The Ben Joravsky Show

Sun-Times editor/columnist Rummana Hussain returns for her weekly Rummana Rundown. On the list of topics--Republican efforts to make AOC look as outrageous as MTG. Gimme a break. Also, the controversy at the Golden Globes. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Will defamation lawsuits force Fox TV to change its evil ways? Ben riffs on the $2.7 billion lawsuit filed by Smartmatic. More schools & pandemic news. Janice Jackson gets off a funny wisecrack. And a Mayor & her Aldermen. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Hosts of the The Heartland Mamas Podcast, Murri Briel & Heidi Henry are a couple of left-of-center Democrats who have been battling Congressman Adam Kinzinger for years. Now they're watching him win praise for being one of the few Republicans to defy the MAGA cult that's taken control of the GOP. What's going on? Also, how does Mayor Lightfoot's battle with Chicago's teachers play in the Heart...

Guess who sent Ben a fundraising email? Marjorie Taylor Greene--that's who. Ben reads the email, so you don't have to. Also, Mayor Lightfoot lays down the law. Get back in that petri dish classroom right now, teachers! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Chicago journalist Dave Glowacz--who writes the Inside Chicago Government website--returns with clips from the latest City Council meetings. Ben and Dave annotate the aldermanic orations the way literary scholars break down a baffling modernistic poem. What are they really saying when they talk about crime, taxes, TIFs and each other? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California...

Legendary Chicago journalist Monroe Anderson tries not to laugh as he analyses the defense Trump's lawyers have mustered. Also, he takes a stab at defending the mayor's eagerness to send those teachers back to the classroom in the middle of a pandemic. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Ben analysis the creative defense concocted by President Donnie's lawyers to persuade MAGA senators to acquit him. Not that it will take much. And then there's the latest episode in the long-running city hall soap opera--a mayor and her aldermen. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Chicago has made it back to phase 4 in Governor Pritzker's 5 phase strategy to safely re-open Illinois, Ben talks his new column all about the (soon to be) former Senator Heather Steans and Rahm Emanuel is still being considered for a position in Joe Biden's cabinet See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

In These Times writer/editor, Miles Kamf-Lassin takes the deep dive on the need for Biden to go strong with a Bernie'-style stimulus plan. Also,he riffs on Gamestop traders. Time for a financial transaction tax, people! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Ben riffs on fashion. Specifically, tight-fitting yoga pants with a see-through bootie. Thank you, Karen, for the info. Also, Mayor Lightfoot goes on MSNBC with a clever political move to turn liberal north siders against the teachers union. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

In 2016, Courtney Copeland, was shot and killed in Chicago at the age of 22. His mother, Shapearl Wells--host of the podcast, Somebody-- has spent the last several years trying to get the truth from city officials as to what the police did in the final moments of her son's life. And how Courtney's life might have been saved if he'd been treated him differently. See Privacy Policy at https://art19....

Erika Weaver is a public defender and school board member from downstate Matoon, who ran for congress as a Democrat in the 15th congressional district. She lost to a Republican named Mary Miller, who's best known for saying, and I quote, "Hitler was right.". Heckuva job, voters. Weaver talks about the challenges of trying to win over Trump voters. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy an...

Washington Post writer Mark Guarino has been covering the case of Kyle Rittenhouse, the 18-year-old who killed two people this summer during riots in Kenosha. He reviews the characters in the case and explains how Rittenhouse had become a folk hero to MAGA. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Sun-Times editor/columnist Rummana Hussain returns for her weekly rundown to ponder the question: What should we do about the wackos in the Republican Party? Also, what do the Woody Allens of the world mean when they rail against cancel culture. And much more... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Ben breaks down the Gamestop story. Basically, gazillionaires want socialism for themselves and capitalism for everybody else. Also, Ben & Dr. D have the great Congressman Adam Kinzinger debate. Finally, is Mayor Lightfoot too tough to work for? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Podcaster/activist Sameena Mustafa may have moved to Cali. But she's got Chicago on her mind. Also, the dangers of Trumpism and the limits of centrist Dems to fight back strong. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Ben annotates the fundraising request of Sarah Huckabee Sanders, as she launches her campaign for governor of Arkansas. A mystery guest drops in to explain to Mayor Lightfoot why teachers don't trust CPS to make the schools safe for reopening. And Ben breaks down the latest effort by Rahm "I wanna be a columnist" Emanuel. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notic...

Konstantine Anthony is an labor activist and city council member in Burbank, California. He talks about trying to organize gig economy employees. And the counter punch of Proposition 22. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Tulsi Gabbard weighs in on law and order. And Ben weighs in on Tulsi Gabbard. Also, Ben asks--why should teachers trust CPS if CPS can't clean the dead mice out of schools. And Monroe Anderson takes on MAGA. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Sam Holloway is a Chicago firefighter of the leftist persuasion. He weighs in on the dangers of reopening schools without vaccinating employees and why we allow the vaccines to be controlled by profit-seeking companies. Also, his early reaction to the Biden presidency. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Rupert Murdoch, of all people, whines about being cancelled. That sparks Ben to reflect on the life of Walter Bernstein, who really was cancelled. Also, if it’s so important that we reopen the schools, why won’t the mayor see to it that school employees are immediately vaccinated? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell...

Co-founder of the Black Harvest Film Festival, Sergio Mims knows as much or more about movies than any man alive. So when he talks--you better listen! And he's says that Regina King's One Night in Miami is one of the best movies of the year. Also, he has lots of love for Sylvie's Love. So stop hating, haters. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://...

For many years, Sue Ontiveros was a columnist/editor for the Sun-Times who specialized in standing up for the underdog. Now she's fighting to save the High Ridge YMCA from being closed. There's something wrong with a city that can't keep neighborhoods fortified with places people can swim, take classes and socialize. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at...

Gregory Pratt is the Tribunes’ City Hall reporter. He’s also the recently elected president of the paper’s Guild. He talks about how the union is facing dire cuts from Alden Capital, the hedge fund that owns it. He appeals to civic-minded Chicagoans to help save the paper. And briefly talks about his political coverage, demonstrating why daily newspapers are so crucial. See Privacy Policy at https...

Sun-Times editor/columnist Rummana Hussain covers all the week’s topics, including fashion at the inauguration. The monochrome look is in. But not as much as Bernie’s mittens. Was the whole thing an exercise in propaganda? Also,a preview of White Tiger. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .