WUWM Milwaukee Public Radio

WUWM 89.7 FM, operating as Milwaukee Public Radio, broadcasts on 89.7 MHz from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, under the ownership of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and is licensed to the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System. Launched on September 24, 1964, the station initially served as a training ground for broadcasting students before evolving into a professional public radio outlet and joining National Public Radio as a charter member in 1971. Its studios are located on the seventh floor of Chase Tower at 111 East Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 700, Milwaukee, WI 53202, a move made in January 2010 from its previous location at the Shops of Grand Avenue. The transmitter, situated on the WITI TV Tower in Shorewood, delivers a 13,500-watt signal, covering southeastern Wisconsin, including Milwaukee, Waukesha, Racine, and parts of Ozaukee and Washington counties. Key hosts include Joy Powers, who leads Lake Effect, and Maayan Silver, known for in-depth reporting on local issues. The station’s commitment to journalistic integrity has earned it multiple Wisconsin Broadcasters Association awards for its news coverage.

The programming of WUWM focuses on news, talk, and community-oriented content, blending local and national perspectives. Weekday schedules feature NPR staples like Morning Edition from 5:00 to 9:00 AM, All Things Considered from 4:00 to 6:00 PM, and Fresh Air with Terry Gross at 3:00 PM, alongside BBC World Service overnight. The station’s flagship show, Lake Effect, airs weekdays at 10:00 AM and 8:00 PM, hosted by Joy Powers, offering in-depth discussions on Milwaukee’s culture, education, and environment. Other local programs include WUWM News segments covering topics like climate change initiatives and community events, and Bubbler Talk, a listener-driven series exploring regional curiosities. Weekend music programming, such as Chirp Chat, highlights local artists like Bilal and Digable Planets. WUWM appeals to an educated, community-minded audience seeking thoughtful content, with its listener-supported model fostering deep ties to Milwaukee through special initiatives like coverage of Juneteenth and local elections.

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