MILWAUKEE - We announce Citizen Action of Wisconsin’s endorsement of State Supreme Court candidate Susan Crawford. We announce Citizen Action of Wisconsin’s endorsement of State Supreme Court candidate Susan Crawford. Robert discusses the stakes of the race for Wisconsin, the difficulty for voters in assessing Supreme Court candidates, and the way ad campaigns degrade public understanding and democratic decision making.

Robert debriefs Biden’s historically significant farewell address, which includes stark warning about the rising oligarchy and climate crisis.  We also review the accomplishments of the Biden Administration as we hurdle towards a dangerous period in American history, Meanwhile, Senator Ron Johnson embarrassed himself on NPR, denying climate change and calling for conditioning California disaster relief to environmentally unhinged MAGA demands.

Wisconsin breaks ACA enrollment record, as a new report says 1/3 of rural children depend on Medicaid for healthcare and warns Medicaid cuts planned by MAGA Republicans for fund massive new tax cuts for billionaires would harm the communities they claim to represent.

Finally, we discuss the loss of a true Wisconsin legend, Bob Uecker, who was the voice of the Milwaukee Brewers for over half a century, and became a national celebrity.

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Beloved Brewers broadcaster Bob Uecker, 'Mr. Baseball,' dies at 90

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today delivered his weekly radio address highlighting his recent announcement creating the Wisconsin Office of Violence Prevention. On Tuesday, Gov. Evers signed Executive Order #254, creating a statewide Wisconsin Office of Violence Prevention, and announced that he is directing $10 million for the Office to begin its work and administer grants supporting violence and gun violence prevention efforts statewide. The governor’s announcement builds upon his and the Evers Administration’s long-term efforts to address crime, prevent gun violence, and bolster efforts to keep kids, families, schools, and communities safe.

Gov. Evers also announced his 2025-27 Executive Budget will provide his most robust and comprehensive gun safety reform efforts to date in addition to providing sustainable, ongoing state funding to make the Wisconsin Office of Violence Prevention a permanent office in state government.

MADISON – Senator Jeff Smith (D-Brunswick) issued the following statement about his opposition to 2025 Senate Joint Resolution 2 during the Senate floor session today:

MILWAUKEE - Welcome back! We head into 2025 with our eyes wide open and ready to organize for the future Wisconsin communities need.

We begin with a discussion of the tragic violence in New Orleans on New Years Eve.

Robert offers some insights on MU pollster Charles Franklin and former MJS journalist Craig Gilbert’s discussion on polling lessons from the 2024 election. Will Wisconsin remain the ultimate battleground state?

We remind our listeners of some important 2025 Spring Elections. Candidate nomination papers are due on January 7th.

We preview the potential political and organizing opportunities in early 2025. On the federal level, what will become of Speaker Johnson and what the turmoil in the House around his pending Speakership tells us about the House and organizing opportunities for the progressive movement. What should we expect in Trump’s first 24 hours? On the state level, we lay out critical state budget opportunities for progressives on public education and health and child care.

Robert highlights a new report demonstrating that climate change is warming Wisconsin winters. The report found more days above freezing in the last decade, which creates a ripple effect throughout Wisconsin. Also, how is conference realignment in college sports damaging the climate?

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http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/wisconsin-flag-s5.jpgBoy, it was a busy year, folks! And we’re not slowing down in 2025. So, happy New Year, and let’s get to work! - Gov. Tony Evers

MILWAUKEE - We open with a discussion of the latest horrific school shooting, this time, it’s in our backyard.

We also discuss the significance of the latest Enbridge oil pipeline spill, Attorney General Josh Kaul announces a $1.7 million settlement with a sleazy Milwaukee landlord, and we preview next year’s state budget fight.

We welcome Danny Akenson, a field organizer with GROWW to hear more about their community organizing in Western Wisconsin and their recent victory against corporate farms (CAFOs).

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MILWAUKEE - We start with discussion of the murder of the CEO of UnitedHealth. We talk about at the immediate public response, connect to the unaddressed healthcare crisis, and the proliferation of guns in America.

In Wisconsin, we focus on the upcoming state budget battle and how Gov. Tony Evers has real power in the budget because it is the only legislation that Republicans in the Legislature and the governor have to agree on, pass, and sign. We talk about the new opportunities that exist with 37 new state legislators and closer partisan margins in both the Senate and Assembly.

We are joined by Citizen Action member Jill Sexter from Wausau who organized a candlelight vigil outside of Wausau City Council to bring awareness to the fact that an unhoused man, Garrick Dixon, who tragically died in one of Wausau’s parks due to exposure last month.

We close by highlighting the excellent and successful community organizing in western Wisconsin by Grassroots Organizing Western Wisconsin (GROWW) that led to a huge win in Pierce County resulting in restrictions on large corporate farms in The town of Maiden Rock, Wisconsin.

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MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today delivered his weekly radio address reflecting on the Evers Administration’s accomplishments during 2024 the Year of the Worker. Since Day One, Gov. Evers and his administration have made it a top priority to address Wisconsin’s generational workforce challenges, and building upon this work, the governor in January declared 2024 the Year of the Worker in his State of the State address.

During Gov. Evers’ tenure, Wisconsin’s unemployment rate has hit historic lows, and in October, Gov. Evers and DWD announced nine counties across the state, including several counties in Northern Wisconsin, showed the lowest rates of unemployment on record. Additionally, last month, Gov. Evers announced that Wisconsin has reached a new record high for employment during October 2024, according to preliminary estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, marking the sixth consecutive monthly record for state employment and highlighting the unprecedented number of workers participating in Wisconsin’s economy. This is in addition to ranking first in the nation for inflation-adjusted hourly wage growth during February, March, and May of this year, seeing record-high enrollment in the state’s Registered and Youth Apprenticeship Programs, and securing major investments from federal partners and global companies that will support local job growth and generate billions of dollars of economic impact for years to come.

Audio File of Radio Address.

MILWAUKEE - As we prepare for Trump 2.0 Robert and Matt project some of the most important federal and Wisconsin battles of early 2025. From collective bargaining rights to health care to climate change, there will be a number of pivotal battles that we can win if enough good progressives get off the sidelines and get directlly involved. Plus, what are the implications of the big Act 10 court decision? And what is going on with the seeming division between WEAC and the Wisconsin Democratic Party in the Department of Public Instruction race?

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