Point Taken with Steve Scaffidi & Kristin Brey

WTMJ’s Steve Scaffidi and Kristin Brey are joined in-studio by Democratic State Representative Francesca Hong of Madison, another candidate to announce a run for Wisconsin Governor. Hong discusses her campaign messaging, her background, ideas for Wisconsin’s budget surplus, and key policy priorities. She also addresses her label a socialist, how she plans to stand out in a crowded Democratic field, and her views on education in Wisconsin.

WTMJ’s Steve Scaffidi is joined in-studio by Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, who recently announced his candidacy for Wisconsin Governor. Crowley talks about why he’s running, his priorities for the state, how he plans to connect with voters statewide, his approach to working with President Donald Trump, ideas for using Wisconsin’s budget surplus, addressing childcare challenges, and what his family thinks about his run.

Bill McCoshen, a Republican strategist, and Joe Zepecki, a Democratic strategist, dive into Trump’s controversial peace deal between Israel and Hamas, debating its implications and risks. They dissect the ongoing federal government shutdown, its effects on healthcare, and the implications of National Guard deployments in urban areas. Finding common ground, they praise cross-party efforts before examining environmental concerns surrounding data centers in Wisconsin. The conversation wraps with reflections on national political headlines, including the indictment of Letitia James.

WTMJ host Kristin Brey opened the show diving into Wisconsin’s evolving hemp and cannabis landscape — unpacking the differences between hemp, marijuana, and CBD, and how each is regulated. She was joined by Beau Whitney, chief economist at Whitney Economics, to discuss the fast-changing Delta-8 market and what’s at stake for hemp producers nationwide as shifting laws threaten the industry’s stability. Later, Kristin spoke with Dr. Matthew Boedy, a professor of rhetoric and author examining the rise of Christian nationalism in America, to reflect on the ideology’s spread and the aftermath of conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s assassination. The show closed with Urban Milwaukee’s Jeramey Jannene in-studio to talk about Milwaukee’s top local issues — from police pursuits and ICE’s new city office to budget challenges, the potential wheel tax hike, and updates on major infrastructure projects like the I-94 reconstruction and the city’s long-delayed timber high-rise.

Kristin Brey was joined in-studio by retired Milwaukee County Judge Mary Kuhnmuench and former U.S. Attorney James Santelle for a deep dive into presidential power and the limits of federal authority. The trio discussed President Trump’s decision to send the Texas National Guard to Chicago and Portland under the potential justification of the Insurrection Act, tracing historical parallels and public backlash. They also examined the reach of ICE, including reports of them using AI to track critics, and debated the balance between national security and free speech. Later, Kristin spoke with Pam Jahnke from the Midwest Farm Report about how tariffs and trade tensions are affecting Wisconsin farmers, and Trump’s proposed bailout to ease the strain. The show wrapped with listener questions about weekend getaways, the Affordable Care Act, and favorite Halloween candy.

Kristin Brey opened the show celebrating the Milwaukee Brewers’ big win and breaking down the latest from Washington, where President Trump may be making progress on ending the government shutdown. She spoke with Alex Jacquez from the Groundwork Collaborative about how the shutdown could raise health insurance premiums for Americans who rely on the Affordable Care Act. Kristin also reacted to Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul’s announcement that he won’t run for governor, speculated on whether Mandela Barnes might enter the race, and discussed campaign transparency after Tom Tiffany removed his issues page from his website. Later, Kristin examined the peace talks between Israel and Hamas two years after the original attacks, then spoke with Dr. Markus Brauer from UW–Madison’s Institute for Diversity Science about the changing landscape of DEI programs in workplaces and universities. To close, Wisconsin Representative Amaad Rivera-Wagner joined her to discuss a bipartisan bill aimed at tackling rising housing prices across the state.

Kristin Brey was joined by WISN Channel 12’s Matt Smith to unpack Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Robin Vos’s influence, his re-election prospects, and who could replace him. They also discussed new polling in the governor’s race, and how campaign demands affect candidates’ day jobs. Later, Kristin explored a new dining trend—restaurants offering smaller portions as customers tighten budgets—and shared listener reactions. In the second hour, Kristin talked with Annex Wealth Management’s Dave Spano about the early economic effects of the federal government shutdown, Trump’s tariff policies heading to the Supreme Court, and OpenAI’s market dominance. She also spoke with Hudson Munoz of Guns Down America on how small businesses can help curb gun violence, wrapped up with the Milwaukee Brewers’ playoff push, and previewed her appearance at the "Roast of Milwaukee".

Kristin Brey was joined by strategists Joe Zepecki and Bill McCoshen to break down the ongoing government shutdown, the partisan budget stalemate in Congress, and President Trump and Pete Hegseth’s military “rally.” They also tackled Trump’s new “war on drugs” and wrapped the first hour with thoughts on the federal government’s gridlock. In the second hour, the group turned local, digging into Wisconsin’s governor’s race with Missy Hughes entering, Bill Berrien dropping out, and Tom Tiffany gaining momentum. They shared their “Say Something Nice” shoutouts, Grab Bag highlights from baseball to Oktoberfest, and Kristin and Joe closed with a discussion on how Democrats can broaden their base—ending with a thoughtful quote from the late Dr. Jane Goodall.

Steve Scaffidi and Kristin Brey kicked things off with the latest Marquette Law School Poll on political violence, joined by poll director Charles Franklin for a deep dive into voter attitudes and divisions. They also tackled the looming government shutdown and Wisconsin Republicans’ push for medical marijuana. In the second hour, Urban Milwaukee’s Jeramey Jannene joined in-studio to talk garbage drop-off sites, lead pipe removal, and a new Milwaukee lighthouse. The hosts also dug into the future of the Panther Arena and Miller High Life Theater, looming Milwaukee County budget cuts, and what’s next for local transit, bars, and community centers.