Wisconsin Watch: Recent Episodes
Wisconsin Watch
The Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism is an independent, nonpartisan and nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that reports on government accountability and quality of life issues, like education, the economy and the environment. It’s more important to us to get the story right than it is to be first and we believe in collaborating, not competing, with other news outlets. Not only can you find our stories on WisconsinWatch.org, but we give all of our reports away for free to hundreds of other news organizations. We are excited to start sharing our reports in audio form and you can find them wherever you get your podcasts!
Municipal Court officials refuse to comment on efforts to cancel JusticePoint’s contract without lining up an alternative provider. A legal ruling allows the services to continue — for now. Story by Wisconsin Watch’s Jonmaesha Beltran and Devin Blake of Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service, produced in collaboration with The Appeal. Originally published on July 27, 2023.
Social media and deceptive actors are allowing falsehood to spread even faster than the truth, but there are ways to inoculate yourself from information disorder. Story by Wisconsin Watch disinformation reporter Phoebe Petrovic. Originally published on July 20, 2023.
Walmart is no longer selling Milwaukee Tool-branded gloves on its online marketplace — responding to allegations that a subcontractor for the Brookfield, Wisconsin-based tool company relied on forced Chinese prison labor to manufacture certain models of gloves. Story by Wisconsin Watch's Zhen Wang. Originally published on July 17, 2023.
A group funded by deep-pocketed GOP donors is pushing to make it harder to vote and to receive unemployment insurance and Medicaid. By Wisconsin Watch's Jacob Resneck. Originally published on July 11, 2023.
Gov. Tony Evers signs a budget that excludes his plan to help staff-strapped local governments track and apply for federal infrastructure dollars. By Bennet Goldstein / Wisconsin Watch. Originally published on July 7, 2023.
Arid conditions are expected to persist in eastern Iowa and Missouri, Illinois and Wisconsin. River barges are affected, too. By Bennet Goldstein / Wisconsin Watch. Originally published on June 23, 2023.
A proposed pig CAFO spurred five northwest Wisconsin towns to regulate big farms. After one rescinded its ordinance, others wonder if they’ll face lawsuits. By Bennet Goldstein / Wisconsin Watch. Originally published on July 6, 2023.
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services in 2021 found synthetic opioids, particularly fentanyl, caused 91% of opioid overdose deaths, Grace Friedman and Max Stapleton report for Wisconsin Watch. Originally published on June 22, 2023.
The courts and Evers administration have stepped in, but bipartisan efforts to make state law neutral to reflect status of same-sex couples have stalled. By Matthew DeFour / Wisconsin Watch. Originally published on June 16, 2023.
Milwaukee County parents spend more of their income on child care than most Americans. Gov. Tony Evers wants to intervene as Wisconsin providers face a fiscal cliff. By Tyler Dedrick for Wisconsin Watch. Originally published on June 15, 2023.
A dearth of affordable housing and the cost and availability of child care remain barriers to opportunity for many working families in the northeast region. The story was reported by Wisconsin Watch’s Jacob Resneck as part of the NEW (Northeast Wisconsin) News Lab’s Families Matter project, which explores the barriers to sustainable family life in northeast Wisconsin. Originally published on June 7, 2023.
Public schools must serve all students living within their boundaries, including those needing special accommodations. But not all neighborhood schools are to meet the needs of students with disabilities, Mario Koran reports for Wisconsin Watch. The state’s biggest school choice program, open enrollment, allows students to apply to public schools outside of district boundaries. But those schools can limit or deny slots for out-of-district students with disabilities. Originally published on May 31, 2023.
The story was reported by Wisconsin Watch’s Phoebe Petrovic as part of a series of stories about discrimination in taxpayer-funded schools. The story focuses on Nat Werth, a gay student who was banned from delivering his valedictory speech in 2019 at Sheboygan Lutheran High School after officials discovered he planned to come out as gay during the speech. Reviewing the school’s current handbook, Werth says the school has beefed up its anti-LGBTQ+ policies. Said Werth: “If I was a kid with gender dysphoria, or even, like, questioning how people refer to me using my pronouns or if I wanted to use a different name and I read this, if this was what the school provided to me, that would have been extremely traumatic.” Originally published on May 31, 2023.
Gov. Tony Evers in 2020 revived a plan to widen a 3.5-mile segment of the Interstate 94 East-West Freeway corridor in Milwaukee — calling it one of the state’s “most congested and dangerous roads.” But the highway cuts through the city, and opponents say the expansion will disproportionately disrupt Milwaukee's West Side neighborhoods that the highway shaped six decades ago, Jonmaesha Beltran reports for Wisconsin Watch’s News414 collaboration. Originally published on May 23, 2023.
The story was reported by Wisconsin Watch’s Phoebe Petrovic. This is Petrovic’s second story examining the laws and rules that allow publicly financed voucher schools to expel certain children for immutable characteristics, including having a disability or identifying as LGBTQ+. Originally published on May 20th, 2023.
In Milwaukee County, government and nonprofit officials have in recent years bolstered resources for eviction prevention, Jonmaesha Beltran reports for Wisconsin Watch. But little, if any, aid is available to help residents retain or reclaim their possessions following an eviction. Originally published on April 25th, 2023.
Wisconsin Watch's Matt Mencarini reports the story about how voting access in Wisconsin has plummeted compared with other states — from fourth best in 1996 to 47th in 2022. However voter turnout remains high because of the work of community groups such as Black Leaders Organizing Communities in Milwaukee. Originally published on May 2nd, 2023.
The story was reported by Wisconsin Watch’s Phoebe Petrovic, who reveals that voucher schools must accept students with disabilities and LGBTQ+ students for admission — but can expel them based on those same inherent qualities. A spokeswoman for the state Department of Public Instruction called the situation “unfortunate,” but said the agency is powerless to enforce anti-discrimination laws for students enrolled in voucher schools. Originally published on May 5th, 2023.
Wisconsin Watch reporter Zhen Wang found evidence that prisoners in China’s central Hunan Province were forced to make Milwaukee Tool-branded work gloves under grueling conditions, earning pennies each day. A supplier for Milwaukee Tool subcontracted work to the prison, two former prisoners said in separate interviews conducted in Mandarin. A self-identified salesperson of the supplier told Wang it manufactured the majority of Milwaukee Tool’s work gloves. And regulatory filings confirm that the company was contracted to manufacture “Performance Gloves” for a subsidiary of Milwaukee Tool’s parent company. Originally published on May 4th, 2023.
The story follows up on a Wisconsin Watch report from last month that highlighted the decades-old process of lawmakers making anonymous objections to agency funding requests and then not scheduling a public meeting to discuss the objection, something a legislative lawyer said might have violated state law. This story was reported by Wisconsin Watch's Jacob Resneck. Originally published on April 19, 2023.
Wisconsin Watch's Phoebe Petrovic interviews doctors, health care facility operators and the Wisconsin Medical Society to determine what types of life-saving abortions would be allowed under Wisconsin's current abortion ban.The 1849 law was reinstated in June after the U.S. Supreme Court revoked the federally guaranteed constitutional right to an abortion. Reporting by Phoebe Petrovic. Originally published on 20, 2022.
Wisconsin Watch's tanka dhakal profiles John Schwarzmann, a retired state forester, and Ardis Berghoff, a writer in Vilas County. The two tree-loving friends are closely scrutinizing lakeshore logging operations and accuse the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources of violating its own water quality standards by logging too close to the shorelines of at least nine lakes. The DNR denies the accusations in a dispute that has played out in a series of audits of agency practices, dhakal reports. Reporting by tanka dhakal. Originally published on August 18, 2022.
Wisconsin Watch’s Erin Gretzinger and Maddie Bergstrom examine the pandemic-era program providing free school meals to all students regardless of income — and why continuing the program may not be so easy in Wisconsin. This story is part of the Wisconsin Watch series "Beyond Hunger." Reporting by Erin Gretzinger and Maddie Bergstrom. Originally published on August 4, 2022.
This story explores the history of federal food assistance and its potential future in Wisconsin. This story is part of the Wisconsin Watch series "Beyond Hunger." Reporting by Sam Watson and Joey Prestley. Originally published on July 28th, 2022.
Wisconsin Watch’s Mario Koran examines the coastline near Mequon, where Concordia University Wisconsin built a massive $12 million seawall 15 years ago. Although the seawall protected the private institution, it has exacerbated erosion along neighboring property, leaving bitterness among neighbors. And new evidence shows that the wall has inflicted more damage than originally thought. Reporting by Mario Koran. Originally published on August 13, 2022.
Wisconsin Watch reporter Jacob Resneck found that local governments and the state of Wisconsin have poured more than $70 million in taxpayer subsidies into Oshkosh Corp. and its defense subsidiary in recent years. Despite that, the company has sent more than 1,000 jobs south, where workers earn a fraction of what union laborers in Oshkosh’s Wisconsin plants earn. Reporting by Jacob Resneck. Originally published on August 6, 2022.
Wisconsin Watch reporter Phoebe Petrovic talks with two Wisconsin doctors who explain that in some cases abortions can be medically necessary because of how life-threatening conditions can develop or be exacerbated during pregnancy. Reporting by Phoebe Petrovic with Wisconsin Watch. Originally published on June 4, 2022.
In our recent installment of "Living with Lyme," Wisconsin Watch reporter Zhen Wang explores the ongoing debate over whether patients can suffer long-term effects of Lyme disease — or whether the shifting symptoms are caused by something else. Wang profiles five Wisconsin women who all say they are suffering from chronic Lyme disease. Reporting by Zhen Wang / Wisconsin Watch. Originally published on June 9, 2022.
Wisconsin Watch reporter Hope Karnopp explores how market consolidation and state contracting practices left Wisconsin and other states vulnerable to a baby formula shortage. The shortage affects parents of all backgrounds, but those who navigate formula purchases through state-administered Woman, Infants, and Children programs face particular challenges. Reporting by Hope Karnopp / Wisconsin Watch. Originally published on July 2, 2022.
Top GOP lawmakers remain mum on plans if the constitutional right to an abortion is overturned — and state law banning nearly all abortions takes effect. Reporting by Phoebe Petrovic with Wisconsin Watch. Originally published on June 4, 2022.
This investigation by Wisconsin Watch reporter Brenda Wintrode details alleged screaming, bullying and unrealistic demands by supervisors in the Dane County Medical Examiner’s Office that employees say damaged their mental health and caused some to find work elsewhere. The two supervisors accused of bullying — Barry Irmen, operations director, and Dr. Agnieszka Rogalska, the chief medical examiner — denied the allegations. Reporting by Brenda Wintrode / Wisconsin Watch. Narrated by Wesley Lethem for Wisconsin Watch. Originally published on May 25, 2022.
More than 800 Afghan nationals have been resettled in Wisconsin — many of whom are highly skilled and educated but need to overcome barriers related to transportation, child care and language. Wisconsin Watch reporter Zhen Wang profiles one Green Bay-area man who has stepped up to help eight Afghan evacuees obtain their driver’s licenses, enroll in English classes and connect with job specialists. Reporting by Zhen Wang / Wisconsin Watch. Narration by Wesley Lethem. Originally published on May 5, 2022.
More than 800 Afghan nationals have been resettled in Wisconsin — many of whom are highly skilled and educated but need to overcome barriers related to transportation, child care and language. Wisconsin Watch reporter Zhen Wang profiles one Green Bay-area man who has stepped up to help eight Afghan evacuees obtain their driver’s licenses, enroll in English classes and connect with job specialists. Reporting by Zhen Wang / Wisconsin Watch. Narration by Wesley Lethem. Originally published on May 5, 2022.
Dakota Black and Joshua Gehde are in prison for homicide after former UW Dr. Barbara Knox accused them of inflicting abusive head trauma on children. They both insist they are innocent. In the latest installment of our series "Flawed Forensics," Wisconsin Watch reporter Brenda Wintrode investigates Knox's findings of "abusive head trauma" — a controversial diagnosis which one New Jersey judge recently described as “junk science.” Narrated by Wesley Lethem for Wisconsin Watch.
In this investigation by reporter Matt Mencarini, Wisconsin Watch examines the unofficial — but central — role played by the nonprofit Thomas More Society law firm and its attorney, Erick Kaardal, in the state investigation into Wisconsin’s 2020 presidential election. Narration by Wesley Lethem for Wisconsin Watch.
In this story by reporter Mario Koran, Wisconsin Watch takes a look at how Wisconsin tribes are contemplating a future beyond gaming after the pandemic showed a risk of overreliance on casinos. This story is part of a collaborative series, “At the Crossroads," from the Institute for Nonprofit News, Indian Country Today, Wisconsin Watch and eight other news partners, examining the state of the economy in Indian Country. Narrated by Wesley Lethem for Wisconsin Watch.
In this latest installment of our series "Living with Lyme" Wisconsin Watch reporter Zhen Wang explores Wisconsin’s key role in the discovery and ongoing research into Lyme disease. Narrated by Wesley Lethem for Wisconsin Watch
In this story, Wisconsin Watch reporter Zhen Wang profiles Maria Freitas, a woman who for years has suffered from joint pain, brain fog, fever and other maladies. Freitas attributes the symptoms to Lyme disease. But mainstream physicians insist she has rheumatoid arthritis — a diagnosis that she said does not explain many of her symptoms. It's part of Wisconsin Watch's series: "Living with Lyme." Narrated by Wesley Lethem for Wisconsin Watch. Read the story at https://wisconsinwatch.org
In this story, Wisconsin Watch reporter Zhen Wang profiles an Afghan evacuee family who was resettled in separate states after a months-long stay at Wisconsin’s Fort McCoy — illustrating major challenges within resettlement agencies to help evacuees start their new lives. The story follows the Nabizada family as they seek housing, jobs and food — while applying for permanent residency. Reported by Zhen Wang / Wisconsin Watch. Narrated by Wesley Lethem for Wisconsin Watch. Read more at wisconsinwatch.org
Wisconsin Watch brings you the latest news about former University of Wisconsin pediatrician, Dr. Barbara Knox. On Jan. 27th, Knox resigned from her position leading Alaska’s forensic child abuse clinic — days after Wisconsin Watch and the Anchorage Daily News reported on a couple who lost custody of their two young children after Knox wrongly diagnosed their 3-week-old baby as being abused. Reporting by Michelle Theriault Boots / Anchorage Daily News and Brenda Wintrode / Wisconsin Watch. Narration by Wesley Lethem. Originally published Jan. 28, 2022 on www.wisconsinwatch.org
In our latest installment from our series "Flawed Forensics," we feature a Fairbanks, Alaska, couple accused of abusing their 3-week-old daughter, prompting authorities to remove baby Izabel and her 18-month-old brother Ezekiel from their parents. Experts hired by Emilly and Justin Acker found former University of Wisconsin child abuse pediatrician Dr. Barbara Knox’s diagnosis of abusive head trauma was wrong and ignored Izabel’s serious birth injuries. A forensic psychologist found Emily Acker no danger to her children — and a judge agreed. Reporting by Brenda Wintrode / Wisconsin Watch and Michelle Theriault Boots / Anchorage Daily News. Narration by Wesley Lethem. Originally published Jan. 20, 2022 at www.wisconsinwatch.org
Wisconsin Watch brings you a story about a revived debate surrounding cash bail after Darrell E. Brooks was released from jail while facing charges related to domestic violence — just days before he allegedly drove through a Christmas parade in Waukesha, Wisconsin, killing six people and injuring dozens. Somewhat lost in the debate involving the rights of the accused and protecting the public, Reporter Clare Amari finds: The cash bail system in Wisconsin wasn’t created to protect public safety — only to ensure the accused’s appearance at the next court date. Narration by Wesley Lethem for Wisconsin Watch. Originally published Jan. 18, 2022 at www.wisconsinwatch.org
Wisconsin Watch reporter Mario Koran explores how Milwaukee Area Technical College offers free tuition, debt forgiveness and early credit to make college more affordable and more available to a diverse student population. Narration by Wesley Lethem for Wisconsin Watch. Originally published Dec. 15, 2021 on wwww.wisconsinwatch.org
Wisconsin Watch reports on how Senator Kathleen Bernier, the majority caucus vice chair, urged members of her own party to halt their attempts to discredit the bipartisan Wisconsin Elections Commission they created, while also calling on former Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman to finish his partisan review of the election soon. Reporting by Brenda Wintrode and Jim Malewitz / Wisconsin Watch. Narration by Wesley Lethem for Wisconsin Watch. Originally published Dec. 13, 2021 on wisconsinwatch.org.
In the third installment from Wisconsin Watch's series "Imperiled Shores," reporter Mario Koran explores a fundamental question facing the state Department of Natural Resources: Preserve parkland affected by rising lake levels or let nature take its course? Reported by Mario Koran / Wisconsin Watch & WPR. Narrated by Wesley Lethem for Wisconsin Watch. Originally published on wisconsinwatch.org on Dec. 9, 2021.
In this report, Wisconsin Watch presents a story about a Mauston, Wisconsin child care provider who was subjected to a lengthy and expensive ordeal to clear her name after she was wrongfully accused of child abuse by Dr. Barbara Knox. The story is the latest installment of our investigation into the former University of Wisconsin pediatrician whose controversial diagnoses of child abuse continue to reverberate for innocent caregivers and parents in southern Wisconsin. Reported by Brenda Wintrode / Wisconsin Watch. Narrated by Wesley Lethem for Wisconsin Watch. Originally published on wisconsinwatch.org on Dec. 4, 2021.
In this episode of our "Flawed Forensics" series, Wisconsin Watch explores how the criminal justice system has repeatedly rebuffed the medical opinions of the former University of Wisconsin child abuse pediatrician Dr. Barbara Knox, and tells the stories of families who were affected by her misdiagnosis of child abuse. Reporting by Brenda Wintrode / Wisconsin Watch. Narration by Wesley Lethem. Originally published Dec. 2, 2021 on www.wisconsinwatch.org
In the latest installment of our "Flawed Forensics" series, Wisconsin Watch tells the story of seven Wisconsin families that faced child abuse investigations triggered by University of Wisconsin child abuse pediatrician Dr. Barbara Knox — suspicions later rejected by other doctors, police and child welfare officials. Reporting by Brenda Wintrode / Wisconsin Watch. Narration by Wesley Lethem for Wisconsin Watch. Originally published at www.wisconsinwatch.org on Nov. 27, 2021.
In this addition to our series "Flawed Forensics," Wisconsin Watch tells more of the story of Dr. Barbara Knox. Two years after leaving the University of Wisconsin amid allegations of workplace bullying, the former top child abuse pediatrician is drawing similar scrutiny at her new job in Alaska. Reporting by Brenda Wintrode / Wisconsin Watch and Michelle Theriault Boots / Anchorage Daily News. Narration by Wesley Lethem. Story originally published Nov. 15, 2021 at wisconsinwatch.org.
Wisconsin Watch brings you a story exploring how a declaration of ‘obvious child abuse’ leveled at a child care provider by a former University of Wisconsin pediatrician fell apart after a five-day trial that centered on the controversial diagnosis of abusive head trauma. The story focuses on Dr. Barbara Knox, who left Wisconsin in 2019 under a cloud of controversy. It is part of our series "Flawed Forensics" and was originally published Nov. 13, 2021. Reporting by Dee J. Hall / Wisconsin Watch. Narration by Wesley Lethem.
Wisconsin Watch brings you a story exploring how Great Lakes shorelines have seen a surge in barriers built to slow lakefront erosion. But such structures are temporary and may harm downstream beaches. This story is part of the series Imperiled Shores and was reported by Wisconsin Watch's Mario Koran. It was originally published Nov. 4, 2021. Narration by Wesley Lethem.
Great Lakes shorelines have seen a surge in barriers built to slow lakefront erosion. But such structures are temporary and may harm downstream beaches. This story is part of the series "Imperiled Shores." Reporting by Mario Koran. Originally published Oct. 30, 2021. Narration by Wesley Lethem.
Wisconsin has the shameful distinction of locking up 1 in every 36 Black adults in the state, the highest rate in the country. A Sentencing Project report confirms the state’s deep racial disparities in incarceration, which one advocate calls ‘a slap in the face.’ Reporting by Clare Amari / Wisconsin Watch. Originally published on Oct 13. 2021. Narration by Wesley Lethem.
Wisconsin Watch brings you a story that examines the latest contaminants of concern in a local waterway in Madison, Wisconsin: PFAS -- hazardous chemicals which are being flagged across Wisconsin for their properties as "forever chemicals." Original reporting by Isaac Wasserman / Wisconsin Watch. Story originally published Oct. 7, 2021.
Replacing all Milwaukee lead service lines would take 70 years at current pace. Meanwhile, Wisconsin home lead investigations rarely test water amid focus on paint. Reporting by Diana Butsko / Wisconsin Watch. Originally published Sept. 9, 2021.
Evanston, Illinois is compensating victims of housing discrimination. Big questions remain about whether and how reparations should be handled. Reporting by Molly Carmichael and Martha Daniels / Wisconsin Watch. Originally published on Oct. 2, 2021.
Wisconsin Watch brings you a story that examines how school officials refer thousands of children to the police each year. And in Wisconsin, children with disabilities or who are Black, Latino or Native bear the brunt of it. Reporting by Corey Mitchell, Joe Yerardi and Susan Ferriss / Center for Public Integrity, Clare Amari / Wisconsin Watch, Angelica Euseary and Robert Chappell / Madison365.
Eau Claire, Wis., wants to remove all of their lead service lines by 2023. In meeting that goal, they would join Madison and Green Bay on a list of Wisconsin cities that have rid their water systems of lead service lines, which typically consist of both utility-owned and privately owned portions. Reporting by Madeline Fuerstenberg / Wisconsin Watch. Story originally published (https://wisconsinwatch.org/2021/09/spurred-by-flint-crisis-eau-claire-aims-to-eliminate-lead-pipelines/) Sept. 9, 2021.
Increasingly, health care facilities in Wisconsin and around the country require their employees to be vaccinated. Yet in long-term care facilities such as nursing homes — where residents are highly susceptible to severe illness and death from COVID-19 — some workers refuse the shot. Reporting by Madeline Fuerstenberg / Wisconsin Watch.
Drug and alcohol courts allow defendants to minimize punishment if they remain sober, receive treatment for substance abuse and participate in a structured program. Outagamie County Circuit Judge Vincent Biskupic created a similar arrangement with defendants with a key difference: The defendants were answerable only to Biskupic, who set no date for the supervision to end. The atypical arrangement meant longer punishments for some who failed to meet shifting demands. Reporting by Mario Koran, Phoebe Petrovic, Madeline Fuerstenberg and Jack Kelly / Wisconsin Watch and WPR. This piece was produced for the NEW News Lab, a local news collaboration in Northeast Wisconsin. Story originally published (https://wisconsinwatch.org/2021/08/skipping-the-middleman-defendants-faced-shifting-demands-in-outagamie-county-judges-one-man-drug-court/) on Aug. 28, 2021.
Workers like Olivia McKnight, a full-time Popeyes employee and mother of three, often struggle to get by even on wages above the federal minimum of $7.25, and those low-wage workers are disproportionately people of color. In Wisconsin, where the racial wealth and income gaps are some of the greatest in the nation, many feel raising the minimum is long overdue. Now, Democrats in the state are proposing a hike to $15 per hour for minimum wage workers, but face daunting political opposition from business interests and their Republican colleagues. Reporting by Molly Davis and Gretchen Gerlach. Originally published July 20th, 2021.
Cities across the country, including three in Wisconsin, are piloting basic income programs for residents. The goal: to better understand how providing money with no strings attached can help families turn their financial lives around. Some of these experiments show promising first results, and point to a possible solution to wealth disparities along racial and other lines. But public support for the programs isn't easy to drum up, and exploratory programs are short-lived. Will the trend toward providing guaranteed income to residents continue? Reporting by Harrison Freuck and Zhen Wang. Originally published August 14th, 2021.
A program of Wisconsin's Ho-Chunk Nation grants members large sums of money upon reaching adulthood — often allowing young adults to get a leg up in their financial lives. Similar programs, known as "baby bonds," have been floated in recent years as a possible solution to racial wealth gaps. Could it work? Reporting by Ben Baker and Zhen Wang. Originally published August 5, 2021.
Over the past seven years, in at least 52 cases involving 46 defendants, Biskupic has used “review hearings” to either monitor a defendant’s behavior or to pressure them to pay court-ordered financial obligations. In at least one case, he went as far as ordering additional jailtime for the failure to pay overdue debts — a tactic the Wisconsin Supreme Court has warned could be unconstitutional. Reporting by Jack Kelly, Phoebe Petrovic, Mario Koran and Madeline Fuerstenberg in partnership with WPR. Originally published July 31st, 2021.
To Greg Lewis, the home was beautiful. Cozy and inviting, the two-bedroom house in Milwaukee had a finished basement, two and a half car garage, an attached apartment and a yard. He had his eyes set on it for 42 days, only to learn that the appraisal, or valuation of the property, was lower than he expected. Lewis thought it was going to be about $100,000, as another house on the same block sold for $130,000. Yet the appraisal only came in at $90,000 — meaning banks would be limited in how much they could lend him to buy the home.
Jammes’ case was among 31 such cases between 2014 and 2020 in which a Wisconsin Watch investigation found Biskupic offered to stay or furlough defendants’ jail time if they complied with his conditions.
Chris Kartsounes had heard enough of Outagamie County Circuit Judge Vincent Biskupic’s demands. In May 2017, at his sixth hearing after having already been sentenced — when a case would normally be over — Kartsounes lost his cool. “I’m tired of this, your honor,” he said. “I’ve served my time. I’ve done everything I’m supposed to do ... Why do you keep harassing me?” he asked, firing profanities at the judge.
Shenora Staten-Jordan felt lost when her father, Gary Lee Staten, died of COVID-19 in May. She hadn’t expected to lose him so soon at age 61 — or for a contagious disease to hinder her goodbye. All of that only strengthened her Milwaukee family’s wishes to give Staten — a beloved father and grandfather who spent 30-plus years serving Milwaukee Public Schools — the type of homegoing service he deserved, she said.
A federal judge on Wednesday tossed out the federal eviction moratorium, which could make it easier for landlords to kick out tenants behind in rent.
The No. 1 factor for acute gastrointestinal illness in Kewaunee County’s private drinking water wells is cow manure, according to a federal study released today. The findings raise questions about the effectiveness of existing regulations aimed at protecting residents from tainted drinking water. Reporting by Coburn Dukehart / Wisconsin Watch. This piece was produced for the NEW News Lab, a local news collaboration in Northeast Wisconsin.
For many years, Cassilyn Brown’s home in Madison has housed three generations, including her husband, three children and father-in-law. Since COVID-19 hit, her concerns about her family have grown as their multigenerational household works to stay safe from the pandemic, especially her 79-year-old father-in-law, who has chronic pneumonia and a heart arrhythmia. Reporting by Pratheek Rebala, April Simpson, Susan Ferriss and Taylor Johnston / Center for Public Integrity and Vanessa Swales / Wisconsin Watch
The state Supreme Court on Monday hears arguments in a case that could determine whether the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources failed to adequately protect water from manure pollution when awarding a permit to a giant dairy farm in northeastern Wisconsin — or whether the agency lacks the authority to issue such restrictions.
When Clint Myrick graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 2010, he left with two consequential pieces of paper: a diploma for a bachelor’s degree in music education — and an eye-popping student loan bill. Reporting by Alyssa Huglen. Originally published on May 15, 2021.
The envelope looked like any other — slightly wrinkled, a handwritten address scrawled across the front. Reporting by Clara Neupert ad Jim Malewitz. Originally published on April 24, 2021.
Archeologists have unearthed human remains of Native Americans during excavations of the site along Lake Michigan where Kohler Co. wants to build an 18-hole golf course. The rapidly eroding Lake Michigan shoreline is also raising questions about the future of the project. Reporting by Jim Malewitz . Originally published on May 22, 2021.
Some regional nonprofits administering Gov. Tony Evers’ $322 million emergency rental assistance program may be unintentionally discouraging non-U.S. citizens from applying — even though immigration status holds no bearing on eligibility for the federally financed program. At least eight of the 14 organizations administering the Wisconsin Emergency Rental Assistance (WERA) program ask applicants to share their Social Security numbers through pre-screening forms, a Wisconsin Watch review has found. The eight agencies administer aid to 35 of Wisconsin’s 68 WERA-eligible counties. Advocates say Social Security number queries could deter struggling renters who are among Wisconsin’s roughly 75,000 undocumented immigrants — an economically vulnerable group that in 2016 comprised about 24% of the state’s immigrant population and 1.3% of the total population. Reporting by Vanessa Swales. Originally published March 29, 2021.
Democrats and Republicans in Wisconsin use different strategies to win seats in the state Legislature. Democrats have raised more money than ever from campaign fundraising. Meanwhile Republicans have consistently won a greater share of the seats in the state Legislature than their share of the total votes cast due to gerrymandering. Reporting by Peter Cameron in partnership with The Badger Project. Originally published March 31, 2021.
Democrats and Republicans largely disagree on how to proceed with future elections. Proposals include measures that could impact could determine how Wisconsin picks congressional candidates, how it awards its 10 Electoral College votes, how fast results can be announced and who can vote absentee. Experts say major changes to Wisconsin's election laws are unlikely for now because of partisan divides. Reporting by Anya van Wagtendonk in partnership with Votebeat. Originally published March 9, 2021.
Some Wisconsinites have been waiting for unemployment aid from the Department of Workforce Development for months. Workers at the department have to use outdated technology, like a 60-year-old computing program, to process a record number of claims this past year. Democratic Gov. Tony Evers and the GOP-controlled Legislature have also spent months blaming each other for the agency’s shortcomings as they stalemate in addressing many of Wisconsin’s challenges. Reporting by Bram Sable-Smith. Originally published February 18, 2021.
The coronavirus has run rampant across Wisconsin’s state prison system, infecting at least 2,153 staff members at adult institutions who self-reported test results and 10,786 inmates throughout the pandemic — more than half of the current population. These outbreaks have killed at least 25 inmates, according to Wisconsin Deparment of Corrections data. The state has detected infections among inmates at a rate more than five times higher than in the Wisconsin general population. Advocates are concerned that prisons aren't equipped to prevent the coronavirus from spreading. Reporting by Vanessa Swales. Originally published on Feb. 13, 2021.
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused major backlogs in Wisconsin's unemployment system. Families are still waiting on the Department of Workforce Development to process jobless claims filed last spring, with many missing bill payments, racking up credit card debt, facing eviction or worse. DWD officials say that they have processed more claims in the last eight months than they had in the last four years. Hurdles like outdated computer systems and understaffed call centers are slowing the process even more. Reporting by Bram Sable-Smith in parternship with Marty Hobe of TMJ4 News. Originally published on Nov. 17, 2020.
Rampant COVID-19 infections and thousands of deaths of Wisconsin mink could pose a potential threat to humans, as viruses can hop between species and mutate. Now, mink farmers are gearing up to get the vaccine along with first responders and essential workers in Wisconsin. The state has not seen a mink-to-human infection yet, but evidence of mink-to-human transmission in Denmark, the world’s top mink producer, is concerning officials. Reporting by Kate Golden. Originally published January 30, 2021.
In the days after the November presidential election, a petition filed in the Wisconsin Supreme Court alleging mass election fraud called for electoral votes for Trump to replace Biden's. Wisconsin Republican Assembley Speaker Robin Vos ordered an investigation into the state's election results because of claims of "mail-in ballot dumps and voter fraud." These efforts ended up not changing Wisconsin's Electoral College outcome, but changes in Electoral College law mean such moves could be possible in the future. Legal and political challenges to the 2020 presidential election have raised questions of whether a state’s election outcome can be subverted by officials who favor a different result. Reporting by Anya van Wagtendonk in partnership with Votebeat. Originally published November 25, 2020.
Coronavirus skeptics in Wisconsin have gathered to protest mask-wearing and lockdown mandates throughout the pandemic. According to public health and communication experts, misinformation campaigns are one factor working against the state's pandemic response. As preperations continue for the coronavirus vaccine to be distributed across the nation, the misinformation that fuels many pandemic denialists is already threatening this fragile response. Reporting by Howard Hardee. Originally published on Dec. 8, 2020.
COVID-19 has brought the struggles of the disability community to vote independently to the forefront. Despite the recent efforts to expand voting access through absentee ballots, disability community members and advocates say that different barriers emerged for people with disabilities during the pandemic. Reporting by Nora Eckert in partnership with Votebeat. Originally published on Jan. 12, 2021.
Former Police Chief David Couper provides an alternative model to policing protests that respects free speech and curbs violence. Couper worked to improve community relations and build trust in the Madison Police Department during his time as police chief. After a summer of unrest and escalation in Madison, Couper shares his views on where today's police departments are going wrong. Reporting by Clara Neupert of Wisconsin Watch and News414. Wisconsin Watch intern Will Cioci also contributed to this report. Originally published on December 9, 2020
Republican officials, lawyers, voters, volunteer poll watchers and recount observers dominated the roster of speakers on Dec. 11, 2020. They aired a range of concerns, including perceived bullying at polling places, foreign ownership of voting machines and frustrations with longstanding voting practices in Wisconsin, such as the use of in-person early absentee voting. Reported by Anya van Wagtendonk and Nora Eckert, Wisconsin Watch/Votebeat project reporters. Originally published on December 11, 2020.
Wisconsin Watch presents a recording of our Nov. 12, 2020 webinar — part of the 'Speakeasy: Casual conversations, serious issues' series. Wisconsin Watch reporters and guest panelist Jennifer Epps-Addison hosted a spirited discussion breaking down what happened in Wisconsin during the 2020 presidential election, including how voter turnout compared to the 2016 presidential election and the effect of rampant misinformation about voter fraud on social media. Wisconsin Watch Managing Editor Dee J. Hall was joined by Jennifer Epps-Addison, president and co-executive director of The Center for Popular Democracy, Wisconsin Watch reporter Vanessa Swales, and Wisconsin Watch/Vote Beat reporters Nora Eckert and Anya van Wagtendonk. Wisconsin Watch is the news outlet of the Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism, a nonpartisan and nonprofit organization covering issues impacting quality of life in Wisconsin. We produce fact-checked reporting guided by three values: Protect the vulnerable. Expose wrongdoing. Explore solutions. Stay current on our future events and investigations by signing up for our email newsletter at WisconsinWatch.org/subscribe, or following @WisconsinWatch on social media (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram).
Everyone plays a part in amplifying misinformation online, but social platforms will continue elevating emotional posts and bad influencers will keep spewing toxic content — so one thing individuals can do is help family and friends stick up for the truth. Reported by Howard Hardee, election integrity reporter. Originally published on September 25, 2020.
The CDC reccomends staying at home in order to slow the spread of Coid-19. But what happens to those facing eviction? Follow the story of the Pettigrew family as they battle to stay at home. Reported by Bram Sable-Smith (WPR/Wisconsin Watch), Martha Bebinger (WBUR) and Darian Benson (Side Effects Public Media). Originally published September 29, 2020.
A militia member patrolling the streets of Kenosha, Wisconsin on Aug. 25 claimed that police on the scene told him they planned to herd demonstrators toward the armed men — and then leave. Reported by Wisconsin Watch's Dee J. Hall on September 5, 2020.
With school going virtual, access to the internet is more important than ever. Follow the story of the Hellenbrand family. Wisconsin farmers raising four children — ages 11, 9, 8 and 5 — and up to five more children attending their home day care at least for part of the day. Reported by Peter Cameron in collaboration with The Badger Project, on August 25, 2020.
As part of a news service journalism project, Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service (NNS), Wisconsin Watch and Outlier Media are collaborating on the News414 project, which uses innovative technology and research techniques to deliver crucial information to residents, investigate neighborhoods’ most pressing issues and deliver accountability journalism to Milwaukee and the broader public. Listen to how Milwaukee's black neighborhoods are being effected by the Covid-19 pandemic and how evictions filings are changing. Reported by Allison Dikanovic and Clara Neupert (Wisconsin Watch) and Princess Safiya Byers (Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service), on August 22, 2020.
In the world of social media, disinformation travels fast. But how do you spot it? This report focuses on how disinformation in Wisconsin is attempting to discourage Wsiconsinites from voting. Part of the Narrow Margin series by Wisconsin Watch staff, reported by Max Witynski and Jessica Christoffer on August 15, 2020.
Voting during a pandemic is hard. Voting during a pandemic with a disability, is even harder. Follow the story of Don Natzke, a 69 year old visually imparied Wisconsin resident, and his journey to the voting booth. Part of the Narrow Margin series by Wisconsin Watch staff, reported by Enjoyiana Nururdin on August 6, 2020.
In this story, Cap Times public affairs reporting fellow Parker Schorr digs into the fatal consequences that come with Wisconsin drillers disregarding state laws. Read by Wesley Letham. Originally published on April 22, 2020.