Mornings with Pat Kreitlow

Approaching the 2026 elections, conservatives are facing a fork in the road: go big or go home. Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Rebecca Bradley has decided to go home — and not face the prospect of being ousted by progressive Appeals Judge Chris Taylor next April. We’ll review her interesting statement. Vice President JD Vance, meanwhile, has decided to go big… on amplifying the GOP playbook on fear and loathing, the only two touchstones from his remarks on Friday in La Crosse. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it 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 out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube.

Hear some of the summer's highlights from the show as Pat enjoys a day off on this Labor Day. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it 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 out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube.

Hear some of the summer's highlights from the show as Pat enjoys a day off on this Labor Day. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it 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 out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube.

Hear some of the summer's highlights from the show as Pat enjoys a day off on this Labor Day. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it 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 out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube.

We relive some of the greatest interviews and moments from the summer of 2025 while Pat gets an early start to the Labor Day weekend. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it 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 out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube.

We relive some of the greatest interviews and moments from the summer of 2025 while Pat gets an early start to the Labor Day weekend. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it 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 out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube.

We relive some of the greatest interviews and moments from the summer of 2025 while Pat gets an early start to the Labor Day weekend. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it 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 out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube.

We’ll talk to Joe Zepecki about today’s visit to La Crosse by Vice President JD Vance, another effort to spin the narrative on what’s in the Republicans’ package of massive cuts and record deficit spending that are being used to deliver lots of tax goodies to the very wealthy. Like his buddy, US Rep. Derrick Van Orden, expect lots of forceful denials, sarcasm, and namecalling, but we’ll help you keep an eye on those pesky facts that keep getting in the way of their brand of performative politics. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it 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 out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube. Guests: Joe Zepecki, Chad Holmes, Sean O’Malley

Congressman Derrick Van Orden frequently talks about growing up poor and eating “government cheese,” which only makes it easier to identify him as a ladder pusher: someone who was able to take advantage of policies that can help children and families climb out of poverty, only to push the ladder away before anyone else can benefit. We’ll talk to Kate Felton of Eau Claire about her new column at The Recombobulation Area that calls out Van Orden for continuing to lie that the new Republican budget law doesn’t hurt people who rely on Medicaid and nutrition support to stay out of poverty. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it 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 out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube. Guest: Kate Felton

The new head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a woman with Wisconsin ties, is out of a job less than a month into her new role — and, predictably, it is setting off alarm bells through the country’s health and science communities. We’ll check the “progress” of a Health and Human Services secretary, a spreader of medical misinformation who seems hell-bent on steering the country on a crash course with more public health emergencies. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it 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 out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube. Guest: Cherita Booker

Wisconsin is the scene of a new lawsuit that is taking on a familiar new approach to the impacts of a changing climate: the harm to children. We’ll talk to Melissa Baldauff about these youth-centric lawsuits, the literal cry of the next generation wants their parents and grandparents to stop harming their future environment and health. Plus: Civic Media’s James Kelly reviews some of his news coverage across western Wisconsin. And author Laura Bird talks about book bans, a seasonal recurrence at the start of school years—what to know and how to keep our libraries free. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it 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 out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube. Guests: Melissa Baldauff, Earl Ingram, Laura Bird

It would be enough for leaders from education, healthcare, labor, and local services to call attention to the damage being done by the Trump administration separately. Today in Eau Claire, they’ll do it together and we’ll talk to the national president of the American Federation of Teachers, Randi Weingarten, about the ongoing work to educate the public about the ways children will be impacted by this year’s actions for many years to come. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it 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 out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube. Guest: Randi Weingarten

It’s the closest thing the United States will get to a royal wedding: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce announced plans to get married. We’ll discuss whether the veteran football player and the billionaire pop star can make time for wedding planning between his new NFL season and her new album release. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it 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 out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube. Guest: Melissa Kaye

We’ll talk to Dan Shafer about the increasing popularity of cell phone bans in classrooms. We also look into various forms of hypocrisy in the Republican party. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it 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 out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube. Guests: Dan Shafer, Chad Holmes

We’ll talk dairy farmer Hans Breitenmoser, Sheila Everhart of the Wisconsin Agricultural Tourism Association, and Jean Bahn of the Farmview Event Barn about work they’d like to see the Legislature get done this fall to benefit the rural economy. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it 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 out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube. Guests: Hans Breitenmoser, Angela Stroud, Dan Hagen, Sheila Everhart, Jean Bahn

Vice President JD Vance is coming to La Crosse today, reportedly to talk up the unpopular Trump megabill—but also with a nod to the vulnerable congressman whose caustic comments get in the way of any efforts by Derrick Van Orden and Vance to address concerns about tariffs, massive cuts, and tax breaks for the super-rich. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it 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 out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube.

How can you tell if someone’s considering a run for statewide office? It’s one thing to check their social media feed. But anyone can sound like a candidate from behind a keyboard. Check the odometer next. We’ll talk to Rep. Francesca Hong about her travels and her very public statements about where Wisconsin Democrats should be headed in the 2026 elections. We’ll visit with our Civic Media friends John & Gordy from our Madison station and Jane Matenaer, whose show follows ours. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it 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 out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube. Guest: Francesca Hong

We’ll hear from AFT-Wisconsin president Jon Shelton about the qualities that voters should look for in Wisconsin’s next governor—for him and many other co-signers of a recent letter, there had better be a focus on union labor and workers in general. We’ll also talk to Jimmie Kaska about the first week of high school football, accompanied by high school football weather. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it 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 out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube. Guests: Jon Shelton, Jimmie Kaska

Vice President JD Vance gives the US another black eye, botching a basic historical fact as part of his effort to help Russia hold onto land it seized from Ukraine. And in the category of “How Is This Still a Thing?”: The fake electors court cases are still going on, including a new development in Wisconsin. But what good is a justice system if it can’t quickly bring consequences for trying to overthrow the government that allows that court system to exist? Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it 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 out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube. Guests: Dr. Kristin Lyerly, Salina Heller

Tomah Dr. Jill McMullen was recently featured in a video series by Pete Buttigieg, talking about the impact of Republican Medicaid cuts to rural health care in Wisconsin and nationwide. We’ll talk to her about the experience and whether her concerns are growing. And Mike Clemens gives us an update from Packers training camp and reviews how the Brewers emerged from their Wrigley Field gauntlet still in control of the National League Central division. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it 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 out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube. Guests: Mike Clemens, Dr. Jill McMullen

Despite the many negative headlines and ample reason to worry about the future of our democracy, Mark Jacob reminds us that there are still Americans willing to stand up for American values. In politics, in law, in media, in faith, he tells us who’s leading the way on defending our republic and how you can help. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it 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 out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube. Guests: Jim Santelle, Mark Jacob, Jennifer Schulze

A court commissioner in Walworth County is out of job after insisting that due process be followed in immigration matters, no differently than in criminal matters. Without the ability for a judge to review a warrant, what’s to stop Big Government from expanding its efforts to kidnap people who don’t fit their racial profile? We’ll also ask Joe Zepecki about the map warfare going on in Texas and California. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it 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 out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube. Guests: Joe Zepecki, Greg Bach

Economic data shows that the Trump presidency is doing exactly what experts tried to warn us about. There’s a widening gap between the super rich and the rest of us. Trump’s trade war has weakened the US dollar. And consumers are paying the price, not other countries, as Trump had been claiming. We’ll discuss all of today’s news with Sean O’Malley, Joe Zepecki, and Chad Holmes. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it 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 out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube. Guests: Joe Zepecki, Chad Holmes, Sean O’Malley

With Lt. Governor Sara Rodriguez launching a bid to become governor next year, there will be a wide open race to take the number two spot in the state in 2026. Sarah Godlewski, the current secretary of state and former state treasurer, announced her candidacy Wednesday to grab a third constitutional position in as many elections. We’ll talk to her live about her decision and her platform. We’ll also check in with Todd Allbaugh after his trip to Wisconsin Rapids to celebrate the anniversary of a local radio station. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it 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 out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube. Guests: Sarah Godlewski, Todd Allbaugh

Gov. Tony Evers isn’t wasting time changing how business is done in the Capitol, now that the state Supreme Court has struck down one of the (many) ways Republicans in the Legislature had been blocking him from implementing laws and rules. We’ll also get a rundown of this weekend’s Wisconsin events with Cherita Booker. And we’ll replay our conversation with Dan Shafer about a very liberal US senator coming to western Wisconsin to campaign for a congressional candidate already endorsed by “blue dog” Democrats. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it 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 out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube. Guests: Dan Shafer, Cherita Booker

Congressman Derrick Van Orden can’t stop, won’t stop holding private events rather than public town halls to defend the damage being done to his refusal to stand up to President Trump. One of his upcoming events is a country club fundraiser with an Ohio congressman nicknamed “Gym” Jordan, and folks in the Wisconsin Rapids area are planning to make sure both lawmakers know public opinion isn’t on their side. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it 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 out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube. Guest: Katrina Shankland

For all of the talk about federal budget cuts, there is also some new federal money being made available to schools — but it’s a trap. It’s being billed as a national tax credit scholarship program, but it’s also a back-door way to fund more vouchers for private schools. State officials who want to protect public education can try to modify how the dollars are distributed, but it’s funding that could eventually be yanked back over to private schools anyway. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it 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 out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube. Guest: Christian Phelps

We are live in Wisconsin Rapids to help WFHR celebrate 85 years of local broadcasting. We’ll talk to members of the Civic Media family about the historic role the station has played over decades of community service. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it 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 out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube.

We’ll catch up with Dan Shafer of The Recombobulation Area to discuss how Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders is coming to western Wisconsin to help one of the Democrats trying to unseat US Rep. Derrick Van Orden. We’ll also look into whether US Rep. Bryan Steil is signaling a willingness to help President Trump kill mail-in voting, something used by hundreds of thousands of Wisconsin voters. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it 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 out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube. Guest: Dan Shafer

We’ll talk to former state legislator Fred Clark about how ridiculous certain Wisconsin politicians looked in sending a letter to Canada to complain about, you know, their country burning down. We’ll fact-check the people who want to blame everything other than a changing climate for everything that’s changing in our climate. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it 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 out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube. Guests: Dan Hagen, Fred Clark

President Donald Trump recharged his autocratic batteries after meeting up with Russia’s dictator and is back to bashing a cornerstone of democracy: making voting easier for everyone who’s qualified to vote. Also: Derrick Van Orden quietly appeared in Eau Claire, not holding a town hall or hearing from voters. The show has plenty of fun as Pat educates Parker about New Coke, something Pat thinks Parker should know despite it happening 20 years before his birth. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it 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 out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube.

John & Gordy join from Madison to talk about some international affairs after Trump gave Putin a photo op. Dr. Kristin Lyerly joins the show from a hotel as she travels back from her conference in Peru. She shares details on her experiences there and some observations about democracy. Also: Civic Media’s Jane Matenaer checks in. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it 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 out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube. Guest: Dr. Kristin Lyerly

Wisconsin is unlike many states that allow ordinary citizens to collect signatures and put ideas on a statewide ballot for new laws or constitutional amendments. We’ll talk to two guests who recently wrote an opinion column outlining why we should have that kind of setup in our state, too. We’ll also check in with Civic Media’s Jimmie Kaska. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it 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 out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube. Guests: Matt Rothschild, Maresa Strano

We’ll discuss the Brewers’ extending their winning streak to a record 14 games before finally losing a game on Sunday. And we’ll discuss how Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has figured out the best way to approach today’s meeting at the White House: Bring friends, lots of ‘em, as several European leaders join the follow-up to President Trump’s Alaskan bromance with Russia’s dictator. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it 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 out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube. Guest: Salina Heller

A new report from a nonpartisan research group outlines how the new Wisconsin state budget will draw down the multi-billion dollar surplus. That’s the data. Here’s the judgement: Good. A surplus isn’t supposed to just sit there for years, as Republican legislators have allowed. Now it’s coming back in the form of both tax cuts and new investments, showing the importance of having a Democratic governor to ensure a more balanced approach than blowing it all on favors to the very wealthy. Also: Mike Clemens joins us live from Indianapolis to preview tomorrow’s preseason Packers game. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it 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 out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube. Guest: Mike Clemens

We’ll review the latest moves by the Trump regime with our Week In Review panel: whether it’s a military takeover of Washington, DC streets; sending armed, masked troops to a rally by California’s governor; or inviting Russia’s war criminal dictator to a summit today in Alaska, the president is all about putting on a show — even though he keeps losing in courtroom as judges strike down his illegal orders. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it 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 out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube. Guests: Jim Santelle, Mark Jacob

There’s finally some movement in the legal case surrounding the mayor of Wausau taking it upon himself to remove an absentee ballot drop box from City Hall while echoing Republican talking points about the issue. There’s only one problem: The new special prosecutor happens to be the last Republican candidate to run for state attorney general. We’ll also talk to Courier Newsroom’s Keya Vakil about Texas Democrats deciding to return home now that California’s governor is starting a process that could offset the corrupt cartography being done by Republicans in the Lone Star State. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it 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 out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube. Guest: Keya Vakil

Living in an era where the MAGA far right can’t stop drifting further to the right, Wisconsin has a candidate for governor with a position on public safety that puts a sickening spin on the old Oprah Winfrey line: “You get a gun! And you get a gun! And you get a gun!” We’ll review Bill Berrien’s idea to eliminate permits and encourage flooding the streets with concealed weapons. Also, Sean O’Malley talks about the state of the U.S. economy, even relating the state of the current beef population and prices to the free George Webb hamburgers. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it 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 out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube. Guests: Joe Zepecki, Chad Holmes, Sean O’Malley

The president’s extremism means no Republican incumbents should take their elections for granted in 2026, even a state senator whose district went for Donald Trump by 34 points last year. We’ll talk to Mike Van Someren of Delafield, who announced Wednesday he’s challenging Sen. Chris Kapenga in that suburban Milwaukee district. After all, “Suburban Milwaukee district” isn’t synonymous with “solidly Republican” anymore. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it 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 out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube. Guest: Mike van Someren

Leave it to a master narcissist to fire board members from the Kennedy Center, appoint new members who would vote to make him their chairman—and then name himself as the host of this year’s Kennedy Center Honors. We’ll have details on this latest blow to American culture and the arts. Also: Cherita Booker reviews some of the many events going on across the state this weekend. And of course we’ll revel in the Milwaukee Brewers winning their 12th game in a row. Who wants a free burger? Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it 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 out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube. Guests: Melissa Baldauff, Cherita Booker

Wisconsin was the first state in the country to use President Joe Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act as a way to put money back in people’s pockets for projects that made their homes more energy efficient. Two years later, it has paid out millions in rebates. We’ll talk to Melissa Baldauff about the program’s success, compared with what the current administration is doing to shift all that money back to company executives involved in oil, gas, and coal. We’ll also talk to Civic Media reporter James Kelly in the Chippewa Valley. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it 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 out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube. Guests: Melissa Baldauff, Earl Ingram

Naturally, the headline writers have to be brief and leave out context: “Evers vetoes portable benefits for delivery drivers.” The real story is how the governor vetoed the ongoing imbalance between how corporations treat their workers—and abuse the loophole of “gig workers,” “independent contractors,” and “part-timers.” We’ll talk to former state Rep. Dana Wachs about worker misclassification — and also about his early work to bring transparency to property tax bills about the true cost of the voucher schools program. We’ll also check in with Civic Media’s Jimmie Kaska. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it 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 out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube. Guest: Dana Wachs

Taylor Swift has mastered the art of album anticipation and has created another P.R. juggernaut with her next release, “The Life of a Showgirl.” It got us wondering what other albums were highly anticipated over the years, from the Beatles’ “Sgt. Pepper” to Nirvana’s “Nevermind.” What was your version of “shut up and take my money?” We’ll also hear from Jeff Rennicke of Friends of the Apostle Islands about their boat safety network of buoys. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it 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 out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube. Guest: Melissa Kaye

We’ll talk to Dan Shafer of The Recombobulation Area — less about politics this time and more about what he’s seeing in his hometown as Milwaukee takes stock of the damage from massive flash flooding over the weekend. And we’ll check in with Chad Holmes of our Civic Media station in Wausau about the stories he’s following up north. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it 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 out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube. Guests: Dan Shafer, Chad Holmes

The fall session of the Wisconsin Legislature features bills that lawmakers had hoped might make it to the new state budget, but now have to pass on their own merits. One would allow Wisconsin farmers to have paying campers without having to obtain a campground license. We’ll talk to Hans Breitenmoser and Sheila Everhart about what advocates hope is the opening of another agricultural tourism revenue opportunity. We’ll also have a guest from the Friends of the Apostle Islands to talk about safe boating in that part of Lake Superior. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it 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 out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube. Guests: Hans Breitenmoser, Dan Hagen, Sheila Everhart, Jeff Rennicke

Washington, DC is coming under federal, perhaps even military control, because the president is claiming, falsely, that crime is out of control. (It’s far from perfect, but it’s not at its worst.) The irony is that DC’s most violent crime actually occurred on January 6, 2021 and its mastermind is now the one in charge of its police. What could go wrong? We’ll also ride another wave as the Brewers again reach a double-digit winning streak. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it 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 out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube.

Every profession needs a good national organization dedicated to best practices, ongoing education, and a little morale boosting. For state lawmakers, that’s the role of the National Conference of State Legislators. We’ll talk to Rep. Jodi Emerson (D-Eau Claire) about this year’s convention discussions — and the difference between a group like NCSL vs. similar groups focused on partisanship and division. We’ll also check in with Civic Media friends Greg Bach and John & Gordy. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it 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 out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube. Guest: Jodi Emerson