Dan Shafer
@danshafer.bsky.social
Founder of The Recombobulation Area. Political Editor, Civic Media. 18x Milwaukee Press Club award winner. Exhausted Dad. BUCKS FAN.
It’s time for our THANKSGIVING WEEK SALE!
IT’S 40% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS!
www.therecombobulationarea.news/p/its-time-f...
IT’S 40% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS!
www.therecombobulationarea.news/p/its-time-f...
It's time for our annual Thanksgiving Week Sale!
Subscribe now for 40% off and help support local, independent journalism covering Milwaukee and Wisconsin. In these discombobulating times, we could all use a little recombobulation.
www.therecombobulationarea.news
November 26, 2025 at 12:19 AM
It’s time for our THANKSGIVING WEEK SALE!
IT’S 40% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS!
www.therecombobulationarea.news/p/its-time-f...
IT’S 40% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS!
www.therecombobulationarea.news/p/its-time-f...
The streetcar is mediocre, but low stakes. The highway expansion is a bloated, hulking boondoggle. But the real transportation issue we should be confronting in the Milwaukee metro is that the bus system is headed toward a "death spiral." www.therecombobulationarea.news/p/the-highwa...
The highway and the streetcar (and what we're missing)
As highway widening gets unceremoniously underway and the latest streetcar debate goes in another circle, the bus system and looming cuts to key routes seems left behind.
www.therecombobulationarea.news
November 24, 2025 at 5:14 PM
The streetcar is mediocre, but low stakes. The highway expansion is a bloated, hulking boondoggle. But the real transportation issue we should be confronting in the Milwaukee metro is that the bus system is headed toward a "death spiral." www.therecombobulationarea.news/p/the-highwa...
Hey you. Yeah, you. Subscribe to The Recombobulation Area: www.therecombobulationarea.news/subscribe
Subscribe to The Recombobulation Area
Dan Shafer's award-winning political opinion column and online publication on the discombobulating politics of Milwaukee and Wisconsin. The Recombobulation Area is part of the Civic Media network. Cli...
www.therecombobulationarea.news
November 24, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Hey you. Yeah, you. Subscribe to The Recombobulation Area: www.therecombobulationarea.news/subscribe
Guardian: '‘Friends end up blocking you’: Northwestern Mutual sold college grads a dream job. They left in ruin and debt':
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
‘Friends end up blocking you’: Northwestern Mutual sold college grads a dream job. They left in ruin and debt
Expecting to be financial advisers at the Fortune 500 firm, some hires say they were ‘gaslit’ into peddling ‘terrible’ life insurance to all their contacts
www.theguardian.com
November 24, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Guardian: '‘Friends end up blocking you’: Northwestern Mutual sold college grads a dream job. They left in ruin and debt':
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
That’s right
November 22, 2025 at 1:28 PM
That’s right
The Holiday Folk Fair International rules, the food is amazing, I’ve been here an hour and already had Ugandan, Mexican and Korean, and some Polish beer. Would recommend.
November 22, 2025 at 1:46 AM
The Holiday Folk Fair International rules, the food is amazing, I’ve been here an hour and already had Ugandan, Mexican and Korean, and some Polish beer. Would recommend.
Joining @jmatenaer.bsky.social and @iamgregbach.bsky.social NOW to recombobulate on "Matenaer On Air," tune in!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7UD...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7UD...
Matenaer On Air LIVE - Friday, November 21st
YouTube video by Civic Media
www.youtube.com
November 21, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Joining @jmatenaer.bsky.social and @iamgregbach.bsky.social NOW to recombobulate on "Matenaer On Air," tune in!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7UD...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7UD...
November 21, 2025 at 2:30 PM
I’m not really sure yet what to make of the Bucks record-wise, with the injuries and all, but the biggest development of the season so far to me is The Ryan Rollins Breakout. He is legit.
November 21, 2025 at 3:42 AM
I’m not really sure yet what to make of the Bucks record-wise, with the injuries and all, but the biggest development of the season so far to me is The Ryan Rollins Breakout. He is legit.
NEW: Beyond the hulking highway widening boondoggle and the endlessly circular streetcar debate lies the real problem in southeastern Wisconsin's bleak transportation landscape.
Let's recombobulate: www.therecombobulationarea.news/p/the-highwa...
Let's recombobulate: www.therecombobulationarea.news/p/the-highwa...
The highway and the streetcar (and what we're missing)
As highway widening gets unceremoniously underway and the latest streetcar debate goes in another circle, the bus system and looming cuts to key routes seems left behind.
www.therecombobulationarea.news
November 20, 2025 at 10:25 PM
NEW: Beyond the hulking highway widening boondoggle and the endlessly circular streetcar debate lies the real problem in southeastern Wisconsin's bleak transportation landscape.
Let's recombobulate: www.therecombobulationarea.news/p/the-highwa...
Let's recombobulate: www.therecombobulationarea.news/p/the-highwa...
As an alt rock dipshit, there are two seasons: Smashing Pumpkins (fall, winter) and Red Hot Chili Peppers (spring, summer).
November 20, 2025 at 9:25 PM
As an alt rock dipshit, there are two seasons: Smashing Pumpkins (fall, winter) and Red Hot Chili Peppers (spring, summer).
Many local governments across Wisconsin have, in recent years, been turning to a "wheel tax" to fund road construction or other transportation services at the local level.
It's yet another indicator that the state is not adequately funding local government. (1/2)
It's yet another indicator that the state is not adequately funding local government. (1/2)
November 17, 2025 at 11:37 PM
Many local governments across Wisconsin have, in recent years, been turning to a "wheel tax" to fund road construction or other transportation services at the local level.
It's yet another indicator that the state is not adequately funding local government. (1/2)
It's yet another indicator that the state is not adequately funding local government. (1/2)
good morning, fellow parents
November 15, 2025 at 12:47 PM
good morning, fellow parents
Reposted by Dan Shafer
Be bold in your vision and actions.
Speak plainly and tell the truth.
Show up in real, authentic ways.
Get to know folks.
And fight like hell for them.
It’s really not that complicated.
Speak plainly and tell the truth.
Show up in real, authentic ways.
Get to know folks.
And fight like hell for them.
It’s really not that complicated.
NEW from @emtseffos.bsky.social: "I’m proud to be a Democrat. But I’m also furious. Furious at the complacency, the calculation, and the careerism that treats politics like a game...while people’s lives hang in the balance."
Let's recombobulate:
www.therecombobulationarea.news/p/democrats-...
Let's recombobulate:
www.therecombobulationarea.news/p/democrats-...
Democrats' complacency is not cutting it. We need to crawl underneath and fix what’s broken.
"I’m proud to be a Democrat. But I’m also furious. Furious at the complacency, the calculation, and the careerism that treats politics like a game...while people’s lives hang in the balance."
www.therecombobulationarea.news
November 14, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Be bold in your vision and actions.
Speak plainly and tell the truth.
Show up in real, authentic ways.
Get to know folks.
And fight like hell for them.
It’s really not that complicated.
Speak plainly and tell the truth.
Show up in real, authentic ways.
Get to know folks.
And fight like hell for them.
It’s really not that complicated.
NEW from @emtseffos.bsky.social: "I’m proud to be a Democrat. But I’m also furious. Furious at the complacency, the calculation, and the careerism that treats politics like a game...while people’s lives hang in the balance."
Let's recombobulate:
www.therecombobulationarea.news/p/democrats-...
Let's recombobulate:
www.therecombobulationarea.news/p/democrats-...
Democrats' complacency is not cutting it. We need to crawl underneath and fix what’s broken.
"I’m proud to be a Democrat. But I’m also furious. Furious at the complacency, the calculation, and the careerism that treats politics like a game...while people’s lives hang in the balance."
www.therecombobulationarea.news
November 14, 2025 at 8:44 PM
NEW from @emtseffos.bsky.social: "I’m proud to be a Democrat. But I’m also furious. Furious at the complacency, the calculation, and the careerism that treats politics like a game...while people’s lives hang in the balance."
Let's recombobulate:
www.therecombobulationarea.news/p/democrats-...
Let's recombobulate:
www.therecombobulationarea.news/p/democrats-...
NEW: @jmatenaer.bsky.social is retiring next month, so we sat down to reflect on her remarkable 40+ year career in radio — from her first time behind a mic, to the "Packarena," to hosting her own show on @civicmedia.us and much more.
Feature story and video links below. Let's recombobulate.
Feature story and video links below. Let's recombobulate.
November 12, 2025 at 9:00 PM
NEW: @jmatenaer.bsky.social is retiring next month, so we sat down to reflect on her remarkable 40+ year career in radio — from her first time behind a mic, to the "Packarena," to hosting her own show on @civicmedia.us and much more.
Feature story and video links below. Let's recombobulate.
Feature story and video links below. Let's recombobulate.
Is the Wisconsin State Senate a Lean D or Likely D?
Considering the Democratic overperformance basically everywhere last night, you have to think the potential of a Democratic trifecta in Wisconsin in 2026 has become just a bit more likely.
November 5, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Is the Wisconsin State Senate a Lean D or Likely D?
Considering the Democratic overperformance basically everywhere last night, you have to think the potential of a Democratic trifecta in Wisconsin in 2026 has become just a bit more likely.
November 5, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Considering the Democratic overperformance basically everywhere last night, you have to think the potential of a Democratic trifecta in Wisconsin in 2026 has become just a bit more likely.
Here's today's edition of Civic Media Today: civicmediatoday.substack.com/p/civic-medi...
Civic Media Today: Virginia company doubles land request for Dane County data center
Company behind Madison area data center seeks additional land, seniors push for better nursing Wisconsin home care, hunters urged to donate deer. Plus: Patriotic Millionaires visit “Matenaer On Air.”
civicmediatoday.substack.com
November 4, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Here's today's edition of Civic Media Today: civicmediatoday.substack.com/p/civic-medi...
BIG NEWS: After 44 years behind the microphone, @jmatenaer.bsky.social, host of @civicmedia.us's "Matenaer On Air, is announcing today that she is retiring next month.
"I am so proud to finish up my career at this incredible network."
"I am so proud to finish up my career at this incredible network."
November 3, 2025 at 4:51 PM
BIG NEWS: After 44 years behind the microphone, @jmatenaer.bsky.social, host of @civicmedia.us's "Matenaer On Air, is announcing today that she is retiring next month.
"I am so proud to finish up my career at this incredible network."
"I am so proud to finish up my career at this incredible network."
Heads up, folks: Big announcement today on “Matenaer On Air” … be sure to tune in on @civicmedia.us!
@jmatenaer.bsky.social @iamgregbach.bsky.social
@jmatenaer.bsky.social @iamgregbach.bsky.social
November 3, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Heads up, folks: Big announcement today on “Matenaer On Air” … be sure to tune in on @civicmedia.us!
@jmatenaer.bsky.social @iamgregbach.bsky.social
@jmatenaer.bsky.social @iamgregbach.bsky.social
I think the kids have reached an age where the morning of daylight savings time changes are no longer an immediate family crisis. Hallelujah!
November 2, 2025 at 4:51 PM
I think the kids have reached an age where the morning of daylight savings time changes are no longer an immediate family crisis. Hallelujah!
NEW: With Mandela Barnes flirting with another statewide run, it’s time for a reassessment of his last one, which was both overrated and underrated at the same time.
BARNES ‘22 REVISITED:
www.therecombobulationarea.news/p/barnes-22-...
BARNES ‘22 REVISITED:
www.therecombobulationarea.news/p/barnes-22-...
Barnes ‘22 Revisited
As Mandela Barnes flirts with another statewide campaign, it's worth reassessing his last one, which was both overrated and underrated at the same time.
www.therecombobulationarea.news
October 31, 2025 at 1:10 PM
NEW: With Mandela Barnes flirting with another statewide run, it’s time for a reassessment of his last one, which was both overrated and underrated at the same time.
BARNES ‘22 REVISITED:
www.therecombobulationarea.news/p/barnes-22-...
BARNES ‘22 REVISITED:
www.therecombobulationarea.news/p/barnes-22-...
Josh Schoemann has no endorsements and is polling in the single digits after campaigning for six months in the Republican primary. What even is this campaign? www.therecombobulationarea.news/i/177588248/...
October 30, 2025 at 8:58 PM
Josh Schoemann has no endorsements and is polling in the single digits after campaigning for six months in the Republican primary. What even is this campaign? www.therecombobulationarea.news/i/177588248/...