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The Rundown | Chicago News

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

PublishesDailyEpisodes1506Founded5 years ago
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Artwork for The Rundown

Latest Episodes

Just four people are currently being held in the controversial U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing facility in west suburban Broadview, down from nearly 150 two weeks ago. The U.S. House has voted to admonish Democratic Illinois U.S. ... more

Suburban Broadview Mayor Katrina Thompson has declared a civil emergency in the village. Starved Rock State Park will undergo an $18 million improvement project over the next year. The CTA holiday train starts running Black Friday. Plus, a key city c... more

21 protesters have been arrested today outside the Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing facility in suburban Broadview. Advocates against domestic violence are applauding a move by Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson to restore funding for servic... more

Republicans and Democrats continue to battle over whether to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker is not giving up hope on legislation to crack down on homeowners insurance price hikes. The Reverend Jesse Jackson is in ... more

Key Facts

Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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People also subscribe to these shows.

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Recent Guests

Robert Falls
Celebrated Chicago theater director and former artistic director of Goodman Theater.
Steppenwolf
Episode: Friday, November 14, 2025
Terry Guest
Award-winning playwright and actor
Episode: Tuesday, November 11, 2025
Kevin Owosu
Founder of Local Lab Collective and associate director
Steel Point Theater
Episode: Tuesday, November 11, 2025
Lillian Brown
A Chicago-based director and theater veteran
Episode: Tuesday, November 11, 2025
AJ McGee
An actor with a prominent role in Chicago theater
Episode: Tuesday, November 11, 2025
Sophie Sherry
Sun-Times reporter
Chicago Sun-Times
Episode: Friday, November 7, 2025
Gregory Bovino
Chief Patrol Agent overseeing deportation operations in Chicago.
U.S. Border Patrol
Episode: Thursday, November 6, 2025
Margaret Burroughs
Founder of the DuSable Museum and educator
DuSable Museum
Episode: Monday, November 3, 2025
Tananarive Due
Lecturer at UCLA, author and screenwriter/director.
UCLA
Episode: Friday, October 31, 2025

Hosts

Lisa Labuz
Host of The Rundown
Michael Puente
Host of The Rundown
Aracely Gomez-Saldana
Host of The Rundown

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 States2 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 States8 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 States10 months 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 States10 months 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.

There is a good balance of news coverage and impactful local stories.
Listeners appreciate the concise format that fits into their busy routines.
The podcast offers insightful and engaging content that resonates with current events in Chicago.
The focus on community and cultural issues is highlighted as a significant strength of the series.
Some listeners have noted inconsistencies in release timing, which affects their routine.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#108
United States/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#144
Ireland/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#243
Russia/News/Daily News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Monday, November 10, 2025
Q: Based on what you gathered, what do you think some of those main reasons groups chose not to participate?
Fear of federal backlash against diversity efforts likely deterred some organizations from participating in the survey.
Monday, November 10, 2025
Q: What did the groups tell you?
Seven organizations agreed to complete the survey, showing minor progress in diversity on boards and staff.
Monday, November 10, 2025
Q: So why did you want to survey the city's biggest arts groups?
To measure the progress of diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts and hold organizations accountable for their commitments.
Friday, November 7, 2025
Q: What did your reporting sort of point to regarding Trump's narrative being so focused on sanctuary cities if the data isn't supporting that?
The focus has always been about sanctuary cities and policies set by Democratic politicians, seen as roadblocks to deportation efforts.
Friday, November 7, 2025
Q: Tell us why his administration targeted us.
The Trump administration claimed it was to target criminal illegal aliens benefiting from sanctuary policies.

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 presents a daily snapshot of the most relevant and engaging news stories from Chicago, blending a brief news roundup with a more in-depth exploration of significant local narratives. Topics range from cultural stories to political developments, with a strong focus on civic issues, community events, and the challenges faced by residents. The approach aims to make complex subjects accessible and engaging, catering to listeners seeking to stay informed about their city and its diverse community.

What makes this audio series particularly appealing is its concise format, structured to fit into busy lifestyles. The inclusion of various perspectives and emphasis on local culture allows listeners to not only keep up with the news but ... 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. The Block Club Chicago Podcast
3. Curious City
4. Up First from NPR
5. Crain's Daily Gist

How many episodes of The Rundown are there?

The Rundown launched 5 years ago and published 1506 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. Robert Falls
2. Terry Guest
3. Kevin Owosu
4. Lillian Brown
5. AJ McGee
6. Sophie Sherry
7. Gregory Bovino
8. Margaret Burroughs

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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