Spanning The State

Kristin Brey and Brian Noonan close out the week with a fun filled show. First, they talk to the Journal Sentinel's Ricardo Torres about local headphone brand KOSS and their role in disrupting the Stock Market with GameStop. They speak to Steve Scaffidi for the Political Power HALF Hour, where they discuss next week's Vice-Presidential Debate, and the ballot removal from Wausau Mayor Doug Diny. Later they get a crash course on Dungeons & Dragons from Good Karma Brands colleagues on the eve of their 50th anniversary celebration weekend. They then speak to IES Abroad Study Abroad Film finalist and UW-Madison Graduate on his film. Before closing the week out with a Harry Potter themed Grandiloquent Game show.

Today on Spinning the State:

Appleton - Appleton selects first poet laureate.

Lake Geneva - Dungeons & Dragons has 50th Anniversary celebration in Lake Geneva.

Connor Sorg, IES Study Abroad Film Fest finalist and UW-Madison graduate joins Spanning the State to discuss his achievement of being one of the three finalists for the film festival. He shares what his film is about, how he came up with the concept and the inspiration he received while in Milan, Italy. To watch his film visit: www.IESabroad.org

To celebrate Dungeons & Dragons on the eve of their 50th anniversary weekend our Good Karma Brands colleagues and IT geniuses Ryan Bohr and Damian Lund, and WTMJ620 Digital Manager Dylan Carter join Kristin and Brian to share more about the beloved magical game. They recount how they were introduced to the game, why they love playing it and how others can get involved in-person and online.

Political Power HALF Hour is back this week with Steve Scaffidi! Today he, Brian and Kristin discuss next Tuesday’s Vice-Presidential Candidate Debate between Tim Walz and JD Vance. They share what they will expect, what topics they will address and who will “win”. They also chat about, Wausau Mayor Doug Diny who stands to be accused of ethics and legal violations after he removed an absentee ballot drop box outside of City Hall on Sunday evening on his own—despite being told by the city attorney that he did not have authority to do so.

Have you ever heard of the 2023 movie “Dumb Money” or the name “Roaring Kitty”? If not, then you might’ve missed out on one of the wildest stock market stories to date, where an average joe disrupted the market by investing in Gamestop. Fast forward to today on Spanning the State where we uncover how the local headphone company, KOSS had a hand in the epic story. Journal Sentinel Business Report, Riccardo Torres joins the show to further explain the connection.

Today on Spanning the State, Kristin Brey and Brian Noonan speak to former president Donald Trump's upcoming visit to Wisconsin and how his political stance on illegal immigrants may gain momentum in Prairie Du Chien. They then take a pulse check on re-shoring in America and what is the future of Manufacturing. They speak to Rick Barrett from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel about a new town hall event with Milwaukee PBS that focuses on the subject. Later they uncover Milwaukee County's achievement of closing their budget gap with Joseph Lamers. They also discuss a newly created custard database, as well as the nations worst National Anthem renditions ahead of Milwaukee Bucks auditions for National Anthem singers.

Today Spinning the State:

Wausaukee - Wausaukee trustees hike camping, water fees.

Cudahy - Cudahy buys same firetruck after 100 yrs.

Ashwaubenon - Down Syndrome walk.

Director for the Office of Strategy, Budget and Performance, Joseph Lamers, joins the show to help explain how Milwaukee has closed their budget gap WITHOUT having to cut services or increase taxes. After being warned by County Board supervisors that difficult choices would have to be made for the 2025 budget, the Office of Strategy, Budget and Performance and County Executive David Crowley got to work with departments to identify funding sources, department surpluses and reallocate funds. A month later the budget gap was closed. Lamers explains how that happened and what we can learn from this for the future.

Journal Sentinel Business Reporter, Rick Barrett joins the show to talk about his multi-part series “Bringing it Home” which centers on manufacturing returning to the U.S. Barrett explains whether this resurgence will last in Wisconsin, the bigger role Latin America, Tariffs, migration patterns, automation, and more play a factor in this. He also shares more about “The Future of Manufacturing Town Hall” event he, the journal sentinel and Milwaukee PBS are hosting next week October 3rd.