John Williams

Liz Shulman, English teacher at Evanston Township High School and in the School of Education and Social Policy at Northwestern University, joins John Williams to talk about AI in schools and the challenges it presents, teaching Shakespeare to a new generation, co-writing an op-ed with a student for the Chicago Tribune, and she previews her new book coming out in fall of 2027.

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

Connell McShane, anchor of ‘NewsNation Live with Connell McShane,’ joins John Williams to talk about updates in the Nancy Guthrie case, why it’s so captivating to the country, and discusses Trump’s EPA revoking a scientific finding that has long been the bases to fight climate change.

WGN Radio News Director Ryan Burrow, who also produces and hosts Quest for Gold, a weekly podcast on preparations for the Olympic Games, joins John Williams for a lively discussion on how the Olympics are judged.

Jessica Kartalija, national correspondent for NewsNation, joins WGN’s John Williams from Arizona to provide the latest on the Nancy Guthrie case. Jessica talks about the black glove found near Nancy’s home, Ring camera footage from January 11th that has been requested by the FBI, the lack of DNA evidence, and whether any of the family members are being investigated.

Author and registered dietician nutritionist Dawn Jackson Blatner joins John Williams to talk about a particular food that is great for maintaining strong heart health and a snack that can help decrease your sweet cravings and improve the overall quality of your diet. Dawn also answers listeners’ questions.

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

WGN Radio’s John Williams and his wife, Brenda, attended Lake Geneva’s Winterfest at the end of January, and was shown around by our friend and Visit Lake Geneva President/CEO Stephanie Klett. Stephanie joined John on WGN Radio to talk all about John’s experience for our latest Best of the Midwest feature.

As you listen, swipe below to see photos from John’s tour of Winterfest and the incredible snow sculptures that John and Stephanie talk about.

• John Williams outside the Visit Lake Geneva Visitors Center. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• John Williams and his wife, Brenda, at Lake Geneva’s Winterfest. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• John Williams and festival goers on the frozen lake. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• John Williams and Visit Lake Geneva President/CEO Stephanie on the ice! Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• The competing snow sculptures at Lake Geneva’s Winterfest. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• The competing snow sculptures at Lake Geneva’s Winterfest. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• The competing snow sculptures at Lake Geneva’s Winterfest. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• The competing snow sculptures at Lake Geneva’s Winterfest. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• The competing snow sculptures at Lake Geneva’s Winterfest. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• The competing snow sculptures at Lake Geneva’s Winterfest. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• The competing snow sculptures at Lake Geneva’s Winterfest. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• The competing snow sculptures at Lake Geneva’s Winterfest. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• The competing snow sculptures at Lake Geneva’s Winterfest. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• The competing snow sculptures at Lake Geneva’s Winterfest. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• ‘Block 4’ Team Mexico with their snow sculpture at Lake Geneva Winterfest. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• WGN Radio’s Michael Piff’s daughter on the LOVE Lake Geneva sign. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• John Williams with Stephanie Klett and Deanna Goodwin in-studio at WGN Radio. Photo by Tony DeNardis / WGN Radio

For more, follow Visit Lake Geneva on Facebook and Instagram, and check out visitlakegeneva.com.

The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn, publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, Austin Berg, Executive Director of the Chicago Policy Center and author of the The Last Ward on Substack, and recently retired newsman Steve Bertrand, host of the ‘Steve Bertrand on Books‘ podcast. This week the Rascals kick off the podcast talking about Chicago babysitting rates. Babysitters get paid how much?! Next, the Rascals discuss the SAVE America Act and the GOP push for voter ID. Should Democrats throw a bone to the GOP on this issue for ICE reforms? The Rascals also discuss the latest on the Epstein Files. Do the Rascals believe that President Trump committed any crimes? Switching gears to attraction / distraction. What to make of the latest news regarding the Super Bowl halftime show, the Olympics, and the racist video that President Trump shared last week. Locally, what about a Chicago City Council committee approving a revised ordinance that would authorize Chicagoans to use their cellphones to provide recorded evidence of bus, bike lane and crosswalk parking violations. Do the Rascals think this is a good idea? And before we leave, it’s time for red light, yellow light, green light! What are the Rascals recommending (or not recommending) this week?

Recently retired newsman, the great Steve Bertrand, joins John to tell us everything we need to know about his new ‘Steve Bertrand on Books‘ podcast.