The Kathleen Dunn Show

A new in-depth book from a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist covers the long arc of Donald Trump's career, from his boyhood days in Queens, New York, to his rise to the White House.

The author of a new biography on Robert F. Kennedy says today's Democrats would be wise to take on a progressive agenda like Kennedy did in the '60s. He also talks about his latest research into Joseph McCarthy and his red scare investigations.

The alleged connections between Donald Trump's presidential campaign and Russian officials in the lead up to the election continues to be the story that won't go away. The president's executive order on immigration doesn't appear to be fading from the headlines either. One of the editors of The National Journal reflects on the Trump administration's first month in office, including the extraordinary amount of leaks coming out of the White House, the latest cabinet confirmations and the ongoing animosity between the commander-in-chief and the media.

A local author joins us to discuss his sensitive and also humorous memoir of caring for his father suffering from dementia. The book is "And Good Night to All the Beautiful Young Women; A Tale of Episodic Dementia".

A Georgetown history professor is out with a new book, "War Against War: The American Fight for Peace, 1914-1918," that chronicles the untold story of the movement that came close to keeping the United States out of World War I. One of the lawmakers who led the charge against American intervention was none other than Wisconsin's own Robert La Follette.

Child care costs in the U.S. have skyrocketed. In 33 states, including Wisconsin, it’s now more expensive to send a child to day care than to college. At a whopping $10,000 a year, child care gobbles up one-fifth of a median household’s income and 60 percent of household budgets on minimum wage. A professor of social work and a state lawmaker look at impacts of and solutions to this issue that’s affecting so many families.

Michael Flynn resigned from his post late Monday as President Donald Trump's national security adviser for allegedly consulting with the Russian ambassador to the United States about the sanctions ordered by President Obama, and for misleading officials inside the White House, including Vice President Mike Pence. The latest reporting alleges that the Trump administration knew about the incident for weeks. Reporters from The Washington Post and Politico offer the latest in the developing story.

Kathleen's guest has researched the history of sex and romance in modern America and found that although dating has changed significantly over the century, it has almost always stayed connected to work. "Labor Of Love: The Invention Of Dating" is the book we discuss.

Sunday marked the birthday of Abraham Lincoln, one of the country's greatest presidents and one of the all-time great orators in our political history. The Illinois state historian discusses the life and legacy of the nation's 16th president and why he remains as relevant as ever.

In today's America one in six are food insecure. That's nearly 50 million people who turn to things such as purchasing cheaper and often less nutritional foods, relying on food pantries and stealing or scavenging in order to keep themselves and their families fed. Pay-what-you-can restaurants and cafes have been popping up all over the world, including here in Milwaukee, to provide another option for those in need and for those who support them.

It sure looks like President Donald Trump's executive order on immigration is headed for a showdown at the U.S. Supreme Court. The Progressive's editor in chief joins us to discuss the latest ruling and how the upcoming fight to confirm Neil Gorsuch may influence how cases across the nation move forward. And we unpack Gov. Scott Walker's latest budget address and how it contrasts with his previous proposals.

What's the most significant historic event in your lifetime? That's the question Pew Research Center asked Americans recently and the survey results may surprise you. A historian joins us to shed light on each of these major moments in American history, and we hear from a variety of listeners who share their memories.

The former speechwriter for President George W. Bush wrote at length recently in The Atlantic that the preconditions are present in the country for President Donald Trump to create a kind of "empty democracy." In the piece, the neoconservative author writes, "If this were happening in Honduras, we'd know what to call it. But it's happening here instead, and so we are baffled."

President Trump's executive order to block refugees from seven predominantly Muslim countries has roiled American politics and sown confusion at airports and in communities. But the biggest toll may be on would-be refugees. In this hour, we hear stories of the families who have left everything behind to start a new life in Wisconsin.

Pesticides and other chemical agents have shown to negatively affect young brain functioning. A combination of emerging research and public health protections are helping children's brains stay healthy. But could that change if the Environmental Protection Agency rolls back certain environmental regulations?