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The Rundown | Chicago News

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

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.

PublishesDailyEpisodes1653Founded6 years ago
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Latest Episodes

The Obama Presidential Center was dedicated today in a star-studded ceremony featuring everyone from former presidents to Grammy-winning artists. Chicago actor Harry Lennix is in town this weekend lending his booming voice to an orchestral performanc... more

A Hazardous Weather Outlook is in effect for parts of north central and northeast Illinois as well as northwest Indiana. The city of Chicago is cracking down on airbag thefts. The City Council passed a measure Wednesday making it unlawful to purchase... more

Another veteran politician is entering what’s expected to be a crowded 2027 race for Chicago mayor. Illinois Democratic lawmakers have passed a measure to protect trans youth in foster care. The James Beard Awards brought some of the country’s bigges... more

Former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama are back in Chicago for the Obama Presidential Center's official grand opening later this week. The head of the team that steers arts and culture programming in Chicago says she wants... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Kayla Lemon
28-year-old mother and North Lawndale resident featured in the housing story
North Lawndale resident featured by LCDC
Episode: Friday, June 12, 2026
Richard Townsville
Executive Director of Lawndale Christian Community Church (LCDC)
LCDC
Episode: Friday, June 12, 2026
Ani Jamjian
Representative with the Thai American Association of Illinois
Thai American Association of Illinois
Episode: Friday, June 12, 2026
Rodneka Mack
Homebuyer who benefited from LCDC programs
North Lawndale resident and LCDC program participant
Episode: Friday, June 12, 2026
Christy Ramsey
Airbnb super host with long-time experience
Airbnb host in Woodlawn
Episode: Wednesday, June 10, 2026
Infinity Gant
Housing advocate
Community advocate in Chicago
Episode: Wednesday, June 10, 2026
Esther Yunji Kang
Reporter
WBEZ News
Episode: Wednesday, June 10, 2026
Norman Teague
Chicago-based designer and artist
Independent designer
Episode: Tuesday, June 9, 2026
Bruce Iglauer
Founder and President of Alligator Records
Alligator Records
Episode: Thursday, June 4, 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 States9 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.

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.
Thursday, March 26, 2026
Q: What inspired you to return to making music together now, after so long apart?
We wanted to reconnect creatively, balance family and work life, and recapture the excitement of making music without the pressure of an exhausting tour schedule, which led to a more relaxed, discovery-driven process in Chicago.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
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Age Range
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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. WBEZ News
4. Throughline
5. The Block Club Chicago Podcast

How many episodes of The Rundown are there?

The Rundown launched 6 years ago and published 1653 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. Kayla Lemon
2. Richard Townsville
3. Ani Jamjian
4. Rodneka Mack
5. Christy Ramsey
6. Infinity Gant
7. Esther Yunji Kang
8. Norman Teague

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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