The Defender

Meet The Teen Who Is Suing Wisconsin Over Climate Change

The science supporting climate change has long been settled, but progress remains painfully slow. Especially here in Wisconsin, where we have laws on the books that are actively helping to keep fossil fuels burning here. But maybe not for long. In this episode meet one of 15 kids who is suing our state over climate change. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guests: Madeleine Bohn, Wisconsin High School Student Skylar Harris, Attorney, Midwest Environmental Advocates

Chaos Theory: Stopping the all-out assault on our environment

On this episode, a look at the fallout from a rapid-fire dismantling of environmental protections, and what groups like Clean Wisconsin and so many others are doing to keep people safe. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Katie Nekola, Clean Wisconsin General Counsel Resources For You:  Economic Impacts of the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" Energy Provisions on Wisconsin Clean Wisconsin Sues EPA Over Repeal Of Climate Protections    

The Truth About Grassfed Beef

What makes the food you eat healthy? Turns out it's a pretty complicated question that goes way beyond the four food groups. In this episode, Amy visits Starry Nights Farm in Burlington to learn about some groundbreaking research—involving beef raised right here in Wisconsin—that's changing the way we look at food and nutrition. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guests: Paul Maggio and Marisa Wiewall, Starry Nights Farm Resources for You: Nutritional Comparisons Between Grass-Fed Beef and Conventional Grain-Fed Beef Defining Nutrient Density in Beef Starry Nights Farm Defender Episode 57: Wisconsin's Forbidden Fruit Defender Episode 45: Cows, Tall Grass and Wind Turbines

How Superior WI Defeated a Gas Plant

Communities across Wisconsin are starting to push back when energy utilities come to town with big plans for big gas plants. But how do you turn opposition into victory? In this episode, Amy talks with the mayor of Superior about the city's long journey to defeat the Nemadji Trail Energy Center—the ugly gas plant with the pretty name. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Mayor Jim Paine, Superior, Wis. Resources for You: Under the Lens: The Truth About Natural Gas

The Nuclear Option

There is a lot of new excitement around nuclear energy these days, and no coincidence, it comes as we face staggering energy demands from AI data centers. Now, the Trump Administration is relaxing environmental and safety regulations for new nuclear reactors. In this episode, a look at what would happen to our environment - and our energy bills - if utilities race to meet AI demand by building more nuclear reactors. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Katie Nekola, General Counsel, Clean Wisconsin