Keya Vakil
It’s the Guns: Part Infinity (Hour 1)
The latest mass killing in Maine would be tragic enough if Republicans hadn’t rubbed salt in the wound by electing a new Speaker of the House who offered up the usual “thoughts and prayers” and said the answer to this ongoing American carnage is—more guns. Courier Newsroom national correspondent Keya Vakil has more about how the new Speaker is from as far-right as the fringe gets in politics today.
You’re All America (Hour 1)
President Biden spoke to the nation Thursday night about his visit to Israel, the need to stand up against terror and hate—his resolve to stand with an ally while also seeking to end a humanitarian crisis. In the meantime, Congress remains stuck in a rut while House Republicans bicker over who should be their leader—a soap opera delaying important domestic and international matters.
Dysfunction Junction (Hour 1)
Republicans in the Legislature are passing hateful bills instead of useful solutions. Republicans in Congress can’t figure out who should be their leader. Their leading presidential candidate is becoming increasingly violent and incoherent in his speeches. Courier Newsroom national correspondent Keya Vakil tells us of at least one instance where someone is sticking up for us—even going after all those junk fees on our bills.
Impeachment-palooza (Hour 1)
Not content with talking about impeaching a president or a state Supreme Court justice, now a few Republicans are passing around a note asking if they should impeach the administrator of the Wisconsin Elections Commission. Their resolution is 23 pages full of recycled misinformation about 2020—because some people are still working publicly to undermine American democracy.
We’ll also ask Courier Newsroom national correspondent Keya Vakil to summarize a week of congressional extremists trying to force a government shutdown.
Wolfe Hunt to Be Thwarted (Hour 1)
Republican state senators believe they fired state Elections Commission administrator Meagan Wolfe on Thursday, but she said she’s not going anywhere as Attorney General Josh Kaul files a lawsuit so that a court can note that the Senate just made everything up in order to appease 2020 conspiracy theorists.
When You Embolden Nazis… (Hour 1)
It is not necessary for a politician to openly call for support from members of hate groups. But when people in those groups start openly supporting the politician, he might have a problem. We’ll also talk to Courier Newsroom national correspondent Keya Vakil about the national attention being put on Wisconsin Republicans for even considering impeachment talk about a state Supreme Court justice.
Transparency for Thee, Not for Me! (Hour 1)
So-called “fiscal conservatives” love the idea of creating dashboards that help show how tax dollars are used—up to a point. When it was suggested recently that a dashboard for school spending should include the real expense of the vouchers that benefit private, usually religious schools, conservatives changed their tune faster than any dashboard could measure. Also, our weekly visit with Courier Newsroom national correspondent Keya Vakil.
Inmate #P01138509 (Hour 1)
With apologies to Tommy Tutone, Jenny’s phone number of 867-5309 has been replaced with Donald Trump’s new inmate number from the Fulton County Jail. But let’s not lose sight of the very real, very sad issue at the heart of this: An American president tried to lie, cheat, and steal his way into staying in power after voters said no. Also: Friday morning quarterbacking the GOP debate among the non-Trump candidates. Is one ready to step up if Trump’s trials take him out of the race?
Quiet Accomplishments, Loud Dysfunction (Hour 1)
It’s going to get noisy again in the US Capitol in the next few weeks, as the next budget fight leads to another showdown, maybe another government shutdown. Meanwhile, Americans are quietly getting relief in multiple ways through the Inflation Reduction Act, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and more. Courier Newsroom national correspondent Keya Vakil has this week’s Washington roundup. Meanwhile, Donald Trump asks to push one of his trials to 2026—promises a blockbuster report for next week, then says “never mind.”
Democracy Is Off the Mat and Fighting Back (Hour 1)
A Wisconsin judge on Thursday set a trial date for a civil lawsuit filed against the 10 fake Trump electors and rejected a move to dismiss the case. Meanwhile, Republicans are trying to fight a separate lawsuit to un-do the ban on absentee ballot drop boxes. We’ll review both cases, and Courier Newsroom national correspondent Keya Vakil tells us how Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has made another move to un-do the will of the voters in that state.
