The Rundown | Chicago News

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Tuesday, August 26, 2025 Aug 26, 2025

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People who have survived shootings in Chicago say President Trump’s threats to send in troops will make the city less safe. Star cellist Yo-Yo Ma will appear in concert Tuesday night in Chicago’s Millennium Park with esteemed African vocalist Angélique Kidjo. The Chicago Sky have officially retired former star Candace Parker’s jersey. Plus, we hear from one of the Chicago-area doctors who are meeting with Illinois lawmakers to share their experiences and prompt action to end the war in Gaza.

Monday, August 25, 2025 Aug 25, 2025

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President Donald Trump appears to be walking back his threats to send the military to Chicago. The Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center is opening a satellite in the Loop. The Chicago region can expect autumn-like highs ranging between the upper sixties and the lower seventies – signaling that fall is on the way. Plus, Chicago’s new police oversight chief has been wiping out or dramatically scaling back recommendations to fire officers who investigators say have committed serious misconduct. A new investigation from WBEZ and the Sun-Times show these reversals are undoing months and years of investigative work and they’re coming at the request of the city’s top cop. Anna Savchenko from WBEZ and Tom Schuba from The Sun-Times talked through their findings with anchor Mary Dixon.

Friday, August 22, 2025 Aug 22, 2025

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Teachers at Naperville School District 203 will strike on Tuesday if they don't have a contract deal. A new report shows Illinois is slowly making progress on funding the state’s pension systems. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker is signing a new law aimed at giving journalists greater protections against retaliatory lawsuits. Plus, we look at how CPS school lunches went from delicious to disappointing.

Thursday, August 21, 2025 Aug 21, 2025

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The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project is raising the alarm about the lack of water safety education and the dangers of Lake Michigan. Chicago's Loyola University is celebrating Sister Jean's 106th birthday. Chicago’s Museum of Broadcast Communications will reopen this fall in a new location with exhibits that will dive deep into the history of late night television. Plus, steakhouses open regularly, but this year brings an especially large crop of newcomers to the Chicago area. Between the fresh faces and the old guard, is Chicago teetering on steakhouse saturation? WBEZ culture reporter Courtney Kueppers sat down in-studio with food contributor Maggie Hennessy to survey our prime beef scene.

Wednesday, August 20, 2025 Aug 20, 2025

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An autopsy shows that the shot that killed Chicago police officer Krystal Rivera struck her from behind through an opening in her bullet proof vest. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services are at odds over vaccine recommendations for children. NASCAR has announced its 2026 schedule, featuring a new street course in San Diego and the return of Chicagoland Speedway in suburban Joliet. Plus, Chicago’s love for Korean skincare might be facing a setback. A new trade deal between the U.S. and South Korea includes a 15 percent tariff on Korean goods, meaning the beauty products may get pricier or harder to find. Sun-Times money desk reporter Mariah Rush joined WBEZ’s Araceli Gomez-Aldana to break down changes in Chicago’s K-Beauty scene.

Tuesday August 19, 2025 Aug 19, 2025

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High school seniors in Illinois can use a new online tool to express interest in attending the state's public universities and community colleges. Preschool students are back to school. And, after a hot start to the season, the Cubs are struggling.

Plus, WBEZ’s Courtney Kueppers talks with a local cheesemonger.

Monday, August 18, 2025 Aug 18, 2025

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It’s the first day of school for most Chicago Public Schools students. Texas House Democrats are heading back to Austin. And, the Bears won big last night in preseason action, but the real story away from the scoreboard was Caleb Williams’ impressive debut

Plus, as the school year gets underway, we hear about the challenges new budget cuts could bring.

Friday, August 15, 2025 Aug 15, 2025

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The Chicago police officer who fatally shot his partner Krystal Rivera while pursuing a suspect was stripped of his police powers today – but not for that shooting. The back and forth between the Trump administration and the Illinois State Board of Elections continues. Plus, each fall, more than 1,5000 freshmen start class at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb. Half are the first in their family to attend college. That’s a big milestone for a group that faces challenges not only in applying to college — but in adjusting to it and graduating. Our higher education reporter Lisa Kurian Philip spoke with one student as she was getting ready to transition to college life this fall.

Thursday, August 14, 2025 Aug 14, 2025

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Amid a crowded Democratic primary, there’s now a Republican candidate vying for U.S. Senator Dick Durbin’s seat. Cook County and school officials are urging families to get their children vaccinated against the measles ahead of the start of a new school year. The Savannah Bananas make their Chicago debut this weekend. Plus, we take a look at a push to bring tattoo removal programs to Illinois prisons.

Wednesday, August 13, 2025 Aug 13, 2025

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Chicago Public School officials presented a balanced budget proposal today ahead of a vote at the end of the month. A former student at a Chicago public high school says the district failed to do a sufficient background search on a security guard who allegedly raped her. And, Senator Tammy Duckworth is taking the gloves off when discussing President Trump.

Plus, WBEZ’s Alex Degman talks about the potential district remapping Governor Pritzker is considering in response to Texas Republicans.

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