City Cast Chicago

Chicago’s daily news podcast, fresh every weekday at 6 a.m. Host Jacoby Cochran brings you timely conversations with news and culture makers; activists and artists; bus drivers and students; those who love and hate this place—all in 15 minutes a day. It’s a smart and delightful new way to connect with the city we share. Learn more and subscribe to our morning newsletter at citycast.fm/chicago. 

Daily News
News Commentary
News
976
Meet the Chicago Scientist Studying UFOs
In June, the U.S. military issued a report saying that out of 144 sightings of unidentified aerial phenomena, they were only able to explain one of them.
14 min
977
At ‘Refugee High’ Students and Teachers are Lik...
A teacher and student at Sullivan High School talk about the unique challenges of being a refugee student.
15 min
978
Students Find Their Place at 'Refugee High'
Sullivan High School in Rogers Park is home to hundreds of refugee students who speak more than 40 different languages.
14 min
979
School Questions, Essential Workers, and a Hot ...
City Cast Chicago producer Simone Alicea is in the host chair with Lead Producer Carrie Shepherd and City Bureau Deputy Editor Arionne Nettles.
15 min
980
ICYMI: Stephen Colbert’s Chicago Roots
The Late Show host found his comedic voice in Chicago, and recommends all performers start in this 'cultural capital.'
14 min
981
Shifting Demographics Means Shifting Political ...
13 min
982
A Chicago Teacher Feels COVID Deja Vu
A teacher tells us she’s feeling just as anxious as she did when the pandemic began.
13 min
983
Can Reasonable Doubt Get This Man Out of Prison?
James Allen has spent decades in prison based on suspicious evidence
9 min
984
Delta Spread, ShotSpotter Qs, and The Bud is Back
Chicago's top stories, under-hyped stories, and moments of joy of the week.
17 min
985
Want to Impact the City Budget? Fill Out This Form
Chicagoans tell city officials what they want in the annual budget, but whether those recommendations go into action remains to be seen.
12 min
986
Comedian Abby McEnany Says Chicago Improv Saved...
Abby McEnany has been on Chicago’s improv scene for more than 20 years but is new to the TV world.
12 min
987
Should Chicago End Its Contract with ShotSpotter?
ShotSpotter is a technology that’s meant to detect the sound of gunfire and deploy police to that location.
17 min
988
A Community Fridge in Englewood Was Just the Be...
Last year, Dion Dawson’s friend asked him what he wanted to do to help his Englewood community. Now, Dion’s Chicago Dream is running a community fridge that the organization keeps full of fresh produce and delivers groceries to families from Maywood to Evanston.
18 min
989
Mask Mandate(ish) Is Back, Bulls Could Be Good ...
Journalists Justin Kaufmann and Monica Eng break down the week’s news with Lead Producer Carrie Shepherd.
18 min
990
How to Move a 1000-Ton Historic Building
When historic preservationists heard the building could be demolished, they fought it. The compromise was to move the building 30 feet.
12 min
991
Teens Take Back the Block’s Story
Too many young people in Chicago see stories about their neighborhoods on the news that don’t reflect the neighborhood THEY know.
14 min
992
A Therapist’s Take on This Mental Health Moment
16 min
993
Cubs Fans Are Mad As Hell After Huge Trade
Cubs fans had a rough weekend.
16 min
994
Baseball Champs, Botched Raids, and Bring Back ...
The CDC had advised that masks be worn indoors again, especially in states that are seeing COVID cases surge again.
21 min
995
Sailing, Judo and 3-on-3: Chi Olympics Update
It has been a week since the 2021 Summer Olympics kicked off in Tokyo, Japan.
13 min
996
How Weird Will Pandemic Lollapalooza Be?
Chicago is bracing for nearly a half a million people to flood Grant Park for Lollapalooza.
18 min
997
A New Generation’s Chinatown Reboot
This weekend, the Chinatown Summer Fair is back after taking a year off because of the pandemic.
13 min
998
How to Get Help As Eviction Protections End
After several extensions of the state’s eviction moratorium, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker issued an executive order last Friday that allows eviction filings to begin this week.
10 min
999
Cop Oversight, Love for the Bucks, and Wait, Lo...
City Council passed a civilian police oversight ordinance that assuages some activists’ calls for more accountability, but ultimately, Mayor Lori Lightfoot still retains a lot of power.
18 min
1000
How To Cover A Cursed Olympics
This summer’s Olympics are the fourth for Chicago Tribune reporter Stacy St. Clair.
14 min