Joel Patenaude
@jtpaten.bsky.social
Producer at Wisconsin Public Radio, guilty of committing print journalism, too. Otherwise a road and fat biker, xc skier, former distance runner, reptile keeper, father, lover, not a fighter.
Reposted by Joel Patenaude
Our season finale is about the vital role public media plays in the lives of many Americans, how the Trump Administration’s budget cuts could impact those Americans directly, and one small way we’re trying to make a difference. And yes, of course, there is a bidet involved.
November 17, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Our season finale is about the vital role public media plays in the lives of many Americans, how the Trump Administration’s budget cuts could impact those Americans directly, and one small way we’re trying to make a difference. And yes, of course, there is a bidet involved.
After the 2003 space shuttle Columbia disaster, Jean Wright and her fellow "Sew Sisters" blanketed our astronauts with a new form of thermal protection.
How a Midwestern NASA seamstress made hand-stitched, heat resistant fabric
Jean Wright is the focus of the 2023 children's book by Elise Matich “Sew Sister: The Untold story of Jean Wright and NASA's Seamstresses.”
www.wpr.org
November 7, 2025 at 10:22 PM
After the 2003 space shuttle Columbia disaster, Jean Wright and her fellow "Sew Sisters" blanketed our astronauts with a new form of thermal protection.
OK, today I bought the t-shirt and pin seen here on the left. Got home, showed them to my wife, who said, "Oh, to match the patch on the bookshelf." Sure enough, that's where I found the patch (AND an identical pin) pictured on the right, which I have no memory of buying. OH, THE IRONY. Sigh.
October 17, 2025 at 3:47 PM
OK, today I bought the t-shirt and pin seen here on the left. Got home, showed them to my wife, who said, "Oh, to match the patch on the bookshelf." Sure enough, that's where I found the patch (AND an identical pin) pictured on the right, which I have no memory of buying. OH, THE IRONY. Sigh.
We occasionally cross statelines for expertise here at Wisconsin Public Radio.
Prairie strips provide habitat and help save farmland
Decades of research has shown that setting aside 10 percent of a farm field for wildlife habitat is beneficial for both the environment and agricultural production long term.
www.wpr.org
October 9, 2025 at 11:11 AM
We occasionally cross statelines for expertise here at Wisconsin Public Radio.
As crazy as the world is right now, we've had it easy compared to our ancestors. Here's my latest article for wpr.org.
The Erie Canal paved the way for immigration to Wisconsin
In 1835, a decade after the canal was finished, there were only a few thousand non-native people living in Wisconsin. “By 1850 there were 305,000,” author Laurie Lawlor said recently on “The Larry Mei...
www.wpr.org
September 19, 2025 at 6:33 PM
As crazy as the world is right now, we've had it easy compared to our ancestors. Here's my latest article for wpr.org.
Reposted by Joel Patenaude
Let's get clickbait out of local news.
We are a group of Idaho and Washington journalists, and our publishing company, McClatchy, wants the ability to punish us for not meeting arbitrary story quotas.
THREAD
We are a group of Idaho and Washington journalists, and our publishing company, McClatchy, wants the ability to punish us for not meeting arbitrary story quotas.
THREAD
September 2, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Let's get clickbait out of local news.
We are a group of Idaho and Washington journalists, and our publishing company, McClatchy, wants the ability to punish us for not meeting arbitrary story quotas.
THREAD
We are a group of Idaho and Washington journalists, and our publishing company, McClatchy, wants the ability to punish us for not meeting arbitrary story quotas.
THREAD
Reposted by Joel Patenaude
Some incredibly good news:
One year ago this week, The Onion returned to print.
In that one year, we’ve grown to the 13th largest print newspaper in the United States, just ahead of the Boston Globe, and growing fast.
In short, it’s working.
So… thank you. Thank you for helping save this thing.
One year ago this week, The Onion returned to print.
In that one year, we’ve grown to the 13th largest print newspaper in the United States, just ahead of the Boston Globe, and growing fast.
In short, it’s working.
So… thank you. Thank you for helping save this thing.
Exclusive | The Onion Brought Back Its Print Edition. The Gamble Is Paying Off.
Publications turn to the old-style products to appeal to nostalgic readers and stand out in a crowded digital-media landscape.
www.wsj.com
August 21, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Some incredibly good news:
One year ago this week, The Onion returned to print.
In that one year, we’ve grown to the 13th largest print newspaper in the United States, just ahead of the Boston Globe, and growing fast.
In short, it’s working.
So… thank you. Thank you for helping save this thing.
One year ago this week, The Onion returned to print.
In that one year, we’ve grown to the 13th largest print newspaper in the United States, just ahead of the Boston Globe, and growing fast.
In short, it’s working.
So… thank you. Thank you for helping save this thing.
This is hilarious: "Chicagoans may remember the Birds Aren’t Real posters from 2018, which similarly took an outlandish conspiracy theory very seriously. The Man in Bean Coalition says 'They are a completely different group. Birds are definitely real, and the man inside the Bean is real too.'"
I like how every couple years Chicagoans develop a bizarre bit about the Bean and follow it to irrational ends. Take the Bean back from the tourists!
There Is Not A Man Trapped Inside The Bean, So Please Stop Calling The Downtown Alderman
Alderman Brendan Reilly says the “heavy volume” of calls inspired by the viral “online hoax” is distracting his office, but that hasn’t stopped demonstrators from posting — or Chicagoans from joining ...
blockclubchicago.org
August 9, 2025 at 11:58 AM
This is hilarious: "Chicagoans may remember the Birds Aren’t Real posters from 2018, which similarly took an outlandish conspiracy theory very seriously. The Man in Bean Coalition says 'They are a completely different group. Birds are definitely real, and the man inside the Bean is real too.'"
Mix of good/bad luck at the start of our last mountain biking summer trip. This morning a thunderstorm nearly flooded our Copper Harbor campsite. But yesterday I found the bike computer in the lost and found at WinMan that popped off there month ago. So yay?
August 7, 2025 at 11:35 AM
Mix of good/bad luck at the start of our last mountain biking summer trip. This morning a thunderstorm nearly flooded our Copper Harbor campsite. But yesterday I found the bike computer in the lost and found at WinMan that popped off there month ago. So yay?
Reposted by Joel Patenaude
I'm a big believer in not giving in to despair. That's what they want from us. That said, this is awful news.
Corporation for Public Broadcasting, funder of NPR and PBS, says it will end operations within months after federal budget cuts
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting is a nonprofit that provides funds to public radio and TV stations, including NPR and PBS.
www.cbsnews.com
August 1, 2025 at 6:05 PM
I'm a big believer in not giving in to despair. That's what they want from us. That said, this is awful news.
Reposted by Joel Patenaude
Beautifully done! I love that other people do this! (And another argument for scientifically accurate tattoos! 😂) ❤️❤️ @rosemarymosco.com always a queen.
The great @rosemarymosco.com with the perfect response to mansplaining… picking up a SNAKE.
(and a song about it in her honor, from the latest episode of Extremely Accurate Bird Songs, a quest to write a song for EVERY bird species)
lnk.to/extremelyacc...
(and a song about it in her honor, from the latest episode of Extremely Accurate Bird Songs, a quest to write a song for EVERY bird species)
lnk.to/extremelyacc...
July 31, 2025 at 12:20 PM
Beautifully done! I love that other people do this! (And another argument for scientifically accurate tattoos! 😂) ❤️❤️ @rosemarymosco.com always a queen.
Reposted by Joel Patenaude
► FunHouseRadio.com <-- TUNE IN
Do you need a reason to smile today?
Do you need a reason to smile today?
July 31, 2025 at 1:39 PM
► FunHouseRadio.com <-- TUNE IN
Do you need a reason to smile today?
Do you need a reason to smile today?
After a long absence, I'm back in the pages of Silent Sports Magazine (July issue, print only), with this piece about #tandembicycling. In summary, wherever you're heading in your relationship, you'll get there faster on a tandem.
July 14, 2025 at 12:37 PM
After a long absence, I'm back in the pages of Silent Sports Magazine (July issue, print only), with this piece about #tandembicycling. In summary, wherever you're heading in your relationship, you'll get there faster on a tandem.
Reposted by Joel Patenaude
Almost 75% of Americans oppose the sale or closure of any kind of public land. And, across the board, they demonstrate consistent support for their local parks.
Despite proposed selloff of federal land, survey shows support for parks unifies people from all walks
Future of national public lands is precarious, but Americans across demographic and ideological lines value parks: ‘people champion their parks.’
www.chicagotribune.com
June 23, 2025 at 12:12 AM
Almost 75% of Americans oppose the sale or closure of any kind of public land. And, across the board, they demonstrate consistent support for their local parks.
Reposted by Joel Patenaude
VEO 3
Prompt: Generate a TV news anchor with a British accent, the anchor says "in shocking news, Jake Kaye Rowe ling's yacht sank with her on board after being attacked by orcas off the coast of turkey" include the announcement in the dialogue.
This took one prompt and 2 minutes to generate.
Prompt: Generate a TV news anchor with a British accent, the anchor says "in shocking news, Jake Kaye Rowe ling's yacht sank with her on board after being attacked by orcas off the coast of turkey" include the announcement in the dialogue.
This took one prompt and 2 minutes to generate.
May 21, 2025 at 2:26 AM
VEO 3
Prompt: Generate a TV news anchor with a British accent, the anchor says "in shocking news, Jake Kaye Rowe ling's yacht sank with her on board after being attacked by orcas off the coast of turkey" include the announcement in the dialogue.
This took one prompt and 2 minutes to generate.
Prompt: Generate a TV news anchor with a British accent, the anchor says "in shocking news, Jake Kaye Rowe ling's yacht sank with her on board after being attacked by orcas off the coast of turkey" include the announcement in the dialogue.
This took one prompt and 2 minutes to generate.
Read this, a summary of the nearly six hours of live interviews I produced for WPR's "The Larry Meiller Show." Or go back and listen. That would be cool, too.
Much loved and underfunded, Wisconsin State Parks celebrates 125 years
Wisconsin’s 50 state parks comprise nearly 156,000 acres and are enjoyed annually by about 20 million campers, hikers, anglers and others. The parks differ in size, popularity, staffing and ability to...
www.wpr.org
May 19, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Read this, a summary of the nearly six hours of live interviews I produced for WPR's "The Larry Meiller Show." Or go back and listen. That would be cool, too.
I watched and enjoyed "The Four Seasons," so believe me when I say Hawkeye Pierce-era Alan Alda does not appear in it, despite what Netflix is suggesting here. Alda wrote the movie on which this show is based, but he appears only briefly and in his current elderly incarnation.
May 9, 2025 at 6:27 PM
I watched and enjoyed "The Four Seasons," so believe me when I say Hawkeye Pierce-era Alan Alda does not appear in it, despite what Netflix is suggesting here. Alda wrote the movie on which this show is based, but he appears only briefly and in his current elderly incarnation.
Reposted by Joel Patenaude
You and millions of other people rely on the NPR Network for trustworthy journalism.
NPR’s editorial integrity and independence are non-negotiable. It’s a promise we make to you – a promise we will fight to keep. Now, we need your support.
Donate today: n.pr/3EYClNR
NPR’s editorial integrity and independence are non-negotiable. It’s a promise we make to you – a promise we will fight to keep. Now, we need your support.
Donate today: n.pr/3EYClNR
May 5, 2025 at 8:14 PM
You and millions of other people rely on the NPR Network for trustworthy journalism.
NPR’s editorial integrity and independence are non-negotiable. It’s a promise we make to you – a promise we will fight to keep. Now, we need your support.
Donate today: n.pr/3EYClNR
NPR’s editorial integrity and independence are non-negotiable. It’s a promise we make to you – a promise we will fight to keep. Now, we need your support.
Donate today: n.pr/3EYClNR
Reposted by Joel Patenaude
In an executive order, President Trump directs the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to stop funding NPR and PBS, the nation's primary public broadcasters.
Trump orders end to federal funding for NPR and PBS
In an executive order, President Trump directs the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to stop funding NPR and PBS, the nation's primary public broadcasters.
www.npr.org
May 2, 2025 at 10:26 AM
In an executive order, President Trump directs the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to stop funding NPR and PBS, the nation's primary public broadcasters.
In 2016, Elon Musk considered buying The Onion. Realizing that owning the parody newspaper wouldn't keep him from being made fun of within its pages, he withdrew as a bidder. The latest print edition of The Onion now has 10 fake ads mocking Musk and his companies. Here are two of the less profane.
April 30, 2025 at 10:26 PM
In 2016, Elon Musk considered buying The Onion. Realizing that owning the parody newspaper wouldn't keep him from being made fun of within its pages, he withdrew as a bidder. The latest print edition of The Onion now has 10 fake ads mocking Musk and his companies. Here are two of the less profane.
Reposted by Joel Patenaude
While you highlight it, please note is the product of local journalism, which has been carrying a lot of the burden in an environment where national outlets simply can't cover everything everywhere all at once. Support your local journalists!
Please highlight this story.
ICE stormed into the wrong house, trashed the place, and made women/girls stand outside in the rain in their underwear. ICE also stole phones, laptops, and cash savings from the family, who moved to OKC two weeks ago.
kfor.com/news/local/w...
ICE stormed into the wrong house, trashed the place, and made women/girls stand outside in the rain in their underwear. ICE also stole phones, laptops, and cash savings from the family, who moved to OKC two weeks ago.
kfor.com/news/local/w...
'We're citizens!': Oklahoma City family traumatized after ICE raids home, but they weren't suspects
A woman says her family’s fresh start in Oklahoma turned into a nightmare after federal immigration agents raided their home, taking their phones, laptops, and life savings – even though they were …
kfor.com
April 29, 2025 at 4:26 PM
While you highlight it, please note is the product of local journalism, which has been carrying a lot of the burden in an environment where national outlets simply can't cover everything everywhere all at once. Support your local journalists!
Reposted by Joel Patenaude
I subscribe to the paper edition and give the absolute strongest recommendation. having a copy of the Onion in the bathroom will make you think it's the 90s, but in a good way. seriously the best, not expensive, do it.
Forgive the earnest post here, but one year ago this week, Global Tetrahedron took over The Onion. We've since brought back the paper and ONN, dramatically increased revenue, and hired more writers and artists.
But most importantly, as other places debased themselves, we refused to bend the knee.
But most importantly, as other places debased themselves, we refused to bend the knee.
April 28, 2025 at 10:56 PM
I subscribe to the paper edition and give the absolute strongest recommendation. having a copy of the Onion in the bathroom will make you think it's the 90s, but in a good way. seriously the best, not expensive, do it.
Reposted by Joel Patenaude
The Secretary of Transportation apparently believes every tired myth about bike lanes you have ever heard, including that they cause congestion, somehow put cyclists in harms way, and don't attract riders. Here's an explainer about why he's wrong, according to decades of data from agencies he runs.
USDOT Secretary Sean Duffy Is Dead Wrong About Bike Lanes — Streetsblog USA
The Secretary of Transportation says he hasn't seen enough data to believe in the benefits of bike lanes. So we put together an explainer help him out — mostly using information from his own departmen...
usa.streetsblog.org
April 25, 2025 at 7:49 PM
The Secretary of Transportation apparently believes every tired myth about bike lanes you have ever heard, including that they cause congestion, somehow put cyclists in harms way, and don't attract riders. Here's an explainer about why he's wrong, according to decades of data from agencies he runs.
Reposted by Joel Patenaude
Just bums me out when people advocate for the Plagiarism Machine That Lies. Announcing to the world that you like abdicating your brain to the world's shittiest machine. Have an ounce of self-respect
April 24, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Just bums me out when people advocate for the Plagiarism Machine That Lies. Announcing to the world that you like abdicating your brain to the world's shittiest machine. Have an ounce of self-respect
I included just one giraffe joke in my latest local news story for @captimes. I admit it was a reach. But I'm making long strides toward being punnier.
Henry Vilas Zoo delays construction plans for new giraffe exhibit
Dane County leaders had hoped to break ground on a $21 million project in Madison this spring. Eddie the giraffe will have to wait, though.
captimes.com
April 17, 2025 at 11:36 AM
I included just one giraffe joke in my latest local news story for @captimes. I admit it was a reach. But I'm making long strides toward being punnier.