http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/wdc/free-speech-s5.jpgWisconsin is one of just 19 states that currently does not have an anti-SLAPP law on the books.

MILWAUKEE - We welcome Milwaukee Teachers Education Association President Amy Mizialko back to the show to talk about the devastating news about a huge expansion of a private religious voucher school the former Cardinal Stritch University campus. The school’s owner said the expansion is the direct result of the historic increase in voucher school funding from the terrible shared revenue deal negotiated by Governor Evers. Is this the beginning of a massive expansion of unaccountable and discriminatory voucher schools?

We debrief the circus-like Republican Presidential debate which hit Milwaukee Wednesday. What does the “debate” say about the current state of the party and who stood out?

Next, we assess the news that Republicans filed motions in an attempt to force recently elected Supreme Court justice Justice Protasiewicz to recuse from the gerrymandering case. Does this latest power grab have a chance to succeed?

Following last week’s appearance by Wausau Pilot and Review publisher & editor Shereen Siewert on the Battleground Wisconsin Podcast, Legislative Democrats proposed anti-SLAPP lawsuit legislation on Wednesday.

Priscilla reminds us that this week was the 3 year anniversary of the Jacob Blake shooting in Kenosha, only a month following the wrongful arrest of an innocent black man by Kenosha Police with his family at an Applebees.

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MILWAUKEE - We start with a major threat to the 1st Amendment in the Northwoods that has made national news. Shereen Siewert, the editor and publisher of the Wausau Pilot and Review, joins us to discuss how her newspaper is being bullied through a bogus lawsuit by state senator Cory Tomczyk. The paper broke a story on a public incident where the Senator shouted an anti-gay slur at a young person who was testifying in favor of equity and inclusion at a public hearing. The lawsuit, which is costing the small newspaper hundreds of thousands of dollars, is clearly an effort to suppress free and independent media.

President Biden visited Milwaukee on Tuesday on the one year anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act. We discuss what the historic legislation means for Wisconsin and the country, and what remains to be done. We update the hostage taking by Major League Baseball (MLB) and the billionaire Brewers owner. It was revealed this week that owner Mark Attanasio spent more than half a million the last 6 months, more than any other group lobbying the state legislature. We evaluate the latest threat by Boss Vos and Republican leaders to threaten the impeachment of Janet Protasiewicz if she doesn’t recuse from redistricting cases. Who is really abusing power? Finally, Robert asks if the huge Biden investment in rural broadband will be handled well by the Evers Administration, or will it be yet another unaccountable infusion of money into the telecom industry?

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MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today delivered the Democratic Radio Address on his 2023-25 biennial budget investments to build the 21st-century infrastructure Wisconsin needs to support a 21st-century economy and workforce. Since 2019, the Evers Administration has improved over 5,800 miles of roads and nearly 1,600 bridges across the state. The 2023-25 biennial budget continues building upon those efforts by making several key investments in Wisconsin’s roads, bridges, and infrastructure. More information can be found here.

MADISON – Late last night, we learned of the passing of Ada Deer, a remarkable advocate for Native American rights and a prominent leader both at the state and federal level. State Senator Melissa Agard (D-Madison) released the following statement:

MILWAUKEE - In this week’s episode we welcome new In These Times magazine executive director Alex Han to discuss the vital role of independent progressive media, and the cutting edge journalism the historic magazine provides. We encourage our listeners to read and support In These Times.

Priscilla Bort joins us from the Wisconsin Public Education Network Summer Conference to announce the 2nd Movement Politics Academy, which trains tomorrow’s movement leaders to run for office.

We dive into the hypocrisy of Wisconsin Supreme Court Chief Justice Annette Ziegler’s media tour the past week, where she whined about changes to the court that will bring more transparency and accountability. Apparently the end of the lawless reign of right-wing politicians in robes acting as a super-legislature is too much for the disgraced Chief Justice to endure.

Resident economist, Dr. Micheal Rosen, returns to the show to talk about the state of the American economy, public perception of the economy, and who benefits when the Federal Reserve increases interest rates.

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We must work together in the coming weeks, says Governor.

MADISON, Wis. — On the first anniversary of President Biden signing the CHIPS and Science Act into law, Democratic Party of Wisconsin spokesperson Haley McCoy released the following statement:

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today released the following statement in reaction to a lawsuit filed in the Wisconsin Supreme Court challenging the state’s gerrymandered legislative maps.

Beverly Speer takes over from longtime contributor Matt Rothschild to report on money in politics.