Local Features

A Northwoods breast cancer survivor has taken her body back thanks to a local workout program. WXPR’s Miranda Vander Leest has that story… Gloria Baker says after her 12 weeks are up with the LiveStrong Program, she will continue her workout routine on her own. The LiveStrong Program has been around since 2007 and is part of the YMCA’s annual support campaign. Marilyn Duschl says about 12 people go through the free program each year. For more information contact Duschl at the YMCA of the

If you have listened to a few of these “Field Notes," you know that I often manage to screw up while out doing field work. There was the time I got slammed onto the ice when my ice auger suddenly broke through, giving me a spectacular black eye. I once left a canoe near shore and, after taking all of my heavy equipment out, allowed the boat to drift off across the lake. Another time, I was SCUBA diving and stupidly ran out of air, scaring myself to death. Today I am going to tell you about

This weekend, WXPR is happy to sponsor Minneapolis based bluegrass band Pert Near Sandstone at the Nicolet College theater in Rhinelander. Evan Verploegh got a chance to talk to Nate Sipe from Pert Near Sandstone ahead of their Saturday night debut. Evan Verploegh writes about arts and culture for the Lakeland Times. Pert Near Sandstone will be performing at Nicolet college this Saturday night at 7:30pm. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased online at WXPR.org . This interview was produced by

A Rhinelander music group is using their background of failed musical attempts as fuel for a second shot at a music "career." WXPR’s Miranda Vander Leest has that story… Members of Mr. Boyko include Bill Padgett, Tony Hjelle, Jason Lowry, Melissa Salaam, John Scheuer, Brett Petrick and Buck Kipper. The band travels around the Northwoods playing at bars for fundraisers, holiday parties and other events. Mr. Boyko's next gig is March 17 at Group Therapy in Crandon. For more information visit their

It’s that time of year when we’re wondering if we can get our brains in gear to help us keep those new year’s resolutions. In his 2001 classic, A Users Guide to the Brain , neuropsychiatrist Dr. John Ratey wrote, “Our own free will may be the strongest force directing the development of our brains, and therefore our lives.” In the first episode of our new monthly feature — BrainWaves — WXPR’s classical music host and brain-based coach Molly Rose Teuke says it’s not hard to use your free will to

In this month’s installment of Field Notes, Scott Bowe of Kemp Natural Resources Station explains how trees survive brutal winters…

Tonight is the 2016 annual candlelight ski at the Rhinelander Community Trails at Rhinelander High School. While today Rhinelander has a fairly prominent Nordic skiing program, it has ebbed and flowed over the years. Mackenzie Martin got a chance to delve into the history of Nordic skiing in Rhinelander ahead of tonight’s event. You will hear from Rhinelander High School Nordic Coach Charil Reis, Rhinelander Middle School Nordic Coach Jim Wood, and Bryan Fish, the U.S. Ski Team Development Coach

We kick off 2017 the same way we kick off most new years—with resolutions. I think it is human nature to overreach on trying to improve ourselves, especially when we take our families into consideration. In 2011 I attempted to improve my family’s financial situation. I made some spending changes, liquidated some belongings on an online auction. But then my take-home pay was cut by my employer and any footing I gained was quickly lost. The next year, I set my goal low—to reduce coffee consumption

A Northwoods teen got what he asked for for Christmas thanks to doctors, the Make-a-Wish Foundation and dozens of local volunteers. Eric Hedberg of Land O’ Lakes was diagnosed in 2004 with Gitelman syndrome, a disease that affects the kidneys and its ability to produce magnesium and potassium; two key elements for brain and muscle function. “…It has gotten better in the last few years partially because I think I’m just getting used to it more. Unfortunately I’ve had to have six surgeries now to