8 O'Clock Buzz

Since 2015, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has maintained a network of some 2,500 trail cameras equipped with motion detectors to discreetly observe wildlife across the state.  The project, called Snapshot Wisconsin, recently celebrated not only its tenth anniversary, but also the 100 millionth photo snapped during that time.  A hundred million photos is a lot to classify, and the DNR is looking for volunteers to help.  Christine Anhalt-Depies, Project Leader for the Wisconsin DNR Snapshot Wisconsin project stopped by the Monday 8 O’Clock Buzz to tell us more.

Featured image of buck looking at camera from Snapshot Wisconsin.

The post “Snapshot Wisconsin” Records 100 Millionth Wildlife Photo appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

The world is a terrible mess right now.  Climate change, government upheaval, warfare have many of us on edge and filled with anxiety about the future.  The University of Wisconsin-Madison Nancy M. Bruce Center for Design and Material Culture asked its Design and Innovation graduate students to contemplate the question, “what if everything turns out OK?”  The result is the exhibit “The Future Is…” on display now through August 10th at the Ruth Davis Design Gallery on the University of Wisconsin campus.  Coe Douglas, Creative Manager, Instructor Master of Science in Design + Innovation School of Human Ecology Welcome, Coe.  along with Masters of Design and Innovation candidates Quyen Tonnu and Egor Shalamov joined Monday Buzz host Brian Standing on August 4, 2025.

The post UW Exhibit Asks “What If Everything Turns Out OK?” appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

Under the U.S. Constitution, defendants in court have the right to understand the proceedings against them, to participate in their own defense, to consult with a lawyer and to question witnesses.  All of that becomes more complicated when defendants don’t speak the same language used in court.  In Wisconsin, about 3% of the resident population, or about 178,000 people, lack the English proficiency necessary to participate in a court hearing.  Federal and state law requires that counties provide interpreters for non-English speakers in court, but qualified interpreters are in short supply.  Wisconsin Assembly Bill 292, introduced by New Berlin representative Dave Maxey, would allow courts to use artificial intelligence, instead of human interpreters. Kevin Smith, Janesville Regional Attorney Manager for Wisconsin State Public Defenders joined the Monday Buzz on August 4, 2025.

Photo of Dane County Courthouse by Brian Standing for WORT News.

The post Wisconsin Considers Robot Interpreters in Court appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

Madison Comedy Week is back, bringing a full lineup of stand-up, sketch and improv to venues all over town. Tony’s guest on the Buzz this morning is Jake Snell, Executive Director of the event.

Running from August 3 – 9, this citywide celebration of humor features 25 standup, improv, music and themed variety shows from local up and comers and nationally touring pros. The Bur Oak, Comedy on State and 7 other venues throughout Madison will host events nightly. Tickets are sold separately for each show on Madison Comedy Week’s website.

Photo courtesy of Tumisu on Pixabay.

The post No Joke-Madison Comedy Week Is Back! appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

Join Tony and his guests Thursday, July 31 for a night of solidarity, music and community at the legendary Cardinal Bar, as they raise funds for the Community Immigration Law Center (CILC)-a vital nonprofit providing free and low-cost legal servies to immigrants across south-central Wisconsin.

Tony’s guests on the 8 O’Clock Buzz today are Grant Sovern, Dean Loumos and Gil Halstead who talk about CILC’s work on the frontlines of justice, helping individuals and families navigate an often confusing and high-stakes immigration system. In a time of shifting policies and heightened fear, CILC’s work brings stability, dignity and hope to those most vulnerable, regardless of status, income or language.

Date: Thursday, July 31, 2025

Come dance, donate and learn how you can support immigrant rights in our community, because everyone deserves a fair shot – and no one should face the immigration system alone.

Photo courtesy of Chad Stembridge on Unsplash.

The post You’re Invited: Fundraiser for the Community Immigration Law Cen... appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

With a goal to “protect all life from the devastation of nuclear weapons, climate change and environmental contamination”, Physicians for Social Responsibility of Wisconsin (PSRWI), along with 13 other activist groups, is commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings with a lantern building and float event, “Lanterns for Peace“. This family-friendly gathering invites our community to reflect, create, and commit to a future free from the threat of nuclear weapons. President Amy Schultz and Treasurer Ann Behrmann discuss the work their group is doing locally, and invite you to join with the community celebration on Wednesday, August 6, 6:30-8:30 PM at Tenney Park, John Wall Family Pavilion, 402 N. Thornton Ave, Madison, WI

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David Armiak, Research Director at the Center for Media and Democracy (CMD), talks about the recent annual meeting of ALEC, American Legislative Exchange Council, an “organization known for its closed-door development of right-wing model legislation.” In Armiak’s recent article “Who Funds ALEC?”, he details his research into the major donors, and talks about the underlying goals of this right-wing organization.

The post Who Funds ALEC? appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

Today on the too Turnt Up Tuesday 8:00 Buzz with Tara Wilhelmi and Antoine McNeail, Cupcake, A/K/A Atonye Adjei-Marsh joins us to tell her story and talk about the Pink Lemonade Party coming up on August 17th on the rooftop at Monona Terrace!.

Going on around town:

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The post She Threw Her First Party When She Was 9 and It Was Lit appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

For the past two decades, the University of Wisconsin’s Gilroy Life Science Laboratory has explored the interaction between plants and their environment.  The lab has explored how plants grow in outer space, including the effects of microgravity and radiation.  Recently, the Gilroy Lab has started exploring a more philosophical question:  can plants feel pain?  Simon Gilroy is a Professor of Botany at the University of Wisconsin and is the head of the Gilroy Lab.

The post Do Plants Feel Pain? appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

In late November and early December of last year, City of Madison election reconciliation workers discovered two bags of uncounted 2024 absentee election ballots. The Wisconsin Election Commission recently completed a damning report on the incident, and new information has emerged about the City Clerk’s indifference to the uncounted votes. Votebeat Wisconsin’s Alexander Shur has the story, and he joined Monday Buzz host on July 28, 2025.

Featured image of Madison City Hall by Brian Standing for WORT News.

The post City Clerk Baked Cookies While Votes Went Uncounted appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.