This afternoon, Wisconsin Watch Reporter and Fact Checker Tom Kertscher returns to cover the latest political news in our state. One of his latest articles highlights Wisconsin’s tremendous decline in childhood vaccination rate. Over the past 30 years, the number of Wisconsin parents electing not to vaccinate their children has grown four times larger, endangering the “herd immunity” of children. This is likely due at least in part to increasing vaccine skepticism fueled by figures like Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. 

After the vaccine discussion, Tom shares some of his latest Fact Briefs, which are essentially succinct fact checks. Here are a few responses on statements shared at our state’s Republican Party Convention: 

• Would ‘the vast majority’ of Americans get a 65% tax increase if GOP megabill doesn’t become law? Short answer: no. 
• Does Mississippi rank higher than Wisconsin in fourth grade reading scores? Short answer: yes, but with some caveats. 
• Is being transgender classified as a mental illness? Short answer: no. 

Subscribe to Forward, Wisconsin Watch’s weekly newsletter, at wisconsinwatch.org/subscribe to keep up with the most important things happening in the Capitol and how they affect you. 

At the bottom of the hour, Todd circles back to take calls on Senator Joni Ernst’s cruelty. To finish up the show, Todd asks us What’s Worse: driving slow in the fast lane or tailgating?

The Todd Allbaugh Show is a part of the Civic Media radio network and airs live Monday through Friday from 2-4 pm across Wisconsin. Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow us on Facebook, X and YouTube to keep up with Todd and the show!