NewsNation Now • 26th December 2021

Radio: Airlines cancel flights due to omicron, staffing shortages

Airlines canceled hundreds of flights as the omicron variant changed schedules and drew down staffing levels at some carriers during the busy holiday travel season.

NewsNation Now • 25th December 2021

Radio: Coroner IDs girl killed by police in Los Angeles shooting

The coroner’s office has identified the 14-year-old girl who was fatally shot by Los Angeles police Thursday when officers fired on an assault suspect and a bullet went through the wall and struck the girl as she was in a clothing store dressing room.

NewsNation Now • 25th December 2021

Radio: COVID testing remains limited heading into Christmas weekend

Lines continue to wrap around COVID-19 testing centers as the omicron variant surges and families prepare for their holiday gatherings.

NewsNation Now • 25th December 2021

Radio: Police searching for mall shooting suspect

Police said Friday that they were searching for a man suspected of taking part in a shootout at a crowded suburban Chicago shopping mall in which four people were wounded, including another suspected gunman who was taken into custody.

SoundCloud • 22nd November 2021

Audio Newscasts

Here are some of the newscasts that I wrote, edited and produced myself.

NewsNation Now • 7th October 2020

Audio: NewsNation’s Dean Reynolds previews the VP debate

NewsNation’s Dean Reynolds previews tonight’s vice presidential debate between Vice President Mike Pence and Sen. Kamala Harris with WGN Radio’s Anna Davlantes.

WGN Radio 720 - Chicago's Very Own • 4th August 2020

Dr. Shelly Vaziri Flais weighs in on the use of masks and social distancing in schools

Rollye James speaks with pediatrician Shelly Vaziri Flais, MD, FAAP, about the guidelines for reopening schools in Illinois and what measures parents should consider to limit the spread of the virus if they do open.

WGN Radio 720 - Chicago's Very Own • 28th July 2020

Dr. Anthony Napoleon on human behavior and COVID-19

Medical & Forensic Psychologist Dr. Anthony Napoleon, author of COVID-19 Human Behavior, joins Rollye James to explore the big questions around COVID-19. He talks about the psychology behind the refusal to wear a mask, what type of person is likely to be a coronavirus “super spreader,” why America is “virus friendly,” and much more.

WGN Radio 720 - Chicago's Very Own • 24th July 2020

Weird American roadside attractions you have to see to believe

Are you ready to take a road trip? RoadsideAmerica.com is the online guide to offbeat tourist attractions. The gurus at Roadside America have spent decades exploring the weird, amusing wonders of America’s highways. Doug Kirby, Publisher for RoadsideAmerica.com, joins Rollye James to talk about all the unusual and quirky roadside attractions across the USA!

WGN Radio 720 - Chicago's Very Own • 22nd July 2020

Diving deeper into the business of marijuana

Ally Marotti is a business reporter at the Chicago Tribune, covering technology and the business of marijuana. She speaks with Rollye James about the impact of legalized marijuana IL, the unique challenges faced by marijuana business owners, the money generated from sales so far, and more.

WGN Radio 720 - Chicago's Very Own • 17th July 2020

CNET’s Roger Cheng on the reality of 5G in Rural America

As 5G rolls out, consumers will soon be able to use 5G as a fixed internet option. Roger Cheng, the Executive Editor of News at CNET, speaks with Rollye James about the ins and out of 5G wireless technology, the current state of broadband, digital gap between rural and nonrural America, and he explains whether or not if 5G will kill off home broadband as we know it.

WGN Radio 720 - Chicago's Very Own • 17th July 2020

The Original Rainbow Cone ice cream truck may be coming to a city near you!

Rollye James speaks with Lynn Sapp, the third-generation owner of Original Rainbow Cone. They talk about the history of the historic ice cream shop, how they have pivoted during this pandemic, their new ice cream truck, and much more. This weekend, the truck will be making a pit stop in Bolingbrook at 303 S. Weber Rd. on Friday from 4-10 p.m and on Saturday and Sunday from 2-10 p.m. Original Rainbow Cone in Beverly neighborhood is open for pickup, takeout and catering.

WGN Radio 720 - Chicago's Very Own • 16th July 2020

Dr. Jane Orient on reopening schools during COVID-19

Jane M. Orient, MD, executive director of the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (AAPS), sits down with Rollye James to discuss how the United States should approach reopening schools amid COVID-19.

WGN Radio 720 - Chicago's Very Own • 16th July 2020

Illinois State University sociologist Dr. Richard Sullivan discusses navigating social norms in the era of social distancing

Rollye James chats with Dr. Richard Sullivan, a professor of sociology at Illinois State University, blogger at the Main Drift, and host of the After Class Podcast. Dr. Sullivan and Rollye have an in-depth discussion about navigating new social norms in the age of COVID-19. They also discuss how these norms affect our decisions, how social media is influencing our social norms, the interconnections between social norms and social roles, and much more.

WGN Radio 720 - Chicago's Very Own • 15th July 2020

The future of music venues in the age of coronavirus

WGN Radio’s Rollye James speaks with Rev. Moose, executive director and co-founder of the National Independent Venue Association, about the future of live music venues in the face of COVID-19 and the unique challenges faced by performers and venues across the nation.

WGN Radio 720 - Chicago's Very Own • 10th July 2020

How to ensure your garden thrives in the hot summer

It’s hot outside, and your plants need to stay hydrated just like you! Sue Ryba, horticulturist and landscape expert at Bertog Landscape Co. in Wheeling, joins Ji with tips on how to keep your plants happy and hydrated during the hot summer months!

WGN Radio 720 - Chicago's Very Own • 8th July 2020

Media analyst Ken Doctor on the future of news media outlets amid the COVID-19 pandemic

Ken Doctor, media analyst and author of Newsonomics: Twelve New Trends That Will Shape the News You Get, speaks with Ji about the pandemic’s effects on newspapers, magazines, and digital media companies, the ownership standstill of Tribune Publishing, and why the current model of paying for journalism on the internet is broken.

WGN Radio 720 - Chicago's Very Own • 2nd July 2020

Former Chicago Bear Israel Idonije explains why he thinks that Mayor Lightfoot and Gov. Pritzker should reconsider Phase 4 guidelines for reopening local fitness studios

Israel Idonije, former Chicago Bear, entrepreneur, and owner of RSTR gym, joins Ji to talk about his work with The Chicago Boutique Fitness Alliance and why they are asking the Mayor and Governor to expand Phase 4 guidelines to allow 75% occupancy with a minim

WGN Radio 720 - Chicago's Very Own • 1st July 2020

Carlos Nelson on the INVEST South/West program and the healthy lifestyle hub slated for the Auburn Gresham neighborhood: ‘It inches us closer to the finish line’

The City of Chicago is investing $11 million in healthcare on the city’s west and south sides as part of the city’s much-promoted INVEST South/West program. Carlos Nelson, CEO of Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation, joins Ji to describe what the $4 million “Auburn Gresham Healthy Lifestyle Hub” project will look like and how it will provide additional healthcare resources to residents in the neighborhood.

WGN Radio 720 - Chicago's Very Own • 30th June 2020

WTTW reporter Heather Cherone on the city releasing the bodycam video of former CPD Supt. Eddie Johnson: ‘Why wasn’t there a sobriety test performed?’

Heather Cherone, political reporter for WTTW News, joins Ji to discuss her latest story surrounding the 371 complaints filed against CPD officers for their response to protests sparked by the death of George Floyd. They also discuss the body camera footage released by the city from the night former police Superintendent Eddie Johnson was found asleep at the wheel in October 2019.