‘Roberto’ says he was taken from Georgia, where he worked legally but was exploited, to Wisconsin, where he worked illegally — and in the shadows.
Author Archives: Sarah Whites-Koditschek
Sarah Whites-Koditschek joined the Center in 2018 as the Wisconsin Public Radio Mike Simonson Memorial Investigative Reporting Fellow. Previously Sarah worked as a Little Rock-based reporter covering healthcare, education, and politics for Arkansas Public Media, a statewide journalism project she initiated and helped launch in 2016. Her stories have aired on American Public Media’s Marketplace and on National Public Radio’s Morning Edition and All Things Considered. She has also reported and produced news for WHYY in Philadelphia. Sarah is a graduate of the Columbia School of Journalism where she earned a Master’s degree at the Toni Stabile Center for Investigative Journalism. She has won a first place PRNDI and a Regional Edward R. Murrow award, and is a member of IRE, SPJ, RTDNA, JAWS, and AIR. She is a fluent Spanish speaker.
Posted inEnvironment
Great Lakes freighters may have to treat ballast water to curb invasives
Ballast rules for ocean-going vessels to limit invasive species work; adding rules for local freighters would cost hundreds of millions of dollars, the industry says.
Posted inEconomy, Environment, Government
Solar flare-up: Utility blocks Iowa firm from harnessing the sun in Milwaukee
A solar company is challenging public utilities’ monopoly on providing electricity from solar in Wisconsin; state regulators have declined to intervene in the feud.
Posted inEnvironment, Health & Welfare
Climate change causes ‘roller coaster’ mercury levels in Wisconsin fish
Researchers find that climate change-caused variations in Wisconsin lake levels have begun reversing recent gains in controlling environmental mercury.
Posted inEconomy, Environment, Health & Welfare
Proposal for 24 wind turbines whips up controversy in rural Wisconsin
Proponents of renewable energy say the project will invigorate their Green County town and help the environment; others fear property values and health will decline.
Posted inFailure at the Faucet, Health & Welfare
Most nitrate, coliform in Kewaunee County wells tied to animal waste
The latest findings from a study of drinking water wells and their surroundings finds manure from cows that is stored or spread on farm fields poses the highest risk for certain contaminants.
Posted inEnvironment
Massive Wisconsin solar proposal splits farmers and clean energy fans
One of the largest solar projects on cropland in the U.S. is pitting renewable energy boosters against each other — and farmers against farmers.
Posted inEnvironment
Former DNR employee: Staff pressured to OK Kohler golf course on rare Wisconsin wetlands and state park
A golf course proposed by Kohler Co. along the Lake Michigan shore was approved by the state Department of Natural Resources — despite serious concerns by DNR staff about its potential impact on rare habitat.