John Howell

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

• 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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

• 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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

• 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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

• 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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

• 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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

• 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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

• 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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.