Wisconsin News & Current Events | Public News Service

Ag-based organizations say if there's a government shutdown, it would add more stress to those trying to adopt a new Farm Bill because lawmakers could not consult with furloughed USDA staff about the importance of certain programs. (Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, September 27, 2023

WI ag groups in 'wait-and-see mode' on Farm Bill

The current Farm Bill expires Sept. 30 and with a looming government shutdown, reauthorization does not appear imminent. Wisconsin farm groups say …

Health coverage assistance groups and providers warn that if you wait until the last minute and rush your enrollment for an insurance plan, you could end up in the wrong program or with benefits that don't suit your needs. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, September 25, 2023

Health coverage experts: Sidestep intimidation, prepare to enroll

The fall season is here, meaning many Wisconsinites will soon make decisions about their health coverage. Experts say early preparation with trusted …

This summer's stretches of smoky air, brought on by Canadian wildfires, have prompted more concern in the Midwest about the arrival of climate-change threats and how cities can respond. (Adobe Stock)

WI Mayor Offers Glimpse into Cities Phasing in Clean-Energy Projects

New polling suggests most Americans support nationwide efforts to boost renewable energy capacity under the threat of climate change, and a local …

Some 80% of female Hispanic voters between ages 18 and 29 voted as Democrats in 2022, as did 89% of African American women in the same age range. (Adobe Stock)

WI Part of Push to Engage With Young Voters

Vice President Kamala Harris is embarking on a monthlong college tour, including the University of Wisconsin-Madison, to hear what students are …

In a new poll from the group A Better Wisconsin Together, 66% of Wisconsin voters say they would rather see the Legislature prioritize education rather than seek the possible impeachment of a liberal state Supreme Court justice. (Adobe Stock)

New Poll: Most Voters Oppose Impeaching WI Supreme Court Justice

Following last spring's election, where Wisconsin voted in a liberal justice to the state Supreme Court, Republican leaders are further exploring a …

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities says nationwide, up to 600,000 eligible people would be turned away from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children under a spending proposal from House Republicans. (Adobe Stock)

WI Families Could See 'Double Whammy' From Budget Policies

Congress is again steeped in a looming budget crisis as lawmakers face a deadline to approve a new government spending plan. In Wisconsin, policy …

Policy analysts say if retail chains flood too many small towns, pushing out Main Street businesses in the process, these communities could lose tourists looking for places like boutiques and independent bookstores. (Adobe Stock)

Rural Report: Steer the 'Big Box' Train Away from Small Towns

Travel through rural parts of Wisconsin and chances are you will pass a "dollar store". A new report says corporate retailers have too much of a …

AARP researchers say nearly 450,000 Wisconsin residents, or 46% of those 65 and older, live in families that rely on Social Security for at least half of their income. (Adobe Stock)

Hearing From People, Not Politicians, About Social Security

Keeping Social Security afloat without enacting cuts remains a thorny topic in Congress. As those debates continue to unfold, Wisconsin residents …

Student loan payments begin in October, as the federal pause initially prompted by the pandemic ends, and interest on those payments has already resumed. (Adobe Stock)

As Student Loan Payments Resume, New Federal Relief Takes Shape

The pandemic-related pause on student loan payments is ending, and as Wisconsin borrowers resume efforts to chip away at their balance, they're urged …

As of Aug. 15, 2023, the federal government lists 75 disasters in the U.S. and its territories, compared with 55 in the same period last year. Senior advocates under climate change threats, more older adults need to be prepared for a disaster. (Adobe Stock)

Survey Indicates More Older Adults Need Disaster Readiness Plans

Most older adults are not as prepared as they should be to respond quickly in the event of natural disasters, which can strike with little notice…

According to the Center for Children and Families at Georgetown University, more than half a million children have been disenrolled from Medicaid in just 21 states that post child enrollment data on a more-timely basis. (Adobe Stock)

WI Kids Losing Health Coverage in Medicaid Unwinding

As Wisconsin kids head back to school, families who rely on Medicaid are reminded to ensure their children still have health insurance. States are …

After false claims of fraud in the 2020 presidential vote, some states have lowered their risk of threats to democracy by enacting certain safeguards. A new analysis found Wisconsin faces a 'moderate risk' of election denialism. (Adobe Stock)

Analysis: WI Has Yet to Eradicate 'Election Denialism'

Election denialism still could be a problem in Wisconsin and other battleground states in next year's race for the White House, according to a new …

As more traditional automakers bring electric vehicles to the market, industry analysts say it's going to be a learning curve for dealerships with little EV sales experience to become effective in marketing them to customers. (Adobe Stock)

Electric Vehicle Sales: Fact vs. Fiction in WI

The auto industry has been dealing with challenges lately, such as higher interest rates, but analysts said there are nuances, and they stressed …

Construction unions say contractors who have tax liens against them should draw more scrutiny over concerns they are mistreating workers. (Adobe Stock)

Labor Leaders: WI Tax Fraud Case Warrants More Scrutiny Over Trades

Construction union leaders in the Midwest hope law enforcement and other entities take notice of the outcome of a tax evasion case involving a Wiscons…

Environmental experts said people living in places like the Midwest were caught off-guard this summer by smoky air from Canadian wildfires, because past policy efforts have improved overall air quality in the U.S. (Adobe Stock)

Smoky Summer: Tips for WI Residents, Now and in Future

Air quality alerts have resurfaced in Wisconsin, with some areas experiencing the smoky air from Canadian wildfires. Health and environmental …

When the summer heat becomes unbearable, pet owners are urged to go to great lengths to keep their animals cool, including a constant stream of safe drinking water. And experts say you should never assume your pet can swim, and you should monitor them at all times near the water. (Adobe Stock)

During Hotter Stretches, Pets Need to Stay Cool, Too

Next week, parts of Wisconsin will see the return of near 90-degree temperatures. Animal rights voices say as hot stretches become more common…

Officials with the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Student Success Through Applied Research Lab are gathering data from colleges and universities across the country as they create a searchable database for Indigenous students seeking financial relief. They hope to have an initial version ready next year. (Adobe Stock)

WI Project to Create Financial Aid Tool for Native College Students

Indigenous college students face many obstacles in higher education, including overwhelming costs and not feeling culturally connected on campus…

Health-Care Industry Prepares for Gen Z and Its Values

Mental-health coverage and using digital devices to communicate with doctors' offices are among the health-care priorities of Generation Z. Providers …

As Trump Case Proceeds, New Legal Fight Looms Over Democracy in WI

This week's indictment of former President Donald Trump has renewed calls to protect core functions of democracy. In Wisconsin, those behind a new …

In the early 1990s, a federal framework for youth apprenticeship programs took shape, and Wisconsin was an early adopter in establishing a state-level program. (Adobe Stock)

Experts: WI Youth Apprenticeship Could Serve as National Model

Wisconsin has the largest and longest-running youth apprenticeship program in the country. And social policy researchers are out with new findings …

A private company is pushing a federal regulatory agency to allow for gambling on the outcome of congressional races. But the organization Common Cause says it poses significant risks of bribery and election manipulation. (Adobe Stock)

Pro-Democracy Group: Regulators Should Say "No Dice" to Election Betting

Almost a year before the 2024 election, the question of whether bets should be allowed on congressional races is being debated. The idea has civic-…

While inflation has eased, consumer advocates say certain food costs, for such staples as bread, remain high. (Adobe Stock)

WI Part of National Effort to Rein in Food Costs

Wisconsin is part of a bipartisan effort among law enforcement leaders around the U.S. to beef up and crack down on anti-trust activity within the …

Health equity groups said dental therapists can go out into settings like schools and federally qualified community health centers, and provided much-needed oral health care to underserved populations. (Adobe Stock)

Dental Therapists Touted as Key to Advancing Dental Care Equity

The term "food deserts" is used a lot in the fight against hunger, but groups calling attention to the shortage of oral health care professionals say …

EPA Samples Show How Bacteria Can Ruin a Day at the Beach

A significant percentage of beaches that surround the Great Lakes tested positive last year for potentially unsafe levels of bacteria. Wisconsin is …

Beyond changes to Social Security, a large group of House Republicans in Washington proposes reforms to Medicare critics argued would amount to privatization of the system. (Adobe Stock)

Talk of Social Security Cuts in D.C. Renews Longstanding Concerns

There is renewed debate in Congress over the future of programs like Social Security and Medicare, and Wisconsin voices and advocacy groups are …

As of June, the new Wisconsin Local Food Purchase Assistance program says it has served nine counties around the state, with ten hunger relief sites receiving food deliveries from local farms. (Adobe Stock)

Hunger Relief Connections Put Small WI Farms on the Map

A new Wisconsin program strives to create a "win-win" scenario for regional food shelves and independent farmers. This month, a new directory went …

This year, six Wisconsin communities received Community Challenge grants from AARP. Improving pedestrian safety and accessibility was a common theme among awarded projects.

Amid Concerning Data, WI Cities Carry Out Pedestrian Safety Projects

A recently released report shows pedestrian fatalities in the U.S. remain at alarming levels. In Wisconsin, local communities are stepping up with …

Thursday's U.S. Supreme Court decision ending affirmative action in college admissions was in response to specific policies at Harvard and the University of North Carolina. The ruling is expected to affect such programs at schools around the country. (Adobe Stock)

SCOTUS Upends Consideration of Race in College Admissions

There's been widespread reaction to yesterday's decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to restrict affirmative action in college admissions. Wisconsin …

One of the apple blossoms found at The Cider Farm in southwestern Wisconsin, which strives for biodiversity in protecting species. (Photo courtesy of The Cider Farm)

Embracing Biodiversity: WI Farm Helps Pollinators Survive Climate Change

By Lela Nargi for the Food and Environment Reporting Network.Broadcast version by Mike Moen for Wisconsin News Connection reporting for the Solutions …

A state-level report says 21.8% of rural residents in Wisconsin lack access to standard levels of high-speed Internet, which is above the national rural average of 17%. (Adobe Stock)

WI Gets $1B from Feds for Boosting Broadband

As rural communities still suffer from the so-called digital divide, the Biden administration has announced the rollout of more than $42 billion for …

Wisconsin's more than 500 municipalities will share an additional $260 million in state aid over the next two years for priorities like police and fire protection and public works. (Adobe Stock)

WI Revenue-Sharing Plan Highlights Complexities Cities Face

For many years, Wisconsin towns and cities have been asked to do more with less but updates to the state's shared-revenue plan means additional …

In a number of states where Republican lawmakers have a strong influence on budget decisions, there have been growing debates over whether taxpayer dollars should be used to increase vouchers for private schools. (Adobe Stock)

WI School Funding Agreement Doesn't Ease Concerns of Rural Districts

Wisconsin education leaders are reacting to a budget deal that provides some extra funding to public schools but also increases support for private sc…

In key categories measuring child well-being, Wisconsin consistently ranks among the top 20 states in an annual report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. (Adobe Stock)

Despite High Ranking, Child Well-Being Concerns Persist in WI

An annual report measuring child well-being in the U.S. said several benchmarks have worsened overall. States like Wisconsin fared better in the …

Park district leaders faced with controlling higher populations of Canadian geese say too many of them pose public health and safety risks. But some management plans rely on killing groups of birds, which animal-rights groups say is costly and ineffective, in addition to being cruel. (Adobe Stock)

WI Cities Face Pressure to Stop Euthanizing Geese

If you've been to a Wisconsin park recently, chances are you have noticed lots of geese. Their populations have trended upward, and animal rights …

In recent rulings, the U.S. Supreme Court has issued opinions limiting the scope of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. But a new opinion, stemming from a redistricting issue, keeps a key provision of the law in place. (Adobe Stock)

WI Voter-Outreach Group Applauds SCOTUS Redistricting Ruling

Civic engagement groups around the country, including in Wisconsin, are cheering Thursday's U.S. Supreme Court decision upholding a key provision of …

Wisconsin is among the handful of states that have yet to formally adopt expanded postpartum health coverage through Medicaid. So far, nearly 40 states have done so. (Adobe Stock)

WI Budget: Renewed Push to Include Expanded Postpartum Health Care

Wisconsin policymakers have less than a month to adopt a new state budget. Advocates for extending postpartum health coverage through Medicaid hope …

With the debt-ceiling debate winding down, Congress faces future budget battles, including the Farm Bill reauthorization this fall. (Adobe Stock)

WI Working Family Advocates Put Spotlight on Reps' Voting Records

This week's debt ceiling deal saw federal policymakers compromise on budget-related matters, but a new awareness campaign from a Wisconsin grassroots …

This legislative session, Wisconsin Republicans have sought tighter caps on unemployment benefits, while adding more eligibility benchmarks. (Adobe Stock)

Veto Calls Grow Over Public-Aid Restrictions Proposed in WI

A coalition of Wisconsin groups is asking Gov. Tony Evers to reject bills it contends would make it harder for people struggling to get by to bounce …

Researchers found cities with the highest ParkScore rankings are healthier places to live based on the metrics of physical inactivity and mental health. (Adobe Stock)

Wisconsin Does Well in Park Rankings

Two of Wisconsin's largest cities land in the top twenty in a new ranking for parks. The nonprofit Trust for Public Land has issued its annual …

One of the tax credits offered under the Inflation Reduction Act is a home energy audit, where property owners can find out if their home is wasting energy. (Adobe Stock)

With Emerging Incentives, Clean Energy No Longer a VIP Club

Clean-energy products, such as electric vehicles or home heat pump systems, might seem out of reach for a lot of people. But with federal incentives …

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends every woman get a well-woman checkup once a year. (Adobe Stock)

Health Experts to Women: Put Your Personal Health on the Front Burner

As Women's Health Week continues, experts in Wisconsin and elsewhere are reminding women to prioritize their well-being. The Centers for Disease …

Beyond extending postnatal health coverage, some health leaders say improving paid-leave benefits can help address health complications that pregnant women can face, such as an elevated risk for stroke. (Adobe Stock)

A Spotlight on Stroke Risks for Pregnant Women

Research has emerged about the link between pregnancy complications and a higher risk of stroke, and a Wisconsin health expert suggested it is a risk …

Canada-based Enbridge Inc. operates Line 5, an oil pipeline that stretches 645 miles from Superior, Wisconsin, to Sarnia, Ontario. (Adobe Stock)

New Court Fight Emerges Over WI Oil Pipeline

A court hearing is scheduled for this week as environmental and tribal advocates continue to voice concerns about an oil and gas pipeline that runs ac…

A trial involving three animal rights activists, charged with their entry into a breeding and researching facility in Wisconsin, is scheduled to begin in November. (Adobe Stock)

Activists Put Spotlight on Treatment of Dogs at WI Research Facility

A Wisconsin court case involving charges against animal rights activists remains in play. Ahead of trial proceedings, various groups are calling …

In a new AARP poll, 43% of respondents said they would be motivated to support political candidates who vow to expand access to family caregiver support and respite services. (Adobe Stock)

New Poll Shows Caregiver Concerns Cross Generations

A majority of U.S. voters say it is important for Congress to expand services to enable seniors to live independently at home. That's according to a …

Siena Chrisman of State Innovation Exchange, Kellon Patey of People's Action and Caitlin Cromwell of Northern Plains Resource Council discuss policy goals at the 2023 Rural Policy Action Summit. (Photo courtesy of Rural Democracy Initiative)

Wisconsin Voices Reflect on Rural Summit

Rural advocates from around the U.S. recently gathered to lay out policy priorities at the state and federal levels in hopes of making smaller …

Last fall, officials from Agra Energy and the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh held a groundbreaking for Wisconsin's first commercial facility to turn dairy farm waste into renewable biofuel. (Photo courtesy UW Oshkosh)

UW Partnership Converts Manure to Jet Fuel in Fighting Climate Change

By Anastasia Pirrami for Great Lakes Echo.Broadcast version by Mike Moen for Wisconsin News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-…

In March 2020, COVID-19 forced schools in 185 countries to close their doors, according to the<br />United Nations. (Adobe Stock)

Teachers' Union Leader Testifies About School Closures During COVID

Earlier in the pandemic, Wisconsin Republicans brought legal challenges to shutdowns meant to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Three years into the …

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