Dawn Show For May 15 2026

Philly’s Own Joe DeFelice On How Opportunity Zones 2.0 Will Rebuild Blighted Communities

We hit the ground running on The Dawn Stensland Show with guest host Linda Kearns stepping in for Dawn to break down the deep fractures inside the Democratic Party. Alongside Ian McGuinness from Surge Media, we react to Senator John Fetterman being completely ostracized by his own peers despite voting with them up to 80% of the time. The crew analyzes how the political left frequently eats its own, comparing the phenomenon to historical shifts since the 2011 Occupy Wall Street movement. We stress the absolute necessity for conservatives to aggressively harness the power of social media and modern algorithms to push back against institutional bias and effectively reach the next generation of voters. We shift focus to the national housing crisis as Assistant Deputy Secretary and HUD Regional Administrator Joseph DeFelice joins the program. Joe details his massive summer push conducting roundtables across dozens of states to pinpoint exactly what is driving the housing affordability crisis at the community level. We look at the phenomenon of "golden handcuffs," where homeowners refuse to sell because they are locked into 2% or 3% interest rates and face a jump to 6% if they move. We look at how local zoning issues, permitting headaches, and an influx of out-of-state workers are squeezing inventory and driving up costs from the Lehigh Valley to West Virginia. We wrap up by diving into the mechanics of the newly rolling out Opportunity Zones 2.0, authorized under recent federal legislation. Joe explains how this program successfully redirects private capital into blighted, neglected communities to build market-rate housing, medical offices, and local retail centers without relying on taxpayer dollars. We celebrate Philadelphia’s unmatched local food culture, joke about the famous Eagles Santa Claus story, and talk about the upcoming 25th anniversary of September 11th as the station prepares to honor first-person accounts from that historic day.

The Ben Franklin Bridge Mystery, Biden’s Stage Confusion, And The Philly Fanatic "Fantastic Pad"

We open Monday with Linda Kearns sitting in for Dawn Stensland alongside producer Dan, tracking down a bizarre mystery keeping drivers guessing on the Schuylkill Expressway. After spotting highway signs warning that the Ben Franklin Bridge is set to close on July 2nd, the crew reacts to the absolute lack of information online from the Delaware River Port Authority regarding reopening times or detour specifics. We break down the frustration of everyday commuters navigating local transit blunders before shifting gears to a wild new Airbnb rental near Broad and South Street—a six-room apartment completely decked out in Philly Fanatic fur and green shag rugs that has the studio divided on cleanliness and mascot odors. The crew reacts to viral footage of Joe Biden appearing entirely lost and wandering around a stage at a Maryland Democratic Party gala, prompting a deep look into the tight choreography, red carpets, and Secret Service protocols that usually govern high-profile political events. Linda breaks down her personal experience speaking at a past Trump rally in Wilkes-Barre to illustrate how highly controlled these stages are, questioning why the current administration continues to allow these on-screen lapses. We also break down the breaking news of a major 5-4 Supreme Court decision upholding state laws that allow mail-in ballots to be counted if postmarked by election day, sparking a crucial debate about election integrity, ballot security, and the United States Postal Service's handling of mail processing. Ian McGuinness, co-founder of Surge Media, joins the studio to break down the reality of independent journalism on the streets and the left's attempt to control who gets to hold a microphone. We discuss his team's recent confrontations at the DC Pride Festival, including a viral moment where a protester demanded a "journalist ID" during a debate over voter ID laws, as well as an upcoming investigation into New York City pride organizers. The conversation wraps up with a critical look at political infighting, John Fetterman's recent Fox News appearances targeting local defiance of the Supreme Court, and a sharp debate regarding Donald Trump's targeted military operations in Iran versus his campaign promise of preventing foreign conflicts ahead of the upcoming midterms.

Inside The Hidden Battles Of Election Law: Why True Integrity Is Won In The Trenches

We break down the high-stakes world of election law as guest host Linda Kearns fills in on The Dawn Stensland Show. Joined by top election attorney Justin Riemer—leader of Restoring Integrity and Trust in Elections (RITE) and the Ulysses S. Grant Institute for the Study of Democracy—the crew exposes the tedious, in-the-weeds battles required to protect the vote. From a firsthand look at a chaotic Philadelphia polling place debacle to the critical need for permanent, bipartisan poll watchers, we highlight why election integrity is won yard-by-yard rather than through magic bullets. We also dive into the latest political shenanigans happening across the country, including a bizarre copycat candidate dispute in Alaska meant to confuse voters in a ranked-choice system. The discussion shifts to structural threats against our constitutional republic, analyzing why progressive pushes for a national popular vote and Supreme Court packing are deeply cynical power grabs. We check the foundational knowledge of the room with an official U.S. citizenship civics test, leading to a fiery debate on how current university settings and a lack of patriotic schooling are impacting the next generation. On the cultural side, the crew reacts to The Philadelphia Inquirer's newly released list of 76 iconic local songs, expressing collective outrage over the absolute snub of G-Love's classic anthem, "I-76." We wrap up the morning with a lively celebration of Elvis Presley’s cultural legacy, complete with listener trivia from the 1950s, a look at regional impersonator contests, and a debate on a classic movie-inspired summer matchup. Plus, a grateful listener calls in to share how conservative tax cuts are directly benefiting retirees across the region.

Healing Through Community: The Families Behind The Badge Children’s Foundation Rides For Fallen Heroes

The heart of the episode focuses on deeply personal community stories as Dawn brings Jasmine Hernandez, survivor and widow of fallen Philadelphia Police Sergeant Jamie Roman, onto the show. Jasmine shares an emotional look into her family's reality following her husband's tragic loss in the line of duty, shedding light on the quiet sacrifices that exist long after the news cameras leave. We highlight the incredible support structure provided by the Families Behind the Badge Children’s Foundation and preview the upcoming Ben to the Shore bike ride, where Team Roman will hit the road to ensure a dedicated father, husband, and officer is never forgotten. Longtime friend Mark O'Connor also stops by to share some classic, heartwarming stories about the ride's camaraderie, detailing the different mileage options that allow anyone in the community to participate, show up at the Atlantic City finish line, or sponsor the Wall of Heroes. Switching gears to national finance and local growth, Dawn checks the economic pulse of the country with Dr. Michael Bussler from Stockton University. Dr. Bussler delivers an optimistic analysis of the current market, pointing to historic highs in household wealth, booming retail sales, and a strong jobs report that signals robust future corporate profits. We analyze how the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz is driving down energy costs to slip under the four-dollar-a-gallon mark, providing direct relief to American consumers. Finally, the discussion celebrates the massive financial and cultural infusion hitting local cities as tens of thousands of international tourists pour in for the historic 250th anniversary celebrations and global sporting events, giving the American public a much-needed positive lift.

Linda Kearns Breaks Down The SAVE Act Flaws While Nick Witnesses A Highway Shooting

We open this episode of The Dawn Stensland Show breaking down the shocking new update from the UN nuclear agency confirming that inspectors will officially visit Iran's nuclear sites under the interim U.S. deal. Dawn slams the Philadelphia Inquirer for a shameful front-page digital investigation targeting the FOP police union over funeral expenses for a fallen officer. Our favorite attorney, the lovely Linda Kearns, joins the studio to call out this blatant media bias before diving deep into a bizarre Delaware court ruling that allows corporate entities to vote in local municipal elections based on property ownership. The crew reacts in real-time to a terrifying message from traffic reporter Nick, who witnessed an active road rage shooting right in front of him on I-76. Nick leaves a chilling voicemail detailing how a hotheaded driver pulled out a firearm, fired a shot at the vehicle next to him on the Schuylkill Expressway, and casually accelerated away. Dawn and Linda discuss the growing epidemic of highway aggression in Philadelphia, why Dawn refuses to honk or flash her lights at anyone anymore, and how new strict Pennsylvania laws against handling your phone at a stoplight are being enforced. Linda provides a masterclass on election integrity, detailing her federal court battles over messy voter rolls and explaining why a woman who pled guilty to voting twice in both Philadelphia and New Jersey was finally caught. We press into the technical realities of the SAVE Act, as Linda explains why the bill might not be the administrative fix people think it is due to non-standardized birth certificates across the country. Plus, we react to Donald Trump's latest Truth Social declaration of a national emergency over the housing bill, his viral mockery of his own soccer skills in shorts, and Mary Walter stops by to tease her upcoming segment exposing the elite Democrats who covered up Joe Biden’s cognitive decline.