Wisconsin Watch: Independent local news, reporting and analysis

How one program is working to bring Corn Belt farmers together for conservation agriculture

The “farmer-led movement” aims to shape the agricultural landscape — by strengthening soils and building community.

by Jess Savage / Northern Public Radio

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Using journalism to make Wisconsin communities strong, informed and connected.

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At annual convention, Wisconsin GOP’s old guard urges party to engage young voters

by Brittany Carloni / Wisconsin Watch

Wisconsin’s $1.8 billion budget deal collapses, exposing rifts within both parties

by Brittany Carloni / Wisconsin Watch

milwaukee neighborhood news service

Health care professionals and leaders want change as more older Milwaukee residents become homeless

by Chesnie Wardell / Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service

Disaster relief organizers push for changes in Milwaukee’s flood response

by Chesnie Wardell / Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service

Milwaukee’s housing crisis leaves younger adults and families struggling to find stability

by Chesnie Wardell / Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service

Stories from our partners

The FBI is contacting Wisconsin election officials. Here’s what we know.

by Alexander Shur / Votebeat

Foes of AI surveillance get wins in Wisconsin. But they fear they’re playing Whack-A-Mole.

by Pascal Sabino / Bolts

Welfare organizations complete transfer of hundreds of Ridglan Farms beagles

by Sarah Lehr / WPR and Trevor Hook / WPR

Fact Briefs – bite-sized fact checks of trending claims

Did compensation for the CEO of Wisconsin’s largest utility company triple in five years to $12 million?

No. A claim from Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mandela Barnes compared the CEO’s pay with his compensation when he was a vice president.

Did Madison have a curfew for juveniles until 2023?

Yes. The Madison City Council voted to repeal the ordinance in 2023.

After ethnic cleansing in Myanmar scattered Rohingya communities, a grassroots effort in Milwaukee is testing whether teaching the language in written form can help it survive — and whether families will choose to pass it on.

From empty pews to packed programs: A Driftless area church becomes a multigenerational community hub

Residents transformed a nearly empty Dodgeville church into a gathering place for older adults, children and others seeking connection in rural Wisconsin.

The transplants: 2 doctors fled Ukraine for Wisconsin. They’re still trying to get their careers back.

An anesthesiologist and a cardiologist gave up prestigious careers to save their daughter from war. Nearly four years later, they’re still on the long road to practicing their professions in the Dairy State.

Videos from Wisconsin Watch

Youtube video — **Wisconsin residents speak out on data center secrecy deals**

Environment

Mississippi River groups tell feds to act on nitrate contamination

by Madeline Heim / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

PSC approves Alliant-Meta data center power deal while criticizing ‘black box’ approach

by Paul Kiefer / Wisconsin Watch

Health & Welfare

Parkour for Seniors? Classes help older Wisconsinites build strength, community — and prevent deadly falls

by Addie Costello / Wisconsin Watch and Brittany Carloni / Wisconsin Watch

How to maintain balance as you age — and prevent dangerous falls

by Addie Costello / Wisconsin Watch

Government

Wisconsin Republicans look to Donald Trump’s die-hard fans to brighten their prospects in November

by Brittany Carloni / Wisconsin Watch

Wisconsin Elections Commission faces lawsuit, criticism over order not to count late-arriving Madison ballots

by Alexander Shur / Votebeat

EDucation

Despite growing opposition to property tax hikes, Wisconsin voters show increased support for school referendums

by Hongyu Liu / Wisconsin Watch and Miranda Dunlap / Wisconsin Watch

African American History Academic Challenge encourages pride, learning among Madison students

by Joe Timmerman / Wisconsin Watch

PATHWAYS TO SUCCESS

These Oshkosh residents want you to log off and talk politics — in real life

by Miranda Dunlap / Wisconsin Watch

‘Second chance’ bonds show promise. Few Wisconsin businesses use them

by Hongyu Liu / Wisconsin Watch and Natalie Yahr / Wisconsin Watch

Justice and Safety

As federal courts battle over mandatory immigration detention, Wisconsin woman becomes a test case

by Paul Kiefer / Wisconsin Watch

Tony Evers revived commutations, but what will Wisconsin’s next governor do?

by Brittany Carloni / Wisconsin Watch

Opinion

Opinion: After decades in prison, who deserves a chance at clemency?

Wisconsin leaders are debating who in prison should qualify for clemency. A one-size-fits-all approach risks ignoring rehabilitation and growth with age.

by Sherry Reames, Mark Rice, Joyce Ellwanger and Harlan Richards

Your Right to Know: How to solve high record costs and long delays

Wisconsin’s Open Records Law imposes no deadline on producing records. All it says is they must be produced “as soon as practicable and without delay.”

by Tom Kamenick

No shortage of opinions: Readers fuel the WisConversation

Wisconsin Watch readers are submitting researched, thoughtful commentaries on issues from poverty and water policy to the state’s drinking culture.

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