Newsmakers

Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers has been in the spotlight lately – more than usual, anyway – facing questions about his pushback on federal immigration policies, multiple state lawsuits, unique biennial budget challenges, and whether he will run for a 3rd term. Governor Evers joins WisconsinEye's Newsmakers on May 20, 2025, to answer all of these […]

Wisconsin is celebrating Defense Week this week with a series of events supporting the state's defense industry and encouraging other businesses to get involved. While Wisconsin is routinely ranked as a top manufacturing state, it is ranked 29th in total defense contracting and other spending nationally. On May 12, 2025, WisconsinEye's Newsmakers welcomes Todd Streicher, […]

Now that public hearings are complete, the Joint Finance Committee begins the hard work of crafting the biennial budget with a goal of being done by July 1. Yet partisan disagreements over tax cuts, the impact of federal policies and the state of the economy all have the potential to stall this year's timeline. Democratic […]

The final two public hearings in the state budget process will be held next week in Hayward and Wausau, setting the stage for the Joint Finance Committee to begin crafting its version of the budget. Legislators face unique challenges this year calculating uncertainty about federal funding and any impact tariffs may have on inflation and […]

In less than two weeks Wisconsin will once again be in the national spotlight, and this time not for an election. Green Bay is hosting the annual NFL draft, with more than a quarter million visitors and major economic impact expected. On April 15, 2025, WisconsinEye’s Newsmakers featured Brad Toll, President and CEO of Discover […]

Tuesday, April 1st marks an important election in Wisconsin, and what some are also calling a national referendum on President Trump's first few months in office. There are also several other key races and questions on the ballot that have received less attention. On March 31, 2025, WisconsinEye’s Newsmakers asked experts to join us: University […]

The Assembly's new Committee on Government Oversight Accountability and Transparency or GOAT recently held its first hearing – diving into issues like state government telework and cybersecurity. Republican leaders say the committee's goal is to root out waste, fraud and abuse. So what's next on the committee's agenda? On April 7, 2025, WisconsinEye’s Newsmakers planed […]

On March 17, 2025, WisconsinEye’s Newsmakers Host Lisa Pugh sat down with Dane County District Court Judge Susan Crawford who is running for State Supreme Court Justice. General Election is April 1, 2025.

On March 10, 2025, WisconsinEye's Newsmakers Host Lisa Pugh sat down with former Wisconsin Attorney General and current Waukesha County District Court Judge Brad Schimel who is running for State Supreme Court Justice. General Election is April 1, 2025.

On March 17, 2025, WisconsinEye’s Newsmakers host and Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Director of Strategic Partnerships Erin Richards sat down with Brittany Kinser, Milwaukee-based education consultant, who is running for State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Spring Election is April 1, 2025.

By now you have likely heard about H5N1, more commonly known as bird flu, that has been sweeping the country and is now linked to the first human case in Wisconsin. While the CDC continues to say the risk to humans is low, the virus has been spreading rapidly across animal species and Wisconsin health […]

Advocates for people with disabilities, older adults and the providers who support them in Wisconsin are watching the latest actions in Washington closely, saying the places Congress and the Trump Administration are looking for government savings will have a serious impact. On February 17, 2025, WisconsinEye's Newsmakers welcomed Tami Jackson, Public Policy Analyst with the […]

Universities of Wisconsin System President Jay Rothman has been traveling statewide this year, already speaking to nearly 1,000 people and numerous groups – making the case for his $855 million dollar budget request. While Republicans have called the amount unrealistic, Rothman says it is what’s necessary to prevent tuition hikes and keep remaining branch campuses […]

President Trump’s first weeks in office have been a whirlwind of headline-making decisions; though any lasting impact on Wisconsin is yet to be determined. Conservatives say Trump has a mandate to install his vision, while liberals argue there will be harmful unintended consequences. Joining WisconsinEye's Newsmakers is Jake Curtis, General Counsel of the conservative Institute […]

Legislative Democrats are out the gate with their first set of priorities for the new session – focusing on issues they say they heard repeatedly on the campaign trail. Leaders in both chambers believe there is strong possibility for bi-partisan agreement now that Democrats have more seats and greater influence. On January 22, 2025, WisconsinEye's […]

Republican leaders in the State Senate are kicking off the 107th Legislative Session with expectations of a major tax cut for Wisconsinites and hopes for success on issues like medical marijuana and a Monday processing election bill. While Republicans hold a slimmer majority this time around, they are confident in some big wins this session. […]

Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, (R) Rochester – 33rd District, the longest serving speaker of the Wisconsin State Assembly, heads into this new legislative session with a slimmer majority and once again promises for a big tax cut for Wisconsinites, along with no guarantees of big bipartisan compromise. The Speaker sits down for an end […]

Wisconsin's main 2024 gun deer season is now complete, but some significant changes to how the state manages its deer population are already underway for 2025. While this year's season was a success by many accounts, the public is asking for change in the north and the DNR is hoping for improved hunter effort in […]

A new legislative session and biennial budget year with a sizable state surplus on the table presents many opportunities to address Wisconsin's challenges. From a lack of affordable housing and child care to school funding and a workforce shortage, the real question is where policymakers will find agreement. On November 19, 2024, Economist and Researcher Dale […]

One week post-election and the dust is settling on results; and analysts are starting to make predictions about what this means for Wisconsin's future. On November 11, 2024, Two veteran journalists returned to WisconsinEye's Newsmakers to share their election reflections: Andrew Bahl, State Government Reporter with The Cap Times and Adam Kelnhofer State Capitol Reporter […]

There is perhaps no more stressful job on election day than that of a county's chief election officer in a state like Wisconsin. Our election results are not only expected to be close, but heavily scrutinized and likely contested. On November 4, 2024, WisconsinEye's Newsmakers welcomes two veteran local election chiefs on the day before […]

For those fed up with incessant election ads and breaking news, there is relief in sight – or is there? Although November 5 is just one week away no one can predict the outcome nor tell us when we will have final results. On October 28, 2024, WisconsinEye's Newsmakers features two Wisconsin experts to share […]

The Harris and Trump campaigns are making their final pitches to Wisconsin voters while campaign strategists hope their last minute gambles pay off as they attempt to reach that ever elusive undecided or unenthusiastic voter. Previously, we featured a Republican Party leader, and today on October 28, 2024, WisconsinEye's Newsmakers is joined by Devin Remiker, Senior […]

Wisconsin is keeping pollsters scrambling in the final weeks of this election season. It's anyone's guess what 2024 will bring, other than a razor thin victory for either party. That's why both campaigns are ramping up their efforts. We are sitting down with party strategists to understand what that looks like. On October 14, 2024, […]

Wisconsin homeowners and renters are facing an unprecedented affordability crisis, an issue that has been forcing candidates for office from the local to federal level to propose solutions. So will the American Dream of home ownership remain out of reach for many state residents and will renters continue to spend a record percentage of their […]

It's not an exaggeration to say that every vote counts in Wisconsin's elections this fall and there's particularly stiff competition for Wisconsin's rural voters. Partisan divides have deepened in rural communities over the last decade and candidates are working even harder to speak directly to voter concerns. On September 30, 2024, rural policy experts joined […]

Presidential candidates are making a big push for young voters this election, particularly in states with narrow margins like Wisconsin. Analysts say the youth vote alone could make the difference. But appealing to this diverse and sometimes fickle group can be a challenge. On September 23, 2024, young leaders from both parties join WisconsinEye's Newsmakers […]

There is perhaps no issue that is more emotional or on which Wisconsinites are more deeply divided this election season than abortion. Polls show us the issue divides along partisan and gender lines and almost everyone has formed an opinion. On September 16, 2024, WisconsinEye's Newsmakers featured a conversation with two committed advocates with different […]

Wisconsin voters consistently rank the economy as the number one issue in this upcoming election, but they also differ on which candidate would handle it better and which parts of the economy matter most. On September 9, 2024, WisconsinEye's Newsmakers featured two of Wisconsin's leading economic experts to explain what voters should look for and […]

On August 26, 2024, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Director of Strategic Partnerships Erin Richards @emrichards sat down with Luther Olsen, former Republican state Senator and CESA Statewide Network Liaison, and Thomas McCarthy, Deputy State Superintendent of Public Instruction, to discuss K-12 education issues on the campaign trail. (Brought to you by Nicolet National Bank). Additional coverage is […]

Democrats from across the country and Wisconsin are heading to Chicago next week for the Democratic National Convention running Monday through Thursday. Democrats are riding high on enthusiasm for their new nominee Vice President Harris. But will the energy sustain? On August 16, 2024, WisconsinEye's Newsmakers, two veteran journalists who covered the RNC in Milwaukee […]

The status of Wisconsin's corrections system is shaping up as a major theme for the next biennial budget and legislative session. Recent informational hearings have featured the serious concerns of staff and inmate families in an overcrowded system that has led to deaths. On August 12, 2024, WisconsinEye's Newsmakers featured a conversation with Republican Joint […]

The newest Marquette Law School Poll is set to release this week but other national polls are already showing a shift in voter allegiances over the last few weeks, including significant changes in Wisconsin. But what does history tell us about Wisconsin's swing state status and how things might play out in November? On August […]

Nearly two weeks out from the August 13th partisan primary Wisconsin’s local election officials are scrambling to understand and implement new guidance related to recent court rulings, new election laws and changes to the state constitution. So what has changed at the polls this year and what do voters need to know? On July 29, […]

Polling in Wisconsin and nationally shows decreasing confidence in the U.S. Supreme Court at the same time some are calling for court reforms. Wisconsin policymakers and advocates on both sides of the aisle are also sharing their views on the implications of the court’s most recent decisions. Supreme Court expert and UW-Madison Political Science Professor, […]

The Republican National Convention getting underway in Milwaukee next week will certainly be a Who’s Who for the party, including our own Wisconsin VIPs. Former Governor and Presidential cabinet member Tommy Thompson is a convention delegate whose job in part has been and will continue to be energizing Wisconsin Republicans heading into November. On July […]

In just one week an estimated 50 thousand attendees will gather in Milwaukee for the Republican National Convention. State Democrats will be among those watching and listening closely to convention activities. Two veteran democratic state legislators – Gordon Hintz who is now a Director for the Wisconsin Laborers' District Council and David Crowley who serves […]

On July 1, 2024, WisconsinEye's Newsmakers Host Lisa Pugh sat down with the Director of the Legislative Council, Anne Sappenfield, to provide a study committees overview, including the challenges the legislature hopes members will address. Each even-numbered year of the biennium Wisconsin's Joint Legislative Council establishes what are known as study committees. These committees, with a […]

The work of the state's Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board has shifted in recent years to focus on not just prevention alone but on strengthening families. What might seem like a subtle change is having an impact. Overall the state is reporting fewer referrals to Child Protective Services and a decrease in substantiated allegations […]

Advocates for older adults in Wisconsin say concerning trends across the state's long-term care system require immediate attention as the population ages. Meanwhile the nursing home industry, facing potential closures, says a new federal staffing rule will have unintended consequences. Today, June 17, 2024, we are joined on WisconsinEye's Newsmakers by the State's Long Term […]

On June 10, 2024, WisconsinEye's Newsmakers host Lisa Pugh hosted a show highlighting how new legislative districts are playing out this campaign season, and what Wisconsinites need to know. Her guest was WisPolitics.com Editor JR Ross. WisPolitics.com has written extensively on district changes throughout the state’s 99 assembly districts and 33 senate districts. You can follow […]

On June 3, 2024, WisconsinEye's Newsmakers Host Lisa Pugh sat down with WisDems Chairman Ben Wikler to preview the 2024 Democratic Party of Wisconsin’s state convention. (Brought to you by Nicolet National Bank).

Polls are showing that even in a midwestern state like Wisconsin, the issue of immigration and border security is near the top of the list for voter concerns this election season. The two main presidential candidates offer vastly different approaches to solving the problem while Congress has failed to pass any solution at all. WisconsinEye's […]

This upcoming weekend Republicans from throughout the state will gather in Appleton for the party's annual convention. There's a lot at stake for Republicans this fall – from a chance to win the White House and take control of the US Senate to holding seats in the state legislature under newly drawn maps. And GOP enthusiasm […]

Next week the State Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in a ballot drop box case that could result in them overturning their own decision from less than 2 years ago. Critics of drop boxes say they aren't secure and erode public confidence in elections; supporters say they improve voter accessibility. Joining WisconsinEye's Newsmakers on May […]

Recent data shows violent crime rates are going down throughout Wisconsin and across the nation, but law enforcement is dealing with other day-to-day challenges, keeping crime and public safety a top of mind issue in the upcoming election. Joining WisconsinEye's Newsmakers on April 29, 2024, are two current police chiefs representing different regions of our […]

Wisconsin policymakers are struggling to agree on solutions to address PFAS pollution in drinking water, meanwhile the federal government has just issued even lower standards for the state to meet to ensure water safety. Surveys show Wisconsinites are paying attention, making water quality a key voter issue. On April 15, 2024, WisconsinEye’s Newsmakers features a […]

A new Governor-appointed Task Force on the healthcare workforce is rushing to meet a 6 month timeline to submit solutions to the Governor while some say the state's healthcare system is mid-crisis. Last month two Western Wisconsin hospitals closed suddenly – leaving area communities without essential services. State officials describe that situation as a canary in […]

Wisconsinites head to the polls for the state's presidential preference primary tomorrow – April 2nd – and there is a box on the ballot you may not have noticed before, but it's getting considerable attention in this election. A group of advocates is encouraging voters to mark “uninstructed” on their ballots. On April 1, 2024, […]

If you have been watching the polls this presidential election year you are likely confused about what they are actually telling us. But one thing is for sure – Wisconsin voters, and voters nationally are unhappy. However, do we know the real reasons why? Taped on March 22, 2024 and published on March 25, 2024, […]

This spring Wisconsin voters are not only being asked to vote for their preferred presidential candidates, but also on two state referendums. On March 11, 2024, join WisconsinEye’s Newsmakers host Lisa Pugh sits down with Debra Cronmiller, Executive Director, League of Women Voters of Wisconsin and Dr. Will Flanders, Research Director, Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty to […]