The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn, publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, multi-media journalist Brandon Pope, author of Brandon Pope’s Screening Room, and long-time Chicago journalist Cate Plys, publisher of Roseland, Chicago: 1972. This week, the Rascals kick off the podcast talking about JB Pritzker donating $5 million to Juliana Stratton’s senate campaign? Is this anything? Or nothing? And how are the Rascals feeling about the race to replace Sen. Durbin? Also, what’s going on with the government shutdown? What do the Democrats want? What do the Republicans want? The Rascals break it down. Next, the Rascals discuss Tom Homan announcing that 700 federal agents will be leaving Minnesota. What’s next for the Trump administration’s immigration efforts? Locally, Mayor Brandon Johnson wants Cook County State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke to prosecute federal agents for crimes they committed while working in Chicago. ‘Abolish Ice’ is a finalist in Chicago’s annual Name a Snowplow contest. Curiously, none of the anti-Brandon Johnson names made the cut. John thinks Johnson missed an opportunity to have some fun with the contest. Also, this week, State Rep. Kam Buckner has introduced a bill to bring autonomous cars to Illinois. Are the Rascals on-board with self-driving vehicles? And finally, the Illini Republicans posted a controversial image on social media depicting the recent federal agent shooting and killing of Alex Pretti. But, why?

WGN Radio News Director and Olympic correspondent Ryan Burrow joins John Williams to tell us what we need to know about the upcoming Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. And make sure to listen to Ryan’s podcast, “Quest for Gold,” so you are fully prepared to watch this year’s games!

Longtime Chicago radio veteran Harvey Wells, founder, Lower Tech Bills, talks to John about how he helps customers lower their internet, cell phone, and television costs. Today, Harvey tells us what you need to know about watching this year’s Winter Olympics.

Mortgage and real estate expert David Hochberg joins John Williams to talk about U.S. condo prices plunging, and why student loan delinquencies are exploding. Also joining John and David in-studio today is Stacey Wahlberg, President & Co-Founder, Cal’s Angels! Stacey tells John the personal story about how Cal’s Angels started, how they fund cancer research all over the country, the importance of raising funds to continue their work, and what to know about their upcoming Hope Gala.

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].

Dr. Jeffrey Kopin, Chief Medical Officer, Northwestern Medicine Catherine Gratz Griffin Lake Forest Hospital, joins John Williams to talk about the most common causes of knee and joint pain, new data suggesting that flu cases are rebounding, the rare medical condition that the great Catherine O’Hara discovered many years before her death, and if we need to be concerned about measles cases.

Andrei Turea, Co-owner & CEO, Green Attic Roofing, joins John to talk about why they started the company, their focus on energy efficiency, the way technology is continuing to evolve, the opportunity for commercial property owners to turn their roofs into an asset, what you should know about various rebate programs, how business has been going right now, what the solar panels look like, and how they can help you with design, permits, incentives, and installation. Visit their website or call 847-871-9999 to get their input on what solar looks like for your building.

Eric Zorn, Publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, joins John Williams to talk about a number of stories making news this week including Governor J.B. Pritzker $5 million donation to Juliana Stratton’s senate campaign, and journalist Don Lemon getting arrested by a team of federal agents after he’d offered to turn himself in.

State Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Chicago) joins John Williams to talk about new legislation that would authorize a pilot program for autonomous vehicles in some Illinois counties.

Marge Sipla, Speed Jokes spirit animal, cataloger and Member of the Speed Jokes Committee, joins John Williams and the gang to give us her favorite Speed Jokes of January 2026! What was your favorite joke this month? Keep sending your jokes to [email protected]