WORT Local News

Here's your local news for Monday, January 5, 2026:

• We share an update on embattled Milwaukee Judge Hannah Dugan,
• Outline the tough choices ahead for the estimated 110,000 Wisconsinites that rely on ACA tax credits,
• Head to a rally in downtown Madison protesting the abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro,
• Take a closer look at this weekend's military action with help from an expert in international law,
• Celebrate the birthday of a civil rights and anti-war activist,
• Teach you how to make Mexico's national cocktail,
• Review two new movies on the big screen,
• And much more.

Here's your local news for Thursday, December 18, 2025:

• We detail the interim independent monitor's priority list for police oversight efforts in Madison,
• Hear Rep. Ryan Clancy's plan to overhaul Wisconsin's tax system,
• Consider the sometimes-unexpected cost of open records requests,
• Tell you some of the best ice fishing spots,
• Learn how Forward Madison FC is reshaping their roster ahead of the 2026 season,
• And much more.

Here's your local news for Wednesday, December 17, 2025:

• We outline the key takeaways from the city of Madison's "Love Our Lakes" discussion on Tuesday,
• Find out why environmental advocates are challenging a Trenton dairy farm's newly-issued state permit,
• Learn how local jails are facilitating the Trump regime's mass deportation agenda,
• Hear a UW-Madison frat's pitch to save their annual hockey tournament and fundraiser,
• Broadcast the most comprehensive weather report on the airwaves,
• Travel back in time to 1969,
• And much more.

Here's your local news for Tuesday, December 16, 2025:

• We share the latest updates on Madison's Southwest and Southeast area plans,
• Consider the long road ahead for a lawsuit that claims Wisconsin's congressional maps are an anti-competitive gerrymander,
• Explain why American beef prices are in flux,
• Learn how to achieve that signature bagel chewiness,
• Mark the start of hibernation season,
• And much more.

Here's your local news for Monday, December 15, 2025:

• We outline the recent back and forth over a proposal to build a new harm reduction clinic on Madison's far east side,
• Explain how Trump's $12 billion federal aid package leaves small, specialty crop farmers in the lurch,
• Find out why Wisconsin lawmakers may soon reconsider a policy that diverts federal benefits away from foster children,
• Celebrate WORT's fiftieth birthday and look to the future, in a conversation with Madison's next generation of radio leaders,
• Teach you how to mix up a sweeter variant of a World War II-era cocktail,
• And much more.

Here's your local news for Thursday, December 11, 2025:

• We hear state Democrats' pitch to support Wisconsin farmers and protect agricultural lands from development,
• Outline some of the most pressing challenges in the state's rural school districts,
• Get an update on MMSD's Behavior Education Plan,
• Check in with the Russian Folk Orchestra ahead of their busy concert season,
• Discuss the imminent passage of the National Defense Authorization Act,
• Share some advice on how to find a bona fide "space tree,"
• And much more.

Here's your local news for Wednesday, December 10, 2025:

• We share the details on a pair of housing-focused ordinances approved at Tuesday's city council meeting,
• Find out why Midwest Environmental Advocates has filed an open records lawsuit against the state's utility regulator,
• Learn how a local newsroom uses hands-on learning to improve children's literacy skills,
• Broadcast the most comprehensive weather report on the airwaves,
• Travel back in time to 1967,
• And much more.

Here's your local news for Tuesday, December 9, 2025:

• We get the details on a bill that would guarantee Wisconsin workers up to 14 weeks of paid family and medical leave,
• Outline key findings in UWPD records obtained by Tone Madison, nearly two years after a multi-jurisdiction raid of the student protest encampment on Library Mall,
• Share a news roundup on Roundup,
• Consider the intersection between kitchen skills and early childhood education,
• Learn how to help local wildlife this holiday season,
• And much more.

Here's your local news for Monday, December 8, 2025:

• We head to a local food pantry for a conversation about the rising cost of living,
• Find out why senior advocates want to preserve county-owned nursing homes,
• Check in with the director of Madison's Civil Rights Department, after an investigation cleared him of workplace discrimination claims,
• Explain what's next for two lawsuits challenging Wisconsin's congressional map,
• Celebrate Noam Chomsky's birthday,
• Teach you how to make a bright cocktail with ties to World War II,
• Review Ken Burns' new docuseries on the American Revolution,
• And much more.

Here's your local news for Thursday, December 4, 2025:

• We find out which Madison intersections are in the running for new traffic signals,
• Hear why advocates recommend "walk audits" as a first step to reducing your neighborhood's carbon footprint,
• Learn some of the most common ways commercial buildings in Madison waste energy,
• Explain your right to access government records on data center projects,
• Share some ice fishing safety tips,
• Attend Forward Madison's postseason town hall,
• And much more.