The Truth Unfiltered with Denise Thomas and Dr. Ken Harris

Dr. Ken opens the show with a heartfelt Mother’s Day tribute, sharing personal stories about his upbringing and the influence of his mother on his life. The conversation shifts to public safety as he weighs in on Milwaukee’s Fire and Police Commission proposal to limit police pursuits, strongly supporting Chief Jeffrey Norman’s pushback. Dr. Ken argues that restricting law enforcement only undermines community safety and calls for greater support of officers. He also reflects on the tragic shooting of Milwaukee County employee Dennis Johnson, emphasizing both the pain for the victim’s family and the broader challenges faced in law enforcement. The hour wraps with a candid review of the film Michael, where Dr. Ken expresses disappointment over missed opportunities to fully capture the icon’s rise and work ethic.

Dr. Ken kicks off the second hour by engaging with listeners on the talk and text line, responding to commentary on George Floyd before steering the conversation back to Mother’s Day reflections. He invites the audience to share meaningful lessons their mothers taught them, creating a thoughtful and personal exchange. The discussion takes a turn into sports and culture as Dr. Ken questions NASCAR’s appeal and reacts to the idea of women drivers in the sport. He also explores rising gas prices and poses the question of whether electric vehicles—including electric NASCAR—are the future. The hour closes on a lighter note with a fun and curious debate about the difference between custard and ice cream.

Jason Fields and Alexander Gee joined Denise Thomas and Dr. Ken Harris to discuss the Center for Black Excellence and Culture in Madison.

Denise and Dr Ken start the hour talking about an experience one of our Good Karma Brands teammates faced trying to fill up his boat.

Dr. Ken starts by welcoming everyone to the show and then starts talking about the difference how leaders are viewed based off of race. Following that Dr. Ken discussed Peter Burgelis announcing his intention to run for the US House of Representatives. Dr. Ken came back from break to talk about the right to know vs knowing what's right and talks about the shooting at the White House correspondents' dinner.

Dr Ken wraps up his conversation on law enforcement and the correspondents' dinner. After break, Dr. Ken talks about the issue with pot holes in Milwaukee. Dr. Ken then discusses how people need to give one another grace in America.

The show opens with critical updates affecting Wisconsin residents, including the upcoming end of the winter utility shutoff moratorium and what it means for vulnerable households. We then dive into a major political development as a judicial panel shuts down efforts to redraw congressional maps—raising new questions about fairness and representation. On a more uplifting note, West Allis earns national recognition as the 2026 “Strongest Town,” beating out major cities like Chicago and Madison. We wrap the hour with a look at the high-stakes Wisconsin Supreme Court race, as candidates make their final push before election day.

Hour two kicks off with accountability in sports, as UConn coach Geno Auriemma issues an apology following a heated moment during championship play. Then, we shift to a historic legal battle—Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson takes center stage as the Supreme Court weighs a challenge to birthright citizenship. We also break down the emergence of a new COVID variant known as “Cicada,” what makes it different, and whether it should be on your radar. Finally, we examine a lawsuit targeting Congressional Black Caucus scholarships, sparking debate over equity, access, and the future of such programs

Dr. Ken and Denise kick off the hour by breaking down the ever-frustrating rise in gas prices—who really controls the cost of oil, and why consumers always seem to feel the squeeze. They unpack the global and political forces behind the pump, giving listeners a clearer picture of what’s really driving prices. The conversation then takes a deeper, more thought-provoking turn as they begin discussing the allegations surrounding civil rights icon Cesar Chavez. The hosts explore the complexity of his legacy, asking whether historical figures should be viewed differently when new or controversial claims come to light. It’s a powerful mix of everyday impact and deeper reflection on history and accountability.

Dr. Ken and Denise continue their candid conversation on the allegations tied to Cesar Chavez, digging further into what it means to reconcile admiration with uncomfortable truths. They challenge listeners to think critically about how we honor influential figures while still acknowledging their full stories. The hour then shifts to something deeply personal and urgent—cardio health and the unique stresses faced by Black men. From societal pressures to health disparities, the hosts highlight why heart health is such a critical issue and what can be done to improve outcomes. It’s an honest, impactful discussion that blends history, health, and real-life challenges facing the community today.

This first hour, Dr. Ken and Denise discussed Assembly Speaker Robin Voss and Governor Tony Evers are discussing what they will do with the state's surplus.

Alexis Patterson has been missing since 2002 and her mom is filing a lawsuit against the Milwaukee Police Department and Dr. Ken and Denise Thomas give their thoughts on the case and the lawsuit. They end the show reflecting on the death of Jessie Jackson and asks who has the baton now.

Talked about the measles outbreak and another positive test in Madison. Following that they laid out the rest of the show and then discussed President Trump re-posting a video on Truth Social portraying former President Obama and the former first lady as apes and discussed former President Obama's reaction. They ended the first hour talking about former President Lyndon B. Johnson and what he did for the black community.

Dr. Ken and Denise read over the Talk and Text line to start hour 2. Following that they discussed the Nancy Guthrie case. Dr. Ken and Denise then address a federal investigation against Nike and potential discrimination against white people. DT wraps up the show talking about the FCC and Bad Bunny.

Do you watch the Super Bowl halftime show for the messaging or for the entertainment? Has society forgotten about the entertainment part and focus too much on sending subliminal shots? Does music have to be in English for one to enjoy it?

$90 million just gone... When our healthcare is on the line... this math needs to math... DT flies solo this hour and dives into local headlines... ICE may be coming to Milwaukee, but what did our county board just approve before they could stage in our parks? Tap in to find out!

Denise Thomas and Dr. Ken Harris started the show talking about the situations involving ICE and the memo about being able to enter homes without a warrant signed by a Judge. Following that, Denise and Dr. Ken discussed some Wisconsin counties Sheriff Departments being sued for honoring 287 agreements with ICE. The final segment of the show DT and Dr. Ken talked about a candidate for Wisconsin Governor proposing an ICE Commission.

Denise Thomas is solo for hour number 2. DT opens the hour talking about the potential of Giannis being traded. After that DT talks Black History Month and some names of some black people to know during Black History Month. DT and Evan went over the Texts in the Talk and Text line and she reacted to some of the messages. She closed the show talking about the old saying of if you work hard you will be successful.

DT takes over solo in hour two, continuing the Cudahy conversation and sharing her powerful editorial on raising her children to recognize the warning signs of grooming. She breaks grooming down step-by-step, offering a clear roadmap for parents and young people to protect themselves. The discussion expands into digital grooming, exposing how predators operate online and how families can stay vigilant. DT then pivots to the Sharrone Moore controversy, asking the tough questions: Is this about race or accountability? Did Moore exploit his authority and the trust placed in him? The show wraps with a thoughtful conclusion tying together protection, power, and the responsibility adults carry in safeguarding children.

The show opens with Thanksgiving reflections before shifting to a heated debate over a new bill in Madison that would force women to use a “catch kit” to collect medical waste after taking abortion pills. Denise then shares insight into her powerful new book, The Only One in the Room, before wrapping the hour with a look at the UW Project Maps and Milwaukee’s long, often hidden history of racist housing covenants.

The conversation continues with a deeper dive into the UW Project Maps, uncovering how discriminatory housing practices still shape Milwaukee today. Then it’s on to city politics as they break down the Milwaukee City Council’s override of Mayor Johnson’s vetoes—what it means, who it impacts, and why it matters. The hour circles back to the mapping project, tying together history, policy, and the present-day realities Milwaukee faces.