The Dawn Stensland Show

The Dawn Stensland Show

Dawn Stensland breaks down the local and cultural issues of the day. Interviewing all the top Newsmakers and taking your calls! Tune in 10 AM - 12 PM EST weekdays on Talk Radio 1210 WPHT; or on the Audacy app!

  1. 9h ago

    Dawn And Larry Mendte Clash Over GOP Midterm Strategy, Trump's Media Row, And White House Diplomacy

    We break down the stark contrast between strong economic indicators and historically weak consumer sentiment on The Dawn Stensland Show. Joined by economist Dr. Michael Bussler, Dawn analyzes how $4 gas, high energy prices driven by the ongoing Iran conflict, and mortgage rates hovering near 8% continue to crush household morale despite 5% third-quarter GDP projections and jobless claims near 50-year lows. The crew examines whether Iran is deliberately delaying peace negotiations until after the November elections, while Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent highlights over one million private-sector jobs created alongside reductions in the federal workforce. Larry Mendte calls in to join Dawn in dissecting President Donald Trump’s high-stakes diplomacy with Chinese President Xi Jinping in New York City, including talks on "super intelligence" AI, trade extensions, and the quiet return of panda diplomacy. The conversation turns fiery as Dawn and Larry debate Trump’s sudden White House meeting with Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani regarding the 180-acre Sunnyside Rail Yard housing project in Queens. Larry questions whether aligning with Mamdani so close to the midterms hurts Congressional Republicans, while Dawn defends Trump’s pragmatic, businessman-first approach to solving the regional housing crisis. Dawn and Larry debate the White House’s decision to pull credentials for news outlets like CNN, Politico, and MSNOW, and what the temporary judicial reinstatement means for press access. The show closes with breaking legal news from the Supreme Court, as the justices allow the Trump administration to move forward with its revamped SAVE federal voter eligibility database. Plus, Dom Giordano drops in to preview his upcoming coverage of local Philadelphia politics, regional election integrity battles, and the latest scandals unfolding in New Jersey state government.

  2. 1d ago

    Eagles Parking Price Shock, Sleeveless Courtroom Scandals, And Trump’s High-Stakes White House Summit

    Dawn opens with the latest outrage hitting local sports culture as Eagles tailgaters face sudden parking price hikes up to $300 and strict new parking rules right before the season starts. We react to fans forming unions to protect their traditions and break down how forcing tailgaters into assigned spots ruins the entire game-day experience. We also jump into the wild viral moment of a driver crashing through a supermarket store, along with the bizarre social media aftermath of a 32-year-old defense attorney getting called out by a judge over her sleeveless courtroom dress. Linda Kearns joins the studio to offer expert legal insight on courtroom decorum, highlighting why lawyers should focus on their legal arguments rather than chasing attention on social media. We discuss the boundaries of judicial discretion, funny stories of litigants showing up in outrageous outfits, and why broadcasting court spats on the internet usually backfires. State Senator Tracy Pennycuick also steps in during Suicide Prevention Month to discuss critical efforts targeting veteran mental health, combat stress, PTSD, and expanding support systems for first responders across Pennsylvania. We carry live coverage of President Donald Trump hosting Chinese leader Xi Jinping at the White House for high-stakes talks on trade, artificial intelligence, and international relations. Dawn and Linda examine the optics of the high-profile summit, breaking down everything from seating arrangements and tie choices to the ongoing debate surrounding White House press pass revocations. Plus, we dive into the wild legal drama surrounding former Senator Kyrsten Sinema, her former bodyguard, and a $200,000 trail of property destruction.

  3. 2d ago

    Eagles Tailgate Parking Nightmare, Melania’s Big Stock Exchange Move, And Rich Zeoli’s Utah Closet Secret

    Dawn opens the hour with the new restrictions and price hikes hitting Eagles fans tailgating at the Sports Complex, reacting to the city’s changes that have tailgaters dragging grills across parking lots. We dive into First Lady Melania Trump ringing the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange to launch her brand-new Imperia Network. Dawn breaks down Melania’s powerful message on women as the backbone of the economy, her global Fostering the Future initiative, and why the administration’s focus on private enterprise is making real waves. Rich Zeoli joins Dawn in the studio to swap stories from their eleven years working together on WPHT, including the time Rich had to broadcast a show from a Utah closet with a baby in his arms while interviewing Ivanka Trump. We react to Kamala Harris’s viral comments on media access, debate the political fallout of rising gas prices tied to the Iran situation, and share a laugh over Judge Judy’s fiery defense of American capitalism and traditional values. We get into local issues across the region, from the nor'easter coastal flood warnings hitting South Jersey and Delco to the debate over AI data centers popping up in New Jersey towns. Dawn also takes aim at the Shapiro administration’s state health code language changes regarding pregnancy, while previewing President Trump’s high-stakes greeting of Chinese President Xi Jinping.

  4. 4d ago

    Ed Sheeran’s Woke Friends Abandon Him In Philly As Surge Philly Confronts Anti-Israel Protesters

    Dawn opens the show with full coverage of Ed Sheeran’s dramatic, emotional performance at Lincoln Financial Field, detailing her date night with husband Larry Mendte and how Sheeran stood alone after his industry peers abandoned him over the firing of opening act Macklemore. We dive deep into the cultural impact of his mid-concert breakdown and his message of unity, contrasting the crowd’s positive energy with the radical backlash online. We also highlight the local premiere of the docuseries Bucks County USA, examining how school board battles, parent activists like Arthi Martino, and pandemic-era politics exposed severe ideological divides across the region. Surge Philly’s Frank Scales and Ian McGinnis join the studio to break down their intense field reporting outside the stadium, where anti-Israel demonstrators formed physical human walls, blew air horns, and smashed their equipment. Frank and Ian share raw footage of the confrontation with Swarthmore-linked organizers and transit police, analyzing why these professional agitators target cultural events to hijack public attention. Dawn commends the Philadelphia Police Department and Civil Affairs officers for maintaining a perimeter while calling out the aggressive tactics used to silence alternative press. The crew tackles President Trump’s sudden decision to yank White House hard credentials from CNN, MS NOW, and Politico, framing the move around his upcoming high-stakes summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping and First Lady Peng Liyuan. Dawn reacts to the immediate legal challenges filed by the networks while arguing Trump is setting boundaries against hostile press framing ahead of critical international trade talks. Finally, Dom Giordano teases his upcoming segment with local activist Meg Brock on the IRRC public health regulation fight to close out the broadcast.

  5. Sep 18

    Shapiro Uses RFK Jr. As Cover To Bypass The Legislature And Reclaim Emergency Powers

    We open Friday on The Dawn Stensland Show breaking down Governor Josh Shapiro's high-profile appearance on national television, where he slams RFK Jr. over recent measles outbreaks in Pennsylvania. We expose how the administration appears to be using the topical frenzy around measles as cover to quietly push through sweeping new Department of Health regulations through the Independent Regulatory Review Commission. Dr. Beth Ann Rosica joins us to unpack the 500-page regulatory proposal that would bypass the state legislature, allow unannounced state visits to schools and private homes without a warrant, and strip away vital parental rights under the guise of public health management. We react to the ongoing fallout from the Lindsay Clancy murder trial and the behavior of activism-driven jurors. We look at the brave stance taken by Michael, the sole holdout juror, who refused to succumb to pressure from woke peers looking to use a horrific family tragedy as a platform for social messaging. Rich Zeoli drops by the studio to dissect how the media, defense attorneys, and activist jurors are trying to rewrite legal standards, while also warning about the chilling effect this behavior has on future juries and the rule of law. The crew turns to local news and lighter weekend moments, starting with Paul Martino’s Bucks County docu-series premiere getting abruptly canceled by Bucks County Community College following political pressure and security inquiries. Rich and Dawn weigh in on the First Amendment implications when public institutions silence local conservative voices. We wrap up with Dawn’s upcoming date night at the Ed Sheeran concert, Miller Lite debates, sauna etiquette hot takes, and a preview of Rich Zeoli’s upcoming live broadcast event in Cape May

  6. Sep 17

    Protecting The EITC, Fighting Government Fraud, And Celebrating Constitution Day In Philly

    We open this segment of The Dawn Stensland Show breaking down the national economic picture following President Trump’s North Carolina rally. We examine Trump’s calls for significantly lower interest rates and his arguments regarding trade deficits and international credit standing. Stockton University professor Dr. Michael Bussler joins us to put the financial numbers into perspective, explaining how ongoing international conflicts impact global energy prices, fuel inflation, and drive mortgage rates up. We also analyze newly released Census data highlighting real median household income growth alongside historically low child poverty metrics across the nation. Dawn shifts the focus home to Pennsylvania to tackle the hyper-local issues hitting our wallets, starting with skyrocketing energy bills. We detail how Pennsylvanians are forced to subsidize flawed policies from neighboring states, inflating monthly utility expenses across the Commonwealth. The crew reacts to crucial state Senate races, the fight to preserve private and Catholic school access through the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC), and the expanding legal scrutiny surrounding Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner. Plus, we highlight recent bipartisan action in Congress establishing a permanent fraud enforcement division to stop the fleecing of taxpayer dollars. Dr. Robert Malone joins Dawn to dissect the public health messaging around Pennsylvania’s reported measles outbreak. We examine the media narrative, the political motivations driving fear campaigns, and the potential regulatory power plays quietly moving through state commissions. Finally, Dr. Malone shares practical self-sufficiency insights from his book, Homesteading for Health, detailing how local regenerative farming and direct-to-consumer agriculture can restore supply chain independence. We close out the hour celebrating Philadelphia’s rich history on Constitution Day and reflecting on the unique legacy of our region.

  7. Sep 16

    DA Larry Krasner Facing Criminal Charges? Dawn Explains District Judge’s Scathing 40-Page Order

    Dawn opens the hour breaking down the latest census data showing record-high U.S. household median income alongside wage growth for African American households and women. We preview the Federal Reserve meeting as central bank officials gather and Kevin Warsh faces intense focus surrounding Donald Trump’s nominee picks. Plus, we jump into the breaking national scandal surrounding Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner after U.S. District Judge Paul Diamond issued a scathing 40-page opinion referring Krasner to the federal prosecutor for allegedly lying in court to overturn murder convictions. Veteran Fox News anchor and author Trace Gallagher joins the show to discuss his new book, Turns Out They Were Right All Along. Trace shares incredible stories from his life, including learning fundamental preparation lessons from legendary UCLA basketball coach John Wooden, his surprising former career as a professional stunt water skier, and his take on how independent content creators like Nick Shirley are reshaping investigative journalism. We also react to the newest local political turmoil as venture capitalist Paul Martino stops by to reveal the exclusive story behind why Bucks County Community College suddenly canceled the local premiere of the new PBS docuseries Bucks County, USA. Linda Kearns joins the crew for "Linda Wednesday" to break down the legal steps of DA Krasner’s potential disbarment and federal indictment process. We wrap up with a sharp, hilarious critique of popular television shows like The Pit and Reacher. We call out forced political messaging, outrageous Hollywood depictions of federal law enforcement, and laughable attempts at Philadelphia pop-culture references like buying clothes at "Wei Wei."

Ratings & Reviews

4.6
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

Dawn Stensland breaks down the local and cultural issues of the day. Interviewing all the top Newsmakers and taking your calls! Tune in 10 AM - 12 PM EST weekdays on Talk Radio 1210 WPHT; or on the Audacy app!