Mayor Johnson gets sworn in as Chicago’s 57th mayor. Ben riffs. Alderman Carlos Ramirez-Rosa, the new mayor’s council floor leader, reflects on the inauguration. Then it’s time to deal with…reopening mental health clinics, council reorganization, aldermanic privilege and asylum seekers. And more…

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CNN turns over its network to Trump. Ben riffs. State Rep Kam Buckner returns. Talks CTA, crime, MAGA, council reorganization and Bears.

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It’s time catch up on the week’s news—in this case with Mick Dumke, editor and writer for Block Club. Ben and Mick talk, Rahm and Ron, Brandon and Lori, Carlos and Scott, and Jayson and Jimmy. And more. If you don’t know these people by their first names alone, then you must listen so you will know. You should listen anyway.

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Mayor-elect Johnson plays musical chairs with the city council. Ben riffs. Political activist Denali Dasgupta asks to reconsider our notions about policing, social services, distraught people on subways, Rudy G. And more…

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On May 2, Maya Dukmasova & Ben hosted a First Tuesday show at the Promontory night club in Hyde Park. Alders Maria Hadden and Jeanette Taylor were the guests, talking city council committee chairs under Mayor Johnson. Pretty much everything they predicted has been coming true.

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It’s the time of year for tallies. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson takes a deeper dive on tallies. Will Texan Republicans tally enough legislative votes to remove their sleazy MAGA attorney general? Will Kevin McCarthy tally enough MAGA congress people to approve his debt ceiling deal with President Biden? And the annual Memorial Day weekend death tally by Chicago’s media.

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SDG & Pedro Martinez of CPS join forces to plead for Chicago. Ben riffs. And podcaster Mark Wallace talks politics. How MAGA used Vallas to seize Chicago. Meritorious Manumission. And the lawlessness of Clarence Thomas & Trump.

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Matt Harvey talks about what he witnessed, covering three days of protests over the 2020 Memorial Day weekend in the aftermath of George Floyd's murder.

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Jacob Kaplan, executive director of the Cook County Democratic Party and Water Rec Commissioner Dan Pogorzelski—aka, The political know-it-alls—make their long-awaited return! Talking local and national politics in the wake of Chicago’s mayoral election.

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The city councils closed out its term with nostalgic tears. Ben riffs. And Micah Uetricht, Jacobin editor, puts Johnson’s win in historical perspective. Also, a few words about the mainstream media. And dream blunt rotation,

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