The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn, publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, Steve Bertrand, host of Steve Bertrand on Books and proprietor of Steve Bertrand Travel, and award-winning journalist and political pundit Marj Halperin. The Rascals start the podcast this week talking about Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch apologizing for his actions that made a staffer uncomfortable and defending on the way he handled sexual harassment allegations against ex-Rep. Harry Benton. Do the Rascals believe his leadership is in peril? Next, the Rascals discuss today’s Tribune Editorial supporting school consolidation. Is public opinion about closing neighborhood schools changing? Last night, progressive Abdul El-Sayed won Michigan’s Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate. And Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate Francesca Hong is coming under fire for a now-deleted tweet calling to ‘cancel Thanksgiving.’ Is the rise of democratic socialism good for the Democratic party? Also this week, Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee advanced Todd Blanche’s attorney general nomination. Is it likely that Blanche is confirmed by the Senate? And finally, it’s time for red light, yellow light, green light! What are the Rascals recommending (or not recommending) this week.

We are ‘Keeping it Green’ with Bob Bertog, president of Bertog Landscape Co. in Wheeling and a certified landscape professional with the National Association of Landscape Professionals, who joins John Williams to answer all of your lawn and garden questions. Bob says even though we have had a lot of rain recently, the soil is still dry.

Alaina Hampton, Democratic political strategist and an advocate for victims of sexual harassment and survivors of sexual violence, joins John Williams to talk about her recent op-ed in the Tribune calling for the resignation of Speaker Chris Welch in light of new allegations involving Welch’s interactions with a former staffer and his handling of sexual harassment allegations against former Rep. Harry Benton.

Mortgage and real estate expert David Hochberg joins John Williams to talk about how hot the sellers market is in the Chicago area, Fed Chair Warsh keeping interest rates steady, a disappointing ADP job report, and to answer all of your mortgage and real estate questions.

David hosts “Home Sweet Home Chicago” on Saturdays from 10am to 1pm on WGN Radio. You can call him at 855-56-David, or check out the Team Hochberg website.

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

Hannah Brandt, Washington correspondent for NewsNation, joins John Williams to talk about the Senate Judiciary Committee advancing Todd Blanche’s nomination for attorney general.

Dr. Jeffrey Kopin, Chief Medical Officer for Northwestern Medicine Catherine Gratz Griffin Lake Forest Hospital, joins John Williams to talk about measles cases being on the upswing, what we should know about Cyclospora outbreak today, and the benefits and risks of testosterone replacement.

Eric Zorn, Publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, joins John Williams to talk about the greatest lines in songs, who he believes will be the next mayor of Chicago, and the Senate Judiciary Committee advancing Todd Blanche’s nomination to be attorney general along party lines.

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

The great Mr. Fix-It, Lou Manfredini, joins John Williams to tell us the projects we need to be working on this week. Today, Lou gives some tips on fertilization after the drenching rains over the weekend. And as always, Lou answers all of your home improvement questions.

Listen to HouseSmarts Radio on WGN each Saturday morning at 6 am.