Big John Howell Show Notes 3-25-16

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An explosion and gunfire rang out Friday afternoon around Brussels — the focal point in Europe’s fight against terrorism following the bloody attacks there just three days ago. A major police operation was underway in the Brussels district of Schaerbeek, the same area from which a taxi driver on Tuesday picked up three men and brought them to Brussels Airport. There, two of those carried out suicide bombings while authorities think the other escaped; about an hour later, a fresh blast rocked a train near the Maelbeek metro station. Zoya Sheftalovich with Politico Europe has been following the story since she was 500 yards away from the explosion and joined John with an update. (Listen here)

Hillary Clinton was on Jimmy Kimmel’s show on Thursday night. He tried to give her some tips for being a little more likable on the campaign trail.

Comic book fans will be headed to movie theaters in droves to see the new movie “Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice.” If features Batman and Superman battling it out and also marks the feature film debut of Wonder Woman. USA Today entertainment writer Brian Truitt joined John with a review. (Listen here)

Is it time for Illinois to have a new state flag? State Rep. Robert Martwick joined John to discuss, and also had a few things to say about the continuing fight over the state budget. (Listen here)

Garry Shandling died at a Los Angeles hospital on Thursday. The 66-year-old actor and comedian died from an undisclosed cause.

People are once again starting to wonder if we should allow organ donors to be paid for their service. It’s been banned since 1984, and apparently it was sold as a way to protect the poor from being exploited by the rich. Right now there is a massive shortage of kidneys, and there are people out there who want to donate but can’t afford to unless there was some sort of compensation. Is that a good idea or somewhat ghoulish?

The Chicago Public Schools are telling parents that they’ll want to make alternate arrangements for April 1st. They’ll have 250 sites open, but they want it to be a last resort for parents.

The Cubs are warning fans they’ll want to arrive early for games this season, because all fans will have to go through metal detectors. It’s actually part of a mandate for all Major League Baseball stadiums.

Millennium Park has released their summer movies for 2016. The biggest surprise? Silence of the Lambs on July 19th. Who is going to lay on a blanket with their sweetheart on a crisp summer evening to watch Silence of the Lambs?

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