Swing State of the Union

After federal cuts to Medicaid, healthcare is on the minds of many voters. But how do hospitals make money, and who has power over which communities get care?

President Donald Trump has radically reshaped the immigration landscape in the U.S. In this episode, we look at how the shifting legal landscape is impacting migrants seeking safety in the U.S., including Milwaukee’s Rohingya refugee community. 

Wisconsin has a long history of trailblazing new ideas in education. But for many voters, the way it funds its schools is unsustainable. 

Food prices are top of mind for many voters. In this episode, we explore the financial realities facing farmers and the policies shaping Wisconsin — America’s Dairyland. 

Opposition to data centers cuts across party lines, a rarity in Wisconsin politics. But who has the power to say whether a project is approved, or under what conditions?  

Power is up for grabs in Wisconsin. On November 3, voters will elect the state’s next governor, state legislators and congresspeople.

This season on Swing State of the Union, we’re talking with voters in swing districts around Wisconsin. And we’re asking: who has power?

The power to rubber stamp data centers, set food prices and how schools are funded.

These are some of the issues on the minds of voters in Wisconsin and across the nation as they decide who they want to elect in November.

This season is all ab...

This is Swing State of the Union — a podcast all about Wisconsin and why it’s so important to U.S. politics.

Since Season 2, politics have dominated the headlines, exemplified by fights for control over every facet of our government. As the second Trump administration tries to assert power over a growing list of government agencies, there have been few obstacles in the way. That is, aside from the courts.

The courts have played a central role in stopping, or legitimizing, President Trump’s policies. Because of this, they are increasingly seen in a partisan light...

This is Swing State of the Union — a podcast all about Wisconsin and why it’s so important to U.S. politics.

Since Season 2, politics have dominated the headlines, exemplified by fights for control over every facet of our government. As the second Trump Administration tries to assert power over a growing list of government agencies, there have been few obstacles in the way. That is, aside from the courts.

The courts have played a central role in stopping, or legitimizing, President Trump’s policies. Because of this, they are increasingly seen in a partisan light...

Swing State of the Union is back with some bonus episodes.

In Season 2, we explored the Wisconsin Supreme Court — examining how partisan politics, money and judicial ethics have shaped the court over the last 30 years.

Now, another supreme court election is ahead for Wisconsin voters, though it’s not as high stakes as the last one.

We’ll investigate two broad questions about our state courts: How do we hold justices accountable, and how do different justices interpret Wisconsin’s constitution?

Episodes drop on March 18 and 25. Listen and subscribe wherever you get your...

Wisconsin’s 2025 election is here. We learn about the candidates, who’s funding them and what’s at stake.

This year’s race for Wisconsin Supreme Court has already become the most expensive in U.S. history. We explore how we got here.

Act 10 divided Wisconsinites along ideological lines, including Supreme Court justices. We explore the impact of the law and the many court battles over its legitimacy.

For a nonpartisan race, this Wisconsin Supreme Court election feels very partisan. But it wasn’t always this way.

Election season is back with the ideological balance of the Wisconsin Supreme Court likely at stake. But what does the court do, and why do we elect justices?

Why is Wisconsin so important to U.S. politics? Season 2 explores why the nonpartisan Wisconsin Supreme Court race feels so partisan and why it matters.

For the final episode of this season of "Swing State of the Union," we’re live! We discuss the RNC, Wisconsin’s political trends and life in the swing state of the union.

President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump are once again vying for Wisconsin’s 10 electoral votes. Here’s how they’re making their case.

The 2020 election may go down as one of the most contentious elections in U.S. history. We explore how that happened.

There’s an old adage in political journalism: “Follow the money.” But with super PACs, lobbyists and nonprofits funding campaigns and court cases, where do you start?

Party politics dominates, both in Wisconsin and nationally. But what has that meant for our state, and what happens when the Republican party comes to Milwaukee this summer?

Politics in Wisconsin, and in the nation, often boils down to an “us vs. them" mentality. But how did we get here, and what’s keeping politics polarized?

Statewide elections in Wisconsin are regularly close. With it being a presidential election year, the battle over who gets to vote takes center stage.

Wisconsin has historically led the nation in creating, and limiting, union rights and bargaining power. We explore what that means for the state’s politics and culture.

Wisconsin, like many states, has a longstanding contentious relationship with its biggest city. Some politicians exploit this, to the detriment of everyone else.

As a swing state, Wisconsin has outsized influence in the 2024 election. What you may not know is Wisconsin has been influencing national policy for over 100 years.

Why is Wisconsin a swing state? That’s the question at the heart of this podcast, which explores the state’s historical and current political climate.