Route 51

Executive Producer Rick Reyer hosts our annual celebration of all things Sci-Fi with author John Jackson Miller.

Wisconsin Public Radio takes a look behind the scenes at the NFL’s only community-owned team, hearing from players, journalists, super fans and other Packer enthusiasts.

Shereen Siewert welcomes Kim Heiman of Nasonville Dairy and Ralph Bredl of Harmony Specialty Dairy Foods for a look at the art and science of local cheese production.

Shereen Siewert welcomes Wisconsin State Representative Rob Summerfield, R-Bloomer, chair of the State Assembly Committee on Housing and Real Estate, Susan Wolfgram of the JONAH Affordable Housing Task Force in Eau Claire and Wausau District 3 Alderman Tom Kilian, for a look at the factors that gave rise to urban housing shortages, and what local, state and federal stakeholders are planning to do about them.

Shereen Siewert welcomes Holly de Ruyter, Producer of PBS Wisconsin's "Old Fashioned: The Story of the Wisconsin Supper Club,” Amy Wimmer, a third-generation owner of Del-Bar in Wisconsin Dells and architectural historian Jim Draeger of the Wisconsin Historical Society for a look at the history and staying power of supper clubs throughout Wisconsin.

Shereen Siewert welcomes University of Wisconsin Professor Mark Louden, director of the Max Kade Institute for German-American Studies. Louden is an interpreter and cultural mediator for Amish and Old Order Mennonite groups in the legal and health care systems.

Wisconsin is the only state in the U.S. that mandates a wolf season when the animals do not appear on the list of endangered species - and one of five that allows wolves to be hunted at all. In August, the state’s Natural Resources Board set a quota for the fall wolf hunt of 300 animals, more than double the amount recommended by the Department of Natural Resources. Half of the quota belongs to the state’s tribal nations - six of which are suing to keep the hunt from happening at all. W e take a look at the issues and controversies surrounding the state’s wolf hunt with guests Pat Quaintance, from the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation, A drian Wydeven, Chairman of the Timber Wolf Alliance and Paul DeMain, an award-winning investigative journalist of Ojibwe descent and a member of the Oneida Nation living at Lac Courte Oreilles. We’ll hear their differing perspectives on wolf management and the upcoming November hunt, along with a discussion on the impact of wolves on conservation and management.

Every day, about 130 Americans die by suicide, the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S. National surveys show the number of people who have seriously considered suicide in the past 30 days has increased dramatically since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, with veterans and farmers among the hardest hit. "Route 51" host Shereen Siewert welcomes Sara Kohlbeck, director of the Division of Suicide Prevention at the Medical College of Wisconsin, Brian Michel, director of prevention services at Mental Health America of Wisconsin and Bertrand D. Berger, Mental Health Division manager at the Zablocki VA Medical Cener, for a discussion on suicide prevention strategies for children and adults, with a special emphasis on farmers and veterans coping with suicidal thoughts. Resources: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255 Available 24/7 The Crisis Text Line: Text "HELLO" to 741741 Available 24/7 Prevent Suicide Wisconsin Veteran Task Force on Suicide Prevention Reach Out Wisconsin Mental Health America of Wisconsin

Shereen Siewert welcomes vaccine expert Dr. Jonathan Temte, of the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, for a review of the latest science surrounding vaccination and the COVID-19 pandemic, and Professor Edward Fallone, Associate Professor of Law at Marquette University Law School, to address the legal implications of vaccine mandates.

Wisconsin Public Radio takes a look behind the scenes at the NFL’s only community-owned team, hearing from players, journalists, super fans and other Packer enthusiasts.