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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…

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

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 …

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 …

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 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 …

Just like community libraries, Wisconsin's school libraries blend traditional reading with technology. The Wisconsin Schools Digital Library Consortium says more than 200 K-12 school districts provide more 50,000 e-books and audiobooks to over 400,000 kids, for $1.65 per student. (Adobe Stock)

School libraries no longer just defined by Dewey Decimal System

American Education Week is underway, and those who work with Wisconsin school libraries are highlighting the value they provide to students. School …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

The National Alliance on Mental Illness says one in five college students faces a mental-health condition. (Adobe Stock)

Following MSU Shooting, College Students Reminded to Seek Support

This week's mass shooting at Michigan State University is the latest in a long list of such tragedies to happen on a campus, and students in …

Some student loan scammers will use a website that mimics the U.S. Department of Education or the borrower's loan servicer, and their correspondence may even have tidbits of the borrower's real information, such as the current payment amount. (Fizkes/Adobe Stock)

Borrowers Inundated with Student-Loan Scams

Scammers targeting student-loan borrowers in Wisconsin and elsewhere are shifting into high gear - spurred by the uncertainty surrounding President Jo…

In the past two years, 12 states saw significant declines in their rate and/or number of uninsured children. Wisconsin held steady at 4%. (Adobe Stock)

Despite Stable Numbers for WI, Concerns Linger Over Kids' Uninsured Rate

A new report found Wisconsin is holding the line in preventing children from going without health insurance, but advocates for families who qualify …

Mental health providers have reported a sharp rise in needs for services among children. And in states such as Wisconsin, analysts say it is even more pronounced among children of color. (Adobe Stock)

WI Child Well-Being Summary: Glaring Mental-Health Disparities

An annual summary ranks Wisconsin 10th in the nation for child well-being, and like many other parts of the country, mental health is a growing …

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports the Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake youth prisons, located in Irma, will be repurposed into a new adult facility. (Adobe Stock)

Closure of Controversial WI Youth Prisons on Horizon

Wisconsin legislators passed a bipartisan agreement this month to build a replacement for the controversial Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake youth prison…

Excessive exposure to screens and the blue light they emit can impact kids' sleeping patterns. Per Wisconsin's Office of Children's Mental Health, kids aged 6-12 should sleep nine to 12 hours a night, and teens should get at least eight hours. (Adobe Stock)

As WI Schools Integrate New Tech, Experts Advise Managing Screen Time

The pandemic has compelled many teachers to integrate new technology into their lesson plans, increasing the risks excessive screen time can pose to …

Human service providers say even after a foster contract has been fulfilled, maintaining connections with kids who have aged out of the system can provide much-needed stability as they move into adulthood. (Adobe Stock)

Making the Holiday Season Brighter for Foster Kids Entering Adulthood

MILWAUKEE - With the holidays here, Wisconsin foster families and other mentors are encouraged to maintain close connections with older teens no …

College student Jasmine Neosh, a member of the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin, is pursuing several areas as part of her academic career, including environmental justice. (Photo courtesy of Neosh)

'Indigibration' Part of Effort to Help Tribal College Students Feel Seen

SHAWANO, Wis. -- Ahead of Indigenous Peoples' Day on Monday, a campaign is being launched to elevate the voices of tribal college students, with a …

States like Wisconsin have created task forces addressing student loan issues. In the meantime, teachers are applauding on overhaul of a federal relief program. (Adobe Stock)

Federal Overhaul Could Provide Student Debt Relief to WI Teachers

MILWAUKEE, Wis. -- Major changes to the U.S. Department of Education's Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program could have a big impact on some of …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

In Wisconsin, according to a new report, the gap between students and teachers of color rose from about 19 percentage points in 2009 to 25 points in 2019. (Adobe Stock)

Report: WI Woefully Lacking Teachers of Color

ARCADIA, Wis. -- Wisconsin's public school student population has become more racially diverse, but its teacher workforce still is mostly White…

In addition to Monday's school board vote, the Madison City Council is expected to formally endorse a decision to no longer have city police officers patrol school buildings. (Adobe Stock)

Madison District Joins Movement to Remove Police from Schools

MADISON, Wis. -- One of Wisconsin's largest school districts has decided to stop having police officers stationed inside its school buildings…

An estimated 218,000 young people are held in U.S. juvenile detention facilities each year. (Adobe Stock)

Pandemic Pushes Juvenile Justice Reform into Spotlight

MILWAUKEE, Wis. -- Juvenile justice reform advocates say a downward trend in detention populations during the pandemic could pave the way for …

The Federal Communications Commission says roughly a half-million Wisconsin residents lack access to high-speed internet. (Adobe Stock)

Pandemic Underscores Wisconsin's Broadband Woes

MADISON, Wis. - Like other states, Wisconsin is trying to function during the pandemic with workers and students connecting online in their homes…

Fewer Wisconsin teens are smoking cigarettes than just five years ago, but the number who vape climbed from 7.9% in 2014 to more than 20% in 2018. (gsu.edu)

WI Looks to Become Latest "Tobacco 21" State

MADISON, Wis. – The latest push to discourage teen smoking has reached Wisconsin as lawmakers consider a bill that would raise the tobacco …

U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos kicked off her 2019 Back-to-School Tour at St. Marcus Lutheran School, which serves 900 students. The administration touts the school as home of the first-ever education freedom program. (Pixabay)

Wisconsin Parents Urge DeVos to "Care" About Public Education

MADISON, Wis. — During Education Secretary Betsy DeVos' recent visit to a Milwaukee voucher school, public-school supporters showed up to …

The American Heart Association and others are confirming that, yes, we learn better and think more clearly after a good night's sleep. (Adobe Stock)

Doctors Confirm Mom’s Wisdom: ‘Get to Bed, It's a School Night’

MILWAUKEE, Wis. – With school back in session, doctors are saying, “Well, your mom is right – time to turn the phone off and get to …

A shortage of substitute teachers is one of the biggest challenges facing Wisconsin school districts in the 2019-2020 term. (StockSnap)

Wisconsin School Districts Scramble to Find Substitute Teachers

MADISON, Wis. – Just days into the new school year, many Wisconsin districts are already dealing with a serious shortage of substitute teachers…

Wisconsin ranks 13th overall in the nation for children's well-being, and a new report says it's in desperate need of federal funds to help address the disparities faced by children of color. (cherylholt/Pixabay)

Progress for Wisconsin's Children Stalls, Worse for Kids of Color

MADISON, Wis. — The well-being of children in Wisconsin has gotten worse since 2010, according to the new 2019 Kids Count Data Book by the …

States across the country are driving the trend of placing a higher percentage of children in foster care with families. (jess2284/Flickr)

Wisconsin Sees Rise in Finding Families for Foster Kids

MADISON, Wis. – Wisconsin is making a big effort to keep foster kids in family settings, with a 5% improvement over a 10-year period, according …

Wisconsin is among the 19 states with partial Medicaid expansion. (vjohns1580/Pixabay)

Report: Wisconsin Loses Gains in Kids' Health Coverage

MADISON, Wis. – For the first time in a decade, the number of children without health coverage in the United States has gone up. According to …

According to Prevent Suicide Wisconsin, there are almost always warning signs of suicide, but people are often unaware of their significance or unsure about what to do. (Pixabay)

Suicide Prevention Week: People Can Get Better

MADISON, Wis. – Suicide occurs among all groups of people – and Wisconsin has seen a steady increase in its suicide rate in the last two …

More than textbooks and apples come to mind as the Wisconsin school year begins. Local law enforcement is researching ways to beef up school security. (Pixabay)

New Mapping Technology Could Make WI Schools Safer

GREEN BAY, Wis. – Emergency-response timing is key in 'active shooter' situations, and Wisconsin is examining new technology to get emergency …

Poverty affects an estimated 200,000 children in Wisconsin. (StockSnap)

Census Count: Report Warns WI Kids Could be Missed

MADISON, Wis. – Wisconsin is doing well by its kids, ranked 12th overall in the new 2018 KIDS COUNT Data Book released today. The Annie E…

The Madison School District is hoping that high-school students will be more likely to get their meals from an on-site food truck than heading off campus to eat lunch. (REAP Food Group)

Farm-to-Table Food Truck Aims to Boost School Lunch Participation

MADISON, Wis. - A new food truck could be the answer to the school-lunch challenges that Madison-area high schools face. An open campus means only 25…

A bipartisan bill would require Wisconsin school districts to develop and implement policies to promote healthy relationships between teens. (David Shankbone/Wikimedia Commons)

Teen Dating Violence: “A Wisconsin Public Health Crisis”

MADISON, Wis. – Reliable estimates are that a third of teens in the U.S. will be subjected to physical, emotional or sexual abuse from a dating …

Wisconsin's adult prison system is so far over capacity that cells are now being double and triple-filled. A state legislator says this is causing huge problems and is suggesting big changes. (Wikimedia Commons)

Wisconsin Democrat: Time for Prison Reform Is Now

MILWAUKEE – Wisconsin sends more people to prison than any neighboring state and twice as many as Minnesota. The cost of keeping one person …

A new Annie E. Casey Foundation report suggests ways states like Wisconsin can improve conditions for children of color and immigrant families. (AECF)

Report: Wisconsin Is Failing Its Children of Color

MADISON, Wis. – A just-released report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation shows the gap between the well-being of Wisconsin's white and African …

The Dow protests on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus on Oct. 18, 1967, marked the first time in the nation's history that an anti-Vietnam War protest on a major U.S. campus turned violent. (John Wolf, UW-Madison)

Dow Chemical Protests: 50 Years Ago Today in Wisconsin

MADISON, Wis. - Fifty years ago today, Wisconsin made national headlines when a student sit-in against Dow Chemical Co. became violent. Students …

Reading is one way to help your child stay ready for learning during summer vacation. (Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

Help Your School-Age Kids Beat "The Summer Slide"

MADISON, Wis. – Ask any teacher what the "summer slide" is, and they'll explain it's the three months when school is out, a time during which …

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