Chicago and Illinois universities are responding to President Donald Trump’s threats of protest- and diversity-related funding cuts. Host Jacoby Cochran talks to WCIU TV host Brandon Pope and The Triibe reporter Tonia Hill to break down the week's top stories. The city council approved over $3 million in Chicago Police Department settlements, including $280,000 to an organizer who was assaulted by a police officer in 2020. Plus, CTA’s new frequent bus network plan launches next week, Woodson Regional Library is celebrating its 50th anniversary, and the Bears are the undisputed offseason winners. Good News: Ravinia Summer Concerts Series LineupWant some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter. Follow us @citycastchicagoYou can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246Learn more about the sponsors of this March 14 episode:Paramount TheatreBecome a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Introducing Coming Soon – Science Will Win, Season 4 from Science Will Win.Follow the show: Science Will WinArtificial intelligence has the potential to help save millions of lives by accelerating the discovery and development of treatments for humanity’s toughest diseases. Those AI innovations come down to three key factors: data, hardware, and software. Science Will Win Season 4 takes listeners on a journey back in time to learn how each of these three elements got where it is today. Each episode features interviews with historians and cutting-edge researchers, framing these deep historical dives within modern advancements in medical technology. What challenges did science have to overcome to bring us where we are today, the midst of an AI revolution in medicine? Tune in to this new, four-part series, coming soon!Season 4 of Science Will Win is created by Pfizer and hosted by Jeremiah Owyang, entrepreneur, investor, and tech industry analyst. DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to team@podroll.fm.

Chicago was ranked at the top for cities with the worst driving experience. The 2024 report found that Chicagoans spend the most time in traffic and the most money on gas. Host Jacoby Cochran, executive producer Simone Alicea, and Axios Chicago Carrie Shepherd talk about their biggest driving pet peeves and quiz themselves on the rules of the road. Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter. Follow us @citycastchicagoYou can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246Learn more about the sponsors of this March 13 episode:Paramount TheatreBecome a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

We’re about halfway through Ramadan — the Muslim holy month marked by charity, spiritual reflection, and daily fasting. With some 350,000 Muslims estimated to call Chicago and Illinois home, we visited the Muslim Community Center in Old Irving Park for a community iftar. Iftar refers to the evening meal when fasts are broken each day. Last year, host Jacoby Cochran talked with lifelong member Amjad Quadri about what the mosque is serving up and how Ramadan is about more than fasting. Support MCC’s Annual Ramadan Project to help provide Iftar nightly to over 30 newly arrived families. Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter. Follow us @citycastchicagoYou can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246Learn more about the sponsors of this March 12 episode:Paramount TheatreBecome a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Hackers stole information for more than 700,000 Chicago Public Schools students late last year, the district said Friday. While officials say sensitive information like social security numbers were not affected, host Jacoby Cochran and executive producer Simone Alicea discuss why the hack is so troubling. They also go over the results of Illinois’ new flag poll, and we’re hearing from listeners!Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter. Follow us @citycastchicagoYou can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246Learn more about the sponsors of this March 11 episode:Paramount TheatreBecome a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

After a near-collision at Midway just a couple weeks ago, and plane crashes in D.C. and Philly earlier this year, we know that anxieties around flying may be on the rise. That’s why we’re talking with DePaul professor Dr. Joe Schwieterman, an aviation expert and the author of “Terminal Town,” to find out if there’s really something going on here or if it’s just a lot of scary headlines.Good News: Celebrate 312 DayWant some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter. Follow us @citycastchicagoYou can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246Learn more about the sponsor of this March 10th episode:Paramount TheatreBecome a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Mayor Brandon Johnson was on the hot seat Wednesday testifying before a Congressional hearing on sanctuary cities. How did he do? WBEZ’s Susie An and Block Club Chicago’s Madison Savedra are here with host Jacoby Cochran to grade his performance. Plus, the Highland Park shooting trial was cut short by a guilty plea, federal funding cuts are hitting researchers in Chicago, and one of the South Side’s last bowling alleys is in trouble.This is City Cast Chicago’s 1,000th episode! To celebrate, tell us something you love about Chicago.Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter. Follow us @citycastchicagoYou can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246Learn more about the sponsors of this March 7 episode: Griffin Museum of Science and Industry Steppenwolf Theatre Become a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 

Spring break is around the corner, which means students and families in Chicago might be looking for things to do, and we might get some people in from out of town. City Cast senior roving producer Lizzie Goldsmith and newsletter editor Ava Wojnowski don’t live here, but they’ve got some ideas for what they want to do when they visit. Host Jacoby Cochran and executive producer Simone Alicea are here to see how they might improve those itineraries.Good News: Las Locas Comedy tonightWant some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter. Follow us @citycastchicagoYou can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246Learn more about the sponsors of this March 6th episode: Griffin Museum of Science and Industry Steppenwolf Theatre Become a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Chicago goes hard on St. Patrick’s Day, and tickets are going fast for parties and bar crawls throughout the city. Social media creator Paige Serena is here to break down the best events and offer some tips for these marathon celebrations.Find out more about Paige’s R&B and Roulette event on March 9th, a River North crawl on March 15th, and other bar and restaurant specials around the city.Kevin White’s “The Red Room” series on March 28thGood News: Welcome to the Show on March 10thWant some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter. Follow us @citycastchicagoYou can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246Learn more about the sponsors of this March 5th episode: Griffin Museum of Science and Industry Steppenwolf Theatre Become a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Mayor Brandon Johnson is in D.C. and he’ll be testifying Wednesday in front of a House oversight committee about Chicago’s welcoming city policies, aka sanctuary city laws. Executive producer Simone Alicea and host Jacoby Cochran discuss their expectations heading into the Congressional hearing. Plus, who is replacing retiring Park District CEO Rosa Escareño and where is CTA adding additional bus service?Good News: Jazz and GumboWant some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter. Follow us @citycastchicagoYou can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246Learn more about the sponsors of this March 4th episode: Griffin Museum of Science and Industry Steppenwolf Theatre Become a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE