Wedge Issues

On this week's episode, Jack talks with former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, who joined him last week at Leopold's Books Bar Caffè in Madison for a taping of the podcast in front of an audience of Cap Times members. Jack spoke with Barnes, who came up short in his bid for the U.S. Senate in 2022, about his race against U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, what he's been working on since the election, what he plans to run for next and much more. Support the show: https://tinyurl.com/supportwedgeissues Subscribe to Wedge Issues, the newsletter: https://captimes.com/newsletters/Support the show: https://checkout.fundjournalism.org/memberform?org_id=capitaltimes&campaign=7013i000000U67DAASSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week's episode, Jack talks with Republican U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil, who represents the state's 1st congressional delegation, which encompasses large portions of southeast Wisconsin, including Janesville, Lake Geneva and Racine. They discuss the debt limit deal negotiated by President Joe Biden and U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, if he's supporting a particular candidate in the Republican primary for president and more. Support the show: https://tinyurl.com/supportwedgeissues Subscribe to Wedge Issues, the newsletter: https://captimes.com/newsletters/Support the show: https://checkout.fundjournalism.org/memberform?org_id=capitaltimes&campaign=7013i000000U67DAASSee omny.fm/listener for privacy information.

On this week's episode of Wedge Issues, Jack spoke with Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin. Baldwin, who is gearing up to run for a third term in the U.S. Senate, has been a mainstay in Wisconsin politics for more than 25 years. And even though she doesn't yet have a Republican challenger in 2024, she's wasting no time getting back on the road in Wisconsin to meet with voters.  Jack spoke with Baldwin last week at her campaign office in Madison about her work on the Respect for Marriage Act, what she learned from the 2022 midterm elections, why she's seeking a third term in the Senate, and what's to come over the next year and half. Support the show: https://tinyurl.com/supportwedgeissues Subscribe to Wedge Issues, the newsletter: https://captimes.com/newsletters/Support the show: https://checkout.fundjournalism.org/memberform?org_id=capitaltimes&campaign=7013i000000U67DAASSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wisconsin Sen. Kelda Roys, an attorney and small business owner, was elected to the Senate in 2020. She previously served in the Assembly from 2009-2013. She now serves on the Legislature's Joint Finance Committee, which — among other things — revises the governor's state budget proposal before it goes before the full Legislature. In this episode, the Madison Democrat talked with Jessie and Jack about budget negotiations, the state Supreme Court and abortion access. And, of course, she was put through the rigors of the lightning round.  Subscribe to Wedge Issues on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or anywhere else you find podcasts. We'll have new episodes every other week. And be sure to subscribe to the weekly Wedge Issues newsletter here.Support the show: https://checkout.fundjournalism.org/memberform?org_id=capitaltimes&campaign=7013i000000U67DAASSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Jessie speaks with Assembly Speaker Robin Vos. Vos, a Republican from Rochester in southeastern Wisconsin, is the longest-serving speaker in state history. He's held the post for a decade, and has been in office nearly 20 years.  In this episode, Vos talked with Jessie in his state Capitol office, one day after the Legislature's Joint Finance Committee took its first votes on the 2023-25 state budget and Republican lawmakers introduced a massive proposal to overhaul the state's approach to shared revenue and to boost local government funding. Vos talked about his policy priorities, his hopes for the future of the Republican Party and how his efforts to hit the “reset” button with Democratic Gov. Tony Evers are going. And, of course, he was put through the rigors of the lightning round.  Enjoy the show!Support the show: https://checkout.fundjournalism.org/memberform?org_id=capitaltimes&campaign=7013i000000U67DAASSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week's episode of Wedge Issues, Jack spoke with Brian Schimming, chair of the Republican Party of Wisconsin. Schimming assumed his role as head of the state party in December, becoming its first paid chairman in years. He's been tasked with bolstering a state party — which trails its Democratic counterpart when it comes to fundraising — that has long relied on the work of volunteers. In the episode, Schimming walked Jack through what he envisions for the state party, how significant the Republican National Convention will be to Milwaukee in 2024 and what Republicans need to do to shift the political headwinds they've faced since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe vs. Wade, thereby reactivating a longstanding ban on abortion in Wisconsin. Support the show: https://tinyurl.com/supportwedgeissues See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.Support the show: https://checkout.fundjournalism.org/memberform?org_id=capitaltimes&campaign=7013i000000U67DAASSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week's episode of Wedge Issues, Jessie and Jack spoke with Wisconsin Secretary of State Sarah Godlewski. Godlewski, a former state treasurer, was appointed to the role earlier this month. She replaced longtime Secretary of State Doug La Follette, who was just reelected in November but unexpectedly retired March 17 after four decades in the office. In the episode, Godlewski walks through what she's envisioning for the office's future, her conversation with Gov. Tony Evers before he appointed her to the role and what her new gig means for her work on restoring abortion access in Wisconsin. And, of course, we put her through the rigors of the lightning round. Support the show: https://tinyurl.com/supportwedgeissuesSupport the show: https://checkout.fundjournalism.org/memberform?org_id=capitaltimes&campaign=7013i000000U67DAASSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the latest episode of the Cap Times' politics podcast, Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate Daniel Kelly talks about being a constitutional conservative. Kelly, a conservative, is vying for a seat in the (ostensibly) nonpartisan race against Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Janet Protasiewicz, a liberal. Ideological control of the court is on the line, which has attracted a flood of national attention and made the race the most expensive judicial contest in American history. In the episode, we asked Kelly about cases that could come before the court including a challenge to the state's 1849 abortion ban and a new look at the state's electoral maps. We also discussed his endorsements and previous work, his judicial philosophy and why he believes he is the right person to fill the seat being vacated by retiring conservative Justice Patience Roggensack. And, of course, we put him through the rigors of the lightning round. Support the show: https://checkout.fundjournalism.org/memberform?org_id=capitaltimes&campaign=7013i000000U67DAASSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The April 4 Wisconsin Supreme Court election features liberal Milwaukee County Judge Janet Protasiewicz and conservative former state Justice Daniel Kelly. In this episode, Protasiewicz talks abortion, redistricting, recusal rules and more.Support the show: https://checkout.fundjournalism.org/memberform?org_id=capitaltimes&campaign=7013i000000U67DAASSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers talks with Cap Times politics reporters Jessie Opoien and Jack Kelly about his new budget proposal, working with Republicans and cream puffs.Support the show: https://checkout.fundjournalism.org/memberform?org_id=capitaltimes&campaign=7013i000000U67DAASSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We wanted to share the first episode of "Reopening Sardine," an exciting new project from The Corner Table podcast that is co-hosted by Cap Times food editor Lindsay Christians and Cap times contributor Chris Lay. ------------- When quarantine kicked in last spring, we refocused The Corner Table to examine and document effects the pandemic was having across so many facets of food service, cocktails, grocery stores, and local farmers markets. Now as we emerge, we're getting ready to close the book on that dismal chapter.  We decided to take a deep dive into what it means to reopen a restaurant that's been closed for over a year, and to illustrate that process we decided to focus on one of our shared favorite places in town: Sardine. For this first episode, we interviewed Sardine's co-owners John Gadau and Phillip Hurley about what it was like to shut down for over a year, their discussions with employees and the factors they weighed during the summer and fall. How were they feeling? What was the financial impact? Where are they now? In future episodes we'll sit in on staff meetings and check in with kitchen staff and servers to find out what their COVID year was like. We'll take you to Sardine on opening day, and we'll be looking forward to what dining could look like as we emerge, slowly and as safely as we can, from this dining drought. We are extremely excited about this, so make sure you're subscribed for all the future installments that will be coming out over the next several weeks. Support the show: https://checkout.fundjournalism.org/memberform?org_id=capitaltimes&campaign=7013i000000U67DAAS See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

To commemorate the 10-year anniversary of the introduction of and historic protests over the legislation that would later become Act 10, the Cap Times is producing a series of stories and podcasts over the next month. Led by Cap Times’ K-12 education reporter Scott Girard and state politics reporter Briana Reilly, the series will run to mid-March and be available at captimes.com. The podcast discussions will be made available through Jessie Opoien’s Wedge Issues feed on most major podcasting platforms, and at captimes.com. In the final episode of the series, West High School Dean of Students and Madison Teachers Inc. President-elect Michael Jones speaks with Girard and Reilly about what it was like to be a new teacher when Act 10 was passed, and how he thinks it has changed his profession.  Support the show: https://checkout.fundjournalism.org/memberform?org_id=capitaltimes&campaign=7013i000000U67DAAS See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

To commemorate the 10-year anniversary of the introduction of and historic protests over the legislation that would later become Act 10, the Cap Times is producing a series of stories and podcasts over the next month. Led by Cap Times’ K-12 education reporter Scott Girard and state politics reporter Briana Reilly, the series will run to mid-March and be available at captimes.com. The podcast discussions will be made available through Jessie Opoien’s Wedge Issues feed on most major podcasting platforms, and at captimes.com. In this episode, Republican former state Sen. Leah Vukmir — now president of state affairs at the National Taxpayers Union — speaks with Girard and Reilly about her experiences with the bill, and why she thinks it's important for lawmakers to find ways to work across the aisle. Support the show: https://checkout.fundjournalism.org/memberform?org_id=capitaltimes&campaign=7013i000000U67DAAS See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

To commemorate the 10-year anniversary of the introduction of and historic protests over the legislation that would later become Act 10, the Cap Times is producing a series of stories and podcasts over the next month. Led by Cap Times’ K-12 education reporter Scott Girard and state politics reporter Briana Reilly, the series will run to mid-March and be available at captimes.com. The podcast discussions will be made available through Jessie Opoien’s Wedge Issues feed on most major podcasting platforms, and at captimes.com. In this episode, Professional Fire Fighters of Wisconsin president and former gubernatorial candidate Mahlon Mitchell speaks with Girard and Reilly about how the protests launched him into the spotlight and how Act 10 has changed Wisconsin politics. Support the show: https://checkout.fundjournalism.org/memberform?org_id=capitaltimes&campaign=7013i000000U67DAAS See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

To commemorate the 10-year anniversary of the introduction of and historic protests over the legislation that would later become Act 10, the Cap Times is producing a series of stories and podcasts over the next month. Led by Cap Times’ K-12 education reporter Scott Girard and state politics reporter Briana Reilly, the series will run to mid-March and be available at captimes.com. The podcast discussions will be made available through Jessie Opoien’s Wedge Issues feed on most major podcasting platforms, as well as at captimes.com. In this episode, policy analyst and former Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporter Jason Stein speaks with Girard and Reilly about what it was like to cover the legislation and the tensions it sparked: "Setting aside whether you believe it's positive or negative, this has certainly been one of the most significant eras in the past 10 years in terms of changing the direction of the state."   Support the show: https://checkout.fundjournalism.org/memberform?org_id=capitaltimes&campaign=7013i000000U67DAAS See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

To commemorate the 10-year anniversary of the introduction of and historic protests over the legislation that would later become Act 10, the Cap Times is producing a series of stories and podcasts over the next month. Led by Cap Times’ K-12 education reporter Scott Girard and state politics reporter Briana Reilly, the series will run to mid-March and be available at captimes.com. The podcast discussions will be made available through Jessie Opoien’s Wedge Issues feed on most major podcasting platforms, as well as at captimes.com. In this episode, UW-Madison journalism professor Michael Wagner, speaks with Girard and Reilly about how political attitudes and behaviors are affected by the ways in which information flows across the state. Support the show: https://checkout.fundjournalism.org/memberform?org_id=capitaltimes&campaign=7013i000000U67DAAS See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Charlie Berens — comedian, Wisconsin native, "Manitowoc Minute" host and Emmy Award-winning former television reporter — joined Cap Times opinion editor Jessie Opoien (a northeastern Wisconsin native herself) on a Zoom chat to talk about journalism, his latest work (he has a new album out) and life up nort'. Support the show: https://checkout.fundjournalism.org/memberform?org_id=capitaltimes&campaign=7013i000000U67DAAS See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"If you are casting your ballot in the 2020 election, remember that there's so much on the line," Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes tells Jessie in an interview a few days before Election Day. Barnes makes the case for the Biden-Harris ticket and discusses Wisconsin's approaches to COVID-19, racial disparities and climate change. Support the show: https://checkout.fundjournalism.org/memberform?org_id=capitaltimes&campaign=7013i000000U67DAAS See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Entrepreneur and former presidential candidate Andrew Yang talks with Jessie about how the U.S. economy can recover from the coronavirus pandemic, why he's campaigning for Joe Biden, and why Wisconsin is so important on Election Day. Support the show: https://checkout.fundjournalism.org/memberform?org_id=capitaltimes&campaign=7013i000000U67DAAS See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After working on two of Wisconsin’s most high-profile Republican campaigns in 2016 and 2018, conservative operative Brian Reisinger is taking a break from the trail this year — but he’s definitely not out of the game. Reisinger a former journalist, has been writing about Wisconsin’s conservative movement for publications like The National Review. Jessie talked with him about what he’s learned, and what he’s observing from this year’s election. Support the show: https://checkout.fundjournalism.org/memberform?org_id=capitaltimes&campaign=7013i000000U67DAAS See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusetts, spoke with Cap Times opinion editor Jessie Opoien and political reporter Briana Reilly after addressing a drive-in campaign event for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, featuring over 80 cars, on Madison's east side. Support the show: https://checkout.fundjournalism.org/memberform?org_id=capitaltimes&campaign=7013i000000U67DAAS See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wisconsin has, for years, been ranked as one of the worst states in the nation for racial disparities — particularly for its Black residents. That fact was thrust into the spotlight after police in Kenosha fired seven shots into Jacob Blake’s back. Once again, an atrocity has prompted people to want to act — but agreeing on how is the hard part. Shortly after Blake was shot, Gov. Tony Evers urged lawmakers to pass a set of policing reform bills. The Republican majority in the Assembly countered with plans to form a task force aimed at addressing racial disparities. Assembly Majority Leader Jim Steineke, a white Republican, and Rep. Shelia Stubbs, a Black Democrat, are leading the effort together. Support the show: https://checkout.fundjournalism.org/memberform?org_id=capitaltimes&campaign=7013i000000U67DAAS See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Francesca Hong is a restaurateur, a mom, an activist and (with relative certainty) the next representative of Wisconsin's 76th Assembly District. She joins Jessie Opoien to talk about her priorities in office, what drove her to run, what it means to be the first Asian American in the Wisconsin Legislature, and so much more. Support the show: https://checkout.fundjournalism.org/memberform?org_id=capitaltimes&campaign=7013i000000U67DAAS See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information.

Madison native Kristin Brey entered 2020 with a plan to move back to Wisconsin from Los Angeles to make a political documentary as the state prepared to host the Democratic National Convention. Then a pandemic hit. Brey, who currently lives with her parents in Wisconsin Rapids, instead launched "As Goes Wisconsin" — a digital media project that uses humor and facts to educate voters and encourage them to participate in the political process. Support the show: https://checkout.fundjournalism.org/memberform?org_id=capitaltimes&campaign=7013i000000U67DAAS

Seven Democratic contenders vying to replace long-serving state Sen. Fred Risser in Wisconsin's 26th Senate District faced off in a Cap Times candidate forum on July 29. Cap Times political reporter Briana Reilly posed questions to Brian Benford, William Davis III, Nada Elmikashfi, John Imes, Amani Latimer Burris, Aisha Moe and Kelda Roys. The candidate who emerges from the Aug. 11 primary will represent the district, as there is no Republican challenger on the November ballot. Support the show: https://checkout.fundjournalism.org/memberform?org_id=capitaltimes&campaign=7013i000000U67DAAS

Seven Democratic contenders vying to replace state Rep. Chris Taylor in Wisconsin's 76th Assembly Districtt faced off in a Cap Times candidate forum on July 22. Cap Times political reporter Briana Reilly posed questions to Dewey Bredeson, Heather Driscoll, Francesca Hong, Ali Maresh, Nicki Vander Meulen, Marsha Rummel and Tyrone Cratic Williams. Voters will choose one of these candidates in the Democratic primary on Aug. 11, and the winner will go on to face the lone Republican candidate in the race, Patrick Hull. Stay tuned for more debates for Madison's four vacant legislative seats. Support the show: https://checkout.fundjournalism.org/memberform?org_id=capitaltimes&campaign=7013i000000U67DAAS

Four Democratic contenders vying to replace state Rep. Melissa Sargent in an Assembly district covering Madison’s north and east sides faced off in a Cap Times candidate forum on July 8. Cap Times political reporter Briana Reilly posed questions to Madison City Council Alds. Samba Baldeh and Lindsay Lemmer, attorney Walter Stewart and economic developer Jason Vangalis. Voters will choose between Baldeh, Lemmer, Stewart and Vangalis in the Democratic primary on Aug. 11, and the winner will go on to face the lone Republican candidate in the race, Samuel Anderson, whose Facebook page says he's running “on a Libertarian platform.” Stay tuned for more debates for Madison's four vacant legislative seats. Support the show: https://checkout.fundjournalism.org/memberform?org_id=capitaltimes&campaign=7013i000000U67DAAS

Two Democratic contenders vying to replace state Sen. Mark Miller in Wisconsin's 16th Senate District faced off in a Cap Times candidate forum on June 24. Cap Times political reporter Briana Reilly posed questions to state Rep. Melissa Sargent and Monona Grove School Board President Andrew McKinney. The candidate who emerges from the Aug. 11 primary will face Sun Prairie Fire Department Lt. Scott Baker, the lone Republican in the race for the heavily Democratic district, in November. Stay tuned for more debates for Madison's four vacant legislative seats. Support the show: https://checkout.fundjournalism.org/memberform?org_id=capitaltimes&campaign=7013i000000U67DAAS

Wisconsin's Spring Election was three weeks ago, but the debates about its lessons are still raging — here and throughout the country. What does it mean for the November election? Washington Post political reporter David Weigel and UW-Madison political science professor and pollster Barry Burden joined Jessie live, via Zoom, for a virtual chat. Support the show.

Stacey Abrams says she’s not campaigning to be Joe Biden’s vice president — but, if you ask her if she’d take the job, she won’t shy away from sharing her qualifications.  The former Georgia House Minority Leader and and 2018 gubernatorial candidate joins host Jessie Opoien this week, along with Cap Times politics reporter Briana Reilly, to discuss her voting rights group, Fair Fight, and what she thinks the rest of the country can learn from Wisconsin’s spring election. Abrams also discussed her Madison roots and, of course, the presidential election. Support the show.

April 7 was a big night for Katie Rosenberg. Not only was she elected mayor of Wausau, she also went viral on Twitter with her response to the news: "HOLY BALLS." At 36, Rosenberg is the second woman and the youngest woman ever to serve as mayor of the town where she grew up. Rosenberg joined Wedge Issues host and Cap Times opinion editor Jessie Opoien to discuss her campaign, her plans for the city, what she loves about Wausau and, of course, the tweet. Support the show.

Sarah Kendzior doesn’t hold back in her assessment of the Trump administration: "We do not have a government; we have a transnational crime syndicate masquerading as a government." In her new book, "Hiding in Plain Sight: The Invention of Donald Trump and the Erosion of America," she details Trump’s rise to power dating back to the 1980s. She was supposed to come to Madison to promote her book this month, but no one’s doing much traveling these days — so we chatted about the book with each other from our own homes.  Support the show.

In this bonus episode, we forget about politics for a bit and talk to Lisa Feran, a personal trainer and small business owner who has gotten creative, using Facebook to connect with her clients, about how to stay healthy and positive while social distancing. Support the show.

Cap Times state government reporter Briana Reilly and opinion editor Jessie Opoien have been keeping an eye on the state's response to the coronavirus outbreak. They talk this week (from separate locations) about what's known so far, and what they're watching for in the days to come. Support the show.

What will it will take for Democrats to defeat Donald Trump in November? It’s up to individual Democrats, argues former Barack Obama campaign manager David Plouffe. Plouffe joins Jessie this week to discuss "A Citizen’s Guide to Beating Donald Trump,” which he’ll talk more about at the Madison Central Library at 7 p.m. on March 11. Support the show.

In the last week, the UW Elections Research Center with Wisconsin State Journal and the Marquette University Law School released polls with insights on the state of the presidential race in Wisconsin. Wisconsin State Journal political reporter Riley Vetterkind joins Jessie to break down the results. Support the show.

University of Wisconsin journalism professor Mike Wagner joins Jessie this week to talk about his work with the Center for Communication and Civic Renewal — an effort to understand what's made Wisconsin so polarized and how some of those fractures might be repaired. Support the show.

Cap Times political reporter Briana Reilly joins Wedge Issues host and Cap Times opinion editor Jessie Opoien to catch up on what's happening in state government this week — from agricultural initiatives to the state Supreme Court primary to regulating what times bars must close during the Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee this summer. Support the show.

On this Very Special Wedge Issues/Corner Table Crossover Episode, Cap Times opinion editor Jessie Opoien and Cap Times food editor and arts writer Lindsay Christian welcome special guest Andrea Hillsey, owner of Square Wine Company. They talk about the 100th anniversary of women's suffrage in the U.S. while sampling wines made by women and snacking on a dessert from the Original Suffrage Cook Book. Find the Original Suffrage Cook Book here: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/26323/26323-h/26323-h.htm Find Square Wine Company here: https://www.squarewineco.com/ Support the show.

Cap Times political reporter Briana Reilly joins Jessie this week to recap the year in Wisconsin politics and talk about which stories to keep an eye on in 2020. Support the show.

Cap Times investigative reporter catches up with Jessie to share the latest on her reporting on sexual misconduct allegations and investigations in the Wisconsin National Guard. Support the show.

Wisconsin Tourism Secretary-designee Sara Meaney chats with Jessie about marketing Wisconsin to visitors and shares some of her own favorite vacation memories. Support the show.

Wisconsin Technology Council President Tom Still joins Jessie to talk about the council's role advising Wisconsin's elected officials on science and tech policy, along with the ups and downs of issues like Foxconn, F-35s and renewable energy. Support the show.

It's time for another Idea Fest special! On this episode, Jessie talks with a panel of journalists, pollsters, and political operatives about the state's electoral landscape as it heads into an election year. Support the show.

New York Times opinion columnist Farhad Manjoo joined Jessie after their appearance at Cap Times Idea Fest to talk about opinion writing, news consumption and why we should stop mocking vegans. Support the show.

Live from Idea Fest with Tom Perez by The Cap Times Support the show.

This week, Jessie hops on the phone with the famous satirist and Daily Show creator Lizz Winstead about the activism and art at the crux of her organization, the Abortion Access Front. Support the show.

Cap Times political reporter Briana Reilly joins Jessie to break down the state budget process, what's in the Legislature's spending plan and what Gov. Tony Evers might do next. Support the show.

State Sen. Patrick Testin, R-Stevens Point, joins Jessie to talk about the bills he's working on, the importance of bipartisanship and how he got into politics. Support the show.

Sarah Godlewksi joins Jessie this week to talk about why she fought to save Wisconsin's state treasurer office, and how she views her role as the state's "fiscal watchdog." Support the show.

On today's episode, we're bringing you a recording of Jessie's interview with Sen. Amy Klobuchar from the 2017 Cap Times Idea Fest. Support the show.