This is the message that the Wisconsin Democratic Party is promoting ahead of the upcoming 2024 elections, and Ben Wikler, Chairman of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, joins the 8 O’Clock Buzz to talk about politics in the State.  It was obviously a big week in Wisconsin politics as Governor Tony Evers signed off on the redistricting maps which should bring about more representative elections.  With the previous gerrymandered maps Republicans running for the Wisconsin legislature had to concern themselves with winning primary elections pandering to the vocal minority and not be concerned with representing the population at large for the general elections.  That should all change now as the majestic maps were met with merry and mirth by many.

Image by Larisa from Pixabay

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No, this isn’t a new pop-punk band playing the local music scene, but rather the highly regarded minority leader of the Wisconsin State Assembly to talk about current events at the Capitol.  Greta Neubauer, 66thAssembly District, joins the Thursday edition of the 8 O’Clock Buzz to talk about current legislation being considered and the real possibility of fair elections in the upcoming political races.  Now that truly representative maps are in place there seems to be a slight improvement in bi-partisanship in the Assembly, because legislators will now be accountable to all voters and not to just a vocal minority.  Greta will continue to push for reproductive rights, adequate funding for public education, and support for workers’ rights.  Great goals Greta, go get’um.

Photo by Connor Betts on Unsplash

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With some warmer weather, this year the collaboration fundraiser between the Returning Peace Corps Volunteers – Madison (RPCVMadison.org) and the Open Doors for Refugees won’t live up to its “Freeze For Food” name. Kate Schachter from the RPCV talks about the event and the collaboration between these two groups. The event is scheduled for March 2, 2024 at Vilas Park starting around noon. Click here for information and registration.

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Attorney, Palestinian civil rights activist, and author of the book “Beyond the Two-State Solution”, Jonathan Kuttab, talks about the relationship of American evangelical Christian support for Israel, and how this support may be shaping the U. S. policy in the Middle East.

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Since its inception in 1952, the Wisconsin Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired has worked on the mission to enhance the lives of people with vision loss through advocacy, education, and vision services. Executive Director, Denise Jess, talks about their programs to change laws in the state, teach skills of orientation, navigation, and transportation, along with life-enhancing programs such as birding by ear, gallery visits, and more.

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Today on the Tuesday 8:00 Buzz with Tara Wilhelmi and Antoine McNeail, talking about love and romance in the shadow of Valentine’s Day.  From cooking to finance to what Black men really think is romantic, Tara and Antoine explore it all!

Coming up this weekend:

February 22nd – Madison Black Chamber of Commerce Awards Ceremony – https://www.madisonblackchamber.com/

February 23rd, join RR Moore for “Words Work Homecoming #2” spoken word at Intimate Affairs by Tarina in Beloit, WI

February 24th, join Antoine for his Black History Month Comedy Jam featuring Brandi Grayson and more at Wil-Mar Center!

March 6th, memorialize Tony Robinson at the McPike Park on the 9th anniversary of his murder at the hands of Madison Police.

Music playlist: https://spinitron.com/WORT/pl/18579881/Tuesday-8-O-Clock-Buzz 

Listen in Madison at 89.9FM or online anywhere at wortfm.org.  Support your community radio with a donation online at wortfm.org!

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Grace Olson, the Madison Central Library’s artist-in-residence from February through May, asks residents to think about what “family” means to them. Using a variety of collages and 3-D work, Olson will host a series of workshops exploring the worlds of family, home and craft.

Grace Olson is the newest artist-in-residence at the Madison Public Library‘s Bubbler . She came in to our studio to tell us more about her work.

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According to the Pew Research Center, U.S. Immigration Officials apprehended or expelled a record 250,000 would-be migrants at the U.S. Mexico border in December of 2023. The increase in border activity has fueled anti-immigrant rhetoric from the Republican Party, and prompted GOP members of the House of Representatives to impeach Department of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas.

But beyond all the rhetoric and political machinations in Washington, there is the daily, lived experience of migrants crossing deserts, jungles and rivers on foot with hopes of gaining entry to the United States.

David Canon, professor emeritus from the University of Wisconsin-Madison has just returned from an immersive trip to the U.S.-Mexico border sponsored by the nonprofit Border Servant Corps, and he joins host Brian Standing to share his experience.

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WORT 89.9FM Madison · UW professor Andrew Kydd explains the implications of Russian nuclear weapons in space

The National Security Council and the White House recently confirmed rumors that Russia is working on an orbital nuclear weapon designed to incapacitate satellite communications. Deployment of nuclear weapons in space is a breach of the 1967 Outer Space Treaty.

Andrew Kydd is a professor of political science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, who specializes in armed conflict, proliferation and weapons of mass destruction. His book, Trust and Mistrust in International Relations, won the 2006 Conflict Processes Best Book Award. Dr. Kydd joined us to explain the details of Russia’s activities and the implications for international security.

Photo courtesy of Raphaël L on Unsplash

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Many Afghans who helped the U. S., but who were unable to leave during the expedited evacuation of troops and Afghan nationals have gone into hiding from the Taliban. Kathy Kelly, peace activist, Nobel Peace Prize nominee, and organizer of Voices for Creative Non-Violence, talks about actions to resettle some of these individuals into communities in Portugal, with the help of grants from the A. J. Mustee Memorial Institute.

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