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The Rundown | Chicago News

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

PublishesDailyEpisodes1663Founded6 years ago
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Latest Episodes

Chicago’s massive system of underground tunnels and reservoirs is almost completely full for the first time. O’Hare International Airport got as much rain in the first five days of July as it typically gets all month. Chicago saw its least violent 4t... more

Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling is retiring after being in charge of CPD for less than three years. Mayor Brandon Johnson is urging Chicagoans to be cautious this holiday weekend as a Midwest heat wave finally starts to let up. The Chica... more

Complaints of smoking on trains and buses in Chicago are dropping. The federal government has asked a judge to halt the country’s first reparations program in Evanston, Illinois. The Chicago Blackhawks opened free agency Wednesday by signing new defe... more

Advocates in Chicago are celebrating Tuesday’s Supreme Court ruling that affirms birthright citizenship. The Supreme Court today has ruled states can block transgender athletes from playing on girls’ and women’s sports teams at public schools and col... more

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Recent Guests

Tamara Gere
Author of The Flowers I Deserve
Independent author
Episode: Monday, June 29, 2026
Faye Ikishumari
Author of Chibochi Girl
Independent author
Episode: Monday, June 29, 2026
Sloan Murphy
Author of Shut Up, I Love You, I'll Call You Tomorrow
Independent author
Episode: Monday, June 29, 2026
Carey Perloff
Director of Leopoldstadt, Writers Theatre
Writers Theatre
Episode: Friday, June 26, 2026
Beatrice Ponce de Leon
Deputy Mayor for immigrant, migrant and refugee rights
City of Chicago
Episode: Wednesday, June 24, 2026
Jerry Markocha
Founder of the Hollywood Beach and queer volleyball community
Private citizen
Episode: Wednesday, June 24, 2026
Owen Keenan
Author of A Place for Us, Gay Life at Chicago's Belmont Rocks
Author/Researcher
Episode: Wednesday, June 24, 2026
Rebecca Kling
Reporter covering local culture and beach season
WBEZ Chicago
Episode: Wednesday, June 24, 2026
Sarah Thompson
Las Vegas chef of Casa Playa
Casa Playa (Las Vegas)
Episode: Monday, June 22, 2026

Hosts

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

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 261 ratings
  • Audio issues?

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Katnpp
    United States10 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.

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.

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.
Friday, April 17, 2026
Q: How did Barbara Flynn-Curry influence Illinois politics and what is her legacy today?
Her leadership helped shape policies such as the death penalty abolition and gay marriage, and she mentored younger politicians, leaving a lasting example of principled, strategic public service.
Thursday, March 26, 2026
Q: How does the new album differ from your first experiences as a band, and what does Chicago mean to this project?
Almost There feels like a debut in its own right because we approached it with time and freedom, reconnecting with the city's energy and drawing on our shared history in Chicago to shape a more vulnerable, organic sound.

Audience Metrics

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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. Up First from NPR
4. Code Switch
5. The Ezra Klein Show

How many episodes of The Rundown are there?

The Rundown launched 6 years ago and published 1663 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. Tamara Gere
2. Faye Ikishumari
3. Sloan Murphy
4. Carey Perloff
5. Beatrice Ponce de Leon
6. Jerry Markocha
7. Owen Keenan
8. Rebecca Kling

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