Advertise on podcast: Swing State of the Union

According to polls, affordability is the biggest issue American voters are concerned about in this midterm election. We explore what affordability means and its future.

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 about figuring out who has the power to improve Wisconsin. Hosted by Joy Powers and Sam Woods, join us for Swing State of the Union Season 3, a podcast from WUWM, part of the NPR Network. Episodes drop every Wednesday, starting September 16. Listen and subscribe on the NPR app or wherever you get your podcasts.

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 podcasts and watch for Season 3 of Swing State of the Union later this year ahead of the Wisconsin gubernatorial race.

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.

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.