Episodes

After 9 years as Host, Ken Davis announced that he is ending his Chicago Newsroom on CAN TV. Join us as we look back at the highlights with the man himself. It's our dear friend Kenny D, Ken Davis on this Saturday. Originally ran May, 2019. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ralph Nader blames Hillary Clinton for the MAGA supremes devious. Ben riffs. Then Monroe talk all things Biden. In other words…should he resign? Can he when in his demented state? And more…See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In the aftermath of the debate debacle, Professor Alan Lichtman has a message that’s soothing and seductive for pain -stricken Dems. Ben riffs. Then Andrew riffs. Then Ben riffs on Andrew’s riff. Soon they’re riffing on all things national politics even though they intended to talk preservation in Chicago. Andrew asks: how can you get voters to care about something so abstract as the future of democracy, when they are most concerned with practical things, like the cost of eggs? Good question! Then they talk city council committees. Andrew is a preservationist, political activist and former aldermanic candidate. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mary Wisniewski talks about the life and legacy of Nelson Algren, whose novels remain as relevant as ever. She wrote Algren: A Life. Originally dropped—March, 2020. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Looks like the Supremes are toying with the notion of legalizing bribery by calling a bribe a gratuity. Dave McKinney breaks down the case of James Snyder. former mayor of Portage, Indiana. The Supreme Court ruling may impact the feds prosecution of former speaker Michael Madigan. Dave is s reporter for WBEZ. A few weeks after we recorded this interview, the Supremes fell for Snyder’s argument. Bribery is now effectively legal.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In the aftermath of Thursdays disastrous presidential debate, David Faris explains what Dems must do to remove President Biden from the ticket, recognizing that they probably won’t do it. He tries hard not to say—I told you so. David is a political science professor at Roosevelt University and a columnist for Slate and Newsweek. His views are his own.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Biden and Trump have a debate, if that’s what you call last night’s debacle. Ben riffs. Meredith Shiner explains how we arrived at a point where our choice comes down to a corrupt fascist and an incoherent old man. Also, a few words about CNN, MSNBC, Rachel Maddow, Kamala Harris, Biden’s inner circle, Dems and a word of advice for Democrats: we must reckon with the fixed realities of our predicament and stop fantasizing about a miracle candidate who will save us from Trump. Meredith is a communication’s consultant and freelance writer.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dan Mihalopoulos writes a column explaining how Ed Burke sorta tried to win him over with ear muffs. Ben riffs. Delmarie Cobb explains why it will take more than ear muffs for her to forgive Burke for what he did to Mayor Washington. Delmarie also talks Jamaal Bowman, what Biden has to do to win the election and why she welcomes democracy to the city council. Delmarie is a political strategist.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Supremes accidentally release a ruling on abortion. Accidentally, huh? Ben riffs. Monroe is even more skeptical about the Supreme’s accident than Ben is. Monroe talks AIPAC and Jamaal Bowman. Pretty cynical move, AIPAC. A few words about Reese and Clark and Magic and Bird and Ali and Frazier. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Burke’s sentencing judge chastizes Danny Solis. Ben riffs. And Sarah Bingaman returns! Talking Blue politics from Red country Illinois. Sarah is a political activist from Lee County. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jeff Jenkins on MAGA Governor Kristi Noem, who claims to have killed her 14-month-old puppy for basically the high crime of being a14-month-old puppy. It’s pretty obvious Noem thinks killing a puppy will convince Trump to choose her as his running mate. But did she actually kill the puppy or did she make up the dog-killing story to impress Trump? Jeff trains dogs so he knows what Noem should have done with a rambunctious pup.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jason Dones is running for school board from a district on Chicago’s northwest side. He explains the process and talks the issues, including: charters, budgets, police in schools and handouts to Bears (yes, it would come from CPS). The election is in November. Welcome to democracy, Chicago. You’re only about 100 years late to the game.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

David Faris explains the alliance between MAGA judges and Trump, the MAGA man. Starting with Justice Alito flying his flag upside down, in solidarity with the insurrection. A few words about the polls. And how the NYT covers politics. David is a professor of political science at Roosevelt University and a political columnist for Slate and Newsweek. His views are his own. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Turns out the New York Times prohibits reporters from participating in protest marches. Rummana Hussain analyzes what’s that all about. A word or two about Milwaukee and Chicago. And the Sympathizer. Rummana is an editorial writer and columnist for the Sun-Times. Her views are her own. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Sun-Times feels compelled to add an editor’s note to a story about the boss. No, not Bruce Springsteen—the chairman of the board boss. No, not Sinatra. Ben riffs. Then Joanna riffs on Ben’s riff. And then they’re off… talkIng abortion rights, national politics and, Ben being Ben, basketball. Joanna is a political strategist. Her views are her own.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Chicago takes a segregationist’s name off of one public school and puts RBG’s on another. Ben riffs. Dr. Cowett talks abortion rights. The impact on Chicago when MAGA states outlaw abortion. What to say to Fox News talking heads when they say—hop on a bus. Why MAGA’s assault on abortion rights is a medical crisis. And why Chicago needs a quiet zone outside clinics. Dr. Cowett is the medical director of Family Planning Associates Medical Group, one of the largest independent abortion facilities in the country.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Donald Trump hates on Milwaukee. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson explains why Trump is staying in Chicago and not Milwaukee for the GOP convention, even though the convention is in Milwaukee not Chicago. Then he explains why Charlamagne Tha God is singing a new song about Black voters loving Trump. And then he explains why he believes unnamed WBEZ and Sun-Times editors felt compelled to write their unsigned editor's note. And more...See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rick Telander teaches aspiring young journalists how to cover TIFs. Ben riffs. Mick Dumke joins the riff. Soon they’re leading a symposium on journalism. Mick then discusses his latest investigative story. It deals with drugs, low income housing, policing and the inability of the CHA to take care of its property. Also, a few words about Sherman Alexie. Mick is a reporter for Block Club. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

David Faris sends out a warning—Trump’s looking for vengeance. But first he, Trump, must figure out his position on abortion. And a few words about Hunter Biden, who’s a classic senator’s son. To paraphrase John Fogarty. David is a political science professor at Roosevelt University and a columnist for Slate and Newsweek. His opinions are his own. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben gets an unexpected turn of events that leaves him asking—what would Joe do? Joe as in Rogan.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Eric Zorn has a good response to pearl clutches, like Ben, who thought it was unfair for a movie maker to entrap the Alitos. Ben riffs. And Sarah Garza Resnick talks all things abortion rights. Including Trump’s attempts to bamboozle voters with his leave it up to the state’s ploy. And how the MAGA justices tried to defuse the abortion issue to help elect Trump. And how the MAGA zealots have IVF on the chopping block as well. Sarah is CEO of Personnel PAC, an abortion rights advocacy group. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

North Dakota voters ban geezers—sorta. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson talks Trump’s senility, Biden’s age, Alito’s recording, Hunter’s conviction, Democrat’s timidity, Burke’s sentencing and Mayor Johnson’s haircuts.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hunter Biden is convicted. Ben riffs. Miles Kampf-Lassin talks hard right election gains in Europe. Netanyahu’s tactics. Billionaires make their move for Trump—so much for democracy. Labor after the UAW vote in Alabama. And this being the Ben show…a few words about Caitlin Clark. Miles is an editor/writer for In TheseTimes.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

MAGA Chicago loves Ben as long as they find him useful, Ben riffs. Stacy Davis Gates talks contract negotiations, legacy media, Bears stadium and more. Including a few words about Anthony Edwards. Stacy is the president of the Chicago Teachers Union. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.