Wisconsin Public Radio
Tom Luljak
Interim Director
Wisconsin Public Radio
Inform, inspire and build communities throughout Wisconsin and around the world.
Our commitment to the highest standards of news and cultural content reflects our belief that people and communities thrive with an open exchange of ideas and information.
Reporters and locally hosted programs build statewide connections and strengthen communities from bureaus in Madison, Milwaukee, Green Bay, Wausau, La Crosse, Eau Claire and Superior. Our 38 stations reach approximately 400,000 Wisconsin listeners every week. Our three journalism fellowships are training the next generation of reporters with the highest standards of ethics and integrity. Our award-winning engagement project, WHYsconsin, invites anyone to ask questions about the issues and activities in the state.
WPR’s website, wpr.org, provides fresh news, live streams, podcasts, music interviews, and a forum where audiences can comment on the issues of the day. WPR’s websites served more than 13 million pageviews in 2022. WPR’s mobile app is available for Android and iOS and its smart speaker skill is available for Alexa-enabled devices.
Thousands of Wisconsinites attend WPR’s community events held online and in cities around the state each year. WPR also helps local nonprofits promote community events that celebrate local treasures and our hosts make special appearances that encourage literacy, music education, cultural diversity and more.
With voice broadcasts beginning in 1917, Wisconsin Public Radio is the oldest public radio station in the nation.
WPR offers three networks - on air and online
The Ideas Network
The Ideas Network fosters lifelong learning and community engagement through regional, statewide and national call-in shows that focus on everything from current events to practical advice to pop culture. WPR’s daily programs include "The Morning Show," "The Larry Meiller Show," "Chapter A Day" and "Central Time." "BETA" is heard on the weekends.
NPR News and Music
WPR's trusted and timely news programs include "Morning Edition," "All Things Considered" and the best of NPR, the BBC and APM plus state and local news every weekday. Classical music soothes the soul days, evenings and overnight with programs like "Morning Classics," "The Midday," "Afternoon Classics" and "Classics by Request." Listeners can enjoy World music on "The Road to Higher Ground with Jonathan Overby" and folk from "Simply Folk" on the weekend.
WPR All Classical
A mix of locally and nationally hosted classical music programs are available 24/7 via select HD radio stations and streaming anywhere on wpr.org.
National Programs
WPR syndicates two national programs in partnership with PRX: "Zorba Paster On Your Health" and the Peabody Award-winning "To the Best of Our Knowledge".
“There is so much of Wisconsin that I didn’t know and am learning from “Wisconsin Life” … it makes me appreciate the beauty, values and traditions of my state.”
“Your programs and factual news reporting helped me to understand the thoughts and opinions of people other than myself. Thank you. Keep doing what you do.”
“[Your podcast “Mapped Out”] should be required listening for every civic and social studies class in Wisconsin. It’s an excellent summary of the history and status of a complicated and wonky, yet vitally important topic.”