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 2 years ago Tagged

Why is there a digital divide in Chicago?

Mike Stephen discusses a new study examining the digital divide in Chicago with University of Chicago professors Dr. Nick Feamster and Dr. Nicole Marwell, learns why the online news site One Illinois is shutting down from editor and local journalist Ted Cox, and explores another year of population loss in Illinois with Erin Aleman, executive director of the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning. And in the OTL Wrap Party, Mike and Producer Collin reflect on the state of the business of journalism. The local pandemic tunez come from Black Bolts. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page or RSS feed.

Posted 4 years ago Tagged

Mike Stephen learns how the new SpotAngels app can help us find street parking, gets an update on the influence of aldermen on discriminatory housing practices, and discovers the Secret History of the late Chicago jazz artist Daniel Scanlan with local music historian Steve Krakow (aka: Plastic Crimewave).  The local music this week is brought to you by Holly. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

Posted 6 years ago Tagged

Mike Stephen celebrates the 600th edition of the show by taking the production on the road to The Friendly Tap in Berwyn!  Youth leaders from VOYCE drop by to discuss combatting local educational inequities, Plastic Crimewave (aka Steve Krakow) gives us the Secret History of Chicago blues rocker Cash McCall, and Chicagoland NASA Solar System Ambassador Mark Benson gets us fired up about all things space-related.  Also Mike’s dad, Mike Stephen, Sr., jumps on the mic to chat about a life of activism.  The live local music for the show is brought to you by The Black Oil Brothers! To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

Posted 7 years ago Tagged