02.01.2024

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Today’s Forecast

40º | Cloudy | 10% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:13 a.m. | Sunset 5:09 p.m.

📡 The 411 on 89.9

Come with us to WORT-FM, Madison’s community radio station

WORT-FM's exterior, including a mural with a trumpet

You can find WORT-FM at 118 S. Bedford St. | Photo by 608today

Since 1975, WORT-FM has been gracing the ears of Madisonians on channel 89.9 with a wide variety of programming as a non-commercial listener-sponsored radio station.

We stopped by the station at 118 S. Bedford St. to chat with Chali Pittman (News, Talk, and Public Affairs Director) about the ins and outs of community radio, and how you can get involved.

A radio studio with a control board and microphone — Where the magic happens. | Photo by 608today

Q: What sets WORT-FM apart from other radio stations?

A: Our programmers have much more creative freedom to pursue their interests and tastes than you’d find at most other radio stations.

This means you’re getting a broadcast unvarnished by corporate or commercial interests, making it more likely that it’s directly applicable to you and your community.

Q: What roles do volunteers play in making community radio magic happen?

A: A cool thing about WORT is that it truly takes a village — in this case, hundreds of on- and off-air volunteers powering the station each week.

On-air

Deejays
Reporters
Talk hosts

Off-air

Scriptwriters
Receptionists
Music catalogers
Archivists

... and more.

A large vinyl record collection spanning across two walls of shelving — The Vinyl Library hosts live local band performances. | Photo by 608today

Q: Are there any high-priority volunteer positions you’re hoping to fill ASAP?

A: We are always accepting new volunteers, and can always find something that aligns with someone’s interests, schedule, and strengths.

Our winter fundraiser (“pledge drive”) runs from Feb. 26-March 10 which we always need phone answerers for. Shifts range from early in the morning into the evening, lasting two to three hours, and no experience is necessary.

Q: What if someone is interested in volunteering, but doesn’t have prior experience?

Fantastic! We’re a community resource, and we provide one-on-one, hands-on training when you start volunteering with us. All you need is the time for the position and the passion to learn.

Q: What does WORT-FM hope to look like in 5-10 years?

This question was answered by WORT-FM Board of Directors President, Stu Levitan.

A: Key goals for the next decade include more robust online offerings and expansion into video, including live performances of local bands performing in our Vinyl Library.

Other goals include an increased community impact by our award-winning news and public affairs department; even greater diversity among our volunteers, staff, and board; and a more attractive station facade, especially through a new exterior mural (this is expected to be ready much sooner than in the next decade).

Tune in for more photos

Events

Thursday, Feb. 1

Schlock and Awe: Journey to Hell | Thursday, Feb. 1 | 9-11 p.m. | The Rigby, 119 E. Main St., Madison | Free | Not quite Dante, but travel through hell with some local comedians.

Friday, Feb. 2

Lakeside Dance Lab: BollyBeat | Friday, Feb. 2 | 6-7 p.m. | Monona Terrace, 1 John Nolen Dr., Madison | Free | Burn some calories with Bollywood bops.
Foo Foo Dolls | Friday, Feb. 2 | 8-11 p.m. | Red Rooster Madison, 2513 Seiferth Rd., Madison | $10 | Don’t be a flagpole sitta, come see Madison’s best 90s cover band.

Saturday, Feb. 3

Saturday Morning Early Hour | Saturday, Feb. 3 | 8-9 a.m. | Madison Children’s Museum, 100 N. Hamilton St., Madison | $12 | If you’ve got little kids in the family, you’re probably up anyway.
Frozen Assets Festival | Saturday, Feb. 3 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | The Edgewater, 1001 Wisconsin Pl., Madison | Celebrate the season, regardless of whether the lake is frozen or not.

Sunday, Feb. 4

Pro Arte Quartet | Sunday, Feb. 4 | 12:30 p.m. | Chazen Museum of Art, 750 University Ave., Madison | Free | Listen to classical music and enjoy high art.
Tarot Workshop: How to Do Friendship Readings | Sunday, Feb. 4 | 1-2 p.m. | Chrysalis Hair and Body, 255 N. Sherman Ave., Madison | Free | We sense you’ve always wanted to learn about tarot.

Monday, Feb. 5

Service Industry Night | Monday, Feb. 5 | 4-8 p.m. | Delta Beer Lab, 167 E. Badger Rd., Madison | Free | Discounts for those who work in service, hospitality, education, or healthcare.
Madison Northside Community Blood Drive | Monday, Feb. 5 | 1-4 p.m. | Goodwill Northside Community Room, 2901 N. Sherman Ave., Madison | Free | Give blood, save a life.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Festival

The Frozen Assets festival and fundraiser for Madison’s Clean Lakes Alliance is moving ahead with the remainder of its activities on Lake Mendota this Saturday, Feb. 3, minus the on-lake 5K run. Among the activities will be skydiving demonstrations, ice skating, and winter crafts.

Edu

The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction is opening the public school open enrollment period for the 2024-25 academic year starting next week. The application period is Feb. 5 through Apr. 30. During that time, parents and guardians will be able to submit applications to enroll their children. (Channel 3000)

Civic

Spring primary absentee ballots for the primary election on Tuesday, Feb. 20 are in the mail. The only Madison residents with a primary are voters in County Supervisor districts 13 and 36, and others in the Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District.

Opening

This March, Fresh Mart grocery store is set to open its second Madison-area location inside the former Whole Foods Market space on University Avenue. Roughly a third of its inventory will come from international suppliers. (In Business)

Traffic

Commuting may get a little easier for riders of Madison’s Metro Transit later this year. New “Fast Fare Cards” will allow boarding on all doors of every bus and let riders add money to card accounts in multiple ways. The change will occur sometime before fall. (Wisconsin State Journal)

Travel

The Dane County Regional Airport is getting $2 million of federal support to help modernize its facilities. The airport will use the money to rehabilitate an existing on-airport roadway to make it safer for aircraft rescue firefighting trucks, airport vehicles, and ground service equipment. (WKOW)

Health

Wisconsin was recently named the No. 2 best state in the nation for dental health. And it just got a little better. Wisconsin is authorizing dental therapists — mid-level providers whose level of care is between dentists and hygienists — to expand dental care, like filling cavities and providing oral exams. (WalletHub, Wisconsin State Journal)

Home

This Valentine’s Day decor is making our hearts skip a beat and includes heart-shaped wreaths, neon “love” signs, heart-shaped felt garlands, and cozy red blankets.*

Culture

📍 Local love stories

Our readers’ local love stories

Celebrate Valentine’s Day by reading local love stories. | Graphic via 6AM City

Have you found love in Madison? We want to know about it. This Valentine’s Day, we’re creating a map of places where our readers have made memories around the area.

We want to hear about every kind of relationship. Tell us about your meet cute stories, getting advice from a parent, learning to love yourself... we love love stories in all their forms (but do keep it PG, please).

Add your story to our map:

Zoom into Madison (or wherever your love story started)
Click the green “add point” button
Add the address in the “Search for a Place” text box
Include a short anecdote in the “Point Description” text box

You have until Friday, Feb. 9 to submit for a chance to be featured in our interactive map (and newsletter).

Tell your love story

The Buy

The Buy 2.01.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

A gift from Six & Main’s Valentine’s Day collection for someone you love. There’s colorful chocolates, funny cards, games for couples, and lots and lots of pink.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Ally

From the editor

Touring WORT-FM was a blast. They keep a ton of old-school radio equipment at the station which was cool to learn about, but my favorite relic was this vintage vending machine (which still works!) in the break area.

A vintage vending maching — Grab a snack at WORT’s retro vending machine. | Photo by 608today

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