WPT Midweek Moment

Which outspoken celebrity with high bipartisan approval gives us keen insight into how government operates? We look at how his answers are good enough for me. We look at some polling numbers not related to an election, but give some interesting insight into the confidence we have for our personal success in the United States. Lastly, we take a brief look at how we need to read between the lines to...

What is the latest "solution in search of a problem" being sold as a way to reduce taxes but is more likely to raise them? What is the latest un-necessary, misguided, "scorched earth" rhetoric that DIDN'T come from campaigning? What happens to your ballot if you vote in-person absentee? In about 10 minutes we answer all these questions and end with words of wisdom about reconsidering the "aggressi...

The Wisconsin state budget surplus was how much bigger than expected? Did WIAA massively over-penalize kids for an administrative mistake at the district level? What Wisconsin voter registration deadline is here? In under eight minutes we answer all these questions and end with a quote about free speech from Fredrick Douglas. All in less time than it takes to rotate the sweaters and flannels back...

This week we look at simple interpretations of the Supreme Court arguments around Governor Evers' 400 year tax increase, the earth shifting under Jill Underly's feet. We also start and end with the Shift10 movement and the ways it can impact your life. All this in less time than it takes to procrastinate buying Halloween candy. And as always, thanks for listening. You can find us on YouTube , Spot...

This week, we look at the honest answers to some hard questions: ? Why did New York get selected from the "you can't make this stuff up" file? (Because we don't like the Mets at the moment and it's our way to show solidarity with the Brewers.) ? When the Marquette Poll asked people to chose between school funding and tax increases, what did Wisconsin voters chose? ? When asked whether Wisconsin is...

This week we make an effort to find reasons the glass is half full: Is the federal government looking to expand paths of nuclear power? Yes! Is our state government changing its pattern of major spending increases? Yes! Do we pull another story from the "you can't make this stuff up file"? Yes! We cover all this and end with a quote from Ronald Reagan's inaugural address as Governor of California,...

This week get caught up on some headlines and pressing questions: ? Who is to blame for the roads dispute between the Lac de Flambeau Ojibwe tribe and Wisconsin's state, county, and local government? Both sides. We look at what Governor Evers and the Legislature need to do to resolve this, and neither of them will like it. ? What tells me more about the state of the economy than the Federal Reserv...

This week we are able to re-open the "You Can't Make This Stuff Up File". I won't share more so I don't spoil the irony. We look at some newly spent Inflation Reduction Act money. Will it reduce inflation? Also, we take a peek at a few numbers around the UW Campuses and the Madison campus. What is one of the early ideas being floated about making the System stronger? There may also be some comment...

This week we aren't pulling any punches: We look at corporate tax rates and why the smaller you are, the more that they hurt. We look at some of the REAL indicators of where the economy is at, and it isn't pretty. We look at how you can never take anything for granted when people will validate bad ideas by simply bringing them up as options. We look at how Minnesota is an overachiever, but not in...

This week we are looking at two headlines from the "You Can't Make This Stuff Up" file: Headline : The smell of cooking food is actually air pollution, study finds Headline : What is corn sweat and how is it making the Midwest’s heat wave this week worse? And since we were having so much fun, we took a headline from the "Thank you, Captain Obvious" file. Headline : Finding a qualified Milwaukee Pu...

This week's theme is unfortunate. Every once in a while, it's our duty to look at the disappointing results we get from government, in spite of its best intentions. It's a recurring theme of Jack and the Beanstalk, but always being on the side of the big clumsy ogre. We start with the Wisconsin Veterans Museum getting thrown a curveball, which even in the best case scenario, is going to keep drivi...

This week, we pick three of the many industries that Wisconsin seems to dominate: First, while Abe Frohman may have been the sausage king of Chicago, we look at who is the sausage king in the United States and when you should fire up the grill... Next we look at cranberries, and how we dominate that industry, and wise guys that came in at a surprise number three. Next we look at politics and look...

This week, we read between the lines on a few topics: First, the Wisconsin Policy Forum took a look at municipal finances and all the funding sources. We look at one of their very interesting findings about how much property taxes have gone up in the past decade. Second, we look at the DNR providing free water testing at Farm Technology Days next week. We look at some recommendations that are less...

This week, we answer numerous questions: How did Milwaukee County go from projecting a 31 million dollar surplus to a 6+ million dollar deficit in just a matter of months? How have the constitutional amendment questions turned into short sighted bickering over a long term question? What insurance premium is actually going down instead of leaping higher? All this and a Thomas Jefferson quote on gov...

This week we start by asking: Does the Olympics get called for a false start if they conduct events before the opening ceremonies? The answer is no, but we go over critical Olympics etiquette and some related holidays. We look at federal proposal was heard in committee today that would establish a first for Wisconsin and give another notable boost to our Northwoods tourism economy. We also go down...

This week we start by asking: Which annual holiday that is (probably) the most permanent holiday and causes the most regret of any other holiday in America? We reveal the answer. What is the new UW Eau Claire bachelor's degree being offered this fall at the Barron County campus? Will it be help strengthen the workforce? We investigate and let you decide. What is the latest plot twist in the saga o...

This week we look at management and how it impacts healthy or unhealthy company culture: How are things going for the Brewers, Cardinals, and Cubs? This season, the past ten years, and their longer term history as organizations. For the Brewers, it looks good. How are things looking for the Wisconsin Department of Corrections? The past year and the past ten years. For the DOC, it does not look goo...

This week we look at: Who were the authors of the Declaration of Independence and what body of government commissioned the work? We look at the priorities of the educational pollitical elite and have serious questions about whether they believe in the ideals that founded the United States of America. We look at the rocky relationships between the two main presidential candidates have with members...

This week we look at: The WI Supreme Court officially decided that sidewalks are not "pedestrian ways". Who do they blame their decision on? A widely read modern writer used a pen name to write some of the most famous books of the 20th century, and he has a birthday today. Who is it? A judge rules to help the blind and people physically incapable of filling out a ballot to have their ballot be a t...

This week we look at both sides of the government coin: politics and civics... On the politics side of the coin we look at battleground Wisconsin. We look at the most recent visits for Trump and Biden. What was conspicuously missing from both? Aside from this example, what has the "Right" continued to miss where the left hasn't? We break it down. On the civics side of the coin, we look at the foun...

This week we look at two examples of leadership and how actions speak louder than words... Last week we quoted Representative Lakeshia Meyers' harsh words of accountability for the Milwaukee Public Schools. This week, we look at the harsh words of accountability that the Wauwatosa School District had for Lakeshia when she was an employee there last year. We also look at the leadership of Governor...

This week we study (pun intended) the epic failures at Milwaukee Public Schools. The irony of how... A school district blows off its math homework! Even when they submit or re-submit work, it is still incomplete! Their money incompetence started before they asked for more money! Their mess means almost every other school district will lose state funds. All that and a quote from John Adams in less...

We are looking at a cross section of Wisconsin: Next week Monday is the deadline for nomination papers and signatures. What bipartisan frustration do 77% of voters have with government? The Gun Deer Hunt for Hunters With Disabilities Program UW-Madison scientists and AI have identified nearly 30 million acres of abandoned cropland that could be put to good use. All that and a quote from Theodore R...

We are looking at lots of things, including beautiful weather: What happened with the veto over-rides in the Wisconsin Senate on Tuesday What factors will come into play for the Assembly to follow suit. Is the WI Supreme Court half as productive as they used to be? Where are ARPA dollars being invested this month? All in less time than it takes to set up and level the cornhole boards. As always, t...

Lots of political grandstanding this week. We look at how ~ Biden in Wisconsin looks absolutely identical to Trump from six years ago. Governor Evers gets consistent responses from the Legislature. Wedding barns sue to regain some of their rights. Klement's sausage might have a new lease on life. All in less time than it takes to park and get tailgating. As always, thanks for listening.