Wisconsin doctors say the state could help save lives by extending postpartum Medicaid coverage to a full year, as many states offer. But the Legislature again blocked an extension. By Rachel Hale of Wisconsin Watch
","summary":"Wisconsin doctors say the state could help save lives by extending postpartum Medicaid coverage to a full year, as many states offer. But the Legislature again blocked an extension.","date_published":"2024-03-26T14:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/bbf30f52-5642-414d-93d7-047041f34dbb.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":17718427,"duration_in_seconds":1107}]},{"id":"37de9133-e361-4a46-b70e-29187e368272","title":"In fight over voter rolls, Wisconsin’s top judges can’t agree on sensitive data","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/wisconsin-election-voters-judges-court-of-appeals-judiciary","content_text":"An unusual split in two Wisconsin Court of Appeals districts highlights growing partisan division in the judiciary. By Wisconsin Watch's Jack Kelly","content_html":"An unusual split in two Wisconsin Court of Appeals districts highlights growing partisan division in the judiciary. By Wisconsin Watch's Jack Kelly
","summary":"An unusual split in two Court of Appeals districts highlights growing partisan division in the judiciary.","date_published":"2024-03-11T12:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/37de9133-e361-4a46-b70e-29187e368272.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":25214790,"duration_in_seconds":1050}]},{"id":"0a5315e4-cc07-4925-9e8d-43d49957b1f5","title":"10 guards, 900 inmates: Wisconsin prisons see dire results of ignored warnings","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/wisconsin-prisons-lockdowns-inmates-correctional-institutions-guards","content_text":"An extreme shortage of guards at Wisconsin’s prisons slowed basic operations to a crawl. Inmates escaped, prisons locked down and conditions deteriorated. By New York Times Local Investigations Fellow and Wisconsin Watch reporter Mario Koran and Justin Mayo of Big Local News. Originally published on Feb. 2, 2024.","content_html":"An extreme shortage of guards at Wisconsin’s prisons slowed basic operations to a crawl. Inmates escaped, prisons locked down and conditions deteriorated. By New York Times Local Investigations Fellow and Wisconsin Watch reporter Mario Koran and Justin Mayo of Big Local News. Originally published on Feb. 2, 2024.
","summary":"An extreme shortage of guards at Wisconsin’s prisons slowed basic operations to a crawl. Inmates escaped, prisons locked down and conditions deteriorated.","date_published":"2024-02-12T13:30:00.000-05:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/0a5315e4-cc07-4925-9e8d-43d49957b1f5.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":23301819,"duration_in_seconds":955}]},{"id":"4584574e-296d-4947-937e-7fb00f726923","title":"A Grand Chute police recruit alleged she was sexually assaulted. Days later she lost her job.","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/wisconsin-marsys-law-police-recruit-grand-chute-sexual-assault","content_text":"The Grand Chute police department didn’t seek an outside investigation for a case involving its own employee, yet invoked “victim rights” laws to resist disclosing details of the incident involving two other police recruits. By Wisconsin Watch's Jacob Resneck. Wisconsin Watch reporter Phoebe Petrovic contributed. This story was produced as part of the NEW (Northeast Wisconsin) News Lab.","content_html":"The Grand Chute police department didn’t seek an outside investigation for a case involving its own employee, yet invoked “victim rights” laws to resist disclosing details of the incident involving two other police recruits. By Wisconsin Watch's Jacob Resneck. Wisconsin Watch reporter Phoebe Petrovic contributed. This story was produced as part of the NEW (Northeast Wisconsin) News Lab.
","summary":"The department didn’t seek outside investigation for case involving its own employee, yet invoked “victim rights” laws to resist disclosing details of the incident involving two other police recruits","date_published":"2023-11-09T12:00:00.000-05:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/4584574e-296d-4947-937e-7fb00f726923.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":36062089,"duration_in_seconds":1492}]},{"id":"cab9cfdb-b034-428a-9b79-8f98d236eba5","title":"Sheboygan recruit accused of sex assault had potential red flag","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/wisconsin-police-recruit-sheboygan-hiring-sexual-assault","content_text":"A Sheboygan police recruit involved in an alleged sexual assault had been flagged as a suspected gang member in high school, but that information was not provided to an oversight board before he was hired. By Wisconsin Watch's Jacob Resneck. This story was produced as part of the NEW (Northeast Wisconsin) News Lab.","content_html":"A Sheboygan police recruit involved in an alleged sexual assault had been flagged as a suspected gang member in high school, but that information was not provided to an oversight board before he was hired. By Wisconsin Watch's Jacob Resneck. This story was produced as part of the NEW (Northeast Wisconsin) News Lab.
","summary":"Members of civilian oversight board that approved hiring later said senior officers had withheld key information from police commission","date_published":"2023-11-09T12:00:00.000-05:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/cab9cfdb-b034-428a-9b79-8f98d236eba5.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":9577813,"duration_in_seconds":389}]},{"id":"7dd97bc5-df61-40f5-8ffd-b003c70413e9","title":"PayPal shielded donors who gave to Wisconsin-based health misinformation outlet","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/paypal-wisconsin-covid-misinformation-donations","content_text":"The charitable arm of PayPal, one of the world’s largest digital payment companies, facilitated $141,194 in anonymous donations between 2019 and 2021 to groups trafficking in COVID-19 misinformation, anti-vaccine content and hate, tax records show. By Phoebe Petrovic of Wisconsin Watch. Originally published on Oct. 27, 2023.","content_html":"The charitable arm of PayPal, one of the world’s largest digital payment companies, facilitated $141,194 in anonymous donations between 2019 and 2021 to groups trafficking in COVID-19 misinformation, anti-vaccine content and hate, tax records show. By Phoebe Petrovic of Wisconsin Watch. Originally published on Oct. 27, 2023.
","summary":"Joining the nation’s largest investment firms, PayPal Charitable Giving Fund funneled anonymous donations to Front Line COVID-19 Critical Care Alliance as well as other anti-vaccine and hate groups.","date_published":"2023-11-01T12:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/7dd97bc5-df61-40f5-8ffd-b003c70413e9.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":14852381,"duration_in_seconds":609}]},{"id":"053278dc-bf84-4b4e-884e-7384015dc4cc","title":"Oshkosh police cite ‘Marsy’s Law’ to withhold names of officers who shot suspects","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/oshkosh-police-marsys-law-withhold-names-of-officers-who-shot-suspects","content_text":"A Wisconsin police department used Marsy’s Law to block the release of the names of police officers involved in a shooting incident. By Jacob Resneck of Wisconsin Watch. Originally published on Aug. 8, 2023.","content_html":"A Wisconsin police department used Marsy’s Law to block the release of the names of police officers involved in a shooting incident. By Jacob Resneck of Wisconsin Watch. Originally published on Aug. 8, 2023.
","summary":"Some police agencies across the country have used the voter-approved constitutional amendment that broadens victim privacy to shield officers who use force.","date_published":"2023-10-04T12:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/053278dc-bf84-4b4e-884e-7384015dc4cc.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":32059127,"duration_in_seconds":1326}]},{"id":"c8c47b62-27ec-43c0-9a43-dbee8dbf6ae6","title":"Wisconsin’s ‘death grip with alcohol’ is killing more residents","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/wisconsins-death-grip-with-alcohol-is-killing-more-residents","content_text":"Excessive alcohol use is taking a heavy toll in a state that celebrates its drinking culture. By Sarah Eichstadt and Anupras Mohapatra of Wisconsin Watch. Originally published on Aug. 3, 2023.","content_html":"Excessive alcohol use is taking a heavy toll in a state that celebrates its drinking culture. By Sarah Eichstadt and Anupras Mohapatra of Wisconsin Watch. Originally published on Aug. 3, 2023.
","summary":"Excessive alcohol use is taking a heavy toll in a state that celebrates its drinking culture.","date_published":"2023-10-04T11:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/c8c47b62-27ec-43c0-9a43-dbee8dbf6ae6.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":23237053,"duration_in_seconds":958}]},{"id":"093ac2be-51dc-45c7-b29a-58be3dd4c0c3","title":"How alcoholism derailed former Wisconsin running back Montee Ball’s football career","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/how-alcoholism-derailed-former-wisconsin-running-back-montee-balls-football-career","content_text":"Former Badger Montee Ball offers a cautionary tale to University of Wisconsin-Madison students about the dangers of booze. By Sarah Eichstadt and Anupras Mohapatra of Wisconsin Watch. Originally published on Aug. 3, 2023.","content_html":"Former Badger Montee Ball offers a cautionary tale to University of Wisconsin-Madison students about the dangers of booze. By Sarah Eichstadt and Anupras Mohapatra of Wisconsin Watch. Originally published on Aug. 3, 2023.
","summary":"The former Badger offers a cautionary tale to University of Wisconsin-Madison students about the dangers of booze.","date_published":"2023-10-04T11:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/093ac2be-51dc-45c7-b29a-58be3dd4c0c3.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":9308301,"duration_in_seconds":378}]},{"id":"9bb8ec77-8973-4a06-9042-9509298e779a","title":"Hot pursuit: Milwaukee police chases now top 1,000 per year. Some prove deadly.","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/milwaukee-police-chase-pursuit-some-deadly","content_text":"Milwaukee sees a surge in police pursuits in years since loosening policy to target reckless drivers. Critics say the trend makes streets more dangerous. By Jonah Chester, Wisconsin Public Radio's 2022-2023 Mike Simonson Memorial Investigative Reporting Fellow embedded in the Wisconsin Watch newsroom. Originally published on Aug. 2, 2023.","content_html":"Milwaukee sees a surge in police pursuits in years since loosening policy to target reckless drivers. Critics say the trend makes streets more dangerous. By Jonah Chester, Wisconsin Public Radio's 2022-2023 Mike Simonson Memorial Investigative Reporting Fellow embedded in the Wisconsin Watch newsroom. Originally published on Aug. 2, 2023.
","summary":"Milwaukee sees a surge in police pursuits in years since loosening policy to target reckless drivers. Critics say the trend makes streets more dangerous.","date_published":"2023-09-14T12:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/9bb8ec77-8973-4a06-9042-9509298e779a.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":25286089,"duration_in_seconds":1044}]},{"id":"136db533-1fc4-43df-80b6-eba33e8d56ea","title":"AI is starting to affect our elections. Wisconsin has yet to take action.","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/ai-elections-wisconsin-artificial-intelligence","content_text":"Heading into the 2024 election, Wisconsin faces a new challenge state lawmakers here have so far failed to address: generative artificial intelligence. The state of Washington required political ads to disclose if they use artificial intelligence while others banned deepfake technology in the runup to an election. By Phoebe Petrovic of Wisconsin Watch. Originally published on July 28, 2023.","content_html":"Heading into the 2024 election, Wisconsin faces a new challenge state lawmakers here have so far failed to address: generative artificial intelligence. The state of Washington required political ads to disclose if they use artificial intelligence while others banned deepfake technology in the runup to an election. By Phoebe Petrovic of Wisconsin Watch. Originally published on July 28, 2023.
","summary":"Heading into the 2024 election, Wisconsin faces a new challenge state lawmakers here have so far failed to address: generative artificial intelligence. The state of Washington required political ads to disclose if they use artificial intelligence while others banned deepfake technology in the runup to an election.","date_published":"2023-09-14T12:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/136db533-1fc4-43df-80b6-eba33e8d56ea.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":19791559,"duration_in_seconds":815}]},{"id":"0311564a-d6ee-4e01-8102-7cc880504acc","title":"JusticePoint offers incarceration alternatives in Milwaukee. Two judges tried to cancel its contract.","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/justicepoint-offers-incarceration-alternatives-in-milwaukee-two-judges-tried-to-cancel-its-contract","content_text":"Municipal Court officials refuse to comment on efforts to cancel JusticePoint’s contract without lining up an alternative provider. A legal ruling allows the services to continue — for now. Story by Wisconsin Watch’s Jonmaesha Beltran and Devin Blake of Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service, produced in collaboration with The Appeal. Originally published on July 27, 2023.","content_html":"Municipal Court officials refuse to comment on efforts to cancel JusticePoint’s contract without lining up an alternative provider. A legal ruling allows the services to continue — for now. Story by Wisconsin Watch’s Jonmaesha Beltran and Devin Blake of Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service, produced in collaboration with The Appeal. Originally published on July 27, 2023.
","summary":"Municipal Court officials refuse to comment on efforts to cancel JusticePoint’s contract without lining up an alternative provider. A legal ruling allows the services to continue — for now.","date_published":"2023-08-30T12:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/0311564a-d6ee-4e01-8102-7cc880504acc.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":23860497,"duration_in_seconds":984}]},{"id":"da3433c1-7a6e-4bff-befe-dea0bcd48b05","title":"Misinformation, Disinformation: A guide to sorting fiction from reality","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/misinformation-disinformation-a-guide-to-sorting-fiction-from-reality","content_text":"Social media and deceptive actors are allowing falsehood to spread even faster than the truth, but there are ways to inoculate yourself from information disorder. Story by Wisconsin Watch disinformation reporter Phoebe Petrovic. Originally published on July 20, 2023.","content_html":"Social media and deceptive actors are allowing falsehood to spread even faster than the truth, but there are ways to inoculate yourself from information disorder. Story by Wisconsin Watch disinformation reporter Phoebe Petrovic. Originally published on July 20, 2023.
","summary":"Social media and deceptive actors are allowing falsehood to spread even faster than the truth, but there are ways to inoculate yourself from information disorder.","date_published":"2023-08-30T12:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/da3433c1-7a6e-4bff-befe-dea0bcd48b05.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":23302625,"duration_in_seconds":961}]},{"id":"b559021a-af30-42ae-8e68-7cedbb4466ff","title":"Walmart pulls Milwaukee Tool gloves allegedly made by Chinese prisoners","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/walmart-pulls-milwaukee-tool-gloves-allegedly-made-by-chinese-prisoners","content_text":"Walmart is no longer selling Milwaukee Tool-branded gloves on its online marketplace — responding to allegations that a subcontractor for the Brookfield, Wisconsin-based tool company relied on forced Chinese prison labor to manufacture certain models of gloves. Story by Wisconsin Watch's Zhen Wang. Originally published on July 17, 2023.","content_html":"Walmart is no longer selling Milwaukee Tool-branded gloves on its online marketplace — responding to allegations that a subcontractor for the Brookfield, Wisconsin-based tool company relied on forced Chinese prison labor to manufacture certain models of gloves. Story by Wisconsin Watch's Zhen Wang. Originally published on July 17, 2023.
","summary":"Walmart is no longer selling Milwaukee Tool-branded gloves on its online marketplace — responding to allegations that a subcontractor for the Brookfield, Wisconsin-based tool company relied on forced Chinese prison labor to manufacture certain models of gloves.","date_published":"2023-08-30T11:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/b559021a-af30-42ae-8e68-7cedbb4466ff.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":19138969,"duration_in_seconds":788}]},{"id":"26237712-bd3a-446d-a98a-2c2d2eaac3ec","title":"Wisconsin billionaires quietly bankroll effort to shrink state’s social safety net","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/wisconsin-billionaires-effort-shrink-social-safety-net","content_text":"A group funded by deep-pocketed GOP donors is pushing to make it harder to vote and to receive unemployment insurance and Medicaid. By Wisconsin Watch's Jacob Resneck. Originally published on July 11, 2023.","content_html":"A group funded by deep-pocketed GOP donors is pushing to make it harder to vote and to receive unemployment insurance and Medicaid. By Wisconsin Watch's Jacob Resneck. Originally published on July 11, 2023.
","summary":"A group funded by deep-pocketed GOP donors is pushing to make it harder to vote and to receive unemployment insurance and Medicaid","date_published":"2023-08-28T17:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/26237712-bd3a-446d-a98a-2c2d2eaac3ec.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":23703697,"duration_in_seconds":978}]},{"id":"80cc8de5-7a60-45ba-aa3e-abd57d0082a3","title":"Republican lawmakers reject proposal to help Wisconsin communities access federal grant programs","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/republican-lawmakers-reject-proposal-to-help-wisconsin-communities-access-federal-grant-programs","content_text":"Gov. Tony Evers signs a budget that excludes his plan to help staff-strapped local governments track and apply for federal infrastructure dollars. By Bennet Goldstein / Wisconsin Watch. Originally published on July 7, 2023.","content_html":"Gov. Tony Evers signs a budget that excludes his plan to help staff-strapped local governments track and apply for federal infrastructure dollars. By Bennet Goldstein / Wisconsin Watch. Originally published on July 7, 2023.
","summary":"Gov. Tony Evers signs a budget that excludes his plan to help staff-strapped local governments track and apply for federal infrastructure dollars.","date_published":"2023-08-25T17:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/80cc8de5-7a60-45ba-aa3e-abd57d0082a3.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":12131991,"duration_in_seconds":496}]},{"id":"593dab56-fb1d-4b8f-b65a-4d71a45d4932","title":"Wisconsin towns brace for next fight on local control over large farms","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/wisconsin-towns-big-farms-local-control-cafo-regulations","content_text":"A proposed pig CAFO spurred five northwest Wisconsin towns to regulate big farms. After one rescinded its ordinance, others wonder if they’ll face lawsuits. By Bennet Goldstein / Wisconsin Watch. Originally published on July 6, 2023.","content_html":"A proposed pig CAFO spurred five northwest Wisconsin towns to regulate big farms. After one rescinded its ordinance, others wonder if they’ll face lawsuits. By Bennet Goldstein / Wisconsin Watch. Originally published on July 6, 2023.
","summary":"A proposed pig CAFO spurred five northwest Wisconsin towns to regulate big farms. After one rescinded its ordinance, others wonder if they’ll face lawsuits.","date_published":"2023-08-23T16:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/593dab56-fb1d-4b8f-b65a-4d71a45d4932.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":24539075,"duration_in_seconds":1013}]},{"id":"82bf73b1-b21a-405a-bd45-c1d0e5a86c58","title":"Midwest drought: Corn and soybeans suffer as forecasters expect no quick relief for farmers","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/midwest-drought-corn-and-soybeans-suffer-as-forecasters-expect-no-quick-relief-for-farmers","content_text":"Arid conditions are expected to persist in eastern Iowa and Missouri, Illinois and Wisconsin. River barges are affected, too. By Bennet Goldstein / Wisconsin Watch. Originally published on June 23, 2023.","content_html":"Arid conditions are expected to persist in eastern Iowa and Missouri, Illinois and Wisconsin. River barges are affected, too. By Bennet Goldstein / Wisconsin Watch. Originally published on June 23, 2023.
","summary":"Arid conditions are expected to persist in eastern Iowa and Missouri, Illinois and Wisconsin. River barges are affected, too.","date_published":"2023-08-23T16:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/82bf73b1-b21a-405a-bd45-c1d0e5a86c58.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":13806135,"duration_in_seconds":566}]},{"id":"2c4d67f6-207a-4b55-9c39-d3a30cc62516","title":"Wisconsin law still refers to husband and wife, a reminder to LGBTQ+ families that their rights are at risk","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/wisconsin-law-discriminatory-language-same-sex-couples","content_text":"The courts and Evers administration have stepped in, but bipartisan efforts to make state law neutral to reflect status of same-sex couples have stalled. By Matthew DeFour / Wisconsin Watch. Originally published on June 16, 2023.","content_html":"The courts and Evers administration have stepped in, but bipartisan efforts to make state law neutral to reflect status of same-sex couples have stalled. By Matthew DeFour / Wisconsin Watch. Originally published on June 16, 2023.
","summary":"The courts and Evers administration have stepped in, but bipartisan efforts to make state law neutral to reflect status of same-sex couples have stalled","date_published":"2023-08-23T15:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/2c4d67f6-207a-4b55-9c39-d3a30cc62516.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":28129459,"duration_in_seconds":1163}]},{"id":"4a18c6f2-0895-4f63-8cd2-8fb89382701f","title":"‘They die so quickly’: Fentanyl killing 1,000+ people in Wisconsin each year","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/fentanyl-wisconsin-opioid-overdose-deaths","content_text":"The Wisconsin Department of Health Services in 2021 found synthetic opioids, particularly fentanyl, caused 91% of opioid overdose deaths, Grace Friedman and Max Stapleton report for Wisconsin Watch. Originally published on June 22, 2023.","content_html":"The Wisconsin Department of Health Services in 2021 found synthetic opioids, particularly fentanyl, caused 91% of opioid overdose deaths, Grace Friedman and Max Stapleton report for Wisconsin Watch. Originally published on June 22, 2023.
","summary":"Many teenagers dying from the drug aren’t addicted, says one mother who lost her son to fentanyl. ‘They’re taking pills to make themselves feel better.’","date_published":"2023-08-23T15:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/4a18c6f2-0895-4f63-8cd2-8fb89382701f.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":23037037,"duration_in_seconds":951}]},{"id":"ae517ac1-6cd0-4a62-b481-e52e2f392662","title":"Some Milwaukee County parents leaving workforce due to sky-high child care costs","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/some-milwaukee-county-parents-leaving-workforce-due-to-sky-high-child-care-costs","content_text":"Milwaukee County parents spend more of their income on child care than most Americans. Gov. Tony Evers wants to intervene as Wisconsin providers face a fiscal cliff. By Tyler Dedrick for Wisconsin Watch. Originally published on June 15, 2023.","content_html":"Milwaukee County parents spend more of their income on child care than most Americans. Gov. Tony Evers wants to intervene as Wisconsin providers face a fiscal cliff. By Tyler Dedrick for Wisconsin Watch. Originally published on June 15, 2023.
","summary":"Milwaukee County parents spend more of their income on child care than most Americans. Gov. Tony Evers wants to intervene as Wisconsin providers face a fiscal cliff.","date_published":"2023-08-23T14:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/ae517ac1-6cd0-4a62-b481-e52e2f392662.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":23581487,"duration_in_seconds":973}]},{"id":"f7a8a15e-1087-41a8-8a1e-ece645b4ab1d","title":"Rising cost of living in northeast Wisconsin has many working families treading water","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/rising-cost-of-living-northeast-wisconsin-families","content_text":"A dearth of affordable housing and the cost and availability of child care remain barriers to opportunity for many working families in the northeast region. The story was reported by Wisconsin Watch’s Jacob Resneck as part of the NEW (Northeast Wisconsin) News Lab’s Families Matter project, which explores the barriers to sustainable family life in northeast Wisconsin. Originally published on June 7, 2023.","content_html":"A dearth of affordable housing and the cost and availability of child care remain barriers to opportunity for many working families in the northeast region. The story was reported by Wisconsin Watch’s Jacob Resneck as part of the NEW (Northeast Wisconsin) News Lab’s Families Matter project, which explores the barriers to sustainable family life in northeast Wisconsin. Originally published on June 7, 2023.
","summary":"A dearth of affordable housing and the cost and availability of child care remain barriers to opportunity for many working families in the northeast region","date_published":"2023-08-23T12:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/f7a8a15e-1087-41a8-8a1e-ece645b4ab1d.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":21835457,"duration_in_seconds":901}]},{"id":"b7e82b7f-657f-4fbd-99f3-b6e261231f2b","title":"Wisconsin students with disabilities often denied public school choices","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/wisconsin-public-schools-students-disabilities-options","content_text":"Public schools must serve all students living within their boundaries, including those needing special accommodations. But not all neighborhood schools are to meet the needs of students with disabilities, Mario Koran reports for Wisconsin Watch. The state’s biggest school choice program, open enrollment, allows students to apply to public schools outside of district boundaries. But those schools can limit or deny slots for out-of-district students with disabilities. Originally published on May 31, 2023.","content_html":"Public schools must serve all students living within their boundaries, including those needing special accommodations. But not all neighborhood schools are to meet the needs of students with disabilities, Mario Koran reports for Wisconsin Watch. The state’s biggest school choice program, open enrollment, allows students to apply to public schools outside of district boundaries. But those schools can limit or deny slots for out-of-district students with disabilities. Originally published on May 31, 2023.
","summary":"Wisconsin lets public schools reject applications of students with disabilities who seek transfers across district lines — a form of exclusion courts have upheld.","date_published":"2023-08-21T16:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/b7e82b7f-657f-4fbd-99f3-b6e261231f2b.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":31790649,"duration_in_seconds":1316}]},{"id":"076042dc-cfde-4e64-82e4-7c906acdda64","title":"‘Unwanted and unwelcome’: Anti-LGBTQ+ policies common at Wisconsin voucher schools","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/anti-lgbtq-policies-wisconsin-voucher-schools","content_text":"The story was reported by Wisconsin Watch’s Phoebe Petrovic as part of a series of stories about discrimination in taxpayer-funded schools.\nThe story focuses on Nat Werth, a gay student who was banned from delivering his valedictory speech in 2019 at Sheboygan Lutheran High School after officials discovered he planned to come out as gay during the speech. Reviewing the school’s current handbook, Werth says the school has beefed up its anti-LGBTQ+ policies. \nSaid Werth: “If I was a kid with gender dysphoria, or even, like, questioning how people refer to me using my pronouns or if I wanted to use a different name and I read this, if this was what the school provided to me, that would have been extremely traumatic.” Originally published on May 31, 2023.","content_html":"The story was reported by Wisconsin Watch’s Phoebe Petrovic as part of a series of stories about discrimination in taxpayer-funded schools.
\nThe story focuses on Nat Werth, a gay student who was banned from delivering his valedictory speech in 2019 at Sheboygan Lutheran High School after officials discovered he planned to come out as gay during the speech. Reviewing the school’s current handbook, Werth says the school has beefed up its anti-LGBTQ+ policies.
\nSaid Werth: “If I was a kid with gender dysphoria, or even, like, questioning how people refer to me using my pronouns or if I wanted to use a different name and I read this, if this was what the school provided to me, that would have been extremely traumatic.” Originally published on May 31, 2023.
Gov. Tony Evers in 2020 revived a plan to widen a 3.5-mile segment of the Interstate 94 East-West Freeway corridor in Milwaukee — calling it one of the state’s “most congested and dangerous roads.” But the highway cuts through the city, and opponents say the expansion will disproportionately disrupt Milwaukee's West Side neighborhoods that the highway shaped six decades ago, Jonmaesha Beltran reports for Wisconsin Watch’s News414 collaboration. Originally published on May 23, 2023.
","summary":"Milwaukeeans discuss potholes, noise pollution and public transit shortcomings as the Wisconsin Department of Transportation advances a $1.2 billion project to widen the I-94 East-West Freeway corridor.","date_published":"2023-08-21T15:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/d023bfa6-0a63-411b-b350-5dc16f6565bb.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":29056497,"duration_in_seconds":1202}]},{"id":"172fa0d2-7a60-4849-8b30-eec48a2aa5cb","title":"Federal, state law permit disability discrimination in Wisconsin voucher schools","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/federal-state-law-permit-disability-discrimination-in-wisconsin-voucher-schools","content_text":"The story was reported by Wisconsin Watch’s Phoebe Petrovic. This is Petrovic’s second story examining the laws and rules that allow publicly financed voucher schools to expel certain children for immutable characteristics, including having a disability or identifying as LGBTQ+. Originally published on May 20th, 2023.","content_html":"The story was reported by Wisconsin Watch’s Phoebe Petrovic. This is Petrovic’s second story examining the laws and rules that allow publicly financed voucher schools to expel certain children for immutable characteristics, including having a disability or identifying as LGBTQ+. Originally published on May 20th, 2023.
","summary":"The state Department of Public Instruction says it has no legal authority to force private taxpayer-funded schools to accommodate students with disabilities","date_published":"2023-06-22T16:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/172fa0d2-7a60-4849-8b30-eec48a2aa5cb.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":25529561,"duration_in_seconds":1055}]},{"id":"e734beed-adca-4f6f-b050-e6cb4802aa29","title":"Wisconsin eviction process: What happens to a tenant’s property?","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/wisconsin-eviction-process-what-happens-to-a-tenants-property","content_text":"In Milwaukee County, government and nonprofit officials have in recent years bolstered resources for eviction prevention, Jonmaesha Beltran reports for Wisconsin Watch. But little, if any, aid is available to help residents retain or reclaim their possessions following an eviction. Originally published on April 25th, 2023.","content_html":"In Milwaukee County, government and nonprofit officials have in recent years bolstered resources for eviction prevention, Jonmaesha Beltran reports for Wisconsin Watch. But little, if any, aid is available to help residents retain or reclaim their possessions following an eviction. Originally published on April 25th, 2023.
","summary":"What Milwaukee renters and those statewide should know about their possessions after an eviction.","date_published":"2023-06-22T16:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/e734beed-adca-4f6f-b050-e6cb4802aa29.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":12928045,"duration_in_seconds":530}]},{"id":"ea5e3833-7b2e-457c-9b6f-9289ad8e08e5","title":"Voting has gotten harder in Wisconsin. Organizers have found ways to help","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/voting-wisconsin-difficult-cast-ballot","content_text":"Wisconsin Watch's Matt Mencarini reports the story about how voting access in Wisconsin has plummeted compared with other states — from fourth best in 1996 to 47th in 2022. However voter turnout remains high because of the work of community groups such as Black Leaders Organizing Communities in Milwaukee. Originally published on May 2nd, 2023.","content_html":"Wisconsin Watch's Matt Mencarini reports the story about how voting access in Wisconsin has plummeted compared with other states — from fourth best in 1996 to 47th in 2022. However voter turnout remains high because of the work of community groups such as Black Leaders Organizing Communities in Milwaukee. Originally published on May 2nd, 2023.
","summary":"Two different research initiatives have documented the ways it’s now more difficult to vote in Wisconsin, from disparities in access to added barriers.","date_published":"2023-06-22T16:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/ea5e3833-7b2e-457c-9b6f-9289ad8e08e5.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":24935999,"duration_in_seconds":1030}]},{"id":"6578e764-ef0d-4b24-9477-5aa408e1ac53","title":"Wisconsin Republicans clear out projects stalled by secretive ‘pocket veto’","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/pocket-veto-wisconsin-republicans-defund-stalled-projects","content_text":"The story follows up on a Wisconsin Watch report from last month that highlighted the decades-old process of lawmakers making anonymous objections to agency funding requests and then not scheduling a public meeting to discuss the objection, something a legislative lawyer said might have violated state law. This story was reported by Wisconsin Watch's Jacob Resneck. Originally published on April 19, 2023.","content_html":"The story follows up on a Wisconsin Watch report from last month that highlighted the decades-old process of lawmakers making anonymous objections to agency funding requests and then not scheduling a public meeting to discuss the objection, something a legislative lawyer said might have violated state law. This story was reported by Wisconsin Watch's Jacob Resneck. Originally published on April 19, 2023.
","summary":"Gov. Tony Evers is considering next steps as conservation groups question legal authority of Legislature to block projects anonymously","date_published":"2023-06-19T14:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/6578e764-ef0d-4b24-9477-5aa408e1ac53.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":17754579,"duration_in_seconds":732}]},{"id":"8e0bc2e0-9771-484c-8a30-eaff55b596f3","title":"False choice: Wisconsin taxpayers support schools that can discriminate ","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/wisconsin-voucher-schools-discrimination-lgbtq-disabilities","content_text":"The story was reported by Wisconsin Watch’s Phoebe Petrovic, who reveals that voucher schools must accept students with disabilities and LGBTQ+ students for admission — but can expel them based on those same inherent qualities. A spokeswoman for the state Department of Public Instruction called the situation “unfortunate,” but said the agency is powerless to enforce anti-discrimination laws for students enrolled in voucher schools. Originally published on May 5th, 2023.","content_html":"The story was reported by Wisconsin Watch’s Phoebe Petrovic, who reveals that voucher schools must accept students with disabilities and LGBTQ+ students for admission — but can expel them based on those same inherent qualities. A spokeswoman for the state Department of Public Instruction called the situation “unfortunate,” but said the agency is powerless to enforce anti-discrimination laws for students enrolled in voucher schools. Originally published on May 5th, 2023.
","summary":"Dozens of voucher schools have policies that allow them to exclude LGBTQ+ students or those with disabilities. In many cases, it’s legal.","date_published":"2023-06-19T14:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/8e0bc2e0-9771-484c-8a30-eaff55b596f3.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":41585627,"duration_in_seconds":1724}]},{"id":"0270fa10-ef3c-4995-8e41-33bbb630103f","title":"Chinese prisoners: We were forced to make Milwaukee Tool gloves for cents each day","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/milwaukee-tool-gloves-chinese-prisoners","content_text":"Wisconsin Watch reporter Zhen Wang found evidence that prisoners in China’s central Hunan Province were forced to make Milwaukee Tool-branded work gloves under grueling conditions, earning pennies each day. A supplier for Milwaukee Tool subcontracted work to the prison, two former prisoners said in separate interviews conducted in Mandarin. A self-identified salesperson of the supplier told Wang it manufactured the majority of Milwaukee Tool’s work gloves. And regulatory filings confirm that the company was contracted to manufacture “Performance Gloves” for a subsidiary of Milwaukee Tool’s parent company. Originally published on May 4th, 2023.","content_html":"Wisconsin Watch reporter Zhen Wang found evidence that prisoners in China’s central Hunan Province were forced to make Milwaukee Tool-branded work gloves under grueling conditions, earning pennies each day. A supplier for Milwaukee Tool subcontracted work to the prison, two former prisoners said in separate interviews conducted in Mandarin. A self-identified salesperson of the supplier told Wang it manufactured the majority of Milwaukee Tool’s work gloves. And regulatory filings confirm that the company was contracted to manufacture “Performance Gloves” for a subsidiary of Milwaukee Tool’s parent company. Originally published on May 4th, 2023.
","summary":"Chishan prisoners report being forced to produce work gloves for the Brookfield, Wis.-based tool company, which did not answer specific questions.","date_published":"2023-06-19T14:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/0270fa10-ef3c-4995-8e41-33bbb630103f.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":34660731,"duration_in_seconds":1436}]},{"id":"82d9eb4a-c81b-4f2a-b0c4-eb319335ea6b","title":"Whistleblower claims Milwaukee doctor performed unneeded surgeries","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/whistleblower-milwaukee-doctor-scott-kamelle-unneeded-surgeries","content_text":"The story is based on documents filed with the state Department of Safety and Professional Services, federal court documents unsealed at the request of Wisconsin Watch, a patient complaint filed with Aurora St. Luke’s, and interviews with the whistleblowing surgeon and seven other doctors who worked with obstetric gynecological surgeon Dr. Scott Kamelle. Kamelle and the hospital declined comment except to say that the Milwaukee hospital’s review of Kamelle’s work found no fault with his performance. The federal false claims lawsuit naming Kamelle was withdrawn, and one DSPS complaint against him was dismissed. Another is pending. The story was reported by Wisconsin Watch’s Phoebe Petrovic. Originally published on April 24, 2023.","content_html":"The story is based on documents filed with the state Department of Safety and Professional Services, federal court documents unsealed at the request of Wisconsin Watch, a patient complaint filed with Aurora St. Luke’s, and interviews with the whistleblowing surgeon and seven other doctors who worked with obstetric gynecological surgeon Dr. Scott Kamelle. Kamelle and the hospital declined comment except to say that the Milwaukee hospital’s review of Kamelle’s work found no fault with his performance. The federal false claims lawsuit naming Kamelle was withdrawn, and one DSPS complaint against him was dismissed. Another is pending. The story was reported by Wisconsin Watch’s Phoebe Petrovic. Originally published on April 24, 2023.
","summary":"Complaint says Aurora St. Luke’s Dr. Scott Kamelle endangered patients — and drove up costs — with extra surgeries and a product not OK’d for internal use","date_published":"2023-06-02T12:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/82d9eb4a-c81b-4f2a-b0c4-eb319335ea6b.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":42904065,"duration_in_seconds":1780}]},{"id":"94f6801b-eba3-42f6-95f9-c99370b10e72","title":"Republicans can’t simply remove a Wisconsin Supreme Court justice","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/can-republicans-impeach-janet-protasiewicz-wisconsin-supreme-court","content_text":"A story dispelling the speculation that Republicans could simply remove Supreme Court justices because they disagree with their decisions. One way the Legislature could do so is impeachment, which only requires a majority of the Assembly and a two-thirds majority of the Senate, which Republicans have. However, impeachment is reserved for civil officers who commit crimes or acts of corruption. A justice could be removed for violations of judicial ethics under a separate constitutional provision called “address,” but that would require two-thirds of both chambers of the Legislature, which Republicans don’t have. Originally published on April 6, 2023.","content_html":"A story dispelling the speculation that Republicans could simply remove Supreme Court justices because they disagree with their decisions. One way the Legislature could do so is impeachment, which only requires a majority of the Assembly and a two-thirds majority of the Senate, which Republicans have. However, impeachment is reserved for civil officers who commit crimes or acts of corruption. A justice could be removed for violations of judicial ethics under a separate constitutional provision called “address,” but that would require two-thirds of both chambers of the Legislature, which Republicans don’t have. Originally published on April 6, 2023.
","summary":"Rep. Dan Knodl’s 8th Senate District victory gives Republicans a two-thirds Senate majority, creating speculation about whether they could impeach Justice-elect Janet Protasiewicz.","date_published":"2023-06-02T12:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/94f6801b-eba3-42f6-95f9-c99370b10e72.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":16960995,"duration_in_seconds":699}]},{"id":"876c4029-6e0b-4d11-aefa-02c332db35b9","title":"Why some Wisconsin residents with mental disabilities lose voting rights — and how they can restore them","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/wisconsin-residents-mental-disabilities-voting-rights","content_text":"Thousands of Wisconsinites have been “adjudicated incompetent” to vote under state laws designed to protect mentally incapacitated people from having someone else fill out their ballot, Zhen Wang of Wisconsin Watch reports. Disability rights advocates and legal experts disagree over whether — and to what extent — certain people with mental disabilities should lose their voting rights. Originally published on April 3rd, 2023.","content_html":"Thousands of Wisconsinites have been “adjudicated incompetent” to vote under state laws designed to protect mentally incapacitated people from having someone else fill out their ballot, Zhen Wang of Wisconsin Watch reports. Disability rights advocates and legal experts disagree over whether — and to what extent — certain people with mental disabilities should lose their voting rights. Originally published on April 3rd, 2023.
","summary":"In Wisconsin and most states, judges may determine someone is ‘incompetent’ to vote. Here’s what people with mental disabilities should know about their rights.","date_published":"2023-05-30T15:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/876c4029-6e0b-4d11-aefa-02c332db35b9.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":17793095,"duration_in_seconds":733}]},{"id":"e0ca14ed-581b-4780-bc46-37b1f5af6698","title":"Bill could help ‘innocent purchasers’ clean up contaminated Wisconsin land","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/bill-could-help-innocent-purchasers-clean-up-contaminated-wisconsin-land","content_text":"Previous legislative attempts to help innocent purchasers have fallen through, in large part due to lack of funding, Erin Gretzinger of Wisconsin Watch reports. But a bipartisan group of lawmakers has introduced a fresh bill— this time with new potential funding options. Separately, Gov. Tony Evers proposes to broaden eligibility for funding to individuals who can show they thoroughly investigated potential contamination before buying a property. Originally published on April 6, 2023.","content_html":"Previous legislative attempts to help innocent purchasers have fallen through, in large part due to lack of funding, Erin Gretzinger of Wisconsin Watch reports. But a bipartisan group of lawmakers has introduced a fresh bill— this time with new potential funding options. Separately, Gov. Tony Evers proposes to broaden eligibility for funding to individuals who can show they thoroughly investigated potential contamination before buying a property. Originally published on April 6, 2023.
","summary":"While previous bills have failed, backers offer new funding options that could pave the path forward.","date_published":"2023-05-30T15:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/e0ca14ed-581b-4780-bc46-37b1f5af6698.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":22377031,"duration_in_seconds":924}]},{"id":"c78cba09-dd73-492f-b295-25184963cd35","title":"Anti-trans ads favoring Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate Daniel Kelly peddle fear, false info","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/wisconsin-supreme-court-daniel-kelly-anti-trans-ads","content_text":"The story was reported by Wisconsin Watch’s Phoebe Petrovic. \nAmerican Principles Project PAC has poured at least $796,000 into digital advertisements and peer-to-peer messaging supporting Kelly, Petrovic found. The PAC has targeted trans people in elections nationwide for at least two years and fits into a much larger anti-trans movement. Originally published on March 31st, 2023.","content_html":"The story was reported by Wisconsin Watch’s Phoebe Petrovic.
\nAmerican Principles Project PAC has poured at least $796,000 into digital advertisements and peer-to-peer messaging supporting Kelly, Petrovic found. The PAC has targeted trans people in elections nationwide for at least two years and fits into a much larger anti-trans movement. Originally published on March 31st, 2023.
A story about the unprecedented amount of money being spent on next Tuesday’s Wisconsin Supreme Court race. The story notes the top 41 donors to Judge Janet Protasiewicz’s campaign each giving the maximum $20,000 gave more than the more than 25,000 donors who gave $50 or less. Meanwhile former Justice Daniel Kelly’s campaign only has about 3,800 donations of less than $50, yet his billionaire backers have given him an overall spending edge in the race. The story was reported by Wisconsin Watch’s Jacob Resneck. Originally published on April 1st, 2023.
","summary":"A few ultra-wealthy donors play an outsize role as liberal Janet Protasiewicz competes against conservative Daniel Kelly in the April 4 spring election.","date_published":"2023-05-23T14:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/5cd82c90-926f-4c79-936c-d2c14a0cc11b.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":25579455,"duration_in_seconds":1058}]},{"id":"86cd32c8-31b7-4b47-96e4-40edb601ca26","title":"Medical malpractice in Wisconsin: Could Supreme Court election change precedent?","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/16","content_text":"The story explains the role of precedent on the court through conflicting decisions related to the medical malpractice cap reported by Wisconsin Watch's Matt Mencarini.","content_html":"The story explains the role of precedent on the court through conflicting decisions related to the medical malpractice cap reported by Wisconsin Watch's Matt Mencarini.
","summary":"A liberal court once struck down caps on payouts to victims and then a conservative court upheld them. Would a liberal majority revisit the issue?","date_published":"2023-05-15T15:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/86cd32c8-31b7-4b47-96e4-40edb601ca26.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":17523253,"duration_in_seconds":722}]},{"id":"df2b212a-e965-46a8-b17c-6d54ac7e0fee","title":"Dane County election review finds dozens of ineligible voters who cast ballots","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/dane-county-election-review-finds-dozens-of-ineligible-voters-who-cast-ballots","content_text":"The story was reported by Wisconsin Watch’s Matthew DeFour, who is investigating gaps in the state’s process for ensuring that people deemed “incompetent” to vote by a court are removed from voting rolls. In this story, DeFour reports that Dane County has discovered 95 people who voted in recent years despite being on a state list of ineligible voters. DeFour also found two people who have voted multiple times who were unaware they were ineligible and are now seeking to restore their rights. Originally published on March 25th, 2023.","content_html":"The story was reported by Wisconsin Watch’s Matthew DeFour, who is investigating gaps in the state’s process for ensuring that people deemed “incompetent” to vote by a court are removed from voting rolls. In this story, DeFour reports that Dane County has discovered 95 people who voted in recent years despite being on a state list of ineligible voters. DeFour also found two people who have voted multiple times who were unaware they were ineligible and are now seeking to restore their rights. Originally published on March 25th, 2023.
","summary":"Small number of cases shows why election officials say Wisconsin’s disorganized system for tracking those adjudicated ‘incompetent’ to vote needs a legislative fix.","date_published":"2023-05-05T16:30:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/df2b212a-e965-46a8-b17c-6d54ac7e0fee.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":25391247,"duration_in_seconds":1051}]},{"id":"fd13c190-597f-45c2-a6a5-947b014f30f1","title":"Wisconsin Supreme Court’s ‘fractured opinions’ leave state without clear guidance","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/wisconsin-supreme-court-fractured-opinions","content_text":"A story reported by DeFour and Wisconsin Watch’s Matt Mencarini. DeFour’s package outlines how the court has become increasingly fractured in the past 20 years, even among justices who agree on the outcome of a case. That leaves an opening for a liberal majority — if Judge Janet Protasiewicz wins — to revisit previous cases. In the second story, DeFour and Mencarini explain the cases that liberals and conservatives say illustrates the “judicial activism” that both sides routinely rail against. Originally published on March 29th, 2023.","content_html":"A story reported by DeFour and Wisconsin Watch’s Matt Mencarini. DeFour’s package outlines how the court has become increasingly fractured in the past 20 years, even among justices who agree on the outcome of a case. That leaves an opening for a liberal majority — if Judge Janet Protasiewicz wins — to revisit previous cases. In the second story, DeFour and Mencarini explain the cases that liberals and conservatives say illustrates the “judicial activism” that both sides routinely rail against. Originally published on March 29th, 2023.
","summary":"Democrats hope if Janet Protasiewicz defeats Dan Kelly, past conservative decisions lacking a clear rationale will be easier for a liberal court to overturn","date_published":"2023-05-05T16:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/fd13c190-597f-45c2-a6a5-947b014f30f1.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":21581653,"duration_in_seconds":892}]},{"id":"378a9c7d-de25-4f55-a019-6061137320e4","title":"In Wisconsin Supreme Court race, ad spending for Kelly ekes past Protasiewicz after she led in ads 23-to-1","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/wisconsin-supreme-court-race-kelly-protasiewicz-ads","content_text":"The story was reported by Wisconsin Watch’s Phoebe Petrovic. Petrovic analyzed more than 400 ads in the three-week period between Feb. 22 and March 14, finding advertising that boosted Protasiewicz and blasted Kelly was running 23-to-1 against Kelly. But that changed in recent weeks, as outside groups poured money into the race with a flurry of new ads favoring Kelly, according to the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign. Originally published on March 28th, 2023.","content_html":"The story was reported by Wisconsin Watch’s Phoebe Petrovic. Petrovic analyzed more than 400 ads in the three-week period between Feb. 22 and March 14, finding advertising that boosted Protasiewicz and blasted Kelly was running 23-to-1 against Kelly. But that changed in recent weeks, as outside groups poured money into the race with a flurry of new ads favoring Kelly, according to the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign. Originally published on March 28th, 2023.
","summary":"Outside spending to boost former Supreme Court Justice Daniel Kelly now outpaces pro-Janet Protasiewicz spending as the April 4 election looms","date_published":"2023-05-05T16:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/378a9c7d-de25-4f55-a019-6061137320e4.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":26424885,"duration_in_seconds":1094}]},{"id":"71ee83fd-0bd3-4774-a3c6-ee57db8f4a77","title":" Can formerly incarcerated people legally vote in Wisconsin? It depends.","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/voting-rights-wisconsin-incarcaration-what-to-know","content_text":"Wisconsin automatically restores voting rights of people who have committed felonies once they are “off paper,” meaning they’ve finished probation, parole or extended supervision — a process that can last years, Jonmaesha Beltran reports for Wisconsin Watch. But many formerly incarcerated people don’t realize they can vote once their eligibility is restored, advocates told Beltran. Originally published on March 21st, 2023 .","content_html":"Wisconsin automatically restores voting rights of people who have committed felonies once they are “off paper,” meaning they’ve finished probation, parole or extended supervision — a process that can last years, Jonmaesha Beltran reports for Wisconsin Watch. But many formerly incarcerated people don’t realize they can vote once their eligibility is restored, advocates told Beltran. Originally published on March 21st, 2023 .
","summary":"What people with criminal convictions should know about voting rights in Wisconsin.","date_published":"2023-05-05T16:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/71ee83fd-0bd3-4774-a3c6-ee57db8f4a77.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":8508123,"duration_in_seconds":347}]},{"id":"cf591d56-467c-443c-8b18-55faa40a36c5","title":"‘There’s no transparency’: Secretive ‘pocket veto’ scuttles Wisconsin projects","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/theres-no-transparency-secretive-pocket-veto-scuttles-wisconsin-projects","content_text":"Wisconsin Watch's Jacob Resneck reports on a story about how the state’s Joint Finance Committee has increasingly used its secretive “pocket veto” to thwart land acquisitions and other state spending requests. The committee may be violating state law, but Gov. Tony Evers has been reluctant to challenge a process that has been in place for decades under both Republicans and Democrats. Originally published on March 11th, 2023.","content_html":"Wisconsin Watch's Jacob Resneck reports on a story about how the state’s Joint Finance Committee has increasingly used its secretive “pocket veto” to thwart land acquisitions and other state spending requests. The committee may be violating state law, but Gov. Tony Evers has been reluctant to challenge a process that has been in place for decades under both Republicans and Democrats. Originally published on March 11th, 2023.
","summary":"\r\nThe Joint Finance Committee has long allowed members to anonymously block projects, but some want to rein in its dubious practice of not holding hearings","date_published":"2023-04-25T16:30:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/cf591d56-467c-443c-8b18-55faa40a36c5.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":37619375,"duration_in_seconds":1560}]},{"id":"eb81a750-ae83-4ec5-9eff-91e13af8329e","title":"Why fish consumption advisories in Great Lakes states like Wisconsin carry their own risks","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/fish-consumption-advisories-great-lakes-wisconsin-risks","content_text":"A recent study highlighting the potential dangers of “forever chemicals” has raised questions about the health effects of consuming Great Lakes fish, Bennet Goldstein of Wisconsin Watch reports. But oversimplifying the risks and underplaying health benefits can have consequences for populations that rely heavily on eating fish — such as Ojibwe nations that center fish in their culture and traditions, experts told Goldstein. Originally published on March 14th, 2023.","content_html":"A recent study highlighting the potential dangers of “forever chemicals” has raised questions about the health effects of consuming Great Lakes fish, Bennet Goldstein of Wisconsin Watch reports. But oversimplifying the risks and underplaying health benefits can have consequences for populations that rely heavily on eating fish — such as Ojibwe nations that center fish in their culture and traditions, experts told Goldstein. Originally published on March 14th, 2023.
","summary":"Amid PFAS fears, oversimplified warnings could discourage residents from consuming a food central to Ojibwe lifeways.","date_published":"2023-04-25T16:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/eb81a750-ae83-4ec5-9eff-91e13af8329e.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":22964087,"duration_in_seconds":950}]},{"id":"fd815f55-0f33-4739-8c05-bfa114c30cd0","title":"‘Election integrity’ proposals do not address most common voting infraction in Wisconsin","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/election-integrity-voter-fraud-common-infraction-wisconsin","content_text":"A story in Wisconsin Watch's Democracy on the Ballot series in which Matt Mencarini reviewed every election fraud prosecution since 2012 and found not only a small number of cases, fewer than 200, but the majority of them are related to felons voting while still on probation. The Wisconsin Watch review also found racial disparities in election fraud cases are more pronounced than in the overarching criminal justice system. Originally published on March 9th, 2023.","content_html":"A story in Wisconsin Watch's Democracy on the Ballot series in which Matt Mencarini reviewed every election fraud prosecution since 2012 and found not only a small number of cases, fewer than 200, but the majority of them are related to felons voting while still on probation. The Wisconsin Watch review also found racial disparities in election fraud cases are more pronounced than in the overarching criminal justice system. Originally published on March 9th, 2023.
","summary":"Prosecutors charged just 192 people with election-related crimes since 2012, but more than half of the cases were related to felony probation status","date_published":"2023-04-25T16:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/fd815f55-0f33-4739-8c05-bfa114c30cd0.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":25932111,"duration_in_seconds":1073}]},{"id":"43c59369-829f-415c-b454-8d006779bd6b","title":"‘Driver’s licenses for all:’ Why some advocates call for expanding access in Wisconsin","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/wisconsin-drivers-license-expanding-access","content_text":"Immigrant advocacy groups have long pushed to repeal Wisconsin’s 16-year-old ban, saying doing so would expand the state’s tight labor force and boost public safety, reports Jonah Chester, a WPR reporter embedded in the Wisconsin Watch newsroom. Gov. Tony Evers’ budget would do just that, but the Republican-controlled Legislature is unlikely to advance the idea. Republicans say the spending plan shouldn’t include non-fiscal proposals that merit debate through standalone legislation. Originally published on March 16th, 2023.","content_html":"Immigrant advocacy groups have long pushed to repeal Wisconsin’s 16-year-old ban, saying doing so would expand the state’s tight labor force and boost public safety, reports Jonah Chester, a WPR reporter embedded in the Wisconsin Watch newsroom. Gov. Tony Evers’ budget would do just that, but the Republican-controlled Legislature is unlikely to advance the idea. Republicans say the spending plan shouldn’t include non-fiscal proposals that merit debate through standalone legislation. Originally published on March 16th, 2023.
","summary":"Wisconsin, which once provided a driver’s license pathway for residents who entered the country illegally, now leaves them with few safe options.","date_published":"2023-04-07T17:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/43c59369-829f-415c-b454-8d006779bd6b.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":27379157,"duration_in_seconds":1134}]},{"id":"d67eb357-6677-4a00-bc35-30a77ca7bc0b","title":"Great Lakes pollution threatens Ojibwe treaty rights to fish ","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/great-lakes-pollution-ojibwe-treaty-rights-to-fish","content_text":"Bennet Goldstein of Wisconsin Watch joined a fishing excursion in Lake Superior while reporting on the central role of fishing to the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and other Ojibwe communities in the Upper Midwest.\nStates spent a century disregarding or rejecting treaty rights — fining or arresting tribal citizens who exercised them, Goldstein reports. A series of court rulings, starting in 1971, would affirm their reserved rights within territory ceded to the United States, including the right to fish on Lake Superior. \nBut pollution in the Great Lakes — including hazardous PFAS chemicals — encroaches on how Ojibwe communities exercise their treaty rights, scholars and environmental advocates told Goldstein.\nTribes aim to fill regulatory vacuums through their own regulation and input they share on cross-government committees. They may get support from a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency proposal that elevates consideration of treaty rights when states set water quality regulations. Originally published on February 24th, 2023.","content_html":"Bennet Goldstein of Wisconsin Watch joined a fishing excursion in Lake Superior while reporting on the central role of fishing to the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and other Ojibwe communities in the Upper Midwest.
\nStates spent a century disregarding or rejecting treaty rights — fining or arresting tribal citizens who exercised them, Goldstein reports. A series of court rulings, starting in 1971, would affirm their reserved rights within territory ceded to the United States, including the right to fish on Lake Superior.
\nBut pollution in the Great Lakes — including hazardous PFAS chemicals — encroaches on how Ojibwe communities exercise their treaty rights, scholars and environmental advocates told Goldstein.
\nTribes aim to fill regulatory vacuums through their own regulation and input they share on cross-government committees. They may get support from a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency proposal that elevates consideration of treaty rights when states set water quality regulations. Originally published on February 24th, 2023.
Though long sought by environmental and health advocates as a way to make drinking water safer, the regulations may increase water rates in PFAS-contaminated communities as utilities upgrade filtration technology or drill for cleaner water sources, Bennet Goldstein of Wisconsin Watch reports. Originally published on March 15th, 2023.
","summary":"New federal limits on hazardous “forever chemicals” could mean cleaner, safer drinking water. But some residents may see higher utility bills.","date_published":"2023-04-07T16:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/0958c980-f637-45ee-913b-7f4a79f4c4e3.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":21884393,"duration_in_seconds":905}]},{"id":"143d2186-7889-439b-922a-9c6177c337c9","title":"Widespread sexual harassment draws discipline, resignations in Wisconsin police department","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/sexual-harassment-scandal-sheboygan-police-department","content_text":"The story was reported by Wisconsin Watch’s Phoebe Petrovic in collaboration with Sheboygan Press reporter Maya Hilty. In late 2022, Petrovic and Hilty obtained more than 200 pages from the three sexual harassment probes from 2021, which resulted in discipline and counseling for 12 male and female officers. The internal investigations started with complaints from two female officers that semi-nude photos had been taken and passed around the department without their consent. A third probe was launched after female trainees reported inappropriate behavior by a male training officer. A review of the records showed the department failed to use best practices in carrying out the series of internal investigations and that female officers were, in some ways, more harshly punished than their male colleagues. Originally published on February 6th, 2023.","content_html":"The story was reported by Wisconsin Watch’s Phoebe Petrovic in collaboration with Sheboygan Press reporter Maya Hilty. In late 2022, Petrovic and Hilty obtained more than 200 pages from the three sexual harassment probes from 2021, which resulted in discipline and counseling for 12 male and female officers. The internal investigations started with complaints from two female officers that semi-nude photos had been taken and passed around the department without their consent. A third probe was launched after female trainees reported inappropriate behavior by a male training officer. A review of the records showed the department failed to use best practices in carrying out the series of internal investigations and that female officers were, in some ways, more harshly punished than their male colleagues. Originally published on February 6th, 2023.
","summary":"Ten officers disciplined, female officers quit, city official resigns amid widespread sexual harassment in the Sheboygan Police Department","date_published":"2023-03-15T13:15:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/143d2186-7889-439b-922a-9c6177c337c9.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":47710254,"duration_in_seconds":1981}]},{"id":"6bf14e78-ef17-47d9-bcaa-08a9a212edab","title":"Top Sheboygan officials lacked key details on police department sexual harassment probes","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/top-sheboygan-officials-lacked-key-details-on-police-department-sexual-harassment-probes","content_text":"\"This is a followup story to the report from Feb. 6 that revealed for the first time that a dozen officers had been disciplined or verbally admonished over allegations of misconduct, including sharing semi-nude photos of their colleagues without their knowledge or permission. The city also had paid $110,000 to a female officer who alleged harassment. Details of the findings of the three internal investigations are here.\nOfficer Bryan Pray, who received the stiffest punishment — a 10-day unpaid suspension — resigned two days after that story was published. And the state Department of Workforce Development determined there was probable cause to believe that former HR Director Vicky Schneider was retaliated against by then-Sheboygan City Administrator Todd Wolf after she raised concerns about the thoroughness of the probes.\nThe story was reported by Sheboygan Press reporter Maya Hilty and Wisconsin Watch’s Phoebe Petrovic.\" Originally published on February 27th, 2023.","content_html":""This is a followup story to the report from Feb. 6 that revealed for the first time that a dozen officers had been disciplined or verbally admonished over allegations of misconduct, including sharing semi-nude photos of their colleagues without their knowledge or permission. The city also had paid $110,000 to a female officer who alleged harassment. Details of the findings of the three internal investigations are here.
\nOfficer Bryan Pray, who received the stiffest punishment — a 10-day unpaid suspension — resigned two days after that story was published. And the state Department of Workforce Development determined there was probable cause to believe that former HR Director Vicky Schneider was retaliated against by then-Sheboygan City Administrator Todd Wolf after she raised concerns about the thoroughness of the probes.
\nThe story was reported by Sheboygan Press reporter Maya Hilty and Wisconsin Watch’s Phoebe Petrovic." Originally published on February 27th, 2023.
Jonah Chester of WPR and Wisconsin Watch rides along with Curative Connections, which serves folks with disabilities and the elderly, including transporting them to medical appointments and other important stops in and around Green Bay. The nonprofit is part of a fractured transportation system for Brown County’s non-drivers, Chester reports. That includes Green Bay Metro’s traditional busing and door-to-door services in the metro area. Those services will become more important as Brown County’s population, like much of Wisconsin, increasingly skews older and less mobile. But a host of challenges threaten their viability — from driver shortages to decreasing revenue. Originally published on January 5th, 2023.
","summary":"Public transit systems and nonprofits face challenges in making transportation accessible to aging Wisconsinites and people with disabilities.","date_published":"2023-03-15T13:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/65282eea-bd7d-41a8-b343-7a185843c046.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":30531965,"duration_in_seconds":1266}]},{"id":"31942381-1dcc-4ba9-95b6-8f796902a2ba","title":"After rejecting staffing requests, Wisconsin Republicans approve DSPS audit","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/after-rejecting-staffing-requests-wisconsin-republicans-seek-to-audit-dsps","content_text":"\"The story was reported by Wisconsin Watch’s Matthew DeFour, who reveals that problems at the agency’s call center began before Gov. Tony Evers took office, yet GOP lawmakers have for at least four years rejected Evers’ calls to beef up staff at the agency to meet the needs of license applicants. \nIn 2022, Evers used federal pandemic relief funds to build up the DSPS call staff, but that money runs out in June. Meanwhile, the agency’s surplus — made up entirely of license fees — has ballooned to nearly $50 million, 10 times more than it was a decade ago.\" Originally published on February 7th, 2023.","content_html":""The story was reported by Wisconsin Watch’s Matthew DeFour, who reveals that problems at the agency’s call center began before Gov. Tony Evers took office, yet GOP lawmakers have for at least four years rejected Evers’ calls to beef up staff at the agency to meet the needs of license applicants.
\nIn 2022, Evers used federal pandemic relief funds to build up the DSPS call staff, but that money runs out in June. Meanwhile, the agency’s surplus — made up entirely of license fees — has ballooned to nearly $50 million, 10 times more than it was a decade ago." Originally published on February 7th, 2023.
In 2022, a small but well-organized Kiel citizens group pushed restrictions on library books, sought to block anti-racism training and helped flip the school board to a majority that criticized efforts for racial equity and LGBTQ rights. Political tensions boiled over when Kiel schools were forced shutter early due to bomb threats aimed at halting a probe into alleged transgender bullying.
\n\nBut moderates have since regained control of the school board, Wisconsin Watch's Mario Koran reports.
\nConcerns that the school board would oust popular Superintendent Brad Ebert spurred residents to pack a Jan. 4 meeting in which they supported Ebert and rebuked school board members. Facing the public outcry, the board unanimously voted to renew Ebert’s contract and two board members abruptly resigned.
Originally published on January 24th, 2023.
","summary":"Seven months after backlash to a transgender bullying investigation spurred bomb threats, moderates regain control of the school board in Kiel, Wisconsin.","date_published":"2023-03-02T12:00:00.000-05:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/7becad35-482b-4305-8e5b-3fd1d479508c.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":21068183,"duration_in_seconds":871}]},{"id":"1fb09afc-43e4-4886-a683-8ebee2f66a97","title":"In rural Wisconsin, former employees lift curtain on troubled crypto mine","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/crypto-mine-in-park-falls-wisconsin-creates-controversy-at-former-paper-mill","content_text":"Wisconsin Watch's Jacob Resneck and Zhen Wang report on a a story about a troubled cryptocurrency mining operation in Park Falls, Wisconsin. Two Chinese tech workers share a cramped motel room in a small northern Wisconsin town pondering their next move as they shell out $100 daily to keep out of the freezing temperatures. Lured by a Chinese company that recently built a cryptocurrency mine inside a former 19th century paper mill, the two skilled workers had come to the U.S. on a temporary business visa believing they had a long-term future helping a global firm establish a bitcoin mining operation in North America. Originally published on January 17th, 2023.","content_html":"Wisconsin Watch's Jacob Resneck and Zhen Wang report on a a story about a troubled cryptocurrency mining operation in Park Falls, Wisconsin. Two Chinese tech workers share a cramped motel room in a small northern Wisconsin town pondering their next move as they shell out $100 daily to keep out of the freezing temperatures. Lured by a Chinese company that recently built a cryptocurrency mine inside a former 19th century paper mill, the two skilled workers had come to the U.S. on a temporary business visa believing they had a long-term future helping a global firm establish a bitcoin mining operation in North America. Originally published on January 17th, 2023.
","summary":"An energy intensive Bitcoin mining operation in Park Falls can’t replace a once vibrant paper mill, but it has created new conflicts and a cautionary tale","date_published":"2023-02-08T15:00:00.000-05:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/1fb09afc-43e4-4886-a683-8ebee2f66a97.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":35561895,"duration_in_seconds":1475}]},{"id":"03407de7-3f4b-4356-84c8-f40c00ddf63a","title":"From ‘dream’ property to nightmare: Some Wisconsinites pay the price for pollution they didn’t cause","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/from-dream-property-to-nightmare-some-wisconsinites-pay-the-price-for-pollution-they-didnt-cause","content_text":"Wisconsin Watch’s Erin Gretzinger explores the saga of Zach Skrede, who bought a house on 20 acres that he later discovered was laden with discarded roofing material containing asbestos. Under the state’s “spills law,” anyone who “causes, possesses or controls” a hazardous substance discharge is liable for cleaning it up — meaning Skrede faced the prospect of a million-dollar cleanup for contamination he did not cause. Originally published on January 9th, 2023.","content_html":"Wisconsin Watch’s Erin Gretzinger explores the saga of Zach Skrede, who bought a house on 20 acres that he later discovered was laden with discarded roofing material containing asbestos. Under the state’s “spills law,” anyone who “causes, possesses or controls” a hazardous substance discharge is liable for cleaning it up — meaning Skrede faced the prospect of a million-dollar cleanup for contamination he did not cause. Originally published on January 9th, 2023.
","summary":"State lacks financial and legislative support to help so-called innocent buyers","date_published":"2023-02-08T15:00:00.000-05:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/03407de7-3f4b-4356-84c8-f40c00ddf63a.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":43418109,"duration_in_seconds":1803}]},{"id":"d33eed71-fde1-488f-8684-bf03f002efb7","title":"‘You’re treated like a criminal’: Wisconsin eyes fixes for emergency mental health system","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/youre-treated-like-a-criminal-wisconsin-eyes-fixes-for-emergency-mental-health-system","content_text":"Wisconsin Watch's Erin McGroarty reports on mental health crisis services in Wisconsin operating on a county-by-county basis, yielding wide disparities in care. Originally published on January 5th, 2023.","content_html":"Wisconsin Watch's Erin McGroarty reports on mental health crisis services in Wisconsin operating on a county-by-county basis, yielding wide disparities in care. Originally published on January 5th, 2023.
","summary":"Wisconsin should regionalize mental health crisis services, experts say. A legislative stalemate has stalled funding.","date_published":"2023-02-08T14:00:00.000-05:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/d33eed71-fde1-488f-8684-bf03f002efb7.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":23936269,"duration_in_seconds":991}]},{"id":"955dd9fa-bd74-4096-8223-b8ea7c03479d","title":"Pandemic support fading for 1 in 12 Wisconsinites who were food insecure","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/pandemic-support-fading-for-1-in-12-wisconsinites-who-were-food-insecure","content_text":"\"Wisconsin Watch’s Erin Gretzinger and other members of the University of Wisconsin-Madison investigative spring reporting class explore the history and state of hunger in Wisconsin, including the cumbersome government FoodShare program and efforts to increase the quality and accessibility of food through Wisconsin Watch's new series called 'Beyond Hunger'.\n\" Originally published on July 21st, 2022.","content_html":""Wisconsin Watch’s Erin Gretzinger and other members of the University of Wisconsin-Madison investigative spring reporting class explore the history and state of hunger in Wisconsin, including the cumbersome government FoodShare program and efforts to increase the quality and accessibility of food through Wisconsin Watch's new series called 'Beyond Hunger'.
\n" Originally published on July 21st, 2022.
Wisconsin Watch's Bennet Goldstein reports solutions regarding dealing with harmful PFAS increasingly being detected nationwide, including Wisconsin in a compregensive guide. Originally published on November 21st, 2022.
","summary":"A consumer guide for dealing with harmful PFAS being detected nationwide, including Wisconsin.","date_published":"2023-01-03T17:00:00.000-05:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/f884e376-96f8-4bf5-88ea-c8b075cb3a3f.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":20008315,"duration_in_seconds":828}]},{"id":"100002a5-9a12-4e10-8733-3e07db76ee80","title":"Evers beats Michels for Wisconsin governor; Johnson defeats Barnes in U.S. Senate race","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/election-day-2022-with-stakes-high-wisconsin-voters-go-to-the-polls","content_text":"Wisconsin Watch reports on Democratic Gov. Tony Evers beating Republican challenger Tim Michels, while GOP U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson wins re-election bid against Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes. Originally published on November 8th, 2022.","content_html":"Wisconsin Watch reports on Democratic Gov. Tony Evers beating Republican challenger Tim Michels, while GOP U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson wins re-election bid against Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes. Originally published on November 8th, 2022.
","summary":"Evers beats Michels for Wisconsin governor; Johnson defeats Barnes in U.S. Senate race","date_published":"2023-01-03T17:00:00.000-05:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/100002a5-9a12-4e10-8733-3e07db76ee80.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":15661573,"duration_in_seconds":647}]},{"id":"c46eef25-b2b2-4d03-b65e-a28a504be51e","title":"Security seals and documentation: The life cycle of Wisconsin election ballots","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/security-seals-and-documentation-the-life-cycle-of-wisconsin-election-ballots","content_text":"In our recent installment Democracy on the Ballot series, Wisconsin Watch's Matt Mencarini reports about the step-by-step process a ballot goes through from creation to the four to five minutes it spends with a voter to eventual destruction. The process with its checks and balances seems mundane but has become all the more important for the public to understand as disinformation about elections spreads. Originally published on November 4th, 2022.","content_html":"In our recent installment Democracy on the Ballot series, Wisconsin Watch's Matt Mencarini reports about the step-by-step process a ballot goes through from creation to the four to five minutes it spends with a voter to eventual destruction. The process with its checks and balances seems mundane but has become all the more important for the public to understand as disinformation about elections spreads. Originally published on November 4th, 2022.
","summary":"Voters spend just a few minutes to cast their votes, but their ballots will live much longer — and their paths before and after Election Day are carefully documented.","date_published":"2023-01-03T14:00:00.000-05:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/c46eef25-b2b2-4d03-b65e-a28a504be51e.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":25033543,"duration_in_seconds":1037}]},{"id":"b1666edb-603d-4133-9c37-bc32a4b71494","title":"Many in Wisconsin GOP drop ‘stop the steal’ talk, play up inflation, crime","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/many-in-wisconsin-gop-drop-stop-the-steal-talk-play-up-inflation-crime","content_text":"Wisconsin Watch reporter Matthew DeFour found that at least 22 Republicans with a good chance of winning their Assembly races have cast doubt on the 2020 election — with some even pushing to overturn the results. But as the 2022 midterm election draws near, most Republicans, especially in close races, aren’t even talking about “election integrity,” focusing instead on hot-button issues such as inflation and crime. Originally published on November 2nd, 2022.","content_html":"Wisconsin Watch reporter Matthew DeFour found that at least 22 Republicans with a good chance of winning their Assembly races have cast doubt on the 2020 election — with some even pushing to overturn the results. But as the 2022 midterm election draws near, most Republicans, especially in close races, aren’t even talking about “election integrity,” focusing instead on hot-button issues such as inflation and crime. Originally published on November 2nd, 2022.
","summary":"As they try to win enough seats for a supermajority to override a governor’s veto, most Republicans don’t even mention ‘election integrity’ on their websites","date_published":"2023-01-03T14:00:00.000-05:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/b1666edb-603d-4133-9c37-bc32a4b71494.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":25299069,"duration_in_seconds":1048}]},{"id":"4bb06463-3398-4d0a-a8db-2bf49fd3e28a","title":"Two couples sue former UW child abuse doctor for alleged misdiagnoses","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/two-couples-sue-former-uw-child-abuse-doctor-for-alleged-misdiagnoses","content_text":"Wisconsin Watch's Hope Karnopp continues our coverage of Dr. Barbara Knox who has now been sued for wrongful child abuse diagnoses by two sets of parents in Alaska, where she headed the state’s child abuse forensic clinic. Knox, who now works as a child abuse pediatrician at the University of Florida, was placed on administrative leave at the UW and Alaska CARES amid complaints from co-workers in both places of bullying. Originally pubished on August 27th, 2022.","content_html":"Wisconsin Watch's Hope Karnopp continues our coverage of Dr. Barbara Knox who has now been sued for wrongful child abuse diagnoses by two sets of parents in Alaska, where she headed the state’s child abuse forensic clinic. Knox, who now works as a child abuse pediatrician at the University of Florida, was placed on administrative leave at the UW and Alaska CARES amid complaints from co-workers in both places of bullying. Originally pubished on August 27th, 2022.
","summary":"Dr. Barbara Knox left Wisconsin and Alaska amid allegations of workplace bullying and wrongful diagnoses of child abuse; she now practices in Florida.","date_published":"2023-01-03T14:00:00.000-05:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/4bb06463-3398-4d0a-a8db-2bf49fd3e28a.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":29818157,"duration_in_seconds":1237}]},{"id":"a960b765-951d-462c-a7ad-03449c939cc9","title":"As Midwest summers get hotter, Milwaukee’s most at risk have an unmet need: air conditioning","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/as-midwest-summers-get-hotter-milwaukees-most-at-risk-have-an-unmet-need-air-conditioning","content_text":"Samantha McCabe, Wisconsin Watch’s News414 accountability reporting intern, reports that about 36,500 homes in the Milwaukee metro area lacked any air conditioning as of 2019. But Wisconsin’s main program for utility assistance focuses largely on heating aid during cold weather, and typically runs out of resources to offer assistance during heat waves. Reporting by Samantha McCabe. Originally published on August 23rd, 2022.","content_html":"Samantha McCabe, Wisconsin Watch’s News414 accountability reporting intern, reports that about 36,500 homes in the Milwaukee metro area lacked any air conditioning as of 2019. But Wisconsin’s main program for utility assistance focuses largely on heating aid during cold weather, and typically runs out of resources to offer assistance during heat waves. Reporting by Samantha McCabe. Originally published on August 23rd, 2022.
","summary":"Wisconsin’s primary energy aid program focuses mostly on winter heating, leaving few summer cooling options. A neighborhood community group is stepping up.","date_published":"2023-01-03T13:00:00.000-05:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/a960b765-951d-462c-a7ad-03449c939cc9.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":28641929,"duration_in_seconds":1188}]},{"id":"166c379a-386e-487f-bb65-7c904fcee3da","title":"Wisconsin’s 173-year-old ban allows only life-saving ‘therapeutic abortions.’ No one knows what that means.","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/wisconsins-173-year-old-ban-allows-only-life-saving-therapeutic-abortions-no-one-knows-what-that-means","content_text":"Wisconsin Watch's Phoebe Petrovic interviews doctors, health care facility operators and the Wisconsin Medical Society to determine what types of life-saving abortions would be allowed under Wisconsin's current abortion ban.The 1849 law was reinstated in June after the U.S. Supreme Court revoked the federally guaranteed constitutional right to an abortion. Reporting by Phoebe Petrovic. Originally published on 20, 2022.","content_html":"Wisconsin Watch's Phoebe Petrovic interviews doctors, health care facility operators and the Wisconsin Medical Society to determine what types of life-saving abortions would be allowed under Wisconsin's current abortion ban.The 1849 law was reinstated in June after the U.S. Supreme Court revoked the federally guaranteed constitutional right to an abortion. Reporting by Phoebe Petrovic. Originally published on 20, 2022.
","summary":"Physicians criticize the law as outdated, vague and severe. Health systems are scrambling to guide them on how to stay out of criminal trouble.","date_published":"2022-10-19T12:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/166c379a-386e-487f-bb65-7c904fcee3da.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":32304521,"duration_in_seconds":1341}]},{"id":"f89bcd5d-48db-4fb0-a66e-359aaae980d2","title":"‘I had to speak up’: Two Northwoods friends push Wisconsin DNR to protect lakeshore forests","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/i-had-to-speak-up-two-northwoods-friends-push-wisconsin-dnr-to-protect-lakeshore-forests","content_text":"Wisconsin Watch's tanka dhakal profiles John Schwarzmann, a retired state forester, and Ardis Berghoff, a writer in Vilas County. The two tree-loving friends are closely scrutinizing lakeshore logging operations and accuse the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources of violating its own water quality standards by logging too close to the shorelines of at least nine lakes. The DNR denies the accusations in a dispute that has played out in a series of audits of agency practices, dhakal reports. Reporting by tanka dhakal. Originally published on August 18, 2022.","content_html":"Wisconsin Watch's tanka dhakal profiles John Schwarzmann, a retired state forester, and Ardis Berghoff, a writer in Vilas County. The two tree-loving friends are closely scrutinizing lakeshore logging operations and accuse the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources of violating its own water quality standards by logging too close to the shorelines of at least nine lakes. The DNR denies the accusations in a dispute that has played out in a series of audits of agency practices, dhakal reports. Reporting by tanka dhakal. Originally published on August 18, 2022.
","summary":"A retired forester and a writer say the DNR allows logging perilously close to lakes. State officials disagree. Now the agency’s auditor is being audited.","date_published":"2022-10-18T17:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/f89bcd5d-48db-4fb0-a66e-359aaae980d2.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":27364680,"duration_in_seconds":1135}]},{"id":"be02781a-4652-4459-833a-44c862c7411e","title":"As universal free school meals end, are Wisconsin families ready for it?","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/thousands-of-eligible-wisconsin-voters-face-ballot-barriers-in-jail","content_text":"Wisconsin Watch’s Erin Gretzinger and Maddie Bergstrom examine the pandemic-era program providing free school meals to all students regardless of income — and why continuing the program may not be so easy in Wisconsin. This story is part of the Wisconsin Watch series \"Beyond Hunger.\" Reporting by Erin Gretzinger and Maddie Bergstrom. Originally published on August 4, 2022.","content_html":"Wisconsin Watch’s Erin Gretzinger and Maddie Bergstrom examine the pandemic-era program providing free school meals to all students regardless of income — and why continuing the program may not be so easy in Wisconsin. This story is part of the Wisconsin Watch series "Beyond Hunger." Reporting by Erin Gretzinger and Maddie Bergstrom. Originally published on August 4, 2022.
","summary":"Elected officials and advocates debate the fate of free school meals that provided relief to families during the pandemic.","date_published":"2022-10-18T17:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/be02781a-4652-4459-833a-44c862c7411e.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":27990201,"duration_in_seconds":1161}]},{"id":"bd9acdd8-59b9-4553-a2c7-7d0c289ac19b","title":"Federal food aid in Wisconsin has evolved, but users still face decades-old barriers","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/federal-food-aid-in-wisconsin-has-evolved-but-users-still-face-decades-old-barriers","content_text":"This story explores the history of federal food assistance and its potential future in Wisconsin. This story is part of the Wisconsin Watch series \"Beyond Hunger.\" Reporting by Sam Watson and Joey Prestley. Originally published on July 28th, 2022. ","content_html":"This story explores the history of federal food assistance and its potential future in Wisconsin. This story is part of the Wisconsin Watch series "Beyond Hunger." Reporting by Sam Watson and Joey Prestley. Originally published on July 28th, 2022.
","summary":"The former head of Wisconsin’s FoodShare program says qualifying for and maintaining food assistance is overly cumbersome for participants","date_published":"2022-09-13T15:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/bd9acdd8-59b9-4553-a2c7-7d0c289ac19b.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":34214415,"duration_in_seconds":1421}]},{"id":"ef685269-3edf-465d-a11c-da8a71a5c996","title":"15 years later, Wisconsin university’s massive Lake Michigan seawall frustrates downstream neighbors","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/15-years-later-wisconsin-universitys-massive-lake-michigan-seawall-frustrates-downstream-neighbors","content_text":"Wisconsin Watch’s Mario Koran examines the coastline near Mequon, where Concordia University Wisconsin built a massive $12 million seawall 15 years ago. Although the seawall protected the private institution, it has exacerbated erosion along neighboring property, leaving bitterness among neighbors. And new evidence shows that the wall has inflicted more damage than originally thought. Reporting by Mario Koran. Originally published on August 13, 2022.","content_html":"Wisconsin Watch’s Mario Koran examines the coastline near Mequon, where Concordia University Wisconsin built a massive $12 million seawall 15 years ago. Although the seawall protected the private institution, it has exacerbated erosion along neighboring property, leaving bitterness among neighbors. And new evidence shows that the wall has inflicted more damage than originally thought. Reporting by Mario Koran. Originally published on August 13, 2022.
","summary":"Erosion concerns and seawall feuds span the Great Lakes and the globe. Concordia University Wisconsin’s fortification has left neighbors bitter.","date_published":"2022-08-30T13:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/ef685269-3edf-465d-a11c-da8a71a5c996.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":22564441,"duration_in_seconds":935}]},{"id":"f6bf7f91-9824-4b05-b840-cd9af41aa971","title":"Oshkosh Defense sent a big contract to the non-union South. Will it keep future jobs in Wisconsin? ","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/oshkosh-defense-sent-a-big-contract-to-the-non-union-south-will-it-keep-future-jobs-in-wisconsin","content_text":"Wisconsin Watch reporter Jacob Resneck found that local governments and the state of Wisconsin have poured more than $70 million in taxpayer subsidies into Oshkosh Corp. and its defense subsidiary in recent years. Despite that, the company has sent more than 1,000 jobs south, where workers earn a fraction of what union laborers in Oshkosh’s Wisconsin plants earn. Reporting by Jacob Resneck. Originally published on August 6, 2022.","content_html":"Wisconsin Watch reporter Jacob Resneck found that local governments and the state of Wisconsin have poured more than $70 million in taxpayer subsidies into Oshkosh Corp. and its defense subsidiary in recent years. Despite that, the company has sent more than 1,000 jobs south, where workers earn a fraction of what union laborers in Oshkosh’s Wisconsin plants earn. Reporting by Jacob Resneck. Originally published on August 6, 2022.
","summary":"Despite tens of millions in state and local government incentives, the Wisconsin company is steering billions of dollars of work away from its namesake city.","date_published":"2022-08-30T13:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/f6bf7f91-9824-4b05-b840-cd9af41aa971.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":43030141,"duration_in_seconds":1788}]},{"id":"86e0d980-6f0e-4db1-89e0-46d1a99235cf","title":"‘When it’s rigid, it breaks’: How federal rules and market dominance fueled Wisconsin’s baby formula shortage","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/when-its-rigid-it-breaks-how-federal-rules-and-market-dominance-fueled-wisconsins-baby-formula-shortage","content_text":"Wisconsin Watch reporter Hope Karnopp explores how market consolidation and state contracting practices left Wisconsin and other states vulnerable to a baby formula shortage. The shortage affects parents of all backgrounds, but those who navigate formula purchases through state-administered Woman, Infants, and Children programs face particular challenges.\nReporting by Hope Karnopp / Wisconsin Watch. Originally published on July 2, 2022. ","content_html":"Wisconsin Watch reporter Hope Karnopp explores how market consolidation and state contracting practices left Wisconsin and other states vulnerable to a baby formula shortage. The shortage affects parents of all backgrounds, but those who navigate formula purchases through state-administered Woman, Infants, and Children programs face particular challenges.
\nReporting by Hope Karnopp / Wisconsin Watch. Originally published on July 2, 2022.
In our recent installment of "Living with Lyme," Wisconsin Watch reporter Zhen Wang explores the ongoing debate over whether patients can suffer long-term effects of Lyme disease — or whether the shifting symptoms are caused by something else. Wang profiles five Wisconsin women who all say they are suffering from chronic Lyme disease.
\nReporting by Zhen Wang / Wisconsin Watch. Originally published on June 9, 2022.
Wisconsin Watch reporter Phoebe Petrovic talks with two Wisconsin doctors who explain that in some cases abortions can be medically necessary because of how life-threatening conditions can develop or be exacerbated during pregnancy. Reporting by Phoebe Petrovic with Wisconsin Watch. Originally published on June 4, 2022.
","summary":"Life-threatening conditions can develop or be exacerbated during pregnancy — and childbirth itself is high risk for some patients, they say.","date_published":"2022-08-03T16:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/6572e4f2-e26a-4a87-8d32-a6d4caf4fe8e.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":12482557,"duration_in_seconds":516}]},{"id":"9820d2bf-2fe5-4392-a39c-c90c29dd1d4f","title":"Wisconsin faces a ‘tangled series’ of abortion laws dating back to 1849 as it heads into a possible post-Roe future","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/wisconsin-faces-a-tangled-series-of-abortion-laws-dating-back-to-1849-as-it-heads-into-a-possible-post-roe-future","content_text":"Top GOP lawmakers remain mum on plans if the constitutional right to an abortion is overturned — and state law banning nearly all abortions takes effect. \nReporting by Phoebe Petrovic with Wisconsin Watch. Originally published on June 4, 2022. ","content_html":"Top GOP lawmakers remain mum on plans if the constitutional right to an abortion is overturned — and state law banning nearly all abortions takes effect.
\nReporting by Phoebe Petrovic with Wisconsin Watch. Originally published on June 4, 2022.
This investigation by Wisconsin Watch reporter Brenda Wintrode details alleged screaming, bullying and unrealistic demands by supervisors in the Dane County Medical Examiner’s Office that employees say damaged their mental health and caused some to find work elsewhere. The two supervisors accused of bullying — Barry Irmen, operations director, and Dr. Agnieszka Rogalska, the chief medical examiner — denied the allegations.
\nReporting by Brenda Wintrode / Wisconsin Watch. Narrated by Wesley Lethem for Wisconsin Watch. Originally published on May 25, 2022.
More than 800 Afghan nationals have been resettled in Wisconsin — many of whom are highly skilled and educated but need to overcome barriers related to transportation, child care and language. Wisconsin Watch reporter Zhen Wang profiles one Green Bay-area man who has stepped up to help eight Afghan evacuees obtain their driver’s licenses, enroll in English classes and connect with job specialists.
\nReporting by Zhen Wang / Wisconsin Watch. Narration by Wesley Lethem. Originally published on May 5, 2022.
More than 800 Afghan nationals have been resettled in Wisconsin — many of whom are highly skilled and educated but need to overcome barriers related to transportation, child care and language. Wisconsin Watch reporter Zhen Wang profiles one Green Bay-area man who has stepped up to help eight Afghan evacuees obtain their driver’s licenses, enroll in English classes and connect with job specialists.
\nReporting by Zhen Wang / Wisconsin Watch. Narration by Wesley Lethem. Originally published on May 5, 2022.
Dakota Black and Joshua Gehde are in prison for homicide after former UW Dr. Barbara Knox accused them of inflicting abusive head trauma on children. They both insist they are innocent. In the latest installment of our series "Flawed Forensics," Wisconsin Watch reporter Brenda Wintrode investigates Knox's findings of "abusive head trauma" — a controversial diagnosis which one New Jersey judge recently described as “junk science.” Narrated by Wesley Lethem for Wisconsin Watch.
","summary":"Dakota Black and Joshua Gehde are in prison for homicide after former UW Dr. Barbara Knox accused them of inflicting abusive head trauma on children. They both insist they are innocent. In the latest installment of our series \"Flawed Forensics,\" Wisconsin Watch reporter Brenda Wintrode investigates Knox's findings of \"abusive head trauma\" — a controversial diagnosis which one New Jersey judge recently described as “junk science.” ","date_published":"2022-05-10T13:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/b9279924-fcf6-485e-a14b-0e9074a71d71.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":40985307,"duration_in_seconds":1704}]},{"id":"7c659189-f115-4d31-af37-3023d7e96d32","title":"‘Blurring of lines’: Private lawyer plays starring role in taxpayer-funded Wisconsin election probe","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/private-lawyer-plays-starring-role-in-taxpayer-funded-wisconsin-election-probe","content_text":"In this investigation by reporter Matt Mencarini, Wisconsin Watch examines the unofficial — but central — role played by the nonprofit Thomas More Society law firm and its attorney, Erick Kaardal, in the state investigation into Wisconsin’s 2020 presidential election. Narration by Wesley Lethem for Wisconsin Watch.","content_html":"In this investigation by reporter Matt Mencarini, Wisconsin Watch examines the unofficial — but central — role played by the nonprofit Thomas More Society law firm and its attorney, Erick Kaardal, in the state investigation into Wisconsin’s 2020 presidential election. Narration by Wesley Lethem for Wisconsin Watch.
","summary":"In this investigation by reporter Matt Mencarini, Wisconsin Watch examines the unofficial — but central — role played by the nonprofit Thomas More Society law firm and its attorney, Erick Kaardal, in the state investigation into Wisconsin’s 2020 presidential election. ","date_published":"2022-04-26T17:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/7c659189-f115-4d31-af37-3023d7e96d32.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":29461875,"duration_in_seconds":1224}]},{"id":"fee7d57e-af26-4df7-abc8-2ba28eae4acc","title":"‘We’ve got to get gaming out of our blood’: Pandemic shock pushes Wisconsin tribes to diversify economy","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/tribal-economy","content_text":"In this story by reporter Mario Koran, Wisconsin Watch takes a look at how Wisconsin tribes are contemplating a future beyond gaming after the pandemic showed a risk of overreliance on casinos. This story is part of a collaborative series, “At the Crossroads,\" from the Institute for Nonprofit News, Indian Country Today, Wisconsin Watch and eight other news partners, examining the state of the economy in Indian Country. Narrated by Wesley Lethem for Wisconsin Watch.","content_html":"In this story by reporter Mario Koran, Wisconsin Watch takes a look at how Wisconsin tribes are contemplating a future beyond gaming after the pandemic showed a risk of overreliance on casinos. This story is part of a collaborative series, “At the Crossroads," from the Institute for Nonprofit News, Indian Country Today, Wisconsin Watch and eight other news partners, examining the state of the economy in Indian Country. Narrated by Wesley Lethem for Wisconsin Watch.
","summary":"In this story by reporter Mario Koran, Wisconsin Watch takes a look at how Wisconsin tribes are contemplating a future beyond gaming after the pandemic showed a risk of overreliance on casinos. This story is part of a collaborative series, “At the Crossroads,\" from the Institute for Nonprofit News, Indian Country Today, Wisconsin Watch and eight other news partners, examining the state of the economy in Indian Country. ","date_published":"2022-04-20T13:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/fee7d57e-af26-4df7-abc8-2ba28eae4acc.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":41781944,"duration_in_seconds":1737}]},{"id":"5e11299b-fe3a-4e8f-b383-29a38a86dc68","title":"The history of Lyme disease has a Wisconsin chapter. It’s still being written.","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/the-history-of-lyme-disease-has-a-wisconsin-chapter-its-still-being-written","content_text":"In this latest installment of our series \"Living with Lyme\" Wisconsin Watch reporter Zhen Wang explores Wisconsin’s key role in the discovery and ongoing research into Lyme disease. Narrated by Wesley Lethem for Wisconsin Watch","content_html":"In this latest installment of our series "Living with Lyme" Wisconsin Watch reporter Zhen Wang explores Wisconsin’s key role in the discovery and ongoing research into Lyme disease. Narrated by Wesley Lethem for Wisconsin Watch
","summary":"In this latest installment of our series \"Living with Lyme\" Wisconsin Watch reporter Zhen Wang explores Wisconsin’s key role in the discovery and ongoing research into Lyme disease.","date_published":"2022-04-05T19:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/5e11299b-fe3a-4e8f-b383-29a38a86dc68.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":10011600,"duration_in_seconds":413}]},{"id":"2231480e-c914-4722-9621-3dd52fafb592","title":"Doctors debate, patients suffer: The fight over chronic Lyme disease in Wisconsin","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/doctors-debate-patients-suffer-the-fight-over-chronic-lyme-disease-in-wisconsin","content_text":"In this story, Wisconsin Watch reporter Zhen Wang profiles Maria Freitas, a woman who for years has suffered from joint pain, brain fog, fever and other maladies. Freitas attributes the symptoms to Lyme disease. But mainstream physicians insist she has rheumatoid arthritis — a diagnosis that she said does not explain many of her symptoms. It's part of Wisconsin Watch's series: \"Living with Lyme.\" Narrated by Wesley Lethem for Wisconsin Watch. Read the story at https://wisconsinwatch.org","content_html":"In this story, Wisconsin Watch reporter Zhen Wang profiles Maria Freitas, a woman who for years has suffered from joint pain, brain fog, fever and other maladies. Freitas attributes the symptoms to Lyme disease. But mainstream physicians insist she has rheumatoid arthritis — a diagnosis that she said does not explain many of her symptoms. It's part of Wisconsin Watch's series: "Living with Lyme." Narrated by Wesley Lethem for Wisconsin Watch. Read the story at https://wisconsinwatch.org
","summary":"In this story, Wisconsin Watch reporter Zhen Wang profiles Maria Freitas, a woman who for years has suffered from joint pain, brain fog, fever and other maladies. Freitas attributes the symptoms to Lyme disease. But mainstream physicians insist she has rheumatoid arthritis — a diagnosis that she said does not explain many of her symptoms. It's part of Wisconsin Watch's series: \"Living with Lyme.\"","date_published":"2022-03-28T16:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/2231480e-c914-4722-9621-3dd52fafb592.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":35408310,"duration_in_seconds":1472}]},{"id":"207fa923-372d-4e48-9506-9aa78269c61c","title":"‘I don’t know what will happen’: After months at Ft. McCoy Afghan family resettled in separate states","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/i-dont-know-what-will-happen-after-months-at-fort-mccoy-afghan-family-resettled-in-separate-states","content_text":"In this story, Wisconsin Watch reporter Zhen Wang profiles an Afghan evacuee family who was resettled in separate states after a months-long stay at Wisconsin’s Fort McCoy — illustrating major challenges within resettlement agencies to help evacuees start their new lives. The story follows the Nabizada family as they seek housing, jobs and food — while applying for permanent residency. Reported by Zhen Wang / Wisconsin Watch. Narrated by Wesley Lethem for Wisconsin Watch. Read more at wisconsinwatch.org","content_html":"In this story, Wisconsin Watch reporter Zhen Wang profiles an Afghan evacuee family who was resettled in separate states after a months-long stay at Wisconsin’s Fort McCoy — illustrating major challenges within resettlement agencies to help evacuees start their new lives. The story follows the Nabizada family as they seek housing, jobs and food — while applying for permanent residency. Reported by Zhen Wang / Wisconsin Watch. Narrated by Wesley Lethem for Wisconsin Watch. Read more at wisconsinwatch.org
","summary":"In this story, Wisconsin Watch reporter Zhen Wang profiles an Afghan evacuee family who was resettled in separate states after a months-long stay at Wisconsin’s Fort McCoy — illustrating major challenges within resettlement agencies to help evacuees start their new lives. The story follows the Nabizada family as they seek housing, jobs and food — while applying for permanent residency. ","date_published":"2022-03-16T17:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/207fa923-372d-4e48-9506-9aa78269c61c.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":32329670,"duration_in_seconds":1343}]},{"id":"6de8cc29-5c21-4534-bbe5-ac2d00979458","title":"Embattled former UW child abuse pediatrician resigns Alaska position","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/embattled-former-uw-child-abuse-pediatrician-resigns-alaska-position","content_text":"Wisconsin Watch brings you the latest news about former University of Wisconsin pediatrician, Dr. Barbara Knox. On Jan. 27th, Knox resigned from her position leading Alaska’s forensic child abuse clinic — days after Wisconsin Watch and the Anchorage Daily News reported on a couple who lost custody of their two young children after Knox wrongly diagnosed their 3-week-old baby as being abused. Reporting by Michelle Theriault Boots / Anchorage Daily News and Brenda Wintrode / Wisconsin Watch. Narration by Wesley Lethem. Originally published Jan. 28, 2022 on www.wisconsinwatch.org","content_html":"Wisconsin Watch brings you the latest news about former University of Wisconsin pediatrician, Dr. Barbara Knox. On Jan. 27th, Knox resigned from her position leading Alaska’s forensic child abuse clinic — days after Wisconsin Watch and the Anchorage Daily News reported on a couple who lost custody of their two young children after Knox wrongly diagnosed their 3-week-old baby as being abused. Reporting by Michelle Theriault Boots / Anchorage Daily News and Brenda Wintrode / Wisconsin Watch. Narration by Wesley Lethem. Originally published Jan. 28, 2022 on www.wisconsinwatch.org
","summary":"Wisconsin Watch brings you the latest news about former University of Wisconsin pediatrician, Dr. Barbara Knox. On Jan. 27th, Knox resigned from her position leading Alaska’s forensic child abuse clinic — days after Wisconsin Watch and the Anchorage Daily News reported on a couple who lost custody of their two young children after Knox wrongly diagnosed their 3-week-old baby as being abused.","date_published":"2022-02-01T18:00:00.000-05:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/6de8cc29-5c21-4534-bbe5-ac2d00979458.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":10789102,"duration_in_seconds":446}]},{"id":"a70ba67d-4bf6-4e0f-a285-eada87bb4a13","title":"‘We were robbed’: Alaska couple loses custody of kids after erroneous abuse diagnosis from former UW doctor","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/alaska-couple-loses-custody-of-kids-after-erroneous-abuse-diagnosis-from-former-uw-doc","content_text":"In our latest installment from our series \"Flawed Forensics,\" we feature a Fairbanks, Alaska, couple accused of abusing their 3-week-old daughter, prompting authorities to remove baby Izabel and her 18-month-old brother Ezekiel from their parents. Experts hired by Emilly and Justin Acker found former University of Wisconsin child abuse pediatrician Dr. Barbara Knox’s diagnosis of abusive head trauma was wrong and ignored Izabel’s serious birth injuries. A forensic psychologist found Emily Acker no danger to her children — and a judge agreed. Reporting by Brenda Wintrode / Wisconsin Watch and Michelle Theriault Boots / Anchorage Daily News. Narration by Wesley Lethem. Originally published Jan. 20, 2022 at www.wisconsinwatch.org","content_html":"In our latest installment from our series "Flawed Forensics," we feature a Fairbanks, Alaska, couple accused of abusing their 3-week-old daughter, prompting authorities to remove baby Izabel and her 18-month-old brother Ezekiel from their parents. Experts hired by Emilly and Justin Acker found former University of Wisconsin child abuse pediatrician Dr. Barbara Knox’s diagnosis of abusive head trauma was wrong and ignored Izabel’s serious birth injuries. A forensic psychologist found Emily Acker no danger to her children — and a judge agreed. Reporting by Brenda Wintrode / Wisconsin Watch and Michelle Theriault Boots / Anchorage Daily News. Narration by Wesley Lethem. Originally published Jan. 20, 2022 at www.wisconsinwatch.org
","summary":"In our latest installment from our series \"Flawed Forensics,\" we feature a Fairbanks, Alaska, couple accused of abusing their 3-week-old daughter, prompting authorities to remove baby Izabel and her 18-month-old brother Ezekiel from their parents. Experts hired by Emilly and Justin Acker found former University of Wisconsin child abuse pediatrician Dr. Barbara Knox’s diagnosis of abusive head trauma was wrong and ignored Izabel’s serious birth injuries. A forensic psychologist found Emily Acker no danger to her children — and a judge agreed.","date_published":"2022-02-01T15:00:00.000-05:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/a70ba67d-4bf6-4e0f-a285-eada87bb4a13.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":28822796,"duration_in_seconds":1197}]},{"id":"e2e84747-05db-4874-b568-28401de355bb","title":"Wisconsin debates cash bail changes in wake of Waukesha parade tragedy — as some states ditch system entirely","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/wisconsin-debates-cash-bail-changes-in-wake-of-waukesha-parade-tragedy","content_text":"Wisconsin Watch brings you a story about a revived debate surrounding cash bail after Darrell E. Brooks was released from jail while facing charges related to domestic violence — just days before he allegedly drove through a Christmas parade in Waukesha, Wisconsin, killing six people and injuring dozens. Somewhat lost in the debate involving the rights of the accused and protecting the public, Reporter Clare Amari finds: The cash bail system in Wisconsin wasn’t created to protect public safety — only to ensure the accused’s appearance at the next court date. Narration by Wesley Lethem for Wisconsin Watch. Originally published Jan. 18, 2022 at www.wisconsinwatch.org","content_html":"Wisconsin Watch brings you a story about a revived debate surrounding cash bail after Darrell E. Brooks was released from jail while facing charges related to domestic violence — just days before he allegedly drove through a Christmas parade in Waukesha, Wisconsin, killing six people and injuring dozens. Somewhat lost in the debate involving the rights of the accused and protecting the public, Reporter Clare Amari finds: The cash bail system in Wisconsin wasn’t created to protect public safety — only to ensure the accused’s appearance at the next court date. Narration by Wesley Lethem for Wisconsin Watch. Originally published Jan. 18, 2022 at www.wisconsinwatch.org
","summary":"Wisconsin Watch brings you a story about a revived debate surrounding cash bail after Darrell E. Brooks was released from jail while facing charges related to domestic violence — just days before he allegedly drove through a Christmas parade in Waukesha, Wisconsin, killing six people and injuring dozens. ","date_published":"2022-01-26T18:45:00.000-05:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/e2e84747-05db-4874-b568-28401de355bb.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":26227668,"duration_in_seconds":1089}]},{"id":"d1854c39-2ac2-4fd7-991e-492c03536080","title":"MATC broadens access for Milwaukee students amid historical inequities, dropping enrollment","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/matc-broadens-access-for-milwaukee-students-amid-historical-inequities-dropping-enrollment","content_text":"Wisconsin Watch reporter Mario Koran explores how Milwaukee Area Technical College offers free tuition, debt forgiveness and early credit to make college more affordable and more available to a diverse student population. Narration by Wesley Lethem for Wisconsin Watch. Originally published Dec. 15, 2021 on wwww.wisconsinwatch.org","content_html":"Wisconsin Watch reporter Mario Koran explores how Milwaukee Area Technical College offers free tuition, debt forgiveness and early credit to make college more affordable and more available to a diverse student population. Narration by Wesley Lethem for Wisconsin Watch. Originally published Dec. 15, 2021 on wwww.wisconsinwatch.org
","summary":"Wisconsin Watch reporter Mario Koran explores how Milwaukee Area Technical College offers free tuition, debt forgiveness and early credit to make college more affordable and more available to a diverse student population.","date_published":"2022-01-11T14:00:00.000-05:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/d1854c39-2ac2-4fd7-991e-492c03536080.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":34989786,"duration_in_seconds":1455}]},{"id":"fd59d675-f9fd-4dd7-ad4f-af4c0bbf9b93","title":"‘This is a charade’: GOP senator, voting experts urge Wisconsin Republicans to halt election attacks","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/gop-senator-voting-experts-urge-wisconsin-republicans-to-halt-election-attacks","content_text":"Wisconsin Watch reports on how Senator Kathleen Bernier, the majority caucus vice chair, urged members of her own party to halt their attempts to discredit the bipartisan Wisconsin Elections Commission they created, while also calling on former Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman to finish his partisan review of the election soon. Reporting by Brenda Wintrode and Jim Malewitz / Wisconsin Watch. Narration by Wesley Lethem for Wisconsin Watch. Originally published Dec. 13, 2021 on wisconsinwatch.org.","content_html":"Wisconsin Watch reports on how Senator Kathleen Bernier, the majority caucus vice chair, urged members of her own party to halt their attempts to discredit the bipartisan Wisconsin Elections Commission they created, while also calling on former Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman to finish his partisan review of the election soon. Reporting by Brenda Wintrode and Jim Malewitz / Wisconsin Watch. Narration by Wesley Lethem for Wisconsin Watch. Originally published Dec. 13, 2021 on wisconsinwatch.org.
","summary":"Wisconsin Watch reports on how Senator Kathleen Bernier, the majority caucus vice chair, urged members of her own party to halt their attempts to discredit the bipartisan Wisconsin Elections Commission they created, while also calling on former Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman to finish his partisan review of the election soon.","date_published":"2022-01-07T17:00:00.000-05:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/fd59d675-f9fd-4dd7-ad4f-af4c0bbf9b93.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":15489944,"duration_in_seconds":642}]},{"id":"bca1792a-2ab8-4daf-84ec-d4052ebecb5b","title":"Wisconsin state parks battered as Lake Michigan shrinks beaches, smashes boardwalks","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/wisconsin-state-parks-battered-as-lake-michigan-shrinks-beaches-smashes-boardwalks","content_text":"In the third installment from Wisconsin Watch's series \"Imperiled Shores,\" reporter Mario Koran explores a fundamental question facing the state Department of Natural Resources: Preserve parkland affected by rising lake levels or let nature take its course? Reported by Mario Koran / Wisconsin Watch & WPR. Narrated by Wesley Lethem for Wisconsin Watch. Originally published on wisconsinwatch.org on Dec. 9, 2021. ","content_html":"In the third installment from Wisconsin Watch's series "Imperiled Shores," reporter Mario Koran explores a fundamental question facing the state Department of Natural Resources: Preserve parkland affected by rising lake levels or let nature take its course? Reported by Mario Koran / Wisconsin Watch & WPR. Narrated by Wesley Lethem for Wisconsin Watch. Originally published on wisconsinwatch.org on Dec. 9, 2021.
","summary":"In the third installment from Wisconsin Watch's series \"Imperiled Shores,\" reporter Mario Koran explores a fundamental question facing the state Department of Natural Resources: Preserve parkland affected by rising lake levels or let nature take its course? ","date_published":"2022-01-03T17:00:00.000-05:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/bca1792a-2ab8-4daf-84ec-d4052ebecb5b.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":21566075,"duration_in_seconds":895}]},{"id":"41893cb9-d2bb-47f5-b709-f46cb8ae2111","title":"Wisconsin caregiver spent eight years, $250,000 in legal bills to exonerate herself from abuse charges","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/wisconsin-caregiver-spent-eight-years-250000-in-legal-bills-to-exonerate-herself-from-abuse-charges","content_text":"In this report, Wisconsin Watch presents a story about a Mauston, Wisconsin child care provider who was subjected to a lengthy and expensive ordeal to clear her name after she was wrongfully accused of child abuse by Dr. Barbara Knox. The story is the latest installment of our investigation into the former University of Wisconsin pediatrician whose controversial diagnoses of child abuse continue to reverberate for innocent caregivers and parents in southern Wisconsin. Reported by Brenda Wintrode / Wisconsin Watch. Narrated by Wesley Lethem for Wisconsin Watch. Originally published on wisconsinwatch.org on Dec. 4, 2021. ","content_html":"In this report, Wisconsin Watch presents a story about a Mauston, Wisconsin child care provider who was subjected to a lengthy and expensive ordeal to clear her name after she was wrongfully accused of child abuse by Dr. Barbara Knox. The story is the latest installment of our investigation into the former University of Wisconsin pediatrician whose controversial diagnoses of child abuse continue to reverberate for innocent caregivers and parents in southern Wisconsin. Reported by Brenda Wintrode / Wisconsin Watch. Narrated by Wesley Lethem for Wisconsin Watch. Originally published on wisconsinwatch.org on Dec. 4, 2021.
","summary":"In this report, Wisconsin Watch presents a story about a Mauston, Wisconsin child care provider who was subjected to a lengthy and expensive ordeal to clear her name after she was wrongfully accused of child abuse by Dr. Barbara Knox. The story is the latest installment of our investigation into the former University of Wisconsin pediatrician whose controversial diagnoses of child abuse continue to reverberate for innocent caregivers and parents in southern Wisconsin.","date_published":"2022-01-03T16:00:00.000-05:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/41893cb9-d2bb-47f5-b709-f46cb8ae2111.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":20772981,"duration_in_seconds":863}]},{"id":"367f328c-e669-4f4e-bf9e-ae569cd70374","title":"Child abuse cases sparked by Dr. Barbara Knox rejected by Wisconsin judge, jury and prosecutor","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/child-abuse-cases-sparked-by-dr-barbara-knox-rejected","content_text":"In this episode of our \"Flawed Forensics\" series, Wisconsin Watch explores how the criminal justice system has repeatedly rebuffed the medical opinions of the former University of Wisconsin child abuse pediatrician Dr. Barbara Knox, and tells the stories of families who were affected by her misdiagnosis of child abuse. Reporting by Brenda Wintrode / Wisconsin Watch. Narration by Wesley Lethem. Originally published Dec. 2, 2021 on www.wisconsinwatch.org","content_html":"In this episode of our "Flawed Forensics" series, Wisconsin Watch explores how the criminal justice system has repeatedly rebuffed the medical opinions of the former University of Wisconsin child abuse pediatrician Dr. Barbara Knox, and tells the stories of families who were affected by her misdiagnosis of child abuse. Reporting by Brenda Wintrode / Wisconsin Watch. Narration by Wesley Lethem. Originally published Dec. 2, 2021 on www.wisconsinwatch.org
","summary":"In this episode of our \"Flawed Forensics\" series, Wisconsin Watch explores how the criminal justice system has repeatedly rebuffed the medical opinions of the former University of Wisconsin child abuse pediatrician Dr. Barbara Knox, and tells the stories of families who were affected by her misdiagnosis of child abuse.","date_published":"2021-12-15T15:00:00.000-05:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/367f328c-e669-4f4e-bf9e-ae569cd70374.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":19954059,"duration_in_seconds":829}]},{"id":"40e7cfd2-5c1d-484f-b2dd-20a9da5a68f9","title":"Parents recount terror of wrongful child abuse diagnoses from former University of Wisconsin doctor","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/parents-recount-terror-of-wrongful-child-abuse-diagnoses-from-former-university-of-wisconsin-doctor","content_text":"In the latest installment of our \"Flawed Forensics\" series, Wisconsin Watch tells the story of seven Wisconsin families that faced child abuse investigations triggered by University of Wisconsin child abuse pediatrician Dr. Barbara Knox — suspicions later rejected by other doctors, police and child welfare officials. Reporting by Brenda Wintrode / Wisconsin Watch. Narration by Wesley Lethem for Wisconsin Watch. Originally published at www.wisconsinwatch.org on Nov. 27, 2021.","content_html":"In the latest installment of our "Flawed Forensics" series, Wisconsin Watch tells the story of seven Wisconsin families that faced child abuse investigations triggered by University of Wisconsin child abuse pediatrician Dr. Barbara Knox — suspicions later rejected by other doctors, police and child welfare officials. Reporting by Brenda Wintrode / Wisconsin Watch. Narration by Wesley Lethem for Wisconsin Watch. Originally published at www.wisconsinwatch.org on Nov. 27, 2021.
","summary":"In the latest installment of our \"Flawed Forensics\" series, Wisconsin Watch tells the story of seven Wisconsin families that faced child abuse investigations triggered by University of Wisconsin child abuse pediatrician Dr. Barbara Knox — suspicions later rejected by other doctors, police and child welfare officials.","date_published":"2021-12-10T16:00:00.000-05:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/40e7cfd2-5c1d-484f-b2dd-20a9da5a68f9.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":32436398,"duration_in_seconds":1349}]},{"id":"b090ff44-3849-4909-adaa-c4fa2d5cb09c","title":"Mass exodus at Alaska child abuse clinic as former Wisconsin doctor accused of bullying, misdiagnoses","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/mass-exodus-at-alaska-child-abuse-clinic-as-former-wisconsin-doctor-accused-of-bullying-misdiagnoses","content_text":"In this addition to our series \"Flawed Forensics,\" Wisconsin Watch tells more of the story of Dr. Barbara Knox. Two years after leaving the University of Wisconsin amid allegations of workplace bullying, the former top child abuse pediatrician is drawing similar scrutiny at her new job in Alaska. Reporting by Brenda Wintrode / Wisconsin Watch and Michelle Theriault Boots / Anchorage Daily News. Narration by Wesley Lethem. Story originally published Nov. 15, 2021 at wisconsinwatch.org.","content_html":"In this addition to our series "Flawed Forensics," Wisconsin Watch tells more of the story of Dr. Barbara Knox. Two years after leaving the University of Wisconsin amid allegations of workplace bullying, the former top child abuse pediatrician is drawing similar scrutiny at her new job in Alaska. Reporting by Brenda Wintrode / Wisconsin Watch and Michelle Theriault Boots / Anchorage Daily News. Narration by Wesley Lethem. Story originally published Nov. 15, 2021 at wisconsinwatch.org.
","summary":"In this addition to our series \"Flawed Forensics,\" Wisconsin Watch tells more of the story of Dr. Barbara Knox. Two years after leaving the University of Wisconsin amid allegations of workplace bullying, the former top child abuse pediatrician is drawing similar scrutiny at her new job in Alaska.","date_published":"2021-11-30T18:00:00.000-05:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/b090ff44-3849-4909-adaa-c4fa2d5cb09c.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":25281504,"duration_in_seconds":1051}]},{"id":"670724f8-1454-42f0-b74e-4929add9d457","title":"Jury rejects child abuse charge triggered by former University of Wisconsin doctor","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/jury-rejects-child-abuse-charge-triggered-by-former-university-of-wisconsin-doctor","content_text":"Wisconsin Watch brings you a story exploring how a declaration of ‘obvious child abuse’ leveled at a child care provider by a former University of Wisconsin pediatrician fell apart after a five-day trial that centered on the controversial diagnosis of abusive head trauma. The story focuses on Dr. Barbara Knox, who left Wisconsin in 2019 under a cloud of controversy. It is part of our series \"Flawed Forensics\" and was originally published Nov. 13, 2021. Reporting by Dee J. Hall / Wisconsin Watch. Narration by Wesley Lethem.","content_html":"Wisconsin Watch brings you a story exploring how a declaration of ‘obvious child abuse’ leveled at a child care provider by a former University of Wisconsin pediatrician fell apart after a five-day trial that centered on the controversial diagnosis of abusive head trauma. The story focuses on Dr. Barbara Knox, who left Wisconsin in 2019 under a cloud of controversy. It is part of our series "Flawed Forensics" and was originally published Nov. 13, 2021. Reporting by Dee J. Hall / Wisconsin Watch. Narration by Wesley Lethem.
","summary":"Wisconsin Watch brings you a story exploring how a declaration of ‘obvious child abuse’ leveled at a child care provider by a former University of Wisconsin pediatrician fell apart after a five-day trial that centered on the controversial diagnosis of abusive head trauma. The story focuses on Dr. Barbara Knox, who left Wisconsin in 2019 under a cloud of controversy. It is part of our series \"Flawed Forensics.\"","date_published":"2021-11-23T10:00:00.000-05:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/670724f8-1454-42f0-b74e-4929add9d457.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":16513391,"duration_in_seconds":685}]},{"id":"74f00a86-8224-483b-abaa-f0dcbf5fdc58","title":"As Lake Michigan shoreline vanishes, Wisconsinites try to fight waves with walls","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/as-lake-michigan-shoreline-vanishes-wisconsinites-fight-waves-with-walls","content_text":"Wisconsin Watch brings you a story exploring how Great Lakes shorelines have seen a surge in barriers built to slow lakefront erosion. But such structures are temporary and may harm downstream beaches. This story is part of the series Imperiled Shores and was reported by Wisconsin Watch's Mario Koran. It was originally published Nov. 4, 2021. Narration by Wesley Lethem.","content_html":"Wisconsin Watch brings you a story exploring how Great Lakes shorelines have seen a surge in barriers built to slow lakefront erosion. But such structures are temporary and may harm downstream beaches. This story is part of the series Imperiled Shores and was reported by Wisconsin Watch's Mario Koran. It was originally published Nov. 4, 2021. Narration by Wesley Lethem.
","summary":"Wisconsin Watch brings you a story exploring how Great Lakes shorelines have seen a surge in barriers built to slow lakefront erosion. But such structures are temporary and may harm downstream beaches. \r\n","date_published":"2021-11-16T17:00:00.000-05:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/74f00a86-8224-483b-abaa-f0dcbf5fdc58.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":36083295,"duration_in_seconds":1501}]},{"id":"843310dc-8583-45ec-acf4-42a0b31a3e1e","title":"‘The water always wins’: Calls to protect shorelines as volatile Lake Michigan inflicts heavy toll","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/calls-to-protect-shorelines-as-volatile-lake-michigan-inflicts-heavy-toll","content_text":"Great Lakes shorelines have seen a surge in barriers built to slow lakefront erosion. But such structures are temporary and may harm downstream beaches. This story is part of the series \"Imperiled Shores.\" Reporting by Mario Koran. Originally published Oct. 30, 2021. Narration by Wesley Lethem.","content_html":"Great Lakes shorelines have seen a surge in barriers built to slow lakefront erosion. But such structures are temporary and may harm downstream beaches. This story is part of the series "Imperiled Shores." Reporting by Mario Koran. Originally published Oct. 30, 2021. Narration by Wesley Lethem.
","summary":"Wisconsin’s Great Lakes communities expect to spend $245 million in five years to protect shorelines as a climate ‘tug of war’ drives extreme shifts in water levels.","date_published":"2021-11-11T15:00:00.000-05:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/843310dc-8583-45ec-acf4-42a0b31a3e1e.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":32214005,"duration_in_seconds":1340}]},{"id":"933a64c8-e2f3-4cd8-800e-332b15795b2e","title":"Wisconsin imprisons 1 in 36 Black adults. No state has a higher rate","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/wisconsin-imprisons-1-in-36-black-adults-no-state-has-a-higher-rate","content_text":"Wisconsin has the shameful distinction of locking up 1 in every 36 Black adults in the state, the highest rate in the country. A Sentencing Project report confirms the state’s deep racial disparities in incarceration, which one advocate calls ‘a slap in the face.’ Reporting by Clare Amari / Wisconsin Watch. Originally published on Oct 13. 2021. Narration by Wesley Lethem.","content_html":"Wisconsin has the shameful distinction of locking up 1 in every 36 Black adults in the state, the highest rate in the country. A Sentencing Project report confirms the state’s deep racial disparities in incarceration, which one advocate calls ‘a slap in the face.’ Reporting by Clare Amari / Wisconsin Watch. Originally published on Oct 13. 2021. Narration by Wesley Lethem.
","summary":"Wisconsin has the shameful distinction of locking up 1 in every 36 Black adults in the state, the highest rate in the country. A Sentencing Project report confirms the state’s deep racial disparities in incarceration, which one advocate calls ‘a slap in the face.’","date_published":"2021-11-11T15:00:00.000-05:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/933a64c8-e2f3-4cd8-800e-332b15795b2e.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":18631601,"duration_in_seconds":774}]},{"id":"17f38523-f2dd-46e7-adf9-4697e002a766","title":"‘Something has to be done’: Living along Madison’s Starkweather Creek, one of Wisconsin’s most polluted waterways.","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/starkweather-creek-one-of-wisconsins-most-pfas-polluted-waterways","content_text":"Wisconsin Watch brings you a story that examines the latest contaminants of concern in a local waterway in Madison, Wisconsin: PFAS -- hazardous chemicals which are being flagged across Wisconsin for their properties as \"forever chemicals.\" Original reporting by Isaac Wasserman / Wisconsin Watch. Story originally published Oct. 7, 2021.","content_html":"Wisconsin Watch brings you a story that examines the latest contaminants of concern in a local waterway in Madison, Wisconsin: PFAS -- hazardous chemicals which are being flagged across Wisconsin for their properties as "forever chemicals." Original reporting by Isaac Wasserman / Wisconsin Watch. Story originally published Oct. 7, 2021.
","summary":"Wisconsin Watch brings you a story that examines the latest contaminants of concern in a local waterway in Madison, Wisconsin: PFAS -- hazardous chemicals which are being flagged across Wisconsin for their properties as \"forever chemicals.\"","date_published":"2021-10-14T17:15:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/17f38523-f2dd-46e7-adf9-4697e002a766.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":15978562,"duration_in_seconds":664}]},{"id":"1b04974c-fade-4609-9606-5bb8bc372493","title":"‘It’s criminal’: Milwaukeeans call for speedier lead pipeline removal to cut childhood poisoning","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/its-criminal-milwaukeeans-call-for-speedier-lead-pipeline-removal-to-cut-childhood-poisoning","content_text":"Replacing all Milwaukee lead service lines would take 70 years at current pace. Meanwhile, Wisconsin home lead investigations rarely test water amid focus on paint. Reporting by Diana Butsko / Wisconsin Watch. Originally published Sept. 9, 2021.","content_html":"Replacing all Milwaukee lead service lines would take 70 years at current pace. Meanwhile, Wisconsin home lead investigations rarely test water amid focus on paint. Reporting by Diana Butsko / Wisconsin Watch. Originally published Sept. 9, 2021.
","summary":"Replacing all Milwaukee lead service lines would take 70 years at current pace. Meanwhile, Wisconsin home lead investigations rarely test water amid focus on paint.","date_published":"2021-10-12T18:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/1b04974c-fade-4609-9606-5bb8bc372493.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":35676925,"duration_in_seconds":1485}]},{"id":"1117004a-8abd-489b-8615-27ab942d1875","title":"A national debt: Should government compensate for slavery and racism?","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/should-government-compensate-for-slavery-and-racism","content_text":"Evanston, Illinois is compensating victims of housing discrimination. Big questions remain about whether and how reparations should be handled. Reporting by Molly Carmichael and Martha Daniels / Wisconsin Watch. Originally published on Oct. 2, 2021.","content_html":"Evanston, Illinois is compensating victims of housing discrimination. Big questions remain about whether and how reparations should be handled. Reporting by Molly Carmichael and Martha Daniels / Wisconsin Watch. Originally published on Oct. 2, 2021.
","summary":"Evanston, Illinois is compensating victims of housing discrimination. Big questions remain about whether and how reparations should be handled.","date_published":"2021-10-12T17:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/1117004a-8abd-489b-8615-27ab942d1875.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":23886650,"duration_in_seconds":994}]},{"id":"b68f211f-b45e-45a9-bbea-62d7293bd2f5","title":"Wisconsin schools called police on students at twice the national rate — for Native students, it was the highest","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/wisconsin-schools-called-police-on-students-at-twice-the-national-rate","content_text":"Wisconsin Watch brings you a story that examines how school officials refer thousands of children to the police each year. And in Wisconsin, children with disabilities or who are Black, Latino or Native bear the brunt of it. Reporting by Corey Mitchell, Joe Yerardi and Susan Ferriss / Center for Public Integrity, Clare Amari / Wisconsin Watch, Angelica Euseary and Robert Chappell / Madison365.","content_html":"Wisconsin Watch brings you a story that examines how school officials refer thousands of children to the police each year. And in Wisconsin, children with disabilities or who are Black, Latino or Native bear the brunt of it. Reporting by Corey Mitchell, Joe Yerardi and Susan Ferriss / Center for Public Integrity, Clare Amari / Wisconsin Watch, Angelica Euseary and Robert Chappell / Madison365.
","summary":"School officials refer thousands of children to the police each year. In Wisconsin, children with disabilities or who are Black, Latino or Native bear the brunt of it.","date_published":"2021-10-07T10:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/b68f211f-b45e-45a9-bbea-62d7293bd2f5.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":36543802,"duration_in_seconds":1521}]},{"id":"050fc57d-f028-4e5a-a8b2-2a76f745e48f","title":"Spurred by Flint crisis, Eau Claire aims to eliminate lead pipelines","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/spurred-by-flint-crisis-eau-claire-aims-to-eliminate-lead-pipelines","content_text":"Eau Claire, Wis., wants to remove all of their lead service lines by 2023. In meeting that goal, they would join Madison and Green Bay on a list of Wisconsin cities that have rid their water systems of lead service lines, which typically consist of both utility-owned and privately owned portions. Reporting by Madeline Fuerstenberg / Wisconsin Watch. Story originally published Sept. 9, 2021.","content_html":"Eau Claire, Wis., wants to remove all of their lead service lines by 2023. In meeting that goal, they would join Madison and Green Bay on a list of Wisconsin cities that have rid their water systems of lead service lines, which typically consist of both utility-owned and privately owned portions. Reporting by Madeline Fuerstenberg / Wisconsin Watch. Story originally published Sept. 9, 2021.
","summary":"The city of Eau Claire, Wis., finds success in canvassing neighborhoods, encouraging residents to schedule service line inspections. Residents typically pay nothing under the grant-funded program.\r\n","date_published":"2021-09-29T12:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/050fc57d-f028-4e5a-a8b2-2a76f745e48f.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":11212326,"duration_in_seconds":466}]},{"id":"384b8699-8fe9-433d-ad56-683713f5552d","title":"Many long-term care staff in Wisconsin reject vaccine, despite risks","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/many-long-term-care-staff-in-wisconsin-reject-vaccine","content_text":"Increasingly, health care facilities in Wisconsin and around the country require their employees to be vaccinated. Yet in long-term care facilities such as nursing homes — where residents are highly susceptible to severe illness and death from COVID-19 — some workers refuse the shot. Reporting by Madeline Fuerstenberg / Wisconsin Watch. ","content_html":"Increasingly, health care facilities in Wisconsin and around the country require their employees to be vaccinated. Yet in long-term care facilities such as nursing homes — where residents are highly susceptible to severe illness and death from COVID-19 — some workers refuse the shot. Reporting by Madeline Fuerstenberg / Wisconsin Watch.
","summary":"Suspicion, right to control health care, create clash between some long-term care workers and vaccine mandates to protect the vulnerable residents they serve","date_published":"2021-09-29T12:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/384b8699-8fe9-433d-ad56-683713f5552d.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":17560474,"duration_in_seconds":730}]},{"id":"ab263229-330f-419c-903d-2dd4dcf317d1","title":"‘Skipping the middleman’: Defendants faced shifting demands in Outagamie County judge’s one-man drug court","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/skipping-the-middleman-defendants-faced-shifting-demands-in-outagamie-county-judges-one-man-drug-court","content_text":"Drug and alcohol courts allow defendants to minimize punishment if they remain sober, receive treatment for substance abuse and participate in a structured program. Outagamie County Circuit Judge Vincent Biskupic created a similar arrangement with defendants with a key difference: The defendants were answerable only to Biskupic, who set no date for the supervision to end. The atypical arrangement meant longer punishments for some who failed to meet shifting demands. \n\nReporting by Mario Koran, Phoebe Petrovic, Madeline Fuerstenberg and Jack Kelly / Wisconsin Watch and WPR. This piece was produced for the NEW News Lab, a local news collaboration in Northeast Wisconsin. Story originally published on Aug. 28, 2021.","content_html":"Drug and alcohol courts allow defendants to minimize punishment if they remain sober, receive treatment for substance abuse and participate in a structured program. Outagamie County Circuit Judge Vincent Biskupic created a similar arrangement with defendants with a key difference: The defendants were answerable only to Biskupic, who set no date for the supervision to end. The atypical arrangement meant longer punishments for some who failed to meet shifting demands.
\n\nReporting by Mario Koran, Phoebe Petrovic, Madeline Fuerstenberg and Jack Kelly / Wisconsin Watch and WPR. This piece was produced for the NEW News Lab, a local news collaboration in Northeast Wisconsin. Story originally published on Aug. 28, 2021.
","summary":"A judge says his method met a need, but the self-styled program lacked structure and meant longer punishments for some.","date_published":"2021-09-29T11:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/ab263229-330f-419c-903d-2dd4dcf317d1.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":39248817,"duration_in_seconds":1634}]},{"id":"524a0221-24ed-4a1f-957b-d3ce203ca3a6","title":"Raising Wisconsin’s minimum wage would significantly cut poverty. So why is it still $7.25?","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/minimum-wage","content_text":"Workers like Olivia McKnight, a full-time Popeyes employee and mother of three, often struggle to get by even on wages above the federal minimum of $7.25, and those low-wage workers are disproportionately people of color. In Wisconsin, where the racial wealth and income gaps are some of the greatest in the nation, many feel raising the minimum is long overdue. Now, Democrats in the state are proposing a hike to $15 per hour for minimum wage workers, but face daunting political opposition from business interests and their Republican colleagues.\n\nReporting by Molly Davis and Gretchen Gerlach. Originally published July 20th, 2021.","content_html":"Workers like Olivia McKnight, a full-time Popeyes employee and mother of three, often struggle to get by even on wages above the federal minimum of $7.25, and those low-wage workers are disproportionately people of color. In Wisconsin, where the racial wealth and income gaps are some of the greatest in the nation, many feel raising the minimum is long overdue. Now, Democrats in the state are proposing a hike to $15 per hour for minimum wage workers, but face daunting political opposition from business interests and their Republican colleagues.
\n\nReporting by Molly Davis and Gretchen Gerlach. Originally published July 20th, 2021.
","summary":"Thousands of residents in Wisconsin — many of them people of color — would see a higher standard of living if politicians raised the long-stalled minimum wage.","date_published":"2021-08-31T14:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/524a0221-24ed-4a1f-957b-d3ce203ca3a6.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":23842103,"duration_in_seconds":992}]},{"id":"00b1ea3f-2147-4302-8514-3fd11acde728","title":"Wisconsin cities look to basic income to close racial, other wealth gaps","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/basic-income","content_text":"Cities across the country, including three in Wisconsin, are piloting basic income programs for residents. The goal: to better understand how providing money with no strings attached can help families turn their financial lives around. Some of these experiments show promising first results, and point to a possible solution to wealth disparities along racial and other lines. But public support for the programs isn't easy to drum up, and exploratory programs are short-lived. Will the trend toward providing guaranteed income to residents continue?\n\nReporting by Harrison Freuck and Zhen Wang. Originally published August 14th, 2021.","content_html":"Cities across the country, including three in Wisconsin, are piloting basic income programs for residents. The goal: to better understand how providing money with no strings attached can help families turn their financial lives around. Some of these experiments show promising first results, and point to a possible solution to wealth disparities along racial and other lines. But public support for the programs isn't easy to drum up, and exploratory programs are short-lived. Will the trend toward providing guaranteed income to residents continue?
\n\nReporting by Harrison Freuck and Zhen Wang. Originally published August 14th, 2021.
","summary":"Following the lead of presidential candidate Andrew Yang, cities in Wisconsin and elsewhere are providing residents a basic income. Will the trend grow?","date_published":"2021-08-31T14:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/00b1ea3f-2147-4302-8514-3fd11acde728.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":37449440,"duration_in_seconds":1559}]},{"id":"d07b4296-0439-4cd8-830d-eeaef271c0a7","title":"Could ‘baby bonds’ close Wisconsin’s racial wealth gap?","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/baby-bonds","content_text":"A program of Wisconsin's Ho-Chunk Nation grants members large sums of money upon reaching adulthood — often allowing young adults to get a leg up in their financial lives. Similar programs, known as \"baby bonds,\" have been floated in recent years as a possible solution to racial wealth gaps. Could it work?\n\nReporting by Ben Baker and Zhen Wang. Originally published August 5, 2021.","content_html":"A program of Wisconsin's Ho-Chunk Nation grants members large sums of money upon reaching adulthood — often allowing young adults to get a leg up in their financial lives. Similar programs, known as "baby bonds," have been floated in recent years as a possible solution to racial wealth gaps. Could it work?
\n\nReporting by Ben Baker and Zhen Wang. Originally published August 5, 2021.
","summary":"Setting aside government money at birth for all children has been tried both inside and outside of the United States — and even in Wisconsin. Not everyone is a fan.","date_published":"2021-08-17T14:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/d07b4296-0439-4cd8-830d-eeaef271c0a7.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":27642391,"duration_in_seconds":1151}]},{"id":"5054b3b4-8942-4807-957a-83dc82cfb9a6","title":"Judge’s rigorous collection of court-ordered debt atypical in Wisconsin — even in his own county","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/court-ordered-debt-collection","content_text":"Over the past seven years, in at least 52 cases involving 46 defendants, Biskupic has used “review hearings” to either monitor a defendant’s behavior or to pressure them to pay court-ordered financial obligations. In at least one case, he went as far as ordering additional jailtime for the failure to pay overdue debts — a tactic the Wisconsin Supreme Court has warned could be unconstitutional. \n\nReporting by Jack Kelly, Phoebe Petrovic, Mario Koran and Madeline Fuerstenberg in partnership with WPR. Originally published July 31st, 2021.","content_html":"Over the past seven years, in at least 52 cases involving 46 defendants, Biskupic has used “review hearings” to either monitor a defendant’s behavior or to pressure them to pay court-ordered financial obligations. In at least one case, he went as far as ordering additional jailtime for the failure to pay overdue debts — a tactic the Wisconsin Supreme Court has warned could be unconstitutional.
\n\nReporting by Jack Kelly, Phoebe Petrovic, Mario Koran and Madeline Fuerstenberg in partnership with WPR. Originally published July 31st, 2021.
","summary":"Outagamie County Circuit Judge Vincent Biskupic has held dozens of review hearings stretching over years to push defendants to pay overdue court costs","date_published":"2021-08-17T13:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/5054b3b4-8942-4807-957a-83dc82cfb9a6.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":22132978,"duration_in_seconds":921}]},{"id":"978270bf-6702-432e-99e0-3c0f6017214d","title":"‘Why do you keep harassing me?’: An Outagamie County judge controls defendants after sentencing","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/outagami-county-judge-controls-defendents","content_text":"Chris Kartsounes had heard enough of Outagamie County Circuit Judge Vincent Biskupic’s demands. In May 2017, at his sixth hearing after having already been sentenced — when a case would normally be over — Kartsounes lost his cool. \n\n“I’m tired of this, your honor,” he said. “I’ve served my time. I’ve done everything I’m supposed to do ... Why do you keep harassing me?” he asked, firing profanities at the judge. ","content_html":"Chris Kartsounes had heard enough of Outagamie County Circuit Judge Vincent Biskupic’s demands. In May 2017, at his sixth hearing after having already been sentenced — when a case would normally be over — Kartsounes lost his cool.
\n\n“I’m tired of this, your honor,” he said. “I’ve served my time. I’ve done everything I’m supposed to do ... Why do you keep harassing me?” he asked, firing profanities at the judge.
","summary":"A Wisconsin Watch and WPR analysis shows Judge Vincent Biskupic is the top user of this ‘de facto’ probation, which raises questions of judicial authority — and fairness","date_published":"2021-08-03T17:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/978270bf-6702-432e-99e0-3c0f6017214d.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":49380733,"duration_in_seconds":2057}]},{"id":"d110a459-7db5-464f-9eff-37d8b8b02d43","title":"Man decries lengthy ‘de facto probation’ in Outagamie County","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/lengthy-de-facto-probation","content_text":"Jammes’ case was among 31 such cases between 2014 and 2020 in which a Wisconsin Watch investigation found Biskupic offered to stay or furlough defendants’ jail time if they complied with his conditions.","content_html":"Jammes’ case was among 31 such cases between 2014 and 2020 in which a Wisconsin Watch investigation found Biskupic offered to stay or furlough defendants’ jail time if they complied with his conditions.
","summary":"Beau Jammes filed a complaint against Judge Vincent Biskupic, arguing that being subject to the judge’s scrutiny for months was ‘illegal’ — and unhelpful","date_published":"2021-08-03T17:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/d110a459-7db5-464f-9eff-37d8b8b02d43.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":35313484,"duration_in_seconds":1470}]},{"id":"f6bddc26-7fe5-4311-8957-84b588b41c4e","title":"Homeownership gap for people of color in Wisconsin is wide; communities, nonprofits try to close it","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/homeownership-gap-poc","content_text":"To Greg Lewis, the home was beautiful. Cozy and inviting, the two-bedroom house in Milwaukee had a finished basement, two and a half car garage, an attached apartment and a yard. \n\nHe had his eyes set on it for 42 days, only to learn that the appraisal, or valuation of the property, was lower than he expected. Lewis thought it was going to be about $100,000, as another house on the same block sold for $130,000. Yet the appraisal only came in at $90,000 — meaning banks would be limited in how much they could lend him to buy the home. ","content_html":"To Greg Lewis, the home was beautiful. Cozy and inviting, the two-bedroom house in Milwaukee had a finished basement, two and a half car garage, an attached apartment and a yard.
\n\nHe had his eyes set on it for 42 days, only to learn that the appraisal, or valuation of the property, was lower than he expected. Lewis thought it was going to be about $100,000, as another house on the same block sold for $130,000. Yet the appraisal only came in at $90,000 — meaning banks would be limited in how much they could lend him to buy the home.
","summary":"Historical redlining, racial covenants and modern-day barriers including lower incomes keep most residents of color in Wisconsin from owning homes","date_published":"2021-08-03T17:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/f6bddc26-7fe5-4311-8957-84b588b41c4e.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":19536387,"duration_in_seconds":813}]},{"id":"17327743-05ac-43ff-b6e5-ecd384c7c08b","title":"FEMA offers generous funeral aid to those grieving COVID-19 deaths. Getting it isn’t easy.","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/fema-funeral-aid","content_text":"Shenora Staten-Jordan felt lost when her father, Gary Lee Staten, died of COVID-19 in May. She hadn’t expected to lose him so soon at age 61 — or for a contagious disease to hinder her goodbye. \n\nAll of that only strengthened her Milwaukee family’s wishes to give Staten — a beloved father and grandfather who spent 30-plus years serving Milwaukee Public Schools — the type of homegoing service he deserved, she said.","content_html":"Shenora Staten-Jordan felt lost when her father, Gary Lee Staten, died of COVID-19 in May. She hadn’t expected to lose him so soon at age 61 — or for a contagious disease to hinder her goodbye.
\n\nAll of that only strengthened her Milwaukee family’s wishes to give Staten — a beloved father and grandfather who spent 30-plus years serving Milwaukee Public Schools — the type of homegoing service he deserved, she said.
","summary":"Applicants complain of confusing bureaucracy and long waits as the agency handles thousands of applications over the phone. A Milwaukee woman details her struggle to connect.","date_published":"2021-07-13T14:30:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/17327743-05ac-43ff-b6e5-ecd384c7c08b.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":21050176,"duration_in_seconds":876}]},{"id":"7e4d5aeb-990a-4b01-b285-45377eefb043","title":"The CDC eviction moratorium may end. What does that mean for Wisconsin?","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/cdc-eviction-may-end","content_text":"A federal judge on Wednesday tossed out the federal eviction moratorium, which could make it easier for landlords to kick out tenants behind in rent.","content_html":"A federal judge on Wednesday tossed out the federal eviction moratorium, which could make it easier for landlords to kick out tenants behind in rent.
","summary":"A federal judge on Wednesday tossed out the federal eviction moratorium, making it easier for landlords to kick out tenants behind in rent. Here are some things you should know.","date_published":"2021-06-28T15:15:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/7e4d5aeb-990a-4b01-b285-45377eefb043.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":11580381,"duration_in_seconds":482}]},{"id":"6d01de59-2809-4932-9984-d7b8ddc13d7a","title":"Cow manure predicted to cause most sickness from contaminated wells in Kewaunee County","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/kewaunee-county-contaminated-wells","content_text":"The No. 1 factor for acute gastrointestinal illness in Kewaunee County’s private drinking water wells is cow manure, according to a federal study released today. The findings raise questions about the effectiveness of existing regulations aimed at protecting residents from tainted drinking water. Reporting by Coburn Dukehart / Wisconsin Watch. This piece was produced for the NEW News Lab, a local news collaboration in Northeast Wisconsin. ","content_html":"The No. 1 factor for acute gastrointestinal illness in Kewaunee County’s private drinking water wells is cow manure, according to a federal study released today. The findings raise questions about the effectiveness of existing regulations aimed at protecting residents from tainted drinking water. Reporting by Coburn Dukehart / Wisconsin Watch. This piece was produced for the NEW News Lab, a local news collaboration in Northeast Wisconsin.
","summary":"A new study predicts the incidence of gastrointestinal illness in private drinking wells, identifying manure as the main cause of contamination","date_published":"2021-06-28T15:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/6d01de59-2809-4932-9984-d7b8ddc13d7a.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":23027710,"duration_in_seconds":958}]},{"id":"a5db8f0a-c65b-45f4-9a93-8677f0dda0f5","title":"Wisconsin’s multigenerational homes face higher COVID-19 risk","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/multigenerational-homes","content_text":"For many years, Cassilyn Brown’s home in Madison has housed three generations, including her husband, three children and father-in-law. Since COVID-19 hit, her concerns about her family have grown as their multigenerational household works to stay safe from the pandemic, especially her 79-year-old father-in-law, who has chronic pneumonia and a heart arrhythmia. Reporting by Pratheek Rebala, April Simpson, Susan Ferriss and Taylor Johnston / Center for Public Integrity and Vanessa Swales / Wisconsin Watch","content_html":"For many years, Cassilyn Brown’s home in Madison has housed three generations, including her husband, three children and father-in-law. Since COVID-19 hit, her concerns about her family have grown as their multigenerational household works to stay safe from the pandemic, especially her 79-year-old father-in-law, who has chronic pneumonia and a heart arrhythmia. Reporting by Pratheek Rebala, April Simpson, Susan Ferriss and Taylor Johnston / Center for Public Integrity and Vanessa Swales / Wisconsin Watch
","summary":"About 13% of residents live in multigenerational homes, many of them families of color. These residents face a higher risk of infection and death.","date_published":"2021-06-15T18:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/a5db8f0a-c65b-45f4-9a93-8677f0dda0f5.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":29788995,"duration_in_seconds":1240}]},{"id":"ac54a770-e287-4e6d-8af7-bd21376059b9","title":"Wisconsin Supreme Court weighs state power to protect water from farm pollutants","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/wisconsin-supreme-court-and-%20water","content_text":"The state Supreme Court on Monday hears arguments in a case that could determine whether the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources failed to adequately protect water from manure pollution when awarding a permit to a giant dairy farm in northeastern Wisconsin — or whether the agency lacks the authority to issue such restrictions.","content_html":"The state Supreme Court on Monday hears arguments in a case that could determine whether the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources failed to adequately protect water from manure pollution when awarding a permit to a giant dairy farm in northeastern Wisconsin — or whether the agency lacks the authority to issue such restrictions.
","summary":"The outcome of a nearly decade-long dispute in Kewaunee County could shape regulatory power across state government.","date_published":"2021-06-08T11:30:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/ac54a770-e287-4e6d-8af7-bd21376059b9.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":22332397,"duration_in_seconds":930}]},{"id":"28e0bc43-f507-45db-83c5-1a3b083635f8","title":"In wake of Wisconsin’s racial justice protests, curfew tickets raise equity and speech questions","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/racial-justice-and-curfew","content_text":"The envelope looked like any other — slightly wrinkled, a handwritten address scrawled across the front. \nReporting by Clara Neupert ad Jim Malewitz. Originally published on April 24, 2021.","content_html":"The envelope looked like any other — slightly wrinkled, a handwritten address scrawled across the front.
\nReporting by Clara Neupert ad Jim Malewitz. Originally published on April 24, 2021.
When Clint Myrick graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 2010, he left with two consequential pieces of paper: a diploma for a bachelor’s degree in music education — and an eye-popping student loan bill.
\n\nReporting by Alyssa Huglen. Originally published on May 15, 2021.
","summary":"Cutting or eliminating student loan debt would ‘change everything,’ says one Black University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee alum struggling with a six-figure debt","date_published":"2021-06-08T11:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/409ea75e-21dc-41b4-9a3f-844f134aacd3.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":26863263,"duration_in_seconds":1118}]},{"id":"61aafab7-8d57-4f91-85af-6c12e337852e","title":"Ancient human remains unearthed at proposed Kohler golf course site in Wisconsin","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/burial-mounds","content_text":"Archeologists have unearthed human remains of Native Americans during excavations of the site along Lake Michigan where Kohler Co. wants to build an 18-hole golf course. The rapidly eroding Lake Michigan shoreline is also raising questions about the future of the project.\n\nReporting by Jim Malewitz . Originally published on May 22, 2021.","content_html":"Archeologists have unearthed human remains of Native Americans during excavations of the site along Lake Michigan where Kohler Co. wants to build an 18-hole golf course. The rapidly eroding Lake Michigan shoreline is also raising questions about the future of the project.
\n\nReporting by Jim Malewitz . Originally published on May 22, 2021.
","summary":"The rapidly eroding Lake Michigan shoreline is also raising questions about the future of the controversial project adjacent to Kohler-Andrae State Park","date_published":"2021-06-07T14:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/61aafab7-8d57-4f91-85af-6c12e337852e.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":2200868,"duration_in_seconds":157}]},{"id":"902eca0e-7217-45c8-bb0e-695448b2ed8d","title":"Undocumented immigrants qualify for rent relief, but Wisconsin sends mixed signals","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/undocumented-covid19-rent-relief","content_text":"Some regional nonprofits administering Gov. Tony Evers’ $322 million emergency rental assistance program may be unintentionally discouraging non-U.S. citizens from applying — even though immigration status holds no bearing on eligibility for the federally financed program. At least eight of the 14 organizations administering the Wisconsin Emergency Rental Assistance (WERA) program ask applicants to share their Social Security numbers through pre-screening forms, a Wisconsin Watch review has found. The eight agencies administer aid to 35 of Wisconsin’s 68 WERA-eligible counties. Advocates say Social Security number queries could deter struggling renters who are among Wisconsin’s roughly 75,000 undocumented immigrants — an economically vulnerable group that in 2016 comprised about 24% of the state’s immigrant population and 1.3% of the total population. \n\nReporting by Vanessa Swales. Originally published March 29, 2021. ","content_html":"Some regional nonprofits administering Gov. Tony Evers’ $322 million emergency rental assistance program may be unintentionally discouraging non-U.S. citizens from applying — even though immigration status holds no bearing on eligibility for the federally financed program. At least eight of the 14 organizations administering the Wisconsin Emergency Rental Assistance (WERA) program ask applicants to share their Social Security numbers through pre-screening forms, a Wisconsin Watch review has found. The eight agencies administer aid to 35 of Wisconsin’s 68 WERA-eligible counties. Advocates say Social Security number queries could deter struggling renters who are among Wisconsin’s roughly 75,000 undocumented immigrants — an economically vulnerable group that in 2016 comprised about 24% of the state’s immigrant population and 1.3% of the total population.
\n\nReporting by Vanessa Swales. Originally published March 29, 2021.
","summary":"Some intake forms ask for Social Security numbers — a ‘red flag’ for renters who are not U.S. citizens, advocates say.\r\n","date_published":"2021-05-06T11:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/902eca0e-7217-45c8-bb0e-695448b2ed8d.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":24438630,"duration_in_seconds":1017}]},{"id":"caa31e1f-3c71-4201-bfe7-848559dfb87a","title":"Republicans keep grip on Legislature despite Democratic spending spree","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/republicans-democrats-legislature","content_text":"Democrats and Republicans in Wisconsin use different strategies to win seats in the state Legislature. Democrats have raised more money than ever from campaign fundraising. Meanwhile Republicans have consistently won a greater share of the seats in the state Legislature than their share of the total votes cast due to gerrymandering. \n\nReporting by Peter Cameron in partnership with The Badger Project. Originally published March 31, 2021.","content_html":"Democrats and Republicans in Wisconsin use different strategies to win seats in the state Legislature. Democrats have raised more money than ever from campaign fundraising. Meanwhile Republicans have consistently won a greater share of the seats in the state Legislature than their share of the total votes cast due to gerrymandering.
\n\nReporting by Peter Cameron in partnership with The Badger Project. Originally published March 31, 2021.
","summary":"Democrats spent millions trying to hold and win back seats in the state Legislature in 2020. They barely made a dent. Blame gerrymandering?\r\n","date_published":"2021-05-04T19:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/caa31e1f-3c71-4201-bfe7-848559dfb87a.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":23281763,"duration_in_seconds":922}]},{"id":"e1238b5b-6106-4323-b9ae-f44f8131ae99","title":"Bids to alter Wisconsin elections fall mostly along partisan lines","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/wisconsin-election-partisan","content_text":"Democrats and Republicans largely disagree on how to proceed with future elections. Proposals include measures that could impact could determine how Wisconsin picks congressional candidates, how it awards its 10 Electoral College votes, how fast results can be announced and who can vote absentee. Experts say major changes to Wisconsin's election laws are unlikely for now because of partisan divides.\n\nReporting by Anya van Wagtendonk in partnership with Votebeat. Originally published March 9, 2021. ","content_html":"Democrats and Republicans largely disagree on how to proceed with future elections. Proposals include measures that could impact could determine how Wisconsin picks congressional candidates, how it awards its 10 Electoral College votes, how fast results can be announced and who can vote absentee. Experts say major changes to Wisconsin's election laws are unlikely for now because of partisan divides.
\n\nReporting by Anya van Wagtendonk in partnership with Votebeat. Originally published March 9, 2021.
","summary":"Republicans want to restrict drop boxes and absentee voting. Democrats aim to make it easier to vote. Both parties favor quicker vote counting.\r\n","date_published":"2021-04-13T20:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/e1238b5b-6106-4323-b9ae-f44f8131ae99.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":26967815,"duration_in_seconds":1123}]},{"id":"224e0239-2877-4480-a024-c76284f3becf","title":"‘I got nothing left’: Wisconsin’s jobless pushed to brink as ideas swirl for mending torn safety net","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/i%20got%20nothing%20left","content_text":"Some Wisconsinites have been waiting for unemployment aid from the Department of Workforce Development for months. Workers at the department have to use outdated technology, like a 60-year-old computing program, to process a record number of claims this past year. Democratic Gov. Tony Evers and the GOP-controlled Legislature have also spent months blaming each other for the agency’s shortcomings as they stalemate in addressing many of Wisconsin’s challenges. \n\nReporting by Bram Sable-Smith. Originally published February 18, 2021. ","content_html":"Some Wisconsinites have been waiting for unemployment aid from the Department of Workforce Development for months. Workers at the department have to use outdated technology, like a 60-year-old computing program, to process a record number of claims this past year. Democratic Gov. Tony Evers and the GOP-controlled Legislature have also spent months blaming each other for the agency’s shortcomings as they stalemate in addressing many of Wisconsin’s challenges.
\n\nReporting by Bram Sable-Smith. Originally published February 18, 2021.
","summary":"Upgrading outdated technology could help. So could making claims more user-friendly and overcoming partisan paralysis.\r\n","date_published":"2021-04-06T18:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/224e0239-2877-4480-a024-c76284f3becf.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":32203911,"duration_in_seconds":1341}]},{"id":"ec75d979-93e8-43d0-b4ca-e8525389acdd","title":"‘He shouldn’t have had to die’: COVID-19 infects half of Wisconsin inmates, five times the overall state rate","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/he%20shouldn't%20have%20had%20to%20die","content_text":"The coronavirus has run rampant across Wisconsin’s state prison system, infecting at least 2,153 staff members at adult institutions who self-reported test results and 10,786 inmates throughout the pandemic — more than half of the current population. These outbreaks have killed at least 25 inmates, according to Wisconsin Deparment of Corrections data. The state has detected infections among inmates at a rate more than five times higher than in the Wisconsin general population. Advocates are concerned that prisons aren't equipped to prevent the coronavirus from spreading. \n\nReporting by Vanessa Swales. Originally published on Feb. 13, 2021. ","content_html":"The coronavirus has run rampant across Wisconsin’s state prison system, infecting at least 2,153 staff members at adult institutions who self-reported test results and 10,786 inmates throughout the pandemic — more than half of the current population. These outbreaks have killed at least 25 inmates, according to Wisconsin Deparment of Corrections data. The state has detected infections among inmates at a rate more than five times higher than in the Wisconsin general population. Advocates are concerned that prisons aren't equipped to prevent the coronavirus from spreading.
\n\nReporting by Vanessa Swales. Originally published on Feb. 13, 2021.
","summary":"Prisoners lack space and some say rules to curb COVID-19 are unevenly enforced.","date_published":"2021-03-29T12:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/ec75d979-93e8-43d0-b4ca-e8525389acdd.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":42963089,"duration_in_seconds":1789}]},{"id":"4832bb67-9d78-40d1-954c-73c1fa79395c","title":"Thousands await jobless aid as Wisconsin leaders blame each other for failure","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/covid19-unemployment-thousands-waiting","content_text":"The COVID-19 pandemic has caused major backlogs in Wisconsin's unemployment system. Families are still waiting on the Department of Workforce Development to process jobless claims filed last spring, with many missing bill payments, racking up credit card debt, facing eviction or worse. DWD officials say that they have processed more claims in the last eight months than they had in the last four years. Hurdles like outdated computer systems and understaffed call centers are slowing the process even more.\n\nReporting by Bram Sable-Smith in parternship with Marty Hobe of TMJ4 News. Originally published on Nov. 17, 2020. ","content_html":"The COVID-19 pandemic has caused major backlogs in Wisconsin's unemployment system. Families are still waiting on the Department of Workforce Development to process jobless claims filed last spring, with many missing bill payments, racking up credit card debt, facing eviction or worse. DWD officials say that they have processed more claims in the last eight months than they had in the last four years. Hurdles like outdated computer systems and understaffed call centers are slowing the process even more.
\n\nReporting by Bram Sable-Smith in parternship with Marty Hobe of TMJ4 News. Originally published on Nov. 17, 2020.
","summary":"Wisconsin’s unemployment system buckled during the pandemic. State leaders are moving slowly to address a crisis years in the making.","date_published":"2021-02-04T17:00:00.000-05:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/4832bb67-9d78-40d1-954c-73c1fa79395c.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":33157601,"duration_in_seconds":1381}]},{"id":"2cde997b-0fe3-463c-8ba6-7a95e26c7e06","title":"Wisconsin’s No. 1 mink farming industry now seen as a COVID-19 risk","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/mink-farming-covid19-risk","content_text":"Rampant COVID-19 infections and thousands of deaths of Wisconsin mink could pose a potential threat to humans, as viruses can hop between species and mutate. Now, mink farmers are gearing up to get the vaccine along with first responders and essential workers in Wisconsin. The state has not seen a mink-to-human infection yet, but evidence of mink-to-human transmission in Denmark, the world’s top mink producer, is concerning officials. \n\nReporting by Kate Golden. Originally published January 30, 2021.","content_html":"Rampant COVID-19 infections and thousands of deaths of Wisconsin mink could pose a potential threat to humans, as viruses can hop between species and mutate. Now, mink farmers are gearing up to get the vaccine along with first responders and essential workers in Wisconsin. The state has not seen a mink-to-human infection yet, but evidence of mink-to-human transmission in Denmark, the world’s top mink producer, is concerning officials.
\n\nReporting by Kate Golden. Originally published January 30, 2021.
","summary":"State officials knew little about the secretive industry until the pandemic struck; now they are scrambling to keep mink farmers and their animals safe\r\n","date_published":"2021-01-30T01:00:00.000-05:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/2cde997b-0fe3-463c-8ba6-7a95e26c7e06.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":33733391,"duration_in_seconds":1405}]},{"id":"e73b5729-66a1-4e42-9740-6c935bbcb3d1","title":"Could lawmakers ‘mess’ with Wisconsin’s 10 electoral votes? Possibly.","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/wisconsin-electoral-college-votes-trump-biden","content_text":"In the days after the November presidential election, a petition filed in the Wisconsin Supreme Court alleging mass election fraud called for electoral votes for Trump to replace Biden's. Wisconsin Republican Assembley Speaker Robin Vos ordered an investigation into the state's election results because of claims of \"mail-in ballot dumps and voter fraud.\" These efforts ended up not changing Wisconsin's Electoral College outcome, but changes in Electoral College law mean such moves could be possible in the future. Legal and political challenges to the 2020 presidential election have raised questions of whether a state’s election outcome can be subverted by officials who favor a different result. \n\nReporting by Anya van Wagtendonk in partnership with Votebeat. Originally published November 25, 2020. ","content_html":"In the days after the November presidential election, a petition filed in the Wisconsin Supreme Court alleging mass election fraud called for electoral votes for Trump to replace Biden's. Wisconsin Republican Assembley Speaker Robin Vos ordered an investigation into the state's election results because of claims of "mail-in ballot dumps and voter fraud." These efforts ended up not changing Wisconsin's Electoral College outcome, but changes in Electoral College law mean such moves could be possible in the future. Legal and political challenges to the 2020 presidential election have raised questions of whether a state’s election outcome can be subverted by officials who favor a different result.
\n\nReporting by Anya van Wagtendonk in partnership with Votebeat. Originally published November 25, 2020.
","summary":"Experts say pro-Trump lawmakers could try to overturn voters’ will and send an alternate set of electors, but the Democratic governor could block the effort.","date_published":"2021-01-28T12:00:00.000-05:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/e73b5729-66a1-4e42-9740-6c935bbcb3d1.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":30648883,"duration_in_seconds":1276}]},{"id":"0af177b9-06ea-4058-a188-039dfad15abc","title":"COVID-19 killed a thousand Wisconsinites in three weeks. These residents don’t see the danger.","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/covid19-wisconsin-skeptic","content_text":"Coronavirus skeptics in Wisconsin have gathered to protest mask-wearing and lockdown mandates throughout the pandemic. According to public health and communication experts, misinformation campaigns are one factor working against the state's pandemic response. As preperations continue for the coronavirus vaccine to be distributed across the nation, the misinformation that fuels many pandemic denialists is already threatening this fragile response. \n\nReporting by Howard Hardee. Originally published on Dec. 8, 2020. ","content_html":"Coronavirus skeptics in Wisconsin have gathered to protest mask-wearing and lockdown mandates throughout the pandemic. According to public health and communication experts, misinformation campaigns are one factor working against the state's pandemic response. As preperations continue for the coronavirus vaccine to be distributed across the nation, the misinformation that fuels many pandemic denialists is already threatening this fragile response.
\n\nReporting by Howard Hardee. Originally published on Dec. 8, 2020.
","summary":"Some Wisconsinites downplay the severity of COVID-19, spurning masks and vaccinations and inhibiting efforts to contain the pandemic.\r\n","date_published":"2021-01-26T16:00:00.000-05:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/0af177b9-06ea-4058-a188-039dfad15abc.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":28043601,"duration_in_seconds":1168}]},{"id":"7dc288ef-f63a-46f2-b418-80104ed48c51","title":"‘We’re not going to be quiet’: Disability community in Wisconsin demands better access to voting","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/wisconsin-disability-community-voting-access","content_text":"COVID-19 has brought the struggles of the disability community to vote independently to the forefront. Despite the recent efforts to expand voting access through absentee ballots, disability community members and advocates say that different barriers emerged for people with disabilities during the pandemic. \n\nReporting by Nora Eckert in partnership with Votebeat. Originally published on Jan. 12, 2021. ","content_html":"COVID-19 has brought the struggles of the disability community to vote independently to the forefront. Despite the recent efforts to expand voting access through absentee ballots, disability community members and advocates say that different barriers emerged for people with disabilities during the pandemic.
\n\nReporting by Nora Eckert in partnership with Votebeat. Originally published on Jan. 12, 2021.
","summary":"State’s decentralized election system makes it hard to guarantee accessibility; definition of ‘indefinitely confined’ under challenge\r\n","date_published":"2021-01-15T17:00:00.000-05:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/7dc288ef-f63a-46f2-b418-80104ed48c51.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":22176017,"duration_in_seconds":923}]},{"id":"c0d6b21b-a65e-48c1-b808-58390fe640d0","title":"Aggressive policing escalates violence at protests, research shows. A former Madison police chief touts a better way.","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/aggressive-policing-violence-protests-david-couper","content_text":"Former Police Chief David Couper provides an alternative model to policing protests that respects free speech and curbs violence. Couper worked to improve community relations and build trust in the Madison Police Department during his time as police chief. After a summer of unrest and escalation in Madison, Couper shares his views on where today's police departments are going wrong. \n\nReporting by Clara Neupert of Wisconsin Watch and News414. Wisconsin Watch intern Will Cioci also contributed to this report. \n\nOriginally published on December 9, 2020","content_html":"Former Police Chief David Couper provides an alternative model to policing protests that respects free speech and curbs violence. Couper worked to improve community relations and build trust in the Madison Police Department during his time as police chief. After a summer of unrest and escalation in Madison, Couper shares his views on where today's police departments are going wrong.
\n\nReporting by Clara Neupert of Wisconsin Watch and News414. Wisconsin Watch intern Will Cioci also contributed to this report.
\n\nOriginally published on December 9, 2020
","summary":"David Couper, Madison’s police chief from 1972 to 1993, says law enforcement should ditch the riot gear and tear gas to keep the peace.\r\n","date_published":"2021-01-13T17:00:00.000-05:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/c0d6b21b-a65e-48c1-b808-58390fe640d0.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":43257149,"duration_in_seconds":1801}]},{"id":"db6c4e13-1b47-412f-92c4-cd353aa2e3d8","title":"Wisconsin GOP lawmakers call for tighter voting rules; Dems call election hearing a ‘sham’","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/wisconsin-gop-lawmakers-tighter-voting-rules","content_text":"Republican officials, lawyers, voters, volunteer poll watchers and recount observers dominated the roster of speakers on Dec. 11, 2020. They aired a range of concerns, including perceived bullying at polling places, foreign ownership of voting machines and frustrations with longstanding voting practices in Wisconsin, such as the use of in-person early absentee voting.\n\nReported by Anya van Wagtendonk and Nora Eckert, Wisconsin Watch/Votebeat project reporters. \n\nOriginally published on December 11, 2020.","content_html":"Republican officials, lawyers, voters, volunteer poll watchers and recount observers dominated the roster of speakers on Dec. 11, 2020. They aired a range of concerns, including perceived bullying at polling places, foreign ownership of voting machines and frustrations with longstanding voting practices in Wisconsin, such as the use of in-person early absentee voting.
\n\nReported by Anya van Wagtendonk and Nora Eckert, Wisconsin Watch/Votebeat project reporters.
\n\nOriginally published on December 11, 2020.
","summary":"Republicans called for changes to election law and made broad allegations of fraud and misconduct but offered little proof.","date_published":"2021-01-05T12:00:00.000-05:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/db6c4e13-1b47-412f-92c4-cd353aa2e3d8.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":24622490,"duration_in_seconds":1025}]},{"id":"257ea5e2-29da-4664-9f1a-6712c7c5dacd","title":"Speakeasy: Behind Wisconsin's election numbers: What just happened?","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/speakeasy-election-2020","content_text":"Wisconsin Watch presents a recording of our Nov. 12, 2020 webinar — part of the 'Speakeasy: Casual conversations, serious issues' series.\n\nWisconsin Watch reporters and guest panelist Jennifer Epps-Addison hosted a spirited discussion breaking down what happened in Wisconsin during the 2020 presidential election, including how voter turnout compared to the 2016 presidential election and the effect of rampant misinformation about voter fraud on social media.\n\nWisconsin Watch Managing Editor Dee J. Hall was joined by Jennifer Epps-Addison, president and co-executive director of The Center for Popular Democracy, Wisconsin Watch reporter Vanessa Swales, and Wisconsin Watch/Vote Beat reporters Nora Eckert and Anya van Wagtendonk.\n\nWisconsin Watch is the news outlet of the Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism, a nonpartisan and nonprofit organization covering issues impacting quality of life in Wisconsin. We produce fact-checked reporting guided by three values: Protect the vulnerable. Expose wrongdoing. Explore solutions.\n\nStay current on our future events and investigations by signing up for our email newsletter at WisconsinWatch.org/subscribe, or following @WisconsinWatch on social media (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram).","content_html":"Wisconsin Watch presents a recording of our Nov. 12, 2020 webinar — part of the 'Speakeasy: Casual conversations, serious issues' series.
\n\nWisconsin Watch reporters and guest panelist Jennifer Epps-Addison hosted a spirited discussion breaking down what happened in Wisconsin during the 2020 presidential election, including how voter turnout compared to the 2016 presidential election and the effect of rampant misinformation about voter fraud on social media.
\n\nWisconsin Watch Managing Editor Dee J. Hall was joined by Jennifer Epps-Addison, president and co-executive director of The Center for Popular Democracy, Wisconsin Watch reporter Vanessa Swales, and Wisconsin Watch/Vote Beat reporters Nora Eckert and Anya van Wagtendonk.
\n\nWisconsin Watch is the news outlet of the Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism, a nonpartisan and nonprofit organization covering issues impacting quality of life in Wisconsin. We produce fact-checked reporting guided by three values: Protect the vulnerable. Expose wrongdoing. Explore solutions.
\n\nStay current on our future events and investigations by signing up for our email newsletter at WisconsinWatch.org/subscribe, or following @WisconsinWatch on social media (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram).
","summary":"Wisconsin Watch reporters and guest panelist Jennifer Epps-Addison hosted a spirited discussion breaking down what happened in Wisconsin during the 2020 presidential election, including how voter turnout compared to the 2016 presidential election and the effect of rampant misinformation about voter fraud on social media.","date_published":"2020-11-25T12:00:00.000-05:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/257ea5e2-29da-4664-9f1a-6712c7c5dacd.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":78697650,"duration_in_seconds":5390}]},{"id":"e6ece54a-6bc6-4a8c-994d-40d4a4f586f1","title":"Stick up for truth: How to fact-check friends and family on social media","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/social-media-fact-check","content_text":"Everyone plays a part in amplifying misinformation online, but social platforms will continue elevating emotional posts and bad influencers will keep spewing toxic content — so one thing individuals can do is help family and friends stick up for the truth.\n\nReported by Howard Hardee, election integrity reporter. \n\nOriginally published on September 25, 2020.","content_html":"Everyone plays a part in amplifying misinformation online, but social platforms will continue elevating emotional posts and bad influencers will keep spewing toxic content — so one thing individuals can do is help family and friends stick up for the truth.
\n\nReported by Howard Hardee, election integrity reporter.
\n\nOriginally published on September 25, 2020.
","summary":"Experts say it’s important to set the record straight to halt the spread of misinformation, but suggest some finesse is needed when dealing with loved ones.","date_published":"2020-11-24T18:00:00.000-05:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/e6ece54a-6bc6-4a8c-994d-40d4a4f586f1.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":12272657,"duration_in_seconds":766}]},{"id":"4072b844-75ce-459f-96c2-1a52bb13232b","title":"Evictions damage public health. The CDC aims to curb them — for now.","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/evictions-and-health","content_text":"The CDC reccomends staying at home in order to slow the spread of Coid-19. But what happens to those facing eviction? Follow the story of the Pettigrew family as they battle to stay at home. \n\nReported by Bram Sable-Smith (WPR/Wisconsin Watch), Martha Bebinger (WBUR) and Darian Benson (Side Effects Public Media).\n\nOriginally published September 29, 2020.","content_html":"The CDC reccomends staying at home in order to slow the spread of Coid-19. But what happens to those facing eviction? Follow the story of the Pettigrew family as they battle to stay at home.
\n\nReported by Bram Sable-Smith (WPR/Wisconsin Watch), Martha Bebinger (WBUR) and Darian Benson (Side Effects Public Media).
\n\nOriginally published September 29, 2020.
","summary":"Housing and health are intertwined, experts have long preached. Now the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is pausing evictions to slow the spread of COVID-19.","date_published":"2020-10-26T14:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/4072b844-75ce-459f-96c2-1a52bb13232b.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":18306665,"duration_in_seconds":1143}]},{"id":"35bed921-d21f-4df7-a218-c2a0be1cf8a6","title":"Militia member says Kenosha police sought to push protesters toward them on night of deadly shootings","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/police-militia-kenosha","content_text":"A militia member patrolling the streets of Kenosha, Wisconsin on Aug. 25 claimed that police on the scene told him they planned to herd demonstrators toward the armed men — and then leave.\n\nReported by Wisconsin Watch's Dee J. Hall on September 5, 2020.Links:Militia member says Kenosha police sought to push protesters toward them on night of deadly shootingsBefore Jacob Blake, Kenosha had a history of police shootings — Jacob Blake is just the latest Kenosha resident whose shooting by police has sparked allegations of excessive force in a community that is no stranger to fraught relations between law enforcement and the public.","content_html":"A militia member patrolling the streets of Kenosha, Wisconsin on Aug. 25 claimed that police on the scene told him they planned to herd demonstrators toward the armed men — and then leave.
\n\nReported by Wisconsin Watch's Dee J. Hall on September 5, 2020.
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With school going virtual, access to the internet is more important than ever. Follow the story of the Hellenbrand family. Wisconsin farmers raising four children — ages 11, 9, 8 and 5 — and up to five more children attending their home day care at least for part of the day.
\n\nReported by Peter Cameron in collaboration with The Badger Project, on August 25, 2020.
Links:
","summary":"Schools in Wisconsin have spent millions of dollars on hotspots to help students with poor internet service learn online as the coronavirus pandemic grinds on","date_published":"2020-10-12T16:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/1e854198-83a3-4eb0-a834-1a754dc52aa0.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":23194544,"duration_in_seconds":965}]},{"id":"a2db0d41-3846-4e1c-89f0-8bb3c925c782","title":"‘Nowhere to go’: Wisconsin renters face evictions as emergency aid falls short","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/rental-assistance-eviction","content_text":"As part of a news service journalism project, Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service (NNS), Wisconsin Watch and Outlier Media are collaborating on the News414 project, which uses innovative technology and research techniques to deliver crucial information to residents, investigate neighborhoods’ most pressing issues and deliver accountability journalism to Milwaukee and the broader public.\n\nListen to how Milwaukee's black neighborhoods are being effected by the Covid-19 pandemic and how evictions filings are changing.\n\nReported by Allison Dikanovic and Clara Neupert (Wisconsin Watch) and Princess Safiya Byers (Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service), on August 22, 2020.Links:‘Nowhere to go’: Wisconsin renters face evictions as emergency aid falls short","content_html":"As part of a news service journalism project, Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service (NNS), Wisconsin Watch and Outlier Media are collaborating on the News414 project, which uses innovative technology and research techniques to deliver crucial information to residents, investigate neighborhoods’ most pressing issues and deliver accountability journalism to Milwaukee and the broader public.
\n\nListen to how Milwaukee's black neighborhoods are being effected by the Covid-19 pandemic and how evictions filings are changing.
\n\nReported by Allison Dikanovic and Clara Neupert (Wisconsin Watch) and Princess Safiya Byers (Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service), on August 22, 2020.
Links:
","summary":"Milwaukee’s Black neighborhoods hit hardest as evictions eclipse pre-pandemic levels. A state aid program can’t keep up.","date_published":"2020-10-12T16:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/a2db0d41-3846-4e1c-89f0-8bb3c925c782.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":27928977,"duration_in_seconds":1162}]},{"id":"95c60891-295c-488a-86d9-d40b2893d9e8","title":"Skepticism urged as disinformation, voter suppression wash over Wisconsin","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/disinformation","content_text":"In the world of social media, disinformation travels fast. But how do you spot it? This report focuses on how disinformation in Wisconsin is attempting to discourage Wsiconsinites from voting.\n\nPart of the Narrow Margin series by Wisconsin Watch staff, reported by Max Witynski and Jessica Christoffer on August 15, 2020.","content_html":"In the world of social media, disinformation travels fast. But how do you spot it? This report focuses on how disinformation in Wisconsin is attempting to discourage Wsiconsinites from voting.
\n\nPart of the Narrow Margin series by Wisconsin Watch staff, reported by Max Witynski and Jessica Christoffer on August 15, 2020.
","summary":"In a top swing state, actors seek to misinform voters to gain advantage and sow chaos; the pandemic has fueled even more ‘information disorder’","date_published":"2020-10-07T16:00:00.000-04:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/5237bcda-9566-4aa6-b924-a52b3353b2a0/95c60891-295c-488a-86d9-d40b2893d9e8.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":23474749,"duration_in_seconds":977}]},{"id":"04f389b9-d38f-4d2d-878d-e20c8b481a60","title":"A Wisconsin man with visual impairment tried to vote. The coronavirus got in his way.","url":"https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/disenfranchised","content_text":"Voting during a pandemic is hard. Voting during a pandemic with a disability, is even harder. Follow the story of Don Natzke, a 69 year old visually imparied Wisconsin resident, and his journey to the voting booth.\n\nPart of the Narrow Margin series by Wisconsin Watch staff, reported by Enjoyiana Nururdin on August 6, 2020.Links:A Wisconsin man with visual impairment tried to vote. The coronavirus got in his way. — Read the story on WisconsinWatch.org","content_html":"Voting during a pandemic is hard. Voting during a pandemic with a disability, is even harder. Follow the story of Don Natzke, a 69 year old visually imparied Wisconsin resident, and his journey to the voting booth.
\n\nPart of the Narrow Margin series by Wisconsin Watch staff, reported by Enjoyiana Nururdin on August 6, 2020.
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In this story, Cap Times public affairs reporting fellow Parker Schorr digs into the fatal consequences that come with Wisconsin drillers disregarding state laws. Read by Wesley Letham. Originally published on April 22, 2020.
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