Bianca Cseke

6 days ago | wbez.org | Bianca Cseke

Good afternoon! It’s Friday, and after today’s warm temperatures, rain is expected for much of the weekend. Here’s what else you need to know today. 1. Chicago street festivals are sounding the alarm on rising costs, including securityNeighborhood street fests — a staple of summertime in the city — are struggling to survive, according to a new coalition of 20 festival organizers that includes Chicago’s Pride Fest, Taste of Randolph and the Square Roots Fest.

1 week ago | wbez.org | Bianca Cseke

Good afternoon! Three panels of the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt will be viewable to the public in Chicago this month. Here’s what else you need to know today. 1. A new medical license pathway for international doctors could alleviate Illinois’ shortageA law passed in 2023 and in effect this year created a limited license that allows doctors trained abroad to practice for two years under a supervising physician, Kaitlin Washburn reports for the Chicago Sun-Times.

1 week ago | wbez.org | Bianca Cseke

Good afternoon! It’s Wednesday, and my WBEZ colleagues and Jam Productions are bringing the creators of the first podcast produced in prison to The Vic this summer. Here’s what else you need to know today. 1. The first three months of 2025 had the fewest robberies in Chicago of any quarter in decadesAfter a three-year surge, the city’s robbery numbers have plunged to historic lows, my colleague Chip Mitchell reports.

1 week ago | wbez.org | Bianca Cseke

Good afternoon! It’s Tuesday, and a new episode of WBEZ’s Making: Stories Without End explores how soap operas created groundbreaking storylines for women. Here’s what else you need to know today. 1.

1 week ago | wbez.org | Bianca Cseke

Good afternoon! It’s Monday, and heads up to procrastinators: Tomorrow is Tax Day. Here’s what else you need to know today. 1. Chicago Teachers Union members ratified a new contract with 97% approvalThe union’s 27,000 voting members overwhelmingly approved a deal that sets lower class size limits, gives pay raises and could add hundreds of new staff members, my colleague Nader Issa reports.