Dan Shafer
@danshafer.bsky.social
Founder of The Recombobulation Area. Political Editor, Civic Media. 18x Milwaukee Press Club award winner. Exhausted Dad. BUCKS FAN.
NEW: @jmatenaer.bsky.social is retiring next month, so we sat down to reflect on her remarkable 40+ year career in radio — from her first time behind a mic, to the "Packarena," to hosting her own show on @civicmedia.us and much more.
Feature story and video links below. Let's recombobulate.
Feature story and video links below. Let's recombobulate.
November 12, 2025 at 9:00 PM
NEW: @jmatenaer.bsky.social is retiring next month, so we sat down to reflect on her remarkable 40+ year career in radio — from her first time behind a mic, to the "Packarena," to hosting her own show on @civicmedia.us and much more.
Feature story and video links below. Let's recombobulate.
Feature story and video links below. Let's recombobulate.
Is the Wisconsin State Senate a Lean D or Likely D?
Considering the Democratic overperformance basically everywhere last night, you have to think the potential of a Democratic trifecta in Wisconsin in 2026 has become just a bit more likely.
November 5, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Is the Wisconsin State Senate a Lean D or Likely D?
Considering the Democratic overperformance basically everywhere last night, you have to think the potential of a Democratic trifecta in Wisconsin in 2026 has become just a bit more likely.
November 5, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Considering the Democratic overperformance basically everywhere last night, you have to think the potential of a Democratic trifecta in Wisconsin in 2026 has become just a bit more likely.
Here's today's edition of Civic Media Today: civicmediatoday.substack.com/p/civic-medi...
Civic Media Today: Virginia company doubles land request for Dane County data center
Company behind Madison area data center seeks additional land, seniors push for better nursing Wisconsin home care, hunters urged to donate deer. Plus: Patriotic Millionaires visit “Matenaer On Air.”
civicmediatoday.substack.com
November 4, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Here's today's edition of Civic Media Today: civicmediatoday.substack.com/p/civic-medi...
BIG NEWS: After 44 years behind the microphone, @jmatenaer.bsky.social, host of @civicmedia.us's "Matenaer On Air, is announcing today that she is retiring next month.
"I am so proud to finish up my career at this incredible network."
"I am so proud to finish up my career at this incredible network."
November 3, 2025 at 4:51 PM
BIG NEWS: After 44 years behind the microphone, @jmatenaer.bsky.social, host of @civicmedia.us's "Matenaer On Air, is announcing today that she is retiring next month.
"I am so proud to finish up my career at this incredible network."
"I am so proud to finish up my career at this incredible network."
Heads up, folks: Big announcement today on “Matenaer On Air” … be sure to tune in on @civicmedia.us!
@jmatenaer.bsky.social @iamgregbach.bsky.social
@jmatenaer.bsky.social @iamgregbach.bsky.social
November 3, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Heads up, folks: Big announcement today on “Matenaer On Air” … be sure to tune in on @civicmedia.us!
@jmatenaer.bsky.social @iamgregbach.bsky.social
@jmatenaer.bsky.social @iamgregbach.bsky.social
I think the kids have reached an age where the morning of daylight savings time changes are no longer an immediate family crisis. Hallelujah!
November 2, 2025 at 4:51 PM
I think the kids have reached an age where the morning of daylight savings time changes are no longer an immediate family crisis. Hallelujah!
NEW: With Mandela Barnes flirting with another statewide run, it’s time for a reassessment of his last one, which was both overrated and underrated at the same time.
BARNES ‘22 REVISITED:
www.therecombobulationarea.news/p/barnes-22-...
BARNES ‘22 REVISITED:
www.therecombobulationarea.news/p/barnes-22-...
Barnes ‘22 Revisited
As Mandela Barnes flirts with another statewide campaign, it's worth reassessing his last one, which was both overrated and underrated at the same time.
www.therecombobulationarea.news
October 31, 2025 at 1:10 PM
NEW: With Mandela Barnes flirting with another statewide run, it’s time for a reassessment of his last one, which was both overrated and underrated at the same time.
BARNES ‘22 REVISITED:
www.therecombobulationarea.news/p/barnes-22-...
BARNES ‘22 REVISITED:
www.therecombobulationarea.news/p/barnes-22-...
Josh Schoemann has no endorsements and is polling in the single digits after campaigning for six months in the Republican primary. What even is this campaign? www.therecombobulationarea.news/i/177588248/...
October 30, 2025 at 8:58 PM
Josh Schoemann has no endorsements and is polling in the single digits after campaigning for six months in the Republican primary. What even is this campaign? www.therecombobulationarea.news/i/177588248/...
NEW: Here's my breakdown of the new Marquette poll 👇
- No meaningful info in the Dem primary results
- Where is the Josh Schoemann campaign even going?
- Inflation and tariff concerns
- An unpopular state legislature
+much more!
Let's recombobulate:
www.therecombobulationarea.news/p/7-takeaway...
- No meaningful info in the Dem primary results
- Where is the Josh Schoemann campaign even going?
- Inflation and tariff concerns
- An unpopular state legislature
+much more!
Let's recombobulate:
www.therecombobulationarea.news/p/7-takeaway...
7 takeaways from the October 2025 Marquette poll
We'll have to keep waiting for any meaningful data on the Democratic primary in the race for governor, but there's a whole lot here to break down.
www.therecombobulationarea.news
October 30, 2025 at 6:34 PM
NEW: Here's my breakdown of the new Marquette poll 👇
- No meaningful info in the Dem primary results
- Where is the Josh Schoemann campaign even going?
- Inflation and tariff concerns
- An unpopular state legislature
+much more!
Let's recombobulate:
www.therecombobulationarea.news/p/7-takeaway...
- No meaningful info in the Dem primary results
- Where is the Josh Schoemann campaign even going?
- Inflation and tariff concerns
- An unpopular state legislature
+much more!
Let's recombobulate:
www.therecombobulationarea.news/p/7-takeaway...
Reposted by Dan Shafer
George W Bush also had 4x as much career WAR as his dad
Bo Bichette has almost 4x as much career WAR as his dad now
October 28, 2025 at 2:06 AM
George W Bush also had 4x as much career WAR as his dad
Here's the Oct. 27 edition of Civic Media Today
Dems are sounding alarms on SNAP and ACA, as the shutdown is about to extend into its fifth week.
Plus: Find all of @civicmedia.us's weekend programming rounded up here for you to listen to:
civicmediatoday.substack.com/p/civic-medi...
Dems are sounding alarms on SNAP and ACA, as the shutdown is about to extend into its fifth week.
Plus: Find all of @civicmedia.us's weekend programming rounded up here for you to listen to:
civicmediatoday.substack.com/p/civic-medi...
Civic Media Today - Oct. 27, 2025
Federal programs that are used by thousands of residents are in jeopardy as the federal government shutdown continues. Plus: Listen to all-new episodes of our weekend programming.
civicmediatoday.substack.com
October 27, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Here's the Oct. 27 edition of Civic Media Today
Dems are sounding alarms on SNAP and ACA, as the shutdown is about to extend into its fifth week.
Plus: Find all of @civicmedia.us's weekend programming rounded up here for you to listen to:
civicmediatoday.substack.com/p/civic-medi...
Dems are sounding alarms on SNAP and ACA, as the shutdown is about to extend into its fifth week.
Plus: Find all of @civicmedia.us's weekend programming rounded up here for you to listen to:
civicmediatoday.substack.com/p/civic-medi...
That’s right
October 27, 2025 at 3:44 AM
That’s right
I forgot to let y'all know I was going to be on from 9:30-11 on "Matenaer On Air" today with @jmatenaer.bsky.social and @iamgregbach.bsky.social, BUT you're in luck, you can watch the livestream of the show: www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQOm...
Or find the podcast here: civicmedia.us/shows/matena...
Or find the podcast here: civicmedia.us/shows/matena...
October 24, 2025 at 4:12 PM
I forgot to let y'all know I was going to be on from 9:30-11 on "Matenaer On Air" today with @jmatenaer.bsky.social and @iamgregbach.bsky.social, BUT you're in luck, you can watch the livestream of the show: www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQOm...
Or find the podcast here: civicmedia.us/shows/matena...
Or find the podcast here: civicmedia.us/shows/matena...
I'll be joining @pattivasquez.bsky.social coming up in a few minutes on @wcpt820am.bsky.social / @heartlandsignal.bsky.social to catch up on all things Wisconsin politics. Tune in!
October 23, 2025 at 10:56 PM
I'll be joining @pattivasquez.bsky.social coming up in a few minutes on @wcpt820am.bsky.social / @heartlandsignal.bsky.social to catch up on all things Wisconsin politics. Tune in!
Here is the Oct. 23 edition of Civic Media Today👇
Wisconsin's FoodShare program will be out of funds by Nov. 1 due to the shutdown, and DPI is called to answer tough questions.
Plus: I wrote about the latest effort to legalize medical marijuana in WI: civicmediatoday.substack.com/p/civic-medi...
Wisconsin's FoodShare program will be out of funds by Nov. 1 due to the shutdown, and DPI is called to answer tough questions.
Plus: I wrote about the latest effort to legalize medical marijuana in WI: civicmediatoday.substack.com/p/civic-medi...
Civic Media Today - Oct. 23, 2025
Public hearing on medical marijuana legalization, Capitol investigations into sexual misconduct in schools, additional SNAP funding requests, and more on what’s moving Wisconsin today.
civicmediatoday.substack.com
October 23, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Here is the Oct. 23 edition of Civic Media Today👇
Wisconsin's FoodShare program will be out of funds by Nov. 1 due to the shutdown, and DPI is called to answer tough questions.
Plus: I wrote about the latest effort to legalize medical marijuana in WI: civicmediatoday.substack.com/p/civic-medi...
Wisconsin's FoodShare program will be out of funds by Nov. 1 due to the shutdown, and DPI is called to answer tough questions.
Plus: I wrote about the latest effort to legalize medical marijuana in WI: civicmediatoday.substack.com/p/civic-medi...
That's right
October 23, 2025 at 8:04 PM
That's right
It is absolutely ridiculous that Dr. Jill Underly is off at her college receiving a "distinguished alumni award" instead of answering questions in Assembly committee today. The CapTimes reporting raises serious questions that demand answers from the head of DPI. Unacceptable.
October 23, 2025 at 3:37 PM
It is absolutely ridiculous that Dr. Jill Underly is off at her college receiving a "distinguished alumni award" instead of answering questions in Assembly committee today. The CapTimes reporting raises serious questions that demand answers from the head of DPI. Unacceptable.
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation today released a map of when construction will be happening for the $1,700,000,000 I-94 East-West widening project.
October 22, 2025 at 7:02 PM
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation today released a map of when construction will be happening for the $1,700,000,000 I-94 East-West widening project.
In which, a random poll I posted on twitter is referenced in The New York Times: www.nytimes.com/2025/10/21/u...
This Democrat Lost a Big Race. The Party Is Uneasy About His Return.
www.nytimes.com
October 21, 2025 at 9:49 PM
In which, a random poll I posted on twitter is referenced in The New York Times: www.nytimes.com/2025/10/21/u...
NEW at The Recombobulation Area:
"We're going to rebuild together, even if it takes a generation."
Contributor @emtseffos.bsky.social ran in an "unwinnable" race in the State Assembly in 2024. She's running again in 2026. Here's why:
www.therecombobulationarea.news/p/running-ag...
"We're going to rebuild together, even if it takes a generation."
Contributor @emtseffos.bsky.social ran in an "unwinnable" race in the State Assembly in 2024. She's running again in 2026. Here's why:
www.therecombobulationarea.news/p/running-ag...
Running again, during the collapse
"We're going to rebuild together, even if it takes a generation." Contributor Emily Tseffos ran in an "unwinnable" race in the State Assembly in 2024. She's running again in 2026. Here's why.
www.therecombobulationarea.news
October 21, 2025 at 9:02 PM
NEW at The Recombobulation Area:
"We're going to rebuild together, even if it takes a generation."
Contributor @emtseffos.bsky.social ran in an "unwinnable" race in the State Assembly in 2024. She's running again in 2026. Here's why:
www.therecombobulationarea.news/p/running-ag...
"We're going to rebuild together, even if it takes a generation."
Contributor @emtseffos.bsky.social ran in an "unwinnable" race in the State Assembly in 2024. She's running again in 2026. Here's why:
www.therecombobulationarea.news/p/running-ag...
Here is the Oct. 21 edition of Civic Media Today👇
On the ongoing fallout from the @captimes.com investigative story on DPI, plus news on the SNAP funding deadline, Kaul vs. Toney AG rematch, much more:
civicmediatoday.substack.com/p/civic-medi...
On the ongoing fallout from the @captimes.com investigative story on DPI, plus news on the SNAP funding deadline, Kaul vs. Toney AG rematch, much more:
civicmediatoday.substack.com/p/civic-medi...
Civic Media Today - Oct. 21, 2025
SNAP program faces 10-day funding deadline, Kaul v. Toney rematch in 2026, and Wisconsin GOP treasurer resigns. Plus: discussions on the housing crisis, No Kings protests, and more across our network.
civicmediatoday.substack.com
October 21, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Here is the Oct. 21 edition of Civic Media Today👇
On the ongoing fallout from the @captimes.com investigative story on DPI, plus news on the SNAP funding deadline, Kaul vs. Toney AG rematch, much more:
civicmediatoday.substack.com/p/civic-medi...
On the ongoing fallout from the @captimes.com investigative story on DPI, plus news on the SNAP funding deadline, Kaul vs. Toney AG rematch, much more:
civicmediatoday.substack.com/p/civic-medi...
On "Rational Revolution," host @markbecker.bsky.social shared a recent conversation he had with Tommy Thompson, where the former governor said he does not think Tom Tiffany can win the race for governor in Wisconsin.
Thompson said Tiffany can't win enough votes in Dane and Milwaukee counties.
Thompson said Tiffany can't win enough votes in Dane and Milwaukee counties.
October 20, 2025 at 7:34 PM
On "Rational Revolution," host @markbecker.bsky.social shared a recent conversation he had with Tommy Thompson, where the former governor said he does not think Tom Tiffany can win the race for governor in Wisconsin.
Thompson said Tiffany can't win enough votes in Dane and Milwaukee counties.
Thompson said Tiffany can't win enough votes in Dane and Milwaukee counties.
Here is the Oct. 20 edition of Civic Media Today 👇
Featuring our #NoKings coverage (in Madison, Milwaukee, Oshkosh, Appleton, Chippewa Falls, Eau Claire, Wausau and Wisconsin Rapids!) and @civicmedia.us's weekend programming (so many shows!). civicmediatoday.substack.com/p/civic-medi...
Featuring our #NoKings coverage (in Madison, Milwaukee, Oshkosh, Appleton, Chippewa Falls, Eau Claire, Wausau and Wisconsin Rapids!) and @civicmedia.us's weekend programming (so many shows!). civicmediatoday.substack.com/p/civic-medi...
Civic Media Today - Oct. 20, 2025
Thousands of people demonstrated on "No Kings" day and Civic Media reporters were there in local communities to cover the protests. Plus: Find all of our weekend programming here.
civicmediatoday.substack.com
October 20, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Here is the Oct. 20 edition of Civic Media Today 👇
Featuring our #NoKings coverage (in Madison, Milwaukee, Oshkosh, Appleton, Chippewa Falls, Eau Claire, Wausau and Wisconsin Rapids!) and @civicmedia.us's weekend programming (so many shows!). civicmediatoday.substack.com/p/civic-medi...
Featuring our #NoKings coverage (in Madison, Milwaukee, Oshkosh, Appleton, Chippewa Falls, Eau Claire, Wausau and Wisconsin Rapids!) and @civicmedia.us's weekend programming (so many shows!). civicmediatoday.substack.com/p/civic-medi...