The Wisconsin Supreme Court cleared the way today for the state to institute a permanent ban on conversion therapy.

Blocked twice in a legislative committee that has the power to review and suspend administrative rules, the ban has been stuck in limbo for nearly six years. That Republican-controlled committee has also blocked environmental regulations, vaccine requirements, and public health protections.

But the court’s 4-3 decision today takes that power away from the committee.

Marc Herstand is the executive director of the National Association of Social Workers, Wisconsin chapter. Speaking with WORT News Producer Faye Parks, he explained why today’s ruling secures Wisconsin’s ban on conversion therapy after so many years of uncertainty.

Image courtesy: Faye Parks / WORT News.

Eleven years ago, the Wisconsin legislature passed a law that would create a more permissive type of parole.

This week, the Department of Corrections finally took the first step in implementing that program: a hearing where the public could express how important that program would be.

Image courtesy: Nate Wegehaupt / WORT News.

Aaron Scholz hosts DJs Lizzie Sparks and Craig Johnson as they recall the 6 hour marathon New Years Eve show on WORT-FM

In a September 2024 presidential election debate Kamala Harris noted, “Tim Walz and I are both gun owners.” Nationally, democrats are becoming gun owners at a higher rate than conservatives. To talk about spiking demand for gun ownership and gun education, especially among queer-centered self-defense organizations, guest host Matvei Mozhaev is joined by Youtuber, Tacticool Girlfriend.

Featured image of a person wearing gun safety equipment via Pexels.

Eljuri Initerview Hejira 7-3-25 by WORT 89.9FM Madison

In this week's backyard news from Madison Wisconsin, a tree was trimmed which may have impacted the squirrel community. The wrens have disappeared, but the bees are enjoying a blooming St John's Wort bush.

Child care advocates are divided on Wisconsin’s new budget. Some say it takes a step in the right direction, while others say it doesn’t go far enough to keep the industry afloat.

Image courtesy: Gautam Arora via Flickr.

While most of us were sleeping last Thursday, Governor Evers signed a new state budget into law. A last-minute compromise between party leaders, it provides a billion dollars in tax cuts, a big boost for special ed programs, and an unexpected increase for the UW System.

For a closer look at Wisconsin’s new spending plan – and the negotiations that made it happen –, our News Producer Faye Parks sat down this afternoon with JR Ross, editor of WisPolitics.

Image courtesy: Chali Pittman / WORT News.

In the New York City Democratic mayoral primary on June 24, 2025, Zohran Mamdani defeated Andrew Cuomo and nine other candidates to become the Democratic nominee for mayor.

His platform includes support for free city buses and a rent freeze in rent-stabilized housing, city-government-operated grocery stores, universal child care and the construction of new affordable housing units and more people-centered ideas. He’s also for taxing the rich and corporations to finance a better life for all residents.

He is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America.

When he won the primary election, President Donald Trump called Mamdani a "100% Communist lunatic."

Zara Chowdhary is an author and educator who lives in Madison and who has followed Mamdani since he was elected to the New York state assembly in 2020 and knows a lot about him and his cultural and political formation and ideas.

Fortunately for us, she’s willing to share her knowledge and she did so in this interview with Gil Halsted and Amitabh Pal.

Zohran for NYC: http://www.zohranfornyc.com/

Zara Chowdhary: http://www.zarachowdhary.com/

Photos by Kara McCurdy for the Zohran for New York City campaign

Forecast from Monday, 7-7-25 by WORT 89.9FM Madison