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The Rundown | Chicago News

WBEZ Chicago
Chicago
Illinois
Chicago Bears
Chicago Public Schools
Chicago, United States
Immigration Enforcement
Brandon Johnson
Trump Administration
Operation Midway Blitz
WBEZ
Mayor Brandon Johnson
ICE
Jesse Jackson
Chicago City Council
JB Pritzker
Sonya Massey
Sean Grayson
Immigration
Cook County
Uchicago Medicine

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.

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Latest Episodes

Severe weather continues to move through the Chicago area, and a severe thunderstorm watch is in effect for the Chicago area until at least 7 p.m. Monday. ComEd says the western and northwestern suburbs were hit with the first wave of outages during ... more

Four beluga whales who arrived at the Shedd Aquarium this week are showing signs of “relaxed behavior.” The city of Chicago is marking the completion of a years-long campaign to commemorate the 1919 race riot. Patrick Kane was reintroduced as a membe... more

A new state law makes July 25 Emmett Till Day in Illinois. More than 800 unionized workers at the BP refinery in Whiting, Indiana, have been blocked from returning to work for more than four months. One of the greatest Chicago Blackhawks in franchise... more

Chicago Police have finally issued guidelines on how to collect and retain evidence against federal immigration agents suspected of violating state law. The National Archives at Chicago is closing within the next few years. One of the few living Negr... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Jack Jow
Pulmonary critical care doctor
Rush Copley Medical Center, Aurora, IL
Episode: Thursday, July 16, 2026
Chelsea Moore
Shoppers at Pullman Farmers Market
Pullman Farmers Market
Episode: Thursday, July 16, 2026
Isabella Nieto
WBEZ News reporter
WBEZ
Episode: Thursday, July 16, 2026
Lisa Labuz
Colleague of the reporter
WBEZ
Episode: Thursday, July 16, 2026
Megan Mullally
Avid actor and guest on Iceboy! at The Goodman
Actress
Episode: Wednesday, July 15, 2026
Nick Offerman
Actor and guest on Iceboy! at The Goodman
Actor
Episode: Wednesday, July 15, 2026
Caitlin Washburn
Journalist, Chicago Sun-Times
Chicago Sun-Times
Episode: Monday, July 13, 2026
Jenny Voll and Katz
Executive at John Howard Association
John Howard Association
Episode: Monday, July 13, 2026
Ruth M. Bromovitz
Reporter for Interlochen Public Radio on the Lake Champlain segment
Interlochen Public Radio
Episode: Thursday, July 9, 2026

Hosts

Lisa Labuz
Host of The Rundown; WBEZ
Alex Dagman
Host of The Rundown

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 262 ratings
  • Audio issues?

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Katnpp
    United Statesa year 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 States2 years 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 States2 years 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.

Some listeners note requests for more consistent episode timing and audio quality.
Audience appreciates the mix of quick news briefs with deep-dive culture pieces.
Listeners praise concise, local-focus reporting and engaging human-interest segments.

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, April 28, 2026
Q: What do you say to those who argue death penalty serves justice or closure for victims' families?
The guest argues that even families affected by violence express that death does not bring true closure, and life without parole can offer a more humane outcome without risking more irreversible harm.
Tuesday, April 28, 2026
Q: If you consider the deterrence argument, what evidence challenges that claim?
The data show no clear correlation between higher execution rates and lower violence, suggesting deterrence is not reliable, and highlighting moral concerns about who bears the burden of punishment.
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
Q: Tell us what is selective mutism? How did it present in your life?
Selective mutism is an anxiety disorder where a person cannot speak in certain settings; Ambar shares how she was quiet at school but talkative at home, why it was misread, and how therapy and family support helped her find her voice.
Friday, May 15, 2026
Q: What inspired you to pursue music and storytelling after your time on the road?
Segarra describes the road experiences, collaboration with a tight-knit group, and the emotional pull of writing about real people and their journeys, which gave her music its direction and purpose.
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
Q: What happened with Brendan Byrne's tax payment and PayUSA Tax?
Brendan paid $1,000 through PayUSA Tax in 2023, but the IRS never received the payment. PayUSA Tax claimed they sent it, but the process stalled for almost a year, leading to a delayed refund and broader questions about the reliability of third-party processors.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Rundown

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

The show provides a fast-paced daily Chicago-focused briefing: a quick WBEZ-anchored news recap followed by a deep-dive into a distinctive local story or culture beat. Across recent episodes, it frequently covers city governance, education, immigration-related issues, and cultural happenings, often pairing investigative context with on-the-ground reporting and expert commentary. Notable strengths include concise yet informative format, strong ties to local journalism, and a willingness to blend policy, culture, and human-interest perspectives in a single episode. Listeners can expect a mix of hard-edged reporting, timely municipal updates, and reflective features on Chicago's arts, neighborhoods, and history, making it valuable for people w... 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. NPR News Now
4. WBEZ News
5. Consider This from NPR

How many episodes of The Rundown are there?

The Rundown launched 6 years ago and published 1678 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Rundown?

Recent guests on The Rundown include:

1. Jack Jow
2. Chelsea Moore
3. Isabella Nieto
4. Lisa Labuz
5. Megan Mullally
6. Nick Offerman
7. Caitlin Washburn
8. Jenny Voll and Katz

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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