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WORT Local News

WORT Local News presents alternative viewpoints in its news – both in the sources it uses and the stories it covers. Newscasts include local and state news, weather, and regular features. It aims to give underrepresented people a voice.

“They’re agitated and we seem to be the target:” Trump protester...

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Yisrael Ami is a local business owner and Madison resident. Last Wednesday, Ami — who is Black — was at Portillo’s near the East Towne Mall. He and his family had stopped at the local restaurant for a quick bite to eat. But, as he was parked in the parking lot, a group of about […]

DWD Secretary-Designee Amy Pechacek on clearing Wisconsin’s unem...

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Since March, the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development has struggled under the weight of a record amount of unemployment claims. The Department’s antiquated technology buckled under the sudden influx of claims, and the system rapidly backed up. Six months into the quagmire, Governor Tony Evers fired the Department’s Secretary — Caleb Frostman. In his place, […]

Listen to the State of the State Address on WORT

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MONDAY, JANUARY 11 -Due to the pandemic, Governor Tony Evers will deliver his third State of the State address virtually, in keeping with continued recommendations to stay at home, practice social distancing, and limit gatherings. In a letter to his legislative counterparts, the Governor also encouraged the legislature to convene virtually to listen to the […]

Families Holding Funerals During Pandemic Face Unique Challenges

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Since the beginning of the pandemic, almost 5,100 Wisconsinites have died from COVID-19. In many cases, the families and loved ones of those 5,100 people didn’t get a traditional funeral. As with most things during the pandemic, grieving a loved one also looks  different.  Barbara Normington, from Beloit, Wisconsin, lost her brother in December to […]

After Kenosha Prosecutor Announces No Charges, Hear Jacob Blake’...

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Tuesday afternoon, Kenosha’s top prosecutor held an hours-long press conference explaining why he would not bring charges against Rusten Sheskey, the white Kenosha Police Officer who in August shot Jacob Blake, who is Black. Kenosha District Attorney Michael Graveley, who is white, explained how he came to his decision. He presented how the evidence would […]

Transparency Talk: Back to Public Records Basics

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Filing public records requests, navigating open meetings laws, knowing what information you’re legally entitled to — it can all be a lot to manage. On this week’s episode of Transparency Talk, Producer Jonah Chester and Tom Kamenick — President of the Wisconsin Transparency Project — get back to basics and teach you how to write […]

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