The Mincing Rascals

Latest Episodes:

The Mincing Rascals 7.2.25: Trump tax bill, Paramount settlement, birthright citizenship, One Fair Wage Jul 02, 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, Jon Hansen of WGN Radio and Block Club Chicago, and political pundit Marj Halperin! This week, the Rascals star the show talking about President Trump’s tax and policy bill. The Rascals break down the latest. Do the Rascals believe this bill will pass? And do the Rascals think this bill will backfire on Republicans who are voting yes? Next, the Rascals talk about Paramount agreeing to pay $16 million to settle a lawsuit brought by President Donald Trump that had alleged an interview that aired on “60 Minutes” with Kamala Harris, was edited to favor Harris. Eric says he will now refuse to watch CBS. Last week, the Supreme Court sided with President Trump in a birthright citizenship case. Austin explains why this is a really bad ruling. The city of Chicago is increasing the minimum wage for tipped workers. Do the Rascals like the One Fair Wage ordinance in general? And will this impact how you tip your server? Block Club is reporting that a few local politicians would like ICE agents to not be allowed to wear masks. Do the Rascals like this idea? 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/7503820/7-2-25_Mincing_Rascals_Trump_tax_bill_Paramount_Trump_lawsuit_settlement_SCOTUS_birthright_citizenship_tipped_minimum_wage_ICE_agent_masks_2025-07-02-230120.64kmono.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 6.25.25: Mamdani wins, Pritzker running again, U.S strikes on Iran Jun 25, 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 political pundit Marj Halperin! This week the Rascals head to New York to start the podcast and break down Zohran Mamdani winning the Democratic mayoral primary. What do the Rascals think the win means for the Democratic party? Governor JB Pritzker will officially announce he’s running for a third term tomorrow. Will he still eventually decide to run for president in 2028? The Rascals break down JB’s political future. The United States bombed Iranian nuclear sites over the weekend and the debate continues on just how much damage was done. What do the Rascals think of the initial military action and the debate on the effectiveness of the airstrikes? The Rascals also chat about some songs that were created entirely by AI. What did the Rascals think of the quality of AI songs and how do they think AI and emerging technology will impact the music industry? 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/7492382/7492382_2025-06-25-233922.64kmono.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 6.18.25: ICE raids, ‘No Kings’ protests, Terry Moran, Israel-Iran conflict, ‘snap curfew’ passes Jun 18, 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 kick off today’s podcast talking about some Illinois politicians being denied entry to ICE facilities this week. What are these types of actions designed to accomplish? The ‘No Kings’ protests across the country took place on Saturday. What were the big takeaways from the protests? And what did the Rascals make of the military parade in Washington DC? Former ABC news correspondent Terry Moran defended his tweet that criticized Stephen Miller and President Trump saying, ‘“You don’t sacrifice your citizenship in journalism and your job is not to be objective.’ Do the Rascals agree? The Israel-Iran conflict continues on. Are the Rascals concerned about the role the U.S. is playing? The ‘snap curfew’ ordinance in Chicago passed the City Council 27-22. Do the Rascals believe Mayor Johnson will veto it? Former Illinois Speaker of the House Mike Madigan was sentenced to 90 months in prison. Do the Rascals think the sentence was fair? 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/7480055/6-18-25_Mincing_Rascals_Ice_No_Kings_Terry_Moran_Iran_Israel_Mike_Madigan_snap_curfew_2025-06-18-234555.64kmono.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 6.11.25: Immigration protests, Terry Moran let go, Mike Madigan sentencing Jun 11, 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, and longtime Chicago journalist Cate Plys! The Rascals start off the podcast talking about the protests in Los Angeles against the Trump administration’s immigration policies. What are the major takeaways from the protests? ABC News didn’t renew the contract of correspondent Terry Moran this week after he criticized President Trump and Stephen Miller in a now deleted post on X. Did ABC make the right decision in letting Moran go? Former Illinois Speaker of the House Mike Madigan will be sentenced Friday on federal corruption charges. Do the Rascals believe Madigan will serve prison time? And if so, how much time? President Trump wants to give a $1,000 investment account to newborns born in the U.S.A. What do the Rascals think of this proposal? And of course, 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/7466876/6-11-25_Mincing_Rascals_Trump_immigration_protests_Mike_Madigan_sentencing_Terry_Morgan_ABC_money_to_newborns_2025-06-11-222316.64kmono.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 6.4.25: Mail-in voting law, medical aid in dying, gender identity debate Jun 04, 2025

Show notes

The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn, Publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, and longtime Chicago journalist Cate Plys! It’s a small, but mighty crew! This week, the Rascals start the podcast talking about the Supreme Court saying it would hear whether Republicans can challenge Illinois’ law that allows mail-in election ballots to be counted 14 days after Election Day. What do the Rascals expect to happen here? The Illinois General Assembly ended the spring session in Springfield without approving a bill that would let terminally ill people end their own lives. Where are the Rascals on the medical aid in dying bill? Brandon Johnson’s photographer was fired over allegations that he carried a gun in a city car. Eric believes the gun is not the issue as much as the fact that the mayor employs a photographer when the city is experiencing major budget woes. The Trump administration is targeting the state of California because a trans athlete won a track event over the weekend. The Rascals discuss the controversy. Finally, the Rascals close with red light, yellow light, green light! What are Eric, John, and Cate recommending (or not recommending) this week?

https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7454480/6-4-25_Mincing_Rascals_mail_in_election_law_medical_aid_in_daying_brandon_johnson_trans_athlete_wins_race_2025-06-04-224520.64kmono.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 5.28.25: Chicago crime down, POTUS pardons, Harvard vs. Trump May 28, 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 start the podcast this week talking about violence being down over Memorial Day weekend and crime in general being down in Chicago. Are Mayor Johnson’s policies working? The Rascals break down the statistics. Unfortunately, Jussie Smollett is back in the news for donating $50,000 to an arts center to settle Chicago’s lawsuit. Eric hopes this is the last time we’ll have to talk about Jussie Smollett. Next, the Rascals talk about the latest rounds of pardons by President Trump. Should there be a constitutional amendment to change the power of the pardon? President Trump has escalated his war on Harvard. The Rascals wonder why Harvard? A couple of airlines made news this week with Southwest beginning to charge for checked bags and Turkish aviation officials want to fine passengers that stand up after landing. What one change would the Rascals make to make air travel more comfortable? Also on the travel front, Cate gets everyone up to speed on the Red Line extension project. Why has the projected cost of the project gotten out of hand? 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/7440321/5-28-25_Mincing_Rascals_Chicago_crime_Trump_pardons_Harvard_Jussie_Smollett_red_line_extension_2025-05-28-230021.64kmono.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 5.21.25: DOJ investigation, ‘snap curfews,’ Biden cancer May 21, 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, and longtime Chicago journalist Cate Plys! The Rascals start off the podcast talking about the Department of Justice looking into the hiring practices of Mayor Brandon Johnson. What do the Rascals make of the DOJ probe? The Chicago City Council did not take a vote today on ‘snap curfews.’ Do the Rascals think that ‘snap curfews’ could be effective? Pivoting to the WNBA, the Rascals chat about the game between the Chicago Sky and the Indiana Fever last weekend. What are the Rascals thoughts on the budding rivalry between Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese? It was revealed over the weekend that former President Biden was diagnosed with an advanced stage of prostate cancer. The Rascals talk about the diagnosis, and the controversy surrounding the book by Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson on Biden’s mental decline. And speaking of controversy, the Sun-Times is being criticized for using AI to create a summer reading guide containing books that don’t exist. The Rascals break it 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/7428542/5-21-25_Mincing_Rascals_DOJ_probe_Chicago_hiring_snap_curfew_WNBA_Biden_Cancer_Sun_Times_use_of_AI_2025-05-21-235442.64kmono.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 5.14.25: Pope Leo XIV, Qatari jet, Biden’s decline May 14, 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! This week, the Rascals start the podcast talking about their favorite story, meme, etc. about Pope Leo XIV. Are we pope’d out yet? As usual, plenty of news about the Trump administration this week. The gift of the plane from Qatar, the attempt to assert control of the Library of Congress, Trump meme coin. What’s an attraction and what’s a distraction? Former Chicago resident Ken Griffin said he will loan his copies of the Constitution and Bill of Rights to the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia. John wonders if the current Constitution as written is still a relevant document. CNN’s Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson from Axios are making news this week as excerpts from their book about President Biden’s decline are starting to come out. What do the Rascals make of these stories about Biden’s competency and behavior? And will we eventually hear similar stories about Donald Trump when his term is over? In a couple of interviews this week, Mayor Brandon Johnson is still denying he fired Dr. Allison Arwady despite evidence to the contrary. Why is Johnson still saying Dr. Arwady quit? And now that Johnson is two years in, what are the major takeaways from his term so far. 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/7417533/5-14-25_Mincing_Rascals_Pope_Leo_XIV_Trump_Qatar_Ken_Griffin_Biden_book_Mayor_Johnson_Arwady_2025-05-14-234333.64kmono.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 5.7.25: Senate race, George Ryan legacy, Alcatraz, movie tariffs May 07, 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 political pundit Marj Halperin! The Rascals begin the podcast discussing U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL 8) announcing that he’ll be running for the senate seat being vacated by Dick Durbin. The Rascals break down the early stages of the race. The Rascals also talk about U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky making the decision to not seek reelection. What do the Rascals think of Kat Abughazaleh, the progressive social media star who already announced her intentions to replace Rep. Schakowsky. Former Illinois Governor George Ryan passed away last week. What should we remember about Ryan’s legacy? The Christopher Columbus statue in won’t be returning to Arrigo Park and will now be displayed in a new Chicago Museum of Italian Immigration on Taylor Street. Where are the Rascals on the latest Columbus controversy? President Trump continues to make news this week. There was the AI image of Trump as the Pope, the idea to reopen Alcatraz, tariffs on films made outside of the U.S, 2 dolls vs. 30 dolls, $1000 to self-deport, Canada at the 51st state, etc. Are these attractions or distractions?

https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7404361/5-7-25_Mincing_Rascals_Senate_race_Schakowsky_Columbus_George_Ryan_Trump_2025-05-07-232501.64kmono.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 4.30.25: Durbin’s successor, Trump 100 days, Amazon tariffs, plastic ban Apr 30, 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 (sign up for his new Substack!), longtime Chicago journalist Cate Plys, and political pundit Marj Halperin! The Rascals begin the podcast discussing the odds that Governor Pritzker becomes president, former governor Rod Blagojevich makes a run for Illinois senator, or Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton takes Senator Durbin’s seat. Eric explains why he is upset that Governor Pritzker and Senator Duckworth already put their fingers on the scale in favor of Stratton in the race to replace Senator Durbin. But what about Pritzkers’ fiery speech in New Hampshire over the weekend? A news story broke earlier this week that suggested Amazon was going to display tariff costs on items. A few hours later, Amazon said that was never the plan. Will Jeff Bezos ultimately decide to display tariff costs? President Trump did an interview with ABC news where he discussed tourism, tariffs, and the detainment of Abrego Garcia. What were the big takeaways from the interview? The Chicago Teachers Union is encouraging students and staff to miss school for a political rally. Austin gets us up to speed on the controversy. Legislation is pending in Illinois that would ban large retailers from using single-use plastic or styrofoam. What do the Rascals think of the proposed legislation? 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/7392715/4-30-25_Mincing_Rascals_Trump_100_Amazon_Tariffs_Durbin_vacancy_plastic_ban_2025-04-30-230515.64kmono.mp3