We had a very special day today at Civic Media, where we celebrated Jane Matenaer’s final show as the host of “Matenaer On Air.”

I have been a weekly guest on the show dating back when it began as “As Goes Wisconsin” with Kristin Brey, when Jane was the show’s producer, in 2022. It has been so wonderful to spend time with Jane each week on the air, which recently has meant recombobulating on the news of the week every Friday morning in person at the Radio Park studio in Racine. I’ve learned so much from Jane, and I absolutely treasure these weekly conversations we’ve been able to have on the air each week. It was a genuine honor to be there in the studio with her and co-host Greg Bach for her final show.

Today was also officially proclaimed today, Dec. 12, to be “JANE MATENAER DAY” in the City of Milwaukee, by decree of Mayor Cavalier Johnson.

Mayor Johnson also sent along a video message along with the proclamation, which you can watch right here. Be sure, too, to watch Jane’s reaction at about the 1:40:00 mark of the YouTube livestream video below.

The final show featured many special guests and messages, and for the final segment, Civic Media staffers from across the state piled into the studio to give Jane the sendoff she deserves, after more than 44 years in radio.

You can listen or watch the full show below.

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And so, for one last time, let’s quote Jane Matenaer herself, as she closes every show…

“I hope you find some joy in the days ahead, and you have the chance to share it.”

Congratulations, Jane! Enjoy retirement. You sure have earned it.

Dan Shafer is a journalist from Milwaukee who writes and publishes The Recombobulation Area. In 2024, he became the Political Editor of Civic Media. He’s written for The New York Times, The Daily Beast, Heartland Signal, Belt Magazine, WisPolitics, and Milwaukee Record. He previously worked at Seattle Magazine, Seattle Business Magazine, the Milwaukee Business Journal, Milwaukee Magazine, and BizTimes Milwaukee. He’s won 23 Milwaukee Press Club Excellence in Journalism Awards. He’s on Twitter at @DanRShafer.

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Follow Dan Shafer on Twitter at @DanRShafer and at BlueSky at @danshafer.bsky.social.

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