Here & Now

On "Here & Now," a lack of funds is causing closures of transitional housing facilities that help veterans and political panelists Bill McCoshen and Scot Ross discuss the outlook for the 2026 race for governor of Wisconsin. Plus, many patients are encountering an accounting tool that redirects savings from copay cards. For transcripts, video, and more information about this episode please visit our episode page at: https://pbswisconsin.org/podcast_episode/here-now-for-august-1-2025/?seriesID=59921

On "Here & Now," Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers announced that he won't run for reelection in 2026, U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil discusses the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and pursuing budget rescissions, Marisa Wojcik reports on why drugstores continue to close and they point to pharmacy benefit managers as a culprit, and Erica Ayisi covers the Black Hawk Bridge between Iowa and Crawford County in southwest Wisconsin. Plus, Wisconsin Department of Transportation Bureau of Structures Director Josh Dietsche describes bridges in Wisconsin with nearly 1,000 noted as "structurally deficient." For transcripts, video, and more information about this episode please visit our episode page at: https://pbswisconsin.org/podcast_episode/here-now-for-july-25-2025/?seriesID=59921

On "Here & Now," U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore discusses a federal tax and spending cut law and anticipated impacts on Wisconsinites, and Marisa Wojcik reports on a Wisconsin man asking why a cancer drug would not be covered by his health plan. Plus, Murv Seymour covers how a deal to revive TV and move tax incentives is raising hope among Wisconsin filmmakers. For transcripts, video, and more information about this episode please visit our episode page at: https://pbswisconsin.org/podcast_episode/here-now-for-july-18-2025/?seriesID=59921

On "Here & Now," Gov. Tony Evers unveiled his 2025-27 state budget, and state Rep. Mark Born shared the Republican stance, Jason Stein considers the prospects of the 2025-27 state budget proposals from Evers, Zac Schultz asks when Susan Crawford and Brad Schimel would recuse from a Wisconsin Supreme Court case, Dr. Jill Underly and Brittany Kinser won the spring 2025 primary for state superintendent and Assembly Republicans passed education bills on testing, administrator pay and more. Plus, Aditi Debnath reports on a pair of new Wisconsin lawmakers as they start the 2025 session. Listen to the entire episode of "Here & Now" for February 21, 2025. For transcripts, video, and more information about this episode please visit our episode page at: https://pbswisconsin.org/podcast_episode/here-now-for-february-21-2025/?seriesID=59921

On "Here & Now," U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin and U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil discuss actions by Elon Musk, Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans, and Michael Osterholm considers H5N1 bird flu in poultry amid concerns over spread among humans. Plus, Mary Pitsch describes how the Livasu planned community models new care for dementia patients. For transcripts, video, and more information about this episode please visit our episode page at: https://pbswisconsin.org/podcast_episode/here-now-for-february-28-2025/?seriesID=59921

On “Here & Now,” Wisconsin Public Radio state Capitol reporter Anya van Wagtendonk discusses budget talks among Republican lawmakers and what's on the table, Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy Director Michael Osterholm explains shifts by the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, and Erica Ayisi reports on how uncertainty over federal funding could destabilize health care in tribal communities. Plus, Aditi Debnath covers how elimination of federal funding is putting strains on a Tribal Elder Food Box program. For transcripts, video, and more information about this episode please visit our episode page at: https://pbswisconsin.org/podcast_episode/here-now-for-june-27-2025/?seriesID=59921

On “Here & Now,” Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair-elect Devin Remiker considers Wisconsin Democratic candidates and supporters going into the 2026 cycle, Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Robin Vos discusses priorities for the 2025-27 Wisconsin state budget as negotiations continue, and Wisconsin Assisted Living Association CEO Mike Pochowski discusses financial disclosures from assisted living facility referral agencies. Plus, UW-Madison political science professor Mark Copelovitch explains how tariffs and wars disrupt costs for businesses and consumers. For transcripts, video, and more information about this episode please visit our episode page at: https://pbswisconsin.org/podcast_episode/here-now-for-june-20-2025/?seriesID=59921

On "Here & Now," PBS Wisconsin senior political reporter Zac Schultz covers how the Joint Committee on Finance is assembling the 2025-27 state budget, state Sen. Jesse James discusses a bill creating a pilot program for school-centered mental health services, and School District of Nekoosa child care director Tracy Vruwink discusses how federal defunding can affect school programs and food pantries. Plus, Serve Wisconsin Executive Director Jeanne Duffy describes the status of AmeriCorps projects in the midst of a lawsuit over funding. For transcripts, video, and more information about this episode please visit our episode page at: https://pbswisconsin.org/podcast_episode/here-now-for-june-13-2025/?seriesID=59921

On "Here & Now," Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson discusses a 2025 reconciliation policy bill cutting federal taxes and spending, Democratic U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore and U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan visit an ICE detention facility after an immigrant was framed, Milwaukee Common Council President José Pérez discusses community support for residents of Milwaukee detained by ICE, and National Weather Service Green Bay forecast office meteorologist Kurt Kotenberg considers wildfire smoke in Wisconsin and the potential for such conditions. Plus, Erica Ayisi covers how a movement to revitalize Indigenous languages is taking root across the state. For transcripts, video, and more information about this episode please visit our episode page at: https://pbswisconsin.org/podcast_episode/here-now-for-june-6-2025/?seriesID=59921

On "Here & Now," U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin and U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson both say they won't vote for Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill," retired U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs physician Dr. Michael Siebers discusses how cuts to VA funding and plans to reduce staff affect patients, Wisconsin Department of Health Services Medicaid Director Bill Hanna explains what changes to Medicaid and SNAP requirements would mean for Wisconsinites, hundreds of nurses at Meriter Hospital in Madison went on strike, and a 2025 report about Wisconsin's health care workforce found gains in some professions. Plus, state Rep. Dean Kaufert discusses money and hostility in politics as he seeks to build bipartisanship. For transcripts, video, and more information about this episode please visit our episode page at: https://pbswisconsin.org/podcast_episode/here-now-for-may-30-2025/?seriesID=59921

On "Here & Now," Darryl Morin on how federal expansion of immigration enforcement is impacting Wisconsin, leaders from Wisconsin's technical colleges speak out about federal financial aid cuts, Chris Taylor is challenging Rebecca Bradley in the Wisconsin Supreme Court election in 2026, Patrick Testin on allowing specialized nurses provide independent care in the state, and data center operations are drawn to Wisconsin due to abundant water resources for cooling. Plus, Jim Tuckwell and Kevin McDonell on work to expand affordable housing in Lac du Flambeau. For transcripts, video, and more information about this episode please visit our episode page at: https://pbswisconsin.org/podcast_episode/here-now-for-may-23-2025/?seriesID=59921

On "Here & Now," U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore discusses a 2025 federal budget bill advanced by Republicans, Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan pleaded not guilty over allegations she helped an undocumented immigrant, state Senator Kelda Roys discusses work on the budget by Republican lawmakers and Democratic positioning. Plus, Steven Potter covers how as Wisconsin schools struggle to pay for special education, parents are pushing for more funding. For transcripts, video, and more information about this episode please visit our episode page at: https://pbswisconsin.org/podcast_episode/here-now-for-may-16-2025/?seriesID=59921

On "Here & Now," Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul discusses why the state has joined lawsuits filed against the Trump administration, state Rep. Mark Born discusses the 2025 budget proposal by Tony Evers and Republican priorities, Wisconsin Public Media Interim Executive Director Jordan Siegler considers federal funding cuts to the CPB would affect PBS Wisconsin, and Erica Ayisi reports on advocates for missing and murdered Indigenous people. Plus, Aditi Debnath covers how mothers in rural Wisconsin are increasingly facing gaps in maternal health care coverage. For transcripts, video, and more information about this episode please visit our episode page at: https://pbswisconsin.org/podcast_episode/here-now-for-may-9-2025/?seriesID=59921

On "Here & Now," U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan discusses the Trump administration's executive orders and arrest of a Milwaukee judge, Howard Schweber discusses fallout from the arrest of Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan. Plus, Murv Seymour covers how one Milwaukee mother learned about firearms safety and gained a boost in confidence. For transcripts, video, and more information about this episode please visit our episode page at: https://pbswisconsin.org/podcast_episode/here-now-for-may-2-2025/?seriesID=59921

On "Here & Now," U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany discusses the Trump administration's actions on tariffs, spending cuts and visas, Martin O'Malley discusses fundings cuts to Social Security staffing and frustration over delays, Zac Schultz reports on the 2025 NFL draft at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, and Michael Wagner discusses the termination of federal grants and consequences for researchers. Plus, Xia Lee describes risks of tick-borne diseases around Wisconsin and tips to avoid these pests. For transcripts, video, and more information about this episode please visit our episode page at: https://pbswisconsin.org/podcast_episode/here-now-for-april-25-2025/?seriesID=59921

On "Here & Now," UW-Madison Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin discusses Trump administration moves to cut funding and revoke student visas, Will Hsu discusses retaliatory tariffs by China affecting his Wausau-based ginseng business, and Mike Totoraitis discusses efforts to remediate lead paint contamination in Milwaukee schools. Plus, Thanh Bui-Duquette discusses how defunding Head Start could affect child care in Wisconsin. For transcripts, video, and more information about this episode please visit our episode page at: https://pbswisconsin.org/podcast_episode/here-now-for-april-18-2025/?seriesID=59921

On "Here & Now," Amanda Gennerman discusses the government revoking visas of international students in Wisconsin, Nathan Denzin covers why cleaning up lead paint and replacing pipes is one element in Wisconsin's 2025-27 budget, and Bobby Peterson discusses fears about Congress making cuts to Medicaid and effects on recipients. Plus, Linda Thomas-Greenfield discusses challenges and rewards of conducting international diplomacy. For transcripts, video, and more information about this episode please visit our episode page at: https://pbswisconsin.org/podcast_episode/here-now-for-april-11-2025/?seriesID=59921

On "Here & Now," Zac Schultz reports on how Susan Crawford's win in 2025 secures a liberal majority on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, Ben Wikler discusses the state Supreme Court election and impacts on national politics, State Superintendent Jill Underly and Brittany Kinser shared thoughts on education in Wisconsin, voters in the Racine Unified School District passed a referendum, and Missy Hughes considers the Trump administration's reciprocal tariffs and retaliatory tariffs. Plus, Bill McCoshen and Scot Ross discuss the outcome of the state Supreme Court election. For transcripts, video, and more information about this episode please visit our episode page at: https://pbswisconsin.org/podcast_episode/here-now-for-april-4-2025/?seriesID=59921

On "Here & Now," Zac Schultz covers why testing sexual assault evidence is at issue in the 2025 race for Wisconsin Supreme Court, Steven Potter reports on state school superintendent candidates Brittany Kinser and Dr. Jill Underly's goals for students and schools in 2025, Matt Joski discusses immigration as a bill would require sheriffs to assist federal enforcement, and Chairman Thomas Fowler of the St. Croix Chippewa delivers the 2025 State of the Tribes Address. Plus, Greg Clement describes how metal fabricator Argon Industries is adjusting to tariff uncertainty. For transcripts, video, and more information about this episode please visit our episode page at: https://pbswisconsin.org/podcast_episode/here-now-for-march-21-2024/?seriesID=59921

On "Here & Now," Rick Esenberg and Jeff Mandell on the debate between Wisconsin Supreme Court candidates Susan Crawford and Brad Schimel, the candidates share their perspectives on the status of transgender people under state law, and Jane McCauley reports on how transgender residents of Wisconsin plan to continue advocating on behalf their existence. Plus, Suzanne Eckes discusses the Trump administration reducing U.S. Department of Education staffing. For transcripts, video, and more information about this episode please visit our episode page at: https://pbswisconsin.org/podcast_episode/here-now-for-march-14-2025/?seriesID=59921