Wisconsin Today

Vice President JD Vance returns to Wisconsin today to promote President Donald Trump's signature budget law.the state GOP's search for answers after a string of lopsided spring election losses. And, why the state's fish and wildlife account is running a shortfall.

A Wisconsin man who faked a drowning learned his fate. Then, a Sheyboygan health provider is replacing behavioral health beds with more surgery beds. And, a look at the impact of gun violence on today's Wisconsin Life.

Some Wisconsin researchers are sounding the alarm after the U.S. Supreme Court ruling ended some science and health grants. Then, recent disasters have underscored a need for more shelters in Milwaukee. And, Milwaukee's public schools looks to rebuild trust.

Prices for steak and ground beef are way up. In Wisconsin and nationwide, the population of beef cattle is down -- and continuing to decline. Then,  a Door County tour guide uncovers a 19th-century shipwreck. And, Wisconsin scientists are learning about our forests -- by listening to them.

Federal surveyors are on the ground in Milwaukee. It's a step toward unlocking aid for residents whose homes flooded in this month's historic storms. Wisconsin lawmakers debate a proposal to make some tips tax-exempt. And, from Wisconsin Life, a story about how a DIY skate park in Milwaukee went from an underground secret to a community asset.

Gov. Tony Evers has directed state agencies to clear a backlog of rules on everything from wolf management to professional licensing -- without taking them to the state Legislature. U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders spoke to WPR ahead of a weekend event in Viroqua. And, we'll hear about clinical trials in Wisconsin testing whether psychedelic drugs can help treat mental health disorders.

Workers at a Monroe cheesemaker are striking after the company's new policy on undocumented workers. FEMA is headed to Milwaukee. And, from Wisconsin Life, a Wisconsin author's story about a family camping trip gone awry.

Milwaukee is still waiting on a federal emergency declaration. It's key to getting help to restore things after the floods. A clothing maker is suing Kohl's Corporation over an alleged 8-million-dollars in unpaid bills. And, exploratory drilling site in north central Wisconsin is stirring controversy. Our reporter visited the site of the drilling, which could lead to a mining operation.

Thousands of Milwaukee residents who lost personal items and saw their homes damaged in last week's floods. Most of them won't get help from insurance. Madison has been ordered to make changes in the way it administers elections. And, a conversation with a Wisconsin play-by-play announcer who's called more than 3-thousand games in a row.

The state Department of Natural Resources has seen hundreds of jobs cut in the last two decades. Officials say it's affecting services. Wisconsin's school report cards getting are getting an update. And, Brewers fans celebrate a winning streak with free burgers.

Some Ascension Wisconsin hospitals are developing plans to outsource their ICU doctors using a staffing agency based in Tennessee. Plus, supporters of redistricting reform in Wisconsin are calling partisan gerrymandering efforts a mistake. And, what do federal changes in rules for food dyes mean for Wisconsin's ice cream makers?

Lawmakers in Wisconsin are making a bipartisan push to save two veterans housing and recovery facilities. Environmentalists at a hearing in Ashland made the case against a rerouted oil and gas pipeline. And, a look at how meditation can help some people maintain their sobriety.

Milwaukeeans and others in southeastern Wisconsin are assessing the damage and beginning cleanup efforts after the weekend's historic floods. Wisconsin joins a new effort to limit robocalls. And, WPR director Sarah Ashworth speaks about federal budget cuts that targeted public media.

Nearly a foot of rain fell overnight Saturday in some places in the Milwaukee area, causing flash flooding in the region that stranded drivers, and shut down the State Fair. Plus, some nurses with advanced degrees will soon be allowed to set up their own practices in Wisconsin. And, a unique summer camp is helping kids who have parents in prison stay connected with family. 

It's been two weeks since Gov. Tony Evers announced he wouldn't try to win a third third term in office. But so far, there hasn't been a flood of candidates stepping up to try to replace him. A veteran campaign strategist says they might just be biding their time. Some Walworth County residents are fighting against plans for a new power plant in their community. And, in our last installment of WPR's Wisconsin Road Trip, we'll tag along with some ghost hunters.

A federal judge has ruled in favor of homeowners in a longstanding dispute with the Lac du Flambeau tribe about access to roads crossing tribal lands. The village of Sturtevant in Racine County is considering disbanding its police department. And, we'll hear about hiking on Wisconsin's urban trails.

Kids' camp leaders are used to having to adapt to things like stormy weather. But over the last week they've been dealing with a new challenge as drifting wildfire smoke has created unhealthy air quality. That's pushing summer camps indoors. A federal agency has granted approval for northern Wisconsin energy projects under a fast-tracked permitting process And, we hear from a young artist in Madison.

Democratic state lawmakers in Texas have fled the state to prevent passage of a redistricting bill aimed at giving Republicans more seats in Congress. That's bringing back memories of the Act 10 political battle in Wisconsin. Wisconsin congressman Tom Tiffany wants to eliminate an exemption that allows universities to hire international experts without having to compete for a limited pool of visas. And, we hear from a mother trying to find a safe place for her family after losing their home in Beloit.

Nine people in Wisconsin have contracted measles. The first Wisconsin cases come as highly contagious disease is seeing a resurgence nationally. A new state Supreme Court justice takes her place on the bench as the court faces big cases ahead. And, we hear from a mustard-maker whose work won awards at the World-Wide Mustard Competition.

A hostile crowd booed Republican Congressman Bryan Steil at an in-person town hall meeting last night in Elkhorn. A Madison photographer chronicles a pair of cranes who've adopted a gosling. And for our Wisconsin Road Trip series, WPR's own Joe Schulz tried surfing in the "Malibu of the Midwest."

Six more sheriffs in Wisconsin have signed contracts with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The contracts are aimed at helping the agency identify and deport undocumented people who are being held in local jails. Milwaukee Police offer plans to address a jump in gun violence in a downtown entertainment district, but city council members are skeptical. And a community health clinic has opened in a Racine elementary school.

Leaders in Wisconsin are speaking out about changes at the Environmental Protection Agency. The Dane County Sheriff says an accused drunk driver should face charges in Wisconsin -- not her native Honduras. Then, a Wisconsin Life story about finding a date in real life instead of an app.

There's been an increase in people giving up their their pets to animal shelters in Wisconsin. The GOP primary for governor won't include former Governor Scott Walker. And a look at how Wisconsin communities are spending their share of a massive opioid settlement.

For the first time, an insurance company has purchased a dental practice in Wisconsin. Some residents are backing a petition to require decontamination of wake boats moving between lakes. And Green Bay Packers fans say farewell to the team's longtime president.

Gov. Tony Evers has made it official. He won't run for reelection. Evers' decision to retire from politics has Democrats and Republicans floating bids to replace him. And, the case against the father of a Madison school shooter will move forward.

The body of a missing college student has been found in the Mississippi River. Republicans are pushing to repeal Democratic Governor Tony Evers' 400-year veto. And, statistics show the number of abortions has been rising in Wisconsin.

State regulators say the commercial harvest of whitefish in Lake Michigan has reached its lowest level since 1990. It's early, but the battle for control of the Wisconsin Senate is already shaping up. And, a wrecked boat that became an unlikely Milwaukee landmark is up for auction.

An injured bald eagle in northern Wisconsin was saved by a new skin-grafting technology using skin from a North Atlantic cod. Business leaders say President Trump's tariffs are making things harder for Wisconsin manufacturers. And, the state is warning of an increase in fatal crashes in all-terrain vehicles.

Gov. Tony Evers isn't saying yet whether he plans to run for a third term. If he does get into the race, he'll be starting out with less money in his campaign chest. Green Bay leaders say April's NFL draft had a bigger impact on the local economy than expected. And, the musician Jack White made an unexpected donation to help out a small Milwaukee music venue.

Programs providing housing for veterans who are homeless in Green Bay and Chippewa Falls are closing this fall because of funding shortfalls. Some Environmental Protection Agency workers in Wisconsin and Minnesota are among a group of federal employees placed on leave for signing a letter criticizing the Trump administration. And, firefly sightings are up.

The state supreme court struck down a law dating to the 1800s that banned almost all abortions in Wisconsin. That decision could open the door to other legal challenges.  The Department of Natural Resources is investigating a rare bear attack. And, Wisconsin has joined a lawsuit against the Trump administration over education funding.

President Trump has called for defunding the federal board that investigated a Wisconsin refinery explosion. Some say it would make workplaces less safe. Milwaukee mourns a police officer who was fatally shot. And, Governor Tony Evers talks about the compromises that led to the new state budget.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison will shutter its division of diversity, equity and inclusion. It's moving most employees to other departments. We'll hear from our politics team on a big Supreme Court decision this week. And, the latest story in our Wisconsin Road Trip series brings us to Kenosha where a 75-year-old baton-twirler is a crowd favorite at Kenosha Kingfish games.

The state budget signed last week boosts special education funding. But some educators say it fell short by not increasing general school aid. Plus, a Republican business owner announces a run for governor. Then, a Wisconsin Elections Commission report is sharply critical of a former Madison city clerk.

A developer of data centers is planning a massive new project in Dane County. They say it will bring 1,000 construction jobs. Leaders at the Universities of Wisconsin want to raise tuition. And, seven people survive a dangerous boating mishap on the Mississippi River.

The $111-billion budget signed by Gov. Tony Evers didn't set aside money for for the state's Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program. Family planning clinics in Wisconsin are facing funding cuts under the massive bill signed by President Donald Trump last week. And, more than half of surveyed fire chiefs in Wisconsin say they're concerned about having adequate staffing.

The state budget lawmakers passed last week came after bipartisan negotiations. Experts say Wisconsin's new voting maps were part of the reason. A man from central Wisconsin has broken a speed record for kayaking. And, Wisconsin meteorologists say federal funding cuts could make storm predictions less accurate.

In this special holiday edition, a Waupaca County mother recounts teaching her son about the pleasure of swimming in a Wisconsin lake during the summer.

Wisconsin lawmakers were in a race with Washington as they passed the state budget last night. Failing could have cost state hospitals millions. We've got details on the state Supreme Court's decision in a key abortion lawsuit. And, could more nuclear power come to Wisconsin?

The state budget contains hundreds of millions in child care spending and a $1.5 billion tax cut. Some Wisconsin Uber drivers say they're fed up with low pay. And, a new biotech center is adding hundreds of jobs in Madison.

Gov. Tony Evers says the new state budget will include one-point-four billion dollars for special education. The governor's office says he's reached a tentative bipartisan deal with Republican legislators. A majority of the Watertown School Board has resigned in the last six months. And, we hear from a Wisconsin comic book artist whose zombie book "Revival" is now a series on the Syfy channel.

Proposed cuts to Medicaid could mean more uninsured people in Wisconsin and financial pressure on rural hospitals. Some health policy organizations are speaking out. We've got the latest on the political wrangling over the state budget. And, ginseng growers in central Wisconsin have seen exports to China virtually stop this year.