Joan Esposito (Featured Interviews)

Joan Esposito talks to U.S. Rep. Jonathan Jackson (D-IL)

Key topics/points
* Rising costs for groceries, fertilizer, and diesel are increasing the financial burden on everyday Americans
* Significant food cuts to the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) have led to a nearly 20 percent decrease in revenue for grocery stores 
* Impending Medicaid cuts scheduled for January 2027 are causing concern among hospitals and local providers
* Increased instability in Cuba, Haiti and Venezuela; Jackson criticizes U.N. Ambassador Mike Waltz's claims regarding oil blockade in Cuba
* Reported attempts of suicide by sailors stationed on the USS Abraham Lincoln
* Potential violence at the polls during upcoming elections due to aggressive political tactics and legislation like the SAVE Act
* Suspicious circumstances surrounding death of Mississippi teenager Nolan Wells; Jackson calls for a federal investigation

Catch "Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive" weekdays from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/live-local-progressive).

 

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Joan Esposito is joined by Joe Walsh, former Republican congressman from Illinois and host of "The Social Contract with Joe Walsh." Walsh is also co-founder of PAXIS, an AI-driven, "know-your-rights" digital resource and emergency tool that aims to provide real-time information, legal support, and guidance for people interacting with immigration enforcement. 

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Joan Esposito is joined by Aaron Kleinman, Heartland Signal‘s senior political analyst and author of the “Radio Free America” newsletter. He recaps recent primary election results in Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Connecticut, South Carolina, and more. 

Catch "Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive" weekdays from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/live-local-progressive).

 

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RAY LAHOOD DEFENDS BIPARTISANSHIP; "COMPROMISE IS NOT A BAD WORD"

Joan Esposito is joined by Ray LaHood, former Illinois congressman and former U.S. Transportation secretary. On August 27 he will participate in a City Club of Chicago event with Illinois Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski, "Can Bipartisanship Still Work?"

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Joan Esposito is joined by Peter Giangreco, Democratic strategist and partner at The Strategy Group.

Key topics/points:
- the August 11 primary election in Minnesota, where U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar enjoys front-runner status for the Democratic nomination for governor
- President Trump's obsession with Minnesota and his endorsement of Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Lindell, the My Pillow guy
- the potential impact of Trump's $400 million war chest on the Minnesota gubernatorial race
- the divided Minnesota state legislature and ongoing fraud scandal in Minnesota, which are significant factors in the race
- Mike Lindell's bizarre campaign tactics, including giving away pillows at parades,  which constituted a campaign finance violation
- the impact of ICE killings in Minnesota on the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate, with Peggy Flanagan attacking Angie Craig for voting for the Laken Riley Act
- the rigor and cost involved in private polling, which often results in more accurate data
- the importance of choosing candidates who can appeal to a broad electorate and avoid alienating key voter groups
- the August 11 primary election in Wisconsin governor, which pits David Crowley against the polling leader Francesca Hong
- Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Tiffany is an election denier who could pose a significant threat to Democratic candidates

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Joan Esposito is joined by Carolyn Fiddler, state politics expert and author of the newsletter "This Week in Statehouse Action."

Key points:
- Unity among Democrats after contentious primaries in Michigan 
- AIPAC is not as invested in state politics as in national politics but still influences some primaries
- In Wisconsin Democrats have a chance to win majorities in the state Assembly and Senate for the first time in 16 years
- Trump is already planning to discredit election results 
- The importance of local involvement in election security, encouraging people to get involved through organizations like Power the Polls, a nonpartisan initiative to recruit the next generation of poll workers to ensure safe and fair elections for all voters 

Catch "Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive" weekdays from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/live-local-progressive).

 

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Joan Esposito is joined by Pat Quinn, former governor of Illinois. He discussed his campaign advocating passage of a state constitutional amendment aimed at property tax relief. "This is what the people want," he said. 

Quinn spoke as well about the amicus brief he and a bipartisan group of former governors recently filed urging the Supreme Court to reject a Trump administration bid to revive parts of an executive order expanding federal oversight of state-run elections. 

He also expressed strong opposition to the Bears leaving Illinois, emphasizing their historical significance and fan loyalty.

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Joan Esposito is joined by Melissa Toufanian, former State Department deputy assistant secretary who served on the communications team for the original Iran nuclear deal under President Obama, and is now managing director at Navigator Research.

Three key takeaways:
- 1 in 4 Trump Voters Regret 2024 Vote
- 75% Disapprove of Trump’s Handling of Gas Prices
- Trump Lags Behind Democrats on Foreign Policy Trust

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Joan Esposito is joined by Lisa Graves, expert on right-wing infrastructure, founder and executive director of True North Research, legal scholar, author of “Without Precedent: How Chief Justice Roberts and His Accomplices Rewrote the Constitution and Dismantled Our Rights" and the Substack column "Grave Injustice."

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Abby Vesoulis, national politics reporter at Mother Jones, talks to Joan Esposito about her recent reporting on U.S. Rep. Max Miller (R-OH). Last month Mother Jones published her investigative article "Assault, Misogyny, Verbal Threats: Records Detail New Allegations Against Rep. Max Miller."

Key Topics:

• Max Miller Under Ethics Probe Over Abuse & Drug Allegations
• Scandal Could Cost Republicans in Ohio
• Miller Refuses to Resign Ahead of August 10th Ohio Ballot Deadline

 

Catch "Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive" weekdays from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/live-local-progressive).

 

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