Civic Media Spotlight

Maggie dives headfirst into a whirlwind of political drama and policy shifts in this hour. From the arrest of NYC Comptroller Brad Lander to the Trump administration’s escalating attacks on Democratic-led cities, Maggie unpacks the rhetoric—and the risks. Iowa State Rep. J.D. Scholten (scholtenforiowa.com), a professional baseball player (who plays for an official partner to MLB) turned Senate candidate, joins to share the grassroots energy behind his campaign to unseat Joni Ernst. Meanwhile, Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul celebrates a pivotal Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling that reinforces the state’s separation of powers. And Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson weighs in on Trump’s divisive tactics, calling for peaceful protest as a vital countermeasure.

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 critical debate: Do Democrats share any blame for the rise in political violence, or does it stem squarely from Donald Trump’s inflammatory rhetoric? As Trump continues to incite violence and demonize his opponents, Maggie and Mat examine the consequences of escalating political language. They also confront the media's tendency toward false balance and explore the concept of "stochastic terrorism"—violence inspired by indirect incitement. And political scientist Howard Schweber explains how Trump’s words strategically energize his base, warning of growing desperation and the potential for more violence. There is one clear message: peaceful protest, political engagement, and voting are our strongest tools against authoritarianism.

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 hour, Maggie Daun and guest co-host, Matt Rothschild delve into the political tumult of the weekend. A Reagan-appointed judge, William Young, declared cuts to NIH grants by the Trump administration illegal, citing them as discriminatory against racial and LGBTQ communities, delivering a rare judicial rebuke with startling language. Simultaneously, Minnesota reels from targeted political assassinations, including the killing of Speaker Melissa Hortman. Matthew Blake, reporter at minnpost.com, and Jordana Green, host at WCCO AM in Minneapolis, join to explain Minnesota's reaction to the weekend's events. Maggie and Matt also discuss the shocking responses from some Wisconsin politicians, underscoring the endemic vitriol in today's politics. Amidst the chaos, there's a call for unity and a reevaluation of the toxic political landscape.

To start off the second hour of the Civic Media Spotlight, we head to the Maggie Daun Show, where she welcomes Representative Renuka Mayadev to unpack all the problems that are associated with this "Big Beautiful Bill".

We then move onto Maino and the Mayor who are joined by Lauren Knisbeck and LuTia Vander Veldon from New Leafs Food. They explain how there is an upcoming roundtable event which is focused on climate change's impact on food safety!

Later on in the hour, Todd Allbaugh from the Todd Allbaugh Show, talks with Civic Media Political Editor and Founder of The Recombobulation Area, Dan Shafer, about their reasons on why Governor Tony Evers should not run for a third term.

As the spotlight wraps up, we hear from Chad Holmes, host from the WXCO Morning Report, having a chat with Good News Project Executive Director Christine Daniels, where she opens up about her personal story on the importance of Medicaid to her family.

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!

Kicking off this weeks Civic Media Spotlight, we Matenaer on Air who is joined by Brad Sturmer,  the Principal of Winskill Elementary school in Lancaster, Wisconsin. Over the years, Brad has found an increase in math scores, and wants to get to the bottom of it!

Then we head to Mornings with Pat Krietlow. Pat gets into an argument about the big "beautiful bill" Trump has enforced. He goes into depth about Republicans stammering about how their big bloated boondoggle of a budget bill doesn’t actually cut Medicaid benefits to deserving Americans.

On the John and Gordy Morning Show, John and Gordy dive deep into the wonderful world of the Savannah Bananas Baseball Team. Mike McCabe, Former Executive Director of Wisconsin Democracy Campaign and Leader of Blue Jean Nation is with them talking about  his father's relentless work ethic and proposes a four-day work week, inspired by Iceland's success.

At the end of the hour, Pete from Nite Lite talks with guest, Rich Talarico, who was a writer for the Key and Peele skits! Rich also talks with Pete about the upcoming projects he has been working on.

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!

Maggie and guest co-host Jim Santelle take aim at Tony Wied’s unconstitutional bill targeting so-called “anarchist jurisdictions,” calling out its performative politics and the deeper issue of wealth being siphoned upward. They expose MAGA hypocrisy and the ongoing “suckerization” of American voters, urging a shift in focus toward real economic injustices. And in another weekly edition of "Ask Maggie," your questions spark a thoughtful discussion on peaceful protest—what’s protected, what crosses the line, and how to stay on the right side of the law. Trump’s false claims about military intervention in Los Angeles? Debunked. To submit your question on anything, email [email protected]. Plus, Gray Gunderson joins the conversation for this week's "What's Good, Local and Overlooked in Wisconsin" to unpack a bizarre legal fight: out-of-state millionaires suing the Town of Scott, Wisconsin over local wake boat restrictions—pitting wealth and recreation against small-town governance. Maggie wraps up with a Father’s Day tribute, celebrating respect, kindness, and masculinity rooted in care—not bravado.

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!

Happy Friday! To begin this hour, Maggie and guest co-host, Jim Santelle, dive into Wisconsin’s budget standoff, exposing the GOP’s refusal to fund public schools while doubling down on incarceration spending. Senator LaTonya Johnson, ranking Democrat on the Joint Finance Committee, joins to call out the hypocrisy and advocate for investments in education and reentry programs as real solutions to prison overcrowding. Jim also breaks down recent court rulings pushing back against Trump-era overreaches—from misusing the National Guard to enforcing unconstitutional voter ID laws. Maggie and Jim unpack the true cost of partisan maneuvering—warning voters about looming tax hikes hiding behind the rhetoric of tax relief.

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 sounds the alarm on rising authoritarianism as protests erupt over Trump’s military deployment in California. Rallying behind the growing No Kings movement, Maggie urges us to embrace peaceful resistance and stand firm in defense of democracy. With Trump’s approval ratings in freefall and accusations of unconstitutional overreach mounting, the segment dives into the fragility of civil liberties in today’s political climate. Callers from across Wisconsin weigh in—some voicing fear over immigration crackdowns, others defiantly committed to protest and organizing. Maggie denounces the abuse of executive power and reminds all of us that true leadership is rooted in public accountability, not authoritarian control.

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 dives deep into new analyses with Mark Sommerhauser from the Wisconsin Policy Forum and Natasha Murphy from the Center for American Progress. They unpack the devastating potential of the “Big Brutal Bill.” With $87 billion in federal funding at stake, Wisconsin’s working families could face a harsh new economic reality if proposed budget cuts move forward. Maggie also discusses a shocking moment in national politics—the forcible removal of Senator Alex Padilla during a Department of Homeland Security press conference, raising urgent concerns about political intimidation and suppression. And finally Maggie, along with Jeramey Jannene from "Urban Milwaukee," explores Milwaukee’s potential use of red light cameras to combat reckless driving. While some tout the cameras as a public safety solution, critics—including union voices—warn of privacy overreach and misuse.

To read more on Wisconsin's state budget from the Wisconsin Policy Forum:

Check out more health care research from

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 is joined by economic policy expert Bharat Ramamurti to unpack the far-reaching consequences of Trump’s reckless tariff agenda. With no clear strategic goals, these tariffs are creating widespread uncertainty for businesses, driving up costs, and stalling investment in American manufacturing. As inflationary pressures mount, the conversation turns to the “big brutal bill” slashing Medicaid to fund tax breaks for the wealthy—deepening deficits and threatening coverage for millions. Maggie also issues a stark warning about the rising militarization of domestic protests, particularly in Los Angeles, urging nonviolent resistance and civic solidarity in the face of growing authoritarianism.

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!