Wisconsin Today

A Wisconsin family is calling for a woman's release from ICE after she was taken into custody last week.Cesar Chavez Day events planned for later this month in Wisconsin are being canceled following a New York Times investigation. And, a preview of Inside Wisconsin Politics, the new show from WPR and PBS Wisconsin.

A new law will soon let Wisconsin police conduct roadside saliva testing for marijuana and other illegal substances. The governor also signed a new law that will extend postpartum Medicaid coverage. And there's talk in Washington about bringing back a “Work Opportunity Tax Credit” for employers, even though data shows it failed to increase worker pay.

The state Senate passed a bill Tuesday that would legalize online sports betting in Wisconsin. And Republicans needed help from Democrats to do it. The Speaker of the state Assembly criticized his GOP counterparts in the Senate for not taking up a bill to regulate data centers. And, a story about an Appleton native whose business helps produce game broadcasts for Deaf people.

Thousands of Wisconsinites experienced whiteout conditions on Monday after a historic storm brought nearly 3 feet of snow to some parts of the state. The Wisconsin Senate could wrap up its business for the year Tuesday, with majority Republicans divided on big issues like legalizing online sports betting. And, hear about the WPR voter guide, focused on the open seat for the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

Wisconsin got walloped by a major snowstorm Sunday. That included record-breaking snow totals in some parts of the state. President Donald Trump says he'll target invasive carp to "save" the Great Lakes. But his administration is holding up funding for the project. In Racine, a group of citizens is involved in "participatory defense." They say they can make a difference in the criminal justice system.

A Wisconsin woman with no criminal record is being held in ICE detention after she was taken into custody at a routine immigration check-in. Wisconsin officials are fighting a federal lawsuit that's seeking voter information. And, here's snow on the way this weekend and forecasts say up to a foot and a half could fall in some parts of the state.

Three former students, now adults, from Oconto Falls High School are accusing the school district of overlooking sexual abuse by staff members over more than a decade. Wisconsin's Supreme Court justices heard oral arguments in a case pitting Democratic Attorney General Josh Kaul against the Republican-controlled state Legislature. And, some legislators want to allow the sale of a state-owned wildlife area.

Former Republican Supreme Court candidate Brad Schimel's temporary appointment as U.S. Attorney ends next week. Now, federal judges in Milwaukee say they will not extend his term. A survey of faculty at the University of Wisconsin-Madison found fewer than 10 percent described themselves as conservative. And, a new postmark rule adopted by the U.S. Postal Service could affect Wisconsinites who register to vote by mail

Conservative State Supreme Court Justice Annette Ziegler will not run for a third term. She says she plans to retire in 2027. The number of Wisconsin toddlers receiving their recommended childhood vaccines is continuing to decline. And, Wisconsin's universities may soon begin offering three-year degree programs.

Another outbreak of avian flu hits two commercial poultry farms in Wisconsin. Meanwhile, state lawmakers consider a bill to deregulate what's known as cryptocurrency "staking." And, how one Madison family navigated the presidential order that ended gender-affirming care for minors at the state's largest pediatric hospitals.

Wisconsin's U.S. Senators sound off about the war in Iran. And they couldn't be further apart. Wisconsin has joined another multi-state lawsuit against the Trump administration's tariffs. And, how algae could be part of the solution to getting micro-plastics out of our water.

As the House prepares to vote on a war powers resolution, a Democrat from Wisconsin says the White House has no answers to what comes next with Iran. The Department of Natural Resources approves a major land purchase. And, some legal advocates are worried about a bill at the state Capitol that would let Wisconsin courts use AI interpreters.

Gov. Tony Evers is calling on lawmakers to pass a ban on political gerrymandering in state legislative races. Lawmakers already passed a law banning cell phone use during instructional time. Now they're looking to expand it. And leaders in Milwaukee are passing new rules to prepare for any future visits from federal immigration officials

Wisconsin National Guardsmen stationed in Middle East, Online gambling companies oppose Wisconsin bill.  why some of the biggest companies in online gambling oppose a bill that would legalize the industry in Wisconsin.And nearly half of Wisconsin's lowest-performing schools are all located in one part of the state. What's being done to change that?

Members of Wisconsin's congressional delegation reacted to U.S. and Israeli bombing in Iran. State regulators said a utility's application for special data center rates hid key information from the public And, former presidential candidate Kamala Harris was back in Wisconsin for a book event.

Vice President JD Vance told a crowd in central Wisconsin to re-elect Republican Derrick Van Orden. The state's 3rd Congressional District is a top target for Democrats. Wisconsin voters tell a pollster they're unlikely to support new school referendums.  And, Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Robin Vos says negotiations with the governor on a tax deal are still in the early stages. But he's optimistic.

A new vaccine introduced two years ago may be reducing childhood respiratory illnesses in Wisconsin. Health officials say they're optimistic. A new poll shows the Democratic primary for governor is wide open. And, a new state rule would ban people from adopting wild reptiles.

Parents in a new lawsuit say a lack of school funding by the state is a violation of the law. A Green Bay housing nonprofit faces an investigation into its CEO's spending. And, a GOP bill proposes to bring the death penalty back to Wisconsin.

Four candidates for a northern Wisconsin congressional district changed their voter registration in recent months. Two had been living out of state. The state Assembly ended its session about passing new public school funding. And, we hear from a Wisconsin Olympian who had a run-in with a leaf blower.

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi may be getting involved in the dispute over road access on tribal land in Wisconsin. That's at the request of GOP Congressman Tom Tiffany. Plus, Wisconsin farmers have mixed reactions to the federal strike down of President Donald Trump's tariffs. And, businesses and sports that depend on wintry weather faces challenges with climate changes.

The longest-serving Speaker in the history of the Wisconsin Assembly says he's retiring from the Legislature. Robin Vos, the powerful Republican from Rochester, announced his plans during an emotional speech from the Assembly floor.

The Apostle Islands ice caves opened on Monday, but shut down after just one day. Meanwhile, a study is underway to find potential sites to build nuclear power plants in Wisconsin. And, the state Assembly plans to wrap up its work for the year. That includes votes on two high profile women's health bills that have been blocked for years.

In his final State of the State address, Gov. Tony Evers highlighted the accomplishments of the last eight years but said there is more work to be done. A Wisconsin bill would create a path for victims of sexual extortion to sue in state courts. And, the state's top GOP leaders have agreed on a plan to spend down the state's $2.5 billion dollar budget surplus. 

For the first time in more than a decade, the Ice Caves are open at the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. And, a national study named Marquette University as one of 41 colleges with large percentages of low income students taking out high-interest loans. Then, we hear from two 70-plus athletes who have been skiing in the American Berkebeiner every year for decades.

A dramatic move by the Trump administration to undo regulations of greenhouse gases could cost Wisconsin billions. A judge's ruling upholds state permits for a controversial oil and gas pipeline. And, we hear from a high school student who says Wisconsin should do more to foster youth entrepreneurship.

A Republican candidate for Congress in Wisconsin was legal counsel for a company alleged to have run a Ponzi scheme. Community members are rallying behind a Madison restaurant owner now in ICE detention. And, WPR's Danielle Kaeding tells us about a Wisconsin native on a year-long quest to eat only what he can forage from the land.

Will Wisconsin's leaders strike a deal to reduce property taxes? Republican leaders in the Senate and the Assembly have different ideas. The state Supreme Court hears arguments about a race-based student retention program. And, state lawmakers have introduced bills to legalize marijuana for the past 13 years, including this year.

A Wisconsin utility is seeking custom electric rates for a data center project. The application hides key details from the public. A Republican leader says a deal on property taxes […]

A judge had harsh words for the Kenosha County District Attorney after he failed to disclose the use of artificial intelligence in court filings.  The chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Madison said the university has lost nearly $30 million dollars in federal funds in Donald Trump's second term. And, team USA women's hockey includes six current or former Badgers.

A community group in La Crosse is getting care packages to local Hmong elders who are fearful of immigration enforcement agents. Dual enrollment has been growing in Wisconsin but remains low in Milwaukee. And an Eau Claire native is representing Team USA in three Nordic combined skiing events at the Winter Olympics.

Bills advancing at the state Capitol would impose age-related restrictions on digital apps and social media platforms. A new study shows PFAS are down in the Great Lakes. And, the search for the owner of an antique photo album that was left at the airport.

A panel of GOP lawmakers has blocked a million dollar payment to the Department of Public Instruction following news of four day "junket" to the Wisconsin Dells. A proposal at the state capitol would put guardrails on A-I chatbots when kids are using them. And, we hear from a Wisconsin native who's the premier American athlete in the Olympic biathlon.

A mining company is one step closer to drilling for copper, gold and other metals in Northern Wisconsin.Republican Senator Ron Johnson says he's not onboard with President Donald Trump's call for Republicans to "take over" elections in some states. And, a Madison author explores the question of why we write.

Milwaukee County officials say they were caught off guard when they found out their health insurance contract had lapsed. Democrats introduce a new bill that would legalize marijuana, but it's likely doomed in the state Legislature. And, former Judge Hannah Dugan's lawyers are raising constitutional questions as they look to get her felony conviction overturned.

Plans to bring new nuclear energy to the site of a shuttered nuclear plant in Kewaunee County are moving forward. Meanwhile, a Shorewood man's legal battle over a trespassing citation could decide the future of beach access on the Great Lakes in Wisconsin. And, the two candidates for Wisconsin Supreme Court explain whether state courts should get involved with investigations involving federal immigration agents.

There's about six months until Wisconsin's primary and Republicans are coalescing around a single candidate for governor. But things are looking much different on the Democratic side of that race. Wisconsin's flagship university will be searching for a new chancellor for the second time in four years.  And, with fatal crashes on all-terrain and utility terrain vehicles hitting near-record highs in Wisconsin last year, the state is updating safety regulations.

Wisconsin gun rights advocates are disputing recent comments from President Donald Trump and his administration following the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti in Minnesota. Sen. Ron Johnson is calling for a full investigation into Pretti's death but is blaming Democrats for chaos in Minneapolis. And, a federal judge is ending court monitoring of a youth prison in Wisconsin eight years after ordering reforms there.

President Donald Trump has endorsed Republican Congressman Tom Tiffany in the GOP primary for governor. Senator Tammy Baldwin says Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem should be fired following "chaos" caused be federal agents in Minneapolis. And, a new EPA rule would give Wisconsin and tribes in the state less power to protect waterways under the Clean Water Act.

Green Bay residents are remembering former resident Alex Pretti, the Veterans Administration nurse who was killed by federal immigration agents in Minnesota. Congressman Tom Tiffany, the leading Republican candidate for governor, told reporters he has not watched video of the shooting. And, leaders of Wisconsin's largest school districts say state leaders are failing to adequately fund public education.

Protesters across Wisconsin are taking to the streets after a former Green Bay resident was shot and killed by an immigration agent in Minnesota. And a Rhinelander paper mill will […]

A Dane County village plans to reverse its decision to remove fluoride from its water. That's after one of the policy's advocates lost his seat in a recall election. we'll hear from our politics team on a busy week at the state Capitol. And, in his first year back in office, President Trump has shaken up America's education system. His push to end diversity initiatives has won praise from many conservatives in Wisconsin.

The seven Democratic candidates for governor squared off in a forum in Milwaukee. They had tough words for Trump's immigration crackdowns. Gov. Tony Evers and GOP lawmakers say they have a deal on PFAS.And, President Trump campaigned on a promise of ending inflation and lowering prices. One year into his term, some Wisconsin residents say they're still waiting.