Wisconsin News & Current Events | Public News Service

Surveys by the National Alliance on Mental Illness have found 64% of people living with some form of mental illness say the holidays tend to make their conditions worse. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, December 23, 2024

Not in a festive mood this holiday season? You’re not alone

If you find yourself in a less than festive mood this holiday season, you are not alone. In Wisconsin, the recent school shooting tragedy in Madison …

As of 2023, Wisconsin is home to over 450,000 small businesses, employing nearly 1 million people.<br />(Adobe Stock)

An Eau Claire small business braces for Trump tariffs

As the new year quickly approaches, Wisconsin business owners and shoppers alike are bracing for the prospect of tariffs from a new administration …

Enbridge's Line 5 pipeline is currently routed as close as 11 feet to a riverbank caused by flooding and erosion. (Bad River: A Story of Defiance)

Documentary brings WI tribe's pipeline resistance to national stage

By Amy Felegy for Arts Midwest.Broadcast version by Judith Ruiz-Branch for Wisconsin News Connection reporting for the Arts Midwest-Public News Servic…

American martens require very specific living parameters and are hyper sensitive to any changes in their habitat. (Adobe Stock)

WI receives federal funds to recover state’s only endangered mammal

The federal Department of the Interior has awarded the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission more than $800,000 for recovery efforts for Ame…

David Bintz' brother, Robert Bintz, was also released from prison this year and was represented by the Great North Innocence Project. (Adobe Stock)

WI Innocence Project victories point to systemic problem in justice system

The Wisconsin Innocence Project is ending the year with some key victories including helping with the release of two men who each spent decades in pri…

Nationwide, more than 9,700 abortions per month were provided via telehealth under shield law protections in the second quarter of 2024, a 5% increase since the first quarter of 2024, according to WeCount. (Adobe Stock)

Wisconsinites seeking abortion telemedicine via shield laws face risks

Wisconsin law bans telemedicine abortion care, yet new data show an increasing number of Wisconsinites have been getting abortion pills through …

Currently, public sector workers in Wisconsin can only bargain over wages up to the cost of living. (Adobe Stock)

Act 10 ruling could increase stakes of WI Supreme Court election

A Wisconsin Circuit Court's ruling involving public sector bargaining rights has intensified the stakes for the state's Supreme Court election in 2025…

The United States has lost local newspapers this year at the rate of about two-and-a-half per week. (Adobe Stock)

More WI newspapers shutter, but people seem to trust them most

Wisconsin has lost almost one in five of its newspapers in the past year. The state of newspapers has been dismal for years, and the 2024 figures are …

The unpaid care provided by more than 580,000 Wisconsin caregivers is valued at $9.2 billion, according to AARP. (Adobe Stock) <br /><br />

More support needed for over half-million WI family caregivers

More than 580,000 Wisconsinites are unpaid family caregivers and they serve as the backbone of the state's long-term care system, and one …

By 2022, eight out of 10 people living with HIV in Wisconsin were virally suppressed and unable to transmit the virus, according to the Wisconsin Dept. of Human Services. (Adobe Stock) <br /><br />

World AIDS Day sheds light on prevalence in Wisconsin

This weekend, people around the world united for World AIDS Day - to show support for those living with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. In …

Of those surveyed, 82% said online retailers should include country-of-origin labels for the products they offer. (Adobe Stock) <br />

People want to buy American-made holiday gifts, new survey finds

With an expected record-breaking shopping weekend upon us, a new survey by the Alliance for American Manufacturing found almost eight in 10 Americans …

The U.S. Supreme Court hears on average 80 cases per session, out of the thousands of requests it receives. (Adobe Stock)

U.S. Supreme Court ponders review of WI gender-identity case

The U.S. Supreme Court is deciding whether to review a Wisconsin case over the issue of gender identity at school. The case Parents Protecting Our …

One megawatt (MW) of electricity generated by a wind turbine in Wisconsin can typically power around 350 typical Wisconsin homes, according to Renew Wisconsin. (Adobe Stock)

Despite lag in WI wind energy, potential is high for takeoff

Wisconsin ranks 26th in the nation for wind energy, generating far less than neighboring states. Wisconsin has about 900 megawatts of installed …

Despite a 70% approval rate of all school referendums this year, the state saw a 10% decrease from 2022, making it the lowest passage rate in a midterm or presidential election year in the last decade. (Adobe Stock)

Wisconsinites passed record measures for public school funding

Wisconsinites overwhelmingly voted 'yes' on a record number of school funding measures, according to a new Wisconsin Policy Forum study. The appeals …

Built in 1953 and outlasting its original lifespan, Enbridge's Line 5 pipeline transports 22 million gallons of crude oil and natural gas liquids daily across 645 miles of terrain through Michigan and Wisconsin. (Adobe Stock)

Controversial Line 5 project faces more legal action in WI

A legal challenge is expected since the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has granted key permit approvals to a Canadian energy company to rer…

Wisconsin will receive $78 million over five years from the federal government to expand electric vehicle improvements. It plans to have all new charging stations up and running by 2025. (Adobe Stock)

WI makes innovative strides, but lags in EV adoption

Electric vehicles have seen a nationwide uptick, yet Wisconsin lags behind - with EVs making up only about 1% of all cars on the road. …

The FBI is investigating a nationwide wave of harassing texts with messages referencing slavery. In Wisconsin, Black residents of all ages have reported receiving them. (Adobe Stock)

WI wave of racist texts sparks concerns over data privacy

CORRECTION: The legislation mentioned in this story was passed by the Wisconsin State Assembly. It has not yet been voted on by the state Senate…

President-elect Donald Trump said during his campaign the issue of abortion access should be left to states. Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul has said he hopes Trump sticks to his viewpoint. (Adobe Stock)

WI Supreme Court hears case on 1849 abortion law

It is now up to Wisconsin Supreme Court justices to decide the fate of an abortion law from the mid-1800s. A circuit court determined last year an 18…

Wisconsin Democrats think perhaps their wins this week could give them a chance to flip the state Senate in 2026. (Adobe Stock)

New political maps put local WI Democrats on the map

Wisconsin experienced its first election using the state's new competitive political maps, and experts said it made a significant difference in …

Some pro-Palestinian first-time student voters said they had a hard time grappling with casting a ballot for any candidate in the election given the U.S. military support for the war in Gaza. <br />(Adobe Stock)

WI protest on Gaza war planned in downtown Milwaukee

pro-Palestinian groups are hosting a demonstration today starting at Red Arrow Park in downtown Milwaukee. The groups Students for a Democratic …

Currently, election officials and voters in Wisconsin can challenge someone's eligibility to vote but claims based on a person's ethnicity, spoken language or accent are prohibited by the Wisconsin Elections Commission. (Adobe Stock)

Despite the hype, noncitizens aren't voting in Wisconsin

By Alexander Shur for Votebeat Wisconsin.Broadcast version by Judith Ruiz-Branch for Wisconsin News Connection reporting for the Rural News Network-Pu…

Analysts say while the U.S. economy is on solid ground, the farming sector is in a downturn. There are concerns that if a second Trump administration were to come into play, policies tied to the campaign would bring even more hardships to producers. (Adobe Stock)

What would Project 2025 mean for WI farmers?

The conservative blueprint Project 2025 has received attention for issues like civil rights. But advocates say it also includes potential funding …

The Wisconsin State Division of Hearings and Appeals has the power to modify permits issued by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources or require the agency to include stronger terms and conditions. (Adobe Stock)

Kewaunee County residents take legal action against dairy CAFO

Some northeast Wisconsin residents are challenging a wastewater permit issued by the state to a large dairy operation. The Wisconsin Department of …

Some experts predict the student vote in Wisconsin will be a determining factor in Tuesday's election. (Adobe Stock)

WI’s voter ID law can be a nightmare for student voters

Wisconsin law states a student ID can be used for voting, but only some schools issue state-compliant identification. On some campuses, students …

Conservation experts say less than 7% of the acreage within Wisconsin's Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest has old-growth forest characteristics. (Adobe Stock)

Could WI forests see more towering old trees? Federal plan provides hope

CORRECTION: In the second paragraph, the term "mature forests" was replaced with language to more accurately describe the lands connected to the …

Many political pundits, voters and candidates themselves have said the outcome of the 2024 presidential election could have a dramatic effect on the future of democracy. (Adobe Stock)

Historian: Past U.S. events offer clues for leaders to confront today's division

Election Day is inching closer and the battleground state of Wisconsin will see more visits from the two main party presidential campaigns. It was …

Fewer U.S. House members have received an 'A' on the National Parks Action Fund Scorecard since 2022, and more have received failing grades for not voting to fund and preserve national parks. (Adobe Stock)

Sharp divides among WI reps in Congress over protecting national parks

A conservation group wants people heading to the polls to consider an issue that hasn't come up on the campaign trail - preserving and funding the nat…

Some Wisconsin farmers were using their own money to feed tens of thousands of chickens after processor Pure Prairie alerted them they were no longer able to pay for feed for their flocks. (Adobe Stock)

WI farmers regroup after massive 'chicken giveaway' on Facebook

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story incorrectly identified the name of the poultry producer. (9:55 a.m. MDT, Oct. 28, 2924) Some …

Under the umbrella of misinformation about election integrity, some conservative-led states have tried to enact policies requiring hand-counting of ballots. But election administrators say machines and the protocols they use still ensure a safe and fair election. (Adobe Stock)

WI clerks allow public to see voting machines get a 'stress test'

This week, local election officials around Wisconsin will hold public stress testing of voting machines. It's a longstanding practice under state …

Critics of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations said the manure from sites is often kept in open-air lagoons, where it is stored until it is sprayed to fertilize farm fields. Any excess manure not soaked up by crops or grasses ends up in aquifers and waterways. (Adobe Stock)

Legal case highlights concern factory farms get a free pass from EPA

By Nina Elkadi for Sentient.Broadcast version by Mike Moen for Wisconsin News Connection reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collaboration …

During the 2022-2023 school year, 289 charter schools opened in the U.S. and in the same time period, 163 closed. (Adobe Stock)

Charter school longevity in WI isn't making the grade, report finds

Wisconsin has one of the higher closure rates in the U.S. for charter schools, according to a new report, which lays out the challenges of staying …

According to federal data, Wisconsin is home to 1,263,841 Medicare enrollees. (Adobe Stock)

Enrolling in Medicare or other plans? Experts say read the fine print

Medicare open enrollment is underway and it is also the time of year when other public health coverage programs and employer-sponsored plans carry out…

According to the USDA, there are 2,850 slaughterhouses in the U.S., not including facilities slaughtering poultry. (Adobe Stock)

Milwaukee group vigilant about WI slaughterhouse projects

By Grace Hussain for Sentient.Broadcast version by Judith Ruiz-Branch for Wisconsin News Connection reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Col…

State law says students who live and attend college in Wisconsin can choose whether to register to vote with their school address or home address; and Wisconsin residents who attend college out-of-state may elect to vote absentee in Wisconsin. (Adobe Stock)

College voter outreach ramps up amid reports of 'intimidating' texts

Reports of intimidating text messages targeting Wisconsin college students and recent graduates are prompting more voting-rights outreach to young vot…

Following the 2020 presidential election, Wisconsin was among the states where

For WI voters, understanding key pre- and post-election info

In-person early voting begins next week in Wisconsin, which will again be in the spotlight when election results come into focus. Officials said …

Eric Greenlee, a student from Georgia Tech, installs water-level sensors in lakes at Lac du Flambeau to help monitor wild rice beds. (Photo courtesy Naomi Blinick)

Culture, conservation thrive as Great Lakes Tribes bring back wild rice

By Spoorthy Raman for Mongabay.Broadcast version by Mike Moen for Wisconsin News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Public News…

An algal bloom is seen near the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel in Virginia in August 2021. (Photo courtesy Wyatt Young/Chesapeake Bay Foundation)

Could Mississippi River benefit from East Coast water-quality strategy?

By Bennet Goldstein for Wisconsin Watch.Broadcast version by Mike Moen for Wisconsin News Connection reporting for Wisconsin Watch-Public News Service…

Advocacy groups are asking folks in Wisconsin to pledge to become a Supreme Court voter. (Brianna Gonsalves/Clear Channel Outdoor)

Overlap cited between SCOTUS and presidential election

With a month to go before the presidential election, voters in swing states such as Wisconsin are likely to hear more messaging about the outcome …

In 2020, 36% of Wisconsin voters told the Marquette Law School Poll that political disagreements negatively affected personal interactions with another voter. That number jumped to 46% in the current election cycle. (Adobe Stock)

WI poll reflects voter exhaustion over political divisions

A new poll out this week shows nearly half of Wisconsin voters stopped talking about politics with someone because of disagreements over the president…

According to industry data, Wisconsin is currently home to more than 70,000 clean energy jobs. (Adobe Stock)

More WI resumes could soon include climate work history

Federal data show health care and technology-related jobs are still in high demand but a career in clean energy is now at the top of the list, too…

The Wisconsin Land and Water Conservation Association said more than two-thirds of Wisconsinites rely on groundwater for drinking water. If private or community wells become contaminated, there are different levels of state rules on contamination levels for state financial assistance. (Adobe Stock)

With nitrates lurking, WI program helps with well replacement

Running your kitchen faucet and suspecting the water is contaminated can be a scary thought. A number of Wisconsinites are familiar with this…

Despite claims of tampering in conservative circles, the Bipartisan Policy Center said ballot drop boxes are put in place by government officials and are often under 24-hour surveillance. (Adobe Stock)

WI voting watchdog: Please don't drop the ball on drop boxes

With just under 40 days before the November election, Wisconsin is again mired in controversy over the use of ballot drop boxes and a civic …

In Madison, Wis., the Indigenous Language Table meets weekly to practice their skills and support each other. (Photo courtesy of Laura Red Eagle)

Building an Indigenous language learning community in Wisconsin

By Robert Bordeaux for Arts Midwest.Broadcast version by Mike Moen for Wisconsin News Connection reporting for the Arts Midwest-Public News Service Co…

The debate over a new Farm Bill and where to prioritize funding comes as the number of farms declines while farm sizes go up. Experts said it is a symptom of corporate consolidation within agriculture. (Adobe Stock)

Future health of WI's farmland monitored in Farm Bill fight

Congress has one week from today to reauthorize a sweeping policy playing a big role in shaping the nation's food production system, and Wisconsin …

'Smart' robot arms are becoming a common sight in manufacturing facilities. Educational leaders say providing more training on artificial intelligence can better prepare students for systems using AI programming. (Adobe Stock)

AI puts on a lab coat, heads to technical schools

Students enrolled at Wisconsin's technical colleges this fall might take a course where artificial intelligence is the star of the classroom…

In the latest AARP Wisconsin poll, the most important policy issues for older voters in the Badger State include immigration and border security, the economy and jobs, and inflation and rising prices. (Adobe Stock)

Post-presidential debate poll shows a shift in WI

Like polling from other battleground states, the race for the White House remains close in Wisconsin. But fresh numbers out this week show some …

Environmental researchers say locally based-food growers tend to be more conscious about minimizing harmful runoff from their farmland. (Adobe Stock)

WI program serves up fresh produce, with a side of climate benefits

Access to nutritious food can be hard to come by for underserved populations. A Wisconsin program that relies on contributions from locally based …

Consumer prices are not just getting attention in the presidential race. Federal budget talks have included debate about how much authority agencies should have in going after corporations suspected of treating consumers unfairly. (Adobe Stock)

Consumer protections swept up in federal budget fight

Even in a stable economy, consumers in Wisconsin and elsewhere still express pessimism and advocates said a key federal agency working on issues like …

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