WCPT 820 - Chicago's Progressive Talk

08/29/2025

Gov. Laura Kelly prevents Kansans’ Social Security numbers and personal data from insecure sever

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly (D) and Department for Children and Families Secretary Laura Howard have pushed back against a federal government demand to access the personal information of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients.

08/29/2025

Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst reportedly not seeking reelection in 2026

U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) is set to publicly announce that she will not seek a third term in the Senate, according to a report from CBS News.

08/29/2025

On today's show Patti is joined by guest co-host Dwayne Kennedy and their guests are:
– William Muck, professor of political science at North Central College
– Comedian and recovering attorney Paul Farahvar
– Comedian and activist Cliff Cash
– “Driving It Home” contributor Dan Schaefer

Catch "Driving It Home with Patti Vasquez" weekdays from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/driving-it-home).

08/29/2025

Rep. Warren Davidson (R-OH) shushes his consistuents after they jeer at him for defending President Donald Trump's deployment of the National Guard to Washington D.C.

"Is there a librarian in the room? Shhh."

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08/29/2025

Constituents repeatedly interrupt Rep. Warren Davidson (R-OH) with boos when he tries to brag about DOGE.

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08/29/2025

Angela Ferrell-Zabala, executive director of Moms Demand Action, on the Annunciation Day School shooting:

“A 10-year-old boy had more courage hiding in a church pew while his friend shielded him with his body than I have seen from far too many lawmakers more beholden to a gun lobby than a child. If children can show that kind of bravery under fire, why can't our lawmakers?”

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08/29/2025

U.S. REP. ILHAN OMAR (D-MN): “The fact that these are weapons used in war … I know a little about that. At the age of eight, I survived war myself. I never imagined that I would come to the United States and be in high school, and that there would be a school shooting. And that I myself and my kids to come would practice school drills on how to avoid being gunned down in one of the greatest nations in the world. There is something fundamentally broken."

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08/29/2025

On today's show William Muck fills in for Joan and his guests are:
– Xavier Becerra, Democratic candidate for California governor and former secretary of the Health and Human Services
– Kevin Schultz, professor of history at UIC and author of “Why Everyone Hates White Liberals (Including White Liberals): A History
– Phil Barker, professor of political science and director of the honors program at Keene State College, and co-host of The Politics Lab podcast

Catch "Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive" weekdays from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/live-local-progressive).

08/28/2025

On today's show Patti is joined by Dan Kotowski, former Illinois state senator and president and chief executive officer of Kids Above All, and their guests are:
– Carmen Navarro Gercone, management and public safety expert, with 30 years of experience in law enforcement and the criminal justice system
– Tracey Harkins, attorney, founding partner at Prusak & Harkins, and president of the Illinois Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
– Dan Shafer, creator of The Recombobulation Area and political editor at Civic Media in Wisconsin
– Lucie Arvallo, J.D., executive director of Jane’s Due Process

Catch "Driving It Home with Patti Vasquez" weekdays from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/driving-it-home).

08/28/2025

Democrat Catelin Drey wins Iowa special election, removes Republican supermajority

Democratic Iowa state Senate candidate Catelin Drey won a special election on Tuesday over Republican Christopher Prosch, removing a GOP supermajority in the state’s upper chamber.

08/28/2025

U.S. REP. ILHAN OMAR (D-MN): "I do not know what society finds themselves since Columbine that comes together in these moments of grief, that rightfully praise for the grieving families and victims, but does not come together to do whatever they can to make sure this does not happen again."

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08/28/2025

FREY: "We have every obligation not just to each other, but to these families that call Minneapolis home. We love them. Let's love them more than words ... Let's stop this from happening. Let's stand up for our children. Let's stand up for each and every one of them."

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