In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons

The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning kicked off a series of panel discussions Thursday about our city’s future and what we need to prepare for 2050. The first conversation centered on how climate change will affect the region’s infrastructure and neighborhoods and what we need to do to not only survive but to thrive. It’s all part of CMAP’s development of ON TO 2050, a comprehensive plan for the region’s future.  Morning Shift talks to two people involved in the climate change panel. Michael Hawthorne is an investigative reporter with the Chicago Tribune where he focuses on environmental and public health issues. He was the panel’s moderator. Kristin Ihnchak is a principal planner at CMAP where she leads the organization’s climate planning efforts.

Today on Morning Shift: A celebration of Mexican cuisine in Chicago with chef Rick Bayless. He’s traveled all around Mexico learning about that country’s rich food culture. And for the past 30 years, he’s been dishing out some of that food at his Frontera Grill. Audio available after show airs. Watch live on our Facebook Page.

Today on Morning Shift: A celebration of Mexican cuisine in Chicago with chef Rick Bayless. He’s traveled all around Mexico learning about that country’s rich food culture. And for the past 30 years, he’s been dishing out some of that food at his Frontera Grill. Audio available after show airs. Watch live on our Facebook Page.

Jazz pianist Ramsey Lewis started to make a name for himself in 1950s Chicago and hit the big time in 1965 with his recording of the song “The In Crowd,” which earned him his first Grammy. For decades, he’s been a prolific musician and composer, with more than 80 albums and seven gold records to his name.

Jazz pianist Ramsey Lewis started to make a name for himself in 1950s Chicago and hit the big time in 1965 with his recording of the song “The In Crowd,” which earned him his first Grammy. For decades, he’s been a prolific musician and composer, with more than 80 albums and seven gold records to his name.

Voters in suburbs around Chicago cast their ballots in Tuesday's municipal elections, weighing in on everything from mayor to school board members. Morning Shift host Tony Sarabia talks to Kerry Lester, a columnist and senior writer at the Daily Herald, about the results in key races across the suburbs, including Palatine, where transgender rights dominated the local school board race, and Bolingbrook, where the normally sleepy race for mayor drew national attention after the incumbent held a fundraiser last year for Donald Trump's presidential campaign.

When circulating her new book, ‘Difficult Women,’ author Roxane Gay said some editors told her “it sort of made them want to die.”

When circulating her new book, ‘Difficult Women,’ author Roxane Gay said some editors told her “it sort of made them want to die.”

Morning Shift talks to WBEZ reporter Monica Eng who has been digging into this issue for Curious City, the project where listeners ask the questions and WBEZ reporters find the answers. The question for this story came from none other than Todd Stroger, former alderman and president of the Cook County Board. Audio available after show airs.

The baseball season is officially upon us and one person keeping a close eye on all Cubs games is NPR’s Scott Simon, host of Weekend Edition Saturday.  Morning Shift talks to Simon about how his fandom developed and intensified over decades. His new book, My Cubs: A Love Story, comes out April 11.