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The Rundown | Chicago News

WBEZ Chicago
Chicago
Brandon Johnson
Father's Day
Chicago Sky
Illinois
Venezuelan Migrants
Unsung Heroes Of Uptown
Joe Biden
WOE, A Housecat's Story Of Despair
Xenophobia
Gun Violence
Lincoln Correctional Center
Air Quality
Chicago School Board
Wrigleyville Rooftops
Heatwave
Covid-19
Juneteenth
Type 2 Diabetes
Ruth Bader Ginsburg Elementary School

In one bite-sized episode every weekday, we'll keep you informed, tickled, geeked, and pondering on Chicago's news, culture and people. Each episode starts with a quick news roundup from the WBEZ newsroom, followed by a deep-dive into one of the biggest or most curious stories from our city. The Rundown podcast is a one-stop-shop for all things Chicago.

PublishesDailyEpisodes1556Founded5 years ago
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Latest Episodes

Illinois has faced a decades-long pension funding crisis, and Governor JB Pritzker yesterday announced a plan to fix it. The Black Excellence Revue from Second City is back for its fourth year with the show “Black and Highly Flavored.” It’s the first... more

Metropolitan Capital Bank & Trust in Chicago’s River North is the first bank in the nation to go under in 2026. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has pumped $5 million into a super PAC supporting Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton’s bid for U.S. Senate... more

Martin Luther King moved to Chicago’s North Lawndale neighborhood in January 1966 to fight against racist real estate practices in the city, and others continue his work today. Some small business owners across the Chicago area closed up shop today a... more

A former downstate cop has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for murdering an unarmed Black woman in her Springfield-area home. Sean Grayson, who is white, fatally shot Sonya Massey in 2024. The Chicago City Council recently passed an ordinance to... more

Key Facts

Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
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Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

Drew Durr
Co-artistic director of Manual Cinema
Manual Cinema
Episode: Thursday, January 29, 2026
Julia Miller
Co-artistic director of Manual Cinema
Manual Cinema
Episode: Thursday, January 29, 2026
Marion Castillas-Pavejian
Advocate for immigrant rights
Episode: Friday, January 23, 2026
Mitch Grotman
Moderator on the Chicago Foods subreddit
Online Food Community
Episode: Thursday, January 22, 2026
Brandon Johnson
Mayor of Chicago
City of Chicago
Episode: Thursday, January 22, 2026
Kwame Raoul
Illinois Attorney General
State of Illinois
Episode: Tuesday, January 20, 2026
Willie Round
Playwright discussing his work, Lawndale King
None
Episode: Tuesday, January 20, 2026
Tony Frazier
Child care worker at a center on Chicago's far south side
Episode: Thursday, January 15, 2026
Morgan Winters
Director of Get Covered Illinois
Illinois Department of Insurance
Episode: Thursday, January 15, 2026

Hosts

Alex Dagman
Host of the show, providing insights and leading discussions on local news and stories.
Lisa Labuz
Co-host contributing to the conversations and providing updates on Chicago's happenings.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 253 ratings
  • Audio issues?

    Love this podcast, but what’s up with the audio quality this week?

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Katnpp
    United States5 months ago
  • Quick news you need

    Love to have a quick recap of things around Chicago twice a day. Keep up the good work!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Wojciech D
    United States10 months ago
  • Good info; inconsistent release timing

    The Rundown is a great resource akin to NYTimes’s The Headlines but with the Chicagoland area as the focus. My only complaint is that I can’t count on each morning’s episode coming out at or near a consistent time. I don’t mind a reasonable window (e.g. between 7a-7:30a) but the current system is not conducive to incorporating the show into my morning routine.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    KKrasinski
    United Statesa year ago
  • Great local news

    I’m so grateful to have this to keep up with what’s happening in Chicago!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BCguy94
    United Statesa year ago
  • Perfect quick daily news update

    They do a great job of summarizing local Chicago & state-wide news in an easily digestible format.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    schistopatel
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Several reviews express a desire for more consistent release timings, indicating that the morning routine integration is important for the audience.
Many find the coverage relatable and relevant to their daily lives, especially regarding local culture and community issues.
Listeners appreciate the concise format, making it easy to stay updated with Chicago news in a short time.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#99
United States/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#169
Ireland/News/Daily News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Tuesday, January 27, 2026
Q: How did he, Krishnamoorthi, respond to those attacks against him?
Krishnamoorthi defended his congressional record and called out Stratton for her funding sources.
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
Q: What was the big headline to you from the debate last night?
One big headline was how fiercely Stratton came on the offensive against Krishnamoorthi.
Friday, January 23, 2026
Q: What was the government's case against Espinoza Martinez?
The government initially accused him of being a high-ranking member of the Latin Kings and soliciting a hit on a Border Patrol commander, but later walked back those claims and faced difficulties in presenting sufficient evidence.
Friday, January 23, 2026
Q: What was the outcome of the Juan Espinoza Martinez case?
Juan Espinoza Martinez was acquitted of the charges against him, which included solicitation of murder.
Thursday, December 11, 2025
Q: What critical issue has been raised regarding Centurion Health?
Centurion Health has been accused of ignoring and misdiagnosing patients, leading to serious illness or death.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Rundown

What is The Rundown about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show presents short, digestible episodes focusing on the latest news, culture, and stories from Chicago. Episodes typically start with a brief roundup of key headlines from the city's current affairs, followed by an in-depth exploration of noteworthy or intriguing local issues. Themes often include politics, community events, social challenges, and celebrations of Chicago's vibrant culture and history. The unique blend of timely news with insightful storytelling makes it particularly appealing for listeners who want to stay informed about their city in a compact format. Additionally, the commitment to highlighting diverse perspectives and local voices offers a rich tapestry of experiences relevant to the broader Chicago community.

Where can I find podcast stats for The Rundown?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for The Rundown. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to The Rundown and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does The Rundown get?

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How many subscribers and views does The Rundown have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Rundown has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to The Rundown?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Rundown:

1. Up First from NPR
2. The Daily
3. Consider This from NPR
4. Trump's Terms
5. Today, Explained

How many episodes of The Rundown are there?

The Rundown launched 5 years ago and published 1556 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Rundown?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Rundown?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for The Rundown from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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How do I access podcast episode transcripts for The Rundown?

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What guests have appeared on The Rundown?

Recent guests on The Rundown include:

1. Drew Durr
2. Julia Miller
3. Marion Castillas-Pavejian
4. Mitch Grotman
5. Brandon Johnson
6. Kwame Raoul
7. Willie Round
8. Tony Frazier

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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