UpNorthNews Daily Coronavirus Update: Recent Episodes
UpNorthNews
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.
The state Assembly GOP leader introduces a COVID "relief" bill with plenty of reasons to be wary of it. But the new state Senate GOP leader takes things a step further: no relief 'til January at least.
Wisconsin marks 30 days of having a COVID-19 positivity rate above 30%, and the state records a new single-day record number of coronavirus deaths. Meanwhile, Pres. Trump asks the WI Supreme Court to throw out more than 200,000 legally cast ballots.
There's a new public service announcement with a Democratic congressman and the Republican State Assembly Speaker talking about avoiding COVID-19. But words are no substitute for the help a Legislature still refuses to provide.
The head of the Medical College of Wisconsin says he finally sees light at the end of the coronavirus tunnel, but it's still a very long tunnel—as evidenced by Tuesday's first instance of a triple-digit death toll in Wisconsin.
It's been a deadly 28 days in Wisconsin, but recent numbers show a possible easing of the most recent coronavirus surge. Also, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos goes 0 for 2 on claims made in a Sunday morning interview.
The Trump-requested recount began Friday in Milwaukee and Madison, and it quickly became clear their strategy was to get a court to throw out entire categories of legally-cast absentee ballots. Also, WI ends its deadliest week of the pandemic.
Wisconsin health providers are receiving the first doses of a new IV antibody treatment that may help people in high-risk populations avoid hospitalization once they contract the coronavirus. Also, a new lawsuit against safeguards.
Wisconsin records nearly 8,000 new coronavirus infections in a single day. Gov. Evers extends the statewide mask requirement. And Pres. Trump asks for a partial recount in Wisconsin, just the really diverse counties, for some reason.
Assembly Speaker Robin Vos called a news conference about COVID-19 relief and then admitted he has no plan for COVID-19 relief, even as Wisconsin shatters the record for most number of deaths in a single day.
The WI Supreme Court hears arguments for and against the mask requirement set by Gov. Tony Evers. And Pres. Trump learns how many millions it would cost to seek a recount in Wisconsin.
Our managing editor Pat Kreitlow is on a road trip that took him through Pennsylvania as that state's vote total turned in favor of Joe Biden. Whenever the election wraps up, there's still urgent work that can't wait for January.
Pres Trump said we wouldn't hear about COVID-19 after Nov. 3. It's Nov. 4 and nearly 6,000 new cases were reported and a record number are on ventilators. This might explain why Joe Biden is the apparent winner in Wisconsin.
Wisconsin's 2020 Election Day gets off to a calm start, thanks to 1.9 million people who voted early and relieved pressure at the polls. Unfortunately, the day also sees another record for most number of new coronavirus cases in a single day and dozens more deaths.
You can't take a picture of a completed ballot, so Wausau has found a way to encourage selfies of a different sort as a way to encourage voting on Tuesday, as we hear from Mayor Katie Rosenberg.
Gov. Tony Evers says "freaking," his version of an F-bomb, when asked about the latest numbers that show coronavirus growth remains unchecked. And we preview several election stories on this final weekend of the campaign.
The conservative-led WI Supreme Court directly takes up one person’s lawsuit against Gov. Evers’ mask requirement, even though it’ll be expiring around the time the case is heard. But this same court turned down an SOS from beleaguered county elections officials in the Fox Valley trying to deal with a misprinted ballot and a tight deadline. Also, the latest coronavirus numbers.
Just as new polling numbers show trouble for Pres. Trump and WI Republicans, the Assembly Speaker says he’s open to considering a coronavirus relief bill. That will be too late for some of the people who make up the new COVID-19 numbers in the state.
Wisconsin reaches more than 5,000 new coronavirus infections in a single day and smashes the previous one-day record for lives lost. The state’s chief medical officer calls it the nightmare scenario, and Gov. Evers calls out those who haven’t been leading by example.
Wisconsin records 200,000 COVID-19 cases which includes more than 500 deaths since the state marked 100,000 cases. Also, the effort to hold a recall election against Gov. Evers fails.
We answer a reader's question about absentee ballots and voters no longer with us. And the number of COVID-19 cases climbs sharply... again.
It's not just that Waukesha County votes reliably red Republican, it's also seen more than 11,000 coronavirus infections and now Pres. Trump is planning a rally there Saturday night. Also, a former Trump advisor admits the trade wars hurt WI farmers.
In Green Bay, COVID-19 survivors begged Wisconsin to take safeguards more seriously so others won't get as sick as they did. And they're the lucky ones as another record was set for pandemic deaths in a single day.
Two Republicans on the Wisconsin Election Commission torpedoed a proposal to run social media ads educating voters who might otherwise get bad information from social media. Also, early in-person voting started today and proved to be quite popular.
After another likely super-spreader Trump rally in Wisconsin, a health care advocacy group has a simple but unlikely request of the president: Could you not? And coronavirus safeguards get a rare court victory reinstating capacity limits at bars and restaurants.
With another record-setting day for COVID-19 cases in Wisconsin, it seems the ones saying “I Don’t Need to Be Careful” who infected the “Trying to Be Careful” have now infected the “Not Quite Careful Enough.” So be careful! Also, we have a batch of stories posted to make voting easier for you on Nov. 3
Wisconsin again smashes the record for most new COVID-19 cases in a single day. And Gov. Evers asks the US Supreme Court to allow absentee ballots to be postmarked on Election Day.
Another day above 3,000 new COVID-19 cases, more than two-dozen deaths, record number of hospitalizations. Somehow that screams, "Sue the governor so we can pack the bars"? But score a win for the Tavern League.
After another record day of new COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths, Wisconsin is about to open a medical facility at State Fair Park to relieve pressure on packed hospitals. Up the road, VP Mike Pence said everything is fine.
A judge tells GOP legislators he’s not going to do their dirty work for them, so face mask will safeguards stay in place. Republicans also started a process Monday to attack the safeguard on indoor gatherings. All this as WI sees another record number of COVID-19 hospitalizations.
Call them Vanilla Isis, if you want, but don't call 'em a militia. The domestic terror group in Michigan has nothing in common with our Founding Fathers. Also, nearly 3,000 new coronavirus cases, but WI Republicans will meet Monday to fight face mask safeguards.
It took 4 mos. for WI to get to 1,000 COVID-19 cases a day, 2 mos. to reach 2,000, find out how quickly we got to 3,000 new cases a day. Plus, WI nearly became a scene of violent treason from a militia group planning to kidnap Michigan's governor.
The state will have to open an overflow medical center at State Fair Park after all, as the COVID-19 patient load grows and grows. And the coronavirus surge probably means no fans inside Lambeau Field for the rest of the season.
Based on Tuesday's headlines, WI Republicans are against early voting at sports venues, against voting by mail on Election Day, against face masks, and will surely be against a new limit on indoor gatherings as COVID-19 hospitalizations skyrocket.
Pres Trump bolts from the hospital. Sen. Ron Johnson is COVID party crasher. And GOP legislators want a judge to do their work. All while WI sets new records for cases and deaths.
Pres Trump's COVID-19 diagnosis will keep him out of the rally business, and there's no telling how many coronavirus infections in Wisconsin and elsewhere will be avoided because of it. Plus, the day's WI stats... which are still too high.
Wisconsin sets yet another record for most number of new COVID-19 cases in a day, yet Pres. Trump is still planning a rally in Green Bay, thinking it's a Saturday night hot spot when it's currently a coronavirus hotspot.
Beyond the shouting, we did learn something from Pres. Trump in Tuesday's debate. There is still no replacement plan for the Affordable Care Act. Also, WI records its highest daily death toll from the pandemic.
Wisconsin sets new records for COVID-19 patients in hospitals and ICU beds, and the highest number of single-day deaths in 4 months. And yet here come 2 new rallies from Pres. Trump in 2 of the state's hotspots. Advice from Gov. Evers.
You understand the value of face masks to save lives in a pandemic. Will WILL? The Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty wants the safeguard to be up to an absent legislature. Also, Donald Trump's tiny tax totals: Who saw that coming?
A new report shows how federal farm dollars that should be coming to WI are going to large farms, many in the home state of Pres. Trump's agriculture secretary. Plus, one doomsday scenario for elections may not be possible here.
Wisconsin's hospitals are busier than ever with COVID-19 patients, especially in rural regions. It's a vital time to be cautious outside the home. Also, VP Mike Pence visits Eau Claire and makes his case for a 2nd term.
On this 200th day of coronavirus updates from Wisconsin health leaders, we see the number of people needing hospital care reach 500. Also, more financial help is coming to Kenosha, the kind you can count on.
There are more Wisconsin hospital beds filled with COVID-19 patients than ever before. And Gov. Evers renews the requirement for face masks which are almost all the masks you might see this Halloween.
A federal judge's ruling can make it easier to vote absentee in Wisconsin, but it's subject to appeal. (Spoiler alert: Send it back early!) Also, Joe Biden visits factory workers in a Manitowoc foundry.
The cabinet secretary in charge of sending out unemployment assistance is out of job, fired by Gov. Evers over an ongoing backlog. And Wisconsin hits 2,500 cases in a single day. Lay low, folks.
As Wisconsin sees more than 2,000 new coronavirus cases in a single day, President Trump is sure to be greeted tonight by a mostly mask-less crowd in Mosinee, at the center of a state where the virus is on a rampage. But hey, football's coming back to those not-at-all contagion-filled college towns, right?
The men and women of the US Postal Service say sabotage and trash talk won't stop them from getting your absentee ballot delivered, as long as you're not the one who puts the "snail" in snail mail. Plus Mitt Romney calls out Ron Johnson, again.
Gov. Evers faces a face mask decision. But if GOP politicians aren't going to enforce masks at all of their events, can't we quarantine rally sites to protect public health?
Late Monday, the Wisconsin Supreme Court decided not to order more than 1 million ballots to be reprinted. Also, a new single-day record for WI COVID-19 cases, on a Sunday.
A top state elections official reacts to the WI Supreme Court delaying absentee ballots so close to the deadline for sending them to military voters. And WI has a new entry on the Top 3 list of new daily COVID-19 cases.
The WI Supreme Court stops absentee ballots from going out even though many have already been printed and were set to go out the door. Plus another record number of COVID-19 cases in WI.
Pres. Trump told Bob Woodward in January the virus was awful. He told Woodward in March he deliberately "played it down." Woodward's book excerpt shows up today. Also, a new dashboard to track COVID-19 across the UW.
An Assembly representative in Pierce County still claims a home outside the district as his residence according to newly discovered paperwork in Floridas. Plus COVID-19 numbers rise as campuses open.
A huge new COVID-19 number for WI is a reminder not to let the holiday weekend be a reason to let down your guard.
Democratic candidate Joe Biden provides a sharp contrast to Pres. Trump in their visits to Kenosha. Also, surprise, COVID-19 is already spreading in schools.
Democratic nominee Joe Biden announces a visit to the beleaguered city of Kenosha where we can expect quite a contrast to the message brought by Pres. Trump on Tuesday.
Jacob Blake's family and supporters did not give Pres. Trump the scenes of conflict he may have wanted. They held a different event and formed a group to help rebuild Kenosha and seek justice for Jacob.
A day before President Trump's likely incendiary trip to Kenosha, Republicans running the Wisconsin Legislature ignore the rising pleas to consider even modest police reform legislation.
Republican legislators say they will comply with gaveling in Gov. Evers' special session on police reform, but no action may be taken for "months" as they consider other bills.
VP Mike Pence wouldn't. Kenosha area law enforcement didn't. His name is Jacob Blake and he's inexplicably handcuffed to his hospital bed. Plus, another Top 20 day for new COVID-19 cases in WI.
A teenager involved in a right-wing militia allegedly shot three people, leaving two dead and one injured, late Tuesday night in Kenosha on the third day of protests after a police officer shot Jacob Blake, a 29-year-old Black man, multiple times in the back at point-blank range.
Less than 24 hours after a 29-year-old father of three was shot seven times in the back by a Kenosha police officer, Gov. Tony Evers has called a special session of the Legislature to discuss a package of police reform bills and has deployed the state National Guard to Kenosha as demonstrations again ramp up to protest police violence against Black men and women.
We're joined by reporters Jessica VanEgeren, Jonathon Sadowski and Julian Emerson to talk all of the stories coming out of the second day of the DNC.
Reporters Jonathon Sadowski and Julian Emerson join us to discuss the very real consequences of when the mail gets slowed down.
Our Jonathon Sadowski gives us a report from the first day of the DNC in Milwaukee where, well, there's not much is going on.
Whether they live in rural or urban parts of Wisconsin, residents of the Badger State have many of the same concerns about climate change, ranging from water quality to extreme weather to dependence on fossil fuels, Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes told a major state agricultural group Wednesday.
As Wisconsin continues to experience shortages of COVID-19 testing supplies at many locations, U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin on Wednesday questioned Vice President Mike Pence about reports the federal government is diverting those supplies from the state.
“It hits me in this place … a place that I never thought I would see this happen,” said Sarah Ishmael, a doctoral candidate at UW-Madison School of Education Department of Curriculum and Instruction. “I think it is incredible. I am really excited. I am excited because of what she will do as Senate president. She knows how to lead and ask difficult questions.”
Assembly Republicans, who hold 63 of 99 Assembly seats, do not currently have enough votes to overturn Gov. Tony Evers’ mask mandate, according to Rep. Adam Neylon, R-Pewaukee.
Two cases at Noah’s Ark Waterpark in the Wisconsin Dells. Fourteen cases at Camp Eagle Ridge in Ashland County. An ill-advised concert in Oshkosh almost certain to result in an outbreak. A postponed Milwaukee Brewers home opener due to infected St. Louis Cardinals players.
In an podcast interview with Steve Bannon, as reported by the Daily Beast, Sen. Ron Johnson said, “They realize the best way to defeat Joe Biden is to reduce the fear on COVID,” the Republican lawmaker said. “If people really looked at this disease, it is worse than the flu, but it’s not that much worse. It shouldn’t be leading to these generalized shutdowns.” Here's our question to you, if you were in the room during that interview:What would be your response to Sen. Ron Johnson for saying the coronavirus outbreak is "not that much worse" than the flu? Call and leave us your response by voicemail at (877) 262-3538 (edited)
Gov. Tony Evers issued a mandatory statewide face mask order Thursday and declared a public health emergency as coronavirus cases continue to surge across Wisconsin and as school officials struggle with how to resume classes safely this fall.
Gov. Evers said Trump has repeatedly downplayed the virus, which makes it harder for the economy to recover, left states to bid against one another for testing strips and other supplies, and sent out mixed messages about infectious disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci.
“I don’t know how you can spend your time belittling and demeaning a person and then continue to say he’s your friend and he is a leader in this area,” Evers said. “ It couldn’t be weirder. I don’t know how else to put it.”
The Wausau School District joins a growing list across the state starting the school year in a virtual setting due to the ongoing spread of COVID-19.
“People talk about risk, and how there are lots of factors to balance out in making this decision,” said Tricia Zunker, the district’s school board president. “At least we know here in Wausau that no teachers, no staff members, and no students will die of COVID-19 because they will not be in the building.”
The decision by the school board Monday offers a stark contrast between Zunker, who is also a candidate for Congress, and her opponent, Rep. Tom Tiffany, R-Minocqua, who will face-off again in the November election for a full two-year term in the state’s 7th Congressional District.
The last time state lawmakers met, there were just over 3,700 confirmed coronavirus cases in Wisconsin. About 180 Wisconsinites had died of the virus.
Now, 878 have died and there are nearly 46,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases.
Masks will be required in two more Wisconsin cities starting Monday after the city councils in Green Bay and Racine narrowly passed mask mandates Tuesday evening.
“With few exceptions, protests in Milwaukee have been peaceful,” Mayor Tom Barrett said in a statement to UpNorthNews. “It is preposterous to suggest Milwaukee needs federal agents to quell unrest or manage peaceful protests. Their presence at this time could be counterproductive.”
Concerned about a growing number of COVID-19 cases that show no sign of letting up, Madison school district officials announced Friday that students and teachers will begin the year learning online.
Republican Sen. Ron Johnson and ex-Gov. Scott Walker on Thursday published an op-ed in the Cap Times hyping up hydroxychloroquine, the malaria drug falsely promoted by President Trump as an effective treatment for the coronavirus.
In an op-ed broadly calling for a bipartisan approach to fighting the virus, Walker and Johnson quickly descended into right-wing talking points, advocated for keeping the economy open, and pushed the unproven drug. They argued the medical community — which has widely discredited the use of hydroxychloroquine, or HCQ, in numerous studies — is only against the drug because Trump takes and touts it.
The Thursday report from the Dept. of Health Services contains the third-highest number of the outbreak: 900 new cases, 6.3 percent of 14,271 total tests processed. This brings the seven-day total to a new high of 5,719 and the rolling average of daily new cases above 800 as the state approaches 40,000 people infected with the coronavirus (39,627).
The coronavirus continues to surge across Wisconsin as the state records its largest one-day increase in COVID-19 cases for a third straight time on Saturday, according to daily numbers provided by the state Department of Health Services.
In a ruling issued Friday, Wisconsin’s five conservative Supreme Court justices failed to unite for a cohesive argument yet still ruled that three of Gov. Tony Evers’ partial vetoes for the 2019-21 budget were unconstitutional, even with no consensus as to why they were found to be in violation of the state Constitution.
Gov. Tony Evers and Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul were handed another defeat from the conservative-dominated state Supreme Court Thursday, with justices upholding a majority of what have become known as the lame-ducks laws passed by the GOP-controlled Legislature just before Evers and Kaul took office.
Nearly three years after an aborted attempt to rebuild a busy Interstate 94 corridor in Milwaukee, Gov. Tony Evers said Wednesday he will seek federal approval to resume the project.
Three days before he convened the Assembly to pass what would be its only bill in the three months since the coronavirus pandemic hit Wisconsin, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, received up to $350,000 in federal coronavirus relief funds for his popcorn company, the Associated Press reports.
"There frankly is just nothing suffocating or elitist about doing the right things to protect ourselves. Our independent streak is killing our fellow Americans by they thousands."
“It’s clear that alcohol and coronavirus do not mix,” said Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway. “In just two weekends, the level of community spread has jumped from 24 percent to 37 percent. And the average age of those with the coronavirus in Dane County has dropped to 23 years old.”
A federal Appeals Court Monday weighed in on the voting landscape in Wisconsin late Monday, restricting early voting to two weeks prior to an election and requiring voters to be Wisconsin residents for at least 28 days to vote in an election.
The unanimous decision by the three-member, 7th Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago comes four months before the November elections, after the case had been sitting on the docket since oral arguments were made in February of 2017.
In Wisconsin, the notorious swing state that President Donald Trump won by 23,000 votes in 2016, the decision has been praised by Republicans and blasted by Democrats.
U.S. District Judge William Conley signaled on Monday that he will make a ruling on a series of election-related lawsuits in late August, meaning any court-mandated safety improvements would only take effect for the Nov. 3 General Election, not the Aug. 11 primaries.
Conley combined four separate lawsuits seeking changes to the August and November elections such as expanding mail-in and early in-person voting, maintaining adequate polling-place staffing, and engaging in a public information campaign on early voting.
The same Racine County judge who suspended the City of Racine’s stay-home order meant to guard against the spread of coronavirus is now threatening to hold the city in contempt of court after the Common Council passed a nearly identical set of restrictions.
Trump, with his economic fixation, visited the Badger State for a Fox News-hosted town hall in Green Bay and a speech at Fincatieri Marine Group in Marinette, a shipbuilder that recently secured a $5.6 billion Navy contract.
“Monuments can be replaced. George Floyd cannot. Breonna Taylor cannot. Trayvon Martin cannot be repaired. Philando Castile can’t either. Tamir Rice cannot be recast and put back on the playground where he was gunned down by a police officer.”
Mike Jackson’s family says they still haven’t received a card or a phone call — no sign of condolences from Jackson’s employer, Briggs & Stratton, after the 45-year-old father of eight caught coronavirus, collapsed on the job, and died of the virus.
At the Barneveld Community Café, a nothing burger is more than just a figure of speech. It’s a menu item. And while not technically its name, the nothing burger is joined on the menu by a nothing salad, some nothing pancakes and maybe a slice of nothing pie.
In Marathon County, the County Coard’s Executive Committee unanimously dropped a similar proposal, according to a story from WAOW-TV, following pushback from the Greater Wausau Area Chamber of Commerce and Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce, the state’s biggest business lobby.
Wisconsin Congressman Mark Pocan has decided President Trump should not get a free pass to escape potential legal liability if his resumption of arena rallies results in people getting infected with the coronavirus.
The Wisconsin Ethics Commission’s newest member introduced himself to his fellow commission members Tuesday by pointing out his white privilege and listing the ways Black people are treated unfairly in Wisconsin.
Tiffany is co-sponsoring the “Reopen Our Schools Act” with Republican Indiana Rep. Jim Banks. The bill would require schools to reopen with all their normal operating procedures by Sept. 8. Schools that remain closed or that move forward with virtual learning instead of in-person classes would be denied federal funding for the 2020-21 school year.
Both mills could reopen “if market conditions improve,” close permanently, or be sold, Verso said.
When people in Wisconsin vote by absentee ballot, they can mail the ballot back to their local clerks themselves or, as if often the case in senior living facilities, someone can take all of the sealed envelopes to the clerk’s office faster.
Now a right wing group –already suing to remove about 130,000 voters from the registration rolls– is threatening a lawsuit if that extra convenience is not removed by the state Elections Commission.
“At times like these, when society has an opportunity to demonstrate a little true progress, the last thing to do is retreat to the same safe excuses that used to fly but now look like excuses.”
“So please and I repeat please do not call the police on your black neighbor because you are unfamiliar with them. You going over to speak to them and or greet them vs. call the police on them can help avoid any misunderstandings and can sadly be the difference between life and death."
“Do you want to be on the side of those willing to take chances and risk their livelihoods — even their lives — so that others can be free and treated fairly and not live in fear in their own country? Or do you want to be part of a power trip that extends the unrest, extends the pandemic and extends our true distance from the things we were taught in church and civic class? Choose wisely. For if this republic, in its current form, should ever fail, history will not say it fell due to some marches and riots. The cause of death will be stubborn, malignant racism exacerbated by toxic masculinity.”
On Wednesday state Department of Health Services figures showed an increase of 528 new positive COVID-19 cases, the largest one-day spike of the illness. Total positive cases in Wisconsin now total 13,413, with 481 deaths.
On Friday, Wisconsin reported its second highest number of coronavirus cases. The 410 new COVID-19 cases has only been topped by the 460 new cases reported on May 1. The 410 new cases account for just over 6 percent of all new tests performed, similar to Thursday’s ratio.
Five of the six goals in Gov. Tony Evers’ Badger Bounce Back plan have now been met, with only 4 percent of the tests coming back positive Tuesday, the lowest percent in weeks.
Two weeks ago, roughly 1,500 people gathered at the Capitol in Madison to protest Gov. Tony Evers’ safer-at-home order, saying the order violated their freedom and was problematic for businesses.
All it took was hearing about two international students living in Wisconsin Dells testing positive for COVID-19 and a site visit to the dormitory-style facility where 170 more students were living for the public health officer of Sauk County to step in and take action.
And roughly 1,500 people gathered at the Capitol in Madison Friday to protest the extension of the safer-at-home order to prevent the spread of COVID-19, as the number of cases in Wisconsin increased by more than 300 to 5,356 positive cases statewide and 262 deaths.
As Wisconsin marks a second straight day of seeing more than 200 new cases of COVID-19, the physicians say such gatherings are dangerous to the protesters, their families and frontline healthcare workers.
The number of people testing positive for COVID-19 continues to climb in Wisconsin, rising by 225 from Tuesday to Wednesday, the biggest one-day spike in cases since public health officials began tracking the virus last month.
Vos said he does not believe the governor has the ability to shut down the economy, adding the differences between essential and non-essential businesses appear arbitrary. He said a legal plan would be ready next week.
The order was set to expire at 8 a.m. Friday, April 24. It will now end the morning of Tuesday, May 26. Evers said the existing order has saved at least 300 lives, according to modeling conducted by state health officials.
The state Legislature is set to meet tomorrow to vote on a COVID-19 relief package that, if passed, will be the first time state funds will be specifically dedicated to fighting the pandemic since the governor declared a public health emergency nearly a month ago.
“Voting is a right. Voting should be easy. Voting should not be something like American Ninja Warrior where you can cast a ballot but only if you can get through all the hurdles that we put up.”
The state Legislature is set to meet next week to vote on a COVID-19 relief package that, if passed, will be the first time state funds will be specifically dedicated to fighting the pandemic since the governor declared a public health emergency nearly a month ago.
Gov. Tony Evers made the announcement Thursday morning, instructing the state Department of Natural Resources to close the parks to protect the health of residents due to the continuing spread of the coronavirus.
Coronavirus has now killed 104 people in Wisconsin, according to official figures released Wednesday morning.
He said it was poor decision making and political decision making on the part of Republicans in the legislative branch and conservatives in the judicial branch that deliberately caused the chaos surrounding the balloting.
Lines of voters stretch for blocks in Milwaukee as the city’s usual 180 polling places have been condensed down to five. Thousands of the usual poll workers across Wisconsin have decided to adhere to health precautions that strongly encourage everyone to stay at home.
The chaos surrounding the April 7 election in Wisconsin continues, with the governor issuing an order suspending in-person voting less than 24 hours before it is set to begin, Republican leaders filing a legal challenge against it in the state Supreme Court and at least two cities independently calling off Tuesday’s election.
A federal judge on Friday ordered that Wisconsin officials withhold reporting any results from Tuesday’s election until extended absentee balloting is complete April 13.
The decision to delay the Democratic Party’s national nominating convention until August was a necessary step given growing concerns about the spread of a coronavirus pandemic that continues to spread throughout Wisconsin and the rest of the nation, party members, tourism officials and others said.
At least 398 Wisconsinites have required hospital care for COVID-19 since the outbreak began, the first time that statistic has been included in the daily update provided by the state Department of Health Services.
As of Tuesday afternoon the virus had reportedly claimed 25 lives, and at least 1,365 people had tested positive. The figures are based on multiple sources: the state Department of Health Services, county health officials in Madison and Milwaukee, and Wisconsin media reports. Roughly 17, 375 people have tested negative, according to DHS.
The number of Wisconsin cases of COVID-19, the respiratory ailment caused by the coronavirus, surpassed 1,200 in Monday afternoon's report from the state Department of Health Services.
It's time for us to applaud on the unsung heroes of the coronavirus crisis. Listen to Pat's message to these heroes — including you staying at home.
There's good news and bad news. Good news: You have saved lives by staying home. The bad news: The U.S. death toll has passed 1,000.