WGN - The Download with Justin Kaufmann Podcast

Journalist Lauren Cohn and Chicago Tribuneinvestigative reporter Jeff Coen join Justin to recap all the stories making news this week including the sentencing of USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar, the New York Times reporting that President Trump ordered the firing of Robert Mueller, the success of the 2018 Women’s March, Senator Tammy Duckworth announcing her pregnancy, the brief shutdown of the government, the chances Paul Vallas decides to run for mayor, the Guggenheim offering President Trump a golden toilet, the final months of […]

We have an amazing show to end the week! On tonight’s episode of The Download, Justin speaks with community activist Olga Bautista and the NRDC’s Josh Mogerman about the neurotoxic manganese threat to the Southeast Side of Chicago, we reload another busy week in news with Mario Smith and Amara Enyia, writer, producer and actor Lena Waithe tells us about her new Showtime show, “The Chi,” we introduce you to the indie rock sounds of Mega Bog and we end the […]

Chicago Sun-Times Blackhawks beat writer Mark Lazerus joins Justin to discuss his new book, “If These Walls Could Talk: Chicago Blackhawks: Stories from the Chicago Blackhawks’ Ice, Locker Room, and Press Box.” Mark talks about what was happening with the Chicago Blackhawks before this impressive run of playoff appearances and Stanley Cup Championships, how the current management group changed the culture around the team, the importance of drafting Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews to the success of the team, what […]

The Carry Out is the nightly segment where Justin reads the news so you don’t have to. Tonight’s top stories include Governor Rauner airing a 14-minute political ad this weekend, former U.S. Senator Adlai Stevenson III endorsing Daniel Biss for governor, Chicago being named a finalist for the second Amazon headquarters, details coming out about President Trump’s alleged affair with porn star Stormy Daniels, the Bulls getting some buzz for their showing against the Golden State Warriors, Matt Nagy introducing his new […]

The Carry Out is the nightly segment where Justin reads the news so you don’t have to. Tonight’s top stories include the debate in Chicago City Council over giving Presence Health a $5.6 million tax subsidy to help pay for its downtown corporate headquarters, Democratic gubernatorial candidates including Daniel Biss, Chris Kennedy and J.B. Pritzker squaring off at a forum before the Chicago Sun-Times Editorial Board, a group of protesters disrupting a news conference for the Obama Presidential Center, fourteen students at a West […]

Cook County Clerk David Orr returns to The Download to discuss a variety of topics including voter suppression, the improvements Illinois has made with voter registration, the challenges involved making sure outside entities don’t hack our elections and the upcoming Illinois primary on March 20th including the hotly contested race for Illinois governor. Follow Justin on Twitter and give him a like on Facebook. The Download with Justin Kaufmann airs Monday through Friday from 7 pm. to 11 pm on @WGNRadio

The Carry Out is the nightly segment where Justin reads the news so you don’t have to. Tonight’s top stories include Governor Rauner not calling President Trump and David Duke racist, the continuing saga of “did he or did he not say sh*%thole,” Chicago tourism hitting 55 million visitors in 2017, the Bulls inching closer to .500, the Illini losing to Nebraska, Northwestern getting ready to play #22 Ohio State, the Bears getting failing grades for their 2017 free agent class and […]

Writer and editor Jessica Easto joins Justin on Industry Night to discuss her new book, “Craft Coffee: A Manual.” Jessica talks about the impetus for writing this book, the movement towards specialty or craft coffee, America’s relationship with the coffee bean and how you can brew a better cup of coffee at home. Follow Justin on Twitter and give him a like on Facebook. The Download with Justin Kaufmann airs Monday through Friday from 7 pm. to 11 pm on @WGNRadio

We have an incredible show for you tonight! On this episode of The Download, Justin speaks with Hireology co-founder Adam Robinson about the business of Human Resources, actress, comedian, author and “SNL” alum Julia Sweeney tells us about her new Second City show, “Julia Sweeney: Older and Wider,” we introduce you to Chicago-based artist and scientist Hunter Cole, writer and editor Jessica Easto talks about her new book, “Craft Coffee: A Manual” and since it’s Tuesday, we end the show with […]

Housing activist and Martin Luther King Jr. photographer Bernard Kleina joins Justin to discuss his memories of marching with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Chicago, how he ended up documenting Dr. King and other civil rights leaders, Dr. King’s involvement in the fair housing movement, how Dr. King was treated when he came to march in Chicago, the fight for open housing, what the Fair Housing Act actually does, the impact of the Chicago Freedom Movement and what makes his photographs […]