Point Taken with Steve Scaffidi & Kristin Brey

Live from the Wisconsin State Fair, WTMJ hosts Steve Scaffidi and Kristin Brey welcome Republican strategist Bill McCoshen and Democratic strategist Joe Zepecki for a fast-paced political roundtable—plus a surprise appearance from Steve’s grandson, Max. Here’s what’s on deck: 🔍 The Jeffrey Epstein case—will Congress step in? 📊 Reviewing Trump’s first 200 days in office. 🗺️ A brewing redistricting war between red and blue states. 💰 Are presidential tariffs effective—or even fair? 🎥 Viral backlash at Rep. Bryan Steil’s townhalls—does it reflect the district’s true mood? 🏛️ Wisconsin governor’s race updates, from Bill Berrien’s walk-back to Kelda Roys’ hesitation over threats of political violence. 🔮 A look ahead to 2028—who runs, and what will Trump do? Then, the tone lightens: 😂 Steve’s grandson Max drops by to tell a joke, share his Fair adventures, and even put Bill and Joe in the hot seat. 💬 Say Something Nice—from Brewers pitcher Freddy Peralta’s advice to bipartisan shoutouts. 🎒 Grab Bags—Max’s kind baseball gesture, Joe’s paddleboarding debut, and more.

WTMJ’s Steve Scaffidi and Kristin Brey broadcast live from the Wisconsin State Fair with a jam-packed show blending fun, policy, and politics. They kick things off recapping their fair adventures before diving into school choice and Scholarship Granting Organizations with WILL’s Will Flanders. Steve reacts to GOP governor candidate Bill Berrien’s backpedaling on Nikki Haley, and Kristin runs off to prep for the cream puff eating contest — with live play-by-play coverage and a suspicious second-place finish. They also unpack Wisconsin’s smoky skies and the congressional letter to Canada, “Tariff Day 2.0,” and the Brewers' hot streak. Jeramey Jannene joins with a live contest recap, insights into downtown violence, new developments in the Third Ward, and the final (?) saga of “Deep Thought”. It’s a State Fair episode you don’t want to miss.

Live from the Wisconsin State Fair, WTMJ hosts Steve Scaffidi and Kristin Brey stir the pot with a blend of bold politics, local flavor, and one controversial dessert. Here's what’s on the menu: 🔒 Should Ghislaine Maxwell be pardoned? After her prison downgrade, Steve and Kristin ask listeners if a Trump pardon would cross a line—and the audience didn’t hold back. 🥕 Addi Faerber from Farm Fresh Atlas joins in-studio to talk about the boom in farmers markets, why CSA memberships are rising, and what cuts to federal school lunch programs mean for local farms. 🥧 It’s a cream puff showdown! Kristin preps for the Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Contest with tips from Tess Kerksen. 🎡 State Fair Executive Director Shari Black shares how Wisconsin’s Fair stacks up against Minnesota’s and dishes on major fairground upgrades. 🗺️ Governor Tony Evers stops by to talk about his Fair visit, the redistricting chaos in other states, and whether his staff knew he wasn’t running for a third term before the rest of us. Finally… 🍦 It’s World Breastfeeding Week, and yes, Steve and Kristin go there: breast milk ice cream. Is it real? Should it be?

WTMJ’s Steve Scaffidi and Kristin Brey mix politics, public health, and fair fun in this packed episode from the Wisconsin State Fair. Here’s what’s inside: 🗺️ Redistricting wars heat up as Steve and Kristin unpack how states like Texas and California are waging a battle over mid-census map changes—and how that could erode democracy. 🚜 Midwest Farm Report’s Pam Jahnke joins in-studio to share her history with Wisconsin farming and what the Fair means to rural communities. 👶 A disturbing op-ed on child mortality in the U.S. sparks a deeper discussion on parenting, the drop in vaccinations, and the state of child health. 🌫️ With poor air quality rising in Wisconsin, a Froedtert pulmonologist joins to explain the respiratory risks and how to protect your lungs. Later in the show: 🎙️ A clip of former Gov. Tommy Thompson hints at a potential political comeback—he’s not ruling out a 2026 run. 🚗 Elon Musk is being awarded a lot of money by Tesla—Steve and Kristin debate whether it’s motivation or madness. 👑 And finally, the reigning Alice in Dairyland Sarah Hagenow stops by in-studio to share what it’s like to be the face of Wisconsin agriculture (and follow in her sister’s footsteps).

WTMJ’s Steve Scaffidi and Kristin Brey are live at the Wisconsin State Fair with a packed guest lineup and plenty of politics, reporting, and sweet treats. Here’s what’s inside: 🗳️ 2026 Governor’s Race Preview with Dan Bice and Bill Glauber—who’s in, who’s out, and who has a real shot. 💰 Dan dishes on his latest investigative piece on a controversial Wisconsin State Assemblyman’s finances and housing mystery. 🔍 A quick detour into privacy in reporting, how newsrooms have evolved, and what role AI journalism might play in the future. 📉 Trump fires the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics—was it all about the jobs report? Dan and Bill weigh in. Then: 📊 Annex Wealth Management’s Dr. Brian Jacobson joins remotely to analyze job numbers and market turbulence. 🏙️ West Allis Mayor Dan Devine stops by in-studio to talk “Stallis” pride, local development, and how his team helps shape the Fair each year.

WTMJ hosts Steve Scaffidi and Kristin Brey are joined in-studio by political powerhouses Joe Zepecki (Democrat) and Bill McCoshen (Republican) for a charged, fast-moving hour of news, strategy, and spirited debate. Here’s what they tackled: 🌍 Starvation in Gaza and Donald Trump’s reaction—is it genuine concern or political calculation? 🕵️ Jeffrey Epstein file fallout continues as Trump offers new explanations for their “falling out.” 📉 The U.S. economy’s volatile state post-trade deals—Joe is more cynical than ever, Bill stays optimistic. 🏛️ A pulse check on the future of the Republican Party, including what’s next for Wisconsin Republicans ahead of 2026. 📈 Trump’s approval numbers, redistricting wars in Congress, and the push to ban lawmakers from trading stocks—is Senator Josh Hawley really a “weenie”? Also in the mix: 👖 The American Eagle/Sydney Sweeney controversy gets cross-party attention. 🔒 Trump’s quiet effort to privatize Social Security—Joe says it's real, and everyone weighs in. 💬 SAY SOMETHING NICE returns with bipartisan compliments and Wisconsin State Fair love. 🎁 GRAB BAG shoutouts

Dale Kooyenga, the President of the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce, joins to discuss the potential of data centers in Wisconsin. He dives into the economic benefits and environmental concerns, sparking a lively debate on job creation. The conversation shifts to parenting, exploring the lighter side of swearing in kids, with insights from celebrities like Kristen Bell. With fun quizzes and culinary highlights from the State Fair, it’s a mix of serious discussion and light-hearted banter that keeps listeners engaged.

The economy's bouncing back—but who's really benefiting? On this episode of Point Taken, WTMJ hosts Steve Scaffidi and Kristin Brey dive into the latest GDP rebound and what it means for your wallet. Then they tackle the thorny issue of lawmakers trading stocks with insider knowledge—should we ban it altogether, or just pay Congress more? Senator Josh Hawley’s latest proposal has Capitol Hill buzzing. From D.C. to denim, Steve and Kristin also break down the controversy around American Eagle’s ad featuring actress Sydney Sweeney and the strange online backlash. Plus, Milwaukee’s own Tory Lowe joins to discuss rising violence in the city and the community-led solutions that could make a real difference. Later in the show: Wisconsin’s vaccine opt-out bill, the environmental toll of AI and data centers, and a rapid-fire Ask Us Anything where no topic is off-limits—from piano songs to Foxconn fallout to Ghislaine Maxwell.

WTMJ hosts Steve Scaffidi and Kristin Brey kick off the hour with a question of ethics: Why is Wisconsin Assemblyman Bob Donovan paying himself $850/month from campaign funds—and getting away with it? Then they tackle one of the biggest humanitarian crises in the world: 🍽️ Starvation in Gaza—Israel’s destruction of UN aid convoys, Trump’s rare acknowledgment, and what needs to change. Also in this packed show: 🎬 Wisconsin’s new film tax incentive program and its potential to bring Hollywood to the Midwest. Local filmmakers Nathan Deming and Suzanne Jurva join in-studio to explain how it works. 🏌️‍♂️ A quick detour into pop culture with thoughts on the new Happy Gilmore release. 📉 Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” is flopping—prices remain high, and it’s reigniting Democratic voter energy heading into the next election. 🏫 From movies to mayhem: Tim Sullivan of the Watertown Daily Times calls in to report on chaos and toxic behavior on the Watertown Unified School Board, including a controversial transgender policy. Plus: 💊 The booming use of Ozempic and weight-loss drugs—what they signal for the future of American health.

Kristin Brey catches co-host Steve Scaffidi up on all the big news he missed—starting with Governor Tony Evers bowing out of the 2026 race and the flood of Democratic hopefuls rushing in. A clip from Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez confirms she knew the decision was coming, and Steve and Kristin dive into the political hubris already on display. Also in this episode: 🔥 Scott Walker is not running, but Washington County Exec Josh Schoemann is—reporter Jessie Opoien calls in after covering his BBQ 💵 Trump-era tariffs and failed trade deals are still hitting Americans’ wallets, with listener texts detailing where prices are rising 📉 Steve shares his trip to Las Vegas and the economic downturn’s toll on tourism 💸 Annex Wealth’s Dave Spano weighs in on Trump’s tense meeting with Fed Chair Jerome Powell and Kohl’s becoming a meme stock. 🧳 Travel woes, airfare etiquette, and the broader economic shake-up 📂 Kristin updates Steve on the latest from the Jeffrey Epstein files