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Wisconsin Watch is a nonpartisan, nonprofit investigative news outlet. We increase the quality and quantity of investigative reporting in Wisconsin, while training current and future investigative journalists. Our work fosters an informed citizenry and strengthens democracy.
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To increase the quality, quantity and understanding of investigative journalism to foster an informed citizenry and strengthen democracy.
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Wisconsin Watch values truth and pursues it through accurate, fair, independent, rigorous and nonpartisan reporting. We also value transparency, collaboration, innovation and a spirit of public service. These values guide Wisconsin Watch’s training of journalists and its investigations, which seek to protect the interests of people in vulnerable circumstances, expose wrongdoing and deficiencies in systems, and explore solutions to problems.
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Protect the vulnerable. Expose wrongdoing. Explore solutions.
Of note: This week we highlight a story by Sarah Whites-Koditschek, Wisconsin Public Radio’s investigative reporting fellow who is embedded in the Wisconsin Watch newsroom. Whites-Koditschek interviewed residents and officials in south-central Wisconsin and energy experts about the proposal to build a wind farm in Green County. The proposal has pitted officials and residents who favor the Sugar River Wind Project against those who fear it will bring visual blight and health problems, although science has yet to confirm such health-related concerns.
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As Wisconsin seeks to increase its reliance on renewable energy, a proposed wind power project in Green County is pitting neighbors against one another. Some residents are concerned about the visual and other effects of having turbines on the rural landscape. Others support boosting the state’s use of wind power, which currently generates just 3 percent of Wisconsin’s electricity.
Milwaukee County Register of Deeds John La Fave retired abruptly as federal investigators probe allegedly fraudulent dealings worth more than $2.8 million with two county contractors dating back to 2009.
Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service — April 17, 2019
Last month’s special meeting of the Milwaukee Common Council’s Public Safety and Health Committee was hailed by Alderman Bob Donovan as a chance to “get to the bottom” of concerns related to the city’s lead crisis. But critics of the city’s handling of the issue continue to raise questions and seek answers.
The charges are the latest for the Mercer School District, which drew national scrutiny after two girls volleyball coaches let players watch the movie “50 Shades of Grey” on the way to a tournament.
A new study from two University of Wisconsin-Madison economists says Medicaid expansion would save Wisconsin nearly $100 million a year, contradicting a report in February that concluded the move would cost the state$600 million.
The nonprofit Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism (www.WisconsinWatch.org) collaborates with Wisconsin Public Radio, Wisconsin Public Television, other news media and the UW-Madison School of Journalism and Mass Communication. All works created, published, posted or disseminated by the Center do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of UW-Madison or any of its affiliates.
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WisconsinWeekly: Wind power debate swirling in Green County
by Wisconsin Watch, Wisconsin Watch April 22, 2019