Happy Sunday, everyone! Welcome to the Six.
We begin with an ‘on this day…’ in 4977 B.C., the day the world was created (not really).
In the early 17th century, German mathematician and astronomer Johannes Kepler was obsessed with theorizing how our planet Earth came to be. Kepler studied the work of famous astronomer Copernicus, who birthed the theory that the sun, not the Earth, was the center of the solar system. Kepler later corresponded with another famous astronomer, Galileo Galilei, inventor of the telescope.
From his research, Kepler came up with his Creation theory: April 27, 4977 B.C. Scientists later debunked Kepler’s hypothesis with the “Big Bang Theory.”
Kepler was only off by 13.7 billion years. Can’t fault a scientist for trying.
Let’s proceed with the Six.
DURBIN VACATES SENATE, DEMS JOCKEY FOR POWER
Quite a major bit of news this week regarding the U.S. Senate. Dick Durbin, the No. 2-ranking Democrat in the Senate, announced his retirement. He will not seek re-election in 2026. That means a new name will take over the Illinois seat. The Democratic primary could be a who’s who of Chicagoland politicians with familiar names like Rahm Emanuel, Alexi Giannoulias and others possibly throwing their hat in the ring. Either way, Durbin will almost assuredly pass the torch to another Democrat as Republican representation from Illinois in the Senate—or politics in general— is almost nonexistent.
POPE FRANCIS DIES, VATICAN REMAINS IN DEBT
RIP Pope Francis, buried Saturday. His legacy will be assessed and debated for decades by scholars, Catholics, and non-Catholics. Throughout his 12-year tenure as pope, Francis did attempt to clean up the financial mess that began well before he arrived in 2013. As this article from Fortune says, “The new leader of the Catholic Church will inherit a financial mess that Pope Francis spent much of his reign trying to fix.” The conclave to select the next pope will start next month. No free rooms at the Vatican Four Seasons, I would presume.
60 MINUTES PRODUCER QUITS, CITES INTERFERENCE
Some fairly significant media news this week… the executive producer of the long-running and still highly rated news magazine, “60 Minutes,” resigned. Bill Owens has run the shop since 2019 and said in a statement that it has, “become clear that I would not be allowed to run the show as I have always run it, to make independent decisions based on what was right for ’60 Minutes,’ right for the audience.” His comments serve as a dog whistle for the elephant in the room, Donald Trump. The president sued the program for $20 million last fall, and there just so happens to be a merger waiting for FCC approval. Hmm… As The Donald Turns.
LINCOLN AUCTION EXPECTS TO FETCH MILLIONS
In auction news… a collection of 144 items related to the life of Abraham Lincoln will go up for auction in Chicago in May. It is consigned by the Lincoln Presidential Foundation and is estimated to be worth $4 million. Highlights include some of his childhood homework, campaign items, signed letters, and, as the morbid centerpiece of the auction, a pair of bloodstained white kid gloves that the president had in his breast pocket on the night of the assassination, estimated to sell for just under $1 million. Other antiques from the night of his killing include a cuff button, a ticket from a theatergoer, and a subsequent reward poster for John Wilkes Booth and his co-conspirators. Auction houses are striking gold with “Lincolniana” of late… another event three years ago netted a little over $4M.
GREEN BAY HOSTS NFL DRAFT, WON’T MAKE MONEY
The NFL held its annual draft over three days this past week (and Shedeur Sanders was finally selected! We as a national can take a collective breath). Green Bay hosted, with hundreds of thousands of cheeseheads on hand to watch the greatest non-competition entertainment event in sports. While millions of dollars were spent on overpriced brats and beers, the Packer franchise won’t turn a profit. “For the Packers, bringing the draft to Green Bay was a tremendous opportunity for the community…We knew there was going to be investment, and we were likely going to lose money from that standpoint.” The NFL pockets most of the cash and ad revenue.
DANCIN’ TRAVIS CELEBRATES JAGUAR SELECTION
And finally… one of the coolest parts of watching the draft is the live look-in reaction of draftees. Surrounded by momma, poppa, baby sister, auntie, or whatever family member happens to be in orbit, the emotional rawness when a young man gets the call makes for great television. What else makes good TV? Travis Hunter's pre-draft dance before being picked No. 2 by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Good vibes.
ICYMI… THIS WEEK IN TKR
*Trans in sports has become a national culture war issue. Since Trump took office in January, it’s become a political talking point here in Illinois.
*I interviewed a Chicagoland athletic director and coach about legislation in Springfield that impacts youth sports.
*Speaking of the draft… I interviewed football player Kai Kroeger, a Chicagoland native (Lake Forest), All-SEC punter out of South Carolina, and NFL draft hopeful. You can check out the podcast interview here.
Have a suggestion for The Kerr Report? Send email to jonjkerr@gmail.com.