WORT Local News

Continuing our spring election coverage, we turn to Common Council District 9 on Madison's far-west side.

Alder Nikki Conklin has represented the area for the last four years. She faces two challengers in next month's primary: former nurse and educator Dr. Joann Pritchett and Rick Cruz, a financial consultant for the state's Department of Public Instruction.

The race heads to a primary on February 18th - and we sat down with alder Conklin and Dr. Pritchett to discuss their top issues, their vision for the city of Madison, and how they plan to communicate with their constituents.

All broadcasters – including WORT – are subject to equal time rules, so we reach out to all candidates in contested races. Rick Cruz declined our request to schedule an interview before next month’s primary.

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

• We sit down with Police Chief Barnes one last time before his departure,
• Hear Governor Evers' goals for 2025,
• Interview an incumbent alder headed to a primary next month,
• Discuss life in solitary confinement,
• Share a rundown on heat pumps,
• Explore the demonic nature of Furbys,
• And much more.

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

• We get the details on a beloved thrift store's worker safety citations,
• Find out how many Wisconsin children depend on BadgerCare,
• Hear from both sides as DeForest considers defluoridation,
• Talk lake ice with a local expert,
• Broadcast the most comprehensive weather report on the airwaves,
• Travel back in time to 1968,
• And much more.

Here's your local news for Tuesday, January 21, 2025:

• We have the latest on Wisconsin's stagnant minimum wage,
• Interview a former nurse and educator who's running for Common Council,
• Make predictions for the Trump administration's agriculture policies,
• Revisit Leonard Peltier's long struggle for freedom,
• Explain why northern bobwhite numbers are declining,
• And much more.

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

• We learn how Wisconsin's tax burden has changed over the last two decades,
• Find out why moose are vulnerable to ticks during the winter months,
• Sit down with the city council president ahead of next month's primary,
• Look ahead to this year's Openness in Government Awards,
• Celebrate good ice-fishing conditions,
• Check in on Madison's Flamingos after a flurry of re-signings,
• And much more.

The spring election is already looming on the horizon. January 7th was the deadline for local candidates to submit paperwork – and three quarters of the current city council are running for re-election.

Located on Madison’s southwest side and bounded by the Arboretum to the east, Common Council District 10 kicks off our series of spring election coverage.

Alder Yannette Figueroa Cole has represented the area for the last four years. Elected city council president last year, she’s facing two challengers: former alder Sheri Carter and former city staffer Lisa Veldran.

The race heads to a primary on February 18th - and we sat down with the three candidates 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 Wednesday, January 15, 2025:

• We get the details from today's press conference opposing a new ICE detention facility in Milwaukee,
• Find out why a Wisconsin farmer is building "mock beaver dams,"
• Meet a former city staffer running for Common Council this spring,
• Discuss the ins and outs of citizen referendums,
• 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, January 14, 2025:

• We share Madison's latest public safety stats,
• Outline yet more proposed tweaks to the city's zoning code,
• Interview a former alder who's running to regain her seat after a narrow defeat,
• Examine the rising demand for high-protein dairy products,
• Explore the art of food,
• Describe the power of collaborative healing,
• And much more.

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

• We hear from the "water defenders" who marched to the DNR's downtown headquarters today,
• Get the latest tally of protected ag lands in Wisconsin,
• Find out why a special prosecutor is slated to investigate a local dog breeding operation,
• Share the government's calendar for the week ahead,
• Remember the Battle of Hayes Pond,
• Review two movies,
• And much more.

Here's your local news for Thursday, January 9, 2025:

• We get the details on the latest study scrutinizing Morey Airfield's public health impacts,
• Learn how an alleged price-fixing scheme could be driving up rent in Madison,
• Talk home additions and foundation options,
• Discuss the power of storytelling,
• Study a nonpartisan quilt,
• And much more.