Point Taken with Steve Scaffidi & Kristin Brey

620 WTMJ
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Sep 8, 2025 • 1h 5min

Farmers Are Not Happy With The Economy

WTMJ hosts Steve Scaffidi and Kristin Brey are joined by WISN 12’s Matt Smith for a wide-ranging look at Milwaukee and beyond. They dive into new MPS superintendent Dr. Brenda Cassellius’ plans, growing calls from the Milwaukee Police Association to bring in the National Guard — and why Mayor Cavalier Johnson says no — plus the Milwaukee Art Museum’s new director, Dr. Kim Sajet. The conversation turns to America’s farmers, as both national voices and local callers share their struggles with prices, family businesses, and the future of farming. Later, Annex Wealth Management’s Dave Spano weighs in on the latest jobs report, interest rates, and tariffs. Wrapping things up, Steve and Kristin react to President Trump’s National Guard threats — and a strong Packers win over the Lions, even if Lambeau looked a little too Honolulu blue.
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Sep 5, 2025 • 1h 4min

Department Of War; What Is It Good For?

WTMJ hosts Steve Scaffidi and Kristin Brey are joined by Republican strategist Bill McCoshen and Democratic strategist Joe Zepecki (who's in D.C.!) for a spirited breakdown of the week’s biggest political stories. They dig into U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Senate hearing on vaccines, Florida’s rollback of mandates, and the latest jobs report after President Trump’s firing of the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The panel also weighs in on Wisconsin’s gubernatorial race, Congressman Tom Tiffany’s endorsement plea, and Trump’s push to rebrand the Pentagon as the Department of War. Plus they wrap things up with their signature “Say Something Nice” and “Grab Bags” segments. Beyond politics, Steve and Kristin explore return-to-office mandates hitting major companies, new rulings on airline passenger compensation, plus a sneak peek at the brand-new Point Taken newsletter.
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Sep 4, 2025 • 1h 4min

Trump Called It A Hoax; The Survivors Disagreed

WTMJ hosts Steve Scaffidi and Kristin Brey dive into a busy news day, starting with U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Senate hearing on vaccines and the fallout from his firing of the CDC director. They debate vaccine mandates after Florida’s surgeon general compared them to slavery and ask if vaccine policy should be left to the states. Later, they turn to the imminent release of the Jeffrey Epstein files and hear from survivors speaking out, even as President Trump dismisses it as a hoax. Back home in Wisconsin, Urban Milwaukee’s Jeramey Jannene joins to talk about a new federal grant funding transportation improvements across the state — from bike lanes to train lines — and Milwaukee’s plan to crack down on fare dodging. Plus, updates on the Milwaukee Art Museum’s new leadership and the rising problem of street takeovers. Finally, the Salvation Army’s Benny Benedict joins in-studio to share how they’re helping flood victims in the Milwaukee area and how the community can lend a hand.
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Sep 3, 2025 • 1h 5min

We Still Haven't Solved the Childcare Crisis

WTMJ hosts Steve Scaffidi and Kristin Brey opened the show with the growing problem of street takeovers in Milwaukee and discussed whether the National Guard should get involved. They then shifted to the rapid rise of artificial intelligence, exploring its impact on Wisconsin’s economy, environment, and even mental health—asking listeners if we’re truly ready for it. In the second hour, Wisconsin Secretary of Children & Families Jeff Pertl joined to discuss the state’s childcare crisis, what’s driving it, and possible solutions. The show wrapped with a lively Ask Us Anything segment covering Packers football, public broadcasting, cream puff contests, and even a possible return of Kristin’s old show Spanning the State.
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Sep 2, 2025 • 1h 4min

What's Going On at the White House?

WTMJ’s Steve Scaffidi and Kristin Brey tackle a wide range of topics shaping headlines and daily life. Today's topics include: - Unusual Behavior from the Trump Administration - A Conversation with State Senator Dora Drake - Annex Wealth Management's Brian Jacobsen discusses the economic impact of world events - A Dive into Parasocial Relationships and much more.
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Aug 29, 2025 • 1h 5min

What Do We Do After a Shooting?

WTMJ’s Steve Scaffidi is joined by Republican strategist Bill McCoshen and Democratic strategist Joe Zepecki for a spirited hour of politics, policy, and perspective. Today, they discuss response to mass shootings, tech, changes at the CDC, and much more.
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Aug 28, 2025 • 1h 3min

Where Do We Go From Here? Talk to Your Representatives

WTMJ hosts Steve Scaffidi and Kristin Brey opened with the difficult question: Where do we go from here? The conversation began with the tragic shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church and School in Minneapolis, before Wisconsin State Representative Deb Andraca joined in-studio to talk about the path forward on gun laws, mental health, and how communities can protect schools. They also weighed the influence of social media and the role of regulation in preventing future violence. Later in the show, Jeramey Jannene of Urban Milwaukee joined to discuss a City of Milwaukee employee caught in voter fraud, rising gun thefts in the Deer District, and disaster relief after recent floods. They also covered downtown condo developments and the surprise pick for Milwaukee’s Office of Violence Prevention leader. Steve and Kristin also previewed Oak Creek Lionsfest with committee member Scott Koenig.
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Aug 27, 2025 • 59min

Reactions to the Minnesota Catholic School Shooting

WTMJ hosts Steve Scaffidi and Kristin Brey devoted much of today’s show to the tragic shooting outside a Catholic school on the south side of Minneapolis. They shared what was known in the immediate aftermath, reflected on the importance of leadership during times of crisis, and opened the conversation about gun ownership, restrictions, and the responsibility of lawmakers. Fellow WTMJ host and reporter Erik Bilstad joined to provide updates and recap the press conference as the story unfolded. Listeners also shared their own thoughts and questions, which Steve and Kristin read and responded to with the seriousness the moment demands.
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Aug 26, 2025 • 1h 4min

Trump is Following the Coup Playbook

WTMJ’s Steve Scaffidi and Kristin Brey tackle a wide range of topics shaping headlines and daily life. Here’s what’s inside: 🚨 National Guard in Chicago — NewsNation’s Mills Hayes joins to break down Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s controversial move. 🎙️ Bill Maher’s warning that troops in U.S. cities could signal a coup sparks debate. 📊 Crime, incarceration, and listener reactions to the Guard’s deployment. 🥞 Cracker Barrel’s rebrand—the company responds. 📚 Federal funding for public universities and libraries, and what it means for higher ed. 🍽️ Why fewer families are eating at the dining room table—and what it says about modern life. ✈️ Steve previews his upcoming Cancun trip with Fox World Travel. A mix of politics, culture, and everyday shifts in how we live—this episode covers it
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Aug 25, 2025 • 1h 2min

Amy Klobuchar and the Battle Against Deepfakes

WTMJ’s Steve Scaffidi and Kristin Brey welcome Matt Smith from WISN 12 into the studio for a packed Tuesday show. 🌊 FEMA on the ground in Milwaukee, Washington, and Waukesha Counties—will Trump approve disaster aid? 🗳️ The future of mail-in voting in Wisconsin, with insights from Elections Commission Chair Ann Jacobs. 🏛️ Wisconsin Black Caucus pushes for more town halls—what difference could it make? 👶 Congressman Derrick Van Orden’s heroic act saving a child’s life. Plus: ✈️ Kristin shares lessons from traveling with a toddler. 🤖 The Amy Klobuchar deepfake controversy sparks a serious conversation on AI abuse. 💵 Dave Spano (Annex Wealth Management) joins to break down interest rates, Jerome Powell, and Trump’s Intel investment. 🌴 Rose Gray (Fox World Travel) helps Steve plan a long overdue trip to Cancun. ⚾ Remembering Bob Uecker with stories from Bob Costas. 🎶 Celebrating 50 years of Springsteen’s Born to Run with listener memories.

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