John Williams

The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn, Publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, Austin Berg of the Illinois Policy Institute, Brandon Pope, host of ‘On the Block‘ on WCIU, and political pundit Marj Halperin! This week the Rascals start the podcast discussing the upcoming DNC in Chicago. Are the Rascals optimistic about the DNC? Is there concern about the protesters? The Rascals break down all the storylines. Vice President Harris hasn’t had held a press conference or any one-on-one interviews since she jumped to the top of the Democratic ticket. Austin thinks she should stay away from the media, while Marj says that she should sit down reporters, but there is no urgency right now. Brandon says Harris could do non-traditional media and take advantage of the current excitement. And speaking of interviews, did the Rascals catch any of the conversation between Elon Musk and former president Trump? The Sun-Times is reporting that Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is working to oust CPS CEO Pedro Martinez. The Rascals get us up to speed on the latest contract negotiations between CPS. And finally, the Olympics ended on Sunday, but controversy lingers on! US gymnast Jordan Chiles was stripped of her bronze medal because an appeal by Chiles’ coach came 4 seconds beyond the 1-minute time limit for scoring inquiries. So what now? Does Chiles keep the medal? Do both athletes get the bronze? Is Chiles out of luck? Where are the Rascals on this?

David Goldenberg, Midwest Regional Director, Anti-Defamation League, joins John Williams to address the charges made yesterday by Hatem Abudayyeh, national chair of the Chicago-based U.S. Palestinian Community Network advocacy group, that the ADL is a racist organization. David rejects that accusation and explains how they are calling attention to other instances of violence against Jews and what Jews should be aware of during the upcoming DNC.

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin joins John Williams to talk about gun arrests that are being made at Topgolf in Naperville. State’s Attorney Berlin explains that the Naperville police are being proactive and are doing a great job keeping people safe.

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. Weather is turning humid again, so diseases aren’t out of the question and why you need to keep your eyes open to grub activity in the turf.

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

Hatem Abudayyeh, national chair of the Chicago-based U.S. Palestinian Community Network advocacy group, joins John Williams to talk about a federal judge ruling that it will not force the city of Chicago to alter the path offered to DNC protesters. Hatem tells John why they are disappointed with the ruling and why they will be appealing.

Eric Zorn, Publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, joins John Williams to talk about the upcoming DNC, where demonstrators will be allowed to protest, if he expects more migrants to make their way to Chicago before the convention, and his thoughts ton the Donald Trump / Elon Musk interview on X last night.

Dr. Jeffrey Kopin, Chief Medical Officer for Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital, joins John Williams to talk about if you should get a COVID shot now or wait until we see an updated vaccine, the increase in vaccine skepticism, and what you should know about a new study showing a common plastic additive being linked to autism. Dr. Kopin also answers all of your medical questions.

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

Hatem Abudayyeh, national chair of the Chicago-based U.S. Palestinian Community Network advocacy group, joins John Williams to talk about the mission of their group, why they want to deliver their message at the upcoming DNC, their effort to hold the administration responsible for supporting genocide, where they hope to march during the DNC, and why they will fight to get the route they want.