The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Chicago journalist Cate Plys, publisher of Roseland, Chicago: 1972, Steve Bertrand, host of Steve Bertrand on Books and proprietor of Steve Bertrand Travel, and Austin Berg, Executive Director of the Chicago Policy Center and author of the The Last Ward on Substack. The Rascals start the podcast with a case of World Cup fever (well, except for Cate)! And how excited are the Rascals for the, um, the semiquincentennial? Now, switching to much more important matters, the Rascals discuss the ongoing drama over the reflecting pool. Today, President Trump said he won’t sign a bipartisan housing bill unless the SAVE Act is passed. Why did Trump not sign the bill that the administration was celebrating just yesterday? We also get a little refresher on what exactly is in the SAVE Act. Locally, it was a violent weekend in Chicago and faith leaders are urging the city to create a Department of Gun Violence Prevention. Are the Rascals on board with the proposal? And finally, it’s time or red light, yellow light, green light! What are the Rascals recommending (or not recommending) this week?

The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Chicago journalist Cate Plys, publisher of Roseland, Chicago: 1972, multi-media journalist Brandon Pope, author of Brandon Pope’s Screening Room, and award-winning journalist and political pundit Marj Halperin. The Rascals start the podcast this week talking about the man who allegedly burned a cross in Grant Park. What do the Rascals make of this crime? Next, the Rascals tackle the controversy surrounding comedian Nate Bargatze’s appearance at the UFC fight at the White House. Locally, the Rascals discuss the likelihood Mayor Brandon Johnson seeks another term, the latest on Chicago’s parking meter deal, and the opening of the Obama Presidential Center. And finally, it’s time for red light, yellow light, green light! What are the Rascals recommending this week?

The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn of The Picayune Sentinel, Chicago journalist Cate Plys, publisher of Roseland, Chicago: 1972, and Steve Bertrand, host of Steve Bertrand on Books and proprietor of Steve Bertrand Travel. The Rascals begin the podcast talking about two interviews that were making news this week: Scott Pelley’s interview with the New York Times and President Trump’s interview with Kristen Welker on ‘Meet the Press.’ What were the key takeaways from each interview? And how should the media be covering this administration? Graham Platner won the Democratic Senate primary in Maine and Cate believes this is a problem for the party. How about the rest of the Rascals? Next, the Rascals break down the latest drama surrounding the Bears stadium and the possibility the team moves to Indiana. Staying local, the Rascals discuss the transcripts from the controversial ‘Broadview 6’ grand jury proceedings. And finally, it’s time for the Rascals Recommendations! Oh, and we have some listener mail, too!

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?

The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn, publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, Austin Berg, Executive Director of the Chicago Policy Center and author of the The Last Ward on Substack, and award-winning journalist and political pundit Marj Halperin. The Rascals start this week’s podcast talking about the Trump administration creating a $1.776 billion fund to pay people who say they were victims of government “weaponization.” Next, the Rascals break down the Texas Senate primary runoff which saw Attorney General Ken Paxton defeat Senator John Cornyn. What do the Rascals read into the results? And does James Talarico have a chance to turn the senate seat blue in November? Closer to home, the Rascals discuss the latest on the ‘Broadview Six’ and why the case fell apart before going to trial. Austin then get everyone up to speed on CTU members voting down an effort to raise dues. Memorial Day has come and gone and Chicago is entering ‘teen takeover’ season. What should the city do to combat these takeovers? Also, Marj recommends watching Stephen Colbert hosting ‘Only in Monroe.’

The Mincing Rascals this week are Jon Hansen of WGN Radio and Block Club Chicago, Eric Zorn, publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, Chicago journalist Cate Plys, publisher of Roseland, Chicago: 1972, and award-winning journalist and political pundit Marj Halperin. This week, the Rascals start the podcast talking about the feud between Mayor Brandon Johnson and Governor Pritzker over the Bears stadium and other issues in Springfield. It’s Pritzker v. Johnson. Which side are the Rascals on? Next, the Rascals discuss Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong getting into it with a White Sox fan during the Crosstown Classic. What do the Rascals think of PCA’s behavior? Also this week, Governor Pritzker is getting some heat over his affordable housing initiative. Marj gets us up to speed on the controversy. Switching to national politics, the Rascals break down the results of recent primaries that proved that President Trump still has a hold on the GOP. And finally, it’s time for red light, yellow light, green light. What are the Rascals recommending (or not recommending) this week?

The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn of The Picayune Sentinel,  Chicago journalist Cate Plys, publisher of Roseland, Chicago: 1972, and Steve Bertrand, host of Steve Bertrand on Books and proprietor of Steve Bertrand Travel. The Rascals start with the attractions and distractions of Donald Trump from musing about Venezuela as the 51st state, the Capitol reflecting pool, downplaying Americans’ economic struggles and whether journalists should keep highlighting every off-the-cuff remark. The group compares today’s hantavirus scare to the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic and debate what public-health leaders got right and wrong about it all. Then, back home in Chicago, they dig into McDonald’s buying the naming rights to the Chicago Fire’s planned downtown stadium and if it makes marketing sense. The conversation shifts to why gas prices are so high, who profits at the pump, and how taxes and oil markets shape what drivers pay. And finally, it’s time for red light, yellow light, green light! What are the Rascals recommending (or not recommending) this week?

The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn, publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, multi-media journalist Brandon Pope, author of Brandon Pope’s Screening Room, and award-winning journalist and political pundit Marj Halperin. Today, the Rascals begin the podcast discussing the Obama Presidential Center. Tickets went on sale today. Eric is not excited about the museum, but what about the other Rascals? Yesterday, Cook County Board of Review Commissioner Samantha Steele was found not guilty of DUI after a crash in 2024. What do the Rascals think of the judges decision to acquit? Residents in Chatham learned that their local Walgreens will close in one month. Walgreens said violence and crime were the reason for the closing. What do the Rascals make of this decision by Walgreens? Switching to national news, the Rascals break down the latest news on the war in Iran. And what about those primary election results in Indiana? What were the biggest takeaways on a night that most Trump-backed candidates won? What about Trump’s ballroom? Attraction or distraction? Looking ahead to November, do the Rascals believe redistricting efforts across the country will impact the balance of power in Congress? And finally, it’s time for red light, yellow light, green light! What are the Rascals recommending (or not recommending) this week?

The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn, publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, Jon Hansen of WGN Radio and Block Club Chicago, and Austin Berg, Executive Director of the Chicago Policy Center and author of the The Last Ward on Substack. The Rascals start this week’s podcast talking about the fatal shooting of Chicago police officer John Bartholomew. The suspect in the shooting, Alphanso Talley, had a long criminal record. Is the implementation of the SAFE-T act a reason that one officer is dead an another is critically injured? This week, a man attempted to shoot members of the Trump administration at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. Is this a reason for President Trump to build a ballroom? Eric thinks the whole event should be canceled. Jon believes the left has a political violence problem. Do they? The Rascals have a spirited debate. Comedian Jimmy Kimmel told some jokes at the expense of Donald Trump a couple of days ahead of the dinner and now some are calling for him to be fired. Should he be fired for telling Trump jokes? Also this week, former FBI Director James Comey was indicted over a photo he posted on Instagram of seashells arranged to form the message “86 47” on a beach. Officials said the photo threatened President Donald Trump. Is this indictment anything? And finally, it’s time for red light, yellow light, green light! What are the Rascals recommending (or not recommending) this week.

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 award-winning journalist and political pundit Marj Halperin. The Rascals start the podcast this week talking about Darren Bailey, GOP candidate for governor, refusing to say that Donald Trump lost the 2020 election. Is it still viable to ask a candidate for office in 2026 about the integrity of the 2020 election? Next, the Rascals talk about redistricting efforts across the country after Virginia voters approved a new map that would would favor Democrats. Closer to home, Illinois is considering adopting a ‘millionaires tax’ to boost school funding and property tax relief. Where are the Rascals on the idea of raising taxes on millionaires? Also this week, FBI Director Kash Patel filed a defamation lawsuit against the Atlantic claiming false reporting about his drinking. Do the Rascals believe this lawsuit will go anywhere? Heading back to Illinois, Marj gets us up to speed on the Bears stadium negotiations.