Lake Effect

The different philosophies for interpreting our state’s constitution ahead of the April election. The co-founder of Renaissance Theaterworks retires after more than 30 years. How you can welcome birds to your garden this spring.

A new report looks at strategies to make childcare more affordable. Milwaukee's bygone movie palaces – and what happened to them. The impact of Milwaukee Public Library’s Entrepreneur-in-Residence program.

Why students at Marquette are pushing back on the university’s choice of commencement speaker. What recent announcements from Wisconsin Republicans may mean electorally. A local photographer speaks about his first photobook dedicated to local live music.

Explore the history of the Milwaukee Soldiers Home. Go inside the Rare Books Room at Central Library to learn about one of their rarest items. Meet this year’s artist-in-residence at Milwaukee's Betty Brinn Children’s Museum.

We find out where you can find African language courses in the state. In our economy check-in, we speak with a woman who has been living out of her van as she looks for housing. We explore the ways that judges are held accountable.

We speak with one of the candidates for Milwaukee County Board’s District 11. We visit an organization taking a sustainable and affordable approach to home construction. We explore the ways that Wisconsin judges are held accountable.

We speak with candidates for Milwaukee County Board’s District 9. We speak with a woman who has been living out of her van as she looks for housing. Where to find African language college courses in Wisconsin.

We speak with candidates for Milwaukee County Board’s District 7. After the yesterday's snowstorm, we look into what the National Weather Service provides. We speak with fans of the reality TV show "Survivor."

Explore the life and legacy of politician and civil rights activist Vel Phillips. Meet the state’s first Black Miss Wisconsin. Learn about Milwaukee’s first professional women’s basketball team.

What's at stake in the upcoming state Supreme Court election. We hear from Iranian students who support US military actions in their home country. Plan a trip to the Racine Art Museum to see the Peeps exhibition.

We speak with a Journal Sentinel reporter about ICE operations in western Wisconsin. How visiting saunas can be a relaxing way to get through Wisconsin winters. A statue in Milwaukee’s Cathedral Square that pays tribute to immigrant mothers.

Learn about the upcoming state supreme court election and what’s at stake. Explore the history of shuttered LGBTQ bar "This Is It", now designated as a historic landmark. The practice of Spiritualism at the Morris Pratt Institute in Whitewater.

We hear from Iranian students who support US military actions in their home country. How the federal crackdown on immigration has impacted undocumented people in Milwaukee. We join a group of seniors for their monthly social club meet up.

What a reporter has heard from families detained at the Dilley Immigration Detention Center. How the war with Iran could impact Wisconsin Republicans. Plan a trip to the Racine Art Museum to see the Peeps exhibition.

MCTS to reduce service on select lines starting this weekend. Another lawsuit against a Trump policy – this one related to environmental protections. We catch up with a voter we spoke with before the 2024 election.

Today we celebrate International Women’s Day. Group Chat explores what womanhood means and the continued fight for reproductive justice. We learn about the largest professional women's group in Wisconsin. A former NASA astrophysicist shares discoveries made by women.

We hear from voters we spoke to during the 2024 election about what they think after one year of Trump. Milwaukee Music Roundup covers new local music.

Changes coming again to Milwaukee County’s transit system due to a budget gap. How MMSD’s green infrastructure work is helping keep our waterways clean. A book all about people with a Wisconsin connection who’ve changed the world.

We learn why some Wisconsin businesses have sued over Trump’s tariffs, and about another lawsuit against a Trump administration policy – this one related to environmental protections. Plus, how our solar system is actually a very dynamic place.

A researcher explains the potential harm of reminding AI users that chatbots aren’t real people. Winters in cities around the Great Lakes are shorter than fifty years ago. The Barred Owl Monitoring Project.

We learn what the Milwaukee County Board does. A food pantry teaches us how centering community helps address systemic issues. We explore why the ice on Lake Michigan is so unusual.

The City of Milwaukee’s “ICE Out” legislative package. Proposed guardrails for AI Chatbots could cause harm. Learn about the Barred Owl Monitoring Project in a new Chirp Chat.

Today's Lake Effect show is all about local food and drink.

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos’ decision to retire and the impact it could have on the future of state politics. Research on how Milwaukee winters are warming and growing shorter. The Underground Railroad’s connections in Wisconsin.

We learn about the origins of Black History Month as we celebrate its 100th anniversary in the U.S. We meet a former Birkebeiner baby. We plan a trip to Wisconsin’s first skating ribbon.