Breaking Battlegrounds

This week on Breaking Battlegrounds, Chuck Warren and Sam Stone are joined by Manhattan Institute Cities policy analyst Santiago Vidal Calvo and Washington Free Beacon editor and Middle East Forum junior fellow Alex Welz, plus a special radio edition of B's Corner true crime.
Santiago Vidal Calvo Born in Caracas and now leading the Manhattan Institute's Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) efforts, Santiago opens with an on-the-ground report from Venezuela following the capture of Maduro — including the first American Airlines flight back to Caracas in nearly a decade — and explains why Trump must press for elections in Venezuela before the U.S. midterms if his policy is to survive a potential shift in Congress. He walks through how government agencies have weaponized "privacy" exemptions and bureaucratic stonewalling to block public records requests, and why Manhattan Institute is willing to take these fights to court when ordinary citizens cannot. Santiago then breaks down his Daily Wire piece on New Jersey Transit's $150 train ticket from Penn Station to MetLife for the 2026 World Cup — versus a $60 Uber on the same route — and contrasts New Jersey's mismanagement with Kansas City's pro-tourism approach of expanded bar and restaurant hours. In the second segment, he unpacks Mayor Zohran Mamdani's "racial equity plan" and the redefinition of poverty in New York City through a $150,000 "true cost of living" benchmark — which conveniently labels two-thirds of the richest city in America as unable to afford it, justifying a massive expansion of government with 400 new indicators and 600 goals. Santiago argues the real diagnosis isn't race but housing supply, the rent freeze, and the cost of opening a business.
Follow Santiago on X: @SantiVidalC
B's Corner B brings the 1981 disappearance and murder of 6-year-old Adam Walsh from a Sears in Hollywood, Florida — a case that took 27 years to officially close, briefly entangled Jeffrey Dahmer as a suspect, and was ultimately tied to serial killer Ottis Toole. Out of unimaginable tragedy, Adam's father John Walsh launched America's Most Wanted, founded the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, and helped drive the creation of the Amber Alert system. The team also revisits the era of the Sears catalog and what that brand once meant to American life.
Alex Welz, an editor at the Washington Free Beacon and a junior fellow at the Middle East Forum with a master's in national security from the University of Haifa, walks through the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire, why disarming Hezbollah remains a generational challenge despite UN Resolution 1701 and the Taif Agreement. On Iran, Alex argues the regime turned out far less fragile than Venezuela-style optimists hoped, but ballistic missile capacity, the navy, and oil revenues have all been dramatically degraded, and the latest wave of protests could still force a fold. In the podcast segment, the conversation deepens and Alex shares his prediction for where Iran stands by November 2026.
Follow Alex on X: @WelzAlex
Catch Breaking Battlegrounds live on 960 AM in Phoenix every Saturday at 9:00 AM, with full episodes and exclusive podcast-only segments dropping every Friday wherever you get your podcasts or watch on Youtube.
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This week on Breaking Battlegrounds, we cover everything from Supreme Court power struggles and election reform to the Arizona governor's race and the policies shaping America's future.
We start with Robert McClure, President and CEO of the The James Madison Institute, who breaks down Florida's rising property taxes and the reforms being considered to rein in local government spending, including homestead exemptions, levy caps, and truth-in-taxation laws. He also discusses a proposal requiring 50% voter turnout for tax increases, the impact of Florida's SAVE Act on voter ID and election integrity, and how school choice policies are expanding opportunity while improving public education outcomes. You can follow Dr. McClure on X at https://x.com/drbobmcclure and learn more about his work at https://jamesmadison.org.
We're then joined in-studio by Andy Biggs, who is running for Governor of Arizona. Congressman Biggs discusses his campaign, Arizona's growing affordability challenges, water and resource concerns, and the need for accountability in government. He also weighs in on the recent Southern Poverty Law Center controversy, student debt policy, and what reforms he believes are needed to get the state back on track. Follow Congressman Biggs on X at https://x.com/RepAndyBiggsAZ (official) and https://x.com/andybiggs4az (campaign).
Next, Gary Gygi, President and CEO of Gygi Capital, joins the podcast to explain why the U.S. may be experiencing a "stealth manufacturing boom," with productivity and output rising despite fewer jobs in the sector. He also dives into global energy markets, the impact of international conflicts on oil prices, and what's ahead for tariffs and supply chains, including the evolving tariff-refund process. You can follow Gary on X at https://x.com/GaryGygi and learn more at https://gygicapital.com.
We also sit down with Mollie Hemingway, Editor-in-Chief of The Federalist, to discuss her new book, Alito: The Justice Who Reshaped the Supreme Court and Restored the Constitution. Mollie shares the inside story of Justice Samuel Alito's influence on the modern Supreme Court, including his role in major decisions like Dobbs, the internal dynamics among justices, and the increasing public pressure and threats facing the Court. She also explains the philosophy of originalism and how it contrasts with more activist approaches to constitutional interpretation. Follow Mollie on X at https://x.com/MZHemingway and check out her book here: https://www.amazon.com/Alito-Justice-Reshaped-Restored-Constitution/dp/1541607139.
We wrap things up with another wild installment of B's Corner, diving into a shocking true crime case out of Wisconsin involving disturbing charges that you won't believe.
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This week on Breaking Battlegrounds, we dive into the growing power struggle between Congress and the presidency, the future of the filibuster, and one of the most heated debates in sports today.
Jason Willick (Washington Post columnist) joins us to break down his latest piece on military funding and war powers. Should Congress use its power of the purse to limit how military force is used? We discuss the constitutional challenges, the failures of the War Powers Act, and why the current system may actually encourage rushed military decisions—especially when it comes to Iran.
X: https://x.com/jawillick Washington Post: https://www.washingtonpost.com/people/jason-willick/
In B's Corner, we tackle the tragic Athena Strand case and the broader debate around the death penalty, accountability, and whether justice in clear-cut cases should move faster.
Then, Dan McLaughlin (National Review) returns to discuss the filibuster, why both parties are tempted to eliminate it, and what that would mean for the balance of power in Washington. We also get into Trump's lasting political impact, the future of the GOP, and early 2028 speculation—including J.D. Vance and Marco Rubio.
X: https://x.com/baseballcrank National Review: https://www.nationalreview.com/author/dan-mclaughlin/
Finally, Kaylie Ray, former Utah State volleyball captain, shares her firsthand experience leading a team protest against competing against a biological male athlete. She discusses the physical and safety concerns for female athletes, her testimony before the Arizona Senate, and the backlash she faced for speaking out.
Kaylie Ray Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaylierayvb/
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Is America facing the consequences of bad policy? From mass migration out of high-tax states to rising concerns about crime, government overreach, and economic instability, this episode of Breaking Battlegrounds breaks down the biggest issues shaping the country right now. We're joined by top guests to unpack the real-world impact.
In this episode:
Chuck Flint – President & CEO of the Alliance for IRS Accountability, former Senate Chief of Staff We discuss the growing exodus from high-tax states like California, Washington, and Colorado, the failure of "tax the rich" policies, and why businesses and job creators are leaving. Flint also exposes massive government waste, fraud in federal programs, and the need for IRS accountability and fiscal reform. Follow Chuck Flint: https://x.com/ChuckAFlint Learn more: https://www.irsaccountability.org
Anna Giaritelli – Award-winning journalist covering DHS, ICE, and border policy Anna shares her powerful personal story from her new book Under Assault, discussing crime in America, victim advocacy, and the long-term impact of sexual assault. We also cover border security concerns, DHS funding issues, and national security risks. Follow Anna: https://x.com/Anna_Giaritelli Get her book Under Assault: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/under-assault-anna-giaritelli/1149678470?ean=9781969826344
👉 🚨 Giveaway alert: Check our Instagram on 4/11/26 at 9:30 AM AZ time for details! @BreakingBattlegrounds
Abigail Anthony – Staff Writer at National Review Abigail dives into her investigative reporting on Washington state's taxpayer-funded programs, raising concerns about discrimination, misuse of funds, and potential constitutional violations. She also discusses government fraud and free speech issues abroad. Follow Abigail: https://x.com/abigailandwords Read her work: https://www.nationalreview.com/author/abigail-anthony/
Gary Gygi – President & CEO of Gygi Capital Gary breaks down the economic outlook, including risks of recession, rising oil and gas prices, and the debate over "windfall" profit taxes. He shares insights on market trends and how investors should think about uncertainty in today's economy. Learn more: https://gygicapital.com
B's Corner We also discuss the latest developments in the Gilgo Beach serial killer case, including new details from a shocking plea deal.

This week on Breaking Battlegrounds, we're joined by three heavy-hitting voices breaking down media narratives, legal fights in Arizona, and what the data is really telling us about the political landscape heading into 2026.
Ken LaCorte, former Fox News executive and host of Elephants in the Room, joins us to unpack how mainstream narratives take hold, and why his fact-based YouTube documentaries are resonating with hundreds of thousands of viewers. From the complexities of America's historical decisions to today's evolving debates on Israel and Iran, Ken challenges conventional thinking and dives into the nuance often missing from modern discourse. Follow Ken on X: https://x.com/KenLaCorte Follow Elephants in the Room: https://x.com/Elephants_Rooms
Rodney Glassman, Candidate for Arizona Attorney General, returns to the show to break down the legal and political battles shaping Arizona today. From lawsuits against the Trump administration to rising utility costs and election law disputes, Rodney lays out what's at stake, and why leadership and real legal experience matter in the AG's office. Follow Rodney on X: https://x.com/rodneyglassman Learn more: https://rodneyglassman.com
Ryan Tyson, founder of The Tyson Group and one of the country's top political pollsters, joins us to separate perception from reality in today's polling environment. With new data on Trump's approval, voter sentiment on Iran, and key midterm trends, Ryan explains what campaigns should actually be paying attention to, and why affordability and quality-of-life issues will define 2026. Follow Ryan on X: https://x.com/ryan_tyson
From media narratives to legal showdowns to the numbers shaping the next election cycle—this episode covers it all.
Listen to Breaking Battlegrounds on your favorite podcast platform, Youtube, Rumble, or at BreakingBattlegrounds.vote Catch us live Saturdays at 9 AM on 960 The Patriot in Arizona