Joe Zepecki
Flip-Flops and Freakouts (Hour 1)
If Congress gave out awards for dramatic performances, the representative from Wisconsin’s 3rd District would have to prepare an acceptance speech. Derrick Van Orden’s latest one-act play has it all: Denial. Deflection. Faux outrage. We’ll talk to Joe Zepecki about that as well as President Trump pulling the rug out from under his congressional apologists with yet another flip-flop on tariffs.
UpNorthNews with Pat Kreitlow airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-8 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 https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and Instagram to keep up with Pat & the show!
The Trump Tax Takes Effect (Hour 1)
With great fanfare and more than a little misinformation, President Trump unveiled new tariffs that surprised even the most jaded observers. The resulting trade war will result in a “Trump tax” as consumer prices rise—provided the goods consumers are looking for can be found at all. Also: Joe Zepecki’s analysis on what Susan Crawford did right, what Elon Musk did wrong, and what this week’s results tell us about Wisconsin voters in 2025.
UpNorthNews with Pat Kreitlow airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-8 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 https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and Instagram to keep up with Pat & the show!
Send Elon A Message (Hour 2)
In the second hour, Political Consultant Joe Zepecki is our guest to talk about the importance of voting and how your vote is your voice. Next, a man in England had one last sweet wish for his funeral and his family obliged! So we ask you; how do you want to be buried? And we're not fooling when it comes to This Shouldn't Be A Thing - Slip Of The Tongue Edition
As always, thank you for listening, texting and calling, we couldn't do this without you! Don't forget to download the free Civic Media app and take us wherever you are in the world! Matenaer On Air is a part of the Civic Media radio network and airs Monday through Friday from 10 am - noon across the state. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! You can also rate us on your podcast distribution center of choice, they go a long way!
To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X and YouTube to keep up with Jane and the show!
Well, His Initials Are B.S. (Hour 1)
We’ll ask Joe Zepecki the significance of Supreme Court candidate Brad Schimel having to dig deep into the right-wing playbook to rehash made-up claims of vote count irregularities in Milwaukee. We’ll also discuss Sen. Ron Johnson’s musings about whether veterans’ health care was bloated and in need of cuts, even as we mark today’s anniversary of the Iraq War that left tens of thousands of our troops in need of lifetime care.
UpNorthNews with Pat Kreitlow airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-8 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 https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and Instagram to keep up with Pat & the show!
Elon Schimel (Hour 1)
We’ll recap last night’s state Supreme Court debate, where at one point Judge Susan Crawford referred to the world’s richest man as “Elon Schimel,” as she and Judge Brad Schimel made their case to voters who will decide control of the court on April 1. And we’ll review our own pre-debate live event, a panel discussion with experts and lawmakers about what’s at stake in the Supreme Court election.
UpNorthNews with Pat Kreitlow airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-8 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 https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and Instagram to keep up with Pat & the show!
UpNorthNews Presents: Protecting Justice For All
On Wednesday, March 12th, Pat Kreitlow of UpNorthNews hosted Protecting Justice for All: An Evening of Conversations About the Wisconsin Supreme Court Election live at the Overture Center for the Arts in Madison. Pat was joined by Civic Media Political Editor Dan Shafer and Civic Media Host Todd Allbaugh to moderate discussions about why the upcoming April 1st election matters to all Wisconsinites.
Panel: The Future of Public Education in Wisconsin
This next bench of justices will likely be asked to decide a legal challenge to school vouchers and an action that could end Act 10, along with other cases that could ultimately decide what the future holds for public education in Wisconsin.
- Moderator: Todd Allbaugh
- Julie Mead, retired UW Madison School of Education professor of school law
- Heather DuBois Bourenane, WI Public Education Network
- Peggy Wirtz-Olsen, WEAC
- Rep. Christian Phelps, Eau Claire
Panel: A Wisconsin Economy That Works
This election will have massive implications for the Wisconsin economy. The state Supreme Court will be making decisions that impact job creation, everyday affordability, the effects of a changing climate, and justice for workers and consumers.
- Moderator: Dan Shafer
- Rep. Francesca Hong, Madison
- Rep. Supreme Moore Omokunde, Milwaukee
- Melissa Baldauff, political strategist, UNN "Climate Check"
- Joe Zepecki, political strategist, former SBA staffer
Panel: Reproductive Rights On The Ballot
This will be a discussion of the ways the state Supreme Court will impact reproductive rights in Wisconsin - affecting women' s health or even their lives, impacting decisions about starting families, and interfering in the relationship between women and their doctors.
- Moderator: Pat Kreitlow
- Michelle Velasquez, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin
- Dr. Eliza Bennett, Ob/Gyn
- Sen. Kelda Roys, Madison
- Heather Martell, Chippewa Falls
To learn more about our special broadcasts and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the network on Facebook, BlueSky, YouTube, X, and Instagram to keep up with Civic Media!
Tanking Your Health Care (Hour 1)
Here’s a useful little tool we never thought we’d need in the United States: a Health Care Sabotage Tracker. It is the growing list of ways that the new administration has already started having negative impacts on health care for every American. Joe Zepecki will tell us how the group Protect Our Care is keeping politicians accountable for sacrificing your health to pay for billionaires’ tax cuts.
UpNorthNews with Pat Kreitlow airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-8 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 https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and Instagram to keep up with Pat & the show!
A Progressive Cockeyed Optimism (Hour 1)
Matt Rothschild guest hosts for the day. At the top of the hour, Matt talks with Earl Ingram on the death of longtime Milwaukee journalist Joel McNally. Known for his progressive legacy and self-proclaimed "cockeyed optimism," Matt and Earl remember Joel extremely fondly. He leaves behind work for us all- to carry on a progressive agenda with good humor and kindness. At the bottom of the hour, Joe Zepecki, progressive communications maestro, joins us for a talk on messaging and moving forward. He asks, and it's an important question, do we want to fight or do we want to win? Well, let's fight to win for all of us, and only so. Because the people we're "fighting" are our neighbors.
Join Dom Salvia every afternoon from 4-6pm for news (some), humor (more), and great conversation (always)! Listen throughout the state of Wisconsin on the Civic Media network and worldwide on the Civic Media app. Call or text to join the fun at 855-752-4842. If you love our music and want to listen to our full bumper library, check it out!
Doing The Work (Hour 1)
Until Wednesday, it had been more than seven years since Republicans running the Wisconsin Legislature would allow passage of a clean resolution honoring Black History Month. We’ll talk to two members of the Legislative Black Caucus about how something so basic finally got done in the state Assembly—even as the debate goes on about whether students in the United States should be taught a full and honest version of Black history. Also: Salina Heller brings us the story of one Wisconsin farmer facing a huge loss of income because of President Trump’s scattershot slashing of the federal government.
UpNorthNews with Pat Kreitlow airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-8 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 https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and Instagram to keep up with Pat & the show!
It’s a Heist. You Know That, Right? (Hour 1)
What might be the world’s biggest data hack is happening under our eyes across the federal government. A president has to walk back comments about colonizing part of the Mideast. And what response are we getting from Republicans? Bills to require cursive writing and restrict Pride flags. We’ll talk to Joe Zepecki about this week’s headlines.
UpNorthNews with Pat Kreitlow airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-8 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 https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and Instagram to keep up with Pat & the show!
