Wisconsin News & Current Events | Public News Service

According to the most recent Census of Agriculture, cover-crop acres in the United States have increased to 10 million. (Adobe Stock)

Friday, September 17, 2021

WI Ag Researchers Lift the Cover on Cover Crops

EAST TROY, Wis. - Wisconsin farmers are looking ahead to the fall harvest, and those who use cover crops face a deadline to sign up for a research …

Amid the push for Congress to approve the "Build Back Better" plan, the Biden administration and plan supporters have been adamant about not raising taxes on those earning less than $400,000. (Adobe Stock)

200 Higher-Income Earners Urge Congress to Boost Their Taxes

MILWAUKEE, Wis. -- Dozens of wealthy Americans from several states, including Wisconsin, are pressuring Congress to boost taxes on higher-income …

In Wisconsin, the average paid caregiver's wage is $10.47 per hour. (Adobe Stock)

WI Caregivers: Poll Underscores Need for 'Build Back Better'

MADISON, Wis. - New polling data from a dozen states, including Wisconsin, show public support for a key part of the Biden administration's economic …

Opponents of GOP-led election investigations in states such as Wisconsin say not only are they facing pushback from watchdogs and politicians from both parties, they also lack public support. (Adobe Stock)

Coalition: WI Headed Down Dangerous Path With Election Probes

MADISON, Wis. -- Arizona has received widespread coverage for its controversial audit of last year's presidential election, and now, a bipartisan …

At the new Wisconsin 9/11 memorial, a support structure that holds a section of steel beam recovered from the World Trade Center. (wisconsin911memorial.com)

Nearly a Decade in the Making, WI's New 9/11 Memorial Ready

KEWASKUM, Wis. -- Saturday marks the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, and you don't have to visit New York or the Pentagon to pay tribute…

During a special hunt in February, Wisconsin hunters killed 218 wolves, well above the state's quota of 119. (Adobe Stock)

WI Faces Lawsuit Over Wolf-Hunt Program

MADISON, Wis. - Animal protection groups hope to overturn Wisconsin's controversial law allowing wolf hunts. A newly filed lawsuit follows months of …

A congressional proposal calls for several reforms for private equity firms, including more transparency in financial reporting. (Adobe Stock)

WI Plant Closure Seen as Example for Private-Equity Reform

JANESVILLE, Wis. -- A Wisconsin city that has seen its share of manufacturing jobs leave is experiencing pain again, prompting workers and financial-…

Armed with new census data, Wisconsin leaders are moving forward with redistricting. The new political maps are expected to result in a court fight, but fair-map advocates cite some optimistic signs this time around. (Adobe Stock)

Politics Aside, WI Residents Can Submit Redistricting Input

MADISON, Wis. - Going into the current redistricting cycle, Wisconsin was viewed as a state where political tension would underscore new legislative …

In Wisconsin, 90% of nursing-home residents are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, compared with just 50% of staff. (Adobe Stock)<br /><br /> — In Wisconsin, 90% of nursing-home residents are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, compared with just 50% of staff. (Adobe Stock)

Variant Spread Renews Focus on Nursing-Home Vaccinations

MADISON, Wis. -- In Wisconsin and around the U.S., there are growing calls for a COVID-19 vaccination mandate for nursing-home staffs, and a …

Child well-being experts say being positively connected to peers helps young people develop the tools they need to become more confident and successful. (Adobe Stock)

Experts: Back-to-School List Should Include Well-Being Awareness

MADISON, Wis. -- The school year is fast approaching, and many Wisconsin students will be headed back to the classroom for the first time in a while…

Joe Biden defeated Donald Trump in Wisconsin during last year's presidential election by nearly 20,000 votes. But Trump and his supporters continue to question the outcome. (Adobe Stock)

WI Watchdog: Election Audit Demands Merely "Campaign Fodder"

MADISON, Wis. -- A pro-democracy group said the latest attempt to pick apart Wisconsin's vote totals from the 2020 presidential election doesn't hold …

If approved, WEC Energy Group says its proposed gas storage facilities for southeastern Wisconsin could be operational by late 2023. (Adobe Stock)

Opponents Say 'No Tanks' to WI Gas Storage Facilities

IXONIA, Wis. -- The public comment period has ended, but opponents of proposed natural gas storage facilities in southeastern Wisconsin still hope to …

A new report says the onset of the pandemic saw a drop of nearly 60% in children's visits to U.S. pediatricians. (Adobe Stock)

Pediatricians: Families Should Dust Off Their Wellness Visit Calendars

APPLETON, Wis. - The pandemic paused many facets of life, and a new report says wellness checkups for children were among them. With school resuming …

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Black farmers own just 0.52% of the nation's farmland. (Adobe Stock)

Lawsuit Over Federal Aid Underscores Barriers for BIPOC Farmers

EAST TROY, Wis. -- Wisconsin is at the center of a lawsuit targeting federal debt relief for farmers of color. The suit was filed this spring by a …

A class of toxic chemicals known as PFAS have been used in products such as firefighting foam. (Adobe Stock)

Bill Could Restrict WI Cities From Suing Over 'Forever Chemicals'

MADISON, Wis. -- Wisconsin policymakers are looking to provide more aid to towns and cities faced with contamination cleanup of so-called "forever …

The expanded Child Tax Credit will give families an advance on half the sum through monthly payments through December. The rest can be claimed when taxes are filed next spring. (Adobe Stock)

Budget Stabilizer: Child Tax Credit Payments Arrive for WI Families

MADISON, Wis. -- The federal government today begins issuing monthly payments under the expanded Child Tax Credit. Advocates for working families in …

An independent analysis says under Wisconsin's tax relief plan, a typical family could see $115 in annual savings, while higher earners could save close to $1,000. (Adobe Stock)

Wisconsin Hands Out Tax Relief. But Who Wins?

MADISON, Wis. -- Wisconsin's new two-year budget is not getting a lot of attention for its spending provisions. Instead, the focus is on a major tax …

A new report says with more states raising the minimum age for criminal responsibility, there's been a 60% reduction in teens going through the adult justice system. (Adobe Stock)

Report Prompts New Calls for WI to 'Raise the Age' for Criminal Responsibility

MADISON, Wis. -- In Wisconsin, if a 17-year-old is arrested, they're automatically treated as an adult defendant. There's been a push to "Raise the …

University of Wisconsin researchers estimate the state's gray wolf population sits at about 700, a 30% drop they believe was caused by poaching and a licensed hunt after federal protections were removed. (Adobe Stock)

New WI Study Suggests Even Greater Wolf Population Loss

MADISON, Wis. -- Another Wisconsin wolf hunt is on the horizon, with Department of Natural Resources (DNR) officials trying to balance concerns from …

Supporters of overhauling the consumer credit rating system say the current process leads to too many automated errors that make it harder for customers, especially people of color, to dispute. (Adobe Stock)

Should Feds Determine Your Creditworthiness?

MILWAUKEE, Wis. -- Wisconsin is among the top states for average credit scores, but it is a different story for people of color, which is why some …

In addition to George Floyd's murder, the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wis., last summer spurred widespread calls for police reforms. (Adobe Stock)

Evers Urged to Create Police Reform Commission

MILWAUKEE -- Community leaders from Milwaukee rally today to try to convince Gov. Tony Evers to hear their concerns about police accountability …

Despite no major elections in the coming months, civil-rights groups are pushing more Wisconsin jail administrators to improve voting access before next year's midterms. (Adobe Stock)

WI Sees Improvement in Access for Jail-Based Voting

MADISON, Wis. - New findings have been issued in the effort to get more Wisconsin counties to improve voting access in their jail systems. Advocates …

An annual child well-being report gives Wisconsin high marks for economic stability and health, but racial gaps persist. (Adobe Stock)

Pandemic Concerns Surround WI Child Well-Being Report

MADISON, Wis. -- Before the pandemic, Wisconsin was mostly faring well in providing positive outcomes for children, but an annual wellbeing report …

A new Gallup survey shows more than 60% of Americans say they know "a little bit" or "nothing at all" about Juneteenth, the date that celebrates the end of slavery in the United States. (DoDEA.edu)

Juneteenth Declared National Holiday, Amidst Progress, Upheaval

MADISON, Wis. -- Juneteenth National Independence Day is now an official holiday, after President Joe Biden signed a bill Thursday, approved by both …

Federal education officials say Wisconsin Republicans need to commit more state-level aid, or risk losing federal COVID relief dollars for schools. (Adobe Stock)

K-12 Funding Emerges as Big Concern in WI Budget Talks

MADISON, Wis. - Public-school advocates say they're alarmed about the education spending levels being floated in the Wisconsin Legislature - and one …

The last redistricting in Wisconsin wound up all the way before the U.S. Supreme Court, and it's expected the current process will prompt legal challenges after the new maps are drawn. (Adobe Stock)

WI Redistricting Debate Takes Local Turn

MADISON, Wis. -- As Wisconsin leaders wrangle over the redrawing of political maps, the fate of boundaries for local government seats hangs in the …

Polling by Hart Research Associates shows 85% of voters support federal law ensuring the right to reproductive health care, including abortion, annual screenings and birth control. (Adobe Stock)

SCOTUS Case Prompts Re-introduction of Abortion Access Bill

MADISON, Wis. - Lawmakers in Congress have reintroduced a bill they say would ensure access to safe abortions across the country. The move comes as …

A coalition says Wisconsin and other Great Lakes states need more than $188 billion over 20 years to meet clean-water objectives. (Adobe Stock)

Biden Plans Include Water Infrastructure in Great Lakes States

MILWAUKEE - The Great Lakes and their surrounding regions have seen federal investments for restoration efforts, but those fighting on their behalf …

The United Nations says COVID-19 created a "shadow pandemic" for domestic-violence victims, because lockdowns made it harder for them to leave, or have others intervene. (Adobe Stock)

A Helping Hand for WI Domestic-Violence Survivors, Post-Pandemic

MILWAUKEE, Wis. -- In Wisconsin and across the country, there's been a spike in domestic-violence reports during the pandemic. Since lockdowns have …

Broadband advocates say it isn't just lack of Wi-Fi options or slow downloads causing internet access issues. The cost of service is often a barrier for people to stay connected. (Adobe Stock)

Temporary Program Can Help WI Residents with Internet Bills

TOMAHAWK, Wis. - Wisconsin residents struggling to afford internet service during the pandemic can turn to a federal program for help. Supporters say …

Every ten years, each state is required to redraw its legislative boundaries based on updated data from the U.S. Census Bureau. (Adobe Stock)

Renewed Push for Nonpartisan Redistricting in WI

MADISON, Wis. - As Wisconsin faces the divisive issue of redistricting, supporters of taking politics out of the process are making another attempt …

This is the type of display seen on billboards in northern Wisconsin, posted by a group of sportsmen and women opposed to wolf hunts. (Jim Brandenburg)

WI Hunters Turn to Highway Signs in Effort to Protect Wolves

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. -- Opposition to wolf hunts in Wisconsin is becoming more visible, and not only in public hearings or on social media. Drivers might …

Health experts say women were especially affected by disruptions in preventive care during the pandemic, including dental checkups. (Adobe Stock)

WI Dentists: It's OK to See Us

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- A year ago, scheduling a dental appointment might have been the furthest thing from people's minds as the pandemic unfolded…

State legislatures around the country face added pressure for more police accountability policies after the death of George Floyd and other high-profile encounters with Black individuals. (Adobe Stock)

WI Lawmakers Take Up Police Reforms

MADISON, Wis. -- The Wisconsin Senate is expected to consider a handful of police reform measures today. Lawmakers say they're including many …

Wisconsin has been at the center of the last two presidential elections with recounts pursued after each contest. It's now among the states where conservative lawmakers are trying to approve voting restrictions. (Adobe Stock)

Committee Hears Testimony on Election Law Changes for WI

MADISON, Wis. -- A Wisconsin Senate committee heard testimony yesterday on a host of election-related measures. Critics describe the effort as a form …

The Milwaukee River Basin covers nearly 900 square miles across seven Wisconsin counties. (Adobe Stock)

In WI, There's Plenty of Room for Riverkeepers

MILWAUKEE, Wis. -- A volunteer-driven effort to patrol and clean up three primary rivers in Milwaukee hopes to inspire similar movements across the …

According to the Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence, 71% of gun deaths in Wisconsin are suicides. (Adobe Stock)

Gun-Safety Innovation Focus of New Campaign to End Violence

MILWAUKEE - Unsecured guns are among the top contributors to the nation's gun violence, so a coalition of public officials and law enforcement is …

According to the White House and various trade groups, Wisconsin had roughly 75,000 clean-energy jobs before the pandemic. (Adobe Stock)

WI Lawmaker: Biden Climate Plans Help Ag, Clean-Job Training

STEVENS POINT, Wis. -- A number of elected leaders in Wisconsin have publicly supported the latest climate plans from the Biden administration…

In recent years, Wisconsin has established a goal, through executive action by Gov. Tony Evers, to be carbon free by 2050. (Adobe Stock)

WI Officials See Opportunities Under Biden Climate Plans

WESTON, Wis. -- On the heels of last week's global climate summit, elected officials in Wisconsin are looking to see how a changing federal tone can …

Supporters of cover crops say they can help with a farmer's bottom line in the long run while protecting natural resources. (Adobe Stock)

Ag Group: WI Needs Incentive Program for Cover Crops

MADISON, Wis. -- As Wisconsin farmers fan out for the spring planting season, conservation-minded groups say the state should do more to convince …

Wildlife-protection groups say despite promising numbers in certain regions, America's gray wolf population has not recovered enough to allow hunting of the animal. (Adobe Stock)

WI Group: Multiple Ways to Weigh In On Wolf Hunt

MADISON, Wis. - This week, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources began gathering public input on a new gray wolf management plan following …

In Wisconsin, an estimated 14,000 construction workers are misclassified by their employers or are paid off the books. (Adobe Stock)<br /> — In Wisconsin, an estimated 14,000 construction workers are misclassified by their employers or are paid off the books. (Adobe Stock)

Labor Leaders Urge Crackdowns on Tax Fraud in Construction

MADISON, Wis. -- Today, April 15, is traditionally known as Tax Day, and in states like Wisconsin, union leaders are raising awareness about tax …

High-profile shootings in states like Minnesota and Colorado this year have renewed calls for stricter gun laws. (Adobe Stock)

Despite Obstacles, Gun-Control Advocates See Hope

MILWAUKEE - There's a renewed push for gun-control measures in Wisconsin and at the federal level, with President Joe Biden's executive actions this …

As they look to prevent child abuse, outreach officials in Wisconsin say social isolation and distance learning are among the ways parents are feeling added stress right now. (Adobe Stock)

Preventing Child Abuse by Building Stronger Families

MADISON, Wis. -- Building stronger families is a core message being stressed in Wisconsin as part of child-abuse prevention efforts. Those doing …

Sara George, a Wisconsin Women in Conservation regional coordinator, and her daughter check some vegetable plantings at D & S Gardens in Pepin. (Photo courtesy Kriss Marion)

WI Project Aims to Help Women in Farming Navigate Conservation

MADISON, Wis. - In Wisconsin, more women are taking over farms and owning farm land - but they're not seeing the same outreach as men to help them …

Next Tuesday, state and local elections will be held across Wisconsin. A voters' rights group says it should serve as another reminder that many people being held pre-trial in county jails face barriers to voting. (Adobe Stock)

Efforts Continue to Expand Voting Access in WI Jails

MADISON, Wis. - Wisconsin is one of many states where proposals have surfaced to restrict voting through new election policies. Voters' rights groups …

State health officials say nearly 30% of Wisconsin residents have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. (Adobe Stock)

Vaccination Outreach Ramps up Across WI

MILWAUKEE - Wisconsin has been expanding eligibility for COVID-19 vaccinations. As more residents gain access, outreach continues in urban and rural …

Public library officials touted their facilities have allowed people to apply for jobless benefits, check the status of their stimulus payments, and do other critical tasks during the pandemic. (Adobe Stock)

WI Libraries to Benefit from Stimulus Bill

ASHLAND, Wis. -- Public library systems have promoted the services they provide go well beyond books. And now, they're getting extra federal aid to …

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