Advertise on podcast: In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons

In the Loop breaks down the week’s top stories in the Weekly News Recap.  Plus: Sasha-Ann Simons says goodbye to WBEZ listeners during her last show in the host chair.  GUESTS: Tina Sfondeles, Chicago Sun-Times national political reporter Sarah Karp, WBEZ senior Education reporter Brandon Pope, Fox 32 political reporter For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

The Trump administration’s violent immigration enforcement policy was among the top issues that drove people to vote blue in the 2026 midterm elections.  With control of the House and the Senate, the Democrats are now positioned to reshape federal immigration policy. But what can they realistically deliver?  Today on In the Loop: we hear from local immigration advocates on what they want to see happen on day one of the new Congress.  GUESTS: Ahmed Rehab, executive director, CAIR Chicago Erendira Rendon, chief program officer, The Resurrection Project Cristóbal Cavazos, executive director, Casa DuPage Workers Center

Democrats took the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives in a monumental political shift during the U.S. midterms elections seen as a rejection of Trumpism. Democrats prevailed in statewide positions in Illinois, where JB Pritzker became the first Democratic governor elected to a third term.  Meanwhile, Chicagoans chose former Chicago Public Schools principal Jessica Biggs as the first elected president of the Chicago Board of Education.  WBEZ hears from local winners and talks with listeners.  For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

The Black Harvest Film Festival returns for its 32nd year with a curation of more than 75 films and features highlighting the best of Black cinema and culture.   In The Loop sits down with the festival’s curator to get a preview.  GUESTS: jada-amina, curator of the Black Harvest Film Festival For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

The City of Chicago recently approved the largest single payout for police misconduct in city history: $260.8 million. This is all tied to the actions of disgraced former police officer Reynaldo Guevara. But what’s being done to prevent future police misconduct cases? In the Loop gets the latest from a reporter and checks in with the former head of the Chicago Police Department’s constitutional policing and reform efforts.  GUESTS: Heather Cherone, WTTW Chicago politics reporter Bob Boik, Senior Vice President of Public Safety at the Civic Committee and the Commercial Club  For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

A downstate man is charged with sending threatening letters to members of Congress from Illinois. Sixteen candidates meet the deadline to turn in required signatures to run for Chicago Mayor. Plus, Chicago breaks ground on downtown’s first monument honoring a historic woman.  In the Loop breaks down those stories and more in the Weekly News Recap.  GUESTS: Jacoby Cochran, City Cast Chicago host Alex Nitkin, government finance and accountability reporter with the Illinois Answers Project of the Better Government Association Mitch Armentrout, Chicago Sun-Times government and politics reporter For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a time to honor loved ones who have passed away, celebrated each year on Nov 1-2. In Chicago, the weekend will be marked with ofrendas (altars), marigolds, and special performances that create opportunities for collective healing.   In the Loop finds out more about the ancient Mesoamerican roots of the holiday. We also talk about how art is used as a conduit between the physical and spiritual world.  GUEST:  Teresa Magaña, artist curator, co-founder of Pilsen Arts & Community House For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Across the Chicago area, flu cases and hospitalizations are rising fast. Influenza test positivity is currently 2.1%, outpacing positivity rates at this time in previous years.  In The Loop digs into all the need-to-knows this early flu season.  GUEST: Dr. Mia Taormina, infectious disease specialist with Duly Health and Care For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

What does it take to tell a story of faith, survival and humanity through opera? Omar is now onstage at Lyric Opera of Chicago, inspired by the extraordinary life and writings of Omar ibn Said, an Islamic scholar captured in West Africa and enslaved in South Carolina.  The Pulitzer Prize-winning score weaves together musical traditions that feel both deeply personal and distinctly American. In the Loop talks with one of the composers about bringing this powerful story to life. GUEST: Michael Abels, Pulitzer Prize-winning co-composer, Omar For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

A key union breaks from Mayor Johnson to endorse his opponent. Governor Pritzker and Illinois’ First Lady make some major campaign contributions. Plus, Illinois Senate candidates face off in their only debate. In the Loop breaks down those stories and more in the Weekly News Recap.  GUESTS: Shia Kapos, Politico reporter  Heather Cherone, WTTW Chicago politics reporter Bob Herguth, Chicago Sun-Times investigative reporter For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Dozens of animals and plants on Illinois’ endangered and threatened species list could be even more vulnerable under the Trump administration’s rollback of Endangered Species Act Protections. GUESTS: Sunny Nelson, vice president of Conservation Science, Lincoln Park Zoo Juanpablo Ramirez-Franco, WBEZ environmental reporter

The ‘Cornell 7’ rape allegation has sparked a national conversation about the prevalence of sexual assault on college campuses and how colleges and universities respond to these claims.  Locally, a lawsuit was filed against the Alpha Delta Phi fraternity at the University of Chicago. This comes a week after an allegation of sexual assault at a party at a different fraternity at the University.   In the Loop gets a picture of the current local cases and the challenges of reporting sexual assault. GUESTS: Christina Zuba, managing attorney specializing in campus sexual misconduct,  Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation Sophie Sherry, Chicago Sun-Times public safety reporter For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is once again in the hot seat to answer our questions – and yours – in the latest installment of our monthly public forum “Ask The Mayor.” For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

When Illinois voters head to the polls, they’ll be choosing the state’s next governor and lieutenant governor.  The Democratic incumbent, JB Pritzker, and Republican candidate Darren Bailey had the chance to go head to head in a televised debate, but the people vying for the number two spot won’t get that chance.  So, to give you a window into their backgrounds, priorities and goals for the position, we sat down with the three candidates for Lieutenant Governor.  GUESTS: Christian Mitchell, Democratic candidate Aaron Del Mar, Republican candidate Carolyn Schofield, Independent candidate  For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

A Palatine teen is arrested for plotting a massacre at a Hindu temple in Aurora. Buildings and landmarks across the city welcome the public inside for Open House Chicago. Plus, candidates for Chicago School Board president face off in a WBEZ forum.   In the Loop breaks down these stories and much more with a panel of journalists. GUESTS: Carrie Shepherd, Axios Chicago reporter  Brandis Friedman, anchor of  WTTW’s “Chicago Tonight”  Kate Grossman, WBEZ assistant managing editor For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.