Did you know that May is National Wetlands Month, established in 1991 by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with partners in federal, state, tribal, local, and non-profit private sectors to educate Americans about the value of wetlands as a natural resource. But the Wisconsin Wetlands Association has been working even longer with landowners, native tribes, and community groups, nearly 50 years, to give Wisconsin one of the strongest wetlands protections in the U.S., according to Katie Bielfuss, Outreach Programs Director.

First segment of How to Stand Up for Democracy interviewing Emilio de Torre of the Milwaukee Turners about the importance of community.

Photo credit: Chali Pittman, WORT News

Forecast from Wednesday 5-21-2025 by WORT 89.9FM Madison

Continuing our focus on the arts as an antidote in times of political turmoil, today we’re joined by local poet Nate Marshall to talk about his most recent collection, Finna. His poems consider the brevity and disposability of Black lives, question how gendered language is related to violence, and explore the vastness of Black vernacular.

Featured image: the cover of Finna.

The county is holding a special election next month to fill a vacant seat on the Dane County Board of Supervisors. That’s after former supervisor Elizabeth Doyle, who was priced out of her district in downtown Madison, resigned from office this spring.

Two candidates are running for her seat: Adrian Lampron and Colin Barushok. They’ll face off on June 17th.

Adrian Lampron works for a small firm of public defenders. Thanks to their professional experience, they have an inside look into the living conditions at the Dane County jail. Sitting down with our News Producer Faye Parks this week, they argued that it’s time to establish a civilian oversight committee for the jail.

Image courtesy: Adrian Lampron.

Property values in Madison have reached a period of stable growth, indicating that the city is recovering from pandemic-related spikes.

That’s according to the latest report from the city assessor, which was released to the public on Monday…and comes as Madison leaders gear up for the next budget process.

Image courtesy: Don Sniegowski via Flickr.

Madison bicycling legend Colin O’Brien joins WORT PNM host Patrick Sajbel to discuss bike building, bike racing, leading bike tours and customized performance improvement from his Cronometro shop.

Image courtesy of Cronometro.

Have you noticed something beautiful taking shape on West Washington Avenue and Brittingham Park on Madison’s south side?

It’s a mural created by artist Marisol D’Estrabeau based in Cancún, Mexico.

Inspired by drawings and conversations with the residents of Bayview, D’estrabeau, spent the last three weeks bringing the spirit of the community to life in a mural entitled Memory and Future.

In this episode of Radio Chipstone, contributor Gianofer (JON nah fer) Fields takes us to 113 La Mariposa Lane for the dedication and celebration of the beauty and art created by and for the Bayview Community.

Wisconsin lawmakers are considering a bill that would incentivize production companies to film in our state.

Supporters say it would boost the economy and bring Wisconsin in competition with other states. But the bill’s funding is up in the air.

Image courtesy: WORT News.

In 2017, former Dane County Executive Joe Parisi established the Office of Energy & Climate Change (or OECC). Their goal: reducing emissions countywide despite the growing population.

Sitting down this afternoon with our News Producer Faye Parks, OECC Director Kathy Kuntz explained how they’re working to accomplish their mission – and shared some updates on their latest projects.

Image courtesy: Dane County OECC via their website.