Madeline Fox

Recent Articles

Gableman’s Office Held in Contempt of Court

Gableman’s Office Held in Contempt of Court

Office of Special Prosecutor held in contempt after failing to turn over records related to partisan election review.

Evers Provides $1 Million for Summer Jobs, Activities for Milwaukee Youth

Evers Provides $1 Million for Summer Jobs, Activities for Milwaukee Youth

Part of $100 million for crime reduction in Milwaukee from governor’s office.

Schools Face Financial Feast and Famine

Schools Face Financial Feast and Famine

MPS, other districts flush with federal cash, but face long-term financial shortfalls, report finds.

Schools Spend Relief Funds on Tech, COVID-19 Safety

Schools Spend Relief Funds on Tech, COVID-19 Safety

Some schools are also hiring counselors and tutors to help children that fell behind during at-home education.

Milwaukee Students Ask for Action on Reckless Driving

Milwaukee Students Ask for Action on Reckless Driving

Mayor Johnson, Chief Norman sit down with sixth-grade students at Roosevelt Middle School.

Teacher Retirements Declined 17% Last Year

Teacher Retirements Declined 17% Last Year

State numbers good news but Wisconsin still faces a teacher shortage.

State Ranks High in Pre-School Access

State Ranks High in Pre-School Access

But dropped from 3rd to 7th best during pandemic last year, national study finds.

Field Trips Are Back For MPS Students

Field Trips Are Back For MPS Students

Big change this school year. Students travel to Downtown for their first World’s Fair since 2019.

COVID-19 Rising Again in State

COVID-19 Rising Again in State

Numbers still “relatively low,” but percentage of positive tests doubled in last three weeks.

Costs of College Rising in Wisconsin

Costs of College Rising in Wisconsin

Gap between grants and aid received and total cost has soared since 2002, WPF report finds.

MKE County: Homeless Program Gets National Recognition
MKE County

Homeless Program Gets National Recognition

HUD finds Milwaukee has lowest per capita count of unsheltered homeless people in the U.S.

State Child Care Coalition Seeks Support

State Child Care Coalition Seeks Support

Pushing for more state support through scholarships, stipends, tax credits, other measures.

WI School Board Races On National Radar

WI School Board Races On National Radar

Donations flowing in. State ranks third in school board conflicts over race, COVID-19 response, or sex and gender in schools.

Cedarburg Group Calls for Diverse Curriculum

Cedarburg Group Calls for Diverse Curriculum

Bridge The Divide lobbies school district, appeals to DPI, faces conservative opposition.

Advocacy Groups Lawyer Up On Schools

Advocacy Groups Lawyer Up On Schools

Education new political battleground, issues 'very visceral and very personal.'

50,000 State Residents Eligible for Citizenship

50,000 State Residents Eligible for Citizenship

Many live in Milwaukee County. Advocates push for naturalization by 2022.

Chronic Absenteeism Rising in Wisconsin Schools

Chronic Absenteeism Rising in Wisconsin Schools

Educators find it will be hard to reshape the attendance patterns created by virtual learning.

State’s Teens Talk About Long Covid

State’s Teens Talk About Long Covid

‘It just takes over your life.’

Students Readjust to School Without Masks

Students Readjust to School Without Masks

School districts around the state are dropping mask mandates.

Democratic Bills Target Teacher Shortage

Democratic Bills Target Teacher Shortage

8 bills raise teacher pay, offer bonuses and same health insurance received by legislators.

Legislature Considers Breaking Up MPS

Legislature Considers Breaking Up MPS

Republican bills create four to eight smaller districts, remove income limits from school choice.

School Board Races Getting More Polarized

School Board Races Getting More Polarized

17 school boards in state saw recall elections in last two years.

Will Wisconsin Schools Lift Mask Requirements?

Will Wisconsin Schools Lift Mask Requirements?

With the omicron surge past, some districts are already ending mandatory masking.

School Districts Spending Pandemic Funds

School Districts Spending Pandemic Funds

Wisconsin schools got $2.2 billion federal funding to spend by 2024, with more to come.

Schools Scramble For Substitute Teachers

Schools Scramble For Substitute Teachers

In Milwaukee, Kenosha, Superior. Some districts raising pay, offering bonuses.

WisDOT Simplifies Test for School Bus Drivers

WisDOT Simplifies Test for School Bus Drivers

Temporary waiver for a section of test intended to address labor shortages.

First Lady Promotes Child COVID-19 Vaccination During Wisconsin Visit

First Lady Promotes Child COVID-19 Vaccination During Wisconsin Visit

First Lady Jill Biden joined by Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff also visited Waukesha parade victims.

Most Schools Want State COVID-19 Testing

Most Schools Want State COVID-19 Testing

75% of school districts join program, 120,000 tests given so far.

87,000 Children In State Now Vaccinated

87,000 Children In State Now Vaccinated

A minority of 500,000 kids aged 5-11 in Wisconsin. Many parents, even if vaccinated, are hesitant.

Graded on a Curve, Wisconsin Schools Score Well

Graded on a Curve, Wisconsin Schools Score Well

DPI changes grading scale, says pandemic caused 'disruptions.'

Racine County Sheriff Alleges Voting Fraud In Nursing Homes

Racine County Sheriff Alleges Voting Fraud In Nursing Homes

Deputy Sheriff alleges voting laws were broken with use of absentee ballots.

State’s College Enrollment Declines. Again

State’s College Enrollment Declines. Again

Down for second year, an overall decline of 8.2% since 2019, with community colleges down 20.8%.

State Faces Wave of School Board Recalls

State Faces Wave of School Board Recalls

In Mequon-Thiensville and 10 other school districts. Only California has more.

Public School Enrollment Didn’t Rebound After Pandemic Dropoff

Public School Enrollment Didn’t Rebound After Pandemic Dropoff

Public school enrollment down, voucher and charter programs up.

No Federal Charges For Officer That Shot Jacob Blake

No Federal Charges For Officer That Shot Jacob Blake

The U.S. Department of Justice will not pursue federal civil rights charges.

State Superintendent Slams GOP Over School Funding

State Superintendent Slams GOP Over School Funding

Assembly Speaker Vos says more money won't fix problems in schools.

Gableman Threatens to Subpoena Election Clerks

Gableman Threatens to Subpoena Election Clerks

But Republican audit is 'not challenging' results of 2020 election, he says.

GOP Bill Requires Parent Notification of Gender, Sexual Orientation Education

GOP Bill Requires Parent Notification of Gender, Sexual Orientation Education

Bill covers any instruction on sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or gender expression.

Wisconsin Awash in Federal Covid Funds

Wisconsin Awash in Federal Covid Funds

Billions must be spent by 2026. Evers administration eyes long-term investments.

School Board Approves Vaccine Mandate for MPS Staff

School Board Approves Vaccine Mandate for MPS Staff

Board also agrees to incentives for MPS students including $100 payment.

School Districts See High Demand for Virtual Learning

School Districts See High Demand for Virtual Learning

Virtual MPS program has 1,600 enrollees.

Waukesha Relents on Free School Meals

Waukesha Relents on Free School Meals

School board switches by 5-4 vote, will accept federal funds to feed all students.

State Superintendent, Pediatricians Push Universal Masking in Schools

State Superintendent, Pediatricians Push Universal Masking in Schools

Masking in schools backed by CDC, public health officials and pediatrics associations.

Child Tax Credits Cut Food Insecurity By 24%

Child Tax Credits Cut Food Insecurity By 24%

Payments could lift 45,000 Wisconsin kids out of poverty if made permanent.

MPS Reports 53 Cases of COVID-19 in Schools

MPS Reports 53 Cases of COVID-19 in Schools

COVID-19 transmission in the community is showing up in cases at schools.

Walker, Rick Scott Campaign Against Biden

Walker, Rick Scott Campaign Against Biden

Republican event in Hales Corners warns of inflation, setting tone for 2022 election.

Southeastern Wisconsin Has Teacher Shortage

Southeastern Wisconsin Has Teacher Shortage

There aren't enough graduates in the region to fill all the openings.

Public and Private Schools Saw Enrollment Decline

Public and Private Schools Saw Enrollment Decline

Homeschool enrollment went up 47%.

State Officials Recommending Masks for Schools

State Officials Recommending Masks for Schools

Delta variant causing uptick in cases. Officials say masking will reduce school transmission.

Controversy Over Police Killing of Roberto Zielinski

Controversy Over Police Killing of Roberto Zielinski

Family says body camera footage released seven weeks later is 'heavily edited.'

Conservative Group Sues MPS

Conservative Group Sues MPS

WILL suing school district over policy allowing leave for union activities.

State Gets “F” In Civics, US History Standards

State Gets “F” In Civics, US History Standards

Conservative Fordham Institute zaps Wisconsin for not specifically requiring these courses.

School Officials, Families Blast GOP Budget

School Officials, Families Blast GOP Budget

Republican legislators’ proposal keeps school funding flat for two years.

UW Regents Elect First Native American President

UW Regents Elect First Native American President

Edmund Manydeeds is new president of UW System Board of Regents.

Pandemic Aid Providing Relief for School Budgets

Pandemic Aid Providing Relief for School Budgets

A new report shows federal funding and new revenue providing financial relief after an uncertain year.

AP Exams Are Almost Back to Normal

AP Exams Are Almost Back to Normal

After a year where they were disrupted by pandemic.

State’s Schools Reassess Mask Mandates

State’s Schools Reassess Mask Mandates

As CDC loosens requirements, some districts stick with masks, some make it optional.

Teacher Retirements Up 14% in 2020

Teacher Retirements Up 14% in 2020

Thousands across the state retired. More retirements expected in 2021.

More of State’s Urban Schools Went Virtual

More of State’s Urban Schools Went Virtual

Report finds greater impact on minority students. More suburban, rural schools had in-person classes during pandemic.

Underly Criticizes Kerr for Trans-Kids in Sports Comments

Underly Criticizes Kerr for Trans-Kids in Sports Comments

State Superintendent candidate said transgender kids shouldn't play on teams that align with gender identity.

Kerr Supports Voucher Program, Decentralizing DPI

Kerr Supports Voucher Program, Decentralizing DPI

State superintendent candidate Kerr has been an ardent supporter of reopening schools.

Underly Running on Education Equity, Ending Vouchers

Underly Running on Education Equity, Ending Vouchers

As a candidate for state superintendent, Underly has backing of state teachers union.

USDA Expands Pandemic School Meals

USDA Expands Pandemic School Meals

Schools will be able to serve free meals through summer and all of September.

Teacher Vaccinations Uneven So Far

Teacher Vaccinations Uneven So Far

Some educators are returning to classrooms, but still waiting for vaccine.

Over 50% of State’s Schools Use Restraints on Students

Over 50% of State’s Schools Use Restraints on Students

Elementary students and students with disabilities restrained and secluded the most.

Families Struggle With Child Care Amid School Closures, Virtual Learning

Families Struggle With Child Care Amid School Closures, Virtual Learning

Families taking it day by day as day care programs close.

School Nurses Step Up During Pandemic

School Nurses Step Up During Pandemic

300 in public school districts play a role in tracking, teaching about disease.

Sexual Assault Charges Against Jacob Blake Dropped

Sexual Assault Charges Against Jacob Blake Dropped

Blake pleads guilty to disorderly conduct, receives two-years probation.

Biden Brings His Message of Controlling COVID-19 to Milwaukee

Biden Brings His Message of Controlling COVID-19 to Milwaukee

Says Trump has "waived the white flag" and surrendered to the coronavirus.

City Attorney OKs $4 Million Settlement with Sylville Smith Family

City Attorney OKs $4 Million Settlement with Sylville Smith Family

Smith was killed by a Milwaukee Police Office in 2016, igniting unrest in Sherman Park.

Kettle Moraine Schools Sued for Racial Bullying

Kettle Moraine Schools Sued for Racial Bullying

Suit charges harassment, cyberbullying at middle, high school in Waukesha County.

Public School Enrollment Drops 3%

Public School Enrollment Drops 3%

Drop is likely due to pandemic.

Teachers ‘At The End of Their Rope’, Union Leader Says

Teachers ‘At The End of Their Rope’, Union Leader Says

Calls for no in-person classes unless communities meet benchmarks set by health experts.

Youth Voter Turnout May Decide 2020 Election

Youth Voter Turnout May Decide 2020 Election

Study says voters aged 18-29 could have more impact in Wisconsin than any state. Will they turn out?

Judge Blocks Release Of Business COVID-19 Data

Judge Blocks Release Of Business COVID-19 Data

Business lobby sued to stop state from releasing what businesses have COVID-19 cases.

Lawsuit Targets Rittenhouse, Militia, Facebook

Lawsuit Targets Rittenhouse, Militia, Facebook

Federal civil rights lawsuit filed by partner of man killed in Kenosha and three other protesters.

Ex-Madison Police Chief Helping Review Blake Case

Ex-Madison Police Chief Helping Review Blake Case

Kaul says investigation of Jacob Blake’s shooting in ‘final stages’, Noble Wray serving as consultant.

The Pandemic is Disrupting Childhood

The Pandemic is Disrupting Childhood

Seclusion and major changes to daily life can have effects on mental health.

Blake No Longer Handcuffed in Hospital

Blake No Longer Handcuffed in Hospital

Kenosha police chief walks back comments on shootings Tuesday.

Kenosha Schools Will Have In-Person Classes

Kenosha Schools Will Have In-Person Classes

Unlike Appleton and Oak Creek-Franklin, board votes to move from virtual to in-person classes.

Eric Trump Comes to Town

Eric Trump Comes to Town

Speaks to MPD members about defunding police. ‘Guys, it’s fundamentally crazy.'

How Will Schools Use CARES Funding?

How Will Schools Use CARES Funding?

The pandemic is proving very expensive for schools.

State Rules for School Voucher Applications Changed

State Rules for School Voucher Applications Changed

A lawsuit has just made it easier for families to prove they're eligible for school choice vouchers.

K-12 Teachers Don’t Reflect Students’ Diversity

K-12 Teachers Don’t Reflect Students’ Diversity

Study finds state's teachers of color up by 22.5% in last decade while students of color rose 28%.

Milwaukee Public Schools Terminates Police Contract

Milwaukee Public Schools Terminates Police Contract

Unanimous vote of the school board ends funding for school resource officers.

Will Students Need a Coronavirus Vaccine to Go to School?

Will Students Need a Coronavirus Vaccine to Go to School?

Medical experts say yes, but a loophole remains for anti-vaxxers in Wisconsin.

Summer Schools Will Be Mostly Online

Summer Schools Will Be Mostly Online

Amid pandemic, school districts in Milwaukee, other cities, will stick to virtual learning.

Reports of Child Abuse Plummet

Reports of Child Abuse Plummet

Down nearly 50% in state. Experts fear cases aren’t being reported.

Schools Face Uncertain Financial Future

Schools Face Uncertain Financial Future

New report projects shrinking funding. "So many revenue sources are falling.”

87% of School Funding Referendums Passed

87% of School Funding Referendums Passed

Near-record year for approvals. Local funding makes up for state real-dollar declines.

MPS, Other Districts Using Pass/Fail for Second Semester

MPS, Other Districts Using Pass/Fail for Second Semester

School leaders say it's most equitable grading system under Safer At Home order.

Demand for Food Assistance Doubles in State

Demand for Food Assistance Doubles in State

Food share applications rise by 5,000 per week, food banks balance face shrinking supply.

Near-Record Year for School Referendums

Near-Record Year for School Referendums

Spring election’s voters pass more than 80% of local school funding referendums.

School Districts Adjust to Distance Learning

School Districts Adjust to Distance Learning

Drop-offs, drive-ups and digital classrooms being used in state’s schools.

$1.6 Billion in School Funding Voted on Tuesday

$1.6 Billion in School Funding Voted on Tuesday

Results of these referendums may not come until April 23.