In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons

In the latest installment in our series What’s That Building?, Dennis Rodkin of Crain’s Chicago Business talks about Harpo Studios.  Oprah’s soundstage and offices have been vacant for a few years, but McDonald’s will be moving much of its operations there in 2018. Rodkin walks us through some of the backstory on the building from before the Oprah days began in 1988 through the present day.

When Garrison Keillor retires from A Prairie Home Companion this July after 42 years hosting the show, he’ll be replaced by mandolin wizard Chris Thile.  Thile has been appearing on PHC in skits and as a musician for 15 years. Morning Shift talks to Thile about the very, very big shoes he’s about fill and what changes might be in store for the show in the future. He also plays some live music.

The title of Andy Mozina’s debut novel, Contrary Motion, is derived from a musical term. That makes sense since it centers around a male harpist trying to make a living in the music world in Chicago, while raising a daughter and trying to date after his divorce. We talk to Mozina who is in town for this weekend’s Printers Row Lit Fest.

It’s been a big week for Hillary Clinton. On Monday night, the Associated Press announced that she had secured enough delegates overall to get the Democratic nomination for President. That delegate math included super delegates.  Then, Tuesday night she won four primaries and claimed victory as the first female candidate to win the presidential nomination for a major political party. Morning Shift talks to Clinton and Sanders supporters about what comes next.

In a statement, Kirk criticized Trump’s contention that a Mexican-American judge would not be able to remain objective in a case involving Trump. Kirk called Trump’s stance “un-American.” In a related tweet, Kirk said Trump does not have the temperament to run the U.S. military and to handle nuclear codes. Kirk’s decision not to support Trump comes a day after his challenger U.S. Democratic Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth slammed Kirk for remaining silent about Trump’s comments about the Mexican-American judge.

The Chicago Booth Review from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business wanted to get beyond the anecdotes about corporate leadership to actually quantify the qualities that people in the C-suite need to succeed. We find out what the analysis reveals.

In the latest installment of Reclaimed Soul, Ayana Contreras spins some Muhammad Ali-themed records. Reclaimed Soul airs every Thursday night from 8 to 10 p.m. on our sister station Vocalo. Each Wednesday, she joins Morning Shift for a preview.

Density is a characteristic praised in many urban planning circles. The future of cities relies on it, many say. But in his new book, The Human City: Urbanism For the Rest of Us, geographer Joel Kotkin argues that densely packed cities have their downsides and may not lead to truly sustainable urban environments.  Morning Shift talks to Kotkin about his book and pros and cons of the version of city living here in Chicago. ​

The non-profit Pride Action Tank has partnered with 10 agencies to help LGBTQ youth with placement in foster homes, while at the same time encouraging LGBTQ adults to become foster or adoptive parents. Morning Shift talks with Tracy Baim, founder of Pride Action Tank and Renee Lehocky of the Chicago group home Lawrence Hall about the ongoing efforts.

Mayor Emanuel’s handpicked City Colleges Chancellor, Cheryl Hyman is expected to step down at the end of the month when her contract is up. Her brash leadership style irked many faculty members, who said she was driving the institutions away from their core mission of giving minorities and immigrants an entryway to higher education. Faculty gave her a symbolic vote of no confidence in February.  Morning Shift talks to WBEZ’s Odette Yousef, who covered that vote and other developments in Hyman’s tenure as chancellor to take stock of how she transformed the City Colleges.