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
The Chicago Blackhawks are trying to regain the trust of fans after it was revealed last month that the team didn’t respond appropriately to a player’s allegations of sexual assault. Two hockey fans say this case represents a toxic culture that the sport must confront. Former Chicago Sun-Times reporter Evan Moore and sports reporter Jashvina Shah have been looking at toxic behavior in hockey for years because they love the sport and want it to change. Their new book “Game Misconduct: Hockey's Toxic Culture and How to Fix It” is out now. Moore and Shah tell host Jacoby Cochran what they think contributes to the toxicity.
Guests:
Evan Moore—Co-author, “Game Misconduct: Hockey's Toxic Culture and How to Fix It”
Jashvina Shah—Co-author, “Game Misconduct: Hockey's Toxic Culture and How to Fix It”
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When Kristen Kaza and Elijah McKinnon opened the events space Reunion in 2016 in Humboldt Park their mission was to create "a haven for Queer and minority creatives." Kaza and McKinnon have hosted comedy nights, dance parties, art exhibits, and other events that celebrate the LQBTQ+ and BIPOC communities. They announced in October they are closing Reunion. Kaza and McKinnon talk to host Jacoby Cochran about the importance of spaces that cultivate community, and allow patrons to feel like they belong.
Events from Nov. 11-Nov. 19:
Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez announced last week that students would not have classes Friday for “Vaccination Awareness Day,” but some parents were caught off guard and wondered how they were going to use a work day to get their kids vaxxed. Kyle Rittenhouse took the stand in his trial in Kenosha, Wisconsin. He faces seven charges, including first-degree reckless homicide and first-degree intentional homicide for his killings of two men during protests in Kenosha last year. And activists and McDonald’s employees are calling on CEO Chris Kempczinski to be fired for what they say is racist behavior by the executive. City Cast Chicago’s Carrie Shepherd, Simone Alicea, and Jacoby Cochran break down those stories.
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The Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs told state lawmakers this week they need more staff and better access to housing and healthcare. The numbers back up the critical need to take care of veterans. The rate of suicides among veterans is nearly double that of the civilian population, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. But Northwestern University professor Michelle Shumate says mental health treatment and suicide hotlines aren’t enough to help veterans as they transition to civilian life. Shumate has been researching how organizations that help with housing, food, and jobs can contribute to better mental health for veterans. She shares what she hears from veterans about what they need.
Guest: Michelle Shumate —Delaney Family University Research Professor, Northwestern University
Chicago Veterans Day Events:
The city is hosting a ceremony at Soldier Field at 11 a.m.
Auditorium Theatre is hosting tours for veterans and their families from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Vax Info for CPS Families:
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The prosecution rested Tuesday in the trial of Kyle Rittenhouse. The Antioch resident was 17 when he shot and killed two men and injured another last year in Kenosha, Wisconsin, amid demonstrations following the police shooting of Jacob Blake. Chicago Tribune’s Stacy St. Clair is in Kenosha following the trial. She lays out what’s happened during this first week, what the defense is expected to present, and why Chicago is watching closely.
Guest: Stacy St. Clair — Reporter, Chicago Tribune
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More than $5 billion was wagered on sports in Illinois in the last year, after the state legalized sports betting. And Chicago’s big sports franchises — Bulls, Bears, Cubs, Sox, and Sky— want to get in on the action. They’re pushing a city ordinance that would allow sports betting at stadiums. While alders with arenas in their wards are on board, they’re facing pushback from gaming moguls looking to develop Chicago’s new casino. The Daily Line Chicago’s Alex Nitkin has been following the developments, including Monday’s hearing about the sports betting ordinance, and he has the latest.
Guest:
Alex Nitkin—Editor and city hall reporter, The Daily Line Chicago
While most of us had to adjust to getting an extra hour of sleep Sunday (and an earlier sunset), lawmakers across the country, including in Illinois, are imagining a future where we don’t adjust clocks at all. There are bills in Springfield that propose moving the state to daylight saving time year-round — a move that’s been embraced by 19 other states in the last four years — while others would prefer to stay in standard time all year. But where does daylight saving time come from? And what’s driving the debate? City Cast Chicago’s Simone Alicea breaks it down.
Jacoby's Good News: Photography Week at Columbia College
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It’s the first Friday of November and we have two huge Bulls fans with us to look back on a few stories from across Chicago. The Triibe’s Tonia Hill and WBEZ reporter Susie An join us to discuss the media’s coverage of Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx, the growing number of women in Chicago radio speaking out against a toxic workplace culture, and we ask, “Why so much shade Scottie?” Also, we’re still talking about school lunches!
Guests:
Suzie An—Reporter, WBEZ
Tonia Hill—Producer, The Triibe
What is/was your favorite and least favorite cafeteria item? Let us know at chicago@citycast.fm or hit us on twitter!
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In mid-October, longtime health and food reporter Monica Eng was peeking at Chicago Public Schools’ lunch menus. Yes, for fun. Monica was pleasantly surprised to learn that CPS had launched “Plant Forward Thursdays,” the district’s take on meatless options available to about 300,000 students, many of whom rely on schools for daily meals. Of course Monica wanted to know what the “lentil Joe sandwich” tasted like. But she hit a roadblock. We talk to Monica about CPS’ rollout of meatless meals and about her decades-long quest to make school lunches healthier.
Guest: Monica Eng — Reporter, Axios Chicago
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The Chicago Bulls are 6-1 for the first time since 2012 and sit at the top of the Eastern Conference. Obviously, the NBA season is barely two weeks old, but the Bulls look like a different team on the court than in previous years. Powered by DeMar DeRozan’s shooting and Zach LaVine’s scoring, the team has beat a dangerous Utah Jazz team, and had a 19-point comeback Monday in a win against the Celtics in Boston. On the defensive end, the team looks energized. Laurence Holmes is host of the podcast “House of L” and joins us to put this early start in perspective. We discuss the Bull’s offseason moves, this 6-1 start, and we ask what is the ceiling for this team?
Guest:
Laurence Holmes—Host, 670 TheScore and “House of L” podcast
Jacoby's Good News: Hot Chocolate 5k and 15k Race
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