Good afternoon. Here’s what you need to know today.

1. Layoffs hit WBEZ and the Chicago Sun-Times

Chicago Public Media, the parent company for both news organizations, announced a round of layoffs today amid a worsening financial crisis marked by declining fundraising, listenership and philanthropic support, my colleague Dave McKinney reports.

The layoffs affected a total of 14 people across both organizations. Among the hardest hit was WBEZ’s podcast division, where Nerdette, Making and When Magic Happens were all canceled

The news comes after the station debuted a $6.4 million, state-of-the-art studio at WBEZ’s Navy Pier office and follows a double-digit-percentage pay increase for Chicago Public Media’s top executive.

“But perhaps most important, the financial upheaval that led to the layoffs raises questions about the long-term viability of the $61 million WBEZ/Chicago Sun-Times merger entering its third year, although Chicago Public Media CEO Matt Moog continued to hold out hope for the marriage,” McKinney reports. [WBEZ]

2. Investors say a permanent Chicago casino is in jeopardy

Bally’s $1.7 billion plan to build a casino along the Chicago River may be a thing of the past if a takeover bid by the corporation’s chairman is successful, according to a pair of high-profile investors trying to block the bid.

Chairman Soo Kim’s bid to take the company private “jeopardizes the completion of the Chicago project,” investors from K&F Growth Capital wrote in a letter to Bally’s board of directors this week.

K&F managing partners Dan Fetters and Edward King said shareholders — and Chicago taxpayers — would be better served if Bally’s “immediately” partnered with a more experienced, high-end gambling company.

The news comes as Bally’s tries to secure $800 million to build its casino in the River West neighborhood. [Chicago Sun-Times]

3. Bird flu was detected at the largest U.S. producer of fresh eggs

The producer, Cal-Maine Foods, temporarily halted production at one of its facilities and lost about 2 million chickens after detecting bird flu, NPR reports.

The company said it will rely on other facilities to “minimize disruption to its customers.”

The news comes as cows in several states have been sickened by the virus. And two known cases in humans have been reported.

But the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the risk of someone getting bird flu is very low and that a person cannot contract it from eggs that are cooked and stored properly. [NPR]

4. Chicago will provide more than $150 million to transform office buildings into apartments

Mayor Brandon Johnson today announced four projects that could create more than 1,000 new apartments in largely vacant downtown office buildings, my colleagues Fran Spielman and Abby Miller report.

The projects will receive more than $150 million in city subsidies through tax increment financing. You can find summaries of the projects in the link.

The news comes as office buildings have struggled to rebound from the pandemic, when remote work became a new normal.

And affordable housing has been a longstanding problem for a city that now finds itself struggling to accommodate migrants bused from Texas. At least 319 of the new units created under the projects will be set aside for affordable housing. [Chicago Sun-Times]

5. You could swim in the Chicago River this summer

Five hundred swimmers will participate in an open-water swim in the Chicago River in September after organizers received approval from the U.S. Coast Guard, my colleague Jessica Ma reports.

If all goes well, it will be the river’s first open-water swim in more than 100 years.

But it’s understandable if you’re hesitant about taking a plunge. Bacteria from untreated sewage can run off into the river on rainy days. And there’s boat traffic.

Organizers say they have plans to ensure water quality and safety. They will track water quality every 15 minutes, using data from the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago and the nonprofit water innovation hub Current. [Chicago Sun-Times]

Here’s what else is happening

• Rescuers in Taiwan are looking for people who may be trapped after the strongest earthquake to hit the country in a quarter-century. [AP]

• Florida is at the center of the fight over abortion rights in the U.S. [NPR]

• A small number of tuberculosis infections were reported at a Chicago shelter for migrants, officials said. [Chicago Sun-Times]

• A new Matrix movie is in the works. [Hollywood Reporter]

Oh, and one more thing …

Four Chicago restaurants and chefs are among the 2024 finalists for the James Beard Awards, affectionately known as the Oscars of the culinary world, my colleague Miriam Di Nunzio reports.

The local finalists include Lula Cafe for outstanding hospitality; Anna Posey at Elske for outstanding pastry chef or baker; and Sujan Sarkar at Indienne and Jenner Tomaska at Esmé for best chef in the Great Lakes.

Winners will be announced at a gala ceremony on June 10 in Chicago. [Chicago Sun-Times]

Tell me something good …

WBEZ recently looked at the best breakfast sandwiches while you’re on the go. And that got me thinking: What’s your favorite breakfast or brunch spot in the Chicago area?

Nana writes:

“One of my favorite breakfast spots in Chicago is Sweet Maple Cafe in the Little Italy neighborhood on Taylor Street. The biscuits are so good, especially when they’re warm with blackberry jam and butter🤤!

“Another good place for brunch (mimosas and bloody Marys included) is Stax Cafe in River West. I love their cinnamon roll waffles, chilaquiles and mini egg sandwiches.”

And Barry Murtaugh writes:

“Favorite breakfast spot is the Beatrix at NWMedical on St Clair. Wonderful offerings. Attentive staff and the mango pineapple fruit drink takes the stress away after a round of early morning medical tests.”

Feel free to email me, and your response might be shared in the newsletter this week.