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

January 22, 2026 47 mins

Here's your local news for Thursday, January 22, 2026:

  • We share an update on a new housing development in the city's Owl Creek neighborhood,
  • Outline what's been predictable and surprising about the Trump regime's immigration crackdown,
  • Celebrate Bob Weir's life and legacy with a local Grateful Dead tribute band,
  • Learn how a local woodworker used his art to tackle a complicated subject,
  • Look forward to the Russian Folk Orchestra's fi...
Mark as Played

Here's your local news for Wednesday, January 21, 2026:

  • We find out how a city initiative is defining Madison's "regional music brand,"
  • Hear a Midwest professor's warning about the Trump regime's escalating authoritarian tactics,
  • Check in with Dane4Dogs after their latest legal victory over Ridglan Farms,
  • Examine UW-Madison's evolving anti-hazing policies,
  • Broadcast the most comprehensive weather report on the airwaves,
  • Travel back i...
Mark as Played

Here's your local news for Tuesday, January 20, 2026:

  • We get Congressman Mark Pocan's take on escalating ICE activity, the impending government shutdown, and efforts to redraw Wisconsin's congressional maps,
  • Outline the partisan debate over rising energy costs,
  • Share an excerpt from the keynote speech at Dane County and Madison's 41st Annual MLK Day Observance,
  • Explain why most of the American ag industry is running in the red,
  • Cele...
Mark as Played

Here's your local news for Thursday, January 15, 2026:

  • We explain why city-county tensions boiled over at a public hearing on Wednesday,
  • Get the details on MMSD's budget outlook for 2026-2027,
  • Describe the transparency concerns that emerged after WisconsinEye went dark,
  • Tell you the best spots to cast your fishing line,
  • Meet the Flamingos' newest midfielder,
  • And much more.
Mark as Played

Here's your local news for Wednesday, January 14, 2026:

  • We head to the state Capitol for a student walkout protesting the ICE shooting last week in Minneapolis,
  • Hear what city alders had to say ahead of yesterday's unanimous vote approving a one-year moratorium on new data center construction,
  • Sit down with Senator Melissa Ratcliff to dissect the GOP's latest spate of anti-trans proposals,
  • Predict what could be on the agenda if Dem...
Mark as Played

Here's your local news for Tuesday, January 13, 2026:

  • We get the details on a proposal that would temporarily ban new data center construction in Madison,
  • Hear the mission behind a city council newsletter that's slated to launch this week,
  • Explain why the feds set legal definitions for dairy products,
  • Talk gut health with a local dietician,
  • Check on a pair of red-tailed hawks receiving treatment at the Dane County Humane Society's W...
Mark as Played

Here's your local news for Monday, January 12, 2026:

  • We hear messages of mourning and resistance at a Madison vigil for Renee Nicole Good,
  • Outline the latest charges in a child sexual abuse investigation at Sun Prairie West High School,
  • Find out why a much-debated state law is taking center stage in the missing ballot lawsuit against the city of Madison and its former clerk,
  • Share the local government's calendar for the week ahead,
  • ...
Mark as Played

Here's your local news for Thursday, January 8, 2026:

  • We detail the mixed reactions at a city meeting yesterday reviewing WisDOT's plan to expand the beltline,
  • Find out how much Wisconsin's ballooning school voucher program is costing taxpayers,
  • Spotlight some upcoming events celebrating eastern European culture,
  • Meet a Madisonian who's using social media to highlight the local music scene,
  • Consider the balance between function and ...
Mark as Played
January 7, 2026 50 mins

Here's your local news for Wednesday, January 7, 2026:

  • We find out why the DeForest village board decided not to take action Tuesday on a petition that would give voters the final say on a proposed data center,
  • Learn how data centers could change Wisconsin's utility landscape,
  • Answer some winter gardening FAQs,
  • Broadcast the most comprehensive weather report on the airwaves,
  • Travel back in time to 1962,
  • And much more.
Mark as Played

Here's your local news for Tuesday, January 6, 2026:

  • We find out how a new federal grant could help MMSD expand mental health services for students in need,
  • Get the details on a local project that uses art to help older Black women fight Alzheimer's disease,
  • Consider the potential pitfalls if private interests win out in the county's renovation of the Coliseum,
  • Forecast another difficult year in the dairy business,
  • Stop by JBC Coffe...
Mark as Played

Here's your local news for Monday, January 5, 2026:

  • We share an update on embattled Milwaukee Judge Hannah Dugan,
  • Outline the tough choices ahead for the estimated 110,000 Wisconsinites that rely on ACA tax credits,
  • Head to a rally in downtown Madison protesting the abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro,
  • Take a closer look at this weekend's military action with help from an expert in international law,
  • Celebrate the birth...
Mark as Played

Here's your local news for Thursday, December 18, 2025:

  • We detail the interim independent monitor's priority list for police oversight efforts in Madison,
  • Hear Rep. Ryan Clancy's plan to overhaul Wisconsin's tax system,
  • Consider the sometimes-unexpected cost of open records requests,
  • Tell you some of the best ice fishing spots,
  • Learn how Forward Madison FC is reshaping their roster ahead of the 2026 season,
  • And much more.
Mark as Played

Here's your local news for Wednesday, December 17, 2025:

  • We outline the key takeaways from the city of Madison's "Love Our Lakes" discussion on Tuesday,
  • Find out why environmental advocates are challenging a Trenton dairy farm's newly-issued state permit,
  • Learn how local jails are facilitating the Trump regime's mass deportation agenda,
  • Hear a UW-Madison frat's pitch to save their annual hockey tournament and fundraiser,
  • Broadcast t...
Mark as Played

Here's your local news for Tuesday, December 16, 2025:

  • We share the latest updates on Madison's Southwest and Southeast area plans,
  • Consider the long road ahead for a lawsuit that claims Wisconsin's congressional maps are an anti-competitive gerrymander,
  • Explain why American beef prices are in flux,
  • Learn how to achieve that signature bagel chewiness,
  • Mark the start of hibernation season,
  • And much more.
Mark as Played

Here's your local news for Monday, December 15, 2025:

  • We outline the recent back and forth over a proposal to build a new harm reduction clinic on Madison's far east side,
  • Explain how Trump's $12 billion federal aid package leaves small, specialty crop farmers in the lurch,
  • Find out why Wisconsin lawmakers may soon reconsider a policy that diverts federal benefits away from foster children,
  • Celebrate WORT's fiftieth birthday and lo...
Mark as Played

Here's your local news for Thursday, December 11, 2025:

  • We hear state Democrats' pitch to support Wisconsin farmers and protect agricultural lands from development,
  • Outline some of the most pressing challenges in the state's rural school districts,
  • Get an update on MMSD's Behavior Education Plan,
  • Check in with the Russian Folk Orchestra ahead of their busy concert season,
  • Discuss the imminent passage of the National Defense Authoriz...
Mark as Played

Here's your local news for Wednesday, December 10, 2025:

  • We share the details on a pair of housing-focused ordinances approved at Tuesday's city council meeting,
  • Find out why Midwest Environmental Advocates has filed an open records lawsuit against the state's utility regulator,
  • Learn how a local newsroom uses hands-on learning to improve children's literacy skills,
  • Broadcast the most comprehensive weather report on the airwaves,
  • Tr...
Mark as Played

Here's your local news for Tuesday, December 9, 2025:

  • We get the details on a bill that would guarantee Wisconsin workers up to 14 weeks of paid family and medical leave,
  • Outline key findings in UWPD records obtained by Tone Madison, nearly two years after a multi-jurisdiction raid of the student protest encampment on Library Mall,
  • Share a news roundup on Roundup,
  • Consider the intersection between kitchen skills and early childhood...
Mark as Played

Here's your local news for Monday, December 8, 2025:

  • We head to a local food pantry for a conversation about the rising cost of living,
  • Find out why senior advocates want to preserve county-owned nursing homes,
  • Check in with the director of Madison's Civil Rights Department, after an investigation cleared him of workplace discrimination claims,
  • Explain what's next for two lawsuits challenging Wisconsin's congressional map,
  • Celebrate...
Mark as Played

Here's your local news for Thursday, December 4, 2025:

  • We find out which Madison intersections are in the running for new traffic signals,
  • Hear why advocates recommend "walk audits" as a first step to reducing your neighborhood's carbon footprint,
  • Learn some of the most common ways commercial buildings in Madison waste energy,
  • Explain your right to access government records on data center projects,
  • Share some ice fishing safety tips...
Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    Gregg Rosenthal and a rotating crew of elite NFL Media co-hosts, including Patrick Claybon, Colleen Wolfe, Steve Wyche, Nick Shook and Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic get you caught up daily on all the NFL news and analysis you need to be smarter and funnier than your friends.

    Dateline NBC

    Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

    Stuff You Should Know

    If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

    The Herd with Colin Cowherd

    The Herd with Colin Cowherd is a thought-provoking, opinionated, and topic-driven journey through the top sports stories of the day.

    The Joe Rogan Experience

    The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2026 iHeartMedia, Inc.