The Todd Allbaugh Show

The current lack of food assistance is affecting more than just human food. Families who are strapped for cash may also be struggling to feed their pets. Dane County Humane Society is holding a drive to help people keep their pets happy and healthy. You can get involved at giveshelter.org if you’re in the Madison area, but check your local humane society to see what you can do elsewhere around the state. 

This afternoon, Todd asks us What’s Worse: turkey bacon or turkey sausage? We take some calls and texts before getting distracted by Aaron’s new chicken velveting technique. 

Earlier today, former Vice President Dick Cheney passed away at the age of 84. He has a complicated history, to say the least. Todd gives us a quick recount of Cheney’s role in America, for better and for worse.

The Todd Allbaugh Show is a part of the Civic Media radio network and airs live Monday through Friday from 2-4 pm across Wisconsin. Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow us on Facebook, X and YouTube to keep up with Todd and the show!

Earlier this morning, President Trump announced that he is refusing to fund SNAP (AKA food stamps) after being ordered to by a federal court. To break down this possible impending constitutional crisis is our friend and legal expert Matt Flynn. He and Todd consider the legal ramifications and likelihood that Trump will back down from this statement. 

Next year, Wisconsin will have some very important elections. At the bottom of the hour, Wisconsin Watch State Government and Politics Reporter Brittany Carloni joins us in-studio to cover the most important things to keep tabs on in the coming months. 

The Todd Allbaugh Show is a part of the Civic Media radio network and airs live Monday through Friday from 2-4 pm across Wisconsin. Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow us on Facebook, X and YouTube to keep up with Todd and the show!

Over the weekend, Giannis Antetokounmpo says he fought off a would-be purse snatcher in a Pick ‘n Save. Wisconsin really does seem to have some of the nicest pro athletes. 

Using the Badgers football team and the Packers as examples respectively, Todd asks us What’s Worse: disappointment or frustration? We take some texts and calls on whether it stings worse to be sad or angry when things go awry. 

After What’s Worse, Todd returns to national politics that affect us in Wisconsin. SNAP food benefits are in an incredibly precarious position under the federal government shutdown. A few federal courts have ordered the Trump administration to at least partially fund the program, but it remains to be seen how this will shake out. A lot of public figures who typically stay out of politics have come out of the woodwork to share their disappointment. Doc Rivers of the Milwaukee Bucks shares his belief that feeding kids shouldn’t be political, and for what it’s worth, we agree. Anna Kleiber at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel shares real ways we can help in one of her latest articles.

The Todd Allbaugh Show is a part of the Civic Media radio network and airs live Monday through Friday from 2-4 pm across Wisconsin. Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow us on Facebook, X and YouTube to keep up with Todd and the show!

This last weekend, we celebrated Halloween and watched a lot of sports. Todd recaps the World Series results and Sunday’s NFL games before turning to a brief bite of political news. Last week, we talked about President Trump’s plan to flood the American market with Argentinian beef to lower prices. Former Badger and NFL player Joe Thomas is now a Wisconsin beef farmer, and we visited his farm earlier this year. All politics aside, he believes that this is a shortsighted move from our government. He walks us through the reasons why. 

At the bottom of the hour, we have another edition of Mondays with Matenaer. This morning, Jane Matenaer announced that after 44 years in radio, she will be retiring this December. We take some time to share our gratitude with her before covering the latest news. 

The Todd Allbaugh Show is a part of the Civic Media radio network and airs live Monday through Friday from 2-4 pm across Wisconsin. Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow us on Facebook, X and YouTube to keep up with Todd and the show!

The spooky segments aren't over yet with John and Gordy up first! Sha’Ron Buie joined to talk about his incredible work across multiple justice and community organizations — from the Federal Defender Service to Madison’s Police Advisory Board and Reentry Councils in both Madison and Milwaukee. He also shared the exciting news that MOSES will be honoring him this November for his ongoing commitment to criminal justice reform and equity.

Valley Focus with Lisa Hale got into the Halloween spirit with Ieva Engel, executive director of the Oshkosh Area Humane Society. Ieva shared important pet safety tips to keep your furry friends safe and stress-free during the holiday — from candy hazards to costume comfort — ensuring that every four-legged ghoul can join in the spooky fun safely.

On the Todd Allbaugh Show, it was another round of “Mondays with Matenaer,” as Todd and Jane dove into the topic of political tribalism. They took aim at both sides of the aisle — Republicans dodging blame for the government shutdown, and Democrats refusing to call out their own over leadership issues at DPI. The conversation was sharp, honest, and refreshingly self-aware, challenging listeners to demand better accountability from everyone.

Last but not least, on the WXCO Morning Report, Chad welcomed Cheryl Martino from NAMI Northwoods to discuss the vital mental health services available in Wausau. Cheryl explained how NAMI’s programs provide support, education, and advocacy for individuals and families navigating mental health challenges — an important reminder that help and community are always within reach.

To learn more about these shows and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the network on Facebook, BlueSky, YouTube, X, and Instagram to keep up with Civic Media!

Welcome to the spooky edition of the Civic Media Spotlight! First up is Nite Lite, where things got spooky as host and storyteller Carl Sarecki of the Door County Ghost Trolley Tours spun eerie tales from Wisconsin’s peninsula. From haunted happenings in Fish Creek to mysterious sightings in Peninsula State Park, Carl shared the chilling history behind Door County’s haunted past — including the infamous “Murder and Mayhem” tour that keeps even locals on edge.

On The Maggie Dawn Show, guest Rachel LaCasse-Ford joined to discuss how political games are leaving families like hers struggling with unaffordable healthcare. While Republicans blame the Affordable Care Act, Maggie and Rachel exposed the hypocrisy of offering no real alternative — leaving everyday Americans to shoulder skyrocketing premiums and uncertainty about their future coverage.

Former U.S. Attorney James Santelle stopped by Matenaer on Air for an in-depth conversation about justice, accountability, and the rule of law. They explored the work of Judge Sara Ellis in holding ICE to task in Chicago, and the broader importance of maintaining legal guardrails when government agencies overreach. It was a powerful reminder that standing up to intimidation is essential for protecting communities and democracy itself.

On Mathew P. Kennedy, journalist Ruth Conniff from the Wisconsin Examiner tackled a double-barreled discussion — the mishandling of misconduct investigations within the Department of Public Instruction, and the political hypocrisy fueling it. Ruth pointed out how Republican grandstanding has made it harder to address real problems in education, while also breaking down the ripple effects of the GOP’s government shutdown, including rising ACA premiums and farm labor challenges.

To learn more about these shows and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the network on Facebook, BlueSky, YouTube, X, and Instagram to keep up with Civic Media!

This afternoon, our What’s Worse is timely– timely, indeed. Todd asks us What’s Worse: Snickers or Kit Kat? We take some calls and texts on your favorite and least favorite Halloween candy. 

At the bottom of the hour, our friend Peter Rapine returns. As the Managing Editor of eBaum’s World, he has his finger on the pulse of the craziest stuff that real people are doing. 

Here are the stories Peter shares with us this week:

The Todd Allbaugh Show is a part of the Civic Media radio network and airs live Monday through Friday from 2-4 pm across Wisconsin. Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow us on Facebook, X and YouTube to keep up with Todd and the show!

Happy Halloween! If you’re going to be driving around tonight, be on alert for children running into the street. 

In national news, a Rhode Island federal judge has ruled that it is unlawful for the Trump administration to cease paying SNAP benefits this weekend with the government shut down. Whether or not this action returns funding to the program, there are things we can do in our communities. If we are able, we should donate time, money, and/or food to local food pantries to help out our neighbors. 

Halloween isn’t the only holiday this time of year. The day after Halloween is the Latino holiday Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead in English. Juan Garcia joins us to tell us about Somos Votantes, a Latino-led, Latino-focused organization that strives to inspire more civic engagement. As the Somos Wisconsin Project Manager, Juan shares some of the great events coming up in our state, including a Día de los Muertos celebration tomorrow in Milwaukee. 

If you’re in Milwaukee on Saturday, November 1st, you can check out Somos Creativos, an event that elevates Latino artists and small businesses. Here’s the info you’ll need: 

Somos Presents “Somos Creativos” – A Vintage Market Celebrating Latino Arts and Small Business

WHAT

WHO

WHEN

WHERE

WHY

HIGHLIGHTS

The Todd Allbaugh Show is a part of the Civic Media radio network and airs live Monday through Friday from 2-4 pm across Wisconsin. Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow us on Facebook, X and YouTube to keep up with Todd and the show!

The Trump administration is raising the difficulty on our citizenship test, requiring twice as many questions to be naturalized. We look through the questions to see if Todd would pass. 

Tattoos and piercings are great ways to express yourself, but we all know somebody who has some questionable ink. This afternoon, Todd asks us What’s Worse: bad tattoos or bad piercings? We take calls and texts with some of your favorite horror stories. 

Recently in California, the Marines fired live rounds over an interstate that detonated prematurely. Earlier this month, the Navy fired live 2,000 pound bombs during their 250th anniversary celebration. New reporting from AP claims that President Trump’s personal requests to “see explosions” are behind these ill-advised uses of weaponry. 

The Todd Allbaugh Show is a part of the Civic Media radio network and airs live Monday through Friday from 2-4 pm across Wisconsin. Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow us on Facebook, X and YouTube to keep up with Todd and the show!