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Matt speaks to Jason Savage, Senior Advisor at the Maine Republican Party

The conversation discusses the appointment of Darlene Graham, Lindsey Graham's sister, as a U.S. senator to complete his term until January 2027, with a special election for the seat to be held in parallel. Matt & Jason express mixed feelings about the appointment, noting it as a nepotistic move but acknowledging it as a temporary measure. They also discuss Mitch McConnell's health and absence, speculating about his condition and the implications for his role as a senator. The conversation touches on the median age of senators, the impact of prolonged absences on representation, and McConnell's significant legislative accomplishments, particularly in Supreme Court appointments.

The conversation revolves around the topic of third place games in sports, with participants discussing the anticlimactic nature of such events. The discussion shifts to the upcoming World Cup match between Argentina and France, scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium. They also touch on the history of stadium naming rights, mentioning the evolution of  Pacific Bell Park to AT&T Park and Oracle Park. The conversation concludes with a nostalgic look at Candlestick Park, highlighting its unique challenges for athletes.

Bill from Portland emphasized the need to address fiscal issues and criticized Susan Collins for her stance on ICE's traffic stops. He highlighted the nervousness of immigrants around law enforcement and the lack of driver's licenses among many. Matt agreed, stressing the importance of an orderly immigration process to avoid a shadow economy. David criticized the privatization of ICE prisons, while Mike blamed Democrats for the current immigration crisis. Ray noted the media's focus on ICE shootings over police shootings and defended the training and actions of ICE officers. The discussion concluded with a consensus on the need for a functional and orderly immigration system.

Eric Lusk & Keith Mestrich in For BJ their Analysis of Maine & National Politics.

Craig Peterson – America’s Leading CyberSecurity Coach,
Joins The WGAN Morning News every Wednesday at 7:35 for Tech Talk. Catch Craig every Saturday from 5pm-7pm on WGAN as he shares his Cybersecurity Secrets along with the latest Security news.

The Senate Democrats blocked the $1.15 trillion annual defense authorization bill due to partisan disagreements over defense and non-defense spending levels. The motion failed 50-46, needing 60 votes. Four senators missed the vote. The bill includes a 3.6% pay raise for troops and funds for military families. Democrats opposed it citing the resumption of military conflict with Iran and Trump's failure to seek congressional authorization. Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker called the Democratic move unprecedented. The speaker criticized the lack of bipartisan cooperation and the worsening fiscal situation under Trump's administration, highlighting the uncontrolled deficit and spending.

The conversation revolves around Matt's favorite days of the week, particularly Wednesday, due to the show's strong lineup of guests. They discuss the new WGN app, which allows listeners to text and send voice memos, though the hosts debate the practicality of long voice memos. The discussion shifts to a televised debate between eight candidates vying to replace a Democratic senator in Maine, including notable figures like Secretary of State Jenna Bellows and former Maine CDC Director Nirav Shah. 

Phil Hirschkorn, host of Political Brew and political reporter at NewsCenter Maine, joins us to discuss what's been going on in Maine politics, and an analysis of the failed campaign of Graham Platner.

How can we best use our devices without them harming us? Also- what is good digital hygiene?