Civic Media Spotlight

Wisconsin’s PAWS program transforms lives by pairing inmates with service dogs, fostering rehabilitation through love and responsibility. These dogs, trained in collaboration with Minnesota and Wisconsin prisons, provide crucial support for individuals with mobility issues while offering inmates a chance for redemption and purpose.

Meanwhile, Bill Bertram, a cycling enthusiast and board member of the Wausau and Marathon County Parks Foundation, shares his passion for Wisconsin’s trails. His work in promoting outdoor recreation has a significant economic impact, drawing thousands to experience the state’s natural beauty, with bike packing and camping opportunities enriching the local community.

Nite Lite hosts Pete Schwaba and Greg Bach chat with Milwaukee Public Museum’s Julia Colby and Stephen Petrie about upcoming events like Creepy Crawley Day and the Bioblitz, highlighting Wisconsin’s biodiversity. They delve into the museum’s move to a new location and the importance of engaging with local nature. Later, James Beard award-winning food journalist Adam Reiner discusses his book ‘The New Rules of Dining Out,’ offering insights on modern dining etiquette, the importance of tipping, and the struggles of the post-COVID restaurant economy. Reiner emphasizes supporting local eateries to maintain vibrant communities.

Hello and welcome to the first hour of the Civic Media Spotlight! Daybreak host Brian Noonan dives into the significance of flags flying at half-staff in Wisconsin, enlightening listeners about Hmong Lao Veterans Day. Designated by the governor, it honors the Hmong veterans who served during the Vietnam War, and marks May 14th, 1975, when the last U.S. airlift evacuated Hmong soldiers from Laos. Brian reflects on the American flag’s current political symbolism, lamenting its appropriation by certain movements. Despite differing views, he emphasizes pride in the flag’s representation of American identity and history. Noonan wraps up by encouraging listeners to continue engaging with the show via various platforms.

From the picturesque landscapes of Wisconsin to the heated legal debates, this episode of Night Light with Pete Schwaba and Greg Bach is a whirlwind. The duo, along with Jim Santel, dissect the U.S. Supreme Court’s latest decision that cripples the Voting Rights Act, leaving voting equality in peril. They explore the intricate balance of political power and the potential for legislative fixes. The conversation then turns cheesy with a segment on Wisconsin’s cheese queen, Samantha Bushman, adding a lighter, flavorful twist. Plus, a sprinkle of Met Gala fashion faux pas and a dash of paranormal curiosity make for a diverse mix of culture and current affairs.

Brian Noonan and Jamie Martinson dive into the hot debate on whether Congress should impose age limits and term limits for its members, following public sentiment shown in recent polls. They emphasize the importance of fresh perspectives and argue against lifetime political careers. Shifting gears, they discuss the heartwarming rescue of beagles from a testing facility, highlighting the dogs’ journey to learning how to be pets. Meanwhile, David Crowley, Milwaukee County Executive, joins to discuss his gubernatorial run and his ‘Badger Basics’ platform focusing on affordability and housing. Lastly, the hosts humorously tackle the bizarre topic of military dolphins supposedly used for kamikaze missions, debunked as mere detection aids.

Welcome to the second hour of the Civic Media Spotlight. This is Nite Lite with Pete Schwaba and Greg Bach.

Pete and Greg start things off with a conversation that hits close to home, talking with Chris Knopf from Friends of the Boundary Waters about the ongoing fight over mining near the Boundary Waters Wilderness. Knopf lays out the concerns pretty clearly—there’s a Chilean company looking to move forward with mining that could bring sulfuric acid pollution into one of the most pristine areas in the country. He also talks about the growing pushback, with support coming from both sides of the aisle and a broader Midwest coalition focused on protecting clean water.

Then the show takes a turn internationally. Dartmouth scholar Golnar Nikpour joins to break down modern Iran beyond the headlines. She talks about the country’s deep cultural history, its complicated political system, and how its prison system has evolved over time with influences from around the world. The conversation also touches on the realities of war, including the devastating bombing of a girls’ school.

Welcome to the Civic Media Spotlight. This first hour takes us into Daybreak with Brian and Jamie.

Brian Noonan and Jamie Martinson sit down with Joe Peterangelo and Andy Tisdel from the Wisconsin Policy Forum to talk through a pretty striking new report on incarceration in the state. One of the biggest takeaways: Black Wisconsinites are being incarcerated at a rate 12 times higher than white residents. The conversation digs into some of the bigger-picture factors—things like segregation and economic gaps—but also acknowledges that the report doesn’t land on one single cause.

Then the mood shifts a bit. They get into a movie called Hungry—yeah, a killer hippo horror film inspired by Hungry Hungry Hippos. It’s as ridiculous as it sounds, and they have some fun with it while swapping thoughts on horror movies in general.

They also touch on gerrymandering, breaking down a recent Supreme Court decision on Louisiana’s congressional map and what it could mean more broadly.

Pete Schwaba and Greg Bach mix movies, laughs, and random fun on Nite Lite. They talk with film critic Rob Thomas about some standout picks from the Wisconsin Film Festival, including the action-comedy Normal Besides and the thriller Fuse.

Along the way, listeners call and text in with their favorite knock-knock jokes, which sends the show into chaos in the best way. Pete and Greg also bounce around topics like Madison bars, sushi spots, and local dining before previewing the next Nite Lite Movie Club pick: The Breakfast Club.

Brian Noonan and Parker cover everything from shooting stars to floating technology. With the Lyrid Meteor Shower lighting up Wisconsin skies, Brian talks through the basics of catching the best view, while Parker imagines a world where everyone just lays back and watches the stars.

Then they shift to a wild new idea from Panthalasa: floating data centers powered by wave energy. The ocean-based centers could generate power without taking up land or driving up costs. Brian and Parker weigh the pros and cons, joke through the possibilities, and wonder if the next generation might actually make it happen.

Hello and welcome to the second hour of the Civic Media Spotlight!

Brian Noonan and Jamie Martinson dig into the ongoing debate over the Electoral College and whether it still makes sense today. With Virginia moving toward a national popular vote and Wisconsin part of that conversation, they break down where the system came from—and why it’s getting more pushback now. They also get into the political divide around it, especially as Democrats continue to win the popular vote but come up short in the Electoral College.

Later on, David Casey joins the show to take some of the stress out of tax season, with a focus on why filing electronically just makes things easier.

And of course, there’s no shortage of political drama to cover, including new impeachment articles aimed at Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

It’s a mix of politics, practical advice, and the kind of conversation that gets your morning going on Daybreak.