Bob Uecker’s Birthday, ‘Vaping’ Ban, Comic Impressions

Air Date:
Heard On Central Time

We celebrate the birthday of sports legend Bob Uecker by learning all about the Milwaukee native’s baseball, broadcasting, and acting career. Then, we talk with a comedian about the art of improv, and speak with a lawmaker about a coming proposal to ban e-cigarettes in Wisconsin’s public indoor spaces.

Featured in this Show

  • Lawmakers Divided On E-Cigarette Indoor Smoking Ban

    State lawmakers are set to begin debating whether Wisconsin’s smoking ban should be extended to e-cigarettes and vaporizers, prohibiting their use in indoor public spaces like restaurants and bars.

    E-cigarettes are battery-powered devices that mimic cigarettes by vaporizing a nicotine-laced liquid that is inhaled by the user. Because of the novelty of the technology, legislators have wrestled with the potential health concerns and tobacco laws already on the books. Some lawmakers are calling the possible extension of the smoking ban common sense while others are saying the data on the health risks of vaporizers isn’t conclusive and could interfere with businesses.

    State Sen. Fred Risser, D-Madison, will lead the effort to expand the ban to e-cigarettes in the Senate. He said the new devices on the market are reversing the progress the country has made against youth smoking rates.

    “The issue here is the freedom to breathe clean air,” Risser said. “That is something the public ought to have.”

    Some legislatures have attempted to pass bills that would allow vaping in public. U.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman introduced a bill in December 2013 when he was a state senator that would exempt e-cigarettes from Wisconsin’s smoking ban, which went into effect in July 2010.

    With an absence of federal regulations, many states and cities have adopted their own e-cigarette regulations. At least three municipalities in Wisconsin — Ashwaubenon, Greenfield and Onalaska — have passed laws restricting e-cigarettes in public places. As of December 2014, 10 states and Washington, D.C. allowed the sale of e-cigarettes to minors, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

  • Mr. Baseball: Bob Uecker

    In celebration of Bob Uecker’s birthday, we talk to a sportswriter about the legendary announcer’s baseball (and acting) career.

  • Wisconsin Lawmakers Look To Ban 'Vaping' Indoors

    This week, lawmakers are set to begin debate over whether ‘vaping’ or e-cigarettes should be included in Wisconsin’s smoking ban. The measure would outlaw smoking the devices in indoor public spaces, including restaurants and bars.

  • Wisconsin Life: Improv Comedy

    From stand-up open mics to improv classes, Wisconsin is home to many outlets for comedic performance. We talk to a voice actor and comedian about the improv scene in Wisconsin.

Episode Credits

  • Rob Ferrett Host
  • Veronica Rueckert Host
  • Galen Druke Producer
  • Karl Christenson Producer
  • Fred Risser Guest
  • Andy Baggot Guest
  • Jason Stephens Guest