City Cast Chicago

City Cast

Chicago’s daily news podcast, fresh every weekday at 6 a.m.

  • 39 minutes 56 seconds
    Teachers’ New Contract, Navigating Immigration Courts, and Meet The Tamale Lady

    The Chicago Teachers Union has a tentative contract agreement. What’s in it and what comes next? Helping us break down the details, WBEZ assistant managing editor Kate Grossman and Injustice Watch investigative reporter Kelly Garcia. Plus we are discussing major challenges navigating the city’s immigration courts, yet another congressional investigation for Northwestern, and Little Village’s latest storefront, “The Tamale Lady.”

    Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter

    Follow us @citycastchicago

    You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246

    Learn more about the sponsors of this April 4 episode:

    • Bookshop.org - Get 15% off your next order with code CITYCAST

    Become a member of City Cast Chicago.

    Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

    4 April 2025, 8:00 am
  • 23 minutes 32 seconds
    Chicago’s Best Spring Cleaning Tips

    Now that it’s spring, some of us may take the time to tidy up our homes. Host Jacoby Cochran talked to Sandy Spatz, a professional organizer based in Chicago to give us advice on how to sort through our clutter and reorganize our lives. 

    Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter

    Follow us @citycastchicago

    You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246

    Learn more about the sponsors of this April 3 episode:

    • Bookshop.org - Get 15% off your next order with code CITYCAST

    Become a member of City Cast Chicago.

    Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

    3 April 2025, 8:00 am
  • 24 minutes 51 seconds
    Why Tavern-Style is the True Chicago-Style Pizza

    Thin crust or tavern-style pizza recently won our Chicago food bracket debate that we aired to honor the “1,000 Things We Love About Chicago” list. Last year, host Jacoby Cochran, producer Michelle Navarro, and City Cast marketing director Caroline Patton gave their favorite spots and engaged in the eternal debate about which pizza style is the authentic Chicago style. Listeners can still vote for their favorite classic Chicago food. 

    Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter

    Follow us @citycastchicago

    You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246

    Learn more about the sponsors of this April 2 episode:

    • Bookshop.org – Get 15% off your next order with code CITYCAST

    Become a member of City Cast Chicago.

    Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

    2 April 2025, 8:00 am
  • 34 minutes 57 seconds
    Your Guide to April 2025 in Chicago

    April in Chicago means winter is finally over … right? The weather may not always seem like it, but it’s warm and sunny in the hearts of host Jacoby Cochran, digital creator Jenny LeFlore, aka Mama Fresh, and Gretagram newsletter writer Greta Johnsen. They’re here with the best events happening this month, tips for avoiding street sweeping tickets, and the bites they’re most looking forward to eating.

    If you're new here, welcome! We’ve put together a starter pack for you, with episodes and articles to welcome you to the City Cast Chicago community.

    For even more tips on how to make the most of April in Chicago, check out Hey Chicago’s take on what to do this month.

    City Cast Chicago’s guide to April is made possible by our awesome sponsors, Bookshop.org (get 15% off your next order with code CITYCAST) and Moats Entertainment. City Cast Chicago is also powered by our members, who enjoy an ad-free version of the show. Find out more about how to become a member of City Cast Chicago.

    Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 

    Reach us at chicago@citycast.fm

    1 April 2025, 8:00 am
  • 27 minutes 58 seconds
    What Do Chicago Peacekeepers Do?

    Peacekeeping is a proven way to maintain a safe and secure Chicago. Host Jacoby Cochran talked with Damien Morris, chief program officer of violence prevention at Breakthrough who works to build and sustain community relationships as a peacekeeper. Damien tells us what it’s like to connect with families who've been impacted by violence while trying to prevent other families from going through the same thing. Damien Morris was recently featured in a documentary for WTTW’s FIRSTHAND: Peacekeepers series. 

    Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter

    Follow us @citycastchicago

    You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246

    Learn more about the sponsors of this March 31 episode:

    • Bookshop.org — Get 15% off your next order with code CITYCAST

    Become a member of City Cast Chicago.

    Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

    31 March 2025, 8:00 am
  • 43 minutes 48 seconds
    Unreported Traffic Stops, Chicago's Newest Museum, and Get Your City Sticker in April

    How many traffic stops did the Chicago Police Department report and not report last year? Plus, Mayor Brandon Johnson has days left to figure out who is covering a $175 million pension bill, the city clerk is waiving city sticker late fees in April, and Chicago’s newest museum is worth stopping by. Joining us to break it all down, professor Arionne Nettles and WTTW’s Heather Cherone, who are also adding their picks to our 1,000 things we love about Chicago.

    Good News: Trans Day of Visibility Pop-Up Closet   

    Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter

    Follow us @citycastchicago

    You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246

    Learn more about the sponsors of this March 28 episode:

    • Bookshop.org - Get 15% off your next order with code CITYCAST

    Become a member of City Cast Chicago.

    Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

    28 March 2025, 8:00 am
  • 31 minutes 42 seconds
    What Do You Love About Chicago?

    All week long you have heard us talk about our favorites from our list of 1,000 things we love about Chicago. But it’s not just things we at City Cast love. Today we’re hearing from listeners, guests, and Chicagoans on some of the things they love most about Chicago.

    Good News: Syd’s Skate Class

    Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter

    Follow us @citycastchicago

    You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246

    Learn more about the sponsors of this March 27 episode:

    • Bookshop.org - Get 15% off your next order with code CITYCAST

    Become a member of City Cast Chicago.

    Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

    27 March 2025, 8:00 am
  • 34 minutes 58 seconds
    Which Iconic Chicago Food is the ‘Most Chicago?’

    Chicago is home to many iconic foods — that’s why it’s the largest category in our list of 1,000 things we love about Chicago. But which of these foods is our favorite? And which is the most Chicago? Readers voted in the first round of our ultimate Chicago food bracket, and the City Cast team is here with the rest of their picks. Follow along and vote in the second round!


    Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter

    Follow us @citycastchicago

    You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246

    Learn more about the sponsors of this March 26 episode:

    • Bookshop.org — Get 15% off your next order with code CITYCAST

    Become a member of City Cast Chicago.

    Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

    26 March 2025, 8:00 am
  • 39 minutes 54 seconds
    Is CTA Headed Towards Doomsday? Plus, 1,000 Things We Love About Chicago

    The Regional Transit Authority, which oversees CTA, Metra, and Pace, put out an alarming forecast of service cuts if the state fails to close a $770 million budget gap for next year. Host Jacoby Cochran and executive producer Simone Alicea go through this “doomsday” scenario. They’re also discussing the latest on negotiations between Chicago Public Schools and the teachers union, including a delayed budget amendment vote. Plus, they’re sharing some of their favorites from our list of 1,000 things we love about Chicago.


    Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter

    Follow us @citycastchicago

    You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246

    Learn more about the sponsors of this March 25 episode:

    • Bookshop.org — Get 15% off your next order with code CITYCAST

    Become a member of City Cast Chicago.

    Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

    25 March 2025, 8:00 am
  • 29 minutes 3 seconds
    1,000 Things We Love About Chicago: The Game Show

    We have learned a lot about this city over the last 1,000 episodes, but what about you? We’ve invited two listeners — in fact, City Cast Chicago members — to test their knowledge as host Jacoby Cochran leads a game show-style quiz inspired by our list of 1,000 things we love about Chicago. Follow along and take the quiz yourself.

    Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter

    Follow us @citycastchicago

    You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246

    Learn more about the sponsors of this March 24 episode:

    • Bookshop.org — Get 15% off your next order with code CITYCAST

    Become a member of City Cast Chicago.

    Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

    24 March 2025, 8:00 am
  • 36 minutes 28 seconds
    Why is ICE Being Sued? Will Quantum Project Include Community? And How's The Lolla Lineup?

    Local and national advocacy organizations are suing ICE for illegal arrests, a coalition of Southeast Side neighbors is pushing back on Chicago’s future Quantum Campus, and we’ve got thoughts on Lolla’s lineup. Joining us to break it all down are Katrina Pham from Borderless Magazine and Maxwell Evans from Block Club Chicago. Plus, we’re dropping our 1000 things we love about Chicago on Monday, and we’ve got some live music to add to your calendars.

    Good News: JWF Amp’d Up Open Mic Series

    Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter

    Follow us @citycastchicago

    You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246

    Learn more about the sponsors of this March 21 episode:

    Become a member of City Cast Chicago.

    Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

    21 March 2025, 8:00 am
  • More Episodes? Get the App