I mean rough men always help ME sleep better amiright THERE it was an EASY JOKE

Ouch

Kristi Noem's press office issued a statement telling me to "get a grip and seek help" back in December. Now that she's out of a job, it's my turn to give some advice. Get ready - you will be held accountable by the American people and by God. Repentance will be received well by God at least.

Statement from Christopher Parente, attorney for Chicago's Marimar Martinez: "Everyone involved in the spreading of lies about Marimar Martinez is out of their job. Now it is time for the FBI to do their job and investigate."

I haven't said anything about this before, bc in the grand scheme of horrors this only rates as an inconvenience, but since others are experiencing it: Just three days after CBP arrested me for filming them outside Broadview on 9/27, my TSA Pre & Global Entry were suspended—and so were my wife's.

Big win for the law firms that pushed back - incl Jenner & Block in Chicago and Perkins Coie, which has a big office here. As for the firms that capitulated …

On tomorrow's Say More, @maryldixon.bsky.social and I talk with sociologist Robert Sampson about his new book Marked by Time. A study of Chicagoans found the year you were born dramatically shapes your life trajectory. How did WHEN and WHERE you were born shape your life? Tuesday at 10 on @wbez.org

UPDATE: Another five soldiers were critically injured, according to the U.S. Central Command. They mark the first American casualties since the start of operation 'Epic Fury' on Saturday.

Rep Jason Crow (D-CO): “I went to war three times for this country and learned that when elites in Washington bang the war drums, working class folks pay the price. The tough talk of a five-time draft dodger falls flat for Americans tired of military adventurism”

@durbin.senate.gov's DC number hanging up on constituents, not allowing us to leave messages

Jesus wept.

Good morning.

I learned from this new Miami Herald story that Alex Acosta, who cut the secret sweetheart deal with serial rapist Jeffrey Epstein in 2008, is now on the board of directors of the right-wing propaganda outlet Newsmax. Figures. (Here's a gift link from journalism hero Julie Brown.)

EXCLUSIVE: An @npr.org investigation finds the public database of Epstein files is missing dozens of pages related to sexual abuse accusations against President Trump. Other documents that mention Trump have been taken down (and some restored). More:

Welp, got to work today only to head back home with some goofy stomach bug. But @pksmid.bsky.social will be on the job and checking in on your thoughts on the State of the Union address at 10a @wbez.org. Sorry to miss the fun —

Despite the Trump administration’s claim that it is focused on the “worst of the worst,” data from the nonpartisan TRAC clearinghouse shows nearly 75% of ICE detainees have no criminal conviction. https://to.pbs.org/40v74Jy

Incredible shot of Rep. Al Green holding up a "BLACK PEOPLE AREN'T APES!" sign with Trump in the foreground from photographer Kenny Holston (Getty)

Legend

Little-known fact: You are allowed to wedgie any journalist or pundit, penalty-free, who uses the phrase "stem-winder" about tonight's State of the Union.

Oh, Canada

Tony Gilroy, creator of Andor, wasn’t allowed to use the word “fascism” during press junkets in 2025. Interesting interview in The Hollywood Reporter. www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-featur...

Pritzker’s invoice to White House: (via @nbcnews.com) @govpritzker.illinois.gov

Cool, we end every show with our national anthem* and I think it’s a lovely patriotic gesture. *changes daily depending on the news and/or my mood

US Supreme Court said ta-ta to Trump's tariffs. The next fight: Refunds. Or: What do you do about $170 billion? buff.ly/5NDExCO

Either the Bears are moving to Hammond or they’re hustling IL for more tax money. They’re hiking ticket prices no matter what happens. It was nice feeling good about the team for a month 🤷🏼‍♀️

Plus a love story!

Quite a f&$:ing day

Quite a day in the news.

Today on Say More, inspired by a new art exhibit @maryldixon.bsky.social and I are asking, what does it mean to you to be a good future ancestor? What is the story you want told about you after you are gone? Listen at 10am on @wbez.org, we may use your response on the show!

Family have scheduled the reverend’s funeral arrangements for next week. Jesse Jackson will lie in state Wednesday, Feb. 25, and Thursday, Feb. 26, at Rainbow PUSH’s Kenwood headquarters. A “People’s Celebration” will be held at House of Hope on Friday, Feb. 27.

A lot of the stupid and toxic things about the world in which we currently live can be traced back to the philosophy of WIN OR FAIL and it is refreshing to see a legendary world champion caliber athlete tell that entire worldview to go fuck itself

‘If you're making $40,000 a year, you're not going to be able to pay for the information you need,’ John Cusack, actor and founding board member of Freedom of the Press Foundation Cusack said on ‘In The Loop.’

Join us Weds morning —

"I love the smell of napalm in the morning!" RIP Robert Duvall

On Monday's Say More, @maryldixon.bsky.social is taking a well-deserved day off, so @sashaannsimons.bsky.social and I are talking grocery prices. President Trump pledged to lower costs. What are you seeing, and paying, in the check out line? We may use your response Monday at 10 on @wbez.org .

we plan to hire an eater to ingest the food prepared by our chef and convert it into waste for customers

Trump's longtime confidant Thomas Barrack, now serving as U.S. ambassador to Turkey and special envoy to Syria, was in regular, close contact with Jeffrey Epstein for years after Epstein's 2008 conviction for soliciting a minor, a CBS News analysis of over 100 texts and email exchanges shows.

Oh it’ll be scaaaarrryyy, kids, tune in tomorrow at 10 @wbez.org

BREAKING: The Pentagon let Customs and Border Protection use an anti-drone laser before the FAA closed El Paso airspace, AP sources say.

A+

Giancarlo Guerrero, artistic director and principal conductor of the Grant Park Music Festival, in what he called a “beautiful surprise,” had nine days notice to join the top-secret musical lineup of the Super Bowl halftime show, which featured powerhouse vocalists Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin.

Bad Bunny.

Maybe Will Lewis lost his job over that “Super Bowl thing.” Or maybe this was already baked in, and all along he was meant to be the fall guy for the massive layoffs at the Post last week

Trump's racist post came at the end of a minute-long video promoting conspiracy theories about the 2020 election. After deleting the post, Trump told reporters he "didn't make a mistake."

Thursday - we talked about those moments when someone encouraged you to get on a better path. Friday - Chicago Parks Supt Ramirez-Rosa took your suggestions for improving neighborhood parks. It was a good week on Say More w/me & @pksmid.bsky.social @wbez.org

This was a terrific conversation —

BREAKING: New reaction from Leader Jeffries to the racist Trump video: "This disgusting video posted by the so-called president was done intentionally. Fuck Donald Trump and his vile, racist, and malignant behavior. This guy is an unhinged bottom feeder."

credit where due, NBC doesn’t put scare quotes around “racist”