Here & Now

On "Here & Now," Zac Schultz covers how a historic 2026 election victory by Democrats sets up expectations for a sea change, U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin discusses Democrats winning majorities in both chambers of Congress, ballot operations at Milwaukee's Central Count were conducted on high alert, and Wisconsin Gov.-elect David Crowley starts putting together a transition team for 2027. Plus, former G...

On "Here & Now," Zac Schultz covers how political parties believe the support of Hispanic voters is up for grabs once again, Marquette Law School Poll Director Charles Franklin discusses polling in the final weeks before the November 2026 election, and Elijah Pines reports on how Wisconsin's 17th Senate District race reflects a wider fight over the state Legislature. Plus, retired sportswriter and...

On "Here & Now," Inside Wisconsin Politics discusses the debate between the candidates for governor, Steven Potter reports on how the stakes are high as Derrick Van Orden and Rebecca Cooke square off once again, and Sparkling Springs Farm owner Matt Rehberg describes growing costs for diesel and fertilizer amid trade wars and war with Iran. Plus, UW-Milwaukee political science professor Mordecai L...

On "Here & Now," political panelists Bill McCoshen and Scot Ross discuss the races for governor, the state Legislature and Congress, Zac Schultz reports on election denial as well as on the attorney general race, Rock County Clerk Lisa Tollefson discusses local administration of the election, State Democracy Research Initiative attorney Bryna Godar details three proposed state constitutional amend...

On "Here & Now," Murv Seymour reports on how Inflation, affordability and the economy are top priorities for Wisconsin voters, UW-Madison journalism professor Michael Wagner considers how artificial intelligence tools are affecting campaigns and elections, and Wisconsin Supreme Court Chief Justice Jill Karofsky discusses filing for temporary restraining orders through an online system. Plus, UW-Ma...

On "Here & Now," Charles Franklin discusses polling voters about enthusiasm for David Crowley and Tom Tiffany, Steven Potter reports on how President Donald Trump's influence among rural voters remains key in the 2026 vote, and Jason Stein discusses enrollment caps being lifted for Wisconsin's school choice program. Plus, Elijah Pines covers how Democrats and Republicans are in a fierce competitio...

On "Here & Now," Tom Content considers spikes in costs of heating fuels as utilities move to hike prices, Alder Michael Martens discusses Wausau's goal to remove and replace lead services lines before 2029, and Jim Drees describes La Crosse's goal of achieving a "functional zero" homeless population. Plus, Erica Ayisi reports on tribal leaders questioning a bill to redesignate the Apostle Islands...

Murv Seymour talks with Wendi Dwyer in Madison about learning to live with blindness, work to increase empathy and access for people with disabilities, and creating the "Advocacy Is a B*tch" cartoon. For transcripts, video, and more information about this episode please visit our episode page at: https://pbswisconsin.org/podcast_episode/in-focus-with-wendi-dwyer-from-disability-to-accessibility/?s...

On "Here & Now," Zac Schultz interviews Tom Tiffany and David Crowley on prominent issues in the 2026 race for governor of Wisconsin, and Wisconsin Motor Carriers Association President Dan Johnson discusses how businesses using semi-trucks are affected by the rising cost of diesel. Plus, the Wisconsin Supreme Court heard arguments in lawsuits over congressional district maps. For transcripts, vide...

On "Here & Now," Dunn County Clerk Andrew Mercil discusses how restrictions on absentee ballots might impact voters, and Josh Kaul and Eric Toney discuss their campaigns for attorney general in 2026. Plus, former HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson shared memories of visiting Ground Zero days after the 9/11 attacks. For transcripts, video, and more information about this episode please visit our episode...

On "Here & Now," Marquette University political science professor Philip Rocco discusses moves to manage mailing ballots by alleging noncitizen voter fraud, the Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife Commission denounced Enbridge over a Line 5 spill, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Sec. Karen Hyun discusses this Line 5 leaking in Iron County, and UW-Madison labor economist and High Road Stra...

On "Here & Now," Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation Secretary and CEO John Miller discusses how trade war impacts consumers and businesses in the state, Marquette Law School Poll Director Charles Franklin details what voters say about 2026 governor candidates and the Legislature, and Murv Seymour covers how development of data centers has become a major community issue across Wisconsin. Pl...

On "Here & Now," Wisconsin Department of Health Services state epidemiologist Dr. Ryan Westergaard describes a measles outbreak and falling childhood vaccination rates, the UW Board of Regents plans to freeze tuition if the state invests in the system, and UW-Madison La Follette School of Public Affairs professor J. Michael Collins discusses the rising number of student loan borrowers who are in d...

"Here & Now" political panelists Bill McCoshen and Scot Ross discuss the outcome of Wisconsin's 2026 primary election deciding Democratic and Republican nominees for governor and seats in Congress. For transcripts, video, and more information about this episode please visit our episode page at: https://pbswisconsin.org/podcast_episode/mccoshen-ross-wisconsins-2026-partisan-primary-winners/?seriesI...

On "Here & Now," Steven Potter reports on David Crowley and Tom Tiffany starting their general election campaigns for governor, Bill McCoshen and Scot Ross discuss the outcome of Wisconsin's primaries, and Votebeat reporter Alexander Shur discusses a delay in Milwaukee's vote tally for the primary election. Plus, Rev. Al Sharpton and civil rights attorney Ben Crump attend the funeral of Corey Ruiz...

Murv Seymour talks with former Madison Police Chief Noble Wray at the Black Business Hub about impacts of technology — from body cameras to AI to drones to license plate readers — on law enforcement. For transcripts, video, and more information about this episode please visit our episode page at: https://pbswisconsin.org/podcast_episode/in-focus-with-noble-wray-tech-and-the-future-of-policing/?ser...

On "Here & Now," Zac Schultz covers the four Democratic candidates remaining in the 2026 primary for governor of Wisconsin, Murv Seymour reports on how the city of Madison cleared a protest encampment 13 days after Corey Ruiz was killed, and UW-Madison political science professor emeritus Howard Schweber considers such encampments in Madison and the freedom of speech and assembly. Plus, Erica Ayis...

On "Here & Now," UW-La Crosse political science professor Anthony Chergosky considers the state of Wisconsin's 2026 Democratic primary race for governor, Menasha Mayor Austin Hammond describes a tornado that struck communities in Outagamie and Winnebago counties, and Murv Seymour covers how activists gather at a Corey Ruiz memorial to offer condolences and seek accountability. Plus, Wisconsin Elec...

On "Here & Now," Madison Police fatally shot 38-year-old Black man Corey Ruiz prompting protests, Marquette Law School Poll Director Charles Franklin discusses his poll showing Hong's strength with her base while trailing Tiffany, and State Democracy Research Initiative staff attorney Bryna Godar discusses the WEC barring absentee voters from a new ballot if their candidate drops. Plus, Wisconsin...

On "Here & Now," "Here & Now" senior political reporter Zac Schultz discusses what Sara Rodriguez dropping out of the 2026 race for governor means, primary candidates in Wisconsin's 2026 race for governor release campaign funding reports, Steven Potter talks to Wisconsin's 7th Congressional District Republican candidates making their cases to voters, Democratic candidates in the 7th Congressional...

On "Here & Now," Latino Forward National President Darryl Morin discusses an upswing of immigration arrests and detentions by federal agents, Hannah Dugan is fined $5,000 for obstruction charges and does not face jail, the Wisconsin Supreme Court blocked release of records that document competency to vote, JD Vance visits Milwaukee and Cavalier Johnson asks him to visit its election operations, an...

On "Here & Now," political panelists Bill McCoshen and Scot Ross discuss how Wisconsin's 2026 primary elections are taking shape, Gathering Waters Director of Strategic Initiatives Charles Carlin considers a halt to funding for the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program, and Elijah Pines reports on the number of families seeking personal waivers for vaccination of children is increasing. Plus, Murv Se...

"Here & Now" political panelists Bill McCoshen and Scot Ross discuss how Wisconsin's 2026 primary elections are taking shape, from the Democratic race for governor to Republican races for Congress. For transcripts, video, and more information about this episode please visit our episode page at: https://pbswisconsin.org/podcast_episode/mccoshen-ross-candidates-in-wisconsins-2026-primaries/?seriesID...

On "Here & Now," ACLU of Illinois Attorney Sam Cole on ICE's arrest of Salah Sarsour despite carrying a green card and his recent release, Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities policy analyst Tami Jackson on higher working requirements for Medicaid taking effect in January, and Chief Communications Officer for Destination Door County Jon Jarosh on what it means for seasonal em...

On "Here & Now," Tammy Baldwin and Ron Johnson spoke on the announced peace talks to end the Iran war, Iranians in Wisconsin discuss the Iranian government, Wisconsin Policy Forum President Jason Stein discusses a $50 million dollar deficit in one year in the Milwaukee County budget, and candidates running for governor made their appeals at the annual party conventions. Plus, Erica Ayisi covers ho...