Week in Washington, A Peek Into The Lives Of Farm Workers, Redistricting Maps

Air Date:
Heard On Central Time
U.S. Capitol building
Work continues on the stand for the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump on the West Front of the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2016. Trump will be sworn in at noon on Jan. 20, 2017 as America’s 45th president.  Alex Brandon/AP Photo

In June, the U.S. Supreme Court decided to not hear arguments over Wisconsin’s potential gerrymandering case, leaving the argument up to lower federal courts and leaving maps untouched till 2021. We learn why legislators are already talking about possible changes to district maps. We also hear about a program that brings farmer’s to the hometowns of some of their immigrant workers to bridge the gap between employer and employee. And, we take a look at some of the week’s top national stories.

Featured in this Show

  • This Week In Washington – December 12, 2018

    President Trump held a testy meeting at the White House with Democratic Congressional leaders, sparring over funding for a border wall and a possible government shutdown. We find out how likely a spending bill is to pass. We also look back on General John Kelly’s tenure as White House Chief of Staff, and get an update on a major criminal justice reform bill.

  • Wisconsin Group Bridging Cultural Gap Between Dairy Farmers, Employees

    For almost 20 years, Puentes/Bridges in Alma has been working to promote a better cultural understanding between dairy farmers and their workers by arranging trips to the homes of farm hands in Mexico. We talk with two members of the group about what’s been learned on the trips and efforts to bring health care for workers directly to the farm.

  • State Lawmakers Getting Ready For Redistricting Fight

    Despite Gov. Scott Walker losing in last month’s midterm elections with 49.4 percent of the vote, a recent analysis showed that he carried 63 of Wisconsin’s 99 Assembly districts. It also showed that Republicans have a built-in 29-seat advantage in the Assembly. We look at the upcoming trial for a federal lawsuit against Wisconsin’s legislative maps and how a new divided government could affect the issue.

Episode Credits

  • Rob Ferrett Host
  • Dean Knetter Producer
  • Bill Martens Producer
  • Daniel Newhauser Guest
  • Mercedes Falk Guest
  • Shaun Duvall Guest
  • Barry Burden Guest