UpNorthNews Radio with Pat Kreitlow

We talk to Justin Worland, a Washington-based senior correspondent for TIME who covers climate change politics and policy, about his recent Wisconsin visit to discuss the opportunities available to residents and businesses as a result of the landmark investments available in the new Inflation Reduction Act. Also, Courier Newsroom national correspondent Keya Vakil reviews this week’s political headlines.

Just 19 days until Wisconsin’s huge state Supreme Court election and we’ll be joined by candidate and Milwaukee County Judge Janet Protasiewic along with former state treasurer Sarah Godlewski for a discussion on the importance of having a plan to vote on April 4. 

And in this week’s Hometown Health segment, Dr. Kristin Lyerly is joined by the president of the Wisconsin Medical Society, Dr. Wendy Molaska, to discuss the increased challenges of attracting and retaining quality physicians when politicians put themselves between patients and their doctors.

Republicans in Madison stage some political theater by introducing a bill that they claim would moderate the archaic and unpopular 1849 abortion ban. Interestingly, the move is made shortly before an important state Supreme Court election and not last year when it would have shown voters an actual intent to be more moderate.

This week on UpNorthNews Radio, we heard from state representatives Kristina Shelton and Francesca Hong about their Economic Justice Bill of Rights proposal. Afterward, on Hometown Health, Dr. Kristin Lyerly introduced us to Sara Finger of the Wisconsin Alliance for Women's Health. Finally, we round out the hour with a visit from Todd Allbaugh of the conveniently named Todd Allbaugh Show.

Wendy Strout, Wisconsin director for the Human Rights Campaign PAC, talks about the significant stakes for the LGBTQ community in the April 4 Supreme Court race and the special election for a state Senate seat. Also, Mark Jacob, a former editor with the Chicago Tribune, joins us for his Friday overview of how national media covers the big stories of the week.

Leonard Leo is the most powerful man you’ve never heard of. He’s a key player in getting justices on the US Supreme Court who would eventually kill Roe v. Wade. Courier Newsroom national correspondent Keya Vakil tells us how Leo is getting active on behalf of right wing former justice Dan Kelly in the Wisconsin Supreme Court election.

In this week’s Hometown Health segment, Dr. Kristin Lyerly introduces us to a group helping people navigate their infertility concerns and seek better connections to necessary resources. Also, state Reps. Kristina Shelton and Francesca Hong discuss their Economic Justice Bill of Rights proposal and other updates from the Legislature.

We get our regular Thursday visit with Democratic strategist and UpNorthNews political analyst Joe Zepecki about the week in state political happenings.

The April 4 Wisconsin Supreme Court election can directly impact whether women’s healthcare rights are restored or further limited, so it’s no wonder that the campaign is attracting far-right extremists—some of them with ties to the insurrection, the QAnon cult, and disinformation strategies. We’ll hear from a group that’s tracking their activity.

A billion here, a billion there, and pretty soon you’re talking about real money! Actually, any surplus in the state budget is a healthy thing. Putting it to work, however, becomes difficult when Republicans try to make the math more complicated than it really is. We’ll review an explanation of what’s available and how it could make a difference in the lives of Wisconsinites.