The Case Of The Chicago Mothman
Following several recent reports of a strange winged creature around the Chicago area, we try to find out what the heck is going on.
Oct 27, 2019•10 min
Curious City
Ask questions, vote and discover answers about Chicago, the region and its people. From WBEZ.
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Episodes
DIY Bike Detective: Tips For Tracking Down Your Stolen Bicycle In Chicago
Once you recover from the initial shock, experts recommend piecing together evidence, spreading the word, and hitting the street stat.
Oct 20, 2019•9 min
Floods, Carp, And Crap: The Environmental Impacts Of The Chicago River Reversal
The effects of the groundbreaking engineering feat are still being felt today — as far as the Gulf of Mexico.
Oct 13, 2019•14 min
Half Day Road And The Origins Of A Semantic Slip-up
A half day from ... what? Why this suburban myth is not even half true, and why the same mistake was made again 600 miles away.
Oct 06, 2019•13 min
Chicago’s Hidden Indie Rock Archive
Over three decades, Aadam Jacobs obsessively documented Chicago’s indie rock scene. His collection includes the early work of Liz Phair, Smashing Pumpkins, Jeff Tweedy, New Order, Naked Raygun, Flaming Lips, Yo La Tengo and much more. Today, the future of his roughly 10,000 live recordings is unclear. We took a peek into Jacob's archive.
Sep 29, 2019•14 min
To Help Homeless Kids In Chicago, First You Have To Find Them
Population estimates vary drastically. And numbers matter, since they dictate funding for crucial resources like shelter beds, food and social services.
Sep 22, 2019•9 min
Climate Change Is Already Impacting Lake Michigan — Here’s How
Erratic water levels, disappearing beaches — climate change is already affecting Lake Michigan’s shoreline. Here’s what else we can expect.
Sep 15, 2019•5 min
Drums, Fire And A Grilled Rabbit: The Birth Of Chicago’s Full Moon Jam
Chicago’s Full Moon Jam is now a popular city-sanctioned attraction. But it began back in 2004 as a birthday party among friends.
Sep 08, 2019•9 min
The Cha-Cha Slide And More: Which Dances Were Invented In Chicago?
Don your dancing shoes as we track down the Chicago band members, musicians, and dancers who helped create five iconic moves.Â
Sep 01, 2019•13 min
Having ‘The Talk’: Expert Guidance On Preparing Kids For Police Interactions
A child psychiatrist, a public defender and a police officer weigh in on how to prepare kids for interacting with the police.
Aug 25, 2019•9 min
Rats! The Science And Stories Behind Chicago’s Most Unwanted Pests
To explore the mysteries of Chicago’s rodents, Curious City took a rat safari, interviewed experts and turned your stories into a zine.
Aug 18, 2019•9 min
Why Chicago’s Depression-Era School Murals Sparked Debates About Art And Politics For 80 Years
Some were called Communist, while others have been called out for lack of diversity.
Aug 11, 2019•10 min
Nicky’s And The Big Baby Mystery Part II: We Found Nicky V.!
Our recent search for the origins of a famous South burger hit a dead end — until the elusive Nicky Vagenas finally came forward.
Aug 04, 2019•9 min
Chicago’s Race Riots Of 1919 Contributed To The Segregation We See Today
Choices made in the wake of the violence set a foundation for the racial inequality the city continues to grapple with.
Jul 28, 2019•13 min
Why Chicago Had Race Riots During The ‘Red Summer’ Of 1919
Long-brewing racial tensions came to a head one hot summer day, when a black boy was drowned near a whites-only beach.
Jul 21, 2019•13 min
The Heart Of The City: Finding Chicago’s Geographic Center
It smells like garbage and gym shoes, but, surprisingly, the city’s geographic center says a lot about Chicago’s soul.
Jul 14, 2019•8 min
Did A WWII Nuclear Experiment Make The U Of C Radioactive?
We used a Geiger counter to see if we could detect any radiation footprint from the site of the first sustained nuclear chain reaction.
Jul 06, 2019•9 min
The Scoop On Poop At Chicago’s Beaches
Use our handy guide to determine which Chicago beaches are safe for swimming, and when to proceed with caution.
Jun 30, 2019•10 min
Nicky’s And The Big Baby: A South Side Burger Mystery
Dozens of unconnected fast food joints serve up the same popular Chicago cheeseburger under the same name. Where did it all begin?
Jun 23, 2019•11 min
Did City Officials Know About The Manhattan Project’s Work In Chicago?
A key experiment in the development of the atom bomb was hidden in plain sight on University of Chicago’s campus. Who was in on the secret?
Jun 16, 2019•8 min
Here's Harold! (The Robot Edition)
The DuSable Museum says — creepy or not — its Harold Washington robot will teach you a thing or two about the city’s first African-American mayor.
Jun 09, 2019•9 min
How Is Chicago Doing On Its Ambitious 2020 Climate Goals?
Back in 2008, Mayor Richard M. Daley’s plan to make Chicago “the greenest city in America” by 2020 made national news. How’s that going?
Jun 02, 2019•12 min
Caps On Or Off? Pizza Boxes OK? Answers To 10 Common Chicago Recycling Questions
Think you know all the recycling rules? Think again. Check out this quick guide to some common dos and don’ts of Chicago recycling.
May 26, 2019•9 min
From Vienna Beef To PBR: Five Food And Drink Legacies Of The 1893 World's Fair
Lots of items in your local grocery aisle claim to have been at the 1893 World's Fair. We piece together these savory origin stories.
May 19, 2019•8 min
How Chicago Women Created The World’s First Juvenile Justice System
The U.S. legal system treated children the same as adults until the late 19th century, when a group of Chicago women demanded change.
May 12, 2019•12 min
Chicago’s Tornado-Proof Delusion
Yes, tornadoes can hit Chicago. Why do so many people think otherwise?
May 05, 2019•13 min
How My Grandparents Helped Shape Chicago’s Blues Industry
Like millions of black Southerners during the Great Migration, they sought greater freedom and opportunity. They found it in the blues.
Apr 28, 2019•10 min
It’s Complicated: The University Of Chicago’s Relationship With Its Neighbors
Community activists and a university representative reflect on why the relationship has been difficult in the past and where it stands now.
Apr 21, 2019•13 min
Stories Behind CTA ‘L’ Lines’ Strange Curves, Dips and Twists
Here’s who and what to blame if you spill your coffee on your commute.
Apr 14, 2019•9 min
A Tavern On (Almost) Every Corner: Why Did So Many Chicago Bars Disappear?
Demographic shifts, changes in attitudes towards public drinking and the politics of the Daley family led to the shuttering of many Chicago bars.
Apr 07, 2019•8 min
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