Alyssa and Matt Drufke  from the comedy show Still Not Friday talk about 16 inch softball.  Show Notes:ABC-7: 'Chicago's game': 16-inch softball, created on Near South Side, celebrates 135th anniversaryEncyclopedia of Chicago:Softball, 16-InchLoop North News: The Home FrontChicago History Museum: Indoor Baseball in Chicago:Block Club Chicago: The Mangled History Of 16-Inch Softball Hands: Mallets, Swan Necks And Jersey FingersChicago Tribune: Five facts about 16-inch softballChicago Reader: Searching for lovable losers? Sixteen-inch softball is the answerChicago Reader: Sticks and stones will break your bones, and so will 16-inch softballChicago Reader: Here’s the PitchBlock Club Chicago: After 10 Years On The Bench, Park District Revives Co-Ed 16-Inch Softball: ‘We Got To Bring The Game Back’New York Times: Gloveless Players Hold on to Softball DreamsBlock Club Chicago: Alderpeople Vs. Chicago Cops In 16-Inch Softball: ‘This Is The Best We’ve Gotten Along All YearAxios: Kegger softball is a real thingWGN: Jammed, broken, bent: Chicago’s own 16-inch softball comes with its own badge of honorChicago Sun-Times: Elena Kagan played Chicago-style 16-inch softball at U of Chicago Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I am joined by Vanessa from Reel Relationships to talk about the first Motocycle (automobile) race in America which took place in Chicago. Show Notes: Smithsonian: Six Cars Raced to the Finish Line of the U.S.’s First Automobile Race—at Speeds of Seven Miles Per Hour SI: Days of Blunder: The First U.S. Car Race Was Won 125 Years Ago ... at 7 mph WGN: Second City Firsts NBC Chicago: From the first auto race to NASCAR street racing: Chicago's racing history NBC: Chicago hosted America's first auto race more than 100 years ago Library of Illinois: America's First Automobile Race Occured in Chicago, Illinois, in 1895. Chicago History Museum:H. H. Kohlsaat and the First Automotive Race in the US NASCAR: Before the Chicago Street Race, there was the race that started it all ABC-7: Aldermen meet with NASCAR over future of Chicago Street Race Chicago Tribune: Chicago made a bit of money on NASCAR race in 2024 New York Times: NASCAR’s weather-plagued Chicago debut: On the Xfinity decision and what to expect for Cup Block Club Chicago: Rain-Delayed NASCAR Chicago Street Race Wraps After Weather Cancels Morning Race And Concerts Fortune: ‘Life-threatening’ floods bring Nascar race through downtown Chicago to screeching halt Road & Track: NASCAR Needed Its Chicago Street Race to be a Success. Then Came the Flood. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alyssa and Captain Scoot from the maritime podcast ⁠ShipWrekt⁠ go back to the early 1900’s when schooners lined the main branch of the Chicago River selling Christmas trees and boating fatalities were the norm. Show Notes: ⁠National Archives: The Christmas Tree Ship⁠ ⁠ABC 7: US Coast Guard 'Christmas Ship' makes annual tree delivery at Chicago's Navy Pier⁠ ⁠Block Club Chicago: Chicago’s Christmas Ship Docks At Navy Pier With Over 1,200 Trees For Chicago Families⁠ ⁠Christmas Tree Ship History⁠ ⁠Wisconsin Shipwrecks: The Rouse Simmons⁠ ⁠Trailer for The Christmas Schooner⁠ ⁠National Marine Sanctuary“Captain Santa” and the story of the Christmas Tree Ship Foundation:⁠ ⁠The Historic Christmas Tree Ship: A True Story of Faith, Hope And Lov⁠e ⁠PBS Wisconsin: The Christmas Tree Ship⁠ ⁠Charles Hackley⁠ Episodes Mentioned: ⁠Oh Malort! Eastland Episode Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I am joined by Steven Ray Morris to talk about the Brown's Chicken Massacre.  Show Notes: Seattle Times: Browns Chicken Murders Changed Business Forever Chicago Tribune: Judge tosses bid for new hearing in Brown’s Chicken massacre Chicago Sun-Times: ‘Divine intervention’ helped solve Brown’s Chicken Massacre, investigator says NBC Chicago: Former Girlfriend of Murder Suspect Testifies New York Times: Illinois Mass Murderer Is Spared Execution How to Catch a Criminal: Taking a Bite out of Crime Something Big The True Story of the Brown's Chicken Massacre, A Decade-Long Manhunt, and the Trials That Followed Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A lot happened today including two important written findings. Show Notes: U.S. Magistrate Judge Gabriel A. Fuentes Judge Sarah Ellis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The title pretty much explains it all. Show Notes: Chicago Sun-Times: Judge says he’ll order release of hundreds of people arrested under feds’ deportation blitz Chicago Tribune: Only 2.6% on list of 614 ‘Operation Midway Blitz’ arrestees had criminal histories, DOJ records show Chicago Tribune: Immigration agents have reportedly left Naval Station Great Lakes: ‘A sigh of relief’ Cummings Order Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alyssa tells her new friend Jess about 90's Daytime Talk Show Host Jenny Jones. Subscribe, leave a five-star review, tell your friends and follow on Twitter, BlueSky, InstagramShow Notes:Newsweek: ‘Trial by Media’ on Netflix: Where Is Jenny Jones Now and What Has She Said About the Murder of Scott Amedure?People: Body of EvidencePeople: True ConfessionChicago Tribune: DAZE OF TALKWashington Post: THE MILD-MANNERED TALK SHOWNewsweek: Making A Killing On Talk TvWashington Post: JENNY, ON THE SPOTWashington Post: 'Jenny Jones' Talk Show Expected to Be CanceledWomen's World: Jenny Jones Hasn’t Been on TV Since 2003, But She’s Still Kept BusyCBS: Jenny Jones Back, As Cookbook AuthorChicago Tribune: VIEWER-FRIENDLY FLUFF ON `JENNY JONES`New York Times: Confessions of a Daytime Television AddictChicago Tun-Times: Jones sued over failure to air Web site addressVice Media: Dark Side of the 90sIMDB: Trial by Media Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Alyssa updates Pat about the Bear quest to get a new stadium.   Subscribe, leave a five-star review, tell your friends and follow on Twitter, BlueSky, Instagram Show Notes: Chicago Tribune: Lawmakers’ lack of action on new Bears lakefront stadium raises hopes in Arlington Heights Chicago Tribune: Kevin Warren presses ahead on Bears stadium pitch as Johnson, Pritzker stay quiet on the subject Chicago Tribune: Gov. J.B. Pritzker says it would be ‘near impossible’ to get Bears stadium deal done this fall Chicago Tribune: Chicago Bears to ask focus groups what they want in new stadium, but not where they want it Chicago Tribune: Chicago Bears CEO sticking to his game plan for Chicago lakefront stadium Chicago Tribune: Chicago Bears’ plan for new lakefront stadium draws opposition from coalition of community groups Chicago Tribune: Bears taking another look at old Reese Hospital site: Long, skinny stretch on South Side mulled for potential stadium Chicago Tribune: Bill to lure Chicago Bears to Indiana passes out of House committee Chicago Tribune: Arlington Heights mayoral candidates want to bring the Chicago Bears, but they say it has to benefit the village Chicago Tribune: Momentum for Chicago Bears stadium project may be shifting back toward Arlington Heights Chicago Tribune: Chicago Bears shifting their stadium focus to Arlington Heights Chicago Tribune: As Chicago Bears pivot to Arlington Heights, Mayor Brandon Johnson says ‘I’ve done my part’ Chicago Tribune: Public transit funding and pension reform, budget and Bears stadium are big issues in final week of legislative session Chicago Tribune: Chicago Bears’ stadium efforts run out of time in Springfield but suburban lawmaker says deal was close and talks will continue Chicago Tribune: Bears aim to unveil stadium plans this fall Bears Arlington Heights project to be financed by team, needs lawmakers’ approval for tax negotiations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode Alyssa tells Hugh about the "State Street Mall."  He spends a lot of time, rightfully baffled. Subscribe, leave a five-star review, tell your friends and follow on Twitter, BlueSky, Instagram Show Notes:  Chicago Tribune: Flashback: The State Street Mall, billed as a car-free shopping mecca, started with high hopes but ended in failure and bus fumes Chicago Tribune: The failure of the State Street Mall Chicago Tribune: Stiltwalkers, a high-diving mule and other efforts to make State Street great again Governing: The Strange, Troubled History of Pedestrian Malls Chicago Sun-Times: Opinion of the The People Chicago Sun-Times: McDonough Opposes State Street Mall Day Chicago Sun-Times: New Plan's Face Lift for Chicago Chicago Sun-Times: Council Unit gets State Street Mall Plan Chicago Sun-Times: Daley Seen Pushing State Street Mall Chicago Sun-Times: Plan Commission Oks State Street Mall Chicago Sun-Times: Pick South Loop for College Chicago Sun-Times: Federal Aid? Chicago Sun-Times: Building Industry's Decline Expected to Last Two Years Chicago Sun-Times: Projects that Never Made It. Chicago Sun-Times: Cows Chicago Sun-Times: State Street Squeeze Chicago Sun-Times: An Enviable Track Record Chicago Sun-Times: State Street Breakdown Chicago Sun-Times: How Those Central City Projects are Coming Along Chicago Sun-Times: State St. Mall One Step Closer Chicago Sun-Times: Mayor OKs Mall revamp - Vows to help State St. business leaders Chicago Sun-Times: State St. Mall's new look may be skimpy Chicago Sun-Times: $30 million State Street Mall boostChicago Sun-Times: End of the road for State St. Mall - Daley calls it a `failure,' backs return to full use Chicago Sun-Times: A great street, but a bad mall - `Failure' spurs city to allow cars on State Chicago Sun-Times: Cars, Perhaps Trolley, To Replace State St. Mall Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alyssa tells David Baxter about  the personal life of acclaimed architect Mies van der Rohe.Subscribe, leave a five-star review, tell your friends and follow on Twitter, BlueSky, InstagramShow Notes:CNN: A famous architect’s iconic furniture line gets its first update in decadesFox News: TuckerMies van der Rohe: A Critical Biography, New and Revised EditionThe New Criterion: Is Modernism the Enemy of Mies Van Der Rohe?The Guardian: This article is more than 1 year old The Bauhaus Nazis: the collaborators – and worse – among the design iconsBarcelona® ChairMoMA: Ludwig Mies van der RoheWTTW: Arts & Entertainment Revisiting Farnsworth House, a Masterpiece of Modern ArchitectureNew York Times: Ludwig Mies van der Rohe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alyssa tells VanderpumpRobs about Chicago's No-Nothing mayor Levi Boone.   Socials:Twitter, BlueSky, Instagram Show Notes Illinois State Register: Election Results Rock Island Argus: No Money Then Inter Ocean: Obit Daily Illinois State Journal: Treason Smithsonian: How the 19th-Century Know Nothing Party Reshaped American Politics Abraham Lincoln Papers: Boone, Levi D. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A quick update on Illinois V Trump and other cases. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are revisiting one of the earliest episodes exploring Chicago's first incidence of civil unrest.  Immigrants have been getting in done here. Chicago is known for what some call "rough and tumble politics". Alyssa talks with friend from college and former coworker John Zinn about Chicago's first incident of civil unrest. Socials:Twitter, BlueSky, Instagram Show Notes: Encyclopedia of Chicago: Lager Beer Riot Chicago Tribune: Chicago’s Lager Beer Riot proved immigrants’ power Chicago Brewseum Brewing Up Chicago Exhibition 1855 Lager Beer Riot Video Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Alyssa gives updates on the rulings from the various cases in the Northern District of Illinois. It's cathartic. Socials:Twitter, BlueSky, Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A lot of stuff is happening in the Federal Courts regarding DHS/ICE/CBP so Alyssa decided to do an emergency update to give an overview of what is happening. If you have any questions please let her know. Today is a big day for weirdos like myself who obsess over the Northern District of Illinois. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alyssa is joined by Risen.  We talk about the first blimp which fell out of the sky. Socials:Twitter, BlueSky, Instagram Show Notes: Society For American Baseball Research:July 21, 1919: Horrified White Sox fans witness Wingfoot Express blimp disaster in Chicago NYT: 11 KILLED, 27 HURT IN BLAZING BLIMP'S FALL IN CHICAGO Chicago Sun-Times: This week in history: Goodyear blimp catches fire in Loop Wingfoot Air Express Chicagology: The Red July of 1919 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alyssa is joined by Max Winkler director of The Ed Gein Story to discuss Alyssa's Cameo in said upcoming Netflix series, Max's love of Chicago as well as a riveting cold case that led to divers finding cars in the Chicago River. Socials:Twitter, BlueSky, Instagram Show Notes: Chicago Tribune: With hidden evidence on their minds, unusual dive team takes to the Chicago RiverChicago Tribune: RELATIVES ARE HOPING 24-YEAR MYSTERY OVER Chicago Sun-Times: NW Suburb Couple Missing Chicago Sun-Times: Search Back On for Couple Missing 24 Years Chicago Tribune: POLICE MAKE A NEW DIVE AT 1970S MYSTERY MISSING COUPLE MAY BE IN POND IN LAKE COUNTY Chicago Tribune: POND COMES UP DRY OF CLUES ABOUT MISSING COUPLE Chicago Tribune: NEWS DREDGES UP MEMORIES OF GANG LAKE FOREST WOULD LIKE TO FORGET Chicago Tribune: ROAD TALES RESURFACE FROM ABE TO `THE BLUES BROTHERS,' WACKER HAS LONG LEGACY Chicago Tribune: Curtain of Mystery Cloaks Couple's Disappearance New Nation: 140 cars found in Chicago River amid search for missing couple Motor Biscuit: Divers enter Chicago River over a 1970 cold case and find not 1, but 97 cars Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alyssa tells at Morgan about Fast Edde.  Socials:Twitter, BlueSky, Instagram Show Notes: DOJ: INDICTED IN ALLEGED KICKBACKSCHEME INVOLVING GOLD COAST REAL ESTATE DEAL Chicago Sun-Times: The billionaire behind the scenes in White Sox' stadium plan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alyssa tells at Morgan about Fast Eddie.  We take a digression into the 78. Socials:Twitter, BlueSky, Instagram Show Notes: DOJ: INDICTED IN ALLEGED KICKBACKSCHEME INVOLVING GOLD COAST REAL ESTATE DEAL Chicago Sun-Times: The billionaire behind the scenes in White Sox' stadium plan Ed Burke Episode 2: The Council Wars Betty Loren-Maltese: An Icon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Alyssa tells John Zinn about the legacy of Bozo.   Socials:Twitter, BlueSky, Instagram Show Notes: Chicago Reader: Our Town: Bozo the Clown Chicago Reader: The Bozo Chronicles BOZO AT THE CIRCUS - A Capitol Record-Reader (1946) Classic Chicago Magazine: Bozo, America’s Favorite Clown LA Times: Waiting for Bozo: In Chicago, they take a clown seriously. People: How David Arquette and Billy Corgan's Shared Love of Clowns Led to an Unlikely Partnership (Exclusive) ABC: Battling Bozos WGN: How WGN-TV’s Bozo The Clown came to be LA Times: Bozo Has Left the Building Chicago Tribune: Where’s Bozo? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices