This week we explore compliance with a law regulating punishment in local schools. (Photo credit: Mike Stephen/WGN Radio)

Mike Stephen talks to Chalkbeat Chicago reporter Samantha Smylie about Chicago Public Schools’ compliance with a state law dealing with punishment in schools, learns about the next chapter of the historic Pickwick Theater in Park Ridge from Mike Jeffers, founder of Chicago Jazz Magazine and venue & programming consultant, and gets the lowdown on a local organization that empowers youth with media and storytelling skills called True Star Media from production team member Christopher Lockridge. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.

Posted 3 years ago Tagged

What is the future of nuclear power in Illinois? (Photo credit: Mike Stephen/WGN Radio)

Mike Stephen learns about the possibility of repealing the nuclear construction moratorium in Illinois from David Kraft of the Illinois Nuclear Energy Information Service, discusses the impact of artificial intelligence on local journalism with Justin Kerr, publisher of McKinley Park News, and dives into the unique history of blues music in Chicago with John Anderson, co-director of the film Born in Chicago. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.

Posted 3 years ago Tagged

This week we explore the history of country music in Chicago. (Photo credit: Mike Stephen/WGN Radio)

Mike Stephen talks with Mark Guarino, the author of a new book called Country and Midwestern: Chicago in the History of Country Music and the Folk Revival about the history of country music in Chicago and then reconnects with former Outside the Loop producer, Andy Hermann, about his new gig as a public radio producer and host at Nebraska Public Media. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.

Posted 3 years ago Tagged

This week we discuss training the next generation of journalists. (Photo credit: Mike Stephen/WGN Radio)

Mike Stephen discusses the importance of training the next generation of journalists with Jason Block, multimedia communications teacher at Prospect High School, learns about local jazz saxman Shawn Maxwell’s new music, and discovers the Secret History of Chicago Blues harmonica legend Billy Branch. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.

Posted 3 years ago Tagged