Dan Shafer joins Maggie for another edition of ‘State Slate.’ Dan breaks down the latest chaos in the Capitol as Wisconsin Republicans abruptly end budget negotiations. With real progress and rare compromises on the table, Governor Tony Evers now faces tough choices. Should he threaten a full veto if Medicaid expansion is excluded? Dan lays […]

Guest: Dan Shafer

Jun 6, 2025

Maggie dives into the puzzling state of U.S. foreign policy, asking if Trump got played—again—as Israel cozies up to Russia. Then, eyebrows (literally) are raised as the Department of Homeland Security appoints 22-year-old Thomas Fugate—former grocery store clerk—to lead terrorism prevention. What qualifications does he bring beyond an ominous official photo? Plus, Gray Gunderson and […]

Guests: Gray Gunderson, Joel Karnick

Jun 6, 2025

In this hour, Maggie unpacks the real-world consequences of the Republican-led “big brutal bill” with guest William Parke-Sutherland from Kids Forward. Together, they expose the false zero-sum narrative in public policy—the idea that helping marginalized communities somehow hurts others. Parke-Sutherland warns that proposed Medicaid cuts won’t save money—they’ll raise costs for everyone in Wisconsin through […]

Guests: Mike Clemens, William Parke Sutherland

Jun 5, 2025

41:22

Maggie breaks down the latest political chaos, featuring a fiery clash between Elon Musk and Donald Trump. Wisconsin Congressman Mark Pocan joins to weigh in—not just on the feud, but on the devastating consequences of the so-called “Big Brutal Bill,” which threatens healthcare for millions of ACA enrollees. Pocan exposes hidden Medicare cuts buried in […]

Guests: Mark Pocan, Tom Jawetz

Jun 5, 2025

42:03

Maggie sits down with Ambassador Cynthia Efird, a 40-year veteran Foreign Service Officer, for a fascinating conversation about the often-overlooked impact of diplomacy. From an unexpected encounter with rapper 50 Cent in Angola to the critical role U.S. embassies play as global early warning systems, Efird brings diplomacy to life with vivid storytelling and deep […]

Guest: Cynthia Efird

Jun 4, 2025

41:49

Maggie begins today by unpacking the economic and social pressures facing Wisconsin. Agricultural economist Dr. Chuck Nicholson from University of Wisconsin – Madison joins to explain how Trump-era tariffs continue to harm the state’s dairy industry, disrupt global trade partnerships, and squeeze family farms. Then, Maggie shifts focus for “Broad Appeal” and speaks with Dr. […]

Guests: Chuck Nicholson, Dr. Kristin Lyerly, kristin lyerly, Leah Hibl

Jun 4, 2025

42:52

Maggie Daun and guest co-host Jim Santelle explore the economic toll of Trump-era tariffs on small businesses. Shawn Phetteplace of the Main Street Alliance and Mitch Prejbeanu, a small business owner from Paul’s Jewelers in West Allis, reveal how unpredictable and unevenly applied tariffs place small enterprises at a severe disadvantage—while large corporations weather the […]

Guests: Jim Santelle, Mircea Prejbeanu, Shawn Phetteplace

Jun 3, 2025

41:52

Maggie and guest co-host Jim Santelle dissect the troubling trend of former President Trump appointing underqualified loyalists to vital government roles. They argue that these so-called “D-list” appointees—lacking both credibility and expertise—are dangerously dependent on Trump’s authority, weakening institutions and opening the door to corruption. Maggie and Jim provide some absurd examples—like a FEMA director […]

Guest: Jim Santelle

Jun 3, 2025

41:48

Maggie and guest co-host Matt Rothschild take on the spiraling costs of incarceration in Wisconsin, exposing the shocking expense of housing youth offenders. They condemn ICE’s use of masks during raids as a tool of intimidation and a shield from accountability—while pointing out the hypocrisy of banning masks at protests. Maggie shares personal stories of […]

Guest: Matt Rothschild

Jun 2, 2025

42:08

Maggie Daun and guest co-host Matt Rothschild dive into the political fray with fiery commentary on the latest budget battles and partisan antics. She unpacks a startling amicus brief filed by conservative legal scholars challenging Trump’s tariff authority—an example of power politics overtaking principle. They also take aim at Senator Joni Ernst’s flippant remarks downplaying […]

Guests: LaTonya Johnson, Matt Rothschild

Jun 2, 2025

43:17