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Madison
Gun Violence
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Wisconsin
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Milwaukee
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Beth Richie
Shannon Skalaski
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Affordable Housing
Public Health
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World Naked Bike Ride
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Canine Energy

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.

PublishesDailyEpisodes307Founded6 years ago
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PoliticsNewsDaily News

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Artwork for WORT Local News

Latest Episodes

Here's your local news for Tuesday, March 10, 2026:

• We find out why fewer Wisconsin children are getting vaccinated on schedule,

• Meet a candidate who says she'd prioritize sustainable growth and water quality on the county board,

• Explain the b... more

Here's your local news for Monday, March 9, 2026:

• We hear how Dane County's new ballot printing vendor is speeding up election prep,

• Explain the debate over a bill that would codify a controversial definition of antisemitism into state law,

• Me... more

Here's your local news for Thursday, March 5, 2026:

• We hear city staff's pitch to alleviate the traffic and pedestrian problems on Regent Street,

• Meet an incumbent supervisor who says the environment can't take a back seat as the county prepares... more

Here's your local news for Wednesday, March 4, 2026:

• We learn how MMSD is fine-tuning its support for students with IEPs,

• Explain what would change if Wisconsin legislators finally agree to pass Erin's Law,

• Meet a county board candidate who wa... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Ruslana Westerlund
President of Friends of Ukraine-Madison
Friends of Ukraine-Madison
Episode: Proposed Regent Street redesign garners mixed responses
Peggy Wurtz-Alson
President of the Wisconsin Education Association Council (WIAC)
WIAC
Episode: Wisconsin school districts sue Legislature over "inadequate funding"
Erin Welsh
Deputy Director of the State DOJ's Office of Crime Victim Services and Dane County Board Supervisor representing District 7.
Dane County Board of Supervisors
Episode: Dane County jail consolidation “a tough project,” staff say in progress update
Steve Richards
Engineering project manager involved in the jail consolidation project
Episode: Dane County jail consolidation “a tough project,” staff say in progress update
Pat Hansburg
Owner of DNS Bait Shop, expert on local fishing conditions
DNS Bait Shop
Episode: Dane County jail consolidation “a tough project,” staff say in progress update
Matt Cairns
Sporting Director for Forward Madison FC
Forward Madison FC
Episode: Dane County jail consolidation “a tough project,” staff say in progress update
Bill Leaders
President of the Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council
Episode: Dane County jail consolidation “a tough project,” staff say in progress update
Josh Kaul
Attorney General of Wisconsin
Wisconsin Department of Justice
Episode: Probe of external influences in DOJ a “partisan stunt,” Attorney General Kaul says
John Fonz
Candidate for Dane County Board of Supervisors
Episode: Probe of external influences in DOJ a “partisan stunt,” Attorney General Kaul says

Hosts

Christina Leffring
Co-host and local news reporter dedicated to covering political and social events within the community.
Robert McClure
Host and veteran news reporter focusing on current events and public affairs.
Christian Knudsen
Host with a focus on delivering insightful news analysis and local stories.
Rachel Fields
Host known for her engaging storytelling and coverage of community-related topics.
Sam Swartz
Co-host with a passion for local news and public affairs reporting.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 13 ratings
  • 2.27.25

    Too bad tammy baldwin’s little teeny soft spoken make no waves in the senate and confront the republicans/trump going after social security and more. remember many moons ago when Baldwin was considered a progressive? well, wake up because tammy baldwin is no longer a progressive and has become the worst kind of dem, a centrist ugh! now, esp now, we don’t have time for that we need a loud in your face take no prisoners democrat. we need a whole senate & house filled with dems who will put on thei... more

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    midwestBlue
    United Statesa year ago
  • WORT Local News

    Award-winning listener-sponsored community radio news and features, live and local four hours a week in Madison, Wisconsin.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MadisonStu
    United States6 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the focus on local issues and community engagement, often highlighting the in-depth analysis and diverse perspectives offered.
Some feedback suggests that certain episodes may benefit from more balance in political perspectives, while others praise the commitment to social advocacy and public service.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Wisconsin school districts sue Legislature over "inadequate funding"
Q: What can listeners do about the lack of adequate funding in our public schools?
Listeners should stay informed about their own districts, engage with school boards, and participate as advocates to ensure resources reach public schools and address inequities in funding.
Wisconsin school districts sue Legislature over "inadequate funding"
Q: What kind of remedy would they seek?
They are seeking a remedy to the allegedly broken funding formula, including mechanisms to move more money into public schools and address inequities in funding, particularly in special education funding.
Wisconsin school districts sue Legislature over "inadequate funding"
Q: And who is filing the lawsuit?
Law Forward and the Wisconsin Education Association Council are partnering on the suit, but five school districts are named as plaintiffs: Adams-Friendship, Beloit, Eau Claire Area Schools, Green Bay Public Schools, and Nesida, along with parent groups and individuals.
Dane County jail consolidation “a tough project,” staff say in progress update
Q: Do you have a message for District 7 residents ahead of the polls?
I value constituent input and strive to reflect the needs of District 7 as we navigate budget challenges.
Dane County jail consolidation “a tough project,” staff say in progress update
Q: What is one policy you tried to get accomplished but fell short?
My efforts were focused on addressing the county's budget issues, which faced significant deficit challenges.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About WORT Local News

What is WORT Local News about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Featuring in-depth coverage of local issues, significant political developments, and community events, the content is primarily centered around Madison, Wisconsin. Key themes frequently addressed include community safety, public governance, political accountability, and local environmental concerns. The unique approach to reporting involves engaging with both challenges and triumphs experienced within the community, fostering a sense of resilience and social responsibility. This podcast stands out by emphasizing grassroots perspectives and highlighting voices often underrepresented in mainstream media, making it particularly appealing for listeners interested in both current affairs and local initiatives.

Where can I find podcast stats for WORT Local News?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for WORT Local News. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to WORT Local News and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does WORT Local News get?

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What are the audience demographics for WORT Local News?

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How many subscribers and views does WORT Local News have?

To see how many followers or subscribers WORT Local News has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to WORT Local News?

These podcasts share a similar audience with WORT Local News:

1. The Daily
2. Up First from NPR
3. On the Media
4. The NPR Politics Podcast
5. Wisconsin Today: Morning News

How many episodes of WORT Local News are there?

WORT Local News launched 6 years ago and published 307 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact WORT Local News?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for WORT Local News?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for WORT Local News from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on WORT Local News?

Recent guests on WORT Local News include:

1. Ruslana Westerlund
2. Peggy Wurtz-Alson
3. Erin Welsh
4. Steve Richards
5. Pat Hansburg
6. Matt Cairns
7. Bill Leaders
8. Josh Kaul

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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