NBC’s hit show “Parks and Recreation” ran from 2009 to 2015 and is now living a second life in streaming. A comfort show for many, it follows the staff of the parks department in the fictional Midwest town of Pawnee, Indiana. The show stars actors Amy Poehler, Rob Lowe, Nick Offerman and Chicagoan Jim O’Heir. Reset checks in with O’Heir as he releases his new book “Welcome to Pawnee: Stories of Friendships, Waffles and Parks and Recreation.” For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over...

Chicagoans may have to dig a little deeper into their pockets to pay their electric bills next year as a result of advancing technology like data centers, artificial intelligence and quantum computing. Reset checks in with watchdog reporter and assistant editor Brett Chase from Chicago Sun-Times to find out what the connection is between our electric bills and energy-hungry tech operations. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Some Illinois residents checking the mail have been in for a big surprise: A letter confirming that their medical debt has been erased. Reset learns more about the program and looks at other recent efforts to erase medical debt in our area with Elizabeth Whitehorn, director of the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services and Rev. Otis Moss III, senior pastor at Trinity United Church of Christ. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

A year and a half ago, Oak Park’s architecturally significant Village Hall was headed for demolition. But the building, a modernist structure designed in the mid-1970s by architect Harry Weese, survived that threat. And late last week the village board selected a River North architecture firm to work out a plan for revitalizing the building for long-term use. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Chicago footwork is essential to the city’s history of electronic dance music and culture. It was pioneered in the 1990s by dancers, DJs and producers like DJ Rashad, DJ Spinn, DJ Clent, RP Boo and more on Chicago’s South and West sides. And it’s characterized by fast choppy vocal samples, interesting basslines and hi-hats and snares. Reset sits down with Litebulb, Steelo and P-Top of The Era Footwork Crew to learn more about the evolution of Chicago footwork and its continuing legacy. For a...

There’s a plot twist in the years-long Jussie Smollett case and we got a look at the “magic list” of former Illinois House speaker Mike Madigan. Reset breaks down those stories and more with CW-26 reporter and anchor Brandon Pope, WTTW Chicago politics reporter Heather Cherone, WBEZ criminal justice editor Patrick Smith and Chicago Sun-Times federal courts reporter Jon Seidel. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

As President-elect Donald Trump prepares for his second term, same-sex couples are preparing for potential setbacks in LGBTQ rights and legal protections. Reset learns more from parent Tia Lantzy and attorney Nidhi Desai. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

While the Thanksgiving meal can be delicious, making it — and getting it on the table — can be stressful, especially for the pies. Reset gets tips for crusts, fillings, time management and more with Martin Sorge, winner of Season 6 of the Great American Baking Show. And we’ve got a special guest for this episode: Reset senior producer Meha Ahmad!

President-elect Trump has chosen North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum to lead the Department of the Interior, former NY Congressman Lee Zeldin to head the EPA and Chris Wright, the owner of fracking company Liberty Energy to lead the Department of Energy. Reset discusses what impact this could have nationally, and what is, and will continue to happen at the state level to safeguard the environment. With director of Loyola University Chicago’s Baumhart Center for Social Enterprise and...

Chicago comedians Josh Linden and Paula Skaggs have published a new book that aims to make life more bearable — even if only by a tiny bit. Tiny Pep Talks: Bite Size Encouragement for Life’s Annoying, Stressful, and Flat-Out Lousy Moments is out now. Reset sits down with the two comedian-authors Josh LIden and Paula Skaggs to hear more. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

President-elect Donald Trump has proposed 10% to 20% tariffs on all imported goods and even higher tariffs on goods coming in from China and Mexico. Reset explores what that could mean for the Chicago area with Cécile Shea of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, Mike Galiga of Barcode Supplies and Hara Kumaran of Metric Coffee. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Poochie is a foul-mouthed employee of The Wiener’s Circle, the North Side hot dog stand where rude customer service — and rude customers — are part of the schtick. Kevin Pang is a documentarian and best-selling author who uses words and phrases like “mouth feel,” “artisanal,” and “meltingly tender.” The unlikely pair take their friendship and tastebuds around the region on “Poochie & Pang (eat Chicago).” Reset sits down with the duo. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to...

From the unicorn-like narwhal to a mysterious 400-year-old shark to the crowd-pleasing giraffe, a new book tours the world for the most awe-inspiring animals currently facing extinction. Reset learns what’s at stake if humans don’t change course from the author of Vanishing Treasures: A Bestiary of Extraordinary Endangered Creatures, Katherine Rundell. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Foxx says voters elected her in 2016 to make fundamental changes to how the office operated with the people most impacted by the justice system. To that end, during her two terms in office, she helped oversee the end of cash bail and the legalization of marijuana in the county and statewide and raised the threshold for prosecuting felony retail theft from $300 to $1,000. Reset sits down with Foxx to discuss her tenure as the county’s top prosecutor. For a full archive of Reset interviews,...

The Pritzker Military Museum & Library 10 miles north of the Illinois-Wisconsin state line is the last full building legendary Chicago architect Helmut Jahn designed before he died in 2021. Reset learns more from our resident architecture sleuth Dennis Rodkin as part of our series What’s That Building? For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Lupe Fiasco is a Grammy Award-winning hip-hop artist, rapper and producer who has worked with Jay-Z, Ye, Pharrell Williams and more. He's known for his rhymes, lyrics and storytelling with albums like his 2006 debut “Food & Liquor” and his 2011 album “Lasers.” Now, Fiasco is out with his latest record “Samurai.” For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Alders block Mayor’s massive property tax hike and the Bears fire the team’s offensive coordinator while strategizing about a possible new stadium site. Reset goes behind the headlines of those stories and much more in our Weekly News Recap with Axios Chicago reporter Carrie Shepherd, Fox 32 Chicago political correspondent Paris Schutz and Chicago Sun-Times reporter Mitch Armentrout. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

The holidays are about holding on to tradition, while also figuring out how to make them our own. And the food we make, or choose to skip, is a big part of that. Reset talks with local food experts Ahmed Ali Akbar, Chicago Tribune food writer and Damarr Brown, chef de cuisine and Virtue Restaurant & Bar and Top This Mac & Cheese about where our traditions come from, honoring memories, and making a tasty Thanksgiving meal. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to...

In 2022, President Biden signed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, or BSCA, into law. It provides community-based programs, schools, grassroots organizations and more with funding to support efforts to keep guns out of the wrong hands, make schools safer and expand trauma-informed mental health services in underresourced communities. However, this funding is set to run out at the end of 2026, so what happens next and how could efforts funded by federal dollars be impacted? Reset sits down...

Bob Fosse and Gwen Verdon are the co-creators of the dance performance “Sweet Gwen Suite,” which will be performed at Hubbard Street Dance Company Nov. 15-24. The return of Fosse’s work to Chicago isn’t just noteworthy because Fosse is legendary and a Chicago native. Hubbard Street Dance Company is the only company in the world authorized to add Fosse’s works to its repertory. Reset sits down with Cassie Walker Burke, WBEZ senior editor for arts and culture, to talk about who Fosse was, and...

The Chicago Bears are eyeing a move to the Bronzeville neighborhood, revisiting a potential new stadium site that the team had already seemingly crossed off its list. The team also announced firing its offensive coordinator this week and that it’s cutting loose offensive lineman Nate Davis. Reset checks in on the latest Bears news and more with WBEZ sports contributor Cheryl Raye-Stout and Mitch Armentrout, Chicago Sun-Times reporter. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to...

Ella Jenkins, known as “First Lady of children’s music,” released 39 albums for kids. She had a deft touch with young audiences, often using call-and-response as a way to engage kids and get them involved in the music. Reset takes listeners through Jenkins’ musical legacy with songs and archival interviews from WBEZ and beyond.

In an effort to close the $986 million budget gap for 2025 without slashing social programs or instituting mass layoffs, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson broke a campaign promise and proposed the largest property tax hike in a decade. Reset gets an update from DePaul Public Service professor Amanda Kass and WBEZ’s Tessa Weinberg. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

When the Federal Reserve cuts its key interest rate, the decision begins to ripple outwards, affecting everyone from credit card holders to car buyers to corporations. Reset talks with Morningstar personal finance expert Christine Benz about what you need to know about the recent rate cut as well as tips for saving for retirement in today’s economy. Her latest book is titled “How to Retire.” For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.