WORT Local News

WORT Local News

Breaking news and feature stories straight from the WORT News team’s underground lair in Madison, Wisconsin. New episodes every Monday through Thursday at 7:30 PM. Also available live on 89.9 FM from 6:00-7:00 PM and online anytime at WORTFM.org.

Episodes

November 20, 2025 50 mins

Here's your local news for Thursday, November 20, 2025:

  • We talk health care tax credits and the Epstein files with Democratic U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin,
  • Learn how to spot U.S.-made products ahead of the holidays,
  • Meet the city of Madison's Parks Superintendent,
  • Explain your right to know the final five applicants being considered for public offices,
  • Tell you the best spots for some cold-weather fishing,
  • Make a wish list for the Flam...
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Here's your local news for Wednesday, November 19, 2025:

  • We head to a public hearing on the Dane County Regional Airport's latest efforts in F-35 noise mitigation,
  • Consider Wisconsin's retention and workforce challenges this Education-Support Professionals Day,
  • Hear the research goals driving the Nelson Institute's new partnership with QTS Data Centers,
  • Learn how students at UW-Madison fared during the SNAP benefits chaos,
  • Broadcast...
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Here's your local news for Tuesday, November 18, 2025:

  • We hear what party leaders had to say ahead of today's floor session in the state Senate,
  • Learn how some entrepreneurs in Madison and Chicago are redefining vending machines,
  • Consider the pros and potential pitfalls of a bipartisan bill that would legalize online sports betting in Wisconsin,
  • Explain what's behind some recent ag industry happenings,
  • Taste what's on the menu at Su...
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Here's your local news for Monday, November 17, 2025:

  • We get to know the three finalists vying for an interim leadership role in Madison's Office of the Independent Monitor,
  • Find out why a proposal mandating teaching hours for UW System faculty could raise constitutional concerns,
  • Share the local government's calendar for the week ahead,
  • Learn the story behind Transgender Day of Remembrance,
  • Review two new movies,
  • And much more.
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Here's your local news for Thursday, November 13, 2025:

  • We hear Senator Baldwin's plan to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits, a measure excluded from the budget bill Trump signed into law Wednesday,
  • Detail the economic benefits of agrivoltaics,
  • Talk election security and accuracy with the new Madison city clerk,
  • Share some upcoming events celebrating eastern European culture,
  • Hear the story behind a new local music space on ...
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Here's your local news for Wednesday, November 12, 2025:

  • We'll get the details on a last-minute amendment that dominated budget deliberations yesterday in the Madison Common Council,
  • Find out why a pro-democracy advocate is sounding the alarm on a handful of election bills in the state Assembly,
  • Share some key takeaways in the Daily Cardinal's new "AI Issue,"
  • Broadcast the most comprehensive weather report on the airwaves,
  • Travel ba...
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Here's your local news for Tuesday, November 11, 2025:

  • We explain why Verona city leaders decided to cut ties with a third-party surveillance contractor,
  • Get the details on a bill that would put a cap on Wisconsinites' utility rates,
  • Hear what climate advocates have to say about Alliant Energy's new rate case settlement,
  • Unscramble the recent chaos around SNAP benefits,
  • Indulge in a Tex-Mex feast,
  • Describe what it takes to treat eye ...
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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 1933 mayoral election,
  • Teach you how ...
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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 anniversary - no invitation needed,
  • Look a...
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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 business ledgers,
  • Broadcast the most com...
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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 a local hot sauce connoisseur,
  • Celebr...
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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 who was murdered protecting his print...
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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,
  • And much more.
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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 much more.
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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 fare during the winter
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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
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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 charge,
  • Share the best spots for fall-wea...
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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 most comprehensive weather report ...
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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 soybean farmers,
  • Celebrate the history of...
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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 for the week ahead,
  • Commemorate the...
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