The Rundown | Chicago News

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**The Rundown | Chicago News**

In one bite-sized episode every weekday, we’ll keep you informed, tickled, geeked, and pondering on Chicago’s news, culture and people. Each episode starts with a quick news roundup from the WBEZ newsroom, followed by a deep-dive into one of the biggest or most curious stories from our city. The Rundown podcast is a one-stop-shop for all things Chicago.

Latest Episodes:

Earlybirds Club: “The party don’t stop until … 10 p.m.” Apr 19, 2024

Show notes

Imagine dancing your heart out with your bestie like you used to, but still getting home by 10 p.m.

That’s the idea behind Earlybirds Club, according to creators (and high school friends) Susie Lee and Laura Baginski.

“It’s a dance party for women that starts early and ends early because we all value our sleep,” Baginski said.

They’ve only hosted one event so far, in February. They say it sold out almost immediately. Baginski says their next event, scheduled for May 4, has a waiting list in the hundreds.

“We were so overwhelmed and surprised at the reaction,” Lee said. “The first one was just like two idiots throwing a party. And then after that, we were like, there clearly is a need for this.”

Lee and Baginski came on the Rundown podcast to explain the idea’s origin story, why it struck a chord with so many and what’s coming next.

Morning News: Friday April 19, 2024 Apr 19, 2024

Show notes

The Chicago City Council could vote today on spending an extra $70 million for migrant care. Suburban mayors are pushing back against a potential grocery tax cut at the state level. There’s an effort underway to rename Northwestern’s John Evans Alumni Center.

Afternoon News: Thursday April 18, 2024 Apr 18, 2024

Show notes

The Cook County Board unanimously approved giving up to $70 million dollars to Chicago to cover food expenses for migrants. A state law that currently prohibits public school closings in Chicago could be extended until 2027. The American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois is concerned about how law enforcement will handle protesters during the Democratic National Convention.

For poet Helene Achanzar, meeting an artist can change a child’s life Apr 18, 2024

Show notes

Helene Achanzar’s job is to introduce students to poetry.

She’s the director of programs at the Chicago Poetry Center. That means she manages education programs in Chicago Public Schools, organizing poetry residencies and performances for students of all ages.

“Getting to meet an artist, as a student or as a young person, I think, can really change the trajectory of someone’s life,” Achanzar said.

In today’s episode, Achanzar explains her path to poetry and her life in and out of Chicago. Because she grew up here, left and returned, Achanzar says the changes in the city are always on her mind, and in her writing.

This episode was produced by Ari Mejia for WBEZ’s sister station Vocalo and their Chi Sounds Like series.

Morning News: Thursday April 18, 2024 Apr 18, 2024

Show notes

Four Chicago lobbyists are escaping serious punishment for improper donations to Mayor Johnson’s campaign. Some Cook County commissioners are concerned about blowback from voters and their communities as they vote to give Chicago money to help migrants. Former Arizona Congresswoman and gun control advocate Gabby Giffords addresses Chicagoans at the City Club.

Afternoon News: Wednesday April 17, 2024 Apr 17, 2024

Show notes

Four lobbyists avoided serious punishment this week for improperly donating to Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s campaign. Chicagoans will soon be allowed to ride electric scooters overnight. The Chicago Bulls could soon be in playoff contention.

Faith Ringgold, legendary artist, dies at 93 Apr 17, 2024

Show notes

Artist Faith Ringgold, who passed away on Saturday at 93, was known for her work in a variety of artforms and for her sometimes jarring political pieces. One of her boldest works depicts the stars of the American flag reading the word “DIE” and the stripes reading the n-word. Titled “Flag For The Moon,” the piece briefly got the artist arrested for flag desecration when she displayed it in 1970.

“She felt the American government – what they were communicating to Black people – [was] that they could put a flag on the moon but disregard Black lives back in the United States,” said Jamillah James, who curated a recently-closed exhibit of Ringgold’s artwork at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago.

In honor of Ringgold’s life and work, listen as host Erin Allen talks with James about the political nature of Ringgold’s art and how it serves as a bridge to the work of young Black artists today.

This episode was originally published on Nov. 29, 2023.

Morning News: Wednesday April 17, 2024 Apr 17, 2024

Show notes

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal paid Chicago a visit yesterday to fundraise. The Chicago Teachers Union is calling for every school to have a person on hand to help students work through conflicts. University of Illinois students, alumni, and staff traveled to Springfield yesterday to make the case to lawmakers for more money for the school system.

Afternoon News: Tuesday April 16, 2024 Apr 16, 2024

Show notes

The Illinois House is advancing a measure to prohibit closing selective enrollment Chicago public schools until 2027. For the first time in its 90-year history, the Brookfield Zoo will house koalas. Severe weather could hit parts of the Chicago area tonight.

Blurring the lines between art, journalism and activism with 'The Art Rebellion' Apr 16, 2024

Show notes

Arts journalist Makeda Easter had issues with a lot of art-related journalism, so she created her own publication: The Art Rebellion, where she focuses coverage on artists without public relations teams, those working outside of New York and Los Angeles, and those creating activist art.

Easter is also vocal about one of her goals: making people understand how essential artists are in our society.

“Artists need to be paid more. We need to respect them as workers, not just as people who make pretty things,” Easter said. “They work. Their work is valuable. They should be paid as such.”

In this episode, Easter explains how her arts coverage exists in the world of “activist journalism.” She also talks about her ambitious project to document how much money artists are making across the country (spoiler: the struggle is real).

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