MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today delivered his weekly radio address celebrating the kickoff of the 174th Wisconsin State Fair, which will take place July 31st through August 10th at State Fair Park in West Allis.

The governor also proclaimed July 31st through August 10th, 2025, as “Wisconsin State Fair Days,” as he has done annually, in recognition of the 2025 State Fair. A copy of the governor’s Wisconsin State Fair Days proclamation is available here.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/laura/trump-obama-lie-2025-s434.pngProgressive Laura Kiefert comments on the latest Trump garbage dragging Barack Obama into his deranged circus with talk of treason and prison? Hell no. That’s not politics — that’s delusion with a bullhorn.

MILWAUKEE - The 2026 Election is on! Following the recording of the show, Governor Tony Evers announced he will not run for a third term, setting up an epic battle for governance in Wisconsin in 2026.

We preview the huge opportunities for progressives in the State Senate in 2026.

We discuss whether “The Steal of 2028” has begun with the Trump DOJ demanding Wisconsin voting records and records from a number of other battleground states.

We welcome John Miyasato, the president of the Center on Civic Engagement (COCE), to discuss the historic role of community organizing in building a more equitable and just society but its centrality in any strategy to fight authoritarianism and rebuild a more just and equitable America. John tells us about COCE’s New and Intermediate Organizer Training they are hosting in Brookfield, Monday, August 4th to Friday, August 8th.

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Sign up for COCE’s New and Intermediate Organizer Training Monday, August 4th to Friday, August 8th.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/clean-drinking-water-faucet-s450.jpgGovernor working to ensure clean, safe water for every Wisconsinite and get contaminants out of our water and waterways for good.

MILWAUKEE - We discuss quadriplegic Carl Schulze’s epic 92 mile ride to the Capitol in Madison in his wheelchair to protest Medicaid cuts and support increases to caregiver wages. His individual act of protest helps keep the pressure on elected officials who are failing to meet the moment.

We continue our analysis of the recently completed State Budget, analyzing its shortcomings on public education, child care, corrections, and health care. This all leads naturally to the big question hanging over Wisconsin politics, will Governor Evers run for re-election?  We also blast news that the GOP State Legislature majority paid $26 million to right-wing law firms for litigation legalized by the Lame Duck session of 2018, causing former Republican State Senator Dale Schultz to respond: “$26 million could have bought a lot of child care, could have bought a lot of health care, could have bought a lot of education.”

We close with review of federal activity including the U.S. Senate rescinding over $1 billion already appropriated for PBS and NPR. Also, Trump is planning on bypassing the Baldwin-Johnson judicial nominating commission in seeking replacement for retiring Federal Appeals Court Justice Dianne Sykes, and of course the biggest non-story of the week, the Epstein files.

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http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/veteran-older-s5.jpgState Republican action is careless and callous to veterans, says Smith.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/laura/us-capitol-big-bill-2025-s444.pngGovernment is about moving the money around and right depends on whose side you're on.

MILWAUKEE - We discuss the tragic, climate change fueled Texas floods and the perils of gutting the government. Wisconsin Congressman Derrick Van Orden who is still hiding from his constituents claimed credit for Wisconsin’s extra Medicaid dollars after voting to cut the healthcare program, prompting Congressman Mark Pocan to compare him to an arsonist who gives advice to his victims.

We continue our autopsy of the recently signed state budget, a missed opportunity for Wisconsin. We talk about the debilitating nature of the current Democratic leadership style that cedes power and demobilizes the public in the face of an increasingly authoritarian opponent. We dissected the last second hospital medicaid tax increase that gave more money with no strings attached to monopolistic health systems. The disgraceful education funding details in the budget are coming home to roost this week as school districts like Green Bay declare they will need to go to referendum and make cuts.

We close with a preview of the upcoming State Legislative session and exciting new legislation we will be organizing support for ahead of the 2026 election.

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http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/teacher-med-elementary-s453.jpgBipartisan agreement secured after months of negotiations includes significant investments in child care, K-12 schools, and the UW System statewide in 2025.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/laura/patriot-2025.png“Freedom” in America has become little more than a slogan. Other countries provide healthcare, education, and dignity without bragging about it. Meanwhile, the U.S. drowns in debt and calls it patriotism. We’re not the freest. We’re just the loudest.