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The Rundown | Chicago News

WBEZ Chicago
Chicago
Chicago Bears
Illinois
Chicago, United States
Chicago Public Schools
Immigration Enforcement
Operation Midway Blitz
Brandon Johnson
WBEZ
Mayor Brandon Johnson
Jesse Jackson
Cook County
Chicago City Council
Uchicago Medicine
Immigration
Jesse L. Jackson
Trump Administration
Obama Presidential Center
Martin Luther King Jr.
ICE

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

Indiana Governor Mike Braun is calling for an investigation into NIPSCO’s response to power outages in Northwest Indiana. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Chicago Public School leaders rang the symbolic bell at a West Side elementary school Monday m... more

A Chicago police officer who racked up more complaints than any other officer in recent years now faces firing. Tornado sirens were accidentally activated this morning in multiple Chicago suburbs for the second time in three days. The annual Supertri... more

Northwest Indiana power utility NIPSCO now says all of its customers should be restored by the end of Tuesday. Chicago will continue to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the U.S. with a free concert at Clarendon Community Center Park. The Pulitzer P... more

The Illinois Tollway Board Wednesday morning unanimously approved the first passenger toll increase since 2012. Rats are a problem that have plagued Chicago for years, but there are ways to prevent their spread. The Chicago Bears are continuing train... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Tasmeeh Khan
Contributor who visited the Arabic immersion school
Contributor, The Rundown
Episode: Thursday, August 13, 2026
Abir Jabir
Principal of Quran Blossom / Mass Blossoms
Quran Blossom (Mass Blossoms)
Episode: Thursday, August 13, 2026
Alexandra Usher
Graduate student at University of Chicago who investigates lake shipwrecks for Curious City
University of Chicago / Curious City
Episode: Wednesday, August 12, 2026
Madeline Crisbell
Chicago Maritime Museum curator
Chicago Maritime Museum
Episode: Wednesday, August 12, 2026
Amanda Silligman
Professor, author of Chicago Block Clubs, How Neighbors Shaped the City
Professor, Chicago Block Clubs (Book)
Episode: Tuesday, August 11, 2026
Talaya Thompson
Founder, West Side Multi-Block Club Association
West Side Multi-Block Club Association
Episode: Tuesday, August 11, 2026
Helen King
Resident and longtime block club member
West Gardiffield Park community
Episode: Tuesday, August 11, 2026
Adriana Cardona McGeigat
WBEZ News Reporter who contributed reporting on immigration court
WBEZ
Episode: Thursday, August 6, 2026
Elizabeth Tracy
Former immigration judge who commented on Mega Master Hearings
Episode: Thursday, August 6, 2026

Hosts

Lisa Lobes
Host of The Rundown; Chicago News coverage, community reporting.
Alex Degman
Host of The Rundown; local Chicago reporting and features.

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.

Audience values coverage of Chicagoland politics, culture, and community voices.
Listeners appreciate concise, local focus and the mix of quick updates with in-depth features.
Some praise audio quality and timely reporting, others note inconsistency in episode release times.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#138
United States/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#183
Israel/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#192
Denmark/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#231
Ireland/News/Daily News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Monday, August 3, 2026
Q: Elvia, what has been the most noticeable impact of the SNAP changes on your clients at the Above and Beyond Food Pantry?
There's been an uptick in clients and in the severity of their needs, with more working professionals and seniors seeking help, leading us to expand services and partner with other organizations to cover essentials beyond food.
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.

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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Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Rundown

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

A concise daily Chicago-focused news brief followed by a deep-dive into a major local story. Most episodes center on timely reporting from the city's newsroom, paired with in-depth explorations of topics like immigration policy, education, culture, and civic life. The show frequently blends public policy, local politics, and human-interest reporting, often featuring interviews or extended profiles with journalists, policymakers, and community voices. A standout trait is the balance between brisk, digestible updates and longer feature segments that illuminate how policy impacts people on the ground, with a strong emphasis on Chicago-specific dynamics and culture.

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How many listeners does The Rundown get?

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To see how many followers or subscribers The Rundown has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to The Rundown?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Rundown:

1. City Cast Chicago
2. Curious City
3. Today, Explained
4. The Daily
5. Up First from NPR

How many episodes of The Rundown are there?

The Rundown launched 6 years ago and published 1698 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?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for The Rundown from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on The Rundown?

Recent guests on The Rundown include:

1. Tasmeeh Khan
2. Abir Jabir
3. Alexandra Usher
4. Madeline Crisbell
5. Amanda Silligman
6. Talaya Thompson
7. Helen King
8. Adriana Cardona McGeigat

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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