web01.fireside.fm Sun, 05 Apr 2026 11:15:02 -0500 Fireside (https://fireside.fm) Wisconsin Watch - Episodes Tagged with “Covid 19” https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/tags/covid-19 Thu, 06 May 2021 11:00:00 -0400 The Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism is an independent, nonpartisan and nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that reports on government accountability and quality of life issues, like education, the economy and the environment. It’s more important to us to get the story right than it is to be first and we believe in collaborating, not competing, with other news outlets. Not only can you find our stories on WisconsinWatch.org, but we give all of our reports away for free to hundreds of other news organizations. We are excited to start sharing our reports in audio form and you can find them wherever you get your podcasts! en-us episodic From the Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism Wisconsin Watch The Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism is an independent, nonpartisan and nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that reports on government accountability and quality of life issues, like education, the economy and the environment. It’s more important to us to get the story right than it is to be first and we believe in collaborating, not competing, with other news outlets. Not only can you find our stories on WisconsinWatch.org, but we give all of our reports away for free to hundreds of other news organizations. We are excited to start sharing our reports in audio form and you can find them wherever you get your podcasts! no Wisconsin, news, investigative Wisconsin Watch info@wisconsinwatch.org Undocumented immigrants qualify for rent relief, but Wisconsin sends mixed signals https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/undocumented-covid19-rent-relief 902eca0e-7217-45c8-bb0e-695448b2ed8d Thu, 06 May 2021 11:00:00 -0400 Wisconsin Watch full Wisconsin Watch Some intake forms ask for Social Security numbers — a ‘red flag’ for renters who are not U.S. citizens, advocates say. 16:57 no 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. Reporting by Vanessa Swales. Originally published March 29, 2021. Wisconsin, immigration, rental assistance, covid-19 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.

Reporting by Vanessa Swales. Originally published March 29, 2021.

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]]> 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.

Reporting by Vanessa Swales. Originally published March 29, 2021.

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]]> ‘I got nothing left’: Wisconsin’s jobless pushed to brink as ideas swirl for mending torn safety net https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/i got nothing left 224e0239-2877-4480-a024-c76284f3becf Tue, 06 Apr 2021 18:00:00 -0400 Wisconsin Watch full Wisconsin Watch Upgrading outdated technology could help. So could making claims more user-friendly and overcoming partisan paralysis. 22:21 no 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. Reporting by Bram Sable-Smith. Originally published February 18, 2021. Wisconsin, unemployment, COVID-19, unemployment aid 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.

Reporting by Bram Sable-Smith. Originally published February 18, 2021.

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]]> 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.

Reporting by Bram Sable-Smith. Originally published February 18, 2021.

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]]> ‘He shouldn’t have had to die’: COVID-19 infects half of Wisconsin inmates, five times the overall state rate https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/he shouldn't have had to die ec75d979-93e8-43d0-b4ca-e8525389acdd Mon, 29 Mar 2021 12:00:00 -0400 Wisconsin Watch full Wisconsin Watch Prisoners lack space and some say rules to curb COVID-19 are unevenly enforced. 29:49 no 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. Reporting by Vanessa Swales. Originally published on Feb. 13, 2021. Wisconsin, COVID-19, coronavirus, prison, law enforcement 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.

Reporting by Vanessa Swales. Originally published on Feb. 13, 2021.

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]]> 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.

Reporting by Vanessa Swales. Originally published on Feb. 13, 2021.

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]]> Thousands await jobless aid as Wisconsin leaders blame each other for failure https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/covid19-unemployment-thousands-waiting 4832bb67-9d78-40d1-954c-73c1fa79395c Thu, 04 Feb 2021 17:00:00 -0500 Wisconsin Watch full Wisconsin Watch Wisconsin’s unemployment system buckled during the pandemic. State leaders are moving slowly to address a crisis years in the making. 23:01 no 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. Reporting by Bram Sable-Smith in parternship with Marty Hobe of TMJ4 News. Originally published on Nov. 17, 2020. Wisconsin, unemployment, jobless aid, government, technology, labor, covid-19 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.

Reporting by Bram Sable-Smith in parternship with Marty Hobe of TMJ4 News. Originally published on Nov. 17, 2020.

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]]> 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.

Reporting by Bram Sable-Smith in parternship with Marty Hobe of TMJ4 News. Originally published on Nov. 17, 2020.

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]]> Wisconsin’s No. 1 mink farming industry now seen as a COVID-19 risk https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/mink-farming-covid19-risk 2cde997b-0fe3-463c-8ba6-7a95e26c7e06 Sat, 30 Jan 2021 01:00:00 -0500 Wisconsin Watch full Wisconsin Watch State officials knew little about the secretive industry until the pandemic struck; now they are scrambling to keep mink farmers and their animals safe 23:25 no 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. Reporting by Kate Golden. Originally published January 30, 2021. Wisconsin, COVID-19, mink, virus, mutation, vaccination, mink farmers, environmental, risk 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.

Reporting by Kate Golden. Originally published January 30, 2021.

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]]> 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.

Reporting by Kate Golden. Originally published January 30, 2021.

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]]> COVID-19 killed a thousand Wisconsinites in three weeks. These residents don’t see the danger. https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/covid19-wisconsin-skeptic 0af177b9-06ea-4058-a188-039dfad15abc Tue, 26 Jan 2021 16:00:00 -0500 Wisconsin Watch full Wisconsin Watch Some Wisconsinites downplay the severity of COVID-19, spurning masks and vaccinations and inhibiting efforts to contain the pandemic. 19:28 no 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. Reporting by Howard Hardee. Originally published on Dec. 8, 2020. Wisconsin, covid-19, coronavirus, misinformation, communication, pandemic, 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.

Reporting by Howard Hardee. Originally published on Dec. 8, 2020.

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]]> 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.

Reporting by Howard Hardee. Originally published on Dec. 8, 2020.

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]]> ‘We’re not going to be quiet’: Disability community in Wisconsin demands better access to voting https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/wisconsin-disability-community-voting-access 7dc288ef-f63a-46f2-b418-80104ed48c51 Fri, 15 Jan 2021 17:00:00 -0500 Wisconsin Watch full Wisconsin Watch State’s decentralized election system makes it hard to guarantee accessibility; definition of ‘indefinitely confined’ under challenge 15:23 no 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. Reporting by Nora Eckert in partnership with Votebeat. Originally published on Jan. 12, 2021. Wisconsin, voting access, election, disability, covid-19 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.

Reporting by Nora Eckert in partnership with Votebeat. Originally published on Jan. 12, 2021.

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]]> 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.

Reporting by Nora Eckert in partnership with Votebeat. Originally published on Jan. 12, 2021.

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