Mornings with Pat Kreitlow

There have been a lot of discussions in newsrooms about how Artificial Intelligence can either supplement reporting or undermine credibility. A Chicago newspaper learned the hard way just how badly AI can be set up to report stories that seem to be written by humans, only to discover the published product was an embarrassing work of fiction. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow airs on several stations acro...

The House Republican tax bill gets a lot of attention for being a massive giveaway to the super-wealthy, but the package is even worse than advertised—though much of its impact wasn’t learned until after it passed because the process was so rushed. We’ll learn more from Courier Newsroom’s Keya Vakil. And for folks who used to watch Pat anchor the news in Eau Claire, prepare to hear something that’...

Wisconsin’s senior senator and foremost conspiracy theorist is at it again. Sen. Ron Johnson could have been content wishing former President Biden a full recovery from his new battle with prostate cancer. Instead, he announced a committee investigation of Biden’s health and questioned his fitness for office. We’ll assess whether there’s validity to the questions or if it’s another ghoulish effort...

Some of the people on the front lines of fighting American poverty are in the nation’s capital this week to warn about the real damage that will be done by cutting safety net programs like food assistance and healthcare coverage. We’ll also talk about the cuts being proposed to Planned Parenthood that won’t do a single thing to curtail abortion care—they’ll only hurt basic healthcare services to w...

We open with a convenient new way for listeners to interact with their favorite shows with the Civic Media app. And we’ll examine new reporting about Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy’s conveniently timed stock sales, just prior to President Trump’s tariff details that sent markets crashing. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through...

We’ll begin a new round of interviews for the three candidates hoping to succeed Ben Wikler as chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, starting with the guy who just received Wikler’s endorsement, Devin Remiker. (We’ll talk to Joe Zepecki on Thursday and William Garcia on Friday.) Melissa Baldauff has our weekly Climate Check segment. And James Kelly tells us what he’s working on for listeners...

We’ll talk to first-term state Rep. Christian Phelps (D-Eau Claire) about what he’s seeing in the Assembly Education Committee as part of the state budget process. A lot of the material Republicans are putting in front of them seems to be about almost anything other than strengthening public schools, which is conventional behavior from them, given the kind of talk that came up at last weekend’s st...

Remember when US Rep. Derrick Van Orden, a former Navy SEAL, claimed he would be an independent voice for veterans and positioned himself as standing up against budget cuts that would hurt vets? After stiff-arming constituents by refusing to hold town halls, the only voice he’s hearing is from the guy in the White House who wants massive cuts to the Veterans Administration. So it wasn’t a big surp...

Pat and Dan Shafer talk about recent election results around the world that again show how politicians trying to bring Trumpism to their countries aren’t seeing a lot of results at the ballot box. And Chad Holmes talks about a personal healthcare experience that should remind all men of a certain age not to take their health for granted. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow airs on several stations across t...

With Hans Breitenmoser, we’ll review the latest on Republicans’ efforts to pass a budget that hurts farmers and the low-income families who rely on nutrition assistance provided by our farmers. Not only is Congressman Derrick Van Orden supporting that plan, he’s also continuing to spread the notion that Veterans Administration cuts are only targeting fraud, an argument that is itself fraudulent. M...

Pat returns from a trip to Portugal, where he’ll mirror most other Americans who come back from Europe and wonder where the heck did we go wrong in this country? A quick review of the headlines makes the answer pretty apparent. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-9 am. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss...

The episode kicks off with weather updates promising a sunny Memorial Day weekend, perfect for grilling and outdoor fun. The conversation shifts to heavier topics, with special guests Teresa Fredericks and Carla Smith highlighting the childcare crisis in Wisconsin. They stress the importance of public investment to sustain childcare centers, as many face closures due to funding cuts. The episode a...

In the second hour, Bach, The Doc and Civic Media Meteorologist Brittney Merlot demystify the terms 'tornado' and 'twister' while emphasizing the need for tornado preparedness. The conversation shifts to prostate cancer, highlighting the importance of preventive healthcare for men and the barriers men face in seeking medical help. Discussions on healthcare costs and the necessity of annual check-u...

Dr. Kristin Lierly and Greg Bach, a duo known as Bach and the Doc, take over the airwaves, diving into the chaos of middle school as seen through the eyes of Dr. Lierly's son, Abe, a middle school teacher. They explore the challenges and awkwardness of adolescence, while Abe shares the countdown to summer break. The show shifts gears to discuss the Milwaukee comedy scene, revealing the Laughing Ta...

Welcome to the best of episode!! Pat was on vacation this week so we have a great collection of discussions and interviews as Matt Rothschild and Angela Lang sit in the big chair for Pat! Our guests include Executive Director of Law Forward Jeff Mandell and Wisconsin State Representative Francesca Hong. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monda...

In the final hour, Chad Holmes dives into Wisconsin's wild weather saga with meteorologist Brittany Merlot, who shares the excitement and devastation of tornado coverage. Civic Media's sport reporter Mike Clemens talks about Giannis Antetokounmpo possibly eyeing options beyond Milwaukee, as the Bucks face a critical offseason. Brewers' struggles continue, but hope remains with upcoming games and a...

Tornadoes wreak havoc across Central Wisconsin, prompting live wall-to-wall coverage of the severe weather. Meteorologist Brittany Merlot joins to discuss the chaos, from softball-sized hail to tornado warnings, and praises the National Weather Service's tireless efforts. Amid the stormy backdrop, the show shifts gears to civic unity as Latonya Campbell previews 'Wausau Unites in Love,' a rally ho...

Chad Holmes fills in for Pat Kreitlow, diving into a whirlwind of topics from local politics to wild weather. He chats with Marathon County Democratic Chair Nancy Stencil about the need for good governance reminiscent of Jimmy Carter's era. They lament the erosion of ethical leadership amidst Trump's antics, urging citizens to stay engaged. On a lighter note, Chad shares a heartwarming story of a...

In the third hour, Matt and Angela celebrate the courage and passion of Wisconsin legislators like Francesca Hong and Christian Phelps, who challenge both Republicans and Democrats to prioritize people over politics. Dave Zirin joins to discuss his new biography on Howard Zinn, emphasizing the importance of historical awareness in resisting authoritarianism. He critiques MLB's gambling ties and Pe...

Matt Rothschild and Angela Lang dive into Wisconsin's political landscape with guests like Jeff Mandel and Rep. Francesca Hong. Mandel critiques federal overreach, spotlighting a judge's arrest as a troubling power play by the Trump administration, which he argues is teetering on a constitutional crisis. He champions fusion voting to break the two-party grip, advocating for voter empowerment. Rep....

Matt Rothschild and Angela Lang, filling in for Pat dive into the legal tussle involving Judge Dugan, who faces charges for allegedly defying federal immigration officials. Pastor Walter Lanier joins the show to talk about the Trump policies and their effects on Communities of Color. On Capitol Hill, Wisconsin’s Mark Pocan and Tammy Baldwin confront RFK Jr. over vaccine policies and lead poisoning...

Guest host Matt Rothschild, alongside Angela Lang, tackles pressing issues with Abby Swetz, Executive Director of Fair Wisconsin. Swetz highlights the battles against anti-trans legislation, emphasizing the need for solidarity across communities as trans rights face hostile threats. Fear is palpable, but Abby stresses the power of public education and allyship to counteract pre-compliance to execu...

There was a heartbreaking fire in Milwaukee on Mother's Day which claimed five lives due to the absence of sprinkler systems in older apartment buildings. The conversation shifts to policy, questioning the state's priorities under Speaker Robin Voss, who opposes mandatory retrofits citing cost concerns, while ignoring the human cost. The episode also highlights funding threats to Head Start progra...

Matt Rothschild and Angela Lang tackle a whirlwind of heavy topics, from the unsettling prosecution of Judge Dugan to the concerning exodus of scholars fleeing potential fascism in the U.S . They delve into historical lessons from the Holocaust and the urgency for vigilance against authoritarianism. Shifting gears, they spotlight the dire situation of American childcare and elder care systems, wit...

Professor Leah Horowitz spearheads a resolution for Big Ten schools to unite in defense of academic freedom, resisting pressure on curricula and funding. Facing legal threats, universities aim to form a mutual defense compact, with UW-Madison faculty overwhelmingly in support. Despite potential backlash, they argue acquiescence isn’t effective, pushing for solidarity among academic and public comm...