Shows
Lake Effect SpotlightMaking Wisconsin: How sanctuary movements have succeeded and failedWUWM's Making Wisconsin series dives into the history of sanctuary in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and our country with Sergio González, Marquette University assistant professor of history and author.2025-05-1427 minLake Effect SpotlightCelebrating print media, DIY publishing and free expression with Milwaukee Zine FestWUWM Digital Producer Graham Thomas spoke to vendors and librarians at Milwaukee Zine Fest — an event celebrating print media, DIY publishing and free expression.2025-05-0910 min
WUWM NewsCatholics in Milwaukee weigh in on Pope Francis' passingWUWM stopped by the Church of Gesu on Marquette University's campus to speak with people about the pontiff ahead of noon mass.2025-04-2204 minWUWM NewsMilwaukee Brewers hope stoking fan energy will help the ball club winWUWM visits one of the energy-generating centers—the scoreboard control room at American Family Field.2025-04-0404 min
Lake Effect: Full ShowWednesday 3/5/25: Lake Effect On-Site Celebrating 60 Years of WUWMToday's show is a broadcast of our latest Lake Effect On-Site event at UW-Milwaukee where we celebrated WUWM's 60th Birthday by looking back on our history.2025-03-0554 min
Capitol NotesCapitol Notes: Check out 'Swing State of the Union' Season 2On this special edition of "Capitol Notes," learn about Season 2 of WUWM's "Swing State of the Union" podcast.2025-02-1703 minLake Effect SpotlightWUWM staff picks: A mixtape of love songs just in time for Valentine’s DayA mixtape of love songs curated by WUWM Staff for Valentine's Day 2025.2025-02-1412 minLake Effect: Full ShowThursday 2/13/25: Housing Authority financial woes, Thin Ice, love songsFinancial issues the Housing Authority and what’s being done to address them. A preview of the upcoming series, “Thin Ice 2025 – Our Warming Winters.” A new executive director of Milwaukee Film. A mixtape of love songs picked by WUWM staff.2025-02-1351 minCapitol NotesCapitol Notes: A Wisconsin take on chaos in the federal governmentThis week, WUWM asks JR Ross how President Trump and Elon Musk's efforts to downsize the federal government could affect us in Wisconsin, including through the state budget or DEI efforts.2025-02-1017 min
Bubbler TalkBubbler Talk: Taking a Milwaukee County bus to landmarks — where do you want to ride next?A WUWM listener's question about taking MCTS to the Mitchell Park Domes comes as MCTS wants to hear your ideas about possible service changes later in 2025.2025-01-0304 minLake Effect: Full ShowBest-Of 2024: Monday 12/30/24: Othering Latinos, Ari Shaprio, Food Journeys, youth bird bandingSergio Gonzalez talks about Latinos working for belonging in Wisconsin. NPR's Ari Shaprio talks about his work behind the mic. Food Journeys explores our food systems. Plus, young people learn about birds.2024-12-3051 minLake Effect: Full ShowBest-Of 2024 Wednesday 12/25/24: Milwaukee Roots, 'HBCU Made', Guerrilla Gay Bar, Les Petit BonBonsMilwaukee Roots takes a different approach to social studies. NPR host Ayesha Roscoe talks about her book. We learn about the Guerrilla Gay Bar movement and Les Petit BonBons.2024-12-2551 minLake Effect SpotlightFrom back seat listener to NPR host: A conversation with Ari ShapiroWhen 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 highlight Wisconsinites ahead of the presidential election. He joined Lake Effect's Audrey Nowakowski to talk about journalism and his interests outside of work:2024-12-2320 minLake Effect Spotlight'Rock 'n' Roll Poet' honors WUWM's famous alum, Bob ReitmanWUWM 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 Reitman Retrospective." It honors legendary Milwaukee radio personality and our now retired co-worker, Bob Reitman.2024-11-2719 minBubbler TalkBeauty, green space & stormwater management: A look at Milwaukee's bioswalesWith the arrival of spring, plants are blooming — in our homes, our parks, and even in the middle of some Milwaukee streets. One WUWM listener wondered about those peculiar sunken gardens in street medians, and "Bubbler Talk" investigates.2024-05-3104 minCapitol NotesCapitol Notes: Introducing 'Swing State of the Union'On this special edition of Capitol Notes, learn about a new politics podcast from WUWM — Swing State of the Union.2024-04-2902 minBubbler TalkLook! Under the railroad tracks, there's a model railroad club in MilwaukeeClub members tell WUWM about model trains and memories.2023-10-2004 min
Wandering WisconsinA giant cephalopod fossil, underground ponds & cave crystals: Things you'll see at Cave of the MoundsWUWM & Travel Wisconsin brings you suggestions for great places to visit throughout the state each month in Wandering Wisconsin. This month we’re talking about one of the state's National Natural Landmarks, Cave of the Mounds.2023-03-1615 minBubbler TalkThe Jones-Hill House is part of the fabric of Milwaukee's Black cultureA Bubbler Talk question asker was curious about Black historical sites in Milwaukee. There are many, so WUWM's Teran Powell chose to look at one that’s had many lives: the Jones-Hill House in the Harambee neighborhood.2022-09-1604 minCapitol NotesCapitol Notes: Who's left in the primary races for U.S. Senate and Wisconsin governor, and why it mattersWUWM speaks with the president of WisPolitics.com, Jeff Mayers, about frontrunners in key Wisconsin races.2022-08-0112 minBubbler TalkThe legend of the Pfister Hotel ghostThe Pfister Hotel is one of Milwaukee’s most historic and luxurious places to stay. It’s been around for nearly 130 years and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It’s also supposedly haunted. For Bubbler Talk WUWM's Becky Mortensen explores the history, lore, and legend behind the Pfister Hotel ghost.2022-04-2505 minBubbler TalkRemembering when Marian Anderson, world-famous contralto, shared her voice with MilwaukeeOn this Bubbler Talk, WUWM's Teran Powell looks into this question: Did Marian Anderson ever visit and sing in Milwaukee? If so, where did she stay, as individuals who were Black were not allowed to stay in hotels in the past.2022-02-0404 minCapitol NotesCapitol Notes: Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson soon to announce whether he'll seek a third termIn this week’s Capitol Notes conversation, WUWM’s Marti Mikkelson asked JR Ross of wispolitics.com why U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson could announce a decision to run for a third term earlier than in the past.2021-11-1609 minBubbler TalkA Celebration Of Milwaukee's Home Basement BarsA WUWM listener, Erin Christie, enjoys the company of friends at her basement bar, so she requested an appreciation segment on the prevalence of basement bars in Milwaukee.2021-10-2903 minCapitol NotesCapitol Notes: What Are The Odds Of Republicans Flipping Wisconsin Congressman Ron Kind's Seat?Longtime Democratic Congressman Ron Kind of La Crosse shocked Wisconsin’s political world last week when he announced he won’t seek reelection next year. In this week’s “Capitol Notes” conversation, WUWM’s Marti Mikkelson asks JR Ross of wispolitics.com what he thinks are the chances of the GOP flipping this seat now that Kind has bowed out.2021-08-1611 minBubbler TalkWhy Is Cheese, Sausage, Mushroom & Onion Pizza So Popular In Milwaukee?For this week's Bubbler Talk, WUWM's Audrey Nowakowski looks into why Milwaukeeans love their pizza topped with cheese, sausage, mushroom and onions.2021-06-1804 minBubbler TalkAs Up & Under Pub Replacement Nears, A Check-In On Milwaukee's Brady StreetOn this week’s Bubbler Talk, WUWM's Marti Mikkelson gives an update on the shuttering of iconic Up And Under Pub on Milwaukee's Brady Street last September.2021-06-1104 minCapitol NotesCapitol Notes: Despite Critics of Beloit Casino, Other Issues Likely To Dominate 2022 Wisconsin Gubernatorial RaceIn this week's Capitol Notes conversation, WUWM's Marti Mikkelson speaks with wispolitics.com editor JR Ross about Gov. Tony Evers' approval of a large casino and entertainment complex in Beloit.2021-03-2907 minCapitol NotesCapitol Notes: Wisconsin Superintendent Hopefuls Trade Barbs, Launch AdsAs the race for Wisconsin state superintendent heats up, WUWM’s Marti Mikkelson talks with JR Ross of wispolitics.com about what he expects to see moving forward in the race.2021-03-2211 min
Beats MeGenerational Trauma In Milwaukee: 'Even If They Can't Name It, They Feel It'The American Psychological Association defines trauma as an emotional response to a terrible event like a natural disaster, an accident or a rape. But trauma can have many “flavors,” according to Joshua Mersky, Ph.D.2020-03-2304 minBeats MeWho Pays When A Private Well In Wisconsin Is Contaminated?An estimated 900,000 Wisconsin households rely on private wells for drinking water. It seems with every passing day, we learn wells are being impacted by contaminants — from manure to PFAS — putting families’ health at risk. Some people feel there's not enough support when they have to deal with a contaminated well.2020-02-1005 minBeats MeSolar Farms And Wisconsin Cropland: A Good Mix?More companies are pushing to build large solar energy farms in Wisconsin. The state's Public Service Commission is expected to vote soon on a proposed 1,200-acre solar project west of the city of Jefferson, in Jefferson County.2020-01-2704 minBeats MeThe Challenges Of Being A Black Male In MilwaukeeMilwaukee has been called one of the most segregated cities in America, and one of the worst places for black people to live and raise their families.2020-01-1304 minBeats MeAs MPS Creates 'Strategic Plan' For Parent Engagement, Community Schools Could Provide An ExampleAs part of our Beats Me series, we spotlighted Milwaukee Public Schools parent coordinators, who are tasked with the on-the-ground work of connecting families and schools. But that mission extends beyond a single person in each building.2019-12-1704 minBeats MeMPS Family Engagement Starts With Parent CoordinatorsTjuna Eggson has worked in Milwaukee Public Schools for more than 20 years. Twelve of those years, she’s had the title of ‘parent coordinator.’ "One of the things that I found out is the position is really underrated," Eggson says.2019-12-1604 minCapitol NotesCapitol Notes: What's Next After Wisconsin National Guard's Dunbar Resigns?The Wisconsin National Guard's top commander recently agreed to resign after a scathing federal report found he violated laws in investigating sexual assault complaints. Gov. Tony Evers asked Major General Donald Dunbar to step down. In this week's Capitol Notes conversation, WUWM's Marti Mikkelson asked JR Ross of wispolitics.com if there could be more political fallout from the incident.2019-12-1606 minBeats MeRecycling Do's And Dont's In The Milwaukee AreaThe topic of recycling evokes a variety of reactions. For some people, their practice is a passion. For others, it's sheer confusion.2019-12-0306 minBeats MeFor Cancer Patients, Clinical Trial Process Offers Hope And Requires PatienceCancer is the second-leading cause of death in the U.S., close behind heart disease. So, when there's talk of a new cancer drug discovery, patients and their relatives often want to know more about the pharmaceutical and when it might be on the market.2019-11-2505 minBeats MeNative Americans: 'We're Not Museum Pieces. We're Still Very Much Here'With street names like Winnebago and villages such as Mukwonago, there's no denying the historical presence of Native Americans in Wisconsin.2019-11-0404 minBeats MeAccessibility Ratings For Buildings May Help Milwaukee's Disabled CommunityA UW-Milwaukee center that works on disability issues is developing an online way to inform people about access to public buildings like restaurants. It's hoped the computer system will be ready by the time the Democratic National Convention comes to town next summer. But once finished, the access ratings could be used by anyone.2019-09-3004 minBeats Me'Sanctuary City' Doesn't Have A Legal Meaning, But It's Valuable To Some People In WisconsinHundreds of communities across the United States have designated themselves a "sanctuary" for immigrant families. Some have created policies vowing they won’t share information about a resident’s immigration status with the federal office of Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE).2019-09-1604 minBeats MeAs Free College Tuition 'Promise' Programs Grow, What About Wisconsin?Several states have taken steps to make college more affordable by creating free-tuition "promise" programs. Each one is different, but in general, they allow students to attend community college, or sometimes public universities, for free.2019-08-1904 minBeats MeAre Plastic Bags Really Recycled?Plastic is difficult to escape. Many products are wrapped, sealed and mailed in some sort of plastic material.2019-08-0504 minBeats Me5G Wireless Technology May Be Coming To Wisconsin, Amid Praise, ConcernsWisconsin Gov. Tony Evers has signed a bill that could speed the introduction of faster wireless service known as 5G to the state. The industry promises that 5G would mean things like better cell phone connections and faster movie downloads.2019-07-1504 min
Project MilwaukeeWisconsin's Water Quality: People Share Concerns & Propose Solutions At Racine HearingA group of Wisconsin legislators spent more than five hours Thursday listening to experts, advocates and residents who gathered in Racine . The topic was water quality and how to improve it. Water quality has become a buzz phrase in Wisconsin. During his first state of the state report, Gov. Tony Evers declared 2019 "the year of clean drinking water." Weeks earlier Assembly Speaker Robin Vos began setting up a task force to determine the key sources of water contamination and ways to remedy them. READ: Scientist Hopes Study Helps Solve Kewaunee County Well Contamination Challenge The Speaker's Task Force on Water...2019-07-1202 minBeats MeMaking Room For More Waste: Wisconsin’s Largest Landfill Wants To ExpandUpdated on July 9, 20192019-07-0906 minBeats MeBlack Men Aren't Pursuing Careers As Physicians: 'They Don't See Themselves As Doctors'The late Dr. Allen L. Herron set the pace for black physicians in Milwaukee, especially black men. He’s believed to be the first African American male doctor to practice here.2019-07-0105 minBeats MeBalancing School Budgets Via Referendum Has Become Routine. What Happens When Voters Say No?Chances are good your local school district has gone directly to voters asking for more money to stay afloat. Tight state funding and restrictions on local taxing power have pushed more than 70% of Wisconsin school districts to seek operating referendums.2019-06-1704 minBeats MePeople Love Their Milwaukee County Parks, But Some Worry About Pesticides Being In ThemUpdated on June 11 at 2:12 p.m. CT2019-06-0305 minBeats MeIn Return For Some DNA, Program Promises Medicine Eventually 'Tailored To You'A federal program scheduled to spend $60 million in Wisconsin continues to try to get people to share their health and lifestyle information, plus their DNA. The effort known as All of Us has the ambitious goal of enrolling 1 million people nationally, and 33,000 in the greater Milwaukee area.2019-05-2004 minBeats MeUsing Coded Language Can 'Create A Sense Of Us And Them'We're looking at the impact of using "loaded" words, such as labels that describe certain areas of Milwaukee, in our latest Beats Me. For example, "inner city" is a term that may ignite many thoughts.2019-05-1304 minProject Milwaukee'It's Something I'll Never Forget': Cryptosporidium's Impact On MilwaukeeansMilwaukee experienced the largest outbreak of cryptosporidium in the spring of 1993. The outbreak made 400,000 sick. Over 4,000 were hospitalized. And 104 deaths were recorded. It made a lasting impression for many who got sick or simply lived through it.2019-05-1103 minProject MilwaukeeWhy Milwaukee Needs A Comprehensive Water Management PlanSome people are concerned about the many lead pipes that deliver water into older Milwaukee homes. Others applaud the city for tackling stormwater management through green infrastructure . But how is Milwaukee doing at creating a comprehensive water management plan? When it comes to water, Jenny Kehl has an unabashedly candid view on the importance of planning for today and the future. Kehl is a global water security scholar for UW-Milwaukee and associate professor at its School of Freshwater Sciences. » See More Project Milwaukee: Great Lakes, Troubled Waters Stories “I anticipate everyone wants the future generations of Wisconsin to be able to...2019-05-1004 minProject MilwaukeeWisconsin Scientists Are Trying New Techniques To Help Protect WaterWisconsin scientists are working on new ways to protect drinking and surface water from pollutants. They’re also investigating better methods of cleaning water that's already contaminated. But researchers say success may cost taxpayers more money. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Secretary Preston Cole has been promising to place a higher priority on good science when crafting policy. For example, he hopes better research will lead to cleaner drinking water. » See More Project Milwaukee: Great Lakes, Troubled Waters Stories "We have communities around this state that have lost surety about turning on their pipes and having fresh drinking water. In cer...2019-05-1005 minProject MilwaukeeWhat Does It Mean For Milwaukee To Be A 'Water Hub?'WUWM's Project Milwaukee series Great Lakes, Troubled Waters is examining the topic of clean water, or the lack thereof, in southeastern Wisconsin — particularly in a place like Milwaukee that considers itself to be a "water hub." Water hubs are places where industry, research, and academia converge in their efforts to create sustainable efforts or create new technology utilizing one of our most precious resources. » See More Project Milwaukee: Great Lakes, Troubled Waters Stories Dean Amhaus is president and CEO of The Water Council , a nonprofit organization that brings together these disparate entities. "We're not going out there and cleaning up the...2019-05-1015 minProject Milwaukee5 Ways To Conserve Water At HomeQuality is perhaps the most important part of any water distribution system. Water utilities process every drop that makes it into our plumbing, which takes a lot of time and energy. One way to keep from overburdening the system is by reducing our consumption — what we know as "water conservation." Bill Graffin works for the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District , which works in wastewater treatment and conservation efforts in the Milwaukee area. Here are some helpful tips from Graffin on how you can conserve water at home. » See More Project Milwaukee: Great Lakes, Troubled Waters Stories 1. Collect and reuse rainwater Rainwater is...2019-05-0909 minProject MilwaukeeYoung People Of Color Lend Their Voices To Water Issues In MilwaukeeIn discussions about the health and safety of water, it’s typical to hear from experts, public health officials and government leaders. But you don't often get the opinions of younger people who are just beginning to learn and care about natural resources. Young people working with Cream City Conservation Corps are having some real conversations about the environment. August Ball leads the discussion at the group’s regular Tuesday night meeting in the Silver City neighborhood on Milwaukee's south side. » See More Project Milwaukee: Great Lakes, Troubled Waters Reports After noticing a disconnect between young people of color and the e...2019-05-0904 minProject MilwaukeeGreen Infrastructure Helps Manage Water In Milwaukee's Urban LandscapeRainstorms are a challenge to clean water. They can cause flooding and potentially damaging runoff . But utilities, landscape architects and others are finding solutions — visible everywhere from the county grounds to your neighborhood ice cream shop. In 2011, MMSD built a large basin on the Milwaukee County Grounds. It's a 17-foot-deep sunken pool with grassy walls that, when full, looks like two connected natural lagoons. The basin can hold up to 315 million gallons of water. » See More Project Milwaukee: Great Lakes, Troubled Waters Reports Tom Chapman, project manager for the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD), says the intent of the project is...2019-05-0905 minProject MilwaukeeCryptosporidium Vs. Lead: Comparing Milwaukee’s Response To These Major Water ThreatsBoth cryptosporidium and lead have threatened Milwaukee’s clean drinking water. While there are stark differences in the two water contaminants, what can we learn from how the city dealt with both? First, it’s important to state that cryptosporidium and lead are completely different. Crypto is a bacteria. Lead is a metal. Crypto has one parasitic source, while lead has many (paint, dust, dirt, pipes). Crypto makes people visibly sick, but lead can be in the body for a long time without showing any side effects. Both crypto and lead are widespread risks that reveal vulnerabilities in Milwaukee’s drinki...2019-05-0907 minProject MilwaukeeWhat Can Milwaukee Learn From Madison's Lead Pipe Removal?When the Lead and Copper Rule was first issued in 1991, it put federal limits on the acceptable amount of these metals found in drinking water. Cities started testing their water. Researchers experimented with chemicals that could inhibit the corrosion of pipes — the main source of contamination. But for some cities, like Madison, Wis., that simply wasn’t enough. "[The Lead and Copper Rule] has a fundamental flaw, and that is: it's over-simplistic. It doesn't acknowledge the multiple factors by which lead and copper leave piping materials and get into the drinking water," says Abigail Cantor, the president of Process Research Solu...2019-05-0815 minProject MilwaukeeProject Milwaukee: Emerging Threats To Wisconsin's WaterWUWM is diving into the topic of clean water, or the lack thereof, in southeastern Wisconsin for our Project Milwaukee Series: Great Lakes, Troubled Waters . Tuesday’s live Lake Effect examines some of the main threats to our waterways. Here's an overview of those threats, in no particular order, along with links to some of our in-depth reporting for the Project Milwaukee series. Plus, you'll find some examples of what's being done to address them. » Overall Health Of Our Water » Solutions To Our Water Challenges Runoff To Val Klump, dean and professor at UW-Milwaukee's School of Freshwater Sciences, runoff is the...2019-05-0813 minProject MilwaukeePollutants Are Abundant In Waterways Surrounding Milwaukee CountyIn older cities like Milwaukee, lead pipes are a potential threat. But there are different problems in rural areas. Ulao Creek is a tiny stream tucked into a quiet neighborhood in Mequon. On a recent afternoon, the water was high due to heavy rains the night before. And members of environmental group Milwaukee Riverkeeper are testing the water. » See More Project Milwaukee: Great Lakes, Troubled Waters Reports Using a plastic bottle mounted to a pole, Paul Lindquist stands on a bridge and scoops some water from the creek. He then pours it into a long tube. He’s checking for mur...2019-05-0704 minProject MilwaukeeWhat Milwaukee's Lead Problem Means For ChildrenIn Milwaukee, more than 10% of children test positive for dangerous lead levels in their blood. Health experts say the most common culprit is lead paint in old homes. But water that travels through lead pipes also poses some risk. Lead lateral pipes connect at least 70,000 older homes in Milwaukee to the city's water mains. » See More Project Milwaukee: Great Lakes, Troubled Waters Reports Whatever the source, Milwaukee’s high rate of lead exposure has devastating consequences for children's learning and development. The hotspots of lead poisoning in Milwaukee include many low-income neighborhoods, where aging houses pose a silent threat to chi...2019-05-0705 minProject MilwaukeeTrusting The Tap: How Perceptions Impact Whether People Drink Tap WaterThe issue of lead in drinking water isn’t limited to low-income neighborhoods around Milwaukee. The housing stock and the water infrastructure in many city and suburban neighborhoods are old — and lead laterals serve modest houses and sprawling mansions alike. How do you drink your water? #ProjectMilwaukee — WUWM 89.7 FM (@WUWMradio) May 3, 2019 But how do people around the city decide whether to drink water straight from the tap, run it through a filter, drink bottled water, or some other option? Researchers are increasingly interested in learning how people decide whether to drink their tap water. Greg Pierce , the associate director of resear...2019-05-0714 minProject MilwaukeeClean Water: Is It Achievable In Wisconsin?We all know water is fundamental to our lives, and to all livings things. But do you ever stop and think about the water you have access to, and if it is actually clean? It depends on your perspective, says John Luczaj, head of UW-Green Bay’s geosciences program. » See More Project Milwaukee: Great Lakes, Troubled Waters Stories “If you’re a fisheries person, you might think of surface water quality. If you live in a house where lead levels are elevated, you probably think of drinking water. I’m a geologist so I usually think of ground water quality,” Luczaj says...2019-05-0604 minProject MilwaukeeTony Evers Chats About Wisconsin's 'Year Of Clean Drinking Water'Across Wisconsin, tens of thousands of people don’t trust the water that comes out of their tap — due to lead, agricultural runoff or industrial pollution. To address water quality, there’s $70 million in Gov. Tony Evers’ budget and he's declared 2019 "the year of clean drinking water." However, some in the Republican state Legislature say too much of that money would go to Milwaukee to remove lead water lines, neglecting other areas of the state. » See More Project Milwaukee: Great Lakes, Troubled Waters Reports Evers shares some insight on Wisconsin's year of clean drinking water: Water quality concerns go beyond lead pipe...2019-05-0611 minProject MilwaukeeProject Milwaukee: The Overall Health Of Our WaterWith our proximity to Lake Michigan and world-class water research, why don't we have clean water? WUWM is diving into the topic of clean water, or the lack there of, in southeastern Wisconsin for our Project Milwaukee Series: Great Lakes, Troubled Waters . From the health of our drinking water, emerging threats to our waterways, the impact unclean water has on our communities and possible solutions — WUWM reporters and Lake Effect producers will work together to examine the many issues surrounding clean water. » Emerging Threats To Our Water » Solutions To Our Water Challenges Gov. Tony Evers has declared 2019 " the year of clea...2019-05-0305 minCapitol NotesCapitol Notes: Sanders Stumps For Baldwin, More Than a Half Million Claim Per-Child Tax CreditDemocratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin's campaign could get a shot in the arm, as former presidential candidate and fellow U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders stumps for her in Eauu Claire this weekend. Republicans are targeting Baldwin's seat in November and Sanders is considering another run for President himself in 2020. In this week's "Capitol Notes" conversation, WUWM's Marti Mikkelson asked JR Ross of wispolitics.com, what it means for Baldwin to have a heavy hitter like "Bernie" rallying for her.2018-07-0907 minBubbler TalkBubbler Talk: Milwaukee's BreakwaterA Bubbler Talk listener was curious about Milwaukee's breakwater, wondering where the rocks came from, and how they ended up standing in the middle of the harbor. WUWM Environmental Reporter Susan Bence explored the subject for this week's segment.2018-06-1503 minBubbler TalkIf You Like Listening to WUWM, You Just Might Appreciate This Huge Metal TowerOur latest Bubbler Talk report involves the large metal tower at the entrance to Estabrook Park, near the border of Milwaukee and Shorewood. The listener asked: "What is the giant ugly metal tower used for?"2018-04-1406 minBubbler TalkYoung Black Men Ask Milwaukee Media: Why Do You Cover Us The Way You Do?Why aren’t there more positive portrayals of black men in the news? That’s the question 18-year-old Terrance Robinson, 14-year-old Victor Barnett Jr., 17-year-old Darius Simmons and 16-year-old Ashanti Travers posed to WUWM’s Bubbler Talk.2018-03-0209 minCapitol NotesCapitol Notes: Votes on Straw Gun Sales, Aid Package for Kimberly-ClarkJR Ross of Wispolitics.com talks about developments in Madison each Monday with WUWM's Marti Mikkelson.2018-02-2608 minBubbler TalkDid Chicago Crush Milwaukee's NHL Dreams?"Why doesn't Milwaukee have an NHL team?" That's the question Dave Brown of Wauwatosa submitted to WUWM's Bubbler Talk.2017-12-2904 minCapitol NotesCapitol Notes: Sexual Misconduct Allegations Surface Against Lawmaker, More Stories May Come OutSexual harassment claims became public last week, regarding Democratic state Rep. Josh Zepnick. Two women allege Zepnick kissed them against their will. In this week's Capitol Notes conversation, WUWM's Marti Mikkelson asked JR Ross of wispolitics.com whether he expects to learn about more harassment complaints in Madison.2017-12-1103 minCapitol NotesCapitol Notes: Assembly Leaders Won't Reveal Harassment Claims, Walker Pushes Foxconn AdsLeaders in the state Assembly -- from both parties -- stated last week that they won't release records related to claims of sexual harassment within the chamber, in order to protect victims' privacy. WUWM's Marti Mikkelson asked JR Ross of wispolitics.com how the decision might sit with constituents.2017-12-0406 minCapitol NotesCapitol Notes: A Look At The 2018 Governor's Race So FarThe 2018 governor's race continues to take shape. Democrats are still entering -- or considering getting into -- the race. And, Republican incumbent Scott Walker has officially launched his re-election bid. For a look at where things stand today, WUWM's Marti Mikkelson checked in with JR Ross of wispolitics.com.2017-11-2803 minBubbler TalkThere's A Bat In My Home! Now What?It was a Sunday night in late May when WUWM listener Josephine Gomez first saw it.2017-09-2204 minBubbler TalkBubbler Talk Lightning Round: Milwaukee StreetsWUWM's Bubbler Talk receives a lot questions from a lot of people about Milwaukee's streets. So, to end this season of Bubbler Talk, we found two 'road' scholars — historian Carl Baehr and OnMilwaukee's Bobby Tanzilo - to answer your questions in a lightning round.2017-05-1908 min
Precious Lives#101 Precious Lives: A Search for AnswersThis is the final episode of Precious Lives . And for this final story, we thought we’d return to the first family we met - the family of Laylah Petersen. Two years ago, we interviewed Ashley Fogl and Amanda Legler. Start From The Beginning: #001 Precious Lives: How Do You Measure the Loss of a Five-Year-Old Girl? Milwaukee has come to know Laylah as the 5-year-old girl who was shot and killed while sitting on her grandfather’s lap. To Ashley, Laylah was a daughter; to Amanda, a goddaughter. In the two years since losing Laylah, they have been left with lots...2016-12-2023 minPrecious Lives#100 Precious Lives: Breaking the Cycle of ViolenceOn June 11, 1994, Garland Hampton woke up around 10:30 am. He poured himself a bowl cereal, took a shower and went to a friend’s birthday party. That evening, Garland got into a fight with a fellow gang member. He pointed a 9-millimeter pistol at Donell Storks and shot him in the left side of the head. Both boys were 15 years old. Garland was arrested on homicide charges the next day. He wrote in his police report: “I feel very sorry about what happened.” Today, Garland is 37 and an inmate at Oakhill Correction Institute, a minimum security prison located just outside of Madiso...2016-12-1313 minPrecious Lives#099 Precious Lives: A Pediatric Surgeon’s Plea To End Gun Deaths in MilwaukeeWell over a decade ago, pediatric surgeon Dr. John Densmore and his wife bought their first home. He had just started his residency at Children’s Hospital in Milwaukee. "You know what I remember fondly about it was that people looked out for each other," Densmore says. For instance, he’d come home after a long shift to find his walk shoveled. But, there were problems. "I remember on a run by a park near that house one day that a Hmong kid had been shot," he says. "Sort of being dumbstruck that that could happen so close to where I wa...2016-12-0617 minPrecious Lives#098 Precious Lives: The Next ChapterAt the end of 2016, Precious Lives will shift gears. We’ll wrap up our radio series and focus on a traveling live show. The Precious Lives team will attempt to reach all corners of Milwaukee to harness diverse energies to combat the problem of gun violence. Performers will bring their stories of gun violence directly into churches, schools, offices and so on. We’ve tried this a few times already: most notably to a sold out audience at the Pabst Theater over the summer and recently at an event at the Rotary Club. We’re aiming to do 25 shows throughout 2017. For th...2016-11-2910 minPrecious Lives#097 Precious Lives: An Urban MinistryViolence clusters like an infectious disease. But you can also feel it when you walk into certain community spaces, like All People’s Church in Milwaukee. Precious Lives has featured All People’s before in our series - after 24-year-old member Isiah Johnson survived two separate shootings in one year. However, Isiah is far from the only one in the congregation affected by violence. So, if you’re Pastor Steve Jerbi, who leads All People’s Church, what do you say to your congregation? A congregation that habitually experiences violence?2016-11-2210 minPrecious Lives#096 Precious Lives: Finding Justice - and Purpose - Amid Police ViolenceAfter Sylville Smith was shot and killed by a police officer this summer, his family was left to grieve and figure out how to move forward. His brother Sedan and cousin Taz have emerged as community leaders. They’re young black men from the streets who are taking advantage of the spotlight to seek justice for Sylville, and push for a larger change in their community. And Precious Lives discovered how they’re being changed along the way.2016-11-1509 minBubbler TalkMarble Hall: A Contender for Milwaukee's Oldest BuildingWhat is the oldest building in Milwaukee? That's the question Emily Pauly posed to WUWM in this week's Bubbler Talk.2016-11-1203 minPrecious Lives#095 Precious Lives: Checking In With Carlton Dewindt, More Than A Year After Losing His FriendWe met 22-year-old Carlton Dewindt over a year ago, when he was featured on an early episode of Precious Lives. Neighborhood feuds and shootings eventually culminated in the death of Carlton’s close friend, Lil Ray. Ray died in an alley next to an orchard tended by Walnut Way Conservation Corp. The staff at Walnut Way gathered Carlton and other men affected by Ray's death. They talked, they boxed, they camped... They grieved together . But before Walnut Way’s efforts had a chance to foster neighborhood peace, police conducted an undercover drug investigation in the area. Carlton Dewindt ended up gett...2016-11-0809 minPrecious Lives#094 Precious Lives: How Did We Get Here?There’s a lot we know about gun violence. We know it’s concentrated in poorer areas. And we know those areas tend to be heavily black. But how did things get that way -- how did we get to the point where 84% of Milwaukee’s homicide victims are black? To start understanding some of the historical underpinnings of how we got to where we are, Precious Lives producers Aisha Turner and Emily Forman visited Monk’s Barbershop. Monk’s has been in Garden Homes since 1981. Shop owner William Campbell, aka Monk, started cutting hair down on the old Walnut Street bac...2016-11-0108 minPrecious Lives#093 Precious Lives: Behind the Gun Violence BeatThis is Precious Lives episode 93. We’re almost at our goal of telling 100 stories about gun violence and young people in Milwaukee. We’ve covered the family members who have lost loved ones, the activists fighting to make the city better, and the political leaders overseeing it all. Each week, we ask our interview subjects to be emotionally honest with us as we try to understand the problem of gun violence. This week, the microphones are turned on our reporters. Emily Forman and Aisha Turner produce the radio series, and Ashley Luthern writes companion pieces for the Milwaukee-Journal Sentinel. This week...2016-10-2515 minBubbler TalkDiscarded Cigarette Butts: More Than An Annoying Eyesore in MilwaukeeGross. Annoying. Ugly. But, illegal? This week, WUWM's Bubbler Talk answers the question: Is littering by throwing cigarette butts legal in Milwaukee?2016-10-2103 minPrecious Lives#092 Precious Lives: Running Towards a Second ChanceBorn a few months apart, Mario Drain and his friends wound up with very different fates after committing armed robbery together in high school. His friends were 17 and sentenced as adults. Mario was still 16. He was sent to the Running Rebels and put into the Intensive Monitoring Program. Mario's case workers stayed on him -- they made sure he came to meetings, got involved in activities and showed up to school everyday. This alternative to incarceration worked. Through the program, Mario was given a second chance. Now, he’s using it to give back to his own kids and to ot...2016-10-1809 minPrecious Lives#091 Precious Lives: Building Community After a Police-Involved ShootingIn August 2016, 23-year old Sylville Smith was shot by District 7 Officer Dominique Heaggan. Officer Lawson Murrell was long-interested in improving the relationship between the police and the black community. He’s now the Milwaukee Police Department's District 7 Community Liaison Officer. And at the memorial for Sylville Smith on 44th and Auer, he’s facing the first major test of his new role. And as a black police officer, he’s stuck in an especially tough position.2016-10-1108 minPrecious Lives#090 Precious Lives: The PlayoffsThis is the final episode of a three part series following a young basketball team. At 13 and 14 years old - these players are dealing with a lot more than basketball drills. They lost a teammate last year: 13 year old Giovonnie Cameron, who was shot and killed within the first week of the season. In this episode, we’ll pick up where we left off: just weeks before the championship game, the team is undefeated. Corresponding Content: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Precious Lives: Team comes back for new season after loss of teammate The Warning league is run by Running Rebels . If...2016-10-0410 minPrecious Lives#089 Precious Lives: The 'Fighting' Team Copes With a Teammate's DeathPrecious Lives picks up where it left off last week with Coach Eric Moore. He coaches in a summer basketball league called Warning Project Respect. And he’s earned himself a reputation throughout the league as the “crying coach.” Coach held in his tears after years after his best friend and basketball teammate John Wess was killed back when they were teenagers. That trauma had major consequences on Coach - there was prison time, suicidal thoughts and more violence. But, he was able to turn things around. LISTEN: Precious Lives: The Crying Coach Now he’s trying to help his 13- and 14...2016-09-2710 minPrecious Lives#088 Precious Lives: The Crying CoachIf you are between the ages of eight and 48, love basketball and live in Milwaukee’s central city…you’ve probably been a part of Warning’s basketball league. Over 40 years old, the Warning basketball league is the third oldest in the nation. It’s a rite of passage, and for many youth, it’s the place to be over the summer, wearing the colored t-shirt representing your team. But last year was a rough year for the league. Two players died within the first week - Tariq Akbar, 14 and Giovonnie Cameron, 13. Both were fatally shot. Eric Moore coached Giovonnie. Most of Coac...2016-09-2012 minPrecious Lives#087 Precious Lives: Remembering Eric VonOn Thursday, September 8th , Precious Lives host Eric Von died of a heart attack. He was 58. In addition to being a journalist, Eric was a beloved community leader who touched many people along his path. Executive Producer Brad Lichtenstein spoke with three men Eric mentored, all of whom have become leaders in their own right: James Causey, a writer with the Milwaukee JournalSentinel; Jermaine Reed, the director of Fresh Start Family Services and host of Fresh Start Today on WNOV; and Keyon Jackson-Malone, a community advocate and producer with WNOV. They spoke about the influence Eric had on their l...2016-09-1319 minPrecious Lives#086 Precious Lives: Programming Sherman ParkOn August 13th , all eyes turned to Milwaukee’s Sherman Park neighborhood . Protesters jumped on police cars and set buildings on fire, outraged over the police shooting of Sylville Smith. Vaun Mayes-Bey and a group of organizers had been in the area all summer, long before the news crews came. Vaun works with Program the Parks to provide activities and food to the teenagers who congregate in Sherman Park, outside of the Boys & Girls Club. Vaun says the work they’re doing is not only fun for the teens, it’s also making the park safer and keeping kids out of the...2016-09-0610 minPrecious Lives#085 Precious Lives: Tragedy Inspires a Fight for Universal Background ChecksLast year in Milwaukee, close to 70 percent of gun homicide suspects possessed their guns illegally. They wouldn’t have passed a background check. That was the case with Radcliffe Haughton . Four years ago, he walked he into the Azana Spa with a semiautomatic handgun, killing three people and injuring four more. Elvin Daniel lost his sister Zina that day, and it challenged his views on gun ownership laws. Now, he’s committed to lobbying for universal background checks. Corresponding Content: Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism - Strong Public Support Fails to Move Wisconsin on Gun Background Checks2016-08-3009 minBubbler TalkDid You Know There's An Ancient Coral Reef in Wauwatosa?This week's Bubbler Talk question comes from Spencer Hoyt, who asked WUWM: Why is the 425 million year old Schoonmaker Reef so important to metro Milwaukee?2016-05-2703 minBubbler TalkWhy Do Wisconsinites Call That A Bubbler, Anyway?Katie Gnau recently moved to Shorewood from Chicago. And when her daughter came home from school one day, Katie noticed she had picked up a new word for a familiar item. So, she asked WUWM's Bubbler Talk: Why does everyone around here call that a Bubbler, anyway?2016-04-2203 minBubbler TalkWhat Have You Always Wondered About The Milwaukee Area?WUWM has launched a new series and is inviting YOU to participate. We want to know what's got you scratching your head about the Milwaukee area.2016-04-2206 min