Route 51

After a Jefferson County Circuit Court judge ordered the state’s wolf hunt must begin this month, the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board this week unanimously approved a harvest quota of 200 wolves. WPR's "Route 51" and "The West Side" will discuss the legal, political and biological ramifications of the hurriedly arranged hunt. The action was set in motion following the Trump administration’s decision in November to remove the gray wolf from the endangered species list, and that delisting went into effect last month, triggering a state statute that requires the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to set up a wolf hunting season. The DNR originally planned to wait until November to plan for the season. WPR environmental reporter Danielle Kaeding will share the latest in the quickly evolving story. Then host Dean Kallenbach will moderate a conversation with Luke Hilgemann, president of Hunter Nation, the organization that successfully sued the DNR’s decision to not immediately resume the hunt after the delisting of the wolves; Adrian Wydeven, a retired DNR wildlife biologist, now working with the group Wisconsin Green Fire of Rhinelander, which opposes opening the hunt this month; and Peter David, wildlife biologist with the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission in Odanah.

Shereen Siewert welcomes IRONBULL Executive Director Andrea Larson and Vice President Bill Bertram to the program for a discussion on their efforts to transform the Wausau area into an adventure sports destination, and the impact future events could have on the entire north central Wisconsin region.

Shereen Siewert welcomes Portage County District Attorney Louis Molepske, Dr. Robert Gouthro, Director of Residency Training at the Medical College of Wisconsin's Central Wisconsin Psychiatry Program in Wausau, and Kris Teegardin, Wisconsin Cannabis Association director of policy and advocacy, to discuss the potential implications legalization would have for north central Wisconsin.

Shereen Siewert welcomes Brian Gumness and Kevin Noel of the Community Partners Campus organization and Donna Ambrose of The Neighbors’ Place for an up-close look at the Community Partners Campus project and how it can serve as a blueprint for addressing hunger and poverty throughout north central Wisconsin.

Shereen Siewert welcomes Dr. Jonathan Temte of the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health and Wisconsin Department of Health Services Deputy Secretary Julie Willems Van Dijk for an in-depth look at COVID-19 vaccination and the latest pandemic news in our state.

Shereen Siewert takes a look back at the fascinating people, places, politics and conversations that made 2020 a year to remember.

Shereen Siewert, Marathon County Public Library Marketing Specialist Dan Richter and University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point films expert Cary Elza share the best books, movies and streaming shows to help get you through the cold dark months of winter.

Shereen Siewert welcomes John Altenburgh and Mitch Viegut of the John Altenburgh Christmas Extravaganza, with highlights from past shows at Wausau's Grand Theatre.

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

Shereen Siewert welcomes Dr James P. Leary, emeritus professor of folklore and Scandinavian studies from the University of Wisconsin, and Ben Clark from the Marathon County Historical Society for a discussion on the history and surprising origins of the traditions most familiar to us in north central Wisconsin.