Progressive Radio’s Civic Media Acquires Political News Publication
The Wisconsin progressive radio company Civic Media announces that it adds the progressive political news digital publication The Recombobulation Area to its holdings. Civic Media notes that this is the first non-radio
acquisition since its founding in 2022. Additionally, The Recombobulation Area founder Dan Shafer is joining Civic Media as political editor. Civic Media says, “The Recombobulation Area has thousands of subscribers, has been read in 50 states and 66 countries and, to date, has reached more than 1.5 million readers. The publication has won 13 Milwaukee Press Club Excellence in Journalism awards in four years for opinion writing, feature stories, multi-story coverage, and public service journalism. Shafer has been active as a radio personality as a regular guest on Civic Media’s ‘Matenaer on Air’ and several other shows.” Civic Media CEO Sage Weil comments, “Dan Shafer and The Recombobulation Area exemplify the type of thoughtful, in-depth, and locally focused reporting that is so important to Wisconsin. We can’t wait to bring his voice to the rest of the Civic Media network, both on and off the air. It is local journalism, with an emphasis on local issues and an understanding of what is important in local communities, that will rebuild trust in our media ecosystem and, ultimately, our democracy.”
the Biden campaign. Civic Media said in a statement that through the moves, that station “fell short of journalistic standards.” Civic Media said, On Monday, July 8th, it was reported to Civic Media management that immediately after the phone interview was recorded, the Biden campaign called and asked for two edits to the recording before it aired. Civic Media management immediately undertook an investigation and determined that the production team at the time viewed the edits as non-substantive and broadcast and published the interview with two short segments removed.” The network airs programming in Madison, Milwaukee and numerous other markets throughout the state. 
Show” airs from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Program director Kathryn Lake comments, “Wisconsinites will play a crucial role this year in determining who represents the state in Madison and in the nation’s capital. The experience Jane Matenaer, Todd Allbaugh and Maggie Daun bring to the midday microphones will provide listeners across the state compelling stories and important updates about what is happening in their communities and throughout Wisconsin.”
Waukesha. The “Nite Lite With Pete Schwaba” airs from 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Schwaba has hosted programs for PBS Wisconsin in addition to his work in the film industry that includes writing for the 2003 film, A Guy Thing, and his own indie comedy film, The Godfather of Green Bay. He also served as a producer on the Jeff Foxworthy TV show, “Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?” He says, “Entertainment, just like sports, helps bring people together, which is more important now than ever. I’m excited to introduce listeners to people I’ve met over the years in the entertainment business, share experiences, and generally celebrate arts and culture in Wisconsin.” 
“The Eagle”; WCFW-HD2, Chippewa Falls/W228EP, Eau Claire “93.5 The Tap”; and WRJN-AM/W260CV, Racine – are carrying the Civic Media talk show lineup that includes “As Goes Wisconsin” with Kristin Brey; “The Todd Allbaugh Show”; “Matt Flynn-Direct”; “The Devil’s Advocates” with Crute and Dom; and more. The early morning shows across the network are local, with “UpNorthNews Radio” with Pat Kreitlow airing on WLCX and WCFW, and “The Lou Rugani Show” airing on WRJN.
Media’s mission is to refocus our attention on state and local issues, and we’re doing that by building a network across Wisconsin of hometown radio stations that are bringing as much local and state-based content to the airwaves as we possibly can.” The piece says that Civic Media has been acquiring radio stations, but it appears it is leasing at least some of them, such as WMDX-AM/W224EG, Madison “Mad Radio” which is owned by Good Karma Brands. Regardless, it is presenting programming on about a dozen stations with its eye on having about 20 stations in its network.