The Center for Media and Democracy (CMD) has been tracking the agendas and activities of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) for over ten years — a group designed to make state Republican legislators’ jobs easier, with pre-written conservative bills, including extreme anti-abortion, anti-voting, anti-public education, and other right-wing ideals. Research Director at CMD, David Armiak, talks about the recent annual meeting of ALEC.

The post CMD Exposes ALEC’s 2024 Annual Meeting appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

Today on the Too Turnt Up Tuesday 8:00 Buzz with Tara Wilhelmi featuring RR Moore and Lolo Lature, serious talk about policing and police reform, de-escalation, and working in and with the community in the wake of another high speed pursuit in Monona and the police shooting during the RNC in Milwaukee.

WORT Coverage of the Monona City Council removing their ban on high speed pursuit: https://www.wortfm.org/monona-police-will-lift-restrictions-on-pursuit-policy-in-wake-of-deadly-crash/

Events and More:

Coming up next week, representatives from Black Men’s Coalition of Dane County talking about their program to help people get training and credentials, and looking forward to more shows with community members and groups to talk.

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

The post Regular Voice Rausea from Around The Way appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

Good science fiction has always examined cultural, social and technological trends and offered alternative futures of how those trends might play out – sometimes as a hopeful promise, sometimes as a dire warning.

On August 6, the interdisciplinary Master of Science in Design + Innovation program at the University of Wisconsin – Madison looks to do some similar prospective introspection in a more academic context with an event entitled RE:FUTURE: Six Visions of Wisconsin.

Trudy Watt is the academic director of the Design + Innovation program and she joined Buzz host Brian Standing in the WORT studio.  Joining her was Creative Lead Coe Douglas.

Featured image courtesy of UW’s Design + Innovation program.

Studio photos and web posting by Nicholas Wootton

The post Re-Future Program Imagines Possible Futures For Our World appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

On July 9, 2024 the Environmental Protection Agency signed a new four-year collective bargaining agreement with the American Federation of Government Employees Council 238, which represents EPA scientists.

The agreement, which is timed to last beyond throughout the next President’s term, includes new provisions to protect scientific independence and integrity, the first of its kind in a union contract.

Nicole Cantello is President of AFGE Local 704, which represents EPA employees in the Upper Midwest. She joined the Eight O’Clock Buzz by phone to talk about the new agreement.

Featured image courtesy of the AFGE Local 704 website

Web posting by Nicholas Wootton

The post Federal Employee Union Wins Protections for EPA Scientists appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

Jennifer Loewenstein joins 8 O’Clock Buzz host Tony Castañeda to discuss the assassination of two of Hamas’ senior leaders in recent days, and how the killings may affect the ceasefire negotiations underway in the 10 month Israel-Gaza war.  One of those killed, Ismael Haniyeh, was seen as someone who could have signed a prisoner exchange deal with the Israelis, a key component of the ceasefire framework that had been proposed by mediators.

Jennifer Loewenstein is a human rights activist and freelance journalist. She was formerly (now retired) Associate Director of Middle Eastern Studies and Senior Lecturer at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Photo courtesy of 27308 on Pixabay.

The post Gaza Ceasefire Negotiations in Peril After Assassinations appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

Today on the Too Turnt Up Tuesday 8:00 Buzz with Tara Wilhelmi featuring RR Moore and Lolo Lature, talking about Vel Phillips legacy and making room for those coming next, plus lightening things up with talk galas and parties, and a bit of serious talk about finding yourself and your place.

More about the new Vel Phillips statue from WORT News: https://www.wortfm.org/vel-phillips-trailblazing-black-leader-honored-with-sculpture-on-capitol-square/

Events and More:

Today’s music: https://spinitron.com/WORT/pl/19308402/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!

The post Hold the Door for the Next One appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

If you’re looking for the romance of movies under the stars, but want something a bit different from the blockbuster action fare at the rural drive-ins, the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art’s Rooftop Cinema has you covered.  The new season screens every Thursday through September 5.  James Kreul, the hardest working film curator alive, joins us with a preview.

The post Rooftop Cinema Announces 2024 Season appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

Bats don’t have it easy these days.  The world’s only truly flying mammals, with almost supernatural sonar, acrobatic flying abilities that allow them to eat insects that would otherwise destroy billions of dollars of crops – even with all that, bats face global decline due to a variety of reasons.  Since 2006, a tiny fungus, pseudogymnoascus destructan, which causes White Nose Syndrome, has killed as many as 6.7 million bats worldwide.   The fungus attacks bats when they are hibernating in great numbers during the winter months, so it can spread quickly through populations, often resulting in 90% mortality.  Scientists have tried several ideas for treating bats, including ultraviolet light, but have yet to meet with much success.  A new study from the University of Wisconsin Madison offers a better understanding of how White Nose Syndrome happens, and provides hope for a cure.  Bruce Klein is a professor of pediatrics,medical microbiology and immunology at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.  Also joining us is PhD candidate Marcos Isidoro Ayza.

The post Hope for a Vaccine for White Nose Syndrome appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

Pity the poor election officials in Wisconsin.  Every election cycle, the state’s rules change regarding who can vote, how votes can be collected and who and what money local clerks can use to help run elections.  This year alone, the state passed a constitutional amendment forbidding local governments from using private grants to support ballot access and another amendment stating that only “designated election officials may perform tasks in the conduct of elections” – whatever that means.  Then the state Supreme Court reversed itself on the use of ballot dropboxes – they were legal, then they were illegal, now they’re legal again.  Votebeat Wisconsin reporter Alexander Shur joins us once again to explain how municipal clerks are trying to keep up.

The post New Rules Baffle Election Officials appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

Playing music that’s anything but typical, The New Mexican string band, Lone Piñon, is coming to the Sugar Maple Music Festival for a performance on Friday, August 2.  Jordan Wax from the band speaks with Tony Castañeda on the 8 O’Clock Buzz about the band’s music and influences.  Their wide spectrum of music involving fiddles, guitars, upright bass, accordian and bilingual vocals continues a tradition of incorporating traditional music passed down from their elders but also with a willingness to adapt to each new generation.  The Sugar Maple Music Festival will take place on Friday and Saturday, August 2-3, at W.G. Lunney Lake Farm County Park.  So practice your best grito and join in the fun.

Photo by Jacek Dylan on Unsplash

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