pendleton, vice-chair and lead Chicago florist, The Black Men Flower Project; founder of Planks and Pistils

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

In 2014, President Barack Obama stepped up to the podium in the White House Briefing Room to update the country on the economy, foreign policy and more. But all anyone could seem to talk about was the president’s fashion choice for the day. The president, known for usually wearing a navy or gray suit, made a rare fashion divergence – one that was described as everything from hands “cool” to “unpresidential.” 

But where is that suit now? 

We hear about a veteran Sun-Times reporter’s cross-country mission to locate the infamous suit.

GUESTS: Lynn Sweet, Chicago Sun-Times special correspondent

Terrell Frazier, lead interviewer for the Obama Presidential Oral History

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

Mayhem breaks out in the Wrigley stands during the Crosstown Classic. Hundreds of union members rallied outside the Shedd Aquarium. Commutes are about to get pricer after the Illinois Tollway Board approved its first toll hike in nearly 15 years, and Gov. Pritzker signed a disaster proclamation to help areas hit by this summer’s record-breaking storms.

In the Loop breaks down those stories and more.

GUESTS: Becky Vevea, Chalkbeat Chicago bureau chief

Shia Kapos, Politico reporter and author of Politico’s Illinois Playbook newsletter

Cheryl Raye-Stout, WBEZ sports contributor

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

Getting a citizenship, asylum or a permanent residency case in front of a judge is a notoriously slow process. Now, the Trump administration is speeding it up with so-called “mega master” calendar hearings where dozens of people are asked to appear in immigration court on short notice. 

This means people have to scramble to find a lawyer, arrange childcare, and get the day off work, leaving many unable to attend their court hearing. But, if people fail to show up to court, it could mean an automatic deportation order.

The administration says it's a way to reduce the number of cases backlogged but some advocates call it a tactic to further the administration’s goal of mass deportations.

In the Loop sits down with an immigration reporter to get the latest and hears from an Illinois lawmaker calling for the end of the “mega master” court hearings.

GUESTS: Adriana Cardona-Maguigad, WBEZ Immigration reporter

U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-8)

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

In The Loop is interviewing candidates for Chicago’s next mayor, and inviting listeners to join the conversation and ask their own questions. 

Today at the mic: U.S Representative Mike Quigley of Illinois’ 5th District.

Plus: WBEZ City Hall reporter Mariah Woelfel shares the ins and outs of the Chicago mayoral race so far.

GUESTS: U.S  Representative Mike Quigley of Illinois’ 5th District.

Mariah Woelfel, WBEZ City Hall reporter

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

In Illinois, there are two categories of experts that can diagnose autism: psychologists and developmental physicians. But because openings with these experts are few and far between, families can be put on a waitlist that could last anywhere from months to years.

That is, until now. Gov. JB Pritzker signed the Illinois Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Practice Act early July and it allows speech-language pathologists trained in autism diagnosis evaluation to diagnose the condition in children under age three enrolled in the state’s Early Intervention program.

In the Loop sits down with the lead researcher of the study and hears from two mothers of children with autism about navigating the process of getting a diagnosis. A 

GUESTS: Megan Roberts, professor, Roxelyn and Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Northwestern University

Kiana Spears, parent of a child who was diagnosed as part of the Reduce the Wait study

Debra Vines, CEO and founder, The Answer Inc.

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

Improv, short for improvisational theater, is often known for its comedic elements. But there’s another kind of improv where eliciting laughter from the audience isn’t the main goal. Dramatic improv explores the full spectrum of emotions, from the funny to the sad, to the furious! 

In the Loop learns more about dramatic improv, and what it can teach us about being human. 

GUESTS: Tony Rielage, artistic director and head instructor, Theatre Momentum
Stephanie Kilper, therapist and ensemble member of Theatre Momentum

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

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson moves to further regulate data centers, Governor J. B. Pritzker signs a law allowing rideshare drivers to unionize, while the shocking discovery of dozens of decomposing bodies at a South Side funeral home raises calls for more government oversight. 

We dig into those stories and more in our Weekly News Recap.

GUESTS: Nick Blumberg, WTTW News correspondent

Maxwell Evans, Block Club Chicago reporter  

Dan Mihalopoulos, WBEZ investigative reporter  

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