Wisconsin News & Current Events | Public News Service

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

Monday, September 16, 2024

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 …

Wage increases for a large segment of the Wisconsin workforce mean a decline in income inequality in the state. A new report from the High Road Strategy Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison found many workers' earnings are still falling behind. (Adobe Stock)

Report: WI economy rises on strength of workers' wage growth

A new report showed income inequality in Wisconsin is declining as lower-wage workers are seeing faster wage growth but Black, Latino and women …

In addition to Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, Vice Presidential nominees Tim Walz and J.D. Vance have been holding plenty of campaign events in battleground states like Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. (Adobe Stock)

Battleground state bonanza: Guidance for WI voters on campaign interactions

For the 2024 presidential election, Wisconsin has retained its status as a battleground state. That means voters are hearing a lot from campaigns …

In a new national survey, people 65 and older were more likely than other age groups to think raw milk was less safe than pasteurized milk. (Adobe Stock)

Rural residents more likely to consider raw milk to be safe

By Tim Marema for The Daily Yonder.Broadcast version by Mike Moen for Wisconsin News Connection for the Public News Service/Daily Yonder Collaboration…

On price negotiations alone, the Congressional Budget Office estimates the Inflation Reduction Act will generate more than $100 billion in savings over 10 years for those using Medicare. (Adobe Stock)

With new caps, WI Medicare enrollees expected to save $1500 next year

Older Wisconsin residents struggling to manage prescription drug costs, have new data on how much they might save as a new federal rule kicks in …

Organizations such as the Sierra Club have long argued that the federal government should permanently shut down the Line 5 oil pipeline, which covers parts of northern Wisconsin. (Photo courtesy of Lorie Shaull)

Opponents, backers of Line 5 oil pipeline cap off public comment period

Public comment ends this week for a permit needed for a high-profile oil pipeline project in northern Wisconsin. Opponents, including tribal voices…

According to The Government Accountability Office, federal data suggests about 60% of Superfund sites overseen by the Environmental Protection Agency are in areas that may be impacted by natural disasters exacerbated by climate change. (Adobe Stock)

WI city, still hanging onto old factory site, plans for a greener future

In Rust Belt states such as Wisconsin, disadvantaged communities were left with blight - amid a shift away from industrialization. A federal grant …

Health effects from exposure to toxic algae include skin rashes, headaches, vomiting, pneumonia and more, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. (Adobe Stock/AI-generated)<br />

Factory farms cited as one cause of rise in toxic algae blooms

According to the latest Environmental Protection Agency data, harmful algae bloom events are increasing across the country - including in Wisconsin…

Under the Inflation Reduction Act, eligible households can receive rebates of up to $840 for electric stoves as homeowners try to reduce their property's carbon footprint. (Adobe Stock)

With details now sorted out, WI homeowners can tap into energy rebates

The federal Inflation Reduction Act just turned two years old. Those tracking its implementation said when you peel back the layers, a lot is taking …

In the summer of 2024, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers visited rural communities to discuss the progress of a new state program to help agricultural areas fund road improvement projects. (Photo courtesy of Evers' office)

Roadwork ahead in WI farmlands

As the fall harvest season inches closer, Wisconsin farmers are hoping for promising yields but if the rural roads around them are crumbling…

In August, experts advise parents to pay attention to their child's mood, to spot and help soothe any anxiety from back-to-school jitters. (Adobe Stock)

Getting your kiddo in tip-top shape for school

Wisconsin children will soon head back to school and experts have a few tips to get them back into a routine and make sure they're in good shape…

In the years since George Floyd's murder, supporters of Black business owners want banks and policymakers to not lose sight of the systemic racism they say perpetuates racial disparities. (Adobe Stock)

New Milwaukee platform serves as one-stop-shop for Black-owned businesses

August is National Black Business Month, and an emerging program in the Milwaukee area is seen as a game-changer in elevating minority-owned …

U.S. dairy production supports more than 3 million jobs, including workers on dairy farms who regularly handle milking equipment. Sick cows are still being milked, which means workers on farms where the virus is spreading are continuing to be exposed to the virus. (Credit: Molly Condit / Sinergia Animal / We Animals Media)

Milk production may lead to more human infections of bird flu, study finds

Public health officials continue to monitor the spread of bird flu, with it passing from chickens to cows to humans. A new study found the virus can …

A Wisconsin resident casts a ballot in the state's primary election at a polling location on April 2 in Green Bay. (Photo courtesy of Inside Climate News - Credit Scott Olson/Getty Images)

WI environmentalists campaign against ballot questions on federal funds

By Lydia Larsen for Inside Climate News.Broadcast version by Mike Moen for Wisconsin News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Pu…

National polling shows most Americans closely follow presidential election news but start to feel worn out by the coverage when Election Day draws closer. (Adobe Stock)

Will events of 2024 lead to a reset on the pace of presidential campaigns?

A day after introducing Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate, Democratic nominee Kamala Harris takes her presidential campaign to Wisconsin…

There are renewed concerns about being able to reverse the longstanding widening of income inequality. But recent federal data did show that average wages had surpassed inflation. (Adobe Stock)

Fresh data shed light on income inequality in WI

Income inequality in Wisconsin continues its long path upward, according to a new academic analysis, and voices at the community level are hopeful …

Wisconsin is again considered a battleground state for the presidential election, but civic engagement groups say too much of an emphasis on national races can deter disenfranchised voters from paying attention to local races. (Adobe Stock)

Engaging with the 'reluctant' Wisconsin voter

Early voting begins today for Wisconsin's Aug. 13 primary election and nonpartisan outreach groups said their efforts to convince reluctant voters to …

Wisconsin has roughly 800 miles of coastline on Lake Superior and Lake Michigan. (MelissaMN/Adobe Stock)

Wisconsin boosts investment in coastal communities

Coastal communities across Wisconsin are getting a funding boost to bolster local economies, natural resources and quality of life. About $1.3 …

The Farm Bill, which is updated every five years, covers programs ranging from crop insurance for farmers to healthy food access for low-income families, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. (Adobe Stock)

Plan to keep SNAP benefits in check doesn't sit well with WI advocates

Congress is back in session two more weeks before the August recess. Wisconsin voices worried about the future of a key hunger relief program hope …

Researchers said extreme events in nearly every region of Wisconsin are causing immense disruptions affecting human health, the economy and natural resources. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Science Moms work to foster meaningful talks on climate change

So far, states like Wisconsin have largely escaped the worst of the summer heat affecting much of the nation but a group of scientists wants regional …

In the recent debate about the state of democracy, some political scientists said the donor class needs to shift more of its funding to nonpartisan foundations promoting healthy civic engagement. (Adobe Stock)

After Trump assassination attempt, defining democracy gets even harder

The Republican National Convention is underway in Milwaukee and the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump is a focal point. Voters …

Public health experts said while having one or two alcoholic beverages a day might not seem excessive, it actually falls under the category of

Getting a system-wide handle on excessive alcohol use in WI

Often celebrated in popular culture, Wisconsin's relationship with alcohol continues to give way to troubling statistics that center around excessive …

The Yerkes Observatory, opened in 1897, has made some of the earliest discoveries in astronomy, including 13,665 star systems and the earliest sighting of the sub-planet Pluto. (Yerkes Observatory)

Historic Yerkes Observatory finds second life as hotspot for music, arts

By Jacqueline Kehoe for Arts Midwest.Broadcast version by Mike Moen for Wisconsin News Connection reporting for the Arts Midwest-Public News Service C…

In a new AARP survey of Wisconsin voters, nearly two-thirds of older voters say Social Security is or will be a major source of their income. Pollsters said it underscores how big an issue the safety net program will be in the 2024 election. (Adobe Stock)

WI voters share election views in new post-debate poll

After the much-talked-about presidential debate, pollsters have a fresh snapshot of how Wisconsin voters feel about the leading candidates. Older …

Ballot dropboxes have been used in elections since the 1980s in Wisconsin and other states.<br />(Felipe Sanchez/Adobe Stock)

WI high court rules ballot dropboxes will return

In a significant turnaround, the Wisconsin Supreme Court has reversed its stance on ballot dropboxes - making them legal again in a 4-3 ruling…

Those tracking the rollout of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline say a small percentage of calls so far have resulted in law enforcement involvement. (Adobe Stock)

Two years in, evaluating 988 in WI, other states

A new report examined the rollout of the 988 mental-health crisis line in each state, including Wisconsin. The revamped National Suicide and Crisis …

As climate change activists continue to sound the alarm, policymakers have been more outspoken about the issue, prompting action plans at various levels. But a new national poll suggested many Americans are not quite as in tune with advancing renewables compared with a few years ago. (Adobe Stock)

Public less enthusiastic about renewables, but advocates still see path

New polling shows most Americans still favor non-fossil fuel energy sources, but support for certain renewables is not quite as strong these days and …

In a new survey from Stand Up America, 53% of voters embrace the idea of Congressional action to reform the U.S. Supreme Court and the way it operates. (Adobe Stock)

With survey data in hand, group pushes importance of SCOTUS in 2024 vote

Wisconsin voters are no strangers to messaging about the overlap between election outcomes and the judiciary and before voting in the 2024 presidentia…

Since they began resettling in the Midwest after the Vietnam War, Hmong farmers have been credited for revitalizing farmers markets in states like Wisconsin and Minnesota. (Adobe Stock)

Preparing the next generation of Hmong farmers

Visit a Wisconsin farmers market, and chances are there are products grown by Hmong producers. But like other agricultural groups, the population is …

Congressional Republicans have taken steps to remove the gray wolf from the endangered species list but the White House strongly opposes such a move. (Adobe Stock)

New legal action stems from WI wolf management plan

Wisconsin's wolf management plan has been in place for months now but the legal fallout continues. Wildlife organizations have filed a court appeal …

Some skeptics of the nation's strong employment numbers contend they are propped up by people working multiple jobs to get by. But those in the public sector said there are high-paying jobs out there benefiting from new federal investments. (Adobe Stock)

WI voice: Economic progress noticeable when connecting policy dots

Depending on who you ask, the economy is on a solid path to improvement or is a drag on working families. A Wisconsin educator said he is seeing …

A Wisconsin travel agent says seeking out deals through services such as Airbnb can be beneficial, but often come with extra fees. She says travel agents often don't charge the customer because they get paid through hotel commissions and wholesalers, and can also find customers deals they wouldn't otherwise have access to. (Adobe Stock)

Planning a summer getaway without packing those budget breakers

Summer is here, but some Wisconsin households juggling higher consumer costs and other basic needs might feel like a vacation is out of reach…

An aerial view of biogas production. (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

Report says biogas from mega-dairies is more of a problem, not solution

By Lena Beck for Modern Farmer.Broadcast version by Mike Moen for Wisconsin News Connection reporting for the Modern Farmer-Public News Service Collab…

While Wisconsin's Supreme Court blocked the use of mobile voting sites for absentee ballots, observers say they're not widely used compared with other types of alternative sites. (Adobe Stock)

WI Supreme Court provides clarity on early voting sites

Local election administrators have new guidance from Wisconsin's highest court on alternative early voting sites. A political expert says the timing …

The group Kids Forward says until 40 years ago, Wisconsin's Black residents actually earned more and had better jobs than their national counterparts. But it adds that years of policy decisions have worsened disparities in the Badger State, including well-being metrics for kids. (Adobe Stock)

WI makes the grade for child well-being, but education woes, disparities stick out

An annual report suggests Wisconsin has a strong foundation in creating positive outcomes for kids. But low-test scores and racial disparities show …

Within the past year, Wisconsin has seen record enrollment under the Affordable Care Act. (Adobe Stock)

A Wisconsin business owner's journey through the ACA

The Affordable Care Act, in place for nearly 15 years, has survived repeal attempts, but there's renewed talk of reducing its funding. Later this …

In 2023, college-age voters had a large presence in Wisconsin's high-stakes state Supreme Court election. This year, civic engagement groups believe the demographic will be even more active at the polls. (Adobe Stock)

Long-term strategies unfold to energize young rural voters

As the 2024 election inches closer, candidates and civic engagement organizers are likely to try and connect with younger voters but for college-age …

Transportation accounts for 29% of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. (Adobe Stock)

Local WI leaders: Don't mess with EPA car emission standards

With the weather warming up, Wisconsinites will head out for road trips. Some local leaders hope in the future, drivers will pass through their …

the United Health Foundation says that for older adults, the early death rate has gone down by 8%. Officials say while that's an improvement, the rate is still higher than pre-pandemic levels. (Adobe Stock)

Some well-being metrics improve for seniors, but troubling trends loom large

Older adults in Wisconsin and across the nation are navigating various challenges that affect their quality of life. An annual report shows progress…

The guilty verdict in Donald Trump's hush-money case will likely spur more debate about the former president being a frontrunner in the race for the White House, and how his legal issues may complicate the election. (Adobe Stock)

WI organizer: Trump verdict shows key institutions can still function

On the heels of Donald Trump's felony convictions Thursday, a civic-engagement organizer in Wisconsin says the court process that unfolded provides …

Conservation groups say Wisconsin's second National Estuarine Research Reserve, along Green Bay, would benefit nature, communities and the state's economy. (Adobe Stock)

Bay of Green Bay nominated as National Research Reserve site

Wisconsin has achieved another milestone toward securing its second National Estuarine Research Reserve bordering the Bay of Green Bay, the world's …

2023 was the hottest year on record. Scientists say around the world, human-caused climate change is exposing towns and cities to more days of extreme heat. (Adobe Stock)

Report: WI 'sweatier' due to climate-fueled heat

This coming Sunday is Heat Action Day, with organizers highlighting the health risks associated with a warming planet. Newly compiled data show in …

The federal government collects more than $1 billion every year through an excise tax on such items as licenses, guns, arrows and fishing tackle to fund wildlife conservation programs. (Adobe Stock)

Farm Bill debate is back on; hunters, anglers hope for more support

This week, Congress is picking up work on a new Farm Bill and hunters and anglers say billions of dollars in investments in private-lands …

As of mid-May, the USDA has identified bird flu among dairy cows on 41 farms in nine states. (Parilov/Adobe Stock)

As bird flu spreads within dairy operations, experts want more testing

Across the U.S, there's been intense monitoring of avian flu jumping from birds to dairy cattle. So far, no cases have surfaced in Wisconsin's milk …

The nonpartisan Votebeat organization says in measuring their use, ballot dropboxes have been embraced by both Republican and Democratic voters in various jurisdictions around the United States. (Adobe Stock)

WI Supreme Court takes up ballot dropbox case

The Wisconsin Supreme Court on Monday took up arguments in a highly watched case concerning ballot dropboxes. Supporters of lifting a near-total ban …

Organizations tracking guaranteed income programs say there have been roughly 30 pilot initiatives tested across the country within the past few years. (Adobe Stock)

Checking pulse of guaranteed income programs

Wisconsin is among the states where guaranteed-income programs have been tested. A new report says, despite controversy, similar efforts are useful …

Wisconsin is among six states sharing an initial round of federal funding designed to boost community engagement on renewable-energy projects. (Adobe Stock)

WI uses grant to help 'clear the air' on renewable projects

Wisconsin's clean-energy portfolio is growing. Communities seeing the transition happen at their doorstep might get benefits, but sometimes have …

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