Wisconsin Public Radio

COVID-19 activity has increased by about 50 percent since October, according to Dr. Ryan Westergaard of the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.

Dr. Westergaard joined WPR's "Morning Edition" host Alex Crowe to chat more about how we can stay healthy this winter season.

Since October, COVID-19 activity has increased by about 50 percent in Wisconsin As we head into the holiday season, Wisconsin Dr. Ryan Westergaard strongly recommends getting updated flu and COVID-19 shots.

A Dane County judge has ruled Wisconsin's 19th century law does not prohibit abortions.

In victory for abortion rights, Dane County judge rules 19th century law does not ban abortions in Wisconsin Although Tuesday's order closes the case in Dane County, it's likely the case will eventually be appealed to Wisconsin's Supreme Court, a body that recently flipped to liberal control.

A 3M plant in Wausau is providing bottled water to workers after tests showed PFAS levels up to 7 times higher than the state’s drinking water standard in the factory's private well.

PFAS testing at 3M plant in Wausau finds levels up to 7 times higher than state drinking water standard

"Today is the culmination of months of bipartisan conversation, collaboration and hard work," Gov. Tony Evers said during a bill signing ceremony. "All in all, this plan ensures the Milwaukee Brewers will continue to call this city home for nearly 30 more years. It's a meaningful demonstration of what we can accomplish when we decide to work together and do what's best and what's right for our state."

Gov. Tony Evers signs Brewers stadium bill, ensuring team stays in city until 2050 Gov. Tony Evers signed a bipartisan bill Tuesday that allocates more than $500 million in public funds for upgrades to American Family Field, ensuring that the Milwaukee Brewers stay in the city until at least 2050.

The leader of Wisconsin’s flagship state university is hopeful for the end of a blockade on university staff pay hikes after a top-ranking Republican in the state Legislature signaled support this week for the raises.

UW-Madison chancellor hopeful Wisconsin Legislature ends stall on staff pay raises

A group of Republican lawmakers is advancing a bill that would abolish the Wisconsin Elections Commission, the bipartisan body that oversees how elections are run throughout the state.

Republican bill would abolish Wisconsin Elections Commission A group of Republican lawmakers is circulating a bill that would abolish the Wisconsin Elections Commission, the bipartisan body that oversees how elections are run throughout the state.

The latest challenge to the signature policy of former Republican Gov. Scott Walker is putting a renewed focus on the newest justice who flipped the court to liberal control.

Act 10 lawsuit renews focus on Protasiewicz

The tuition-free academy will be open to all Appleton students enrolled in kindergarten through third grade in the fall of 2024. The school will focus on providing a "holistic educational experience that celebrates the cultural heritage of African descendants."

African-centered charter school to open in Appleton The Appleton Area School District is partnering with African Heritage Inc. to establish The Ọmọladé Academy, an African-centered charter school.

"They're just going in and doing their jobs, cutting the grass or doing maintenance or whatever," Wisconsin Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu said. "And so, with the inflation that's going on, I think I would like to get that done sooner rather than later."

LeMahieu opposes Vos withholding UW pay raises over DEI Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu says he doesn't support Assembly Speaker Robin Vos' move to block pay raises for those working at the Universities of Wisconsin until diversity, equity and inclusion programs are eliminated.

State and local leaders are doubling down on their calls to close the 125-year-old Green Bay Correctional Institution, even as legislative efforts to do so remain stalled.

'Decades of neglect': Local, state leaders double down on calls to close Green Bay prison

The majority of professional hockey players across the nation do not wear neck protection during games, as most leagues don't mandate it. But after Adam Johnson's death, there has been an increase in players using the protection, including in Wisconsin.

Following hockey player's death, more professional, college players in Wisconsin are now wearing neck protection

Some immigrants lacking permanent legal status who arrived in the U.S. as children would be able to access in-state tuition and professional licenses under bipartisan legislation announced Monday.

Wisconsin DACA recipients could get in-state tuition, professional licenses under bipartisan proposal

Service workers at historic Lambeau Field voted overwhelmingly to form a union on Sunday, but they still have to negotiate a collective bargaining agreement.

Service workers at Lambeau Field overwhelmingly vote in favor of unionizing

In the Fox Valley, Linked Living Homes expects the need for their services to grow in the upcoming years as the Baby Boomer generation ages.

As Baby Boomers age, Northeastern Wisconsin families remodel homes

A Harvard Law student running for Wisconsin's 3rd congressional district has withdrawn from the 2024 race four months after launching his campaign

Harvard Law student drops from western Wisconsin congressional race Four months after launching his campaign, Milwaukee native Aaron Nytes has withdrawn from Wisconsin's 3rd congressional race.

State officials are reminding donors of how to spot potential scams this holiday season.

State officials warn against charity imposter scams Impostor scams were the most commonly reported type of consumer fraud, accounting for a total of about $2.6 billion in 2022.

Kate Koziol said rural entrepreneurs may sometimes feel more isolated than peers in urban areas. So to help connect them, Koziol created the Driftless Makers Podcast, which features interviews with startup and business owners around the region.

Business incubator works to connect Driftless Area entrepreneurs The head of the Platteville Business Incubator explains how fostering community can help entrepreneurs and startups succeed.

On World AIDS Day on Friday, health officials said people with the disease are living longer as medical treatment has improved, but said the number of new diagnoses has risen over the last two years.

HIV cases are rising in Wisconsin, but those with the disease are living longer, healthier lives On World AIDS Day, health officials said people with the disease are living longer as medical treatment has improved, but said the number of new diagnoses has risen over the last two years.

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison say new technologies for removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere must be developed faster to meet goals to reduce global warming.

Studies find methods for removing carbon dioxide must develop faster to meet climate goals Researchers at UW-Madison say new technologies for removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere must be developed faster to meet goals to reduce global warming.

After years of debate, a federal agency is set to issue its finding on whether the proposed Nemadji Trail Energy Center poses significant environmental effects as one of the plant’s owners seeks a loan to finance it.

As utilities close coal-burning plants, debate shifts to role of natural gas in energy future A proposed natural gas plant in Superior has been the subject of a yearslong battle. Environmental groups and others have objected to utilities’ claims that natural gas remains a necessary part of the Midwest regional electric grid. The fight is an example of the complexity around the transition t...

In a recent interview on WPR's "The Larry Meiller Show," retired Smart Motors Toyota services manager Jim Ward answered questions from listeners on topics ranging from tires and batteries to engine oil and recalls.

Do your tires need replacing? What are the pitfalls of winter tires? Expert breaks down vehicle questions

Weinbrenner Shoe Company president Jeff Burns appeared on WPR’s "The Morning Show" and said he’s proud Thorogood boots have maintained a "classic, iconic look for over 100 years.

Making one of the 'coolest' things in Wisconsin: Thorogood work boots What do you think the coolest thing made in Wisconsin is? Some might say a Thorogood brand work boot. In October, the "American Heritage" boot ranked as a top four finalist for this year’s “Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin” contest, conducted by the lobbying firm Wisconsin Manufacturers and Com...

To give Wisconsin veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder more options, a bipartisan group of lawmakers is working to make it easier for researchers to treat those with acute PTSD with the active ingredient in hallucinogenic mushrooms.

Bipartisan bill would make it easier to treat veterans' PTSD with magic mushrooms A bipartisan group of Wisconsin lawmakers wants to establish a state-funded pilot program to study how the compounds in psychedelic mushrooms might help treat PTSD in veterans.

A pair of Republican lawmakers are circulating bills that would allow Wisconsin to use federal funds to nearly double the number of publicly available electric vehicle charging stations around the state.

GOP lawmakers circulate bills that would allow Wisconsin to access federal funds to build EV charging stations A pair of Republican state lawmakers are circulating bills that would allow Wisconsin to use federal funds to nearly double the number of publicly available electric vehicle charging stations around the state.

Since 2009, there have been at least 17 deaths among workers on Wisconsin's dairy farms. Nearly half of those were not investigated by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Many deaths on small dairy farms are not investigated. ProPublica investigated OSHA's practices. ProPublica reporter Melissa Sanchez has been reporting on safety in Wisconsin's dairy industry. She joined WPR's "All Things Considered" host Brady Carlson to talk about her findings.

Gerard Randall, a top Wisconsin GOP official who helped secure the Republican National Convention for Milwaukee, has left his position as host committee secretary after reporting by WPR and Wisconsin Watch brought the questionable history of his nonprofit to light.

Gerard Randall resigns as RNC Host Committee secretary Gerard Randall, a top Wisconsin GOP official who helped secure the Republican National Convention for Milwaukee, resigned from his position as host committee secretary after the questionable history of his nonprofit came to light.

Six years after Foxconn announced plans to invest $9 billion for a massive development in Mount Pleasant, village officials approved a new deal this week to allow Microsoft to purchase more than 1,000 acres originally intended for the company.

Mount Pleasant approves Microsoft deal for data centers on Foxconn land Six years after Foxconn announced plans to invest $9 billion for a massive development in Mount Pleasant, village officials approved a new deal Monday to allow Microsoft to purchase more than 1,000 acres originally intended for the company.

Service workers at Lambeau Field are scheduled to participate in a National Labor Relations Board-supervised election on Sunday to determine if they will be granted union representation.

Service workers at Lambeau Field scheduled to participate in formal union election Sunday

Seven Wisconsin unions representing teachers and other public workers filed a lawsuit Thursday challenging the constitutionality of Act 10, which ended collective bargaining for most public employees.

Unions file new lawsuit challenging Act 10 collective bargaining law Seven Wisconsin unions representing teachers and other public workers have filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of Act 10, which ended collective bargaining for most public employees.

Wisconsin businesses would be required to accept cash under a bipartisan proposal in the state Legislature.

'Cashless' establishments would be barred in Wisconsin under bipartisan bill

Sen. Dianne Hesselbein will serve as the next Senate Minority Leader after a Friday afternoon caucus election.

Democrat Dianne Hesselbein elected new Senate Minority Leader Sen. Dianne Hesselbein will serve as the next Senate Minority Leader after a Friday afternoon caucus election, one day after Sen Melissa Agard announced she is stepping down from the post.

Michigan officials have approved a $500 million plan to encase in a protective tunnel a portion of an oil pipeline that runs beneath a channel connecting two Great Lakes, leaving just one more regulatory hurdle for the contentious project.

Michigan regulators approve $500M pipeline tunnel project under channel linking 2 Great Lakes Michigan officials approved a $500 million plan Friday to encase in a protective tunnel a portion of an oil pipeline that runs beneath a channel connecting two Great Lakes, leaving just one more regulatory hurdle for the contentious project.

CEO Brent Ridge said the funding has allowed Dairyland to "accelerate projects that would have been done eventually, but far too late."

"We're here to improve the lives of the members we serve," Ridge said."In the '30s, we brought them electricity where they had none. We're now doing it with broadband and fiber. Then fiber ties (contributes) to health care, education, food sufficiency and economic development."

New investment in broadband expansion 'an equalizing opportunity' for state's rural communities Biden Administration officials visited Dairyland Power Cooperative in La Crosse to celebrate a $15 million federal grant for "middle mile" broadband expansion.

As Congress debates revisions to the 2018 Farm Bill that expired this fall, one Wisconsin h**p farmer is urging regulations that better reflect h**p’s varied uses so the industry can continue to expand.

What’s holding back Wisconsin’s h**p industry? A farmer weighs in

Janel McCarville's WNBA career included plenty of highlights, including a championship in 2013. The Custer, Wisconsin native also played internationally in Italy, China and Sweden. After her playing career came to an end in early 2022, McCarville returned to her hometown and wound up coaching high school girls basketball in Stevens Point. | Wisconsin Life

Former WNBA star Janel McCarville returns to central Wisconsin high school to coach basketball - Wisconsin Life In 2022, Janel McCarville played her last game in the Swedish professional women’s basketball league. In her later seasons, the WNBA veteran juggled roles as a player and also as an assistant coach for the Stockholm-based Alviks Basketklubb. She was also an assistant coach with Alviks’s men’s ...

The refundable tax credits would apply to businesses that start their own day cares for workers, as well as to those who help employees pay for outside providers.

Wisconsin proposal would give tax breaks to businesses that help their workers afford child care A proposal from Republican lawmakers would offer state tax breaks to Wisconsin businesses that help their employees afford child care.

Former Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel is running for a seat on the state Supreme Court, telling supporters at a campaign announcement in Waukesha Thursday night that his goal is to restore integrity and accountability on the court and conservatives should unify behind him.

More than 100 GOP faithful gathered inside the massive Weldall Manufacturing facility in Waukesha where a large American flag hung from a 100-ton gantry crane above the lectern. Schimel, 58, began the night wearing jeans and an untucked shirt, with a bass guitar slung from his neck by a leather strap with embroidered flames. His band played covers of Michael Jackson's "Beat it" and Santana's "Black Magic Woman."

Former Republican Attorney General Brad Schimel enters 2025 Wisconsin Supreme Court Race Former Republican Attorney General Brad Schimel has entered the 2025 Wisconsin Supreme Court Race against liberal Justice Ann Walsh Bradley. Schimel accused the court's new liberal majority of placing their opinions above the law and state Constitution and said his campaign is about restoring integr...

UW-Madison is opposing an economist’s application to trademark phrases that include the word "bucky."

UW-Madison in trademark fight with Texas economist

A proposed natural gas plant in Superior has been the subject of a yearslong battle. Environmental groups and others have objected to utilities’ claims that natural gas remains a necessary part of the Midwest regional electric grid.

The fight is an example of the complexity around the transition to clean energy.

As utilities close coal-burning plants, debate shifts to role of natural gas in energy future A proposed natural gas plant in Superior has been the subject of a yearslong battle. Environmental groups and others have objected to utilities’ claims that natural gas remains a necessary part of the Midwest regional electric grid. The fight is an example of the complexity around the transition t...