Looped In: Chicago

Relying weekly on one’s local food pantry for groceries, personal items and more can already be a stressful existence. But now, a myriad of factors are contributing to additional pressure being felt from all sides of the city, as unprecedented demand has led to stretched resources and frayed patience. For example, Nourishing Hope (formerly known as Lakeview Pantry) saw an increase of over 20k first-time clients last year alone, and inflation, an unexpected population increase and a reduction to federal stimulus packages post-lockdown may push that number even higher moving forward. This week, Chicago Tribune reporter Kate Armanini and Nourishing Hope CEO Kellie O'Connell join host/producer Jim Hanke to unpack this growing issue, and how pantries are trying to go beyond food, to feed the soul.

Follow Kate Armanini on X | Follow Nourishing Hope on Instagram

Follow WBBM Newsradio: TikTok | Facebook | Instagram | X

After a record breaking hot summer, this winter Illinois and the rest of the Midwest saw warmer days and less snow. Is this our new normal?

In today's episode, host Arielle Raveney takes a look at what climate change looks like in Illinois, and how the country's first ever floating eco-park has a nature based solution to reduce it's impact.

------

Mentioned in the Episode: Wild Mile

------

Follow WBBM News Radio: TikTok | Facebook | Instagram | X

Chicago is known for it's many St. Paddy's Day events as the city itself becomes green, so it may not come as a surprise to know that the city has the second highest Irish population in the nation. The tradition of an annual parade in the city began in 1843, with the event getting bigger and bigger -- until 1890. 

In this episode, host Jim Hanke explores what early celebrations looked like in the city, and how the annual tradition came to be canceled in 1890 with Dr. Gillian O’Brien, author of the book “Blood Runs Green: The Murder That Transfixed Gilded Age Chicago.” 

-----

Mentioned in the Episode: Dr. Gillian O'Brien | “Blood Runs Green: The Murder That Transfixed Gilded Age Chicago”

-----

Check out our Socials on TikTok or Instagram 

Earlier this week, a sudden development came in the ongoing stadium saga of the Chicago Bears: Instead of making use of the Arlington Heights land they acquired last year, it seems now the focus is on a new project south of their current Soldier Field domain -- on the city's lakefront -- with $2 billion of their own money. This week, host and producer Jim Hanke welcomes stadium finance expert Robert Boland, an assistant professor of sports law at Seton Hall Law School, to get his take on this potential new deal, and how other major sports cities have handled their own stadium debates on public vs. private funding.

Follow Jim Hanke on X | Follow Robert Boland on X

Follow WBBM Newsradio: TikTok | Facebook | Instagram | X

During his decade of pro hockey, former Chicago Blackhawk Daniel Carcillo (nicknamed "Car Bomb" for his aggressive approach on the ice) racked up two Stanley Cup Championships and over 150 fights. But the stat most pressing to Carcillo since his retirement has been the seven diagnosed concussions he sustained as a player, and the hundreds he says that went undiagnosed through his career. Now, Carcillo has made it his mission to push state and federal agencies for funding as well as public access to psilocybin -- generally referred to as "magic mushrooms" -- a natural treatment for the traumatic brain injuries that he says saved his life. This week, during Brain Injury Awareness Month, we hear audio from WBBM reporter Jim Gudas' recent interview with Carcillo, as well as State Senator Rachel Ventura discussing Illinois' approach to this potential treatment with host and producer Jim Hanke.

Follow Daniel Carcillo on Instagram | Follow Sen. Ventura on Instagram

Follow WBBM Newsradio: TikTok | Facebook | Instagram | X

Chicagoland is one of the most biodiverse regions in the country. Every year, we witness the migration of hundreds of different varieties of birds soar through our sky. Yet there’s one fowl you won’t fail to see year round: Pigeons.

In this episode, host Arielle Raveney has a conversation about conservation with bird experts, explores the danger of migration season, and how it all begins, and ends, with pigeons. 

-----

Mentioned in This Episode: The Brookfield Zoo | Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary | The Chicago Ornithological Society 

-----

See Photos of Birds-Around-Chicago on our TikTok or Instagram 

This is the second of a two-part episode. For part one, scroll back in your podcast feed.

This week, WBBM morning news anchor Cisco Cotto sits down with WGN Chief Meteorologist Tom Skilling, who will retire today -- Feb. 28th -- after over four decades with the station, and almost sixty years in broadcasting. During this discussion, Tom recalls some of the biggest weather moments in his career, and how the birth of social media allowed viewers to become weather warriors themselves.

Follow Cisco Cotto and Tom Skilling on X

Follow WBBM Newsradio: TikTok | Facebook | Instagram | X

This week, WBBM morning news anchor Cisco Cotto sits down with WGN Chief Meteorologist Tom Skilling, who will retire later this month after over four decades with the station, and almost sixty years in broadcasting. This is the first of a two-part episode, the latter of which will air Wednesday, February 28th to coincide with Tom's final weather report.

Follow Cisco Cotto and Tom Skilling on X

Follow WBBM Newsradio: TikTok | Facebook | Instagram | X

All around Chicago, you can find intricate murals that tell a story or brighten up a neighborhood. With all this art, it's not surprising to discover that spray paint was invented here in the 1940's -- only to be outlawed in the 1990's. So how do new murals emerge, and what is their significance to the city? 

In this episode, host Arielle Raveney sits down with local organization, the Chicago Public Arts Group, and street artists Chris Devins and Mario Mena, to answer these questions.

-----

Mentioned in the Episode: Chicago Public Arts Group | Chris Devins | Mario Mena | Yollo Calli Youth Outreach 

-----

Check Out Our Socials! On TikTok & Instagram 

This week, host and producer Jim Hanke examines the national interest in Chicago tavern-style pizza -- razor thin, cut to squares and for some, putting traditional deep dish to shame. Author, media personality and pizza expert Steve Dolinsky provides some history on this Windy City mainstay, and Chicago Tribune food critic Louisa Chu discusses three particular spots adding unique spins to tavern-style, and taking that crispy, savory circle to a whole new level.

Follow Steve Dolinsky on Instagram | Follow Louisa Chu and Jim Hanke on X

Follow WBBM Newsradio: TikTok | Facebook | Instagram | X