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On this Independence Day weekend, we’re taking a look back at the tragic July 4 mass shooting that claimed seven lives and injured nearly 50 others at suburban Chicago parade in 2022. An eight-year-old boy injured in the mass shooting remains partially paralyzed. How have that mass shooting, and the numerous violent events that have made headlines over the past decades, changed the way we celebrate? As our nation celebrates our 250th anniversary, are we finding it harder to trust each other? Featuring audio from WBBM Newsradio in Chicago, KYW Newsradio in Philadelphia, WCCO News Talk in the Twin Cities, KNX News in Los Angeles, the Marc Cox Morning Show out of 97.1 the Talk in St. Louis and KCBS Radio in San Francisco.

On this episode, we’re going to dive into some of what goes into bringing criminals to justice, and what happens when that process goes wrong with an interview with reporter Steve Neavling about a scandal regarding coerced suspect statements in Michigan. We'll also get updates on the White House correspondent's dinner incident, the Nick Reiner trial, the D4vd trial, the Tanner Horner trial, and more. Featuring audio from: WWJ Newsradio in Detroit, KNX News in Los Angeles, KYW Newsradio in Philadelphia, KRLD 1080 in Dallas, The Dave Glover Show out of KMOX in St. Louis, A New Morning out of WBEN News Talk in Buffalo and WBBM Newsradio in Chicago.

The latest numbers on jobs, Mexican restaurant chain Chi-Chi’s is returning and airlines execs are on the hot seat in Washington.

Through four generations and nearly 100 years, Oberweis Dairy has been an Illinois giant of industry. From brick-and-mortar ice cream shops to direct-to-consumer milk delivery (which saw record profits during the pandemic), their brand gained enough traction for Jim Oberweis -- grandson of its founder -- to make political headway in the state senate. But last week, the company revealed a series of missteps that have led to potential layoffs and a request for bankruptcy protection. On this week's episode, reporter Robert Channick -- who has been covering these developments for the Chicago Tribune -- joins host and producer Jim Hanke to discuss how the Oberweis story turned sour. Follow Jim Hanke on X | Follow Robert Channick on X Follow WBBM Newsradio: TikTok | Facebook | Instagram | X

The results are in, and they're staggering: about 4% of Illinois's population is living with a gambling addiction. With a new Casino and the rise in online sports betting, local mental health facilities are seeing a rise in clients seeking help for problem gambling. So how does this fun, recreational activity become an addiction?  In today's episode, host Arielle Raveney sits down with a problem gambling counselor to discuss the signs and science behind it, and hears the story of how one man was able to recover.  ----- Problem Gambling Online Resources: NICASA | Are You Really Winning?  Problem Gambling Hotlines: 1-800-GAMBLER | 988 (Suicide and Crisis Lifeline) ----- Check us out on TikTok and Instagram!

Record Store Day is this coming Saturday, April 20th – a national event intended to celebrate your local neighborhood music merchant. Along with several guests this week, host and producer Jim Hanke examines just some of Chicago's many ties to the record industry, past and present, as well as why physical media like vinyl still matters in 2024.  Follow Smashed Plastic on Instagram | Follow Evan Weiss on Instagram Follow Steve Krakow on Instagram | Follow Patrick Hicks on TikTok Follow WBBM Newsradio: TikTok | Facebook | Instagram | X

This is an encore presentation of a previous episode from 9/13/23. In 2022, Illinois had the third largest rate of non-fatal overdoses in the country, and many are pointing to the distribution of Narcan – a nasal spray that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose and save lives – as a major reason. Lighthouse Recovery, a treatment facility in suburban St. Charles, recently became the first in Kane County to establish a free, unmonitored Narcan vending machine, available 24/7. On today’s episode, Lighthouse Clinical Director Nathan Lanthrum joins host Jim Hanke to educate listeners on Narcan and how he’s seen drug addiction increase in suburban areas. Plus, WBBM reporter Lisa Fielding provides what she learned about the opioid epidemic from her multi-part series for the station, titled Generation Heroin, which you can listen to here. Follow Lisa Fielding on X | Follow Lighthouse Recovery on Facebook Follow WBBM Newsradio: TikTok | Facebook | Instagram | X

Putting ketchup on a hot dog: In Chicago, it can get you shunned by strangers or disowned by family. But why? And will a gutsy new viral campaign from Heinz -- with interactive displays giving out free ketchup in front of longtime sausage strongholds like the Wiener's Circle -- sway anyone who's still on the fence? This week, host and producer Jim Hanke welcomes food writer David Hammond to discuss the history of the Chicago hot dog, and why ketchup has become such a divisive condiment along the way.  Follow Jim Hanke on X | Follow David Hammond on Muck Rack Follow WBBM Newsradio: TikTok | Facebook | Instagram | X

This year marks the 20th anniversary of roller derby returning to where it was born: Chicago. But this fast-paced, gender-inclusive sport has had a long, contentious history -- even in it's hometown. So what is roller derby? And why does it not get the same level of recognition as others? In this episode, host Arielle Raveney sits in on a practice with the team, Chicago-Style, to learn more about the sport and speaks with Elizabeth Gomez, one of the women responsible for bringing Roller Derby home.   ----- Mentioned in the Episode: Windy City Rollers | Chicago-Style | The WFTDA ----- See videos of Chicago-Style in action on our socials: TikTok | Instagram

This spring, countless cicadas will arrive en masse, in a way that we haven't seen in over 200 years, and that we won't see again until 2245. But beyond their buzzing mating call, did you know that they're perfectly edible? Joining host/producer Jim Hanke this week are University of Illinois Extension educator and Good Growing podcast host Ken Johnson (to discuss the science behind this historic horticultural event) and chef Joseph Yoon of Brooklyn Bugs, who educates listeners on how cicadas can be best collected, prepped, cooked and served.  Follow Good Growing on YouTube | Follow Brooklyn Bugs on Instagram Follow WBBM Newsradio: TikTok | Facebook | Instagram | X

Relying weekly on one’s local food pantry for groceries, personal items and more can already be a stressful existence. But now, a myriad of factors are contributing to additional pressure being felt from all sides of the city, as unprecedented demand has led to stretched resources and frayed patience. For example, Nourishing Hope (formerly known as Lakeview Pantry) saw an increase of over 20k first-time clients last year alone, and inflation, an unexpected population increase and a reduction to federal stimulus packages post-lockdown may push that number even higher moving forward. This week, Chicago Tribune reporter Kate Armanini and Nourishing Hope CEO Kellie O'Connell join host/producer Jim Hanke to unpack this growing issue, and how pantries are trying to go beyond food, to feed the soul. Follow Kate Armanini on X | Follow Nourishing Hope on Instagram Follow WBBM Newsradio: TikTok | Facebook | Instagram | X

After a record breaking hot summer, this winter Illinois and the rest of the Midwest saw warmer days and less snow. Is this our new normal? In today's episode, host Arielle Raveney takes a look at what climate change looks like in Illinois, and how the country's first ever floating eco-park has a nature based solution to reduce it's impact. ------ Mentioned in the Episode: Wild Mile ------ Follow WBBM News Radio: TikTok | Facebook | Instagram | X

Chicago is known for it's many St. Paddy's Day events as the city itself becomes green, so it may not come as a surprise to know that the city has the second highest Irish population in the nation. The tradition of an annual parade in the city began in 1843, with the event getting bigger and bigger -- until 1890.  In this episode, host Jim Hanke explores what early celebrations looked like in the city, and how the annual tradition came to be canceled in 1890 with Dr. Gillian O’Brien, author of the book “Blood Runs Green: The Murder That Transfixed Gilded Age Chicago.”  ----- Mentioned in the Episode: Dr. Gillian O'Brien | “Blood Runs Green: The Murder That Transfixed Gilded Age Chicago” ----- Check out our Socials on TikTok or Instagram

Earlier this week, a sudden development came in the ongoing stadium saga of the Chicago Bears: Instead of making use of the Arlington Heights land they acquired last year, it seems now the focus is on a new project south of their current Soldier Field domain -- on the city's lakefront -- with $2 billion of their own money. This week, host and producer Jim Hanke welcomes stadium finance expert Robert Boland, an assistant professor of sports law at Seton Hall Law School, to get his take on this potential new deal, and how other major sports cities have handled their own stadium debates on public vs. private funding. Follow Jim Hanke on X | Follow Robert Boland on X Follow WBBM Newsradio: TikTok | Facebook | Instagram | X

During his decade of pro hockey, former Chicago Blackhawk Daniel Carcillo (nicknamed "Car Bomb" for his aggressive approach on the ice) racked up two Stanley Cup Championships and over 150 fights. But the stat most pressing to Carcillo since his retirement has been the seven diagnosed concussions he sustained as a player, and the hundreds he says that went undiagnosed through his career. Now, Carcillo has made it his mission to push state and federal agencies for funding as well as public access to psilocybin -- generally referred to as "magic mushrooms" -- a natural treatment for the traumatic brain injuries that he says saved his life. This week, during Brain Injury Awareness Month, we hear audio from WBBM reporter Jim Gudas' recent interview with Carcillo, as well as State Senator Rachel Ventura discussing Illinois' approach to this potential treatment with host and producer Jim Hanke. Follow Daniel Carcillo on Instagram | Follow Sen. Ventura on Instagram Follow WBBM Newsradio: TikTok | Facebook | Instagram | X