Civic Media Spotlight

Maggie breaks down the latest political flashpoints, spotlighting Wisconsin State Rep. Robyn Vining’s new bid for the State Senate and Attorney General Josh Kaul’s string of lawsuits challenging federal funding cuts under the Trump administration. These cuts threaten vital educational and mental health programs—particularly in rural communities—while the former president continues to champion tax breaks for the wealthy. Maggie also exposes the erosion of bipartisan norms around judicial appointments and calls out the persistence of wage discrimination against workers with disabilities. The conversation intensifies as she examines Trump’s troubling push to access state election data—another alarming move in his broader campaign to centralize power and undermine democratic institutions.

State Senator Chris Larson joins Maggie for a candid conversation about Wisconsin’s shifting political dynamics. Together, they unpack the complexities of governing under a Republican-controlled legislature and scrutinize Governor Tony Evers’ budget decisions. Larson voices frustration over missed opportunities to leverage Democratic votes for Medicaid expansion and increased public education funding. Maggie challenges the practicality of such strategies in a deeply divided political environment, sparking a broader conversation about the tension between progressive idealism and political pragmatism. She also examines the need for unified Democratic resistance to MAGA-aligned policies and explores the dangerous implications of politicizing the Federal Reserve under a potential second Trump term—an issue with far-reaching consequences for America’s economic future.

The Maggie Daun Show is a part of the Civic Media radio network and airs Monday through Friday from 2-4 pm across the network. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X and Instagram to keep up with Maggie and the show!

Wisconsin's political world is abuzz with speculation: will Governor Tony Evers seek a third term? This hour examines the ripple effects of his possible departure, raising concerns about Democratic strategy, leadership succession, and widening fundraising gaps. Maggie also critiques Evers’ biannual budgeting approach, asking whether it's keeping pace with Wisconsin’s real-time needs. The conversation pivots to the national economy. Dr. Josh Bivens from the Economic Policy Institute (epi.org) joins Maggie to break down key trends—rising inflation now at 2.7%, looming recession risks, and the destabilizing effects of Trump’s tariff tactics—while emphasizing the critical role of an independent Federal Reserve. Finally, Maggie, along with Dr. Kristin Lyerly, explores the human cost of the so-called “Big Brutal Bill,” sharing powerful personal stories of families forced to ration healthcare and struggle with food insecurity.

The Maggie Daun Show is a part of the Civic Media radio network and airs Monday through Friday from 2-4 pm across the network. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X and Instagram to keep up with Maggie and the show!

In this thought-provoking hour, Maggie delves into the soul of democracy and the moral frameworks that should shape our national policies. Joined by Tope Folarin—author, intellectual, and executive director of the Institute for Policy Studies—they reflect on the enduring legacy of civil rights icon John Lewis and the idea of making "good trouble" in the fight for justice. Maggie and Tope also explore the concept of national budgets as moral documents, the dangers of normalizing "differentiated suffering," and the importance of recognizing our shared humanity in a deeply divided time. A listener’s impassioned email message on immigration sparks a nuanced exchange about border security, economic priorities, and moral responsibility. To close out the hour, sports reporter Mike Clemens brings the heat with a breakdown of the Brewers' high-energy season and highlights from the All-Star Game. Enjoy this blend of politics, principle, and play—an hour that reminds us of the power of honest dialogue and civic courage.

https://ips-dc.org/

https://goodtroubleliveson.org

The Maggie Daun Show is a part of the Civic Media radio network and airs Monday through Friday from 2-4 pm across the network. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X and Instagram to keep up with Maggie and the show!

Maggie confronts a troubling trend within the Trump administration: the mass exodus of career attorneys from the Department of Justice. These seasoned legal professionals—many of whom have served under both Democratic and Republican presidents—are stepping down, citing ethical concerns and an unwillingness to defend increasingly extreme and legally questionable policies. Joined by former U.S. Attorney Jim Santelle, Maggie examines what this wave of resignations reveals about the internal breakdown of the DOJ and the broader erosion of democratic norms. Is this an institutional crisis—or a warning sign of something even more dire?Maggie and Jim challenges us to consider whether we truly understand the stakes, as the rule of law itself comes under pressure.

The Maggie Daun Show is a part of the Civic Media radio network and airs Monday through Friday from 2-4 pm across the network. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X and Instagram to keep up with Maggie and the show!

Maggie and guest co-host Matt Rothschild dive into the murky waters of U.S. immigration policy, railing against racial profiling and the Trump administration's handling of mass deportations. They debate the hypocrisy of selective outrage over child separations while dissecting claims about 300k missing children. As the conversation veers into the Epstein scandal, Maggie and Matt highlight revelations from Steve Bannon and Trump's contradictory role in the alleged cover-up. They also discuss the newest bombshell: the CIA's hidden knowledge of Lee Harvey Oswald before JFK's assassination. Maggie and Matt plead for honest dialogue, quoting Reagan's welcoming stance on immigration, contrasting it with today's divisive climate.

https://www.cato.org/blog/biden-didnt-cause-border-crisis-part-1-summary

The Maggie Daun Show is a part of the Civic Media radio network and airs Monday through Friday from 2-4 pm across the network. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X and Instagram to keep up with Maggie and the show!

Maggie and guest co-host Matt Rothschild dive into a whirlwind of high-stakes legal and political developments, starting with the U.S. Supreme Court's shadow docket decision that allows Donald Trump to push forward with dismantling the Department of Education—without Congressional approval. They unpack the sweeping implications of this controversial move, spotlighting Justice Sotomayor’s blistering dissent. They also turn to the broader MAGA agenda to weaken federal agencies, focusing on Russell Vought’s Project 2025 and its blueprint to strip the administrative state of its power. Maggie and Matt confront disturbing trends in immigration enforcement, including racial profiling and ICE Director Tom Homan’s inflammatory remarks at a recent conservative gathering. Maggie and Matt examine the fringe conspiracy theories—linking everything from Epstein to JFK—that are bleeding into mainstream political discourse. Unchecked power and institutional erosion leaves American democracy in a fragile state.

The Maggie Daun Show is a part of the Civic Media radio network and airs Monday through Friday from 2-4 pm across the network. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X and Instagram to keep up with Maggie and the show!

We jump ahead to the second hour of the Civic Media Spotlight where John and Gordy talk with Jim Santelle, host for Civic Media's Amicus: A Law Review, about the Supreme Court's emergency shadow docket, which consists of applications seeking immediate action from the court. This gives the go-ahead to many executive orders that Trump has already used erratically. John and Gordy believe that what the Supreme Court is doing is unconstitutional and flat out wrong.

We then move onto the second part of Mornings with pat Kreitlow. Melissa Kaye officially has a pet pigeon! LeLou has landed in the Kaye household in this edition of Pigeon Quest. Melissa shared funny facts about LeLou and pigeons in general! Parker didn't know pigeons grunt, and got scared when LeLou let out one. Pat says we're going to learn so much from having LeLou, thus Pigeon Quest will continue even with a pigeon already acquired.

Jane and Greg, from Matenaer on Air, brings a guest named Megan Kling, who is a wife and a mom of two girls, and she is also a woman who fell victim to Wisconsin's 19th century law on abortion. She told her story about what her family had to go through to get the healthcare she needed and deserved. We talk about the preconceived notions about abortion access with regard to who needs it and what stepping forward has done in the way of support and criticism. Her story has been covered by the Journal Sentinel, The Wisconsin Examiner, as well as The New York Times.

We finish off the second and final hour of the Civic Media Spotlight with Nite Lite. Pete Schwaba is joined by author Tamara Dean, who shares her journey from city life to the Driftless Area, where she and her partner embraced sustainable living and battled Lyme disease. Her book, 'Shelter and Storm,' captures the magic of the Driftless Area and what it means for both of them to find peace!

To learn more about these shows and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the network on Facebook, BlueSky, YouTube, X, and Instagram to keep up with Civic Media!

We begin today's Civic Media Spotlight strong with The Maggie Dawn Show. Maggie invites on Duke Tucker, a GOP State Representative, onto the show for two segments describing his proposal to implement term limits for Wisconsin state offices. Though the idea lacks widespread support in the legislature, Tucker makes the case that term limits could break the grip of career politicians and bring new energy into state governance. In the second segment, Duke mentions what it means to serve as a Republican Representative and how he got to be apart of the government.

We move on to the Todd Allbaugh Show. Todd and Pat Krietlow broadcast together from the Northern WI state fair! Eric Anderson of the US National Kubb Championship joined in to talk about this weekend's tournament. Kubb is a Nordic lawn game about knocking over wooden blocks, and Eau Claire is the Kubb capital of North America. Listen in to learn about how people of all ages can take part in this great game!

To finish off hour one of the Civic Media Spotlight, we listen into a weekly segment with civic and community leaders “WayUpNorth,” who tell us about the stories, events, challenges, and opportunities that come with life up near Lake Superior. We start with Superior Mayor Jim Paine, where they have their own problem with old lead water lines and found a way to get them removed without putting the whole bill on taxpayers. Did you know, they’re also using goats to get rid of buckthorn?

To learn more about these shows and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the network on Facebook, BlueSky, YouTube, X, and Instagram to keep up with Civic Media!

From Congress and courts to burgers and baseball, Maggie kicks off the hour with a spirited look at the local love for America's pastime. But hold the peanuts and crackerjack—news breaks of ICE agents interrogating kids at a New York baseball practice. Maggie dives into this and chats with Greg Gunderson about Wisconsin's rural woes, Trump’s tariffs, and the 'Big Brutal Bill.' Plus, Maggie answers your questions in "Ask Maggie." From fish tacos to Dan Bongino. We talk about it all. If you have a question for Maggie, email us at [email protected]. Teri Barr also joins this hour to discuss "What's Good, Local, and Overlooked in Wisconsin." Today she takes us to the circus!

The Maggie Daun Show is a part of the Civic Media radio network and airs Monday through Friday from 2-4 pm across the network. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X and Instagram to keep up with Maggie and the show!