In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons

Staring down a litany of economic problems and a June 30 deadline to ensure schools will open in the fall, Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner continued to blame Democratic legislative leaders whe  for the lack of a state budget deal when he appeared on Morning Shift. The Senate's top Democrat John Cullerton (D-Chicago)  predicted the governor will be “toast” if he doesn’t do his part to end the stalemate.

Staring down a litany of economic problems and a June 30 deadline to ensure schools will open in the fall, Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner continued to blame Democratic legislative leaders whe  for the lack of a state budget deal when he appeared on Morning Shift. The Senate's top Democrat John Cullerton (D-Chicago)  predicted the governor will be “toast” if he doesn’t do his part to end the stalemate.

California could soon become the first state in the nation to recognize a non-binary gender for people who do not consider themselves male or female.  As laws and culture change, so does the very language we use to refer to people who don’t fit the hegemonic notion of man and woman. Morning Shift talks to intersex activist Pidgeon Pagonis about the etiquette surrounding pronouns.

California could soon become the first state in the nation to recognize a non-binary gender for people who do not consider themselves male or female.  As laws and culture change, so does the very language we use to refer to people who don’t fit the hegemonic notion of man and woman. Morning Shift talks to intersex activist Pidgeon Pagonis about the etiquette surrounding pronouns.

The blues is often described as the most American of all musical forms. Yet one of its key sounds-the harmonica-came from Germany. Just in time for the annual Chicago Blues Festival, German Consul General to the Midwest Herbert Quelle has published the new novel Monika’s Blues. The book follows Quelle’s passion for the players, the people and the culture that sprung up around the harmonica and the blues.

The blues is often described as the most American of all musical forms. Yet one of its key sounds-the harmonica-came from Germany. Just in time for the annual Chicago Blues Festival, German Consul General to the Midwest Herbert Quelle has published the new novel Monika’s Blues. The book follows Quelle’s passion for the players, the people and the culture that sprung up around the harmonica and the blues.

It’s not often that a scientist — especially an astrophysicist — is a household name. But Neil DeGrasse Tyson’s mix of knowledge, enthusiasm, and desire to communicate why science is cool has made him a shining star in the pop-culture universe (puns intended). His new book Astrophysics For People In A Hurry takes on big questions about who we are and how we got here. But sitting down with Tony Sarabia, Tyson covered a whole range of topics, from his very first lecture at age 15 to why scientific research isn’t for the here-and-now.

It’s not often that a scientist — especially an astrophysicist — is a household name. But Neil DeGrasse Tyson’s mix of knowledge, enthusiasm, and desire to communicate why science is cool has made him a shining star in the pop-culture universe (puns intended). His new book Astrophysics For People In A Hurry takes on big questions about who we are and how we got here. But sitting down with Tony Sarabia, Tyson covered a whole range of topics, from his very first lecture at age 15 to why scientific research isn’t for the here-and-now.

Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start to summer in Chicago, and in years past, it has been one of the most violent weekends of the year. According to the University of Chicago Crime Lab, gun violence nearly doubled from 2014 to 2016, which was the worst year for gun violence in two decades. So far, Chicago is slightly safer in 2017, but not by much. So, what is the police department doing to reduce the violence? Morning Shift talks to Chicago Police Department Superintendent Eddie Johnson.

Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start to summer in Chicago, and in years past, it has been one of the most violent weekends of the year. According to the University of Chicago Crime Lab, gun violence nearly doubled from 2014 to 2016, which was the worst year for gun violence in two decades. So far, Chicago is slightly safer in 2017, but not by much. So, what is the police department doing to reduce the violence? Morning Shift talks to Chicago Police Department Superintendent Eddie Johnson.