WORT Local News

Here's your local news for Monday, November 10, 2025: We'll share the mission behind a 1,500-ribbon display in downtown Madison, Hear how a delay in federal funding is impacting the Menominee Indian School District, Find out what's at stake if online publication Tone Madison can't reach their winter fundraising goal, Explain why air traffic has ground to a halt, Share lessons from New York City's...

Here's your local news for Thursday, November 6, 2025: We detail the debate ahead of yesterday's budget vote in the Dane County Board of Supervisors, Hear what a former drum corps instructor's accusers have to say about his recent return to the public eye, Discuss how open government cases can often be solved with a warning rather than a lawsuit, Celebrate the Madison Public Library's 150th annive...

Here's your local news for Wednesday, November 5, 2025: We hear the pros and cons of data centers, according to stakeholders who joined an informational meeting today in the state Capitol, Find out who's paying for Jack Daly's services, just months after the "Scam PAC" fundraiser emerged from federal custody, Learn how the Badgers' faltering football team could add red ink to local and state busin...

Here's your local news for Tuesday, November 4, 2025: We hear Superintendent Jill Underly's pitch to address teacher sexual misconduct and grooming of students, Check in on Dane County's 2026 proposed budget ahead of tomorrow's deliberations, Discuss the long fight to shut down Ridglan Farms with a local animal rights activist, Consider a pressing business dilemma for American dairy farmers, Meet...

Here's your local news for Monday, November 3, 2025: We check in with Dane County food pantries amid the federal chaos, Hear locals' concerns about a proposal to expand a commercial dairy operation in Door County, Find out why environmental advocates are sounding the alarm on Line 5's newly-issued federal permits, Share the local government's calendar for the week ahead, Remember an abolitionist w...

Here's your local news for Thursday, October 30, 2025: We'll outline what's at stake locally as federal lawmakers weigh cuts to AmeriCorps Seniors funding, Discuss the potential flaws in the Madison Police Department's body-cam pilot study, Learn more about UW-Madison's Russian Flagship Program, Sit down with Chicago-based musician Winefred RT, Share the joy that comes from a used sewing machine,...

Here's your local news for Wednesday, October 29, 2025: We get the details on two much-debated items that earned unanimous approval in last night's Common Council meeting, Discuss the road to 2026 with WisDems Chair Devin Remiker, Learn how UW-Madison researchers are partnering with local farmers, Broadcast the most comprehensive weather report on the airwaves, Travel back in time to 1969, And muc...

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 f...

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 charg...

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...

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 soybe...

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...

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 yea...

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 actu...

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 ma...

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 trai...

Here's your local news for Thursday, October 9, 2025: We outline what to expect when construction begins next week on one of Madison's busiest thoroughfares, Consider the gray areas in Wisconsin's regulation of THC, Explain when and how public bodies can enter closed session, Tell you the best spots to cast your fishing line, Celebrate Forward Madison FC's recent back-to-back wins, And much more.

Here's your local news for Wednesday, October 8, 2025: We hear what's at stake if Congress fails to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits, Outline city leaders' debate over a proposed drive-thru coffee shop at West Towne Mall, Find out why MMSD is pitching its recent 4K expansion as a win-win, Discuss the risks of private equity in 401(k) retirement plans, Broadcast the most comprehensive wea...

Here's your local news for Tuesday, October 7, 2025: We outline some of the funding priorities in Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway's $452.5 million operating budget proposal, Find out why state Democrats want to require health insurers to include fertility services in their coverage, Consider what’s at stake if a loophole in Wisconsin’s campaign finance law is replicated on the federal level, Share some...

Here's your local news for Monday, October 6, 2025: We head to Monona Terrace for a Hispanic Heritage Month celebration, where local leaders emphasized the importance of community, Get the latest data on alcohol-induced deaths in Wisconsin, Consider what's at stake after a Georgia-based journalist was deported on Friday, Celebrate the birthday of a renowned peace activist and journalist, Teach you...

Here's your local news for Thursday, October 2, 2025: We'll outline some of the cost-saving measures in County Executive Agard's spending plan for next year, Mark the end of a Biden-era climate initiative, Find out how PFAS chemicals from Truax Field end up in nearby waterways like Starkweather Creek, Learn what it takes to achieve fluency in Russian, Talk songwriting with a Milwaukee-based musici...

Here's your local news for Wednesday, October 1, 2025: We head to Madison's Rennebohm Park for a press conference opposing the Line 5 reroute, Get the details on a new antibody treatment that aims to provide seasonal protection from Lyme disease, Find out how state Democrats are working to fill the gap as Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin pauses abortion services, Learn the history behind a trailbla...

Here's your local news for Tuesday, September 30, 2025: We hear Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway's latest preview of her 2026 operating budget proposal, Outline some budget amendments Madison's Board of Education took up yesterday, Check in with the owner of Rutabaga Paddlesports after the announcement that he's closing up shop at the end of this year, Look forward to this week's packed schedule of dairy...

Here's your local news for Monday, September 29, 2025: We find out why some local leaders are practicing a car-free life this week, Get the scoop on a small Wisconsin police department's proposal to partner with ICE, Consider Trump's latest comments on free speech with a UW-Madison professor, Review two bookends to Robert Redford's film career, And much more.