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While Santa Claus’ dark counterpart was born centuries ago in Europe, Krampus’ recent explosion in the U.S. is all thanks to one Chicagoan who featured the beast in his comic zine 20 years ago.
Here comes Krampus: How the half-goat, half-demon became a cultural phenomenon
www.wbez.org
December 7, 2025 at 5:46 PM
While Santa Claus’ dark counterpart was born centuries ago in Europe, Krampus’ recent explosion in the U.S. is all thanks to one Chicagoan who featured the beast in his comic zine 20 years ago.
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Your support powers the reporting Chicago relies on. [https://mrf.lu/RSpl)
December 6, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Donate today for your chance to win two tickets to any 2026 Salt Shed show.
Your support powers the reporting Chicago relies on. [https://mrf.lu/RSpl)
Your support powers the reporting Chicago relies on. [https://mrf.lu/RSpl)
Donate between 1–7 p.m. for your chance to win an 8-course chef’s table for four at Carnivale.
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Support WBEZ and enter for an unforgettable meal. [https://mrf.lu/RjQK)
December 5, 2025 at 8:16 PM
Donate between 1–7 p.m. for your chance to win an 8-course chef’s table for four at Carnivale.
Support WBEZ and enter for an unforgettable meal. [https://mrf.lu/RjQK)
Support WBEZ and enter for an unforgettable meal. [https://mrf.lu/RjQK)
Review: What we love about the 2003 film is Will Ferrell’s dynamite performance, and the live production now playing at The Auditorium lacks the same wit and charm.
Review: ‘Elf the Musical’ falls short of capturing the magic of the movie
www.wbez.org
December 5, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Review: What we love about the 2003 film is Will Ferrell’s dynamite performance, and the live production now playing at The Auditorium lacks the same wit and charm.
“Some restaurants are starting to recover, but aren’t at pre-raid business yet,” said Alonso Zaragoza, a community organizer and founder of Belmont Cragin United, an online resource center for residents.
Belmont Cragin restaurant owners say business ticking up — but not back to pre-immigration enforcement levels
www.wbez.org
December 5, 2025 at 4:41 PM
“Some restaurants are starting to recover, but aren’t at pre-raid business yet,” said Alonso Zaragoza, a community organizer and founder of Belmont Cragin United, an online resource center for residents.
Fourteen graduates got their records expunged for completing the (W)RAP program, which offers non-violent offenders treatment and support as an alternative to incarceration.
A Cook County drug court program is helping non-violent offenders overcome substance use
www.wbez.org
December 5, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Fourteen graduates got their records expunged for completing the (W)RAP program, which offers non-violent offenders treatment and support as an alternative to incarceration.
Justin Baren, a Chicago-area musician who as a teenager shot to the upper echelon of the music industry in the pop band the Redwalls, has died.
Justin Baren, vocalist and bassist of Chicago pop band the Redwalls, dies at 40
www.wbez.org
December 5, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Justin Baren, a Chicago-area musician who as a teenager shot to the upper echelon of the music industry in the pop band the Redwalls, has died.
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December 5, 2025 at 1:31 PM
A private tasting for six could be yours. Donate before noon to enter to win an in-home wine, whiskey, or tequila experience.
Support WBEZ and enter automatically. [https://mrf.lu/RqJx)
Support WBEZ and enter automatically. [https://mrf.lu/RqJx)
A winter retreat awaits. Donate between 2–7 p.m. to enter to win a 2-night stay and meal for two at the Hyatt Lodge Oak Brook.
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Support WBEZ and enter to win. [https://mrf.lu/Rs8d)
December 4, 2025 at 9:16 PM
A winter retreat awaits. Donate between 2–7 p.m. to enter to win a 2-night stay and meal for two at the Hyatt Lodge Oak Brook.
Support WBEZ and enter to win. [https://mrf.lu/Rs8d)
Support WBEZ and enter to win. [https://mrf.lu/Rs8d)
The settlement comes as the district watchdog that investigates sexual misconduct by adults against students is prioritizing more severe allegations to clear a backlog.
CPS Board approves $17.5 million settlement for former student sexually abused at Little Village high school
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December 4, 2025 at 8:55 PM
The settlement comes as the district watchdog that investigates sexual misconduct by adults against students is prioritizing more severe allegations to clear a backlog.
In Chicago this season, you can find a jazzy Duke Ellington version, a global “Nutcracker” with hip-hop mice and the 50th anniversary of the holiday story on ice, as well as the Joffrey Ballet’s classic Downtown.
It’s officially “Nutcracker” season. Here are three affordable and creative remixes on the classic
www.wbez.org
December 4, 2025 at 4:01 PM
In Chicago this season, you can find a jazzy Duke Ellington version, a global “Nutcracker” with hip-hop mice and the 50th anniversary of the holiday story on ice, as well as the Joffrey Ballet’s classic Downtown.
Amid the federal deportation campaign, Spanish-speaking mental health providers are creating therapy groups and community workshops while others offer yoga, meditation and other support.
Panic attacks, anxiety high among immigrants as capacity to help is limited
www.wbez.org
December 4, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Amid the federal deportation campaign, Spanish-speaking mental health providers are creating therapy groups and community workshops while others offer yoga, meditation and other support.
An independent state committee will be responsible for setting vaccination guidelines that Illinois officials previously had relied on the federal government to provide.
Pritzker signs law for Illinois to set its own vaccination guidelines in response to Trump skeptics
www.wbez.org
December 4, 2025 at 2:27 PM
An independent state committee will be responsible for setting vaccination guidelines that Illinois officials previously had relied on the federal government to provide.
A Cook County judge has ordered the building vacated by Dec. 12. Tenants want the City of Chicago to intervene.
Residents of South Shore building raided by feds protest surprise move-out date during 'freezing' cold
www.wbez.org
December 4, 2025 at 2:22 PM
A Cook County judge has ordered the building vacated by Dec. 12. Tenants want the City of Chicago to intervene.
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Support the news you trust — and you could upgrade your tech. [https://mrf.lu/Rkqc)
December 4, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Seven chances to win an iPad this morning! Donate before 1 p.m. to be entered.
Support the news you trust — and you could upgrade your tech. [https://mrf.lu/Rkqc)
Support the news you trust — and you could upgrade your tech. [https://mrf.lu/Rkqc)
Alcohol consumption in the U.S. is at a 90-year low. That trend has resulted in an explosion of tasty local options for alcohol-free imbibing.
Chicago is a drinker’s paradise — even for the sober and the sober-curious among us
www.wbez.org
December 3, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Alcohol consumption in the U.S. is at a 90-year low. That trend has resulted in an explosion of tasty local options for alcohol-free imbibing.
In a tough year, laughter is “healing, and it is bringing people together,” says the artistic director and creative mastermind behind “The Real Housewives of the North Pole.”
Need a laugh? Chicago theaters are going all-in on comedies this holiday season
www.wbez.org
December 3, 2025 at 8:56 PM
In a tough year, laughter is “healing, and it is bringing people together,” says the artistic director and creative mastermind behind “The Real Housewives of the North Pole.”
Escape to Kohler, WI. Donate between 2–7 p.m. to enter to win a 2-night cabin getaway for two, including a spa experience.
Support WBEZ and enter for a winter retreat: https://mrf.lu/R5fz
Support WBEZ and enter for a winter retreat: https://mrf.lu/R5fz
December 3, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Escape to Kohler, WI. Donate between 2–7 p.m. to enter to win a 2-night cabin getaway for two, including a spa experience.
Support WBEZ and enter for a winter retreat: https://mrf.lu/R5fz
Support WBEZ and enter for a winter retreat: https://mrf.lu/R5fz
The filming by federal immigration agencies of their military-style operations was central to their strategy of gaining public support for the raids in Chicago and the suburbs.
Group sues Trump administration for South Shore raid footage that fed propaganda videos
www.wbez.org
December 3, 2025 at 6:31 PM
The filming by federal immigration agencies of their military-style operations was central to their strategy of gaining public support for the raids in Chicago and the suburbs.
Last month, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced plans to shift $3.9 billion in long-term housing to transitional housing requiring work and addiction treatment. More than 7,500 Illinoisans could be at risk of losing housing.
As cold weather settles over Chicago, advocates call out Trump's new homelessness policies
www.wbez.org
December 3, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Last month, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced plans to shift $3.9 billion in long-term housing to transitional housing requiring work and addiction treatment. More than 7,500 Illinoisans could be at risk of losing housing.
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Every donation is an entry. [https://mrf.lu/Rtwh)
December 3, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Start your morning strong. Donate before 1 p.m. for your chance to win a free bag of Dark Matter Coffee every month for a year.
Every donation is an entry. [https://mrf.lu/Rtwh)
Every donation is an entry. [https://mrf.lu/Rtwh)
The suit, which also alleges bullying, was filed in Cook County Circuit Court Monday and names as defendants the museum and its CEO, Perri Irmer.
Former DuSable Black History Museum director files whistleblower suit alleging misuse of public funds
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December 3, 2025 at 12:01 AM
The suit, which also alleges bullying, was filed in Cook County Circuit Court Monday and names as defendants the museum and its CEO, Perri Irmer.
Chicago is at the top nationally again amid growing traffic globally, thanks in part to NYC keeping traffic steady after implementing a traffic surcharge in Manhattan.
Chicago overtakes NYC for worst vehicle congestion in the US, survey says
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December 2, 2025 at 9:34 PM
Chicago is at the top nationally again amid growing traffic globally, thanks in part to NYC keeping traffic steady after implementing a traffic surcharge in Manhattan.
The Italian-born maestro who spent more than a decade at the CSO is the latest recipient of the prestigious Ratzinger Prize, nicknamed the “Nobel Prize of Theology.”
Pope Leo to recognize Riccardo Muti with esteemed award at Vatican this month
www.wbez.org
December 2, 2025 at 9:30 PM
The Italian-born maestro who spent more than a decade at the CSO is the latest recipient of the prestigious Ratzinger Prize, nicknamed the “Nobel Prize of Theology.”
After decades of proposals floating around to get the Pullman structure back on its feet, Gov. JB Pritzker has announced a plan to restore and reopen the red brick colossus.
What’s That Building? Hotel Florence
www.wbez.org
December 2, 2025 at 5:12 PM
After decades of proposals floating around to get the Pullman structure back on its feet, Gov. JB Pritzker has announced a plan to restore and reopen the red brick colossus.