State Health Officials Await Data On Omicron
Monitoring the emergence of new COVID-19 variant as state hits 11-month high in cases.
Nov 30th, 2021
UW Campuses Face Vaccine Mandate For Federal Contractors
Thompson says system 'cannot afford to jeopardize millions of dollars in federal contracts.’
Nov 22nd, 2021
Rittenhouse Could Face Lesser Homicide Charges
Judge might allow jury to consider second-degree homicide charges.
Nov 12th, 2021
State Tax Burden In Freefall Since 1999
Wisconsin was once ranked fourth for highest income tax burden, now 23rd.
Nov 12th, 2021
Business Groups Push Evers For Worker Recruitment Campaign
State instead spending $100 million to remove barriers like a lack of transportation or affordable child care.
Oct 25th, 2021
Judge Says State Wolf Hunt Law May Be Unconstitutional
Animal rights groups suing to overturn law allowing annual wolf hunt.
Oct 22nd, 2021
Police Request Public’s Help Finding Missing 3-Year Old Major P. Harris
Statewide amber alert issued for the toddler Saturday. Mother found murdered last Thursday.
Oct 20th, 2021
UW System Funding Reserves Up $189 Million
Huge spending cuts during COVID-19 created surpluses across the system.
Oct 5th, 2021
UW System Vaccination Rates Vary Widely
91% of UW-Madison students vaccinated, versus just 38% at UW-Parkside.
Sep 18th, 2021
Nass Pushes Legislature to Sue UW System
Thompson, system leaders refuses to submit mask and testing rules for Republican approval.
Sep 4th, 2021
Assembly Majority Leader Opposes Suing UW
Steineke backs Thompson’s resistance to legislative oversight of UW System pandemic rules.
Aug 29th, 2021
Thompson Will Disobey Republican Order
‘I am going to stand my ground, keep students safe and healthy,’ says UW leader and former GOP governor.
Aug 25th, 2021
UW Campuses Vary on Mask Policy
UWM among eight state universities requiring them. Others hint it may be voluntary.
Aug 16th, 2021
New Polling Shows Declining Approval of Ron Johnson
Marquette University Law School poll also shows Evers approval holding steady.
Aug 11th, 2021
Masking Now Required For State Employees, Regardless of Vaccination
All employees in state buildings must wear a mask. Order does not apply to schools or universities.
Aug 5th, 2021
GOP Legislators Order UW System to Submit COVID-10 Safety Measures
Thompson warned that ending UW System control would be "biggest threat.”
Aug 4th, 2021
UW System To Offer Scholarships For Vaccinated Students
Goal to get 70% of students vaccinated with a lottery that awards $7,000 scholarships.
Jul 26th, 2021
UWM Gets Less State Aid than Peer Schools
The university is second to last in state aid among 14 peer schools.
Jul 18th, 2021
Winnebago County GOP Removes Racist Facebook Meme
Humorous defense of white supremacy?
Jun 29th, 2021
UW System Freshmen Applications Up 30%
A sign students are ready to "leave the pandemic behind,” Thompson says.
Jun 22nd, 2021
Will State See Wave of Evictions?
Eviction moratorium ends June 30. Advocates hope federal aid will prevent surge in evictions.
Jun 15th, 2021
Vaccine Tamperer Gets Three Year Sentence
Grafton pharmacist Steven Brandenburg tried to destroy 570 doses of COVID-19 vaccine.
Jun 8th, 2021
Bill Would Expand Community-Oriented Policing
Bipartisan legislation funds additional COP houses in high-crime neighborhoods.
May 14th, 2021
GOP Report Proposes Regionalized UW-System
Interim system President Thompson doesn't support regional consolidation of university functions.
May 7th, 2021
Evers Makes New Appointments to UW Board of Regents
Three new appointees rebalance board away from Walker appointees.
Apr 30th, 2021
Search for UW System President Starting Soon
Last search, led by UW Regent Michael M. Grebe, ended in controversy and indecision.
Apr 28th, 2021
Evers Can Remake UW Regents Board
After 3 new appointments up in May, he will have picked majority of board.
Apr 27th, 2021
John McAdams, Professor That Brought Marquette to Supreme Court, Dies At 75
The Marquette professor sued the university for violation of his First Amendment rights, and won.
Apr 16th, 2021
Conservative Group Sues Over Minority Scholarship Program
Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty argues the grant is racially exclusionary to white students and some Asian students.
Apr 16th, 2021
Thompson Pushes Unified UW System Programs
Other state’s online universities "taking 35 to 40% of our students," he warns.
Apr 10th, 2021
State Could Lose $50 Million Per Month in Federal Food Aid
Supreme Court decision overruling Evers emergency order makes state ineligible for aid.
Apr 5th, 2021
State’s Colleges, Universities To Get $565 Million In Aid
Half of federal pandemic aid received must go for student emergency grants.
Mar 21st, 2021
Tech Schools See Big Enrollment Declines
Pandemic reduces enrollment nationally 10%, report says. State schools see similar trend.
Mar 13th, 2021
UW System Seeks $5 Billion for Capital Projects
Campuses request 185 construction and improvement projects, budget request is for 28.
Mar 4th, 2021
Tech Colleges Push To Expand General Education
Seek authority to expand Gen Ed degrees without UW System approval.
Feb 28th, 2021
$322 Million in Rental, Utility Aid Available
Evers announces new funding provided from latest federal stimulus bill.
Feb 27th, 2021
State Residents Flock To The Outdoors
Study finds 42% increase in state park stickers, surge in fishing, hunting licenses during pandemic.
Feb 26th, 2021
Evers Wants $226 Million More for Higher Education
Budget has $190 million hike for UW System, $36 million more for Voc-Tech colleges.
Feb 17th, 2021
Merge UW System and Technical Colleges?
Thompson pushes discussions to consolidate some two-year colleges and voc-tech institutions.
Feb 16th, 2021
More Layoffs Coming at Marquette?
University administrators say no. Staff fear more cuts to come.
Feb 15th, 2021
$31M Donation to Marquette Will Support 80 Scholarships a Year
Darren and Terry Jackson's gift will aid underrepresented students in the nursing program.
Feb 5th, 2021
Cities, Counties Crafting Mask Mandates
Anticipating a state repeal, local governments enacting their own mandates.
Feb 3rd, 2021
Thompson Warned, Don’t Hike UW Tuition
System's tuitions frozen since 2013. Lawmakers warn UW budget will go nowhere if there’s any hike.
Jan 26th, 2021
UW System Ramps Up COVID-19 Testing
But many UW-Madison students tested twice as often as at other campuses.
Jan 25th, 2021
County Republican Parties Shared War Rhetoric
Facebook posts urged people to ‘prepare for war’ and ‘temporary violence’ before Capitol riot.
Jan 13th, 2021
UW Rapid COVID-19 Test Missed Many Asymptomatic Cases
A CDC study finds a test used by UW-System schools missed 59% of asymptomatic cases.
Jan 7th, 2021
Brandenburg Released on $10,000 Bond
Pharmacist who tried to destroy 500 vaccines may not have succeeded, DA says.
Jan 4th, 2021
Gun Sales Still Going Crazy
'Panic buying' in state since pandemic, sales up 500% at one store, retailers rationing bullets.
Jan 4th, 2021
Sen. Johnson Joins Effort To Reject Presidential Electors
Seven Senators and four Senators-elect call for an audit of November election.
Jan 3rd, 2021
State’s Colleges, Universities To Get More Pandemic Aid
New federal stimulus package includes $23 billion for higher education.
Dec 23rd, 2020
State Ranks 41st in Tax Dollars for Higher Education
Funding of UW-System and Wisconsin Technical Colleges has plummeted since 2000, report finds.
Dec 15th, 2020
4 UW System Campuses Cancel Spring Break
A week off for students to travel will spread COVID-19, officials say.
Dec 7th, 2020
Pharmacies Say Reforms Needed for Vaccine
State regulatory hurdles could impede distribution of COVID-19 vaccine, they say.
Dec 1st, 2020
Mayo Clinic Puts Hospital Beds in Garage, Lobbies as COVID-19 Surges
Its hospitals in northwestern Wisconsin at 100% capacity and overwhelmed.
Nov 23rd, 2020
Hospital Association Wants State Action on COVID-19
Healthcare workers and hospitals straining under surge in hospitalizations.
Nov 19th, 2020
UW System Campuses Moving Classes Online
UWM among many campuses making change after Thanksgiving.
Nov 14th, 2020
State Officials Prepare for COVID-19 Vaccine
Encouraging health providers to enroll in state’s vaccine program.
Nov 10th, 2020
8% of State’s Prisoners Have COVID-19
1,703 active cases and 6,781 inmates in quarantine or isolation.
Nov 7th, 2020
UW Campuses Becoming Community ‘Surge Testing’ Sites
UW-System rolling out 250,000 rapid COVID-19 tests.
Nov 5th, 2020
250K Absentee Ballots Still Not Returned in Wisconsin
It's now too late to mail them, elections commission administrator said.
Oct 30th, 2020
Four Wisconsin Colleges Plan to Eliminate Their Racial Disparities
UW-Milwaukee, Parkside, Carthage and MATC want to eliminate their educational equity gaps by 2030.
Oct 22nd, 2020
Health Departments Plan For Mass Vaccine Distribution
Officials working on the logistics of vaccinating millions once it is ready.
Oct 18th, 2020
Midwest Colleges Experience 5.7% Enrollment Drop
Marquette University saw 16.5% drop in new freshman enrollment.
Oct 17th, 2020
UW System Students Increasingly Seeking Mental Health Counseling
The number of UW-System students that sought counseling is up 15% over five years.
Oct 9th, 2020
UW System Behind Testing Dorm Residents
Ramping up COVID-19 testing nearly two weeks after classes started at most campuses.
Sep 15th, 2020
UW-Madison Moves Classes Online After COVID-19 Spike
After one week of classes. And two residence halls are currently quarantined.
Sep 10th, 2020
COVID Cases Rising at State’s Universities
Up 6.1% at UW-Madison, up 6% at UW-Milwaukee.
Sep 6th, 2020
UW System Begins In-Person Classes
As outbreaks drive other universities online, Thompson says UW has 'got to try’.
Sep 2nd, 2020
COVID-19 Cases At 5 Wisconsin Colleges
UW-Milwaukee, Marquette and Madison all have positive cases.
Aug 27th, 2020
UW-System Competed With Feds for COVID-19 Tests
Thompson said federal government tried to take their order of testing machines.
Aug 21st, 2020
44% of Seneca Food Plant Workers Test Positive
Outbreak in Barron County north of Eau Claire drives 162% hike in county’s COVID-19 cases.
Aug 15th, 2020
Thompson Announces UW System Layoffs
10% cut in administrative expenses to set example as system-wide cuts needed.
Aug 12th, 2020
Universities Require COVID-19 Pledge
Many UW System campuses requiring pledge by staff, students to wear face masks, maintain safe distances, wash hands.
Aug 11th, 2020
UW System Orders 350,000 COVID-19 Tests
System plans to test students in the dorms every two weeks.
Aug 7th, 2020
Regents Approve Rules Complying with Title IX Changes
Without changes, UW-System could have lost $1 billion in federal revenues.
Aug 6th, 2020
Health Departments Can Enforce State Mask-Mandate
Despite some Sheriffs' opposition, Evers administration says it can be enforced.
Aug 5th, 2020
$2 Million Gift For UW System Online Classes
Anonymous donation will be used for instructor training, technology purchases.
Jul 28th, 2020
Thompson Seeks $110M for UW System’s COVID-19 Response
The interim president wants federal, state aid for PPE and testing when schools reopen.
Jul 10th, 2020
Tommy Thompson Starts UW President Term
His first action is gathering input from UW System faculty, staff, students and members of the public.
Jul 2nd, 2020
State Trails Midwest in Spending on Universities
Report: Wisconsin’s public university funding below five neighboring states, down 42% since 2006.
Jun 23rd, 2020
Tommy Thompson Named Interim UW System President
Former governor comes in after a controversial search process that lost its top candidate.
Jun 19th, 2020
UW-Milwaukee, Madison Will Reopen This Fall
Universities will limit the size of in person classes, with many courses moving online.
Jun 18th, 2020
State’s LGBTQ Groups Celebrate Historic Ruling
US Supreme Court’s decision bans workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity.
Jun 16th, 2020
UW System Issues Pandemic Guidelines
Campuses should have social distancing for classes, use residence halls for quarantines, testing.
Jun 15th, 2020
State Challenges Federal Sex Assault Changes
Kaul joins 17 other states opposing federal rules, claiming less protection for sexual assault and harassment victims.
Jun 8th, 2020
Faculty, Admin Slam UW Restructuring Plan
System leader Ray Cross proposed a restructuring plan that would cut programs across the system.
Jun 4th, 2020
Finalist Named For UW System President
University Of Alaska System President Jim Johnson is only finalist left after others drop out.
Jun 2nd, 2020
Average UW System Graduate Earns $50,000
That’s one year after graduation, UW analysis finds. And 87% living in state 5 years after graduating.
Jun 1st, 2020
UW-System Lays Off 40 Administrators
Because of COVID-19, the UW-System laid off 40 from UW-Shared Services Office.
May 29th, 2020
Will Evictions, Home Foreclosures Rise?
State moratorium on both has expired, experts expect surge in problems.
May 27th, 2020
Evers Promises Three New UW Regents
“Extremely unusual” for board members with expired terms to stay on and continue voting.
May 25th, 2020
Crime Lab Taking Longer to Process DNA Evidence
The average turnaround time increased in 2019, according to a new report.
May 21st, 2020
UW Plans Testing All Students, Faculty
System President Ray Cross says goal is for in-person classes at all campuses this fall.
May 9th, 2020
UW System Expects $212 million in Losses
The pandemic has brought a fiscal crisis to the university system.
May 8th, 2020
UW System Furloughs 588 Employees
Every administrative employee furloughed, due to revenue losses caused by pandemic.
Apr 19th, 2020
Biden Wins Big Over Sanders
63 to 31 margin in state presidential primary; Biden criticizes holding of in-person election.
Apr 14th, 2020
UW System Projects $170 Million Revenue Loss
Housing and dining fee refunds and college sports revenue losses, all due to pandemic.
Apr 12th, 2020
County Jails Cut Inmate Population
Eau Claire down by 49%. Sheriffs try to prevent COVID-19 outbreaks among inmates, staff.
Apr 12th, 2020
State Grows COVID-19 Testing Capacity
Partnerships with private labs help. But still a shortage of tests.
Apr 8th, 2020
Researchers Seek Plasma of COVID-19 Survivors
Froedtert, Medical College seek donors. “They all have this superpower.”
Apr 6th, 2020
State’s Colleges Will Refund $78 Million
Wisconsin’s 13 universities and branch campuses reimbursing students moving off campus.
Mar 30th, 2020
State Residents Turn to Outdoors
To avoid going ‘stir crazy’ amid unprecedented social restrictions, many turn to parks, trails, fishing.
Mar 22nd, 2020
Gun Sales Spike
Apparently, COVID-19 panic has Wisconsinites stocking up on ammo and firearms.
Mar 20th, 2020
Wisconsin Labs Overwhelmed By COVID-19 Tests
Can’t keep up with demand for tests, hoping FDA will allow more private labs to process samples.
Mar 17th, 2020
Evers Less Liberal Than National Democrats?
In once Progressive Wisconsin, state’s Democrats no longer in vanguard of their party.
Mar 16th, 2020
Universities Make Changes in Face of COVID-19
Many campuses are going to remote classes and are asking students not to return from Spring Break.
Mar 12th, 2020
5 UW Campuses Phasing Out Coal
UW System will end its statewide contract to provide coal for campuses.
Mar 9th, 2020
UWM Offers Another Employee Buyout
Faces $7 million budget hole. Second buyout since 2015.
Mar 4th, 2020
Report Finds ACT Test Decline Since 2014
State’s students less college ready, ‘alarming' black vs white achievement gap.
Feb 3rd, 2020
Bills Would Block Tech Companies Collecting Personal Data
Legislation would allow Wisconsin residents to block collection of their data and could impose fines up to $20 million.
Jan 30th, 2020
Bill Would Prohibit Free Campaign Rallies
Trump, Clinton campaigns still owe Eau Claire, other cities for security, sanitation costs.
Jan 14th, 2020
State Virtual Charter Schools Up 140%
In the last decade virtual charter school enrollment grew from 3,106 to 7,465 students.
Dec 26th, 2019
UW-Madison Had 1,015 Conflicts of Interest
No university had more conflicts since 2012 for researchers getting federal health grants.
Dec 12th, 2019
UW System Going Big on Online Classes
New plan seeks to double online enrollment by 2025.
Dec 4th, 2019
Local Governments Still Adding Wheel Taxes
13 counties and 26 municipalities have enacted local wheel taxes.
Nov 16th, 2019
Counties Exhausting Snow Plowing Budgets
Record snow in February has left some counties with no winter plowing budget for rest of year.
Nov 12th, 2019
Regent’s UW President’s Search Criticized
Search committee includes no faculty, staff or non-regent students.
Nov 11th, 2019
Mercury in Great Lakes Trout Persists
Though waters cleaner, invasive species have forced trout to eat food with higher mercury concentrations.
Nov 5th, 2019
State ACT Scores Dip In 2019
Down slightly from prior years but still higher than the national average.
Nov 1st, 2019
Good News, Bad News on State Budget
Report finds 2018-19 year had $1.7 billion surplus, but new budget will exceed projected revenues by $800 million.
Oct 28th, 2019
UW System President Ray Cross to Retire
Has held leadership roles within UW System since 2011.
Oct 25th, 2019
Evers Opposes UW Free Speech Rules
Governor has veto power over UW Regents’ rules; proposal would punish students who disrupt free speech.
Oct 14th, 2019
Regents Advance Controversial Free Speech Rules
UW System students would face suspensions or expulsions for violations, if rules approved
Oct 11th, 2019
Bill Caps Student Fees For UW System Athletics
Makes university building projects difficult to fund and reduces athletic funding at UWM
Oct 8th, 2019
Oxycontin Maker Gave $65k to Marquette University
Family behind Purdue Pharma, a company being sued for its role in opioid epidemic, made $60 million in donations to universities around the world.
Oct 7th, 2019
UW System’s Growth Is Top Heavy
8% drop in system’s faculty over three year period while number of administrators grew 3.5%.
Sep 11th, 2019
Marquette University Slashes Staff
To avoid tuition hike, 24 employees laid off, 49 vacancies won’t be filled.
Sep 10th, 2019
UW Students Oppose Free Speech Bill
Student groups say UW Regents policy already protects free speech, law not needed.
Aug 16th, 2019
Hands-Free Phone Law Being Pushed in Wisconsin
An activist from Minnesota that lost his daughter to distracted driving is behind the push.
Aug 6th, 2019
25,000 Could Lose Food Share Benefits
Proposed change in federal SNAP program would cut off 25,000 state recipients.
Jul 25th, 2019
Accused Ex-UWM Professor Flees Country
Anthony A. Azenabor faces criminal charges of sexually assaulting a student on campus.
Jul 20th, 2019
DNA Evidence Backlog Greatly Reduced
Effort to reduce backlog yields results. Evers and Kaul want more funding for crime lab.
Jun 22nd, 2019
Evers Brings Back Pardon Review Board
Walker disbanded it, wouldn’t pardon anyone in his eight years as governor.
Jun 14th, 2019
No Shame in the School Lunch Line
Milwaukee state Rep. LaKeshia Myers is co-sponsoring a bill that would prohibit school districts from singling students out when it’s time to have a midday meal.
May 20th, 2019
State’s Reported Rapes Up 34% Since 2014
Rise in reported sexual assaults over last five years may reflect Me-Too movement.
May 7th, 2019
DNR Won’t Back Frac Sand Wetland Permit
Reverses stand, supports judge’s ruling invalidating Meteor Timber’s DNR permit to fill high-quality wetland.
May 5th, 2019
Nearly 200 Testify at State Budget Hearing
Attendees in River Falls support increased school funding, expanding Medicaid, UW capital projects.
Apr 16th, 2019
Cross Still Hopes for New UWM Building
Legislature killed Evers capital budget but UW System still backs new funding, bonding authority for projects around state.
Apr 8th, 2019
Voters Okay 75% of School Funding Requests
Voters approved nearly $770 million in additional funding for school districts in local referendums.
Apr 4th, 2019
Tomah VA Didn’t Give Opioids “Like Candy”
Inspector General report requested by Sen. Baldwin finds no evidence of opioids haphazardly prescribed.
Mar 31st, 2019
Why Medicaid Expansion Needed
Key to expanding health coverage, better reimbursement rates, says new state DHS secretary.
Mar 15th, 2019
Federal Shutdown Hurts Food Share Recipients
Demand for food pantries up due to delays getting benefits.
Feb 11th, 2019
Shutdown May Cut Off Food Share Benefits
State official unsure whether there will be funding for the program given federal shutdown.
Jan 22nd, 2019
2 Million College Students Lack Food Stamps
Federal GAO report finds food insecurity for 9% to more than 50% of college students.
Jan 11th, 2019
Bipartisan Group Calls For More School Funds
Blue Ribbon Commission on school funding included legislators from both parties.
Jan 9th, 2019
Renewable Energy Made Big Gains in 2018
Utility companies all competing to embrace solar and wind power.
Jan 2nd, 2019
Duffy Supports Funding for Border Wall
But Wisconsin congressman not so sure about Trump’s idea of shutting down government.
Dec 15th, 2018
Lame Duck Law Adds Work For State Agencies
They must submit thousands of pages of “guidance documents” before public hearings on any changes in agency rules.
Dec 11th, 2018
Lame-Duck Bill Changes Highway Funding
Will avoid federal wage requirements; experts express concerns.
Dec 6th, 2018
DNR Wastewater Permit Backlog Still a Problem
One year after critical audit DNR still slow to review potential municipal, industrial and agricultural pollution.
Aug 24th, 2018
State Shifts Cost For New Bridges
Walker administration policy means counties pay entire bill if bridge built to accommodate traffic growth.
Aug 14th, 2018
Trump’s Aid to Farms Gets Mixed Reviews
Dairy farms badly hurt by tariffs, Trump offers $12 billion national handout to farmers.
Jul 26th, 2018
Walker Doubts Roe v. Wade at Risk
Governor says new Supreme Court justice unlikely to overturn Roe, make abortion illegal in state.
Jul 12th, 2018
Microplastics From Great Lakes Found In Beer
Researchers found 12 different brands of beer using Great Lakes water were contaminated with microplastics.
May 11th, 2018
