The Mincing Rascals

The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn of The Picayune Sentinel, Austin Berg, Executive Director of the Chicago Policy Center and author of the The Last Ward on Substack, and Steve Bertrand, host of Steve Bertrand on Books and proprietor of Steve Bertrand Travel. The Rascals start the podcast talking about Vivek Ramaswamy’s controversial attack ad featuring his Democratic opponent Amy Acton’s estranged mother. Eric calls the ad ‘repulsive.’ What do the rest of the Rascals think? Sticking to the national scene, the Rascals break down the now viral video of Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed answering a question from a heckler named Tommy. And how are the Rascals feeling about recent polling with the midterm elections coming up in less than two weeks? Pivoting to local stories, Mayor Johnson unveiled his proposal for the 2027. What sticks out to the Rascals? Next, Austin gets us up to speed on the Chicago School Board election. Why should we care about this particular election? And finally, it’s time for red light, yellow light, green light. What are the Rascals recommending this week? And thanks to Jack for sending his green light for Tom Piazza’s book, ‘Living in the Present with John Prine.’ Want your recommendation heard on the Rascals? Send an audio recording to [email protected]

The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, long-time Chicago journalist Cate Plys, publisher of Roseland, Chicago: 1972, Jon Hansen of WGN Radio and Block Club Chicago,and award-winning journalist and political pundit Marj Halperin. This week the Rascals open the podcast talking about the biggest issue of the week…Kelly Clarkson v. Art of Play. Who is on Team Kelly? Next, the Rascals talk about Katie Zacharia’s debut as White House press secretary and Kimberly Guilfoyle’s resignation as the U.S. Ambassador to Greece. Are these attractions or distractions? And what about the midterm elections? Polls are showing the Democrats will likely take the House and possibly even the Senate. Do the Rascals see a Blue Wave coming? Sticking to the national news, do the Rascals believe the administration will livestream the execution of Ft. Hood killer Nidal Hasan? Locally, Mayor Johnson is proposing a tax on corporations to help balance Chicago budget. Are the Rascals on board? And what’s the latest on the school board election and the Rascals tell us why it’s an important election that we need to be paying attention to. 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, publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, long-time Chicago journalist Cate Plys, publisher of Roseland, Chicago: 1972, and award-winning journalist and political pundit Marj Halperin. The Rascals begin the podcast with White Sox Fever! Next, the Rascals break down President Trump’s controversial comments about the war in Iran, and saying, ‘let them take out Los Angeles. Let them take out San Diego.’ Speaking of President Trump and controversy, the Rascals talk about the taxpayer-funded promotional ads that Trump now says will be paid for by his Super PAC. A lot of new details are emerging about the Cornell gang rape allegations. The Rascals discuss the latest. Another national story that continues to make news is the botched execution in Tennessee of Christa Pike. Where are the Rascals on the death penalty? And the Rascals wrap up the podcast with red light, yellow light, green light! What are the Rascals recommending (or somewhat 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 proprietor of Steve Bertrand Travel, and Jon Hansen of WGN Radio and Block Club Chicago. This week the podcast begins with Jon Hansen’s recap of his work at the Presidents Cup golf tournament and having the opportunity to meet President Trump. Next, the Rascals discuss President Trump’s meeting with tech leaders about AI. What were the major takeaways from the meeting? And how are the Rascals feeling about the future of AI? Speaking of AI, the administration launched America.gov to simplify access to government information. Have the Rascals tried the new website yet? Locally, the Chicago City Council voted to approve a new parking meter deal. Does this new deal benefit the city? Also this week, Sen. Eric Schmitt from Missouri faced backlash after confusing the Iowa Hawkeyes with the Atlanta Hawks during a U.S. Senate hearing with former special counsel Jack Smith. What did the Rascals think of Senator Schmitt’s response to the error? The Rascals also talk about the upcoming midterm elections, the war in Iran, and how the state of the economy is impacting the GOP. Jon suggests the Democrats should move on from focusing on President Trump if they gain control of the House and Senate. 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, 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 the podcast talking about some sports related boners, both old and new. Moving on to the news, the Rascals discuss President Donald Trump banning media outlets CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House. Is this a big deal or just another one of the weekly distractions from the administration? Locally, Chicago mayoral candidate Bill Quinlan is suing Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley and Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas for running for mayor while also for running for reelection in their current offices. What to the Rascals think of the lawsuit? The Rascals also make the argument that the city of Chicago should move on from having a municipal election in February. Also this week, JB Pritzker came out publicly about his weight loss journey and his use of GLP-1’s. How do the Rascals feel about Pritzker going public with this information? Also making news locally is the Chicago School Board election. Austin gets us up to speed on everything we should know. Austin also tells us how the CPS operates 158 schools that are at least half empty. 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 proprietor of Steve Bertrand Travel, and long-time Chicago journalist Cate Plys, publisher of Roseland, Chicago: 1972. The Rascals begin the podcast this week talking about the controversial new Medical Aid in Dying law in Illinois. Where are the Rascals on this new law? The Rascals also talk about the great WGN Radio host Judy Markey, who died by medically assisted suicide in Switzerland. Next, the Rascals discuss President Trump’s ongoing effort for restrictions on mail-in voting. The new season of ’60 Minutes’ premiered on Sunday after the program was overhauled by Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss. What did the Rascals think of the show? Was it any different than previous episodes? Nationally, is the whole Trump / Kennedy Center fiasco just a distraction? Or attraction? Locally, there could be a new deal for Chicago parking meters. Is the proposed new deal good for the city? 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 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?

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 long-time Chicago journalist Cate Plys, publisher of Roseland, Chicago: 1972. The Rascals begin the podcast by congratulating Rascal Brandon Pope on his new gig at FOX32! Congrats, BP! Now, to the news. The controversy surrounding Flock cameras continues to make headlines. What are the Rascals thoughts on the technology? Next, the Rascals dig into Chicago crime statistics. President Trump and some candidates for Chicago mayor are saying the city isn’t doing enough to tackle crime. What do the Rascals think? President Trump continues his quest to rename things. Last week, it was Lake Ontario to ‘Lake America,’ and today it was Strait of Hormuz to ‘Trump Strait.’ What’s going on here? And what about Trump’s efforts to squash mail-in voting? Is this something we should be concerned about heading towards the midterm elections? Austin is being sued for defamation by the CTU and will update us soon on what’s going on. Austin also tells us about a new poll of city workers that shows Mayor Johnson losing support from rank and file teachers, and what we should know about the upcoming Chicago school board election. And speaking of Mayor Johnson, do the Rascals expect him to announce a reelection campaign on September 13th? On a lighter note, Cate explains why she has had enough of Chicago’s recent Malört obsession! 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 proprietor of Steve Bertrand Travel, and multi-media journalist Brandon Pope, author of Brandon Pope’s Screening Room (stay tuned for some BIG news from Brandon). This week, the Rascals begin the podcast honoring the life and legacy of the great Dolly Parton, who passed away on Tuesday at the age of 80. RIP. The Supreme Court backed President Trump’s executive order that would restrict mail-in voting. What does this mean for the upcoming midterm elections? Next, the Rascals discuss Canada’s retaliatory tariffs on the U.S. What do the Rascals think of the U.S.-Canada trade war? Locally, a private group unveiled a plan to bring an express train that would bring travelers from downtown to O’Hare Airport in 15 minutes. Are the Rascals on board? Also, what’s going on with Enes Kanter Freedom and the WNBA? Why are we even talking about this? Power has finally been restored to most residents in Indiana. How has this been going on for so long? 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, 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 start the podcast talking about the CTU filing a defamation lawsuit against the Illinois Policy Institute (as well as our friend / Rascals contributor Austin Berg). What do the Rascals make of this lawsuit? Also on the local scene, Chicago mayoral candidate Alexi Giannoulias proposed a $22 minimum wage, Governor Pritzker donated a bunch of money to his re-election campaign, and Darren Bailey wants to make the tollway free. The Rascals break it all down. Also making local news this week, former Cook County Commissioner Richard Boykin filed a complaint with the Cook County inspector general accusing Treasurer Maria Pappas of intimidation and official misconduct after she sent him a series of profane tweets. Do the Rascals think that Pappas is a legitimate mayoral candidate? Nationally, a polling company folded after faking recent polls in Wisconsin and California. Do the Rascals think this is a big deal? In a speech this week, Senator Jon Ossoff mentioned President Trump aide Natalie Harp that has now put her in the media spotlight. Do we need to know more about Harp? And what about the rest of Ossoff’s speech? Is he a serious contender for the White House? The Rascals also wonder if President Trump would seriously consider using a nuclear bomb. On a lighter note, the Rascals end the show with red light, yellow light, green light! What are the Rascals recommending (or not recommending or slightly recommending) this week?