Will Anything Change? Welcome to 2026.

On the first Point Taken of 2026, Kristin Brey was joined in studio by Democratic strategist Joe Zepecki and Republican strategist Bill McCoshen for a wide-ranging, bipartisan breakdown of the political landscape. The hour began with a deep dive into YouTuber Nick Shirley’s investigation into alleged childcare fraud in Minnesota, examining what the scandal could mean for a reliably blue state, its convicted figures, and potential fallout for Governor Tim Walz ahead of future elections. From there, the panel zoomed out to national and global stakes — questioning why the war in Ukraine continues despite President Trump’s pledge to quickly end it in his second term, and reacting to the House Judiciary Committee’s surprise release of closed-door testimony from former Special Counsel Jack Smith. The second hour shifted closer to home, with analysis of Wisconsin’s governor’s race, looming campaign finance disclosures, and listener frustration over the outsized role of money in politics. The show wrapped with reflections on 2025, expectations for 2026, thoughtful cross-aisle shoutouts, and a grab bag touching on foreign policy, media trust, and pop culture moments from New Year’s Eve.