Center Stage, with Milfred and Hands
They're the "Click and Clack" of Wisconsin politics. Scott Milfred, editorial page editor for the Wisconsin State Journal, and Phil Hands, the newspaper's political cartoonist, analyze the most important issues and debates from the Badger State with political independence and a sense of humor. Instead of tedious talking points from the left and the right, "Center Stage" broadcasts from the sensible center with audio clips from the Wisconsin Capitol, from State Journal editorial board meetings, and from political events across the state.
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David Crowley says Republicans fear him most in bid for Wisconsin governor
Milfred and Hands talk to David Crowley about his bid for Wisconsin governor, which he says the GOP fears because of his broader appeal. He won reelection as Milwaukee County executive with 85% of the vote. But only 16% of voters in the Madison region know who he is, according to the Marquette Law School poll. That could change soon, because Crowley led Democrats in fundraising the last time numbers were reported, allowing him to spend money on advertising. Crowley touts his record of improving the finances of Wisconsin's largest county while reducing homelessness.
Will data centers devour Wisconsin's climate goal?
Milfred and Hands assess the flurry of data centers being proposed across Wisconsin in communities such as Mount Pleasant, Beaver Dam, Janesville, Grant County and, until recently, DeForest. The billion-dollar projects are needed to support our phones, computers, electronic devices and artificial intelligence. But they also will consume, in many cases, more energy than the cities where they hope to locate. That risks undermining Wisconsin's goal to be carbon neutral by 2050 if the Public Service Commission approves more natural gas plants to power the centers. Our political podcasters play audio clips from the Wisconsin Policy Forum's recent forum in Milwaukee on data center development.
