The economy's bouncing back—but who's really benefiting? On this episode of Point Taken, WTMJ hosts Steve Scaffidi and Kristin Brey dive into the latest GDP rebound and what it means for your wallet. Then they tackle the thorny issue of lawmakers trading stocks with insider knowledge—should we ban it altogether, or just pay Congress more? Senator Josh Hawley’s latest proposal has Capitol Hill buzzing.

From D.C. to denim, Steve and Kristin also break down the controversy around American Eagle’s ad featuring actress Sydney Sweeney and the strange online backlash. Plus, Milwaukee’s own Tory Lowe joins to discuss rising violence in the city and the community-led solutions that could make a real difference.

Later in the show: Wisconsin’s vaccine opt-out bill, the environmental toll of AI and data centers, and a rapid-fire Ask Us Anything where no topic is off-limits—from piano songs to Foxconn fallout to Ghislaine Maxwell.

WTMJ hosts Steve Scaffidi and Kristin Brey kick off the hour with a question of ethics: Why is Wisconsin Assemblyman Bob Donovan paying himself $850/month from campaign funds—and getting away with it?

Then they tackle one of the biggest humanitarian crises in the world:

🍽️ Starvation in Gaza—Israel’s destruction of UN aid convoys, Trump’s rare acknowledgment, and what needs to change.

Also in this packed show:

🎬 Wisconsin’s new film tax incentive program and its potential to bring Hollywood to the Midwest. Local filmmakers Nathan Deming and Suzanne Jurva join in-studio to explain how it works.

🏌️‍♂️ A quick detour into pop culture with thoughts on the new Happy Gilmore release.

📉 Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” is flopping—prices remain high, and it’s reigniting Democratic voter energy heading into the next election.

🏫 From movies to mayhem: Tim Sullivan of the Watertown Daily Times calls in to report on chaos and toxic behavior on the Watertown Unified School Board, including a controversial transgender policy.

Plus:

💊 The booming use of Ozempic and weight-loss drugs—what they signal for the future of American health.

Kristin Brey catches co-host Steve Scaffidi up on all the big news he missed—starting with Governor Tony Evers bowing out of the 2026 race and the flood of Democratic hopefuls rushing in. A clip from Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez confirms she knew the decision was coming, and Steve and Kristin dive into the political hubris already on display.

Also in this episode:

🔥 Scott Walker is not running, but Washington County Exec Josh Schoemann is—reporter Jessie Opoien calls in after covering his BBQ

💵 Trump-era tariffs and failed trade deals are still hitting Americans’ wallets, with listener texts detailing where prices are rising

📉 Steve shares his trip to Las Vegas and the economic downturn’s toll on tourism

💸 Annex Wealth’s Dave Spano weighs in on Trump’s tense meeting with Fed Chair Jerome Powell and Kohl’s becoming a meme stock.

🧳 Travel woes, airfare etiquette, and the broader economic shake-up

📂 Kristin updates Steve on the latest from the Jeffrey Epstein files

With Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers officially out for a third term, the race for 2026 is already heating up—and WTMJ’s Kristin Brey dives in with Republican strategist Bill McCoshen and Democratic State Rep. Deb Andraca.

They break down who’s already running—and who might

Plus:

🔥 Kristin weighs in on the Epstein files firestorm, calling it “scratching an itch” as national Democrats push for full transparency.

💰 She also tackles concerns about the future of Social Security, answering real-time listener questions.

And don’t miss:

🗓️ A Week-In-Review of the biggest stories

🎙️ A one-on-one interview with newly announced gubernatorial candidate Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez, where she discusses her campaign, challenges in a purple state, and what sets her apart in the race to lead Wisconsin.

Kristin Brey takes the reins for a wild, insightful ride through Milwaukee’s latest headlines and national developments.

She kicks off with:

📺 The Jeffrey Epstein files and her reaction to the Netflix documentary

📉 How shows like The Wire shaped perceptions of Baltimore—and how new leadership is flipping the narrative with real crime reductions

👮Mayor Cavalier Johnson joins to share how Milwaukee is working to replicate that success—highlighting local initiatives like Camp Rise

⚠️ Emergency Alert System overuse and “alert fatigue” explained by expert Dr. Jeanette Sutton—how climate change plays a role

🗞️ Breaking News: Wrestling legend Hulk Hogan has passed away

Then:

🏘️ Urban Milwaukee’s Jeramey Jannene drops by with updates on:

-Milwaukee’s growing Housing Authority deficit

-Results of traffic calming measures like raised crosswalks and speed humps

-A city proposal to add sprinklers to affordable housing

-Financial fate of Mitchell Park Domes

-An auction for the notorious beached boat “Deep Thought”

-Hope for the Villa Theater revival

-And... a bar owner busted for having cocaine and live chickens

Donald Trump accuses Barack Obama of treason over the 2020 election—Steve Scaffidi and Kristin Brey aren’t buying it, calling it another deflection from the ongoing Epstein files controversy.

Also in this episode:

🏫 Wisconsin school funding—is relying on property taxes holding the state back?

🎥 A viral Jubilee YouTube debate puts journalist Mehdi Hasan face-to-face with fascists—Steve and Kristin ask: is fascism a belief or a warning sign?

🍔 The Brewers snap their 11-game streak—meaning no free George Webb burgers for anyone

🍁 Canada protests U.S. liquor tariffs—and American distillers might soon feel the hangover

💸 Dr. Margaret Hughes-Morgan (Marquette) breaks down why Kohl’s is now a meme stock, and if investors should be worried

🏛️ Could the Kennedy Center really be renamed after Melania Trump?

Ask Us Anything:

🎡 Gov. Evers sightings at the State Fair, Steve’s time as mayor, Sicilian travel tips, women's suffrage, swearing, and school detention drama

The Brewers are one win away from free George Webb’s burgers—but Steve Scaffidi and Kristin Brey aren’t just talking baseball. They’re diving deep into the political heat of the day:

🗺️ Early redistricting battles are brewing—Republicans want it now, Democrats like Beto O’Rourke want to fight back hard. But with gerrymandering from both sides, Steve and Kristin ask: Is democracy even real anymore?

🎙️ Hunter Biden lashes out at Democrats and George Clooney in a fiery podcast—what does this say about the fractured party post-Biden?

Also in this episode:

🛑 Speaker Mike Johnson abruptly recesses Congress—guess why.

📁 Trump releases some files on the MLK Jr. assassination—but holds back others

🤖 Local journalism under fire for inaccurate AI-written stories—and is AI becoming predatory in the ticket market?

Steve Scaffidi and Kristin Brey are joined by WISN’s Matt Smith to break down the latest shakeups in the Wisconsin governor’s race—starting with new Republican contender Bill Berrien. Hear exclusive clips from Berrien’s UpFront interview on Donald Trump and the state of the GOP.

Also in this episode:

📍Could Green Bay host another NFL Draft? Matt shares insights from Visit Green Bay

🎂 One year since President Biden dropped out—what could’ve changed the 2024 race?

⚾ Trump demands the Guardians and Commanders return to their old names—Steve and Kristin say it’s just a distraction from the Epstein files

🎧 A taste of their new You Need to Listen podcast as they react to Scottie Scheffler’s existential moment

💰 Annex Wealth CEO Dave Spano joins to talk cautious optimism in the markets

💼 Will Trump really fire Fed Chair Jerome Powell?

Plus:

🍟 National Junk Food Day favorites, grocery inflation woes, and listener texts to wrap it up

WTMJ hosts Steve Scaffidi and Kristin Brey are joined by political strategists Joe Zepecki (D) and Bill McCoshen (R) for a fiery, funny, and heartfelt episode.

They kick off with the newly uncovered bawdy birthday letter Trump once sent to Jeffrey Epstein, and unpack why this story still dominates headlines. Then it’s on to the Senate’s rescission bill, the growing speculation around Governor Tony Evers’ third-term decision, and the early rumblings of the 2028 midterms.

Also in this episode:

🎤 Stephen Colbert’s Late Show end had been announced—what does it say about modern media?

🎥 Coldplay’s kiss cam goes viral—for all the wrong reasons

🎖️ Netanyahu nominates Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize—should he get it?

👊 Mark Pocan vs. Derrick Van Orden: immature meltdown or just politics as usual?

NEW SEGMENT ALERT:

💬 Say Something Nice About the Other Side—Kristin challenges everyone to find common ground

Is Governor Tony Evers about to decide on running in 2026? Steve Scaffidi and Kristin Brey react to the rumors.

Also in this episode:

🎤 Shane Gillis stirs controversy at the ESPYs with jabs at Caitlin Clark and the Epstein list

🎙️ U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin joins live to sound the alarm on Trump’s rescission bill and its threat to rural healthcare and public media in the north woods, the federal deficit and if she knows Evers' next move.

PLUS: Jeramey Jannene (Urban Milwaukee) stops by to unpack:

Summerfest attendance

Food truck hotspots and trampoline politics

Granny flats, Third Ward hotels, and more.