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Today we highlight a story from WSAW-TV in Wausau about a Wisconsin couple stranded abroad during the pandemic. For weeks the couple — who were working as teachers in Venezuela — and their family members have unsuccessfully asked various government officials to help them find a flight out of the country, Naomi Kowles reports.
Knowles tweeted an update this afternoon, reporting that Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro’s regime has denied a second repatriation attempt.
Top Stories
Wisconsin coronavirus cases pass 6,500 as state says over 180 outbreaks are tied to nursing homes, other facilities — Appleton Post-Crescent
Nearly 20% of inmates at Kenosha County jail facilities test positive for COVID-19 — Kenosha News
Gone but not counted: Who may be missing from Wisconsin’s coronavirus death toll? — Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
34 counties in Wisconsin don’t have ICU beds; how those hospitals care for COVID patients — Channel 3000
Wisconsin suspends fees, penalties for missed rent during COVID-19 pandemic — Wisconsin State Journal
Class-action lawsuit joins growing number over business interruption insurance denials amid COVID-19 pandemic — Wisconsin State Journal
Wisconsin Republicans haven’t come together on a COVID-19 response plan — Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
What are we missing? And how are you coping? Help us provide critical information and accountability by filling out this form or emailing us at tips@wisconsinwatch.org.
Government updates
Wisconsin Department of Health Services
U.S. Centers and Disease Control and Prevention
Live updates
Live coverage from USA Today-Wisconsin reporters
Live coverage from Wisconsin State Journal reporters
Quotable
“You just see this stuff peeling off, one by one … This could be the year the music died.”
Gary Kallas, director of the Wil-Mar Neighborhood Center, quoted by the Cap Times in a story about the cancellation of Madison’s Fete de Marquette and the Waterfront Festival — the latest event canceled by the pandemic.
Data to note
Here is the latest look, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, at the state’s progress on one of Gov. Tony Evers’ criteria for gradually reopening the economy: to have a downward trajectory over 14 days in the percentage of positive COVID-19 tests. The trend as of Thursday was slightly decreasing. Other criteria for reopening the economy relate to influenza-like illnesses, COVID-19-like symptoms, hospital capacity, total COVID-19 testing and ability to perform contact tracing. You can find more information about progress on those goals here.
Resilient Wisconsin
People helping others and showing resilience during this time of anxiety. Send suggestions by tagging us on social media — @wisconsinwatch — or emailing us: tips@wisconsinwatch.org.
Looking to save on food? Here’s a way to grow your own or buy affordable local produce — Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
‘I’m grateful:’ Shoppers in Milwaukee surprised as donors pay for groceries at Pete’s Fruit Market — WDJT-Milwaukee
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The nonprofit Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism (wisconsinwatch.org) collaborates with Wisconsin Public Radio, PBS Wisconsin, 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.
