Tony Bruno is in for Greg Stocker, and we open with the overnight shocker in Wisconsin: Francesca Hong loses to David Crowley after entering the Democratic gubernatorial primary as the heavy favorite. We preview the day’s other big threads, including falling homicide numbers, Hasan Piker, federal funding for gender procedures involving minors and the WNBA controversy surrounding Sophie Cunningham. Dawn then turns to Philadelphia and Pennsylvania news with Janet Klein’s death, the Billy Schmidt case, Cheltenham High School’s hazing scandal, the Harrisburg child-abuse arrests and Dave Sunday’s TikTok lawsuit.
Phil takes us through the Phillies’ 2-0 loss to St. Louis after six scoreless innings from Cristopher Sánchez, then the crew riffs on the newly released NBA prime-time slate and the Sixers’ early-season matchups. The Big Take follows with falling homicide and robbery numbers from major cities, a broader argument over law enforcement and Philadelphia crime, and pointed criticism of Larry Krasner. The national decline in homicides is backed by fresh midyear reporting showing another sharp drop across major cities.
The Big Take shifts to artificial intelligence as Bernie Sanders asks major technology companies to pause development, John Fetterman argues America must stay ahead of China, and we question automated 911 calls, Waymo mishaps and self-driving SEPTA buses. The final piece turns toward midterm forecasts and whether Hong’s Wisconsin loss signals trouble for socialist candidates outside friendly districts. Dawn and Tony then join Nick for a Philadelphia-centered debate over crime, the border, Krasner, Cherelle Parker, Kevin Bethel, Dave Sunday and Josh Shapiro before Milwaukee’s USB issue becomes the final twist of the hour.
Aug 12, 2026
