• David Cohen, former ambassador to Canada, speaks on President Trump's tariffs
    Mar 5 2025
    In the latest episode of Battleground Politics with Lauren Mayk, former ambassador to Canada David Cohen spoke about President Trump's 25% tariff on Canada.
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    42 mins
  • Pa. political leaders Greg Rothman, Malcolm Kenyatta speak on current state of their parties
    Mar 4 2025

    Here's a full breakdown of the episode:

    Interview with Greg Rothman

    Note: This interview was conducted before President Trump’s meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and before Trump directed a pause on military aid for Ukraine.

    00:50 – The current Republican brand

    1:55 – Meeting the demands of GOP voters

    3:53 – Message for local Ukrainians

    5:40 – President Trump’s statements on Ukraine

    6:10 – Laid off federal workers in Pennsylvania

    9:15 – Agenda of the Pennsylvania Republican Party

    10:40 – Potential GOP candidates to face Gov. Shapiro

    14:15 – Trump and Pennsylvania

    Interview with Malcolm Kenyatta

    15:17 – Kenyatta’s role as DNC Vice Chair

    16:27 – The current Democratic brand

    17:40 – The perception voters have of Democrats

    19:46 – Democratic discourse on Trump

    23:38 – The future of DEI policies

    27:23 – Reaching out to non-voters

    31:25 – Whether or not Kenyatta plans on running for a statewide office again

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    33 mins
  • How SEPTA is preparing for potential fare increases, service cuts
    Feb 23 2025

    Here’s a full breakdown of the episode:

    00:55 – SEPTA’s handling of the Eagles Super Bowl parade

    2:47 – Preparing for fare increases, service cuts

    5:30 – Plan for service cuts

    6:11 – Potential impact of Gov. Shapiro’s budget proposal

    7:21 – Reactions from lawmakers

    8:29 – Different approach from last year

    9:21 – From “hopeful” to cautiously optimistic

    9:59 – Progress of SEPTA’s special prosecutor

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    12 mins
  • Gov. Shapiro talks deadly plane crash, budget proposal, Trump, Super Bowl and more
    Feb 6 2025

    Here’s a full breakdown of the episode:

    00:49 – Deadly medical jet crash in Northeast Philly

    4:27 – Working with new Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy

    5:32 – Pennsylvania budget goals

    7:46 – Transportation funding and SEPTA

    10:40 – Federal funding for Pennsylvania

    14:50 – Immigration enforcement under Trump

    16:12 – Trump’s statement on Gaza

    17:13 – Sixers arena decision

    19:33 – Possibility of a dome stadium at the Linc

    20:41 – Super Bowl prediction

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    22 mins
  • Dr. Tony Watlington talks the state of Philly schools, DEI, immigration and more
    Feb 4 2025

    Here’s a full breakdown of the episode:

    00:31 – Potential ICE operations and Philly schools

    5:15 – Overall goals for Philly schools

    9:55 – Improving attendance at Philly schools

    10:55 – Assessment of extended day/year schooling

    14:33 – Impact of gun violence on Philly students

    16:45 – School safety, support for students

    17:49 – Bringing cooling systems to all Philly school buildings

    20:10 – DEI programs and Philly School District

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    23 mins
  • Mayor Cherelle Parker recruits DC officials for Philly
    Jan 22 2025

    Here’s a full breakdown of the episode: *Note: this interview was conducted before the inauguration of Donald Trump*

    00:30 – Why Mayor Parker made the trip to DC in person

    1:46 – Parker’s recruitment plan

    2:19 – Recruiting Biden officials after Trump won Pennsylvania

    3:16 – New ideas for Philly

    4:34 – How Philly is preparing for the Trump administration

    6:05 – Meeting with Trump and his team

    7:35 – Philadelphia and Trump’s immigration plan

    9:28 – Is Philadelphia still a sanctuary city?

    11:07 – Recruiting the Biden library for Philly

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    13 mins
  • Pa. AG Dave Sunday talks opioid epidemic, Krasner, Trump, recreational pot, abortion and more
    Jan 21 2025

    Here’s a full breakdown of the episode.

    00:26 – What Pennsylvanians will notice about AG Dave Sunday

    1:23 – Opioid epidemic in Kensington

    3:31 – Relationship with Philly DA Larry Krasner

    6:33 – SEPTA’s special prosecutor

    9:13 – The Trump administration and immigration

    12:58 – Listening to everyone

    13:34 – Recreational marijuana in Pennsylvania

    16:57 – Abortion laws in Pennsylvania

    18:10 – Mental health in Pennsylvania

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    21 mins
  • A day on Capitol Hill: Battleground Politics talks with the region’s new members of Congress
    Jan 16 2025

    Interview with U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (R-Pennsylvania)

    Rep. Mackenzie represents Pennsylvania’s 7th congressional district which includes Carbon, Lehigh and Northampton counties and parts of Monroe County.

    00:43 – Initial uncertainty over speaker of the House

    1:19 – How things will go with a slim GOP majority

    2:15 – Balancing working with GOP, Trump and representing a “purple” district

    3:39 – What Congress could do to help prevent another tragedy like the New Orleans attack

    Interview with U.S. Rep. Sarah McBride (D-Delaware)

    Rep. McBride made history as the first openly transgender member of Congress.

    5:45 – First day on the job

    6:33 – Lowering costs for families

    7:52 – Making history as the first openly transgender member of Congress

    8:44 – Handling legislation related to the transgender community

    10:14 – Improvements in having difficult conversations

    11:05 – Legislation she plans to introduce

    Interview with Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Delaware)

    Sen. Rochester is the first woman and first African American to represent Delaware in both chambers of Congress.

    11:45 – How it feels to be a U.S. senator

    12:38 – Legacy of the Biden-Harris administration

    14:50 – Opportunities amid Trump administration, GOP-controlled Congress

    16:23 – The meaning and family history of her scarf

    Interview with Sen. Andy Kim (D-New Jersey)

    Sen. Kim is the first Asian American senator from New Jersey.

    17:58 – Excitement over serving New Jersey

    18:24 – How it feels being a senator rather than a congressman

    19:17 – The environment of the Senate

    20:22 – Working with the Trump administration

    21:37 – H-1B visas

    22:58 – Deadly New Orleans attack and preventing future tragedies

    25:00 – Reflecting on the Jan. 6 attack

    Interview with U.S. Rep. Herb Conaway (D-New Jersey)

    Rep. Conaway represents New Jersey’s 3rd congressional district which includes parts of Burlington, Mercer and Monmouth counties.

    26:58 – Representing New Jersey

    27:25 – Working as a Democrat in a GOP-controlled Congress

    29:42 –Rep. Conaway’s background in the medical field

    30:15 – Thoughts on President-elect Trump’s health care team

    31:42 – Working with the Trump administration

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    33 mins