Episodes

Rummana Hussain and Ben catch up on…President Biden and Muslim and Arab-American voters. Director Jonathan Glazer’s acceptance speech at the Oscars. The wimpy spouse in movies. And more…Rummana is a Sun-Times editorial writer and columnist. Her views are her own. See Privacy Policy at https://art1…

So much breaking news, so little time. Ben and Mark Wallace get right at it. Starting with…Fani Willis ruling in Georgia. Real estate settlement on broker fees. Bring Homs Chicago. The U.S Supreme Court’s gift to Trump. And the Illinois Supreme Court’s gift to Ed Burke. Mark is a Podcaster, activis…

Jim Coogan dissects the $355 million ruling in New York City against Trump for business fraud. Who’s the victim, what was the crime. What Trump hopes to accomplish by attacking the judge. Then it’s on to the Stormy Daniels hush money case. AKA, Michael Cohen’s revenge. Jim is a trial lawyer in Chic…

The Civic Federation weighs in on Bring Chicago Home. Ben riffs. Alderman Matt Martin returns to talk the issues. Everything from Bring Chicago Home to TIFs to Mayor Johnson’s affordable housing proposal to Sox and Bears stadiums to dealing with crime. Matt is alderman of the 47th ward. See Priva…

The Sox look for TIF money. Ben riffs. Miles Kampf-Lassin explains the war on unions being waged by Amazon, Trader Joe’s, Musk and other powerful interests. They’re suing to dismantle the NLRB. In essence, repealing the New Deal. Also, the Teamsters play footsie with Trump, Miles is a writer/editor…

The Hyde Park Herald has a scoop—interviewing William Baude, the conservative U of C law professor who figured out that Trump was ineligible to run for prez cause he’s an insurrectionist. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson offers his theory about why the Illinois Supremes recused themselves on Burke, demon…

In 1992, a Republican challenged stood up for abortion rights. Yes, you read that right. A pro-choice Republican challenged a Right Winger in a Republican primary. And won! Okay, it took two tries after the first election ended in a tie. Yes, you read that right, too. See, what happened is…oh, just…

Steve Krafft returns with the view from Arizona and the border. Kari Lake, Kyrsten Sinema, Ruben Gallego and the hypocrisy of Arizonans who rely on undocumented while contending there is a crisis, and a great debate with Ben about open borders. Also, a sense that Biden will prevail. Steve is a reti…

Joyce Owens died last week. She was a brilliant artist, loving mother and wife, political junkie, and fabulous conversationalist. And Monroe’s wife for almost 40 years. Monroe pays tribute to Joyce. And then in her honor—cause that’s what she would have wanted—talks some politics. Rest in peace, Jo…

Speaker Chris Welch is supporting an opponent to longtime south side state representative Mary Flowers, who’s been in office since 1985. Rep Flowers tells her side of the story. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-…

Super Tuesday has come and gone and David Faris asks—what do we have to show for it? Biden, Trump, Haley and a Supreme Court too afraid to confront the end of democracy. Oh, yes Kirsten Sinema won’t run for re-election. So all the news is not bad. David Faris is a political science professor at Roo…

Mayor Johnson hires a new communications chief. And that gets Pat and Ben debating the difference between propaganda and information. Next thing you know, Ben is explaining the mayor’s new TIF program. And with that they’re off. Pat Whalen is a comedian and the host of his own live show. See Priv…

Dems are tired. Ben riffs. Kim Foxx takes the deep dive on MAGA’s counter attack against Fani Willis, the Fulton County Georgia prosecutor. Willis indicted Trump for essentially attempting a coup. Trump’s allies countered by examining her sex life. It would be funny if the stakes weren’t so high. K…

Mainstream Chicago hates the mayor’s “base”. Ben riffs. Speaking of riffs…Denali Dasgupta returns to riff on ShotSpotter, moral victories (as opposed to real ones), Jason Lee, America’s perverse attitude toward immigrants and New York politics post George Santos. Denali is a political activist. Se…

Teachers get asked the how-we-gonna-pay-for-it question. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson talks Mark Robinson. In short, why do white voters have so much love for Black candidates like Robinson and Herschel Walker? Which leads to a larger discussion about segregation in Chicago. See Privacy Policy at h…

The Sun-Times runs a revealing story about how highways in Chicago were designed to lock Blacks away from whites. Ben riffs. Dr. Thaer Ahmad returns to talk about his 20 days working in a hospital in Gaza. Absolutely riveting testimony. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Californ…

Sox and Bears join forces in plea for handouts, Ben riffs. Attorney Caryn Lederer breaks down Supreme Court ruling in Colorado case. Caryn was one of attorneys representing plaintiffs who sued to remove Trump from ballot for violating the 14th amendment. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/pr…

David Faris examines the backhanded way in which special prosecutor did Trump’s dirty work while acquitting President Biden of wrong doing. Talk about passive aggressive! Also, let’s face it, Democrats-Merrick Garland may be the worst Democratic AG ever. And a few words about sports moguls extortin…

In the aftermath of last Tuesday’s Michigan primary, Andrew Ellison sifts through precinct results to put together the story. And it’s a foreboding one for Biden and Trump. Uncommitted pulls 13 percent against Biden. Haley wins 27 against Trump. Can Biden win the electoral college without Michigan?…

Rummana Hussain gives an eyewitness account of editorialgate. A few words about the Sox and the mayor. Also, the message from Michigan. And an unexpected riff on We Are the World.. Rummana is an editorial writer and columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/priva…

It’s countdown to the primary. Jacob and Ben talk judges. Some we like, some we’re irritated at. Well, at least Ben’s irritated at one in particular. Also, much conversation about the clerk of the court and state’s attorney elections. And a few words about the excuse the Supremes will concoct cause…

Everything you need to know about the Academy Awards from Pemon Rami, the man who knows everything you need to know about the Academy Award. Including…who should’ve won but didn’t, and who did win but, c’mon, really? It’s all about being in the club—if you’re not in it, forget about it. Plus, much…

The city council votes for ceasefire. Ben riffs.Alderwoman Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth explains why she voted yes. And Leni talks about the murder of a teenager near Senn High School in her ward. Leni is the alderwoman of the 48th ward on the north side. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy…

The Bears and Sox decide to make love not war. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson explains Trump’s bizarre attempt to woo Black voters by bragging about his mug shot. Also, much talk about yesterday’s Michigan primary. And Mitch McConnell steps down, See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Ca…