WORT Local News

An economist who advocated for people in poverty.

A bassist who played with pop stars and jazz greats, mentored youth, and worked on the endless project of healing racism.

A trailblazer who broke down barriers and successfully took on the federal government.

An environmental advocate who took her PhD to the grassroots.

A progressive governor who championed civil rights.

And a labor militant who is mostly remembered for his kindness.

Those are some of the people we lost in 2023, people who worked to make the world better and more equitable for us left in this world.

In this special edition from the WORT 6pm Local News, host and contributor David Ahrens takes the time to remember the lives of a handful of the people who passed away in 2023.

People who, each in their unique way, made a difference certainly in the lives of those who loved them. But also touched the lives of our community in their good works.

We continue our special holiday programming on this Wednesday, December 27 edition of the WORT Local News. Feature contributor Stu Levitan measures Madison reactions to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, Jr., sixty years ago, and more Madison headlines from 1963.

The live, local news will return on Tuesday, January 2. Thanks for joining us in 2023!

On this special holiday episode, we're spotlighting some of this year's stories on labor. Here's your local news for Tuesday, December 26, 2023:

• We'll learn how the pandemic may have contributed to an increase in labor action,
• Get the rundown on some new unions and numerous strikes in Wisconsin,
• Hear about life as a barista in Madison,
• And much more.

On this special holiday episode, we're spotlighting some of this year's stories on housing. Here's your local news for Monday, December 25, 2023:

• We'll get the details on Madison's latest housing snapshot,
• Hear what city alders have to say about affordable housing,
• Tour a local men's drop-in shelter,
• Interview the folks behind a Latine-centered co-op,
• And much more.

This evening and all next week, we'll present a buffet of news specials, produced by the mighty WORT Local News team. On this Thursday, December 21 edition of the news, News Director Chali Pittman guides us through some highlights of this year's coverage on the arts and culture beat.

What follows are stories that made us perk up our ears. We'll hear about... musical trucks, a tintype photography, deaf theatre, fish curation, and the magic of orphaned spaces.

Join us for more prerecorded specials next Monday, December 25 through Monday, January 1. Happy holidays - and thanks for joining us in 2023!

Here's your local news for Wednesday, December 20, 2023:

• We hear why mask requirements are making a comeback at some area hospitals,
• Learn how advocates are working to support students in the UW System after last week's DEI decision,
• Get the details on a case in the state Supreme Court that could leave Amazon with a $200,000 bill,
• Interview a local artist bridging the gap between "fine" and "craft" art,
• Broadcast the most in-depth weather report on the airwaves,
• Travel back in time to 1960,
• And much more.

Here's your local news for Tuesday, December 19, 2023:

• We get the details as the city of Monona prepares to join Madison Metro's bus service,
• Take a closer look at the long-awaited TruStage worker contract,
• Investigate how state law is holding up solar-powered apartments,
• Hear more of Cardinal Call's semester-in-review,
• Explore the intersection between Indigenous cultures and helping wild animals,
• And much more.

Here's your local news for Monday, December 18, 2023:

• We get the details on Metro Transit's bus route delays and cancellations,
• Share an update on the airport lease agreement as it makes its way through committee in the Dane County Board,
• Hear Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway's plans for public transportation in Madison,
• Give the rundown on the government's calendar for the coming days,
• Interview a man who recently emigrated from Venezuela,
• And much more.

Here's your local news for Thursday, December 14, 2023:

• We get the details on the controversial deal the UW System's Board of Regents approved yesterday,
• Outline some scams to look out for when you're holiday shopping,
• Discuss reproductive justice - and what's ahead - with a state Democrat,
• Learn how Just Bakery helps folks find work,
• Talk electrical basics,
• Get advice on how to stop procrastinating creative projects,
• And much more.

Here's your local news for Wednesday, December 13, 2023:

• We share an update on the controversial deal between UW System regents and the state GOP - just minutes after the board's revote,
• Get the details on two marriage equality bills the LGBTQ+ Caucus reintroduced today,
• Learn how a ranked voting proposal could change Wisconsin's election process,
• Talk with a local barista,
• Broadcast the most in-depth weather report on the airwaves,
• Travel back in time to 1963,
• And much more.