In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons

'Morning Shift' chats with Dr. Selwyn Rogers, trauma chief, and Debi Albert, chief nursing officer.

Very little has been written about the life and work of Donny Hathaway. But before the Chicago-born singer, songwriter, producer and arranger took his own life in 1979 at the age of 33, he became a massive influence on some of the biggest stars of the time, and his body of work has served as an inspiration to many who came after him. Now, author Emily Lordi’s new book Donny Hathaway Live shines fresh light on this massive talent. Lordi talks about Donny Hathaway’s genius with Reclaimed Soul’s Ayana Contreras.

The big conversations right now in the Muslim community are the Muslim travel ban as prescribed by President Trump's executive order on immigration, as well as the mosque burned down in Victoria, Texas. There was also the fatal shooting at a mosque in Quebec, that killed six Muslims over the weekend. Morning Shift asks Imam Kifah Mustapha, director of the Prayer Center at Orland Park, what he's feeling -- both as a Muslim and a faith leader of a large Muslim community in Chicago. 

Author and professor Michael Eric Dyson has been named by Essence magazine as one of the 50 most inspiring African Americans in the U.S. The author of nearly 20 books that tackle subjects like race and politics is out with a new novel called Tears We Cannot Stop: A Sermon to White America. Dyson sat down with Tony Sarabia to talk about the themes of the book and the actions he wants to see.

The Department of Justice released a report this month that claimed Chicago police officers are poorly trained, improperly supervised and misconduct investigations are largely biased in favor of cops. Morning Shift’s Tony Sarabia spoke with two men who served in the Chicago Police Department for decades, Joseph Moseley and Richard Wooten. The former officers discussed their reactions to the report and addressed “anti-police” sentiment.

WBEZ's Odette Yousef explains what families are experiencing and how communities are coming together following President Trump's immigration ban.

Hatem Abudayyeh-Exec. Director, Arab American Action Network joins us to discuss what goes into resettlement efforts.

Mercedes Badia-Tavas, Chicago Chair of the American Immigration Lawyers, explains the legal response to President Trump’s order.

It’s not the blizzard of ‘67, but snow is on the way, and temps are dropping. It’s a good time to stay in, snuggle up and whip up a warm weather drink-with or without alcohol. Mixologist Erica Helms from Lula Cafe has some ideas on how to warm up and tune out the winter woes, and she whips up a couple favorites for host Jenn White to try.

Saxophonist Branford Marsalis has played in settings from classical to pop, and with musicians as diverse as Art Blakey and Jerry Garcia. He recently teamed up with Chicago vocalist Kurt Elling on the album Upward Spiral. Marsalis joined Morning Shift to talk about his music ahead of a gig with his quartet and Elling at Chicago’s Symphony Center.