Rachel Hinton and Ben talk the week’s news and introduce the world to…The Rachel and Ben Book Club. Today’s book is James by Percival Everett. Which if you haven’t read, hurry up! But first, listen to Rachel and Ben talk police, housing, and theatrical politics of the absurd. Rachel is a reporter for Block Club.

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Dan Mihalopoulos goes A-Z on Oath Keepers in the Chicago Police Department. A subject he knows a lot about, having broken one story after another on the matter with Tom Schuba of the Sun-Times. Dan is a reporter for WBEZ.

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Salem Collo-Julin and Ben go through the news. Including…Barry Romo makes the Times, Reader goes weekly, media evaluates the mayor, and the difference between a city that fears its mayor (Rahm, Daley) and one that doesn’t. Suddenly, everyone is so courageous. Where was that courage when we needed it? And a new feature… Reader editor after dark explains the best way to serve the dish of revenge. Hint…add mustard and catsup. Salem is the editor of the Reader.

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The Crain’s Crowd weighs in on Mayor Johnson. Ben riffs. Denali Gasgupta tells you everything you need to know about Chicago’s elected school board. Is Chicago ready for democracy? I guess that depends on what you mean by democracy. Denali is a political activist and a numbers-crunching analyst of politics in Chicago.

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The polls are in for Mayor Johnson and President Biden. Ben riffs. And then Monroe explains. Trump trial. Stormy. Cohen. The Rockettes? And a few words about a Virginia school districts attempts to show love for slave owners.

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David Faris explains the absurdity of moderates searching for an alternative to Biden. Hello—he is a moderate. And speaking of absurdity. Nothing matches Trump’s desperate attempt to figure out an electable position on abortion. David is a professor of political science at Roosevelt University and a columnist for Slate and Newsweek. His opinions are his own.

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Rummana and Ben have the news business on their minds. How folks are put in metaphorical boxes based on what they’re expected to be interested in. Breaking out is harder than it looks.?Rummana is a columnist and editorial writer for the Sun-Times. Her views are her own.

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With an eye for the Bears stadium propossl, Sean Dinces explains how the public helped pay for Sox Park and the United Center. Think tax breaks and handouts. And what did we get for it? Will Chicago be dumb enough to fall for this game again. Sean is a professor of history and the author of Bulls Markets.

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Ben and Charles Henderson break it all down, starting with…a tribute to the great activist Barry Romo, who died a few days ago. Barry was a Vietnam War vet turned anti-war activist who wasn’t afraid to take on the Daley Machine. Also, a few words about the working class janitors and college protestors. And free speech. And abortion. And Ben’s beloved Bulls. Charles is an Iraqi War vet and political activist.

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A modest proposal—community service for Trump. Ben riffs. Maria Hadden riffs on Ben’s riff. Then Maria talks natural gas ordinance, Bears stadium, SpotShotter, and abortion clinic silent zones. Also, how to remain cool and calm when everyone else is losing their minds. Maria is the alderwoman of the 49th ward.

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