Wisconsin News & Current Events | Public News Service

Tax credits for home solar projects have been around for a while and local leaders in Wisconsin noted new federal policies have been more aggressive in helping governments, businesses and homeowners offset costs of installing panels. (Adobe Stock)

Thursday, April 18, 2024

A snapshot of federal investments being put to use in WI

City and county governments are feeling the pinch of rising operating costs but in Wisconsin, federal incentives are driving a range of local …

Meat-processing facilities have become a flashpoint in the debate over rolling back child labor laws in various states. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, April 16, 2024

Even with WI veto, some fear further weakening of child labor laws

Despite a recent policy victory, Wisconsin labor leaders still express concern about the current environment for shielding young teens from unsafe …

PFAS are chemicals used since the 1940s. They are found in everyday products such as nonstick cookware. Public officials are sounding the alarm about health risks associated with the chemicals, including their presence in drinking water. (Adobe Stock)<br />

WI, other states prepare for new PFAS drinking water rule

Efforts to limit human exposure to so-called forever chemicals continue to unfold in Wisconsin. Meanwhile, advocates are hopeful residents will be …

For renewable energy, Wisconsin has traditionally lagged behind other Midwestern states in such areas as solar development but federal policies are now giving the Badger State a boost to carry out more projects. (Adobe Stock)

WI utilities make union jobs a priority for green projects

With the help of federal aid, Wisconsin is catching up to neighboring states in accelerating clean energy construction projects and the Badger State …

Enbridge Energy's longstanding Line 5 oil pipeline has resulted in heavy opposition, including legal challenges, from environmental and tribal organizations in states such as Wisconsin and Michigan. (Photo courtesy Earthjustice)

Tribal interests remain at heart of opposition to Great Lakes oil pipeline

Later this month, Indigenous leaders will speak before a United Nations panel about their ongoing concerns with a controversial oil pipeline in the …

Agricultural researchers say practices such as managed grazing help independent farmers work around industry forces, such as corporate consolidation. (Adobe Stock)

With more federal aid, grazing grass is greener for WI farmers

The milk you drink or the beef you eat may have come from a farm that rotates its livestock in a certain way to establish a healthier landscape…

According to leading support organizations, autism is the fastest-growing developmental disability in the United States. (Adobe Stock)

Amid higher autism rates, calls grow for community acceptance

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported one in 36 children around the U.S. has autism spectrum disorder. Rates are much higher than a …

Nearly 40% of Wisconsin school-aged children are eligible for free or reduced-price lunches at school. (Adobe Stock)

WI first state approved for kids' summer meal program

Wisconsin children from low-income families are now on track to get nutritious foods over the summer. Federal officials have approved the Badger …

Nearly 13 million Americans receive health coverage through unique plans under both Medicare and Medicaid. They are known as Dual-Eligible Special Needs Plans. (Adobe Stock)

Unique government health plans try to find an audience

Medicare and Medicaid are key sources of health coverage for many Americans and some people qualify for assistance under both programs. With lagging …

As more states expand access to legalized sports betting, Wisconsin policymakers face more pressure from supporters to approve a more robust law for live wagers. (Adobe Stock)

WI monitoring side effects of sports betting

March Madness is in full swing, and depending on where you live, you might be able to place a bet on a college basketball tournament game. Wisconsin …

As with most presidential elections, Wisconsin is viewed as a

Constitutional amendment highlights WI primary ballot

Early voting is underway for the Wisconsin primary election and while the presidential primaries already appear settled for now, pro-democracy …

Funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is helping states accelerate efforts to boost access to high-speed internet. That includes the approval of Wisconsin's vision for creating digital equity. (Adobe Stock)

WI poised to break through digital equity logjam

Wisconsin has announced a big development in trying to establish more digital equity around the state. Gov. Tony Evers and the Public Service …

In addition to not having as many EV charging stations as some neighboring states, analysts said Wisconsin lacks fast-charging stations for the public to access. (Adobe Stock)

WI poised to hit fast track in adding EV charging stations

Wisconsin has lagged behind neighboring states in adding electric vehicle charging stations, but the Badger State is about to take a big leap forward …

After a dip in the early stages of the pandemic, the Wisconsin Hospital Association says patient volumes have rebounded and remain high, stretching health systems thin as they deal with staffing shortages. (Adobe Stock)

Pressure eases, but WI still faces health-care workforce woes

Critical, but stable. That's how an industry group describes the state of Wisconsin's health-care workforce. Amid some brighter spots, shortages loom …

Abortion rights and protecting democracy were among the topics highlighted during President Joe Biden's State of the Union address. (Adobe Stock)

WI voter hopes Biden speech leads to more meaningful discourse

From the economy to humanitarian aid, President Joe Biden touched on many topics in last night's State of the Union address. With attention now back …

The Wisconsin Hospital Association estimates about one in five nurses around the state is moving on from their profession. (Adobe Stock)

For-profit colleges complicate WI's nursing shortage efforts

Wisconsin faces a big staffing shortage of registered nurses. Advocates hope for key solutions to bear fruit amid unease about the emergence of for-…

According to the Wisconsin Literacy organization, a child of parents with low literacy is 72% more likely to have low literacy themselves. (Adobe Stock)

In helping people read better, experts tout accessibility, incentives

Even though March is barely underway, parents of Wisconsin kids are being encouraged to plan for summer reading activities - especially if their …

According to the World Resources Institute, more than 1,200 electric school buses are operating in the United States, with several thousand more either on order or being delivered. (Adobe Stock)

Electric bus movement looks to accelerate

Most school and transit buses on the nation's roadways these days are still powered by diesel engines but in Wisconsin and elsewhere, there is hope …

Between 2017 and 2022, Wisconsin saw a 23% increase in the acreage of farmland with cover crops. (Adobe Stock)

Sustainable ag movement goes data crunching

Farming trend researchers are poring over new federal data that only come around every five years. The latest information helps some organizations …

The American Biogas Council says across the U.S., more than 2,300 digester sites are producing biogas. (Adobe Stock)

Digesters: Helpful in reducing farm emissions?

Wisconsin is part of a movement to reduce livestock emissions by converting manure into energy sources, and there are calls to weave in a careful …

Political researchers have long noted Wisconsin has had some of the most gerrymandered political boundaries in the country. (Adobe Stock)

WI fair map advocates express confidence in pending political boundaries

Wisconsin is closer to adopting political maps for legislative seats advocates insist would reverse years of gerrymandered districts. One coalition …

A recent survey showed 65% of Americans will likely trust 2024 election results, compared with 54% in April last year. (John Davis/Adobe Stock)

WI elections administrator: Feds need to help bolster voting infrastrucure

Americans are preparing to vote this year in what's described as a "high-stakes" presidential election. But those who oversee the voting process…

The 2024 tax filing season kicked off in late January, with this year's April 15 deadline falling on a Monday. (Adobe Stock)

Overwhelmed with tax filing costs? WI service sites are back

Many Wisconsinites have received their income documents for filing taxes. A long-standing program geared toward low to moderate-income adults is …

Wisconsin outreach specialists say determining land maintenance responsibilities, such as repairing irrigation lines, is important for new farmers in signing a land lease. They say that could make it easier for these farmers to avoid stalling progress on their new operations. (Adobe Stock)

WI experts: A strong lease could help ease land woes for new farmers

Farmers who produce the food we eat don't always own the land that food is grown on, including in Wisconsin. Those trying to get their operations off …

Census data show the 2021 Child Tax Credit expansion helped reduce the nation's child poverty rate to a record low of 5.2%. (Adobe Stock)

New expansion of Child Tax Credit advances in Congress

Tax-filing season is underway, and Congress is one step closer to helping low-income families get a bigger break on their returns. Policy experts say …

The Wisconsin Office of Rural Health said the health-care workforce still has not recovered from the earlier stages of the pandemic when staff experienced burnout after being thrust onto the front lines. (Adobe Stock)

Rural health leaders: WI task force should address regulatory issues for hiring

Gov. Tony Evers announced a new task force this week to address hiring issues within health care in Wisconsin. Those speaking up for rural health …

Wisconsin's New Freedom Transportation Program, which enlists volunteer drivers to help older people and those with disabilities get to the doctor, serves more than 40 counties. Program officials estimate they are at least 20 drivers short of where they need to be. (Adobe Stock)

WI hospital closures add urgency to need for volunteer drivers

This week, a Midwest health care system announced the closure of two hospitals of two hospitals in western Wisconsin. Those who help transport older …

The Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce says Wisconsin ranks 14th in the nation when measuring the growth of college degree attainment between 2010 and 2020. (Adobe Stock)

More Americans 'learning and earning,' but college degree gaps persist

The U.S. has seen an increase in the percentage of adults with college degrees, which helps boost their lifetime earnings. But a new report shows …

According to the USDA, Wisconsin is among the top ten states for farmers' markets. Officials with a new grant program said it is one reason why the Badger State can serve as a leader in getting more locally grown food into school lunches. (Adobe Stock)

New grants designed to give WI 'farm to school' efforts more muscle

In making school meals healthier, so-called "Farm to School" programs are nothing new but Wisconsin might see the efforts reach new heights with a …

According to services company Custody X Change, most Midwestern states don't provide judges with a clear formula for helping establish alimony payments. (Adobe Stock)

Report calls for more consistency in alimony laws

Wisconsin is among the states without a defined formula for deciding alimony payments through divorce court proceedings. A new report says without …

Vaccination rates among U.S. kindergartners for routine childhood shots have not returned to pre-pandemic levels, with just 93% of students meeting vaccination requirements, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Adobe Stock)

Experts: Misinformation movement harming vaccination rates

Public health experts say the rapid spread of health misinformation online is contributing to a dangerous decline in vaccination rates in Wisconsin an…

According to insurer State Farm, Wisconsin is considered a

Urgency builds in preventing vehicle collisions with wildlife

Data show Wisconsin is among the top five states for car-animal collisions and on a national scale, wildlife advocates are highlighting efforts to …

Latinos account for 47% of agricultural field workers and 46% of construction laborers in the U.S. and face extreme summer heat threats due to climate change. (Adobe Stock)

Report brings to light climate-change impact on Latinos' health, heritage

As climate change makes extreme weather events more common globally, new findings show Latinos often face the most significant effects on their …

Climate experts say transforming schoolyard areas to include more vegetation can help mitigate the heat-island effect often felt in urban areas. (Adobe Stock)

Milwaukee program helps schools ditch playground asphalt for natural settings

Urban heat islands, made worse by climate change, can push up temperatures and bring on more air pollution in larger cities. Now, a Milwaukee project …

Wisconsin is one of 20 states still at the federal minimum wage level of $7.25 an hour. The other 30 have base levels ranging from $8.75 to $16. (Adobe Stock)

Peeling back the layers of WI minimum wage policy

Bills are pending in Congress to boost the federal minimum wage, which remains at $7.25 an hour. Separately, many states increased their wage …

As with previous presidential elections, Wisconsin is considered a swing state for the 2024 vote. (Adobe Stock)

As election season ramps up, WI moves into overhaul mode

In 2024 and beyond, Wisconsin could see big changes related to voting. New political boundaries are expected based on a state Supreme Court ruling…

According to the advocacy group Kids in Danger, there were 100 children's product recalls in 2022, the highest number since 2013. (Adobe Stock/Generated with AI)

Did your child receive a 'smart toy'? Experts urge parents to research them

The "smart toy" market is now a more than $16 billion industry, and is expected to double by 2027, and this holiday season, experts are warning …

According to United Health Foundation's latest America's Health Rankings report, Wisconsin is 26th in the nation when it comes to adult tobacco use. (Adobe Stock)

WI in top half for health rankings, but resources low for public outreach

Wisconsin ranks 22nd in the country when it comes to a range of health measuring sticks, and local public health officials said more resources could …

Republican leaders in a number of states, including Wisconsin, have increasingly tried to cut or limit DEI programs at public colleges and universities. (Adobe Stock)

Deal limiting diversity work on WI campuses prompts calls for action

Campuses in Wisconsin's public university system now face hard limits on diversity, equity and inclusion efforts following a controversial budget …

The U.S. Department of Energy is revoking $37 million previously awarded to Ohio's six-turbine Icebreaker wind project, which has been in the works since 2009. (Adobe Stock)

Can offshore Great Lakes projects get a second wind?

Offshore wind development in the Great Lakes region has had a turbulent history. Once considered a promising location for such projects, Wisconsin …

In a new AARP survey, one in four consumers said they have either given or received a gift card with no monetary value on it. Experts said card manipulation by scammers is one factor at play. (Adobe Stock)

During holiday crunch, fraud awareness data raises concerns

Consumer advocates warned more people report being targeted by scammers as key information to protect their financial identity is not always getting t…

If Wisconsin were to shift election oversight from an independent commission, and effectively give the Legislature the final say on such matters, the plan would take effect just before the 2024 presidential election, in which Wisconsin will once again be a swing state. (Adobe Stock)

Caution urged as WI sees more election policy proposals

Election oversight remains a controversial topic in Wisconsin. Ahead of the 2024 presidential vote, civic engagement leaders hope state lawmakers …

Officials with the Aging and Climate Change Clearinghouse contended the baby boomer generation has developed consumption patterns exacerbating climate change. Officials said changing patterns, such as making their homes energy-efficient, can help reduce the climate threats they face. (Adobe Stock)

Research project aims to make climate adaptation age-inclusive

From prolonged droughts to intense rain and snowstorms, the Midwest is not immune to climate change threats. An emerging resource aims to place more …

The Wisconsin Policy Forum said the state's teacher turnover rate last year included both the highest levels on record of teachers moving between districts and the second-highest levels of those leaving the profession. (Adobe Stock)

Can collective-bargaining case help with WI teacher shortage?

A lawsuit challenging Wisconsin's collective near-total bargaining ban for most public workers is by some seen as a way to bolster the state's beleagu…

Research work led by the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute found while massive flood events call attention to cost impacts for state and local governments, increased frequency of mid-scale flood events can wear on rural communities. (Adobe Stock)

Taxpayers, like farmers, can get a bang for their buck from conservation funding

If you live in a flood prone community, soil health from nearby farmland may have something to do with it. Ag voices in Wisconsin say government-…

A group of U.S. researchers says particulate matter from coal plants was often put on the same par with other sources of air pollution. However, their review of premature deaths shows coal emissions pose a deadlier health risk. (Adobe Stock)

Study: Air pollution linked to coal plants more deadly than previously thought

Researchers are out with new findings they say show that death rates linked to air pollution from coal plants are underestimated. A Wisconsin …

The past two redistricting cycles in Wisconsin have been mired in controversy over accusations of partisan gerrymandering against Republican leaders, who have controlled the process. (Photo courtesy of state of Wisconsin)

WI Supreme Court hears arguments in high-profile redistricting case

The Wisconsin Supreme Court today takes up a much-anticipated case involving the state's political boundaries. Oral arguments begin in a lawsuit …

Researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found travel lane width is one of several contributors to the high rates of traffic-related fatalities in the U.S. They urged road engineers to consider narrower lanes. (Adobe Stock)

Could narrower traffic lanes help reduce harmful emissions?

Wisconsin's largest city has seen recent debate over highway expansion plans amid environmental concerns, and a new study suggested for similar …

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