Here & Now

On "Here & Now," political panelists Bill McCoshen and Scot Ross discuss the races for governor, the state Legislature and Congress, Zac Schultz reports on election denial as well as on the attorney general race, Rock County Clerk Lisa Tollefson discusses local administration of the election, State Democracy Research Initiative attorney Bryna Godar details three proposed state constitutional amendments, La Follette School of Public Affairs professor Tony Lo Sasso describes healthcare mergers and rising premiums, and Wisconsin School of Business professor Justin Sydnor considers questions raised by prediction markets. For transcripts, video, and more information about this episode please visit our episode page at:

https://pbswisconsin.org/podcast_episode/here-now-for-october-16-2026/?seriesID=59921

On "Here & Now," Murv Seymour reports on how Inflation, affordability and the economy are top priorities for Wisconsin voters, UW-Madison journalism professor Michael Wagner considers how artificial intelligence tools are affecting campaigns and elections, and Wisconsin Supreme Court Chief Justice Jill Karofsky discusses filing for temporary restraining orders through an online system. Plus, UW-Madison professor Francis Halzen shared his reaction to being honored with the 2026 Nobel Prize for Physics. For transcripts, video, and more information about this episode please visit our episode page at:

https://pbswisconsin.org/podcast_episode/here-now-for-october-9-2026/?seriesID=59921

On "Here & Now," Charles Franklin discusses polling voters about enthusiasm for David Crowley and Tom Tiffany, Steven Potter reports on how President Donald Trump's influence among rural voters remains key in the 2026 vote, and Jason Stein discusses enrollment caps being lifted for Wisconsin's school choice program. Plus, Elijah Pines covers how Democrats and Republicans are in a fierce competition to earn the support of young voters. For transcripts, video, and more information about this episode please visit our episode page at:

https://pbswisconsin.org/podcast_episode/here-now-for-october-2-2026/?seriesID=59921

On "Here & Now," Tom Content considers spikes in costs of heating fuels as utilities move to hike prices, Alder Michael Martens discusses Wausau's goal to remove and replace lead services lines before 2029, and Jim Drees describes La Crosse's goal of achieving a "functional zero" homeless population. Plus, Erica Ayisi reports on tribal leaders questioning a bill to redesignate the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. For transcripts, video, and more information about this episode please visit our episode page at:

https://pbswisconsin.org/podcast_episode/here-now-for-september-25-2026/?seriesID=59921

Murv Seymour talks with Wendi Dwyer in Madison about learning to live with blindness, work to increase empathy and access for people with disabilities, and creating the "Advocacy Is a B*tch" cartoon.

For transcripts, video, and more information about this episode please visit our episode page at:

https://pbswisconsin.org/podcast_episode/in-focus-with-wendi-dwyer-from-disability-to-accessibility/?seriesID=59921

On "Here & Now," Zac Schultz interviews Tom Tiffany and David Crowley on prominent issues in the 2026 race for governor of Wisconsin, and Wisconsin Motor Carriers Association President Dan Johnson discusses how businesses using semi-trucks are affected by the rising cost of diesel. Plus, the Wisconsin Supreme Court heard arguments in lawsuits over congressional district maps. For transcripts, video, and more information about this episode please visit our episode page at:

https://pbswisconsin.org/podcast_episode/here-now-for-september-18-2026/?seriesID=59921

On "Here & Now," Dunn County Clerk Andrew Mercil discusses how restrictions on absentee ballots might impact voters, and Josh Kaul and Eric Toney discuss their campaigns for attorney general in 2026. Plus, former HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson shared memories of visiting Ground Zero days after the 9/11 attacks. For transcripts, video, and more information about this episode please visit our episode page at:

https://pbswisconsin.org/podcast_episode/here-now-for-september-11-2026/?seriesID=59921

On "Here & Now," Marquette University political science professor Philip Rocco discusses moves to manage mailing ballots by alleging noncitizen voter fraud, the Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife Commission denounced Enbridge over a Line 5 spill, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Sec. Karen Hyun discusses this Line 5 leaking in Iron County, and UW-Madison labor economist and High Road Strategy Center associate director Laura Dresser discusses the State of Working Wisconsin 2026 report on job trends and inflation. Plus, Steven Potter reports on how supporters and opponents of wind and solar in rural communities wrangle over new projects. For transcripts, video, and more information about this episode please visit our episode page at:

https://pbswisconsin.org/podcast_episode/here-now-for-september-4-2026/?seriesID=59921

On "Here & Now," Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation Secretary and CEO John Miller discusses how trade war impacts consumers and businesses in the state, Marquette Law School Poll Director Charles Franklin details what voters say about 2026 governor candidates and the Legislature, and Murv Seymour covers how development of data centers has become a major community issue across Wisconsin. Plus, former Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Janine Geske discusses restorative justice and the state's process to commute criminal sentences. For transcripts, video, and more information about this episode please visit our episode page at:

https://pbswisconsin.org/podcast_episode/here-now-for-august-28-2026/?seriesID=59921

On "Here & Now," Wisconsin Department of Health Services state epidemiologist Dr. Ryan Westergaard describes a measles outbreak and falling childhood vaccination rates, the UW Board of Regents plans to freeze tuition if the state invests in the system, and UW-Madison La Follette School of Public Affairs professor J. Michael Collins discusses the rising number of student loan borrowers who are in default. Plus, Steven Potter and Murv Seymour report on how widespread automated license plate reader use has provoked a vocal surge of opposition. For transcripts, video, and more information about this episode please visit our episode page at:

https://pbswisconsin.org/podcast_episode/here-now-for-august-21-2026/?seriesID=59921