Best WUWM News Podcasts (2025)

1
$11M deficit, authorized worker strike and leadership vacuum: What’s going on at MCTS? 4:47

Play Pause

6h ago4:47

4:47

Milwaukee’s County Transit System recently announced a surprise $11 million budget deficit projected for the year. Last week, the drivers union authorized a strike. So what exactly is going on with the county's bus system?By Jimmy Gutierrez

1
Monarch butterfly population rebounds, but it’s still one of the lowest numbers on record 15:51

2h ago15:51

15:51

Habitat loss, climate change and the use of pesticides are to blame for the population decline of monarchs, says Karen Oberhauser, the co-founder and co-director of the Monarch Larva Monitoring Project.By Xcaret Nuñez

1
Thursday 7/17/25: MCTS budget deficit, monarch butterfly decline, Bubbler Talk 51:18

1h ago51:18

51:18

MCTS faces a budget deficit, and what's to come. Declining monarch butterfly population and what can be done. A new Bubbler Talk explores one of Milwaukee’s most notable murals.

1
Get your music on at 'Summer of Soul': a downtown Milwaukee concert series 4:41

22h ago4:41

4:41

Headliners include BILAL, Digable Planets, Madison McFerrin and Septeto Charambó. The series is every other Wednesday starting July 2 to August 27 at the Marcus Center's Peck Pavilion.By Maayan Silver

1
RNC economic impact estimated at $321M, but lost regular business not included 11:14

1d ago11:14

11:14

A report claims that the 2024 Republican National Convention generated a $321 million economic impact for the Milwaukee-area economy. But this report does not account for losses of regular business.By Sam Woods

1
Wednesday 7/16/25: Brewery closures, Wisconsin's Poet Laureate, remembering Andrea Gibson 51:22

5h ago51:22

51:22

Recent closures of some local breweries. Wisconsin’s Poet Laureate speaks about plans for her term. We remember celebrated poet and performance artist Andrea Gibson.

1
Tuesday 7/15/25: RNC economic impact, Cycle, Summer of Soul, Jewel's Catch One 51:23

1d ago51:23

51:23

The economic impact of last summer’s Republican National Convention. The documentary Cycle examines the death of a Racine teenager at the hands of police. Preview of the Summer of Soul music series, and pay homage to the founder of what is now the oldest Black-owned disco in America.

1
Capitol Notes: How does the Wisconsin budget protect healthcare funding? 13:45

2d ago13:45

13:45

As the federal government sliced health care coverage over the next decade, Wisconsin, too, passed its budget. How will it impact people with Medicaid coverage, SNAP benefits or child care needs?By Maayan Silver

1
Monday 7/14/25: Wisconsin's new state budget, Brady Street history, Judy Garland 51:30

2d ago51:30

51:30

Wisconsin’s latest state budget, which Gov. Tony Evers signed earlier this month. History of Brady Street. Must-see attractions and experiences in Wisconsin. Behind Judy Garland’s last movie musical with MGM.

1
Capitol Notes: How does the Wisconsin budget protect healthcare funding? 13:30

3d ago13:30

13:30

As the federal government sliced health care coverage over the next decade, Wisconsin, too, passed its budget. How will it impact people with Medicaid coverage, SNAP benefits or child care needs?By WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR

1
What to know about Milwaukee's National Weather Service and funding cuts 4:22

5d ago4:22

4:22

The National Weather Service provides critical weather updates that alert the public. So what should you know about the work that the Milwaukee office does? And how could funding cuts affect it?By Jimmy Gutierrez

1
A Milwaukee immigration lawyer speaks on changes he's seen since last year 11:09

5d ago11:09

11:09

Milwaukee immigration lawyer Davorin Odrcic joins Lake Effect’s Joy Powers to discuss changing immigration laws over the past year.By Joy Powers, Graham Thomas

1
Thursday 7/10/25: Immigration lawyer check in, disaster mitigation and meteorology, famous moons 51:22

7d ago51:22

51:22

Checking in with a Milwaukee immigration lawyer. The importance of accurate, accessible weather forecasts for disaster mitigation. The myths behind some of our solar system’s most famous moons. Science in the sand.

1
Having a field day with Wisconsin's ham radio enthusiasts 9:28

9d ago9:28

9:28

WUWM's Joy Powers speaks to ham radio enthusiasts at a National Association for Amateur Radio field day to learn more about the subculture surrounding this unique hobby.By Joy Powers, Graham Thomas

1
Wednesday 7/9/25: Democratic Socialism in 2025, Ko-Thi Dance recovery, Cinematic Sisterhood 51:18

11d ago51:18

51:18

What it means to be a Democratic Socialist. Ko-Thi Dance Company’s efforts to raise money after losing federal funding. A new series called Cinematic Sisterhood expands the influence of women in film.

1
Milwaukee Police consider exchanging jail records for facial recognition technology 4:38

12d ago4:38

4:38

Facial recognition technology is already in use in some Milwaukee-area jurisdictions. Now, Milwaukee City and County law enforcement are considering implementing the technology too.By Eddie Morales

1
Tuesday 7/8/25: Kidney donation, Milwaukee Ham radio, zoo death investigations 51:16

9d ago51:16

51:16

The process of donating a kidney. We meet some Ham radio enthusiasts and learn just how far their signal can go. How veterinary pathologists investigate zoo animal deaths.

1
'Black Hogwarts' program promotes civic engagement among Black and brown youth 5:19

9d ago5:19

5:19

A local youth-led organization’s summer program teaches young people how to be civically engaged.By WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR

1
'Choosing Love' explores lessons about relationships, inclusion & more from LGBTQ+ Christians 20:35

9d ago20:35

20:35

“Choosing Love” co-authors Dawne Moon & Theresa Tobin explore how people can identify as both conservative Christians and a part of the LGBTQ+ community, and the lessons they can teach about relationships, inclusion and justice.By Audrey Nowakowski

1
Monday 7/7/25: A look at ways people are working to protect the environment 51:17

13d ago51:17

51:17

We look at how flood risk has changed over time in Milwaukee and what can be done about it. We learn about the Farmers Market To Go store in Brookfield. We learn how the Crave Brothers farm is repurposing manure. Plus, tell you about the food and beauty that’s created by Milwaukee’s Cherry Street Garden.…

1
Just 27% of MPS fourth graders read at a basic level. A second state audit demands change 4:27

12d ago4:27

4:27

A second state-ordered audit of Milwaukee Public Schools focuses on how the district teaches its students. It found glaring issues with literacy and teacher training.By WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR

1
'Group Chat': 'I want to live, too' 13:19

16d ago13:19

13:19

This month’s "Group Chat" is a conversation between high school best friends who are off to college. The only problem is they’re afraid of what might happen to their parents, who don’t have legal status in the U.S.By Jimmy Gutierrez

1
'Group Chat': 'I want to live, too' 3:56

15d ago3:56

3:56

This month’s "Group Chat" is a conversation between high school best friends who are off to college. The only problem is they’re afraid of what might happen to their parents, who don’t have legal status in the U.S.By WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR

1
Wisconsin's 1849 law does not ban abortion, the state Supreme Court rules 4:43

17d ago4:43

4:43

After years of litigation following the Dobbs decision, the Wisconsin Supreme Court justices, with their liberal majority, ruled that the state's 176-year-old law does not ban abortion in the state.By Jimmy Gutierrez, Maayan Silver

1
Thursday 7/3/25: Choosing Love, Group Chat, Lake to Plate 51:17

17d ago51:17

51:17

How people can identify as both conservative Christians and LGBTQ+. Two college-bound Milwaukee grads fear leaving their undocumented parents behind. An exhibit helping people learn where the fish they eat comes from.

1
How to spot and verify ICE in your neighborhood 11:07

18d ago11:07

11:07

What can you do when you spot ICE in your neighborhood? One local organization is training community members how to spot, verify and document ICE activity and presence in Milwaukee.By Jimmy Gutierrez

1
Get your music on at 'Summer of Soul': a downtown Milwaukee concert series 14:05

17d ago14:05

14:05

Headliners include BILAL, Digable Planets, Madison McFerrin and Septeto Charambó. The series is every other Wednesday starting July 2 to August 27 at the Marcus Center's Peck Pavilion.By Maayan Silver

1
Wednesday 7/2/25: ICE identification training, singing and heart health, Summer of Soul 51:18

18d ago51:18

51:18

We visit a training that helps people identify and interact with ICE agents. The connection between singing and heart health. Preview of the Summer of Soul music event series.

1
'The community that loves & receives Ko-Thi, has now got to start funding Ko-Thi' 4:48

19d ago4:48

4:48

A long-standing African dance company in Milwaukee known as Ko-Thi Dance Company launched a fundraising campaign after losing federal funding.By Teran Powell

1
Tuesday 7/1/25: Mental health, Cargill Community Kitchen, the original Barbie 51:29

19d ago51:29

51:29

The mental health struggles among communities of color and young people. The Cargill Community Kitchen at the Mitchell Street Library Branch. The original Barbie model.