Wisconsin Today

A state lawmaker says he's been targeted with death threats after false claims circulated online. He canceled a public hearing in Madison as a result. The city of Racine released information on water usage for a proposed data center after an environmental group sued. And, Wisconsin high schools are using a new technology to crack down on student vaping.

Hundreds of Wisconsinites gathered in Waukesha for a vigil in honor of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Republican Representative Derrick Van Orden says Eau Claire should lose all federal funds over social media posts from two city council members. And, Wisconsin health officials recommend COVID vaccine boosters for anyone over six months old.

Develops wants to want a 1-gigawatt natural gas power plant in Kenosha County. It comes as demand for energy is on the rise. A 19th century shipwreck is uncovered off the coast of Door County. And, the low-budget 1975 film "The Giant Spider Invasion" from Wisconsin gets new scenes and a new release.

Another Democrat is jumping into the governor's race. The new director of the Milwaukee Art Museum shares her vision on how the arts can unite people. And, a look at how Monarch butterflies are faring in Wisconsin.

Wisconsin wildlife officials say the state's wolf population has grown. President Donald Trump approves millions in federal flood assistance for Wisconsin. And, a story about family time on Wisconsin's waters.

Funding cuts will affect kids with vision and hearing loss. Then, a plan to build a new data center in Racine County is facing local opposition. And, a recall election in DeForest stems from efforts to remove fluoride from the village's water supply.

A Madison lawmaker is introducing a plan aimed at reducing suicide by gun in Wisconsin.enrollment is up among freshmen at University of Wisconsin campuses. And, a profile of a farm that invites visitors to pick what they need and pay what they can afford, no questions asked.

New testing data shows most high school seniors are unprepared for college math and reading. The latest in a dispute over ozone standards in Wisconsin. And, a look at Wisconsin's 1st and 3rd Congressional Districts, two of the seats that could decide control of the U-S House in next year's elections. 

Legal settlements from manufacturers of PFAS are meant to fund cleanup efforts. But they're falling far short of the actual costs. Lutheran churches in Milwaukee are suing the Trump administration.  And, we hear from the only Wisconsin high school student drafted this year by a Major League Baseball team.

Democratic lawmaker quits caucus, Data center proposed in western Wisconsin. western Wisconsin could get a new 1-point-6-billion-dollar data center. And, Milwaukee's school superintendent wants to rethink the grade levels sent to district schools.

A worker at a Manitowoc foundry is facing deportation order after he missed an asylum hearing. The company's CEO is speaking out. A Wisconsin scientist fired by the EPA says he has "no regrets." And, a federal judge says Wisconsin owes back pay to disabled workers barred from unemployment benefits for a decade.

As new data centers boom, a new report says Great Lakes states including Wisconsin should take steps to safeguard their water resources. Arts groups in Milwaukee County will have to wait months for funding the county previously allocated. And, a Madison church wants to build a new worship space with affordable housing above it.

A lawsuit by a Wisconsin tribe is targeting a company that claims to offer legal online betting in Wisconsin. A conservative justice on the state Supreme Court won't seek reelection. And, we hear from a former University of Wisconsin athlete who says she was psychologically abused by a coach.

Vice President JD Vance promoted President Donald Trump's tax cuts during a visit to La Crosse. Then, a new report suggests the state's economy may be slowing in 2025. And, the answer to a listener's WHYsconsin question about a particular type of toilet.

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.