MILWAUKEE - Hurricane Helene was worse than anyone thought. We discuss the damage in North Carolina and encourage support for their relief organizing in rural North Carolina devastated by the climate change fueled storm.

We talk about this week’s Wisconsin Public Service Commission (PSC) hearings on We Energies’ outrageous rate hikes. We review their failure to make the green renewable energy transition and and their latest fossil fuel scheme to bilk ratepayers and the public at large. We urge freezing rates until the PSC imposed a 2% of income rate cap in the state for all utilities. Learn more about the 2% rate cap and sign our petition in support.

We discuss the latest MU Law Poll showing the presidential horserace unchanged. However, Tammy Baldwin’s U.S. Senate lead is growing, continuing her history of out performing the top of the ticket.

We review new research showing Wisconsin would gain $1.7 billion in federal funds if the Legislature accepted available federal funds that could be used to provide health insurance coverage to tens of thousands of families through Medicaid—and to improve reimbursement rates for hospitals, clinics, doctors, and other providers.

We welcome Tim Hennigan, a staff attorney at ABC For Health, to discuss an upcoming Medical Debt Symposium, the morning of Thursday, October 17th in Milwaukee. We discuss how medical debt is the leading cause of bankruptcy and how Wisconsin’s hospitals are destroying the financial lives of their own patients for profit.

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MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today delivered his weekly radio address highlighting the Wisconsin Agricultural Tourism Fall season and the industry’s role as a key economic driver for tourism, farm families, and communities across the state. Gov. Evers proclaimed September 19 through October 31, 2024, as Wisconsin Agricultural Tourism Fall Season. A copy of the governor’s proclamation is available here.

Audio File of Radio Address.

MILWAUKEE - We discuss the significance of another modest hurricane intensifying in the Gulf of Mexico into a monster storm imperiling 5 southern states. What is the role of climate change? We take a deep dive into the polling paradox of presidential elections. Polls consume the media and voters attention, along with junk ads that pollute discourse, yet they reveal little and fail repeatedly to capture reality.

The Wausau mayor removes ballot drop box and charges are filed against him as two northern Wisconsin towns are sued by the DOJ for voting rights violations. What are the consequences of the GOP big lie on voter fraud? Healthcare and BadgerCare become a big issue in Legislative races and we remind our listeners it is now 6 months since devastating hospital and clinic closures and NO help has been offered for the Eau Claire/Chippewa area, leaving the region reeling and public health badly damaged.

We are joined by Milwaukee County Supervisor Juan Miguel Martinez to discuss a new plan for Milwaukee’s iconic Mitchell Park Domes and how their critical connection to the improved health and safety of a community and neighborhood.

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MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today delivered his weekly radio address celebrating National Clean Energy Week and highlighting the launch of the new U.S Climate Alliance Governors’ Climate-Ready Workforce Initiative.

Bolstered by robust federal investment by the Biden-Harris Administration toward building a national clean energy economy, the Alliance’s new initiative aims to expand the clean energy workforce nationwide and support job and apprenticeship training in innovative industries and technologies by training 1 million new registered apprentices by 2035 across the Alliance’s member states and territories. Additional information on the Governors’ Climate-Ready Workforce Initiative and Gov. Evers’ role in the U.S. Climate Alliance is available here.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/trump-punisher-s435.pngTrump’s claim that he is a "protector" of women falls apart when placed under even the slightest scrutiny. Women are far more aware of Trump’s contradictions than he gives them credit for.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/fed-reserve-cuts-interest-s435.jpgTrump’s rhetoric tries to make it seem like the economy is on the brink of collapse, but the truth is, we are on the verge of the "soft landing" we've all been hoping for.

MILWAUKEE - We discuss the Organizing Revival, launched by Citizen Action with our national partners earlier this year, which is investing in improving permanent organizing capacity in every corner of the country. Leaders from 9 Midwestern states converged in Milwaukee last week to strategize on this critical power building initiative. Next, Robert encourages your attendance at next Wednesday’s statewide virtual Healthcare Action Meeting, where the group is engaged in a deep strategic analysis of the health care industry.

We laud the effort of state and national advocates who urged Congress this week to raise the corporate tax rate and ensure those who make over $400,000 annually “pay their fair share” to fund critical investments such as child care, and care for the elderly and those with disabilities. On the other end we call out the International President of the Teamsters who used the crutch of internal polling to sit out this historic presidential election. The Teamsters’ Black Caucus and Teamsters Wisconsin Council took a more proactive stance, supporting pro-labor candidate Kamala Harris.

In other news, RFK Jr is trying to get off Wisconsin ballots days before they begin to be mailed. Why is he spending so much money on this? Robert also highlights two Issues (immigration and abortion) where the politics have dramatically shifted over the past two decades. Which will have the biggest impact in the 2024 Election?

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Gov. Evers to announce his 2025-27 executive budget will propose an increase of over $800 million for UW System.

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today delivered his weekly radio address highlighting September as Suicide Prevention Month in Wisconsin. Gov. Evers proclaimed September as Suicide Prevention Month and September 8 through September 14, 2024, as Suicide Prevention Week. A copy of the governor’s proclamation is available here.

Last year, in recognition of the troubling statistics seen over the past few years regarding mental health and the growing demand for mental and behavioral health services providers have seen across the state, Gov. Evers declared 2023 the Year of Mental Health, calling mental and behavioral health a “burgeoning crisis” affecting the state and Wisconsin’s kids, families, and workforce. Additional information on efforts of the Evers Administration to address mental health in Wisconsin is available here.

MILWAUKEE - Who won the Presidential debate and why? How epic was Trump’s failure on healthcare? And does any of it matter? It may but not for the reasons many pundits think. The biggest impact may be exciting the volunteer base that will get out the vote and win over swing voters. Where you jazzed up by the debate? If so, help make it happen! Sign up to volunteer with Citizen Action today.

Wisconsin now has 136 school referendums in 2024, an indictment of the state funding formula and last state budget deal. We talk about how it has become a defining issue in the state Legislative elections.

Robert previews upcoming PSC hearings to get public input on We Energies’ proposed rate increases in Racine on October 1st and Milwaukee on October 3rd. We preview our new statewide campaign to cap utility bills at 2% of the rate payer’s income.

Congressional Democrats, civil rights leaders call for changes in the Senate filibuster. Trump wants to put Sen. Ron Johnson in charge of education policy in Wisconsin and again threatens political opponents with retribution, including jail.

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