WBEZ's Afternoon Shift

Minimum wage hardships

Wed, 22 May 2013 21:50:48 +0000

The Curious City team takes on the question: What is it like to live on minimum wage? WBEZ Pritzker Fellow Lewis Wallace finds three individuals who share their experiences. What is your story? Photo Credit:Flickr/Elyce Feliz

Poverty's shift to the suburbs

Wed, 22 May 2013 21:50:48 +0000

According to the Brookings Institution, poverty has grown by over 60 percent in the last decade, faster than in urban areas. Rob Breymaier, president of Chicago Area Fair Housing Alliance and Michelle Zurakowski, executive director of the Oak Park Regional Housing Center and the West Cook Home-ownership Center, examine what is driving the trend. What does suburban poverty look like? Call in or comment with your stories.

The collapse of Chicago's entertainment venues

Wed, 22 May 2013 21:29:17 +0000

The saga to maintain Chicago's historic theaters continues. The Regal Theater is now on sale for a meager $100,000. The Congress Theater remains in an infamous state of disrepair. Now, the owners of Uptown palaces the Aragon Ballroom and the Riviera might get slapped with fines for failing to keep up with maintenance. Why can't we maintain these historic landmarks? Is it worth it? WBEZ architecture blogger Lee Bey and Jim DeRogatis, WBEZ music blogger and Sound Opinions co-host weigh in. Photo Credit: WBEZ archive

Breaking down the DSM and its relevancy in medicine

Wed, 22 May 2013 21:29:17 +0000

This week The American Psychiatric Association is releasing the fifth edition of the The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, long considered the “psychiatric bible.” The DSM-V comes after years of controversy concerning changes to the manual, a perceived lack of transparency, and the APA’s ties to the pharmaceutical industry. Emil Coccaro, the chair of the University of Chicago’s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, and Steven Migalski, a clinical psychologist and owner of Andersonville Behavioral Health, share their concerns and examine its relevance in their clinical practices. What are your thoughts on the new DSM?

Gardening 101 with the Chicago Botanic Garden

Tue, 21 May 2013 21:46:37 +0000

Eliza Fournier, manager of the school and community gardens department at the Chicago Botanic Gardens, examines climate change's impact on gardening. What are your questions?

CPS closings: Separating fact from fiction

Tue, 21 May 2013 21:46:36 +0000

On Wednesday, Chicago's Board of Education will vote on whether to shutter 54 schools. WBEZ education reporters Linda Lutton and Becky Vevea provided some context CPS data and took listener questions. (Photo: WBEZ/Linda Lutton)

Disaster relief: the long road to normal

Tue, 21 May 2013 21:46:36 +0000

According to the Oklahoma City medical examiner's office, 24 deaths have been confirmed, as a result of the devastating tornado that struck yesterday. Julia Keller, whose reporting on the 2004 Utica tornado earned her a Pulizter Prize, looks at how communities cope with natural disaster. And, Patricia Kemp,American Red Cross of Chicago, talks about the organization's new tornado app and how it will improve both preparation and relief efforts. How is technology changing disaster preparedness and rescue? (Photo: Getty Images/Joe Raedle)

CPS closings and what they mean for Special Education

Tue, 21 May 2013 18:56:04 +0000

If CPS goes ahead with plans to close dozens of schools, it will mean moves for thousands of students with special needs. That includes 148 special education students from Lafayette Elementary in West Town. Many of them are part of a cluster program for students with autism and other disorders. Bryan Lowry, with Medill's Audio Reporting class project, talked with parents and teachers who worry that school changes will disrupt their children's progress.

The story behind Chicago's "El"

Mon, 20 May 2013 22:00:44 +0000

In light of the CTA's massive red line construction project, we'll look back at the history of Chicago transit infrastructure and its construction with WBEZ history blogger John Schmidt. We'll ask you: Chicago is often said to have a prime transit system... Is it that great?

Is the US looking at another housing bubble?

Mon, 20 May 2013 22:00:44 +0000

It is beginning to look a lot like 2008, at least when it comes to the housing market. Some analysts warn of another housing bubble emerging in certain overheated areas of the country. Bloomberg real estate reporter Prashant Gopal and Chicago magazine Deal Estate columnist Dennis Rodkin look at the national housing market and whether Chicago, which is still recovering from the last crash, could also be at risk. Photo Credit: Scott Olson

Climate change, pollution, and you: is it too late to make a difference?

Mon, 20 May 2013 21:43:02 +0000

The New York Times reported earlier this month the level of carbon dioxide has passed a long-feared milestone reaching a concentration not seen on the earth for three million years. What can be done? Is it too late? What are cities doing now? Karen Weigert, chief sustainability officer for the city of Chicago joins Donald J. Wuebbles, professor of atmospheric science at the University of Illinois to answer your questions.

With the season comes sneezes

Mon, 20 May 2013 21:43:02 +0000

With pollen counts off the charts, Dr. Sindhura Bandi, an allergist and immunologist at Rush Medical Center, examines how changing weather patterns aggravate seasonal allergies. Are more people suffering now? Have you noticed a difference? (Photo: William Brawley/Flickr)

Zorn and Steinberg take on the week's news

Fri, 17 May 2013 21:58:25 +0000

Eric Zorn of the Chicago Tribune and the Sun-Times' Neil Steinberg review the week in news, including the Michigan Avenue jewelry theft that wasn't and Mayor Rahm Emanuel's plan to boost tourism. Photo Credit: Flickr/ Samandal

The intersection between violence at home and on the street

Fri, 17 May 2013 21:45:32 +0000

WBEZ Pritzker Fellow Adriana Cardona tells the story of one Back of the Yards family's struggle with domestic violence. She and community member Marina Alonso, a parent coordinator at Hedges Elementary School, explore the connection between violence at home and on the street. Alonso is part of a group called Una Nueva Amanecer that works to provide much-needed resources to the children who are witnesses to domestic violence. Photo Credit: Bill Healy

Vera Starks and the persistence of black Hollywood stereotypes

Fri, 17 May 2013 21:45:32 +0000

Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lynn Nottage’s By the Way, Meet Vera Stark is now showing at Chicago’s Goodman Theatre. In the satirical play, the title character is a black maid in the 1930s who dreams of becoming a movie actor. Her break comes when she is cast as a slave maid in a southern epic. Tamberla Perry, in the starring role as Stark, discusses the play, her own work and the struggle for respectable roles for black actors. Vera Stark director Chuck Smith also weighs in. What are Hollywood's worst stereotypes? Photo Credit: Flickr/Richie Diesterheft

Calculating the value of a college degree

Thu, 16 May 2013 22:10:01 +0000

According to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, student loans now outpace debt from credit cards and auto loans. WBEZ's resident philosopher Al Gini, a business ethics processor at Loyola University, looks at the real value of higher education. Was your college degree a good investment? Photo Credit:Getty Images

Tech and the new world order

Thu, 16 May 2013 22:10:01 +0000

Technology is changing the way people communicate and access information, but its impact extends well beyond the personal. In their new book, The New Digital Age: Reshaping the Future of People, Nations and Business, Google executives Eric Schmidt and Jared Cohen examine how the digital world is transforming diplomacy, terrorism and global poverty. What questions do you have about technology’s impact on global politics?

Two years in with Mayor Rahm Emanuel

Thu, 16 May 2013 21:55:12 +0000

Mayor Rahm Emanuel took office two years ago today. Paul M. Green, chair of Roosevelt University’s department of Political Science and Public Administration, along with 45th Ward Ald. John Arena, examine his track record on crime, education, jobs and government. Is Chicago better off than it was two years ago? Why or why not? Photo Credit: Scott Olson

The value in alone time

Wed, 15 May 2013 21:37:11 +0000

Writer and WBEZ blogger Claire Zulkey waxes philosophical about the meaning of alone time. Do you take "alone time" for yourself? Do you value your time spent alone?

Blackhawks bring on the rivalry

Wed, 15 May 2013 21:37:11 +0000

This week, the age-old rivalry between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Detroit Red Wings comes to a close, of sorts. With the Red Wings' move to the Eastern Conference, the teams will only face off twice a season. Blackhawks ambassador and Hockey Hall-of-Famer Tony Esposito discusses the history of the rivalry. What do rivalries mean to you? Photo Credit: Nam Y Huh

Economic development within Mexico City

Wed, 15 May 2013 21:00:03 +0000

Mexico's secretary of economic development for Mexico City Salomón Chertorivski Woldenberg stops by during his week-long visit to Chicago to help strengthen relations with Mexico. He talks about Mexico’s economy, Mexico City’s economic development strategy and what he has been learning from the business community in Chicago.

Reservations for Chicago's Restaurant Show

Wed, 15 May 2013 21:00:03 +0000

Chicago Reader food and drink writer Mike Sula and Time Out Chicago's Julia Kramer examine the significance of the National Restaurant Association Show and the changing role of food critics: How do you find out about restaurants? Do you follow a specific reviewer or rely on crowd-sourced information from websites like Yelp?

Officers under fire

Tue, 14 May 2013 22:26:25 +0000

The Chicago Police Board has fired officers Susana La Casa and Luis Contreras, after they were found guilty of numerous administrative charges. The guilty charges included unlawfully restraining a youth, transporting him without a valid police purpose to the turf of a gang that would threaten him and making a false statement about the incident to an Internal Affairs detective. A video discovered by WBEZ led to the ultimate firing. The Afternoon Shift revisits the controversy with WBEZ's West Side bureau reporter Chip Mitchell, Logan Square resident Eric Hudson and Tracy Siska with the Chicago Justice Project. Do you think the officers should have been fired? Photo Credit: WBEZ/Chip Mitchell

Tactics in Illinois government

Tue, 14 May 2013 22:10:20 +0000

Niala, with WBEZ statehouse reporter Tony Arnold and Kristen McQueary with the Chicago Tribune editorial board tackle four major issues in the Illinois state legislature today: pensions, marriage equality, gambling and guns. What are the tactics being used in local and state government? Are they hurting or helping us tackle the issues of the day? Photo Credit: Getty Images/Whitney Curtis

Monsanto & GMOs

Tue, 14 May 2013 22:10:20 +0000

The Supreme Court decided for Monsanto in a genetic seed patent case. This story, like many others in recent memory, highlight the growing trend of genetically modified foods and our food supply. Chicago Tribune food writer Monica Eng weighs the benefits and risk of GMO products. What do you know about Monsanto? Do you know enough about our current food supply? Photo Credit: Flickr/Natalie Maynor

Mah jongg May

Tue, 14 May 2013 22:10:20 +0000

The Chicago History Museum pays homage to this popular game throughout "Mah jongg May." Niala looks at the game's history and its ties to both Chinese and Jewish cultures with aficionados Ram Moy and Stephanie Victor.

Libraries in the digital age

Mon, 13 May 2013 22:19:48 +0000

The Waukegan Public Library won this year’s National Medal for Museum and Library Service award for a program that uses volunteers both to promote the library to Hispanic residents and ask what services people need. Founded in January 2012, the library has started conversational English classes and pre-GED programs--far beyond the traditional library task of lending books and offering a quiet space to read. Waukegan Library Executive Director Richard Lee joins our conversation with Patricia Saldana Natke, founding partner of UrbanWorks, a Chicago architecture firm that has been leading design discussions on how the library of the near future will function. What do you want your library to be? Photo Credit: Flickr/Margaretv

Reversing the Chicago River

Mon, 13 May 2013 22:19:48 +0000

The Chicago River is now the focus of major attention. Mayor Emanuel has made physical improvements along the river’s Main Branch a priority in his first term. And the river has been the subject of several studies, including one in 2011 that has called for undoing the engineering that famously reversed the river more than a century ago. A new study from the organization Friends of the Chicago River and the conservancy group Openlands indicates a cleaner and improved river would be a multi-billion economic engine for the region. What’s the Chicago River’s future? What should it be and what stands in the way of needed progress? Photo Credit:Flickr/Antonio Bovino

Chicago's Off-Loop Theater

Mon, 13 May 2013 22:19:48 +0000

What can off-loop theater learn from its past? With the death of Robert Sickinger, the unofficial founder of off-loop theater, we look at what was built and how it has sustained over the years. Photo Credit: Flickr/Sierraromeo

Isabele Wilkerson & Great Migration

Mon, 13 May 2013 22:19:47 +0000

Pulitzer-prize winning journalist Isabel Wilkerson joins us to talk about The Warmth of Other Suns; the One Book, One Chicago selection about the Great Migration. We pose the question: if your family came here during the Great Migration, do you consider yourself immigrants? Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Lifestyles of the rich & famous

Fri, 10 May 2013 22:00:41 +0000

Baz Luhrmann’s glitzy, 3D remake of the classic American novel The Great Gatsby has lots of people talking--so today, Niala talks with Robert Frank, economics professor from Cornell and he’ll tell us how modern wealth compares to the Gatsby-types from history. Join the conversation: Would you rather be rich or comfortable? Photo Credit: Getty Images

Branding the Bulls

Fri, 10 May 2013 22:00:41 +0000

Today, looking at the Bulls from a sports marketing perspective. What are the lasting brand complications and/or enhancements caused by the saga of Derrick Rose and the Chicago Bulls? Has the team or the player won from a marketing standpoint? Joining Niala will be Kevin Adler, President of Engage Marketing, and Charley Wickman, Executive Creative Director at Leo Burnett. Join the conversation: Would you have paid top price for a ticket to see Game 3 tonight on a rumor that Derrick Rose will return? Photo Credit: Charles Rex Arbogast

Eve Ensler dives into women's rights

Fri, 10 May 2013 21:31:13 +0000

Playwright Eve Ensler’s new book is called In the Body of the World: A Memoir. In it, she explores intense personal and political topics from rape to uterine cancer. Ensler joins Niala in the studio to talk about her career, her new book, and her political activism. Also joining the conversation will be U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky, who will discuss violence against women.

Undercovering the truth behind hospital billing

Thu, 09 May 2013 22:19:18 +0000

Earlier today, the federal government revealed what hospitals around the country charge for the 100 most common procedures. Like the rest of the country, in the Chicago area the prices vary wildly depending on the hospital. Americans with private insurance, Medicaid or Medicare rarely pay the full price. Only the uninsured are forced to foot the entire bill. David Dranove, a professor of health industry management at Northwestern University's Kellogg School, sheds light on the labyrinthine world of hospital billing. Guy Alton, the CFO of St. Bernard Hospital on Chicago’s South Side, reveals how his hospital sets prices. Photo Credit: WBEZ/Michael Puente

Getting family members to share their stories difficult but rewarding

Thu, 09 May 2013 21:55:40 +0000

Today, StoryCorps opens a permanent booth in the Chicago Cultural Center. Since it inception in 2003, the oral history project has recorded 45,000 interviews with nearly 90,000 participants, giving Americans from all backgrounds the opportunity to preserve stories from their families and lives. StoryCorps founder David Isay and Elena Quintana, a clinical psychologist at the Adler School of Psychology, look at how to get family members to open up and share sometimes difficult memories.

Personal archives in the digital age

Thu, 09 May 2013 21:55:40 +0000

For a lot of us, recording, photographing and obsessively sharing the details of our lives is part of our daily routine. As we amass ever more data, and with music streaming sites like Spotify, what stuff do we actually need to hang onto? And what is the best way to store it for posterity? Whitson Gordon, editor-in-chief of Lifehacker, tackles those questions and looks at how the digitization of our lives shapes our relationship to our memories and our media. Photo Credit: Spencer Platt

Curious City: Exploring the African American accent

Wed, 08 May 2013 21:44:03 +0000

Many of you probably remember the Curious City segment about the Chicago accent. Today, editor Shawn Allee, along with reporter Annie Minoff, respond to a listener’s question: how do African American accents differ across the country? YouTube accent tagger Ashlee Nichols, who grew up on Chicago’s South Side, also contributes to the conversation.

Illinois GOP's next move

Wed, 08 May 2013 21:44:03 +0000

Pat Brady is no longer chairman of the Illinois GOP, which means the party ‘s future is at a crossroads. What’s the future of Illinois Republicans? Are they too moderate to matter on the national level? What would the state’s Republican party have to do to get YOUR vote? Niala talks with political commentator and strategist Chris Robling about the future of the GOP.

Second City's Edgar Blackmon and Holly Laurent take on the day's top stories

Wed, 08 May 2013 20:25:31 +0000

Two stars of the new Second City revue “Let them Eat Chaos, “ Edgar Blackmon and Holly Laurent, are in studio to talk about one of the umbrella themes of the new show: oversharing. Have we lost the skill to keep things to ourselves? What do we expect from the people we interact with online? Is social media just another word for narcissism? What DON’T you share on social media? Photo Credit: Secondcity.com

The winners and losers of the Internet sales tax

Tue, 07 May 2013 23:03:03 +0000

Yesterday, the U.S. Senate passed the legislation requiring Internet retailers like Amazon and eBay to pay taxes to states. Governor Pat Quinn has been an outspoken proponent, but the measure faces an uphill battle in the House. Alexander Chernev, a professor of marketing at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management, looks at whether the measure would affect consumer behavior. Jean Kuhn, owner of Rocky Mountain Chocolate in La Grange, tells Niala how the bill would affect her small business.

The numbers behind CPS closings and other questions for the BGA

Tue, 07 May 2013 23:03:02 +0000

For the first hour, Niala talks with Andy Shaw and Alden Lowry from the Better Government Association about a number of topics, including the math behind school closures. WBEZ education reporter Linda Lutton joins the conversation with insight about a recent set of letters CPS sent to parents of closing schools about what it would’ve cost to keep the school open. Photo credit: WBEZ/Linda Lutton

Eating organic

Tue, 07 May 2013 23:03:02 +0000

The ninth annual "Dirty Dozen and Clean 15" list was just released by the Environmental Working Group, detailing which foods have highest frequency and levels of pesticides. The produce industry says it is a lot of malarkey. 'Chicago Tribune' food and consumer issues reporter Monica Eng tells the Afternoon Shift about the controversy. Photo Credit: Getty Images/John Moore

Paul Kahan talking with Steve Edwards on Afternoon Shift

Tue, 07 May 2013 15:36:24 +0000

In 2012 Paul Kahan was nominated for the James Beard Award for Outstanding Chef. He didn't win then, but in 2013 he and David Chang tied for the accolade. This conversation was done on just before the award ceremony in 2012 with former Afternoon Shift host, Steve Edwards.

Developing the young mind with soft skills

Mon, 06 May 2013 21:56:36 +0000

Soft-skills like communication and collaboration begin in early childhood and can play a huge role in an individual's success later in life. Author Stuart Murphy, Allen Rosales, associate director of education and curriculum at the charter school Christopher House, and Jennifer Farrington, the president of the Chicago's Children's Museum, join Niala to discuss soft-skill development in children.

Mental Health Awareness and Law Enforcement

Mon, 06 May 2013 21:56:36 +0000

This weekend, Chicago Police fatally shot Tywon Jones, a 16-year-old alleged to have shot at pedestrians in Lawndale before firing at officers. Jones’ stepfather has confirmed that Jones was bipolar. The Afternoon Shift talks to Ashley Fontaine from the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Greater Chicago’s Crisis Intervention Team, a program that trains officers about how to recognize mental illness and defuse potentially dangerous situations.

Rahm reaches rockstar status

Mon, 06 May 2013 21:33:22 +0000

On the 2012 economic disclosure statements officeholders are required to file, Mayor Rahm Emanuel lists he was a house guest of the famed record executive and producer David Geffen. He makes the rounds of national Sunday morning talk shows to discuss politics, the president and Congress, and his campaign donors include the likes of Disney CEO Robert Iger. Two years into his first term, Rahm Emanuel seeks and enjoys a higher profile than that of Mayor Richard M. Daley or his predecessors. Political strategist Thom Serafin examines the implications for Chicago.

Creating your brand in the office

Mon, 06 May 2013 21:33:22 +0000

Dave Kaiser, an executive coach and CEO of Dark Matter Consulting, looks at how to plot your next career move and rebrand in the workplace.

School of the Art Institute walks "The Walk"

Fri, 03 May 2013 22:13:40 +0000

This morning WBEZ's Alison Cuddy and Natalie Moore attended the School of the Art Institute's fashion show dress rehearsal. The official runway show, dubbed "The Walk, and the scholarship benefit dinner happens tonight. Alison and Natalie review the student show, which is celebrating 79 years.

Tech industry mobilizes on immigration

Fri, 03 May 2013 22:10:36 +0000

Tech giants like Facebook and Google have spent a combined $13.8 million to lobby for the expansion of temporary visas and green cards for high-skills foreign workers. Former Googler Josh Mendelsohn co-founded lobbying outfit Engine Advocacy to give startups a bigger voice in the immigration debate. He tells Niala what he wants to see in new immigration legislation. Photo: Paul Sakuma

Celebrating 1871's first birthday with a look at Chicago's tech scene

Fri, 03 May 2013 21:16:26 +0000

Afternoon Shift spends the hour assessing Chicago's tech chops with Chicago Tribune business reporter Wailin Wong and tech community organizer Jimmy Prude. The startup hub 1871, housed in Chicago's Merchandise Mart building, turns one this week. According to a report released earlier today, the organization created 800 jobs. Kevin Willer, who runs the Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center, the non-profit that operates 1871, reflects on 1871's growth and where it is headed. Photo Credit:Flickr, JohnTolva

Louder Than a Bomb takes poetry to juvenile detention facility

Thu, 02 May 2013 22:39:23 +0000

Wednesday, Chicago Amplified recorded a Louder Than A Bomb poetry slam at the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center. The residents gave heartfelt spoken word performances talking about their hopes, dreams, fears, longings and aspirations. On today’s show, host Lamar Jorden and juvenile detention center teacher Lamon Manuel tell Niala about the power of poetry. Photo Credit: Bill Healy

What impact would legalizing marijuana have on gangs?

Thu, 02 May 2013 22:34:32 +0000

Listener Siva Iyer asked WBEZ’s Curious City about the potential impact that the legalization of marijuana could have on gangs. WBEZ South Side bureau reporter Natalie Moore and Curious City editor Shawn Allee join to discuss. Photo Credit: AP Ed Andrieski

King of Spas

Thu, 02 May 2013 22:28:41 +0000

WBEZ pop culture blogger Claire Zulkey took a recent trip to King Spa, a megaspa in Niles, which has become the stuff of lore, as more women discover the Korean day spa experience. WBEZ business reporter Susie An also joins the conversation.

Contracts 101

Thu, 02 May 2013 22:27:06 +0000

From the rooftop at Wrigley to the city’s parking meters, lots of stories lately have hinged on contract law. Today, Niala takes a moment to talk with Chicago attorney Gregory Whitehead about that basics of contract law. Have a question for the experts? Photo Credit: Flickr, Mi55 Anthr0py

Curious City: Dunning Insane Asylum

Wed, 01 May 2013 21:51:17 +0000

In the latest installment of Curious City, editor Shawn Allee joins author and freelance journalist Robert Loerzel. They sought out to answer Michael Dotson's question: What's the history behind Cook County's former Dunning Insane Asylum and the people buried nearby?

Is it possible to make new media profitable?

Wed, 01 May 2013 21:51:17 +0000

It is hard to believe the Chicago news site Gapers Block has been at it for a decade. Gapers' editor and publisher Andrew Huff and Mark Konkol, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and writer at large for DNA Info, discuss the health and sustainability of local independent journalism.

Warm weather causes increased gun violence in Chicago

Wed, 01 May 2013 21:45:38 +0000

Last night was the warmest night in Chicago in seven months, so it came as no surprise when the number of shootings sky rocketed. WBEZ's South Side Bureau Reporter Natalie Moore and Northeastern Illinois University professor Lance Williams, coauthors of the book "The Almighty Black P Stone Nation", look in to the causes of the tension that has engulfed Chicago and how to diffuse it. Photo Credit: Nam Y. Huh

Picasso, Chicago and how a city attracts world class art

Wed, 01 May 2013 21:45:38 +0000

What can Chicago do to showcase the work of world-class artists? The Art Institute of Chicago is holding an event tonight to look back at the famed courting of Pablo Picasso. The city ended up commissioning his work and it now stands tall and proud in Chicago's Daley Plaza. What will it take for our art community to continue to attract and showcase the artists of our time? Richard Tomlinson, architect and managing partner at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill architecture, Alison Fisher, the Art Institute's assistant curator for architecture and, arts patron Scott Hodes weigh in. Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

The Milk Carton Kids, live on The Afternoon Shift

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 21:25:24 +0000

The Milk Carton Kids (singer songwriters Kenneth Pattengale and Joey Ryan) stop by the Jim and Kay Mabie Performance Studio for a chat and to perform songs from their new album The Ash & Clay. They play to a sold out crowd tonight at Lincoln Hall. Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

How does real estate factor in to the American dream?

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 21:25:24 +0000

As the Chicago housing market begins to rise from the ashes of the crash, Mabel Guzman, an agent with @properties and a former president of Chicago Association of Realtors, examines what the American dream looks like in 2013. Photo Credit: Scott Olson

Privatization and the role of government

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 21:08:06 +0000

Niala spends the first hour with two Chicago bloggers: Viva la Feminista’s Veronica Arreola and WBEZ architecture critic Lee Bey. They look at the privatization of public assets, given changes to Chicago’s agreement with the company that runs parking meters and ongoing talk of selling off Midway Airport. Peter Scozi, executive vice president of Metro Planning Council, gives us some insight. Photo Credit: Flickr, Mason

Worker safety brought to light after Bangladesh factory fire

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 21:08:06 +0000

Viva la Feminista’s Veronica Arreola and WBEZ architecture critic Lee Bey stick around for a look at a Careerbuilder study that finds women still struggle to close the salary gap. They also tackle President Obama’s speech earlier today reiterating his continued commitment to close the Guantanamo Bay prison camp.

Landmark Preservation of Illinois names 10 most endangered buildings

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 21:08:06 +0000

The Landmark Preservation of Illinois’ list of endangered buildings came out today. Viva la Feminista’s Veronica Arreola and WBEZ architecture critic Lee Bey look at some landmark architecture that might not last. Photo Credit: Lee Bey

Looking back at the Unforget-a-bulls

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 21:34:03 +0000

This season marks the 20th anniversary of the 1993 World Champion Chicago Bulls, otherwise known as the “Three-Peat.” WBEZ sports contributor Cheryl Raye-Stout and Kent McDill, author of the book 100 Things Bulls Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die, share their recollections of the historic season and the turmoil that followed Michael, Scottie and coach Phil Jackson, ultimately leading the biggest breakup in sports (until they made up two years later). Photo Credit: Reed Saxon

Taken For A Ride: Discovering the secret world of raiteros

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 21:34:03 +0000

Some of America’s best-known companies and largest temp agencies benefit from — and tacitly collaborate with — an underworld of labor brokers, known as raiteros. ProPublica’s Michael Grabell and Marketplace’s Jeff Tyler conducted dozens of interviews, followed the workers from their 4 am pickup location in Chicago’s Little Village, the largest Mexican community in the Midwest, and examined hundreds of documents to expose the practice. They tell Afternoon Shift about their investigation.

Brushing up on the Constitution with Peter Sagal

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 21:14:09 +0000

Peter Sagal, the host of NPR’s Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me, has spent the last year on a motorcycle road trip across the U.S. talking to Americans about the Constitution. His efforts culminated in the documentary series Constitution USA with Peter Sagal, which airs on PBS stations Tuesdays in May. He and constitutional expert Steve Schwinn, a professor at John Marshall Law School, find the funny in the founding document and say how it exists in everyday life. How does the Constitution factor into your day-to-day? Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Rahm makes changes to Chicago parking deal

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 21:14:09 +0000

Mayor Rahm Emmanuel announced changes to Chicago’s agreement with the private company that runs the city’s parking. The good news: Neighborhood parking is free on Sundays. The catch: the rest of the week metered parking will extend to 10 pm in areas that used to end at 9 pm. WBEZ reporter Al Keefe joins to explain. Photo Credit: Getty Images, Frank Polich

Harold Washington's lasting legacy

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 21:14:09 +0000

Thirty years ago today, Harold Washington was sworn in as Chicago’s first black mayor. Jacky Grimshaw, vice president of public policy for the non-profit Center for Neighborhood Technology and a top political advisor under Washington, talks about how – and why – Mayor Washington brought the TIF system to Chicago. Photo Credit: James Bourdier

The changing landscape of the Illinois Governor's race

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 21:34:55 +0000

Blogger for Chicago Magazine Carol Felsenthal and WBEZ state house reporter Tony Arnold join Niala to digest the big stories of the day. They’ll take on the Shock-ing news that Aaron Shock won’t be running for governor, and look at who's left.\ Photo Credit: Scott Olson

Is there any hope for pension reform in Springfield?

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 21:34:55 +0000

Blogger for Chicago Magazine Carol Felsenthal and WBEZ state house reporter Tony Arnold join Niala to digest the big stories of the day. They’ll take on the latest in Illinois’ pension troubles.

The worst week for air travel since 9/11

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 21:34:55 +0000

Could this week be the worst week for air travel since 9/11? Travel blogger Chris Elliott thinks this could be the worst week for air travel since 9/11. Between the bombings in Boston, the sequester, extreme weather and airlines experiencing computer problems some airports were at a complete standstill. Photo Credit:Getty Images

Inbox zero: One man's quest to get rid of e-clutter

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 21:34:55 +0000

Brian Proffitt is trying something radical: going 30 days with an empty inbox. Proffitt, a tech expert and adjunct professor at Notre Dame's Mendoza College of Business, is attempting to not just declutter his email account, but clean up his relationship with technology all together. Photo Credit: Paul Sakuma

Girls gone nerd

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 21:34:55 +0000

Chicago’s version of Comic Con, C2E2, is this weekend at the McCormick Center. In anticipation of this nerdly mecca, Niala talks with three of WBEZ's biggest girl nerds. Web producer Tricia Bobeda, blogger Leah Pickett and producer Greta Johnsen talk about the culture, language, and customs of nerds.

What you need to know about the Affordable Care Act

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 21:24:44 +0000

We know healthcare is a huge issue in the US-- how to pay for it, who can’t afford it, who should provide it. President Obama’s Affordable Care Act was a federal attempt to improve the system, but the act itself is massive and has significant implications, both federally and locally. We talk with Donna Thompson, CEO of ACCESS Community Health Network. (Photo: David McNew)

Is it time to get over the Bulls?

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 21:24:44 +0000

Kaufman and Babylon: The Bulls are going in to their playoff game tonight against the Nets fresh off a win, but does anyone care? Do you still have love for the Bulls, and if not, where did it go? Call 312-9239-9239 or tweet us with #AfternoonShift. WBEZ executive producer Justin Kaufman and Vocalo's Brian Babylon discuss. (Photo: Charles Rex Arbogast)

Joffrey Ballet takes on Shakespeare in Othello

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 21:24:44 +0000

The Joffrey Ballet’s interpretation of Shakespeare’s Othello opened yesterday. We’ll be joined by Oscar Award-winning composer Elliot Goldenthal, and Scott Speck, Joffrey’s music director & conductor. The two join us to talk about how music and dance fit together, the importance of live music for dance, and about how Goldenthal and the Joffrey collaborated for this production.

The media's Southern strategy

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 21:01:20 +0000

Last week, we all heard about the Boston Marathon bombings. But what about the fertilizer plant explosion in West, Texas, or the story of the ricin-laced letters from Mississippi mailed to politicans? Today, we hear a conversation about how mainstream media outlets cover, or don’t cover, stories about the South.

Side hustles: Are second (or third) jobs becoming the new norm?

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 21:01:20 +0000

The "side hustle" -- that extra gig to help you pay the bills-- is something many of us have. (Photo: Getty Images)

Black home ownership and economic dividers

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 21:01:20 +0000

Dorothy Brown, Associate Vice Provost & Professor of Law at Emory University. discusses the economics of home ownership and racial divisions. (Photo: Scott Olson)

Year 25: Washington Edition

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 14:37:50 +0000

WBEZ’s Lauren Chooljian took her Year25 series to Capitol Hill to see what some members of the Illinois delegation were up to at the landmark age of 25. She stops by Afternoon Shift to share her discoveries... (Photo: Instagram/laurenchooljian)

Rev. Jim Wallis discusses faith and politics

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 21:57:03 +0000

Author and theologian Jim Wallis discusses the news and the business of being the best known liberal evangelist in a sea of conservative voices. They address the struggle of low wage workers, federal immigration legislation, gun violence and finding common ground in our polarized politics. His latest book is On God’s Side: What Religion Forgets and Politics Hasn’t Learned about Serving the Common Good. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

Wage wars: The economics of minimum wage

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 21:57:03 +0000

In a push for higher wages dubbed The Fight for $15, low-wage workers in Chicago are striking today in front of downtown restaurants and retailers, including McDonald’s, Dunkin’ Donuts, Sears and Victoria’s Secret. Steven Greenhouse, the labor and workplace reporter for The New York Times, explains how a similar effort fared in New York and illuminates the challenge of juggling several part-time jobs to make ends meet. (Photo: Twitter/Marina)

Curious City: Why's that thing called a zamboni, anyway?

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 21:57:03 +0000

As the end of the NHL regular season nears, Curious City producers Logan Jaffe and Anthony Martinez find out what it takes to make it as a professional Zamboni driver.

Author Tom Dyja discusses his book The Third Coast

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 21:31:37 +0000

Author and Chicago native Tom Dyja sticks around to discuss his latest book 'The Third Coast: When Chicago Built the American Dream.' Photo Credit: Flickr/Pax Puig

Ill. Rep. Ken Dunkin co-sponsors marriage equality bill

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 21:31:37 +0000

Chairman of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus and state Rep. Ken Dunkin joins Niala to explain why he became a co-sponsor of legislation to legalize gay marriage statewide.

The Q Brothers give us a taste of "Othello: The Remix"

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 21:31:37 +0000

If William Shakespeare would have taken a little better care of himself, he would have been 449 years old today. To commemorate this special day, each year folks around the world celebrate it as “Talk Like Shakespeare Day.” The “Q Brothers,” JQ, Jackson Doran and Postell Pringle, perform the song “To the Top” from Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s production of 'Othello: The Remix,' a hip-hop tribute to The Bard. Photo Credit: Jeff Barnard

Kickstarter campaign to train Englewood teens on coding

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 21:31:37 +0000

Demond Drummer, the technology director of Teamwork Englewood, talks about the group’s new Kickstarter project Englewood Codes, a 10-week summer project in which Englewood teens will learn how to build their own websites from scratch.

Reddit and the challenges of breaking news

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 21:04:10 +0000

Afternoon Shift spends the hour with two social media gurus Tim Akimoff, WBEZ’s digital content editor, and Marcus Gilmer, digital editor of the Chicago Sun-Times. They kick off with a discussion of social news site Reddit, which issued an apology for spurring “online witch hunts,” referring to its users who mistakenly linked innocent people to the Boston Marathon attacks. How can the news industry responsibly incorporate online communities’ detective work? They also discuss the hacking of AP's Twitter account this morning, and the effect breaking news has on all aspects of society.

Chicagoans respond to scathing Times book review

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 21:04:10 +0000

WBEZ digital content editor Tim Akimoff and 'Sun Times' digital editor Marcus Gilmer tackle the now-notorious 'New York Times' book review that managed to seriously tick off Chicagoans and stir up old questions about the city’s reputation and self-mythology. Veteran Chicago newswoman Carol Marin, Chicago-based author and award-winning journalist Alex Kotlowitz and Tom Dyja, author of one the books included in the review, share their thoughts on the controversy. Photo Credit: Flickr/Anotonio Bovino

"The Jasons'" secrets of Nightwood

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 23:18:05 +0000

Nightwood's Jason Vincent was named Food & Wine “Best New Chef of 2013.” Vincent’s Nightwood has been an anchor for a growing culinary scene in the Bridgeport/Pilsen corridor. As the accolades continue to pour in from around the world, host Niala Boodhoo asks Vincent and his partner Jason Hammel to share their secret. How do you run a successful restaurant in Chicago? Photo: Courtesy of Nightwood

Rahm Emanuel tries to redefine public housing

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 23:13:26 +0000

The Chicago Housing Authority is unveiling “Plan Forward,” the next phase of its Plan for Transformation, the nation’s largest effort to redevelop public housing. WBEZ South Side bureau reporter Natalie Moore talks about Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s role in the controversial initiative.

Educating America on your ethnicity

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 23:10:34 +0000

What do you wish Americans knew about your home country? What do they get wrong? Those are questions many immigrants are asking in the wake of the Boston marathon bombings. Pakistan native Imam Malik Mujahid, a host and founder of Radio Islam, and ZJ Tong, president of the Chicago Chinese Cultural Institute, Inc., give their perspective.

Flooding still has sections of Chicago and suburbs reeling

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 22:59:09 +0000

Parts of the city and suburbs are still bailing out from the recent floods that drenched the region. Joe Broda, the Village of Lisle’s mayor whom Niala spoke to last week, gives a progress report. WBEZ Pritzker fellow Lewis Wallace looks into plans to upgrade infrastructure in Chicago’s Albany Park neighborhood, parts of which were underwater after the heavy rains. PHOTO: M. Spencer Green/AP

Lisle hard hit by flood waters

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 21:32:42 +0000

Afternoon Shift gets an update on the region’s most flooded areas. Governor Quinn has declared 38 counties in Illinois disaster areas. The Village of Lisle is among the hard-hit areas. Niala talks to mayor Joseph Broda.

Statehouse reporter Tony Arnold discusses the top stories from the capitol

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 21:32:42 +0000

WBEZ statehouse reporter Tony Arnold sticks around to update Niala on the concealed weapons measure backed by gun rights proponents that the state House defeated last night. Springfield faces a court-enforced deadline to pass a new concealed carry law.

Ahmed Rehab urges caution when discussing Chechen suspects

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 21:32:42 +0000

Ahmed Rehab, the executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations’ Chicago chapter, also joins to talk about perceptions—and misconceptions - of Muslims.

In light of Boston suspects, a primer on Chechnya

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 21:29:58 +0000

Boston and parts of the surrounding area remain on lockdown. Two ethnically-Chechen brothers have been identified as suspects. The older brother, Tamerlan Tsarnaev, was shot earlier this morning after leading police on a chase that left an MIT security officer dead. Nineteen-year-old Dzhokhar remains at large. Worldview host Jerome McDonnell and Frederick Starr, chairman of the Central Asia-Caucasus Institute and a professor at Johns Hopkins University, join Niala to talk about the turbulent politics of Chechnya, a majority-Muslim Russian republic of 1.3 million. Ahmed Rehab, the executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations’ Chicago chapter, also joins to talk about perceptions—and misconceptions - of European Muslims.

Cook County States Attorney Anita Alvarez discusses prosecuting guns crimes, immigration and more

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 21:34:08 +0000

Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez joins the Afternoon Shift to discuss gun laws, the scuttled federal immigration bill and her priorities in office.

Bulls playoff preview with Cheryl Raye-Stout

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 21:34:07 +0000

The Chicago Bulls wrapped up their regular season Wednesday with a victory over the Washington Wizards. Now, for the first round of the NBA playoffs on Saturday, the Derrick “Rose-less” team takes on the Brooklyn Nets. Niala get a preview from WBEZ sports contributor Cheryl Raye-Stout. Photo Credit: Charles Rex Arbogast

A Day In The Life discovers Palatine

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 21:34:07 +0000

WBEZ’s Logan Jaffe and Robert Wildeboer recently paid a visit to Northwest suburban Palatine and discover, much to their surprise, a mini-gulf course in the basement of a funeral home and the state’s biggest roller rink. WBEZ blogger Lee Bey also stops by to give a short history lesson of the area.

How to handle Chicago's extreme weather

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 21:08:27 +0000

Flooding shut down parts of the Kennedy, Edens and Eisenhower expressways this morning, doubling and even tripling commute times for some and opening the roads for many Chicago commuters. For this rainy-day edition of the show, Afternoon Shift asks whether the area is equipped to handle the weather. John Kiefner, a farmer in Will County, says what the rains mean for his 500 acres of corn, soybeans and hay. Doug Farr, president and CEO of Farr Associates Architecture and Urban Design, explains how the region’s built environment often exacerbates flooding conditions. Photo Credit:Flickr_MT Falldog

Author Lee Sandlin on the history of meteorology and tornado tracking

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 21:08:27 +0000

Lee Sandlin, author of the book Storm Kings: The Untold History of America’s First Tornado Chasers, discusses the early days of meteorology. Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Immigration attorney Moises Hernandez answers your immigration questions

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 21:57:41 +0000

As Sen. Dick Durbin and his colleagues in the Senate put forth their version of comprehensive immigration reform, Afternoon Shift looks at what immigration reform may mean for the day-to-day lives of undocumented people with Immigration attorney Moises Hernandez, a principal at the law firm Moises Hernandez Esq. LLC. Photo Credit: AP Jacquelyn Martin

Curious City: Is U of C's Stagg Field radioactive?

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 21:57:41 +0000

For Curious City, producers Katie Mingle and Shawn Allee don their lab coats and investigate whether the first sustained nuclear reaction left the University of Chicago’s Stagg Field radioactive. Photo Credit: Flickr Juoy41

Sacred Heart medical center embroiled in kickback scandal

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 21:38:30 +0000

Journalist Hal Weitzman and Chicago Tribune’s Nina Metz join Niala to try and make sense of the day’s sobering news. They follow the latest developments from the investigation into the Boston Marathon attacks and discuss the disturbing reports that ricin was detected in letters sent to President Obama and Sen. Roger Wicker and that a suspicious piece of mail was found in a regional office of Sen. Carl Levin. The trio also weighs in on claims that Chicago’s Sacred Heart has been performing unnecessary surgeries. Photo Credit: Kevork Djansezian

Remembering Margaret Thatcher and how a nation copes with tragedy

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 21:38:30 +0000

Hal Weitzman, currently the editor-in-Chief of the University of Chicago Booth School publication Capital Ideas, ruminates on former U.K. Prime Minister Margaret Thather’s funeral and the recent Venezuelan elections. And, Nina Metz ponders what America's coping mechanism for tragedy is. Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Time Out Chicago's outgoing editor Frank Sennett reveals what's next

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 21:27:06 +0000

This week marks the last print edition of TimeOut Chicago. The publication, which was bought by its parent company, will remain in digital form. Eighty percent of the magazine’s staff is about to be laid off. Outgoing TimeOut Editor-in-Chief Frank Sennett joins Afternoon Shift for an exclusive interview.

Significant impact on communities affected by CPS school closings

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 21:27:06 +0000

As community members deal with the implications of the closings of 54 Chicago Public Schools, host Niala Boodhoo talks with two reporters from education publication Catalyst, Angela Caputo and Sarah Karp, who took an in-depth look at the neighborhoods these schools are in -- and the very real disparities that exist between impoverished communities with closing schools and more economically stable communities with viable schools. Photo Credit: WBEZ Robin Amer

Social media's role in breaking news

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 21:27:05 +0000

WBEZ digital content editor Tim Akimoff talks about reaction to the Boston Marathon attacks in the social media-verse.

Boston Marathon: What we've learned about America's security since 9/11

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 21:12:40 +0000

President Barack Obama said earlier today it is still unknown whether the Boston Marathon attacks, which killed three and left at least 176 injured, were the act of a group or an individual or of foreign or domestic origins. Afternoon Shift spends the hour reflecting on how the government, from local law enforcement to the White House, and we, as a society, respond to acts of terrorism and how attitudes have changed since 9/11. University of Chicago professor and terrorism expert Robert Pape weighs in, as does Tom Kasza, managing director of Hillard Heinz, a security advisory and investigative firm based in Chicago. Marla Vannucci, a clinical psychologist at the Adler School of Professional Psychology, examines the psychological impact of traumatic events. Photo Credit: Getty Images Bill Pugliano

2 explosions shake finish line of Boston Marathon

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 21:54:13 +0000

2 explosions went off at the finish line of the Boston Marathon. We spoke with Joy Sherrick, who ran in the marathon, about the scene. Photo Credit: Charles Krupa

Wrigley signs $500 million with city to renovate stadium

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 21:25:57 +0000

Two veteran Chicago journalists dissect the news of the day. Chicago Sun-Times columnist Laura Washington and Chicago Reader’s Mick Dumke examine plans to renovate Wrigley Field; City Hall and the Cubs reached an agreement yesterday on the $500 million effort. They also talk about proposed legislation offering property tax break to seniors in Illinois and gun control in Chicago. Photo Credit:Flickr, Aaron Goodyear

30th anniversary of Harold Washington's mayoral win

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 21:25:57 +0000

On the heels 30th anniversary of Harold Washington’s election, Laura Washington, who worked in his administration, reflects on Washington’s tenure. Photo Credit: James Bourdier

Discovering West Humboldt Park's open-air drug markets

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 21:25:57 +0000

Mick Dumke discusses his recent reporting on the open air drug market on Chicago’s West Side. Community organizer Jimmy Simmons joins in to discuss the effect it's had on the area.

Supreme Court hears case on judge neutrality

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 16:06:25 +0000

Alison Siegler of the Mandel Legal Aid Clinics Federal Criminal Justice Clinic is arguing U.S. v. Anthony Davila in front of the Supreme Court Monday. The case involved a judge breaking from neutrality by pressuring a defendant to plead guilty. Siegler explains why this case is important. Photo Credit: Evan Vucci

Learn how to appeal your property taxes with Commisoner John Fritchey

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 16:06:25 +0000

Tax time also means paying property taxes. Commissioner John Fritchey explains how you can appeal your property taxes, and “Deal Estate” columnist Dennis Rodkin discusses referendums on the table, how to appeal your property taxes, and special terms of property taxes. Photo Credit: Seth Perlman

Tax scams to look for this tax season

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 16:06:25 +0000

Every year the IRS releases it’s list of most common tax scams, referred to as the “Dirty Dozen.” IRS special agent Kerry Hannigan details the most common scams that tax payers should look to avoid. Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Indiana proposes bill requiring armed officials in schools

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 16:06:24 +0000

Indiana state lawmakers are grappling with a bill on protecting school children and teachers. The proposal would have required someone in each public and charter school in the state to have access to a gun. There have been some changes. Indiana State Rep. Jim Lucas is one of the main advocates for guns in school, and he explains why he supports the bill. Rep. Mara Candelaria Reardon opposes the bill and offers her disagreement of the proposal. Photo Credit: Nam Y. Huh

WBEZ blogger Leah Pickett takes a look at the Chicago film industry

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 21:44:23 +0000

On the Chicago set of the film Divergent, Governor Pat Quinn said earlier today that tax incentives to bolster movie production in Illinois led to $184 million in spending by production crews last year. WBEZ blogger Leah Pickett stops by to discuss Chicago’s production schedule. Photo Credit:Kevin Buckstiegel

Folk singer Billy Bragg talks about Margaret Thatcher, Woodie Guthrie and his new album

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 21:44:23 +0000

British folk punk icon Billy Bragg has been a champion of working people for his entire musical career – now spanning more than three decades – not unlike his hero and influence, Woody Guthrie. Bragg is in the middle of an extensive tour of the U.S. in support of his new album, Tooth & Nail. It’s his first studio release in five years. He joins the Afternoon Shift to play a few songs and talk about his years as an activist and songwriter and his thoughts on deceased British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

Former AUSA David Hoffman discusses how gun crimes are prosecuted

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 21:23:25 +0000

Afternoon Shift continues its weeklong examination of gun laws with a look at prosecuting gun crimes and violence prevention. There is a myriad of gun laws on the books, covering everything from manufacturing, theft, possession, transferring – even the altering – of weapons. How do prosecutors choose what charges to pursue? What's the tactic in prosecuting gun cases? Former assistant US Attorney David Hoffman who prosecuted gun crimes under the US Attorney's Project Safe Neighborhoods anti-gun-violence program, joins to discuss.

Front and Center: Restorative justice programs in high schools make improvements

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 21:23:25 +0000

For WBEZ’s Front & Center, Katie O’Brien reports on how Fenger High School, which made national headlines in 2009 when a brawl that left one teenager dead erupted blocks away from the school was caught on video, is employing restorative justice practices to prevent violence. Also joining the conversation is law professor and retired Circuit Court Judge of Cook County Sheila M. Murphy. She is an advocate of restorative justice methods of dealing with crime, especially gun violence. Photo Credit: Flickr_Zol87

Best Game In Town: Looking ahead to the 2014 gubernatorial race

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 21:26:58 +0000

Springfield is coming back in session. Some of the big issues the General Assembly may, or may not, tackle are gay marriage, gun control and gambling. As we look ahead to the coming political season, who are the candidates and races to watch? Two partisan experts, Kitty Kurth of progessive consulting firm Kurth-Lampe and Republican strategist Christine Dudley, give Niala the breakdown, including a who’s who in the upcoming gubernatorial primary. Photo Credit: Getty Images, Frank Polich

A Day In The Life: Discovering Dolton

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 21:26:57 +0000

Dolton, Illinois, the first suburb south of the city limits, is struggling with high rates of foreclosure and violence. Despite its big-city problems, residents are hopeful – especially after the election of a new mayor – that things can turn around. WBEZ web producer Tricia Bobeda visited Dolton earlier this week. She and Lee Bey join Niala to discuss the village’s politics, history and best baked goods

All female dance collective FlySpace explains the economics of art

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 21:26:57 +0000

Chicago dance companies The Dance COLEctive, Hedwig Dances, Same Planet Different World Dance Theatre and Zephyr Dance, each led by a female artistic director, have formed a new partnership called FlySpace to connect and engage audiences through contemporary dance. Michelle Kranicke of Zephyr and Margi Cole of the Dance COLEctive discuss their collaboration and whether it can serve as a model for the arts.

Chicago Police Superintendent Gary McCarthy discusses the "Gun Skyway"

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 21:12:42 +0000

Afternoon Shift continues its weeklong examination of gun laws with a look at firearms trafficking. Recent studies suggest a third of all guns used in crimes committed in Cook County come from Indiana. For Front & Center, WBEZ’s Michael Puente looks at what is being done on this side of the border to slow the flow of illegal weapons traveling the Gun Skyway. Also, Chicago Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy answers listener questions about gun trafficking in Chicago. Photo Credit: WBEZ Andrew Gill

Firearm owner identification cards don't do much to stop gun crime

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 21:12:42 +0000

WBEZ reporter Al Keefe talks about what it takes to obtain—and revoke—Firearm Owner Identification (FOID) cards in Illinois. Photo Credit: AP

Curious City: Express way signs and CTA bus shelters

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 21:46:20 +0000

The Curious City core crew, Jennifer Brandel and Logan Jaffe, navigate a series of questions they received about a rather morbid topic posed by several curious citizens: What is the deal with expressway signs counting traffic deaths? Photo Credit: Flickr_Jochemberends

Bravo's Andy Cohen stops by to talk about the reality of reality TV

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 21:46:20 +0000

Most know Bravo TV host and executive Andy Cohen for his behind-the-scenes work on The Real Housewives franchise and Top Chef and for his role in front of the mic, as the host of Watch What Happens: Live, the network's late-night interactive talk show--but the Midwest native actually got his start in journalism covering everything from entertainment to huge, breaking national news stories. Cohen drops by to talk about his humble past, as well as his celebrity-filled present, with Niala Boodhoo. He is in Chicago promoting the paperback release of his bestselling book, Most Talkative: Stories from the Front Lines of Pop Culture. Photo Credit: IMDB

Front and Center: Gun violence and its toll on mental health

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 21:22:09 +0000

Afternoon Shift continues its week-long examination of gun laws as part of Front & Center. WBEZ’s Tony Arnold reports on how the debate over guns affects mental health programs. Psychologist Carl Bell, director of the UIC Institute for Juvenile Research, discusses trauma caused by gun violence. Gunshot victim Glen Reedus and his wife Michelle Thomas talk about the ongoing impact of Reedus’ injury, and Melva Pratt, whose 28-year-old son Rashad was shot and killed last August, shares her story. Photo Credit: WBE/ Michael Puente

University of Illinois supercomputer Blue Waters is fully operational

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 21:26:15 +0000

Last week Blue Waters, the supercomputer hosted by the University of Illinois, became fully operational. It is the world’s most powerful supercomputer on a university campus and has the capacity to more accurately predict climate change and unlock the mysteries of the cosmos. Thom Dunning, the director of U of I’s National Center for Supercomputing Applications, explains the hype. Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Chicago cabbies get real about the job

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 21:26:15 +0000

Later this month, Truman College is hosting a taxi driver recruitment day. Jason Garcia is a licensed truck driver looking to become a cabbie. WBEZ North Side reporter Odette Yousef and retired driver Dmitry Samarov give him some advice. Current drivers also call in to talk about what it takes to get into the cab game. Photo Credit: flickr-noboundaries.org

Front and Center: The economics of guns

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 21:20:09 +0000

The Afternoon Shift continues its weeklong examination of gun laws with a look at the role that gun manufacturers play in shaping policy. WBEZ statehouse reporter Tony Arnold sheds light on the OTHER gun lobby: the manufacturers. Bill Spain, a former reporter for CBS Market Watch, talks about Illinois’ gun economy. Cook County Commissioner Jesus Garcia, a former Illinois state senator, and Todd Vandermyde, the National Rifle Association’s legislative liaison to Springfield, discuss the relationship between Springfield and the gun lobby. Andrew Molchan, director of the National Association of Federally Licensed Firearms Dealers, explains why some arms manufacturers are threatening to refuse to sell weapons to police forces in states that impose restrictions on the second amendment. Photo Credit: WBEZ/Andrew Gill

Front and Center: How much do we know about gun laws

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 21:32:21 +0000

To kick off a weeklong series on gun laws, Afternoon Shift spends the hour getting a variety of perspectives on federal, state and local legislation. WBEZ Northwest Indiana reporter Michael Puente looks at Gary’s thwarted efforts to tighten gun laws. Patrick Charles, author of the bookThe Second Amendment: The Intent and Its Interpretation by the States and the Supreme Court,talks about intersections and tensions between federal, state and local gun laws. Bill Konway, a gun enthusiast in Leroy, Indiana, and Claude Hodges, a Chicagoan who supports concealed carry with exceptions, share their views. WBEZ legal affairs reporter Robert Wildeboer discusses Chicago’s Superintendent of Police Garry McCarthy’s weekly press conferences on guns. Photo Credit: Nam Y. Huh

Film critic Roger Ebert laid to rest today

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 21:32:21 +0000

The funeral for legendary Chicago film critic Roger Ebert was held today at Holy Name Cathedral. Ebert is famous, of course, for his many years of movie reviews for the Sun-Times, his TV show “Siskel & Ebert,” and his prolific blogging and Twitter presence. WBEZ’s Alison Cuddy covered the funeral today. She explains the mood of the services. Photo Credit: Charles Rex Arbogast

Remembering Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher's legacy

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 21:32:21 +0000

Labor attorney Tom Geoghegan talks about the lasting impact former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher had on the dismantling of unions in the U.K. and U.S. Photo Credit: Carl Court

Former FCC head Michael Copps discusses the changing media landscape

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 21:32:21 +0000

Michael Copps headed the Federal Communications Commission from 2001 to 2011. During his tenure, he fought against the consolidation of big media companies and was a proponent of local programming and diversity of ownership in media. These issues are front and center in Chicago, as the Chicago Tribune is being sold. Copps examines the future of big media. Photo Credit: WGN-TV

The Goodman Theater's Robert Falls discusses the upcoming spring shows

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 21:26:54 +0000

Goodman Theatre’s Artistic Director Robert Falls joins host Niala Boodhoo and WBEZ theater critic Jonathan Abarbanel to talk about the passing of Roger Ebert and his impact on the arts in Chicago, as well as the Goodman’s modern rendition of Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure. Photo Credit: Richie Diesterheft

Palestinian hip hop group DAM channels their frustration through music

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 21:26:53 +0000

The lyrics of Palestinian rappers DAM (Da Arabian MCs) cover a complex array of issues, from poverty and class to occupation and women’s rights. DAM is currently touring the U.S. in support of their second full-length release, Debka on the Moon. Spitting rhymes in Arabic and Hebrew, the three MCs -- Tamer Nafar, Suhell Nafar and Mahmoud Jreri -- are generally considered to be the first-ever Palestinian rap group. Tamer (the older of the two siblings) and Mahmoud drop by Afternoon Shift for a performance and chat. DAM performs tonight at Loyola University’s McCormick Lounge. Photo Credit: Sebastian Scheiner

WBEZ blogger Lee Bey remembers the things about Roger Ebert others forget

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 21:26:53 +0000

WBEZ architecture blogger Lee Bey reflects on Roger Ebert’s inner architecture critic and championing of black filmmakers. Photo Credit: Getty Images

Chicago remembers the 45th anniversary of the West Side Riots

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 21:07:10 +0000

Forty-five years ago today, rioting erupted at the intersection of Pulaski Rd. and Madison Ave. on Chicago’s West Side in response to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. Much of the neighborhood went up in flames. Afternoon Shift spends the hour reflecting on the anniversary with WBEZ history blogger John Schmidt and eyewitness Charlie Joe Henderson, a West Side resident and owner of Out of the Past Records. Chicago Public Media facilities director Claude Cunningham joins the conversation to talk about his brother, whom police arrested for allegedly looting. Rep. Danny Davis (D-IL), a West Side teacher at the time, shares his experience trying to calm a restless student body. Photo Credit: Larry Stoddard

Chicago Sun Times arts editor Laura Emerick remembers Roger Ebert