“Change is on the Air” is a series exploring the changing state of talk radio in Wisconsin. It was reported by journalism students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and edited by Wisconsin Watch State Bureau Chief Matthew DeFour.
Change is on the Air: New series explores state of Wisconsin talk radio ahead of November election
Suburban Milwaukee conservative talk has dominated airwaves for more than three decades, but lots of changes are happening in crucial swing state Wisconsin.
Review of Wisconsin talk radio finds stark divides, misinformation
Divided Americans are often described as living in different media bubbles. University of Wisconsin-Madison journalism students listened to several radio hosts across the political spectrum to report on just how different those bubbles are.
Conservative talk radio continues to be a powerful political tool in Wisconsin
A powerful force in Wisconsin politics for three decades, conservative talk radio continues to wield significant influence at the state and local level.
Changing of the guard at WTMJ sets a new tone for political talk in Milwaukee
WTMJ was once the pinnacle of conservative talk radio in Wisconsin. However, with the station’s ownership change and its fresh, news-driven approach, WTMJ has moved away from conservative rhetoric — reflecting a shift in Milwaukee’s demographics and media landscape.
Civic Media is betting on local pro-democracy radio. Will it work?
Civic Media is a network of 20 Wisconsin radio stations purchased over the last two years with the goal of promoting democracy and local news, but there have been missteps along the way.
Madison’s Spanish-speaking radio station gives ‘a way of life’ to the Latino community
La Movida on WLMV/AM 1480, Madison’s first Spanish-speaking, 24/7 radio station, now in its 24th year on the air, is an invaluable resource for the Latino community.
Share your views on talk radio
Talk radio still wields a lot of power and influence in Wisconsin politics, but the landscape is changing. Investigative journalism students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in partnership with Wisconsin Watch spent the spring 2024 semester reporting on those changes, resulting in a six-part series: “Change is on the Air.”
One piece missing from that series: the perspectives of radio listeners. Do you listen to talk radio in Wisconsin? Do you listen to both conservative and liberal voices, or do you stay in one media bubble? Do you listen to local or national programs? Or during your commute have you switched entirely to podcasts?
Share your thoughts on the state of talk radio in Wisconsin, and we may publish your response in a future part of our series. Send an email to: changeisontheair@wisconsinwatch.org.
Matthew DeFour
Matthew DeFour started in September 2022 as Wisconsin Watch’s first state bureau chief. Previously at the Wisconsin State Journal he covered state and local government for 16 years, including four years as state politics editor. He has a BSJ and MSJ from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. He was honored by his peers as the 2020 Wisconsin Watchdog of the Year.
Benjamin Cadigan
Benjamin Cadigan is a student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison studying journalism and linguistics and is set to graduate in 2025. They have worked as an associate producer for WMTV in Madison and headed the news section of the Badger Herald. Their work has been recognized by the Milwaukee Press Club and the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association.
Hallie Claflin
Hallie Claflin graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2024 and studied journalism and political science. She began writing for her school’s publication, The Badger Herald, in 2021. She went on to write visual news content for Voice of America in Washington, D.C. In Madison, she mainly covers local issues. Hallie is currently employed as an intern at Wisconsin Watch.
Meryl Hubbard
Meryl Hubbard graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2024 with degrees in reporting and strategic communications and a certificate in dance. During her undergrad, she developed her experience as an arts writer and podcast producer for the Badger Herald newspaper and a part-time reporter and creator for Channel 3000’s Badger Beat. Meryl is now a full-time reporter for Channel 3000 in Madison. Looking ahead, Meryl sees herself pursuing investigative journalism and long-form storytelling as a way to share in-depth stories that impact human perspective.
Ray Kirsch
Ray Kirsch is a student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison studying journalism and English. They are the talk director at WSUM 91.7 FM Madison, the campus radio station, and the fiction/prose editor at the Madison Journal of Literary Criticism (MJLC). Ray oversees podcasting and talk programming at WSUM, working closely with the news director for the weekly news segment “On Wisconsin,” featuring local news updates and interviews.
Francesca Pica
Francesca Pica studies journalism and political science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She writes for the student newspaper The Daily Cardinal and served as the paper’s city news editor. She previously wrote for The Capital Times as a 2023 summer reporting intern and the Wisconsin State Journal as a 2024 summer reporting intern.
Ashley Rodriguez
Ashley Rodriguez is a graduate student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s School of Journalism & Mass Communication. She is the managing editor of Fresh Cup, a coffee industry publication, and hosts a podcast called “Boss Barista,” a show about coffee, food and workplace equity. She publishes a newsletter under the same name.
Andrew Schneider
Andrew Schneider graduated in 2024 from the University of Wisconsin-Madison studying journalism. He had a talk show on WSUM 91.7 FM Madison, the campus radio station. In 2020, at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Andrew also hosted a music show on the campus radio station, 91.7 The Edge WSUW.
Sophia Scolman
Sophia Scolman is a student at the University of Wisconsin–Madison studying journalism and history. She is currently the advertising director at The Badger Herald, one of UW’s campus newspapers. She served as one of the Herald’s managing editors during the 2023-2024 school year. Sophia has worked as an intern at Direct Supply and as a fellow at UW’s Center for Journalism Ethics, with hopes to attend law school after graduation.
Paige Stevenson
Paige Stevenson is a student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison studying international studies and journalism with dreams to attend law school upon graduation. Stevenson has served as the graphics editor for the Daily Cardinal, as well as a staff writer focusing on arts and science features. Stevenson has also worked at UW’s School of Medicine and Public Health’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, working as a communications intern. She is currently news director at WSUM.
Omar Waheed
Omar Waheed received a master’s degree in 2024 from the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Journalism & Mass Communication. Waheed received his bachelor’s degree from Iowa State University in marketing with a focus on statistical analytics. He currently works for Madison365 as a business reporter and served on the Inclusion Committee for the School of Journalism & Mass Communications. He received an award from the Iowa News Association in 2022 during his time at the Des Moines Register and two Milwaukee Press Club Awards in 2023.