Lots of interesting rumors flying around these days:

• The Word on the Street column reported yesterday that the rumor is that former mayor Dave Ransburg is trying to buy the Journal Star. When asked if there was “a nugget of truth in all the speculation,” Ransburg replied, “I have no idea,” which means “yes, I’m definitely trying to buy the Journal Star” in Ransburgese. I just hope he doesn’t outsource it to China.
• Several people have told me that the worst-kept secret at District 150 headquarters is that Superintendent Ken Hinton is planning to retire (again) in February 2007. Speculation is that Herschel Hannah would be the next Superintendent. If that’s true, and as long as they don’t fill the Associate Superintendent vacancy left by Hannah, then I say that’s a good thing. In fact, why wait until February?
• The aforementioned Word on the Street column also said that City Manager Randy Oliver wants Public Works Director Steve Van Winkle fired for leaving town during the big snowstorm and approving a ridiculous amount of overtime pay for a salaried employee. That seems like a bit of an overreaction at first blush, and it appears the council feels the same way. According to the paper, “a majority of the council seems to be more open to allowing Van Winkle to retire — something he was, we hear, likely to do this year anyway.”

I heard one other rumor (tongue-in-cheek here): that Ray LaHood was planning to run for an at-large seat on the City Council. Seems he’s more interested in local politics than national issues these days….