Lake Effect Spotlight

Athletes came to Hayward, Wisconsin this July from 16 states and seven countries, to chop, saw, throw axes, log roll, sprint across floating logs and speed climb poles.

Antoine Carter speaks about gardening, public art, philanthropy and his plan to build apartment buildings on vacant lots near Milwaukee's Moody Park.

Twenty-two-year-old Racine native, Willow Newell, is the first Black woman to be named Miss Wisconsin. In September, she'll compete for Miss America in Florida.

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?

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.

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.

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?

Milwaukee immigration lawyer Davorin Odrcic joins Lake Effect's Joy Powers to discuss changing immigration laws over the past year.

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.

“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.

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.

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.

Author and Bay View Historian Ron Winkler joins WUWM's Audrey Nowakowski to explore the history of Humboldt Park, ahead of its 2025 designation as a Bay View Historical Society site.

The Bay View Massacre was a pivotal moment in Wisconsin's labor and political history, but not much is known about the victims. In this "Bubbler Talk" we explore who they were and where they're buried.

The Texas-based convenience store chain Buc-ee's is slated to make its Badger State debut in 2027. But what does this mean for Wisconsin travelers and residents of Oak Creek?

The Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition is visiting Milwaukee to collect oral histories of the states boarding school survivors.

The American Robin is one of the most common birds in North America. You've probably seen one in your backyard or been woken up by one before sunrise. But did you know this iconic bird is also Wisconsin's state bird?

UWM Adjunct Lecturer Marin Denning joins Lake Effect to discuss the impacts of intergenerational trauma on Indigenous communities ahead of a UWM's Trauma in Our Community Conference.

From Billy the Bookworm to Browser the Library Lion, we learn about the history and characteristics of Milwaukee Public Library's Summer Reading Program mascots.

As climate change worsens around the world, so does the most frequent and costly natural disaster in Wisconsin: flooding. Hear what authors of a new study say about the challenges Milwaukee is facing — and how the city is preparing.

In 1971, Indigenous activists ripped the plywood off the abandoned Coast Guard station in Milwaukee's McKinley Park and occupied it. They successfully shaped the future, and a mysterious bridge remains.

A group called the Sturgeon Protectors is welcoming the sturgeon returning to Milwaukee waterways.

In Milwaukee, there hasn't been a more public fight against deportation efforts than that of Yessenia Ruano. The mother of two, and MPS teacher's aide, faces deportation to El Salvador.

The Milwaukee County Transit System recently launched an apprenticeship program to train new mechanics and bus drivers. It comes at a time when ridership is up and the state is promoting paid training.

Artist-in-Residence Hattie Grimm is the creator of the Charles Allis Art Museum's new art exhibit called “BIRD BODY”. The exhibit features 20 wooden paintings and sculptures that she says explore “our bodies' intuitive wisdom.”

Journalist Tea Krulos wrote about Milwaukee's amateur radio community for this month's Milwaukee Magazine. He joined Lake Effect's Joy Powers to share more.

Did you know the first-ever women's pro basketball game tipped off in Milwaukee? Hear the story of the Milwaukee Does, the WBL, and the players speaking up to make sure their history isn't forgotten.

The Milwaukee Philatelic Society was organized in 1899, making it one of the oldest stamp collecting clubs in the country.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Hmong refugees resettling in the U.S., but what drove many out of Laos? And how have they made a home in Wisconsin, which is home to the third largest Hmong population in the country?

WUWM'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.

Data points often inform budgets and policy. They can also be a tool for transparency. That's what happened when Milwaukee County recently released its dashboard showing racial demographics of youth in County corrections. Ninety-six percent were Black. Zero percent were white.

WUWM Digital Producer Graham Thomas spoke to vendors and librarians at Milwaukee Zine Fest — an event celebrating print media, DIY publishing and free expression.

The Apostle Islands offer some of the most stunning views in the state. You'll find miles of shoreline with unique features like sea caves and sandstone cliffs.

Throughout her career, Sharon Dixon has been involved with nearly every women's bar in Milwaukee. After decades of serving her community, Dixon was recently in need of their support in return.

Cesar Chavez BID has organized a street festival and market to celebrate Cinco de Mayo in a safe way — blocking off the street with vendors and activities for people of all ages.

One year ago, student-led protesters started an encampment at UW-Milwaukee, protesting the war in Gaza. It was one of many such encampments on college campuses across the country. What can be learned from that time and what's changed in the last year?

Warblers are small songbirds that are among the most celebrated by birders for their flashy colors and sweet songs. But most warblers only spend a few weeks in Milwaukee.

This month's Group Chat features two Susans of film: Susan Kerns, executive director of Milwaukee Film and legendary filmmaker Susan Seidelman. They have a conversation about everything from being the first to cast Madonna for the film "Desperately Seeking Susan" to the power of film festivals.

BlueGreen Alliance's Richard Diaz discusses the relationship between environmental justice and infrastructure issues in Milwaukee.

From the famous to the little-known, Robbins hopes readers can appreciate how Wisconsin has been a crossroad for people who have changed the world.

Over the past few weeks, two people have been detained and arrested by ICE agents at Milwaukee's county courthouse. Here's what happened and what residents should know moving forward.

Wisconsin has one of the lowest vaccination rates for measles in the nation — much lower than any of the states with active outbreaks.