Wisconsin Life

Actress Gena Rowlands was known for her dramatic, deeply emotional performances in movies like “A Woman Under the Influence,” “Gloria” and “The Notebook.” She won four Emmy awards, two Golden Globes and was nominated for two Academy Awards, eventually receiving an Honorary Oscar in 2015. Rowlands’ career began in Wisconsin and spanned decades before she passed away at age 94 on August 14, 2024. Author Dean Robbins looks back on Rowlands’ legacy and one of her most iconic roles.

Takeyla Benton has always tried to be strong for her kids.  But, the Madison storyteller wonders if that has come at a price. She shared her story live at the “Listen To Your Mother” event in Madison and on the “Inside Stories” podcast, which features Madison storytellers and digs deeper into their lives. The story was also recently turned into an animation for “Wisconsin Life” on PBS Wisconsin.

Ever wonder where your donated stuff goes if it doesn’t sell? If you donated it to a St. Vincent de Paul thrift store in Dane County, then it might end up at a place called Dig and Save Outlet Store in Madison, Wisconsin. At Dig and Save, people can shop for clothes and household items by the pound. But as Alexandra Salmon found out, Dig & Save’s shoppers say there’s so much more to the place than just the hot deals.

Throughout his career, Elvis Presley mastered so many talents. He was a musician, actor, dancer and — of course — martial artist. Elvis’ passion for karate played out on the streets of Madison in the late 1970s, just before he played his final show in Wisconsin at the Dane County Coliseum. In honor of what would have been Elvis’ 90th birthday, writer Dean Robbins takes us back to that fateful moment in Wisconsin music history.

Winter slips and falls are dangerous and can be debilitating. While Milwaukee’s Shauna Singh Baldwin was recovering from her slip and fall, she discovered a Wisconsin community of support, ingenuity and understanding.

Writer Crystal Chan loves to cook. During the pandemic, she traveled home often, enjoying long stays with her parents. To show her gratitude, she would cook delicious and comforting dishes for family dinner. She shares a story celebrating the labor of love that goes into making a great pot of stew.

Milwaukee lives up to its nickname as the City of Festivals as it draws millions of visitors every year. But it’s the Annual Milwaukee Tattoo Arts Festival that draws more than 200 artists from around the world for three days of inking and intrigue. WPR’s Corrine Hess takes us on a tour of the festival to meet the tattoo artists and their human canvases.

Parents will go to great lengths to make sure their kids have the perfect Christmas. Parents like Jan Larson of Eau Claire, who tells us about the quest she went on to find a particular bear for her son.

Every night between Thanksgiving and Christmas, about 300 homes in a West Allis neighborhood light up their homes and their yards with their best holiday decor. Candy Cane Lane has been a staple since 1985, serving as a spectacular tradition for many families. WPR’s Mallory Cheng takes us on a tour of the festive streets.

The tabletop role playing game Dungeons & Dragons turns 50 this year and has deep Wisconsin roots. It was co-created here in Lake Geneva. D&D is beloved and played regularly around the world. WPR’s Anna Mare Yanny talked with players at a game shop in Madison, a space that hosts weekly D&D nights.