UpNorthNews with Pat Kreitlow

We'll talk to former state Rep. Fred Clark about his decision to run for Congress in the 7th District up north, which will be an open seat with incumbent Republican Tom Tiffany running for governor. Also: Melissa Baldauff brings us our climate check, which is looking dirtier and dirtier as the president embraces his love for coal. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-9 am. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube. Guests: Melissa Baldauff, Earl Ingram, Fred Clark

Help us welcome Ellie Bourdo, who has taken over editor duties for our daily newsletter. Also: Jimmie Kaska talks about the Brewers and MLB postseason as the Brew Crew awaits their National League Divisional Series opponent. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-9 am. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube. Guests: Jimmie Kaska, Ellie Bourdo

The federal government is in what could be a long shutdown, as wanted by President Trump, who is taking advantage of congressional dysfunction by unilaterally firing thousands of workers. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-9 am. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube.

What's in common between the people Cam Stevenson covers in Washington, DC and the people Dan Shafer covers in Madison? They're all candidates a little too much. By focusing on reelections instead of their core duties, we wind up with government shutdowns and partisan divides. Cam will have the latest of the potential shutdown and Dan will have the latest on the new batch of candidates getting into (and out of) key 2026 races. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-9 am. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube. Guests: Dan Shafer, Cam Stevenson

What's a sociologist and “Spaceballs” fan doing in the Legislature? Trying to save democracy, of course. We'll talk to Rep. Angela Stroud (D-Ashland) about what propelled her to run and serve in Madison — and how to deal with the wealth of conspiracy theories and rumors that swirl around politics. We'll talk to daycare provider Kara Pitt-D'Andrea, a Wisconsin member of Main Street Alliance who's in Washington, DC lobbying to avoid a government shutdown and restore painful healthcare cuts. Plus, an update on stories being followed in western Wisconsin by Civic Media reporter James Kelly. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-9 am. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube. Guests: Angela Stroud, Dan Hagen, Kara Pitt-D'Andrea

Less than 24 hours remain in the federal fiscal year and Republicans controlling the White House and Congress show no desire to work with Democrats to avoid a government shutdown — which make sense since their plan all along has been to shut down the government and further their claim that government “doesn't work,” which only seems to happen when the people who hate government are in charge of running the government. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-9 am. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube.

The teacher who lost her job after Derrick Van Orden attacked her right to free speech joins us. Krista Lesiecki talks about her experience and wants to defend her civil rights. Author Laura Bird comes on with reading recommendations. Bird recommends books with ties to this week's annual day of reconciliation and remembrance of the harm done to Native American children forced into abusive boarding schools. She points to: “House Made of Dawn” by N. Scott Momaday, “My Heart Fills With Happiness” by Monique Grey Smith, “For a Girl Becoming” by Joy Harjo, “The Second Chance of Benjamin Waterfalls” by James Bird, “Warrior Girl Unearthed” by Angeline Boulley, “Never Whistle at Night: An Indigenous Dark Fiction Anthology” edited by Shane Hawn and Theodore Van Alst, “Fire Exit” by Morgan Talty, “To the Moon and Back” by Eliana Ramage, “Medicine River: A Story of Survival and the Legacy of Indian Boarding Schools” by Mary Annette Pember, and “Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants” by Robin Wall Kimmerer. And we'll visit with Civic Media friend Jane Matenaer in Milwaukee. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-9 am. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube. Guests: Laura Bird, Krista Lesiecki

We'll talk to a leading cybersecurity specialist about what we should know about AI (artificial intelligence) and its use to create “deep fakes.” Salina Heller will bring us a story from Iowa that is a cautionary tale about how Wisconsin's healthy public employee pension system could be the next target of right wing politicians seeking to undermine public service. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-9 am. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube. Guests: Salina Heller, Rahul Powar

Bill Berrien performed a valuable public service in his short-lived campaign for governor — providing a cautionary tale about hubris and reminding voters that wealth and business experience do not automatically qualify someone for a major public office. And of course we'll review last night's Packers game in Dallas and set up the Brewers for the postseason. Join us for all of this plus a parade of TV themes to mark the birthday of composer Mike Post. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-9 am. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube. Guest: Dr. Kristin Lyerly

There has been a lot of pushback over the baseless claims and bogus advisories coming from President Trump and HHS Secretary Robert Kennedy, Jr. about Tylenol use for pregnant women. We'll ask an actual OB-GYN if the blowback has been enough — or if the non-doctors at the White House have sown medical misinformation that's going to take a long time to debunk. And Mike Clemens gets us ready for Packers-Cowboys and the Brewers final games of the regular season. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-9 am. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube. Guests: Dr. Kristin Lyerly, Mike Clemens

We'll review this week's headlines with journalists Jennifer Schulze and Mark Jacob. Conservatives are crowing that former FBI director James Comey was indicted late Thursday, but you might know the old legal saying: You can indict a ham sandwich. But can you get a guilty verdict? That's pretty tough to do when the charges are literally Trumped up. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-9 am. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube. Guests: Mark Jacob, Jennifer Schulze

Do we run the risk of losing our Gen Z audience by having a little pop quiz on old-time TV theme songs? We're thinking this morning's session might remind people of a simpler time, when TV themes brought us together. Maybe it's time the Law & Order and NCIS shows had some lyrics and a cast singalong! Yes, it's Friday and we're looking for any distractions before we get back to work and review this week's headlines. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-9 am. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube. Guests: Greg Bach, Keya Vakil

We'll talk to Sean O'Malley about your money and the markets — and the latest indicators that show how businesses and employees are behaving a lot like the squirrels in our backyards this time of year, making preparations for tough times ahead. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-9 am. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube. Guests: Joe Zepecki, Chad Holmes, Sean O'Malley

The new chair of the state Democratic Party, Devin Remiker, talks about the growing field of candidates for various 2026 races — many slots are already attracting multiple candidates, forcing multiple primaries next August. We'll ask him how the state party sees its role when it comes to making sure the eventual nominees have the tools they need to win in November. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-9 am. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube. Guest: Devin Remiker

The leading Republican candidate for governor says he has now staked a middle-ground position on when he and other politicians can ban women from getting abortion care. That may not be a credible position, given his record. Also: Cherita Booker has a rundown of some big events taking place around Wisconsin this weekend. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-9 am. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube. Guest: Cherita Booker

We'll talk to Kathy Hempstead, a national health policy expert with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, about the impact of Congress and the president killing the tax credits that have made health insurance more affordable to Americans over the past four years. Restoring those credits is at the heart of a fight in Washington that could result in a government shutdown next week. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-9 am. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube. Guest: Katherine Hempstead

State superintendent of public instruction Jill Underly joins us to discuss her annual state of education address. Having just been reelected to a second four-year term, expect Underly to be a leading voice in advocating for public schools and calling out legislators who want to undermine them and shovel our tax dollars to private school vouchers. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-9 am. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube. Guest: Dr. Jill Underly

The Wisconsin governor's race has its first big-name candidate on the Republican side. We'll talk about Congressman Tom Tiffany's newly announced candidacy. And Jimmy Kimmel has some heartfelt things to say about free speech and the wide range of supporters who bashed President Trump for trying to have his talk show taken away. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-9 am. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube.

We'll talk to COURIER's Cam Stevenson in Washington, DC, where he's following the far-right assault on freedom of speech in the nation's classrooms. He also has an update on President Trump sending troops to a third American city with little to no justification. And we'll talk to Dan Shafer from The Recombobulation Area about a new GOP package that engages in a classic case of overkill to address the need for processing absentee ballots on the day before an election. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-9 am. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube. Guests: Dan Shafer, Cam Stevenson

The conservative uproar in the wake of the Charlie Kirk murder crossed a line at some point for many Americans who sensed a willingness to infringe their freedom of expression. Some of them spoke out at last night's Eau Claire City Council meeting to defend the rights of two council members whose reactions to the Kirk killing made them targets for right-wing scorn. We'll talk to congressional candidate Laura Benjamin, a former city council member about what she's seeing in her community. We'll also learn about fall's many corn mazes and pumpkin patches with Sheila Everhart of the Wisconsin Agricultural Tourism Association and dairy farmer Hans Breitenmoser. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-9 am. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube. Guests: Hans Breitenmoser, Dan Hagen, Sheila Everhart, Laura Benjamin

There must be a lot of ibuprofen being passed around the White House, since they seem to have something against Tylenol. The headaches aren't just coming from medical professionals and pregnant women pushing back on misinformation about acetaminophen, they're also coming from supporters of free speech whose howls of disapproval at ABC have led the network to put Jimmy Kimmel back on the air. In other news, how many more distractions from the Epstein files will the administration try before figuring out the American public won't let it go? Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-9 am. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube.

The Wisconsin Badgers football team went through a pretty decent 30-year run starting with Barry Alvarez taking over in 1990, but the pendulum has swung the other way and we'll ask our Madison radio friends John & Gordy what life is like in the shadow of Camp Randall when the football karma for the Badgers is, pardon the pun, a bit more “Fickell.” Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-9 am. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube. Guests: Jane Matenaer, John & Gordy

State Sen. Kelda Roys joins us live to discuss the first week of her run for governor — the issues that propelled her to join the race and why she thinks she'll emerge from a growing field of Democratic candidates seeking the nomination next year. And UpNorthNews reporter Salina Heller shares the story of a Wisconsin mom whose adult son demonstrates how Medicaid is an essential service that allows people to have dignity and jobs instead of being placed in institutions, people the president considers disposable as he moves Medicaid funding into tax breaks for the very wealthy. Plus, Jimmie Kaska breaks down how the Packers broke down in the final minutes against Cleveland. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-9 am. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube. Guest: Kelda Roys

Packers quarterback Jordan Love is a proven talent, but he's also young enough to make bad choices that'll break your heart — like throwing an interception when all you need to do is run out the clock, (Emphasis on “run.”) The Brewers lost too, but at least Craig Counsell's Cubs were kind enough to also lose, which gave Milwaukee the title of Central Division champions. And we'll review an Arizona event billed as a memorial service for a victim of senseless violence, until Donald Trump and others turned it into the political rally it was destined to become. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-9 am. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube. Guests: Dr. Kristin Lyerly, Salina Heller

For struggling families on lower incomes, there are food banks — but some of those families are also in need of basic household items like diapers. A diaper bank in southeast Wisconsin is holding a special campaign where donations are being matched and doubled. We'll talk to Kate Duffy of Motherhood for Good about the Milwaukee Diaper Mission, which also helps women with basic hygiene supplies as well. Dr. Kristin Lyerly previews her weekend show. And Mike Clemens gets us set for the Packers at Cleveland and the Brewers spending the weekend in St. Louis. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-9 am. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube. Guests: Dr. Kristin Lyerly, Kate Duffy, Mike Clemens

Our Week In Review panel has some thoughts on the latest capitulation from corporate media and how it has emboldened Donald Trump to outright threaten the licenses of broadcasters if he doesn't like what they say about him. What kind of role can journalists and their readers, listeners, and viewers play in pushing back against the latest example of a wannabe dictator doing whatever he wants, including making a mockery of the First Amendment. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-9 am. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube. Guests: Jim Santelle, Mark Jacob, Jennifer Schulze

Jill Underly, Wisconsin's Superintendent of Public Instruction, didn't sugarcoat the current environment in her annual “State of Education” address Thursday at the Capitol — saying that this year, “the biggest schoolyard bully in our public schools is our own federal government.” Since Underly was recently reelected to a second four-year term, expect her to only become more outspoken about protecting children from bullies in our federal and state governments who seek to undermine public education. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-9 am. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube. Guest: Keya Vakil

We'll talk to Sean O'Malley about your money and the markets. While the Federal Reserve did cut interest rates Wednesday, it appears to be less out of pressure from President Trump and more out of concern that Trump has taken the country to the verge of stagflation, with inflation still a problem even as the job market keeps getting worse. Chad Holmes will tell us about the stories he's following for Civic Media in the Wausau area. And political strategist Joe Zepecki talks about the dangerous political climate the far-right has brought to our nation. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-9 am. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube. Guests: Joe Zepecki, Chad Holmes, Sean O'Malley

We'll meet pediatrician Dr. Kellie Snooks, who has a new video series “Raising Wisconsin” on UpNorthNews social media sites. Her latest report explains what vaccines actually do inside your body. We'll also visit with former Racine alderman Trevor Jung, who just announced his candidacy for a State Senate seat held by a Republican for most of the past 14 years. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-9 am. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube. Guests: Todd Allbaugh, Kellie Snooks, Trevor Jung

We'll discuss the latest disturbing attack on America's freedoms as another corporate television network caves to pressure from a ruling party and removes its late night show host. ABC joins a growing list of media outlets that have done the president's bidding and put profits ahead of free expression and the freedom to speak truth to power. Meanwhile, Congressman Derrick Van Orden takes a page from fascism's playbook in the way he turns the First Amendment into speech that is guilty until proven innocent. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-9 am. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube. Guest: Cherita Booker

We continue welcoming a growing parade of candidates seeking higher office in 2026, with a visit from state Rep. Francesca Hong, who this morning announced her candidacy for Wisconsin governor. We'll ask about the growing appetite among some voters for more unabashed liberalism and no more trying to placate the creeping authoritarianism in our government. We'll visit with Civic Media friends Earl Ingram, Melissa Kaye, and reporter James Kelly. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-9 am. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube. Guests: Francesca Hong, Earl Ingram, James Kelly

The change of seasons is becoming more noticeable. Kids are back in school. Football is back on the field. And candidates are announcing their plans for 2026. We'll talk to a former childcare provider in New Glarus who's decided to run for a seat in the Legislature because its leadership has ignored the needs of providers, parents, and employers long enough. And in our Homeroom segment, we'll track the progress of bill at the state Capitol being considered now that the state budget is settled — which bills are good for education and which are a nuisance or even undermine public education. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-9 am. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube. Guests: Corrine Hendrickson, Jimmie Kaska, Bryn Horton

There's a lot about the current sluggish economy that can be pegged to moves by the White House, but there's another underreported quirk in our economy: big business is getting bigger. That reduces competition — the most important factor in keeping prices manageable. We'll talk about some troubling examples of how families are being nickeled and dimed in ways that don't get big headlines and show why we need elected officials focused less on corporate America's leaders and more on their customers.  And that's not just for retail goods but for our media and social media options, as well. And Melissa Kaye tells us about Civic Media is growing its news coverage around Wisconsin. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-9 am. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube. Guest: Melissa Kaye

To hear the Speaker of the House tell it, Republicans have no interest in working with Democrats to reach a budget deal and avoid a government shutdown — even though GOP members can't agree among themselves how to write a budget. Democrats are demanding Republicans dismantle a health care cost bomb that's going to skyrocket health insurance premiums, but Speaker Mike Johnson seems content to watch families endure healthcare sticker shock. We'll talk to Courier Newsroom's Cam Stevenson on Capitol Hill, and we'll visit with Dan Shafer from The Recombobulation Area with the latest on the Wisconsin governor's race. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-9 am. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube. Guests: Dan Shafer, Cam Stevenson

Instead of doing the job of a congressman, Derrick Van Orden spent his Monday still attached to his Twitter keyboard and calling for people, groups, and even cities to be punished because he does not agree with the opinions expressed by fellow Americans. That now includes the City of Eau Claire. It's not typical (or normal) behavior for a member of Congress to advocate for defunding services from one of the largest communities in their district, but nothing about this situation is normal. We'll talk to Emily Berge, Eau Claire City Council president and a candidate for Congress hoping to unseat Van Orden next year. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-9 am. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube. Guests: Dan Hagen, Emily Berge, Fred Clark

Big Government is casting a wider net, seeking to police people's thoughts as expressed on social media and use those posts to have people fired or to deny visas to potential visitors and workers — again, based on their thoughts and opinions. The news about visa denials came even as the vice president of the United States used his government office to guest host Charlie Kirk's former radio show and make more threats to use government as a weapon against people solely for political purposes. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-9 am. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube.

The candidate list for the 2026 election is growing again this week. We'll talk about this morning's entry of state Sen. Kelda Roys to the governor's race. And we'll talk live with Milwaukee city council member JoCasta Zamarripa, a former legislator who's now running for Wisconsin Secretary of State. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-9 am. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube. Guests: Jane Matenaer, John & Gordy, JoCasta Zamarripa

The current president and majority party may be shamelessly trying to drag America back to the days of coal and oil generating most of our power and pollution, but plenty of other people are pushing back. We'll talk to Robert Kraig of Citizen Action Wisconsin about the ways they're making sure lawmakers are aware of the direction being demanded by most Americans — and it doesn't involve going backward and ignoring the problems of a changing climate. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-9 am. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube. Guests: Robert Kraig, Jimmie Kaska, Salina Heller

Far-right provocateur Charlie Kirk symbolized the fight over free speech. Universities faced pressure to cancel his appearances as well as pressure to not give in to so-called cancel culture. That makes it ironic that the most tangible activity in the country in the days after his murder has been a wave of firings of people for expressing their own points of view — and threats of firings from people like a member of Congress from Wisconsin. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-9 am. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube.

We'll ask Dr. Kristin Lyerly about Not-a-Dr. Robert Kennedy, Jr. and the misinformation he's spreading about autism, Tylenol, and folate deficiencies, causing more angst among pregnant women. And Mike Clemens will help us review last night's Packers game against Washington and whether the short-week pressure will be worth it by having ten days until the next game. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-9 am. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube. Guests: Dr. Kristin Lyerly, Mike Clemens

We'll ask former US Attorney Jim Santelle to make it make sense: the same US Supreme Court that says race cannot be a consideration for college admissions now says race can be an issue in deciding whether law enforcement can pull over, harass, and even detain people they only suspect of not being citizens. And we'll ask journalists Mark Jacob and Jennifer Schulze about the coverage of the Charlie Kirk murder, especially the double-standard that accompanies the “sanewashing” taking place about Kirk's views. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-9 am. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube. Guests: Jim Santelle, Mark Jacob, Jennifer Schulze

The good news is that President Trump finally approved disaster relief for flash flood victims in southeast Wisconsin. The stupid news is that he had to wrap the announcement in The Big Lie. Yes, Trump is still being delusional or traitorous in lying about winning Wisconsin and the 2020 presidential election. We'll also talk to Courier Newsroom's Keya Vakil about the ongoing effort to tone down the violent rhetoric in the wake of this week's political violence. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-9 am. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube. Guests: Greg Bach, Keya Vakil

Governor Tony Evers was the keynote speaker for the third night of the annual Cap Times Idea Fest and talked about his decision not to run for a third term and his legacy after eight years of playing defense to a hostile Legislature. We'll talk to Joe Zepecki about that and the day's other top stories. Sean O'Malley will visit to discuss your money and the markets. And Chad Holmes will tell us about the stories he's following for us in the Wausau area. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-9 am. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube. Guests: Joe Zepecki, Chad Holmes, Sean O'Malley

National politicians get most of the attention, but the people who are getting things done day by day in government are the ones who serve at a local level. It's time to think about who's serving on your town board, city council, county board, and in other posts — and if you think it's a way you could help your community, there's a group dedicated to training the next round of municipal leaders. We'll talk to a Wisconsin mayor who heads up that national group. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-9 am. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube. Guest: Bryan Kennedy

Conservative agitator Charlie Kirk was a lot of things, many of them antithetical to hopes for a safer America, but that does not excuse political violence – nor any kind of gun violence. If Wednesday was an average day in America, Kirk was one of 300 people who were shot yesterday, nearly half of them shot dead. And that includes a school shooting Wednesday in Colorado. The other victims won't get the attention Kirk has received, but perhaps the attention to this murder in Utah will take the rest of the country a step closer to recognizing that gun violence and political violence will never be lasting solutions to the problems we have to face together. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-9 am. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube. Guest: Cherita Booker

We'll talk live with Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, the most recent candidate to announce in the 2026 race for Wisconsin governor, about his decision to run and what he wants voters to know about his experience and positions. Also, we'll have a guest from Clean Wisconsin on how all of these massive new data centers are sucking up groundwater wherever they pop up, a development that's good for Artificial Intelligence but not so good for neighbors whose wells have run dry. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-9 am. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube. Guests: David Crowley, Earl Ingram, Amy Barrilleaux

It might be one of the biggest billion-dollar surprises in Wisconsin, if you were to ask most taxpayers how much public money is going to the private school voucher scheme. It's more than $700 million this year and getting close to a 10-digit annual payout. We'll outline how one group is launching a transparency campaign to build public awareness before the program swallows up more of the state budget and skims resources away from local public schools. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-9 am. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube. Guest: Heather DuBois Bourenane

It's already well-documented that Congressman Derrick Van Orden spends a lot of time scrolling and trolling through social media. But even by his standards it was weird that he put a new comment on a photo from two years ago. Even weirder: the photo he commented on shows him on the US Capitol grounds on January 6, 2021 — and his comment was, “Hell yes.” Van Orden claims he did not take part in the domestic terrorism that followed on that fateful day, but is it that much better to simply be a spectator to a treasonous mob after flying there to support a knowingly-false claim about the 2020 election? Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-9 am. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube. Guest: Melissa Kaye