Spanning The State

Alan Borsuk Senior Fellow in Law and Public Policy at Marquette Law School joins the show to talk about open enrollment for Wisconsin Schools. He talks about the differences between voucher and charter schools as well as, how many families are using open enrollment, and what are the laws surrounding kids choosing where they want to go to school.

Actor and co-writer of film "Hundreds of Beavers" Ryland Brickson Cole Tews, joins Spanning the State to talk about the project, what inspired the movie, how he managed to film the movie during the pandemic and where all the beaver suits came from. You can watch Hundreds of Beavers streaming on Apple TV and Amazon Prime Video.

Kristin Brey and Brian Noonan are back. In this hour they talk spin the state, talk about the massive amounts of sinkholes in Whitefish Bay and review all that happened in the last week of 2024 and first three days of 2025. Then they play part 2 of the 2024 Year in Review Trivia on the Grandiloquent Game Show.

Today on Spinning the State: Antigo - Students are Helping Students with Their Mental Health. Madison - New Mentorship Program to Support Indigenous Graduate Students at UW-Madison. La Crosse - Influencer Halley Kate spends "Perfect Christmas Eve in Wisconsin."

Kristin Brey, the founder of As Goes Wisconsin, and longtime WTMJ host Brian Noonan are skilled at taking the complex and making it digestible. They will take you behind the headlines of the day’s biggest stories from across Wisconsin. Fans will hear the stories being told by those who live and cover those communities firsthand for the most accurate and relevant information.

Steve Scaffidi host of the Political Power Hour, is back for the first Political Power Half hour of 2025. Today, Kristin, Brian, and Steve talk about their political predictions for 2025, from the state budget, to the WI Supreme Court Race to They then chat about the state budget, how this will be cemented once the supreme court race is finished, Governor Tony Evers deciding on whether to run for office again, Ben Wikler’s endorsements to lead the Democratic National Committee and more.

Associate Professor of Teacher Education Erica Barnett joins Kristin and Brian to talk about how she created a non-curriculum based that focuses on preparing teachers for active shooters and other crisis management situations. Barnett shares how the Knight educator Program (K.E.P) was created, the benefits for teachers, how they are training teachers now in the wake of the Abundant Life Christian School Shooting and the role social work and counseling plays when it comes to being prepared.

Happy New Year from Spanning the State. Brian holds down the first episode of the year solo and does the first Spinning the State of 2025. Then he shares stories from listeners about their News year's Day polar plunge experiences. Brian then talks about the chaos of too many zip codes in the county of Somers, WI and how it's far from being resolved. Later he chats about the sad closing of several Wisconsin breweries in 2024 and how the culture of American beer consumption is changing.

Today on Spinning the State: Sturgeon Bay - Sturgeon Bay Couple Sees Rare Bird. Onalaska - Little Hearts Project to be Featured on PBS "Wisconsin Life". Manitowoc - Making a Murderer's Steven Avery Appeals.

Happy New Year from Spanning the State. Brian holds down the first episode of the year solo and shares how he spent his time ringing in 2025. Then he shares his thoughts on the tragic and fatal events that took place in New Orleans on NYE. He talks about is happier moments when visiting, what it was like for him going to high security events like a final four game as well as other news updates we know about the incident thus far. Later he speaks to Journal Sentinel Reporter Cleo Kerjci about the workforce shortage plaguing Wisconsin's Assisted Living Industry.

Journal Sentinel Reporter Cleo Kerjci joins host Brian Noonan to discuss how Wisconsin's Assisted Living industry is struggling with a workforce shortage but doesn't quite have a solution to fix it. Kerjci shares what she uncovered through her investigation throughout 2024, the department of Health services request for help from the state legislature, the certified roles that are needed, and other information she has learned about both assisted living homes and nursing homes.

Kristin Brey, the founder of As Goes Wisconsin, and longtime WTMJ host Brian Noonan are skilled at taking the complex and making it digestible. They will take you behind the headlines of the day’s biggest stories from across Wisconsin. Fans will hear the stories being told by those who live and cover those communities firsthand for the most accurate and relevant information.

Kristin Brey, the founder of As Goes Wisconsin, and longtime WTMJ host Brian Noonan are skilled at taking the complex and making it digestible. They will take you behind the headlines of the day’s biggest stories from across Wisconsin. Fans will hear the stories being told by those who live and cover those communities firsthand for the most accurate and relevant information.

Kristin Brey, the founder of As Goes Wisconsin, and longtime WTMJ host Brian Noonan are skilled at taking the complex and making it digestible. They will take you behind the headlines of the day’s biggest stories from across Wisconsin. Fans will hear the stories being told by those who live and cover those communities firsthand for the most accurate and relevant information.

Kristin Brey, the founder of As Goes Wisconsin, and longtime WTMJ host Brian Noonan are skilled at taking the complex and making it digestible. They will take you behind the headlines of the day’s biggest stories from across Wisconsin. Fans will hear the stories being told by those who live and cover those communities firsthand for the most accurate and relevant information.

Kristin Brey, the founder of As Goes Wisconsin, and longtime WTMJ host Brian Noonan are skilled at taking the complex and making it digestible. They will take you behind the headlines of the day’s biggest stories from across Wisconsin. Fans will hear the stories being told by those who live and cover those communities firsthand for the most accurate and relevant information.

Kristin and guest co-host Sandy Maxx spin the state and talk about some pricey bling Jake Jacobs gave to Packers players. Later they walk down memory lane and reminisce on the days of Milwaukee's long-standing hot spot as it's about to close. Then they play the last trivia Friday of 2024 with year in review 2024 trivia on the Grandiloquent Game Show.

Today on Spinning the State: Milwaukee - Alverno College No Longer Considered Under Financial Distress. Green Bay - Josh Jacobs' Sparky Packer Gift.

A Milwaukee native, Aaliyah Danielle has launched a crowdfunding campaign in the hopes of launching a contemporary ensemble and professional development community, The Fusion Collective. She tells Kristin and Sandy about her journey into a career of music, and how she started the collective.

Kristin Brey is solo today and the show must go on! Today she takes us down on a trip down memory lane to some of her favorite interviews we've covered on Spanning the State through 2024. In part 2 we recount our interviews with Christopher Meter and the opening of the shooting range and gun education center, Mission94. As well as Brian Reisinger and his book “Land Rich, Cash Poor: My Family's Hope and the Untold History of the Disappearing American Farmer”. Then we share a message from a listener and guest, blind horseshoe thrower Paula Schwerdfeger.

Today on Spinning the State: Milwaukee - Milwaukee County Zoo's Frosty Free Week! Somers - Life without a Zipcode?

Kristin Brey is solo today and the show must go on! Today she takes us down on a trip down memory lane to some of her favorite interviews we've covered on Spanning the State through 2024. In part 1 we recount our interviews with the owners of Madison's Harvey House and their time on Top chef, Author Doug Moe and his book on the legacy of UW- Madison Band Director Mike Lackerone, as well as information you may need to know cleaning up after the holidays.

Kristin and Brian are here to christen your Christmas Eve with a special holiday show. Join them for nostalgic readings of your favorite holiday books, interviews with special seasonal guests, 12 Days of Christmas in Wisconsin, an extra special Spinning the North Pole and so much more. Merry Christmas and happy holidays from Spanning the State.

Kristin and Brian are here to christen your Christmas Eve with a special holiday show. Join them for nostalgic readings of your favorite holiday books, interviews with special seasonal guests, 12 Days of Christmas in Wisconsin, an extra special Spinning the North Pole and so much more. Merry Christmas and happy holidays from Spanning the State.

Kristin Brey, the founder of As Goes Wisconsin, and longtime WTMJ host Brian Noonan are skilled at taking the complex and making it digestible. They will take you behind the headlines of the day’s biggest stories from across Wisconsin. Fans will hear the stories being told by those who live and cover those communities firsthand for the most accurate and relevant information.

Many can have troubles trying to figure out what to get a friend or family member for Christmas, for some it can be socks, gift cards, or a new kitchen appliance. However, for Vikki Ness she gave her sister a liver. Jaime Marshall who has been diagnosed with Maple Syrup Urine Diseases joins Spanning the State along with her sister Vikki to share her experience. They talk about what the disease is, how it affects the body, the helped she received from the UW-Health Transplant Center and how she is now finally rid of the diseases that has taken ahold of her life for more than 40 years.

CEO of Institute for Reforming Government, CJ Szaffier along with Jacarrie Carr of Kids2Kids and former Electrician Josh Loeffelholz join Kristin to talk about their recent experiment where Milwaukeeans and other rural Wisconsinites joined together for four hours to talk politics. The three share how they decided to participate in the discussion, what they learned from their peers from across the isle and how it felt to have this conversation one week after the 2024 Presidential Election.

Today on Spinning the State: Waukesha - 'Waukesha' Christmas episode of TV series 'Happy Days' turns 50. Brown Deer - Brown Deer approves agreement to redevelop Marketplace shopping center.

Kristin Brey is solo and in a festive mood? She starts the show talking about the interesting made up holiday "Festivus". She explains the history behind it, a family experience who participates in it, and invites 620 listeners to air their grievances. Later she speaks to new CEO of Community Smiles about their Smiles for the Season Campaign. Then she chats with Steve Scaffidi while in route to the Green Bay Packer game this evening.

The new CEO of Community Smiles, Scott Marshall joins Kristin on Spanning the State to talk about their holiday fundraiser “ Smiles for the Season” which helps them provide dental care as a gift to children in need. He shares what plans they have for next year, how they are managing different locations, and more. Also according to Marshall a dental cleaning and exam only costs $55. Text “Smile” to (855)616-1620 for more information on how you can help Community Smiles.

Kristin Brey, the founder of As Goes Wisconsin, and longtime WTMJ host Brian Noonan are skilled at taking the complex and making it digestible. They will take you behind the headlines of the day’s biggest stories from across Wisconsin. Fans will hear the stories being told by those who live and cover those communities firsthand for the most accurate and relevant information.

Today on Spinning the State: Franklin - Someone Call About a Noise Complaint? Lac La Belle - Lac La Belle and Oconomowoc Town Plan to Merge.

Kenny Asselin Captain of Fire Prevention at the West Bend Fire Department joins Spanning the State to give tips and tricks on fire safety throughout the holiday season. He shares, what are the biggest areas of concern regarding fire danger, what type of threat Christmas tress pose, or how to avoid being a Clark Griswald and overloading your extension cords.

Kristin Brey, the founder of As Goes Wisconsin, and longtime WTMJ host Brian Noonan are skilled at taking the complex and making it digestible. They will take you behind the headlines of the day’s biggest stories from across Wisconsin. Fans will hear the stories being told by those who live and cover those communities firsthand for the most accurate and relevant information.

Steve Scaffidi is guest co-hosting Spanning the State and here for the Political Power HALF Hour. This week Kristin and Steve chat about the government shutdown after The House rejected a new plan to fund the government and its ripple effects for Government Workers. Then they pivot to the power of Elon Musk, his role in the shutdown and what a Trump turn will look like with Musk at his side. As well as DOGE vs. GOAT how Assembly Speaker Robin Vos is assembling his “government efficiency committee” and how it ties into Artificial Intelligence.

AAA Midwest Director of Public Affairs, Nick Jarmusz joins the show to talk about prepare your car for Winter. He shares whether it’s too late in the season to add preventative measure, what’s on the checklist to get serviced by a mechanic, and safety tips for severe weather so you are prepared in an emergency.

Kristin Brey, the founder of As Goes Wisconsin, and longtime WTMJ host Brian Noonan are skilled at taking the complex and making it digestible. They will take you behind the headlines of the day’s biggest stories from across Wisconsin. Fans will hear the stories being told by those who live and cover those communities firsthand for the most accurate and relevant information.

Pet Expert Steve Dale talks to Kristin and Brian about pet safety for your animals during the holiday season. He explains which holiday decorations can be dangerous and how. As well as how to help a babies and small children love their family pets in a safe way.

Today on Spinning the State: Sheboygan - City approves funds to enhance cyber-security. Mauston - School district likely to dissolve if referendum fails. Wausau - Boy with leaking Boot fountain to return to downtown Wausau.

Kristin Brey, the founder of As Goes Wisconsin, and longtime WTMJ host Brian Noonan are skilled at taking the complex and making it digestible. They will take you behind the headlines of the day’s biggest stories from across Wisconsin. Fans will hear the stories being told by those who live and cover those communities firsthand for the most accurate and relevant information.

CEO of Give an Hour, Dr. Trina Clayeux joins the show to talk about how their mental health organization provides support to people impacted by human-made trauma. In light this week’s school shooting, Clayeux shares how tips and tricks people can use to take care of their mental health and process trauma.

Today on Spinning the State: De Pere - Schools teaching “responsible use” of AI. Pleasant Prairie - Holiday lights tour and contest. Racine - Horlick High School teacher wins leadership award.

Kristin Brey, the founder of As Goes Wisconsin, and longtime WTMJ host Brian Noonan are skilled at taking the complex and making it digestible. They will take you behind the headlines of the day’s biggest stories from across Wisconsin. Fans will hear the stories being told by those who live and cover those communities firsthand for the most accurate and relevant information.

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Special Reporter, John Gurda talk to Kristin and Brian about the vast and rich black history in Milwaukee one of the most segregated cities in the country. He shares how he, a 77-year-old white man, has held lectures to all white audiences, and all black audiences, what he has learned from his research, and what the response has been like.

Kristin Brey, the founder of As Goes Wisconsin, and longtime WTMJ host Brian Noonan are skilled at taking the complex and making it digestible. They will take you behind the headlines of the day’s biggest stories from across Wisconsin. Fans will hear the stories being told by those who live and cover those communities firsthand for the most accurate and relevant information.

Kristin Brey, the founder of As Goes Wisconsin, and longtime WTMJ host Brian Noonan are skilled at taking the complex and making it digestible. They will take you behind the headlines of the day’s biggest stories from across Wisconsin. Fans will hear the stories being told by those who live and cover those communities firsthand for the most accurate and relevant information.

Spinning the State: Milwaukee - Enlightened Brewing opens up about closure. Eau Claire - US Supreme Court rejects parent’s challenge to school guidance for transgender students. Bristol - Gnome place like the Pringle Nature Center for holidays.

Natalie Anderson of Fostering Community, an organization that focuses on bringing community and resources to those who work in or apart of the foster care system. Anderson shares more about the other ways people can help their organization even if it’s not being a foster parent, their upcoming gala and fundraiser, as well as their work with the Milwaukee Bucks for the Kapco Kids2Kids Toy drive and more!

Today on Spinning the State: Plover - State regulators approve largest solar project in Wisconsin History. Racine - O&H release new holiday Kringle flavor. Williams Bay - How beer bottles and pickle jars became a holiday light display.

Milwaukee based Photographer and 107 Certified Drone Pilot, Nate Vomhoff joins Kristin and Brian to talk about the hoopla surrounding drones circling the sky over 6 different US states. Vomhoff gives more insight on his thoughts about the questionable drones, what it takes to be a drone pilot, and what are the requirements and certifications for anyone to do this type of work.