NEW: Beyond the hulking highway widening boondoggle and the endlessly circular streetcar debate lies the real problem in southeastern Wisconsin's bleak transportation landscape. Let's recombobulate: www.therecombobulationarea.news/p/the-highwa...

As an alt rock dipshit, there are two seasons: Smashing Pumpkins (fall, winter) and Red Hot Chili Peppers (spring, summer).

Many local governments across Wisconsin have, in recent years, been turning to a "wheel tax" to fund road construction or other transportation services at the local level. It's yet another indicator that the state is not adequately funding local government. (1/2)

good morning, fellow parents

Be bold in your vision and actions. Speak plainly and tell the truth. Show up in real, authentic ways. Get to know folks. And fight like hell for them. It’s really not that complicated.

NEW from @emtseffos.bsky.social: "I’m proud to be a Democrat. But I’m also furious. Furious at the complacency, the calculation, and the careerism that treats politics like a game...while people’s lives hang in the balance." Let's recombobulate: www.therecombobulationarea.news/p/democrats-...

NEW: @jmatenaer.bsky.social is retiring next month, so we sat down to reflect on her remarkable 40+ year career in radio — from her first time behind a mic, to the "Packarena," to hosting her own show on @civicmedia.us and much more. Feature story and video links below. Let's recombobulate.

Is the Wisconsin State Senate a Lean D or Likely D?

Considering the Democratic overperformance basically everywhere last night, you have to think the potential of a Democratic trifecta in Wisconsin in 2026 has become just a bit more likely.

Here's today's edition of Civic Media Today: civicmediatoday.substack.com/p/civic-medi...

BIG NEWS: After 44 years behind the microphone, @jmatenaer.bsky.social, host of @civicmedia.us's "Matenaer On Air, is announcing today that she is retiring next month. "I am so proud to finish up my career at this incredible network."

Heads up, folks: Big announcement today on “Matenaer On Air” … be sure to tune in on @civicmedia.us! @jmatenaer.bsky.social @iamgregbach.bsky.social

I think the kids have reached an age where the morning of daylight savings time changes are no longer an immediate family crisis. Hallelujah!

NEW: With Mandela Barnes flirting with another statewide run, it’s time for a reassessment of his last one, which was both overrated and underrated at the same time. BARNES ‘22 REVISITED: www.therecombobulationarea.news/p/barnes-22-...

Josh Schoemann has no endorsements and is polling in the single digits after campaigning for six months in the Republican primary. What even is this campaign? www.therecombobulationarea.news/i/177588248/...

NEW: Here's my breakdown of the new Marquette poll 👇 - No meaningful info in the Dem primary results - Where is the Josh Schoemann campaign even going? - Inflation and tariff concerns - An unpopular state legislature +much more! Let's recombobulate: www.therecombobulationarea.news/p/7-takeaway...

George W Bush also had 4x as much career WAR as his dad

Here's the Oct. 27 edition of Civic Media Today Dems are sounding alarms on SNAP and ACA, as the shutdown is about to extend into its fifth week. Plus: Find all of @civicmedia.us's weekend programming rounded up here for you to listen to: civicmediatoday.substack.com/p/civic-medi...

That’s right

I forgot to let y'all know I was going to be on from 9:30-11 on "Matenaer On Air" today with @jmatenaer.bsky.social and @iamgregbach.bsky.social, BUT you're in luck, you can watch the livestream of the show: www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQOm... Or find the podcast here: civicmedia.us/shows/matena...

I'll be joining @pattivasquez.bsky.social coming up in a few minutes on @wcpt820am.bsky.social / @heartlandsignal.bsky.social to catch up on all things Wisconsin politics. Tune in!

Here is the Oct. 23 edition of Civic Media Today👇 Wisconsin's FoodShare program will be out of funds by Nov. 1 due to the shutdown, and DPI is called to answer tough questions. Plus: I wrote about the latest effort to legalize medical marijuana in WI: civicmediatoday.substack.com/p/civic-medi...

That's right

It is absolutely ridiculous that Dr. Jill Underly is off at her college receiving a "distinguished alumni award" instead of answering questions in Assembly committee today. The CapTimes reporting raises serious questions that demand answers from the head of DPI. Unacceptable.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation today released a map of when construction will be happening for the $1,700,000,000 I-94 East-West widening project.

In which, a random poll I posted on twitter is referenced in The New York Times: www.nytimes.com/2025/10/21/u...

NEW at The Recombobulation Area: "We're going to rebuild together, even if it takes a generation." Contributor @emtseffos.bsky.social ran in an "unwinnable" race in the State Assembly in 2024. She's running again in 2026. Here's why: www.therecombobulationarea.news/p/running-ag...

Here is the Oct. 21 edition of Civic Media Today👇 On the ongoing fallout from the @captimes.com investigative story on DPI, plus news on the SNAP funding deadline, Kaul vs. Toney AG rematch, much more: civicmediatoday.substack.com/p/civic-medi...

On "Rational Revolution," host @markbecker.bsky.social shared a recent conversation he had with Tommy Thompson, where the former governor said he does not think Tom Tiffany can win the race for governor in Wisconsin. Thompson said Tiffany can't win enough votes in Dane and Milwaukee counties.

Here is the Oct. 20 edition of Civic Media Today 👇 Featuring our #NoKings coverage (in Madison, Milwaukee, Oshkosh, Appleton, Chippewa Falls, Eau Claire, Wausau and Wisconsin Rapids!) and @civicmedia.us's weekend programming (so many shows!). civicmediatoday.substack.com/p/civic-medi...

I went to the NO KINGS MILWAUKEE protest and took several dozen photos. www.therecombobulationarea.news/p/photos-tho...

Here's the Oct. 15 edition of Civic Media Today👇 The Senate+Assembly had floor sessions and passed several bills, including one to ban cell phones during classes. Plus: Today's @allbaughshow.bsky.social is live from the premiere of "No Packers, No Life" civicmediatoday.substack.com/p/civic-medi...

Here is the Oct. 14 edition of Civic Media Today 👇 Featuring @chalipittman.bsky.social on data center debates in Caledonia, Port Washington and across Wisconsin. Plus: More on the many, many bills coming before the Assembly and Senate today: civicmediatoday.substack.com/p/civic-medi...

Under the leadership of a former Republican state senator, the Milwaukee metro area's largest business group is dropping its goals to increase Black and Hispanic hires for management positions, but they say it's not because of politics. www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/ne...

The Oct. 13 edition of Civic Media Today is LIVE The Brewers are headed to the NLCS and @civicmedia.us is broadcasting the series on 5 stations in Wisconsin. Plus: @keldaroys.bsky.social on with @drkristin4wi.bsky.social, Indigenous Peoples Day +more. civicmediatoday.substack.com/p/civic-medi...

The Oct. 8, 2025, edition of Civic Media Today is LIVE! Mark Pocan tours a neighboring congressional district, data centers heading in different directions in southeastern Wisconsin, and more. Plus: the latest from "What's Going On with Earl Ingram." civicmediatoday.substack.com/p/civic-medi...

The Oct. 6 edition of Civic Media Today is LIVE: ICE activity is escalating in Wisconsin and the Midwest. Plus: @markpocan.bsky.social on "Rational Revolution" and more from @civicmedia.us weekend shows: civicmediatoday.substack.com/p/civic-medi...

I took a break from politics in my column this week, to bid a fond farewell to my favorite Milwaukee alt rock station, FM 102.1. www.therecombobulationarea.news/p/ode-to-fm-...

Here's my weekly roundup of all of my radio appearances from the last week, on w/ @toddallbaugh.bsky.social @jmatenaer.bsky.social @iamgregbach.bsky.social @pattivasquez.bsky.social @patkreitlow.bsky.social @civicmedia.us @heartlandsignal.bsky.social: www.therecombobulationarea.news/p/recombobul...

Joining @pattivasquez.bsky.social on @wcpt820am.bsky.social / @heartlandsignal.bsky.social to catch up on all things Wisconsin politics. Tune in!

NEW: Tom Tiffany is the frontrunner to be the Republican nominee for governor, and could be a Trump endorsement and a strong fundraising quarter from clearing the primary field. The general election? That's a different story. Let's recombobulate: www.therecombobulationarea.news/p/tom-tiffan...

The Sept. 24 edition of Civic Media Today is LIVE On Tom Tiffany's big announcement and the latest news from across Wisconsin. Plus: Interviews with Kelda Roys (w/ @maggiedaunshow.bsky.social), Jill Underly (w/ @patkreitlow.bsky.social) and much more. civicmediatoday.substack.com/p/civic-medi...

Subscribe to Civic Media Today: civicmediatoday.substack.com

The Sept. 22 edition of "Civic Media Today" is LIVE! News on a major proposal for the Northwoods, links from around the state courtesy of the @civicmedia.us news team, the latest from weekend shows like "Rational Revolution", "Amicus" + more: civicmediatoday.substack.com/p/civic-medi...

🚨We are launching a brand new email newsletter!🚨 It's called "Civic Media Today" and it is your one stop-shop to connect with all things @civicmedia.us, delivered free to your inbox every weekday. Learn more and SUBSCRIBE: civicmediatoday.substack.com/p/welcome-to...

NEW from @emtseffos.bsky.social: "Less than 48 hours in, while we have seen examples of condolences or grief, too much of the discourse following Mr. Kirk’s death has amounted to points scored in an endless online game." Column: www.therecombobulationarea.news/p/we-have-to...

Political violence is reprehensible and must be condemned in the strongest possible terms, every time. We need to be better than this.

"The Supreme Court said that it was permissible, legally permissible in the United States of America to use racial profiling, to use accents, and to use race itself as a predicate for denying someone access to due process" @staceyabrams.com Watch the full interview: youtu.be/CNyd8A87xis