Shows / 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
- WORT Local News
Planning for John Nolen considers safety, traffic
Here's your local news for Thursday, October 29, 2026: We share an update on the John Nolen reconstruction project, Examine the real-world impacts of…
- WORT Local News
2024 referendum keeps MMSD's budget balanced, for now
Here's your local news for Wednesday, October 28, 2026: We share an update on the city of Madison's pursuit of local data center regulation, Take a closer look…
- WORT Local News
After firing the police monitor, Madison alders re-examine oversight
Here's your local news for Tuesday, October 27, 2026: We explain which police oversight items made the cut at Monday's Finance Committee meeting, Meet a…
- WORT Local News
Workgroup seeks public input on body-worn camera policy
Here's your local news for Monday, October 26, 2026: We explain how you can weigh in on Madison's body-worn camera policies, Hear how a statewide labor union…
- WORT Local News
Tiffany, Crowley stick to their playbooks on the debate stage
Here's your local news for Thursday, October 22, 2026: We hear why MMSD has opted to rebuild rather than renovate two aging elementary schools, Discuss key…
- WORT Local News
Police monitor canned at daybreak, despite hours of public outcry
Here's your local news for Wednesday, October 21, 2026: We explain what went down at Tuesday's marathon city council meeting, Learn how the federal immigration…
- WORT Local News
Facing funding shortfall, Journey Mental Health seeks county support
Here's your local news for Tuesday, October 20, 2026: We find out why Journal Mental Health wants a new county funding model, Meet an independent candidate…
- WORT Local News
Ahead of council vote, police civilian oversight board backs IM Glass
Here's your local news for Monday, October 19, 2026: We hear what Madison's Police Civilian Oversight Board has to say about the interim independent monitor's…
- WORT Local News
How MMSD renamed three elementary schools at once
Here's your local news for Thursday, October 15, 2026: We explain how, and why, MMSD renamed three elementary schools at once this summer, Learn the history…
- WORT Local News
Metro Transit seeks solution to fare evasion
Here's your local news for Wednesday, October 14, 2026: We find out why Madison transit leaders are sounding the alarm on fare evasion, Get a progress update…
- WORT Local News
Madison’s interim police monitor seeks hefty budget increase
Here's your local news for Tuesday, October 13, 2026: We find out why the city's independent police monitor wants nearly double the funding next year, Hear the…
- WORT Local News
Tom Tiffany’s appearance in Madison draws protesters
Here's your local news for Monday, October 12, 2026: We head to UW-Madison's Grainger Hall for a protest against Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom…
- WORT Local News
Mayor Rhodes-Conway unveils 2027 operating budget proposal
Here's your local news for Thursday, October 8, 2026: We dig into the mayor's proposed spending plan for next year, Meet a legislative candidate who says he…
- WORT Local News
City council to consider canning contentious independent monitor
Here's your local news for Wednesday, October 7, 2026: We explain why Madison's interim independent police monitor could be out of a job several months ahead…
- WORT Local News
Madison weighs rebrand for Traffic Engineering Division
Here's your local news for Tuesday, October 6, 2026: We find out why a city agency could soon get a new name, Sit down with the Democratic candidate running…
- WORT Local News
City seeks public feedback on Envision Downtown Madison
Here's your local news for Monday, October 5, 2026: We get a progress update on a strategic plan that aims to help downtown Madison reach its full potential…
- WORT Local News
Judge rules Salah Sarsour can be deported
Here's your local news for Thursday, October 1, 2026: We hear from Salah Sarsour's legal team, after this week's ruling that he can be deported on national…
- WORT Local News
Madison plans for data center regulation as moratorium approaches expiration
Here's your local news for Wednesday, September 30, 2026: We hear city staff's plan to prevent the development of hyperscale data centers in Madison, Consider…
- WORT Local News
Nurses at ten SSM clinics vote to unionize
Here's your local news for Tuesday, September 29, 2026: We get the scoop on the latest union election at SSM Health, Meet an independent candidate who's…
- WORT Local News
Three constitutional amendments head to a vote in November
Here's your local news for Monday, September 28, 2026: We hear what's on the agenda for Madison's new policing policy workgroup, Find out what issues matter…
- WORT Local News
Surprise grant fast-tracks Madison's body-worn camera program
Here's your local news for Thursday, September 24, 2026: We find out why Madison's citywide deployment of body-worn cameras could come earlier than expected…
- WORT Local News
Madison alders direct police chief to produce progress report on oversight recommendations
Here's your local news for Wednesday, September 23, 2026: We detail a resolution on police oversight and accountability that earned the city council's…
- WORT Local News
Police monitor may have exposed Madison to legal risk, city attorney says
Here's your local news for Tuesday, September 22, 2026: We hear David Crowley and Tom Tiffany's dueling visions for state-county coordination, Get the city…
- WORT Local News
Middleton-Cross Plains school referendum aims to avoid "draconian cuts"
Here's your local news for Monday, September 21, 2026: We hear what local leaders in police oversight had to say at a public forum last week, Attend a union…
- WORT Local News
Breese Stevens Field expansion raises traffic concerns for neighbors
Here's your local news for Thursday, September 17, 2026: We detail a multimillion-dollar proposal to upgrade Breese Stevens Field, Learn how to spot bail…
- WORT Local News
Planned Parenthood lawsuit takes aim at Wisconsin abortion restrictions
Here's your local news for Wednesday, September 16, 2026: We hear state lawmakers' plan to slow down approval of the MariBell and BECI transmission projects…
- WORT Local News
Madison police chief proposes gradual rollout of body-worn cameras
Here's your local news for Tuesday, September 15, 2026: We find out how Madison's budget constraints have shaped a proposal to deploy body-worn cameras across…
- WORT Local News
Dane County urges energy regulator to pump the brakes on high-voltage transmission project
Here's your local news for Monday, September 14, 2026: We hear the Dane County Board's pitch to delay approval of the BECI transmission project, Discuss the…
- WORT Local News
SSM Health violated federal labor law, nurses union alleges
Here's your local news for Thursday, September 10, 2026: We find out why St. Mary's nurses have filed a federal labor complaint against SSM Health, Get to know…
- WORT Local News
Local businesses and police oversight snubbed in city council vote
Here's your local news for Wednesday, September 9, 2026: We detail Madison alders' debate Tuesday evening over a pair of ill-fated funding proposals, Examine…
- WORT Local News
Dane County sees record high homelessness
Here's your local news for Tuesday, September 8, 2026: We detail the latest data on homelessness in Dane County, Find out why Senator Kelda Roys opposed the…
- WORT Local News
With looming budget deficit, county leaders ask the public to get involved
Here's your local news for Thursday, September 3, 2026: We head to Centro Hispano for a public engagement session on Dane County's next budget, Find out why…
- WORT Local News
Madison leaders back downsized Willy Street relief fund
Here's your local news for Wednesday, September 2, 2026: We explain which proposals made the cut on Monday, when city leaders considered funding for Willy…
- WORT Local News
Mail-in voting to stay the same for November, despite Trump executive order
Here's your local news for Tuesday, September 1, 2026: We share key takeaways from Monday's special meeting of the Wisconsin Elections Commission, Learn about…
- WORT Local News
Madison's CARES program celebrates five years of service
Here's your local news for Monday, August 31, 2026: We check in with Madison's alternative emergency response program ahead of their fifth anniversary, Outline…
- WORT Local News
What Happens to Abandoned Cemeteries?
Here's your local news for Thursday, August 27, 2026: Hear about how the State Government considers reforming the laws around cemeteries Southern Wisconsin…
- WORT Local News
Wisconsin's Involvement with the Biggest Tech Settlement in American History
Here's your local news for Wednesday, August 26, 2026: Check in on the heating-up Madison Mayor Race Learn about a new Dane County Clerk’s Office Election…
- WORT Local News
AFT-Wisconsin president calls for major overhaul of UW Board of Regents
Here's your local news for Thursday, August 20, 2026: We learn how the city of Green Bay is preparing for the midterms, after a headline-grabbing election…
- WORT Local News
Energy use at Meta data center not a "trade secret," judge rules
Here's your local news for Wednesday, August 19, 2026: We find out why state finance leaders are opposed to deregulating crypto staking, Check in with Midwest…
- WORT Local News
Friday's commutations hearing Wisconsin's first in twenty-five years
Here's your local news for Tuesday, August 18, 2026: We hear how the Madison school board is planning for the next district budget, Talk carceral reform ahead…
- WORT Local News
MMSD prepares to implement new cellphone policy
Here's your local news for Monday, August 17, 2026: We share key takeaways from MMSD's back-to-school roundtable, Hear what consumer advocates are monitoring…
- WORT Local News
ACLU challenges Wisconsin birth certificate law
Here's your local news for Thursday, August 13, 2026: We detail the latest pitch to redevelop the downtown site that houses Essen Haus, Find out why ACLU is…
- WORT Local News
“Undecideds” key in David Crowley’s victory
Here's your local news for Wednesday, August 12, 2026: We detail the preliminary results in Tuesday's election, Consider why statewide polls missed the mark in…
- WORT Local News
A first look at Madison's new men's shelter
Here's your local news for Tuesday, August 11, 2026: We explain why an error more than fifty years ago has the city rushing to hand over "remnant lands" to the…
- WORT Local News
Wisconsin sees less absentee voting in partisan primary
Here's your local news for Monday, August 10, 2026: We get an update from Wisconsin's top elections administrator ahead of Tuesday's partisan primary, Hear the…
- WORT Local News
Disability advocate travels 125 miles by wheelchair to defend home care
Here's your local news for Thursday, August 6, 2026: We hear a disability advocate's warning about Medicaid cuts and a new opinion from the Justice Department…
- WORT Local News
Activists raise their voices at city council and on the streets
Here's your local news for Wednesday, August 5, 2026: We detail the past 24 hours of city meetings and protests, two weeks after the police killing of Corey…
- WORT Local News
Protesters arrested as Madison tears down Corey Ruiz memorial
Here's your local news for Tuesday, August 4, 2026: We detail what went down this morning when the city followed through on its threat to clear out the…
- WORT Local News
Corey Ruiz memorial approaches second week
Here's your local news for Monday, August 3, 2026: We get an updated report from the Corey Ruiz memorial site, Talk police training and "privileged use of…
- WORT Local News
“Red-tape” work requirement risks booting thousands from BadgerCare
Here's your local news for Thursday, July 30, 2026: We hear how Wisconsin health officials are preparing to carry out the new federal work requirement for…
- WORT Local News
Specter of Tom Tiffany looms over Democratic primary debate
Here's your local news for Wednesday, July 29, 2026: We share key takeaways from Tuesday's primary debate, Find out how much money Wisconsinites are losing to…
- WORT Local News
Wisconsin courts fast-track absentee ballot lawsuit
Here's your local news for Tuesday, July 28, 2026: We detail the latest legal dispute over absentee voting in Wisconsin, Find out why Dane County is turning to…
- WORT Local News
Mourning and advocacy in the aftermath of police shooting
Here's your local news for Monday, July 27, 2026: We outline how the Madison community has responded in the days since police shot and killed Corey Ruiz, Share…
- WORT Local News
Madison in uproar following police shooting
Here's your local news for Thursday, July 23, 2026: We detail what's happened in the 24 hours since Madison police shot and killed Corey Ruiz, Talk the war in…
- WORT Local News
National experts advise city council on civilian oversight of police
Here's your local news for Wednesday, July 22, 2026: We hear what national experts have to say about police oversight efforts in Madison, Learn how the Willy…
- WORT Local News
Budget cuts at the city and county converge on Public Health
Here's your local news for Tuesday, July 21, 2026: We hear how the local public health department plans to cope with reduced funding next year, Meet a civilian…
- WORT Local News
MMSD solicits public feedback on elementary school renamings
Here's your local news for Monday, July 20, 2026: We hear Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway's pitch for another term in office, Check in on efforts to rename…
- WORT Local News
Rally demands action on prison overcrowding
Here's your local news for Thursday, July 16, 2026: We head to a rally outside Wisconsin Department of Corrections headquarters, Learn the history behind "No…
- WORT Local News
Elon Musk’s million-dollar payouts could lead to criminal charges
Here's your local news for Wednesday, July 15, 2026: We get the details on Edgewood High School's "compromise" stadium plans, Find out why the world's richest…
- WORT Local News
Sara Rodriguez’s campaign continues following financial reporting blunder
Here's your local news for Tuesday, July 14, 2026: We find out why a hopeful for Wisconsin governor has fired her campaign manager, Learn the mission behind a…