Point Taken with Steve Scaffidi & Kristin Brey

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, WTMJ’s Steve Scaffidi serves up a mix of politics and pie — in true Wisconsin fashion. Steve kicks off with reaction to U.S. Senator Mark Kelly and the Department of Justice investigation tied to Pete Hegseth’s criticism over a controversial ad. Steve explains why he believes Kelly’s ad was in poor taste but doesn’t warrant punishment, arguing that common sense — not party loyalty — should guide judgment. Then the show lightens up for the holiday season. After a holiday traditions feature by Debbie Lazaga, Steve opens the phone and text lines to ask listeners: -What’s your must-have Thanksgiving pie? -Will politics come up at your table this year? Callers Joe, Valerie, and Bob weigh in with their Thanksgiving philosophies — from “keep it peaceful” to “pass the pumpkin pie and the opinions.” In the 11 a.m. hour, Steve talks rising turkey prices, the surprising most popular pie in America, and more listener favorites. He closes with a few thoughts on a Dateline special filmed in Wisconsin and what’s coming up on his future shows and podcasts. Smart talk, good food, and a few laughs before the holiday — that’s Thanksgiving with Steve Scaffidi.

WTMJ’s Steve Scaffidi sits down with two Wisconsin leaders shaping different corners of the state — Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson and Washington County Executive (and Republican gubernatorial candidate) Josh Schoemann — for candid, wide-ranging conversations ahead of Thanksgiving. Mayor Johnson joins first to react to the Milwaukee Common Council overriding his budget vetoes, and to discuss the city’s library hours, crime strategy, and Fire Chief Aaron Lipski’s call for more resources. Steve also asks about Milwaukee’s economic future — from potential data centers to the streetcar — and how the mayor plans to sell the city’s progress to both residents and travelers. Then, Steve talks with Josh Schoemann, who recently made headlines for his sharp remarks about the Morgan Geyser case and Governor Tony Evers’ leadership. They discuss the importance of responsible leadership, taxes, the state-city funding divide, and whether former President Donald Trump should influence Wisconsin’s next governor’s race. In the second hour, Steve turns from politics to people — asking listeners about their Thanksgiving travel plans, Friendsgiving traditions, and ideas to “pay it forward” this holiday season. Later, in a Forward Thinking segment, Colleston Morgan of City Forward Collective and Aaron Lippman of Carmen Schools discuss Milwaukee’s charter and public schools.

WTMJ’s Steve Scaffidi kicks off Thanksgiving week with law, travel, and a little gratitude. He’s joined by WISN-TV political director Matt Smith, who shares highlights from his interview with Interim U.S. Attorney Brad Schimel on the trial of Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan — including talk of a potential plea deal and what comes next for the high-profile case. They also discuss the uncertain future of WisconsinEye, the state’s C-SPAN-style network, after losing key funding, and hear from CEO John Henkes about whether state support could save it. Next, Matt shares insights from Marquette Law School Poll director Charles Franklin on voter views of the economy, grocery prices, and inflation. Then, Steve turns to the skies: U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy wants Americans to travel better in his new PSA, “The Golden Age of Travel Starts with You.” Steve asks listeners if the call for courteous flying — dressing properly, helping others, and keeping kids calm — is long overdue. In the 11 a.m. hour, Annex Wealth Management’s Dave Spano joins for the Monday Market Preview, breaking down holiday retail sales, the Beige Book, interest rates, and year-end investing tips. Steve also shares what he’s thankful for this season, recaps his deer-camp weekend, and relives the Packers’ big win over the Vikings before closing with ideas on how to “pay it forward” every day.

It’s been an action-packed week, and WTMJ’s Steve Scaffidi and Kristin Brey are joined in-studio by Republican strategist Bill McCoshen and Democratic strategist Joe Zepecki to unpack it all. They start with the headline lighting up Washington: President Donald Trump calling for the execution of those guilty of “sedition” after Democrats in Congress released a video telling military personnel it’s okay to disobey illegal orders. Then, the group turns to the Senate’s vote to release the Jeffrey Epstein files, debating what the release could mean for Trump, congressional Republicans, and anyone connected to the late financier. In the second hour, the panel dives into foreign policy and ethics as Trump hosts the Saudi crown prince at the White House, declaring the country a major non-NATO ally — despite the prince’s alleged involvement in the killing of an American journalist. Back home in Wisconsin, the focus shifts to the 2026 governor’s race and the ripple effect of Abbott Labs’ acquisition of Madison-based Exact Sciences. Could this open the door for Joel Brennan or even the CEO Kevin Conroy to run? After the heavy headlines, Bill, Joe, Steve, and Kristin keep tradition with “Say Something Nice” and “Grab Bags” — their signature bipartisan gratitude roundtable ahead of Thanksgiving. Later, author and farmer Brian Reisinger joins to talk soybeans, Wisconsin agriculture, and the deep ties between farmers and hunters as gun deer season kicks off.

As prices soar and wallets tighten, WTMJ’s Steve Scaffidi and Kristin Brey kick off the day talking about where Americans are feeling it most — from the uncertainty of the cryptocurrency market to the rising cost of a McDonald’s meal. They break down what the latest crypto bubble burst could mean for investors, the financial sector, and everyday savers — then turn to something even more personal: the holiday season price squeeze. With airfares, décor, and grocery bills all climbing, Steve and Kristin ask listeners how inflation is changing their Thanksgiving and holiday traditions, reading messages from those adapting or cutting back this year. In the 11 a.m. hour, Urban Milwaukee’s Jeramey Jannene joins for a rundown of Milwaukee’s latest budget vetoes, bridge construction projects, and the debate over preserving or redeveloping city landmarks like the Miller High Life Theater and Panther Arena. They also discuss a potential new hotel for the convention district and if the city really needs it.

WTMJ hosts Steve Scaffidi and Kristin Brey start the day with the biggest headline in Washington: the U.S. Senate’s decision on releasing the Jeffrey Epstein files. They break down what happens next — from Speaker Mike Johnson’s response to the political fallout for both parties — and debate how much transparency Americans will actually get once the documents are made public. Then it’s time for something a little lighter — or dumber. In a segment Steve calls “A Theory of Dumb,” they unpack a new study suggesting that people are actually becoming less intelligent in certain categories. Are we really getting dumber, or just more distracted? The conversation turns to social media, radio, and modern attention spans, and the hosts ask: are we part of the problem? In the 11 a.m. hour, the focus shifts to politics and power: a Texas judge orders redistricting maps to be reversed, lawsuits emerge in California, and President Trump sparks outrage by calling a female reporter “Piggy” aboard Air Force One. Steve and Kristin explore the state of civility, gender, and respect in the modern media landscape. They wrap up with Ask Us Anything, answering listener questions about Trump, Saudi Arabia, gold in the White House, and even first-time parenting. Smart talk, dumb theories, and everything in between — it’s another lively morning on Point Taken.

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.