Point Taken with Steve Scaffidi & Kristin Brey

New headphones, fresh perspective — WTMJ’s Steve Scaffidi and Kristin Brey open the day asking one big question: is the country actually beginning to heal? After months of division and political tension, Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene is making headlines with what some are calling an “apology tour,” expressing regret for her past rhetoric after seeing the same behavior from President Donald Trump. Steve and Kristin ask whether this signals a national softening — especially following the assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk. Later, they’re joined by Professor Susan Yackee, director of the La Follette School of Public Affairs at UW–Madison, to talk about teaching civil dialogue and encouraging students (and citizens) to engage across political lines. Her challenge to listeners: to have curiosity. In the second hour, Steve and Kristin switch gears to Wisconsin politics — the crowded Democratic primary for governor and the debate over legalizing online sports betting. Plus, Kristin’s story about her friend’s inspiring nonprofit MS Run the US and a few laughs as Steve leaves her to close out the show solo.

WTMJ hosts Steve Scaffidi and Kristin Brey kick off the week with politics, markets, and a few unexpected stories from Wisconsin and beyond. They’re joined first by WISN-TV political reporter Matt Smith to unpack his new interviews with Governor Tony Evers and Congressman Tom Tiffany. The conversation covers sports betting laws, the Department of Public Instruction’s grooming-claims controversy, and the debate over extending Obamacare subsidies. Then it’s time to Get Biced — Milwaukee Journal Sentinel watchdog Dan Bice joins in-studio to break down former Attorney General Brad Schimel’s appointment as interim U.S. Attorney and the latest developments surrounding Judge Hannah Dugan’s alleged role in an ICE raid incident at the Milwaukee County Courthouse. In the 11 a.m. hour, Annex Wealth Management’s Dave Spano calls in for the Monday Market Preview, covering AI-driven tech stocks, beef prices, and inflation. Steve shares his “Manic Monday” story — complete with an unexpected sting — before he and Kristin return to national headlines: President Trump’s reversal on releasing the Jeffrey Epstein files, and a new Gallup poll showing that many Millennial and Gen Z women would consider leaving the U.S. if they could.

WTMJ’s Steve Scaffidi and Kristin Brey are finally reunited — and they’re making up for lost time. The duo dives into news making national and local waves: reports that President Trump may send out new stimulus checks to Americans earning under $100,000, and the renewed controversy around the long-awaited Jeffrey Epstein files, including Megyn Kelly’s eyebrow-raising claim about Epstein’s crimes. In the 11 a.m. hour, Steve and Kristin pivot to faith and community, reacting to Catholic bishops voicing concern over mass deportations and how they’re affecting schools, hospitals, and congregations nationwide. They also touch on redistricting, Jason Kelce’s Wisconsin moment, and what it says about civic and cultural life in the Midwest. Finally, they wrap up the week with potential new segment, “Let’s Get Talking,” where they ask each other delightfully random questions — from what food they've never eaten to who they’d haunt people as ghosts.

With Steve out, Kristin Brey takes the mic solo for a lively, wide-ranging day of headlines, heart, and humor. Kristin kicks things off with a recap of last night’s Trivia Showdown and one of the biggest stories she missed — the federal government shutdown finally ending (for now). But the temporary deal came with a surprise: a ban on hemp growing in the U.S. She plays audio from Senator Rand Paul voicing his anger over the move and then welcomes the CEO of Batch, a Wisconsin hemp company, to explain how this ban affects local farmers and small businesses. Later, State Senator Jodi Habush Sinykin joins to discuss her new bill regulating data centers as the industry expands across Wisconsin. Kristin asks how lawmakers are balancing energy use, development, and community impact. In the 11 a.m. hour, Urban Milwaukee’s Jeramey Jannene drops in for a city update — from the closed STI clinic and the future of Milwaukee’s “Beer District”, to the latest debates over I-794, the stalled timber tower project, and the city’s wheel tax. They end on a lighter note, celebrating two brand-new festivals coming to Milwaukee in 2026.

He starts by breaking down the potential end of the federal government shutdown, the Epstein files, and what a reopening means for Americans. Annex Wealth Management’s Dr. Brian Jacobson joins to explain what the economy, markets, and interest rates could look like once Washington gets back to business. In the 10 a.m. hour, CARW CEO Tracy Johnson joins Steve in-studio to unpack the Wisconsin DOT’s study on reworking or removing Interstate 794 in downtown Milwaukee — what every option could mean for local businesses, residents, and commuters. They also discuss the state of commercial real estate in a post-COVID Milwaukee. Then, in the 11 a.m. hour, Milwaukee restaurateur Chef Michael Feker joins for a delicious discussion on food affordability, sourcing, and the soul of the restaurant experience. From Thanksgiving turkey prep to guilty-pleasure dishes, Chef Feker answers listener questions live in a fast, flavorful edition of Ask Us Anything.

This Veterans Day, Point Taken explores how law and civic understanding intersect with public service. Featuring Judge Mary Kuhnmuench, former U.S. Attorney Jim Santelle, and City Forward Collective’s Colleston Morgan.

In this episode of Point Taken, WISN’s Matt Smith joins to break down the new Senate deal that could end the government shutdown and what it means for SNAP benefits. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Dan Bice and Bill Glauber step in for “Get Biced,” covering everything from Trump’s controversial pardons to Judge Hannah Dugan’s case and Congressman Tom Tiffany’s evolving stance on abortion. Plus, Dave Spano of Annex Wealth Management weighs in on the economy, 50-year mortgages, and healthcare costs. Steve and Kristin wrap up with sports, trivia, and their takes on the Packers, Badgers, and the week ahead in politics.

WTMJ hosts Steve Scaffidi and Kristin Brey break down the major Democratic wins from Election Day with strategists Joe Zepecki and Bill McCoshen. They dig into what affordability means for both parties, the state of the government shutdown, and even the controversy surrounding Tucker Carlson and Nick Fuentes. Plus—FoodShare benefits return to Wisconsin, Elon Musk’s trillion-dollar payday, and a few good things to say on “Say Something Nice.”

Steve Scaffidi and Kristin Brey dig into the Supreme Court’s debate over presidential power on tariffs and how the ongoing government shutdown is grounding air travel further. Later, Tom Content from the Citizens Utility Board joins to unpack how AI and data centers are driving up energy costs, and Jeramey Jannene gives updates on Milwaukee’s roads, historic sites, and shifting city priorities.

Steve Scaffidi and Kristin Brey break down the big Democratic wins across the U.S., Trump’s reaction to GOP losses, and how Canada is coping with U.S. tariffs with economist Todd Hirsch. Then, they dive into Jill Underly addressing the DPI controversy, Governor Evers’ school cell phone ban, and—on a lighter note—how to keep the magic alive in marriage.