WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: July 17, 2026

Chicago gets a one-two punch with another heat wave combined with dangerous air quality. A North Side Trader Joe’s becomes the first of the grocery chain’s Illinois locations to unionize. And the Shedd Aquarium agrees to take in abandoned beluga whales from a closed marine park in Canada. In the Loop breaks down those stories and more in the Weekly News Recap. GUESTS: Carrie Shepherd, Axios Chicago reporter Quinn Myers, Block Club Chicago reporter covering Wicker Park, West Town & Bucktown Bob Herguth, Chicago Sun-Times investigative reporter For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop .