Lake Effect Spotlight

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Lake Effect Spotlight features some of our favorite conversations about what matters most now to people in Milwaukee and southeast Wisconsin.

WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR


    • Jun 16, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekdays NEW EPISODES
    • 13m AVG DURATION
    • 341 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Lake Effect Spotlight

    From Billy the Bookworm to Browser the Library Lion: A look back at MPL's mascots

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2025 14:04


    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.

    UWM graduate students map out Milwaukee's flood concerns and what can be done

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 11, 2025 13:25


    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.

    The Native history behind the unmarked pedestrian bridge in Milwaukee's McKinley Park

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 9, 2025 11:36


    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.

    'As they live, we live:' Protecting the sturgeon returning to Milwaukee's waters

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 6, 2025 15:40


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

    What to know about the Milwaukee teacher's aide facing deportation

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 4, 2025 9:25


    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.

    Finding the fixers: MCTS apprenticeship program calibrates future mechanics and drivers

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 2, 2025 12:47


    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.

    Chirp Chat: Exploring what birds can teach us about ourselves through art

    Play Episode Listen Later May 30, 2025 16:17


    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.”

    Milwaukee's 'ham radio' enthusiasts are keeping this DIY hobby alive

    Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2025 7:48


    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.

    The day Milwaukee was the center of the women's basketball world

    Play Episode Listen Later May 23, 2025 15:41


    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.

    ‘Something for everybody': Milwaukee's stamp club is one of the oldest in the country

    Play Episode Listen Later May 21, 2025 12:34


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

    Making Wisconsin: Hmong refugees and the promise of something better

    Play Episode Listen Later May 16, 2025 16:20


    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?

    Making Wisconsin: How sanctuary movements have succeeded and failed

    Play Episode Listen Later May 14, 2025 27:38


    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.

    'What matters is measured': Black kids make up 96% of youth corrections

    Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2025 10:55


    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.

    Celebrating print media, DIY publishing and free expression with Milwaukee Zine Fest

    Play Episode Listen Later May 9, 2025 10:01


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

    Summer is prime time to visit the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore

    Play Episode Listen Later May 7, 2025 17:38


    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.

    How the Milwaukee community came together to support LGBTQ pioneer Sharon Dixon

    Play Episode Listen Later May 5, 2025 17:14


    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 to hold Cinco de Mayo street festival and market

    Play Episode Listen Later May 2, 2025 8:50


    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 later: Reflecting on UWM's pro-Palestinian student encampment

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 30, 2025 11:26


    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?

    Chirp Chat: The dazzling colors of warbler season in Wisconsin

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2025 15:48


    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.

    'Group Chat': Desperately seeking Milwaukee's Film Fest

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 25, 2025 14:35


    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.

    Bringing together environmental and economic justice to address climate, lead crises in Milwaukee

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2025 9:51


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

    World legends with Wisconsin roots explored in new book, 'Wisconsin Idols'

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 21, 2025 15:14


    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.

    What to know about ICE arrests at the courthouse and what's being done

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 18, 2025 8:21


    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.

    Some Wisconsin counties could be a tinderbox for measles outbreak, health official says

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 16, 2025 13:34


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

    How to turn around MPS? Report highlights lessons from Chicago, Miami and DC schools

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 14, 2025 11:29


    A report released by the Wisconsin Policy Forum takes lessons from other major city school systems to help support changes in Milwaukee.

    Making the economic case for state investment in the arts

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 11, 2025 13:55


    Lake Effect's Audrey Nowakowski speaks with arts advocates about the work they're doing to increase state funding for the arts.

    Join this metal detectorist searching old homes for history and hidden treasures

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 9, 2025 15:56


    Have you ever wondered what might be hidden underground? A metal detectorist can help with that!

    The new MPS superintendent is tasked with a turnaround. What's 'top of the list?'

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 7, 2025 11:22


    Dr. Brenda Cassellius is Milwaukee Public Schools' new superintendent. What are her priorities for her first year on the job?

    Milwaukee Wine Weekend: 5 days of wine, Milwaukee and accessibility

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2025 15:08


    The Milwaukee Wine Academy offers a place where people of color of all levels of wine expertise are comfortable trying, talking and tasting wine. Learn more at the upcoming Milwaukee Wine Weekend.

    How Department of Education cuts will — and won't — affect Wisconsin

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 2, 2025 20:55


    Uncertainty reigns as President Trump threatens to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education. Federal funding accounts for about 8% of school funding in Wisconsin.

    Group Chat: Reproductive health care and harm reduction

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 31, 2025 15:16


    For this month's Group Chat, we hear from a Wisconsin doctor who provides abortion care and a community harm reduction worker who serves high-risk populations.

    Chirp Chat: How do birds build nests in Wisconsin? With twigs, mud, spiderweb and more

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 28, 2025 18:20


    Spring is in the air — which means nest-making season is upon us! For this month's Chirp Chat, Lake Effect's Xcaret Nuñez spoke with Holly Walz, a park naturalist with the Wehr Nature Center, about the role nests play and the different types of nests that birds in Wisconsin make.

    What to know about the voter ID ballot referendum

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 26, 2025 14:48


    On April 1, 2025, voters will decide on a proposal to amend Wisconsin's constitution to require photo ID to participate in elections.

    UWM, animation, and dream jobs

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 24, 2025 14:58


    One Milwaukee-based animator with Guerrillamation Films is working with UW-Milwaukee to help people network and learn skills in the field.

    The ways people use — and misuse — CCAP

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 21, 2025 11:16


    CCAP. Four letters. One site. And an oversized impact on Wisconsin. The state's most popular open record database lets you look up court records of anyone you'd like. And many people do. Sometimes, they learn more than they were expecting.

    Meet the candidates: Wisconsin state superintendent

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 19, 2025 25:30


    Wisconsin's top K-12 education official, Jill Underly, is facing a challenge from Brittany Kinser on April 1.

    UWM scientist dives into deep-sea volcanoes

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 17, 2025 11:24


    Tell me if you've heard this one before: a volcano scientist who does her work in the middle of the Pacific Ocean—at the ocean floor. That's where you can find one UWM professor.

    'Voices & Votes' highlights Wisconsinites who spoke up for change

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 14, 2025 11:38


    The Wisconsin Historical Society's 'Voices & Votes' offers a civics lesson and highlights citizens who spoke up for change.

    'This is our lifeline': Wisconsin advocates and Medicaid recipients decry potential cuts

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 12, 2025 11:16


    Felicia Clayborne is a mover and a shaker. She also navigates the world with multiple disabilities, receiving care and support through Medicaid. Kathryn Florence Burish also receives Medicaid coverage and long-term care for her Down Syndrome. Both women weigh in on attempts to cut funding to the federal program that serves low-income Americans and individuals with disabilities.

    The race to cut greenhouse gas emissions in Wisconsin Legislature

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 10, 2025 12:21


    The Climate Accountability Act is proposing cutting Wisconsin's greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030.

    Temporary housing for people leaving incarceration opens in downtown Milwaukee

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2025 12:39


    Project RETURN is an organization that helps formerly incarcerated people return to the community. For the first time in its 45-year history, the organization is providing housing.

    Milwaukee County hid officers' credibility concerns — reporters just revealed the list

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 5, 2025 12:05


    Milwaukee County's district attorney has long sought to keep its "Brady List" secret. The list has the names of law enforcement officers with histories of credibility concerns or past crimes. A months-long, collaborative report examines what was being hidden from public view for so long.

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