The Mincing Rascals

Latest Episodes:

The Mincing Rascals 2.12.25: Madigan verdict, Blagojevich pardon, Dexter Reed settlement Feb 13, 2025

Show notes

The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn, Publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, Brandon Pope, of WCIU, political pundit Marj Halperin, and longtime Chicago journalist Cate Plys. Woah, a lot of news already this week! The Rascals kick things off discussing the most important story of the week: The controversy surrounding the Super Bowl halftime show! Next, the Rascals break down the Mike Madigan verdict. What were the major takeaways from the trial and today’s verdict. Also this week, President Trump pardoned disgraced former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich. What do the Rascals think of the pardon? The Chicago City Council delayed voting on the $1.25 million settlement that was to be given to Dexter Reed’s family, who was shot by police in March of 2024. Also this week, the DuPage County Board voted to remove former US Rep. Henry Hyde’s name from a courthouse. Do the Rascals believe Hyde’s name should have been removed? Speaking of name changes, a reporter from the AP was banned from the White House because AP has not adopted Gulf of America. And what did the Rascals make of the video that JB Pritzker released last week announcing Lake Illinois.

https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7280373/7280373_2025-02-13-005113.64kmono.mp3

Senate race controversy, millionaire tax, hotel strike

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Ramaswamy ad, polling accuracy, Chicago budget

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New press secretary, midterm election, Chicago budget

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Trump ads, Cornell rape case, Christa Pike

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AI meeting, parking meter deal, midterm election

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The Mincing Rascals 2.5.25: DEI debate, public art controversy, Mayor Johnson’s favorability Feb 06, 2025

Show notes

The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn, Publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, Brandon Pope, of WCIU, political pundit Marj Halperin, and Austin Berg of the Illinois Policy Institute. The Rascals kick off the podcast talking about the biggest national political stories of the week including President Trump blaming DEI for the D.C. plane crash, Elon Muck’s DOGE taking control of the federal payment database, and having access to the Treasury, the Department of Justice looking into FBI agents who worked on Jan. 6 cases. The Rascals unpack all the stories and take a deep dive into the DEI debate. This week, things got heated at a city council meeting over a controversial public art display at the Chicago Cultural Center. What to do the Rascals make of what happened at city council yesterday between Alder Conway and Alder Sigcho-Lopez? A new poll done by the Illinois Policy Institute and M3 Strategies shows Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s approval rating down to 14%. Austin breaks down the numbers. And what is the latest on the Bring Chicago Home initiative and Mayor Johnson’s plan for a Bears stadium downtown. And the possible trade war has even spread to sports as some fans have been booing the national anthem in response to tariffs on Canada. What will happen when Edmonton comes to Chicago to play the Hawks? Will the fans boo the Canadian anthem?

https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7262868/7262868_2025-02-06-004008.64kmono.mp3

The Mincing Rascals

Senate race controversy, millionaire tax, hotel strike

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Ramaswamy ad, polling accuracy, Chicago budget

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New press secretary, midterm election, Chicago budget

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Trump ads, Cornell rape case, Christa Pike

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AI meeting, parking meter deal, midterm election

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The Mincing Rascals 1.29.25: Funding freeze chaos, ICE raids, Madigan trial Jan 29, 2025

Show notes

The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Brandon Pope, of WCIU, longtime Chicago journalist Cate Plys, and Austin Berg of the Illinois Policy Institute. This week, the Rascals start the podcast discussing the confusion over the Trump administration’s federal funding freeze. What were the big takeaways from the chaos that ensued this week? ICE agents came to Chicago over the weekend to search for immigrants with criminal histories. Austin explains the collateral damage that comes with such raids. Where are the rest of the Rascals on what happened? Also, why was Dr. Phil hanging around? The Rascals also comment on the news that the White House will expand access to press briefings. Is expanding access to new media a good idea? The jury has begun deliberations in former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan’s corruption trial. Do the Rascals believe Madigan will be found guilty of the charges? And what are the Rascals recommending this week? Cate and Brandon want you to watch some new TV, while John and Austin highlight a couple of books they have been enjoying.

https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7186815/7186815_2025-01-29-234115.64kmono.mp3

The Mincing Rascals

Senate race controversy, millionaire tax, hotel strike

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Ramaswamy ad, polling accuracy, Chicago budget

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New press secretary, midterm election, Chicago budget

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Trump ads, Cornell rape case, Christa Pike

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AI meeting, parking meter deal, midterm election

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The Mincing Rascals 1.22.25: Birthright citizenship, J6 pardons, controversial puppet display Jan 22, 2025

Show notes

The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn, Publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, Austin Berg of the Illinois Policy Institute, and longtime Chicago journalist Cate Plys! The Rascals kick off the podcast discussing the first days of the Trump presidency. The news is coming fast and furious, but what stood out most to the Rascals? Members of the Chicago City Council are demanding the removal of a puppet display at the Cultural Center saying it is antisemitic. What do the Rascals make of this new controversy? The Rascals end the podcast with their recommendations. What should you be watching (after listening to this podcast, of course) right now?

https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7160829/7160829_2025-01-22-235629.64kmono.mp3

The Mincing Rascals

Senate race controversy, millionaire tax, hotel strike

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Ramaswamy ad, polling accuracy, Chicago budget

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New press secretary, midterm election, Chicago budget

.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}

Trump ads, Cornell rape case, Christa Pike

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AI meeting, parking meter deal, midterm election

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The Mincing Rascals 1.15.25: Driving test age, Trump inauguration, L.A. wildfires Jan 16, 2025

Show notes

The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn, Publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, Brandon Pope, of WCIU, political pundit Marj Halperin, and longtime Chicago journalist Cate Plys! This week the Rascals debate the proposed legislation that aims to increase the age for seniors to retake driver’s test from 79 to 87. Where are the Rascals on this controversial topic? The inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump is on Monday. Michelle Obama won’t be attending. And Speaker Mike Johnson announced that American flags at the Capitol would be temporarily raised defying a presidential order put in place last month to mourn the death of former President Jimmy Carter. What do the Rascals make of these developments? Senate confirmation hearings continue in Washington D.C. this week. What did the Rascals take away from the hearings? Wildfires devastated the Los Angeles area and a controversy erupted over the use of private firefighters. What do the Rascals think of the use of private firefighters? And shouldn’t there be places in the U.S. where people shouldn’t be allowed to live? The Indiana General Assembly is considering legislation that would adjust the state’s borders to include Illinois counties that have voted to secede. Should Illinois counties be able to secede and join Indiana? And finally, what are the Rascals *not* recommending this week. Cate didn’t like ‘Wicked,’ Brandon trashes ‘Emilia Perez,’ Marj disliked ‘Nickel Boys,’ Eric didn’t enjoy the book, “Long Island Compromise,’ and John says take a pass on ‘Squid Game.’

https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7151126/7151126_2025-01-16-005626.64kmono.mp3

The Mincing Rascals

Senate race controversy, millionaire tax, hotel strike

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Ramaswamy ad, polling accuracy, Chicago budget

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New press secretary, midterm election, Chicago budget

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Trump ads, Cornell rape case, Christa Pike

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AI meeting, parking meter deal, midterm election

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The Mincing Rascals 1.8.25: Madigan testimony, Greenland, Meta fact-checking Jan 08, 2025

Show notes

The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn, Publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, Austin Berg of the Illinois Policy Institute, political pundit Marj Halperin, and longtime Chicago journalist Cate Plys! This week the Rascals start the podcast talking about the seamless certification of the 2024 election. Wasn’t it nice to not have an insurrection this time around? On to the Mike Madigan corruption trial. This week, Madigan to took the stand in his own defense. What do the Rascals think of Madigan taking the stand? President-elect Donald Trump said this week that he wouldn’t rule out using force to acquire Greenland. Do the Rascals think that this is just Trump being Trump? Or is this something we need to be paying attention to? A Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist for The Washington Post resigned after the newspaper’s opinions section rejected a cartoon depicting The Post’s owner, Jeff Bezos, genuflecting toward a statue of President-elect Donald J. Trump. Do the Rascals believe this is censorship? Cate thinks the cartoon was lousy and should have been rejected on merit alone. Also, Meta announced that they will phase out their fact-checking program. Do the Rascals believe this is a good idea? And finally, it’s time for Rascals Recommendations! What are the Rascals watching and reading?

https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7141213/7141213_2025-01-08-231213.64kmono.mp3

The Mincing Rascals

Senate race controversy, millionaire tax, hotel strike

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Ramaswamy ad, polling accuracy, Chicago budget

.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}

New press secretary, midterm election, Chicago budget

.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}

Trump ads, Cornell rape case, Christa Pike

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AI meeting, parking meter deal, midterm election

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The Mincing Rascals 12.18.24: Drones, Chicago budget, Trump lawsuit Dec 18, 2024

Show notes

The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn, Publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, political pundit Marj Halperin, and longtime Chicago journalist Cate Plys! This week the Rascals kick off the show starting about the drones that have been flying over multiple states. What do the Rascals make of the story and the hysteria that it has created? This week, the Chicago City Council passed Mayor Johnson’s 2025 budget. What are the Rascals chief takeaways from Johnson’s budget and the council shenanigans leading up to its passage? Donald Trump filed a lawsuit against Iowa pollster Ann Selzer and the Des Moines Register for a pre-election poll that showed him trailing Vice President Kamala Harris. Eric finds this very ominous. And what about the chances RFK Jr. will be confirmed to lead HHS? And that’s a wrap for the 2024 Rascals! We’ll have “Best of” shows through the holidays and be back for your podcast listening pleasure in January! Thanks to each and every one of you!

https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7119752/7119752_2024-12-18-233652.64kmono.mp3

The Mincing Rascals

Senate race controversy, millionaire tax, hotel strike

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Ramaswamy ad, polling accuracy, Chicago budget

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New press secretary, midterm election, Chicago budget

.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}

Trump ads, Cornell rape case, Christa Pike

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AI meeting, parking meter deal, midterm election

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The Mincing Rascals 12.11.24: Immigration, birthright citizenship, U.S. healthcare Dec 12, 2024

Show notes

The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Jon Hansen of WGN Radio and Block Club Chicago, and Brandon Pope, host of ‘On the Block‘ on WCIU, This week, the Rascals start the show breaking down the Chicago visit from Tom Homan, President-elect Trump’s ‘border czar.’ Do the Rascals believe the new administration’s plan for mass deportation will happen? And what of birthright citizenship? Do the Rascals think the 14th Amendment survives? Mayor Brandon Johnson’s senior advisor Jason Lee is causing controversy for voting in Texas during the last election. What do the Rascals make of the latest Johnson administration slip up? New information continues to come out about Luigi Mangione, the person who shot UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Will this tragic incident spur any change with the U.S. healthcare system? And finally, it’s recommendation time for the Rascals! What are John, Jon, and Brandon watching? Oh, and as an added bonus, we get a brief appearance from Rascal Cate Plys at the end!

https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7108051/7108051_2024-12-12-003351.64kmono.mp3

The Mincing Rascals

Senate race controversy, millionaire tax, hotel strike

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Ramaswamy ad, polling accuracy, Chicago budget

.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}

New press secretary, midterm election, Chicago budget

.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}

Trump ads, Cornell rape case, Christa Pike

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AI meeting, parking meter deal, midterm election

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The Mincing Rascals 12.4.24: Madigan trial, Hunter Biden pardon, Pete Hegseth nomination Dec 04, 2024

Show notes

The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn, Publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, Austin Berg of the Illinois Policy Institute, Brandon Pope, host of ‘On the Block‘ on WCIU, and political pundit Marj Halperin! This week, the Rascals start the podcast discussing the Mike Madigan trial. Why should people still be interested in the trial? Controversy continues to follow Pete Hegseth, president-elect Trump’s pick for defense secretary. Do the Rascals believe Hegseth will continue to be the nominee? Next, the Rascals talk about President Biden pardoning his son Hunter. What do the Rascals think of the pardon? Do the Rascals believe Hunter would have been pardoned if Kamala Harris won the election? And do the Rascals believe Trump will pardon the January 6th rioters? New Cook County State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke will implement new policies that she hopes will reduce violence. Were the Rascals encouraged by her plans? And finally, it’s recommendation* time! What are the Rascals eating, drinking, watching, reading, or listening to?

https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7097705/7097705_2024-12-04-231905.64kmono.mp3

*The Mincing Rascals recommendations this week are:

John: “Yacht Rock,” a documentary on “the rise of the smooth West Coast sound pioneered by artists like Steely Dan, Toto, and Michael McDonald.” Streaming on Max
Brandon: The latest season of “Hard Knocks” behind the scenes NFL documentaries, this one featuring teams in the AFC North. Streaming on Max.
Marj: “Cross,” a police procedural based on James Patterson novels. Streaming on Amazon Prime; Hard Sell, a cocktail made with Malört, gin, lemon juice and St. Germaine.
Austin: “Playtime,” a 1967 movie directed and starring French film star Jacques Tati. Streaming on Amazon Prime; and the 2019 book “Music, a Subversive History “ by Ted Gioia
Eric: “A Man on the Inside,” the new Netflix series starring Ted Danson about a retiree who goes undercover at a retirement home in order to solve a crime; the macaroni and cheese recipe Cate Plys gave me last week that I made for our Thanksgiving dinner.

The Mincing Rascals

Senate race controversy, millionaire tax, hotel strike

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Ramaswamy ad, polling accuracy, Chicago budget

.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}

New press secretary, midterm election, Chicago budget

.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}

Trump ads, Cornell rape case, Christa Pike

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AI meeting, parking meter deal, midterm election

.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Click for more

The Mincing Rascals 11.26.24: Trump charges dropped, Johnson office drama, Shopping Cart Theory Nov 26, 2024

Show notes

The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn, Publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, longtime Chicago journalist Cate Plys, Brandon Pope, host of ‘On the Block‘ on WCIU, and political pundit Marj Halperin! The Rascals begin this special Tuesday holiday week episode of the podcast discussing The Shopping Cart Theory. Can you judge a person’s character if they properly return their shopping cart? Next, there is more drama in Mayor Johnson’s office as Johnson’s former communications director was the subject of multiple complaints alleging workplace misconduct. What do the Rascals make of the latest problem in the Johnson administration? Fresh from withdrawing his name to be the next attorney general, former Florida congressman Matt Gaetz joined Cameo. Special counsel Jack Smith is dropping the federal election subversion and classified documents cases against President-elect Trump. Do the Rascals believe the cases should be dropped? And finally, as we head towards the Thanksgiving holiday, what are the Rascals most thankful for this year.

https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7089284/7089284_2024-11-26-232824.64kmono.mp3