City Cast Chicago
Chicago’s daily news podcast, fresh every weekday morning. Host Jacoby Cochran brings you timely conversations with news and culture makers; activists and artists; bus drivers and students; those who love and hate this place. City Cast Chicago is a smart and delightful new way to connect with the city we share. Learn more and subscribe to our newsletter at chicago.citycast.fm. Named Best Podcast by Chicago Reader 2022
Episodes
December 30, 2025 • 44 mins
Holidays are a great time to catch up on movies, from summer blockbusters to nostalgic classics. Earlier this year, the City Cast Chicago team set a lofty goal: To put together a list of the best Chicago movies of all time. Host Jacoby Cochran, executive producer Simone Alicea, Hey Chicago newsletter editor Emmi Mack, and social media manager Rick Homuth came up with 12 films deserving of this honor.
The List:
Medium Cool (196...
Mark as Played
December 29, 2025 • 35 mins
As we look back on the year’s milestones, 2025 marks 25 years since Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley unveiled the Plan for Transformation. It was a decade-long initiative that demolished Chicago’s public high-rises, overhauled the city's public housing system, and displaced thousands of Chicagoans. Author Natalie Moore and investigative reporter Mick Dumke have tracked the city’s claims about its overall success. We spoke to them ear...
Mark as Played
December 23, 2025 • 37 mins
Chicago’s airports are boasting another season of record travel. But what travelers really need to know is what to eat, where to find last-minute gifts, and general tips for navigating the busy travel season. That’s why host Jacoby Cochran is talking with Axios reporter Justin Kaufmann, who’s also been covering the massive renovations at O’Hare.
Good News: ChiTown Drive-In
Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to ...
Mark as Played
December 22, 2025 • 26 mins
The Bears are making threats again — this time saying they’re considering a move to Northwest Indiana after they hit a wall trying to reduce their property tax burden in Arlington Heights. It’s just another chapter in the ongoing back-and-forth, but with other Chicago teams vying for new stadium projects, we’re wondering: Is there a better way to do this? Host Jacoby Cochran talks with the Chicago Architecture Center’s Michael Wood...
Mark as Played
December 19, 2025 • 39 mins
After leaving Chicago a few weeks ago, Border Patrol Cmdr. Gregory Bovino has returned with about 200 federal agents and camera equipment. We are joined by the Tribune’s Laura Rodriguez Presa who has been following this terror campaign since the beginning. Plus, Chalkbeat Chicago’s Samantha Smylie is here to discuss forthcoming school board elections, the search for the next CPS CEO, and a South Side production of ‘The Wiz.’Good Ne...
Mark as Played
December 18, 2025 • 24 mins
For 10 years, nonprofit Open Television has been supporting Chicago filmmakers as an incubator and with their own streaming app. Host Jacoby Cochran sits down with OTV co-founder Elijah McKinnon to discuss which of the app’s 500+ titles you should start with, how it could have only happened in Chicago, and why intersectional storytelling is so important.
Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey ...
Mark as Played
December 17, 2025 • 35 mins
The solstice may be this weekend, but it’s been winter in Chicago for weeks now. Still, there’s plenty of cold ahead, so it’s a good time to revisit last year’s essential winter rules with WBEZ’s Susie An.
Vote City Cast Chicago as Best Podcast and Hey Chicago as Best Email Newsletter in the Reader's Best of 2025.
Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter.
Follow us @citycas...
Mark as Played
December 16, 2025 • 39 mins
In June, Chicago police officer Krystal Rivera was shot and killed by fellow officer Carlos Baker during a foot chase. The department described the shooting as an accident. Now, Rivera’s family says she broke off a romantic relationship with Baker shortly before the shooting and claims the department failed to protect her. Host Jacoby Cochran and executive producer Simone Alicea break down the latest details in the case. Plus, they...
Mark as Played
December 15, 2025 • 42 mins
Back in January, we discussed the most powerful people in Chicago. But a lot has changed since then…or has it? TV host Brandon Pope and the Tribune’s A.D. Quig are back to discuss how political power has shifted across Chicagoland and who might emerge as power players in 2026.
Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter.
Follow us @citycastchicago
You can also text us or leave...
Mark as Played
December 12, 2025 • 43 mins
It has been two months since Mayor Brandon Johnson introduced his $16.6 billion budget plan, which he argues leverages new taxes on Chicago’s largest corporations to avoid layoffs, service cuts, and property tax hikes while funding critical public safety initiatives. This week a group of alderpeople introduced an alternative budget. We ask WTTW’s Heather Cherone and Block Club Chicago’s Jaime Nesbitt Golden, how it differs from the...
Mark as Played
December 11, 2025 • 43 mins
We have covered hundreds of stories in 2025; some good, some bad, and some bone-chillingly authoritarian. From this, executive producer Simone Alicea and host Jacoby Cochran have drafted their Chicago ‘Naughty or Nice’ List of 2025. Who do you think deserves to make the list?
Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter.
Follow us @citycastchicago
You can also text us or leave ...
Mark as Played
December 10, 2025 • 41 mins
Being a City Cast Chicago Neighbor costs $10 a month, so we created a list of gifts you can get in Chicago for $10 or less. Host Jacoby Cochran, executive producer Simone Alicea, and producer Michelle Navarro share their picks, including gifts from shops like Adams and Son and Daughter Gardens, Strange Cargo, Beelove Cafe, Gene’s Sausage Shop and Delicatessen, and more. Plus, where to donate gifts this holiday season and local toy ...
Mark as Played
December 9, 2025 • 38 mins
Residents of a soon-to-be foreclosed South Shore apartment complex, raided by federal agents in September, have asked a Cook County judge for more time and resources to move out. Executive producer Simone Alicea and host Jacoby Cochran discuss how they got here. Plus, we’ve got tips for handling this season’s record-breaking snow, and how do you feel about robot food delivery?
Good news: Market Box
Want some more City Cast Chicag...
Mark as Played
December 8, 2025 • 32 mins
Former President Barack Obama announced last week that his long-awaited presidential center would officially open to the public in June 2026 — 11 years after the project was initially announced on the South Side. Host Jacoby Cochran talks with Sun-Times architecture critic Lee Bey about what took so long and his first impressions of the building and surrounding grounds in Jackson Park.
Good News: Chicago Public Library events
Wan...
Mark as Played
December 5, 2025 • 37 mins
While Chicago Public Schools are preparing for winter break, the search for the next permanent CEO is ongoing. Last month it was reported, the school board was interviewing finalists. Now it is unclear where exactly the school board’s process to name the next head of CPS is. Chalk Beat Chicago’s Reema Amin is here with the latest. Blockclub Chicago’s Investigative Editor Crystal Paul breaks down what happens to individuals in Illin...
Mark as Played
December 4, 2025 • 24 mins
Chicago is now fully in holiday mode, so we’re back with our holiday edition of the one-star review game! Host Jacoby Cochran quizzed Axios Chicago reporters Carrie Shepherd and Monica Eng last year. Can they guess these popular Chicago holiday attractions based on their one-star Yelp reviews?
Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter.
Follow us @citycastchicago
You can also...
Mark as Played
December 3, 2025 • 36 mins
Since the Michelin Guide arrived in Chicago back in 2010, only four restaurants have received three Michelin stars. There are only 14 restaurants in North America, and as of just last month, there is only one in Chicago. Chicago Tribune’s restaurant critic, Louisa Chu, tells host Jacoby Cochran which restaurants are recently Michelin-recommended, what she thinks makes a restaurant worthy, and her favorites in the city.
Want some ...
Mark as Played
December 2, 2025 • 24 mins
This weekend’s record-setting snowstorm also resulted in lots of flight cancellations and car accidents across the city. Plus, the winter overnight parking ban has gone into effect for more than 100 miles of main streets in Chicago. We’re also discussing the Bears better-than-expected season, the upcoming matchup with the Packers, and the sports bars you should have on your radar.
Where to find the City Warming Centers
Good News:...
Mark as Played
December 1, 2025 • 32 mins
Before we wrap up the year, we have your guide to December in Chicago. Digital marketing manager Jermaine Thomas is here with some tips for thriving in the cold. Hey Chicago newsletter editor Emmi Mack is bringing some holiday events to keep your calendar packed. And host Jacoby Cochran’s mind is on Chicago’s best new restaurants.
If you're new here, welcome! We’ve put together a starter pack for you, with episodes and articles t...
Mark as Played
November 26, 2025 • 46 mins
Join City Cast Chicago host Jacoby Cochran alongside fellow hosts from Austin, DC, Denver, Las Vegas, Madison, Nashville, Philly, Pittsburgh, Portland, Salt Lake, Seattle, and the Twin Cities for a special episode that’ll help you knock out your holiday shopping early and support small businesses around the country. From a handlebar mount (and app!) that’ll turn your phone into a bike cam, to a mustard-of-the-month subscription box...
Mark as Played
Popular Podcasts
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
)
My Favorite Murder is a true crime comedy podcast hosted by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark. Each week, Karen and Georgia share compelling true crimes and hometown stories from friends and listeners. Since MFM launched in January of 2016, Karen and Georgia have shared their lifelong interest in true crime and have covered stories of infamous serial killers like the Night Stalker, mysterious cold cases, captivating cults, incredible survivor stories and important events from history like the Tulsa race massacre of 1921. My Favorite Murder is part of the Exactly Right podcast network that provides a platform for bold, creative voices to bring to life provocative, entertaining and relatable stories for audiences everywhere. The Exactly Right roster of podcasts covers a variety of topics including historic true crime, comedic interviews and news, science, pop culture and more. Podcasts on the network include Buried Bones with Kate Winkler Dawson and Paul Holes, That's Messed Up: An SVU Podcast, This Podcast Will Kill You, Bananas and more.
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.