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.

The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn, publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, Chicago journalist Cate Plys, publisher of Roseland, Chicago: 1972, and multi-media journalist Brandon Pope, author of Brandon Pope’s Screening Room. This week, the Rascals start the podcast close to home by talking about the Chicago City Council failing to override Mayor Johnson’s veto on the One Fair Wage ordinance. Is this a political win for Mayor Johnson? And what does this mean long-term for Johnson if he decides to run for another term? Next, the Rascals try to make sense of President Trump sharing AI images of him depicted as Jesus, and his ongoing feud with Pope Leo. Also this week, to celebrate President Trump’s agenda and ‘No Tax on Tips,’ the administration welcomed the ‘Door Dash Grandma’ to talk about how much the policy has helped her. What did the Rascals make of the stunt? 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, 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. Today, the Rascals start the podcast discussing President Trump’s fiery rhetoric, the latest developments on the war with Iran, and if any of the desired objectives have been met. Turning to Illinois, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear a challenge to an Illinois’ law barring concealed carry of guns on public transit. How do the Rascals feel about this decision? The civil trial against CPD and ex-Officer Eric Stillman for the Adam Toledo shooting in Chicago began earlier this week. Eric gets us up to speed on the case and what we need to know. Related: Check out Austin’s latest Substack, ‘How to bring professional excellence to the Chicago Police Department.’ Lastly, the Rascals visit a previous topic of discussion to hear Austin’s opinion. What does Austin think of the CTU asking for a day off for students to take part in a day of civil engagement?

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 Steve Bertrand, host of the ‘Steve Bertrand on Books‘ podcast. This week, the Rascals start the podcast discussing the Supreme Court hearing oral arguments on President Trump’s effort to end birthright citizenship. Why is this issue so important to President Trump? And what do the Rascals think of President Trump sitting in on the arguments? Speaking of President Trump, his effort to put his name on things continues. What do the Rascals think of naming things for politicians who are still alive? The Rascals also debate if President Trump will try to cancel or delegitimize the midterm elections. And will the Democrats rally behind a singular message? Next, the Rascals discuss the murder of Loyola student Sheridan Gorman. Is it fair to say that Gorman would still be alive if Trump was in office rather than Joe Biden? Sports is also on the mind this week as MLB has incorporated ABS (automated ball-strike system) into games. Are the Rascals on board with the new technology? Also, Eric suggests 7 things that would improve the game basketball.

The Mincing Rascals this week are Eric Zorn, publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, long-time Chicago journalist Cate Plys, publisher of Roseland, Chicago: 1972, Austin Berg, Executive Director of the Chicago Policy Center and author of the The Last Ward on Substack, and Steve Bertrand, host of the ‘Steve Bertrand on Books‘ podcast. This week’s John Williams-less podcast begins with the gang discussing the murder of Loyola University student Sheridan Gorman. Next, the Rascals talk about Cook County State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke pushing back on the effort to name a special prosecutor to investigate the federal agents behind Operation Midway Blitz. This weekend there will be ‘No Kings’ rallies in cities across the country. Do the Rascals believe that one-day protests accomplish anything? Speaking of protesting, the CTU wants students to have a day off on May 1st to engage in civil engagement. Are the Rascals on board with the idea? There have been some firings at Chicago City Hall recently. Is the administration in disarray? And we are less than a year away from the next mayoral election in Chicago. The Rascals share some of their early thoughts. 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 political pundit Marj Halperin. The Rascals kick off the podcast talking about the results of yesterday’s Illinois primary. What were the major takeaways from the results? The Chicago Teachers Union wants students to take a day off of school on May 1st for civil engagement. Mayor Johnson supports this idea. Do the Rascals? Next, the Rascals discuss the ongoing war in Iran. The Rascals wonder what the results will be when the war ends. What does victory look like? President Trump DHS nominee Markwayne Mullin testified before a Senate committee today. Do the Rascals think Mullin will be nominated? John also reads an email from a Mincing Rascals listener about last week’s discussion on AI and journalism. Also this week, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr threatened to revoke broadcasters’ licenses over the Iran War coverage. Do the Rascals believe the media has covered this war fairly? And finally, it’s time for red light, yellow light, green light. What are the Rascals recommending (or not recommending) this week?