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The Rundown | Chicago News

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

PublishesDailyEpisodes1535Founded5 years ago
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Latest Episodes

Homicides and opioid deaths dropped in Cook County in 2025, and the news comes as Chicago had its lowest number of homicides in 60 years. One new Illinois law that went into effect at the start of the new year will regulate how employers use artifici... more

We’re looking back at a story from earlier this month about the best Chicago albums of 2025. Our colleagues at our sister station Vocalo nominated their annual picks for the best in new Chicago music. Chicago has always been an eclectic music town wh... more

We’re revisiting a story from the WBEZ/Chicago Sun-Times arts and culture desk, in which our bookish colleagues share some of their favorite new books of 2025. Their recommendations range from a wide breadth of genres, including a novel that explores... more

In a town full of foodies, Chicago pizzamaker Jonathan Goldsmith’s pies rise to the top at his restaurant, Spacca Napoli, located in Ravenswood on Chicago’s North Side. The eatery spent several years on the Michelin Guide’s Bib Gourmand list and an I... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Jonathan Goldsmith
Owner of Spacca Napoli, a renowned pizza maker in Chicago
Spacca Napoli
Episode: Monday, December 29, 2025
Penelope Sachs
Viola player in the Evanston Symphony Orchestra
Episode: Friday, December 26, 2025
Melissa Little
Supporter of the Evanston Symphony Orchestra and parent of a child with cerebral palsy
Episode: Friday, December 26, 2025
Jake Connelly
Young actor from Arlington Heights, known for his role in the Netflix series 'Stranger Things'
Netflix
Episode: Wednesday, December 24, 2025
Rev. Brendan Curran
Member of the Resurrection Project, involved in providing pastoral care at ICE facilities.
The Resurrection Project
Episode: Wednesday, December 24, 2025
Angel Luis
High school student and member of the Dream Team
Solario High School
Episode: Wednesday, December 17, 2025
Rabbi Stephen Philip
Rabbi from Mishkan Chicago
Mishkan Chicago
Episode: Wednesday, December 17, 2025
Joe Gracioso
Advisor to the Dream Team
Solario High School
Episode: Wednesday, December 17, 2025
Riola Jernigan
Mother of Robert Jernigan
None
Episode: Friday December 12, 2025

Hosts

Alex Dagman
Host of the show, providing insights and leading discussions on local news and stories.
Lisa Labuz
Co-host contributing to the conversations and providing updates on Chicago's happenings.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 252 ratings
  • Audio issues?

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Katnpp
    United States4 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 States9 months 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 Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

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

Several reviews express a desire for more consistent release timings, indicating that the morning routine integration is important for the audience.
Many find the coverage relatable and relevant to their daily lives, especially regarding local culture and community issues.
Listeners appreciate the concise format, making it easy to stay updated with Chicago news in a short time.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#103
United States/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#110
Ireland/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#136
Russia/News/Daily News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
Thursday, December 11, 2025
Q: What are some reasons for the decline in Red Kettle donations?
The Salvation Army stated that inflation, layoffs, and people not carrying spare change could be reasons for the decline in donations.
Thursday, December 11, 2025
Q: What did the Massey Commission unveil?
The Massey Commission unveiled its 26 calls to action focused largely on police reforms, including establishing uniform background checks and psychological evaluations for potential hires.
Thursday, December 4, 2025
Q: Do the numbers show any sign that attendance can start to improve now?
It remains unclear if attendance rates will improve, as ongoing concerns about ICE activity persist.
Thursday, December 4, 2025
Q: Why do you think the drop in attendance wasn't so drastic?
Community groups stepped up to support students and parents, organizing 'walking school buses' and providing safe transport options for kids.

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?

The show presents short, digestible episodes focusing on the latest news, culture, and stories from Chicago. Episodes typically start with a brief roundup of key headlines from the city's current affairs, followed by an in-depth exploration of noteworthy or intriguing local issues. Themes often include politics, community events, social challenges, and celebrations of Chicago's vibrant culture and history. The unique blend of timely news with insightful storytelling makes it particularly appealing for listeners who want to stay informed about their city in a compact format. Additionally, the commitment to highlighting diverse perspectives and local voices offers a rich tapestry of experiences relevant to the broader Chicago community.

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Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for The Rundown. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to The Rundown and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does The Rundown get?

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How many subscribers and views does The Rundown have?

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Which podcasts are similar to The Rundown?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Rundown:

1. Curious City
2. The NPR Politics Podcast
3. Code Switch
4. Up First from NPR
5. Trump's Terms

How many episodes of The Rundown are there?

The Rundown launched 5 years ago and published 1535 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.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Rundown?

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What guests have appeared on The Rundown?

Recent guests on The Rundown include:

1. Jonathan Goldsmith
2. Penelope Sachs
3. Melissa Little
4. Jake Connelly
5. Rev. Brendan Curran
6. Angel Luis
7. Rabbi Stephen Philip
8. Joe Gracioso

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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