Shows / Lake Effect Spotlight
Lake Effect Spotlight
The Lake Effect Spotlight podcast features some of our favorite conversations about the people, places and organizations that shape Milwaukee.
Episodes
- Lake Effect Spotlight
Optimism, and Trump-triggered caution, about renewable energy growth in Wisconsin this year
The executive director of RENEW Wisconsin offers predictions for 2025.
- Lake Effect Spotlight
Milwaukee Recreation’s new director wants to continue building up programs and play fields
Milwaukee Public Schools recently approved Brian Litzsey as the new senior director of Milwaukee Recreation. He is the 11th director in the department’s…
- Lake Effect Spotlight
'Heal and move forward': Milwaukee Housing Authority chair talks next steps amid financial struggles
Milwaukee’s Housing Authority is facing financial woes after illegally using millions of dollars in federal funds to pay staff. The agency also is faced with…
- Lake Effect Spotlight
WUWM staff picks: A mixtape of love songs just in time for Valentine’s Day
A mixtape of love songs curated by WUWM Staff for Valentine's Day 2025.
- Lake Effect Spotlight
Bad Bunny wanted to share Puerto Rico's history of colonization, so he called a Wisconsin professor
Bad Bunny wanted to share the history of Puerto Rico on his latest album. So his team made a call to the University of Wisconsin-Madison. That’s where a…
- Lake Effect Spotlight
Looking for recipe ideas? Milwaukee Public Library’s historic collection has thousands
Librarians clipped recipes from the "Milwaukee Journal" over the course of 20 years. Today, it’s a digitized collection called the "Historic Recipe File."
- Lake Effect Spotlight
An appetite for progress: Students from PEARLS for Teen Girls cook with Milwaukee chefs
The Bronzeville event "Cheers to Pearls Who Cook" brought together teen girls and local chefs for more than appetizers. It was a master class in mentorship.
- Lake Effect Spotlight
Two brothers from Afghanistan share how refugee funding now in limbo helped them settle in Milwaukee
Every year, Milwaukee welcomes refugees from across the globe, including two brothers who made a harrowing journey from Afghanistan during the Taliban takeover…
- Lake Effect Spotlight
Lesser-known stories of Black Americans in history returns to Marquette
A lecture series highlighting Black stories missing from American history books returns to Marquette University in honor of Black History Month.
- Lake Effect Spotlight
A Milwaukee native's new book takes readers on a pop culture 'road trip' through the '90s and 2000s
Milwaukee native Ira Madison III is a cultural critic, TV writer and host of the podcast “Keep It.” His book “Pure Innocent Fun" explores media that inspired…
- Lake Effect Spotlight
Milwaukee Mayor Johnson interview, part two: Housing, budgets, public works, crime
In part two of our interview with Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson, we compare his approach to housing, budgets, public works, and crime in 2025 with that of…
- Lake Effect Spotlight
Milwaukee Mayor Johnson aims to welcome immigrants without being 'targeted' by Trump
Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson outlines how the city welcomes immigrants, but stops short of calling Milwaukee a sanctuary city fearing repercussions from…
- Lake Effect Spotlight
Financial advice to start the year off right with your 'financial hype woman'
January is the month where most of our New Year's resolutions start, and end. That includes money goals. Author, financial educator, and self-proclaimed 'rich…
- Lake Effect Spotlight
Staying safe from RSV, COVID-19, flu and norovirus this winter: Tips and vaccine resources
Dr. Ben Weston, chief health policy advisor for Milwaukee County, joins Lake Effect's Joy Powers to talk about how you can stay safe from flu, COVID-19, RSV…
- Lake Effect Spotlight
The Domes: Reimagined project takes root
After years of wondering what will happen to the deteriorating Mitchell Park Domes, the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors has committed $30 million to "The…
- Lake Effect Spotlight
Milwaukee surfer shapes eco-friendly board that ‘captures the beauty of surfing while respecting the water’
Local surfer and Greenhouse Surfboards founder Ken Cole created the world’s first leaf-based surfboard to encompass what he believes is the art, soul and…
- Lake Effect Spotlight
Are you a reader who likes meeting new people? Try Milwaukee's Silent Book Club!
A silent book club gives readers a chance to be social, but it unfolds a bit differently than in a traditional book club. The first hour usually involves solo…
- Lake Effect Spotlight
Wisconsin Policy Forum's top 5 findings of 2024
From house prices outpacing incomes in Wisconsin to a significant decrease in the number of arrests by the Milwaukee Police Department, here are some of…
- Lake Effect Spotlight
Eagle River hosts 62nd annual World Championship Snowmobile Derby
Snowmobiling World Championship Derby Complex CEO Tom Anderson shares about the upcoming snowmobile derby and why Eagle River is a great place for snowmobile…
- Lake Effect Spotlight
Milwaukee’s youth poet laureate is helping up-and-coming poets grow
Aleena Ahmed, a Bengali American poet and a junior at Nicolet High School, was selected as the youth poet laureate last summer by Woodland Pattern, a nonprofit…
- Lake Effect Spotlight
Milwaukee Music Roundup: Night Crickets, Ellie Jackson, BLAX, Known Moons
Matt Wild from "Milwaukee Record" recaps his favorite songs from local musicians for this month.
- Lake Effect Spotlight
Greentree: Where you are safe to be yourself
Greentree and Teutonia Apartments are a public housing community on Milwaukee's north side. The community inspires us to consider deeper meanings of "safety."
- Lake Effect Spotlight
Milwaukee seniors ‘living their best lives’ through dance and community
There are a few places in the city where seniors are perfecting dance moves and building friendships. They're showing us all how having a good time and staying…
- Lake Effect Spotlight
Leap day 2024 in Milwaukee: Rare birthdays, cosmic love stories, and unforgettable proposals
For many, leap day might just be another day, but about five million people around the world — also known as leaplings — will get to celebrate their actual…
- Lake Effect Spotlight
From back seat listener to NPR host: A conversation with Ari Shapiro
When NPR's Ari Shapiro isn't in the All Things Considered host chair he is out reporting in the field, which is what recently brought him to Milwaukee to…
- Lake Effect Spotlight
Bringin' the Hannukah light with Milwaukee's Latkes Con Salsa
Jazz drummer and vibes player Mitchell Shiner is leading a project called Latkes Con Salsa, a live concert series and album featuring traditional Hannukah…
- Lake Effect Spotlight
Bringin' the Hannukah light with Milwaukee's Latkes Con Salsa
Jazz drummer and vibes player Mitchell Shiner is leading a project called Latkes Con Salsa, a live concert series and album featuring traditional Hannukah…
- Lake Effect Spotlight
Top games to gift in 2024
Gaming expert James Lowder shares his top picks for 2024 games, including two-player, family and role-playing games suitable for players of all ages and skill…
- Lake Effect Spotlight
A Fight for Survival: The monarch butterfly's future
The monarch butterfly, with its striking orange and black markings, has become a beloved species but faces significant challenges, as the U.S. Fish and…
- Lake Effect Spotlight
Milwaukee Recreation director to retire after 36-year career, reflects on department’s future
At the end of January, Lynn Greb will retire as Milwaukee Recreation’s 10th director in the department’s 114-year history.
- Lake Effect Spotlight
Democratic Party of Wisconsin chair aims to become the national chair of the DNC
Democrats trying to shake off last month's loss in the presidential race will meet this week to go over the rules to elect a new DNC Chair. The current chair…
- Lake Effect Spotlight
How the Coming Home Tour supports LGBTQ Wisconsinites this Holiday Season
The statewide tour of PFLAG meetings shares stories of LGBTQ history and heritage to help people feel more grounded.
- Lake Effect Spotlight
One course, many faiths: Milwaukeeans come together to study Judaism, Islam and Christianity
What began as a collaboration over food between Congregation Sinai and the Turkish-American Society of Wisconsin has evolved into a six-week exploration of…
- Lake Effect Spotlight
What's next for Heal the Hood?
Since 2012, Heal the Hood MKE has been supporting the Milwaukee community, whether it’s a back-to-school event providing youth with support for the school year…
- Lake Effect Spotlight
Celebrating Vel Phillips' unforgettable impact on politics, Milwaukee and Wisconsin
From pioneering open housing legislation to serving as Wisconsin’s secretary of state, Vel Phillips has influenced countless crucial moments in our history.
- Lake Effect Spotlight
There's no better time for Milwaukee's Blackity Black Holiday Market
On Small Business Saturday (Nov. 30), at Milwaukee's Turner Hall Ballroom, you can find more than 40 of Milwaukee's Black entrepreneurs, along with a food…
- Lake Effect Spotlight
'Rock 'n' Roll Poet' honors WUWM's famous alum, Bob Reitman
WUWM is celebrating 60 years on the air, and we're recognizing it in a variety of ways. One of those is the upcoming hour long special "Rock 'n' Roll Poet: A…
- Lake Effect Spotlight
Ho-Chunk chef sees food as canvas for tradition and change
World-renowned chef, community builder, and member of the Ho-Chunk Nation Elena Terry sees food as an opportunity for preserving tradition, and a canvas for…
- Lake Effect Spotlight
The time is now for optimizing home energy efficiency
Right now, Wisconsin families have a chance to take advantage of significant funding to make their homes more energy efficient. The funding is part of the…
- Lake Effect Spotlight
Remembering Milwaukee Alderman Jonathan Brostoff
Brostoff was a tireless advocate for his community, both as a state representative and later as a member of the Milwaukee Common Council.
- Lake Effect Spotlight
'Struggle for the City' explores how neighborhoods fought urban renewal
Milwaukee's Bronzeville neighborhood was once the heart of the city's Black community, but that all changed with "urban renewal." We explore the book "Struggle…
- Lake Effect Spotlight
Is Milwaukee a community of haters?
For Bubbler Talk, we look into a question posed by a Milwaukee native: are we a bunch of haters?
- Lake Effect Spotlight
Climate change will wait for no president: One perspective on the path ahead
There are plenty of rumblings about how the environment will fare when former President Donald Trump returns to the Oval Office. One of the people thinking…
- Lake Effect Spotlight
'A Hallowed Home for Heroes' explores the storied history of Milwaukee Soldiers Home
The Milwaukee Soldiers Home has been helping generations of veterans since 1867. A new documentary from Milwaukee PBS explores that history and how the home…
- Lake Effect Spotlight
The Hodag: The mythical story behind Rhinelander’s symbol of pride
This month’s issue of Milwaukee Magazine explores the lore of the hideous green beast and how it’s become a symbol of pride for the northern Wisconsin city.
- Lake Effect Spotlight
Wisconsin Democrats win crucial state Senate elections, but remain minority in Legislature
JR Ross of WisPolitics.com unpacks some of the biggest races of Nov. 5, including those under new Wisconsin legislative maps.
- Lake Effect Spotlight
Here are some of Wisconsin's most competitive races under new legislative maps
Since the Wisconsin Supreme Court ordered new legislative maps be drawn, putting an end to one of the worst gerrymandered maps in the U.S., legislative races…
- Lake Effect Spotlight
Exploring the haunting of Engine House 35 with Milwaukee Public Library's Cemetery Collection
The library is more than just books, and our series with the Milwaukee Public Library— Books and Beyond—showcases that by sharing resources, book…
- Lake Effect Spotlight
Latinos in Wisconsin: A history of othering
Although Latino people have lived in Wisconsin nearly as long as it’s been a state, historian Sergio Gonzalez says Latino communities are often seen as being…
- Lake Effect Spotlight
Cream City brick: From Ice Age glaciers to Milwaukee's early strip malls
In this episode of "What Milwaukee is Made Of," we explore the history of Cream City Brick — starting at its Ice Age origins.
- Lake Effect Spotlight
Deciding whether to vote early or on Election Day? Here's why it's all secure
You've probably heard the advice to "make a plan" to vote. A former elections chief in Wisconsin explains your options and their safeguards.
- Lake Effect Spotlight
Wisconsin prisons restrict books to prevent drug smuggling, underwhelming evidence it will work
Wisconsin prisons are restricting used book delivery as part of an effort to stop drug smuggling into prisons. Critics say this restricts prisoner access to…
- Lake Effect Spotlight
From green to gold: Why some leaves change color in the fall
A professor of biological sciences at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee explains that changing leaves starts with environmental cues, like days getting…
- Lake Effect Spotlight
'Spirits of the Silent City' brings the dead to life at Milwaukee's Forest Home Cemetery
For the third year in a row, Forest Home Cemetery will become an immersive stage to bring a few of their notable residents' stories to life.
- Lake Effect Spotlight
Looking back at Act 31, Wisconsin's Native American education law
In the 1980s, Wisconsin was embroiled in a violent controversy over Ojibwe spearfishing rights. As a result, the state passed a law requiring schools to teach…
- Lake Effect Spotlight
What to know about the mayor's proposed City of Milwaukee budget and what happens next
Here's what you need to know about the Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson's proposed $200 million dollar budget before it's finalized.
- Lake Effect Spotlight
Here's why some local voters are still undecided
In crucial swing states across the country, including Wisconsin, there are many voters who are still undecided on who they'll vote for or if they'll vote at…
- Lake Effect Spotlight
What Wisconsin election clerks want us to know
We asked municipal clerks who administer elections in Wisconsin what issues they're facing and what they wish people better understood about elections.
- Lake Effect Spotlight
What North Avenue tells us about Milwaukee's demographics
North Avenue cuts through a wide swath of neighborhoods that both Republicans and Democrats want to turn out to vote this year.
- Lake Effect Spotlight
The Milwaukee Comedy Festival celebrates 19 years of laughs
One of the nation’s longest-running annual comedy festivals, the Milwaukee Comedy Festival presents top national and regional stand-up comedy acts this week…
