City Cast Chicago logo
Display Ad: Enjoy Illinois, Meet in the middle
December 3, 2021

Holiday Cheer, Red Stars Scandal, and Who’s Watching the Smollett Trial?

City Cast Chicago

Holiday Cheer, Red Stars Scandal, and Who’s Watching the Smollett Trial?

00:00:00
View all City Cast Chicago episodes

Former “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett is charged with lying about being attacked nearly three years ago outside his Streeterville apartment. The alleged-hate-crime-turned-alleged-hoax was a big deal when it happened, but City Cast’s Simone Alicea and Carrie Shepherd are a little exhausted by the story. They share their fatigue with Chicago Tribune’s Stephanie Casanova, who tells us about a fight over tenant rights in Avalon Park and a heartwarming message from Bronzeville’s “Taco Lady.” They also discuss omicron, booster shots, the resignation of Red Stars coach Rory Dames, and the holiday experiences they’re looking forward to.

Guests:

Stephanie Casanova—Reporter, Chicago Tribune

Carrie Shepherd—Lead Producer, City Cast Chicago


Stories We Talked About:

‘Nobody cares’: NWSL players say U.S. Soccer failed to act on abuse claims against Red Stars coach

A SWAT situation, a fire, no water and heat. And then a building is condemned, and residents are forced from their home days before Thanksgiving.

About 15% of Illinois residents have gotten COVID-19 booster shot, as Omicron enters U.S. and Illinois faces surge


Good News:

She has sold tacos in Bronzeville for 40 years. Her customers keep coming back, say her food is ‘made with love.’

First-Ever ‘Golden Girls’ Festival Slated For North Halsted in Lakeview in April


Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicago

Sign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Hey Chicago

Stay connected to City Cast Chicago and get ready to join the local conversation.

Can't subscribe? Turn off your ad blocker and try again.

Latest Episodes

See all
June 5

Why Chicago Libraries Got It All. Plus, Are The Bears Still Ours?

Chicago is opening its 82nd public library branch in June, and loaning out books is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what the...

City Cast Chicago podcast episode art
June 4

How the City Is Helping Chicagoans Buy Houses and Read More Books

Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Department of Housing are launching a new $21 million housing program to provide down payment and closing a...

City Cast Chicago podcast episode art
June 3

City Buying Greyhound Station. Plus, Chicago’s Lesbian Business Directory

For almost two years, there have been questions about the future of Chicago’s downtown bus terminal. Flix, the parent company of Greyhoun...

City Cast Chicago podcast episode art
June 2

What Happened in Springfield? Plus, Dreaming of Summer Break

What did lawmakers get done in Springfield? A $56 billion budget, a cellphone ban in schools, relief for those who lost SNAP benefits, an...

City Cast Chicago podcast episode art
June 1

Your Guide to June 2026 in Chicago

June is officially summertime Chi in our world, so we’re going to help you make the most of it. Host Jacoby Cochran is joined by contribu...

City Cast Chicago podcast episode art
May 29

School Board Hopefuls, Traffic Court Confusion, and Murakami Homers Again … And Again

This year, for the first time, Chicago will fully elect the 21-person school board. Candidates had to get their petitions in this week wi...

City Cast Chicago podcast episode art
May 28

A Chicago Mayor and Pope Walk Into a Schlitz Bar…

Mayor Brandon Johnson is in Vatican City this week to meet Chicago’s very own Pope Leo XIV for the first time. The two are expected to di...

City Cast Chicago podcast episode art
May 27

WIll Parents Face Charges For Teen Trends? Plus, Chicago Expands CARE Teams

After multiple large gatherings of young people over the weekend, including at 57th St. Beach and North Ave Beach, Ald Brian Hopkins is p...

City Cast Chicago podcast episode art
May 26

Will CTA Safety Task Force Make a Difference? Plus, Chicago's Best Inventions

Earlier this month, CTA announced a new transit safety task force and made adjustments to 2025 ridership totals. With ongoing concerns ab...

City Cast Chicago podcast episode art
May 22

Tipped Wage Compromise, Lead Pipe Removal Lags, and Del Sur Expands

City Council reached a near-unanimous decision to pause the subminimum wage hike for tipped workers this week. When they voted to free th...

City Cast Chicago podcast episode art