Ideas Network Segments on Political Topics

Advocate for utility customers responds to rate hike proposals

Friday, May 26, 2023 - 7:30am

Multiple Wisconsin utilities are seeking approval from state regulators to hike their energy rates, citing the upfront costs of renewable energy projects. We hear reaction from the head of a Wisconsin nonprofit group that advocates for utility customers.

Central Time

Joint Finance talks funding for PFAS measures

Friday, May 19, 2023 - 4:00pm, Friday, May 19, 2023 - 5:30pm

An image of a map of Wisconsin with symbols on it. The map is meant to help inform people about PFAS in the state.

We learn about a new Republican-sponsored bill with multiple proposals related to PFAS contamination. We also talk about how the legislature's Joint Committee on Finance this week addressed Governor Tony Evers PFAS proposals in his budget.

The Morning Show

Democrat responds to latest news in state budget negotiations

Monday, May 22, 2023 - 7:30am

A Democratic member of the Legislature’s influential budget-writing committee discusses developments in state budget negotiations and voting underway this month.

The Morning Show

Lawmakers weigh new mandates for testing evidence in sexual assault cases

Monday, May 22, 2023 - 7:00am

As legislators weigh new mandates for testing evidence in sexual assault cases, we examine the policy priorities of the Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault. The nonprofit advocates on behalf of survivors and agencies that provide victim services.

The Morning Show

Wisconsin-based consultants make millions from political robocalls

Thursday, May 18, 2023 - 7:30am

A Wisconsin-linked robocall system is raising nearly $90 million by claiming to support pro-police and pro-veteran political causes, according to a New York Times investigation. We talk with the reporter who broke the story.

The Morning Show

New funding allows expansion of Children's Wisconsin's walk-in youth mental health clinics

Wednesday, May 17, 2023 - 7:30am

Psychiatrist Coline Stordeur speaks with a young girl in her hospital room.

A recent $3 million donation to Children’s Wisconsin is allowing the health care system to open three new mental health walk-in clinics across the state. We speak with a hospital official to learn about the growth of these clinics and why they’re in high demand.

Central Time

How conversations around homelessness impact our actions

Thursday, May 18, 2023 - 4:00pm, Thursday, May 18, 2023 - 5:30pm

Tent City Homeless Encampment in Milwaukee.

A rhetoric and civic engagement expert breaks down how popular depictions of homelessness can influence our real-world behavior towards those experiencing it.

Central Time

U.S. religious life is changing fast, politics could follow

Tuesday, May 16, 2023 - 4:00pm, Tuesday, May 16, 2023 - 5:30pm

More people are religiously undeclared, and Christians are moving from older denominations to new mega-church institutions--find out what that means for American politics.

Central Time

How the media should cover Trump, the second time around

Monday, May 15, 2023 - 3:30pm, Monday, May 15, 2023 - 5:00pm

Former President Trump walking through a crowd of supporters

CNN received strong backlash for how it handled a townhall with former President Donald Trump last week. A writer joins us to discuss how the media should cover Trump responsibly.

The Morning Show

Rep. Joel Kitchens on contraception, education, protecting Wisconsin waterways

Monday, May 15, 2023 - 7:00am

Recently passed bipartisan legislation will expand producer-led groups’ eligibility for watershed protection grants. We speak with a representative from Sturgeon Bay to explore natural resource priorities and other issues.

The Morning Show

Is Wisconsin on-track to meet its climate goals?

Monday, May 15, 2023 - 7:30am

It’s been roughly a year since Governor Tony Evers revealed the state’s Clean Energy Plan to become carbon-free by 2050. We talk with the state Office of Sustainability and Clean Energy about how Wisconsin is faring in the transition to clean energy sources.

Central Time

Breaking down Wisconsin's high youth voter turnout

Friday, May 12, 2023 - 4:00pm, Friday, May 12, 2023 - 5:30pm

Wisconsin's youth voter turnout in last November’s midterm elections was the highest in the nation, according to new data from the U.S. Census Bureau. An expert on civic learning and engagement and a student voting organizer tell us what’s bringing younger voters to the polls, and why Wisconsin stands out above the rest.

The Morning Show

Regulator says Wisconsin banks not vulnerable to collapse like banks in California, New York

Friday, May 12, 2023 - 7:00am

The seal of the Board of Governors of the United States Federal Reserve System.

The recent collapse of four banks in California and New York have prompted concerns that Wisconsin banks could also fail. That’s unlikely for various reasons, according to guest Cheryll Olson-Collins, secretary-designee of the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions.

The Morning Show

Milwaukee Brewers updates after major MLB changes

Thursday, May 11, 2023 - 7:30am

More than a month since opening day for the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field, the Brew Crew is currently ranked second in the Central Division. A Milwaukee Journal Sentinel sports reporter discusses the latest in Brewers news and the season so far.

Central Time

A Republican's perspective from the state's Joint Finance Committee

Wednesday, May 10, 2023 - 3:30pm, Wednesday, May 10, 2023 - 5:00pm

A man walks by the Wisconsin state Capitol

State Senator Joan Ballweg explains what's happening inside the Joint Finance Committee, how the state budget is being rebuilt, and what the ramifications are for Wisconsin.

Central Time

What state shared revenue proposals mean for Wisconsin municipalities

Monday, May 8, 2023 - 4:00pm, Monday, May 8, 2023 - 5:30pm

Clouds and a blue sky are seen behind the Wisconsin State Capitol

Republicans in the state legislature released a draft bill to update Wisconsin's shared revenue system. A political scientist joins us to analyze the plan and compare it to Governor Tony Evers' most recent proposal.

Central Time

A Democrat's perspective from the state's Joint Finance Committee

Monday, May 8, 2023 - 3:00pm, Monday, May 8, 2023 - 4:30pm

Wisconsin Democratic state Sen. LaTonya Johnson joins with other Democrats at the Capitol in speaking out against Republican plans to gut Gov. Tony Evers' budget proposal, including plans to legalize marijuana and expand Medicaid, on Tuesday, May 2, 2023,

State Senator LaTonya Johnson explains what's happening inside the Joint Finance Committee, how the state budget is being rebuilt, and what the ramifications are for her hometown of Milwaukee.

The Morning Show

What a debt breach could mean for the economy

Tuesday, May 9, 2023 - 7:00am

U.S. Speaker Kevin McCarthy walking in the U.S. Capitol with several other people

Republicans in Congress are refusing to raise the debt limit unless deep spending cuts are made, laws addressing climate change are rolled back and work requirements are imposed on social programs. We talk with an economist about what would happen if the government defaults on its debt obligations.

The Morning Show

State superintendent weighs in on budget priorities

Monday, May 8, 2023 - 7:00am

Blue lockers line a hallway in a school building.

State Superintendent Jill Underly is urging the Legislature's Republican-controlled budget committee to approve Democratic Gov. Tony Evers’ budget plan to grow state funding for K-12 schools by $2.6 billion. Underly joins the program to discuss school funding as the committee starts voting to craft its own budget plan.

The Morning Show

As Legislature crafts its budget plan, top state official outlines child care priorities

Monday, May 8, 2023 - 7:30am

Kiera Holthusen reads a book at Bumble Art Studio day care center in Astoria, Ore.

When pandemic relief aid ends next year, advocates warn finding affordable child care could become harder in Wisconsin. We discuss the challenges facing child care with state Department of Children and Family Services Secretary Emilie Amundson.

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