Route 51

Shereen Siewert welcomes Auburndale School District Administrator James Delikowski, Wisconsin Indian Education Association “Indian” Mascot and Logo Taskforce Chairwoman Barbara Munson and Native American activist Richie Plass for a discussion on the call to end race-based mascots at Wisconsin schools.

Republican candidates Jason Church, Hudson, and Tom Tiffany, Minocqua, debate live on The Ideas Network. The debate is moderated by Shereen Siewert, host of WPR’s “Route 51,” and Robin Washington, host of Superior-based WPR talk show “Simply Superior.”

Democratic primary candidates Lawrence Dale, Eagle River, and Tricia Zunker, Wausau, debate live on The Ideas Network. The debate is moderated by Shereen Siewert, host of WPR’s “Route 51,” and Robin Washington, host of Superior-based WPR talk show “Simply Superior.”

Shereen Siewert welcomes astronomer and astrophysicist Dr. Margaret “Maggie” Turnbull to discuss the most recent efforts to find Earthlike planets and other forms of intelligent life throughout the universe.

Shereen Siewert welcomes Wausau School Board Vice President Pat McKee and Peaceful Solutions Counseling co-founder Lee Shipway for a frank discussion on bullying in local schools, the role of educators in mitigating the issue and coping mechanisms to help children and parents deal with the problem.

Shereen Siewert welcomes Marathon County Public Library Marketing Specialist Dan Richter, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point films expert Cary Elza and Gamers Who Care member Jason Davis to offer up ways to beat the winter blues in our region.

Paco Fralick developed a deep appreciation of music at an early age while growing up in Rhinelander. Although he spent more than two decades as a dentist, he ultimately returned to music. Fralick is now an award-winning singer and songwriter who performs throughout Wisconsin and beyond. Fralick joins host Shereen Siewert to share his music and the stories behind his songs. He performs selections from his album, “Letting Go,” which earned him a 2019 Silver Medal in the Global Music Awards, and the 2018 Native American Music Awards Song of the Year, “Women and Water,” inspired by Fralick’s work with a grassroots environmental group.

As we prepare to close out 2019, it’s time to take our annual road trip revisiting the past 12 months of fascinating people, performances, and politics. Today on Route 51, it’s our annual year in review, a look back at the many programs that entertained, informed, and intrigued listeners most, from January through December. We’ll hear repeat performances from Paco Fralick, Jerry Schmitt, Art Stevenson, and the South Beach Chamber Music Ensemble; and, we’ll share some of the most significant interviews of the year. We’ll also take some time to pay tribute to former host Glen Moberg, who retired after being diagnosed with stomach cancer a year ago. Glen died in late August, but his legacy remains with us all.

Wisconsin Public Radio’s Rob Mentzer welcomes Iola, Wis. writer John Jackson Miller to “Route 51” to discuss "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker" and his work in the Star Wars universe.

A true Wisconsin Christmas tradition, the John Altenburgh Christmas Extravaganza has long been the hottest ticket in town at the Grand Theatre in Wausau. Shereen Siewert welcomes Altenburgh, along with fellow band members Mitch Viegut and Paula Hall, for a sneak preview of this year’s show.