It’s an invasive species that doesn’t seem harmful at first glance. But if they go unchecked, these little things can disrupt local ecologies.

Is That A Lobster In The Chicago River?

Chicago’s West Ridge neighborhood has had a large, vibrant Jewish population since the late 1940’s. But at some point, the people living there became more and more religiously observant. We’ll find out when and why that change took place, and hear about the practices that make the community unique.

When And Why did The West Ridge Neighborhood Become Such An Orthodox Jewish Enclave?

The origins of “Chicagoland” can be traced back to nearly 100 years ago. Back then, it encompassed an area that went beyond the suburbs.

What Does "Chicagoland" Mean, And Where Did It Come From?

The beef sandwich and slushy drink combo are sold together all across the South and West sides of Chicago. Reporter Monica Eng tracks down the guy who put the two together. Then, she answers a question about what those mysterious structures out on Lake Michigan actually do.

Chicago’s Steak And Lemonade Combo, And Those Structures On The Lake

It's summertime in Chicago, and once again massive teen gatherings are making headlines. We find out who is organizing these large meetups and why they're happening.

The Whos And Whys Behind Chicago's So-Called Teen Takeovers

The bitter liquor has been around for about a century, but Malört’s rise to Chicago icon status is a more recent story.

Love It Or Hate It; Malört Is Chicago’s Drink

We waltz with the musicians and dancers who popularized dances in Chicago, and we feel the beat with the people who keep La Danza Ateca alive in Pilsen.

Four Dances Invented in Chicago, Plus a Traditional One Chicagoans Keep Alive

When someone dies in Cook County and there’s no one to identify or claim the body, a small army of people from the public and private sectors work to find out who the person is, if they have any relatives or friends, and ultimately give them a dignified burial.

What Happens To Unidentified Or Unclaimed Bodies in Cook County?

A New York transplant loves everything about Chicago, but misses the easy access to a big slice of pizza on a paper plate. Our city’s tavern style and deep dish don’t lend themselves to the “slice to go” concept, but slice shops have gained traction over the last few years. We go on a hunt for the city’s best slice, and even get initiated into an underground pizza club.

Chi-Town Is A Pie Town, But We Search Out The Best Single-Slice Pizza In The City

The huge, gleaming Baháʼí House of Worship for North America definitely stands out from its suburban lakefront surroundings. It’s the oldest Baháʼí temple in the world, and it’s also known as the holiest. But why is it in Wilmette, Illinois? That answer involves a trip to the temple, a celebrity run-in, and some good old-fashioned research.

Why Is The Only North American Baháʼí Temple In Wilmette?

Ask questions, vote and discover answers about Chicago, the region and its people. From WBEZ.

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Essential listening for curious Chicagoans

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Curious City

In both life and death, the people who ended up at the notorious asylum and poor farm were some of Chicago’s least fortunate residents.

In both life and death, the people who ended up at the notorious asylum and poor farm were some of Chicago’s least fortunate residents.

The Story Of Dunning, A 'Tomb For The Living'

A listener’s nostalgia for catching lightning bugs as a kid lead her to wonder: Are there any left these days? Our experts say they’re around, just really, really fickle.

A listener’s nostalgia for catching lightning bugs as a kid lead her to wonder: Are there any left these days? Our experts say they’re around, just really, really fickle.

Why Chicago Lightning Bugs Light Up One Neighborhood But Not the Next

Lake View once had a thriving Japanese community, but it fell victim to a push for assimilation. As one Japanese-American puts it: “You had to basically be unseen.” 

Lake View once had a thriving Japanese community, but it fell victim to a push for assimilation. As one Japanese-American puts it: “You had to basically be unseen.”

What Happened To Chicago’s Japanese Neighborhood?

The good news is Chicago probably won’t be hit by hurricanes and earthquakes. But the area is becoming more vulnerable to other disasters. 

The good news is Chicago probably won’t be hit by hurricanes and earthquakes. But the area is becoming more vulnerable to other disasters.

Which Natural Disasters Are Most Likely To Hit Chicago?

The listings are there — just in Chinese. Is this a form of discrimination, or a way to preserve a neighborhood's character?

The listings are there — just in Chinese. Is this a form of discrimination, or a way to preserve a neighborhood's character?

Why Chicago's Chinatown Is Practically Invisible On Apartment Rental Sites

The city deserves cred as an industrial giant, but it was also the first city of flowers, a pickle powerhouse and the heart of American celery. 

The city deserves cred as an industrial giant, but it was also the first city of flowers, a pickle powerhouse and the heart of American celery.

City Of Big Agriculture: Here Are The Crops Chicago Was Once Famous For

Being a paleta vendor may seem like a sweet life, but we learned that selling Mexican popsicles is anything but a walk on the beach. 

Being a paleta vendor may seem like a sweet life, but we learned that selling Mexican popsicles is anything but a walk on the beach.

Push Carts, Popsicles, And Patience: How To Be A Paletero In Chicago

The common stereotype for Midwesterners is that we’re polite, friendly...and passive-aggressive. But is there any truth to that?

The common stereotype for Midwesterners is that we’re polite, friendly...and passive-aggressive. But is there any truth to that?

What’s The Deal With ‘Midwest Nice?’

Was there ever a Nazi neighborhood in Chicago? In this special Curious City mini-documentary and online presentation (complete with archival photos and video), we tell the story of how an infamous neo-Nazi group settled in the Marquette Park neighborhood and used it as a home base to gain attention and promote its political agenda. The story of the group’s rise and fall on Chicago’s Southwest Side raises questions about the extent of free speech and how mainstream racism in any neighborhood can encourage hate groups.  

Was there ever a Nazi neighborhood in Chicago? In this <a href="http://interactive.wbez.org/curiouscity/chicagonazineighborhood/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">special Curious City mini-documentary and online presentation (complete with archival photos and video)</a>, we tell the story of how an infamous neo-Nazi group settled in the Marquette Park neighborhood and used it as a home base to gain attention and promote its political agenda. The story of the group’s rise and fall on Chicago’s Southwest Side raises questions about the extent of free speech and how mainstream racism in any neighborhood can encourage hate groups.

Curious City: The Nazis' Neighborhood

Political activism and businesses helped shape the city's gay neighborhood, but there's a debate about its future.

Political activism and businesses helped shape the city's gay neighborhood, but <a href="http://interactive.wbez.org/curiouscity/makingboystown/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">there's a debate about its future</a>.

Boystown: How Chicago Got Its Gay Neighborhood

Casimir Pulaski

How Chicago’s Polish community won a Revolutionary War hero a holiday ... in a state he never stepped in.

How Chicago’s Polish community won a Revolutionary War hero a holiday ... in a state he never stepped in.

The Rise of Casimir Pulaski Day

Answers to listeners' questions about the mysterious side of Chicago that lies beyond the soaring skyscrapers and the sheen of the Bean.

Answers to listeners' questions about the mysterious side of Chicago that lies beyond the soaring skyscrapers and the sheen of the Bean.

Curious City: The Mystery Collection

What associations do you make with Chicago? Da Bears? Shady politics? Wacky weather? If you feel that list is getting stale, here’s a list of new ones to consider!

What associations do you make with Chicago? Da Bears? Shady politics? Wacky weather? If you feel that list is getting stale, here’s a list of new ones to consider!

Weird And Wonderful Things You Might Not Know About Chicago

Engineers once compared Chicago’s soggy soil to jelly cake. How did they build a forest of skyscrapers on it?

Engineers once compared Chicago’s soggy soil to jelly cake. How did they build a forest of skyscrapers on it?

Building Skyscrapers on Chicago's Swampy Soil

Long hours, fatigue, and boredom can be hazards of the job. But former rail operators say there’s a lot to love about driving an 'L' train.

Long hours, fatigue, and boredom can be hazards of the job. But former rail operators say there’s a lot to love about driving an 'L' train.

Doors Closing! Life As A CTA Rail Operator

Chicago-style hot dogs are a beloved culinary masterpiece: A snappy all-beef wiener, steamed poppy seed bun, yellow mustard, chopped onions, neon-green relish, two slices of tomato, a dill pickle spear, two sport peppers and a final whoosh of celery salt. But how did that unique mix of ingredients come to be? In a special Curious City presentation, Chicago’s premier hot dog expert breaks down the history of each ingredient. It’s a tale of immigration to Chicago’s Maxwell street neighborhood a century ago. Click here for the full story. Monica Eng is a WBEZ food and health reporter. Follow her at @monicaeng

Chicago-style hot dogs are a beloved culinary masterpiece: A snappy all-beef wiener, steamed poppy seed bun, yellow mustard, chopped onions, neon-green relish, two slices of tomato, a dill pickle spear, two sport peppers and a final whoosh of celery salt. But how did that unique mix of ingredients come to be? In a special Curious City presentation, Chicago’s premier hot dog expert breaks down the history of each ingredient. It’s a tale of immigration to Chicago’s Maxwell street neighborhood a century ago. <a href="http://interactive.wbez.org/curiouscity/chicagohotdog" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Click here for the full story</a>. Monica Eng is a WBEZ food and health reporter. Follow her at<a href="https://twitter.com/monicaeng" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> @monicaeng</a>

Deconstructing The Chicago-Style Hot Dog

How clout, corruption, and construction without permits led to half the Loop being evacuated.

How clout, corruption, and construction without permits led to half the Loop being evacuated.

Why The 1992 Loop Flood Is The Most Chicago Story Ever

One Chicagoan wants to know what people who moved to Chicago love about the city. From fireflies to marathons, here’s what they have to say.

One Chicagoan wants to know what people who moved to Chicago love about the city. From fireflies to marathons, here’s what they have to say.

To Chicago, With Love: What Do Transplants Love About The City?

We answer your most pressing questions about Chicago’s controversial winter tradition. 

We answer your most pressing questions about Chicago’s controversial winter tradition.

To Dibs Or Not To Dibs? The Essential Chicago Question

Answers to listeners' questions about the mysterious side of Chicago that lies beyond the soaring skyscrapers and the sheen of the Bean.

The best podcasts about ourselves as well as the world through the lense of Science. Specific topics include things about our brain, emotions to biology, physics and more!

Best Episodes on Science, Humans & The World

The best podcast episodes about true crime. For any thrill seeking podcast listeners who just can't get enough of the captivating stories of murderers and criminals. This topic has all the best episodes from many different true crime podcasts.  Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!