The CNW Network

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Channel • 6 Shows

Politics

Politics

Updated Weekly
Personal Journals

Personal Journals

Updated Weekly
News Commentary

News Commentary

Updated Mar 13
News

News

Updated Jul 27
Society & Culture

Society & Culture

Updated Jan 14
News Commentary

News Commentary

Updated 10/18/2025

Aug 4

Chicago’s Elected School Board: A springboard to power

For the first time in Chicago history, voters will elect an entire school board to guide and direct the future of its students. In the next podcast episode of “Who sent ya? Chicago, Politics and more, learn how the obscure elected school board position has become the springboard to power in Chicago.
17h ago

21 Seats. One Election. The Fight for Chicago’s Schools

For the first time, Chicago voters will elect all 21 members of the Chicago Board of Education. But the fight over who controls the city’s schools has been decades in the making.Juan Rangel and Bobby Sylvester trace the path from local school councils and mayoral control to the rise of the Chicago Teachers Union as a political force. They break down why the elected school board was created, how CTU’s influence changed the balance of power, and why the November 2026 election could determine the direction of Chicago Public Schools for years to come.
Aug 11

Silvana Tabares: More Police. Smarter Spending. Better Government

Ald. Silvana Tabares joins Who Sent Ya? for a candid conversation about the political battle lines taking shape across Chicago: more police or fewer, bigger government or smarter spending, ideology or basic services. From growing pushback against Mayor Brandon Johnson to fights over public safety, CPU, city spending and taxes, the conversation gets at a bigger question facing Chicago: what kind of city government do voters want next?
Jul 30

Seeing Yourself Differently | Devona Barnes on Photography, Healing, and Resilience

Devona Barnes is a portrait photographer and light painting facilitator based in the Chicagoland area. Through Devona Barnes Photography, she uses the camera as a tool for connection, confidence, emotional expression, and wellness. Her path through entrepreneurship, personal reinvention, and autoimmune challenges has deepened her passion for healing and honest conversation about resilience. Devona believes creativity can be both transformative and therapeutic, and she brings that perspective into everything she creates. In this episode, Devona sits down with Terran to talk about photography as a form of healing, navigating health challenges, and inspiring people to see themselves and their stories differently. Follow her @devonabarnesphotography on IG. Episode produced by CaveRoom Entertainment and recorded at CNW Studio. For more episodes visit the CNW Network on Apple, Spotify, iHeart and Youtube. Visit www.cnwmedia.com to read Chicago News Weekly. https://www.cnwmedia.com/
Jun 29

The Rise of the Extremists: Part 1

With the demise of Chicago’s historic Democratic political machine, how did we end up with its powerful successor, a Socialist syndicate led by, of all interest groups, the Chicago Teachers Union. Tune in to our next podcast episode of “Who Sent ya? Chicago, Politics and more”, The Rise of the Extremists, Part 1.
1d ago

Behind the Cover: Dion Dawson and the Fight for Food Dignity

In this episode of CNW’s Behind the Cover, Laura Miller sits down with Dion Dawson, founder of Dion’s Chicago Dream, for a candid conversation about growing up in Englewood, experiencing homelessness, serving in the military and building an organization that has delivered fresh food to hundreds of thousands of Chicago families. Dawson also gets candid about what he believes the traditional food pantry model gets wrong, why donated food is not always the answer and the questions more organizations should be asking about dignity, impact and who gets to define success.Go Behind the Cover with Dion Dawson and hear the story behind the work, the philosophy driving Dion’s Chicago Dream and what he believes needs to change about the way we approach food access in Chicago. Hosted by: Laura Miller Produced by: Caveroom Entertainment Finishing Producer: Black Art Media
Jul 28

The Rise of the Extremists Pt 2

Chicago is a sports town that plays hard to win. That includes its politics, known as a “blood sport,” where interests jostle for power. Tune in to our next podcast episode of “Who Sent ya? Chicago, Politics and more”, The Rise of the Extremists, Part 2, as we breakdown the power of Chicago’s new political machine led by the Chicago Teachers Union.
Jun 3

Sound, Spirit, and Self Care | Sheanah Rivers on Holistic Healing

Sheanah Rivers is a Chicago-based Healing Arts Specialist, Certified Reiki Master Teacher, and Sound Healing Facilitator with a foundation rooted in massage therapy since 2011. She also hosts the podcast "Who You Callin' Holistic?" where she explores holistic healing and alternative therapies. In this episode, Sheanah sits down with Terran to chat about her spiritual and wellness services and what it really means to heal from the inside out. Connect with Terran: / iamterranl Episode produced by Caveroom Entertainment and recorded at CNW Studio. For more episodes visit the CNW Network on Apple, Spotify, Iheart and Youtube. Visit www.cnwmedia.com to read Chicago News Weekly. https://www.cnwmedia.com/
Jul 16

Tests Into Testimonies | Andrea Polk on Healing, Purpose, and Building From Within

Andrea Polk is a transformational entrepreneur, wellness educator, and brand strategist, and the founder of Solo Noir and Zen Soul Apothecary. Through wellness experiences, mentorship, and brand development, she helps people build authentic brands that reflect who they truly are, not just what they sell. In this episode, Andrea sits down with Terran to talk about healing, motherhood, and what it really means to turn your pain into purpose and your vision into impact. More at @zensoulapothecary Episode produced by CaveRoom Entertainment and recorded at CNW Studio. For more episodes visit the CNW Network on Apple, Spotify, iHeart and Youtube. Visit www.cnwmedia.com to read Chicago News Weekly. https://www.cnwmedia.com/
Jul 27

Chicago State of Mind with Carl West

What does it take to build an independent Black-owned media organization in today's rapidly changing journalism landscape? On this episode of Chicago State of Mind, host Cheryl Mainor welcomes fellow publisher, entrepreneur, and media executive Carl West, Founder and Publisher of TBT News, and CEO of MG Media for an insightful conversation about the evolution of Black media, the challenges of sustaining independent journalism, and the opportunities that lie ahead. Drawing from decades of experience as a business leader and publisher, Carl shares his journey of launching and growing TBT News, the importance of owning our narratives, and why trusted community journalism remains essential in an era of social media and misinformation. Together, Cheryl and Carl explore the business of local news, digital transformation, collaboration among Black-owned media outlets, and the responsibility of preparing the next generation of media leaders.Whether you're passionate about journalism, entrepreneurship, community leadership, or the future of Black media, this episode offers a thoughtful and inspiring look at the people working to ensure our stories continue to be told. Guest: Carl West, Author, Founder & Publisher, TBT News and MG Media Host: Cheryl Mainor Presented by: Chicago News Weekly and CNW Studio

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