WORT Local News

Here's your local news for Wednesday, March 5, 2025:

• We hear UW-Madison's policy regarding on-campus ICE arrests,
• Meet a candidate running for city council who's urging southside voters to stay engaged in local politics,
• Discuss a recent memo from UW-Madison leaders advising a drop in grad school admissions,
• Broadcast the most comprehensive weather report on the airwaves,
• Travel back in time to 1965,
• And much more.

Here's your local news for Tuesday, March 4, 2025:

• We find out why Democrats are backing a state-level stopgap against sudden freezes in federal funding,
• Share the details on a "Real ID" rollout happening this spring,
• Consider rising consumer interest in protein-rich foods and supplements,
• Describe some youth education programs at the Dane County Humane Society,
• And much more.

Continuing our spring election coverage, we turn to Common Council District 15 on Madison’s east side.

Current alder Dina Nina Martinez-Rutherford has represented the area since 2023. She suspended her re-election campaign in January and backed her would-be challenger Ryan Koglin.

Koglin is a small business owner and the board president of the SASY Neighborhood Association.

Now essentially guaranteed a spot on the city council, Koglin sat down with us discuss his top issues, his vision for the city of Madison, and how he plans to communicate with his constituents.

Here's your local news for Monday, March 3, 2025:

• We find out how a Republican-authored bill would force Wisconsin counties to comply with ICE,
• Meet a newcomer who's headed for the city council, after the incumbent alder suspended her re-election campaign,
• Share the local government's calendar for the week ahead,
• Celebrate the birthday of a popular children's book author,
• Taste-test a shot,
• Review a documentary streaming on Netflix,
• And much more.

Continuing our spring election coverage, we turn to Common Council District 7 on Madison’s southwest side.

Current alder Nasra Wehelie isn’t running for another term, after serving for four years on the council.

Her husband Abdirahman Siad is vying to take her place this spring and faces one opponent in Badri Lankella. Southwest side voters will select their next alder on April 1st.

We sat down with Abdirahman Siad and Badri Lankella to discuss their top issues, their vision for the city of Madison, and how they plan to communicate with their constituents.

Here's your local news for Thursday, February 27, 2025:

• We check in with Senator Tammy Baldwin, after Tuesday's narrow vote in the House approving a Republican-authored budget bill,
• Sit down with a Common Council candidate who wants to streamline city government,
• Share some takeaways from a recent open meetings ruling,
• Tell you where there's still ice to fish on,
• Hear how Madison's Flamingos are faring in the preseason,
• And much more.

Here's your local news for Wednesday, February 26, 2025:

• We break partially with our format to deliver a special on the scale and scope of federal government,
• Discuss the declining enrollment of Native American students in the UW System,
• 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, February 25, 2025:

• We learn how the Trump Administration's funding freezes have impacted some climate projects in Wisconsin,
• Find out why a city council candidate is calling for more economic development,
• Share The Milkweed's recent story about toxic cattle feed,
• Visit a vegan spot in downtown Madison,
• Explain how owls track their prey,
• And much more.

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

• We find out why a local nonprofit has withdrawn their proposal for a new charter school,
• Attend a downtown rally commemorating the third anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine,
• Attend a wake for surrealist filmmaker David Lynch,
• Share the local government's calendar for the week ahead,
• Mark the anniversary of Paul McCartney's "Give Ireland Back to the Irish,"
• Explore the rich history of "The Sidecar,"
• Hear about the newest entry in the Paddington cinematic universe,
• And much more.

Here's your local news for Thursday, February 20:

WPR reports that some fossil-fuel projects like Enbridge's Line 5 could get fast-tracked by the Trump Administration; meanwhile, the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association says it will comply with a directive to ban transgender athletes from women's sports.

Locally, Metro Transit is apologizing for service disruptions today, amid a labor action from Metro drivers as the city negotiates a new contract with Teamsters Local 120. And the Madison School Board appears unlikely to approve a new charter school next week, leaving its architects to pursue accreditation through UW.

WORT reporter Nate Carlin heads to a press conference of Meriter nurses held in the midst of their ongoing contract negotiations. And Tami Jackson, public policy analyst at the Wisconsin Board for People With Disabilities, joins reporter Maria Segura to talk about what potential Medicaid cuts would entail.

Later in the show, we hear from landscaper Action Jackson, talk solar panel installation, and reflect on what it means to stand up to power.