John Williams

It’s time once again for our Best of the Midwest feature for 2026! Are you trying to come up with some quick getaway ideas that are only a short trip from the Chicago area? Well, John Williams has some great recommendations for your trip! Today, we head toward the beautiful fall colors in Wisconsin and visit with Mindy Simons, Executive Director, Hayward Lakes Visitors and Convention Bureau! Mindy tells us where Hayward Lakes is located in Wisconsin, the great recreational opportunities in Hayward Lakes, what makes Hayward Lakes unique for fall fishing, the types of fish you can expect to catch, the best way to see all the fall colors, where you can stay when you visit, the festivals that are coming up, and why it’s the perfect place to relax and enjoy fall. Cozy Cabin vibes all the way!

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, Steve Bertrand, host of the Steve Bertrand on Books podcast and proprietor of Steve Bertrand Travel, and award-winning journalist and political pundit Marj Halperin. The Rascals begin the podcast talking about Michigan’s controversial win over Western Michigan over the weekend. As a Michigan alum, Eric feels bad for Western Michigan, but doesn’t think this game will matter much by the end of the year. Next, the Rascals share their recollections of 9/11 and the days after the attack. Are the Rascals surprised that there hasn’t been another similar attack on our homeland? Speaking of 9/11, the Rascals discuss recent comments made by President Trump about what he was doing on 9/11. The Rascals also break down how the media has been covering Trump and his weekend full of Truth Social posts. The Rascals wonder how the GOP can defend someone so unserious. Last week, a mistrial was declared in the Lindsay Clancy case. How would the Rascals have voted if they were on the jury? Marj wrote an op-ed in the Tribune about how badly our healthcare system is broken. Locally, the future owner of the Chicago White Sox unveiled plans for a new South Loop stadium that includes the redevelopment of Amtrak facilities. What do the Rascals think of this new plan that has residents in Bridgeport very concerned. Finally, it’s time for red light, yellow light, green light. What are the Rascals recommending (or not recommending) this week?

Dr. Selwyn Rogers joins John Williams to discuss his book, ‘Healing the Gun Violence Epidemic:
Ending Violence, Rebuilding Communities, and a Trauma Surgeon’s Vision for Restoring Hope.’ Dr. Rogers tells John about the work he does at the hospital, what the scene is like when trauma patients come in, what’s going on with gun violence on the streets of Chicago, the effort to combat violence, if he’s ever angry when he’s doing his work, how he connects with the victims of violence that he treats, and why he believes gun violence is not a problem that can be solved by punishment.

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. As the NFL football season gets underway, Harvey tells you what you need to know to watch football this season. To request a free tech check you can contact Harvey at [email protected] or call 312-307-1700.

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, joins John Williams to answer all of your lawn and garden questions. Bob says that now is a good time to core aerate, as well as divide and plant.

John Williams reflects on the loss of his mom, who passed away over the weekend.

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

Dr. Cynthia Paidipati, Board of Director for the IL Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, joins Wendy Snyder, filling in for John Williams, to talk about the upcoming Out of the Darkness Chicagoland Walk. Dr. Paidipati tells Wendy how suicide impacts everyone, the importance of sharing stories and opening dialogue about mental health, the amount of young people that struggle with suicidal thinking, why you should be proactive about mental health, the warning signs that could increase the likelihood of suicide, and what you should know about the Out of the Darkness Chicagoland Walk. Click here to register for the walk!

On the Noon Business Lunch, John Williams was joined by Michelle Edmonson, Vice President of Exhibitions for AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology and leads for the IMTS – International Manufacturing Technology Show brand, to talk about how many people and exhibitors the show brings to Chicago, the types of manufacturing they showcase, what will we see when we stroll through McCormick Place, why industrial AI is creating the most buzz, and what you should know if you want to attend the show.

The event is from September 14th to 19th! Learn more at imts.com.