Photos
Content referencing Amy Pechacek
After Pandemic Backlogs, Wisconsin’s Unemployment System Now Faces A Federal Roadblock
Evers says Trump’s move to cancel $29 million in grants could derail long-planned system upgrades.
Feb 27th, 2026 by Erik Gunn
Wisconsin Sets Apprenticeship Record for Fourth Year in a Row
More than 18,000 apprentices worked for over 3,000 employers in 2025.
Feb 22nd, 2026 by Joe Schulz
State Employment Program For People with Disabilities Lacks Funds
Causing waiting list for help. Evers administration seeks more funding.
Nov 4th, 2025 by Erik Gunn
Federal Shutdown Cuts Off Funding For State Job Support Programs
Labor statistics also frozen.
Oct 17th, 2025 by Joe Schulz
Federal Funding Cut Imperils Wisconsin’s Unemployment System Update
System that buckled in 2020 was being updated, but work can't be completed without funding.
Aug 14th, 2025 by Joe Schulz
Court Orders State to Pay Disabled Workers Unemployment Benefits
Walker-era law ended coverage for workers getting federal disability payments.
Jul 16th, 2025 by Erik Gunn
New MCTS Apprenticeship Program Seeks Stronger Workforce
Inaugural program aims to better train and retain bus drivers and mechanics.
Apr 30th, 2025 by Graham Kilmer
Gift From Herb Kohl Philanthropies Fuels Owner-Occupied Affordable Housing Efforts
Community Development Alliance leading effort to create 42 homes for early childhood educators.
Apr 24th, 2025 by Jeramey Jannene
Bill to Make Medicaid Eligibility Harder Held After Flurry of Opposition
Witnesses testified that current eligibility requirements are already burdensome.
Apr 16th, 2025 by Erik Gunn
Evers Seeks to Hire Displaced Federal Workers in Wisconsin
New online portal launched. 'We have a place for you here in Wisconsin.'
Mar 27th, 2025 by Joe Schulz
Canada’s Retaliatory Tariffs Target Wisconsin’s Top Industries
Trump's tariffs cause boomerang effect for many Wisconsin manufacturers, farmers.
Mar 21st, 2025 by Joe Schulz
Wisconsin Sets New Record High For Registered Apprentices
Commonly associated with construction trades, state program includes more than 200 occupations.
Dec 5th, 2024 by Joe Schulz
Candidates Ignore State’s Looming ‘Senior Tsunami’
Over-75 population expected to explode, creating huge shortage of health care workers.
Nov 4th, 2024 by Steven Walters
U.S. Labor Secretary Touts Job Growth, Tours Mine in Milwaukee Visit
In joint press conference with Mayor, Su praised Biden-Harris administration's efforts to train and employ skilled tradespeople.
Aug 15th, 2024 by Sophie Bolich
State Officials Hear From Industry, Labor on Embracing AI
Goal to make changes without leaving workers behind, they tell governor's task force.
Mar 5th, 2024 by Joe Schulz
Kirsten Johnson Aims to Restore Trust in Public Health
And bolster workforce. State DHS leader oversees nearly 6,000 employees.
Feb 12th, 2024 by Erik Gunn
Evers Task Force to Spotlight Health Care Worker Shortage
Everyone in state should have good quality care, 'no matter their zip code.'
Jan 30th, 2024 by Erik Gunn
State Labor Secretary Touts Wins in 2023
Record year for apprenticeships and much improved unemployment insurance system.
Jan 10th, 2024 by Erik Gunn
GOP Senators Express Skepticism of Governor’s Childcare, Workforce Bill
Issue coming to head with worker shortage, expiration of childcare subsidy program.
Oct 12th, 2023 by Erik Gunn
Wisconsin Wins Grant To Replace Troubled Unemployment System
Mainframe software system was burdened with backlogs in 2020, leaving thousands without answers or payment.
Sep 28th, 2023 by Joe Schulz
Developers Selected For Early Childhood Educator Homes
Aim is to boost childcare and minority homeowners. Plus: recap of week's real estate news.
Jul 2nd, 2023 by Jeramey Jannene
Wisconsin Unemployment Reaches Record Low
State also sets record for number of jobs.
Apr 21st, 2023 by Erik Gunn
State Job Layoffs a Sign of Economic Slowdown?
Rise in layoffs so far in 2023. But unemployment in Wisconsin still near historic low.
Mar 21st, 2023 by Joe Schulz
New Program Helps Wisconsin Residents Navigate Unemployment System
Partnership between UMOS and Department of Workforce Development helps people access complicated system.
Feb 23rd, 2023 by Edgar Mendez
After 4 Years, 180 Appointees by Gov. Evers Haven’t Been Confirmed
Republican Senate leaves them in limbo. 'Tell me what I need to do,' Ever says.
Jan 3rd, 2023 by Sarah Lehr
State’s Unemployment Rate Rises Slightly
From 3.1% to 3.2%, still near a historic low, as state added 14,400 more private sector jobs last month.
Oct 22nd, 2022 by Joe Schulz
State Cites Progress Fixing Unemployment System
Department of Workforce Development now paying 84% of claims within three days.
May 10th, 2022 by Christine Hatfield
Evers Awards $60 Million to Target Worker Shortage
Grants for job training, expanding health care workforce and skills training for prisoners.
Dec 15th, 2021 by Erik Gunn
Can State Fix Problems Underlying the Labor Shortage?
Evers administration putting $130 million into addressing issues contributing to labor shortage.
Oct 12th, 2021 by Erik Gunn
WEDC Issuing Grants To Address State’s Labor Challenges
State development corporation providing grants up to $10 million for workforce development projects.
Oct 7th, 2021 by Missy Hughes
Suit Seeks To End Ban on Jobless Pay for Disabled
Class-action claim charges 2013 state law violates U.S. Constitution.
Sep 8th, 2021 by Erik Gunn
6 Ways to Measure State of Workers
The data shows some surprising improvements in Wisconsin employment picture.
Sep 7th, 2021 by Steven Walters
State Businesses Offering Worker Incentives
Uline offers new workers year-end bonus of $8,000. Others offer increased pay, flexible work conditions.
Sep 1st, 2021 by Christine Hatfield
Legislators Reinstate Work Search Rule
On party line vote Republicans add work search requirement for those getting unemployment benefits.
May 20th, 2021 by Laurel White
Eligibility Expanded for Federal Unemployment Assistance
Biden administration releases new guidelines making previously denied applicants eligible for up to 79 weeks of unemployment.
Apr 29th, 2021 by Rob Mentzer
Legislators Resist Plans to Help Workers
GOP sniping at Evers plans for workforce training, minimum wage hike, funding to fix UI system.
Apr 7th, 2021 by Erik Gunn
State Unemployment Nearing Pre-Pandemic Levels
The state's unemployment rate in January was 3.8%.
Mar 12th, 2021 by Rachael Vasquez
Work-Share Program Surges During Pandemic
Struggling businesses can keep employees on part time and lost wages recouped through state unemployment system.
Feb 26th, 2021 by Erik Gunn
New Hurdle for Those Seeking Unemployment Aid
Federal bill signed in December has unexpected requirements, state DWD official says.
Feb 19th, 2021 by Graham Kilmer
Legislators Advance Unemployment Fix, COVID-19 Deal
But Republicans won’t pay for new computer system Evers says is needed.
Feb 18th, 2021 by Erik Gunn
Evers Names 30 Equity Council Members
Governor’s Advisory Council on Equity and Inclusion appointees include leaders from nonprofits, tribes, churches, community groups.
Feb 2nd, 2021 by Catherine Capellaro
State Call Center Confuses Unemployed
Jobless people say DWD call center gives incorrect, contradictory information.
Feb 2nd, 2021 by Rachael Vasquez
DWD Wants A Modernized Unemployment System
Secretary was in "complete shock" the first time she saw the antiquated systems.
Jan 28th, 2021 by Rachael Vasquez
State Starts $300 Unemployment Supplements
Unemployment insurance recipients are eligible for an additional $300 a week.
Jan 15th, 2021 by Rachael Vasquez
State Unemployment System ‘Very Broken’
Citizens decry delays. DWD officials say outdated computer system causes massive problems.
Jan 13th, 2021 by Rachael Vasquez
State Clears Unemployment Claims Backlog
Evers promotes Amy Pechacek to secretary designee of Department of Workforce Development.
Dec 30th, 2020 by Melanie Conklin
Unemployment System Audited After Pandemic Failures
Massive delays in claims, duplicate payments and an unreliable call center among issues found in report.
Dec 17th, 2020 by Erik Gunn
Extended Unemployment Payments Begin This Week
Extended Benefits payments going to those that exhausted all other forms of unemployment assistance.
Dec 3rd, 2020 by Rachael Vasquez
State Official Promises End to Unemployment Insurance Backlog
Department of Workforce Development’s new director hopes to end backlog by late December.
Dec 2nd, 2020 by Rachael Vasquez
Will Unemployment Backlog Be Cleared By End Of Year?
70,000 people in Wisconsin are still waiting for their unemployment to come through.
Nov 26th, 2020 by Rachael Vasquez
Thousands Still Await Jobless Aid
Some 93,000 applications for pandemic aid have yet to be processed or adjudicated by state.
Nov 22nd, 2020 by Marty Hobe and Bram Sable-Smith
Milwaukee Unemployment Higher than National Average
County slightly higher, but city well above national average.
Sep 25th, 2020 by Graham Kilmer
Evers Fires Workforce Development Secretary
Sec. Caleb Frostman asked to resign over unemployment system delays.
Sep 18th, 2020 by Laurel White
County, Insurer Fight Over $6.7 Million Claim
$6.7 million awarded to sexually assaulted county jail inmate, will insurance cover it?
Aug 24th, 2017 by Gretchen Schuldt
