Episodes
Chicago’s Civilian Office of Police Accountability releases body cam footage from a deadly March traffic stop where officers fired nearly 100 shots in less than a minute. Plus, new legislation aims to close a race gap in teacher evaluations, and stargazers head downstate for a total solar eclipse. Reset goes behind the headlines of those stories and much more in our Weekly News Recap with Andy Grimm of the Chicago Sun-Times, Ravi Baichwal at ABC 7 News, and Leigh Giangreco with Crain’s...
Published 04/13/24
Life wasn’t always easy for poet Nikki Pitan, who grew up with domestic violence, and fatphobia affecting her self esteem in her far South Side home. She tells Reset about how her new memoir outlines her lifelong journey of healing and breaking those generational cycles. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Published 04/12/24
Spring is coming and going in Chicago so fast you might think you’re on a bit of a roller coaster. Reset turns to cultural historian and chef, Jordan Wimby (aka Melanin Martha), for more on cool-season crops to plant now and in-season veggies for your dinners this week. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Published 04/11/24
Congress has yet to pass a Green New Deal, a set of policies that aims to reduce emissions and provide a just transition to green jobs. So, high schoolers and the Sunrise Movement are taking matters into their own hands. Evanston Township High School is the third high school in the U.S. to pass a Green New Deal of their own. Reset learns more about the effort with student Milo Slevin and Reset Sustainability Contributor Karen Weigert. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to...
Published 04/11/24
Dr. Tammy Abughnaim normally works as an emergency physician in Chicago. But in March, she spent two weeks living and working in Al-Aqsa Hospital, as part of a team under the World Health Organization. When it came time to leave, Dr. Abughnaim says she begged to stay longer. Reset host Sasha-Ann Simons sat down with Dr. Abughnaim to hear about her experience in Gaza. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Published 04/10/24
Illinois could soon join 10 states in the nation which allow what advocates call “medical aid in dying.” A bill in Springfield would give terminally ill people with six months or less to live the option to end their lives by self-administering a drug provided by a physician. Illinois lawmakers are considering the future of this legislation during the spring session, so Reset spoke with the bill’s co-sponsor Sen. Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) to learn more about it. Plus, hears from opponents like...
Published 04/10/24
Thousands of artists and nearly 200 galleries from around the world are showcasing their work here in Chicago. We check in with WBEZ's Courtney Kueppers. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Published 04/09/24
The latest jobs report shows the U.S. economy is strong, but how consumers perceive and feel about it isn’t as positive. So, what’s really going on? Reset sits down with Austan Goolsbee, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, to find out how the economy is doing and to get a lesson on how the Fed works. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Published 04/09/24
In his new book, Chicago-area dentist Steven Potashnick digs into the surprising significance of the toothpick in Western culture. It features photos of his extensive collection of 1,500 toothpicks, which is believed to be the largest in the world. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Published 04/08/24
Chicago’s school board recently voted to prioritize neighborhood schools and de-emphasize selective enrollment schools, but board members are not ending school choice. Reset dives into the history of how selective schools came to be — from the space race to integration efforts. We talk with WBEZ education reporter Sarah Karp, who recently reported on this history for Curious City. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Published 04/08/24
The self-described “breeze-pop” duo is out with their debut album. VV Lightbody and Daniel Villareal have paired up to explore a genre that is out of their comfort zone. The self-titled album is wall-to-wall dancy, dreamy, and inspired. VV and Daniel join Reset to talk about the new release and a show at Thalia Hall in June. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Published 04/06/24
The Johnson administration has a new chief of staff, and Chicago has its first-ever chief homelessness officer. The Chicago Symphony Orchestra named its youngest-ever conductor and music director. Plus, swimming in the Chicago River? It’s happening. Reset dives into the top local news with Better Government Association president David Greising, Block Club Chicago reporter Quinn Myers and WTTW host and anchor Brandis Friedman. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Published 04/05/24
For many of us, a big part of traveling is dining and trying local specialties. Reset reminisces about the best dishes we’ve had while traveling and gets tips from pros like Reset’s Andrea Guthman, WBEZ’s Cianna Greaves and Eater Chicago’s Ashok Selvam on planning meals while on vacation. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Published 04/05/24
Nine out of 10 Black women have used hair relaxing chemicals to straighten their thick curls. But lawsuits have been piling up in state and federal courts across the country for years claiming chemicals in hair relaxers are causing cancer. Reset hears from Traccye Love, one plaintiff in these cases, and learns more about an investigation by WBEZ’s Natalie Moore and the Chicago Sun-Times’ Andy Grimm. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Published 04/04/24
Caring for yourself or a loved one after a sexual assault can be a harrowing experience, and an American Public Media investigation finds hospitals in Illinois have made it more challenging for victims. From delaying treatment, to throwing away rape kits and failing to notify child or adult protective services of the incident, Reset digs into how this can lead to a loss of evidence with American Public Media’s Kate Martin. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Published 04/04/24
The Jasper family in “Purpose” has been a pillar of Black American politics for decades as civil rights leaders, pastors and congressmen. But like all families, there are secrets and lies beneath the surface. Reset sits down with the Steppenwolf Theatre Company’s Glenn Davis, for more on the rehearsal process and inspiration for this show. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Published 04/04/24
Mayor Brandon Johnson appointed Sendy Soto to the position where she will be tasked with creating a five-year plan to address homelessness in Chicago. Reset learns more about this and other ongoing events in City Hall with WBEZ’s Tessa Weinberg. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Published 04/03/24
Suburban Cook County confirmed its first measles case, bringing the total number of cases in the Chicago area to 53. City officials have vaccinated over 5,000 migrants since the first cases were reported at a migrant shelter in Pilsen. Reset checks in with RUSH University Medical Group’s Dr. David Ngyuen on best practices to protect yourself against these viruses. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Published 04/02/24
A new report from the ACLU of Illinois and the Women’s Justice Institute details the inadequate care pregnant women receive in jails across the state. Reset digs into those details with Women’s Justice Institute’s Alexis Mansfield, Alliyah Thomas who was pregnant while incarcerated, and the Marshall Project’s Shannon Heffernan. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Published 04/02/24
Once considered “the Main Street of America,” Route 66 stretches from the Midwest in Chicago to the West Coast in Los Angeles. Today, there’s a campaign to preserve the untold stories of the 2,440-mile highway. Reset learns more about that effort from the National Trust of Historic Preservation’s Amy Webb. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Published 04/01/24
Driving down Route 66, some 60 miles southwest of downtown Chicago, a massive astronaut statue, placed outside of a restaurant near Wilmington, Illinois used to be visible. But it’s no longer there. Reset learns more about the Gemini Giant, where it used to stand, and why it’s up for sale now. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Published 04/01/24
Chicago alders want to censure Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez over his attendance at a rally where a veteran burned the American flag in front of City Hall. Plus, a WBEZ analysis finds more Chicagoans lacked heat in January than any month since 2019. Reset dives into these and other top local stories with City Cast Chicago’s Jacoby Cochran, WBEZ statehouse reporter Alex Degman, and WTTW Chicago politics reporter Heather Cherone. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Published 03/31/24
With a new album out next month, Lizz Wright joins Reset to discuss “defining loves” in her life, the artistry she finds in cooking, and growing up steeped in gospel music. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Published 03/30/24
Chicago alders want to censure Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez over his attendance at a rally where a veteran burned the American flag in front of City Hall. Plus, a WBEZ analysis finds more Chicagoans lacked heat in January than any month since 2019. Reset dives into these and other top local stories with City Cast Chicago’s Jacoby Cochran, WBEZ statehouse reporter Alex Degman, and WTTW Chicago politics reporter Heather Cherone. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
Published 03/29/24
A lot happened in 2020. Beyond a global pandemic, the year was also marked by a divisive presidential election, the spread of misinformation and mass protests, just to name a few. A new book by author and NYU sociologist Erik Klinenberg, titled 2020: One City, Seven People and the Year Everything Changed, charts the transformation of a nation. Reset learns more from the author himself on his process and on why it’s important to look back to learn. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head...
Published 03/29/24