Podcasts about chicago sun times

About 17 of the 32 people charged with nonimmigration crimes during Operation Midway Blitz have had their cases dropped with no convictions. Regardless, the toll that comes with federal prosecution doesn't just disappear as soon as the case does. In the Loop talks to Jocelyne Robledo, a defendant of one of the 17 failed prosecution cases and with Jon Seidel, Chicago Sun-Times federal courts reporter. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

In this week's episode photographer Pete Souza takes on our 'Proust Photo Quiz'... The Proust Questionnaire is a set of questions answered by the French writer Marcel Proust. Proust answered the questionnaire in a confession album, a form of parlour game popular at the end of the 1890s. The album, titled An Album to Record Thoughts, Feelings, etc. was found in 1924 and published in the French literary journal Les Cahiers du Mois. Our 'Proust Photo Quiz' is an adaption of the original text. Pete Souza is a best-selling author, speaker and freelance photographer. He started his career working for two small newspapers in Kansas. From there, he worked as a staff photographer for the Chicago Sun-Times;  an Official Photographer for President Reagan; a freelancer for National Geographic  and other publications; the national photographer for the Chicago Tribune based in their Washington, D.C. bureau; and an assistant professor of photojournalism at Ohio University. While at the Tribune, Souza was part of the staff awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 2001. After 9/11, he was among the first journalists to cover the fall of Kabul, Afghanistan. In 1992, Souza published, Unguarded Moments: Behind-the-Scenes Photographs of President Reagan, based on his 5 1/2 years in the Reagan White House. Souza was also the official photographer for the 2004 funeral of President Reagan. His 2008 book, The Rise of Barack Obama, includes exclusive photographs of Obama's rise to power. For all eight years of the Obama administration, Souza was the Chief Official White House Photographer and the Director of the White House photo office. His book, Obama: An Intimate Portrait, was published in 2017. His 2018 book, Shade: A Tale of Two Presidents, tells the tale of the Obama and Trump administrations. In 2021, Souza was inducted into the International Photography Hall of Fame. In 2022, he was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Professional Photographers of America. Based on his best-selling books, Souza became the subject of a documentary film in 2020, The Way I See It. The film was nominated for an Emmy. Souza's most recent photography book, The West Wing and Beyond: What I Saw Inside the Presidency, was published in 2022. He has won numerous photojournalism awards and had solo exhibits of his photographs at numerous galleries. He is also Professor Emeritus of Visual Communication at Ohio University. www.petesouza.com Dr.Grant Scott After fifteen years art directing photography books and magazines such as Elle and Tatler, Scott began to work as a photographer for a number of advertising and editorial clients in 2000. Alongside his photographic career Scott has art directed numerous advertising campaigns, worked as a creative director at Sotheby's, art directed foto8magazine, founded his own photographic gallery, edited Professional Photographer magazine and launched his own title for photographers and filmmakers Hungry Eye. He founded the United Nations of Photography in 2012, and is now a Senior Lecturer and Subject Co-ordinator: Photography at Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, and a BBC Radio contributor. Scott is the author of Professional Photography: The New Global Landscape Explained (Routledge 2014), The Essential Student Guide to Professional Photography (Routledge 2015), New Ways of Seeing: The Democratic Language of Photography (Routledge 2019), and What Does Photography Mean To You? (Bluecoat Press 2020). His photography has been published in At Home With The Makers of Style (Thames & Hudson 2006) and Crash Happy: A Night at The Bangers (Cafe Royal Books 2012). His film Do Not Bend: The Photographic Life of Bill Jay was premiered in 2018. Scott continues to work as a photographer, writer and filmmaker and is the Subject Coordinator for both undergraduate and post graduate study of photography at Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, England. © Grant Scott 2026

Chicago Sun-Times special correspondent Lynn Sweet joins Bob Sirott to talk about whether or not State of the Union Addresses carry a lasting impact and if he should have condensed his speech. She also discusses some important points mentioned in his speech, like state income tax versus sales tax and the state of the economy.

Chicago Sun-Times political reporter Mitchell Armentrout joins Patrick to break down the GOP primary for Governor, the latest in the Bears stadium saga, and the challenge for Democrats to pass a budget this spring.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Trump’s second term, ICE has ramped up use of a program that deputizes local police forces to participate in immigration enforcement. NPR’s Jaclyn Diaz discusses the expansion of the program, known as 287(g). Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is calling for the resignation of the chair of the 2028 Olympics after his name showed up in the Epstein files. Dakota Smith of the Los Angeles Times explains the fallout. Civil-rights leader Jesse Jackson died on Tuesday. Chicago Sun-Times columnist Neil Steinberg joins to talk about Jackson’s life and legacy. Plus, a federal judge ruled that Kilmar Abrego Garcia can’t be arrested again, what Stephen Colbert says about why he couldn’t air a certain interview, and the American bobsledder who’s become the oldest-ever Winter Olympic champion. Today’s episode was hosted by Cecelia Lei.

The Rev. Jesse Jackson's story in Chicago begins in the 1960s when he moved to the city to study at the Chicago Theological Seminary. Not long after his move, he met Martin Luther King Jr. and asked him for a job at the Chicago chapter of Southern Christian Leadership Conference's Operation Breadbasket. Since then, Rev. Jesse Jackson became a symbol for the Civil Rights Movement, Black politics and Black America. Rev. Jackson died on Tuesday, Feb. 17, at the age of 84. In the Loop looks back at the life and impact of the Rev. Jesse Jackson on civil rights, politics, the nation and Chicago with Rev. Otis Moss III, senior pastor, Trinity United Church of Christ and Natalie Moore, senior lecturer, Northwestern Medill School and Chicago Sun-Times columnist. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Chicago Way w/John Kass (02/16/26): Mike “Houli” Houlihan, a well-known Irish-American actor, filmmaker, stand-up comedian, and former Chicago Sun-Times columnist, joins Jeff Carlin while John Kass regains his voice. Houli has a new piece on JohnKassNews.com and is always working on multiple projects at Hibernian Media. Check out more from Kass at JohnKassNews.com or contact me at john@johnkassnews.com, […]

Illinois joins three other Democrat-led states in suing the White House over public health funding cuts. Amazon announces drone delivery coming to southwest suburbs. Portage, Ind., unveils its pitch for a Bears stadium, as northwest suburban residents and mayors rally to secure a stadium in Arlington Heights. In the Loop breaks down those stories and more in our Weekly News Recap with WTTW Chicago politics reporter Heather Cherone, Chicago Sun-Times federal courts reporter Jon Seidel and Capitol News Illinois state government and politics reporter Hannah Meisel. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Greg and Aldo begin by talking about the Super Bowl and are then joined by Jeff Agrest, who covers sports media for the Chicago Sun-Times, to comment on NBC's broadcast. (Jeff's audio was sub-standard. If you want to skip it fast forward to the 46:10 mark). Then, Greg shares his thoughts on the last Chicago Bears news (stadium, offensive coordinator, etc). At the 1:21:00 mark, Greg begins his scouting reports. The six defensive tackles he evaluates are: 1. Caleb Banks 2. Kayden McDonald  3. Peter Woods 4. Lee Hunter 5. Christian Miller 6. Darrell Jackson Jr

Monday, February 9th, 2026Today, Trump posted a disgusting racist video on Truth Social and the right wing is making excuses; Tulsi Gabbard hid an intelligence report about a phone call involving someone close to Trump; DHS requested expedited deportation for five-year-old Liam Ramos, but a judge said no; members of Congress will review unredacted Epstein files; the federal judge will allow Marimar Martinez to release ICE text messages about her shooting; another judge says Trump can't block funds for the Getaway Tunnel project; the New Mexico governor has signed the Immigration Safety Act; and Dana delivers your Good News.Thank You, WildgrainGet $30 off your first box + free Croissants in every box. Go to Wildgrain.com/DAILYBEANS to start your subscription.Thank You, CoyuchiGet 15% off your first order when you visit Coyuchi.com/dailybeansGuest: Andrew BakajAttorney Representing The Gabbard WhistleblowerWhistleblower AidWhistleblower Aid - @wbaidlaw.bsky.socialWhistleblower Aid - @wbaidlaw - TwitterDaily Beans Listeners Fundraiser for Whistleblower AidThe LatestWhistleblower SOUNDS ALARM on Trump SCANDAL Gabbard Tried to BURY | AG | The Breakdown | MeidasStories​MAGA star claims Trump doesn't have 'attention span' to know Obama vid was racist | Raw StoryFederal judge will let Marimar Martinez release text messages sent by Border Patrol agent who shot her | Chicago Sun-TimesJudge denies DHS bid to rush removal of Liam Ramos and his family | MS NOWMembers of Congress will be able to view unredacted Epstein files next week | NBC NewsU.S. Judge Says Trump Cannot Halt Funding for Gateway Tunnel Project | The New York TimesNew Mexico governor signs Immigrant Safety Act among other bills into law | KFOX14Good TroubleTell Your Senators to reject the SAVE Act (or the SAVE America Act as it's been re-named). The SAVE Act could block millions of American citizens from voting by requiring people to produce documents like passports or birth certificates to register to vote. The Brennan Center shows that 21 million Americans don't have these documents readily available.You can use this form or call your senators!https://secure.brennancenter.org/secure/tell-your-senators-reject-save-ahttps://www.senate.gov/general/resources/pdf/senators_phone_list.pdf→How to Film ICE | WIRED→Standwithminnesota.com→Tell Congress Ice out Now | Indivisible→Defund ICE (UPDATED 1/21) - HOUSE VOTE THURSDAY→Congress: Divest From ICE and CBP | ACLU→ICE List  →iceout.org →Demand the Resignation of Stephen Miller | 5 Calls→2026 Trans Girl Scouts To Order Cookies From! | Erin in the MorningGood NewsCentral Vermont Council on AgingDonate to the Work of The United Methodist Church | UMC.org Tour — DANA GOLDBERG→Go To Good News & Good Trouble - The Daily Beans to Share YoursSubscribe to the MSW YouTube Channel - MSW Media - YouTubeOur Donation LinksPathways to Citizenship link to MATCH Allison's Donationhttps://crm.bloomerang.co/HostedDonation?ApiKey=pub_86ff5236-dd26-11ec-b5ee-066e3d38bc77&WidgetId=6388736Allison is donating $20K to It Gets Better and inviting you to help match her donations. Your support makes this work possible, Daily Beans fam. Donate to It Gets Better / The Daily Beans FundraiserJoin Dana and The Daily Beans with a MATCHED Donation http://onecau.se/_ekes71More Donation LinksNational Security Counselors - Donate

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson defends an executive order that requires Chicago police to help hold ICE agents accountable for alleged abuses. Marimar Martinez, a Chicago woman shot by Border Patrol, speaks out in an exclusive WBEZ-Sun-Times interview and on Capitol Hill. Meanwhile, Reshona Landfair, the Jane Doe in R. Kelly's infamous tape, is out with a memoir, Who's Watching Shorty?, where she tells her story and “reclaims her name.” In the Loop goes behind the headlines of those and other state and local stories Better Government Association president David Greising, Axios Chicago reporter Monica Eng and Chicago Sun-Times reporter Violet Miller. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

From 'Take The North' (subscribe here): We have former Chicago Sun-Times reporter Mark Potash filling in alongside Mark Grote for this one. Potash explains why he's so confident the Bears will continue to have success when the 2026 season comes around. Also in this episode, Grote and Potash look closely at the Bears defense. What do they need to add most in order to improve next season? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We have former Chicago Sun-Times reporter Mark Potash filling in alongside Mark Grote for this one. Potash explains why he's so confident the Bears will continue to have success when the 2026 season comes around. Also in this episode, Grote and Potash look closely at the Bears defense. What do they need to add most in order to improve next season? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The field to replace longtime Illinois Senator Dick Durbin is a crowded one: 16 people are vying for the nomination. Leading in the polls are Congresswoman Robin Kelly, representing Illinois' 2nd district, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, who represents Illinois' 8th district and Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton. For a sense on where they stand on key issues, WBEZ, the Chicago Sun-Times, the University of Chicago's Institute of Politics and International House hosted a U.S. Senate Democratic Primary debate ahead of the March 17th primary. The rules of the debate: Candidates had two minutes to answer a question, and 30 seconds for a rebuttal at the moderators' discretion. They also had a chance to make opening and closing remarks – two minutes for opening and one minute for closing. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Chicago Public Media operates two distinct news brands: WBEZ, the public radio station, and the Chicago Sun-Times, the legacy newspaper. With audio and print journalism, both membership and advertising revenue, and decades of archives in multiple formats, they're a unique case study for AI in local news.When CEO Melissa Bell joined the organization, there was interest in AI but no dedicated resources for experimentation. Through the Lenfest AI Collaborative, they brought in their first AI engineer. A year later, Spanish translations that used to take days are now published the same day. Forty years of WBEZ audio, previously unsearchable, are being transcribed and made searchable for journalists.In this week's episode, host Nikita Roy speaks with Chicago Public Media leaders Melissa Bell (CEO) and Aron Pilhofer (Chief Product and Membership Officer), along with Mark Chonowsky (AI Fellow) and David Chivers (lead AI advisor for the Lenfest AI Collaborative).A note on this week's episodeDavid Chivers, who listeners will hear in this episode, passed away on January 1, 2026. He was the lead advisor for the Lenfest AI Collaborative and this episode was recorded the previous month. David was deeply committed to building capability in newsrooms. He was generous with his time, sharp in his insights, and always had one of those big smiles that would light up a room. He will be missed.The conversation covers how Chicago Public Media is thinking about AI as part of a larger membership strategy, how they decide what to build versus buy with limited resources, and what it looks like to lead through a public AI failure.In this episode:02:55 — Where Chicago Public Media started with AI a year ago08:08 — What AI use looks like inside the newsroom15:42 — How product development is evolving with AI tools27:28 — Collaboration with OpenAI and Microsoft28:26 — How AI fits into Chicago Public Media's membership strategy36:05 — Build vs. buy with limited resources37:44 — The Chicago Sun-Times AI-generated book list incident42:18 — Advice for leaders navigating AI mistakes publiclyThis episode of Newsroom Robots is supported by the Lenfest Institute for Journalism. Sign up for the Newsroom Robots newsletter for episode summaries and insights from host Nikita Roy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why did Chicago just agree to ban some hemp products? Who is falling behind in the race to replace Sen. Dick Durbin? And did a Chicago landlord tip off ICE? In the Loop breaks down those stories and more in the Weekly News Recap with Tahman Bradley, WGN political editor, Bob Herguth, Chicago Sun-Times investigative reporter, and Mack Liederman, Block Club Chicago reporter. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Selena Fragassi publishes more books before 9am than most people do all day. Just last year, the always hustling music writer and journalist wrote and published books about Alanis Morissette, Sabrina Carpenter, Greta Gerwig AND her latest:  PEARL JAM LIVE — a hefty and thorough tome covering the band's 35 year history as one of the world's best live acts (it also features a forward written by Scott, but we digress). In between all the manic book writing, Selena somehow finds time for her regular gigs writing for the Chicago Sun Times, monthly appearances on WFLD 32 and contributing to every publication and outlet from SPIN to Loudwire. This week we talk to Selena about life moments with Cameron Crowe, fan letters to Donnie Wahlberg, looking Chrissie Hynde in the eye, what to do when Jim DeRogatis trashes all your favorite bands, the ineffable awesomeness of Bonnie Raitt, the sue-happy UN-awesomeness of Gene Simmons, and getting mammogram advice from Debbie Harry. Pretty awesome. PLUS: Ben gets gonged and our buddy John Oakes calls in with a report from the front lines in Minneapolis.

Anna Davlantes, WGN Radio's investigative correspondent, joins Bob Sirott to share what happened this week in Chicago history. Stories include Walter Payton’s final game, Mike Royko’s last day with the Chicago Sun-Times, WGN Radio’s airing of “Little Orphan Annie,” and more.

During Hour 4 Ben Pope from the Chicago Sun-Times joined the show teeing up tonight's Oilers game against the Blackhawks. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Hour 4 we were joined by Hockey Hall of Famer Grant Fuhr and Ben Pope from the Chicago Sun-Times covering the Blackhawks. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pronger Talks Celebrini & Olympics! | EP 116 Misa Staying in NHL, Brossoit Trade DESCRIPTION: What does Chris Pronger think of Macklin Celebrini's star-making season and the 2026 Canadian Olympic team? (02:39) Zubair guides the ship as the Hockey Hall of Famer, 2010 Olympic gold medalist along with Dan Boyle, and also Public Enemy No. 1 for San Jose Sharks fans joins to talk about the adversity that he faced throughout his career, especially his troubles as a youth…plus how good Owen Nolan was during the 2000 playoffs. Why are we fans of the Alex Wennberg extension? (48:14) It appears that Michael Misa is staying with the San Jose Sharks this season. Why does Dan have some concern? (59:09) Who will be the odd man out when Misa counts against the 50 maximum contract limit? Boyle shares stories about his playing time under Roy Sommer, who is being honored by the San Joee Barracuda this week. (1:38:52) The San Jose Sharks also made an interesting minor deal, acquiring Laurent Brossoit and Nolan Allan from the Chicago Blackhawks while filming the show! (1:41:33)  Ben Pope of the Chicago-Sun Times texts Sheng his thoughts live. What did Keegan think of Misa's World Juniors performance? (1:51:55) (the music gets partially edited out this week, sorry!) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

About Dr. Glenn Livington: Dr Glenn Livingston, Ph.D. is a veteran psychologist and longtime CEO of a multi-million-dollar consulting firm which has serviced several Fortune 500 clients in the food industry. Doctor Glenn's work, theories, and research have been published in major periodicals like The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times and The Chicago Sun Times. Disillusioned by what traditional psychology had to offer overweight and/or food obsessed individuals, Doctor Livingston spent several decades researching the nature of bingeing and overeating via work with his own patients AND a self-funded research program with more than 40,000 participants. Most important, however, was his own personal journey out of obesity and food prison to a normal, healthy weight and a much more lighthearted relationship with food. Show Notes: If food feels like it has power over you — whether that means occasional overeating, persistent cravings, or feeling stuck in a cycle of "starting tomorrow" — this episode offers a radically different and compassionate approach. In this powerful conversation, Glenn Livingston, psychologist and author of Defeat Your Cravings, explains why willpower is not the solution to food struggles — and how lasting freedom comes from learning to quiet the brain's emergency response around food. Dr. Glenn shares how cravings are rooted in the nervous system, why deprivation backfires, and how nourishing your body properly allows the rational brain to regain control. Together, we explore the science behind cravings, binge urges, and emotional eating — including the concept of the cravings extinction curve, why cravings intensify before they disappear, and how self-care, sleep, and nutrition play a critical role in calming the brain. This episode offers hope, clarity, and practical tools for anyone who wants peace with food — without dieting, restriction, or shame. ✨ What You'll Learn ·         Why willpower fails — and what works instead ·         How cravings are driven by the fight-or-flight nervous system ·         The science of the cravings extinction curve ·         Why nourishing your body reduces binge urges ·         How sleep, stress, and decision fatigue impact cravings ·         How to stop "starting tomorrow" and work with the present moment ·         Why extreme diets make cravings worse, not better ·         How to regain calm, control, and choice around food

Are you an adventurous eater? Or are you married to your classic “go-tos?” How about some recs for the best places to get a bite with a twist? A trio of journalists behind a new guide from WBEZ and the Chicago Sun-Times review their favorite plates and treats on In the Loop. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Tim Novak, investigative reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times’ Watchdogs team, joins John Williams to answer questions on his latest article, co-written by fellow reporter Rob Herguth, about an Illinois campaign finance rule that allows former House Speaker Michael Madigan and ex-Ald. Edward Burke to legally convert millions in leftover campaign funds to personal use after […]

Tim Novak, investigative reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times’ Watchdogs team, joins John Williams to answer questions on his latest article, co-written by fellow reporter Rob Herguth, about an Illinois campaign finance rule that allows former House Speaker Michael Madigan and ex-Ald. Edward Burke to legally convert millions in leftover campaign funds to personal use after […]

Tim Novak, investigative reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times’ Watchdogs team, joins John Williams to answer questions on his latest article, co-written by fellow reporter Rob Herguth, about an Illinois campaign finance rule that allows former House Speaker Michael Madigan and ex-Ald. Edward Burke to legally convert millions in leftover campaign funds to personal use after […]

The Christkindlmarket, the CTA holiday train and “A Christmas Carol” at the Goodman Theatre. Chicago is full of holiday traditions. In this episode, we get an intimate look at the annual theater production through the eyes of our Chicago Sun-Times colleague, Stefano Esposito as he takes to the stage.

Chicago's museums and cultural institutions are as much a part of the fabric of the city as Wrigley Field or the lakefront. And they've been around a long time. Some are more than a century old. So why are museum workers organizing now, seemingly en masse? And what could it mean for the visitor experience? In the Loop talks with Chicago Sun-Times arts and culture reporter Erica Thompson, Anders Lindall of AFSCME Council 31 and Adler Planetarium employee Lileas Maier. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Nick Kypreos, Justin Bourne and Sam McKee look ahead to the Toronto Maple Leafs' matchup against the Connor Bedard-less Chicago Blackhawks on Joe Bowen night. They discuss what to expect from the leaders after being called out by Craig Berube on Saturday, how Auston Matthews will respond, Joseph Woll's return to the lineup, and more. Then, they chat about Connor Bedard's season and whether his recent injury provides Hockey Canada with an excuse not to select him for the Olympic team. Later, the Chicago Sun-Times' Ben Pope joins the show (32:12) to share a Blackhawks perspective on tonight's contest, the latest on Bedard's status, how he's evolved in his third professional year, Chicago's prospects in the pipeline, and Spencer Knight's Vezina-level play.The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for December 15, 2025 is: dreidel • DRAY-dul • noun A dreidel is a 4-sided toy marked with Hebrew letters and spun like a top in a game of chance. The game, played by children especially at Hanukkah, is also called dreidel. // All the kids in the family look forward to playing dreidel together during Hanukkah. See the entry > Examples: “The Jewish tradition has always been syncretic, adapting and responding to the culture around it, he [Rabbi Steven Philp] said. Hanukkah is ‘a great example of this,' Philp said, noting that the holiday's traditions—like spinning the dreidel, eating latkes or potato pancakes, and munching on ... jelly-filled doughnuts—are customs that were borrowed from neighboring cultures over time.” — Kate Heather, The Chicago Sun-Times, 25 Dec. 2024 Did you know? If your dreidel is spinning beneath the glow of the menorah, it's probably the Jewish festival of lights known as Hanukkah. The holiday celebrates the miracle of a small amount of oil—enough for one day—burning for eight days in the Temple of Jerusalem. And though it's a toy, the dreidel's design is very much an homage: on each of its four sides is inscribed a Hebrew letter—nun, gimel, he, and shin—which together stand for Nes gadol haya sham, meaning “A great miracle happened there.” (In Israel, the letter pe, short for po, “here,” is often used instead of shin). In the game of dreidel, each letter bears its own significance: the dreidel is spun and depending on which letter is on top when it lands, the player's currency, or gelt, is added to or taken from the pot. Nun means the player does nothing; gimel means the player gets everything; he means the player gets half; and shin means the player adds to the pot. Wherever you land on holiday traditions, we wish you words of gimel: gratitude, grub, and, of course, gaiety.

Dan Barreiro is joined by Joe Cowley from the Chicago Sun-Times to talk about the Coby White steam and what he sees from the Wolves from a far before Carl Gerbschmidt joins for the Picks Segment.

Dan Barreiro is joined by Joe Cowley from the Chicago Sun-Times to talk about the Coby White steam and what he sees from the Wolves from a far before Carl Gerbschmidt joins for the Picks Segment. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dan Barreiro is joined by Joe Cowley from the Chicago Sun-Times to talk about the Coby White steam and what he sees from the Wolves from a far before Carl Gerbschmidt joins for the Picks Segment. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chicago's budget showdown continues, Indiana's legislature bucks Trump redistricting trend, and ICE agents were out in force in west suburban Elgin. In the Loop breaks down those stories and more in the Weekly News Recap. Our panel today: Tom Schuba, Chicago Sun-Times watchdog reporter; Monica Eng, Axios reporter; David Greising, Better Government Association president. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Lee Bey, architecture critic for the Chicago Sun-Times, is back with his exclusive look inside Home Court, the first Obama Center building to be completed, and reflects on the legacy of the late Frank Gehry. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Looking for a festive holiday gathering that plants seeds of hope to rebuild our democracy? Andrea was invited to the Courage>Cowardice event hosted by Courier News, the folks who built the searchable database of the Epstein files released by Congress. She'll be joined by other independent journalists and creators at Eaton in the heart of Washington, DC from 6pm to 9pm this Thursday December 11.  Andrea will be speaking on a panel about media capitulation and how to fight back with Meredith Lynch, Cohost of The Moment Live; Jack Cocchiarella, Gen Z Political Commentator & YouTuber; Brian Beutler, Journalist, Off Message; in a discussion moderated by veteran journalist Mark Jacob, the former Metro Editor at the Chicago Tribune and Sunday Editor at the Chicago Sun-Times.  For more info, check out the event link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/courage-cowardice-tickets-1968694585501?aff=promotoolkit Want to hear Gaslit Nation ad-free? Join our community of listeners for bonus shows, exclusive Q&A sessions, our group chats, invites to live events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Sign up at Patreon.com/Gaslit!

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson battles alders over a competing budget proposal. Northwestern agrees to pay $75 million in a deal with the federal government. A new independent candidate enters the race for retiring Congressman Chuy Garcia's seat. Gov. Pritzker signs legislation allowing Illinois to set its own vaccination guidelines. In the Loop breaks down those stories and more with Axios Chicago reporter Carrie Shepherd, WTTW Chicago politics reporter Heather Cherone and Chicago Sun-Times politics reporter Mitchell Armentrout. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun Times joins Lance Brozdowski to discuss if the Cubs will add pitching through trades or free agency, if the offense will regress in 2026, and how active next week's MLB Winter Meetings in Orlando, Fla., will be.

A leading public health doctor recently told the Meidas Touch podcast that we all need to be worried about Donald Trump's cognitive decline, which is very obviously getting worse. The doctor, Dr. Vin Gupta, pointed out several instances where Trump's mental reactions to events happening around him were definitely warning signs of something potentially serious being wrong. Beyond that, Trump's physical health has also deteriorated to the point where he no longer stands for long periods of time, and multiple videos over the last few months show that he's having severe trouble walking. JD Vance has not been in politics for a long time, and that time might be cut even shorter as polls show that his lead over Republican rivals for the 2028 nomination is shrinking fast. Vance's political career might be over before he can actually be in charge of anything, and he'll be relegated to the "profiles in insignificance" chapter of history books. Republicans love to say that Democrats have no leaders, but the reality is that there is no one in line to take the reins of the GOP in the near future.Libraries across the state of Tennessee have begun shutting down as a new Republican order is forcing them to perform massive reviews of their books to align with the Republican-backed book ban in the state. Never in human history have the people that have banned books been the good guys, but that hasn't stopped Republican voters and politicians from thinking that they are the heroes of this story. They will be viewed as some of the biggest villains of our era.CNN recently spoke with several different people who voted for Donald Trump - many of them having voted for him in 3 separate elections - and they were not happy AT ALL with what has happened to this country since he took over. The main issue they have is with the economy, which they correctly say has gotten so much worse since he took over. All of the other things Trump has done are a mixed bag with voters, but that's only because they don't fully understand how it all connects to the economy. Recently, a columnist with the Chicago Sun Times wrote about how Donald Trump's fragile ego is to blame for his attacks on the 6 Democratic lawmakers that put out the video reminding troops that they have a duty to disobey unlawful orders. That's absolutely correct, but it really only scratches the surface of ALL of the problems that we're facing in this country. Nearly every problem that Trump has caused is due to his massively fragile ego - from his troop deployments on American soil to his attempted prosecutions of his political enemies to his trade policies. Text and and let us know your thoughts on today's stories!Subscribe to our YouTube channel to stay up to date on all of Farron's content: https://www.youtube.com/FarronBalancedFollow Farron on social media! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FarronBalanced Twitter: https://twitter.com/farronbalanced Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/farronbalanced TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@farronbalanced?lang=en

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for November 25, 2025 is: perdition • per-DISH-un • noun Perdition refers to hell, or to the state of being in hell forever as punishment after death—in other words, damnation. It is usually used figuratively. // Dante's Inferno details the main character's journey through perdition. // It's this kind of selfishness that leads down the road to perdition. See the entry > Examples: “AC/DC has been criticized for sticking to its straightforward musical formula for more than 50 staggering years, but there's little denying the appeal of the group's adrenalized and reliable approach. As Angus Young stated in the liner notes for a reissue of ‘The Razor's Edge,' ‘AC/DC equals power. That's the basic idea.' That energetic jolt is sometimes the perfect means to raise spirits and spread actual joy, even coming from a band offering the cartoonish imagery of plastic horns and travel down the road to perdition.” — Jeff Elbel, The Chicago Sun-Times, 25 May 2025 Did you know? Perdition is a word that gives a darn, and then some. It was borrowed into English in the 14th century from the Anglo-French noun perdiciun and ultimately comes from the Latin verb perdere, meaning “to destroy.” Among the earliest meanings of perdition was, appropriately, “utter destruction,” as when Shakespeare wrote of the “perdition of the Turkish fleet” in Othello. This sense, while itself not utterly destroyed, doesn't see much use anymore; perdition is today used almost exclusively for eternal damnation or the place where such destruction of the soul occurs.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson says the withdrawal of Texas National Guard troops from Chicago represents “unconditional surrender” by the Trump administration. Meanwhile, alders hand the mayor a massive defeat by rejecting his budget plan. Plus, Illinois debuts digital driver's licenses. In the Loop dives into those and other top local stories with WBEZ city government and politics reporter Mariah Woelfel, Fox 32 political correspondent Paris Schutz and Chicago Sun-Times opinion pages editor and columnist Rummana Hussain. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Chicago is suing the Trump administration again. In the Loop looks at that latest lawsuit and what voting to end the government shutdown could mean for senior Senator Dick Durbin's political legacy. Plus, time for a retail reality check following a presidential post dissing Chicago's shopping mecca, Michigan Avenue. In the Loop breaks down those stories with David Greising of the Better Government Association, Sophie Sherry of the Chicago Sun-Times and Mack Liederman of Block Club Chicago. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Groceries cost more than ever, and the high prices couldn't come at a worse time. Nearly two million Illinois residents depend on SNAP benefits, which are now being cut as the government shutdown drags on. How are Chicago-area residents filling the gap, especially with holidays around the corner? In the Loop checks in with Chicago Sun-Times consumer investigations reporter Stephanie Zimmermann, Wicker Park resident Gale Hethcoat and Common Pantry executive director Margaret O'Conor. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

The longest government shutdown in U.S. history drags into day 38, affecting everything from air travel to SNAP benefits in Illinois. Democratic U.S. Congressman Chuy Garcia surprised constituents by announcing he won't be running for reelection. And a federal judge issued a key ruling on use of force by federal agents. Plus, snow could be coming to the Chicago area this weekend. In the Loop breaks down those stories with WBEZ's Alden Loury, Chicago Sun-Times' Jon Seidel, Block Club Chicago's Quinn Myers. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

President Trump's goal of deploying National Guard troops to Chicago is on hold as the Supreme Court requests more information. Meanwhile, a federal appeals court blocked an order requiring Border Patrol chief Greg Bovino to report to court daily, and in Little Village, high school students staged a walk-out to protest ICE actions. In the Loop breaks down those stories and more with NBC 5 Chicago reporter Christian Farr, government finance and accountability reporter with the Illinois Answers Project at the Better Government Association Alex Nitkin and Jackie Serrato, editor of La Voz, the Spanish language news site of the Chicago Sun-Times. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times joined the show to discuss the Bulls 3-0 start.

Ralph welcomes Professor Roddey Reid to break down his book “Confronting Political Intimidation and Public Bullying: A Handbook for the Trump Era and Beyond.” Then, we are joined by the original Nader's Raider, Professor Robert Fellmeth, who enlightens us on how online anonymity and Artificial Intelligence are harming children.Roddey Reid is Professor Emeritus at the University of California, San Diego where he taught classes on modern cultures and societies in the US, France, and Japan. Since 2008 he has researched and published on trauma, daily life, and political intimidation in the US and Europe. He is a member of Indivisible.org San Francisco, and he hosts the blog UnSafe Thoughts on the fluidity of politics in dangerous times. He is also the author of Confronting Political Intimidation and Public Bullying: A Handbook for the Trump Era and Beyond.I think we still have trouble acknowledging what's actually happening. Particularly our established institutions that are supposed to protect us and safeguard us—many of their leaders are struggling with the sheer verbal and physical violence that's been unfurling in front of our very eyes. Many people are exhausted by it all. And it's transformed our daily life to the point that I think one of the goals is (quite clearly) to disenfranchise people such that they don't want to go out and participate in civic life.Roddey ReidWhat's broken down is…a collective response, organized group response. Now, in the absence of that, this is where No King's Day and other activities come to the fore. They're trying to restore collective action. They're trying to restore the public realm as a place for politics, dignity, safety, and shared purpose. And that's been lost. And so this is where the activists and civically engaged citizens and residents come in. They're having to supplement or even replace what these institutions traditionally have been understood to do. It's exhilarating, but it's also a sad moment.Roddey ReidRobert Fellmeth worked as a Nader's Raider from 1968 to 1973 in the early days of the consumer movement. He went on to become the Price Professor of Public Interest Law at the University of San Diego (where he taught for 47 years until his retirement early this year) and he founded their Children's Advocacy Institute in 1983. Since then, the Institute has sponsored 100 statutes and 35 appellate cases involving child rights, and today it has offices in Sacramento and DC. He is also the co-author of the leading law textbook Child Rights and Remedies.I think an easy remedy—it doesn't solve the problem totally—but simply require the AI to identify itself when it's being used. I mean, to me, that's something that should always be the case. You have a right to know. Again, free speech extends not only to the speaker, but also to the audience. The audience has a right to look at the information, to look at the speech, and to judge something about it, to be able to evaluate it. That's part of free speech.Robert FellmethNews 10/17/25* In Gaza, the Trump administration claims to have brokered a ceasefire. However, this peace – predicated on an exchange of prisoners – is extremely fragile. On Tuesday, Palestinians attempting to return to their homes were fired upon by Israeli soldiers. Defense Minister Israel Katz claimed those shot were “terrorists” whose attempts to “approach and cross [the Yellow Line] were thwarted.” Al Jazeera quotes Lorenzo Kamel, a professor of international history at Italy's University of Turin, who calls the ceasefire a “facade” and that the “structural violence will remain there precisely as it was – and perhaps even worse.” We can only hope that peace prevails and the Palestinians in Gaza are able to return to their land. Whatever is left of it.* Despite this ceasefire, Trump was denied in his bid for a Nobel Peace Prize. The prize instead went to right-wing Venezuelan dissident María Corina Machado. Democracy Now! reports Machado ran against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in 2023, but was “barred from running after the government accused her of corruption and cited her support for U.S. sanctions against Venezuela.” If elected Machado has promised to privatize Venezuela's state oil industry and move Venezuela's Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, and in 2020, her party, Vente Venezuela, “signed a pact formalizing strategic ties with Israel's Likud party led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.” Machado has also showered praise on right-wing Latin American leaders like Javier Milei of Argentina and following her victory, praised Trump's “decisive support,” even telling Fox News that Trump “deserves” the prize for his anti-Maduro campaign, per the Nation.* Machado's prize comes within the context of Trump's escalating attacks on Venezuela. In addition to a fifth deadly strike on a Venezuelan boat, which killed six, the New York Times reports Trump has ordered his envoy to the country Richard Grenell to cease all diplomatic outreach to Venezuela, including talks with President Maduro. According to this report, “Trump has grown frustrated with…Maduro's failure to accede to American demands to give up power voluntarily and the continued insistence by Venezuelan officials that they have no part in drug trafficking.” Grenell had been trying to strike a deal with the Bolivarian Republic to “avoid a larger conflict and give American companies access to Venezuelan oil,” but these efforts were obviously undercut by the attacks on the boats – which Democrats contend are illegal under U.S. and international law – as well as Secretary of State Marco Rubio labeling Maduro a “fugitive from American justice,” and placing a $50 million bounty on his head. With this situation escalating rapidly, many now fear direct U.S. military deployment into Venezuela.* Meanwhile, Trump has already deployed National Guard troops to terrorize immigrants in Chicago. The Chicago Sun-Times reports Pope Leo XIV, the first American Pope and a Chicago native, met with Chicago union leaders in Rome last week and urged them to take action to protect immigrants in the city. Defending poor immigrants is rapidly becoming a top priority for the Catholic Church. Pope Leo has urged American bishops to “speak with one voice” on the issue and this story related that “El Paso bishop Mark Seitz brought Leo letters from desperate immigrant families.” Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich, also at the meeting with Leo and the union leaders, said that the Pope “wants us to make sure, as bishops, that we speak out on behalf of the undocumented or anybody who's vulnerable to preserve their dignity…We all have to remember that we all share a common dignity as human beings.”* David Ellison, the newly-minted CEO of Paramount, is ploughing ahead with a planned expansion of his media empire. His next target: Warner Bros. Discovery. According to the Hollywood Reporter, Ellison already pitched a deal to WB CEO David Zaslav, but the $20 per share offer was rejected. However, Ellison is likely to offer a new deal “possibly…backed by his father Larry Ellison or a third party like Apollo [Global Management].” There is also talk that he could go directly to the WBD shareholders if the corporate leadership proves unresponsive. If Ellison is intent on this acquisition, he will need to move fast. Zaslav is planning to split the company into a “studios and HBO business,” and a Discovery business, which would include CNN. Ellison is clearly interested in acquiring CNN to help shape newsroom perspectives, as his recent appointment of Bari Weiss as “editor-in-chief” of CBS News demonstrates, so this split would make an acquisition far less of an attractive prospect. We will be watching this space.* In another Ellison-related media story, Newsweek reports Barron Trump, President Trump's 19-year-old son, is being eyed for a board seat at the newly reorganized Tik-Tok. According to this story, “Trump's former social media manager Jack Advent proposed the role at the social media giant, as it comes into U.S. ownership, arguing that the younger Trump's appointment could broaden TikTok's appeal among young users.” Barron is currently enrolled in New York University's Stern School of Business and serves as an “ambassador” for World Liberty Financial, the “Trump family's crypto venture.” TikTok U.S., formerly owned and operated by the Chinese company ByteDance, is being taken over by a “consortium of American investors [including Larry Ellison's] Oracle and investment firm Silver Lake Partners,” among others.* As the government shutdown drags on, the Trump administration is taking the opportunity to further gut the federal government, seeming to specifically target the offices protecting the most vulnerable. According to NPR, “all staff in the [Department of Education] Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS), with the exception of a handful of top officials and support staff, were cut,” in a reduction-in-force or RIF order issued Friday. One employee is quoted saying “This is decimating the office responsible for safeguarding the rights of infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities.” Per this report, OSERS is “responsible for roughly $15 billion in special education funding and for making sure states provide special education services to the nation's 7.5 million children with disabilities.” Just why exactly the administration is seeking to undercut federal support for disabled children is unclear. Over at the Department of Health and Human Services, headed by Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., HHS sent out an RIF to “approximately 1,760 employees last Friday — instead of the intended 982,” as a “result of data discrepancies and processing errors,” NOTUS reports. The agency admitted the error in a court filing in response to a suit brought by the employees' unions. Even still, the cuts are staggering and include 596 employees at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and 125 at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, to name just a few. This report notes that other agencies, including the Departments of Justice, Treasury and Homeland Security all sent out inaccurately high RIFs as well.* The Lever reports Boeing, the troubled airline manufacturer, is fighting a new Federal Aviation Administration rule demanding additional inspections for older 737 series planes after regulators discovered cracks in their fuselages. The rule “would revise the inspection standards…through a regulatory action called an ‘airworthiness directive.'...akin to a product recall if inspectors find a defective piece of equipment on the plane…in [this case] cracks along the body of the plane's main cabin.” The lobbying group Airlines for America is seeking to weaken the rule by arguing that the maintenance checks would be too “costly” for the airline industry, who would ultimately have to bear the financial brunt of these inspections. Boeing is fighting them too because such a rule would make airlines less likely to buy Boeing's decaying airplanes. As this report notes, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy – who oversees the FAA – “previously worked as an airline lobbyist…[and] Airlines for America recently selected the former Republican Governor of New Hampshire, Chris Sununu to be their chief executive officer.”* In more consumer-related news, Consumer Reports has been conducting a series of studies on lead levels in various consumer products. Most recently, a survey of protein powders and shakes found “troubling levels of toxic heavy metals,” in many of the most popular brands. They write, “For more than two-thirds of the products we analyzed, a single serving contained more lead than CR's food safety experts say is safe to consume in a day—some by more than 10 times.” Some of these products have massively increased in heavy metal content just over the last several years. CR reports “Naked Nutrition's Vegan Mass Gainer powder, the product with the highest lead levels, had nearly twice as much lead per serving as the worst product we analyzed in 2010.” The experts quoted in this piece advise against daily use of these products, instead limiting them to just once per week.* Finally, in a new piece in Rolling Stone, David Sirota and Jared Jacang Maher lay out how conservatives are waging new legal campaigns to strip away the last remaining fig leaves of campaign finance regulation – and what states are doing to fight back. One angle of attack is a lawsuit targeting the restrictions on coordination between parties and individual campaigns, with House Republicans arguing that, “because parties pool money from many contributors, that ‘significantly dilutes the potential for any particular donor to exercise a corrupting influence over any particular candidate' who ultimately benefits from their cash.” Another angle is a lawsuit brought by P.G. Sittenfeld, the former Democratic mayor of Cincinnati – who has already been pardoned by Trump for accepting bribes – but is seeking to establish that “pay-to-play culture is now so pervasive that it should no longer be considered prosecutable.” However, the authors do throw out one ray of hope from an unlikely source: Montana. The authors write, “Thirteen years after the Supreme Court gutted the state's century-old anti-corruption law, Montana luminaries of both parties are now spearheading a ballot initiative circumventing Citizens United jurisprudence and instead focusing on changing state incorporation laws that the high court rarely meddles with.The measure's proponents note that Citizens United is predicated on state laws giving corporations the same powers as actual human beings, including the power to spend on politics. But they point out that in past eras, state laws granted corporations more limited powers — and states never relinquished their authority to redefine what corporations can and cannot do. The Montana initiative proposes to simply use that authority to change the law — in this case, to no longer grant corporations the power to spend on elections.” Who knows if this initiative will move forward in Montana, but it does provide states a blueprint for combatting the pernicious influence of Citizens United. States should and must act on it.This has been Francesco DeSantis, with In Case You Haven't Heard. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

Hamas has agreed to release the hostages in Gaza after accepting the first phase of Trump’s ceasefire plan. Reuters has the latest. National Guard troops have arrived in Illinois, against the wishes of the governor. The Chicago Sun-Times reports. John McCormick, national political reporter with the Wall Street Journal, discusses why the Trump administration attacks on renewable energy have zeroed in on wind turbines. Plus, authorities arrested a man they say is responsible for starting the Palisades Fire in Los Angeles, what alternative economic data is saying about the jobs market, and how the world of fancy ketchups and flavored mayos exploded. Today’s episode was hosted by Yasmeen Khan.

The Trump administration is deploying federal troops into Chicago, claiming ongoing lawlessness. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker described the move as “outrageous and un-American.” Violet Miller, a reporter at the Chicago Sun-Times, explains what’s going on. A new Supreme Court term begins today, and justices are set to decide on cases with massive implications for Trump's authority over government. Maureen Groppe, Supreme Court reporter at USA Today, discusses them. The government shutdown continues with no signs of progress on talks. Lauren Weber at the Washington Post talks through some of the Medicare provisions that have become casualties of the deadlock. Plus, mediators are gathering after Hamas agreed in principle to parts of Trump’s peace deal, Japan is set for its first woman prime minister, and how sketches by Leonardo da Vinci led archaeologists to a big discovery. Today’s episode was hosted by Shumita Basu.

Kate, Leah, and Melissa preview what fresh hell SCOTUS has in store for us this term, including challenges to the Fourteenth Amendment and the Court's continued obsession with fighting the culture wars. Then, after breaking down the latest legal news, the hosts welcome Lieutenant Governor of Illinois–and Senate candidate–Juliana Stratton to discuss Trump's plan to deploy the National Guard to Chicago, how state and local governments can push back against this administration, and what gives her hope in this fight. Finally, a game to commemorate Chief Justice Roberts' 20 long years on the Court. This episode was recorded live at the Athenaeum Center in Chicago.Favorite things:Leah: Bone Valley: A True Story of Injustice and Redemption in the Heart of Florida, Gilbert King; Without Precedent: How Chief Justice Roberts and His Accomplices Rewrote the Constitution and Dismantled Our Rights, Lisa Graves; One Battle After Another; The Life of a Showgirl, Taylor SwiftKate: WBEZ Chicago; Block Club Chicago; Chicago Reader; The Chicago Sun-Times on Broadview; Heart the Lover, Lily KingMelissa: Ta-Nehisi Coates and Ezra Klein Hash Out Their Charlie Kirk Disagreement; Tony Shalhoub's Breaking Bread (CNN); Mexodus (Audible's Minett a Lane Theater); Meghan Markle in Balenciaga Learn more: http://crooked.com/eventsOrder your copy of Leah's book, Lawless: How the Supreme Court Runs on Conservative Grievance, Fringe Theories, and Bad VibesGet tickets to CROOKED CON November 6-7 in Washington, D.C at http://crookedcon.comFollow us on Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.