Vocalo Overdrive

CTA Red Line Shut Down: As part of the CTA’s south side reconstruction project, no train will run the path of the red line from Cermak-Chinatown to 95th street for 5 months. Roughly 80,000 commuters are affected by the changes in the name of improvement. We talk about the reroutes and share firsthand accounts of the changes to the transit system. 

Voices from Around the Way: When you ride the train, or any mode of public transportation for that matter, you can be subjected to some pretty odd people. Voices from around the way tell us some of the strangest experiences they’ve had on the train.

WBEZ Bureau Check In: This week we speak with WBEZ’s Humboldt Park Bureau Reporter Chip Mitchell. He’ll discuss how a proposed visa for low-skilled, non-seasonal workers could negatively impact foreign workers. Chip will also give us an update on a protest happening this afternoon by the hotel workers union at the Hyatt. 

Man About Town: Terrence Chappell, Chicago Pride’s Nightlife and Society Columnist and our resident “man about town” checks in with us on the latest weekend happenings in the region.

Death By China: Peter Navarro is the director of Death by China which opens today at the Muvico Theater. He stops by the studio to talk about the film which takes a look at the US-China relationship and its effects on the US economy. 

CPS School Closings: Yesterday CPS announced the largest list of school closings in the history of the country. WBEZ Education Reporter Linda Lutton stops by the studio to explain the reasons for the massive closings and what the district plans on doing to address the city’s education problem.

Story from Around the Way: This week’s story is brought to us by Chauncey. He talks about the time the school bully almost got his butt kicked by Louis Farrakan’s son. The story was captured at the monthly “Grown Folks Stories” event hosted by Cara Brigandi.