Broadview Protesters Face Trial, Farmers Market Prices Rise, and Where to Karaoke in Chicago

The trial against the Broadview Four, a group of high-profile protesters arrested and charged with conspiracy back in September, is set to begin in May. This week a federal judge ruled there was no evidence that the Trump administration was politically influencing the case. We’re sitting down with freelance journalist Corli Jay and contributor Leigh Giangreco. Plus, farmers market vendors are managing rising costs, and we want to know your go to karaoke song.Good News: Poetry of Place and Resistance and Bilingual Poetry WorkshopWant some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our daily newsletter.Follow us @citycastchicagoYou can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246Learn more about the sponsors of this April 9 episode: Enjoy Illinois Window Nation Become a member of City Cast Chicago.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Earlier this week, the ⁠Chicago Sky traded All-Star forward Angel Reese⁠ to the Atlanta Dream for two future first-round picks. Following the departure of yet another star player, fans are wondering if Chicago is losing its chance to be a marquee WNBA destination. City Cast Chicago contributor Brandon Pope and musician Al Scorch join us today to discuss. Plus, 90-year-old venue ⁠The Hideout has a new owner⁠, Jackson Park’s ⁠cherry blossoms are blooming⁠, and we’ve got new music for you! Chicago Music: ⁠Charles Joseph Smith⁠, ⁠Rami Gabriel⁠, ⁠Heavy Crownz⁠, ⁠Ravyn Lanae⁠, ⁠Al Scorch’s Big Fantastical Residency⁠ If you enjoyed today's interview with The Other Art Fair, Global Fair Director, Nicole Garton, ⁠learn more here⁠. Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our ⁠daily newsletter⁠. Follow us ⁠@citycastchicago⁠ You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: ⁠773 780-0246⁠ Learn more about the sponsors of this April 8 episode: ⁠Enjoy Illinois⁠ ⁠Window Nation⁠ ⁠Become a member of City Cast Chicago⁠. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info ⁠HERE⁠

In April 1926, Route 66 received its iconic number. The so-called Mother Road takes you all the way to California, but it begins in Chicago. (Now at Navy Pier!) In celebration of 100 years, we’re revisiting our little road trip from last year. Host Jacoby Cochran hopped in the car with Dario Durham and Sara Faddah, hosts of 77 Flavors, to drive the Chicago leg of old Route 66. Along the way, they pointed out favorite attractions, spots to eat, and saw the city from a new perspective. Good News: Karaoke Storytellers Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our daily newsletter. Follow us @citycastchicago You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246 Learn more about the sponsors of this April 7 episode: Enjoy Illinois Window Nation Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

At the end of March, Chicago’s Housing Authority board voted 7-2 to appoint a new CEO. CHA has been without a permanent CEO since former leader Tracy Scott resigned in November, 2024. Mayor Brandon Johnson may legally challenge this decision after replacing the board chair and arguing the selection violated state law. Executive producer Simone Alicea and host Jacoby Cochran are breaking down the latest details. Plus, American Airlines is offering bus connections from regional airports to O'Hare, and the Blackhawks extend their playoff drought to six seasons. Good News: ‘safronia’ at Lyric Opera If you enjoyed today's interview with Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau President/CEO, Cory M. Jobe, supporting Enjoy Illinois, learn more here. Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our daily newsletter. Follow us @citycastchicago You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246 Learn more about the sponsors of this April 6 episode: Enjoy Illinois Window Nation Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

While both Chicago and Denver have a professional Women's Soccer team (go Stars!), Denver is only the second city in the U.S. to build a stadium specifically for women’s soccer. Will betting on women’s sports drive Denver’s economy or will Denverites be left paying the price for another stadium? City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast Denver podcast host Bree Davies about why Denver has invested so much into having sports downtown, how Denver has capitalized on repurposing old industrial spaces, and how bad traffic gets when all your sports are downtown. Plus, is it better to have a Mayor with or without aims for a greater political office? Mentioned on the show: The $tadium Game: Inside the lucrative world of Colorado’s pro sports stadiums [⁠The Denver Post⁠] Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? ⁠Email David now! ⁠ We’re also on Instagram: ⁠@yourcitycouldbebetter⁠ Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? ⁠Check out our options⁠.

Chicagoans are still asking if the feds will return to the city after Operation Midway blitz. WBEZ’s Curious City recently tackled whether the federal presence here constituted martial law. We are joined by WBEZ’s Erin Allen and Mike Davis. Plus, boos rain down at the Jeffs, and an international student’s attempt to run every Chicago street hits a major roadblock. Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our daily newsletter. Follow us @citycastchicago You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246 Learn more about the sponsors of this April 3 episode: The Other Art Fair Steppenwolf Theatre Window Nation Chicago Architecture Center Walking Tours Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Why are immigration court watchers in Chicago struggling to observe virtual hearings? Will Illinois regulate rapidly growing prediction markets? And what are the best burgers in the city? Executive producer Simone Alicea, contributor Leigh Giangreco, and host Jacoby Cochran dive into these stories. Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our daily newsletter. Follow us @citycastchicago You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246 Learn more about the sponsors of this April 2 episode: The Other Art Fair Steppenwolf Theatre Window Nation Chicago Architecture Center Walking Tours Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

April showers are here, but luckily we’ve got your guide to what’s happening in Chicago this month — rain or shine. Host Jacoby Cochran is with executive producer Simone Alicea and City Cast Chicago contributor Brandon Pope have events to look forward to, tips for April, and news stories to watch. Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our daily newsletter. Follow us @citycastchicago You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246 Learn more about the sponsors of this April 1 episode: The Other Art Fair Steppenwolf Theatre Window Nation Chicago Architecture Center Walking Tours Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Chicago has a new working group looking into ⁠proactive rental inspections⁠ and creating a registry of apartment owners. Host Jacoby Cochran and executive producer Simone Alicea explain how we got here and how the moves could help renters. Plus, the ⁠Fighting Illini are in the Final Four⁠, and y’all have thoughts on ⁠AI and robots⁠. Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our ⁠daily newsletter⁠. Follow us ⁠@citycastchicago⁠ You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: ⁠773 780-0246⁠ Learn more about the sponsors of this March 31 episode: ⁠The Other Art Fair⁠ ⁠Steppenwolf Theatre⁠ ⁠Window Nation⁠ ⁠Chicago Architecture Center Walking Tours⁠ ⁠Become a member of City Cast Chicago⁠. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info ⁠HERE

The Chicago school board seems to have its pick for ⁠permanent CPS CEO⁠, finally… and it’s interim CEO Macquline King. Ahead of the board’s meeting this morning, host Jacoby Cochran and executive producer Simone Alicea take us through how we got here. Plus, ⁠the mayor of Broadview is calling on the feds to close the ICE facility⁠ there and reimburse the village for costs incurred during Operation Midway Blitz. We’re also discussing the rise of Nashville hot chicken in Chicago. Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our ⁠daily newsletter⁠. Follow us ⁠@citycastchicago⁠ You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: ⁠773 780-0246⁠ Learn more about the sponsors of this March 30 episode: ⁠The Other Art Fair⁠ ⁠Steppenwolf Theatre⁠ ⁠Window Nation⁠ ⁠Chicago Architecture Center Walking Tours⁠ ⁠Become a member of City Cast Chicago⁠. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info ⁠HERE⁠