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The Rundown | Chicago News

WBEZ Chicago
Chicago
Brandon Johnson
Father's Day
Chicago Sky
Venezuelan Migrants
Unsung Heroes Of Uptown
Joe Biden
WOE, A Housecat's Story Of Despair
Xenophobia
Gun Violence
Lincoln Correctional Center
Air Quality
Chicago School Board
Wrigleyville Rooftops
Heatwave
Covid-19
Juneteenth
Type 2 Diabetes
Ruth Bader Ginsburg Elementary School
Chicago Public Schools

In one bite-sized episode every weekday, we'll keep you informed, tickled, geeked, and pondering on Chicago's news, culture and people. Each episode starts with a quick news roundup from the WBEZ newsroom, followed by a deep-dive into one of the biggest or most curious stories from our city. The Rundown podcast is a one-stop-shop for all things Chicago.

PublishesDailyEpisodes1595Founded5 years ago
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Latest Episodes

No Kings protests and rallies are planned in Chicago and nationwide this weekend. A new Northwestern study finds premature menopause raises long-term heart risk by 40%. The season just started for the White Sox, and they were bullied mercilessly in t... more

Chicago Public Schools will soon have a new permanent CEO with board members set to vote Monday on a three-year contract for interim CEO Macquline King. A measure to keep the Chicago Bears in Illinois continues to sit in Springfield. It would allow t... more

Broadview Mayor Katrina Thompson is making the case for a bill that would make it illegal for detention centers to be within 1,500 feet from schools, day cares, houses and other places. Chicago’s Human Relations Commissioner Nancy Andrade announced h... more

The clock is ticking for state lawmakers to pass a deal to keep the Chicago Bears in Illinois, and Democrats in Springfield are pushing a bill that would allow the Bears to negotiate payments in lieu of paying property taxes to build a new stadium in... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
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Recent Guests

Matthew Yee
Playwright and Lookingglass Ensemble member
Lookingglass Theatre
Episode: Monday, March 23, 2026
Ali Kashani
CEO of Cerv Robotics
Cerv Robotics
Episode: Friday, March 20, 2026
Sofia Bachio
Festival founder and executive director
Asian Pop-Up Cinema
Episode: Friday, March 20, 2026
Allison LaCroix
Constitutional law professor, University of Chicago
University of Chicago
Episode: Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Paul Gowder
Law professor, Northwestern University
Northwestern University
Episode: Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Scott W. Berg
Historian, George Mason University
George Mason University
Episode: Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Ted Stormer
Historian, Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins University
Episode: Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Cesar Cortina
Truck driver, converted to Islam; participant at O'Halla Center
O'Halla Muslim Center
Episode: Tuesday, March 17, 2026
Alma Campos
O'Halla member
O'Halla Muslim Center
Episode: Tuesday, March 17, 2026

Hosts

Alex Dagman
Host of the daily episodes who brings a dynamic reporting style and local insight.
Lisa Labuz
Co-host known for her engaging interviews and emphasis on cultural stories.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 254 ratings
  • Audio issues?

    Love this podcast, but what’s up with the audio quality this week?

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Katnpp
    United States7 months ago
  • Quick news you need

    Love to have a quick recap of things around Chicago twice a day. Keep up the good work!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Wojciech D
    United Statesa year ago
  • Good info; inconsistent release timing

    The Rundown is a great resource akin to NYTimes’s The Headlines but with the Chicagoland area as the focus. My only complaint is that I can’t count on each morning’s episode coming out at or near a consistent time. I don’t mind a reasonable window (e.g. between 7a-7:30a) but the current system is not conducive to incorporating the show into my morning routine.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    KKrasinski
    United Statesa year ago
  • Great local news

    I’m so grateful to have this to keep up with what’s happening in Chicago!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BCguy94
    United Statesa year ago
  • Perfect quick daily news update

    They do a great job of summarizing local Chicago & state-wide news in an easily digestible format.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    schistopatel
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the insightful coverage of local news, enjoying the quick, informative format that fits into their busy routines.
Some concerns have been raised regarding inconsistent release timings, which has caused difficulty in integrating the show into daily routines for certain listeners.
Critics have voiced issues regarding perceived bias or sensationalism in handling certain stories, emphasizing a need for balanced reporting.
There are positive remarks about the engaging hosts and the depth of stories being shared, which resonate well within the community context.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Tuesday, January 27, 2026
Q: How did he, Krishnamoorthi, respond to those attacks against him?
Krishnamoorthi defended his congressional record and called out Stratton for her funding sources.
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
Q: What was the big headline to you from the debate last night?
One big headline was how fiercely Stratton came on the offensive against Krishnamoorthi.
Friday, January 23, 2026
Q: What was the government's case against Espinoza Martinez?
The government initially accused him of being a high-ranking member of the Latin Kings and soliciting a hit on a Border Patrol commander, but later walked back those claims and faced difficulties in presenting sufficient evidence.
Friday, January 23, 2026
Q: What was the outcome of the Juan Espinoza Martinez case?
Juan Espinoza Martinez was acquitted of the charges against him, which included solicitation of murder.
Thursday, December 11, 2025
Q: What critical issue has been raised regarding Centurion Health?
Centurion Health has been accused of ignoring and misdiagnosing patients, leading to serious illness or death.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Rundown

What is The Rundown about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast offers a concise and engaging overview of Chicago's daily news, culture, and intriguing stories, making it an essential resource for local residents and anyone interested in the city's happenings. Every weekday, episodes begin with a quick news roundup that provides listeners with the latest updates on political events, community issues, and cultural narratives, before transitioning to a more detailed exploration of a particular story or topic of interest related to Chicago. Notably, the program balances current events with a focus on local community voices, aiming to inform and connect listeners with the vibrancy of Chicago life.

In addition to its news-centric content, the podcast is characterized by an approachable format d... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Rundown?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Rundown:

1. City Cast Chicago
2. Curious City
3. Up First from NPR
4. The Daily
5. The NPR Politics Podcast

How many episodes of The Rundown are there?

The Rundown launched 5 years ago and published 1595 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Rundown?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

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What guests have appeared on The Rundown?

Recent guests on The Rundown include:

1. Matthew Yee
2. Ali Kashani
3. Sofia Bachio
4. Allison LaCroix
5. Paul Gowder
6. Scott W. Berg
7. Ted Stormer
8. Cesar Cortina

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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