My Work

Square dancing was once so popular that the Chicago area had a dedicated center. It’s waned in popularity, but local clubs are keeping it alive.

Derided as low-brow entertainment for women, these shows have survived industry upheaval, changing taste and the digital streaming revolution.

In 2020, Illinois legalized recreational marijuana. But experts say the boon won’t last forever, and policymakers should re-examine how the funds are spent.

Where and how Filipinos settled tells the story of Chicago: “Where you are is where you build community.”

Historians say it’s an impossible question to answer. Major events have shaped Chicago from its very start in 1837, but one year stands out.

Octavia Ray never thought she’d be a real estate developer. Entrepreneur, sure. In fact, as the rest of the world shut down in early 2020, Ray transitioned her print and embroidery business to begin creating face masks. Soon she was moving into a…

Hi there! It’s Thursday, and the newsletter will be taking a day off tomorrow, but we’ll be back on Monday. Here’s what you need to know today. As omicron spreads across the U.S., Illinois today reported 18,942 new COVID-19 cases — the highest total…

Hi all! It’s Monday, and I’m still recovering from too many bags of M&M’s. Here’s what you need to know today. (By the way, if you’d like this emailed to your inbox, you can sign up here.) International leaders today stressed the apocalyptic…

Few schools can say the demographics of their student body are directly impacted by the biggest international news. But that’s the norm at Sullivan High, the North Side school nicknamed “Refugee High” for the high number of students from families…

This story is a collaboration between WBEZ’s Reset and The Trace, a nonprofit journalism outlet devoted to covering gun violence in the U.S. More than 30,000 Chicagoans have been shot in the last decade. And five of every six survive. But while much…

Good afternoon! It’s Tuesday, and here’s an actual picture of me filling in for Hunter. Here’s what you need to know today. (By the way, if you’d like this emailed to your inbox, you can sign up here.) Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said today…

Lots of Chicago-area buildings make you stop and ask: “What’s that building?” WBEZ’s Reset is collecting the stories behind them! You can also find them on this map. In the middle decades of the 20th century, America was swaggering with industrial…

Editor’s Note: This project is in collaboration with the University of Chicago’s Center for Effective Government at the Harris School of Public Policy. From a global pandemic, to a racial reckoning, to a historic and contentious election — the events…

Good afternoon! It’s Monday, and I can’t get over how easy it looks when Simone Biles makes history. Here’s what you need to know today. Thousands of people are expected to gather around the country this week to remember George Floyd, who was…

Editor’s Note: This project is in collaboration with the University of Chicago’s Center for Effective Government at the Harris School of Public Policy. From a global pandemic, to a racial reckoning, to a historic and contentious election — the events…

Hey there! It’s Monday. And when the news gets too heavy, I look at beautiful animal pics. This week: whales! Here’s what you need to know today. Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin “had to know” he was killing George Floyd when he cried…

A new documentary series follows the life of one of the world’s greatest writers — who was also born and raised in Oak Park — Ernest Hemingway. The Chicago-suburban native was one of the 20th century’s greatest writers, and the man behind classics…

Today Mixed clouds and sun with scattered thunderstorms. High around 80F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Cloudy skies with periods of light rain late. Thunder possible. Low around 60F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain…

Hi there! It’s Friday, and Happy Easter and Passover to those celebrating. Here’s what you need to know today. One U.S. Capitol police officer was killed and another was injured when a man rammed a car into a security checkpoint today in Washington,…

Hi there! It’s Tuesday, and I’m soaking up sunshine like I’m in “The Odd Life of Timothy Green.” Here’s what you need to know today. The drugmakers behind the two currently authorized COVID-19 vaccines in the U.S. told Congress today they are ramping…