The John Howell Show Podcast: Recent Episodes

The John Howell Show

John Howell is a veteran Chicago radio host, avid golfer, and music aficionado who breaks down the news of the day with local tastemakers and newsmakers from 4pm-7pm weekdays on 890 WLS-AM. A voice of reason, John examines the biggest stories through a Chicago lens and shares them with a nuanced delivery.

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Mayor Brandon Johnson's latest budget forecast estimates that Chicago will face a 538-million-dollar shortfall in 2024. Bret Gogoel welcomes Leigh Giangreco, Reporter for Crain's Chicago Business, to discuss the city's financial position and how it compares to the last administration's

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Bret Gogoel welcomes Rick DiMaio, Chicago Meteorologist & Professor of Aviation and Meteorology at Lewis University, to discuss how operational meteorology impacted the September 11th, 2001 attacks. The devil, it seems, is in the details. DeMaio also discusses the incoming Fall weather. 

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Choose Chicago is excited to announce the launch of the first ever mobile Chicago Brew Pass, which allows Chicago-natives and tourists alike to earn points and prizes while enjoying local craft beer. Bret Gogoel  welcomes Jason Lesniewicz, Choose Chicago's Director of Cultural Tourism, to elaborate on how to use the Brew Pass and what breweries are involved.

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The Chicago Bears will kick off their 2023 season against the Green Bay Packers this Sunday. Bret Gogoel welcomes Zach Pearson, Reporter for BearReport.com, to provide some insight on what to expect this weekend. 

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Stacy Gavis Gates, the President of the Chicago Teachers Union, is receiving backlash after sending her child to a private school, despite her history of speaking out against school choice programs. Bret Gogoel is joined by Paul Vallas, Policy Adviser for the Illinois Policy Institute, who shares his opinion on the CTU and the Chicago School System. 

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Misericordia Heart Of Mercy is a not-for-profit focused on providing quality care for people with mild to profound disabilities. Bret Gogoel welcomes Julie O'Sullivan, Misericordia Foundation Director of Creative Arts Marketing Manager, to discuss Misericordia's largest fundraising event of the year. To learn more information, you can visit www.misericordia.com.

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True-Crime junkies or casual news viers alike, society is fascinated by a prison break. Bret Gogoel is joined by Brad Garrett, ABC News Crime and Terrorism Analyst in Washington, to explain our fascination with jail breaks, the minds of an escapee, and the process of catching them.

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Arlington Heights village officials have committed to working with the Chicago Bears, local businesses, and residents alike to continue redeveloping the  Arlington Racetrack. Bret Gogoel welcomes Christopher Placek, Reporter for the Daily Herald, to discuss what actions have been taken to continue forging a path forward to a new stadium. 

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Andrea Darlas is joined by Russell Lissau, Writer for the Daily Herald, to tell us a story about a baseball card collector's adventure in autograph hunting. 

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Andrea Darlas welcomes Amy Danzer, the Program Director of Printer's Row Lit Fest, to discuss one of the city's most popular festivals designated to celebrate the abundance of literature. For more information visit https://printersrowlitfest.org

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• Josh Gerstein, POLITICO’s Senior Legal Affairs Reporter, examines how Trump’s co-defendants are already starting to turn against him. 

• Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune’s Chief Political Correspondent, asks why President Biden spent so much time campaigning this Summer in an already blue Illinois. 

• ABC’s Alex Stone reports that Burning Man, according to attendees, was not as bad as headlines made it sound. 

• Plus, performers at the Illinois State Fair had some interesting contract riders. John reviews some of the most outrageous things that were included.

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How can the police better respond to their community, and how can the community assist officers when they're out on the street? John Howell is joined by Retired Chief Tom Weitzel to have a conversation on ways residents can effectively engage and improve relationship with the officers in their community.

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Have you ever noticed something you've browsed for online reappear as a suggested advertisement? The culprit is digital cookies, not to be mistaken for their confectionary counterpart. Kim Komando, America's Digital Goddess, joins John Howell to explain how to stay safe digitally by utilizing a virtual private network, otherwise known as a VPN, and dual-factor authentication. 

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• Max Burns, founder of Third Degree Strategies, joins John Howell to discuss Vivek Ramaswamy’s complicated week of media visits.

• Ronnie Marmo shares his love of comedy and his one-man show, “I am Lenny Bruce,” which will be playing in Skokie next week.

• Nate Bukaty, Play-by-play announcer for MLS Season Pass, previews this weekend’s Chicago Fire game vs the DC United.

• Plus, Jason Nathanson discusses this weekend’s very different box office releases.

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The South Barrington Park District has halted a property sale to the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church after receiving strong community pushback. John Howell is joined by the Daily Herald's Russell Lissau to explain some of the factors that led for this proposed land sale to head to court. 

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Skye Blue, a 23-year-old star wrestler and Chicagoland native, joins John Howell ahead of her AEW tag team match this evening. She shares what sparked her love for wrestling, how she got her start, her tips for others wanting to get into the game, and more.  All Elite Wrestling is in Chicago this week, with events at the United Center on Saturday and Sunday.

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• Alex Stone explains the red flag fire warnings on Maui today and the concerns over back to school planning.

• Mina Bloom from Block Club Chicago shares why both sides are frustrated with restaurant surcharge arguments: the restaurants and the customers.

• The Chicago Tribune’s Nick Kindelsperger shares his list of the best Maxwell Street Polish sausages in Chicago.

• Plus, John poses the question to his listeners: how old is too old to serve in public office? Should there be age or term limits for certain offices?

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Governor J.B. Pritzker has appointed a former state senator and longtime ally of Mike Madigan to a state board. John Howell is joined by Dan Petrella, Reporter for the Chicago Tribune, to make sense of this decision that has raised many eyebrows.

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The Burr Ridge Police recently warned residents of possible coywolf sightings, but wildlife experts have disputed these concerns. Chris Anchor, Senior Wildlife Biologist at the Forest Preserves of Cook County, joins John Howell to explain the low probability of a wolf-dog hybrid roaming loose, and he shares overall safety information.

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• ABC News’ Jim Ryan joins John live from Tampa with the latest details on Hurricane Idalia.

• Michelle Nichols, Director of Public Observing at the Adler Planetarium, shares facts about tonight’s rare super blue moon, as well as how to best observe this phenomenon.

• Sam Charles from the Chicago Tribune has the latest details on the White Sox shooting.

• Plus, Mike Emanuel, Fox News Chief Washington Correspondent, joins John to discuss the latest national political stories.

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A lawyer for one of the women struck by gunfire at last Friday's White Sox game denies that she brought a firearm into Guaranteed Rate Field. Sam Charles, who covers the Chicago Police Department and Criminal Justice Topics for the Chicago Tribune, joins John Howell to explain the latest details of this investigation. 

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John Howell welcomes Mike Emanuel, Fox News Chief Washington Correspondent. They once again discuss the debate surrounding the "appropriate" age for politicians to continue to hold office, polling surveys after the first GOP debate, and an overview of happenings in Ukraine. Plus, they go into a bit of golf. 

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• Doug Bandow, Senior Fellow at the CATO Institute, discusses the delicate relationship between America, Ukraine, and Russia.

• The Chicago Tribune’s Rick Kogan joins the show to remember the life of Wendella’s Bob Borgstrom.

• Steve Bernas from the Better Business Bureau warns us about a Kane County Sheriff’s Office phone scam.

• Plus, Alex Isenstadt has the details on Donald Trump’s fundraising after the release of his mugshot.

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Last Friday, during the fourth inning of the White Sox vs. the Athletics, two women were struck by bullets. John Howell welcomes Rick Telander, Sports Columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times, to recount the events & the bizarre mishandling of the aftermath by both the White Sox & the Chicago Police.

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Today, the FBI dismantled and neutralized Qakbot malware, a ransomware botnet believed to be responsible for millions of dollars stolen from unsuspecting online victims. John Howell is joined by Alex Stone, ABC News Los Angeles, to share details on this significant technological operation against cybercriminals.

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• Steven Portnoy, ABC News Washington, joins with the details on Trump’s upcoming court dates. 

• Christopher Borrelli, Columnist for the Chicago Tribune, explains the Chicago-centric legacy of “Risky Business” and how Tom Cruise and Alice Cooper share a Chicago tie. 

• Crain’s Chicago’s John Pletz tells us why physicists from all over the world will be watching Fermilab. 

• Plus, John reviews a report on the accuracy and bias ratings for cable news and networks.

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John Howell is joined by the Chicago Tribune's Ray Long, who (literally) wrote the book on Mike Madigan.  Howell and Long discuss how the conviction of Tim Mapes has uncovered the lies he told to protect his boss, Michael Madigan, and what that may reveal about the federal case against Madigan.

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A West Loop street festival, the Taste of Randolph, used a charity's namesake to collect donations...but the charity says they weren't involved in the logistics. Face the Future Foundation, a Chicago-based non-profit, says they weren't involved in the planning or told how their organization would benefit from the street fest. John Howell welcomes Melody Mercado, reporter for Block Club Chicago, to explain Face the Future's response. 

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*ABC’s Alex Stone walks us through the current situation in Maui and the release of the names of the 388 people still missing.

*Marcelo Balboa, Match analyst for MLS Season Pass and Soccer great, joins John to preview this Sunday’s Chicago Fire game versus the LA Galaxy.

*Charles Lipson, Peter B. Ritzma Professor of Political Science Emeritus at the University of Chicago, shares his analysis of Prigozhin and the man who hired him. 

*Plus, Jason Nathanson previews this weekend’s box office and “Golda,” the story of Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir’s struggle to lead her country through the 1973 Yom Kippur war.

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John Howell catches up with the great Bill Cameron, long-time City Hall reporter and current host of Take 1 on WLS. They discuss his recent chat with Paul Vallas, Cameron’s thoughts on Mayor Johnson’s first 100 days, and his analysis of the Mapes verdict.

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John Howell is joined by Scott Reeder from the Illinois Times to discuss the “missing Blagojevich portrait” and what the absence of the portrait says about the state and the times. Reeder dives deep into this in his latest piece, where he argues that Blago deserves a portrait, despite his time spent behind bars. 

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• Geoffrey Skelley, Senior Elections Analyst at FiveThirtyEight, joins John to discuss last night’s GOP debate and when we may expect to see its impact at the polls.

• Dan Lipinski shares his analysis of the debate as a former member of Congress himself.

• Jason Meisner, Federal Courts reporter for the Chicago Tribune, shares everything we know about the Tim Mapes guilty verdict and what is next.

• Plus, Steven Portnoy had the details on Trump’s last minute legal team changes on the day of his surrender in Georgia.

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After a three-week criminal case, a jury has found Tim Mapes guilty on perjury and obstruction of justice charges. John Howell welcomes Jason Meisner, Federal Courts Reporter for the Chicago Tribune, to provide an overview of the trial and share memorable moments. 

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Trump has made significant changes to his legal team hours before surrendering himself to authorities in Fulton County. John Howell is joined by Steven Portnoy, ABC News Washington, to explain how these last minute changes can impact the trial moving forward.

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• Andrew Stoltmann, Chicago attorney and Northwestern adjunct law professor, joins John to analyze the Tim Mapes perjury trial as it reaches its final chapter.

• Mike Emanuel, Fox News Chief Washington Correspondent, previews tonight’s GOP FNC debate. 

• Leigh Giangreco from Crain’s has the details on Mayor Johnson’s “mansion tax” and how it affects different property owners. 

• Plus, Bret Gogoel shares his take on the White Sox big moves from yesterday afternoon. 

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One hundred days ago, Brandon Johnson pledged to build a "better, stronger, and safer Chicago." John Howell is joined by the Chicago Tribune's Gregory Royal Pratt to break down Johnson's triumphs and missteps, as well as where he stands on his campaign goals. 

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The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning that will be in effect until Thursday evening. John Howell welcomes Mark Thibodeau, Broadcast Meteorologist for The Weather Channel, to discuss the heat conditions and how to stay cool and safe.

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• Alex Stone joins the show with the latest on the devastation in Maui and the searches amongst the homes.

• Katie Anthony from the Sun-times examines how a swim club is skirting many of the city’s swimming regulations as it explodes in popularity.

• The White Sox ponder moving from their South Side home - and John reminisces on the first time the city nearly lost its South Side baseball team.

• Plus, Geoffrey Skelly takes a look at who did not make the RNC debate stage, and Christopher Placek has the latest on the negotiations between the Chicago Bears and Arlington Heights.

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Arlington Heights officials have hired lobbyists to help fight their case for their stadium redevelopment project.  The Daily Herald's Christopher Placek joins John to provide updates on the Chicago Bears' search for a new home and the politics involved. 

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Milwaukee is set to host the first Republican Presidential Debate tomorrow night. John Howell welcomes Geoffrey Skelley, Senior Elections Analyst for FiveThirtyEight.com, to discuss the details surrounding the GOP Debate, and who seems to be missing from the debate stage.

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• Andy Field joins the show from Washington to discuss rekindled fears of a Government shutdown as the HFC balked at a stopgap bill.

• Bret Gogoel, WLS Defacto Sports Director, and John discuss whether or not Justin Fields needed to play in the pre-season Bears game this past Saturday.

• Annie Krall recaps her time spent at Olympia Fields this past week observing the BMW Championship and gives her takeaways from the event.

• Plus, our listeners chime in as to whether or not the risks of a high-speed chase are worth removing criminals from the street.

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Former President Donald Trump and his associates who were indicted by an Atlanta Grand Jury have until Friday, August 25th to turn themselves in. Colby Hall, Founding Editor of Mediaite.com, joins John Howell to predict what might become of the spectacle of having a former President submit to a local jail.

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John Howell welcomes Greg Hinz, Political Reporter and Columnist for Crain's Chicago Business, to provide an overview of Brandon Johnson's first 100 days in office and the state's overall economy. They also discuss Illinois' record job levels, now higher than before the pandemic.

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• Ald. Ray Lopez, 15th Ward, joins John Howell to share his thoughts on immigration in Chicago.

• Steven Portnoy reports that Trump’s attorneys and the Fulton County DA are expected to meet next week. 

• Calen Carr, former Chicago Fire Player and MLS Season Pass announcer, previews this weekend’s game against Orlando. 

• Jason Nathanson has the story of “Blue Beetle,” the first live action Latino superhero movie in theaters this weekend. 

• Plus, Annie Krall from our own WLS AM newsroom joins us again from Olympia Fields Country Club to give more analysis of the BMW Championship.

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A neighbor in the nude has revealed loopholes in Chicago's public indecency laws. John Howell welcomes Ben Bradley, Emmy Award-Winning Investigative Reporter on WGN TV's Investigative Team, to explain the details of the ongoing conflict between female residents and a male resident, who has been allegedly exposing himself and harassing them for years. Bradley also explains how the story is much more nuanced than just an "annoying naked neighbor" and reveals some of the laws in question. 

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The second day of the PGA Tour is underway at Olympia Fields Country Club in Olympia, IL.  Annie Krall joins John Howell from Olympia Fields Country Club to provide her analysis on the course and the overall conditions that are affecting today's performance. John also asks his burning questions about the size of the locker rooms and the porta-potty situations. 

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• Alex Stone joins the show live from Hawaii to detail the devastation he’s witnessed in the aftermath of the fires, as well as how search, rescue, and rebuild efforts are proceeding.

• Jon Seidel, Federal Courts Reporter for the Sun-times, shares the latest details from the Tim Mapes trial as it heads towards wrapping up.

• Annie Krall from our own WLS AM Newsroom joins John live from the BMW Championship over at Olympia Fields Country Club with her analysis of today’s play.

• Plus, Shia Kapos from POLITICO discusses both Governors Day and Republican Day at the Illinois State Fair.

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What do you call a soft drink: pop, soda, or coke? Your answer says more than just word preference; it says a lot about the area of the country where you grew up. Valerie Fridland, Professor of Linguistics at the University of Nevada and Author of Like, Literally, Dude: Arguing for the Good in Bad English, joins John and crew to explain the reasoning behind regional speech patterns. Plus, she leads them through a fascinating dialect quiz.

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After the Democrats piled on the Republican criticisms at Governor's Day, the GOP utilized the Illinois State Fair to spark excitement for the upcoming election season. Shia Kapos, Reporter for POLITICO and Author of POLITICO's Illinois Playbook, joins John to provide a glimpse into the GOP's strategy for the 2024 campaign. 

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• Steven Portnoy from ABC joins John with details on obtained DM’s from Trump’s Twitter.

• Maria Pappas, Cook County Treasurer, provides insight on Governor Pritzker’s new property tax equity legislation, introduced on Friday. 

• Jason Nathanson from ABC provides an entertainment report on Baldwin, Bernstein & Barbie.

• Steve Dolinsky, The Creator of Pizza City Fest, lets us know what to expect for this years annual Pizza City Fest.

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John Howell connects with Mike Emanuel, Fox News Chief Washinton Correspondent, to discuss the possibility of Donald Trump withdrawing from the presidential race following his 4th indictment, the criticism over Biden’s Maui response and movement from a Ukrainian cargo ship. 

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This week, the PGA Tour heads to Olympia Fields Country Club in Olympia, IL, to host the BMW Championship. Vince Pelligrino, Senior Vice President of Tournaments for the Western Golf Association and Evans Scholars Foundation, joins John Howell to discuss what to keep an eye out for during the GMW Championship to provide details about the Evans Scholarship, an effort to award full tuition and college scholarships to high-achieving caddies with limited financial means

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• Brian Clark from ABC joins us with details on Michael Oher’s lawsuit to end his conservatorship. 

• Keith Naughton, co-founder of Silent Majority Strategies, wonders if Biden’s lack of strategy on Ukraine could put Trump back in the White House. 

• Alex Isenstadt from POLITICO details a clash between Trump supporters and DeSantis super PAC officials at a Des Moines dive bar. 

• Plus, Steve Bernas, President and CEO of the BBB of Chicago and Northern IL, has tips on how to safely donate to Maui.

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Although millions of people follow professional football every week, not many know when it originated. Believe it or not, football had been around for 75 years before the first Super Bowl was ever played. Gregg Ficery, Author of Gridiron Legacy: Football's Missing Origin, joins John Howell to discuss professional football's early history and the game's early pioneers that propelled the professional game forward.

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Donald Trump and 18 of his associates were charged with attempting to overturn his election defeat in the state of Georgia. Royal Oakes, ABC News Legal Analyst, joins John to discuss what are the next legal steps for Trump's 4th indictment.

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• Jeremy Gorner from the Chicago Tribune joins the show from Springfield to review some of the 40 bills Pritzker signed into law late last week. 

• ABC’s Alex Stone joins the show from Maui to discuss the continued devastation from the fires. 

• Craig Klatzco, owner of the Bunny Hutch, is celebrating the Hutch’s induction into the Hot Dog Hall of Fame tomorrow. 

• Plus, Mark Denzler from the IL Manufacturers’ Association shares his thoughts on some of the new laws in Illinois and how they impact workers in the state. 

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Brandon Johnson has selected Larry Snelling to serve as the next Chicago Police Superintendent. Sam Charles, who covers the CPD for the Chicago Tribune, joins John Howell to review Snelling's history with the department & his reception amongst other officers. 

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Fulton County, Georgia has presented a potential 4th indictment of Trump based on his alleged efforts to interfere in the vote counting within the state. ABC's Steven Portnoy joins John Howell live from Atlanta to discuss what we know about the Georgia election case. 

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• The AG has elevated the Hunter Biden prosecutor to Special Counsel, and Andy Field joins with the details.

• WTTW’s Paris Schutz dives into the numbers of fentanyl driven opioid overdoses in Cook County last year - and what can be done to drive this down.

• ABC’s Steven Portnoy explains why a judge said that Trump’s 1st Amendment Rights were “not absolute.”

• And the great Bill Cameron shares his thoughts on the goings on in Chicago, as well as previewing his latest episode of Take 1 WLS.

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The Illinois Supreme Court has upheld the state's ban on the sale and possession of semiautomatic weapons. John Howell is joined by Ret. Chief Tom Weitzel to share his overall thoughts and why he believes law enforcement should enforce the ban regardless of their personal feelings.

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John Howell is joined by John T. Bennett, former White House Correspondent and writer for Roll Call. Bennett examines the atmosphere surrounding July's national news cycle and elaborates on the tonal shift between the United States and abroad.

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• Clarence Thomas is under renewed scrutiny after more potential ethics violations - and Steven Portnoy has the details.

• Former Governor Pat Quinn shares his memories of Rocky Wirtz.

• Michael Phillips, film critic for the Chicago Tribune, explains why he believes “The Fugitive” is one of the greatest Chicago films.

• Plus, Alex Stone from ABC has the latest details on the fires in Maui.

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Since Wednesday, thirty-six lives have been lost to wildfires currently ravaging Hawaii's two largest islands. Now, a scene of chaos at the Maui airport as people frantically try to leave the island before things get worse. With more details, ABC's Alex Stone joins John Howell.

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John Howell is joined by the former IL Governor Pat Quinn. They discuss their memories of the late Blackhawks owner Rocky Wirtz, a day after fans poured to United Center to demonstrate support for the team and the legacy of the owner who revived it. They also catch up on the latest headlines in Illinois, from Madigan's trial to the White Sox.

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• Andrew Stoltmann, Chicago attorney and Northwestern law professor, discusses the latest legal aspects of the school’s hazing scandal. 

• Alex Stone, ABC News Los Angeles, reports on Maui and the big island burning, a disaster in Hawaii. 

• Jon Seidel from the Sun-times shares the latest from the courtroom in the Mapes trial. 

• Plus, Jason Nathanson shares the latest off-book drama happening in reality television, which Hollywood producers must rely on for the foreseeable future.

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The board of directors for Chicago's commuter rail system. Metra, took a trip on their own trains. That trip ended up costing more than $10,000. How did they rack up a bill like that? Sarah Freishtat, the Chicago Tribune transportation reporter who broke the story, joins John Howell to break it all down. 

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As most House Republicans push for a Biden impeachment, some aren't so sure. John Howell brings on Fox News Chief Washington Correspondent (and frequent BJH guest) Mike Emanuel to expand on why this disagreement could be another sign of a bigger split. 

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• Lee Bey, Sun-times architecture critic, explains how City Hall has taken the right step to protecting historic signs. 

• The Daily Herald’s Christopher Placek gives us the latest on Arlington Race Track’s deal with the Bears and explains why Arlington Park still has horses. 

• Andy Field gives us a 2024 update, including the latest on Pence’s donations and DeSantis’ campaign manager. 

• Plus, Bret Gogoel shares his thoughts on the White Sox losing ugly and the Cubs winning big this past weekend.

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Lincoln Park has seen a marked uptick in robberies in recent months, and Alderman Timmy Knudsen is requesting more officers to combat this. But is this the right strategy? And what's been driving this increase in crime? John Howell is joined by Ald. Knudsen to discuss his request, the problems at hand, and more. 

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Conspiracy theories run rampant on the right, with Trump fans standing out as particularly vulnerable. Why is this? To explain the link between language and conspiracy, John Howell brings in semiotics and linguistics professor Marcel Danesi from University of Toronto. 

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• ABC’s Steven Portnoy has the latest on Pence testimony and Trump’s lawyers.

• Russell Lissau from the Daily Herald shares which major Trump supporters have started to send their dollars towards DeSantis.

• Mundelein Village Administrator Eric Guenther has the details on the village’s music festival that will allow on-site cannibas consumption.

• Plus, Mike Dobuski has the latest on the Zuckerberg-Musk fight that will allegedly happen later this month.

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Former IL House Speaker Mike Madigan's controversial streak is proving to be contagious, as his former Chief of Staff Tim Mapes is now facing trial for lying to a grand jury about his former boss. It's a lot to digest, so John's joined by award-winning investigative reporter Ray Long, whose recent article for the Chicago Tribune breaks it down. 

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John Howell is joined by legendary drummer and frequent Ringo Starr collaborator Gregg Bissonette. Bissonette has performed with Starr's All Starr band since 2008. He shares his unique perspective on his illustrious career, Ringo Starr, and the Beatles ahead of The Fest for Beatles Fans, hitting Rosemont this weekend.

For more details on The Fest or tickets, visit www.thefest.com. 

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• Paul Lisnek from WGN-TV, joins to talk about his upcoming meeting with former Mayor Lori Lightfoot.

• Alex Stone, ABC News Correspondent, has the latest on two U.S. Navy Sailors arrested for allegedly spying for China.

• Keith Costigan, MLS Season Pass Play-by-Play Announcer, has all the details on the Chicago Fire vs Club América Game.

• Plus, Lauren O’Neil, Host on Q101, is our guide for the remainder of Lollapalooza weekend & Andrea Darlas previews her show, Show & Tell, for this upcoming Sunday, from 5-6.

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As the Midwest drifts more to the right, Illinois stands out as an island of blue. This fact is what draws the young and drives away the old, and to take a closer look at this pattern, John Howell is joined by Chicago Magazine's Ted McClelland. 

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With multiple criminal investigations and trials underway, Trump's calendar is looking like a nightmare.  ABC's Steven Portnoy sits in with John Howell to help us civilians navigate his legal tour schedule, plus his team's new two-week countdown to choose a trial date.

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• John G. Louis, Massage Therapy Hall of Famer, joins to talk about his time as massage therapist for the White Sox and more. 

• Andy Field, ABC News Washington, has the latest details on what happened during Trump’s arraignment today. 

• Steve Chapman, former staff columnist and editorial writer for the Chicago Tribune, asks who deserves the credit for our surprisingly strong economy. 

•Plus, Q101’s Lauren O’Neil previews tomorrow’s lineup at Lollapalooza, and two best friends stop in the studio on their way over to Grant Park.

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The brand of conservatism that Mike Pence has come to represent is exactly what voters now reject, at least according to most polls. It's a symptom of a greater divide within the GOP, and Washington Post's Olivier Knox is on with John Howell to explain what impact this has for the upcoming election and beyond. 

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According to Roe Conn, director at the Cook County Sheriff's Office, carjackings are down while auto thefts are on the rise. Why is this? And how can I deter people from stealing my car? Conn joins John Howell to chat about this, plus they do a great deal of reminiscing about his time in the big chair at the Big 89. 

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• Russell Lissau from the Daily Herald joins us with an update on July’s water crisis in Southern Lake County. 

• Royal Oakes, ABC News Legal Analyst, reviews the Trump Indictment and how he may challenge it. 

• Liz Garibay, executive director of the Chicago Brewseum, discusses this past weekend’s Brew Summit and explains exactly what a “Brewseum” is. 

• Plus, Jason Nathanson explains why politicians in Los Angeles are asking Taylor Swift to postpone her upcoming concerts.

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One of the country's largest music festivals, Lollapalooza is back tomorrow! With over 170 artists, though, it can be hard to decide which artists to see. Thankfully Q101's Lauren O'Neil has been to Lolla every year since 2012 and has you covered on how to get the most out of your festival experience. 

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From the Fox desk to the WLS airwaves, Mike Emanuel is back with John Howell! He's got details about the legal background between Trump and the judge overseeing (one of) his trial(s). Does it constitute a conflict of interest? They dive into everything, including some of the former president's other legal troubles, Biden in space, and DeSantis's high-profile debate request. 

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• Robert Herguth from the Sun-times brings us another chapter in the story of the Illinois Gaming Board and a Cicero diner’s gaming license. 

• Bret Gogoel, WLS Defacto Sports Director, joins the show to discuss the MLB trading deadline and what the Cubs and Sox chose to do. 

• Jay O’Brien shares what we know regarding the closed door testimony of Devon Archer yesterday afternoon.

• Steve Bernas, President & CEO of BBB of Chicago & Northern IL, discusses music festival scams and other things to look out for as Summer wraps up. 

• Plus, John Howell and Kim Gordon discuss the Trump indictment and Jack Smith’s statement on the matter.

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Amid the Trump indictment, it's easy to forget that Devon Archer, a former associate of Hunter Biden, delivered closed-door testimony to the House Oversight Committee just yesterday. Back with John Howell to jog our memories and share updates on the case is Jay O'Brien with ABC News Washington. 

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In a (not so) shocking turn of events, there's a bit of corruption again in the Illinois and the Chicagoland area. This time, the Illinois Gaming Board failed to look into testimony delivered by an alleged mobster before approving a gaming license for his Cicero diner. Breaking it all down in the Sun-Times and with John Howell is Robert Herguth. 

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• Ed Kilgore, longtime political observer and New York Magazine columnist, asks if DeSantis’ reboot will be more like McCain’s or Bush’s.

• John takes a look at Ed Sheeran’s time in Chicago, both at Soldier Field and at the Weiner Circle. 

• Derricke Dennis shares reports that there may be a possible Covid-19 resurgence in New York City. 

• Russell Lissau from the Daily Herald examines the Illinois budget halfway through the year. 

• Plus, Alex Stone has the details on Lori Vallow Daybell’s sentencing today and why some coined her the “Doomsday Mother.”

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Just ahead of election season, Russell Lissau of The Daily Herald has taken a look at funding numbers from the first half of the year for each of Illinois's two major parties. He's found that IL Democrats hold slightly more than the state's GOP. What does this mean for state politics and election outcomes? He joins John Howell to let us know. 

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Devon Archer, a former business partner of Hunter Biden, delivered a closed-door testimony in front of the House Oversight Committee. It's impossible to know exactly what he said, but ABC News Washington's Jay O'Brien joins John Howell to explain what his appearance means and how House Democrats have characterized his testimony. 

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• Dan Mihalopoulos from WBEZ has the details of PPP fraud in Cook County and the Chicago Park District.

• Bill Cameron, Host of Take 1, joins John to preview this weekend’s episode and his conversation with Senator Tammy Duckworth.

• Andy Field from ABC covers everything Congress left to do after their August recess.

• Plus, Jason Nathanson looks at this weekend in movies, both in theaters and on the home screen.

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Chicago's Mayor Brandon Johnson was the latest stop in the Bears' mayor meeting marathon, but are there any new signs that they'll stay? Joining John Howell with all the details is Greg Hinz, politics reporter and columnist for Crain's Chicago Business. 

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The world's most famous people get made into cards, statues, and even...bobbleheads! Now Jack Smith, DOJ special counsel and the US's most talked-about lawyer, has his own tiny-necked, big-headed statuette. John Howell is joined by Phil Sklar, CEO of the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum, to talk about what makes someone especially fit for becoming a bobblehead. 

https://www.bobbleheadhall.com/

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• Brad Garrett, ABC News Crime & Terrorism Analyst, unpacks the Hunter Biden investigation from an investigator’s point of view. 

• Colby Hall, founding editor of Mediaite, has the details on Rudy Giuliani’s court filing. 

• Bob Chiarito discusses his piece in the Sun-times about Jason Aldean’s song “Small Town.”

• Plus, Keith Naughton from The Hill says how Mr. Nice Guy Tim Scott could win the GOP Nom.

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If history has taught us anything, it's that nice guys usually finish last. But why, then, is Senator Tim Scott avoiding negativity in the GOP primary? If he wants to boost his poll numbers, Mr. Nice Guy might need a name change. Keith Naughton, opinion contributor for The Hill, joins John Howell to explain what Sen. Scott would need to do in order to improve his political outlook. 

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Mark Followill joins John Howell to talk about everything from the Mavericks to Minneapolis. Of course, as a play-by-play announcer for MLS Season Pass, he tells John about everything to expect in the Chicago Fire's upcoming Leagues Cup match against the Minneapolis United. 

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• Attorney Kaivan Shroff, Senior Advisor for the Institute for Education, explains the ins and outs of plea deals and how this applies to Hunter Biden’s day in court.

• Carl Cannon, Washington bureau chief for RealClearPolitics, introduces us to “The 1735 Project” about changes in media.

• Alex Stone from ABC has the latest on the massive heat waves across the country.

• Plus, Chef John Rudolph from Hoyt’s American Tavern joins John in studio with some treats, and a Judge from Evanston has rejected the request to limit discussion of the NU football stadium plan.

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Arlington Heights, Naperville, Waukegan, and even Rockford have floated the idea of becoming the next home to the Chicago Bears. Now, Richton Park, just over thirty minutes from city center, has signaled their interest in hosting the team. Mayor Rick Reinbold joins John Howell to explain why they'd be a good fit, where they're at in the negotiations, and just how likely it is Richton Park will be selected. 

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Hunter Biden has plead not guilty to federal tax charges in Wilmington, Delaware after a judge rejected a plea deal that seemed all but final. Now what? Steven Portnoy of ABC News Washington joins John Howell to take a closer look. 

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• Em Nguyen has the details of Biden’s historic Emmett Till proclamation.

• David Roeder from the Sun-times explains why landlords in the city are in hot water.

• Bret Gogoel, WLS Defacto Sports Director, discusses the potential changes (or lack of changes) on the Cubs and Sox as the season of trading begins.

• Plus, Rick Kogan from the Tribune takes us back to the days of Mike Royko and beer tasting.

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As Alex Nitkin from the Illinois Answers Project put it, Mayor Johnson has few progressive options for finding revenue. Nitkin joins John Howell to explain what a city income tax would look like and why it seems like an increasingly attractive revenue stream to the new mayor. 

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It's a stunning blockbuster, breaking box-office records and earning critical acclaim, and now critics have begun looking beyond the box to see what Barbie says about the battle between masculinity and femininity. Regular POLITICO contributor Joanna Weiss joins John Howell to dive into Barbie's world and read between the lines. 

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• Bob McCoppin from the Chicago Tribune explains why residents of Evanston are angry about the move by the city to bypass public discussion on the Northwestern stadium project. 

• ABC’s Andy Field has the details on the crisis in Israel and the divisive judicial overhaul. 

• Rick Pearson, Chief Political reporter for the Chicago Tribune, shares which group just won the rights to Illinois voter data and why. 

• Plus, Retired Chief Tom Weitzel from Riverside says that drivers have rights during a DUI stop, but not cooperating with police may have consequences. 

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John Howell welcomes Neil Steinberg, Columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times, to discuss why it's important to keep an open mind to other opinions & to challenge one's line of thought. 

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Daily Herald Transportation Reporter Marni Pyke finds that crime on Metra has increased with a growing ridership. It's a question looming over commuters as the suburban rail system looks to bounce back from a COVID-induced dip in riders, but Metra has said it's as safe as it's ever been. Pyke joins John Howell to break down the numbers and trends. 

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The great John Dempsey, WLS Golf Commissioner Emeritus, joins John Howell to share his thoughts on The Open, happening now over in England. The two, of course, end up far off topic plenty of times, but end the segment giving their picks alongside newswoman Annie Krall. 

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As the possible dangers of AI have been quickly approaching, President Biden encouraged seven of the largest developers in the field to play nice and work toward a safe AI-driven future...and they agreed. Jay O'Brien, from ABC News Washington, joins John Howell to expand on what this means politically, strategically, and competitively for the tech industry and their friends in D.C.

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• Someone in Los Angeles is holding a $1 billion Powerball ticket - Alex Stone has the details.

• Brakkton Booker, National Political Correspondent for POLITICO, joins the program with a deep dive on GOP presidential hopeful Tim Scott.

• Ike Ejiochi explores the top concerns of the Pentagon’s UFO Czar.

• Plus, Leanne Redden, Executive Director of the RTA, lets us know what they need from the city and updates us on the future of our railways.

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Why does society feel like women talk too much? It's an idea that has existed in the social sphere for hundreds of years, but aren't we past that? Linguistics professor Valerie Fridland, author of Like, Literally Dude: Arguing for the Good in Bad English, joins John Howell to explain how women have used words as weapons, and why traditionally masculine society doesn't always agree. 

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Joining John Howell is Leanne Redden, the executive director of the Regional Transportation Authority here in Chicago.  She and John discuss what the RTA needs from the city and Mayor Johnson as they look forward to their future. She also answers all sorts of transportation questions, including those about construction, short-term planning, and long-term methods of funding the continent's third-largest transit system. 

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• POLITICO’s Josh Gerstein joins John with the latest on the Trump documents trial.

• Mark Guarino, journalist and author of “Country & Midwestern,” shares stories about his book and an event tomorrow at the Harold Washington Library.

• Ike Ejiochi, ABC News Washington, has the details on Biden’s Competition Council meeting from earlier today.

• Plus, Bret Gogoel, WLS Defacto Sports Director, joins to talk about the record breaking week in baseball.

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It's been over a month since the mass shooting in Willowbrook, but the last update from the police came three weeks ago. Where's the transparency? John Howell is joined by Ben Bradley, member of WGN Investigates, who shares what his team has learned and why information has been slow to come. 

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The Cubs have been on fire, but even more impressive is their recent expansion of charity efforts. Alicia Gonzalez, Executive Director of Cubs Charities, joins John Howell to share how everyone, even Sox fans, can get involved. 

For more information on Cubs Charities' programs, visit:https://www.mlb.com/cubs/community/cubs-charities/baseball-programs

To participate in the auction, visit: www.cubs.com/charityauction

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• Rick Pearson, the Chicago Tribune’s Chief Political Reporter, joins John to discuss the Netroots Nation conference.

• Ed Kilgore, longtime political observer and columnist, says we, perhaps, shouldn’t write off Ron DeSantis just yet.

• Steve Bernas, President and CEO of the BBB of Chicago and Northern Illinois, has the latest on Artificial Intelligence scams and more.

• Plus, Alex Stone talks about the heat wave hitting the nation and breaking records in Phoenix.

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A federal judge just dismissed the Madigan-related bribery charges against ComEd in Illinois. Madigan's not quite in the clear, though, as he's due to face corruption charges at trial next year. Jon Seidel of the Chicago Sun-Times joins John Howell to clear up what this means for the IL Dems' disgraced former leader, Chicagoland's electricity provider, and everyone caught in the middle. 

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In the face of a classified documents case, defamation lawsuits, and tax inquiries, Trump's mountain of legal battles grew taller after he was informed that he is the target in a probe of efforts to overturn the 2020 election. Now, experts and the public await what happens next. ABC News Los Angeles' Legal Analyst Royal Oakes joins John Howell to break it down. 

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• Ike Ejiochi has the details on Secretary Blinken’s latest warning on the risks to National security created by unfilled State Department posts. 

• Gregory Royal Pratt from the Chicago Tribune discusses the Chicago watchdog report on Ald. Jim Gardiner’s violations of the city ethics code. 

• Jason Nathanson runs the numbers on the cost of a double strike in Hollywood. 

• Plus, a caller shares his opinion of Chris Christie, and Rachel cannot stop raving about the new “Mission Impossible” movie.

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It's all everyone's been talking about since it dropped on Hulu, but Chicago-based food writer John Kessler joins Big John Howell to tell us just how accurate 'The Bear' really is. According to Kessler, anyone who's ever worked in a restaurant will relate to something in the show.

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Chicagoan and Ides of March singer Jim Peterik collapsed in Des Plaines over the weekend. He's expected to be OK, but why'd he go down? Ron Onesti, CEO and President of Onesti Entertainment Group, joins John Howell to share an insider's point of view. 

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Marked by a fiery announcement from President Fran Drescher, SAG-AFTRA has officially gone on strike. It's the largest such demonstration from the actors' union in decades, so John Howell is joined by ABC's Entertainment Correspondent Jason Nathanson to explain what this means for the industry and what it will take for our favorite shows to come back. 

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A tweet many feel is insensitive from a North Side Alderwoman has sparked outrage between her, an Italian American action group, and a much smaller Italian American action group. Shia Kapos, author of POLITICO's Illinois Playbook, joins John Howell to help him answer these questions: should Ald. Rodriguez-Sanchez be censured, and if so, will she be? 

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Minimum donor amounts, a divided GOP, and a crowded primary has led to a fascinating fundraising race on the right. Still, Trump's $35 million raised is less than half of what's in Biden's campaign wallet. Why is this? Andy Field from ABC News Washington joins John Howell to break down the numbers and what we might expect as the election draws nearer. 

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If you thought Chicago Fire FC games were fun, team President Dave Baldwin shares how upcoming games will exceed your expectations. He joins Andrea Darlas, in for John Howell, to share some of the promotions that will be run during the rest of the season for Chicago's soccer team. Plus, they discuss some of the new perks added for season ticket holders. 

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Emma Watson from Goddess and Grocer joins Andrea Darlas, in for John Howell. Watson shares the latest on their fundraising partnership with PAWS Chicago, one of the largest no-kill shelters in the area. Until July 11th, Goddess and Grocer is featuring special menu items and drinks, with portions of each sale going to PAWS.  

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The Chicago River is cleaner than it's been in years, and Friends of The Chicago River is showing it off with their Summer Float Party on Sunday, July 23rd. Andrea Darlas, in for John Howell, is joined by Friends of the Chicago River's Executive Director Margaret Frisbie to share more details of this unique event and how you can get involved.

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• Faith Abubey from ABC Washington discusses Biden’s comments today at the NATO Summit. 

• Chicago Attorney and Northwestern adjunct law professor Andrew Stoltmann answers John’s questions about the NU hazing scandal and the firing of Coach Fitzgerald. 

• Janelle Iaccino, also known as “The Bug Girl,” shares her tips for avoiding mosquitos during an especially bad year for the bugs in Chicagoland.

• Plus, Alex Stone has the details on what Dems say is millions of Taxpayers’ data being shared with Meta.

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Fox News Chief Washington Correspondent Mike Emanuel is back, this time with the latest on the PGA hearing in front of Congress. He joins John Howell to share why a potential merger with the Saudi-backed LIV Golf has people upset about security issues and more. 

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Fitz is out, but will Northwestern be able to justify ending his contract? Andrew Stoltmann, Chicago attorney and adjunct professor at Northwestern University, joins John Howell with his point of view on the legal implications of Pat Fitzgerald's firing. 

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• Kyle Cheney, Senior Legal Affairs Reporter at POLITICO, discusses Trump’s request for his classified documents trial to be delayed until after the 2024 election. 

• Tim Brown joins the show to discuss his newest book, “The Tao of the Backup Catcher.”

• Alex Stone from ABC Los Angeles warns of the extreme heat blasting huge areas across our entire country. 

• Plus, John Howell discusses more of the aftermath of Coach Fitzgerald’s firing in the Northwestern Hazing scandal.

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It's been more than a year since Russia invaded, and Ukraine has been holding on; however, it's also clear they're having trouble making swift, meaningful progress. Professor emeritus of political science from the University of Chicago Charles Lipson joins John Howell to share why now might not be the time for Ukraine to join NATO. 

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The Saudi government has a damning human rights record...so why is the PGA hellbent on merging with the Saudi-backed LIV Golf? ABC News Washington's Jay O'Brien joins John Howell to explain the latest in PGA's defense of their potential partnership in front of Congress. 

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*Ike Ejiochi presents Kirby’s defense of his decision to send cluster munitions to Ukraine. 

*Bret Gogoel, WLS Defacto Sports Director, previews the format, the players, and the dingers coming at the 2023 Home Run Derby. 

*Mark Denzler, President and CEO of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association, discusses two bills that are sitting with Governor Pritzker that the IMA believes will do more harm than good. 

*Plus, Jason Nathanson and John Howell ask - why is it en vogue to throw things at singers performing on stage?  

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Since making headlines last week, details continue to pour in about the recent hazing allegations made against Northwestern University's football team. Joining John Howell is State Rep. Kam Buckner, who shares his point of view as a Chicago-based lawmaker looking to protect college athletes against hazing. 

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James Lewis, the only suspect in the 1982 Tylenol poisonings, was found dead in his Massachusetts home on Sunday. John Howell is joined by Stacy St. Clair, Chicago Tribune reporter and co-host of Unsealed: The Tylenol Murders, to revisit the decades-old case and the man investigators believe may have played a part. 

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• Ed Kilgore, longtime political observer and Intelligencer columnist, joins John to discuss the 2024 abortion battle and who will show up to the polls.

• Bill Cameron, Host of Take 1 and WLS City Hall Reporter Emeritus, previews this weekend’s episode of the show and recaps his recent conversation with Dick Durbin.

• Danielle Slaton, Broadcasting and Olympic Legend and Match Analyst for MLS Season Pass, previews Saturday’s Chicago Fire game vs Nashville and discusses some of her soccer favorites.

• Plus, ABC’s Jason Nathanson has the scoop on the latest in entertainment news.

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Two of the world's richest and most prominent tech entrepreneurs could be fighting in Rome's Colosseum; what would it take to make it a reality? Joining John Howell is Evan Bleier, senior editor at InsideHook, to share the latest on what some say would be the biggest, most watched fight in human history. 

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John Howell is joined by David Roeder, who covers business and labor for the Chicago Sun-Times. As we await a detailed analysis of how NASCAR's recent pit stop performed in Chicago, they discuss the likely financial gains (or losses), whether it'll be back for a second lap next year, and how local and state officials have weighed in.

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• John Howell remembers the life of the great broadcaster, Dick Biondi.

• Andy Field from ABC News Washington describes the Secret Service’s hunt for the culprit behind the cocaine found in the White House. 

• POLITICO’s Jordan Carney discusses the House GOP’s plan to go after the FBI and DOJ. 

• Plus, Alex Stone has the story of a “missing” Texas boy who was never really missing.

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Meta's newest app has gone live; it's called Threads, and it's being called Mark Zuckerberg's answer to Twitter. John Howell is joined by Technology Reporter for ABC News Mike Dobuski to learn more about what this could mean for an already-crowded social media landscape. 

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It's day five of the water crisis impacting Kildeer and Hawthorne Woods, and there doesn't seem to be a resolution in sight. The Daily Herald's Russell Lissau joins John Howell to tell us why this is happening, what town officials are saying, and how affected residents are reacting. 

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• Bret Gogoel, WLS Defacto Sports Director, shares the story of “Roofgate” and some big decisions that the White Sox and the Cubs are facing. 

• Best-selling author, Jennifer Ackerman, is on to discuss her latest book, “What an Owl Knows: The New Science of the World’s Most Enigmatic Birds.” 

• Kristin Kopicki, Co-owner of Cody’s public House, joins John with details of their Doggie Ice Cream Social benefitting the Second City Canine Rescue. 

• Plus, Ramblin Ray shares his thoughts on this weekend’s NASCAR Chicago street race.

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It's Mike Emanuel time! Fox News' Chief Washington Correspondent joins John Howell to share the details of the recent drug discovery on Pennsylvania Avenue. The good news? It's not anthrax. The bad: we don't know whose it is. 

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It was the most watched NASCAR event in six years, but how much money did it bring for the city? John Howell is joined by Robert Channick, Business Reporter for the Chicago Tribune, to talk viewing figures, Sunday's downpour, and who really won the race. 

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• Ret. Chief Tom Weitzel from Riverside shares his thoughts on the acquittal of Scot Peterson in the Parkland Florida case. 

• Royal Oakes has the news on SCOTUS and their final decisions of the term. 

• Jason Nathanson, ABC News Entertainment Correspondent, has the details on the newest installment in the Indiana Jones series and the WGA strike.  

• Plus, Stefano Fusaro, Host and Play-by-Play Announcer for MLS Countdown and MLS Wrap-Up, joins John to preview Saturday’s Chicago Fire game vs Orlando.

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In their final week of the term, SCOTUS ruled on several landmark cases, including one where they ruled in favor of a Christian Web Designer who refused to create websites for same-sex marriges. What does this mean for LGBTQ+ rights going forward? And what about the other decisions put forward by the Supreme Court this week? John Howell welcomes Professor Eric Segall, Kathy & Lawrence Ashe Professor of Law at Georgia State University, to discuss if individual interpretations of free speech have the authority to trump long time civil right statues. 

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Checkered flags are set to fly for the first time in the Windy City. John Howell is joined by Josh Bilicki, one of the NASCAR drivers racing this weekend. He will be behind the wheel of the Zeigler.com No. 78 Chevy Camaro. Together, they preview the race course and discuss NASCAR racing legends from Bilicki's home state, Wisconsin. 

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• Lindsay Watts joins John Howell live from Washington to discuss the big decisions SCOTUS has made thus far this week and which decisions are to come. 

• Jennifer Haberkorn from POLITICO discusses how the Biden world wants the GOP to feel the pain for voting no while taking the dough. 

• Kim Komando, America’s Digital Goddess, explains to John exactly what “big tech” knows about him…and it’s way more than you’d think.

• Plus, Alex Stone has the latest on the Titan submersible recovery efforts.

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The NASCAR Chicago Street Race is almost here, and for business owners, so is a possible surge in business. John Howell is joined by David Roeder, Business and Labor Reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times. They discuss the fears, expectations, and likely realities for Chicago's business owners surrounding the weekend's events.

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It's a big week for SCOTUS as they make major decisions on elections, admissions, and more. John Howell is joined by POLITICO State Politics reporter, Zach Montellaro, to discuss one such decision made earlier this week that could prevent future fake elector schemes. 

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• Mark Borgschulte, Economics Professor at the University of Illinois, explains how air pollution from wildfires affects the labor markets. 

• Mike Emanuel, Fox News Chief Washington Correspondent, joins John to chat about this week’s biggest political stories. 

• Royal Oakes, ABC News Legal Analyst, discusses the legal implications of Trump’s tape. 

• Plus, have we found the next Babe Ruth? Bret Gogoel, WLS Defacto Sports Director, joins John to discuss.

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Can the families of victims in the Titan tragedy sue OceanGate? What about the waiver they signed before getting in? John Howell is joined by Steve Levin, Founding Partner at Levin & Parconti, one of Chicago's leading personal injury and medical malpractice law firms. Together, they discuss the efficacy of waivers, the responsibilities of all parties, and more. 

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After a year of questions surrounding the nation's most famous laptop, John is joined by Kaivan Shroff, Legal and Political Analyst and Senior Advisor for the Institute For Education and public interest. They discuss the charges against Hunter Biden, the motivations behind them, and how whistle blowers are legally protected. 

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• Lindsay Watts from ABC reviews the Supreme Court decisions which came down so far this week and the decisions still to come. 

• Rick Telander, sports columnist for the Sun-times, explains the similarities he sees between NASCAR and American culture. 

• Salena Zito, national political reporter, shares the story of America’s oldest brewery. 

• Plus, Christopher Placek from the Daily Herald brings us the latest news about the Chicago Bears and their proposal to Arlington Heights.

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Where does Donald Trump stand in the 2024 GOP primary polls, despite the newly found Trump tape? John Howell welcomes Carl Cannon, Washington Bureau Chief for RealClearPolitics, to discuss Donald Trump, SCOTUS decisions, and the American people's perspective on ideological extremes.

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The race is just days away, and Chicago Street Race President Julie Giese joins John to discuss the NASCAR Foundation's benefit dinner ahead of the big day. Find more information on how you can help at nascarfoundation.org/chicago. 

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• ABC’s Andy Field shares the details on Biden saying that the US and NATO Allies were not involved in the recent Russian rebellion. 

• Ret. Chief Tom Weitzel from Riverside shares his thoughts on the recent violence in Willowbrook and our nation. 

• Jason Nathanson reveals how Taylor Swift is singlehandedly boosting the economy of every city she travels to on her tour. 

• Plus, John discusses the assessment on the Cook County Assessor’s home and what exactly went sideways.

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The trial of Scot Peterson, school safety officer in Parkland, Florida, is now awaiting a jury's verdict. John is joined by ABC News reporter Derricke Dennis to discuss the charges, the arguments from both sides, and what it means for Peterson that the jury has not yet decided his fate. 

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A law considered by the Illinois House could grant second chances to criminals sentenced to life in prison before the age of 21. But should these people be let back on to the streets? John Howell is joined by Jeremy Gorner, reporter for the Chicago Tribune, to discuss this proposal and its implications, as well as what its critics are saying. 

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• ABC’s Lindsay Watts has the details on President Biden and VP Harris marking the one year anniversary of SCOTUS’ decision on Roe v Wade. 

• A.B. Stoddard from Real Clear Politics says that Chris Christie intends on being the X-Factor in 2024. 

• Nate Bukaty, Play-by-play announcer for MLS Season Pass, joins the show to preview this weekend’s Chicago Fire FC game versus Kansas City. 

• Plus, Andrea Darlas previews this weekend’s episode of Show & Tell.

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Chris Christie has made a splash thus far in the GOP presidential primary by calling out his competitors and what he sees as their vast differences.  John Howell welcomes A.B. Stoddard, Associate Editor and Columnist at RealClearPolitics, to discuss Christie's role in the race and how he intends to shake things up. 

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After the tragic loss of the Titan submersible, questions are being raised about who is responsible for investigating this disaster. John Howell is joined by ABC News' Andy Field to discuss the complicated process of assigning authority to lead an inquiry. 

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• Jerry Nowicki, Bureau Chief from Capitol News Illinois, explains Pritzker’s decision to freeze noncitizen health care enrollment. 

• Alex Stone shares what we know about the sad conclusion to the Titan Submersible story. 

• Andy Field from ABC News Washington has the details on the special counsel handing over first discovery to the Trump team. 

• Plus, Steve Cochran, WLS Morning show host, joins the program to smooth over some claims of theft in the afternoon and chat about golf. 

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EverythingALS, a patient-focused non-profit, is currently conducting the world's largest AI-powered ALS study. John Howell is joined by Indu Navar, Founder of EverythingALS, to discuss the details of the study and history behind the non-profit. The study is still taking participants, both those who have ALS and those who don't. For more information, visit everythingals.org. 

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After a contentious debate, Chicago's divided city council approves of a $1 million dollar settlement to compensate the mother of a 26-year-old man shot and killed by the Chicago police. John Howell welcomes Alderman Ray Lopez from Chicago's 15th Ward to discuss his thoughts on what he calls the city's "knee-jerk" propensity to settle lawsuits alleging police misconduct. 

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• Gregory Pratt joins John Howell to discuss his upcoming book, “The City is Up for Grabs: How Mayor Lori Lightfoot Led and Lost a City in Crisis.”

• Mike Emanuel, Fox News Chief Washington Correspondent, lends his thoughts and analysis on the biggest national news stories of the week. 

• Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas tells the story behind a powerful new photography exhibit on Mariupol. 

• Plus, Alex Stone has the latest on the search for the Titanic submersible lost in the Atlantic.

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Prior to departing for their summer recess, the Supreme Court is expected to make decisions on student debt, affirmative action, immigration and more. John Howell welcomes James Romoser, POLITICO'S Legal Editor, discuss how the next two weeks are imperative for impending Supreme Court rulings. 

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As the search for the missing Titan submersible continues, John Howell welcomes David Waud to recount his personal experience on The Titan's voyage to see the back Titanic in 2021.

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• Dan Mihalopoulos, WBEZ Reporter on Government and Politics, has the details on a grant that will provide $6.8 million towards Chicago monuments. 

• Steve Bernas, President and CEO of the BBB of Chicago and Northern Illinois, joins us with the latest on scams to avoid. 

• ABC’s Andy Field joins from Washington to discuss the GOP reaction to Hunter Biden’s charges. 

• Plus, Lindsay Watts has the scoop from Biden’s AI Forum this afternoon.

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Titan, the Submersible, vanished after carrying 5 people to the Titanic wreckage site, and officials are saying the submarine has approximately 40 hours left. John Howell is joined by Alex Stone, ABC News Los Angeles, to discuss the latest on the Titanic Submersible search. 

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John Howell welcomes "Bulldog" John Drummond, Legendary Chicago Crime Reporter,  to discuss the story of the infamous leader of the Chicago outfit, Sam Giacana. Decades ago, before his untimely end while cooking sausages and peppers, Bulldog reveals that Giacana had ties to aldermen, county commissioners and several other Chicago figureheads.

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• AXIOS’ Justin Kaufmann joins the show to review his picks for best fictional Chicagoan father of all time. 

• Robert Channick from the Chicago Tribune has the details on the temporary casino Bally’s will set up in the Medinah Temple starting this August. 

• Thunder Rosa, former AEW Women’s Champion, joins the show to promote the very first Collision event, tomorrow at the United Center and airing at 7 pm on TNT. 

• Plus, Jason Nathanson has the details on the new Flash movie, and the show shares their favorite pieces of advice that their fathers ever gave them.

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Different suburbs continue to throw their hat into the ring while Chicago also suggests more ideas for open development sites to house the new Chicago Bears stadium. John Howell welcomes Paris Schutz, Chicago Tonight Co-Anchor and Correspondent, to go over the pros and cons of each location.

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Donald Trump's attorneys have filed a motion to move the Manhattan criminal trial to federal court, arguing that his charges took place while Trump was in office. John Howell is joined by Royal Oakes, ABC News Legal Analyst, to discuss the reasoning behind the motion & what could follow. 

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Happy Father’s Day to all of our listeners! AXIOS Chicago’s Justin Kaufmann joins John Howell to share his rundown of the seven best fictional fathers from Chicago. Listen as they both revisit some of their favorite television and movie memories of extraordinary dads.  

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• Professor Charles Lipson returns to the program, this time to discuss Trump’s indictment and what it does to confidence in our institutions. 

• Ariel Parella from Block Club Chicago has the latest details on the federal investigation into Ald. Jim Gardiner.

• ABC’s Alex Stone talks about the San Francisco drug crackdown that netted enough fentanyl to kill 2.1 million people. 

• Plus, a listener shares his thoughts on Professor Lipson and John Howell’s conversation and the state of our country.

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As the Chicago Bears continue their search for a new home, Waukegan throws their hat in the ring alongside Arlington Heights, Naperville and Chicago to host the football team. John Howell is joined by the Daily Herald's Christopher Placek to discuss where the Bears stand in negotiations.

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John Howell welcomes Valerie Fridland, Professor of Linguistics at the University of Nevada and Author of Like, Literally, Dude: Arguing for the Good in Bad English.Together, they discuss parents' roles in teaching language to their children, the origin of the word "father" from different families of language, and if the word "dude" is a term of respect or solidarity.

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• Sir John Dempsey, WLS Golf Commissioner Emeritus, joins John Howell to recap their golf game with over 160 years of cumulative radio experience in the mix. 

• Gus Noble, President of the Chicago Scots, previews the 37th Annual Scottish Festival and Highland Games happening this weekend. 

• ABC’s Derricke Dennis reviews Pennsylvania’s plans for repairing the collapsed section of I-95 in Philadelphia. 

• Plus, Mike Dobuski shares the news of a new Beatles song, brought to us by AI.

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Former President Donald Trump has been arraigned and plead not guilty on all counts in his federal classified documents case. John Howell is joined by Royal Oakes, ABC News Legal Analyst, to discuss the speech Trump delivered post-hearing, where he claimed 'political persecution,' as well as the next legal steps. 

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From Biden's reaction to Trump's Indictment and his reelection campaign, to our nation's geopolitical relationship with China, John Howell and Mike Emanuel, Fox News Chief Washington Correspondent, cover it all. Together, they discuss today's political updates and the Annual Congressional Baseball Game at National Park.

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• Jason Nathanson, ABC News Entertainment correspondent, has the details on Garth Brooks’ new bar and the backlash he’s receiving from some conservatives. 

• Mark Denzler, President and CEO of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association, joins to discuss new regulations around striking workers and more. 

• Author Darrell Hartmen shares the story of “Battle of Ink and Ice,” his new book detailing a 60 year battle between two explorers to arrive first at the North Pole. 

• Plus, Royal Oakes has the latest details on Trump’s indictment and the federal charges against him.

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John Howell welcomes Darrell Hartman to discuss his new book, BATTLE OFINK AND ICE: A Sensational Story of News Barons, North Pole Explorers, and the Makingof Modern Media.Together, they discuss the contest to get to the North Pole, the journalistic duel between The Times & The Herald, and the parallel this story holds to modern day media. 

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Former President Donald Trump has been indicted on federal charges in an investigation into his handling of classified documents. John Howell is joined by Royal Oakes, ABC News Legal Analyst, to break down Trump's charges and details pertaining to his upcoming court date tomorrow. 

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• John discusses the indictment of Donald Trump and special counsel Jack Smith's remarks.

• ABC News Entertainment Correspondent, Jason Nathanson, joins John to discuss this weekend's movie releases.

• Bill Cameron joins the show to give John a rundown of this weekend's episode of Take 1 on WLS.

• Plus, Play-by-Play Announcer for MLS Season Pass Kevin Egan previews this Saturday's Chicago Fire match against the Columbus Crew.

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Former President Donald Trump is facing felony counts based on retention of confidential defense information, conspiracy and more. John Howell welcomes Andy Field, ABC News Correspondent, Washington, to break down the allegations and indictment against Donald Trump.

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John Howell is joined by Michael Hawthorne, Environment and Public Health Reporter for the Chicago Tribune, to discuss the restoration of the middle fork of the Vermillion River, Illinois' only natural scenic river.

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• Jason Meisner from the Chicago Tribune shares the latest from the courtroom in the James T. Weiss trial. 

• Crain’s Chicago’s Danny Ecker has the details on Sterling Bay, the Chicago Teachers’ Pension Fund and Lincoln Yards. 

• The Chicago Fire FC’s Evan Whitfield joins the program to discuss upcoming programming. 

• Plus, Chef Damarr Brown stops by after winning a James Beard Award earlier this week.

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This week, Mayor Brandon Johnson met with the Bears CEO after making several statements about  wanting to keep the team in Chicago. John Howell is joined by Gregory Pratt, who covers Mayor Johnson and City Hall for the Chicago Tribune, to discuss the pathway forward for the team and city.

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The U.S. House of Representatives is set to hold a hearing to investigate a whistleblower's claims that the U.S. has found an alien spacecraft and its pilots. John Howell welcomes Andy Field, ABC News Washington, to discuss the details of these and other claims of unidentified flying objects & extraterrestrial life. 

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• Jerry Nowicki, Bureau Chief from Capitol News Illinois, reviews some of the 500 bills Pritzker is considering signing over the next several months. 

• Mike Emanuel, Fox News Chief Washington Correspondent, shares his thoughts on the latest political stories and, of course, the PGA/LIV merger. 

• Nick Kindelsperger, Chicago Tribune Food Critic, recaps the James Beard Awards. 

• Plus, John Howell discusses Brandon Johnson’s criticism of the media’s coverage of Chicago violence.

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Due to the Canadian wildfires, the Northeast, and New York in particular, is experiencing some of it's worst air quality in decades. John Howell welcomes Derricke Dennis, ABC News New York, to discuss how the smoke is impacting NYC.

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Chris Christie has filed campaign paperwork for the 2024 Presidential election. John Howell is joined by Lisa Kashinsky, Author of Politico's Massachusetts Playbook. They discuss what Christie has done to set himself apart, both from the other GOP candidates and from his prior run for the Oval Office.

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*Justin Finch from ABC has the latest on the standoff between the finance committee and Harlan Crow. 

*The Sun-Times’ David Roeder discusses the threat that electric vehicles pose to Chicago’s AM radio market. 

*Steve Bernas, President & CEO of the BBB of Northern IL and Chicago, has the details on the latest scams to look out for. 

*Plus, Alex Stone reports that illegal border crossings are down 70% since the end of Title 42, and Jason Nathanson has the details on the SAG-AFTRA strike authorization vote.

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Matthew Nelson, one half of the band Nelson and son of the legendary Ricky Nelson, joins John Howell. They discuss honoring family legacy, the power of music, and the Nelson twins’ upcoming show at CD and Me this weekend. For more information, visit https://www.cdandme.co/june10.

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The Chicago Bears, still seemingly determined to leave Chicago, met late last week with representatives in Naperville. IL State Representative Marty Moylan joins John Howell to share his thoughts on the Chicago Bears move and his ideas on a solution.

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*Will Governor Pritzker sign a bill that gives a break to first-time gun offenders? The Chicago Tribune’s Jeremy Gorner joins the show to discuss. 

*ABC’s Andy Field has the details on the NTSB crash investigation into the F-16S scramble near the capitol.

*Ret. Chief Tom Weitzel shares his thoughts on Friday's Humboldt Park police standoff, new Illinois legislation, and more.

*Plus, Mike Dobuski tells us everything he knows about Apple’s latest innovation: a Virtual Reality headset.

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Last Friday, there was a standoff in Humboldt Park between police and a citizen acting in a bizarre way on a rooftop. It’s come to light that there were over 40 calls to police regarding this citizen in the months leading up to Friday’s incident. Why didn’t the police act sooner…could they have?  Ret. Chief Tom Weitzel from Riverside joins John Howell to share his thoughts on this, plus the Parkland trial, new Illinois legislation, and more.

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Apple kicked off its Worldwide Developer Conference today and revealed plans for a brand-new virtual reality headset. This is Apple’s first big move into the VR space. Mike Dobuski, ABC News Technology Reporter, joined John Howell with the details.

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• ABC News Correspondent, Alex Stone, joins John to talk about the access that Ring employees had to all customer cameras.

• Anti-Semitic remarks were shouted at a suburban high school soccer game and the Daily Herald's Russell Lissau talks with John about what we know so far about the incident.

• John is joined by Mo Canady, Executive Director of NASRO, to discuss the trial surrounding the former resource officer of Marjory Stoneman Douglass High School in Parkland, Fl.

• Lindsay Watts, ABC News Correspondent in Washington brings us the latest on the debt ceiling deal.• Plus, Liz Turnbaugh and Ruben Estrada from The Board Room in Libertyville, talk about their new charcuterie restaurant!

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John Howell welcomes Mike Flannery, Political Editor of Fox-32 Chicago, to congratulate him on his retirement after 50 years of keeping the city of Chicago up-to-date on politics and to ask him, "What's next?"

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After Ron DeSantis made his campaign announcement via Twitter, contention has arisen in the Republican Party as to who will come out on top as the GOP candidate. John Howell is joined by Marc Caputo, National Political Reporter, to explain how a former congressman became Republicans' best hope to defeat Donald Trump. 

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• Drama in the House of Representatives. Fox News Correspondent Mike Emanuel joins John to talk about the latest on the debt deal.

• Mike Kellner, a Marengo man who has taken on the project of rebuilding a B-17 Bomber, talks with John about the process.

• John talks about the migrant crisis in Chicago and the pointing of fingers throughout the city.

• Plus, should people who were convicted of a crime for their part on January 6th be allowed to fundraise from prison?

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Illinois Republicans have begun choosing which candidate to back in the 2024 Presidential Race. John Howell is joined by Greg Hinz, Political Reporter and Columnist for Crain's Chicago Business, to report which candidates have already been endorsed by Illinois Republicans. 

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After an attorney was sanctioned on the basis of presenting non-existent cases generated by artificial intelligence, concerns have been raised on the usage of AI in court. John Howell welcomes Andrew Stoltmann, Chicago Attorney and Northwestern Adjunct Law Professor, to elaborate on the threat that AI has on the rule of law.

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• David Siders, Political Editor with POLITICO, joins John to talk about how the GOP lost Wisconsin.

• WTTW Chicago Tonight Reporter Amanda Vinicky, brings the Illinois legislative session roundup to WLS.

• Tyler Terens, Play-by-Play for MLS Season Pass, previews tomorrow night’s Chicago Fire FC match vs Toronto FC.

• Plus, the "Voice of the Illini" and host of The Coaches Show on WLS, Brian Barnhardt, joins the show and tells us a little bit about himself.

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John Howell welcomes Neil Steinberg, Columnist at the Chicago Sun-Times, to elaborate on how the Sun-Times coverage of City Hall progressed & if the cynicism was a natural evolution or a result of scandals.

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U.S. President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy have worked out an agreement to raise the federal debt ceiling, but here are still hurdles ahead. John Howell is joined by Andy Field, ABC News Correspondent, Washington, to provide updates on whether or not the 99-page bill will pass the House of Representatives and proceed forward to the Senate.

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• ABC’s Justin Finch talks about the progress (or lack there of) in the Debt Ceiling talks ahead of the holiday weekend.

• Bret Gogoel, WLS Defacto Sports Director, joins John to chat baseball and both North Side & South Side Hendricks.

•Lori Lindsey, Match Analyst for MLS Season Pass, previews tomorrow night’s Chicago Fire FC match vs New England.

• Plus, John speaks with a listener about his most memorable road trip and about his time serving his country.

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With The Little Mermaid hitting the silver screen this weekend, Ted Lasso, Succession & Barry are coming to an end. John Howell welcomes Jason Nathanson, ABC News Entertainment Correspondent, to present his Memorial Day Weekend Mega Entertainment Report. 

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John Howell is joined by Greg Pratt, reporter from the Chicago Tribune who covers Mayor Brandon Johnson and City Hall. They discuss Mayor Johnson's plan to combat violence and keep the city of Chicago safe this Memorial Day Weekend, how it differs from past plans, and if residents are optimistic. 

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• Rose & Rob Bronstein, founders of Buckets Over Bullying, join John to reflect on the tragic loss of their son to bullying and how proposed legislation could save other children. 

• Andy Field from ABC News Washington discusses a new poll showing that, so far, most Americans only know who they will NOT vote for. 

• Chicago Tribune food critic Nick Kindelsperger joins the show with the best pastrami finds in the city. 

• Plus, Kevin Burke joins John in-studio to chat about Big Nose Kate Whiskey and Dottie May’s Oatmilk Cream Liqueur.

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No Florida politician has ever been elected president. Can Ron DeSantis break the "Florida Man" political curse? John Howell is joined by Charles Mahtesian, Politico's Senior Politics Editor, to discuss his announcement on Twitter & potential challenges he may face on the campaign trail.

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John Howell welcomes Frank Manzo IV, M.P.P., Economist at the nonpartisan Illinois Economic Policy Institute, to discuss the fourth anniversary of the Rebuild Illinois law and how it's been a success thus far by modernizing neglected infrastructure and providing jobs to the state.

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• Tania Haigh, founder of KIDS TOO, joins the show to discuss the troubling report on sexual abuse in the IL Catholic church and how her organization is working to protect kids.

• ABC’s Alex Stone says Walmart has promised to stop selling something pretty surprising.

• Todd Powell, co-founder of Vacations by Rail, talks about traveling by railroad this Memorial Day weekend and beyond.

• Plus, Charles Lipson shares his memories of the late Robert Zimmer, and John discusses the impact of traffic on the city.

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Northwestern University's plan to replace Ryan Field with a sports and entertainment complex is causing quite a stir with Evanston residents. John Howell welcomes Bob Reed, Writer for Chicago Magazine, to discuss the pros and cons of having a venue that can seat more people than both the United Center & Allstate arena placed in the middle of a residential area.

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John Howell is joined by Mike Emanuel, Fox News Chief Washington Correspondent, to discuss the biggest national political stories of the week. They chat about the eminent approach to the debt ceiling deadline, public ethics concerns pertaining to Supreme Court Justices & Republican donors leaning towards a candidate. 

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• Andy Field, ABC News Washington, has the story of the teen accused of deliberately driving a u-haul into a building near the White House. 

• The BBB’s Steve Bernas has everything we need to know about ticket scams, especially with Taylor Swift’s Chicago shows right around the corner. 

• Andrea Darlas, Host of Show and Tell on WLS, joins John to recap the Trial of Socrates event last night at the Harris Theatre. 

• Plus, ABC’s Jason Nathanson has the good news: AM radio is safe in Ford vehicles…for now.

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U.S. Surgeon General is calling for immediate action by tech companies and lawmakers to protect adolescent mental health on social media. John Howell is joined by Derricke Dennis, ABC News New York, to explain the effects of excessive social media usage and harmful content particularly on younger audiences. 

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John Howell welcomes Joshua Zeitz, contributing writer at Politico Magazine & author of Lincoln's God: How Faith Transformed a President and a Nation. They discuss Lincoln's spiritual journey and how it led to him courting and encouraging political engagement from churches during the Civil War.

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• Ret. Chief Tom Weitzel from Riverside shares his thoughts on home detention and what police chiefs look for in an officer. 

• Jason Knowles from the ABC 7 I-team gives us a preview of his investigation into where plastic bags end up when you drop them off for recycling. 

• John LaGiglia, Chicago Firefighter and Veteran, joins the show to discuss the Patrick William Roche Foundation and the “One Pill Can Kill” event for parents and children tomorrow evening. 

• Plus, John discusses the unfortunate incidents with pedestrians ending up in fights and the “wolf pack” mentality of it all.

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John Howell welcomes Sir John Dempsey, WLS Golf Commissioner Emeritus. Dempsey shares his thoughts on the PGA Championship's best moments and Brooks Koepka's outstanding performance. Meanwhile, Howell pleads for him to install a landline.

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With the expiration of Title 42 and the transportation of undocumented immigrants to sanctuary cities, the politics surrounding immigration is highly contentious. John Howell welcomes John Feehery, Partner at EFB Advocacy and blogger at thefeeherytheory.com, to discuss how Republicans can work with Joe Biden to repair the immigration system.

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Andrea Darlas, in for John Howell, welcomes Carla Bruni, Historic Preservationist, Art Institute Faculty & Founder of the Community Glue Workshop. Community Glue is a free, monthly repair clinic at Edgewater Workbench where mechanically-inclined volunteers help repair broken items brought in by the community.

For more information, visit https://communityglueworkshop.wordpress.com/

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Andrea Darlas, in for John Howell, is joined by author and actor Andrew McCarthy, star of Pretty in Pink and St. Elmo's Fire. They discuss his new book, Walking With Sam: A Father, a Son, and Five Hundred Miles Across Spain, a memoir following McCarthy as he walks the Camino de Santiago with his son, Sam. Over the course of a 500-mile journey, the memoir is filled with honest conversations surrounding divorce, school and strengthening father-son relationships.

The program will be held at the Skokie School Auditorium in Winnetka, IL, Wednesday, May 24th . For more information on tickets, visit https://rb.gy/9ismi

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Some big automakers are considering leaving AM Radio behind. Andrea Darlas, in for John Howell, welcomes Jason Nathanson, ABC News Entertainment Correspondent, Los Angeles, to discuss how important AM Radio is in regards to public safety, and what legislation is being introduced by Congress to mandate auto manufacturers to keep it. 

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Andrea Darlas, in for John Howell, is joined by Cheryl Hamilton-Hill, CEO of Lincoln Park Community Services Homeless Shelter, to talk about how her social services agency provides all-encompassing services such as interim housing, mental health counselling, substance use support, financial literacy classes, and opportunities of employment for people experiencing homelessness to regain independence. 

LPCS will be hosting its annual spring gala & fundraiser Metamorphosis to raise money to fund the programs they run for their guests.

Learn more at www.LPCSChicago.org.

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Andrea Darlas, in for John Howell, welcomes to the studio Retired Lieutenant John Garrido & Sergeant Rubble to talk about Sgt. Rubble's story and the foundation of the Garrido Stray Rescue Foundation. They also discuss how Sgt. Rubble and other rescued dogs like him him benefit the community and improve officer wellness. For more information, visit garridostrayrescue.org. 

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• Tinos Diamantatos gives his take ahead of the Trial of Socrates next Monday at the National Hellenic Museum.

• Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were pursued by a “highly aggressive” paparazzi in a car chase - Derricke Dennis from ABC has the details. 

• Attorney Andrew Stoltmann has the answers to John’s questions about Rudy Giuliani. 

• Plus, Jamie Watson, Match Analyst on MLS Season Pass, previews tonight’s Chicago Fire FC game, and Mike Emanuel, Fox News Chief Washington Correspondent, reviews the latest national political stories.

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Brewer's Triangle is a newly formed conglomerate of award-winning breweries in Avondale and Logan Square. Join the newly formed conglomerate in an old school Block Party on Saturday, May 20th,  from 10 A.M. - 8 P.M. John Howell is joined by Tracy Hurst, Owner of Metropolitan Brewing, to share all the details pertaining to the festivities.

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John Howell welcomes Kathy Gilsinan, author and contributing writer for POLITICO Magazine. Gilsinan dives into her investigation on Rita Crundwell, the largest municipal fraud in U.S. history, and how it benefited Dixon, IL in the end.

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• Alex Stone from ABC has the latest details in the New Mexico mass shooter situation. 

• Doug Bandow, Senior Fellow at the Cato Institute, shares his thoughts on why Washington should not continue to encourage Ukraine to battle on. 

• The Daily Herald’s Chris Placek has the latest on the Bears’ proposed move to Arlington Heights and the many roadblocks they’re facing. 

• Plus, author Drew Millard joins the show to discuss his book, “How Golf Can Save Your Life.”

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John Howell is joined by former Illinois Governor Pat Quinn. Governor Quinn has proposed an amendment to the Illinois Constitution to give more power to the people to vote on binding referendum that enacts ethics reform in Springfield and across the entire state.

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A.I. Tech Executives have been pleading with lawmakers to implement regulations for A.I systems. John Howell welcomes Mike Dubuski, ABC News Technology Reporter in New York, to elaborate on the impending risk of artificial intelligence if the technology continues to develop unchecked. 

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• Greg Pratt from the Chicago Tribune joins to discuss Lori Lightfoot’s legacy as Brandon Johnson stepped into the mayor’s office today. 

• Bob Herguth from the Sun-times tells the tale of Jeffrey Bertucci, video gambling, and how it all went sideways - Illinois style. 

• Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart calls for Illinois to start enforcing its own gun laws. 

• Plus, Attorney Sarah King joins John in-studio to discuss the upcoming Trial of Socrates event at the National Hellenic Museum

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John Howell will be a juror in the National Hellenic Museum's Trial of Socrates. Attorney Sarah King from Clifford Law Offices joins John in-studio to discuss her client, Socrates, and why she believes he is innocent of any wrongdoing.  

For more information or tickets, visit https://nationalhellenicmuseum.org/

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Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart is sounding the alarm about Illinois' failure to enforce its own gun laws. He joins John Howell to discuss the retrieval of guns from those who have had their right to own firearms revoked.

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• Major League Soccer Match Analyst Kyndra de St. Aubin joins John to discuss the Chicago Fire.

• “Book Club: The Next Chapter” hits theaters this weekend, and Jason Nathanson from ABC News lets us know if it's a worthwhile mother's day gift.

• The Bears season schedule has been released and WLS Defacto Sports Director Bret Gogoel talks with John about a season that starts between fierce rivals.

• Plus, host of Show & Tell Andrea Darlas joins the show to talk about the Trial of Socrates and what's going on around Chicago.

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Joining John Howell, Colby Hall, Founding Editor of Mediate.com, breaks down the Trump Town Hall and addresses the criticisms that followed.

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Title 42 has come to an end because the COVID-19 public health emergency and restrictions are no longer in place. Em Nguyen, ABC News Correspondent in Washington, is welcomed by John Howell to explain what's next for immigration policy and the new legal hurdles the Biden Administration faces. 

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• WBEZ’s Dan Mihalopoulos joins John to discuss Thomas Cullerton’s journey from politician to prison to lobbyist. 

• POLITICO’s Kyle Cheney has the details on Trump’s upcoming legal battles and what may be coming next. 

• Jim Ryan from ABC News in El Paso discusses what may take the place of Title 42 as it ends today. 

• Plus, John reviews last night’s CNN-hosted Trump town hall.

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With the COVID national emergency declared over, will things ever go back to "normal"? Neil Steinberg, Columnist at the Chicago Sun-Times, joins John Howell to explain how we will shift from pandemic to endemic.

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It is projected that in early June, the U.S. Treasury will run out of money while staying below the debt ceiling. Secretary Yellen has proposed a new system to end the repeated standoffs over said debt ceiling so that we may (hopefully) find a resolution. John Howell welcomes Faith Abubey, ABC News Washington, to elaborate.

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• Dan Petrella, Chicago Tribune State Government Reporter, has the latest on the fight between the Naperville gun store owner and the Illinois Supreme Court. 

• Andy Field from ABC has the latest on George Santos’ arrest and what may happen next. 

• Bob McCoppin asks, who will regulate cannabis regulation? 

• Plus, John asks, is it ever appropriate to tell someone they “look like Hitler”? Probably not, but especially if you’re a state representative

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Mike Emanuel, Fox News Chief Washington Correspondent, is welcomed by John Howell to report updates on hot topics in D.C. including Title 42, McCarthy's next move after George Santos was indicted on 13 federal charges & Senator Diane Feinstein's return to the Senate.   

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What would Joe Biden do if Hunter is indicted? John Howell is joined by Charles Lipson, Professor Emeritus of Political Science at the University of Chicago. Professor Lipson elaborates on the (reportedly) imminent charges and what steps may happen next. 

Charles Lipson's columns for Real Clear Politics, Spectator|World, and others are available for free at CharlesLipson.com.

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Ret. Chief Tom Weitzel from Riverside joins John to discuss his latest piece on carjackings. 

Mike Dobuski, ABC News Technology Reporter, has all of the details on a brand new social media landscape. 

Steve Bernas from the Better Business Bureau warns us about the latest in consumer scams, including timeshares & moving scams. 

Plus, Andy Field wraps up the meeting on the debt ceiling. 

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Fentanyl is a highly addictive opioid used to assist individuals experiencing severe pain, especially after surgery.  Now, fentanyl is also one of the leading causes of death for Americans under 50. Alderman Matt O'Shea joins John Howell to raise awareness of the dangers of fentanyl. The Alderman discusses how he and volunteers from the Patrick William Roche Foundation are doing outreach with high schools to educate teens on the dangers of this and other drugs.

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John Howell is joined by Royal Oaks, ABC News Legal Analyst, to share latest updates on E. Jean Carroll Trial.

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ABC 7’s Jason Knowles joins John with a preview of tonight’s I-Team report on unlicensed movers and moving disasters. 

Lee Bey, Chicago Sun-times architecture critic, shares his solution for preserving the Baxter International campus. 

Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune Chief Political Reporter, is among four journalists receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Chicago Headline Club. 

Mark Denzler, President & CEO of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association, has the latest on energy policy.

Plus, Dave Baldwin from the Chicago Fire FC previews the upcoming games against STL and Derricke Dennis has the details on a case in NYC.

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"A Pint For Kim" was created in 2020 when a Naperville mom, Kimberly Benedyk Sandford, who had terminal cancer asked that her family hold a blood drive in lieu of a wake.  Kim needed over 40 blood transfusions during her final months of treatment, and this is when she and her family learned that the largest use of donated blood goes to cancer patients to help them remain strong enough to continue their battles. Their blood drive set the state record for one-location. John Howell is joined by Kristen Benedyk, Kim's sister who originally organized "A Pint For Kim", to share their goals on breaking their previous state record and what else is planned, in addition to the blood drive. 

"A Pint For Kim" is on Saturday, May 13th, from 8:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M. Naperville North High School, 899 N Mill St, Naperville, IL, 60563

To learn more, visit www.apintforkim.com. The organization is also seeking sponsors and raffle items.

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John Howell welcomes Alex Stone, ABC News Los Angeles, to share everything we know currently about the Allen, Texas Mall Shooting. 

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• Chef Damarr Brown, James Beard Nominee and Chef at Top This Mac N’ Cheese, joins to discuss the launch of First Responder First Fridays at the restaurant. 

• Jason Nathanson from ABC News has the details on the verdict in the Ed Sheeran and Marvin Gaye copyright case. 

• Lindsay Watts has the latest on the convictions in the Proud Boys January 6th trial. 

• Plus, John’s old pal, Joey Calves, joins the show to discuss his boycott of a hardware store and the end of the pandemic.

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The Chicago Fire is preparing to kick off against Nashville SC this weekend. John Howell welcomes Jamie Watson, MLS Season Pass Match Analyst, to share commentary on this season's Chicago Fire team & the bright future for MLS.

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Mint julep in one hand, derby pie in the other. John Howell welcomes Sam Gordon, Kim Gordon's Father & WLS'  Kentucky Derby Expert. Sam, Kim, and John discuss Sam's history with the Kentucky Derby and his picks for which horse will be favored to win.  

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• Kim Komando, Host of the Kim Komando Show, warns John about the “dark side” of Google. 

• Christopher Placek from the Daily Herald has the latest on the Bears move to Arlington Heights. 

• Peter Hancock from Capitol News Illinois has the info on the bill blocking libraries from state funding if they choose to ban books in Illinois. 

• Listeners and Illinois politicians share their thoughts on Chicago as a Sanctuary City and updates to Amtrack and trains in Illinois.

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A bill proposed in Springfield would block libraries from receiving state funding if they ban books. Peter Hancock, Reporter for Capitol News Illinois, joins John Howell with updates on the bill's progress and what happens from here. 

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The Chicago Bears take the next step towards moving out of Soldier Field. John Howell welcomes Christopher Placek, Staff Writer at the Daily Herald, to discuss the imminent demolition of Arlington International Racecourse and intel surrounding the property tax appeal.

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• Russell Lissau from the Daily Herald has the story of what happened when three Des Plaines alderpersons tried to disregard votes. 

• Jason Meisner from the Chicago Tribune dives into the “ComEd Four” verdicts and what they could mean going forward. 

• Eric Segall, Professor of Law at Georgia State University, examines whether or not SCOTUS and Ethics will ever come together as one. 

• Plus, Curtis Stock gives us some Kentucky Derby history when discussing his new book, “The Turcottes.”

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As Chicago prepares to host the 2024 Democratic National Convention, Illinois is in the national, political spotlight. With that, some are considering adding ranked choice voting into the mix. Kam Bucker, Illinois State Representative, joins John Howell to discuss Ranked Choice Voting, what it is, and how embracing it can benefit both candidates and voters.  

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What can we take away from the "ComEd Four" trial and the guilty verdicts? What constitutes a bribe? With whom should legislatures lobby? John Howell is joined by Andrew Stoltmann, Chicago Attorney and Northwestern Adjunct Law Professor, to try and tackle these questions and more.

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John T. Bennett from CQ Roll Call joins John Howell to analyze Biden’s first 2024 foe: his enthusiasm problem with the Dems. 

ABC’s Alex Stone has the latest on the search for the Texas murder suspect, though the trail has gone cold.

John discusses the debt ceiling, the right and the left of it all, and attempts to put “trillions” into perspective. 

Plus, Jason Nathanson joins from the picket lines to expand on what is happening with the Writer’s Strike in Hollywood.

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There has been much talk in the news and legislature lately of bullying and cyberbullying policies and the changes that must be implemented to protect our children. John Howell is joined by Rose Bronstein, who founded Buckets Over Bullying in honor of her son, Nate. Nate ended his life after a terrible experience with cyberbullying over Snapchat. Rose joins John ahead of speaking at a rally at the Snapchat headquarters next week, and she shares other important work the foundation is doing.

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John Howell welcomes Mark Guarino, Journalist and Author of Country & Midwestern: Chicago in the History of Country Music and the Folk Revival. They discuss Chicago-local country bands, such as the Sundowners, and the transfer of knowledge and musicianship to new generations.

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• David Skidmore, ensemble member and Executive Director of Third Coast Percussion, joins to preview the Chicago premiere of Metamorphosis.

• Richard Roeper from the Sun-times gives his thoughts on HBO’s “White House Plumbers.”

• POLITICO’s David Cohen has the details on Lightfoot’s urge to Greg Abbott not to ship more migrants.

• Plus, Bret Gogoel answers the question, did the Bears have a successful draft?

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John Howell welcomes Faisal Saeed Al Mutar, a respected expert on MENA geopolitics and founder of the global non-profit, Ideas Beyond Borders, to discuss the Sudan conflict and its geopolitical implications for Africa, the U.S., and the world.

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Late Chicago Congressman, Frank Annunzio, was linked to the mob in recently obtained files. John Howell is joined by Robert "Bob" Herguth, Investigative Reporter at the Chicago Sun Times, to discuss the FBI File investigations and what this all means. 

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John Howell speaks with Bruce DuMont, founder of the Museum of Broadcast Communications. They discuss the complicated and long career of Jerry Springer, who passed away yesterday at age 79. Springer helped to create a new daytime format, dozens of jobs, and brought Chicago into the spotlight. 

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*Bret Gogoel, WLS Defacto Sports Director, joins John to give his thoughts and predictions on the start of the NFL draft. 

*Kevin Bessler from The Center Square has the details on the IL GOP’s plan to combat crime. 

*Dave Packer, ABC New York, reveals why Disney has filed a lawsuit against Governor DeSantis. 

*Plus, Andrea Darlas shares memories of working alongside Jerry Springer, and Jeremy Gorner discusses what IL House Speaker Welch is (and is not) ruling out adding to the 2024 ballot.

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The Supreme Court recently released a rare, joint statement on their ethics standards and practices, but is this enough? In light of recent events, legislators and the public are pushing for something enforceable to hold the justices accountable. John Howell is joined by Josh Gerstein, POLITICO’s Senior Legal Affairs Reporter, to discuss.

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John Howell is joined by Jason Nathanson, ABC News Entertainment Correspondent, Los Angeles. They discuss the life and career of Jerry Springer, who passed today at age 79. Springer, once a politician, became the long-time host of a show that changed the landscape of “reality” on tv forever.

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IL State Representative Marty Moylan joins John Howell. Rep. Moylan, from Des Plaines, has a proposal to help get the Chicago delegation on board for the move to Arlington Park. The bill proposes a $3 surcharge on all entertainment tickets purchased there, and it will go towards the city and paying down the Bears’ debt to Soldier Field. 

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John Howell is joined by Illinois State Rep. Kelly Cassidy. She discusses how she was introduced to terramation (natural organic reduction,) how they crafted the bill, and why they believe it would benefit the state and the world as a whole. Rep. Cassidy also speaks to the pushback against human composting and the negative effects of some other post-death options. 

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• Justin Kaufmann from AXIOS has the latest on the “ComEd Four” trial wrapping up. 

• Scott Hodge, President emeritus from the Tax Foundation, asks, do the rich pay their fair share?

• Steve Bernas, President and CEO of the BBB of Chicago and Northern Illinois, has the latest scams to watch for. 

• Plus, the Sun-Times’ Rick Telander says “Goodbye and Good riddance” to Aaron Rogers.

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After Biden's announcement that he is standing for reelection, John Howell is joined by Jeff Greenfield. Greenfield, a 30-year Political Analyst for ABC, CNN, CBS and PBS, shares his thoughts on Biden's age and its implications in this race and beyond. 

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John Howell welcomes Valerie Fridland, Linguist and Author, to discuss her new book, "Like, Literally, Dude: Arguing for the Good in Bad English." Together, they explore the speech habits that we love to hate, and Fridland teaches John a few lessons along the way. 

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• Andy Field from ABC News Washington has the details on the US Embassy staff evacuation in Sudan. 

• The Daily Herald’s Russell Lissau discusses suburban political fundraising and its implications. 

• Tom Weitzel, Ret. Police Chief from Riverside, addresses crime and policing issues in Chicago. 

• Plus, WBEZ’s Dan Mihalopoulos shares the investigation into the Chicago Park District employees accused of fraud.

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John Howell is joined by Chris Cillizza to discuss his new book, POWER PLAYERS: Sports, Politics and American Presidency.Cillizza speaks to the importance of sports and presidents throughout American history.  

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Tucker Carlson and Don Lemon have both parted ways with their respective news networks. Derricke Dennis, ABC News New York, joins John Howell to discuss what went down and what's next for these vastly different news anchors.Thanks for the update.Thanks for letting us know.Really?ReplyForwardCN

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Andrea Darlas, in for John Howell, is joined by writer and Windy City Times columnist, Jerry Nunn. Nunn brings us a list of must-see movies in theaters this weekend. They also discuss Andrea’s absence from the movies…it’s been a few years! For more of Nunn’s writing, visit nunnontherun.com. 

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Andrea Darlas, in for John Howell, is joined by Haley Burns, co-founder of River Strategies. They discuss the importance and implementation of media and crisis communication training, particularly for schools. 

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Andrea Darlas is joined by Bill Conway, the newly elected west side Alderman, to discuss being inaugurated next month & his goals to work towards a safer city.

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ndrea Darlas, in for John Howell, is joined by Chicago Police Commander Melinda Linas and Dr. Eugene Lipov. Together, they discuss the DSR Shot, officer wellness, and advocating for mental health services for police officers. Dr. Lipov also explains his campaign to eradicate the term "PTSD," instead using "PTSI."

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Andrea Darlas, in for John Howell, is joined by Jason Nathanson, ABC News Entertainment Correspondent, to elaborate on the involuntary manslaughter charges dropped with less than a month away from trial. 

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The 2023 Learn2Laugh Comedy Fundraiser will be held at the Atheneum Theater tomorrow night. James Stephens III will be there performing all of Ray Charles' classic hits. Stephens, a former tour-mate of Ray Charles, shares how Charles' music has changed the music scene for generations. elaborates on the 2023 Learn2Laugh Comedy Fundraiser will be held at the Athenaeum Theater. For more information on the event, visit https://athenaeumcenter.org/events/2023/the-ultimate-ray-charles-and-sam-cooke-tribute-show-and-live-band/.

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Andrea Darlas, in for John Howell, is joined by Monica Eng for the News of the Week, covering topics ranging from Brandon Johnson addressing concerns of public safety, to Pink Floyd at the Adler Planetarium.  

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Andrea Darlas, in for John Howell, is joined by Royal Oakes, ABC News Legal Analyst. Fox has reached settlement for $787 million in their case with Dominion. Oakes has the details on the wins and the loses here for both companies. 

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Andrea Darlas welcomes Dr. Parag Patel and Dr. Erin Nasralla, Cardiologist and Emergency Medical Specialists, to advocate for their Lutheran General partnership with Enda running schools to educate, empower and elevate young women in Kenya. 

You can visit them at: https://enda.run/globalficcs

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Joining Andrea Darlas, Katie Kaleidis, the Director of Research and Content for the National Hellenic Museum, shares information for the Homer-a-thon, a community reading and retelling of Homer's Odyssey.

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Andrea Darlas, filling in for John Howell, is joined by Derricke Dennis, ABC News Legal Analyst, to discuss the felony charges filed against the 84-year-old suspect in the teen shooting.

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Andrew Darlas, covering for John Howell, welcomes Shia Kapos with Politico to cover Chicago Mayor Elect Brandon Johnson to Governor Priztker, and their future relationship. 

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Andrea Darlas, covering for John Howell, is joined by Ariel Towers, a member of the organization Have Dreams that provides programs and services for people across the spectrum, their family and caretakers. She also uses Zentanlge, an method of art therapy she teaches to young adults with autism

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Andrea Darlas, subbing in for John Howell, is joined by Alderman Ray Lopez to address concerns of safety after a group incident in Millenium Park this weekend. 

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• The man who leaked the Pentagon documents has been charged. Royal Oakes joins with the details.

• Hannah Meisel from Capitol News Illinois gives us an update on this week in the ComEd Four trial. 

• Karen Knotts, actress, stand-up comedian, and daughter of Don Knotts, joins the show to discuss her upcoming show, “Tied Up in Knotts,” and her father’s acting career.

• Plus, Andrea Darlas previews this weekend’s episode of “Show & Tell” and next week’s fill-in for Big John.

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Jim Fahey, Symphony Center Presents Director of Programming, joins John Howell.  The 2023/2024 season of "Symphony Center Presents Jazz!" is a big one, as it marks their 30th season. Listen as Fahey and Howell review the lineup and share their favorite jazz memories.

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Due to baseball games becoming shorter, vendors are striking out on beer sales, but bars surrounding the ballparks are hitting homeruns. Maureen Martino, Executive Director of the Lakeview East Chamber of Commerce, joins John Howell to talk about the boom of business for Wrigleyville bars. 

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• Anne Flaherty, ABC Senior National Policy Reporter in Washington, has the latest on the abortion pill ruling and where it will go from here. 

• The Chicago Tribune’s Joe Mahr discusses the new series, “Stalled Justice” about the goings on in Cook County. 

• The man who leaked the Pentagon’s sensitive documents has been caught and arrested. John has the details. 

• Plus, more of your memories from our 99th Birthday yesterday.

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Justin Finch, ABC News Correspondent, joins John Howell with updates concerning the 21-year-old's identification and arrest after leaking classified Pentagon documents online. 

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As activists look forward to the Democratic convention, ex-Chicago police officials look back on the turbulent NATO Summit. Joining John Howell, Frank Main with the Chicago Sun-Times,  shares how we, as a city, can plan accordingly.

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• Russell Lissau from the Daily Herald has details on a proposed new concert series in Mundelein.

• RealClearPolitics’ A.B. Stoddard covers the GOP trifecta of negatives: abortion, guns, and Trump.

• Bill Cameron, WLS City Hall Reporter Emeritus, shares his memories of working on the station. 

• Plus, Rick Kogan has the scoop on “Out of the Loop,” a new series about Chicago stand-up comedy.

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Quinn Myers, a Reporter for Block Club Chicago, joins John Howell after sitting with Mayor Elect Brandon Johnson to talk all things ShotSpotter & the future of the gunshot detection system in the city of Chicago. 

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Taking a walk down memory lane, John Howell welcomes Doc Duncan, the last music host on WLS, reminiscing on the transition from a rock music station to a talk-radio format.

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• The Chicago Tribune’s Rick Pearson shares the details on Chicago landing the DNC. 

• Jason Nathanson from ABC News has the latest on the Bud Light & Jack Daniels controversies. 

• Charles Lipson examines the overreaching and grandstanding on both sides of the aisle. 

• Plus, the BBB’s Steve Bernas warns us of the latest scams involving AI impersonations and tax season. 

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Joining John Howell, Justin Finch explains the push by Democrats for an investigation of Clarence Thomas accepting gifts "in kind" from a wealthy GOP Doner and the need for ethical standards to be reinstated in the Supreme Court. 

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Can you run for president from jail? Sure, it's been done before. Josh Gerstein, POLITICO's Senior Legal Affairs Reporter, joins John Howell and dives into the history of Eugene V. Debs and how he received over a million votes from behind bars. 

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*ABC’s Justin Finch has the details on the possible reinstating of an expelled Tennessee lawmaker. 

*The Sun-times’ David Roeder reviews some of the downtown issues Mayor-elect Johnson will have to conquer. 

*Jim O’Donnell from the Daily Herald explains why a Mayor-elect Johnson may push the Bears farther from Soldier Field. 

*Plus, Mark Denzler from the IL Manufacturers’ Association talks Chicago manufacturing and Carbon emission regulations.

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Sir John Dempsey, WLS Golf Commissioner Emeritus, joins John Howell with a recap of his weekend at The Masters. Dempsey shares his favorite moments, his thoughts on the final results, and his review of the course itself. 

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Four victims were killed and eight others were injured today in a mass shooting at a bank in Louisville. Jim Ryan, ABC News Dallas, joins John Howell with the latest details on those who were killed, what we know about the suspect, and how the Governor has a connection to the bank.

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• Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi shares his thoughts on the meeting he attended with the Taiwanese president. 

• The Chicago Tribune’s Dan Petrella analyzes the results of the suburban school board elections & which party won big. 

• POLITICO’s Bianca Quilantan discusses the Supreme Court vote against reinstating a West Virginia transgender sports ban. 

• Plus, Alex Mar discusses her powerful book about a Gary, IN murder, “Seventy Times Seven,” and John Dempsey joins the show live from The Masters. 

• Plus, Sir John Dempsey, WLS Golf Commissioner Emeritus, calls in to John with his loving list of thoughts from The Masters. 

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John Howell welcomes Jon Seidel, Federal Courts Reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times, who takes us behind the scenes of the ComEd Trial and walks us through Ochoa's Testimony.

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Joining John Howell, Lee Lowenfish, author of Baseball's Endangered Species: Inside the Craft and History of Scouting by Those Who Lived It, dives into the fascinating history and career of Baseball Scouts.

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• ABC News’ Lindsey Watts joins John Howell to discuss the Tennessee State house vote to potentially oust lawmakers after a gun protest. 

• Kim Komando, Host of the Kim Komando show, warns John about car hackers and other digital scams. 

• Plus, Sir John Dempsey, WLS Golf Commissioner Emeritus, calls in to John with his loving list of thoughts from The Masters. 

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With election season behind us and many religious holidays this week, let us give thanks for freedom from campaign rhetoric. John Howell welcomes Neil Steinberg, Columnist for the Chicago Sun-times, to discuss how the position of mayor has shifted the past few terms.

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Eric Segall, Constitutional Professor of Law at Georgia State University joins John Howell, elaborating on the nonpartisan issue of impropriety and an unregulated ethics code amongst the Supreme Court. 

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• Mike Emanuel, ABC News Chief Washington Correspondent, discusses the National reactions to Trump’s indictment yesterday. 

• Madison Fernandez from POLITICO recaps yesterday’s election in Wisconsin and what the results mean. 

• Frank Calabrese, Chicago-based consultant, mapped out the Johnson/Vallas results and analyses his findings. 

• Plus, Alex Stone from ABC News has the story of a man who has been wrongfully accused by “Find my iPhone” for years.

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Andrew Stoltmann, Chicago-based attorney & adjunct law professor at Northwestern University, joins John Howell. Stoltmann breaks down Trump's indictment yesterday, what the 34 counts really mean, and how this could affect the former President in 2024 and beyond.  

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With Chicago's election season coming to a close and the final votes being tallied, Rachel Hutchinson, Chicago-based Research Analyst for FairVote joins John Howell, offering some analysis on how RCV might have impacted the Chicago election and how it could impact future elections. 

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From restaurants to world-class museums, Chicago has a plethora of places to explore. Wendy Altschuler, author of "Perfect Day Chicago: Grab-and-Go Itineraries for Everyone" Joins John Howell to discuss hometown hidden gems.

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Former President Donald Trump had his first day in court today. But this isn’t the first time that someone with “President” before their name has been taken to court. Andy Field, ABC News Correspondent Washington, joins John Howell with a presidential history lesson.

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John Howell is joined by Steve Daniels, Crain’s Chicago Business’ Senior Reporter on Banking, Insurance, and Utilities. Daniels joins us from the courthouse to discuss the latest developments in the “ComEd Four” trial. They also discuss how the latest wiretaps illustrate the “quid pro quo” of it all. 

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• Dr. William “Doc” Jones, Chicago-native and jazz legend, shares his mission to inspire youth to get into jazz. 

• ABC News’ Derricke Dennis has the latest from New York as Trump arrived today for his arraignment. 

• Ret. Police Chief Tom Weitzel discusses the lowering of police standards Nationwide and public safety in Chicago. 

• Plus, John shares clips of former AG Bill Barr’s advice for Trump.

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This past Friday, the country was ravaged by storms and worse. Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune reporter, joins John Howell to discuss affected communities in Illinois. In particular, the emergency disaster proclamation and Pritzker’s visits to Belvidere and Robinson.

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Ahead of tomorrow’s election, John Howell speaks with Max Bever, Director of Public Information for the Chicago Board of Elections. They discuss how mail-in ballots are processed, contingency plans for inclement weather, and how close the race may be. 

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*Hannah Meisel from Capitol News Illinois gives us an update on this week in the ComEd Four trial. 

*Sun-times reporter Frank Main reviews the daunting public safety challenges that will be faced by Chicago’s new Mayor. 

*Royal Oakes, ABC News Legal Analyst, gives us a legal guide to the Trump indictment. 

*Plus, Nick Kindelsperger, Chicago Tribune Food Critic, goes through the James Beard 2023 nominees with ties to Chicago and the midwest. 

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This year alone, there have been 130 mass shootings in the United States. John Howell is joined by Dr. Michael Roeske, Senior Director for the Newport Healthcare Center for Research and Innovation. Dr. Roeske discusses the mental health impacts of gun violence on children and adolescents.

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A grand jury indicted Donald Trump yesterday afternoon. Would the DA pursue this case if it weren’t involving Trump? Will the case rely on evidence or evidence of a cover-up? John Howell is joined by Andrew Stoltmann, Chicago attorney and Northwestern adjunct law professor, to hear his analysis of yesterday’s Grand Jury indictment.

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It’s baseball’s opening day, and John Howell relives some of his favorite baseball and Ernie Harwell moments. 

Andy Field from ABC News has the details of the Russian arrest of a Wall Street Journal reporter. 

Block Club Chicago’s Mick Dumke explores the money going into the Chicago City Council election. 

Plus, Steve Cochran from WLS Mornings joins John to preview his upcoming shows & talk about election coverage.

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If you’ve been on the internet lately, you’ve seen an influx of angry and uncontrollable airline passengers. A bipartisan group is looking to create a “no fly” list for passengers who have caused problems both in the airport and in the air. Justin Finch from ABC News Washington joins John Howell with the details. 

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With the election a handful of days away, endorsements are still coming in and claims are going out. The Chicago GOP has declared they do not claim Paul Vallas as a Republican. Is this true, or a strategic move? John Howell is joined by Greg Hinz, Crain's Chicago Business columnist covering politics and government. They discuss this and analyze other aspects of the race. 

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Mike Emanuel, Fox News Chief Washington Correspondent, shares the biggest national political stories of the week. 

Sara Amundson, President of the Humane Society Legislative Fund, speaks about the Big Cat Act and Congressman Quigley’s work with the bill. 

Justin Finch, ABC News Washington, has the details on the $842B budget and competition with China. 

Plus, Veteran Journalist Rory Carroll talks about his new book, “Margaret Thatcher, The IRA, and Two Minutes that Changed History,” and ABC’s Alex Stone has the latest on the Gwyneth Paltrow trial.

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After another tragic school shooting, what can be done to make change? Ret. Police Chief Tom Weitzel joins John Howell to share his thoughts. Chief Weitzel has suggested we have a state-appointed school safety and training chief to help prevent future shootings.

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According to polls, young Chicagoans (aged 18-24) aren’t showing up to vote. Lynn Sweet, Reporter for the Chicago Sun-times, shares some of the possible reasons why. Sweet and John Howell also discuss ways politicians are trying to excite the youth into voting again.

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Jim Ryan, ABC News Correspondent in Nashville, shares the latest details on yesterday’s tragic shooting . 

Bret Gogoel, WLS de-facto Sports Director, has a spring training report, live from Arizona. 

Justin Kaufmann from Axios discusses the fundamental flaws in CPD training. 

Plus, Steve Bernas from the Better Business Bureau joins us with the latest baseball and concert ticket scams.

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book, and a piece Kogan wrote years ago that still resonates. In it, he asks, does baseball still matter?

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Johnson & Vallas are working hard on the campaign trail, and over the weekend, they both had to address some contentious issues. Signs have been placed around the city combining Vallas & Trump’s MAGA slogan, and Johnson doubles down on his statement that he will not cut a single penny from the police budget. John Howell speaks with Gregory Pratt, Chicago Tribune reporter covering Mayor Lightfoot and City Hall.

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Janet Kenny, the Lombard Garden Club’s Conservation Committee Chair, shares why over 500 households in Lombard are holding off on mowing until Mother’s Day. 

David Goldenberg, ADL Midwest Regional Director, talks about the next steps for the targeted UpRising Bakery.  

The Chicago Tribune’s Dan Petrella shares how conservatives are targeting suburban school board elections. 

Plus, Alex Isenstadt from Politico has the details of Trump’s first 2024 rally.

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Over the weekend, Trump held his first rally for the 2024 election down in Waco, Texas. Alex Isenstadt from POLITICO joins John Howell with all of the details. Who spoke, how many people were there, and what is “Trump’s rendition” of the National Anthem? 

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Conservatives are zeroing in on Suburban school board elections. Who are these groups, and what are they doing in the suburbs? John Howell is joined by Dan Petrella from the Chicago Tribune to discuss.

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Andrea Darlas, in for John Howell, is joined by AXIOS’ Justin Kaufmann. They run through today’s biggest stories, including Johnson and Vallas’ mayoral race and the endorsements that have been flooding in. 

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*The Hill’s Amie Parnes has the details on Biden’s possible search for a 2024 campaign manager. 

*Justin Finch from ABC News has the latest on Mitch McConnell’s status after his injury earlier in the week. 

*Bill Cameron, host of Take 1 here on WLS, shares his thoughts on the current status of the Mayoral race. 

*Plus, John Howell is joined by Trish Biondo to discuss the passing (and the past) of Robert Blake. 

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Long-time writer and editor Frank Sennett was in the middle of his new novel "Shadow State" when the January 6 Capitol attack took place. The novel was already a political thriller, but the effects of January 6 began to infiltrate the novel. Frank Sennet joins John Howell to discuss the new book and how January 6 became a part of "Shadow State."

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The Oscars have used ranked choice voting since 2009 and the award show offers a non-political example of how RCV can help find a winner in crowded elections. Rob Richie is the President and CEO of FairVote, a nonpartisan electoral reform group, and he joins the John Howell show to talk about his column at Real Clear Politics that explains the advantages gained with RCV.

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*Jason Nathanson, ABC News Entertainment Correspondent Los Angeles, discusses the reasons the Oscars may have declined to bring Zelensky into the mix. 

*Kim Komando, America’s Digital Goddess, gives John tips on keeping his inbox tidy and securing his phone. 

*Bronson Arroyo, legendary baseball pitcher, introduces John to his band, Bronson Arroyo and the ‘04.

*Plus, David Wachs, Founder and CEO of Handwrytten, shares why he thought the world needed more handwritten notes - and how robots are helping make it happen. 

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The new "Hallmark of AI" can send birthday, thank you, and other types of "handwritten" notes to loved ones. Visit their website, type your message, and mail a handwritten card to anyone. The twist? The cards are transcribed by robots using real pens. John Howell is joined by David Wachs, Founder and CEO of Handwrytten.

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Legendary baseball pitcher, 2004 World Series Champion, and musician, Bronson Arroyo, joins John Howell. They discuss his band, Bronson Arroyo and the ‘04, their new album, and a couple of baseball memories for good measure. 

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*Mike Emanuel, Fox News Chief Washington Correspondent, joins John for their weekly visit to discuss the biggest national news stories. 

*Melody Mercado from Block Club Chicago has the latest on the scheduling “disaster” that may affect Summer staples like Taste of Chicago. 

*Frank Calabrese discusses the impact of race on voting in this Mayoral election. 

*Plus, we hear from Jennifer Hesser, Assistant General Manager at 360 Chicago, who tells us all about Cloudbar - a new, Chicago-centric bar on the 94th floor of the John Hancock.

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Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson would like to be the next mayor of Chicago. He joins John Howell to discuss his plans for our city, which he says has been divided for far too long. He reviews his plans to combat crime, support our residents, increase the quality of our education, provide mental health services, and treat every resident with fairness.

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*Robert Channick from the Chicago Tribune has the details on the additional money 1.3 million Illinois Facebook users may receive. 

*Author Lance Morrow joins the show to discuss his career and his latest book, “The Noise of Typewriters: Remembering Journalism.”

*Jeremy Gorner has the details on the millions of funding going into the State witness protection program. 

*Plus, another horror story from the skies: John runs through the story of an unhinged passenger on a flight from San Francisco to Boston. 

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Even though prior gubernatorial candidates have referred to our city as a “hell hole,” Geoffrey Baer insists that Chicago is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Baer, the ever-affable historian and personality from WTTW, joins John Howell to preview the premier of his special,  “The Most Beautiful Places in Chicago,” tonight at 7 pm.

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Last week’s election had a very low turnout. Why could this be the case: Lack of interest, lack of knowledge, lack of civics, lack of time? Katrina Phidd, Communications Director for Chicago Votes, joins John Howell to share her thoughts on where we went wrong - and how we can get a higher turnout next time around. 

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*Lee Bey, Chicago Sun-Times Architecture critic, tells us the big role Chicago’s next mayor will play in the city’s design future. 

*Jason Nathanson, ABC News Entertainment Correspondent Los Angeles, recaps Chris Rock breaking his silence on the Will Smith incident. 

*Tom Weitzel, Retired Chief from the Riverside Illinois Police Department, joins the show to discuss his new role with the Illinois National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. 

*Plus, Justin Finch has the details on the proposed bi-partisan Railway Safety Act.

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The Bears’ land deal in Arlington Heights prohibits a casino on the premises. This got past the city ordinance on a technicality. Chris Placek, staff writer at the Daily Herald, joins John Howell to discuss the latest road bump in the Bears’ journey to Arlington Heights. 

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The Chicago City Council is slated to vote on improvements to bike safety, including using traffic cameras to ticket people who block bike lanes. Alderman Matt Martin from Chicago’s 47th Ward joins John Howell to discuss the proposed ordinances and why they’d be helpful to cyclists and pedestrians alike.

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*Jerry Nowicki, Bureau Chief for Capitol News Illinois, has the details on Pritzker’s $60 million park grant announcement. 

*Jason Nathanson, ABC News Entertainment Correspondent, has the details on “Creed III” and what else to watch this weekend. 

*Chicago Media Personality Andrea Darlas joins the show to promote upcoming episodes of “Show & Tell” on WLS. 

*Plus, Hannah Meisel has the story of Madigan’s former besties preparing for trial.

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The House Ethics Committee has opened a broad investigation in to Rep. George Santos. Along with multiple lies about his background and questions about his campaign finances, there are new stories developing about additional trouble he’s been in. Andy Field joins John Howell to discuss.

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How did special interest donations and endorsements affect the Aldermanic and Mayoral races? John Howell is joined by the Chicago Tribune’s A.D. Quig for her analysis.

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*Geoffrey Cubbage from the Better Gov Association takes a look at how the City Council spends their time during meetings. 

*Brad Garrett, ABC News Crime & Terrorism Analyst, shares his take on the origin of COVID and the FBI’s belief it was released by accident. 

*Neil Steinberg from the Sun-times says it’s easier to win when you pick your voters - gerrymandering in Chicago.

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John Howell is joined by Marni Pyke, who reports on transportation and politics for the Daily Herald. They discuss the upcoming construction on the Kennedy that will last several years. The last time the Kennedy was under such construction was in 1994.

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“Havana Syndrome,” consisting of unexplained neurological symptoms, has 1500 documented cases across 96 countries. After a review by the U.S. Intelligence Community, they say it is “very unlikely” caused by a foreign adversary. This is not going over well with many who believe this was a targeted attack or have seen its effects. John Howell speaks with Dave Packer, ABC News New York, about the intelligence review.

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*Mike Emanuel, Fox News Chief Washington Correspondent, runs down the biggest National political stories. 

*Jason Meisner from the Chicago Tribune has the details on Madigan’s lawyers asking for the wiretaps to be tossed. 

*Politico contributor Joshua Zeitz says that the new House “Weaponization Committee” may be seriously misfiring.

*Plus, John has the biggest stories from last night’s mayoral race, and Bret Gogoel tells tales from the Vallas HQ gathering.

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The jury in the Murdaugh trial visited the crime scene this morning to observe the scene, and then closing arguments commenced. Derricke Dennis, ABC News Correspondent, New York, joins John Howell with the latest on the trial.

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Brandon Johnson & Paul Vallas will continue on in the Mayoral runoff, but what about the seven other candidates? John Howell speaks with Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune Chief Political Reporter for the Chicago Tribune, about what’s next.

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*Russell Lissau from the Daily Herald joins the show with an update on a Mundelein candidate who made some questionable comments during a forum.

*John “Bulldog” Drummond, legendary crime reporter, shares his memories of reporting on Jimmy I, who has now been revealed to be an FBI informant.

*Bret Gogoel, WLS Defacto Sports Director, talks Patrick Kane’s departure from the Blackhawks.

*Plus, Tom Johnson from the Better Business Bureau shares with us the latest Spring break travel scams, COVID test scams, and phishing scams for Facebook users.

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Dominion Voting and Fox News are deep in a $1.6 Billion defamation lawsuit as Rupert Murdoch admits that some hosts at Fox "were endorsing" the narrative that the 2020 election was stolen. Colby Hall is the Founding Editor of Mediate.com and joined the John Howell show to talk about how a November 2020 column of his was referenced in Murdoch's defamation testimony.

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Disgraced South Carolina attorney Alex Murdaugh took the witness stand and testified to the jury, admitting that he lied to investigators when he said that he was not at the scene before his wife and son were fatally shot in June 2021. Andrew Stoltmann is a Chicago attorney & Northwestern adjunct law professor and he joins the John Howell show to discuss how taking the stand likely damaged Murdaugh's own defense.

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*Chris Placek, Staff writer for the Daily Herald, has the latest on the Bears potential move and possible lobbyist involvement. 

*Jake Norman from the NW Herald has the details on a McHenry County ruling regarding non-governmental flags flying on city buildings. 

*Plus, Andy Field has the updates on the potential origins of COVID due to a new agency report. 

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In conjunction with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Take it Down is a way for teens or adults to get explicit images of themselves taken down from the internet. Derricke Dennis joins John Howell to discuss the details of this new program.

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The Chicago mayoral candidates have been pushing for every last vote in the last few days before the election. Greg Pratt joins John Howell to discuss the latest moves, the February surprises, and tomorrow's election.

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  • Rex Huppke, humor columnist from USA Today, discusses MTG’s idea for a “national divorce” and why he’d be for it.
  • Jason Nathanson, ABC News Entertainment correspondent, has the low down on “Cocaine Bear.”
  • Bill Cameron, Host of Take 1 on WLS, previews his interview with Mayor Lightfoot and gives his predictions for Tuesday’s election.
  • Plus, Steve Cochran and John look ahead at their Election Night special.

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The Chicago City Council had a contentious meeting with CPD officials this week, questioning why they haven’t moved more aggressively against officers who were involved in hate groups and connected to the capitol riot. John Howell speaks with Alderman Matt Martin from Chicago’s 47th Ward to discuss.

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With Lou Dobbs’ 2020 election fraud lies coming to light, he may cost Fox News a lot of cash. It seems like this could help Dominion Voting’s lawsuit against the company. John Howell is joined by Jacob Sullum, Senior editor at Reason Magazine, to discuss.

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*Kim Komando, America’s Digital Goddess and host of the Kim Komando show on WLS, joins John to talk about tightening up security & ChatGPT. 

*Royal Oakes, ABC News Legal Analyst, asks if the foreperson in the Georgia Trump case could undermine future cases.

*Peter Hancock, Statehouse Reporter for Capitol News Illinois, has the details on the equitable restroom bill. 

*Plus, listeners share their thoughts on MTG's proposed "National Divorce" and the equitable restroom bill.  

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Evan Drellich is an author, former Houston Chronicle beat writer, and now a national writer for The Athletic. He joins John Howell to discuss his book "Winning Fixes Everything: How Baseball's Brightest Minds Created Sports' Biggest Mess," and how a culture of cheating had spread through the Astros organization.

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The Chicago Teachers Union has been forced to make changes in their election filings otherwise they risk violating state law. WTTW Chicago Tonight Co-Anchor and Political Correspondent Paris Schutz joins John Howell to discuss how donations exceeding one-million dollars to Brandon Johnson's campaign has created problems in the CTU.

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  • Mike Emanuel, Fox News Chief Washington Correspondent, reviews the latest national political stories & gives the latest on Jimmy Carter’s reported condition.
  • Illinois comptroller Susana Mendoza discusses her legislative effort to protect CPD officers and firefighters who were disabled by COVID.
  • ABC News’ Andy Field gives the details on Biden’s proposed new limit on how migrants can seek asylum in the US.

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As election day approaches next week, there are dozens of alderpersons vying for your vote. Justin Kaufmann from Axios joins John Howell to discuss some of the most contentious and interesting races happening this time around. 

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The Supreme Court is hearing arguments on social media immunity laws and reviewing section 230. In Gonzalez versus Google, judges are appearing reluctant to throw out three decades of precedent. John Howell is joined by Eric Segall, Author and Professor of Law at Georgia State University, to discuss.

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  • Reverend Dr. Kenneth Phelps from Concord Baptist Church discusses the Chicago 4 All initiative, which is providing resources to the migrants living in a former elementary school in Woodlawn. Visit chicago4all .org for more information.
  • Crain’s Chicago’s Greg Hinz reveals his two big questions about the Chicago Mayoral race.
  • Faith Abubey, ABC News Correspondent Washington, discusses Biden’s trip to Kyiv and Poland.
  • Plus, Mack Liederman introduces us to a unique paczki just in time for Fat Tuesday.

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John Howell speaks with Max Bever, Director of Public Information for the Chicago Board of Elections. Early voting has begun with a great turnout ahead of next week’s election. Howell and Bever discuss the stats, the expected turn out, and where you can vote today or on election day.

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Ron DeSantis spoke in Elmhurst over the weekend on a one-day, three city, Back the Blue tour in Illinois. His visit caused quite a stir in surrounding areas. John Howell is joined by Russell Lissau, veteran reporter covering politics, education and other areas of interest for the Daily Herald. Lissau discusses Desantis’ visit, as well as his findings on where the Uihleins sent their cash last Fall.

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  • Russel Lissau from the Daily Herald shares the story of a Mundelein candidate who’s in hot water due to some comments over Asian people.

  • The Sun-Times’ Jon Seidel has the latest on feds seeking a sentence for R Kelly that would guarantee he never walked free. 

  • Bob Herguth, Investigative reporter for the Sun-Times and part of the Watchdogs team, explains how Boeing’s misconduct hasn’t stopped IL politicians from taking their cash. 

  • Plus, John reflects on the E2 nightclub disaster that was 20 years ago this week.

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A new Dominion court filing says that Fox News anchors and producers privately acknowledged that the allegations of election fraud in the aftermath of the 2020 election were false. ABC News Correspondent, Em Nguyen, talks with John Howell about the private text messages that were sent between the employees of the company.

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As the Chicago Bears finalize their deal to purchase the former Arlington Park racetrack, Mayor Lori Lightfoot won't rule out the use of public funds to keep the Bears in Chicago at Soldier Field. Gregory Pratt covers the Mayor and City Hall for the Chicago Tribune and he joins the John Howell show to discuss the strategies that Mayor Lightfoot is utilizing to keep the Bears.

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*Kim Komando, Host of the Kim Komando Show, joins the show to answer our tech questions (and school John on old technology.)

*Ald. Matt O’Shea promotes the Get Behind the Vest Pancake Breakfast and discusses the state of crime in the city. 

*Bob McCoppin reviews the pros and cons of the Bears purchase of Arlington Park. 

*Plus, Ralph Martier shares his thoughts on Pritzker’s budget proposal.

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J.B. Pritzker proposed a budget yesterday that beefs up education for all ages, amongst other changes. He was good to be optimistic, but maybe not quite as much as he is, says our guest. John Howell speaks with Ralph Marteir, Executive Director of the Bipartisan Center for Tax and Budget Accountability.

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The Chicago Bears announced yesterday that they closed on the purchase of Arlington Park. There are still many questions and issues remaining to be resolved before any move is made official. John Howell is joined by Bob McCoppin, Chicago Tribune reporter focusing on news and trends in the suburbs. 

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*Jeff Greenfield, five-time Emmy winning network television analyst and author, says that Biden missed a huge opportunity by passing on a Super Bowl interview. 

*ABC’s Andy Field has the details on the FAA taking action on close calls. 

*Representative La Shawn Ford explains why lawmakers have proposed a drug-injection site to prevent overdoses and provide resources. 

*Plus, Bret Gogoel, WLS Defacto Sports Director, gives his thoughts on the Cubs and Sox at the start of Spring training.

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Super PACs have made large donations to big time Mayoral candidates during this election cycle. This “dark money” has become a contentious issue. John Howell is joined by Alisa Kaplan, Executive Director of Reform for Illinois. 

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John Howell is joined by Mike Emanuel, Fox News Chief Washington Correspondent. They review this week’s biggest national political stories, including the flying objects popping up around the country and the apparent rift between Mitch McConnel and Rick Scott.

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*Alex Stone from ABC News joins with the latest details on last night’s Michigan State University shooting. 

*Steve Bernas, President & CEO of the Better Business Bureau, warns of romance scams surging around Valentine’s day. 

*Danny Ecker from Crain’s Chicago Business explains why the Chicago Casino is waiting on the Chicago Tribune.

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On this valentines day evening, Travis Wilkinson is the Farm Manager at Southside Blooms and he joins the John Howell show to tell us all about how Southside Blooms trains south side youth to grow and market flowers with sustainability and year-round efforts.

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Chicago mayoral candidate Paul Vallas joins the John Howell show to talk about his plans to help the city if he is elected as the next mayor of Chicago. Paul dives into his plans to combat crime, improve the CTA, help Chicago's Public School system, and more.

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*China has accused the US of flying spy balloons into its airspace. Luis Martinez, ABC News Correspondent from the Pentagon, joins with the latest details. 

*Mark Bilek from Drive Chicago tells us what we can experience at the 2023 Auto Show. 

*Peter Greene, Columnist for Forbes, discusses the end of the Illinois Voucher Law. 

*Plus, the Howell show recaps their highs and lows of the Super Bowl. 

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Airing on WTTW's digital sites, 'FIRSTHAND: Life After Prison,' is a series that offers an intimate look at the challenges and opportunities that people face as they return to society after spending time in prison. To talk about the series, John is joined by a producer of the series, Mario Thorpe, and Nicholas Crayton, who will be re-entering society after serving 24 years.

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Is "quid pro quo" the Chicago way? Investigative reporter for WBEZ's Government and Politics team, Dan Mihalopoulos, joins John Howell to discuss how a big deal with the CTA and prominent Chicago businessman, has helped Lori Lightfoot's reelection efforts.

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*Dan Hampton, NFL Hall of Famer and Chicago legend, joins John to talk about bringing the Super Bowl Shuffle back to 2023. 

*Jason Nathanson from ABC News has the scoop on all of the rom coms coming out this weekend. 

*John Cribb, Bestselling author, discusses the life and legacy of Lincoln ahead of his birthday on the 12th. 

*Plus, Bret Gogoel, WLS Defacto Sports Director, shares his thoughts on the big game.

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The United States have shot down another "high-altitude object" over Alaska on Biden's Orders. Andy Field, ABC News Correspondent in Washington D.C., talks with John Howell about both this unidentified object, and the balloon taken down on February 4th.

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This February is the 40th Anniversary of the attempted assassination of Ken Tokyo Joe Eto, an American mobster with the Chicago Outfit and later an FBI informant. The legendary crime reporter "Bulldog" John Drummond, joins the John Howell show to talk about the life and attempted hit of Tokyo Joe.

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*Jerry Nowicki, Bureau Chief of Capitol News Illinois, tells us what we need to know ahead of Pritzker’s budget proposal. 

*ABC’s Justin Finch explains how the Chinese surveillance balloon may trigger US “action” against Beijing. 

*A good Samaritan was stabbed while trying to save someone’s life yesterday. John asks what we as citizens would do when seeing someone in need. 

*Plus, the latest “February Surprises” in the Mayoral battles. 

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The city of Chicago has budgeted resources to address homelessness, but advocates say that the money is not being spent where it is most needed. Reporter for Block Club Chicago, Ariel Parella joins the John Howell show to talk about how the homelessness crisis at O'Hare shows the need for extra support at the airport and around the city.

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As the mayoral race heats up in Chicago, several candidates have released polls that show them in the lead. Derrick Blakley was a television news reporter and anchor for 41 years, he's now at DePaul University's College of Communications and he has been following the mayoral race at the Center for Illinois Politics; he joins John Howell to discuss the muddled numbers.

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Both the Des Plaines and Aracada Theaters are hosting MONGO BOWL events on Super Sunday. The events will benefit former Bears player, Steve "Mongo" McMichael, with medical bills related to ALS. John Howell is joined by Ron Onesti, President & Founder of Onesti Entertainment, to discuss Mongo, the inspiration for the fundraisers, and all the details. For information, tickets, or a donation link, visit www.oshows.com

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John Howell is joined by Mike Emanuel, Fox News Chief Washington Correspondent. The two recap last night’s State of the Union address, Washington’s reactions, Governor Huckabee’s response, and McCarthy’s possible “hush.”

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*Dan Petrella from the Chicago Tribune has the details on a tax proposal that could aid the Bears’ move to Arlington Heights. 

*Paris Shutz, Co-anchor of “Chicago Tonight,” previews the channel 11 Mayoral forum, which he will be hosting. 

*Mark Denzler, President and CEO of the Illinois’ Manufacturer Association, discusses receiving the Railroader of the Year Award. 

*Plus, Matt Bonesteel tells us what we need to know about this year’s Superbowl.

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Alderman Matt Martin of the 47th Ward has introduced a resolution to City Council calling for a hearing to discuss ranked choice voting in Chicago. He joins the John Howell show to explain how ranked choice voting would save money and create a more democratic system.

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ABC News Correspondent in Washington D.C., Justin Finch, has been following the State of the Union story and he joins John Howell to talk about what President Biden is expected to speak on in his speech to Congress.

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*Dan Balz, Chief Correspondent for the Washington Post, shares what the numbers are saying about both Biden and Trump’s popularity. 

*ABC News’ Derricke Dennis has the story of two men arrested in an extremist plot to “completely destroy” Baltimore and how it shines light on power grid attacks Nationwide. 

*Neil Steinberg from the Sun-times celebrates his career and the 75th anniversary of the newspaper. 

*Plus, Tom Weitzel, Retired Chief from the Riverside Police Department, joins the program to talk safety and anti-police rhetoric in schools.

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A JAMA study reveals that some neighborhoods in Chicago expose young men to a greater risk of violence than American troops in war zones in Iraq and Afghanistan. Brandon del Pozo is a Brown University researcher and former New York City policeman, and he joins John Howell to discuss the risks that young men are facing in several Chicago neighborhoods.

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Thousands of people are dead after a devastating earthquake rocked southeastern Turkey and northwestern Syria early Monday morning. Jordana Miller, ABC News Correspondent, is in Jerusalem, and she joins John Howell to talk about how the earthquake is affecting the region.

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John Howell is joined by Sir John Dempsey, WLS Golf Commissioner Emeritus & Springsteen Aficionado. The two discuss The Boss and his E Street Band embarking on their first major tour in six years, plus Dempsey relives his favorite Springsteen moments.

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*Kelli Pelc, Founder of The Refilleri in Humboldt Park, joins the show to discuss the zero-waste shop and how to live more sustainably. 

*Marissa Lynn Ford, League of Chicago Theaters Executive Director, has the details on Chicago theatres celebrating Black History Month & the upcoming Chicago Theatre Week. 

*Axios reporter Victoria Knight explains why the GOP has parted ways with a historical ally: Doctors.

*Plus, ABC’s Alex Stone has the latest details on the surveillance balloon floating above the US.

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An ex-Chicago Firefighter has just been charged with storming the Capitol with a right-wing militia group. What was he charged with specifically, and why did it take so long to charge him? John Howell is joined by Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune Federal Courts Reporter, who has the details. 

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John Howell is joined by Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart. Sheriff Dart shares his thoughts on how we can get to a place in our society where mass shootings are no longer considered commonplace. Read his full op-ed in the Chicago Tribune.

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Sophia Van Pelt, Reporter for the Better Government Association, compares Illinois Legislative oversight to that of other states…and we don’t look good.POLITICO’s Caitlin Oprysko has the details on where the Uihleins sent their cash after January 6th.Sheriff Tom Dart shares his thoughts on how we can get to a place where mass shootings aren’t considered commonplace.Plus, John gives a lesson in Groundhog Day history, and Mike Lindell visits Jimmy Kimmel in quite the unique fashion.

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Three Chicago-area refineries are some of the worst polluters in the country. Why is this such a problem, and how can it be rectified? John Howell is joined by Eric Schaeffer, Environmental Integrity Project’s Executive Director and former Chief of Civil Enforcement at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

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Alderman Gil Villegas shares his thoughts on a pilot program for the city shoveling sidewalks.Anne Flaherty, Senior National Policy Reporter ABC News Washington, has the details on a GOP-led panel targeting COVID relief dollars for review.Mike Emanuel, Fox News Chief Washington Correspondent, has the latest on this week’s biggest national political stories.Andy Field discusses the FBI search of Biden’s Rehoboth Beach Home.*Plus, John reviews last night’s contentious mayoral forum, and we talk to Tom Brady’s number one fan about his retirement.

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Opponents of the Assault Weapons Ban have won a round in court. An appellate court has upheld a temporary restraining order that blocks part of the ban. Peter Hancock, Statehouse Reporter for Capitol News Illinois, joins John Howell with the details.

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Over the next two weeks, we will have a chance to see a once-in-a-lifetime scene in the night sky. The Green Comet will pass within 26 million miles of the planet, and will not return again for tens of thousands of years. John Howell speaks with Michelle Nichols, Director of Public Observing at the Adler Planetarium, about this special comet.

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*Olivier Knox, National Political Correspondent and Anchor of The Daily 202, explains why America and China may see a flash point in 2023.

*Steve Bernas, President and CEO of the Better Business Bureau Illinois, joins the show to discuss identity theft protection and Superbowl scams. 

*Charles Lipson, Peter B. Ritzma Professor of Political Science Emeritus at the University of Chicago, shares his solution to stopping politicians from taking classified documents

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Does bail reform cause a spike in crime? A pair of Loyola professors set out to study the national data on the matter, and their conclusions may surprise you. John Howell is joined by Dr. David Olson, Co-director of Loyola’s Center for Criminal Justice, who conducted the study alongside Don Stemen.

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*Jordana Miller, ABC News Jerusalem, reports on Secretary of State Blinken’s visit to Israel. 

*The Suntimes’ Frank Main discusses the PPP loans that were misrepresented in Chicago.

*POLITICO’s Jonathan Martin shares his thoughts on the Democrats who may step up as Biden steps down in the party. 

*Plus, we discuss the passing of Bobby Hull, and Nick Kindelsperger goes through the list of Chicagoan semifinalists for the James Beard award.

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Union battles, declining enrollment, and empty schools have haunted Lori Lightfoot's term as mayor and whoever becomes the next mayor of Chicago will continue to face challenges with CPS and the CTU. Chicago Tribune Reporter A.D. Quig covers Cook County and City Hall, and she joins John Howell to talk about the challenges that the next mayor will face.

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Memphis, Tennessee city officials released the disturbing footage of the fatal confrontation between Tyre Nichols and Memphis police officers. Brad Garrett, ABC News Crime and Terrorism Analyst, joins John Howell to discuss what the footage reveals about the encounter and how it affects the police force nationwide.

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*Craig Wall, ABC 7 Political Reporter, has the details on the latest mayoral forum. 

*Alee Quick, Civic Marketing Manager for the News Literacy Project, explains how building public trust in the media is essential to democracy. 

*ABC News’ Alex Stone has the details on the Paul Pelosi call and footage that were released today. 

*Plus, Doug Cummings explains why he updated his book, “Escaping the O-Zone.”

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You can find bobbleheads of nearly anything these days…even congressmen. Phil Sklar, Co-Founder and CEO of the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum, joins the John Howell show to discuss their brand new George Santos bobblehead and what else they have at the museum.

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The Tyre Nichols video is set to be released later today. What do we expect the reaction to be, why was it released now, and where do we go from here? John Howell speaks with Jim Ryan from ABC News in Memphis to try and tackle those and other questions. 

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*Rep. Daniel Didech from IL District 59 joins the show to talk about being named chair of the House Gaming Committee. 

*Kim Komando has the latest tech stories of the week, including “woke” Xboxes and TVs that are spying on us all. 

*Colby Hall from Mediaite explains that Vice Presidents CAN, in fact, declassify documents. 

*Plus, ABC News’ Anne Flaherty talks about the possibility of a yearly COVID vaccine, similar to the flu.

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Public financing for elections has had a positive impact in several cities in the US. Now, it’s being proposed in Chicago. John Howell speaks with Alisa Kaplan, Executive Director of Reform for Illinois, about the mechanics and what she believes to be the benefits. 

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“Place-based resentment” is the feeling that rural areas are ignored, fundamentally misunderstood, and disrespected by lawmakers and cityfolks. Residents in Southern Illinois are speaking out against Pritzker after his victory in the gubernatorial election, even though they have not been ignored by the state legislature. John Howell speaks with Ted McClelland, Author and Contributor at Chicago Magazine. 

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*Dave McKinney of WBEZ details the economic plans released by each of the Chicago mayoral candidates.

*Fox News Chief Washington Correspondent Mike Emanuel discusses the latest on the classified documents scandals.

*Evan Bleier of InsideHook tries to discern Tom Brady's future after he curses out the host of a podcast.

*Plus, longtime political analyst Jeff Greenfield tells John that trying to predict the results of the 2024 election is a fool's errand.

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The M Room is a first-of-its-kind concept from the teams behind Roka Akor and The Macallan. Jason Huffman, bar manager for The M Room, joins John Howell and Bret Gogoel to talk about some of the whiskey you can try at The M Room.

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The World Economic Forum is attended by CEOs, lawmakers, presidents and prime ministers, but little news and little change comes out of the conference. Charles Gasparino, FOX Business Network Senior Correspondent & New York Post columnist joins the John Howell show to talk about the conference.

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*Laura Miller, Books and Culture Columnist for Slate, says that Prince Harry’s book is simply good literature. 

*Harlan Ullman, Senior Advisor at the Atlantic Council, shares what he believes are the roots of America’s discontent. 

*Greg Hinz, Political writer and blogger for Crain’s Chicago Business, joins to talk about the “wide open” Chicago Mayoral Race. 

*Plus, ABC News Entertainment Correspondent Jason Nathanson has the scoop on the Oscar nominations.

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For anyone scorned in love this Valentine’s Day, the Brookfield Zoo may have a solution for you: naming a hissing cockroach after your ex. Tim Sullivan, Director of Behavioral Husbandry for the Chicago Zoological Society, joins John Howell to discuss the benefits of cockroaches and how the Brookfield Zoo is celebrating Valentine’s Day. Visit www.csz.org/brookfield zoo for more. 

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There have been several lawsuits brought against the Assault Weapons Ban. The most frequent argument is that it is “unconstitutional,” among others. Lawmakers and Sheriffs have spoken out for and against the ban. John Howell is joined by Peter Hancock, Statehouse Reporter for Capitol News Illinois, to discuss.  

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*Alderman Matt O’Shea discusses an ordinance he introduced that he believes would prevent assaults of Chicago paramedics and emergency workers. 

*Jim Brosnahan, legal analyst, represented the producer of “The Crow” after an accidental shooting death on set. He joins the show to discuss comparisons to the Alec Baldwin case.

*ABC News’ Alex Stone has the latest as authorities search for motive in the Lunar New Year shooting. 

*Plus, Elizabeth Schulze has the details as Biden and McCarthy plan on meeting to discuss the Debt Ceiling.

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This Friday and Saturday, January 28-29, The Jazz and Lincoln Center Orchestra will play at Chicago's Symphony Center. Jazz legend and trumpeter Wynton Marsalis talks with John Howell about these upcoming shows, playing the trumpet, and music and culture.

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With the passing of the Illinois assault weapons ban, a number of Illinois sheriffs have stated that they will not enforce this new legislation. Tom Weitzel, retired Riverside Chief of Police, joins John Howell to discuss how their refusal to uphold the law is a violation of their duty.

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*Justin Finch from ABC News brings more George Santos revelations.

*John Wilmes, Professor at Roosevelt University, explains why he is done with the CTA.

*Legendary Crime Reporter "Bulldog" John Drummond brings a 40 year old unsolved murder to light.

*Plus, Ron Onesti joins to discuss the cancellation of an event at the Des Plaines Theatre.

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The first televised mayoral debate allowed all of the candidates to discuss their plans if elected for mayor. Greg Pratt joins John Howell to talk about the debate and how each candidate fared.

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*Royal Oakes, ABC News Legal Analyst, discusses the charges against Alec Baldwin. 

*The Chicago Tribune’s Jeremy Gorner has the details on the federal lawsuit filed by the IL State Rifle Association. 

*Jason Roe, former Michigan Republican Party Executive Director, explains why the “2024 DeSantis Train” will start in Michigan. 

*Plus, John discusses the possibility of adding another NFL team to the Windy City. 

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Ben Harvey is an Avid Cyclist and Member of the Activist Group and he is beta testing RideReel, an app that asks bicyclists to upload their videos of situations they have while on the street. He joins John Howell to talk about how the streets of Chicago can become safer for cyclists in the city.

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Alec Baldwin and the armorer on the set of "Rust" have been charged with involuntary manslaughter. ABC News Reporter Jason Nathanson talks with John Howell about the details of the shooting on the set.

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*Kara Kennedy, Staff Writer for The Spectator World, shares her thoughts on Prince Harry’s book and the global response. 

*Jordan Engerman, VP of Strategic Partnerships for Choose Chicago, previews the upcoming  Chicago Restaurant Week. 

*Fox News Chief Washington Correspondent Mike Emanuel joins to talk about this week’s biggest political stories. 

*Plus, Dr. Vara Saripalli sheds some light on why we procrastinate. 

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The DuPage County Sheriff has made a statement refusing to enforce the new firearm law. John Howell is joined by Liz Chaplin, DuPage County Board Member. Chaplin is calling for the Sheriff to retract his statement or resign.

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After five years, Chicago U.S. Attorney John Lausch will be leaving office by March. John Howell is joined by Renato Mariotti, Former federal prosecutor, Legal Affairs Columnist for POLITICO Magazine, & Partner at Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner. They discuss Laucsh’s career and what’s in store next. 

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*John T. Bennett from Roll Call tells us how the House GOP went “full swamp” behind closed doors. 

*ABC News Correspondent Alex Stone has the details on the failed GOP candidate who has been accused of hiring hitmen in New Mexico. 

*Tom Johnson from the BBB reviews a list of all of the scams we fell for in 2022.

*Plus, the numerous Chicago Mayoral candidates gave their takes over the weekend regarding the Bears’ potential move to Arlington Heights. 

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Will the assault weapons ban hold up in court? Are the firearms in question “dangerous and unusual” or in common use? What kinds of regulations will actually stick, if any? John Howell is joined by Assistant Law Professor Eric Ruben from Southern Methodist University.

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Mayor Lightfoot mixed it up with her challengers at a forum over the weekend. It appears that Lightfoot’s team has decided Paul Vallas is one of her biggest obstacles to re-election. All of the other candidates also had a lot to say about their competition. John Howell speaks with Gregory Pratt, Chicago Tribune reporter covering Mayor Lori Lightfoot and City Hall. 

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*The Daily Herald’s Chris Placek explains how the New Bears President, Kevin Warren, is well-equipped to build a new stadium in Arlington Heights. 

*Jason Nathanson, ABC News Correspondent, remembers the life of Lisa Marie Presley after her passing yesterday. 

*Sun-Times columnist Neil Steinberg speaks to how Lightfoot’s CPS blunder still isn’t the worst attempt to gain mayoral support. 

*Plus, Tim Hygh and Steph Castelein,  two of the representatives from the Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau, share about the beautiful island just ahead of National Plan for Vacation Day.

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One of Mayor Lightfoot’s campaign workers was found emailing CPS teachers attempting to recruit campaign volunteers, which has been found as inappropriate. Bill Cameron spoke with the Mayor today to discuss this and other issues during her campaign.  John Howell speaks with Cameron about his thoughts on the news and his interview. You can listen on Sunday at 4 pm on WLS, or catch the podcast on wlsam .com. 

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There’s a long list of Chicago politicians recorded by wiretaps, which has never ended up well. Transcripts of Madigan wiretaps were just released this week. John Howell speaks with Dick Simpson, longtime Professor of Political Science at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Simpson says these events reveal a widespread contempt for voters. 

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*Ike Ejiochi, ABC News Correspondent, brings the latest on Merrick Garland appointing a special counsel to investigate Biden’s documents. 

*Olivier Knox, Anchor of The Daily 202, reports on Biden’s call for changing Big Tech moderation rules. 

*Investopedia editor-in-chief Caleb Silver discusses lowering inflation and the hope that the US can avoid a recession. 

*Finally, Nader Issa from the Sun-times has the story on Lightfoot’s campaign soliciting CPS teachers for volunteers.

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A group of Illinois Sheriffs have announced that they will not enforce the new assault weapons ban. John Howell is joined by Professor Howard Krent, Separation of Powers Expert at Illinois Tech’s Chicago-Kent College of Law, to discuss his thoughts. 

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John Howell is joined by the great Gary Sinise: Actor, Musician, and Emmy, Golden Globe, Tony, and SAG Award Winner. Sinise has a great deal of passion for his work with Veterans through his foundation, the Gary Sinise Foundation. This month, Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre is hosting a special presentation of “Last Out: Elegy of a Green Beret.” For tickets, visit steppenwolf.org/last-out. 

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US domestic flights were all shut down this morning due to an FAA system outage.  Alex Stone, ABC News Correspondent, Los Angeles, joins John Howell to detail just what happened, possible causes, and other updates. 

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*WGN News Anchor Ben Bradley details the findings inside the CPS Inspector General’s annual report. 

*Ald. Chris Taliaferro from Chicago’s 29th Ward explains why he is renewing the call to fire the CPD officer tied to the Proud Boys.

*Greg Hinz from Crain’s Chicago Business details how labor and business both won in a “Springfield miracle.”

*Plus, Mike Emanuel, Fox News Chief Washington Correspondent, discusses this week’s biggest national political stories.

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There have been new revelations in the Mike Madigan / ComEd Case: a little bit of quid pro quo, questionable internships and subcontracts, and more. Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune Federal Courts reporter, joins John Howell with the latest. 

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*Bob Dunn, President of Landmark Development, joins the show to talk about the proposed plan for Soldier Field renovations. 

*Multiple GRAMMY Award-winning Guitarist, Sharon Isbin, previews her upcoming show at the Chicago Philharmonic. 

*ABC News’ Alex Presha has the latest on the summit between US, Canada, and Mexico. 

*Plus, Salena Zito has the latest political stories and Brett Chase has the updates on the General Iron situation in Chicago.

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John Howell speaks with Illinois House GOP Leader Jim Durkin, who has announced that he is resigning his seat in the legislature. Today is his final full day in his position. Durkin speaks as to what is next, what motivated this move, and his thoughts on the current state of the GOP. 

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What is going on with Biden’s classified documents? There are several differences between this situation with Biden and what happened with Trump at Mar-a-Lago. John Howell is joined by Taegan Goddard, Founder and Publisher of Political Wire, to discuss that and other big political stories. 

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*David Roeder from the Sun-Times joins the show to discuss the new plan to keep the Bears at Soldier Field.

*ABC News Correspondent Ike Ejiochi lays out McCarthy’s plan for the House. 

*Chicago Tribune Political Analyst, Rick Pearson, discusses Jim Durkin’s decision to resign his seat in Legislature. 

*Plus, Mark Denzler has the latest on the Governor’s inauguration, and Joe Cahill speaks on  Chicago area leaders ready to share the spoils. 

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The Assault Weapon Bill has hit a snag in the Illinois Senate. How viable will the bill be if it includes serial number disclosure? Opponents say that and other pieces will make the bill unconstitutional. John Howell is joined by Ben Szalinski, Legislative Reporter for The Daily Line Illinois. 

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Threats to the US and our allies, conflicts between powers, climate change, and countless other issues to worry about - how do those who make policies decide what to prioritize? John Howell is joined by Paul B. Stares, General John Vessey Senior Fellow in Conflict Prevention and Director of the Center for Preventive Action at the Council on Foreign Relations.  

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*Professor Ken Alder joins to discuss Chicago’s long history with lie detectors. 

*Greg Bishop, Associate Editor for The Center Square, discusses the gun control legislation that passed through the IL House. 

*Paul E. Peterson, Professor of Government at Harvard University, asks: how can real conservatives stop Trump in 2024?

*ABC News Correspondent Alex Stone talks about the families of Idaho victims in court and seeing the alleged killer. 

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Illinois is set to receive a large sum of money from a national settlement with several Opioid  manufacturers. What should be done with this windfall to do the most good? John Howell speaks with Dr. Lori Ann Post, Professor at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine and Director of the Buehler Center for Health Policy & Economics.

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*The one and only Kim Komando joins John to talk about the latest stories in tech, including what your Amazon Alexa is recording. 

*Professor Charles Lipson lends his thoughts on the vote for Speaker of the House and why Kevin McCarthy is winning this war of attrition. 

*Jim Warren, Executive Editor of NewsGuard, discusses which information sources we can actually trust. 

*Plus, the Daily Herald’s Jim O’Donnell explains how and why the NFL always thinks “league first.”

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Bureaucracy, not billionaires, is keeping our emergency room full. The goal is to get people insured, but no one is thinking beyond that, says Dr. Marc Siegel. John Howell speaks with Dr. Marc Siegel, Professor of Medicine and Medical Director of Doctor Radio at NYU.  

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The NFL has not been a stranger to controversy over the past few years, and the Damar Hamlin incident is the latest. John Howell is joined by Rick Morrissey, Chicago Sun-Times Sports Columnist. Morrissey attempts to answer the question:  Why do we keep watching the NFL? 

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*Dan McGrath, Crain’s contributor and Former Tribune Sports Editor, asks what Kevin Warren could do for the Bears if he took over for Ted Phillips. 

*Fox News Chief Washington Correspondent, Mike Emanuel, joins the show to review the biggest political stories of the week.

*Eric Felton from Real Clear Politics has the latest on the battle for Speaker of the House. 

*Plus, John and the team introduce a new segment, the Wheel of Warm and Fuzzy.

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After the Southwest Airlines issues over the holidays, they need to look to the past for solutions. John Howell speaks with Bob Reed, Former Editor of Crain’s Chicago Business and Contributor to Chicago Magazine.

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Buffalo Bills Safety Damar Hamlin’s condition continues to move in a “positive direction.” John Howell is joined by ABC News Correspondent, Derricke Dennis, to discuss the latest developments and where the NFL may go from here.

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*Politico’s Daniel Lippman joins the show to talk about the vote for Speaker of the House. 

*Jeremy Gorner from the Chicago Tribune discusses the current battle over the SAFE-T Act and the end of cash bail. 

*Ret. Police Chief Tom Weitzel suggests we stop spending entertainment dollars in Chicago until steps are taken to reduce violent crime. 

*Steve Bernas, President & CEO of BBB of Chicago & Northern IL, has a list of New Year’s Resolutions we can follow to avoid scams.

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John Howell speaks with Jason Nathanson, ABC News Entertainment Correspondent, Los Angeles. Actor Jeremy Renner is in critical condition after a snow plow incident. Nathanson has the latest updates.

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John Howell is joined by Lee Bey, Chicago Sun-Times Architecture Critic and member of the Editorial Board. The AIA just awarded a gold medal to Architect Carol Ross Barney for her work designing the Chicago Riverwalk. Bey & Howell discuss the work Barney has done and the importance of well-designed public spaces. 

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*ABC News Law Enforcement Reporter, Luke Barr, has the latest on the arrest made in connection with the Idaho murders. 

*Melody Mercado from Block Club Chicago joins to discuss the city’s Neighborhood Opportunity Fund and its potential. 

*Chicago Tribune Food Critic, Nick Kindelsperger, has the 12 Best Dishes of 2022. 

*Jen DeSalvo and John Howell reflect upon Jen’s time in radio and their time as colleagues.

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A Kankakee Judge ruled that the ending of cash bail is unconstitutional. John Howell is joined by Professor Harold Krent, Separation of Powers Expert at Illinois Tech’s Chicago-Kent College of Law. Professor Krent discusses the viability of the ruling and the rest of the SAFE-T Act. 

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John Howell is joined by Mary Jane Copps, founder of The Phone Lady. Mary Jane discusses what led her to founding The Phone Lady consultant company, how she helps her clients get over “phone phobia,” and what happened to phone etiquette in the first place. 

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*Jon Seidel from the Sun-Times discusses the judge’s ruling that the end of cash bail is unconstitutional. 

*The Chicago Tribune’s Gregory Pratt asks if a lesser-known challenger could defeat Lightfoot in the 2023 Mayoral race. 

*Block Club Chicago’s Ariel Parrella tells the story of a community gathering behind a chihuahua after a stabbing in their neighborhood. 

*Plus, Jason Nathanson has this week’s entertainment report, and John’s team discusses a story of dog rescue & whether or not they’d do the same.

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*Herb Scribner, Breaking News Reporter for Axios, discusses the Southwest Airlines delays and cancellations that are rampant. 

*ABC News’ Andy Field joins the program to talk about what happens next after all of the airline troubles. 

*Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune’s Chief Political Analyst, dives into the state GOP’s analysis of election data. 

*Block Club Chicago’s Mack Liederman talks new state laws regarding rules of the road and lost baggage amidst the Southwest crisis. 

*Plus, Faith Abubay has the latest on SCOTUS’ ruling to keep Title 42 in place.

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Chris Quintana, Education Enterprise Reporter for USA Today, joins the John Howell show. George Santos admitted to lying about his education, and he is far from the first politician (or person) to embellish their resume. Quintana and Howell discuss this and other cases of resume “embellishment” in our country. 

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Pete and Lisa ask 18th district of Illinois representative Darin LaHood why he voted against a $1.7 Trillion dollar spending package that was dropped in the middle of the night.  The bill also proposes banning TikTok on government devices and strengthening anti-discrimination policies for pregnant employees amongst many other things.  Darin LaHood explains why they are piling on so many different add-ons to the bill. 

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Mayor of the Village of Bellwood Andre Harvey tells Pete and Lisa about what it was like when two water mains break on Christmas Eve and the measure that had to be taken to prevent the citizens from ingesting tainted water.  Water Pressure dropped too low and a boil order was put in effect for precautionary measures.

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*ABC News’ Alex Stone has the latest on the mess that was holiday travel today in the bad weather. 

*Rick Telander from the Sun Times toys with the idea of benching Justin Fields for the last three games. 

*Meteorologist Mark Thibodeau joins with the latest on the movement of the storm and what it says about our climate. 

*Sir John Dempsey, WLS Golf Commissioner Emeritus, and John review this year in golf.

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John Howell is joined by Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune Reporter & Editor of Vintage Tribune. She shares her research about polar vortexes in Chicago, our cold temp records here in the city, and the coldest Bears games in history.

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*The Tribune’s Jason Meisner joins the program with a tale of a great Chicago prison escape that only happened a decade ago.

*Mark Thibodeau, Senior Radio Broadcast Meteorologist, joins to talk about the upcoming winter storm.

*Mike Emanuel, Fox News Chief Correspondent, discusses the biggest national political stories. 

*Plus, we have a listen to Rand Paul’s Christmas wish for America.

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A bill to ban TikTok is making its way through Congress and U.S. Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi joined the John Howell show to discuss why the app should be banned in the United States.

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*Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas joins to catch up with John and talk about her 2023 Calendar Project. 

*Robert Herguth from the Sun-Times shares his investigation into the FBI and the Local 150.

*Steve Bernas, President and CEO of BBB of Chicago & Northern IL, gives us tips on avoiding porch pirates and other scams this holiday season.

*Colyn Ritter, Research Assistant at Ed Choice, explains why Americans want school choice.

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John Howell is joined by Bill Cameron, host of Take One here on WLS. The two remember the life and legacy of the last of the big city bosses. Richard J. Daley died 46 years ago today. 

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*Will Bauer, Metro East Reporter for St. Louis Public Radio, joins the show to give an end-of-year update on the IL counties that would like to secede from the state. 

*Brett Chase from the Chicago Sun-Times brings a story about high lead levels found in paint at a CPS elementary school.

*The Chicago Tribune’s Gregory Pratt joins the show to chat about the mayoral tax returns that were released - and which one was not. 

*Plus, ABC News Correspondent Justin Finch joins with the latest on the Jan 6th Committee’s final public hearing.

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John Howell speaks with Mike Flannery, Fox 32 News Political Editor. Chuy Garcia and Paul Vallas are both beating Lori Lightfoot in polls for Chicago Mayor. Flannery goes through this and other data as we approach 2023 and the mayoral election. 

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*Matt Wolfe, ABC News Entertainment Correspondent New York, previews this weekend’s box office opening for Avatar 2. 

*Neil Steinberg, Chicago Sun-Times Columnist, asks the question: Why does the media keep making predictions?

*RealClearPolitics Contributor, Myra Adams, joins to discuss the potential of Trump running in 2024. 

*Phil Shenon, Former DC and foreign correspondent for the NYT, speaks to the JFK files that were released this week.

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John Howell is joined by Andy Field, ABC News Correspondent in Washington. Twitter and Elon Musk are facing backlash over suspensions of high-profile journalists. Field explains why Musk says these accounts were suspended and what this means for journalism and Twitter moving forward. 

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John Howell speaks with Ambassador John Bolton, National Security Advisor to President Trump from 2018 to 2019 and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations from 2005 to 2006. They discuss the Brittany Griner trade, what the end-game for the conflict in Ukraine may look like, and why Trump’s behavior may be disqualifying.

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*Brenden Moore, Illinois State Government Reporter for Lee Enterprises, joins the program to touch on how the IL Legislature is not as liberal as we may think. 

*Brad Garrett, ABC News Crime & Terrorism Analyst,  has the latest developments on the FTX news. 

*Kim Komando, Host of the Kim Komando Show, shares her favorite last-minute gifts and how to block spam calls. 

*Plus, Steve Cochran from WLS Mornings has the details on how to win a big screen television and how to see him perform on New Year’s Eve.

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John Howell speaks with Alderman Anthony Napolitano from Chicago’s 41st Ward. Yesterday, the City Council approved his crackdown on illegal gun possession. Ald. Napolitano joins the program to speak to the specifics of the ordinance and why he feels it is important to the city. 

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John Howell is joined by Attorney Steve Mandell, Founding Partner of Mandell and Menkes who represents media and first amendment concerns. Mandell discusses the downside to the CPD delaying media access to police radio. He says this is an issue of public safety and governmental transparency. 

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*Sophia Van Pelt, Policy Analyst for the BGA, explains why it is that Illinois Courts are exempt from FOIA requests. 

*Fox News Chief Washington Correspondent, Mike Emanuel, joins the program to talk about the biggest stories in national politics. 

*Why are Americans so interested in Harry and Meghan? John discusses their new Netflix show and our fascination with royalty. 

*Plus, John goes over Chuy’s potentially tainted cash and what that means for his campaign.

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Chief Cook County Judge Timothy Evans is having his employees interviewed in an investigation of PPP loan fraud. Frank Main, a reporter for the Sun-Times, joins the John Howell show to talk about this PPP fraud inside the court.

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Objections towards Proco Joe Moreno and Sam Royko are flying in the aldermanic race for the 1st Ward. Mina Bloom, a reporter for Block Club Chicago, joins the show to discuss the details of the challenges on this ballot.

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*Jon Seidel from the Sun-Times explains the current challenges to the SAFE-T Act. 

*Alex Stone from ABC News Los Angeles has the details on the historic breakthrough in clean energy. 

*The Hill’s Emily Brooks talks about the behind the scenes hunt for a McCarthy Speaker alternative. 

*Plus, Ike Ejiochi explains the FTX on Capitol Hill after SBF was arrested.

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The final report from the January 6th hearings will be releasing this month and Kyle Cheney, Congress Reporter for Politico, joins John to talk about what we might see on the upcoming report.

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President of Daily Planet Productions, Scott Marvel, joins the John Howell show to remember the Joseph Kromelis, known as the Walking Man. Scott raised $5,000 for Kromelis by printing and selling T-shirts after he was beaten in 2016, then sold another round of shirts after Kromelis was set ablaze that raised $8,000. He plans to give the money to Kromelis’ family to help fund his recovery.

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*Luke Barr, ABC News Justice and Homeland Security Reporter, joins the show to discuss the level of hate crimes committed in the United States versus the level of hate crimes reported to the FBI.

*President & CEO of the Illinois Manufacturers' Association, Mark Denzler, talks about Illinois' workforce development programs aimed at helping minority contractors.

*Salena Zito, prolific National Political Reporter, discusses changes in the Senate with Sinema's move to the independent party.

*ABC News Correspondent, Derricke Dennis, talks with John about masks and their usefulness in this 'tripledemic.'

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Public safety is on the mind of Chicago's residents and mayoral candidate Paul Vallas joins the John Howell show to talk about his anti-crime program that he would implement if elected mayor of Chicago.

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Crime in Chicago is up and the business community is hoping for public safety improvements from the city's leadership. Laurence Msall, President of the Civic Federation, joins the John Howell show to talk about how to improve public safety in the city.

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*John plays the audio of a Willie Wilson aide allegedly bribing a member of Ja'Mal Green's team to drop their challenges.

*University of Illinois Play-by-Play announcer Brian Barnhart recaps a big win over the #2 ranked Texas Longhorns, and looks ahead to more Big Ten play.

*Russell Lissau of the Daily Herald details how the community has responded strongly to the news that the Pickwick Theatre could be closing down.

*Bruce Abramson, Director at the American Center for Education & Knowledge shares what America needs for the 2024 election.

*Plus, Andrea Darlas stops by to discuss this week's episode of Show & Tell that offers great hotel deals for those spending the holidays in Chicago.

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Sen. Sinema declared on Friday that she will become a registered Independent. David Winston a long time advisor to congressional republicans broke down how the Senate will be affected moving forward.

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*Brad Garrett, ABC News Crime and Terrorism Analyst, joins the show to talk about Brittney Griner’s release from Russian prison. 

*WTTW’s Amanda Vinicky discusses her recent report on social equity licenses and cannabis dispensaries in Illinois. 

*Long time political analyst Jeff Greenfield discusses the recent changes in primary schedules, including Iowa’s and New Hampshire’s. 

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John Howell speaks with Patrick De Haan, Head of Petroleum Analysis for Gas Buddy. De Haan joins with the good news that gas prices are projected to continue to drop during the holiday season. He also explains why gas prices have soared so high, how the Keystone Pipeline issues have affected this, and what we can expect going forward. 

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John Howell is joined by Richard Pearson, Executive Director of the Illinois State Rifle Association. Pritzker has proposed an assault weapons ban, and it is likely to face legal challenges. Pearson and Howell discuss the different pieces of the proposal and how Pearson plans to challenge each of them.

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John Howell is joined by Dr. Jingmai O’Connor, Field Museum paleontologist. Dr. O’Connor is currently the lead on a project to attempt to answer an ages-old question: why are t-rex arms so short? Dr. O’Connor discusses how they formulated the study and what they hope to learn from here. 

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*Kori Rumore from the Chicago Tribune sheds light on why 200,000 people travel each December to Des Plaines. 

*Dr. Megan Ross, President and CEO of Lincoln Park Zoo, gives us tips on how to co-exist with urban wildlife. 

*Mike Emanuel, Fox News Chief Washington Correspondent, joins the show for his weekly hit, discussing the biggest national and political stories. 

*Plus, an Olive Garden manager is in hot water for her extreme attendance rules.

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John Howell speaks with Keith Naughton, Co-Founder of Silent Majority Strategies and former Pennsylvania political campaign consultant. Raphael Warnock’s victory over Herschel Walker in yesterday’s runoff election could be a loss for Trump as well as Walker. Naughton gives his thoughts on this and the wider implications of Walker’s loss. 

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*Election AttorneyBurt Odelson runs through the happenings with the five Chicago Mayoral candidates who face signature challenges.

*Longtime Georgia Political Expert, Kerwin Swint, discusses the Georgia runoff election and if ranked-choice voting would be a better choice in the state. 

*Steve Bernas, President and CEO of BBB Chicago & Northern IL, joins to warn us about the 12 scams of Christmas, adopting animals online, and more to watch out for this season.

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John Howell is joined by Jim Ryan, ABC News Correspondent from Atlanta. Today is the runoff election in Georgia between Raphael Warnock and Herschel Walker. Ryan has the latest on voter turnout, predictions as to what may happen, and what this election means in the Senate as a whole. 

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*Ald. Brian Hopkins explains why he’s abandoned his plan to knock Lori Lightfoot off of the mayoral ballot. 

*Ley Bey from the Sun Times joins the show to discuss Chicago’s architecture in 2022 and what’s in store for 2023. 

*Crain’s Chicago’s Joe Cahill explains why Illinois is losing out on EV Production. 

*Plus, Professor Peter Fallon gives us a lesson in how to spot propaganda.

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John Howell is joined by Retired Police Chief Tom Weitzel from the Riverside, Illinois Police Dept. They discuss the 300-page trailer bill to the SAFE-T Act and Weitzel’s thoughts on these additions. Chief Weitzel also gives his thoughts on San Francisco’s decision to authorize the use of robots for lethal force. 

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John Howell is joined by Laura Belin, Publisher & Editor for the Iowa politics website Bleeding Heartland & reporter for KHOI Radio. Next year, Iowa will have no Democrats in our Congressional Delegation. Belin joins the show to discuss how this happened and what Dems in Iowa may need to do to strategize. 

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John Howell speaks with Josh Noel, Chicago Tribune Reporter covering restaurants, beers, and bars. He joins the show to talk festive beers for Christmastime, as well as his rankings of the different holiday variants released by Chicagoland breweries. 

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*Greg Hinz, Political reporter for Crain’s Chicago Business, takes a look at all of the vacancies in City Hall and how they could be filled come election time. 

*Diallo Riddle, Emmy and WGA-nominated writer, actor, and showrunner, joins the program to talk about season three of “South Side” on HBO Max. 

*Rich Lowry from Politico explains why Trump can’t quite quit the victim act. 

*Plus, Jason Nathanson has the latest on Will Smith’s new movie, and our NFL insider has a standoff with our news anchor over the Bears versus Packers game.

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John Howell speaks with Dionne Miller, ABC 7 Sports Anchor & Reporter. The Bears will play the Packers this Sunday at Soldier Field. Miller has a preview of the game, the quarterback situations, and what may come from the draft. 

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*Professor Tom Mockaitis from DePaul University explains why the conviction of the Oath Keepers’ leader is just the beginning of the battle against extremism. 

*Josephine Beavers joins to discuss the upcoming documentary which she hosted and produced entitled, “The Musicians’ Green Book: An Enduring Legacy.” 

*The Associated Press’ Tim Sullivan attempts to answer the question: Why are Americans so fearful?

*Plus, Kim Komando gives John tips on great holiday gifts for the season and how to make the most of the SOS features on the iPhone.

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John Howell speaks with Greg Bishop, Associate Editor for The Center Square. Amendments have been filed for the SAFE-T Act, and they’ve been debated today in the Illinois House. Bishop has the latest on these proposed changes to the act, how the hearings have gone, and what we may expect on January 1. 

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John Howell is joined by Mark Cohen, Director of Retail Studies at Columbia University and Former CEO of Sears’ Canadian Unit. They discuss the rise and fall of Sears, where the chain is headed, and if this is the last Christmas for Sears.

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*Lynn Sweet from the Chicago Sun-Times explains why Illinois’ bid to become an early primary state is likely to be rejected.

*Mediaite’s Colby Hall asks why Fox News is ignoring Trump’s meeting with Nick Fuentes. 

*Derricke Dennis from ABC News warns us of the risk of heart attack during the winter months and has advice as to how to stay healthy. 

*Plus, Fox News Correspondent Mike Emanuel joins to discuss this week’s biggest national stories, and Gus Noble from the Chicago Scots previews their 177th Annual Saint Andrew’s Day Gala.

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John Howell is joined by Dr. Ryan Askren, Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Arkansas at Monticello. According to a new study, Canada geese have beaten humans out in a battle for territory. Dr. Askren explains how these geese claim territory, how they’ve managed to keep it, and what he and his team learned from harassing the geese back. 

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John Howell speaks with Mark Denzler, President and CEO of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association. The now-averted rail strike would have upended the country’s supply chain. Denzler explains how freight trains impact the Illinois economy, what would happen in the event of a strike, and how this one was averted.

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*Alisa Kaplan, Executive Director of Reform for Illinois, explains how dark money helped the only Republican Cook County official win. 

*Professor Bill Schneider shines light on why 2024 is already getting interesting. 

*Bill Cameron, WLS City Hall Reporter Emeritus and Host of Take 1, shares his thoughts on Alderman Ed Burke deciding not to run for a 15th term. 

*Plus, Dr. Eli Merritt discusses his new book, “The Curse of Demagogues: Lessons Learned from the Presidency of Donald J. Trump.”

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John Howell is joined by Dr. Eli Merritt, Psychiatrist and political historian at Vanderbilt University. He writes the Substack newsletter ‘American Commonwealth.’ Together, they discuss Dr. Merritt’s new book, “The Curse of Demagogues: Lessons Learned from the Presidency of Donald J. Trump.”

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John Howell is joined by Bill Cameron, WLS City Hall Reporter Emeritus and Host of Take 1. Cameron and Howell discuss the tenure of Ed Burke and his decision to not run for a 15th term on the City Council. Cameron also speculates as to what will happen with Burke’s existing legal cases after Burke leaves office. 

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*Alex Stone from ABC News Los Angeles updates us on the University of Idaho murders  and what we still do not know. 

*Mike Marr, Owner of Buffalo Creek Brewing, shares why he has named several beers after the repeated crashes at the Long Grove Bridge. 

*Salena Zito, National Reporter, gives her thoughts on Josh Shapiro & why she believes he is the “blueprint” for Democrats. 

*Plus, Bruce Iglauer, Founder of Alligator Records, discusses being honored by the Recording Industry Association for Alligator’s 50th Anniversary.

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John Howell is joined once again by Jason Nathanson, ABC News Entertainment Correspondent. The holiday weekend box office was a big disappointment, all movies seeing much lower numbers than anticipated. Nathanson discusses the potential reasons this occurred. He also has the info on the rumors of a Disney sale to Apple. 

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John Howell is joined by Burt Odelson, Founding Partner of Odelson, Sterk, Murphey, Frazier & McGrath Ltd., and elections attorney. Odelson has been in the business for over fifty years, and he says this is one of the most surprising mayoral and City Council elections he’s seen. The two discuss the multiple candidates for mayor and the City Council and give their predictions for what to expect at the polls. 

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*David Winston, long time Republican advisor, analyzes the numbers and breaks down why it’s “always” about the independents. 

*Rajan Menon, Director of Strategy for Defense Priorities and Scholar at Columbia University, has the latest on Ukraine and Zelensky’s upcoming hurdles. 

*Alvin Waddles from “Too Hot to Handel” comes on and previews the show, as well as discusses his great career as a jazz pianist. 

*Plus, McCullough Kelly-Willis from the Chicago Meat Collective has tips for butchering your own meat this holiday. Fox News Correspondent Mike Emanuel goes over the nation’s latest political stories.

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John Howell is joined by Doug Cummings, Personal Security Consultant, author, and former Deputy Sheriff. More than once every news cycle, we see another mass shooting, most recently at a Walmart in Virginia. Cummings shares ideas on how you can protect yourself and stay safe during one of the busiest shopping weekends of the year.

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John Howell is joined by JR Westberg from Parkside Pub in Huntley. They are hosting their 40th Annual Turkey Testicle Festival tomorrow, November 23. The two discuss what happens at the festival, how it came about in the first place, and the Del Webb crowd’s presence at the event. 

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John Howell is joined by Ted McClelland, Author and Contributor at Chicago Magazine. Together, they discuss the long list of Chicago Mayoral candidates: their qualifications, their strengths, and their ranking amongst the pack. 

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*The Hill’s Niall Stanage joins the show to discuss Merrick Garland’s appointment of a new Special Counsel for two Trump investigations. 

*Brett Chase, Chicago Sun-Times reporter, has the latest on Ozinga’s attempt to build an underground warehouse. 

*Trump faced legal challenges in four courtrooms today, and ABC’s Andy Field has the info on how the day went. 

*Plus, Steve Bernas from the BBB has your holiday scam warnings, and the Afternoon crew and John talk about their family Turkey Day traditions.

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*Professor Amy Bass answers the question: how important IS Taylor Swift to America?

*Andrew Eastmond joins to discuss how Abraham Lincoln is a role model for today’s turbulent times. 

*Irish violinist, harpist, and soprano singer, Tara McNeill, previews her one-night-only engagement in Chicago happening next month.

*Plus, we get a Bears v Falcons recap from our NFL insider, and John poses a question about a class with a “controversial” title at the University of Chicago.

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John Howell speaks with Howard Yaruss: Economist, Professor at New York University, and Author. He joins the show to discuss his latest book, “Understandable Economics: Because Understanding Our Economy Is Easier Than You Think and More Important Than You Know.”

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John Howell is joined by Gregory Pratt, Chicago Tribune Reporter covering Mayor Lori Lightfoot and City Hall. Lightfoot’s allies are raising money outside city ethics rules; it’s not  illegal, but they’ve skirted several regulations. Pratt sheds light on this, as well as Alderman Ray Lopez taking his hat out of the mayoral race. 

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You heard John mention it after his show at the Billy Goat...the Goat has new buns! John Howell is joined by Nick Kindelsperger, Chicago Tribune food critic, to chat about the evolution of the cheezborger and the quality of these new buns in question. 

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*Tom Schuba, Chicago Sun-Times reporter covering marijuana, talks about the battle surrounding opening a dispensary in the old Rainforest Cafe building. 

*ABC News’ Alex Stone has another update regarding the murders which have turned an Idaho town upside down. 

*Brian Barnhart, play-by-play man for Illini football and men’s basketball, gives his preview of this weekend’s game versus Michigan and the rest of the season. 

*Dennis Rodkin, Residential Real Estate Reporter for Crain’s Chicago Business, explains Chicago’s “Come Home Plan.”

*Plus, ABC’s Dave Packer unravels some of the mess that’s gone on at Twitter this week. 

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*John speaks with G.H. Merritt, chair of an organization aiming to form a new state out of Southern Illinois. 

*Katrina Quint, Lincoln Park Zoo’s Director of Horticulture, tells the story of the 300-year-old oak tree that is set to be removed from the zoo. 

*Ike Ejiochi, ABC News Washington, talks next steps for the Republicans after they’ve taken back the House. 

*ABC News Los Angeles’ Alex Stone has the latest details in the complicated situation in Idaho. 

*Plus, Jason Nathanson has the details on this season’s first “Christmas Controversy,” and Kim Komando gives her thoughts on the drama at Twitter.

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John Howell is joined by Alderman Anthony Napolitano from Chicago’s 41st Ward. The City Council has once again delayed the vote on the City-wide booting mandate.  He and John discuss why the Alderman believes this mandate to be a bad idea and which Alderpersons have seen donations from booting companies.

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John Howell speaks with Jay Timmons, President and CEO of the National Association of Manufacturers, about the state of manufacturing in Illinois and an event to attend and learn more. 

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*Ameya Pawer, Senior fellow with the Economic Security Project, joins the show to discuss the collapse of FTX and its ties to Chicago. 

*Jim Nowlan, former IL Republican state legislator, shares his thoughts on how to make the IL GOP relevant again. 

*Jay Timmons, President and CEO of the National Association of Manufacturers, joins the show to discuss the state of manufacturing in Illinois. 

*Plus, John plays a round of “Debunk the Junk” and Mike Emanuel shares his thoughts on the latest National political stories.

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John Howell is joined by ABC News Correspondent Alex Stone. At least 25 LA County Sheriff recruits were struck by a car this morning. Stone gives us updates on what we know, the condition of the recruits, and more. 

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John Howell speaks with John Greenfield, Streetsblog Chicago co-editor and former freelance writer for the Chicago Reader. Greenfield is facing backlash for an article he released looking deeper into allegations made about The Hideout, including having “ties cut” at the Reader. Greenfield and Howell discuss the articles in question, the Hideout story, and what this all means for journalism as a whole. 

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*Politico’s Joshua Zeitz discusses the history of non-consecutive term campaigns for the White House and what it means for Trump.

*Elizabeth Schulze from ABC News has the latest on the battle for Speaker of the House. 

*Charles Kenny, Senior Fellow at the Center for Global Development in Washington, says Happy Birthday to the Earth’s 8 billionth person and what this means for the global population. 

*Plus, Bruce Finkleman previews the Salt Shed’s indoor concert venue and lineup that was announced today.

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John Howell is joined by John Feehery, EFB Advocacy and writer at TheFeeheryTheory. Feehery discusses his piece on how Ron DeSantis can take down Trump in order to secure a place at the head of the GOP and on the ticket in 2024. 

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John discusses the movement in Southern Illinois to split away from the Northern part of the state (which includes Chicago.) The “New Illinois” movement would like to “create a new state” rather than “secede.” There are many obstacles in the Constitution and National Law. John discusses the article from the Center Square on the ins and outs of the movement.   

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*John plays a clip from Dave Chappelle, who tells an SNL audience the moment that Trump became a political star.

*A GOP Governor and a GOP Senator have different techniques of saying Trump can't be the party leader moving forward.

*Retired Riverside Police Chief Tom Weitzel details how we can start correcting the gun violence facing Chicago youth.

*Bill Scher discusses his piece in POLITICO Mag looking at how to primary Joe Biden, despite how difficult it will be.

*Plus, national political reporter Salena Zito breaks down how John Fetterman ended up besting Dr. Oz in Pennsylvania.

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Former Illinois governor Pat Quinn talks to John about how Chicago is the only one of the ten largest cities in America that doesn't have mayoral term limits.  He believes the people should have a say in how long their mayor can occupy office especially when the mayor claims to be in favor of term limits. Quinn also weighs in on whether he thinks mayor Lightfoot is a liability. 

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82nd District State Representative Jim Durkin will not be on the ballet for Illinois House GOP leader.  John asks Jim what the Republican party needs to do in order to get back on track as well as how candidates can have a fair chance in the primary elections. 

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*Derricke Dennis from ABC News sheds some light on what in the world is happening at Twitter. 

*Chicago Magazine’s Robert Reed joins the show to discuss his piece on the issues a new Bears stadium may bring to Arlington Heights. 

*Andrea Darlas, host of Show and Tell here on WLS, talks about her latest episode and her chat with musician and poet, Patti Smith. 

*Plus, Mallory Vor Broker, WLS City Hall Reporter, has the latest stories out of Chicago City Hall.

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ABC 7’s Dionne Miller joins the John Howell show to preview this weekend’s Bears game against the Detroit Lions. She also reviews how the Bears have been progressing, last weekend’s exciting game, and the evolution of Justin Fields. 

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Alexi Giannoulias, IL Secretary of State Elect, joins the John Howell show. They discuss Giannoulias’ win, the state of politics today, and plans for the Secretary of State office. Giannoulias also speaks on the launch of the Rev Up Illinois website, a place for IL residents to give their input as to what they want to see in our state. That, and more, on the podcast.   

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*David Greising, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Better Government Association, joins to discuss their new, investigative journalism website, Illinois Answers.

*ABC’s Alex Stone has the latest from Arizona, where they are still counting votes with no clear winners in sight. 

*Ray Long from the Chicago Tribune reviews the big super majority win for Chris Welch. 

*Plus, John discusses Chuy Garcia’s mayoral candidacy announcement, as well as the proposed advisory referendums slated for next year’s election.

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With the possibility of oppositional parties in different chambers, what will happen in Congress? Editor-At-Large for Roll Call, John T. Bennett joins the John Howell Show to discuss what we could see from Congress in the new year after the results of the 2022 Midterm elections.

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Darren Bailey's run for Governor of Illinois has ended, but he's not moving away from politics. Mark Maxwell, Political Editor for KSDK News, gives John the details about what may be up next for State Senator Bailey.

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  • Caleb Silver, Editor-in-Chief of Investopedia, joins the show to discuss Meta’s layoffs and what they may mean for the media giant. 

*ProPublica’s Jessica Priest discusses her investigation into churches that are illegally supporting candidates, yet getting a pass from the IRS.

*Javier Palomarez, President and CEO of the US Hispanic Business Council, analyzes how the Hispanic population ended up voting yesterday. 

*Plus, Fox News’ Mike Emanuel joins us for his weekly hit to analyze the biggest political stories, and John Howell recaps some of the highs and lows from election night.

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The votes are still being counted as the country waits to find out the final results of the 2022 Midterm Elections. ABC News Correspondent in Washington, D.C., Andy Field, joins John Howell to talk about what the numbers currently say.

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The 2022 Midterm Elections have given the Cook County Forest Preserves extra funding. Larry Suffredin, the 13th District Cook County Commissioner, joins the John Howell show to discuss the voter-approved property tax increase to fund the forest preserves around Cook County.

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*Exavier Pope from the Pope Law Firm in Chicago joins the show to examine the question: is there a fix for our broken society?

*The Daily Herald’s Chris Placek joins the program to talk about the Arlington Heights board’s predevelopment deal with the Bears. 

*Doug Bandow, Senior Fellow at the Cato Institute, discusses the false promise of Universal National Service and other national stories. 

*Plus, Steve Bernas from the Better Business Bureau joins the show with the latest news on scams, and John Howell reads from an interesting piece while trying not to make a mistake.

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John Howell speaks with Dave McKinney, Politics reporter at Chicago Public Radio and the Sun Times. McKinney gives a preview of the campaign between Pritzker and Bailey. They take a look at the short, hostile campaign. 

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*Alex Stone, ABC News Correspondent, joins the show live from Phoenix where he is covering the elections. 

*Zack Pearson from BearReport.com recaps yesterday’s game against the Dolphins and Justin Fields’ performance.

*Megan Cassella from Barron’s discusses what the outcome of the midterms could mean for the economy. 

*Plus, Jason Nathanson recaps last night’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.

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John Howell speaks with Deon Thomas, Associate Director of Development at University of Illinois Athletics & Color Commentator for U of I Basketball. The Illini men’s basketball team starts their season tonight against Eastern Illinois. Thomas previews tonight’s game and the Illini’s upcoming season. 

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John Howell speaks with Dr. David Olson, Professor at Loyola’s Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology & Co-Director of the Center for Criminal Justice Research. Dr. Olson discusses the simple facts about the SAFE-T Act and what will actually happen come January 1. 

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*Scott Reeder from the Illinois Times gives us a tutorial on Amendment 1 and all that it entails. 

*Myra Adams from RealClearPolitics poses the question: which will happen first, a Trump indictment or 2024 presidential run announcement? 

*Alderman Matt O’Shea from the 19th Ward joins the show to discuss his objection to reducing fines for bike lane incursions, as well as his issues with recent rulings. 

*Plus, Chicago Tribune food critic Nick Kindelsperger has the ultimate Chicago Italian beef guide, and Derricke Dennis has the latest on the recent layoffs at Twitter.

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John Howell is joined by Eddie Scarry, D.C. columnist at The Federalist and Author. Scarry gives his advice for soon-to-be-elected Republicans to stay out of the wrong kind of limelight. He previews the political playing field that may come after the midterm elections. 

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John Howell speaks with Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune Features Columnist. Two Kanye West murals in Chicago have been treated differently: one painted over, and one remaining as it is. Borrelli joins the show to discuss what this means for public art and discourse. 

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*James Romoser from SCOTUSblog joins the show to discuss why he believes this term of the Supreme Court will focus primarily on race. 

*Dr. Emily Knox from the University of Illinois talks about America’s newest hobby, book banning. 

*Chris Plante joins John Howell live at the Chevy Chase Country Club to talk about the midterms and his live event. 

*Plus, Ike Ejiochi updates us on the Oath Keepers trial, and Jason Gay talks about his new book, “I Wouldn’t Do That If I Were Me.”

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John Howell is joined by Dr. Benjamin Bryner, Associate Director of Heart Transplantation and Mechanical Support, as well as the Director of the Expanded Donation Program at Northwestern Medicine’s Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute. Dr. Bryner shares what exactly a  “heart in a box” is, how transplants work in general, and where this program goes from here.  

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John Howell is joined by Storer Rowley, Lecturer at Northwestern University and former National Editor and Foreign Correspondent for the Chicago Tribune. America, he says, must stand firm against Russia rather than pull back any support. The two discuss the bipartisan support of Ukraine, what support looks like, and more. 

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*Attorney Mike Greenberg joins to discuss a Michigan court who ruled that a town could use drones to spy on residents without a warrant. 

*Don McCleese, former Chicago Sun-Times rock critic, talks about his new book, “Slippery Steps: Rolling and Tumbling to Sobriety.” 

*WGN TV’s Ben Bradley breaks down how the city reversed course and won’t seek legal fee reimbursement from police officers. 

*Plus, Alby Gallun from Crain’s Chicago runs through why developers like Chicago but love the South.

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John Howell is joined by Alex Stone, ABC News Correspondent, Los Angeles. In the aftermath of the attack on Nancy Pelosi’s husband, capitol police want to increase lawmaker security. Stone brings us more details on the attacker, Paul Pelosi’s condition, and what capitol police are planning in terms of security. 

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John Howell speaks with Mike Emanuel, Fox News Chief Washington Correspondent. They discuss today’s biggest political stories, including what Biden is expected to touch on in his speech this evening. They also discuss the potential of a “red wave” versus a “red trickle” come election time as well as what’s going on in Russia.   

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*Quinn Myers from Block Club Chicago explains why legendary Chicago bar, The Hideout, will shut down until 2023. 

*The Hill’s Alexander Bolton joins to discuss the Wisconsin Democrats’ chances at knocking Ron Johnson out of office and what that would mean for Wisconsin. 

*We learn the history of Streeterville and more during “Corrections and Clarifications” with the Afternoon crew. 

*Plus, in an edition of John Howell’s Book Club: John Koblin speaks about HBO in his new book, “It’s Not TV: The Spectacular Rise, Revolution and Future of HBO” and Andrew Seidel speaks about church and state in his latest, “American Crusade.” 

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Twenty years later, taxpayers still owe $640 million on the 2002 Soldier Field renovation due to costs and interest. This comes at a time when the Bears are in talks to leave Soldier Field completely and move to Arlington Heights. NBC 5’s Phil Rogers joins John Howell with the details on how this happened and what our options are from here. 

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John Howell is joined by Chicago Sun-Times Reporter, Tom Schuba. A high-ranking Chicago Police supervisor quit amid an investigation into racist and other incendiary social media posts. Schuba discusses Lt. John Cannon’s posts, the way he tried to dodge accountability, and what this means for free speech and the CPD. 

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*Sun-Times reporter David Roeder joins the show to discuss the revised proposal to save the Calumet Country Club. 

*AJ Perez from Front Office Sports reveals another wrinkle in the Brett Favre scandal, this time involving “concussion cream.” 

*The Tribune’s Robert McCoppin tells us why Illinois’ casino business is ramping up.

*Plus, Salena Zito talks about the latest national political stories, including the recent  Oz/Fetterman polls, and Associate Producer Rachel analyzes this weekend’s Bears loss.

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John Howell speaks with Jason Nathanson, ABC News Correspondent, Los Angeles. Elon Musk has officially taken over Twitter and dissolved its board of directors, now maintaining sole control. They discuss further changes that may come, the rise in hate speech across the platform since Musk took over, and the possibility of charging for the blue checkmark. 

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John Howell is joined by Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune Federal Courts Reporter. A longtime member of Madigan’s “inner circle,” Tom Cullen, has provided federal testimony to the feds in the case against Madigan. Meisner explains what this means for Madigan, Cullen’s role, and what we may expect from here.  

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*ABC 7 Sports Anchor Dionne Miller joins the show with her thoughts on this weekend’s Bears game against the Cowboys. 

*Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss shares his thoughts, as a private citizen, about the possibility of bringing ranked-choice voting to town. 

*WLS City Hall Reporter Emeritus & Host of Take 1, Bill Cameron, previews this week’s interview with mayoral candidate Kam Buckner.

*Plus, Laurence Msall, President of the Civic Federation, explains why they are demanding more transparency in CPD spending.

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John Howell speaks with Ray Stout, Executive Director for the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild. The Festival of Wood and Barrel-Aged Beers (FoBAB) takes place next weekend, and Stout joins the show with both the history of the event and a preview of what to expect. For more on the event, visit https://www.fobab.com.

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John Howell is joined by Alex Stone, ABC News Correspondent, Los Angeles. Paul Pelosi, Nancy Pelosi’s husband, was attacked in his home this morning. Stone has the latest information on this developing story, including information about the alleged attacker and Pelosi’s condition.

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*Tim Tomasik, President of the Chicago Bar Association, joins the show to urge voters to ignore television ads focused on the judge elections. 

*ABC News Correspondent Andy Field sheds some light on a recent poll: did anyone’s views change after the January 6th hearings?

*Steve Cochran, WLS Morning Show Host, joins the show to put “Chair Gate 2022” to bed once and for all. 

*Plus, Associate Producer Rachel has the inside scoop on the latest Bears trade.

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The Lincolnwood Library held a meeting this week which had to be ended abruptly due to being disrupted by public commenters. It’s not the public comments portion of the meeting that is the problem, says John, but rather, it is the public. Keep calm, carry on, and stop yelling to try and get your way. 

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John Howell speaks with Patrick Keck, Statehouse reporter for The State Journal Register, about the IL Workers’ Rights Amendment. This will appear on ballots across the state next month. Keck speaks about the nuances of the amendment and what this could mean for workers in Illinois. 

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*Josh Kraushaar, Senior Political Reporter for Axios, joins the show to talk about the Oz/Fetterman debate. 

*Susan Sarkauskas from the Daily Herald recaps a contentious Aurora city council meeting regarding their casino move. 

*Mike Emanuel from Fox News makes his weekly Howell Show appearance and discusses last night’s debate and other national political stories. 

*Also, John and the Afternoon crew review the recently released Uline company dress code. 

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John Howell speaks with Luke Barr, ABC News Law Enforcement Reporter in New York. There has been a Pro People’s Republic of China campaign recently, attempting to aggressively target the midterm elections and other things globally. 

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John Howell is joined by Madeleine Doubek, Executive Director for CHANGE Illinois. No one is addressing the underlying causes of corruption in Springfield, she says. There are structural changes Doubek believes need to be made in order to help prevent corruption from happening in the future. 

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*Max Greenwood, Campaign Reporter for The Hill, discusses the GOP momentum swing that has Democrats worried ahead of the midterms. 

*Steve Bernas, President and CEO of BBB of Chicago and Northern IL, has the latest on Halloween-related scams to look out for this season. 

*ABC News Entertainment Correspondent Jason Nathanson joins the show to discuss the latest consequences for Kanye West. 

*Plus, David Siders gives us all the info on Alaska’s ranked-choice voting, and Aaron Keller tells the story of a judge who was suspended for acting like a “game show host.”

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John Howell speaks with ABC News Correspondent Derricke Dennis, live from Harrisburg PA. Dennis previews what we can expect during tonight’s one and only debate between John Fetterman and Dr. Oz, each vying for the same spot in the Senate. 

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John Howell is joined by Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart to discuss the new tracking initiative designed to deter carjackings. The system involves giving the county permission to directly contact the car manufacturer if the car is stolen in order to locate it more easily. Sheriff Dart explains why he believes this will be an effective program and what the county can expect. 

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John Howell is joined by Joe Cahill, Assistant Managing Editor & Columnist for Crain’s Chicago. There will be an antitrust review of the proposed “megamerger” between Jewel and Mariano’s. Cahill gives the details on the merger, what we could expect if it goes through, and the possible timeline. 

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  • University of IllinoisProfessor Kent Redfield joins the show to discuss the money being poured into the IL Supreme Court races.
  • Dr. Sheldon H. Jacobson from the University of Illinois answers the question: should we be concerned about Ebola?
  • Chicago Sun-Times columnist Neil Steinberg attempts to shed some light on why Trumpers still stump for Trump.
  • Plus, Rick Telander explains how Bill Belichick shows continuity is king in the NFL, and a listener calls in to answer John’s questions about Diwali.

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John Howell discusses the research out of Georgetown that has shown remote learning  went on too long and is believed to have put children behind. It is being described as a “learning loss” among students who are struggling. John reviews the main points of the study in this segment. 

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  • Ald. Scott Waguespack from the 32nd Ward joins John Howell to discuss growing frustrations with the CTA, safety, and their proposed budget.
  • Robert Herguth from the Sun-Times discusses his investigation into a garbage hauler with alleged ties to the mob now working for O’Hare.
  • Jason Nathanson, ABC News Entertainment Correspondent, joins the program to talk about this weekend’s big releases.
  • Plus, Andrea Darlas shares about the upcoming “Show and Tell” Special, and  Alex Stone has the latest on CSI digging up a car in the backyard of a $15 million mansion.

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John Howell is joined by Kelly Krauchun, Co-founder of Bank the Blue. Back the Blue is an organization that provides funding for and access to mental health services for Illinois law enforcement. Krauchun was inspired to found the organization in part from seeing the mental toll the job took on individuals in her life and after learning what they witness every day. For more information, visit www.banktheblue.com. 

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John Howell is joined by Maureen Martino, Executive Director of the Lakeview East Chamber of Commerce. After a string of armed robberies in Wrigleyville, residents are asking for more police presence. 

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  • Sean Hammond, Chicago Bears reporter for Shaw Media, joins the show to discuss the Bears and Justin Fields’ season.
  • Chuck Neubauer, Special Contributor for the Better Government Association, has the scoop on a powerful Pritzker administration insider turned consultant.
  • Daniel Depetris, Fellow at Defense Priorities and foreign affairs columnist, joins the program to discuss the question: will Putin go nuclear?
  • Plus, Steve Cochran previews tomorrow’s morning show, and John tells the newsroom about his favorite awkward “Lynyrd Skynyrd” intro moment.

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John Howell is joined by Rupert Steiner, European bureau chief for Barron’s. PM Liz Truss announced her resignation as Britain’s Prime Minister. From across the pond, Steiner calls in and discusses Truss’ tenure, how she ended up in office, and what to expect going forward from here. 

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John Howell is joined by Greg Bishop, Associate Editor for The Center Square. More meetings are set to discuss the SAFE-T Act. Bishop discusses a possible trailer bill, details on these meetings, and what we could expect to come out of them. 

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John Howell speaks with legendary musician, Huey Lewis. Lewis joins the program to discuss his new movie, “Wings Over Water,” which showcases the importance of the Prairie Pothole Region. The two then dive deep into Lewis’ musical career, including questions about the song “Small World” and the great jazz guest soloist, Stan Getz. Both Huey and John enjoyed the memories. 

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  • John Howell kicks off the show by highlighting some of the standout moments from last night’s second and final debate between JB Pritzker and Darren Bailey.
  • Luca Harsh from the Commuters Take Action coalition explains why they are unhappy with the CTA’s current service.
  • Alex Stone, ABC News Correspondent Los Angeles, has the story of two college students who went hunting and ended up fighting a grizzly bear.
  • Plus, Mike Emanuel joins the show for his weekly recap of everything happening in Washington and beyond.

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John Howell is joined by Mitchell Armentrout, Chicago Sun-Times Staff Reporter covering casinos, sports betting and gambling regulation. Illinois voters have given a fairly resounding “no” about using their tax money to build a new stadium in Arlington Heights for the Bears. So, what are the next steps if the team would like to move and build a new home at the Arlington Racecourse? 

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John Howell speaks with Jordan Lazowski, Editor-in-Chief for Sox on 35th. Ozzie Guillen has not been ruled out as a potential new (old) coach for the White Sox. Lazowski discusses this prospect, Guillen’s tenure as coach and player, and when a decision may be made. 

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  • Mary Ann Ahern, NBC 5 Political Reporter, discusses the new poll from the IL Broadcasters Association regarding the gubernatorial race.
  • Derrick Blakley, Contributing Editor at the Center for Illinois Politics, explains how issues like abortion and the “Trump Factor” will likely affect the midterm voter turnout.
  • Adam Gross, Executive Director of the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability, says civilian police oversight is off to a slow start.
  • Also, Keith Naughton from Silent Majority Strategies previews the Pennsylvania Senate race, and John and Nick Gale talk about suburban cougar sightings.

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John Howell is joined by Paul Lisnek, WGN-TV Political Reporter & Analyst, as well as Host of the ‘Behind the Curtain’ podcast. They preview tonight’s gubernatorial debate, the second between J.B. Pritzker and Darren Bailey. Will they have Walk-Up music? Will Darren Bailey bring any more pledges for Pritzker to sign? That, and the issues we can expect covered. 

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*Ken Paulson from the Free Speech Center joins John to discuss how the Alex Jones $1 billion verdict affects (or does not affect) free speech. 

*Jay O’Brien, ABC News Correspondent in Washington DC, talks about the upcoming midterms as we approach the three week mark. 

*Salena Zito, nationwide reporter, analyzes contentious upcoming elections, including the Pennsylvania Senate race between Fetterman & Oz. 

*Also, John and Kim Gordon discuss the Student Loan Forgiveness program that just went live.

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John Howell is joined by Daniel Lippman, Reporter for POLITICO. There is a lot of internal fire within Customs and Border Protection, including issues for the Border Control Chief. Lippman discusses the nuanced events surrounding the agency chief, as well as the issue most Americans are focused on. 

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John Howell speaks with Gregory Pratt, Chicago Tribune reporter covering Mayor Lightfoot and City Hall. Pratt speaks on Chicago progressives and their distaste for Mayor Lightfoot, as well as their chance for ousting her while keeping the Mayor’s office a progressive one. 

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*Gretchen Hause of Hindman Auctions details the letters from Al Capone that are set to be auctioned off next month.

*Ed Yohnka of the ACLU of IL discusses how two suburbanites have received letters from Awake Illinois threatening a defamation lawsuit.

*University of Illinois play-by-play announcer Brian Barnhart previews the Illini's upcoming game against Minnesota.

*Plus, Rachel Morrison of PorchDrinking.com tells John about the Illinois breweries who won big at the Great American Beer Festival.

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John Howell speaks with Dr. Jamieson Webster, Clinical Psychologist and Professor at the New School for Social Research in NYC. They discuss the mental health crisis amongst America’s teens and the 54% increase in suicides among their age group. Dr. Webster shares her thoughts as to why this is, what teens are responding to, and what we can do to spot a teen in trouble. 

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John Howell is joined by Jon Seidel, Chicago Sun-Times Federal Courts Reporter. New charges have been filed against Mike Madigan due to alleged activity with AT&T Illinois. Seidel and Howell discuss how this will affect Madigan’s preexisting legal issues, what specifically the accusation is, and how this compares to the trouble with ComEd. 

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*John welcomes Kim Gordon back from her London trip, who shares what the NFL experience was like across the pond.

*Vernal Coleman of ProPublica reports on the major issues that have been taking place at Roseland Community Hospital.

*A report shows that America falls politically down the middle, so why do politicians on both sides cater to the crazies?

*Plus, Steve Cochran announces that he'll be joining John Howell for election night coverage next month.

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There has been a high staff turnover rate at the State’s Attorney office, with 235 assistant state’s attorneys leaving in the past 15 months. Kim Foxx has faced a lot of criticism during it all. John Howell discusses this and comments from Foxx, a former prosecutor, and Mary Ann Ahern’s piece on the matter. 

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John Howell speaks with Maya Steinitz, Law professor at the University of Iowa and the author of “The Case for an International Court of Civil Justice.” They speak about her recent piece in the Washington Post and the idea that holding the politically powerful accountable can bring the nation together. 

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John Howell speaks with Tyler Kepner, Baseball Columnist for the New York Times. He joins the program to discuss his new book, “THE GRANDEST STAGE: A History of the World Series.” Kepner’s book goes through stories from the 117 series played since 1903.

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*Faith Abubey of ABC News details how President Biden dodged questions regarding support for the Saudi arms sale bill.

*John shares how the Chicago City Council has moved closer to approving private booters across the entire city.

*Author William Hazelgrove discusses his new historical book, "Writing Gatsby" surrounding the life of F. Scott Fitzgerald.

*Fox News Chief Washington Correspondent Mike Emanuel covers the biggest stories out of D.C.

*Plus, a man in Milwaukee has been 'swatted' several times, simply for stating that he never found Norm MacDonald funny.

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John Howell speaks with Dr. David Awschalom, Professor at the University of Chicago’s Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering and leader of the quantum team. Dr. Awschalom explains how they are making history in Hyde Park by working on quantum research that could provide a safer, unhackable internet. He breaks it down for the layman and teaches us why it could work and what it would mean for our future. 

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*8th District Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi tells John why he opposes the proposed $31 billion railway merger.

*Washington Post Sports Journalist Sally Jenkins tries to discern the point when performance enhancement becomes cheating.

*Gina Sunseri reports from Houston after NASA announced the results of last month's DART mission.

*ABC's Jason Nathanson shares the details of the inappropriate incident involving Bill Murray that shut down his recent film.

*Plus, Adam Rubin of the Chicago Architecture Center previews this year's upcoming Open House Chicago event.

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John Howell speaks with Pat Doerr, Managing Director of the Hospitality Business Association of Chicago, a lobbying group that represents bars, restaurants and music venues. They discuss how late-night venues in Chicago have been closing earlier, affected by the pandemic, and what we can expect now that the world is returning to pre-pandemic times. 

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John Howell is joined once again by Doug Bandow, Senior fellow at the Cato Institute, specializing in foreign policy and civil liberties. Rep. Kinzinger stated today that he believed it was time for America to send tanks and jets to help Ukraine. Bandow discusses why getting further involved may not be the right move and what the consequences may be. 

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*Jeremy Gorner of The Chicago Tribune recaps am event where Darren Bailey seemingly didn't acknowledge Donald Trump Jr.

*Max Bever of the Chicago Board of Elections discusses early voting and reminds voters that your polling place may be different.

*John and the staff recap the Illini's big win over Iowa and try to determine if Justin Fields is really progressing.

*Stephen Moore tells John that the betting markets, not the polls, are where you should be looking for odds on elections.

*Plus, Professor Jeremi Suri of the University of Texas at Austin shares what America's future leaders should encompass.

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John Howell speaks with Jeremi Suri, Professor of History and Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin and Author of “Civil War by Other Means: America’s Long and Unfinished Fight for Democracy.” They discuss Suri's recent piece on CNN and his thoughts on the evolution of America's leaders.

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Derricke Dennis from ABC News New York joins the John Howell show to discuss the cyberattacks that happened today on US Airports. The attacks have been traced back to Russia and caused issues for hours on airport websites. The investigation is still ongoing. 

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John Howell is joined by Greg Hinz, Columnist for Crain’s Chicago. Ahead of next month’s election, Hinz discusses Jim Durkin’s role as minority-leader and if his leadership style still fits the House GOP. 

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*Olivier Knox of The Washington Post delves into the numbers to show that the election-denier storm is coming.

*Craig Wall of ABC 7 shares his thoughts on last night's gubernatorial debate between JB Pritzker and Darren Bailey.

*John debunks the idea that rainbow-colored fentanyl will be distributed to children on Halloween.

*Alex Isenstadt of POLITICO shows how politics aside, Kari Lake's campaign is unlike anything we've ever seen.

*Plus, John honors Judy Tenuta, and Mike Arturi previews his upcoming show at the Arcada Theatre.

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John Howell speaks with Andy Field, ABC News Correspondent, Washington. At a private event, Biden mentioned a nuclear “Armageddon” in his comments on Russia. Field and Howell discuss if these comments were serious, if there is an actual threat, and how these comments leak from private events. 

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ABC 7 Sports Anchor Dionne Miller joins the John Howell show to preview this weekend’s Bears game. The Bears go up against the Minnesota Vikings this Sunday. Dionne and John discuss the quarterbacks, the team strategies, and their predictions for the outcome. 

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*Investigative Reporter Tim Novak details how one of the key players in the Bridgeport bank failure lost $1 million at casinos

*John breaks down how the protestor who was punished on the field during Monday Night Football is suing his tackler.

*Chris Dargis, challenging Raja Krishnamoorthi in Illinois' 8th District jumps on the show to talk about his campaign.

*Plus, Chris Jones of the Chicago Tribune shares how Second City has decided to open a theater in Brooklyn.

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John Howell is joined by Mayor Andrew Goczkowski of Des Plaines. The city of Des Plaines has welcomed 80 asylum seekers this week without issue. Mayor Goczkowski and John discuss the preparations, the city-wide response, and the communications surrounding the asylum seekers’ arrival. 

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John Howell speaks with Dr. Eli Merritt, Psychiatrist and political historian at Vanderbilt University. He writes the Substack newsletter ‘American Commonwealth.’ Dr. Merritt joins the program to discuss his recent opinion piece on a pathway towards a new conservative party amongst the disorder that the GOP has felt since Trump’s nomination. 

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*ABC News Correspondent Reena Roy reports from Fort Myers as recovery continues in Florida after Hurricane Ian.

*Susanna Wickham of PAWS Chicago shares how listeners can help the 50+ pets that were rescued from FL storm.

*Law Professor Eric Segall of Georgia State University previews the upcoming Supreme Court cases and calls for judicial term limits.

*Fox News Chief Washington Correspondent Mike Emanuel stops by for his weekly visit to detail the under-the-radar OPEC news.

*Plus, David Drucker of the Washington Examiner looks at how fundraising is going for Herschel Walker.

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John Howell is joined by Matt Wolfe, ABC News Correspondent New York. Alec Baldwin and “Rust” producers settled the wrongful death suit for the film’s cinematographer. Wolfe has the details.  

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John Howell speaks with William Lee, Reporter for the Chicago Tribune. Traffic has been increasing lately, and it’s only going to get worse according to Lee. Lee and Howell discuss the factors adding to traffic, including road work and a return to office post-Covid. 

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*Lake County State's Attorney Eric Rinehart shares why he believes the SAFE-T Act will actually make Illinois safer.

*Will County State's Attorney Jim Glasgow takes the opposite side of the debate, discussing his issues with the Act.

*John plays an audio montage that draws a correlation between VP Kamala Harris and Selina Meyer of 'Veep.'

*David Roeder of the Chicago-Sun Times breaks down why LaSalle Street is in need of a major facelift.

*Plus, author Wayne Clingman discusses the 40th anniversary of Frank “Lefty” Rosenthal’s Cadillac Eldorado exploding.

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John Howell speaks with Rick Telander, Chicago Sun-Times Sports Reporter. Tony La Russa stepped down yesterday from his position as White Sox manager after a season full of speculation and health issues. Telander and Howell discuss that exit and also take a dive through sports history. 

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John Howell is joined by Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart and then Will County State’s Attorney Jim Glasgow. Rinehart discusses why the SAFE-T Act will make us safer and the pros in keeping violent offenders, unable to buy their way out. Glasgow brings to the table why he believes the SAFE-T Act is bad for Illinois and what is wrong with the new process. 

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*13th District cook County Commissioner Larry Suffredin calls for approval on a ballot that could add 3000 acres to the forest preserve.

*Judge Mike Noland responds to Comptroller Susana Mendoza referring to him as a "shameless grifter."

*John discusses the usage of federal disaster relief funds, including some audio from Florida Senator Marco Rubio.

*Brandis Freeman of Chicago Tonight on WTTW previews the upcoming four-part series "Permanent Punishment"

*Plus, National Political Reporter Salena Zito provides an update on the Pennsylvania Senate race amid John Fetterman's health issues.

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John Howell speaks with Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune Columnist and Chicago Journalism Hall-of-Famer. Kogan gives his thoughts on “Punch 9,” a new documentary about the life and career of Harold Washington. Howell and Kogan also speak about the impact of Washington on the city of Chicago. 

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John Howell speaks with John Harris, Founding Editor of Politico. According to Harris’ latest column, the news has never been unbiased. Reporters have an obligation to be fair, truthful, and to deal in facts. That doesn’t mean things aren’t always neutral, Harris says, especially when it comes to questions of democracy. 

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*Dionne Miller of ABC 7 previews the Bears upcoming trip to face the Giants and tries to figure out why Justin Fields is struggling.

*Professor Charles Lipson of the University of Chicago tells John how we can start restoring free speech on college campuses.

*Chicago Tribune Chief Political Analyst Rick Pearson discusses how Darren Baily referred to Chicago as an "unruly child."

*Brian Barnhart, play-by-play announcer for the Fighting Illini preps you for Saturday's game against the Wisconsin Badgers.

*Plus, Chris Baker shares why he was honored by the FBI for helping victims and ex-criminals at his tattoo shop, 180 Ink.

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John Howell speaks with Tom Weitzel, Retired Riverside Police Chief. Chief Weitzel joins the program to discuss his issues with the SAFE-T Act, what he believes it gets wrong, and how we could improve this legislation. 

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John Howell is joined by Chicago Inspector General, Deborah Witzburg. The city hasn’t learned lessons from huge CPD misconduct payouts. Why is that? Witzburg discusses a study showing that the city is not collecting enough information about the lawsuits and so cannot learn from mistakes. 

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*John hopes that one of his favorite Florida destinations is still standing, and Nick Gale has some fun sitting in for Kim.

*Senator Phil Gramm takes on the biggest questions facing the economy while previewing his new book "The Myth of American Inequality.

*ABC News Entertainment Correspondent Jason Nathanson breaks down Rolling Stone Magazine's top 100 TV shows of all time.

*Audio of Joe Biden from back when he was a Senator shows that the President was much tougher on crime than he is now.

*Plus, we officially welcome Jane Clauss to the WLS family and ask how she is handling the morning commute.

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John Howell speaks with Robert Reed, Contributor for Chicago Magazine. They discuss Reed’s latest piece on Illinois and its many government entities. Illinois has more than any other state and most are not of use to us - in particular, our large number of townships. Reed discusses why that is and why we have not yet bid them farewell. 

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John Howell is joined by Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza. Former legislators who voted to reject raises have no right to claw them back now, says Mendoza, and the IL Supreme Court agrees. Mendoza goes on to say why she is disappointed in the politicians attempting to make these moves and why this is a victory for Illinois taxpayers. 

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*John makes his triumphant return to the hosting chair and shares how he fought back the grim reaper's scythe.

*Professor Adam Wandt of John Jay College of Criminal Justice discusses how the CPD is moving their radios to encrypted channels.

*City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin previews her upcoming events to give access to tools to help build wealth.

*AJ Perez of Front Office Sports breaks down the latest in the Brett Favre involved Mississippi welfare scandal.

*Plus, co-author of the upcoming Ramsey Lewis memoir Aaron Cohen remembers the jazz legend.

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John Howell speaks with Mike Emanuel, Fox News Anchor and regular guest on the show. They catch up on this week’s biggest stories, including the US Embassy advising Americans to leave Russia, the chance of a global recession, and the latest hectic press conference at the White House. 

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John Howell is joined by Dr. Connie Mixon, Professor of Political Science & Director of the Urban Studies Program at Elmhurst University. Do political debates still matter in 2022? Dr. Mixon gives her thoughts on the efficacy of debates to gain voter support, the risk of debating, and how these events can turn into spectacles. 

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Ramblin’ Ray, in for John Howell, speaks with Legendary Agriculture Broadcaster, Max Armstrong. Armstrong talks about life on the farm, projections for agriculture and livestock prices, and farming equipment advances. He also gives an update on his longtime friend and broadcast partner, Orion Samuelson.  

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Ramblin' Ray, in for Big John Howell, speaks with George Siegal, former TV weatherman down in Tampa and Director/Producer of "The Last House Standing."  Hurricane Ian is projected to hit Florida later this week.

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Ramblin’ Ray, in for John Howell, is joined by Lou Canellis, Fox 32 Sports Anchor & Host of Bears GameDay Live & Bears GameNight Live. Lou recaps yesterday’s Bears win against the Texans, and he gives us his predictions for the team, Justin Fields, and the season. Da Bears! 

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Ramblin’ Ray, in for John Howell, speaks with Meteorologist Ray Stagich about Hurricane Ian. Stagich explains what makes a hurricane and how they decide who is in the evacuation areas, where this storm is expected to hit, and also his weekend football predictions. 

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Ramblin’ Ray, in for John Howell, is joined by Axios Chicago Reporter Justin Kaufmann. The “People Who Play by the Rules PAC” is dominating the headlines with their past three commercials stirring controversy and gaining attention. Kaufmann touches on the ethical questions surrounding this, as well as discussing what exactly the goal is for these commercials that rarely mention the GOP candidate’s names. 

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Ramblin’ Ray, in for John Howell, speaks with Jon 'Dr. J' Najarian, Co-Founder of Market Rebels, Star of Halftime Report on CNBC, and former Chicago Bears Linebacker. Ray and Dr. Najarian discuss how our economy has gotten to this point, what’s going on with the car market, and how the Bears have changed. 

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Ramblin’ Ray, in for John Howell, speaks with Former Illinois Governor Pat Quinn. They talk about recent events in Chicago and whether or not Quinn is considering throwing his hat in the ring for Mayor. 

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Ramblin’ Ray, in for John Howell, speaks with Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau. Mayor Pekau introduced a new police program designed to work around new regulations that will be put in place by the SAFE-T act. 

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Pete McMurray, in for John Howell, speaks with Northwestern Medicine's Dr. Jeffrey Kopin. Dr. Kopin answers questions about the state of Covid in our world now, when we should get boosted, and more. 

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Pete McMurray, in for John Howell, speaks with Attorney Rich Lenkov to get an update on where each of Trump’s legal cases stand and his thoughts on where they will go from here. 

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Ald.Ray Lopez says the only polls he cares about are the ones he takes on the street regarding Chicagoans’ opinions. He also speaks with Ramblin Ray about his own mayoral campaign, last weekend’s violence, and how he wants to improve the city. 

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Ramblin’ Ray, in for John Howell, speaks with GOP Gubernatorial Candidate Darren Bailey. Bailey addresses the weekend violence in the city, rejuvenation among the farm economy, and how we can make Illinois great again. 

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Ramblin’ Ray, in for John Howell, is joined by Dan Brady, the IL GOP candidate for Secretary of State. Brady discusses the changes he proposes to upgrade the DMV experience and lower Vehicle-related fees. 

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Ramblin’ Ray, in for John Howell, speaks with Paul Vallas, Chicago mayoral candidate and former CEO of Chicago Public Schools. They discuss the violent weekend in Chicago, including 62 shootings, and the delays in the 911 response. Vallas speaks on his ideas regarding what needs to change in the city, how the policing should be done, and the overrun 911 system. 

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Ramblin’ Ray, in for John Howell, speaks with ABC 7’s John Garcia. A Lombard resident who was held captive by the Taliban for 31 months was just swapped with a man who has been called the “El Chapo” of the Taliban. 

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*ABC 7 Sports Anchor & Reporter Dionne Miller previews a tough matchup for the Bears as they head up North to take on the Packers.

*John Keilman of The Chicago Tribune details the drama out in Sugar Grove as the Saudi-backed LIV tour tees off at Rich Harvest Farms.

*WLS City Hall reporter emeritus Bill Cameron breaks down the state of the mayoral race and previews this weekend's episode of 'Take 1'

*In the wake of the R. Kelly verdict, John asks how people reconcile with listening to his music in the future.

*Plus, government affairs lobbyist Craig Holman describes how the effort to eliminate 'dark money' from federal elections may have traction.

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John Howell speaks with Ald. Anthony Napolitano from Chicago’s 41st Ward. Private booters could soon be allowed to operate all across Chicago. Ald. Napolitano says that this will cause fights and take up police resources unnecessarily. 

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John Howell speaks with Elena Gottreich, Chicago’s Deputy Mayor for Public Safety. She says that CPD Reform is making progress since the consent decree. With several examples of new policies and actions, she speaks about how the CPD has grown and changed in a positive way. 

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*Svante Myrick of People For the American Way details how a NM judge has ruled that a county commissioner can't hold public office.

*John shares a story of an unruly airline passenger who was sentenced to four months in prison for disturbing a flight.

*The latest on immigrants being shipped up from Governor Abbott, and how far do Pritzker's power stretch in this situation?

*John Carruthers for Revolution Brewing discusses their new collaboration beer with Garrett's popcorn.

*Plus, avid golfer (and morning show host) Steve Cochran provides his thoughts on the LIV Golf Tour stopping in Chicago.

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John Howell speaks with Bamani Obadele, Community Engagement Director for Acclivus. Obadele says it was shameful for Darren Bailey to politicize the shooting in Washington Park. He also challenges Bailey to roll up his sleeves and actually get involved in neighborhoods rather than watching everything from above in the John Hancock building. 

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John Howell speaks with Anton Adkins, a Chicago resident who lives across the street from Douglass Park. They discuss the impact of Riot Fest on the neighborhood, as well as residents’ ideas for what to do about large festivals moving forward.

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*Jacob Sonenshine of Barron's discusses how inflation shocked the market yesterday, but some stocks could still benefit.

*Professor and first amendment scholar Geoffrey Stone believes that Awake Illinois has no backing for a defamation case against Rep. Casten.

*Alex Stone of ABC News provides an update on the potential rail strike and looks at the economic impact it could have.

*Bob Chiarito reports from the courthouse after the verdict was announced in the R. Kelly trial.

*Plus, Gus Noble of Chicago Scots tells John about the importance of the Stone of Destiny, as it makes the trek to King Charles' coronation.

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John Howell is joined by Mike Emanuel, Fox News Chief Washington Correspondent, for their weekly chat about the latest news stories. Are Republicans upset that Graham stepped all over Biden’s bad day? What does the GOP want to do about security measures? Why was James Taylor singing “Fire and Rain” yesterday at the White House event?

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John Howell is joined by Eben Novy-Williams, Sports Business Reporter for Sportico. What happens when Virginia McCaskey passes? It’s more complicated than you think: a common problem in the NFL with shares, bylaws, and family-owned teams. 

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John Howell is joined by Ally Marotti, Reporter for Crain’s Chicago covering consumer products, food, restaurants, retail, media and advertising. They discuss the McPlant, a plant-based burger that was tested in some markets and will not be put on the menu at this time. Marotti discusses why this sandwich may have been rejected and what plant-based foods are doing well. 

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*Renato Mariotti of POLITICO Magazine shares why he believes that Donald Trump's lawyers are letting him down.

*John details how violent threats have forced the cancellation of Drag Queen Bingo at the Downers Grove Library.

*Steve Bernas of the BBB warns of sports betting scams you should be aware of as the NFL/NCAA seasons kick off.

*Dr. Harlan Ullman of The Killowen Group ponders if America is heading down a dangerous path.

*Plus, Doug Bandow of the CATO Institute warns that America's continual involvement in Ukraine could backfire.

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John Howell speaks with Dr. Sheldon H. Jacobson, Founder Professor in Computer Science at the University of Illinois. He joins the show to discuss his piece on how the electoral college system needs to be changed, but not just yet. Further, Dr. Jacobson says we need to repair our relationship between parties, and changing the constitution at this point would do the opposite of that. 

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*Dan Petrella of the Chicago Tribune goes through the list of lawsuits levied by GOP Attorney General candidate Tom DeVore.

*Author David Maraniss previews his new book looking at the life and legacy of Jim Thorpe.

*Theater Critic Chris Jones shares how the Victory Gardens Theater has decided to stop producing its own shows.

*John wonders what led a Virginia country club to develop a menu with a very poorly timed them: 9/11.

*Plus, Associate Producer and residential Bears expert Rachel Woodall breaks down how the Bears managed to top the 49ers.

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John Howell speaks with Neil Steinberg, Chicago Sun-Times Columnist. Alderpeople need to stop whining on their way out, Steinberg says in his latest piece. During this mass exodus of Alderpersons, we are hearing a lot of complaining as they exit office.  John and Neil also discuss Chicago politics in general, the Lit Fest, and Neil’s writing. 

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John Howell speaks with Mayor Gary Grasso of Burr Ridge after the unannounced busing of migrants to the village over the weekend. He is not against helping the migrants, he says, but he is pushing for more coordination in the future. Grasso also says we are all products of immigrants and we need better plans to help these migrants and treat them as humans. 

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*Chris Placek of the Daily Herald recaps the Bears meeting last night, and shares reaction from the local residents.

*ABC News Correspondent Alex Stone provides an update on the dangerous conditions in CA as harsh weather looms.

*Grant DePorter of the Chicago Sports Museum tells John about a historical baseball found in the walls of the Tribune Tower.

*Former IL legislator Jim Nowlan outlines the issues with a November amendment that prohibits "Right to Work" legislation.

*Plus, John shares a Wendy's workplace romance story that somehow ends in a potential terrorism charge.

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John Howell speaks with Brian Costin, Deputy State Director of Americans for Prosperity, Illinois. The Bears held a meeting last night in Arlington Heights to discuss their potential plans, including how they imagine they will fund the new stadium and surrounding areas. Did they do enough to alleviate worries of taxpayer subsidies?

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John Howell is joined by Alderman Howard Brookins from Chicago’s 21st Ward. Ald. Brookins has joined the long list of Alderpersons leaving the City Council. He joins the show to discuss the reasoning behind his exit, his thoughts on how the city is run, and his only regret, which involves a bike ride and a squirrel. 

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*Em Nguyen shares the reaction out of Washington after the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

*A.D. Quig of the Chicago Tribune has the details on Alderman Brookins adding his name to the City Council exodus.

*Reporter Bob Chiarito offers the latest from the R. Kelly trial and tells John which side seems to be winning.

*Bill Scher of Washington Monthly details how the Alaskan GOP is now going to war with ranked-choice voting.

*Plus, Steve Cochran pops on to mourn the loss of the Queen, and shares his case of mistaken identity.

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John Howell speaks with Tom Rivers, ABC News Correspondent, who joins live from London. They discuss the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, who from the royal family was there, and what will happen across the pond going forward. The Queen reigned for 70 years, and this is a very different, new chapter. 

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John Howell speaks with Steve Israel, Former NY House Rep and current Director of the Cornell Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy Institute of Politics and Global Affairs. Why are midterms so hard to predict? Israel sheds light on that question, including how we think the Democrats will fair and how each side can recruit young voters to participate. 

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*Wall Street Journal energy reporter Katherine Blunt discusses her new book, "CALIFORNIA BURNING" focused on PG&E.

*John shares the latest poll numbers in the race for IL governor, and they look bleak for Darren Bailey.

*ABC News Correspondent Andy Field reports on how Russia is buying millions of rockets and artillery from North Korea.

*Mike Emanuel of Fox News stops by for his weekly visit to break down the latest news out of DC.

*Plus, Evan Bleier of InsideHook previews the biggest NFL storylines to watch as the season kicks off tomorrow night.

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John Howell speaks with Phil Cline, Former CPD Superintendent & Executive Director of the Chicago Police Memorial Fund. This week, there was a ceremony at the Gold Star Families Memorial in Chicago to honor all Chicago Police officers that have died in the line of duty since the 1830’s. There were 595 names read. 

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John Howell speaks with Mary Ann Ahern, NBC 5 Political Reporter. Pat Quinn has said that he is mulling over a run for mayor - Ahern and Howell discuss what this would mean for an already crowded race. 

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John Howell is joined by Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune columnist and Chicago Journalism Hall of Famer. Together, they remember some of Chicago’s great, bygone taverns and the impact those places had on the communities they touched. 

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*Dave McKinney of WBEZ tells John how the Illinois GOP is fighting to take control of the state's Supreme Court for the first time in 58 years.

*Jason Meisner of the Chicago Tribune discusses today's closure of the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse and gives the latest on the R. Kelly trial.

*ABC News Correspondent Alex Stone covers the continuing heat wave in California that threatens rolling blackouts.

*John breaks down how the commute of Dr. Hartley during "The Bob Newhart Show" didn't really make sense.

*Plus, U of I at Chicago professor and former 44th Alderman Dick Simpson looks back on his career after announcing his retirement.

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John Howell speaks with Dan McGrath, Crain’s Chicago contributor covering the business of sports and President of Leo High School. They discuss Ted Phillips’ exit from the Bears, the Bears’ exit from Chicago, and what happens next at Soldier Field. 

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Pete McMurray, in for John Howell, speaks with Sheriff Tom Dart. They talk about how Summer in Chicago has been in terms of violence, police presence, and legislation. They also discuss the Sheriff's presence in River North and how it’s affected activity in the area. 

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Pete McMurray, in for John Howell, speaks with Senator Dick Durbin. They speak about a number of issues affecting the country right now, including immigration, student loan forgiveness,the infrastructure bill, and how we can work together despite our political party. 

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Ramblin’ Ray, in for John Howell, speaks with David Jackson, Senior Investigative Reporter for the Better Government Association. The BGA tracks spending and recently looked at Pritzker’s ties to different companies in the state.  

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Ramblin’ Ray, in for John Howell, speaks with Illinois Gubernatorial candidate, Darren Bailey. Bailey gives his thoughts on education in Illinois, campaign funding, his “hell hole” comments regarding Chicago, the state budget, and more. The two also catch up about Bailey’s farm and the crops this year. 

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Ramblin’ Ray, in for John Howell, speaks with Greg Glod, Senior Criminal Justice Policy Fellow for Americans for Prosperity. They talk about the rise in car jackings and violence across the country, as well as the changes they believe will come after the midterms. 

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Ramblin’ Ray, in for John Howell, speaks with Alderman Ray Lopez. Today, Ald. Lopez is out collecting signatures for the upcoming mayoral election, and he called in from the sidewalk to chat about his excitement around the election and the positive changes he’d like to make in the city if elected mayor.  

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Chicago White Sox Head Team Physician and Bulls Team Physician Dr. Nikhil Verma jumps on with Ramblin' Ray to discuss how limiting contact and teaching proper technique can help your child avoid injury while playing football this Fall.

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Ramblin’ Ray, in for John Howell, speaks with Rep. La Shawn Ford. All people, Representative Ford says, want the same thing: to feel safe in their communities. They discuss how we need to empower both law enforcement and the community to do good, to protect our citizens, and create this safe environment. 

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Ramblin’ Ray, in for John Howell, is joined by Alderman Anthony Napolitano of Chicago’s 41st Ward. They discuss the violence we’ve seen in the city, the contributing factors, and what is being done to combat this. 

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Ramblin’ Ray, in for Big John Howell, speaks with Armando Chacon, President of the West Central Association. They discuss the drifting and street racing that happened in the West Loop over the weekend and what is being done to crack down on that and other criminal behavior in the area. 

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*Joe Cahill of Crain's Chicago shares how Illinois is falling behind in the race for an Electronic Vehicle battery factory.

*John details how a Texas judge ruled a law preventing 18-21 year-olds from carrying handguns in public is unconstitutional.

*Reporter Bob Chiarito runs through the most important parts of the R. Kelly trial as it approaches its halfway point.

*Dr. Murphy Westwood at the Morton Arboretum discusses the Illinois trees that are at threat of extinction.

*Plus, Grant DePorter previews the upcoming Green Tie Ball, benefitting Chicago Gateway Green. 

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DuPage voters can vote in any of 263 polling places in DuPage County. Jean Kaczmarek, DuPage County Clerk, discusses the options that voters will have in the upcoming midterms elections.

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Former CEO of Chicago Public Schools & Candidate for Mayor joins the John Howell Show to discuss proposed plans to protect the CTA with dogs, and the questionable claims of fiscal discipline from Mayor Lightfoot.

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*Jerry Nowicki of Capitol News Illinois recaps the battle between Darren Baily and JB Pritzker at an IL agricultural forum.

*Derricke Dennis has the details on a Missouri school district that is reinstated corporal punishment, including spanking.

*Callers share some of the antics from their childhoods that caused them to be spanked or paddled in school.

*Katalin Rodriguez Ogren of the West Loop Community Organization talks about the troubling kidnap attempt in West Loop.

*Plus, Steve Cochran jumps on with John, and it quickly divulges into a lesson on aging gracefully in radio.

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Dr. Matthew Pressman, Assistant Professor of Journalism at Seton Hall University, joins the John Howell Show to talk about why we're seeing an increase in vulgarity in politics across the nation.

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John Howell is joined by Dr. Bryan McLaughlin, Professor of Advertising at the College of Media and Communication at Texas Tech University, to discuss how the way some people consume the news can cause their anxiety to go into overdrive.

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*Madeleine Doubek of CHANGE Illinois looks at how ranked-choice voting and other election reforms are on the way in IL.

*John receives listener feedback on a potential splitting of Illinois, and shares how Dennis Rodman has pulled a 180.

*Steve Galanis, Co-Founder and CEO of Cameo discusses their new live video feature, allowing you extended chats with celebrities

.*Mike Emanuel of Fox News tries to determine why the Biden Admin chose now to cancel student loan debt.

*Plus, comedian Tom Dreesen gets a good laugh out of John while talking about his upcoming event in Glen Ellyn.

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John Howell speaks with Bradley Laborman, who has just thrown his hat into the ring for Chicago mayor. They discuss Laborman’s thoughts on a number of topics important to the city, including crime, monuments, private events on public lands, and CPD-community relations. 

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Biden announced his student debt forgiveness program this afternoon, and it’s come to mixed responses. Even some Democrats are being critical of the announcement. John Howell discusses what the program entails and what people from all sides of the political aisle are saying.

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*John looks at DuPage County's "Vote Anywhere" election day procedures that have been put into place.

*Andrew Perez of The Lever talks about the little-known Chicago billionaire who handed his fortune to a Super PAC.

*A player in the Little League World Series is caught on a hot mic claiming that ESPN was conspiring against his team.

*Attorney Jeffrey Leving warns that Chicago must protect families from gambling addictions before opening a casino.

*Plus, a new tech-infused mini golf experience has opened in Oak Brook for the listeners who want to work on their short game.

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John Howell speaks with Ralph Martire, Executive Director of the Bipartisan Center for Tax and Budget Accountability. The Chicago suburbs had a lot of leeway on how they spent their Covid relief dollars, and the reports of where the money went are starting to come out. Martire talks about the accountability and rules regarding this money, and the impact of the Covid relief money over all.  

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John Howell is joined by Max Bever, Director of Public Information for the Chicago Board of Elections. There is a new Chicago elections map that will cut precincts significantly ahead of the November general election. Voters will likely have a new precinct and a new polling place, which will be mailed out in early September on a new voter registration card (and in reminders after that.) Bever explains why this was done and what to expect in the future. 

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*ABC News Correspondent Alex Stone provides an update on the high-profile missing girl case in Lake Tahoe.

*John breaks down a Daily Herald report showing the wildly different ways some Chicago suburbs have spent their Covid relief money.

*Kyle Cheney of POLITICO brings us up to date on all the arguments made by Trump's legal team in response to the Mar-a-Lago search.

*John presents a lesson in political extremism, pointing out a lefty and righty who may have gone too far.

*Plus, Salena Zito tries to determine what motivates voters, saying that this election will come down to Joe Biden.

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John Howell speaks with Retired Green Beret Lt. Col. Scott Mann. They speak about his forthcoming book, “Operation Pineapple Express: The Incredible Story of a Group of Americans Who Undertook One Last Mission and Honored a Promise in Afghanistan.” He outlines the tale of how he and a group of other retired Green Berets banned together to save an ally during America’s withdrawal from Afghanistan. To find the book, available now for pre-order: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Operation-Pineapple-Express/Scott-Mann/9781668003534

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John Howell speaks with Alexandra Block, Senior Attorney for Policing and Criminal Legal System Reform at the ACLU of Illinois. They are calling for the CPD Superintendent and Mayor to make police reform a priority. The “positive community interactions” quota is not enough, Block insists. We need real reform. 

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*Chicago Sun-Times columnist Neil Steinberg looks back at the life of Tom Coffey, one of Harold Washington's trusted advisors.

*David Greising of the Better Government Association discusses why Illinois is still in need of the Shakman decree.

*Former Alderman Proco 'Joe' Moreno tells John why he's looking to make a return to Chicago's City Council.

*A.B. Stoddard of RealClearPolitics rails against the threats being made to the recently doxed FBI agents.

*Plus, ABC News Correspondent Derricke Dennis has a warning for Apple users, and John shares why he's never sent an emoji in his life.

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John Howell is joined by Robert Herguth, Investigative reporter at the Chicago Sun-Times and part of the Watchdogs team. Several Illinois politicians are still willing to take that sweet, sweet pharmaceutical money, even from companies implicated in the opioid crisis.

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John Howell speaks with Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune Chief Political Reporter. Darren Bailey spoke yesterday afternoon at the Illinois State Fair. In his delivered remarks, he doubled down on calling Chicago a “hell hole” and calling out it’s leaders. Pearson speaks about the implications of Bailey’s speeches, as well as his own projections for endorsements and each candidate’s success. 

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John Howell speaks with David Hochberg, VP of Lending at Homeside Financial. They discuss the current status of the housing market, as well as John's knack for buying at the worst times possible. 

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*Dan Petrella of the Chicago Tribune recaps a hearing where the IL GOP questioned the ISP on how it handled the Highland Park shooter.

*John tries to find the truth regarding the spat between Liz Cheney and Harriet Hageman regarding Cheney's concession speech.

*Producer Bret shares the details on the Deshaun Watson suspension settlement that was reached between the NFL and the NFLPA.

*A caller emphatically answers John's question of the day regarding a Proco 'Joe' Moreno wanting to run for City Council.

*Plus, WLS City Hall Reporter checks in after Republican Day at the Illinois State Fair.

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A magistrate judge in Florida is hearing arguments on whether or not to unseal the Mar-a-Lago affidavit. John Howell speaks with Brad Garrett, ABC News Crime & Terrorism Analyst, about what this would potentially mean for Trump and how the process would work. 

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John Howell speaks with Alderman Brian Hopkins from Chicago’s Second Ward. There have been many issues on Lake Michigan’s Playpen. This includes a tragic incident from last weekend where a woman had to have both legs amputated, as well as multiple deaths. The Alderman discusses what he believes needs to be done to tighten safety measures in the area. They also speak about unregulated CBD shops in the city and how they are confusing cannabis customers. 

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*Ramblin' Ray Stevens calls in to reminisce with John about a White Sox legend who let a small child down.

*ABC News Correspondent Justin Finch looks at Mike Pence's comments claiming he'd consider testifying before the Jan. 6th committee.

*Greg Peerbolte of the Old Joliet Prison tells you what you can expect to see at Blues Brothers Con this weekend.

*Kevin Schmidt of The Daily Herald has the details on Naperville's gun ordinance that bans the sale of certain high-powered rifles.

*Plus, WLS City Hall Reporter Mallory Vor Broker gives the latest from the Illinois State Fair.

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John Howell is joined by ABC News Correspondent, Alex Stone, who is in Jackson, Wyoming. Liz Cheney lost the primary last night and spoke in her concession speech about next steps. Stone talks about the reactions down in Wyoming last night to the speech and the news, as well as what we believe Cheney will do next. 

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John Howell speaks with Steve Chirico, Mayor of Naperville. Naperville just passed an ordinance to ban the sale of certain high-powered rifles and high-capacity magazines. Mayor Chirico discusses the thought that went into proposing this ban and how he believes it will impact the community. 

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John Howell speaks with Elliot Ackerman, Author of “THE FIFTH ACT: America’s End in Afghanistan.” It’s been almost a year since American troops withdrew from Afghanistan, and Ackerman talks about our history with the country as well as what has happened since. 

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*Dr. Jonathan Zimmerman joins the program to discuss Salman Rushdie and the defense of hate speech. 

*John Feehery speaks about Democrats and the "dead cat bounce."

*Steve Bernas joins the show to talk about fraud happening in the rental market & other things to watch out for. 

*Stephen Moore comments on the American Dream.

*Ted McClelland answers the question: is Darren Bailey helping or hurting the IL GOP? 

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John Howell is joined by Paul Lisnek, WGN-TV Political Reporter & Political Analyst and Host of the “Behind the Curtain” Podcast. Darren Bailey and his running mate are in trouble (yet again) for their social media posts- Lisnek and Howell discuss how social media has affected politics as a whole. 

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Rob Johnson, in for John Howell, speaks with Doug Cummings, personal safety consultant. After yesterday’s shooting at Six Flags in Gurnee, we once again think about what we should do if we ever experience a similar event. Cummings reviews what to do if you hear gunshots, as well as how to address safety plans with our children without panicking them. 

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Rob Johnson, in for John Howell, is joined by Jacob Infante, Lead NFL draft analyst and Bears writer for Windy City Gridiron. Infante was at the Bears’ preseason opening game against the Chiefs. They talk about the Bears’ outlook for the season, rookie players to watch, and the state of Soldier Field. 

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Pete McMurray, in for John Howell, speaks with Alderman Brendan Reilly live in-studio. They recap this year’s Lollapalooza, the police stats afterwards, and the renewal of the Lolla contract. Alderman Reilly also gives his thoughts on the NASCAR deal, the mayor’s budget proposal, and more. 

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*ABC News Crime & Terrorism Analyst Brad Garrett discusses the threats of violence that have erupted since the Mar-a-Lago raid.

*Dr. Sophie Bjork-James at Vanderbilt University shares who joins hate groups on social media and how they attract young men.

*Robert Channick of the Chicago Tribune takes a deep dive into the history of Bally's after they submit their casino application.

*Plus, Playwright Will Allan tells John about his new show "Campaigns, Inc." opening tonight at the Timeline Theater.

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John Howell is joined by Paris Schutz, “Chicago Tonight” Co-Anchor and Correspondent. A marina was approved for Navy Pier several years ago, but it still has not been built. Schutz joins the show to discuss why they are experiencing roadblocks and what the marina would mean for the Pier and the city. 

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John Howell speaks with Dr. Robert Alexander, Director of the Institute for Civics and Public Policy at Ohio Northern University. Dr. Alexander speaks about faithless electors and why it’s far past time to modify the electoral system and eliminate this possibility. They also discuss the Electoral Count Reform Act of 2022.  

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*John wonders if Mayor Lightfoot's talk to the rank and file of the Chicago Police will have any effect on their perception of her.

*Zach Hunter, Executive Director of Keep Country First introduces their 'pro-democracy candidate recruitment program.

*Community Organizer Ana Solano describes the issues that her community has with Riot Fest after a contentious meeting.

*Fox News Chief Washington Correspondent Mike Emanuel shares the White House reaction to the Mar-a-Lago raid.

*Plus, Walls Street Journal Personal Tech Reporter Dalvin Brown offers some hacks to help you navigate customer service issues.

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John Howell speaks with Alderman Brian Hopkins from Chicago’s 2nd Ward. They discuss how the Aldermen were blindsided by the NASCAR deal, and how he feels the Aldermen are being left out of that and more important decisions around the city. 

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Mitch Daniels, President of Purdue University and former Governor of Indiana, joins the John Howell program. They speak about an opinion piece Daniels wrote for the Washington Post, asserting that we need to insist on more politeness in such a nasty era. 

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*Chicago Sun-Times architecture critic Lee Bay says that Lori Lightfoot needs to slow down and find the correct way to fix Soldier Field.

*John talks with the listeners to find out what they think about the search warrant executed at Mar-a-Lago.

*Danny Heitman of the BR Advocate shares his touching story of David McCullough after the famous author and historian's passing.

*Sports Columnist Rick Telander tells John that Aaron Rodgers' ayahuasca trips to Peru may have truly help the Green Bay QB.

*Plus, Doug Bandow of the CATO Institute claims that Nancy Pelosi may have put us on a path to war with China.

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John Howell speaks with Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, who just returned from his trip to Taiwan with Speaker Pelosi. He discusses why he attended the five country excursion, why he believes it was beneficial to stop in Taiwan, and how the trip went over all. He discusses why he feels it's in our national interest to keep the peace in places like Taiwan and Ukraine.  

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John Howell is joined by Jeremy Stahl, Senior Editor for Slate. Stahl makes his case for why he does not believe Trump will run again in 2024. 

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*Bloomberg Opinion Columnist Jonathan Bernstein takes a look at Wisconsin to point out how the GOP has a recruiting problem.

*ABC News Correspondent Andy Field breaks down the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act.

*Keith Naughton of Silent Majority Strategies discusses the tough decision that Merrick Garland has in relation to Trump.

*Dr. Robert Renteria tells John about his books and curriculum designed to empower youths to avoid violence, delinquency, and gangs.

*Plus, national political reporter Salena Zito talks John Fetterman's messaging and shares her thoughts on the raid of Mar-a-Lago.

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A nationwide shortage of Carbon Dioxide is starting to affect the beer market. John Howell speaks with Derricke Dennis, ABC News Correspondent, New York. Dennis has the very latest, including other items that are manufactured with Carbon Dioxide which may be affected. 

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John Howell speaks with Mack Liederman, General Assignment Reporter for Block Club Chicago. Chicago Public Schools are experiencing a bus driver shortage, leaving parents and schools scrambling for solutions. Liederman speaks about the shortage, how CPS is trying to rectify the problem, and how this has affected students. 

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-Ron Onesti, President of the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans, joins to discuss their proposed plan to return and protect the Christopher Columbus statues in Chicago. 

-Jay Tcath, Executive Vice President at the Jewish United Fund, calls in to discuss an interactive public art display about gun violence at their office in the Loop. 

-ABC News Legal Analyst, Royal Oakes, has the very latest on Alex Jones’ legal proceedings. 

-Jason Nathanson has the scoop on the new Brad Pitt flick, “Bullet Train,” and why “Batgirl” was shelved $90 million into the movie. 

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John Howell is joined by David Greising, President and CEO of the Better Government Association. They discuss Darren Bailey and J.B. Pritzker’s very different views on Chicago, and what this means for both the city and their campaigns. 

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John Howell is joined by Charles Lipson, Peter B. Ritzma Professor of Political Science Emeritus at the University of Chicago. Professor Lipson’s latest piece describes the decline and fall of the classic newspaper. We read differently now, most notably due to the internet. 

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*ABC News Correspondent Jay O'Brien breaks down the Brittney Griner verdict and where things stand moving forward.

*John shares two stories regarding the 2nd Amendment that had incredibly different results.

*Jeff Greenfield of POLITICO Magazine tells John that the November midterms could bring a couple surprises.

*Geneva Mayor Kevin Burns condemns the man who has repeatedly defaced a  Pride-painted fire hydrant with Nazi symbols.

*Plus, Jaime Guerrero of the Beer & BBQ Challenge previews what will be the final installment of the massive fundraising event.

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John Howell speaks with Brad Garrett, ABC News Crime & Terrorism Analyst. The US State Department is concerned about violence against Americans abroad after the Zawarhi killing. Garrett speaks about the reason for these cautions and how we can be careful overseas. 

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John Howell speaks with Congressman Sean Casten from Illinois’ 6th Congressional District. Congressman Casten insists that gun violence prevention bills need to be passed now. One proposal included is a gun buy-back program. They also talk about the Extreme Risk Protection Order Act. 

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John Howell speaks with the Chicago Tribune’s Ray Long, investigative reporter who broke the story about Mike Madigan. He’s the author of “The House That Madigan Built: The Record Run of Illinois’ Velvet Hammer.” Madigan’s racketeering trial continues to get pushed back, but his pension payments, it seems, continue to balloon. Long has the latest.

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*97th District State Rep. Mark Batinick discusses his proposed legislation to allot speed camera revenues toward police and fire pensions.

*Dan Hinkel of the Better Government Association tells John that the city's claims about its anti-violence programs are overblown.

*John looks at how both Darren Bailey and Paul Vallas are being forced to answer for some unforced political errors.

*David Siders at POLITICO shares his biggest takeaways from yesterday's primaries, including the abortion vote in Kansas.

*Plus, Mike Emanuel stops by for his weekly visit to discuss Kyrsten Sinema, DC rumors, and a little bit golf.

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John Howell is joined by Brian Costin, Deputy State Director at Americans for Prosperity. The organization would like Arlington Heights to ban subsidies for a Chicago Bears redevelopment of the race track. Taxpayers, they say, already pay enough taxes without this additional burden. 

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John Howell speaks with Leslie Recht, President of the Grant Park Advisory Council. The council and Aldermen city-wide are disappointed in the exclusion of local Aldermen in Lollapalooza and NASCAR negotiations. The alderpersons have several requests for clauses they’d like added into these deals. 

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*ABC News Correspondent Jay O'Brien provides an update on Nancy Pelosi's trip to Taiwan, including a surprise Republican supporter.

*John and Producer Bret parse through Deshaun Watson suspension, wondering if it was for the best that the Bears passed on the troubled QB.

*Steve Bernas of the Better Business Bureau shares how you can avoid ticket fraud if you're heading the Elton John concert.

*Mike Shoreman discusses how he is raising money for mental health awareness by paddleboarding across all the Great Lakes.

*Plus, world renowned civil litigator Ken McCallion previews his forthcoming book, "Saving the World One Case at a Time."

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Darren Bailey has encountered a few roadblocks recently. ULine, one of his biggest supporters in the primaries, is not happy with his campaign team. Also, some very controversial statements Bailey made have come out regarding the Holocaust and abortion.  

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ACLU of Illinois attorney Rebecca Glenberg discusses the evolving situation at the recently vandalized Lake in the Hills bakery.
Colby Hall of Mediaite looks at the rift that is continuing to grow between Fox News and Donald Trump.
Stephen Moore tries to determine when the live-and-let-live left become the party that wants to abolish everything.
Daniel DePetris at Defense Priorities tells John that for better or worse, we are seeing the consequences of sanctioning Russia.
*Plus, Carl Cannon of RealClearPolitics breaks down their new poll showing that Americans are tired of billionaires.

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JB Pritzker and other Democratic gubernatorial candidates are buying TV ads in an attempt to hand-pick their GOP opponents. Steve Chapman of Creators Syndicate tells John how this strategy could hurt Democrats come November.

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*Greg Hinz compares Lori Lightfoot to one of her predecessors with how she seemingly unilaterally pushed the NASCAR deal through.

*Jeff Agrest of the Sun-Times sat down with Olin Kreutz, who finally discussed his firing from CHGO.

*Ally Marotti of Crain's Chicago tells John how several of Chicago's fine-dining restaurants are moving out to the burbs.

*ABC News Correspondent Dave Packer says that you can expect consumer prices to continue to climb in the coming weeks.

*Plus, Pat Etherington of Davey's warns about the Japanese beetle that has been causing havoc in the Chicago area.

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Jason Nathanson, ABC News Entertainment Correspondent, joins the John Howell Show. Will Smith put out another video about the incident between himself and Chris Rock at the Oscars. Nathanson and Howell discuss the possible reasons this statement is coming now, how the public has responded, and what they’d do in Chris Rock’s situation. 

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John Howell is joined by Sir John Dempsey, WLS Golf Commissioner Emeritus and former News Director. They catch up on the latest golf news, Lollapalooza bands, and the afternoon show’s golf outing this morning. Kim Gordon, it turns out, has the best swing of them all. 

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John Howell is joined by Bob McCoppin, Chicago Tribune reporter focusing on news and trends in suburbs and especially on the legalization of marijuana. He has the numbers: Marijuana sales and tax revenues jumped 50% in the last year. 

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*Bill Scher joins the show to plead with Joe Biden to not run for a second term, noting that they rarely go well.

*5th District Congressman Mike Quigley recaps his trip to Ukraine, where he met with President Vladimir Zelensky.

*Chicago Sun-Times reporter Brett Chase shares how two CPS teachers escaped termination for their General Iron protests.

*Mark Konkol of the Patch breaks down how speed cameras targets poor neighborhoods that pay too much and receive too little.

*Plus, John says to be wary if you win Friday's Mega Millions. He tells tales of past winners who have lost it all.

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John Howell speaks with Dr. Christopher Mooney, Professor of State Politics at the University of Illinois Chicago. Dr. Mooney discusses Darren Bailey’s strategies in this gubernatorial election. Is avoiding Donald Trump the right move? 

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Lauren O'Neil of Q101 previews Lollapalooza, and tells John whether the festival is still worth it for the fans and the city.John Pletz of Crain's Chicago breaks down Google's surprise purchase of the Thompson Center.Personal Security Consultant shares tips to keep yourself safe if you attend Lolla or any other major public gathering.John wonders if all political candidates should be forced to take a competency test before running for office.*Plus, Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay previews his upcoming event that will feature his nearly $100 million memorabilia collection. 

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John Howell is joined once again by Mike Emanuel, Fox News Chief Washington Correspondent. They discuss some of this week’s biggest stories out of Washington, including Biden’s case of Covid, the Respect for Marriage Act, and inflation. 

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John Howell is joined by Robert Reed, Veteran Chicago journalist and current contributor to Chicago magazine. They discuss the plan to revitalize the Magnificent Mile and the Water Tower Place, as these former “hotspot” destinations have gone downhill in recent years. Some of these plans include diversifying the retail options, adding in different business types, and even expanding sidewalks. 

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*State politics reporter Dave McKinney discusses how Chicago's push to host the 2024 DNC is shrouded by an internal party rift.

*Scott Shackford of Reason presents some of the new details regarding the quick release of Congressman Lee Zeldin's attacker.

*Sports Marketing Expert Marc Ganis shares his thoughts on Mayor Lightfoot's hail Mary attempt to keep the Bears in Chicago.

*Greg Lukianoff of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression tells John why cancelling Dave Chapelle is not a 'win' for free speech.

*William Kristol of The Bulwark wonders what politician can both defend and reform our democracy at the same time.

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John Howell chats about the rise in sales for cheap beer and tobacco brands among sky high inflation. People are not giving up their vices, but they are switching to cheaper alternatives. 

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John Howell speaks with Dave McKinney, State Politics reporter at WBEZ. They speak about the Illinois Democrats’ bid for the 2024 DNC. They also look back at the 1996 DNC, which was held in Chicago. 

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*ABC News Correspondent Derricke Dennis reports on the UN Health Agency's Chief declaring Monkey Pox a global emergency

.*Jaclyn Wegner, Director of Conservation Action at The Shedd discusses the effort to restore the South Branch of the Chicago River.

*Keith Naughton of Silent Majority Strategies shares how Biden and Trump's political careers are strangely dependent on each other.

*Zack Pearson of BearReport.com previews training camp for the Bears, including what to expect from Justin Fields this season.

*Plus, Salena Zito tells John how local messaging, not national partisan propaganda will win over voters in November.

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John Howell speaks with LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune reporter covering the White Sox. The two discuss the long overdue induction of Minnie Miñoso into the Baseball Hall of Fame. It was one of Miñoso’s last wishes before his passing, which made it a bittersweet ceremony this past weekend. 

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Today, Mayor Lightfoot announced the city’s proposed plans for renovations to Soldier Field. Kim Gordon and John Howell discuss what is likely “close to the last best offer” that the city is hoping will keep the Bears from leaving.  

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*ABC News Correspondent Justin Finch provides the latest on Joe Biden's Covid case and the reaction from the White House.

*John plays some classic fights between Dr. Fauci and Rand Paul after Fauci announced when he will be retiring.

*Jon Swartz of MarketWatch explains how Twitter is blaming Elon Musk for their disappointing earnings report.

*Steve Cochran jumps on with John to preview the H Foundation's Goombay Bash coming up on Saturday.

*Plus, Rob Martier shares his disappointment in the Blackhawks for letting Eddie Olczyk leave the Blackhawks booth.

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A jury has found Steve Bannon guilty in contempt of congress, and ABC News Correspondent Andy Field joins John Howell to discuss the verdict. When will Bannon be sentenced and what will his sentencing entail?

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John Howell discusses an incident that happened at Congressman Lee Zeldin's rally on Thursday evening. As Congressman Zeldin was speaking, a man walked on stage and grabbed the congressman. Less than a day after the incident, the suspect is out on bail.

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*ABC News Crime and Terrorism Analyst Brad Garrett tells John that the missing Secret Service texts are much ado about nothing.

*Ald. Anthony Napolitano describes his ordinance that aims to allow CPD officers to decline previously unscheduled hours.

*Ethan Wolf, Deputy Political Director for Rep. Brad Schneider discusses his Twitter account that attempts to highlight wins by the White House

.*Olivier Knox of the Washington Post breaks down the current trust level in the news media, and talks about the idea of 'equal' coverage

.*Plus, Naperville Mayor Steve Chirico follows up on his announcement that he will not be running for reelection.

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John Howell speaks with Ald. Anthony Napolitano from the 41st Ward. Ald. Napolitano discusses the new proposed ordinance that would allow CPD officers to decline previously unscheduled hours. This is about relief, he says, and mental health support in a time when it’s never been worse among the CPD.

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John Howell is joined by Allen R. Sanderson, Senior Instructional Professor of Economics at the University of Chicago. They discuss Chicago’s recent NASCAR deal and what Professor Sanderson thinks it will bring to the city. They also talk about the price tag (so far)  and how it compares to other large events. 

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Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas discusses her report on how Chicago's redlining history is leading to urban decay.IL Senate Republican Leader Dan McConchie comments on the Illinois State Police's expanded use of "clear and present danger."Halfway through, Marshall Jon Fisher looks back at the undefeated 1972 Dolphins , followed by the crew's grossest CTA stories.Fox News Chief Washington Correspondent Mike Emanuel talks Secret Service texts and Biden's failed international trips.*Plus, Steve Dolinsky of NBC 5 previews the inaugural Pizza City Fest: Chicago coming up this weekend.

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John Howell is joined by Mallory Vor Broker, WLS Chicago City Hall Reporter. They discuss the results of today’s city council meeting, including decisions on speed cameras, drag racing, and ethics reform. 

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John Howell speaks with Rick Pearson, Chief Political Analyst for the Chicago Tribune. Pearson gives an analysis of the money spent per vote in the Illinois primaries. Money, to no one’s surprise, is a major player in these types of campaigns.  

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*John and Kim Gordon discuss the announcement that NASCAR will be coming to Chicago for street racing starting next year.

*Alexa James of the National Alliance on Mental Illness Chicago says the city is not doing enough to help overworked cops.

*Professor Charles Lipson at the University of Chicago details how President Biden came back empty-handed from his Saudi trip.

*IL BBB President Steve Bernas warns of schemes using "Deepfake" technology and scams that offer to buy or sell used cars.

*Plus, Stephen Moore and John break into an impromptu trivia match, and Dr. Bob Hueter of OCEARCH has great news regarding sharks.

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John Howell is joined by Richie Furay, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and founding member of the legendary and quintessential groups Buffalo Springfield, Poco, and Souther-Hillman-Furay Band. Furay tells us about his first studio album in seven years, why he took a bit of a break, and what’s to come from here. 

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John Howell speaks with Alexa James, Chief Executive of the National Alliance on Mental Illness Chicago (NAMI) and consultant to the CPD. After a string of CPD suicides, she says that the city is not doing enough to help overworked cops. She also discusses her proposed plans to address psychological issues within the ranks.  

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*Gary Fineout, author of POLITICO's Florida Playbook gives the reaction to J.B. Pritzker's speech from Saturday in the Sunshine State.

*First Amendment lawyer Bob Corn-Revere compares anti-abortion protestors to Anthony Comstock.

*Justin Finch of ABC discusses how the Secret Service is reacting to allegations that they intentionally deleted text messages.

*David Winston of the Winston Group describes the insanity of Joe Biden's campaign, saying that they are running out of gas.

*Plus, Dr. Amanda Paluch calls Chicago one of the most fit cities in America, and John wants to protect the Long Grove covered bridge.

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John Howell is joined by Dr. Amanda Palach, Professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. The American Fitness Index has ranked Chicago as the 10th fittest city in America. Dr. Palach discusses how this ranking is put together and how the Windy City secured their top ten spot. 

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John Howell is joined by Gary Fineout, author of POLITICO’s Florida Playbook. Illinois Governor, JB Pritzker, spoke at the meeting of Florida Democrats over the weekend. Fineout has the details on what was discussed, including how he believes Ron DeSantis is acting like former President Trump. 

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*Ozzie Guillen made headlines multiple times this week, and Jeff Agrest of the Sun-Times breaks down what happened.

*Dr. Veronica Pear at UC Davis tells John how we can make red-flag laws most effective against gun violence.

*Mark Konkol shares his frustration with Democrat officials who go after assault weapons while ignoring killer poverty.

*POLITICO Reporter Marianne LeVine discusses the steps that Senators are taking to address future transfers of presidential powers.

*Plus, Doug Bandow of the CATO Institute talks Biden's Middle East trip, and Chicago musician Edwin Daugherty remembers Capt. Walter Dyett.

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John Howell is joined by Mark Konkol to discuss his recent opinion piece in Patch. According to Konkol, Democrats are lining up to support assault weapon bans while ignoring poverty and letting society decay. He speaks to why he believes this is the case, as well as the differences between the parties in these views. 

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John Howell is joined by Jeff Agrest, Deputy Sports Director at the Chicago Sun-Times. Longtime White Sox analyst, Ozzie Guillen, has had an eventful week: criticizing Tony LaRussa and challenging Jon Heyman to a fight. Agrest believes Guillen is the analyst we all need for the game of baseball. 

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Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering discuss the steps she is taking to prevent another shooting like the one on the 4th of July.Steve Chapman of Creators Syndicate tells John why Joe Biden shouldn't stand for reelection in two years.Josh Kraushaar of Axios details how the voter bases for Democrats and Republicans have shifted dramatically.Dr. Allison Strom at Northwestern University shares what she hopes to learn from her time with the James Webb Space Telescope.*Plus, Walter Shapiro of Roll Call bluntly says that both Joe Biden and Donald Trump are too old to face-off in 2024.

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John Howell is joined by Walter Shapiro, Columnist for Roll Call, Fellow at The Brennan Center, and Political Science Lecturer at Yale. He joins to discuss his thoughts on the 2024 election and the prospect of either Trump or Biden running again. The emphasis on Biden’s age, he reminds us, has obscured the fact that Trump is nearly the same age. Both, he believes, are too old. 

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John Howell is joined by Josh Kraushaar, Senior Politics Reporter for Axios. Kraushaar has been researching and writing pieces on the political realignment we are seeing happen in real time with both parties shifting in demographics. Republicans are becoming more working class and slightly more multicultural, and Democrats are becoming more elite and also female. These and many more statistical observations, on the podcast. 

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