John Williams

Historian Clay Jenkinson and John Williams look at the Bill of Rights and discuss the strengths, weaknesses and challenges presented by this 235 year-old document.

The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn of The Picayune Sentinel, multi-media journalist Brandon Pope, author of Brandon Pope’s Screening Room, and Steve Bertrand, host of Steve Bertrand on Books and proprietor of Steve Bertrand Travel. The Rascals kick off the podcast discussing CBS firing ’60 Minutes’ correspondent Scott Pelley. What is the biggest takeaway from this story? Next, are kinks beginning to show in President Trump’s armor? The Rascals break down some of the administration’s recent losses. Locally, the Obama Presidential Center is set to open later this month. The Rascals offer their initial observations of the structure (and Brandon gives his review after visiting last week). Sticking to local issues, the Rascals discuss the latest on where the Chicago Bears will eventually play their home football games. Also, Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza announced a run for Chicago mayor. What do the Rascals make of her candidacy? And what’s the latest on the Broadview 6? Finally, it’s time for the Rascals Recommendations! What should you be watching, reading, listening to 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 the lack of rain is causing lawns and gardens to dry out so keep watering!

Mortgage and real estate expert David Hochberg joins John Williams to talk about FHFA Chair Bill Pulte being named acting director of national intelligence replacing Tulsi Gabbard, what’s going on with mortgage interest rates right now, total U.S. credit card debt nearing an all-time high, and the VA finalizing a new program to help veterans avoid foreclosure.

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.

Illinois Senate GOP Leader John Curran joins John Williams to talk about the failure of the Illinois General Assembly to pass legislation that would give the Bears a pathway to stay in Illinois. What’s next for the Bears stadium saga?  

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

Sam Panayotovich of Fox Sports and formerly of WGN Radio joins John Williams to talk about the top sports stories making news this week including the White Sox hot start, why the team is so much better this year, the excitement of the Women’s College World Series, why he thinks the Bears have the best coach / QB combination in football, and what we should expect from the NBA Finals.

Eric Zorn, Publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, joins John Williams to talk about the latest on the Chicago Bears quest to build a new stadium, the heated meeting between ’60 Minutes’ correspondent Scott Pelley and the new executive producer of the show, and the Trump administration backing off on the ‘anti-weaponization fund.’

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

Austin Berg, Executive Director of the Chicago Policy Center and author of the The Last Ward on Substack, joins John Williams to talk about what Chicago can do to combat teen takeovers. Austin also tells John his thoughts on the Illinois General Assembly failing to come up with an agreement about the Bears stadium project.