John Williams

Tom Appel, Publisher, Consumer Guide Automotive and host of the Consumer Guide Car Stuff podcast, joins John Williams to talk about why manufacturers are kicking the can on so many projects right now, the latest on the impact of tariffs, what’s happening with the EV market, why Tesla is still hurting, and how a trade deal with Japan will impact the auto industry.

NewsNation Now anchor Connell McShane joins John Williams to talk about the ‘Epstein-inspired’ week, Jerome Powell fact-checking Donald Trump yesterday during a visit to the Fed yesterday, if the thinks the Epstein story goes away, the job that Speaker Mike Johnson has been doing, and if President Trump will eventually be damaged by the Epstein story.

Enjoy this edition of “The Best of Speed Jokes.” What was your favorite joke of the week? Keep sending your jokes to [email protected]!

It’s time once again for our Best of the Midwest feature! Are you trying to come up with some vacation ideas that are only a quick getaway from the Chicago area? Well, John Williams has some great recommendations for your trip! Today, we head west to the great Mississippi River and chat with Emily Stier, Group Travel and Marketing, Riverboat Twilight! Emily tells John where the cruises depart from, what the Riverboat is like and how many passengers the boat can accommodate, how long the trips typically last, what you can eat and drink on your trip, and why the cruise is the perfect place to relax, unplug, and unwind while taking in beautiful scenery.

Kelly Leonard, Vice President, Creative Strategy, Innovation and Business Development at The Second City and host of the “Getting to Yes, And…” podcast, joins John Williams to talk about Stephen Colbert’s ‘Late Show’ being canceled by CBS, and a recent podcast he hosted with psychologist and professor Caroline Fleck about her book, ‘Validation: How the Skill Set That Revolutionized Psychology Will Transform Your Relationships, Increase Your Influence, and Change Your Life.’

U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL 8) joins John Williams to talk about Speaker Johnson ending the legislation session early, what he thinks might be revealed in the Epstein files, if he believes the Epstein story will have legs when Congress comes back, and why his constituents are interested in finding the truth about what’s in the files.

John Williams brings you another round of Speed Jokes. Keep sending yours to [email protected].

The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn, Publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, Austin Berg of the Illinois Policy Institute and The Last Ward, and political pundit Marj Halperin! The Rascals start the podcast talking about CBS canceling ‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.’ Where are the Rascals on the cancellation? Was this just a financial decision by CBS or is there something more sinister happening? This week, Donald Trump pushed for Coca-Cola to be made with American cane sugar, and for the Washington Commanders to change their name back to Redskins. Do the Rascals think these are all distractions to take away the Jeffrey Epstein story? And do the Rascals think there is any type of smoking gun in the Epstein files? A tech CEO was caught with the company’s HR head on a kiss cam at a Coldplay concert last week. Do the Rascals have any sympathy for the couple? A police board ruled that a Chicago police officer who tested positive for marijuana can keep his job. Do the Rascals think this was the fair decision? Mayor Brandon Johnson is cracking down on people who continue to smoke on CTA trains and buses. Are Mayor Johnson’s efforts (placing social workers at CTA stops, starting an anti-smoking campaign, etc.) enough? And finally, Mayor Johnson’s team is floating another plan to raise property taxes. Austin gets everyone up to speed on the proposal for the 2026 budget. The Rascals end the podcast with red light, yellow light, green light! What are the Rascals recommending (or not recommending) this week?

Bob Bertog, president of Bertog Landscape Co. in Wheeling and a certified landscape professional with the National Association of Landscape Professionals, joins John Williams to answer all of your lawn and garden questions.

John Williams brings you another round of Speed Jokes. Keep sending yours to [email protected].