The Mincing Rascals

Latest Episodes:

The Mincing Rascals 9.10.25: Charlie Kirk shot dead, ICE raids, Darren Bailey running Sep 10, 2025

Show notes

The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn, publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, Austin Berg, Executive Director of the Chicago Policy Center and The Last Ward, and long-time Chicago journalist Cate Plys, publisher of Roseland, Chicago: 1972. This week the Rascals address the breaking news that conservative activist Charlie Kirk was shot at an event in Utah Valley University in Utah. The Rascals share their initial thoughts. Next, the Rascals discuss ‘Operation Midway Blitz,’ the Trump administration’s effort to ramp up federal immigration raids. The Rascals break down the latest immigration enforcement operations. This week, Chicago city crews cleared a homeless encampment in Legion Park. The Rascals discuss what should be done with these encampments and the unhoused people living in these conditions. Late last Friday, Mayor Brandon Johnson announced the new alderman of the 27th Ward would be Walter “Red” Burnett, the son of former 27th Ward Ald. Walter Burnett. Austin says Chicago is the only major city where the mayor directly appoints members of the City Council. Austin explains why this is anti-democratic. In other local news, downtown Alderman Brendan Reilly announced he would challenge Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. Do the Rascals think Reilly has a chance to oust Preckwinkle? It looks like Darren Bailey will take on Gov. JB Pritzker again in the 2026 Illinois governor race. How are the Rascals feeling about Bailey’s attempt to unseat Pritzker? Okay, attraction / distraction: Epstein birthday book. And finally, it’s time for red light, yellow light, green light. What are the Rascals recommending (or not recommending) this week?

https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7704552/9-10-25_Mincing_Rascals_Charlie_Kirk_shooting_ICE_raids_Red_Burnett_Brendan_Reilly_Darren_Bailey_Jeffrey_Epstein_2025-09-10-230052.64kmono.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 9.3.25: Chicago crime, National Guard, political messaging Sep 03, 2025

Show notes

The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn, Publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, multi-media journalist Brandon Pope, Publisher of Brandon Pope’s Screening Room, political pundit Marj Halperin, and longtime Chicago journalist Cate Plys! The Rascals kick off the podcast talking about the the level of crime in Chicago and if the problem merits the deployment of the National Guard. Where are the Rascals on Chicago violence, the National Guard, the messaging by Democrats, and how Chicago crime is perceived by those outside of Chicago? JB Pritzker has recently lost some weight (some might say in preparation for a run for president) and declined to answer when he was asked if he’s using weight loss drugs. Do the Rascals find anything wrong with his answer? Last week, there was a mass shooting at a Minneapolis Catholic school. Was the gender identity of the shooting suspect needed to tell the story? President Trump said that he’ll give Rudy Giuliani the Presidential Medal of Freedom. What are the Rascals thoughts on this? And finally, it’s time for red light, yellow light, green light! What are the Rascals recommending (or not recommending) this week?

https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7693226/9-3-25_Mincing_Rascals_Trump_National_Guard_Chicago_violence_JB_Pritzker_mass_shooting_Rudy_Giuliani_2025-09-03-235926.64kmono.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 8.27.25: National Guard, Chicago finances, Trump distractions Aug 27, 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 The Last Ward, and political pundit Marj Halperin! The Rascals begin the podcast talking about President Trump possibly sending the National Guard to Chicago to combat crime. Do the Rascals think deploying the National Guard to the streets of Chicago is a good way to deter violence? Austin wrote a piece for City Journal that suggests state leaders should change the law to allow municipalities to enter Chapter 9 bankruptcy to clean up the city’s finances. Do the rest of the Rascals think bankruptcy is a viable option? Marj recently wrote an opinion piece in Crain’s about a new Chicago Fire stadium at the 78, and explains why she still has some reservations about the project. There were a lot of distractions this week from the Trump administration including the ban on flag burning, Fed governor removal, the Cracker Barrel logo controversy, etc. The Rascals break them all down. And finally, it’s time for red light, yellow light, green light. What are the Rascals recommending (or not recommending) this week?

https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7682742/8-27-25_Mincing_Rascals_National_Guard_Chicago_finances_trouble_bankruptcy_Chicago_Fire_78_Cracker_Barrel_distractions_2025-08-27-220242.64kmono.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 8.20.25: Speed cameras, CPS shakedown, Ukraine-Russia peace talks Aug 20, 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 The Last Ward, and political pundit Marj Halperin! This week the Rascals begin the podcast with a fascinating discussion about the future of journalism and Substack. The Rascals then mince about Chicago Tribune film critic Michael Phillips announcing he’s taking a buyout from the paper. Do the Rascals think the city needs a local movie critic? There was a Tribune editorial about the dangers of driving on DuSable Lake Shore Drive. Should we put speed cameras (or even AI) on DLSD to catch speeders? Austin gets us up to speed on a critical budget vote scheduled for Chicago Public Schools later this month. Last Friday, President Trump met with Vladimir Putin to discuss a peace deal with Ukraine. And then earlier this week President Trump met with Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders to discuss how the war Russia-Ukraine war might be resolved. What were the major takeaways? Also this week, President Trump said the Smithsonian focuses too much on ‘how bad slavery was.’ Is this all just a distraction? California Governor Gavin Newsom has been trolling President Trump on social media. Do the Rascals think this mockery is effective and what does it mean for Newsom’s political future?

https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7657942/8-20-25_Mincing_Rascals_speed_cameras_Michael_Phillips_CPS_budget_vote_Trump-Putin_Gavin_Newsom_2025-08-20-223342.64kmono.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 8.13.25: Dexter Reed decision, redistricting debate, Smithsonian review Aug 13, 2025

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, and political pundit Marj Halperin! The Rascals begin the podcast talking about the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office declining to file charges against the Chicago police officers who fired dozens of shots at Dexter Reed. Do the Rascals agree with the decision by State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke’s office. The Rascals also catch us up on the latest movements of the Texas legislators who came to Illinois to avoid voting on a GOP-favored map. And what about the responses to the redistricting debate from Governor JB Pritzker and California Governor Gavin Newsom? This week, Mayor Brandon Johnson said that if the Bears move to the suburbs, they should be called the Arlington Heights Bears. What do the Rascals make of those comments? Mayor Brandon Johnson’s chief financial officer, says Illinois’ regressive tax structure is ‘crime of the century’ that needs to be solved. The Rascals break it down. New York City is proposing a 15mph speed limit on e-bikes. Do the Rascals think Chicago should propose the same limit? The Trump administration will begin a review of current and planned exhibitions at the Smithsonian so that they align with President Trump’s vision. The Rascals have thoughts. Also this week, President Donald Trump said he was nominating economist E.J. Antoni as the new Bureau of Labor Statistics commissioner. The Rascals explain why the find this nomination very troubling. And finally, it’s time for red light, yellow light, green light! What are the Rascals recommending (or not recommending) this week.

https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7646866/8-13-25_Mincing_Rascals_Dexter_Reed_Bears_Arlington_Heights_Texas_redistricting_regressive_tax_BLS_e_bike_limit_2025-08-13-233706.64kmono.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 8.6.25: Texas redistricting, Chicago pension boost, DuSable Lake Shore Drive future Aug 06, 2025

Show notes

The Mincing Rascals this week are Jon Hansen of WGN Radio and Block Club Chicago, longtime Chicago journalist Cate Plys, and Austin Berg of the Illinois Policy Institute. Our small, but mighty podcast crew start the episode talking about Texas lawmakers coming to Illinois to avoid voting on a new legislative map that would favor the GOP. Governor Pritzker even went on with Stephen Colbert to talk about the issue! What are the Rascals takeaways? Next, the Rascals talk about Governor Pritzker signing a new bill that will boost the pensions of some Chicago police officers and firefighters. And finally, The Chicago Park District wants to move a portion of DuSable Lake Shore Drive underground. Do the Rascals like this proposal? If money were no object, how would the Rascals see the future of DLSD?

https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7578788/8-6-25_Mincing_Rascals_Texas_legislators_Pritzker_redistricting_Chicago_pension_future_of_DLSD_2025-08-06-233228.64kmono.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 7.30.25: Jesse Jackson Jr. political future, taxing the rich, legislative redistricting Jul 30, 2025

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, and political pundit Marj Halperin! The Rascals begin the podcast talking about the possibility of Jesse Jackson Jr. running for congress. Should a convicted felon be allowed to run for federal office? Mayor Brandon Johnson is considering several strategies that would tax the wealthy residents of Chicago. What do the Rascals make of these ideas? Former congressman and U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood is leading an effort to end the partisan influence on drawing state legislative boundaries. Do the Rascals think this is something that needs to be done to end gerrymandering? It’s time for attraction / distraction. President Trump this week went after Beyoncé, former president Barack Obama, the press who continue to dig into the Jeffrey Epstein story, etc. Were all of these distractions? And will the Epstein story eventually impact the midterm elections? And finally, it’s time for red light / yellow light / green light. What are the Rascals recommending (or not recommending) this week?

https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7551183/7-30-25_Mincing_Rascals_Jesse_Jackson_Jr_Brandon_Johnson_taxes_legislative_redistricting_Trump_Epstein_distraction_2025-07-30-235423.64kmono.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 7.23.25: Colbert canceled, Epstein files, Coldplay kiss cam Jul 23, 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 The Last Ward, and political pundit Marj Halperin! The Rascals start the podcast talking about CBS canceling ‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.’ Where are the Rascals on the cancellation? Was this just a financial decision by CBS or is there something more sinister happening? This week, Donald Trump pushed for Coca-Cola to be made with American cane sugar, and for the Washington Commanders to change their name back to Redskins. Do the Rascals think these are all distractions to take away the Jeffrey Epstein story? And do the Rascals think there is any type of smoking gun in the Epstein files? A tech CEO was caught with the company’s HR head on a kiss cam at a Coldplay concert last week. Do the Rascals have any sympathy for the couple? A police board ruled that a Chicago police officer who tested positive for marijuana can keep his job. Do the Rascals think this was the fair decision? Mayor Brandon Johnson is cracking down on people who continue to smoke on CTA trains and buses. Are Mayor Johnson’s efforts (placing social workers at CTA stops, starting an anti-smoking campaign, etc.) enough? And finally, Mayor Johnson’s team is floating another plan to raise property taxes. Austin gets everyone up to speed on the proposal for the 2026 budget. The Rascals end the podcast with red light, yellow light, green light! What are the Rascals recommending (or not recommending) this week?

https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7538002/7-23-25_Mincing_Rascals_Stephen_Colbert_Jeffrey_Epstein_Coldplay_kiss_cam_CPD_marijuana_CTA_smoking_property_tax_2025-07-23-223202.64kmono.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 7.16.25: Flooding in the US, Epstein, MLB All-Star Game & Emmys Jul 16, 2025

Show notes

We have a packed panel on this week’s edition of The Mincing Rascals. This week your Rascals are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn, Publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, political pundit Marj Halperin, longtime Chicago journalist Cate Plys, Emmy-winning journalist Brandon Pope, and Austin Berg of the Illinois Policy Institute. The Rascals start the podcast by talking about the unpredictable flooding that continues to affect many areas in the U.S. and share their thoughts on whether or not the government should do away with FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency). Then, the Rascals pivot and discuss the Jeffrey Epstein case. They also touch on the MLB All-Star Game, Emmy nominations and more.

https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7526009/7526009_2025-07-16-233009.64kmono.mp3

The Mincing Rascals

Senate race controversy, millionaire tax, hotel strike

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

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 7.9.25: Texas floods, NASCAR in Chicago, Ed Burke released from prison Jul 09, 2025

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! The Rascals start the podcast talk about the devastating flooding in Texas. There has been a lot of finger pointing, but is it too early to place blame for the catastrophe? 4th of July has come and gone, but John heard from many listeners this week who either didn’t fly a flag or displayed a flag upside down in protest of the current administration. Do the Rascals think this is an effective way to protest? Are people still proud to be American? And have people ceded the American flag to President Trump? The NASCAR event took place in Chicago over the holiday weekend. It’s not known yet if the race will be back in Chicago next year. Do the Rascals want NASCAR to return? Former Alderman Ed Burke was released early from federal prison. What do the Rascals think of the decision to release Burke early? Eric believes history will be unkind to Burke. And speaking of crime and politicians, the Rascals break down the political futures of former congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. and disgraced former governor Rod Blagojevich. And should convicted felons be allowed to run for federal office?

https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7513313/7-9-25_Mincing_Rascals_Texas_floods_Ed_Burke_prison_Jesse_Jackson_Jr_Rod_Blagojevich_American_flag_display_NASCAR_2025-07-09-235213.64kmono.mp3