In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons

For a while now, Facebook has been crunching the data about the faces of its billion-plus users. That’s how the company makes recommendations for who is in a particular photo even before a user decides whether to tag someone. (I guess we all should have seen this coming. After all, it is called Facebook.) To some, the recommendation to tag a friend or family member is a cool, gee-whiz feature, but to others it feels like a breach of privacy. Three Illinois residents are suing Facebook in a class action over the issue. They argue that the tech giant has run afoul of the state’s law regarding biometric data. Morning Shift breaks down the case with Northwestern law professor Jim Speta, an expert on telecommunications and internet policy.

Digital devices like laptops, tablet computers and smartphones have become staples in 21st century classrooms, but a new study from West Point concludes that laptops can actually impede learning for college students who use them during class time.

When a child or teen is shot and survives, the physical trauma often overshadows the psychological trauma. But victims of gun violence must live with both types of wounds.

Lee McCullum Jr. — a young man the nation got to know as the prom king in the CNN documentary series Chicagoland — was shot dead Thursday morning in Chicago’s West Pullman neighborhood. His former principal Liz Dozier remembers the popular student and talks about the challenges young black men face in South Side neighborhoods, and discusses her new organization Chicago Beyond, which aims to increase safety and educational opportunities for Chicago youth.

Chico Tillmon grew up in one of the toughest neighborhoods in Chicago. After spending time in prison, he reformed his life and gave back to his community by becoming a violence interrupter and program manager for the group CeaseFire. In this latest installment in our series Working Shift, Tony Sarabia talks to Tillmon about how he works to mediate brewing conflicts before they spill over into violence.

Let’s face it: Some commencement speeches are long and boring, the speaker droning on and offering up inspirational quotes that aren’t quite so inspirational. So we’re mining for solid pieces of advice for today’s grads. Morning Shift opens up the phones for listeners to weigh in with their recommendations and tips for a successful life and career.

Jane Lynch will be the commencement speaker at Columbia College Chicago’s graduation ceremony for audio arts and acoustics, creative arts therapies, dance, art and materials conservation, television and theatre majors. Jenn White talks to Lynch about her career and what advice she has for young people pursuing careers in the arts.

If you’ve ever wondered what your favorite author was thinking when writing that cliffhanger ending, now you’ll have a chance to find out. There are three book-related expos here in Chicago in May and June. Our voracious readers Greta Johnsen and Tricia Bobeda, hosts of the Nerdette podcast, break them down for us.

Chicago is moving to tighten restrictions on short-term rental companies like Airbnb and VRBO. One of the chief goals is to limit the number of days so-called “hosts” can rent out their homes during the course of the year. We check in with two Airbnb hosts to hear about their experiences and hear why 2nd Ward Alderman Brian Hopkins thinks the mayor’s proposals don't go far enough.

Joe Adamik is a Chicago-based musician who has been a kind of supporting actor throughout his career. He’s played with a diverse set of artists, including singer-songwriter Iron and Wine, experimental rock band Califone and jazz horn player Ira Sullivan. Now he’s stepping into the lead role with his new album Super Low. It’s a sonic outing Adamik describes as “a strange collection of songs.” Adamik plays drums, bass clarinet, piano, guitar and more on the album, most of which he recorded in his living room. The multi-instrumentalist visits the Morning Shift with some musician friends for a live performance of three of his new songs and a little conversation.