Grow tomatoes, not carrots and other tips for keeping lead out of your garden produce
Chicago soil can contain high levels of lead and other heavy metals. Check out this guide to making gardening safer.
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Curious City
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WBEZ’s Curious City series is an ongoing news experiment at WBEZ, online and on the radio dial around Chicago at 91.5 FM. Our mission is to include the public in editorial decision-making, make journalism more transparent and strengthen multimedia coverage about Chicago, the surrounding region and its people (past or present).
Curious City airs on Thursdays during All Things Considered on WBEZ
Recent
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Elected judges are rarely voted out of office. Here’s why.
In Cook County, elected judges are seldom voted out of office — even when they have controversial records.
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Listen — 25:42Chicago’s Polish Constitution Day Parade is back. This year, it has a new theme.
For over a century, the Polish community has celebrated Polish unity at the annual parade. This year, they’re showing support for Ukraine.
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Listen — 17:53Illinois’ crows are making a comeback. And there’s a surprising connection to our health.
West Nile virus infections soared in Illinois in the early 2000s, including among crows. Tracking the birds can help keep humans safe.
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Listen — 18:54In the 1980s, activists fought to make public transportation more accessible
The battle in Chicago helped give momentum to a nationwide fight for legislation to protect people with disabilities.
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Listen — 21:13Two classical musicians weigh in on the joys and pressures of playing in a youth orchestra
Chicago Symphony Orchestra musicians Oto Carrillo and Diane Mues talk about how playing in a local youth orchestra shaped their lives and careers.
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Listen — 14:08Chicago teens open up about race, stereotypes and dating
Five teens talk about whether stereotypes affect their relationships and how schools can help students from different backgrounds relate.
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Listen — 19:20Here’s everything you need to know about Chicago potholes
How can I get reimbursed by the city when a pothole damages my tires? And why does Chicago pave roads with asphalt, anyway?
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Listen — 15:26Chicago’s Free Theater grappled with issues like civil rights and the Vietnam War
Between 1968 and 1974, the Free Theater made experimental theater available to all. What happened to its legacy?
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Listen — 23:57Yes, people really do win WBEZ’s pledge drive giveaways
How do giveaways work? Why do people give during pledge drives in the first place? We answer some common questions about membership drives.
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Listen — 17:33
