UpNorthNews Daily Coronavirus Update

We talk to Sen. Tammy Baldwin about her new role as chair of a Senate Appropriations subcommittee that plays a key role in rural development and expanding high-speed internet across more of Wisconsin.

The number of COVID-19 patients in intensive care units has fallen below 100 for the first time in five months. Also, UW schools inch closer toward more in-person classes, but some students risk messing it up with careless behavior.

After more than 300 days, the Wisconsin Legislature has finally sent a bill to Gov. Evers that he'd sign. And they're likely going to do it again soon. Plus, state health officials announce a new vaccine registry.

One of the two candidates for state superintendent of public instruction posts a racially insensitive tweet, apologizes, and deletes her account. Also, Gov. Evers and Pres. Biden go big in their Wisconsin addresses Tuesday.

The Wisconsin senator is trying to get folks to stop believing what they saw at the US Capitol on Jan. 6. Also, Wisconsin is about to hit 1 million vaccine doses administered. And it's primary election day in the state.

Republican legislators have asked the Legislative Audit Bureau to review the November election despite a continued lack of any evidence of fraud. Also, there's a lot we can learn about early Black history in Wisconsin.

Members of a racial justice task force say they're moving forward despite disappointment over learning the political roots of the group's formation. Also, a Kenosha Co judge gives a surprising break to shooting suspect Kyle Rittenhouse.

Coronavirus case numbers continue going down, but two things could erase all of that progress: variants in the virus and legal challenges to basic safeguards.

Wisconsin's new daily coronavirus cases have been 3-digit numbers for several days in a row—first time in a long time. Also, Joe Biden is coming to Milwaukee. And, we hear about how many WI workers would benefit from Biden's plan to hike the minimum wage.

Gov. Tony Evers says his next state budget proposal will include legalizing marijuana use as a way to raise $165 million per year. Also, Wisconsin's vaccination numbers have picked up sharply, ranking the state No. 1 on one national list.

Gov. Tony Evers quickly vetoed Assembly Bill 1 after weeks of letting Republicans know the poison pills in the bill would have to be removed. The restrictions on local coronavirus safety measures stayed in, so the bill is dead and relief efforts have to start again.

The Assembly votes to kill the statewide face mask safeguard from Gov. Evers. Hear what the governor had to say as he responded by declaring a brand new public health emergency and face mask requirement. Plus, reaction to the story we broke Wednesday on the political motives behind the Assembly Speaker's Task Force on Racial Disparities.

Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes talks to UpNorthNews about our exclusive story revealing the email exchange between the Assembly Speaker and Majority Leader that shows a task force on racial disparities was a political smokescreen more than an effort at real police reform.

Two of the Legislature's top Republicans tried to tease Gov. Evers about Groundhog Day. They seemed to have forgotten every day has been the same since last April when it comes to the Legislature doing any work.

Wisconsin marks 21 days where the average number of new coronavirus cases goes lower. The number of people getting their second vaccine dose reaches 100,000. Plus, the state gets a big financial boost to get more people immunized faster.

Wisconsin marks 18 straight days with a declining number of average new coronavirus cases, and nearly half-a-million vaccine doses have been administered. But Congress and the Legislature are stuck and not helping—another casualty of gerrymandering.

The Republican-led Wisconsin Legislature was all set Thursday to kill statewide face mask safeguards and send a coronavirus bill to Gov. Evers sure to be vetoed. But one group noticed an expensive unintended consequence, and now everything is on hold.

The next priority group for COVID-19 vaccinations is officially set, made up of lots of people you'd fairly describe as helpers. Then there's a very unhelpful bunch in the state Capitol who are voting this week to make things worse for everyone.

Wisconsin is coming up on the 1-year anniversary of the state's first COVID-19 case. There have been losses, changes, setback, and lessons learned. Also, since this was recorded, the State Senate has voted to kill face mask safeguards.

WI has now seen 14 consecutive days where the average number of new coronavirus cases has gone down. And yet legislative Republicans may be on the verge of voting to kill the face mask safeguards.

As the US sees 4,000 deaths a day from COVID-19, Wisconsin Republicans think it's a good idea to start a new attack on Gov. Evers' coronavirus safeguards. Also, we interview a specialist in women's health about the COVID-19 vaccine.

A state committee is deciding which groups should be next in line for the COVID-19 vaccine. Right on schedule, legislative Republicans are playing politics with wanting to withhold it from prison inmates despite the crowded settings and the health threat to guards and staff.

Pres. Joe Biden got right to work on his first day in office. Tackling some of the country's biggest problems will certainly have an impact in Wisconsin. Plus, COVID-19 numbers in the state continue to decline.

Day 1,461 of the Trump administration sees the US coronavirus death toll reach 400,000, though Wisconsin's numbers are still trending lower. Plus a Madison-area girl's virtual lemonade stand to raise money for hunger relief is getting attention at the Biden inauguration.

Earlier this week, Trump administration officials told Gov. Tony Evers and others that a reserve supply of COVID-19 vaccine would be released to the states. There was more vaccine in Al Capone's vault than in the so-called reserve.

The Dept. of Health Services shines a light on how the federal govt is shipping COVID-19 vaccine to states in a way that's not in line with how the priority groups are composed. And Congressman Scott Fitzgerald, who voted to reject certified election results, says he has no idea who's to blame for the DC riot.

Pres. Trump is impeached again, this time for inciting an insurrection that threatened the United States Congress. Wisconsin's Republican congressmen offered unique reasons to vote against impeaching.

An Eau Claire man posted photos of himself inside the US Capitol during the riot, and you'll absolutely believe what happened next. Also, updates on vaccination totals and the legislature tries to make a deal on a relief bill.

Boards are going up on the windows of the state Capitol in Madison and the National Guard has been activated to help Capitol Police with security due to chatter about potential follow-ups from last week's insurrection at the US Capitol.

Will Pres. Trump be forced from office through the 25th Amendment before his term expires on Jan. 20? Also, a Burlington teacher is on leave after attending the DC event that turned violent. And there are now 7 candidates for state superintendent.

Wisconsin health officials need the federal govt to step up COVID-19 vaccine shipments. Meanwhile, they're dealing with a legislature putting poison pills in its coronavirus relief bill; limiting safeguards and focused on business favors instead of workplace safety.

It wasn't just the US Capitol that was attacked today, it was your vote—no matter who you voted for—as a mob tried violently to thwart the Electoral College count. And Wisconsin set another sad pandemic milestone: 5,000 deaths.

No criminal charges will be filed against the Kenosha police officer who shot a Black man seven times in the back last summer. And Republican legislators continue fast-tracking a bill that addresses COVID... by giving businesses a big loophole.

The Wisconsin Legislature kicked off its new session Monday, the first time Republicans have convened the Assembly and Senate since mid-April. Gov. Evers asked for quick action on a relief bill. The GOP went in another direction.

The year ends with still far too many coronavirus cases and deaths, but the latest numbers are now less than half of what they were at the peak of the recent surge. Plus Democrats go with a virtual inauguration in Madison while the GOP insists on a big indoor gathering.

Gov. Tony Evers makes the case for fixing gerrymandered maps as key to breaking the gridlock that has prevented coronavirus safeguards from saving more Wisconsin lives.

WI Assembly Speaker Robin Vos kills the safe option of holding virtual legislative sessions, an unreal snubbing of concerns by his members about their health during a pandemic. Also, Gov. Evers honors small businesses that embrace safety for workers and customers.

A bipartisan COVID deal passed Congress overwhelmingly on Monday, but every Republican in the WI delegation voted no to relief for renters, farmers, small business owners, and families.

Whatever you're doing, Wisconsin, keep it up. Coronavirus numbers continue trending in a better direction, even as a second vaccine has been approved and is now making its way to the state. Plus a new federal relief bill is finally approved.

Less than one week in, the Trump administration is already telling states like Wisconsin to expect fewer doses of COVID-19 vaccine than they were first told, for reasons still unclear.

Perhaps the tragic stories of overcrowded WI hospitals were what finally did it, but new COVID-19 cases still show no sign of a Thanksgiving surge. Also, the state Supreme Court debates capacity limits on businesses.

Even as Gov. Evers releases a task force request to toughen the rules on so-called "forever chemicals" getting into groundwater, Republicans appear to be on the verge of weakening them.

A group in Milwaukee is being recognized for marching for 200 consecutive days to keep community attention on the need for police reform. Also, we take a deep dive into a potential big wave of evictions all across Wisconsin after Jan. 1 when aid and a moratorium run out.

Moments after the WI Supreme Court on Monday rejected Pres. Trump's election lawsuit, the Democratic members of the Electoral College formally elected Joe Biden. The Republican electors gathered to "vote" as well.

The WI Supreme Court will again hear from Pres. Trump's legal team, agreeing to a weekend session appealing Friday's loss in his effort to overturn his election loss in Wisconsin. Also, a preview of Wisconsin-based holiday treats.

A federal judge in Milwaukee late Thursday showed no rush in resolving Pres. Trump's request to throw out the Wisconsin election. And a WI member of Congress is among those supporting a Texas lawsuit to overrule the will of Wisconsin voters.

On our website UpNorthNewsWI.com we've been profiling the new class of legislators. Now it's time to visit one of the sage veterans as Sen. Jeff Smith (D-Eau Claire Co.) talks about some of the expected 2021 issues. Plus, deaths are still up but COVID-19 cases are trending lower.

WI health officials worry about complacency and overconfidence in the timeline of a vaccine as they note decreased numbers of people coming in for COVID-19 testing. Also, a right wing group argues against local control of coronavirus safeguards, not long after promoting local control.

Republicans running the Wisconsin Legislature want the state's eventual COVID-19 vaccine distribution headed up by... its budget writing committee? Also, an Eau Claire native who worked in the US Treasury Dept. likes Pres-elect Biden's choice of Janet Yellen as secretary.

A Trump-appointed federal judge in Milwaukee may have dealt a final crippling blow to the president's attempt to overthrow the Wisconsin election results. And the state's COVID positivity rate sets a new record.

The presidential election was almost thrown into chaos Thursday as three conservative state Supreme Court justices wanted to take up Pres. Trump's effort to throw out 200,000+ votes. There was a surprise from the fourth.