The Ben Joravsky Show

In honor of Brian Urlacher pulling a fast one on President Donnie, Ben ranks MAGA's top ten favorites in the state. Dr. D does not make the list. Also, the latest on efforts by CPS officials to shut those teachers up and get `em back in a classroom. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Legendary talk show host Ken Davis returns and he's got a lot on his mind. From Biden to science to CTU v CPS to taking Trump off of Twitter. And, surprise, surprise, how moved he was by the inauguration. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Ben reviews the ups and down of the inauguration, complete with a poem he wrote. And Chicago Public Schools shows its compassion for teachers by bringing out the HR guy. Finally, speaker Welch shows he knows how to play the game. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Two weeks ago, Monroe stopped in for his weekly visit as MAGA, instigated by too much Trump, ransacked the Capitol. Today he shows up as Joe Biden is sworn in as president. What a difference two weeks make. What lies ahead? Monroe makes more predictions. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

It was about a year ago that In These Times editor/writer Miles Kampala-Lassin was knocking on doors in Iowa gif Bernie. Looking behind and ahead. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

One of the leaders of Indivisible Chicago, Marj Halperin returns to talk about what's been done and what remains to be done for Democrats. Her message--enjoy the moment. But don't fall asleep after the inauguration--as in 2009. The midterms are closer than you realize. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

One more day until Donald goes away. Also, Ald. Byron Sigcho- Lopez (25) Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson and CTU Vice President Stacy Davis-Gates from Monday's CTU Press Briefing. And breaking news from Heather Steans and Kelly "KC" Cassidy! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Defense lawyer and Reader writer Leonard Goodman talks about the impact of big money and corporate culture on the Dems. Even AOC. 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 and union activist Mindy Isser makes her Ben Joravsky Show debut. Among other things, she shames Ben for shaming Trump voters. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

For years, political scientist David Faris had urged Democrats to play the game more like Republicans. By that he meant stop bring so gullible and naive. But after watching the insurrection and aftermath Faris had come to the conclusion that Party leaders have followed Trump off a cliff. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-n...

In this weeks Rundown. Sun-Times editor/columnist Rummana Hussain asks whether the country has normalized racism and anti-Semitism. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Ben weighs in on Biden's trillion dollar stimulus plan. CPS still wants teacher and students back in the classrooms. And our new House Speaker speaks--audio from state Rep. Chris Welch. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

President of the Chicago Prinicipals Association, Troy LaRaviere returns to talk about everything from reopening the schools in a pandemic to how Democrats should respond to the MAGA insurrection. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Chicago Public Schools continue their plans to return to the classroom and the CTU continues their plans to not. Unfortunate recreational cannabis licensing news. Mayor Lightfoot's restaurant plan. Chris Welch is the new Speaker. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

WVON talk show host Atiba Buchanan breaks down the case for convicting Trump. And the Republican attempt to defend him. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Last week, Monroe Anderson dropped by for his weekly appearance as MAGA insurrectionists, fired up by President Donnie, overtook the Capitol. This week he shows up as Democratic congressmen try to hold Trump accountable for his crimes. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Trump impeached twice! The latest on the CTU vs the CPS. Emanuel Chris Welch is the new Speaker. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Chicago Aldermen and women have asked for the resignation of Chicago Fraternal Order of Police's President. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Podcaster Marc Sims has a lot on his mind. Specifically, race, politics & rock ‘n roll. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

More of the same from Donald Trump and MAGA nation. A handful of students in Chicago have returned to the classroom. Is it still too soon? Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan did not get enough votes from his fellow Democrats in his re-election bid. What's next for Illinois Dems? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-...

Twentieth ward Alderwoman Taylor is not one to hold back. And in this interview she tells it like it is about all the week's events from Washington to Georgia to right here in Chicago. Just when things are looking bleak, she and Ben sing some Stevie Wonder to make things feel a little better. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy...

Meet Al Harrington, aka--The King of Cannabis. For 16 years, he was an NBA star for the Indiana Pacers, New York Knicks, Denver Nuggets and other teams. For the last several years, he's been the CEO of Viola Brands, a cannabis company. He and Ben and Lisa Solomon talk all things reefer, including how Al's grandmother helped him realize the healing powers of a joint. Also, the need to cut Black ent...

BONUS! The Political Know it Alls, Jacob Kaplan & Dan Pogorzelski, talk about the wider political ramifications about what went down on Wednesday, when Trump incited MAGA to storm the U.S. Capitol. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot lays out her plans for teachers, staff and students returning to the classroom. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

In her weekly visit to the show, Rummana asks the question: What if the Trump-loving insurrectionists who besieged the U.S. Capitol were Black or Muslim? And then she takes it from there. Also, the great Rummana/Ben debate on Sylvie's Love. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .