Stay ConnectedChicago’s daily news podcast, fresh every weekday morning. Host Jacoby Cochran brings you timely conversations with news and culture makers; activists and artists; bus drivers and students; those who love and hate this place. City Cast Chicago is a smart and delightful new way to connect with the city we share. Learn more and subscribe to our newsletter at chicago.citycast.fm.
Named Best Podcast by Chicago Reader 2022
If you’re not following our professional women’s sports teams here in Chicago, we feel a little sorry for you. The Sky are ranked No. 1 in the WNBA and have won nine of their last ten games. And the Red Stars just came off a nine-match unbeaten streak and are third in the NWSL. Remember, both teams played for their respective championships last season with the Sky bringing home the team’s first ever WNBA title. Now, both are on track for another deep playoff run. Each team has battled hurdles off the field, including fighting for equal pay as the men’s teams and leadership changes after accusations of abuse and harassment. And women players continue to speak out against social injustice.
Today, Chicago Sun-Times reporter Annie Costabile takes us inside this season of the Sky, and Wednesday Claire Watkins from CHGO and Just Women Sports talks Red Stars.
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Ecologists have been warning about Asian Carp for decades. The invasive species has infiltrated our waterways and threatens the Great Lakes ecosystem. One way to get them out? Eat them. That’s why Illinois officials have renamed the fish “Copi,” which comes from its copious numbers. The goal is to make it more palatable, but does the fish actually taste good? The City Cast team cooks up some Copi burgers, and producer Simone Alicea talks with Lincoln Park fishmonger Dirk Fucik about whether he thinks the name change will make a difference in our ecology.
Here are some other places you can find Copi to eat.
Did you know eating Copi is on our Summertime Chi Bucket List challenge? If you do it, let us know by filling out the form and tagging us on social media using #CityCastSummer. Plus, if you do the most items this summer, you could win some City Cast swag!
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Chicago’s $31 million dollar basic income pilot will 5,000 families $500 a month for the next year. The first checks started arriving this week. We talk with freelance journalist Natalie Frazier and Xavier Ramey, CEO of social impact consulting firm Justice Informed, about the impact this program will have for participants. We also discuss a report outlining how the public wants the city to make Chicago safer, ongoing problems at the Department of Children and Family Services, Mohawk Johnson’s two years on electronic monitoring, and how Chicago was voted second-best city in the world by Time Out. Stick around for Some Gooood Newwsss to get you through the weekend!
It’s a good weekend to get out and try something on our Summertime Chi bucket list. Complete the most items this summer, and you could win City Cast swag!
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Call or Text Us: (773) 780-0246
City Cast loves talking about things to do in and around Chicago. I mean have you seen our great Summertime Chi bucket list? But sometimes it’s nice to get out of the city and get a quick change in scenery to rest and reset. Luckily, we have plenty of options for day and weekend trips around the Midwest. So where should you go?
Thrillist’s Meredith Heil gives host Jacoby Cochran a few recommendations, and we hear some suggestions from City Cast readers.
And remember to keep tagging us on social media in your bucket list adventures #CityCastSummer @CityCastChicago.
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In the new film “Tagged,” a local street artist is accused of murder and searches for clues in Chicago’s murals with the help of an unlikely source. But the film is not just a murder mystery. It’s a love letter to the city’s street art and the artists on the fringes of mainstream recognition. It’s streaming now on Amazon. Host Jacoby Cochran spoke with filmmaker Grant Troyer about “Tagged,” Chicago’s street art scene, and more. Troyer is also founder of local production company Kernel Productions.
“Tagged” is available to stream on Amazon and Google Play.
A little bit of news: Here's where you can apply to get a free bike, lock, and helmet from the city starting Monday. Plus, Tacos y Tamales is back in Pilsen this weekend.
Are you doing our Summertime Chi Bucket List challenge? You could win some City Cast swag! As you complete your adventures, remember to tag us on social media #CityCastSummer @CityCastChicago.
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Call or Text Us: (773) 780-0246
We’re all feeling inflation at the grocery store. Food prices are up 10% compared to this time last year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. And those increases are a double whammy for food pantries, resulting in more people who need food and fewer donations from grocery stores and big distribution centers. Lead Producer Carrie Shepherd takes us to Care for Real, a food pantry in Edgewater, to get a sense of what inflation actually looks like.
Are you doing our Summertime Chi Bucket List challenge? You could win some City Cast swag! Fill out the form, and be sure to tag us on social media using #CityCastSummer @CityCastChicago.
Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicago
Sign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm
Call or Text Us: (773) 780-0246
One week after the mass shooting at a Fourth of July parade in north suburban Highland Park that left seven people dead and dozens injured, details continue to emerge about the alleged shooter. Robert Crimo III, 21, has been charged with seven counts of first degree murder, and prosecutors say more charges are coming. Questions immediately surfaced about how the suspect was able to legally get the semi-automatic rifle he allegedly used to fire into the crowd, especially because police had previously visited Crimo and his family’s home after he had made threats of violence. We break down Illinois gun laws with WBEZ criminal justice reporter Patrick Smith.
A Look Ahead to the Week:
Millennium Park Summer Film Series
Some Good News:
Chicago Sky guard Allie Quigley wins fourth 3-point shooting contest during the All-Star weekend, which means she’s won the most 3-point contests of anyone in the WNBA or NBA.
Do the City Cast Summertime Chi Bucket List challenge! And tag your bucket list #citycastsummer
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Call or Text Us: (773) 780-0246
After two years of pandemic hiatus, the Silver Room Sound System Block Party is back next weekend. To celebrate, we set up at the Silverroom store in Hyde Park and talked with founder Eric Williams and block party host Ramonski Luv about the growth of the event and what we can expect this year. Plus, Jacoby breaks down the week’s news with Block Club’s Jamie Nesbitt Golden and “Hood Feminism” author Mikki Kendall — who also happen to be longtime friends. They talk about the latest on the shooting in Highland Park, including details about the shooter’s history, affordable housing in Chicago, and getting out to enjoy summertime Chi.
Here’s where to find tickets to the Silver Room Sound System Block Party.
And speaking of getting out, check out our Summertime Chi Bucket List challenge. You might win some City Cast swag!
Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicago
Sign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm
Call or Text Us: (773) 780-0246
City Cast Chicago has been collecting listener and reader suggestions for our summer bucket list. Host Jacoby Cochran, lead producer Carrie Shepherd, producer Simone Alicea, and newsletter writer Sidney Madden share some of those ideas, and include some items from their own bucket lists.
Plus! You can win City Cast Swag by participating in our Summertime Chi Bucket List Challenge. Here’s how to participate in the challenge!
Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicago
Sign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm
Call or Text Us: (773) 780-0246
For the first time since 2008, StreetWise recently raised its prices. The weekly magazine will now cost $3, but you can still buy it from any of Streetwise’s ubiquitous vendors across Chicago. These vendors are fixtures in our communities, and some of them have been doing this going on three decades. Though the early part of the pandemic forced vendors off the street, more people are returning to their commutes, which means seeing their favorite vendors. We hear from a few of them, and lead producer Carrie Shepherd talks with Executive Director Julie Youngquist about the origins of StreetWise and how it works to help people in need.
Check out StreetWise’s podcast “Where I Stay.”
Some Good News: Catch us at The Silver Room on Thursday for a live podcast taping. Starting at 11 a.m., we’ll be previewing the Silver Room Block Party and talking the week’s news with Block Club’s Jamie Nesbitt Golden and author Mikki Kendall.
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Call or Text Us: (773) 780-0246
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