WBEZ 91.5 Chicago

Curious citizen Steven Libbin has been fascinated by trains for almost 70 years. He recently read a book about the history of Chicago's "L" train and learned something he hadn't known before: The "L" once had funeral cars. So he asked us about it. 

Rogers Park resident Lowell Wyse noticed how diverse his neighborhood is, and wonders whether the city helps place international refugees there. If City Hall’s not, who is?

Curious citizen Rory Keane was walking downtown this past summer and jumped a few feet in the air after nearly kicking "a tawny brown lump" on the sidewalk. Turns out that lump was a bat and it made Rory wonder how bats have adapted to the built environment, how many there are and where they like to hang. We're a little freaked out by this one, but we're on it!

The bulk of its objects are out of sight, but not necessarily out of mind. Start with our behind-the-scenes view, and stick around for a surprising international backstory.

History suggests a Victorian-era prejudice against commercial traffic in Chicago parkways lurks behind a ban against pickup trucks on Lake Shore Drive. Should truck owners worry? And, where can they park, anyway? 

To tease out what our region actually sounds like, we poured over hundreds of voice samples. Now, we present our conclusions alongside yours.

John Lincoln wondered why steam is coming out of the ground at Chicago’s North Side Lathrop Homes housing project. Could it be a geyser? Heat from a clothes dryer? We solve the mystery with the help of the property manager.