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Host Jacoby Cochran and Lead Producer Carrie Shepherd break down some “news you can use,” something they each learned from City Cast Chicago this week, and a “moment of joy” that made them happy. And, they sing. Of course.Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm

Chicago is known for its public art. Almost every neighborhood is painted with murals showing the people who live there, the politics that shaped the place, and activists who have fought to retain its character. Even though murals and street art are born from graffiti, some say tagging the art breaks an unwritten rule and disrespects the artist. One of those people is Chicago Sun-Times editorial board member Ismael Perez, who wrote the recent editorial, “Chicago should take such pride in its wealth of murals, and yet, they are being defaced." Host Jacoby Cochran tours two of those defaced murals in Pilsen with Perez and talks to him about how the neighborhood felt like a "hug" when Perez arrived from Texas.Guest: Ismael Perez, Editorial Board Member, Chicago Sun-Times (@_ismaperez)Chicago should take such pride in its wealth of murals, and yet, they are being defacedMurals and Mosaics: Chicago Sun-Times mural series

As the pandemic shut down travel, United Airlines-and its employees-took a big hit. The Chicago-based company had to furlough more than 10,000 workers. They brought them back in December, but the airline warned that could be temporary. There’s good news for employees and travelers. United has added 400 flights starting next month so those furloughs aren’t so imminent after all. Host Jacoby Cochran talks with Jay Singh, who covers airlines for the website Simple Flying. Singh also answers the big question for travelers: “How much hand sanitizer can I bring on board?”City Cast Chicago Shoutout Map: https://bit.ly/2TqoFDkFollow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm

Tracy Baim has been covering Chicago’s LGBTQ+ community for more than 40 years, but it hasn’t always been easy. Back then, she says you couldn’t be openly gay in Chicago media, which is why so many LGBTQ+ journalists like herself had to create their own queer press. In 1984, fresh out of college, Baim started part-time at Gay Life Newspaper, before co-founding the LGBTQ+ newspaper, Windy City Times. Fast forward to 2018, and she’s the publisher of the Chicago Reader, the iconic alt-weekly. Chicago Reader’s “Pride” issue this week documents the evolution of gay activism in Chicago. The issue includes an interview with Dr. Fauci about the AIDS epidemic, and a profile of a '80’s zine that explored Chicago’s House music scene, among other stories. Baim spoke with host Jacoby Cochran about her decades-long career in the gay press and about what it’s like seeing Chicago media’s journey from sidelining the queer community to finally embracing it.Guest: Tracy Baim, Publisher, Chicago Reader (@TracyBaimWCMG)Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm

Chicago has a long history of Black and brown communities coming together to advance equal education, immigrant rights, and affordable housing. But last year, as looting and unrest rocked the city, tensions rose between the communities on the South and West sides, with reports that gang members were trying to protect businesses. Activists Tanya Lozano and Bella BAHHS organized a rally to remind people that Black and brown Chicagoans have similar goals. The event didn’t go as planned, which is why they’re trying again this year with an all-day concert instead. The event hopes to bring Black and brown communities together by offering free resources like COVID and HIV testing, vaccinations, exercise classes, and of course, live music. Guests: Tanya Lozano, Co-founder, Healthy Hood Chicago (@_tanyalozano)Heavy Crownz, artist and rapper, @heavycrownzFollow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm

Restaurants, especially after a year of being partially or completely closed, need all the tools in their arsenal to get customers back. Social media is one of those critical tools, but a Facebook page is not going to cut it. Restaurants, cafes and stores across Chicago have tapped into the influence of TikTok to stand out. At Wake ‘n Bacon in Lakeview there’s a “selfie mirror” when you walk in, just one of the opportunities to document your experience under a ceiling of colorful hanging flowers while drinking a Purple Haze iced latte. Host Jacoby Cochran heads to Wake n’ Bacon to see it for himself. But first, the sisters behind the popular Explore Chicago account offer some ideas on how to reach many followers.Guests: Leen and Yasmeen Alqaissi, TikTokers, @explorechicagoGabriel Ayala, Co-Owner, Wake ‘n Bacon (@eatwakenbacon)Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm

Research is woefully lacking on the lives of transgender people, especially when it comes to Chicago’s local trans community. But having that data is extremely important in getting resources and services to trans people. The Chicago Area Trans Survey seeks to reach 30,000 trans people in Cook County to learn about their lives. The project is being led by the Brave Space Alliance, a Black- and trans-led LGBTQ center in Hyde Park, and Northwestern University. Jacoby talks with the survey organizers about how this research can help Chicago’s trans community.Guests:Stephanie Sorka, Associate Executive Director, Brave Space AllianceDylan Felt, Research Coordinator, NU’s Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing

When producer Simone Alicea moved to Chicago this year, she had a burning question: Why is Secretary of State Jesse White, who runs the much reviled DMV office, so popular? White has been non-controversial during his 20 years in the state office, and plus, he founded the Jesse White Tumblers! White is retiring so we break down who is trying to replace him, and what the job actually entails.Guest: Rachel Hinton, Chief Political Reporter, Chicago Sun-Times (@rrhinton)Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fmThe Jesse White Tumblers

Journalist and author Amanda Ripley followed a mediator turned politician, environmental activists, religious figures, and a former gang leader turned violence preventer in Chicago to unravel how we elevate from healthy, everyday conflict to dangerous, often inescapable “high conflict.” Ripley tells those stories in her latest book High Conflict: Why We Get Trapped and How We Get Out. The writer outlines some solutions from the book, and shares a personal tale of what triggered some of her interest in the topic. Guest: Amanda Ripley, Author, High Conflict: Why We Get Trapped and How We Get Out (@amandaripley)Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm

It’s the first time in more than 40 years that works by Mexico’s most well-known artist are on display in the Chicago area. And you won’t see “Frida Kahlo: Timeless” at one of the major museums in the city. It’s actually at the Cleve Carney Museum of Art at the College of DuPage in suburban Glen Ellyn. The process of securing some of Kahlo’s “most personal work” was a long one, starting with a well-connected donor of the community college, and a willingness to do what had to be done to make sure the museum was up to snuff to show works that are literally considered national treasures in Mexico.Guests:Diana Martinez, Director, McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPageAdriana Jaramillo, Communications Director, Museo Dolores Olmedo Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fmFrida Kahlo: Timeless exhibit

Chicago’s comedy scene is legendary. But it’s not always welcoming. Some of the city’s biggest comedy players — from The Second City to iO — have recently been reckoning with accusations of sexism and racism, prompting apologies and new leadership. In the new podcast, “Comedy Has an Ouchie,” Chicago comedians share how they’ve tried to navigate toxic situations in the scene. We talk with hosts Steve Han, Phylicia McLeod, and Ashley Whitehurst.“Comedy Has an Ouchie” on Twitter: @comedyhasouchieFollow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm

Illinois lawmakers are cracking down on the practice of secluding and restraining students. A new bill passed this week by the General Assembly bars the use of so-called “quiet rooms.” It will also phase out the use of facedown restraints, which can make it hard for children to breathe. These new regulations come 18 months after a joint investigation by the Chicago Tribune and ProPublica Illinois showed that school staff were secluding and restraining students at astonishingly high rates, especially kids with disabilities. Host Jacoby Cochran talks with two of the reporters who have been shedding light on the practice.Guests: Jennifer Smith Richards, Reporter, Chicago TribuneJodi Cohen, Reporter, ProPublica IllinoisRead the "Quiet Rooms" investigationMore on legislation that aims to ban seclusionKeeping All Students Safe ActFollow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm

Since City Cast Chicago started, host Jacoby Cochran has wanted to go to the "Marvel: Universe of Super Heroes" exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry. Jacoby and producer Simone Alicea tour the exhibit that includes costumes from blockbusters like "Iron Man" and "Black Panther," but also toys and photos that hardcore Marvel fans lent to the the Museum for the exhibit.Guest: Warren Stokes, Communications Coordinator, Museum of Science and Industry (@msichicago)Photos of the exhibit are on the City Cast Chicago Twitter feed.Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm

It’s that time. Every ten years, the Illinois legislature has to redraw the boundaries that make up legislative districts. And we got a peek this week of what they could look like. These are the maps lawmakers draw up to essentially determine who voters vote for. And the process is not so transparent. It’s literally done behind closed doors, which creates some tension between Republicans and Democrats. WTTW Channel 11 correspondent Amanda Vinicky is at the State Capitol in Springfield, and she tells Jacoby how the re-mapping process is going and what other issues need to get done by the end of the session Monday.Guest: Amanda Vinicky, Correspondent, WTTW Channel 11 (@AmandaVinicky)See the draft House map: https://bit.ly/2R0f99aAnd the draft Senate map: https://bit.ly/2SDieMYFollow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm

The murder of George Floyd last May sparked unrest across the world, including in Chicago. There were a lot of images on the news last summer of looting, damage, and neighborhoods trying to recover. Photographer Vashon Jordan, Jr. captured those moments. But he also found ways to highlight moments of celebration: people sharing food with one another, listening to music and dancing. Jordan's images spread through his thousands of Twitter followers, and he’s collected more than 100 of those photos in his book, “Chicago Protests: A Joyful Revolution.” Guest: Vashon Jordan, Jr., Photographer, “Chicago Protests: A Joyful Revolution” (@vashonjordanjr) Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm

Restaurants in Chicago are operating again at full capacity, and after losing hundreds of thousands of hospitality workers during the pandemic, they need workers back. But, many are deciding not to return to the industry. Jacoby talks to a manager at popular downtown restaurant who says he’s operating with half the staff he needs. He also talks to a longtime food industry worker who used the pandemic to pursue her own catering business. Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm

It’s been a year since George Floyd died at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer, yet some activists are understandably hesitant about calling today an “anniversary.” Jacoby speaks with Northwestern lecturer and journalist Arionne Nettles about how the last year since Floyd’s murder has affected the BLM movement, and what it means to find “relief” as a Black person in America.Guest: Arionne Nettles: Writer, “George Floyd’s Murder, ‘Racial Battle Fatigue,’ and 365 Days of Trauma”; Professor, Northwestern UniversityFollow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm

Chevon Linear and Kameron Stanton are the couple behind the popular TikTok @black.people.outside. They make videos about their travels and local excursions to connect with other Black adventurers. Linear and Stanton guided host Jacoby Cochran on a hike at the Captain Daniel Wright Forest Preserve to talk about why they make their videos and the challenges they’ve faced in raising the visibility of Black people in the outdoors. Plus, they show how fun it is to be outside! Cook County public hearing on Indigenous Peoples’ Day: https://www.cookcountyil.gov/service/watch-live-board-proceedingsFollow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm

When Bella BAHHS speaks, host Jacoby Cochran listens. The multi-disciplinary artist and activist is one of the main subjects in the new documentary “Unapologetic,” which follows young Black organizers in Chicago following the police killing of Rekia Boyd. She also recently released “Acres of Ancestry,” a deeply personal virtual performance.Guest: Bella BAHHS (@bellabahhs)Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm

Recreational cannabis was legalized in Illinois two years ago. But equity is still a big problem. Gov. Pritzker promised licenses for — and revenue from — recreational pot would go to Black and brown neighborhoods disproportionately affected by drug-related offenses and convictions. But the majority of licenses are currently held by white men. Meanwhile, legal groups like New Leaf Illinois work with people with pot convictions to expunge their records. We talk through the expungement process Beth Johnson from New Leaf Illinois.Guest: Beth Johnson, New Leaf Illinois; Illinois Equal Justice FoundationIf you have more questions about expungement: newleafillinois.orgFollow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm