WORT Local News

WORT Local News

By WORT News and Public AffairsNewsNews CommentaryPoliticsDaily News
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WORT Local News episodes

  • Why are Wisconsin Supreme Court elections so expensive?

    Here's your local news for Wednesday, December 3, 2025:

    • We'll explain how you can weigh in on the development future of downtown Madison,
    • Find out why food access is still limited in Wisconsin even after FoodShare benefits resumed,
    • Examine the record breaking spending on Wisconsin's judicial elections ahead of the next contest this spring,
    • Share some tips on how to stay safe in the event of an ICE encounter,
    • Broadcast the most comprehensive weather report on the airwaves,
    • Travel back in time to 1960,
    • And much more.
    50 min
  • City finance staff project $10.6 million surplus in 2025 budget

    Here's your local news for Tuesday, December 2, 2025:

    • We hear finance leaders' recommendation on how Madison should spend an unexpected budget surplus before the end of this year,
    • Find out how donors can support a local literacy nonprofit in the wake of federal funding losses,
    • Share a year in review for the American dairy industry,
    • Meet the editing manager of Edible Madison,
    • Celebrate Giving Tuesday with the Dane County Humane Society,
    • And much more.
    48 min
  • Madison area Starbucks employees join Black Friday picket line

    Here's your local news for Monday, December 1, 2025:

    • We'll meet some local Starbucks workers taking part in the nationwide strike,
    • Find out how parents of children with disabilities are preparing for the looming cuts to Medicaid,
    • Detail some recent policy updates that could expand Wisconsin renters' access to solar power,
    • Share the local government's calendar for the week ahead,
    • Learn the violent history behind the American Anti-Slavery Society,
    • Teach you how to make a "Ward Eight" cocktail,
    • Review two new movies,
    • And much more.
    51 min
  • Madison teachers speak out against salary compression

    Here's your local news for Tuesday, November 25, 2025:

    • We find out why some of Madison's most experienced educators are still waiting for fair compensation,
    • Hear the economic pros and cons of data centers,
    • Consider the future of Madison's bus system with Metro Transit's new general manager,
    • Explain why A2A2 milk is a win for both dairy farmers and consumers,
    • Debut our new feature exploring the city's diverse array of local coffee shops,
    • Take a closer look at one of the Midwest's most iconic birds,
    • And much more.
    53 min
  • Speaker Vos continues to block Medicaid extension for Wisconsin moms

    Here's your local news for Monday, November 24, 2025:

    • We hear what Wisconsin students and mental health specialists have to say about the hazards of the digital age,
    • Find out how much taxpayers could stand to lose with the end of the free IRS Direct File program,
    • Consider why Speaker Vos continues to block expanded postpartum benefits for Wisconsinites on Medicaid,
    • Learn how a public-private foundation is working to support the state's conservation fund,
    • Celebrate the birthday of a legendary musician,
    • Teach you how to make a brand new cocktail,
    • Review a big blockbuster and a new detective series,
    • And much more.
    50 min
  • Congress searching for compromise on ACA tax credits, Senator Baldwin says

    Here's your local news for Thursday, November 20, 2025:

    • We talk health care tax credits and the Epstein files with Democratic U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin,
    • Learn how to spot U.S.-made products ahead of the holidays,
    • Meet the city of Madison's Parks Superintendent,
    • Explain your right to know the final five applicants being considered for public offices,
    • Tell you the best spots for some cold-weather fishing,
    • Make a wish list for the Flamingos' 2026 season,
    • And much more.
    51 min
  • QTS Data Centers announces research partnership with UW-Madison

    Here's your local news for Wednesday, November 19, 2025:

    • We head to a public hearing on the Dane County Regional Airport's latest efforts in F-35 noise mitigation,
    • Consider Wisconsin's retention and workforce challenges this Education-Support Professionals Day,
    • Hear the research goals driving the Nelson Institute's new partnership with QTS Data Centers,
    • Learn how students at UW-Madison fared during the SNAP benefits chaos,
    • Broadcast the most comprehensive weather report on the airwaves,
    • Travel back in time to 1965,
    • And much more.
    51 min
  • Wisconsin lawmakers fast-track bill to legalize online sports betting

    Here's your local news for Tuesday, November 18, 2025:

    • We hear what party leaders had to say ahead of today's floor session in the state Senate,
    • Learn how some entrepreneurs in Madison and Chicago are redefining vending machines,
    • Consider the pros and potential pitfalls of a bipartisan bill that would legalize online sports betting in Wisconsin,
    • Explain what's behind some recent ag industry happenings,
    • Taste what's on the menu at Sultan,
    • Take a closer look at one of the most common birds of prey,
    • And much more.
    48 min
  • Madison’s interim independent police monitor to be announced soon

    Here's your local news for Monday, November 17, 2025:

    • We get to know the three finalists vying for an interim leadership role in Madison's Office of the Independent Monitor,
    • Find out why a proposal mandating teaching hours for UW System faculty could raise constitutional concerns,
    • Share the local government's calendar for the week ahead,
    • Learn the story behind Transgender Day of Remembrance,
    • Review two new movies,
    • And much more.
    49 min
  • The fight for affordable health care isn't over, Senator Baldwin says

    Here's your local news for Thursday, November 13, 2025:

    • We hear Senator Baldwin's plan to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits, a measure excluded from the budget bill Trump signed into law Wednesday,
    • Detail the economic benefits of agrivoltaics,
    • Talk election security and accuracy with the new Madison city clerk,
    • Share some upcoming events celebrating eastern European culture,
    • Hear the story behind a new local music space on Madison's east side,
    • Consider the community-building potential of quilts,
    • And much more.
    50 min

About WORT Local News

From the publisher's feed

Breaking news and feature stories straight from the WORT News team’s underground lair in Madison, Wisconsin. New episodes every Monday through Thursday at 7:30 PM. Also available live on 89.9 FM from…

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