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The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

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14th Annual Fighting Bob Fest to be Held This Weekend

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Wednesday, September 16, 2015   

MADISON, Wis. - It's become one of the largest grassroots progressive gatherings in the nation, and this weekend the 14th annual Fighting Bob Fest gets under way again.

The event kicks off Friday night with humorous skits and music at the Barrymore Theater in Madison, and all day Saturday at a new location, Breese Stevens Field in downtown Madison.

One of the speakers, Scot Ross, executive director of One Wisconsin Now, explained why he thinks the event has become so popular.

"Just the need and the want to take our country back from the corporate special interests that are doing so much harm in communities not just across Wisconsin but across the country," he said, "and a place where people can unapologetically talk about the need for progressive values, ideas and policies in the public debate."

Other speakers will include Russ Feingold, who is running against Ron Johnson to get his former U.S. Senate seat back; progressive commentators Ed Schultz and Jim Hightower; and political analyst John Nichols. The event also will feature workshops and breakout sessions on progressive topics.

The event is named for one of the state's best-known progressive politicians, "Fighting Bob" LaFollette, a former Wisconsin governor and U.S. senator. Ross said LaFollette's spirit still is alive in the Badger State.

"The progressive movement in Wisconsin continues to build upon its successes," he said. "That's not to say that there haven't been enormous challenges over the last five years. Certainly there has been an utter and complete absence of a lot of progressive policies on the state level. Now, that's not to say in communities across Wisconsin good work's not happening."

Ross said the event draws huge crowds of progressives, who get together to discuss ideas and share common values.

"They are always steadfast, they stay true to their values and they continue to press on in the face of adversity because that's what we have to do," he said. "Progressives are out there fighting for people who don't have a voice, and so now more than ever it's important that they stand up and they stand strong."

The Friday event at the Barrymore Theater starts at 7:30 p.m., and the fest runs from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday at Breese Stevens Field. More information about the event is available at fightingbobfest.org.


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