Medill Reports: The audio show, Episode 2

Medill Reports’ audio producers and reporters cover topics ranging from business to science, entertainment to public affairs, sports, technology and more.

This week, Medill’s reporters looked into apps for the healthcare industry, a group protesting the unfair treatment of Chicago’s homeless in the Uptown neighborhood, Northwestern University’s chances at a football bowl game, and a look into the Federal Reserve’s elusive plans to raise the Federal interest rate.


Health tech apps changing the way we visit doctors

By Amanda Koehn

A lot of us dread going to the doctor, not only because no one wants to be sick, but seeing a doctor today means navigating long waiting lists, expensive copays and fitting the visit into a busy schedule. Plus there is tons of misinformation on the internet that can take you from wondering about a scratch in your throat to being convinced you have walking pneumonia, all in a Google search. But now, there are thousands of apps that let you video conference with doctors, as well as chat messaging and sending pictures, that let you get diagnosed and drug prescriptions without leaving your home.


NU’s Football team eyes bowl games, big wins

By Shane Monaghan

Northwestern University’s football team’s played one of its best seasons in recent years, but isn’t without its challenges. Shane Monaghan talks to Medill’s college football reporter Jordan Ray about what this season means for the Wildcats, and Chicago.


Activists and homeless join to march on Ald. Cappleman’s office

By Kelan Lyons
Reporting by Ryan Connelly Holmes

Protesters marched in Uptown Monday night to vent frustration at Ald. James Cappleman and the Chicago police who ticketed individuals sleeping near the Wilson Avenue viaduct. Continue reading →


What the Fed’s rate increase means for the average American

Arionne Nettles
After waiting two years for the economy to strengthen, the U.S. Federal Reserve will likely raise the federal funds rate in December. So what does a rate increase actually mean for the average American?

The Federal Reserve — better known as the Fed — is the nation’s central bank. When banks need money, they go to the Fed. It helps control how much money is in the economy and keeps prices stable.


Trump loves China

By Jane Hao

We sent a team of Medill reporters to the Republican debate this week in Milwaukee, where Presidential hopeful Donald Trump lacerated China, and mistakenly said that China was a part of the Trans Pacific Partnership. Reporter Jane Hao was able to catch Trump as he was leaving the event, and asked him to clarify his comments.

Photo at top: The Medill Reports audio project looks for compelling stories from around Chicago.(Amanda Koehn, Arionne Nettles, Jane Hao/Medill)