Curious City

Latest Episodes:

Having ‘The Talk’: Expert Guidance On Preparing Kids For Police Interactions Aug 25, 2019

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A child psychiatrist, a public defender and a police officer weigh in on how to prepare kids for interacting with the police.

Rats! The Science And Stories Behind Chicago’s Most Unwanted Pests Aug 18, 2019

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To explore the mysteries of Chicago’s rodents, Curious City took a rat safari, interviewed experts and turned your stories into a zine.

Why Chicago’s Depression-Era School Murals Sparked Debates About Art And Politics For 80 Years Aug 11, 2019

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Some were called Communist, while others have been called out for lack of diversity.

Nicky’s And The Big Baby Mystery Part II: We Found Nicky V.! Aug 04, 2019

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Our recent search for the origins of a famous South burger hit a dead end — until the elusive Nicky Vagenas finally came forward.

Chicago’s Race Riots Of 1919 Contributed To The Segregation We See Today Jul 28, 2019

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Choices made in the wake of the violence set a foundation for the racial inequality the city continues to grapple with.

Why Chicago Had Race Riots During The ‘Red Summer’ Of 1919 Jul 21, 2019

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Long-brewing racial tensions came to a head one hot summer day, when a black boy was drowned near a whites-only beach.

The Heart Of The City: Finding Chicago’s Geographic Center Jul 14, 2019

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It smells like garbage and gym shoes, but, surprisingly, the city’s geographic center says a lot about Chicago’s soul.

Did A WWII Nuclear Experiment Make The U Of C Radioactive? Jul 06, 2019

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We used a Geiger counter to see if we could detect any radiation footprint from the site of the first sustained nuclear chain reaction.

The Scoop On Poop At Chicago’s Beaches Jun 30, 2019

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Use our handy guide to determine which Chicago beaches are safe for swimming, and when to proceed with caution.

Nicky’s And The Big Baby: A South Side Burger Mystery Jun 23, 2019

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Dozens of unconnected fast food joints serve up the same popular Chicago cheeseburger under the same name. Where did it all begin?