WORT Local News

In this show:

• The Building Commission approves the funds for planning a rework for correctional facilities across the state
• A local activist explains the importance of civilian oversight of the Madison police
• 'How to Stand up for Democracy' links the degradation of free speech to the rise of anti-semitism
• Soybean farmers are looking into novel ways to use their crop
• And we hear how local mammals fare during the winter

In today's episode:

• Wisconsin Dems draw attention to an upcoming spike in health insurance costs
• Wisconsin Policy Forum releases a deep dive on the city budget
• Election clerks are scrambling to meet new citizenship standards
• and more

Here's your local news for Thursday, October 23, 2025:

• We join a public feedback session on Madison's Southeast Area development plan,
• Outline the fundraising goal to support the city's new men's shelter,
• Share an inside look into today's combative legislative hearing on teacher misconduct and grooming in Wisconsin schools,
• Consider the often-exorbitant fees records custodians are allowed to charge,
• Share the best spots for fall-weather fishing,
• Check in on Forward Madison FC ahead of their last match of the season,
• And much more.

Here's your local news for Wednesday, October 22, 2025:

• We hear from the supporters and opponents of a bill that would codify the IHRA's definition of antisemitism in state law,
• Find out what's at stake if independent broadcast network WisconsinEye can't reach their urgent fundraising goal,
• Get more details on a city proposal that could eliminate UW students' input on alcohol policy,
• 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, October 21, 2025:

• We hear local nonprofits' warning to the county board as they weigh proposed funding cuts in next year's budget,
• Consider strategies to combat the rise of white Christian nationalism,
• Detail the gaps in the system that make it difficult to track educators accused of sexual misconduct and grooming,
• Survey the trade war's impact on American soybean farmers,
• Celebrate the history of Madison's Mediterranean Cafe,
• Explain why bird banding is a valuable tool for researchers and rehabilitators,
• And much more.

Here's your local news for Monday, October 20, 2025:

• We head to downtown Madison for this Saturday's nationwide protest against the Trump regime,
• Outline city leaders' recent examination of the Urban Design Commission and its role in development oversight,
• Find out why a city committee voted last week to preserve student input on alcohol licenses and policies,
• Share the local government's calendar for the week ahead,
• Commemorate the 1972 founding of the Service, Office and Retail Workers Union of Canada,
• Review two movies,
• And much more.

Here's your local news for Thursday, October 16, 2025:

• We hear how the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development is faring during the government shutdown,
• Outline the state's teacher turnover trends over the last decade,
• Uncover the world of Soviet-era samizdat,
• Get the latest numbers on the nation's wealth gap,
• Meet one of the artists who's helping the Madison Public Library celebrate 150 years of service,
• And much more.

Here's your local news for Wednesday, October 15, 2025:

• We outline today's debate over a Republican bill that would put a cap on UW's annual tuition increases,
• Hear what GHC members had to say in a special meeting with the cooperative's Board of Directors,
• Learn why election reform advocates are calling for Final Five voting in Wisconsin,
• Find out if UW-Madison's ethnic studies requirement is actually at risk,
• Broadcast the most comprehensive weather report on the airwaves,
• Travel back in time to 1960,
• And much more.

Here's your local news for Tuesday, October 14, 2025:

• We hear from party leaders on both sides of the aisle ahead of the state Senate's long-awaited floor session,
• Find out why an update to Madison school facilities is expected to cost taxpayers less than originally projected,
• Discuss the video game industry's rising reliance on artificial intelligence,
• Consider why more Wisconsin dairy farmers may be looking to cash out,
• Celebrate community-making with sourdough bread,
• Check in with the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center as they prepare for colder weather and new patients,
• And much more.

Here's your local news for Monday, October 13, 2025:

• We find out why the state Assembly is centering environmental protections this Indigenous Peoples' Day,
• Outline the back and forth this morning in the state Supreme Court over tribal sovereign immunity,
• Meet the city of Madison's new Director of Transportation,
• Brush up on immigration law amid the unprecedented federal crackdown,
• Remember a trailblazing fighter pilot,
• Learn how to mix up a Sea Breeze cocktail,
• Review two new movies,
• And much more.