April 10, 2025 is the 19 year anniversary of the nationwide peak of rallies in support of immigrants and against H.R.4437, which would criminalize undocumented immigrants as felons. The protests helped lead to a rejection of HR 4437 and also spurred calls for comprehensive immigration reform, which unfortunately was not achieved during the Obama administration.

Image: March 29, 2006 immigrant’s rights rally in Nashville, Tennessee. Image courtesy: Tennessee Independent Media Center, via Wikipedia.

2024 03 31 WI Flute Festival Interview by WORT 89.9FM Madison

John C. Van Orman talks about his history with song writing and performing folk music with a variety of instruments.

At the Wisconsin Legislature’s March public hearing on a bill prohibiting gender-affirming care, 85-year old Larry Jones’ brief testimony went viral. Wisconsin Watch reporter Hallie Claflin caught up with Jones and brings us his story.

This week on Forward Lookout, Host Brenda Konkel and Producer Christina Lieffring talk about last week's election results and run through the week's meetings for Dane County and the City of Madison, including speed dating for new alders, some public art updates and a few mystery meetings.

Tim Hunter's 1986 film River’s Edge won that year’s award for Best Picture at the Independent Spirit Awards. His film, Tex will air at the Wisconsin Film Festival on Saturday at 4pm at the UW Cinematheque. His narrative film, Returning to Earth will also play at that time, and his documentary, By Kevin Thomas will play on Sunday at 3:30pm. He joins WORT to talk about his film. (Photo courtesy: Erik Schwertfeger/WORT News)

Sean Hanish is the director behind Just a Bit Outside: The Story of the 1982 Milwaukee Brewers, which screens Friday at 5:30 at Music Hall. Hanish is a Brookfield native and UW-Madison alum. He joins Mel & Floyd to talk about his film. (Photo courtesy: Erik Schwerdtfeger/WORT News)

Mike King is the Senior Programmer for the Wisconsin Film Festival. He also curates UW Cinematheque’s seasonal series and heads up the Spotlight Cinema at the Madison Museum of Community Art. Here he joins host Esty Dinur to give an overview of the fest. (Photo courtesy: Erik Schwerdtfeger / WORT News)

Grace Mitchell and Sofia Theodore-Pierce are the team behind Heart-Shaped, an epistolary short set in the various fantasy suites within the Don Q Inn in Dodgeville. It screens Friday at 6pm at the Chazen Museum as part of a series of a dozen or so experimental shorts.

Douglas Rosenberg is Professor in the UW-Madison Art Department, and the director and screenwriter behind The Sea, a black and white film screen dance staged against the landscape of the Baltic Sea. It makes its Midwest premiere this Sunday at 2pm at Music Hall. (Photo courtesy: Erik Schwerdtfeger / WORT News)