By Steve Rhodes

“An Iowa appeals court on Wednesday reversed the conviction of an off-duty Chicago police officer who says he hit a man in self-defense three years ago while visiting his brother in Dubuque,” the Tribune reports.
The officer is Michael Mette, the beneficiary of a campaign started by John Kass.
“Prosecutors in Dubuque and Judge Monica Ackley sent Mike to prison for throwing one punch at an aggressive and abusive drunk who repeatedly attacked him verbally and physically,” Kass writes today.
Once again, Kass is not telling you the whole story.

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Posted on October 2, 2008

By Steve Rhodes

I guess I’ll be the one wearing all black today. My poor Twins. Such a cute little team. And very nice people.
But a tip of the cap to the White Sox. Our very own Ricky O’Donnell has more in The White Sox Report.
Midway Monster
“Midway Airport would become the nation’s first privately-run major commercial airport and stay that way for 99 years, under a blockbuster $2.5 billion deal announced Tuesday that will create a windfall to shore up city pensions and rebuild Chicago’s aging infrastructure,” the Sun-Times reports.

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Posted on October 1, 2008

By Steve Rhodes

So maybe the financial meltdown was important enough to skip a debate over.
Bank Head
Public art of the day. And the poem that goes with it:

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Posted on September 30, 2008

By Steve Rhodes

“The small, flat-screen television in Twins manager Ron Gardenhire’s office will be tuned to the White Sox game today for the first time in weeks,” writes Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
The View From Detroit
“The Tigers announced Sunday that they have fired pitching coach Chuck Hernandez and bullpen coach Jeff Jones, the first moves in what could be a turbulent winter for the team,” the Detroit Free Press reports.
Oh, and they have a game in Chicago today.

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Posted on September 29, 2008

By Natasha Julius

We were planning to suspend this week’s Report, but now that everything’s absolutely fine again, we’re going to go ahead with the show.
Market Update brought to you by JP Morgan
Nothing to see here, people. Move along, move along.

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Posted on September 27, 2008

By Steve Rhodes

Sorry, Sox fans!
* “As the Twins celebrated in the middle of the diamond, the White Sox slunk off the field, shortstop Orlando Cabrera pulling his shirt out, as the Twins celebrated as if they won the division. Maybe that’s exactly what they accomplished,” the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
“That,” Gardenhire said, “was the most intense series I’ve ever been a part of.”

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Posted on September 26, 2008

By Steve Rhodes

“The Minnesota Twins have been chasing the Chicago White Sox most of the season in a tight AL Central race,” AP reports.
“Well, it’s come down to the final week, and the young Twins are busy showing the White Sox how to thrive in the clutch.”

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Posted on September 25, 2008

By Steve Rhodes

Yes, I have something to say about the McCain ad that has the mayor so upset. I just haven’t had time to put it together yet. Maybe later today on Division Street.
*
Or maybe it’s just that I have other things on my mind.

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Posted on September 24, 2008

By Steve Rhodes

1. And the government will bail us out, son.

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2. How unimpressive were the new Tribune newsroom braintrust of Gerould Kern and Jane Hirt last night on Chicago Tonight? Very. Especially Hirt, who was completely unresponsive and out of her depth.
Perhaps most embarrassing was when Eddie Arruza asked Kern and Hirt about Trib staffers who were concerned about the pair’s lack of reporting experience. Kern sputtered that he actually had reporting experience – at the Daily Herald long ago – and that he didn’t see the point of Arruza’s question. Hirt sat silent; she hasn’t ever been a reporter. Ever. Not even once, as far as I can determine.
3. The Trib’s redesign finally brings the paper into the 80s.

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Posted on September 23, 2008

By Steve Rhodes

* Lou is green, people. In The Cub Factor.
* “This may be the first time in my life I’d be satisfied with losing two of three to the Twins.” In The White Sox Report.
* The less said about another infuriating Bears loss, the better. Baseball beckons. In SportsMonday.

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Posted on September 22, 2008