Sasha-Ann Simons

Front page of Chicago Sun-Times special section on the Rev. Jesse Jackson, showing an image of Jackson and the headline "He Was Somebody."

The Sun-Times and WBEZ have published about 20 stories and audio pieces this week about the Rev. Jesse Jackson, showing how his civil rights work intersected with film, education, Chicago mayors and much more. So, here's an ICYMI thread with some highlights. 🧵

WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap, Feb. 13, 2026 New evidence released in the case of a woman shot five times by a Border Patrol agent. Chicago mayor’s ICE executive order faces criticism.

Had a great chat Friday with @sashaannsimons.bsky.social @heathercherone.bsky.social and @hannahmeisel.bsky.social.

We talked about the feds' Operation Midway Blitz cases — including the latest on Marimar Martinez — and other news of the week.

You can listen here: www.wbez.org/in-the-loop-...

‘The last of the great mobilizers’: How Rev. Jesse Jackson changed the narrative of who could run for president In the Loop discusses how the late Rev. Jesse Jackson paved the way for Black and brown political leadership.

Thanks to @wbez.org and @sashaannsimons.bsky.social for giving me a chance to join an esteemed panel to comment on the political legacy of #JesseJackson.

‘The last of the great mobilizers’: How Rev. Jesse Jackson changed the narrative of who could run for president www.wbez.org/in-the-loop-...

I’m so glad you caught that! Much love to you and all our librarians 🫶🏾📚

Garfield Park gets first food pantry inside a Chicago public library As eligibility changes to federal food programs increase barriers to healthy food, Chicago opens its first food pantry inside a West Side library.

deeply appreciated WBEZ host @sashaannsimons.bsky.social centering this conversation on library workers—libraries work because we do!

www.wbez.org/in-the-loop-...

Insane!

Week in Review: Minneapolis ICE Shooting; Illinois Sues Trump Administration National outrage after an ICE agent fatally shoots a woman in Minneapolis. And Illinois sues after the Trump administration moves to freeze $10 billion for low-income families.

Chicago Tonight | The Week in Review: Minneapolis ICE Shooting; Illinois Sues Trump Administration, with @geoffnews.bsky.social @sashaannsimons.bsky.social @elviamalagon.bsky.social @bpopetv.bsky.social & host @ndblumberg.bsky.social news.wttw.com/2026/01/09/w...

Immigrants left scrambling as Trump administration ends family reunification for 7 Latin American countries The Trump administration says it's going after fraud and lackluster vetting processes set forth when former President Biden streamlined the process.

Prof. @nicolehallett.bsky.social, director of the Immigrants’ Rights Clinic, joined @sashaannsimons.bsky.social on
WBEZ to discuss what the latest termination of legal status means for immigrants in Chicago.

🎧 Listen now:

Don't care much for year end awards but if I did.... @wbez.org @sashaannsimons.bsky.social for immigration coverage in Chicago. Reporters on the streets and in the court rooms. And @bridgemi.com for environmental reporting in Michigan and @planetdetroit.org for justice reporting.

Thank you for your support, Gary! 🙏🏾🫶🏾 Happy holidays!

I joined @wbez.org yesterday to speak with @sashaannsimons.bsky.social about the way our community has combat aggressive immigration tactics with incredible speed, strength and solidarity.

Taking a closer look at mass firings, layoffs of Black journalists as media orgs dismantle DEI A panel of Black journalists in Chicago weighs in on the Impact of decreasing diversity in national and local media.

Joined @wbez.org’s @sashaannsimons.bsky.social to discuss the systematic firings of Black journalists across America. Listen here: www.wbez.org/in-the-loop-...

As New York's first Muslim mayor-elect, Zohran Mamdani rose in the city shaped by immigrants, many of whom firmly oppose the Trump administration’s aggressive enforcement crackdown.

Here’s what he faces next: https://wapo.st/47FjJNn

Scenes From the Caribbean as Hurricane Melissa Hits The system made landfall in Jamaica on Tuesday afternoon, causing widespread flooding and destruction.

After Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica on Tuesday as a Category 5 storm, at least 19 people were killed in the country, and at least 30, including children, in Haiti, officials said. Recovery and cleanup efforts and damage estimates are just beginning to take shape. nyti.ms/3WA7JHT

Countering the blitz: How advocates, volunteers are doing ‘rapid response’ for immigrants targeted by ICE Chicago legal advocates and volunteers in communities are quickly responding after ICE arrests to protect immigrants’ rights.

NIJC's director of Litigation, Keren Zwick, spoke to @wbez.org @sashaannsimons.bsky.social about how lawyers, activists, and community members in Chicago are coming together to protect people from ICE.

Hear the full segment here:

Hurricane Melissa Forecast: What to Expect in the Caribbean and Florida After it lashes the Caribbean this weekend, there’s still uncertainty about where the storm will go next. Here are the scenarios, one day at a time.

After it lashes the Caribbean this weekend, there’s still uncertainty about where Hurricane Melissa will go next. Here are the scenarios, one day at a time.

🙏🏾 Thanks for listening, Gary!

📻 Listen to @wbez.org! Dr. Claudia M. Fegan & Dr. Linda Rae Murray have been invited to speak with 91.5 WBEZ's Sasha-Ann Simons on her show, In the Loop, Tues 10/14, ~9:20-9:40 am CT. @sashaannsimons.bsky.social

YouTube video by WBEZ Chicago Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson discusses National Guard deployment and city safety

In case you missed it. Interviewed Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson for "Ask The Mayor" On @wbez.org' In the Loop. WATCH HERE:

Thanks for listening! 🙏🏾💪🏾📻

Massive immigration raid on Chicago apartment building leaves residents reeling: 'I feel defeated' The Department of Homeland Security said federal agents with Border Patrol, the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives arrested 37 people in the raid.

A neighbor said she saw agents dragging residents, including children, out of the building without any clothes on and into U-Haul vans. Kids were separated from their mothers, she said.

“It was heartbreaking,” she said.

⁦‪@Suntimes‬⁩ ⁦‪@WBEZ‬⁩

www.wbez.org/immigration/...

Week in Review: ICE Agents Use Pepper Spray on Broadview Protesters; Loyola’s Sister Jean Retires ICE agents again fire tear gas and rubber bullets at protesters outside an immigration facility. And Illinois bucks the feds, recommending COVID-19 boosters for all adults.

Chicago Tonight | The Week in Review: ICE Agents Use Pepper Spray on Broadview Protesters; Loyola’s Sister Jean Retires, featuring @quinnmyers.bsky.social @monicaeng.bsky.social @sashaannsimons.bsky.social @jimdaleywrites.bsky.social & host @ndblumberg.bsky.social news.wttw.com/2025/09/26/w...

Tonight on @wttw.bsky.social 📺

Chicago = Undefeated

Good morning from Navy Pier! Join me at 9 a.m. for the (New! Improved!) weekly news roundup on @wbez.org’s In The Loop with @sashaannsimons.bsky.social! @schuba.bsky.social! and Carrie Shepherd! at 9 a.m.!

Thanks for listening and for the feedback, Chuck! 🙏🏾

Hey Chicago! 👋🏾👀 @wbez.org

Congrats to @sashaannsimons.bsky.social, @maryldixon.bsky.social and @pksmid.bsky.social on the launch of "In the Loop" and "Say More" at 9 and 10 a.m., respectively, on @wbez.org. We'll be listening as you rock the morning...

WBEZ launches new morning lineup with two new shows Sasha-Ann Simons, Mary Dixon, Patrick Smith and Clare Lane to lead weekday mornings on 91.5 FM.

We have news! We are rolling out a refreshed weekday morning schedule starting Sept. 15, featuring two new live talk shows designed to engage listeners with the issues shaping our region, spark meaningful conversation, and bring Chicagoans closer together. trib.al/eDQj7VM

What to know about immigration enforcement in Chicago: Explainers and resources As the Sun-Times and WBEZ report on this moment in the Chicago area, we’ve assembled a series of explainers to help you make sense of what’s happening. This collection will be updated as new reporting is published.

From "What if ICE comes to my workplace?" to "What parents should know about sending kids to school?" we've assembled a series of explainers to help you make sense of what’s happening in Chicago.

Column | Beating inflation means knowing what type of saver you are The time to start your emergency fund is now, before things get worse. Here are some tips.

Column by Michelle Singletary: The time to start your emergency fund is now, before inflation get worse.

Here are some tips.