City Cast Chicago

From big brands like Nabisco, Kraft, and Kellogg to local ones like Garrett Popcorn and Jays Chips, Chicago is home to a lot of popular snacks. Host Jacoby Cochran and producer Michelle Navarro talk about snacks the city has to offer, what their favorites were growing up, and if the new Vitner’s “original recipe” Hot Crunchy Kurls really taste like the original.Did you hear? You can now become a member of City Cast Chicago — Join now to support your favorite Chicago podcast and ensure we can keep bringing you the conversations that matter!Good News: The Chicago Reader's Best of Chicago 2023 ballot is open. Vote City Cast Chicago as Best Podcast and Hey Chicago as Best Newsletter 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

The Bears’ search for a new home is making headlines once again just before the end of the year as reports surface that the team is looking into whether they could build a new stadium in the south parking lot of Soldier Field. Executive producer Simone Alicea and host Jacoby Cochran are running through the Bears’ current options on the table and discuss potential pushback to a new lakefront stadium. Plus, we’ve got unique memberships to give for the holidays and our Christkindlmarket mug final four.  Did you hear? You can now become a member of City Cast Chicago — Join now to support your favorite Chicago podcast and ensure we can keep bringing you the conversations that matter!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 

Every year on the evening of Dec. 11, hundreds of thousands of Catholics and other pilgrims walk to Des Plaines to celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe on Dec. 12. People from all over travel by car, horseback or foot to visit the shrine, which holds the only authorized replica of the painting from the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City. Host Jacoby Cochran talks to Father Esequiel Sanchez to learn more about the significance of the shrine and to Cynthia Alanis, whose family has led a pilgrimage to the northwest suburb from Ravenswood for over 20 years. Did you hear? You can now become a member of City Cast Chicago — Join now to support your favorite Chicago podcast and ensure we can keep bringing you the conversations that matter!Good News: 3Peat Comedy at IO TheaterWant 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

This week, Gov. JB Pritzker paused and then officially shut down construction of a tent camp for new arrivals in Brighton Park citing environmental concerns. City Hall must now propose a new location to house thousands of migrants. Both offices blamed the other with the Johnson administration blaming unclear state environmental standards and Pritzker’s office arguing city officials failed to engage the state’s environmental protection agency. South Side Weekly’s Chima "Naira" Ikoro and the Tribune's Jake Sheridan are here to talk about the fallout. Plus, we discuss Mayor Brandon Johnson’s plan to reopen two city-run mental health clinics and preview next week’s pilgrimage to the Our Lady of Guadalupe shrine in Des Plaines. We’ve also got great weekend events for you including: SSW Community Hoops, Love & Nappyness Concert, and Pocket ConWant 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 Mayor’s Youth Commission is a group of Chicagoans ages 14 to 19 who work to advise the mayor and city leaders. It was founded in 2019 by former Mayor Lori Lightfoot. Host Jacoby Cochran talks to Benjamin Kagan, who is the chair of the commission's public health group, and Precious Adedokun of the community safety group to learn what it’s like to be a teenager advising public officials and city actors.Vote in the first round of our Christkindlmarket mug bracket by noon today. Good News: 4 Writing Pilsen & Mexican Chicago @ Pilsen Community BooksWant 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

Mindy Segal is one of Chicago’s most recognizable chefs, the owner of Mindy’s Bakery in Wicker Park, and the namesake behind Mindy’s World’s Best Tasting Edibles. Host Jacoby Cochran talks to Mindy to learn more about how she combined her love for pastries and cannabis to create her edibles and to hear Mindy’s recommendations for home bakers. Some good news: Debauchery BallWant 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 

Gov. JB Pritzker temporarily paused construction Monday on a migrant base camp in Brighton Park following an environmental assessment that showed mercury and other contaminants in the area. While the city says the site will be safe with remediation, state officials and neighbors have questions. Host Jacoby Cochran and executive producer Simone Alicea break down the latest, along with their picks in our Christkindlmarket mug bracket and how well they did on a constitution quiz for Illinois eighth graders.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

It’s official, we are in the home stretch of 2023. But before we make our New Year's resolutions, we’ve got a guide for enjoying Chicago in December. Executive producer Simone Alicea, producer Michelle Navarro, and host Jacoby Cochran are here to talk about what to look out for this month. We’ve got outdoor activities, CTA heat lamp etiquette, gift suggestions, and upcoming holiday closures for key Chicago services.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 

Construction on a temporary winterized tent camp for new arrivals began this week in Brighton Park after nearly two months of back-and-forth. But the start was not without confusion and community pushback. Block Club Chicago’s Madison Savedra and Melody Mercado are here with the latest. Plus, we look at an investigation into the Chicago Housing Authority’s vacant properties, a plan to house asylum-seekers at churches, and the Loop’s viral cabbages! .Good News: Chicago AIDS Garden for World Aids 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 

Geoffrey Baer has been showing off Chicago’s architecture and natural beauty for decades, first as a docent for the Chicago Architecture Center, then as a WTTW host. On Monday, Baer is out with part two of his series “The Most Beautiful Places in Chicago.” He talked with host Jacoby Cochran when part one came out earlier this spring about what makes a place beautiful to him and which spots Chicagoans should check out.Good News: 3rd Annual Music Festival & Youth Pitch Competition 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