The Complicated History Of Religious Exemptions To Vaccines
While resistance to vaccine mandates goes back 200 years, state laws allowing for religious exemptions were rare until the 1960s.
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Curious City
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WBEZ’s Curious City series is an ongoing news experiment at WBEZ, online and on the radio dial around Chicago at 91.5 FM. Its mission is to include the public in editorial decision-making, make journalism more transparent and strengthen multimedia coverage about Chicago, the surrounding region and its people (past or present).
Curious City airs on Thursdays during All Things Considered on WBEZ
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Why Are Cicadas So Loud?
Cicadas are known for their loud, shrill noises that never seem to stop. But are they louder than usual this year?
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Listen — 16:11No, The Chicago Bears Weren’t The First Monsters Of The Midway
The nickname is on flags at Soldier Field and official team gear, but it first belonged to another Chicago football team.
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Listen — 15:31A Chicago Historian Tackles 5 Questions About The City
Dominic Pacyga shares his encyclopedic knowledge of Chicago history and answers questions about everything from “gin joints” to slaughterhouses.
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Listen — 18:06Beavers And Pigeons And Geese, Oh My! A Guide To Chicago Animal Life
Are there beavers in Chicago? Yes. Have I ever seen a baby pigeon? Also (probably) yes! Your questions about Chicago’s critters, answered.
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Chicago’s Best Stargazing Spots
Chicago’s notorious light pollution hides the stars, but here’s where you have a fighting chance to peek at the heavens.
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Listen — 18:46What Are Those Giant Structures Out In Lake Michigan?
There are six water cribs remaining in Chicago, but only two are still in use. So what might happen to them in the future?
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Listen — 4:36Steak And Lemonade: The Origins Of This Chicago Food Combo
The beef sandwich and slushy drink are sold together all across the South and West sides. We track down the guy who put the two together.
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Listen — 15:37From Mexico To Chicago, The Story Behind “La Michoacana” Ice Cream Shops
There are dozens of ice cream shops in Chicago with “La Michoacana” in their name, but many have different owners, offerings and prices.
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Listen — 4:39The Union Workers Who Created Those Infamous Rat Balloons
Scabby the Rat is now common on picket lines around the world, but the balloon started in Chicago’s historically blue-collar suburbs.
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Listen — 14:28
