The Picayune Sentinel

After stepping down from my role as a columnist at the Chicago Tribune, where I spent nearly 35 years, I wanted to maintain a connection with my readers. So, I launched a Substack that mirrors the diverse blend of commentary, casual musings, passionate rants, intriguing links, and curated quotes that characterized my “Change of Subject” blog, which ran from 2003 to 2014 at chicagotribune.com. On this platform, you'll find the Tweet of the Week poll, updates on my other projects, highlights of reader feedback, news about my latest Mincing Rascal podcast, and, of course, the usual mix of playful banter and lighthearted nonsense.

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This issue is so good you will not even [blank] it

1 week ago | ericzorn.substack.com | Eric Zorn

To read this issue in your browser, click on the headline above. Tuesdays at 11:30 a.m. I talk with WGN-AM 720 host John Williams about what’s making news and likely to be grist for the PS mill. The WGN listen-live link is here. The Masters tournament — the first of professional golf’s four annual major events — is a compelling event nearly every year, with high drama on the very interesting, very challenging course at Augusta National Golf Club.
'Stupid Don' smartly retreats in the tariff wars

2 weeks ago | ericzorn.substack.com | Eric Zorn

4-10-2025 (issue No. 188)This week:Could Trump be retreating in the trade war?
Plus April 1

3 weeks ago | ericzorn.substack.com | Eric Zorn

To read this issue in your browser, click on the headline above. Tuesdays at 11:30 a.m. I talk with WGN-AM 720 host John Williams about what’s making news and likely to be grist for the PS mill. The WGN listen-live link is here. The stakes are huge in Wisconsin on Tuesday.
Dark days at 'The Bright One' as the Sun-Times sheds 20% of its staff

1 month ago | ericzorn.substack.com | Eric Zorn

3-20-2025 (issue No. 185)This week:The latest on the exodus at the Sun-TimesQuip Madness and the Tweet SixteenPolls are looking lousy for Democrats, which may be why Sen.
The madness continues! Take your mind off the real news with both of our jokes tournaments

1 month ago | ericzorn.substack.com | Eric Zorn

To read this issue in your browser, click on the headline above. Tuesdays at 11:30 a.m. I talk with WGN-AM 720 host John Williams about what’s making news and likely to be grist for the PS mill. The WGN listen-live link is here. Below are five brackets pitting the winners of the weekly poll from the past year against one another. Select your favorite in each bracket. There will be five more brackets next Tuesday, and the winners will advance to the next round:Next Tuesday will be the second round.
It's madness, I tell you, madness!

1 month ago | ericzorn.substack.com | Eric Zorn

3-13-2025 (issue No. 184) This week: Last week’s winning quip News and Views— Hot takes, fully baked, on Southwest Airlines’ coming baggage fees, JB Pritzker’s presidential ambitions, an overly generous settlement for a miscarriage of justice and the dismal outlook for the Chicago casino That’s so Brandon! — Updates on the misadventures of Chicago’s maladroit mayor Land of Linkin’—Where I tell readers where to go Squaring up the news— Where Charlie Meyerson tells readers where to go Mary...
What has changed since 'The Day That Everything Changed' five years ago today?

1 month ago | ericzorn.substack.com | Eric Zorn

To read this issue in your browser, click on the headline above. Tuesdays at 11:30 a.m. I talk with WGN-AM 720 host John Williams about what’s making news and likely to be grist for the PS mill. The WGN listen-live link is here. On the second anniversary of March 11, 2020, what I and many others had come to refer to as “The Day that Everything Changed,” I wrote that the experience was frightening but novel — kind of exhilarating in the way that, say, paralyzing blizzards are exhilarating.
Eric Zorn: The Picayune Sentinel

1 month ago | ericzorn.substack.com | Eric Zorn

3-6-2025 (issue No. 183) This week: Mr. Johnson goes to Washington Last week’s winning quip Et tu, WGN?— Local broadcast giant told to use “Gulf of America” You’ll have to guess my views on the news — It won’t be hard Land of Linkin’ —Where I tell readers where to go Mary Schmich — On the two aged Pauls What’s on “The Mincing Rascals” podcast this week Quotables—A collection of compelling, sometimes appalling passages I’ve encountered lately Quips— The winning visual jokes and this week’s...
Eric Zorn: The Picayune Sentinel

1 month ago | ericzorn.substack.com | Eric Zorn

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Stifling dissent

1 month ago | ericzorn.substack.com | Eric Zorn

2-27-2025 (issue No. 182) This week: Darkness descends on The Washington Post Last week’s winning quip Comments on Tribune editorials News and Views— Hot takes, fully baked That’s so Brandon! — Updates on the misadventures of Chicago’s maladroit mayor, who seems to think he knows all the reasons he was elected but can’t seem to figure out why he’s so dang unpopular Land of Linkin’—Where I tell readers where to go Squaring up the news— Where Charlie Meyerson tells readers where to go Mary...