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Get ready for the THC beverage boom in Chicago Mar 19, 2024

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THC-infused seltzer beverages – you know, the kind that get you high – are becoming more readily available in local grocery stores and even for on-site consumption at a few Chicago breweries.

But, how is this legal? And should we expect a THC beverage boom in the near future?

To answer those questions, the Rundown podcast visited Hopewell Brewing in Logan Square, whose hemp-based, THC-infused beverage called Choom became available in February. We talked with Hopewell owner Samantha Lee about why they decided to offer Choom. We also ask reporter Steve Hendershot – who covered the trend for WBEZ – to give the lemon-lime seltzer a taste and to explain the legal gray area where these kinds of beverages exist.

Morning News: March 19, 2024 Mar 19, 2024

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It’s primary day today, and voters will cast ballots for president, Cook County state’s attorney and a Chicago tax referendum. A new violence reduction plan for Chicago. The Illinois State Treasurer is pushing an investment program to help nonprofits across the state.

Afternoon News: Monday March 18, 2024 Mar 18, 2024

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Early voting numbers in Chicago are lagging ahead of tomorrow’s primary election. The agency that investigates police misconduct in Chicago currently has 600 open misconduct cases. The Chicago Bears have traded Quarterback Justin Fields to the Steelers in exchange for a draft pick next year.

It’s time for the first Chicagohenge of 2024 Mar 18, 2024

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Chicagohenge comes around twice a year: just after the spring equinox and right before the fall equinox. With the equinox just around the corner—it’s tomorrow!—this week is your first chance of the year to catch the dazzling effect in some Chicago streets.

The name “Chicagohenge” is a play on Stonehenge, the ancient stone monument in England that also interacts with the sun in some amazing ways. It’s the kind of interplay between nature and infrastructure we love to geek out about on The Rundown.

In this episode, host Erin Allen spaces out with Michelle Nichols, the Director of Public Observing at the Adler Planetarium.

This episode originally aired on September 22, 2023.

The Rundown: Monday March 18, 2024 Mar 18, 2024

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Chicago officials evicted fewer migrants than expected from city shelters over the weekend. The payday lending industry in Illinois has been nearly wiped out due to a new law.

Afternoon News: Friday March 15, 2024 Mar 15, 2024

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Migrants will start to be evicted this weekend from city run shelters in Chicago, but thousands of people will have their stays extended under new exemptions announced Friday. Gov. JB Pritzker is announcing plans to tear down and rebuild the Stateville and Logan prisons. Cook County commissioners are delaying a mandate that grants paid leave to employees at schools and parks in the suburbs.

Meet Olivia Rodrigo’s Chicago opener, Chappell Roan Mar 15, 2024

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When Chappell Roan is headlining a concert, she books local drag queens to open for her. “Drag is just inspirational throughout my whole project,” Roan said. “It would be only right to have drag open for me.”

Last fall, we spoke with her and one such opener, Boyj, ahead of her Chicago shows. “I like to think of Chicago as the headquarters of drag,” Boyj said.

Now, Roan is coming back to Chicago as an opener for Olivia Rodrigo’s “GUTS” tour, so we wanted to revisit our conversation with her and Boyj.

This episode originally aired on October 4, 2023.

Morning News: March 15, 2024 Mar 15, 2024

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Illinois lawmakers want to create a new state agency focused on early childhood care. They are also considering new rules to govern carbon capture and sequestration projects. New findings in the treatment of HIV in infants could improve the quality of life for children and families.

Afternoon News: Thursday March 14, 2024 Mar 14, 2024

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Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago said it has started reactivating its MyChart portal after a cybersecurity threat in late January prompted the hospital to shut the network down. Disability rights advocates are protesting an Illinois measure that allows patients to take medication to end their lives. Construction on the Kennedy Expressway is causing headaches for commuters; the express lanes will be closed until late fall.

Happy Pi(e) Day! Mar 14, 2024

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March 14 is Pi Day—yes, as in 3.14. The Rundown podcast team isn’t flush with mathletes, so we’re taking the pie approach.

In this episode, host Erin Allen talks about pies and pie shops with two of WBEZ’s most prolific home bakers, senior editors Katie O’Connell and Cassie Walker Burke. Here are some of their favorite Chicago pie shops:

Bang Bang Pie & Biscuits
Hoosier Mama Pie Company
Justice of the Pies
Spinning J

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