WBEZ is overhauling its broadcast lineup by introducing two new talk shows, cutting its flagship program and moving beloved host Mary Dixon from "Morning Edition."

Why it matters: The local lineup changes come as Chicago's public radio station just lost millions in federal funding.

Driving the news: The new lineup will feature local weekday programming at 9am again, replacing the "BBC Newshour" with a new show called "In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons," followed at 10am by "Say More with Mary Dixon and Patrick Smith."

• "Reset," the station's flagship midday talk show, will end and be replaced by "1A" with host Jenn White, which has been airing at 10am.
• Veteran reporter Clare Lane will replace Dixon as the local anchor on "Morning Edition."

Zoom in: Dixon, who came over from WXRT in 2020, has been a Chicago morning radio staple for over 30 years. She broadcast her final "Morning Edition" shift on Tuesday.

• Dixon will join award-winning investigative reporter and editor Patrick Smith as the co-host of the daily call-in show, which will feature topics like "city politics to pop culture to neighborhood stories and more."
• Simons' new show promises to "dig into the stories shaping Chicago, bringing in local voices, experts and community perspectives."

What's next: The new lineup debuts Sept. 15.

Editor's note: Justin Kaufmann worked at WBEZ for several years and hosted "Reset" in 2020.

Go deeper

Some active and veteran U.S. service members in Illinois are voicing their opposition to President Trump's plans to deploy the National Guard to Chicago.

Between the lines: D.C. National Guard members are under the president's control, which is not the case in Illinois.

Driving the news: Trump told reporters Tuesday that it's a matter of when, not if, he sends the National Guard to Chicago.

• Trump's remarks came on the same day a federal judge ruled that his deployment of troops for law enforcement to Los Angeles violated the Posse Comitatus Act.

In response, Gov. JB Pritzker said Trump has started "positioning armed federal agents and staging military vehicles on federal property, such as the Great Lakes Naval base."

• "We have reason to believe that the Trump administration has already begun staging the Texas National Guard for deployment in Illinois," Pritzker added.

Zoom in: Illinois Veterans for Change, a group that works to elect Democratic veterans, and Common Defense, a grassroots organization advocating for progressive legislation, held a press conference last week with current duty members and veterans to express their opposition to federal troops in Chicago.

What they're saying: "The National Guard has a sacred mission. We are part of the communities that we serve. We are the neighbors who show up when the flood hits, when the storms tear through the towns and when our country is in crisis," Illinois National Guard member Demi Palecek said.

• "It is patently illegal and un-American to have them patrolling us streets for a manufactured publicity stunt," U.S. Army Judge Advocate Dan Tully said, calling deployment a "reckless misuse of taxpayer dollars."

The other side: MAGA supporters and Republican Commissioner Sean Morrison say they'd welcome the National Guard in Chicago, pointing to last weekend's gun violence as a reason for intervention.

Keep reading

Mergers, acquisitions and funding announcements have dominated Chicago's business landscape this summer.

🥫 Kraft Heinz breakup, move out

The Chicago-based Kraft Foods is splitting with Heinz after a decade together.

Why it matters: Kraft Heinz is currently the third-largest food and beverage company in North America, employing thousands of people in the Chicago area.

State of play: Kraft will keep its headquarters in the Loop, while Heinz will stay in Pittsburgh.

Yes, but: It may not be called Kraft anymore. The parent corporation says it will announce new names for both divisions soon, but that may not impact what you see in the stores.

The intrigue: With the split, Heinz will focus on sauces, spreads and seasonings, while Kraft will sell grocery staples.

🍔 McDonald's cuts prices

McDonald's is cutting prices on select combo meals in an effort to attract customers who have been turned off by the rising cost of fast food.

Driving the news: Starting Monday, the fast food giant will offer Extra Value Meals, which include Big Mac and Egg McMuffin sandwiches with fries/hashbrowns and a drink.

Zoom in: McDonald's says the new menu items will cost 15% less than ordering items separately.

More Chicago biz moves

🏛️ The Trump administration is suing Illinois for offering in-state tuition to undocumented students. (Axios)

🏠 The interim CEO of the Chicago Housing Authority has stepped down, but a vote on the appointment of former Ald. Walter Burnett has been delayed at the request of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. (Tribune)

🤿 If you've lost something in Lake Michigan, diver Yohei Yamada may be able to retrieve it for you. (Block Club)

🗓️ Mark your calendar with our Event Board.

Jewel-Osco's Electric Anniversary Beach Party at North Avenue Beach tomorrow: Celebrate with music, foam, glow games, food, drinks, and giveaways at North Avenue Beach. Includes DJ sets, tournaments, and charity prizes. Free with RSVP. 21+ advised.

Hosting an event? Email [email protected].

Late summer is bringing a tasty crop of new and upcoming spots for Roman pizza, Greek-inspired delights, omakase menus and, yes, more steak.

Just opened:

Little Lark in Avondale cooks up Neapolitan and Roman-style pizzas along with broccoli and radicchio salads for dinner visitors in the airy Guild Row co-working space with a lovely patio.

Adalina Prime in Fulton Market leans into flame-kissed beef steaks, Lion's Mane mushroom steaks, a tableside salt library and caviar-topped chicken nuggets by former pro-golfer chef Soo Ahn.

• On a recent media night visit, the cauliflower salad, prime rib sliders, chicken skewers and fresh oysters shined.

The Bridge Kitchen and Cocktails in the Hyatt Centric Magnificent Mile has reimagined its 90-seat restaurant space with a new name and menu, featuring mozzarella arancini, a Korean fried chicken sandwich and Mediterranean sea bass.

More restaurants coming soon