The Mayor, The Prince, and the Gift That Invaded Japan’s Biggest Lake25 April 2024In October 1960, Prince Akihito of Japan visited Chicago for 21 hours. Chicago’s mayor presented the prince with a diplomatic gift: 18 bluegill. What happened next would change the underwater world of Japan forever.00:15:06
Who’s A Good Boy: A Look At Chicago’s Top Dog Breeds18 April 2024Pit bulls are the number one dog breed in Chicago. We take a trip to the animal shelter to find out why, and we follow one pup as he attempts to find a forever home.00:17:40
What's That Dead Zone In The 19th Ward?11 April 2024There’s a hole in the map of Chicago. It turns out, it’s a cemetery. But there are many other cemeteries in Chicago that don’t show up as holes on the map, so what’s up with this one? We take you to the 19th Ward and explore the history of this dead zone.00:13:32
What Happened To The Crows?04 April 2024A listener thought she’d noticed a change in Chicago’s crow population. And she was right. More than twenty years ago, the crow population of Illinois was at an all-time high. But just a few years later, half of the birds were dead. The crows were hit by a deadly virus. And it’s one that humans are ...00:16:56
From Desegregation To Teen Angst: Inside CPS’s Selective Enrollment System28 March 2024What began as a method of desegregation and a way to stem white flight has now become a source of both pride and pain for kids and families around the city. We’ll look at the history and future of Chicago’s selective enrollment high schools.00:20:03
Apple Slices: A Nostalgic Piece Of Chicago Pastry History21 March 2024Apple slices were a favorite Chicago pastry decades ago. Not many bakeries sell them today, but the dessert still has avid fans who hold on to its nostalgic flavor.00:15:18
Sign Stealing: A Petty Piece Of Chicago Political History14 March 2024Stealing political signs has been a thing since candidates started printing signs. The tactic was widely used by the Chicago political machine, and its origins trace back to the late 1800s when saloons and politicians worked closely together.00:19:27
Two For Women’s History Month07 March 2024The juvenile justice system we know today was created by Cook County women. We take a look back at how the program came to be. Then later, ever notice how so few of Chicago’s monuments are of women? We’ll find out why and talk to the folks working to change that.00:20:45
The Windy Kitty: How Chicago Became A Haven For Feral Cats29 February 2024Chicago is home to thousands of feral cats. But who’s looking after them? We look at the pros and cons of keeping feral cat colonies.00:17:40
For Street Artist Joos, All The City's A Gallery22 February 2024Around Chicago, there are ribbons of paint on utility boxes that look like little doodles. But there’s much more to these paint splotches. The street artist and graffiti writer behind this and much larger work says painting has been a lifesaver.00:24:43
