Dan Shafer
The Impact of Opioid Settlements in Wisconsin
I'm Dan Shafer, let's recombobulate.
In the race for Wisconsin Supreme Court, so many issues are on the line, from reproductive rights to redistricting, to even just basic checks and balances.
For right-wing candidate Brad Schimel, though, one issue deserves more scrutiny, and that's his record on opioid settlements. Here in Wisconsin, it seems like we all know someone who has been directly affected by the devastating opioid addiction epidemic.
As Wisconsin's Attorney General, Schimel refused to join multi-state lawsuits taking on opioid manufacturers. We now know these settlements are having a major impact, as new research shows that overdose deaths are declining significantly in Wisconsin because of funding from these settlements.
You have to wonder if things might be unfolding differently, had Schimel been re-elected in 2018. His lack of action and indifference to accountability on this issue should be seen as a real problem as he seeks a seat on the state's highest court.
Find all of Dan's work at The Recombobulation Area. Subscribe to The Recombobulation Area's podcast wherever you listen to podcast, and see more the Civic Media website.
The 15th Round (Hour 2)
Political editor Dan Shafer of The Recombobulation Area says it best in his new column: “Wisconsin is exhausted, politically. But we cannot let that exhaustion get us down. We have to pick ourselves up and make this happen. The cavalry is not coming. It’s up to us.” Why a downturn in public perception of national Democratic leadership isn’t great timing for a state Supreme Court election, and yet Wisconsin voters may find a way to answer the bell and put up a fight one more time.
UpNorthNews with Pat Kreitlow airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-8 am. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on 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 the show on Facebook, X, and Instagram to keep up with Pat & the show!
Weekly Best of Todd Allbaugh Show for Mar 15
From Thursday's show: On The Supreme Court Debate And Dim Sum Give Some (Hour 1)
Today’s first hour features a hat trick of Dans! First, we are joined in-studio by Dan Shafer, Civic Media’s Political Editor and founder of The Recombobulation Area. He and Todd joined Pat Kreitlow last night to moderate a series of panels on why the April 1st state supreme court race matters to Wisconsinites. Afterwards, candidates Susan Crawford and Brad Schimel debated each other. Todd and Dan discuss the results of the debate and emphasize the importance of this election.
At the bottom of the hour, we move on to our second and third Dan of the day. Milwaukee Chef Dan Jacobs, one half of “the Dans” with Dan Van Rite, joins us to talk about the sixth annual Dim Sum Give Some charitable event! Dim Sum Give Some benefits the Kennedy’s Disease Association, an organization researching a rare neuromuscular disorder similar to ALS. The Dans are hoping to raise $40-45 thousand dollars this year, and you can help out while eating delicious food from over 30 talented chefs from around the country. Visit opentable.com/r/dandan-milwaukee to purchase tickets to this fantastic event.
At the end of the hour, Todd brings us some breaking news. DOGE’s move to fire probationary employees has been determined illegal, and organizations have been directed to re-hire many individuals.
The Todd Allbaugh Show is a part of the Civic Media radio network and airs Monday through Friday from 12 - 2 pm across Wisconsin. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on 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 the show on Facebook, X and YouTube to keep up with Todd and the show!
On The Supreme Court Debate And Dim Sum Give Some (Hour 1)
Today’s first hour features a hat trick of Dans! First, we are joined in-studio by Dan Shafer, Civic Media’s Political Editor and founder of The Recombobulation Area. He and Todd joined Pat Kreitlow last night to moderate a series of panels on why the April 1st state supreme court race matters to Wisconsinites. Afterwards, candidates Susan Crawford and Brad Schimel debated each other. Todd and Dan discuss the results of the debate and emphasize the importance of this election.
At the bottom of the hour, we move on to our second and third Dan of the day. Milwaukee Chef Dan Jacobs, one half of “the Dans” with Dan Van Rite, joins us to talk about the sixth annual Dim Sum Give Some charitable event! Dim Sum Give Some benefits the Kennedy’s Disease Association, an organization researching a rare neuromuscular disorder similar to ALS. The Dans are hoping to raise $40-45 thousand dollars this year, and you can help out while eating delicious food from over 30 talented chefs from around the country. Visit opentable.com/r/dandan-milwaukee to purchase tickets to this fantastic event.
At the end of the hour, Todd brings us some breaking news. DOGE’s move to fire probationary employees has been determined illegal, and organizations have been directed to re-hire many individuals.
The Todd Allbaugh Show is a part of the Civic Media radio network and airs Monday through Friday from 12 - 2 pm across Wisconsin. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on 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 the show on Facebook, X and YouTube to keep up with Todd and the show!
UpNorthNews Presents: Protecting Justice For All
On Wednesday, March 12th, Pat Kreitlow of UpNorthNews hosted Protecting Justice for All: An Evening of Conversations About the Wisconsin Supreme Court Election live at the Overture Center for the Arts in Madison. Pat was joined by Civic Media Political Editor Dan Shafer and Civic Media Host Todd Allbaugh to moderate discussions about why the upcoming April 1st election matters to all Wisconsinites.
Panel: The Future of Public Education in Wisconsin
This next bench of justices will likely be asked to decide a legal challenge to school vouchers and an action that could end Act 10, along with other cases that could ultimately decide what the future holds for public education in Wisconsin.
- Moderator: Todd Allbaugh
- Julie Mead, retired UW Madison School of Education professor of school law
- Heather DuBois Bourenane, WI Public Education Network
- Peggy Wirtz-Olsen, WEAC
- Rep. Christian Phelps, Eau Claire
Panel: A Wisconsin Economy That Works
This election will have massive implications for the Wisconsin economy. The state Supreme Court will be making decisions that impact job creation, everyday affordability, the effects of a changing climate, and justice for workers and consumers.
- Moderator: Dan Shafer
- Rep. Francesca Hong, Madison
- Rep. Supreme Moore Omokunde, Milwaukee
- Melissa Baldauff, political strategist, UNN "Climate Check"
- Joe Zepecki, political strategist, former SBA staffer
Panel: Reproductive Rights On The Ballot
This will be a discussion of the ways the state Supreme Court will impact reproductive rights in Wisconsin - affecting women' s health or even their lives, impacting decisions about starting families, and interfering in the relationship between women and their doctors.
- Moderator: Pat Kreitlow
- Michelle Velasquez, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin
- Dr. Eliza Bennett, Ob/Gyn
- Sen. Kelda Roys, Madison
- Heather Martell, Chippewa Falls
To learn more about our special broadcasts 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 the network on Facebook, BlueSky, YouTube, X, and Instagram to keep up with Civic Media!
We’ve got to talk about Derrick Van Orden
I'm Dan Shafer, let's recombobulate.
Folks, we've got to talk about Derrick Van Orden. The second term congressman representing Wisconsin's Third District is at it again, dodging public meetings and making all kinds of unhinged comments. As many scramble and struggle to understand the chaos of what's happening in Washington D.C., and how it's impacting people here in Wisconsin, Van Orden has been as frustrating and disrespectful as ever.
In one instance, Van Orden took to social media to berate a veteran who had been fired from his job at the VA by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency. And the veteran in question is simply someone who was just reaching out to his congressman, looking for answers. Van Orden's office has also hastily canceled public meetings and he has made some especially wild accusations about people who have been attending these public events. Congressman Van Orden needs to stop this unhinged madness and more importantly, be more available and accountable to his constituents.
Find all of Dan's work at The Recombobulation Area and on our website at civicmedia.us.
“Pawn in a billionaire’s game”: A federal worker shares her story
There’s been a whole lot happening in recent months as Donald Trump has returned to office as president, and Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has begun to take a wrecking ball to various federal agencies, making drastic cuts to the federal workforce.
Former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes is helping tell the stories of real people directly impacted by these layoffs. Barnes sat down with Katia Wanish, who until recently was a wetlands engineer at the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), which is part of the USDA. She shared her story with Barnes in this special edition of The Recombobulation Area podcast.
Listen to the episode as a podcast, or watch the full video of their conversation here.
To learn more about The Recombobulation Area 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 the network on Facebook, BlueSky, YouTube, X, and Instagram to keep up with Civic Media!
“Rosebud” But For A Packers Movie (Hour 2)
Civic Media's Political Editor and Founder of The Recombobulation Area, Dan Shafer is here to talk about the latest Marquette Law School Poll, including numbers not being discussed by the press! And those numbers, give us some comfort on how we feel, versus how we're represented in Madison. Then, Pete Schwaba, Host of Nite Lite stops by to talk about the new Green And Gold film and we see if he has pointed out the one aspect of the movie that Jane can't seem to move past. You know what's the best pairing with a Wisconsin Fish Fry? This Shouldn't Be A Thing - Hot Stuff Edition
As always, thank you for listening, texting and calling, we couldn't do this without you! Don't forget to download the free Civic Media app and take us wherever you are in the world! Matenaer On Air is a part of the Civic Media radio network and airs Monday through Friday from 10 am - noon across the state. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! You can also rate us on your podcast distribution center of choice, they go a long way!
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 the show on Facebook, X and YouTube to keep up with Jane and the show!
The Numbers Don’t Add Up
Dan Shafer is back with another edition of "State Slate." So much on the federal side. So much on the state side. Maggie and Dan remind us that we are less than one month away from the spring election, and Brad Schimel still won't tell Wisconsin voters what his opinion is. Meghan Roh, Program Director at Opportunity Wisconsin, also joins Maggie this hour to discuss the budget resolution that green-lights serious cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, and other critical programs. These cuts pay for tax breaks for the ultra wealthy. Republicans say they aren't cuts, but the math isn't mathing. So why are Wisconsin Republicans lying to their constituents? Maggie and Meghan also discussed Rep. Derrick VanOrden's refusal to hold (or even show up to) town hall meetings. Tell them how you feel:
Rep. Derrick Van Orden
Washington DC - (202) 225-5506
LaCrosse - (608) 782-2558
Eu Claire - (715) 831-9214
Rep. Bryan Steil
Washington DC - (202) 225-3031
Racine - (262) 637-0510
Janesville - (608) 752-4050
The Maggie Daun Show is a part of the Civic Media radio network and airs Monday through Friday from 2-4 pm across the network. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on 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 the show on Facebook, X and Instagram to keep up with Maggie and the show!
Co-Workers, ASSEMBLE!! (Hour 1)
On this Friday edition of the show, Jane is out and Greg is in the big chair, but don't you worry! In the first hour, Civic Media Political Editor and Founder of The Recombobulation Area, Dan Shafer is here! Today, Dan and Greg are talking about an ad from Wisconsin Supreme Court Candidate, Brad Shimel. There is a frank discussion about using kids in political ads and we hear from you on the matter. Then it's time to celebrate Hollywood's biggest night, well the host of it anyway. Our fearless friends talk about how much they love Conan O'Brien and what he will bring to the 275 hour ceremony.
As always, thank you for listening, texting and calling, we couldn't do this without you! Don't forget to download the free Civic Media app and take us wherever you are in the world! Matenaer On Air is a part of the Civic Media radio network and airs Monday through Friday from 10 am - noon across the state. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! You can also rate us on your podcast distribution center of choice, they go a long way!
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 the show on Facebook, X and YouTube to keep up with Jane and the show!
