Episodes

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 they’re too scared to do the right thing by kicking Trump off the ballot. Let’s put Judge Tracie Porter on US Supreme Court! Jacob is the executive director of the Cook County Democratic Party. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 more. Casting director, writer and film historian, Pemon is the author of When Black Was Golden. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rummana Hussain talks about the editorial she wrote calling for a ceasefire in Israel and Gaza. Probably the most important Sun-Times editorial since the one endorsing mayoral candidate Lightfoot. Rummana is a columnist/editorial writer for the Chicago Sun-Times. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The state board of elections keeps Trump on the ballot. Ben riffs. Stacy Davis Gates adds a riff or two of her own on...charter schools, selective enrollment, Trump, MAGA's desire to play basketball without rules (a metaphor, people), the proposed Sox Stadium for the 78 development, Shawn Fain and why she endorses a ceasefire in Gaza. Also, a few words of love for flag football. Stacy Davis Gates 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.

Pat Whalen has so much to say and not enough time to I say it. And he and Ben talk ShotSpotter, Mayor Johnson and the press, the not so subtle art of evasion, Baby Bobby Kennedy and Mayor Rahm’s base. Also….more Sposato! Pat is a comedian and impresario. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

David Faris tells you everything you need to know about NAT0, Biden, Putin, Trump and November’s election, and how they’re all connected. David is a professor of political science at Roosevelt University and a columnist for Slate and Newsweek. His views and 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.

It’s been a rough week on the public relations front for Mayor Johnson. So Ben and political strategist Laurie Glenn have a lot to discuss. In particular…is it better to court local reporters or ignore them? Does the mainstream media have a bias for white mayors and against Black mayors? And more. Also, Laurie’s powerful defense of abortion rights in the wake of the Supreme Court ruling out of Alabama. Laurie Glenn is the president and CEO of Thinkinc communications. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dorothy Tucker led a team of investigators through years of crime statistics to discover a horrific reality—most of the crime in Chicago is committed against Black women. Her powerful series is compelling and upsetting. She talks to Ben about her findings. Dorothy Tucker is a reporter for CBS2 Chicago snd the immediate past president of the National Association of Black Journalists. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Is Paul Vallas a Republican. Ben riffs. Gabriel Cortez makes his debut. Talking about growing up at Chicago and Damien back in the day, and going to Prosser as opposed to Wells or Clemente. And charter schools. And choice. And Blacks and Latinos. And why Chicago doesn’t embrace the migrants. Gabriel is a professor at Northeastern Illinois University. His views are his and his alone. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mayor Johnson asks the Sun-Times editorial board to go off the record. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson explains how mayors use the press and why the press wants to be used. Also, advice for Fani Willis. And the Trump blessing goes to Mike Bost not Darren Bailey. And a tribute to Joyce Owens and Richard Hunt. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Trump wins the New Hampshire Republican primary. David Faris tells us what it means. And why Nikki Haley stays in the race. Also, a few words about lefties and President Biden. David Faris is a columnist for Newsweek and Slate and a professor of political science at Roosevelt University. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Kam Buckner says no to DNC without federal assistance for housing. Ben riffs. Leor Galil talks about how the Holocaust has been misused. Especially if it’s used to justify carnage in Gaza. Also, Elon Musk’s conflicted attitude about Jewish people. Chicago’s obsession with The Bear. And the Ravenswood rathole. And how it all relates to Lolla. And more! Leor is a staff writer for the Reader. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rummana Hussain talks about the ethics of journalism. Specifically, the bias against lefties. Unattributed quotes. Reading back quotes. A few word about protests. And some sweet words for King Sourpuss—Larry David. Rummana is an editorial writer/columnist for the Sun-Times. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Well, it’s more than a week in review. More like several centuries in review. As Ben and Jauwan Hall-Bertrand start with Nikki Haley recently opining that America is not a racist country. That leads to a discussion of reparations. And what the Bulls can do to exorcise the Jordan curse. Hint—buy that mansion. And more, including much love for Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and his take on Trump not signing the loyalty oath in Illinois. Jauwan is a veteran (Marines), human rights advocate and political activist in Chicago. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Clayton Harris III is running for Cook County State’s Attorney on a platform of safety and justice. In other words, making sure that prosecutors keep people safe from dangerous people who need to be locked up without locking everyone up. He explains how it can be done. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sox want to build a new ballpark. Ben riffs. Then Alden Loury leads us on a wonderful journalistic and spiritual journey. Talking economic development, Black demographics, crime, the psychology of dibs and culminating in a description of his cross country trip to the Grand Canyon. And then…a passionate riff on Justin Fields. Alden Loury is editor/columnist for WBEZ and the Sun-Times. And one of Chicago’s great demographers. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A judge admonishes Tim Mapes. Ben riffs. And it’s welcome back day on the show as Ben welcomes back his First Tuesdays partner Maya Dukmasova. Maya tells you all you need to know about judicial elections. And she knows a lot! Maya is a reporter for Injustice Watch. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Miles and Ben discuss a week’s worth of news, including…The City Council debates Gaza ceasefire. President Biden may have to win without the left. The similarities between the ‘68 presidential election and this one. Charter schools in Chicago. Chicago’s curious attitude toward migrants. And Ron DeSantis’ failed attempt to out Trump Trump. Miles is an editor/writer for In These Times. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The NBA trade deadline just passed and it’s time to figure out how the Bulls did. Ben and Pushkar Sharma debate almost every conceivable angle even remotely involved, including…MJ, Thibs, Jerry Krause, Jerry Reinsdorf, Scottie Pippen, Derrick Rose, Charles Oakley, the Knicks and more. They finally reach consensus on the proposed Sox stadium, Pushkar is a mediator and diplomat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

State Senator Willie Preston is a rookie legislator who is quickly learning the ins and out of politics in Chicago. He explains how he won election even as man no one sent, senator Preston represents the 16th district on the south side. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Time to wrap up what’s been going down with the poker man—Brendan Shiller. Starting with…78 handout. Or, why is Chicago always so eager to give money to rich people. And how the news feeding business works. And the ceasefire resolution, and is Biden too old. Brendan’s prediction—neither Trump nor Biden will he on the ballot in November. Brendan is a longtime Chicago activist who’s since moved to Vegas to pursue a career playing poker. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Trump wins the Iowa caucus. Ben riffs. Then Alderwoman Jeanette Taylor riffs on Ben’s riff. The discussion turns to Chicago. Jeanette talks about the reaction to her last conversation with Ben. The lesson being…MAGA hears what it wants to hear and disregards the rest. A shoutout to Dorothy Tucker’s latest investigation brings the conversation to violence against Black women. Jeanette Taylor is alderwoman of the 20th ward. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.