We give you the latest about a rise in COVID cases at New Trier High that has quarantined more than 160 people, the latest offerings at the Chicago Botanic Garden and a new downtown Wilmette business for fll you hobbyists out there.

Sports have returned, and we talk what it's all been like under COVID restrictions. We also break down some news of canceled games here, there and everywhere and listen to Ramblers coach Tom Livatino talk of the joys of being back at it.

Are you readddddddy for some sports? We are. High school sports return to the North Shore this week and we feed you what we know about basketball, football, swimming, field hockey and more.

We explore what it means to advance to Phase 4 of the state's mitigation plan, before breaking down how a historic home avoided the wrecking ball — for now. To finish, we discuss our profile of local reporter Mike Lowe and his viral "Chicagoese" segement.

It was a big news week in COVID-19 consequences on the local level. Lessening restrictions have opened indoor dining, gyms, sports and more, while vaccine complications have put local leaders into action.

The moment we all have been waiting for arrived Wednesday, when the IHSA announced season schedules for all 17 remaining sports, including basketball and football. We take it apart piece by piece for what you should know on the pending restart.

Thanks to a change at the state level, low-risk winter sports have started their seasons and we talk what that means now and later for high school sports this year, focusing on what the future may hold for basketball and football. We also take a closer look at New Trier's Gates Gym overhaul after seeing the renderings.

New Trier area welcomes looser COVID-19 mitigations amid positive data trends. We talk about what that means and what may come next. Then, we go up and down the north with a town OK'ing cannabis facilities and another making it to the small screen. Then, we wish a happy birthday to a local woman, who celebrated the big 1.0.4 in an igloo!

The IHSA hopes to have a sports schedule out by Jan. 27, while major sports voices apply pressure. We also hear from Max Rosenthal, the New Trier football alumnus who is coming home for his final two years, and we spend time remembering and celebrating the life of Glenbrook North student-athlete Dylan Buckner, while condemning those using his death as leverage.

In our first show with Managing Editor Megan Bernard, we recap the latest local COVID-19 data, which is not showing a post-holiday surge and could lead to reduced mitigations soon. Megan also talks about how students brought a taco shop to town.