Lake Effect

Latest Episodes:

Friday 1/16/26: Data centers and utilities, WisconsinEye shuttering, Milwaukee Youth Poet Laureate Jan 16, 2026

Show notes

The impact data centers could have on Wisconsin’s utility landscape and infrastructure. What Wisconsin’s version of C-SPAN shutting down means for transparency in our state’s politics. Meet this year’s Milwaukee Youth Poet Laureate.

Thursday 1/15/26: The basics of data centers, Wisconsin in the Olympics, surviving forced assimilation Jan 15, 2026

Show notes

Breaking down the basics of data centers. A Wisconsinite is heading to the Winter Olympics to compete in the biathlon with Team USA. A survivor of a Native American boarding school shares his story.

Wednesday 1/14/26: adult literacy, WisconsinEye shuttering, Milwaukee Water Commons leader, Liberace memorialization Jan 14, 2026

Show notes

Today on Lake Effect, we learn about the need for reading comprehension services for adults in Milwaukee. Wisconsin’s version of C-SPAN shut down because of a lack of funding so we look at what that means for transparency in our state’s politics. We speak with the outgoing co-director of the Milwaukee Water Commons. Plus, we learn about Liberace's Wisconsin upbringing and the lack of recognition for the famed performer in his hometown.

Tuesday 1/13/26: Data centers and utilities, MCTS changes, Milwaukee Youth Poet Laureate Jan 13, 2026

Show notes

What impact new data centers could have on Wisconsin’s utility landscape and infrastructure. Changes to the Milwaukee County Transit bus operations. We speak with the Milwaukee Youth Poet Laureate.

Monday 1/12/26: Top five reports from Wisconsin Policy Forum, Jerry Apps, Burlington Liars Club Jan 12, 2026

Show notes

The top five reports by the Wisconsin Policy Forum over the past year. We revisit a conversation with late writer and teacher Jerry Apps. The Burlington Liars Club – a club for anyone who thinks they can tell a clever lie.

Friday 1/9/26: A chat with David Crowley, Milwaukee and Venezuela, lead remediation at MPS Jan 09, 2026

Show notes

Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley talks about challenges in 2025 and ahead in 2026. Milwaukeeans with roots in Venezuela tell us how their feeling right now. How Milwaukee Public Schools removed lead particles from 100 schools last year.

Thursday 1/8/26: Milwaukee and Venezuela, AI data centers and the environment, literacy and teaching Jan 08, 2026

Show notes

Reactions from Venezuelans living in Milwaukee about the capture of Venezuela’s president. The potential environmental consequences as of AI data centers. 91% of public school students in Milwaukee can’t read at grade level.

Wednesday 1/7/26: ICE in Wisconsin compared to other states, Christmas trees and dairy farms, resolutions Jan 07, 2026

Show notes

How ICE arrests are being carried out in Wisconsin compared to other states. A local Christmas tree farmer stays optimistic after a slow holiday season. How we can think differently about new year’s resolutions.

Tuesday 1/6/26: Lead remediation at MPS, staying social this winter, weird museums Jan 06, 2026

Show notes

We look at the multi-million dollar lead remediation project that MPS underwent last year. How to stay active and social during the cold winter months. We explore some of Wisconsin’s weirdest museums.

Monday 1/5/26: A chat with the Milwaukee County Executive, Capitol Notes, singing and heart health Jan 05, 2026

Show notes

We chat with Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley about 2025, and what's to come in 2026. Capitol Notes brings us a preview of state politics in this midterm election year. Could singing improve heart health? We talk with a local doctor who’s leading the research.

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