In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons

In her new book Girls and Sex: Navigating the Complicated New Landscape, writer and journalist Peggy Orenstein explores the sexual lives of teenage girls and young women. We talk with Orenstein about what she learned while researching and writing the book and what lessons the stories she tells have for girls, boys and their parents.

Law and Order fans know S. Epatha Merkerson as Lieutenant Van Buren, the no-nonsense boss who always asks her detectives questions that open up the case. She’s sticking with the Dick Wolf franchise and now stars in Chicago Med. But it’s her struggle with diabetes — and bringing awareness to the disease — that drives her when she’s offscreen. We talk with the actress about her career and what she’s doing to help people manage their diabetes.

Dennis Rodkin gives us the history of Hotel Guyon in W. Garfield Park. As the hotel changed owners, lost clients and mirrored the changes of the neighborhood, it's had a dim future.

The Bad Examples were poised for a major breakout. Ralph Covert had honed his craft as a great power-pop writer in vein of the Beatles and Big Star. The band gained a large following locally and even internationally, playing ever-larger venues. Then Nirvana’s Nevermind took the world by storm, and radio and record companies only wanted that grungy sound. Covert found new life, pioneering a new kind of kids' music with his band Ralph’s World. But he never totally shelved his first band, and now The Bad Examples are celebrating the 25th anniversary of the record that coulda-shoulda-woulda made them superstars.

Mark Bazer has been hosting a late-night talk show with a considerable cult following since 2008. He’s got a desk, a couch, coffee mugs and a mic. He’s talked to authors and actors, comics and CEOs, and brings on musical guests. We talk with Mark about the history of the show, how the TV gig came about, and what he’s had to change to make the project work for TV.

Cook County announced plans this week to rehabilitate the 102-year-old medical center. The Cook County Hospital campus will be redeveloped into a hotel, apartments and retail shops. Chicago Tribune architecture critic Blair Kamin joins us to talk about what’s in store for what he calls “the beloved but battered” building that was shuttered in 2002.

Next week, the National Committee on Pay Equity celebrates Equal Pay Day. It’s common knowledge that, on average, men make more than their female colleagues.So it’s probably no surprise that in a new survey of best places for women to work from Crain’s Chicago Business, respondents listed pay as the number one reason they leave a job. Flexibility and resources are also listed as reasons. We talk with Crain’s Cassie Walker Burke and Kate Benson the CEO of The Chicago Network about the study.about the findings.

There’s a long-held belief that the way to get materials back on time to a public library, you have to charge late fees. But libraries across the country are bucking that trend and doing away with overdue fines. We talk with Catherine Savage from the library to learn more about why they made the move, and how it’s affected library use.

This week, Ayana Contreras shares music from musicians and singers with siblings who are also in the business.

Now in its tenth month, the state budget stalemate has lasted so long, it may have an effect on enrollment numbers for the Class of 2020 at universities in Illinois that rely on state funding. Some would-be students at schools like Western Illinois, Chicago State and even the University of Illinois are thinking twice about enrolling in colleges whose futures seem shakier than in years past. Morning Shift talks with Dawn Rhodes and Jodi Cohen of the Chicago Tribune about their report on how much parents and prospective students are thinking about the gridlock in Springfield as they prepare to choose a college or university. We also take calls from listeners with their thoughts.