Hey there! It’s Friday! And the storm of chaos and energy known as “my nephews” is coming over tonight. I can’t wait to eat popcorn, play Super Smash Bros. and teach them how to ding dong ditch the uptight neighbors across the street who complained that I was singing ABBA’s “Fernando” too loudly. You know, some wholesome “live, laugh, love” stuff. Here’s what you need to know today.

1. Chicago residents are feeling the squeeze from their gas bills amid high inflation

Nearly one-third of all Peoples Gas households incurred a late fee on their bill last month, according to the Chicago Sun-Times, citing figures reported to Illinois state regulators.

And most of the struggling consumers live in Black- and Brown-majority ZIP codes, places already hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The news is the latest example of how the pandemic and inflation are widening the gap between the haves and the have nots.

While upper and middle class families have a greater ability to cut back on expenses, that’s not the case for many low-income households, amid higher prices at the grocery store and the gas pump.

If you’re someone in need of help or know someone who does, there’s information at the end of the article on how to apply for state and federal assistance programs. [Chicago Sun-Times]

Meanwhile, customers of “Nicor Gas and Peoples Gas will pay more for natural gas next month than they have in well over a decade,” reports Crain’s Chicago Business. [Crain’s]

2. The largest mass exoneration in Cook County

Forty-four convictions were thrown out today that were connected to a corrupt and now former Chicago police sergeant.

That brings the total number of convictions reversed in the scandal to 213. The number of people who have been exonerated is 172.

The sergeant, Ronald Watts, led a police unit that was under investigation for more than a decade for allegedly framing people and stealing money from drug dealers. Watts was arrested in 2012 and sent to federal prison for stealing what he and a colleague thought was drug money from an FBI informant. [WBEZ]

3. Ukraine accuses Russia of digging another mass grave for civilians

Ukrainian officials say Russian forces have committed more war crimes near the beleaguered port city of Mariupol. Satellite images show a mass grave on the outskirts of the city.

Mariupol officials say they believe up to 9,000 civilians could be buried in the mass grave.

“The biggest war crime of the 21st century was committed in Mariupol. This is the new Babyn Yar. Then, Hitler killed Jews, Roma and Slavs. Now, Putin is destroying Ukrainians,” said Mariupol Mayor Vadym Boichenko in a statement. “We need to do everything we can to stop the genocide.” [Washington Post]

4. A GOP leader privately said he would urge Trump to resign after Jan. 6, according to an audio recording

U.S. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy told his GOP colleagues that he would urge then-President Donald Trump to resign after the Jan. 6 insurrection, according to an audio recording obtained by The New York Times.

On the recording, McCarthy is heard telling Republican lawmakers that he believes a Democratic effort to impeach and remove Trump from office would pass the House and Senate.

“I think it will pass, and it would be my recommendation you should resign,” he said.

In another recording, McCarthy said Trump acknowledged some responsibility for the attack on the U.S. Capitol. [NPR]

Meanwhile, a lawsuit trying to kick U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene off the ballot could have ripple effects. The lawsuit argues Greene is constitutionally barred from running for office because she helped facilitate the insurrection.

Under oath in a federal courtroom, Greene today would not say whether unlawfully interfering with the counting of electoral votes would make someone “an enemy of the Constitution.” [Washington Post]

5. Tomorrow is going to feel amazing after a week that looked like a giant gray rainbow

Saturday so far is looking to be mostly sunny with temperatures as high as 84 or 85 degrees in the Chicago area, Todd Kluber, National Weather Service meteorologist, told Block Club Chicago.

But this nice weather is apparently on a limited run, because Sunday will bring us back to our regularly scheduled programming of rain and highs in the 50s. If April showers bring May flowers, I better see a Willy Wonka-like menagerie of horticulture brilliance next month. [Block Club Chicago]

So what am I doing tomorrow? I’m engineering a portable, inflatable pool on wheels so I can pull my nephews around while I do errands.

Here’s what else is happening

• Voters in France on Sunday will decide whether to give President Emmanuel Macron another term or go with far-right leader Marine Le Pen. [AP]
• Emmett Till’s relatives want authorities to launch a kidnapping prosecution against the woman who set off the lynching by accusing the Black Chicago teen of improper advances in 1955. [AP]
• These heartbreaking photos show the final days of one of America’s historic Black church buildings. [WBEZ]
• Monty the piping plover is back in Chicago. [Chicago Tribune]

Oh, and one more thing …

Looking for stuff to listen to over the weekend? What a total coincidence that I would ask this question spontaneously, because I work at a radio station that has a bunch of stuff to check out.

Reset has a great interview with the multi-talented Janelle Monáe. She’s got a new book called The Memory Librarian: And Other Stories of Dirty Computer that takes place in a totalitarian future in which thoughts can be controlled or erased by a select few. [WBEZ]

Meanwhile, the crew over at Curious City examines how a fight in the ’80s to make public transportation more accessible affected the entire nation. [WBEZ]

Over at Nerdette, host Greta Johnsen talks about the week in pop culture with Normal Gossip podcast producer and host Alex Sujong Laughlin and Kelsey McKinney. [WBEZ]

Art of Power talks to Hangover producer Scott Budnick about how he left Hollywood to become one of the country’s foremost advocates for criminal justice reform. [WBEZ]

And this week’s Motive has me hooked with this teaser: “A man goes into prison with a seven-year sentence, but ends up getting 97 more years. How does that happen? And what do small town politics have to do with it?” [WBEZ]

Tell me something good …

I’ll be honest. I’m bored and feeling “blah” lately. Maybe it’s the gloomy weather? Maybe it’s two years living in a pandemic? Or maybe I didn’t get enough coffee today?

So I’d like to know, what keeps you motivated?

Renee Burnett writes:

“When I feel blah, I go to a drive-thru, order something super cheap for myself and then pay for the order of the car behind me. I figure if I’m blah, then maybe the folks behind me are, too … until I make their day by treating them to dinner.

“Not only do I feel better, my anonymous good deed is a reminder that there really are kindhearted people out there in the world, and to always be open to life’s unexpected blessings. Win-win!”

Thanks for all the responses this week! I’m sorry I couldn’t share them all, but it was nice hearing from y’all.