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Wisconsinites spent much of Thursday examining the implications of Wednesday’s state Supreme Court ruling that struck down Gov. Tony Evers’ administration’s Safer at Home order to slow the spread of coronavirus. Among the biggest themes emerging: Wisconsin now has a patchwork of policies to address the pandemic, with some communities allowing businesses to instantly open and others enacting local orders that mirror Evers’ eviscerated policy. And some business owners still aren’t sure whether reopening is safe.
Today we highlight reporting by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and Wisconsin State Journal that answers key questions about what’s next for Wisconsin during the pandemic.
Top Stories

Wisconsin is mostly open, but coronavirus risk is still high, experts say. Here’s what we’ve learned about how to protect yourself. — Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Some bars and restaurants are open in Wisconsin. Others have decided it’s still too risky. — Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Wisconsin’s patchwork of stay-at-home orders by county — Wisconsin State Journal
Some rural Wisconsin areas collect fewer tests than hoped as state scales up COVID-19 testing — WPR
Wisconsin’s unemployment troubles started long before COVID-19 — FOX 6
Eau Claire County judge mandates quarantine for individual amid COVID-19 pandemic — WPR
Photos: Bars open after state Supreme Court strikes down safer-at-home order — USA Today Network-Wisconsin
Federal lawsuit: ‘Mixed-status’ families unfairly denied pandemic stimulus checks — WTMJ-TV
La Crosse officials aim to use federal COVID-19 funding for homeless community, child care — La Crosse Tribune
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
“Millions of lives and trillions of dollars in economic activity may depend not just on producing a vaccine, but on persuading people to accept it.”
Kevin Roose of The New York Times in a column: “Get Ready for a Vaccine Information War.”
Data to note
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services on Thursday reported 373 new cases of COVID-19 statewide, with 6.4% of tests coming back positive. The department reported 13 additional COVID-19 deaths, pushing the state’s total to 434 during the pandemic.
Our partners at WisContext have visualized some of the latest trends below.
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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.
Green Bay, De Pere grant and loan programs provide much-needed lifeline for local businesses — Green Bay Press Gazette
Resources for single parents struggling during the pandemic — WTMJ-TV
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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.