Faye Parks

Three health care workers fired after unionization effort - WORT-FM 89.9 Calling the firings “illegal retaliation," the National Union of Healthcare Workers filed charges this week with the National Labor Relations Board.

Calling the firings “illegal retaliation,” the union filed charges this week with the National Labor Relations Board.

@fayeparks.bsky.social and Labor Radio’s Greg Geboski have the story.

www.wortfm.org/three-health...

Incumbent Michele Doolan says rural voters deserve experienced representation - WORT-FM 89.9 Supervisor Doolan, who’s represented Dane County’s western edge since 2020, faces two challengers in her reelection bid this spring.

Supervisor Michele Doolan, who’s represented the county’s western edge since 2020, faces two challengers in her reelection bid this spring.

She joined @fayeparks.bsky.social to reintroduce herself ahead of next week’s primary.

www.wortfm.org/incumbent-mi...

Nathan McGree says county government lacks clarity, ignores rural issues - WORT-FM 89.9 McGree is challenging incumbent Michele Doolan to represent Cross Plains, Mazomanie, and the surrounding area on the Dane County Board.

Tyrol Basin owner Nathan McGree tells @fayeparks.bsky.social he’s running for office this spring because rural communities deserve a stronger voice on the county board.

www.wortfm.org/nathan-mcgre...

2026 State of the Tribes Address spotlights education, health care funding - WORT-FM 89.9 “We are ready to work hard and we expect that same dedication from our state partners,” Chairwoman Nicole Boyd said Tuesday.

The Wisconsin Assembly sped through today’s packed floor agenda with little discussion, after Chairwoman Nicole Boyd delivered this year’s State of the Tribes Address.

@fayeparks.bsky.social has the story.

www.wortfm.org/2026-state-o...

Trump’s “chaos agenda” a distraction, WisDems’ Devin Remiker says - WORT-FM 89.9 Remiker weighs in on the immigration crackdown in Minnesota and explains what’s at stake if Wisconsinites elect a Trump loyalist as governor this fall.

Last week, @wisdems.org’s Devin Remiker sat down with @fayeparks.bsky.social to weigh in on the immigration crackdown in Minnesota and explain what’s at stake if Wisconsinites elect a Trump loyalist as governor this fall.

www.wortfm.org/trumps-chaos...

Dane County needs more workforce housing, Amy Larson says - WORT-FM 89.9 Larson is one of three candidates running to represent the Middleton area on the Dane County Board of Supervisors.

Joining @fayeparks.bsky.social ahead of the February 17th primary, Navy veteran and attorney Amy Larson explains why her professional experience would be an asset on the county board.

www.wortfm.org/dane-county-...

Plans for harm reduction clinic placed on indefinite pause - WORT-FM 89.9 After weeks of public pushback, the Board of Health decided Wednesday to drop the proposed contract entirely.

After weeks of public pushback, the Board of Health decided Wednesday to drop the proposed contract entirely. It’s now up to the local public health department to decide how the money should be spent.

@fayeparks.bsky.social has this update.

www.wortfm.org/plans-for-ha...

Nino Amato calls for bipartisan cooperation - WORT-FM 89.9 Amato is one of three candidates running this spring to represent the Middleton area on the Dane County Board.

Nino Amato has decades of experience in state and local government, including a stint on the city council in the ‘70s.

Now running for the county board, Amato sat down with @fayeparks.bsky.social to reintroduce himself ahead of the spring primary.

www.wortfm.org/nino-amato-c...

Wisconsin Democrats renew call for legalized marijuana - WORT-FM 89.9 "Legalizing cannabis in Wisconsin is an economic necessity, a public safety strategy, and a racial justice imperative," Rep. Darrin Madison, D-Milwaukee, said Monday.

State Democrats announced Monday their latest attempt to legalize cannabis in Wisconsin. But this time around, recent shifts in federal policy have added to their urgency.

@fayeparks.bsky.social has the details.

www.wortfm.org/wisconsin-de...

Sandhill crane hunting bill disregards science, farmers - WORT-FM 89.9 Proponents say an annual hunt would reduce crop damage. But according to conservationists, it’s not that simple.

Proponents say an annual hunt would reduce crop damage. But the International Crane Foundation’s Ryan Michalesko tells @fayeparks.bsky.social it’s not that simple.

www.wortfm.org/sandhill-cra...

Supervisor Tommy Rylander says data centers aren’t welcome in Dane County - WORT-FM 89.9 Rylander, who’s represented Madison’s north side on the county board since 2024, is running for reelection this spring.

Speaking with @fayeparks.bsky.social ahead of next month’s primary, incumbent supervisor Tommy Rylander outlined his vision to achieve healthy growth and smart budgeting in the county.

www.wortfm.org/supervisor-t...

MMSD commissions study to examine teacher salary disparities - WORT-FM 89.9 The school board aims to address salary compression in next year's budget. But the teachers union says that's not soon enough.

The school board aims to address salary compression in next year’s budget. But the union says veteran teachers shouldn’t have to wait any longer for equal pay.

@fayeparks.bsky.social has more.

www.wortfm.org/mmsd-commiss...

Dane County needs to increase its affordable housing stock, Sean Burke says - WORT-FM 89.9 After an unsuccessful bid for city council last spring, Burke is now running to represent Madison’s north side on the county board.

In a redux of their 2024 matchup, Sean Burke is challenging incumbent Tommy Rylander to represent Madison’s north side on the county board.

Burke joined @fayeparks.bsky.social ahead of the primary to reintroduce himself to District 12 voters.

www.wortfm.org/dane-county-...

DeForest moves to re-fluoridate water system - WORT-FM 89.9 Less than a year after the DeForest village board voted to remove fluoride from the community's drinking water, it's taking steps to bring back the treatments.

Less than a year after the DeForest village board voted to remove fluoride from the community’s drinking water, it’s taking steps to bring back the treatments.

@fayeparks.bsky.social has this update.

www.wortfm.org/deforest-mov...

Madison protests second ICE-related killing in Minneapolis - WORT-FM 89.9 Hundreds joined a rally outside the state Capitol on Sunday, one day after Border Patrol agents shot and killed ICU nurse Alex Pretti.

Hundreds joined a rally outside the state Capitol on Sunday, one day after Border Patrol agents shot and killed ICU nurse Alex Pretti.

WORT’s Brian Standing was there and brings us this coverage with @fayeparks.bsky.social.

www.wortfm.org/madison-prot...

Leadership should feel accessible and accountable, Otis Harris Jr. says - WORT-FM 89.9 Harris is challenging incumbent Tommy Rylander this spring to represent Madison’s north side on the Dane County Board of Supervisors.

Business owner and lifelong Madisonian Otis Harris Jr. is running this spring to represent the north side on the county board.

Speaking with @fayeparks.bsky.social, Harris described his commitment to transparent and inclusive government.

www.wortfm.org/leadership-s...

Madison celebrates four new affordable homes, with more on the way - WORT-FM 89.9 “This is a great example of the work that we’re doing to provide more of what we call the ‘missing middle’ housing options,” Mayor Rhodes-Conway said Wednesday.

A pair of twin homes on the city’s southeast side are move-in ready, one year after construction broke ground on a project that aims to create more affordable housing options for first-time homebuyers.

@fayeparks.bsky.social has this update.

www.wortfm.org/madison-cele...

Dane County judge dismisses lawsuit against local animal rights group - WORT-FM 89.9 Ridglan Farms’ lawsuit was a blatant attempt to silence their critics and intimidate activists across the state, Dane4Dogs President Rebekah Robinson tells WORT.

Ridglan Farms’ lawsuit was a blatant attempt to silence their critics, Dane4Dogs President Rebekah Robinson tells @fayeparks.bsky.social, and Tuesday’s decision was a win for animal rights activists across the state.

www.wortfm.org/dane-county-...

Madison’s “regional music brand” beginning to take shape - WORT-FM 89.9 The initiative aims to create a more equitable music scene and use local talent to attract tourists.

The city initiative aims to create a more equitable music scene and use local talent to attract tourists.

@fayeparks.bsky.social has the latest.

www.wortfm.org/madisons-reg...

ICE activity could soon spike in Wisconsin, Rep. Pocan warns - WORT-FM 89.9 Speaking with the press on Tuesday, Rep. Pocan also weighed in on the impending government shutdown and a pair of lawsuits challenging Wisconsin’s congressional maps.

Warning signs @pocan.house.gov pointed out Tuesday morning include the sevenfold increase to the agency’s budget this year and ICE’s massive presence across the border in Minnesota.

@fayeparks.bsky.social has more.

www.wortfm.org/ice-activity...

What's ahead in Wisconsin politics in 2026? Madison politics reporters discuss their perspectives on WORT-FM's "A Public Affair."

We looked ahead to 2026 Wisconsin politics. Managing Editor @stinadale.bsky.social transcribed excerpts of her "A Public Affair" convo on WORT-FM with @danapellebon.bsky.social and @fayeparks.bsky.social as well as Cap Times local government reporter @enjoyiana.bsky.social.

Debate continues on proposed harm reduction drop-in center - WORT-FM 89.9 Responding to pushback from city leaders and area residents, the Board of Public Health tabled the proposal last month to allow for further discussion.

The rising tension between city and county leaders reached a boiling point at Wednesday’s public hearing - with accusations of bad-faith arguments, backroom deals, and uncooperative governance.

@fayeparks.bsky.social has this update.

www.wortfm.org/debate-conti...

Sen. Melissa Ratcliff speaks out against conservative, anti-trans push - WORT-FM 89.9 A pair of Republican bills take aim at trans Wisconsinites, as a new federal proposal threatens to defund hospitals that provide gender-affirming care to minors.

In lockstep with the Trump administration, state Republicans are advancing a pair of bills targeting transgender Wisconsinites.

“It’s all performative,” Senator Melissa Ratcliff tells @fayeparks.bsky.social. “It’s not about actual policy making.”

www.wortfm.org/sen-melissa-...

City council to weigh 12-month data center moratorium - WORT-FM 89.9 The moratorium would buy the city some time to research and adopt permanent regulations, according to city staff.

What city staff described Monday as a zoning code change with an expiration date, the moratorium would buy the city some time to research and adopt permanent regulations.

@fayeparks.bsky.social has the details.

www.wortfm.org/city-council...

Madison, former city clerk ask court to dismiss uncounted ballot lawsuit - WORT-FM 89.9 The city and its former clerk can’t be sued for the 2024 election snafu, their attorneys argue, because state law says absentee voting is a privilege – not a right.

Their attorneys pointed to a state law that says absentee voting is a privilege - not a constitutional right.

@alexandershur.bsky.social joins @fayeparks.bsky.social to explain why experts in election law are sounding the alarm.

www.wortfm.org/madison-form...

School voucher program’s growth costs taxpayers, Wisconsin Watch reports - WORT-FM 89.9 Critics say the state is essentially funding two school systems, thirty-five years after Wisconsin launched its first voucher program.

Taxpayers are covering tuition costs for nearly half of the state’s private school students, 35 years after Wisconsin launched its first voucher program.

@fayeparks.bsky.social sat down with @wisconsinwatch.org’s Hongyu Liu to get the numbers.

www.wortfm.org/school-vouch...

New report puts data center energy, water demand into context - WORT-FM 89.9 Wisconsin Policy Forum’s Tyler Byrnes explains why their new analysis looks to the past to consider the future of the state’s utilities landscape.

The rush to update the state’s infrastructure comes after two decades of declining electricity and water demand.

Wisconsin Policy Forum’s Tyler Byrnes joins @fayeparks.bsky.social to explain how data centers could change Wisconsin’s utility landscape.

www.wortfm.org/485456-2/

DeForest data center petition hits snag - WORT-FM 89.9 The village board decided Tuesday not to take action on the petition, after staff warned that it could get the village into legal trouble in the future.

Despite broad public support, the DeForest village board decided Tuesday not to take action on a petition that would give voters the final say on a proposed data center.

@fayeparks.bsky.social and Zoe Sullivan have the story.

www.wortfm.org/deforest-dat...

Private dollars backing Coliseum renovations could come with hidden costs - WORT-FM 89.9 Madison Arts Commission Chair Nick Pjevach is urging county leaders to “proceed with caution” as they weigh a partnership proposal with FPC Live.

Madison Arts Commission Chair Nick Pjevach is urging county leaders to “proceed with caution” as they weigh a partnership proposal with FPC Live.

He joined @fayeparks.bsky.social to explain why he decided to speak out.

www.wortfm.org/private-doll...

Local Journalists Weigh-In on Upcoming 2026 Elections - WORT-FM 89.9 Christina Lieffring, Enjoyiana Nururdin, and Faye Parks break down the races in this busy election year with host Dana Pellebon.

🎙️Today is the deadline for candidate filings in the state of Wisconsin. @stinadale.bsky.social, Enjoyiana Nururdin, and @fayeparks.bsky.social break down the races in this busy election year with host Dana Pellebon.

Listen here: www.wortfm.org/local-journa...