City Cast Chicago

From the Cubs vs. White Sox to deep-dish vs. tavern-style, Chicago is no stranger to rivalries. One rivalry host Jacoby Cochran knows well is the fried-chicken-and-mild-sauce competition between Harold’s and Uncle Remus. As a South Sider, Jacoby had never even been to Uncle Remus in the Austin neighborhood. Now, Justice Informed CEO, lifelong West Sider, and Uncle Remus evangelist Xavier Ramey shows Jacoby what he’s been missing.Don’t miss our love letter to Harold’s.Some good news: Catch the last week of Destinos Chicago International Latino Theater Festival.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: 773 780-0246Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

A new University of Illinois Chicago report has named Chicago the country’s most corrupt city for the fourth year in a row. Lead producer Simone Alicea, host Jacoby Cochran, and producer Michelle Navarro dive into the study and ask if the title is still deserved. We are also discussing some of the fanciest meals we’ve had in the city and our favorite tourist attractions. We want to know your favorite meals and tourist spots! Text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246Plus, nominate City Cast Chicago as Best Podcast and Hey Chicago as Best Newsletter under the "City Life" category in the Reader's Best of 2023Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter. Follow us @citycastchicagoInterested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

The political corruption trial of former 14th Ward Ald. Ed Burke begins today. Burke spent more than 50 years in office, making him Chicago’s longest-serving alder before he opted not to run in this year’s election. WTTW’s Heather Cherone and host Jacoby Cochran break down Burke’s long and controversial career along with the trial that could ultimately define his legacy.Some good news: The 28th Annual Asian American Jazz festNominate City Cast Chicago as Best Podcast and Hey Chicago as Best Newsletter under the "City Life" category in the Reader's Best of 2023Want 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: 773 780-0246Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Mayor Brandon Johnson traveled to Washington, D.C. this week with other big city mayors asking for more federal aid to help the tens of thousands of largely Venezuelan migrants who have arrived in the last year. Crain’s Leigh Giangreco and Block Club Chicago’s Atavia Reed join us to talk about the latest efforts to secure funding. Plus, we discuss ongoing concerns with neighborhood Save-A-Lots, a Walgreen’s closure in Roseland, and the beginning of Christmas music season. Some good news: Black Harvest Film FestivalBe sure to nominate City Cast Chicago as Best Podcast and Hey Chicago as Best Email Newsletter in the Chicago Reader's Best of 2023. Find us under the City Life category.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: 773 780-0246Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 

We are halfway through our fall season and before wintertime Chi hits, we are revisiting journalist and naturalist Zack Nauth’s list from last year of 20 midwest hiking trails to visit. Host Jacoby Cochran talked with Nauth about his top picks, from best views to most accessible.  Places discussed:Cap Sauers Holding Nature PreserveSag Valley Trail SystemSwallow Cliff WoodsLakewood Forest PreservesBig Marsh Franklin Creek State Natural AreaNachusa GrasslandsSalt Creek Woods Nature Preserve Wolf Road Prairie Nature PreserveIllinois and Michigan CanalSome good news: City Civics 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: 773 780-0246Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 

Chicago has no shortage of award-winning fine dining restaurants. Elaborate tasting menus, molecular gastronomy, and artistic small bites that are so expensive you wonder: Is this all worth it? Lifestyle journalist Ari Bendersky, who writes the Something Glorious Newsletter, says yes. He tells host Jacoby Cochran that Chicago’s scene is more expansive and creative than ever. Plus, he's got tips for Chicago’s fine dining beginners.Some good news: The Chicago International Children’s Film FestivalWant 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: 773 780-0246Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 

Last month the American Red Cross announced a national blood shortage as supplies had dropped by 25% since August. But what exactly is a blood shortage and who is impacted the most when there isn’t adequate supply to go around? Host Jacoby Cochran stopped by the University of Chicago Blood Donation Center to get these questions answered and donate blood.  Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter. Take Hey Chicago’s Best Chicago Candies PollFollow us @citycastchicagoYou can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 

A new investigation from WBEZ and the Sun-Times found almost 30 Chicago police officers — including nine still in the department — have been on rosters for anti-government extremist group Oath Keepers. Now the department is reopening a new investigation as city leaders call for extremists to be “rooted out.” Reporters Tom Schuba and Dan Mihalopoulos join host Jacoby Cochran to break down what they found.Nominate City Cast Chicago as Best Podcast and Hey Chicago as Best Newsletter under the "City Life" category in the Reader's Best of 2023.Some Good News: DuHaunted & Haunted Halsted Halloween Parade 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: 773 780-0246Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 

The first half of the General Assembly's veto session wrapped up Thursday, and there are three days left beginning Nov. 7. Will lawmakers make any progress on Chicago's elected school board map, and will future board members be paid? We are joined by Chalkbeat Chicago’s Samantha Smylie and Crain’s Corli Jay with the latest. Plus, we are discussing CPS’ struggles to help new migrant students, the latest suburb to pitch for a Bears’ stadium, student-led neighborhood audio tours, and the Chicago Sky’s newest head coach, hall-of-famer Teresa Weatherspoon.Some Good News: Semicolon Fall LitfestWant 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: 773 780-0246Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Haunted hotels, disappearing hitch hikers, and headless horsemen: These are just a few of Chicago’s spookiest ghost stories. But what’s the difference between a scary story and a historical tragedy? Mysterious Chicago’s Adam Selzer tells host Jacoby Cochran that it’s all about how you tell the story.Some Good News: 312 Comedy FestivalWant 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: 773 780-0246Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE