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Today on Spanning the State Kristin Brey and Brian Noonan talk flu season. Wisconsin has experienced one of its worst flu seasons in a decade. Brian and Kristin discuss the wild number of hospitalizations due to various diseases and colds that have been ravaging the nation, which has been nicknamed the "Quademic". But that is not the only issue causing illness, they also talk about the growing resistance to getting vaccinated as the various diseases that should've been eradicated like the measles are back on the rise. Later Tory Lowe host of The Tory Lowe Show GKB sister station 101.7 The Truth joins Kristin and Brian to discuss Milwaukee Public Schools advancing funding to implement School Resource Officers back into the schools and the latest on the heartbreaking saga with the Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee. He shares his experience with growing up and building a relationship with Milwaukee Police Officers and how he has seen the poor management of funds affecting residents of Milwaukee.

Kristin and Brian discuss a new proposal by Wisconsin's GOP that will give victims of hurricane or wildfire natural disasters a $10,000 income tax break and if it will be worth it to move to cold Wisconsin. Then they share today’s Judge Derek Mosley's Black History Month Fact: The black man and slave who was on the Lewis & Clark Expedition who helped along the journey. Later Dr. Erin Hammer, associate professor in the department of orthopedics and rehabilitation at UW-Madison and a physician for the Wisconsin Badgers football team joins Kristin and Brian to discuss a study Dr. Hammer worked on that shows that Guardian helmets used in football don't prevent concussions. Dr. Hammer shares how the study was conducted, if the guardian caps vary from an amateur to a professional level, and what else can sports administrators do to help keep kids safe. Also, T-Pain has renamed the state of Wisconsin to..... "Wiscansin".

Today on Spinning the State:

Sheboygan: Marina recertified as Wisconsin Clean Marina.

Milwaukee: Celebrate Fred Usinger Day with a free brat and a beer.

La Crosse: Airport continues new airlines and restaurant options.

Today on Spanning the State Kristin Brey and Brian Noonan discuss the Save Act. Voter suppression has already been an issue for many minority groups in the U.S. but now it seems it is targeting women and trans people. Kristin and Brian discuss the bill and how Brian received the news to be fake but proved it’s true. Kristin explains the impact this will have on married women and the new lengths it will cost people to exercise their civic right when casting their ballots. Later Jennifer Bias, a Wisconsin state Public Defender talks to Kristin and Brian about new changes the Wisconsin’s Public Defender’s Office requested to reduce how often criminal charges are filed in the state by focusing on limiting the definition of criminal disorderly conduct and getting rid of state criminal charges for Marijuana possession. The request was a part of the agency’s budget for the next two fiscal years. They talk about why this request is tied to the state’s budget, if charges will be standardized statewide versus city to city, if Governor Tony Evers addressed this in his state address and the likelihood of the joint finance committee will approving this for the budget. Then Kristin and Brian discuss a new bill that was passed to stop students from using their cellphones while in class and what are the repercussions for students moving forward. As well as how to enforce it and where the funding is coming from to enforce it. as well as what happens when there is a school shooting. They share their alternative ideas deter students from using their phones beyond this bill.

The NBA All-star was a bit underwhelming and was overshadowed by a lot of TV events including the SNL’s 50th anniversary as well as the NHL USA vs. Canada Game. However, that's not the only reason the star-studded sports event has lost its luster. Kristin and Brian discuss why the All-Star game is not as entertaining as it used to be but also ponder Giannis Antetokounmpo idea to instead have the All-Star game have a USA team play a "world" team comprised of players from other countries within league. Then retired Armey Colonel who has served 35 years in the military, Sheri Swokarski joins Kristin and Brian to talk about how she feels to have her service to this country denigrated because of who she is as a transwoman. She talks about her experience surviving Don't Ask Don't Tell in the early 2000s, her termination forms the military after transitioning, and how she feels about the decisions made by the current administration.

Today on Spinning the State:

Verona: Dane County Humane Society seeks donations for orphaned bobcats.

Wisconsin Rapids: Council to discuss extending mayoral term to four years.

Madison: Madison woman creates elaborate snow labyrinths that most people will never see.

Today on Spanning the State Kristin Brey and Brian Noonan talk to 620WTMJ’s Jeff Sherwin host of “The Upswing” about the status of Milwaukee’s controversial public transportation, The Hop. Jeff Sherwin shares the origins of the transportation, what is going to happen with it moving forward, the overall opinion of it by Milwaukee citizens and more. Then food deserts and Child Care deserts have been plaguing the state but now there is an education desert, Jennifer Blazek a leader for the College for Rural Wisconsin talks to Kristin and Brian about how the college has launched a program through UW-Madison to help provide rural students improved access to higher education. Blazek shares, how the program measures success, what type of assistance is needed for rural students to transition to college and how access to higher education differs for rural students and urban or Suburban students. Later Top Chef has successfully exceeded the $1.2 million investment Wisconsin contributed to have the show here and grow tourism. Kristin and Brian discuss their success in comparison to the other summer events like the RNC and Summerfest that brought big tourism to the state and Milwaukee.

Kristin and Brian discuss complicated question: Why are egg prices surging, but not chicken wings? They talk about the price of eggs skyrocketing amongst a stubborn Avian flu outbreak. They talk about the difference between the chickens that are used for eggs and used for meat, "Broilers" as well as their disgust of knowing when or how your meat is killed to be consumed.

They also discuss their go to Karaoke songs they would sing at a Social X MKE event. Constitutional Law and American Politics Expert and Professor at UW-Madison's Law School Howard Schweber breaks down Executive Orders to Kristin and Brian. Schweber shares the history of Executive Orders; what the President can issue orders on, and which orders he needs Congress' approval on. And if we are experiencing a constitutional crisis or revolution. Then Brian shares tips on how to be safe during this severe winter weather.

Today on Spinning the State:

Oshkosh: Congolese refugees in Oshkosh are facing hardships.

Peshtigo: Fourth wall Films begins production on “Peshtigo: American Firestorm”.

Springfield: Historic steam locomotive to return to Mid-Continent Railway Museum.

Today on Spanning the State Kristin Brey and Brian Noonan are back in the studio away from the cold. Today is election day, spring primaries in Wisconsin. Brian and Kristin go over what is on the ballot, how ballots vary from county to county and what are some of the outcomes they are expecting from bigger races like the superintendent race and more. Then Kristin and Brian discuss how political campaign funding plays a part in your elections both nationally and locally. They compare the amount of money that has influenced politics and this past 2024 Presidential Election, as well as if these campaign donations impact voter turnout. As well as how Elon Musk's donations to Brad Schimmel's campaign may potentially help or hurt Schimmel's race. Later Tenia Smith Director of Health and Wellness for Social X MKE joins Kristin and Brian for Giving Tuesday. She talks about how they retain professional talent locally by engaging Millennial & Generation Z in creative and social events and networking gatherings to get more young professionals involved in the city. Smith explains how they continue to attract talent and new money, what types of events they provide, how they cater to each generation and how they reach out to the black community in Milwaukee. As well as other events they have coming up this month! AND Judge Derek Mosley's Black History Fact: America's first EMT service. Pittsburgh paramedics of Freedom House Ambulance Service (FHAS) started the community initiative to grow into what is today.