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In Our Backyard
Venerable Milwaukee Radio Station Drops Local Talk
02/28/13 7:49 PM | Molly Stentz
After 20 years on the air, a venerable black-owned community radio station has dropped its local talk programming. Earlier this week, the owners of Milwaukee’s WMCS 1290 AM pulled the plug on its local hosts.
Reactions to State of the State
01/16/13 3:21 PM | Molly Stentz
The Solidarity Singers and other peaceful protesters camped out in front of the Assembly chambers during Governor Walker’s State of the State Address last night. In Our Backyard producer Dylan Brogan was also there and he caught up with a few local democrats to get their reaction to the Governor’s big speech. He spoke to State Representative Dianne Hesselbein from Middleton, Milwaukee State Rep. Jon Richards, and Representative Melissa Sargent from Madison.
New Dining Guide for Madison
12/7/12 4:58 PM | Molly Stentz
Madison is a food conscious town. We are blessed with abundance. Over the past twenty years, the number of restaurants in the city has exploded. But, faced with so many choices, how do you make a choice? Well, if you thought the only ways to judge a restaurant are by its atmosphere, its service, or the taste of its food… you would be wrong. The Workers’ Rights Center and the Interfaith Coalition for Worker Justice of South Central Wisconsin just gave you a new way: a guide to how local restaurants treat their workers. The Just Dining Guide to restaurants in the downtown Madison area grades 139 restaurants in six categories. Restaurants are rated on whether they provide: time off with pay, sick day pay, retirement savings, health insurance, written policy and pay records, and a living wage. It was compiled by interviews and surveys of both employees and employers. WORT’s Brian Standing has the story. JustDiningGuide by wort-fm
Flu Season is Here Already
12/7/12 4:41 PM | Molly Stentz
It’s December and Christmas isn’t the only thing in the air this year. Several strains of the flu virus have shown up earlier and they are quickly spreading. Reporter Hayden Marx asked Spokesperson for the Centers for Disease Control Tom Skinner if there is a reason for the early start. Epidemiologist for Public Health of Madison and Dane County Amanda Kita-Yarbro gave us the local story. Info on free local flu shots is here. WORT’s Brian Standing explains: Flu by wort-fm
Looking for Farmland?
12/7/12 4:03 PM | Molly Stentz
Are you looking for a farmer to grow organic food on your land — or a farmer looking for land to till in Madison? Well, the Farley Center Farm Incubator in Verona may have a solution for you. And it’s coming from the world of speed dating. Next Tuesday they will bring together farmers and those with farmland with matchmaking in mind. Farm Incubator facilitator Janet Parker told reporter Hayden Marx who they are looking forward to seeing at the meeting. Host Kate Golden explains. FarmerSpeedDating by wort-fm
Dane County Opens New Center for Older Adults
12/7/12 3:07 PM | Molly Stentz
Last month, Dane County opened the doors to a new Aging and Disability Resource Center. Just what is this facility and how can you use it? . Craig McComb caught up with the newly-hired ADRC Director, Jennifer Fischer. . Listen to the interview here: ARDC by wort-fm The Aging and Disability Resource Center is located in the Northside Town Center at 2865 N. Sherman Avenue in Madison. You can reach them weekdays from 7:45am – 4:30pm at (608) 240-7400.
Looking to help this Thanksgiving?
11/16/12 3:02 PM | Molly Stentz
There’s a nip in the air and a turkey on the grocery list. Time to start thinking about what you are thankful for… and maybe start thinking about those in need this Thanksgiving season. Madison has a number of resources for those who might need helping putting together a Thanksgiving feast – and for those who might be able donate time or trimmings for a meal. The Goodman Community Center is just one of the Madison organizations distributing food baskets to families in need this holiday season. In Our Backyard spoke to their Food Resources Manager, Kathy Utley. We asked her what they still need. We also spoke to Burlee Williams of the United Way of Dane County. Don’t forget to get in touch if you need help or can give some help this holiday season. It’s as easy as dialing 2-1-1. Listen to the story: This story was reported by Hayden Marx, read by Kate Golden, and produced by Tom Powell. It originally aired on In Our Backyard on Tuesday, November 13, 2012.
Occupy Madison Sets Up Camp at Dane County Human Services
11/14/12 6:37 PM | Molly Stentz
Occupy Madison has returned. The social-movement-turned-homeless-camp has a new location: Dane County Human Services. Approximately 15 homeless people have set up camp on the lawn next to the county office building on Northport Avenue on Madison’s north side. At least for now. In Our Backyard spoke to homeless advocate Brenda Konkel as well as several members of the Occupy camp (who did not give their names). This story was reported by Rebekah Wilce and Hayden Marx, produced by Patrick Waring, and read by Rob McClure. It originally aired on In Our Backyard on Wednesday, November 14th, 2012.
read article »City of Madison Passes Budget
11/13/12 5:55 PM | Molly Stentz
The City of Madison has passed new capital and operating budgets for 2013. On Tuesday, just before Council members convened to begin their final budget deliberations, In Our Backyard caught up with a few alders to learn where they stood. Common Council President Shiva Bidar-Sielaff, who represents the near west side, and Bridget Maniaci, who represents the Tenney Lapham area of the Isthmus, spoke to WORT. Listen to the story: This story was reported by Hayden Marx, produced by Tom Powell, and read by Kate Golden. It originally aired Tuesday, November 13, 2012 during In Our Backyard.
Neighbors Speak Out About New Homeless Shelter
11/13/12 4:28 PM | Molly Stentz
You may be listening to “In Our Backyard,” but this story could more appropriately be called “Not In Our Backyard.” Last Thursday’s public meeting on Dane County’s proposed temporary homeless shelter for the vacant Teen Loft space on East Washington Avenue brought out a number of fuming neighborhood residents. View Larger Map Listen to the story: The temporary homeless shelter seems to have enough favorable local political will to survive. It received funding through the passage of the new county budget approved by the County Board on Monday, November 12th. It was signed into law by County Executive Joe Parisi on Thursday, November 15th. This story was reported and produced by Tom Powell. It was read by Kermit Hovey. It originally aired on In Our Backyard on Tuesday, November 13, 2012.
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