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Today on Spanning the State with Kristn Brey and guest co-host Steve Scaffidi they are joined by Executive director of the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign Nick Ramos to talk about the outcome of Wisconsinites and the Supreme Court Election this past Tuesday. They discuss Wisconsinites standing up to being “bought” by billionaires for their vote, Ramos’ thoughts on the most expensive judicial race in U.S. history, what this means for campaign finance laws and the difference between 2015 and now, and what citizens can do now to reform campaign finances. Then Kristin and Steve discuss the fallout from President Donald Trump’s tariffs. They share their thoughts on Wisconsin leaders dividing over party support for Trump’s tariffs, the reactions of former Trump supporters like Dave Portnoy and Ben Shapiro and the panic over retirement savings. They also discuss Musk’s decision to continue spending on politics following Brad Schimel’s loss. As well as their thoughts on Ann Walsh Bradley being elected to lead Wisconsin’s Supreme Court.

The champion of the 2025 March Mammal Madness has been crowned. Kristin, Steve and Producer Rhea discuss the results. Then award winning journalist and author of "Wisconsin Idols: 100 Heroes Who Changed the State, the World, and Me" Dean Robbins joins Kristin and Steve to discuss his new book that centers around the true tales of legends and trailblazers with Wisconsin ties. Robbins shares how he found these stories, the inspiration behind writing this book and how he decided who to talk about. Later Kristin and Steve discuss the messy, possibly toxic and very public relationship between congressmen Derek Van Orden and Mark Pocan.

Spinning the State:

La Crosse: The city makes history with its newly elected mayor.

Paddock Lake: The Second Annual Holi Party.

Today on Spanning the State Kristin Brey is joined by guest co-host Steve Scaffidi. They speak Canadian Economist Todd Hirsch further discuss President Donald Trump enacting his tariff plan. Hirsch explains if there is a better way to have executed Trump’s “Liberation Day” where it benefits our economy, and how this now affects the United States standing in the international community. Then Wisconsin Filmmakers Suzanne Jurva and Nathan Deming join Kristin and Steve to talk about new updates for Action! Wisconsin. Action Wisconsin is a statewide coalition of filmmakers and producers who advocate to bring back tax incentives for film productions. Jurva and Deming share what progress they’ve made with new legislation and the state budget proposal, how these tax incentives will impact our economy, how their conversations have gone with the Joint Finance Committee and what can people do to get this moved along faster. Later social media app TikTok is approaching its deadline to sell the app or go ahead with the ban form the US. Kristin explains which new bidders for the app have arisen since January, a new leasing option on the table, and how the world will react as they face the deadline once again.

Today is April Fool's Day and Kristin Brey shares more about the article she wrote for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on how she wishes the massive amount of money being spent on the supreme court race could actually go towards resources the state desperately needs. Then creator of Dive Bars of Wisconsin Scott Small is back a year later to talk to Kristin about the 5th annual 2025 Tournament of the Taverns. Small explains what the tournament is, how the tournament is conducted. why Wisconsin stands out for it's dive bar culture and which new Wisconsin dive bars we should know about.

Today on Spinning the State:

Rice Lake: A Firearms Manufacturer is bringing more jobs to Northwestern Wisconsin

Port Washington: Kopp's Frozen Custard adds "Mr. Baseball" flavor to honor Bob Uecker

Today on Spanning the State Kristin Brey shares information on spring primaries today and what Wisconsin voters should know ahead of going to the polls. She also goes over the timeline over the weekend regarding Elon Musk’s involvement in the Wisconsin Supreme Court Race and Attorney General Josh Kaul’s filing a lawsuit against Musk to stop his event Sunday as well as the court of appeals and supreme court rejecting the lawsuit. Staff Attorney with the State Democracy Research Initiative at the University of Wisconsin Law School Bryna Godar joins Kristin Brey to further explain what we should know about Wisconsin courts dealing with Kaul's law, where the ruling now stands on the legality of what Musk is doing, how the Hatch act plays a role in this and if Musk could still be charged. Later Mandy Lewis Founder and President to the Board of Directors for Albert's Dog Lounge joins Kristin Brey for Giving Tuesday. Albert's Dog Lounge is a foster-based rescue that focuses on providing loving homes for seniors, special needs and hospice dogs. Lewis shares how her own experience with her senior dog led to the Dog lounge, how she is informed of dogs that need help, what it's like to find homes for foster dogs, and information for those who want to help or get involved or dogs who are currently ready to be adopted. Then Kristin Brey shares some of the history of On Milwaukee's annual April Fool's Day jokes they post. As well as an April Fool's Day joke she wishes would be true.

Kristin, Brian, and Producer Rhea are back to share their results from the Sweet Sixteen round of March Mammal Madness. They share their unbelievable upsets, a real-life mammal battle they found, and what underdog is destroying all their brackets. Text “Mammal” to the talk and text line (855-616-1620) for more information, check out our brackets and even print your own to play along. Then in honor of MLB and opening day Brian and Kristin share a retelling of the story “Casey at the Bat” created by WTMJ’s host of “What’s on Tap" Sandy Maxx. Then they end the week with the Grandiloquent Game Show: Milwaukee Brewers Trivia.

Today on Spinning the State:

Slinger: Village enforces then walks back political yard sign rule.

Milwaukee: MKE Brewing Co. is bringing back its “all-you-can-drink” tour for Milwaukee Day.

Today on Spanning the State Kristin Brey and Brian Noonan are fired up about Elon Musk and his relentless involvement in Wisconsin’s Spring Primary Supreme Court Race. Last night Musk announced in a now deleted tweet that he would be giving out $1 Million dollars at a rally this weekend for voters. Kristin and Brian discuss why they believe this is morally corrupt, and what this says about Schimel as a candidate. Kristin and Brian continue the conversation with Staff Attorney with the State Democracy Research Initiative at the University of Wisconsin Law School Bryna Godar to further discuss the legality of Musk’s financial incentives around this election. They discuss what may happen with the man who just won $1 Million in Green bay from Musk, what happened to the legal challenges on Musk’s incentives during the 2024 presidential election, and Trump’s recent executive order that mandates citizens to provide "documentary, government-issued proof of U.S. citizenship" on voter registration forms and bans clerks from counting absentee ballots received after Election Day, among other measures and what this means for our upcoming election. Steve Scaffidi joins Kristin and Brian for the Political Power HALF Hour. Today they recap their thoughts on the National Security Scandal involving messaging app Signal. They also share breaking news and get Steve's thoughts on the Wisconsin DOJ taking legal action to stop Elon Musk from interfering with the election with these financial incentives. He also shares his thoughts on this Trump administration and their battles with the legal system, as well as if these antics are helping the public image of Musk and the trump administration and Representative Elise Marie Stefanik and her devotion to the administration and role in Congress.