The Dawn Stensland Show

Dawn leads post-election coverage on The Dawn Stensland Show following a brutal week at the ballot box. We react to the political fallout across Pennsylvania and the nation as Dawn pushes back against claims of an unprecedented wave, pointing to historic midterm shifts and urging officials to study what went wrong. The conversation turns to local safety and media double standards surrounding criminal arrests and immigration status reporting across the region.

We are joined by Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday to address escalating tensions in Philadelphia after planned protests and boycott routes targeted Jewish-owned businesses. AG Sunday discusses his coordination with the Philadelphia Police Commissioner, civil rights safeguards, and the dangerous historical echoes of singling out specific communities. Dawn presses for local leaders and business owners to take a visible stand while breaking down why religious discrimination disguised as political protest cross an unacceptable line.

Rich Zeoli stops by to deliver sharp analysis on the midterm fallout, shifting demographics, and the growing voter backlash against corporate AI data centers. Dawn and Rich also bring plenty of classic banter, examining the 2028 political landscape, teasing producer Nick Kayal about his upcoming run up the Rocky steps for the film franchise's 50th anniversary, and trading stories on childhood nostalgia from the National Toy Hall of Fame.

The Dawn Stensland Show tackles a packed post-election Thursday with breaking international diplomacy, tough economic realities, and unfiltered political post-mortems. Dawn spotlights First Lady Melania Trump making history at the White House by hosting representatives from Ukraine and Russia following her direct mediation of an 800-person civilian evacuation in Oleschki. We examine the rare humanitarian breakthrough, hear from Melania's team, and critique the mainstream media's refusal to celebrate a historic achievement by a Republican First Lady. Meanwhile, Dawn addresses the post-election mood, dissecting President Trump's viral interactions with White House construction workers and questioning the messaging divide within the party.

Stockton University economics professor Dr. Michael Bussler checks in to evaluate third-quarter GDP growth, record-low jobless claims, and the broader financial picture. Dr. Bussler argues that voter frustration over high energy prices and the ongoing Iran war drove the election outcome rather than broad enthusiasm for Democratic policy. We examine the stock market's reaction, the regional electricity controversies surrounding proposed tech data centers in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and the Treasury Department's newly announced opportunity zones designed to stimulate long-term private business investment across thousands of economically distressed communities.

Broadcast veteran Larry Mendte checks in after reporting from the New York City Marathon to put the recent election shift into clear perspective. Larry pushes back on media hyperbole, explaining why this turnover fails to reach the top ten historic midterms and cautioning incoming House Democrats against overplaying their hand with political investigations. Dawn and Larry debate incoming Oversight leadership, the fight over the Jeffrey Epstein records, Marco Rubio's potential 2028 presidential path, and the persistent frustration with federal gridlock. The crew wraps with lighter moments, discussing sold-out listener tours and hilarious behind-the-scenes broadcast memories.

Dawn Stensland leads the post-election analysis on The Dawn Stensland Show following a bruising midterm night that flips Congress blue and delivers a Democratic trifecta to Harrisburg under Governor Josh Shapiro. We react to CNN anchors celebrating the results, examine the surging numbers of independent voters across Bucks County, and dissect the political fallout for local seats. Republican PA House candidate Mike Murphy calls in after his run in District 144 against incumbent Brian Monroe, sharing what he encountered across twelve thousand doors, his perspective as an ICU nurse and cancer survivor, and why he chose to help voters alongside his opponent at the polls.

Dawn breaks down the national and state fractures with longtime friend Linda Kearns, who brings firsthand accounts from working inside the polling booth as a minority inspector. Linda walks us through illegal electioneering she had to halt, the practical breakdown of voter check-ins, and her sharp criticisms of the Save America Act as an unfunded federal overreach. We also bring in Chester County teacher Neil Young to discuss the grind of grassroots campaigning, the need for everyday citizens to run, and the uphill battle regular working people face when running against well-funded operations.

We dig deep into the GOP’s structural missteps, from Alex Castellanos’s warning about a voter "red screen" over gas prices and foreign wars to the party's failure to back non-traditional candidates. Dawn addresses the internal finger-pointing across Washington, reviewing reactions from Vice President JD Vance, Jim Jordan’s bid for Minority Leader, and Donald Trump’s reaction to television pundits. The crew wraps with a candid look ahead to 2028, demanding that party leaders stop relying on standard rally scripts, start listening to everyday Americans, and rebuild their local machinery from the ground up.

The Dawn Stensland Show takes on Election Day across Pennsylvania as Dawn and Dan Borowski break down the crucial races shaping the nation. PA GOP Chair and State Senator Greg Rothman joins the broadcast to give a live field report on voter turnout, explaining party spending strategies for critical congressional seats, Stacey Garrity’s campaign, and why Republican early voting numbers surged this year. Dawn and Greg tackle growing concerns surrounding emergency voting procedures, sanctuary city policies, and the boundary lines between legitimate voter assistance and illegal ballot harvesting.

We react to an outrageous viral sports moment from the Sixers game, where LeBron James crashed into courtside seats, grabbed fan Troy Clemens’ cup, and drank his wine right on the court. Dawn, Nick, and Dan debate the fan’s hilarious reaction, the pure gross factor of drinking after an NBA superstar, and the steep price tag of premium courtside seats. Dawn also covers alarming local crime updates, examining the brutal assault and robbery of driver Centilus Matilus on Roosevelt Boulevard, before honoring the victims of the tragic Palm Beach County Learjet crash, including local pilot Jeff Gregory and his heroic co-pilot.

The phone lines light up as listeners become the eyes and ears of the broadcast at polling locations across Bucks County, Montgomery County, and Philadelphia. Caller Jerry sounds the alarm on alleged bulk emergency ballots on hospital meal trays at Jeanes Hospital, prompting Dawn to press for answers through legal election integrity channels. Callers Sal, Greg, Diane, and Susan check in to share voter turnout updates, photo ID debates, and why independent voters are splitting tickets for candidates like Stacey Garrity. Dawn finishes by honoring American service members like her grandfather John and reminding voters why participating matters.

Dawn breaks down a dense slate of breaking headlines on The Dawn Stensland Show, starting with local shockwaves across Philadelphia. In City Council, members push forward an aggressive automated services displacement tax proposed by Jim Harrity, designed to levy steep penalties on businesses replacing union workers with delivery robots, autonomous shuttles, and driverless vehicles. Dawn debates executive producer Dan Borowski on where technology borders on replacement, how automation impacts families, and how the resulting tax revenues are slated to fund Philly's Zero Fare transit initiative. The crew also tracks serious local breaking incidents, including a fatal morning collision involving a SEPTA trolley at 45th and Chester Avenue in Clark Park and the campus-wide fallout from a shooting near the University of Delaware.

We shift attention down to Florida to examine the horrific aviation disaster in Palm Beach County, where all nine people aboard a Texas-to-Bahamas Learjet perished near Lake Worth Beach. Dawn reviews the distressing air traffic control audio, cockpit communication protocols, severe thunderstorm conditions, and rapid descents from mid-altitude. We also highlight sharp analysis from an experienced military pilot urging restraint against wild web rumors and pointing out stark regulatory differences governing private aircraft versus commercial flights. Meanwhile, Dan deals with an on-air personal health scare after pulling a buried tick from his shoulder, sparking a studio warning on Lyme disease prevention, tick-borne meat allergies, and household pet inspections.

Surge Philly investigators Frank Scales and Ian McGinnis step into the studio to unpack their street investigation inside the Mott Haven section of the Bronx, exposing brazen Medicaid fraud operations. They recount direct interactions with individuals trading government prescriptions for cash payments at small pharmacies and detail medical transit outfits dishing out weekly cash to residents while submitting fake bills for rides that never happened. The crew traces how these networks mirror historic multi-million dollar racketeering cases tied to gang rings and reviews the pitch from New York comptroller hopeful Joseph Hernandez to establish special fraud strike teams. Dawn caps off the broadcast by highlighting an underreported international development: former First Lady Melania Trump coordinating a humanitarian corridor in the war-torn Kherson region that successfully evacuated hundreds of trapped residents.

The Dawn Stensland Show breaks down a crucial economic warning with Chester County congressional candidate Marty Young. We discuss the current late-cycle credit trends, the rising risks facing consumers, and why community banking and local credit unions offer a healthier framework than large commercial lenders. Young also details how local infrastructure and energy demands, including federal data center power usage, feed directly into higher electricity bills for Pennsylvania families.

Dawn shifts focus to the tightening political battlegrounds with Rich Zeoli. We examine razor-thin House margins, critical Senate matchups, and the shifting dynamics facing both parties heading into Election Day. The crew also looks into escalating food theft rings in Philadelphia following four coordinated surf-and-turf heists, local election controversies in Bucks County, and official warnings surrounding illicit street narcotics disguised as colorful candies ahead of Halloween.

Bestselling author Brian Kilmeade joins the show to discuss his book, Uniting the States, detailing pivotal events that defined the nation from the American Revolution through modern challenges. We look at George Washington’s daring crossing of the Delaware, the lasting impact of the Louisiana Purchase, and the importance of teaching substantive history. Finally, we track breaking election developments and national conversations surrounding economic affordability.

Dawn opens Thursday with the bombshell report uncovered by the New York Times detailing an alleged scheme by Alaska Democrats to place a second man named Dan Sullivan on the ballot to create voter confusion. Dawn breaks down President Trump's reaction calling for the removal and prosecution of those involved, along with the legal battles reaching federal court just days before the election. RNC Co-Chair Casey Crosby joins the show to discuss the frantic pace of the midterm election schedule, key battleground House races across Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and why early and mail-in voting turnout is crucial for a victory.

Dawn examines the latest economic numbers showing the U.S. GDP grew at an impressive 3.4 percent rate in the third quarter driven by resilient consumer spending and tech investments. The crew reacts to Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh’s decision to hold interest rates steady between 3.75 percent and 4 percent, and his strategy shift regarding future monetary policy meetings. Stockton University economic guru Dr. Michael Bussler weighs in on cost-push inflation, potential future labor shortages, and potential solutions for the national debt and Social Security solvency.

Dawn highlights the administration's achievements on public safety, health initiatives, and border security, contrasting short-term economic worries with long-term prosperity. The crew reacts to Trump's relentless rally schedule leading into Election Tuesday, his interactions with hecklers in the crowd, and local predictions surrounding key Congressional districts.

Dawn opens the show reacting to President Trump’s recent campaign sweep across Texas, highlighting his announcement of free Venezuelan oil crude deliveries in Corpus Christi and his economic message on the trail. We analyze how Trump's high-energy rallies in Texas and upcoming stops in Ohio impact key regional Senate and gubernatorial contests. The crew debates whether Trump's strong presence galvanizes the conservative base or drives turnout among opposition voters in crucial swing areas like Bucks County.

Dawn gets into lighter, viral moments from around the region and beyond, reacting to the 39th annual High Heel Race in Washington, D.C.'s DuPont Circle and sharing classic television nostalgia and cruise ship mishaps. We also honor National First Responders Day, paying tribute to local emergency crews, including the team that successfully rescued a three-year-old child trapped in a wastewater pipeline.

Attorney Linda Kearns joins Dawn in studio to tackle pressing legal and political headlines just days ahead of the election. We dive into the groundbreaking copyright lawsuit filed by the Elvis Presley estate against AI company Anthropic over unauthorized music training data. Linda also breaks down federal polling monitors in Pennsylvania, early voting trends in New Jersey, and the critical mechanics of poll watching and voter turnout.

Dawn opens the show Reacting to the strange world of purebred dog shows, the latest political drama surrounding Donald Trump and Barack Obama, and the viral online feud over White House renovations and Cheesecake Factory aesthetics. Dawn and the crew break down Scott Bessent's defense of casual dining, Trump's response to Obama’s jab, and the ongoing public rivalry between two former presidents. We also examine local developments in North Penn over school security transparency and the controversy surrounding Brandon Rohn’s alleged claims regarding his law enforcement background.

In a special candidate spotlight, Dawn hosts Democratic Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan live in the studio for an in-depth, fair conversation representing Pennsylvania's 6th Congressional District. Rep. Houlahan addresses her Air Force career as an engineer during the end of the Cold War, her recent visit aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, and her bipartisan legislative efforts targeting veteran suicide prevention. We delve into military accountability, her past viral video advising service members to refuse unlawful orders, and her perspectives on federal oversight and potential lame-duck proceedings.

Dawn presses Rep. Houlahan on the national immigration crisis, local ICE operations in Chester and Berks counties, and the need to pass comprehensive bipartisan border reform like the Dignity Act. The discussion shifts to local law enforcement challenges in the wake of recent police officer line-of-duty deaths, funding for body cameras, and rebuilding police recruitment. Wrapping up the sit-down, Rep. Houlahan reflects on her daughters' cancer research fundraising through Hives for Lives, offering a personal look at how family loss transformed into a quarter-million-dollar charity drive.

The Dawn Stensland Show kicks off with Dawn battling fall allergies and standing firm on the local issues hitting our wallets and neighborhoods. We examine the pushback across Delaware County against a massive $120 million green space ballot referendum. Michael Straub—GOP Michael—stops by to expose how Delco officials expanded local bureaucracy by 25 percent, slapped residents with a 55 percent tax hike over three years, and now seek millions more through what he labels an omnibus project tied up in litigation over the Don Guanella parcel. Dawn questions why public dollars must fund projects better served by private philanthropy, while also taking aim at biased polling that persistently underestimates conservative turnout across Pennsylvania.

We welcome Frank Scales and Ian McGinnis of Surge Philly into the studio to address the collapse of American fertility numbers and the economic road blocks confronting young workers. Dawn, the crew, and the Surge guys break down why inflated home prices, stagnant wages, and competition from illegal immigration prevent twenty-somethings from buying houses and starting families. The conversation turns to real-world political organizing on the pavement, recapping Surge’s street interviews with New York congressional candidate Caroline Schinkel in Manhattan, their open-mic rallies on the north apron of Philadelphia City Hall, and public frustration with District Attorney Larry Krasner over delayed justice for victims like Sean Toomey.

Dawn shares gratitude for our listeners who turned out for the American Cancer Society fundraiser at Piazza and highlights the generous community outpouring for station colleague Kirk Corliss following the tragic loss of his wife. The team takes a lighter look at local football excitement ahead of Jeffrey Lurie’s Eagles Hall of Fame induction, the bizarre debate surrounding safe-sex kits handed out during trick-or-treating, and the weekend wedding of Sean Hannity and Ainsley Earhart. From municipal tax fights to ground-level street activism, we bring you unfiltered local talk on WPHT.