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Today we draw your attention to the latest story from WPR and Wisconsin Watch’s Bram Sable-Smith exposing the numerous flaws in Wisconsin’s unemployment insurance system, leaving thousands of jobless state residents without financial support during the COVID-19 crisis. The report is based on interviews with 16 out-of-work Wisconsinites, including David Ficke, a Beaver Dam welder who lived out of his car for a time while waiting for unemployment insurance to kick in. He’s still waiting.
Top Stories
Lives on hold: Pandemic exposes failures of Wisconsin unemployment insurance system — WPR/Wisconsin Watch
For juvenile detention, pandemic brings a chance to ‘rethink — The Cap Times
Wisconsin’s percentage of positive coronavirus tests hits highest point in more than a month — Green Bay Press-Gazette
Wisconsin ag officials caution mink farmers after COVID-19 outbreaks in Europe — Wisconsin State Journal
La Crosse mayor: Time to be more assertive about COVID-19 safety — La Crosse Tribune
How AIDS pushed Wisconsin to change its approach to public health — WisContext
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
Quotable
“Many of the riskiest and most stressful frontline jobs now deemed essential offer low pay and are occupied by people at the most marginalized intersections: racial/ethnic minorities, women, and undocumented workers. These intersections contrast starkly with those of the predominantly White, middle-class, and rich people who hire, legislate, and direct the conditions under which the ‘essential’ — or expendable, depending on your point of view — work and, in the COVID-19 era, live or die.”
George Washington University policy analyst Lisa Bowleg writing for the American Journal of Public Health
Data to note
Here is the latest visualization of Wisconsin’s recent increase on COVID-19 cases from our partners at WisContext.
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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.
SSM Health begins tele-chaplaincy to combat loneliness of pandemic — Janesville Gazette
Atwood Barbershop to make a move, double in size — The Cap Times
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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.
