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Aditi Debnath
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Tracy Vruwink on impacts of federal funding cuts in Nekoosa
School District of Nekoosa child care director Tracy Vruwink describes how federal defunding of 21st Century Community Learning Centers and AmeriCorps can affect school programs and food pantries.
Friday June 13, 2025
Dr. Ryan Spencer on what happens when obstetricians leave
University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health OB/GYN Dr. Ryan Spencer explains the difficulties that arise when fewer obstetric providers are available to serve mothers in a community.
Thursday May 15, 2025
Wendy Yuen on postpartum physical and mental health needs
Milwaukee resident Wendy Yuen describes different types of medical needs that a mother can require after having a baby and how availability of insurance coverage can affect pursuing postpartum care.
Wednesday May 14, 2025
Maternal health care in Wisconsin and the future of Medicaid
Mothers in rural Wisconsin are increasingly facing gaps in maternal health care coverage, and state lawmakers are considering legislation and budget proposals to address the issue through Medicaid.
Wednesday May 7, 2025
Racine Unified school district passes 2025 budget referendum
Voters in the Racine Unified School District passed a $190 million referendum in the spring 2025 election, one of 51 school funding referendums around Wisconsin that passed out of 89 on the ballot.
Friday April 4, 2025
Soren Gajewski on the costs and long-term value of education
Racine Unified School District Superintendent Soren Gajewski discusses funding for public schools to promote lifelong outcomes promoted by literacy and avoid costs associated with a lack of education.
Friday March 28, 2025
Brenda White on Wisconsin school choice program priorities
School Choice Wisconsin board chair Brenda White discusses the group's 2025 priorities, including maintaining state funding, decoupling programs from property taxes, and retaining curriculum control.
Friday March 28, 2025
Why a Racine referendum reflects Wisconsin school money woes
Racine is facing a critical moment for K-12 school funding with a $190 million budget referendum in the spring 2025 election, reflecting ongoing political debates in Wisconsin over education funding.
Thursday March 27, 2025
‘Stand Up for Science’ rallies at Wisconsin State Capitol
Scientists and their supporters assembled for a "Stand Up for Science" rally at the Wisconsin State Capitol in Madison to speak out against cuts to National Institutes of Health research funding.
Friday March 7, 2025
Rep. Angelina Cruz on running unopposed as a Democrat
State Rep. Angelina Cruz, D-Racine, discusses running unopposed in the Democratic primary and general elections in 2024 for the Wisconsin Assembly and listening to constituents on the campaign trail.
Wednesday February 26, 2025
Rep. Lindee Brill on Republicans and the Wisconsin Assembly
State Rep. Lindee Brill, R-Sheboygan Falls, discusses voting present in a 2025 Republican caucus election for Wisconsin Assembly Speaker and hope the chamber moves in a more conservative direction.
Tuesday February 25, 2025
New lawmakers find their bearings in Wisconsin’s Legislature
A pair of new state lawmakers — Rep. Angelina Cruz and Rep. Lindee Brill — share their thoughts on serving their constituents at the start of the 2025 session in the wake of legislative redistricting.
Friday February 21, 2025
Wisconsin Democrats adopt Bluesky as the social media landscape continues to split
The reelection of President-elect Donald Trump and his embrace by tech oligarch Elon Musk has accelerated an exodus among online liberals from the social media platform X to a startup named Bluesky, including by multiple Democratic officeholders in Wisconsin.
Wednesday January 15, 2025
Madison confronts the enormity of the Abundant Life shooting
Following the shooting at Abundant Life Christian School where a teacher and student were killed, educators and the broader Madison community grapple directly with a nationwide epidemic of violence.
Friday December 20, 2024
Environmentalists cite Enbridge Line 6 leak in Line 5 debate
Environmental groups point to an oil spill discovered in Jefferson County at a transfer station for the Enbridge Line 6 pipeline as they oppose a reroute of the company's Line 5 in northern Wisconsin.
Thursday December 19, 2024
Watertown adopts more restrictive transgender student rules
The politics of sex and gender were at the center of community controversy in Watertown as its school board adopted a more restrictive gender support plan, changing rules for transgender students.
Friday November 22, 2024
Michelle Velasquez on expanding abortion access in Wisconsin
Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin Chief Strategy Officer Michelle Velasquez discusses legal and legislative routes for reducing restrictions on abortion and bolstering options for pregnant patients.
Tuesday October 29, 2024
Gracie Skogman on funding for pregnancy resource centers
Wisconsin Right to Life legislative director Gracie Skogman discusses the goal of securing public funding for nonprofit groups that discourage abortion and encourage pregnancies being carried to term.
Monday October 28, 2024
How much does abortion policy matter in Wisconsin in 2024?
Abortion remains a central and contentious issue for voters and candidates in Wisconsin in advance of the 2024 presidential election, the first since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned "Roe v. Wade."
Friday October 25, 2024
Mary Swifka on disability benefits and expanding Medicaid
Mary Swifka, mother of an adult child with Down syndrome, describes difficulties of hiring caregivers of people with developmental disabilities given low pay and limited benefits for these positions.
Tuesday October 15, 2024
Beth Swedeen on minimum wages for workers with disabilities
Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities Executive Director Beth Swedeen discusses its calls for employers to pay workers who need vocational support at minimum wage rates or higher.
Monday October 14, 2024
Medicaid and pay for workers with developmental disabilities
Fear of losing Medicaid benefits is a factor in debates over law allowing certain workers with disabilities to be paid lower than minimum wage — advocates urge Wisconsin lawmakers to pursue expansion.
Wednesday October 9, 2024
Biden’s Westby visit highlights push for rural votes in 2024
President Joe Biden visited rural Vernon County to tout federal funding for infrastructure — coming a week after a Trump rally in La Crosse, the event also confirms the area's electoral significance.
Friday September 6, 2024
Amy Kloppenburg on challenges of finding child care options
Amy Kloppenburg, a resident of Madison and parent of two children, describes her family's economic need for child care and experiences when trying to locate a provider when moving into the area.
Thursday August 29, 2024
Ruth Schmidt on declining child care options in Wisconsin
Wisconsin Early Childhood Association Executive Director Ruth Schmidt discusses how a shrinking child care and health care workforce affects communities around the state, particularly in rural areas.
Wednesday August 28, 2024
Lyerly, Wied vie for Wisconsin’s 8th Congressional in 2024
In a race reflecting prominent 2024 political issues, Dr. Kristin Lyerly, a Democrat, and businessman Tony Wied, a Republican, are running for an open seat in Wisconsin's 8th Congressional District.
Tuesday August 27, 2024
The cost of child care has Wisconsinites seeking solutions
An effort by a Madison suburb to address the rising costs of child care for both parents and preschool providers illustrates an economic dilemma that's hit a political stalemate at the state level.
Wednesday August 14, 2024
The big 2024 Republican primary race in northeast Wisconsin
State Sen. André Jacque, former state lawmaker Roger Roth and former business owner Tony Wied, Republican candidates in Wisconsin's 8th Congressional District, are making their case to primary voters.
Thursday August 8, 2024
What’s the purpose of the RNC in Milwaukee, DNC in Chicago?
The Republican National Convention in Milwaukee and Democratic National Convention in Chicago will command political attention as the 2024 race for president intensifies in advance of the election.
Wednesday July 3, 2024
Dr. Elizabeth Salisbury-Afshar on addiction and imprisonment
UW Health Behavioral Health and Recovery Clinic addiction medicine physician Dr. Elizabeth Salisbury-Afshar examines how incarceration impacts people struggling with mental health and substance abuse.
Wednesday June 19, 2024
Amanda Church on mental health in prison and after release
Assisted living care provider Amanda Church, who was incarcerated for drug offenses, describes experiences with caring and callous corrections officers, and difficulties of reentry into the community.
Tuesday June 18, 2024
Wisconsin prisons lag in treating substance use disorders
Many inmates in Wisconsin prisons seeking to recover from addiction face long waits for substance use disorder treatment as wrangling continues over resources for the state Department of Corrections.
Wednesday June 12, 2024
Wisconsin’s tech colleges are focused on DEI initiatives too
With many students attending part time and coming from many different backgrounds, the Wisconsin Technical College System works to support diversity, equity and inclusion efforts among its 16 schools.
Tuesday May 7, 2024
Dahlia Saba on Gaza solidarity demonstrations at UW-Madison
UW-Madison graduate student and Students for Justice in Palestine spokesperson Dahlia Saba discusses why protestors continued to assemble on campus after police officers moved to end an encampment.
Wednesday May 1, 2024
Dr. Jasmine Zapata on the toll of COVID-19 on mental health
Wisconsin Department of Health Services state epidemiologist Dr. Jasmine Zapata describes ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic causing uncertainty, stress and trauma in families and communities.
Tuesday March 19, 2024
Dr. Jasmine Zapata on takeaways from the COVID-19 pandemic
Wisconsin Department of Health Services state epidemiologist Dr. Jasmine Zapata discusses key lessons learned in the four years after the COVID-19 pandemic emerged and ongoing status of the virus.
Friday March 15, 2024
The El Niño winter of 2023-24 and drought in Wisconsin
Historically warm conditions over the winter months reflect a global weather phenomenon that is threatening to extend drought conditions in the state and affect the start of a new growing season.
Friday February 16, 2024
John Rosenow on staffing a dairy farm with immigrant labor
Rosenholm Dairy owner John Rosenow describes experiences with and enthusiasm for hiring and training Spanish-speaking immigrants to maintain day-to-day operations at his dairy farm in Cochrane.
Thursday January 18, 2024
Tina Hinchley on growing milk production by dairy farms
Hinchley's Dairy Farm owner Tina Hinchley describes how dairy farmers seek markets for their perishable product as cows produce higher volumes of milk due to improved genetics, feed and other factors.
Wednesday January 17, 2024
What robotics means for the future of Wisconsin dairy farms
Difficulties in maintaining a workforce, ongoing market swings and uncertainties over an updated Farm Bill are leading a small but growing number of Wisconsin dairy farmers to embrace robotic milking.
Thursday January 11, 2024
Samer Alatout on achieving peace in Gaza and Israel
UW-Madison sociology professor Samer Alatout, a native of Palestine, shares thoughts about nationalism, the historical relationship between Palestinians and Israelis, and building a democratic state.
Tuesday November 21, 2023
Rabbi Betsy Forester on achieving peace in Israel and Gaza
Beth Israel Center Rabbi Betsy Forester shares thoughts about the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas on Israel, the traumas intensified by this terrorism, and how hopes for peace in the region are imperiled.
Tuesday November 21, 2023
War torments Wisconsinites with ties to Israel and Gaza
Ongoing war and an escalating death toll in Gaza is fueling fear and uncertainty among Wisconsinites with Palestinian and Israeli family ties even as they search for hope in a decades-long conflict.
Friday November 17, 2023
Miryam Rosenzweig on trauma of civilians in the midst of war
Milwaukee Jewish Federation President Miryam Rosenzweig, who has family in Israel, shares thoughts on the fears for those who live in a war zone and growing levels of antisemitism around the world.
Wednesday November 15, 2023
Hashim Zaibak on trauma of civilians in the midst of war
Islamic Society of Milwaukee member Hashim Zaibak, who has family in Gaza, shares thoughts on the despair that comes with watching war from afar and a hope to offer help to civilians who are in need.
Wednesday November 15, 2023
The pain of Wisconsinites who have family in Gaza and Israel
Wisconsinites who have Israeli and Palestinian family ties share their anguish and fears following a month of rampant bloodshed and offer perspectives on the vitriol, distortions and horror of war.
Friday November 10, 2023
Diversity in higher education and Wisconsin McNair Scholars
McNair Scholars is a federally funded scholarship program supporting first-generation and traditionally underrepresented college students — participants at UW-Oshkosh share what they are learning.
Friday October 13, 2023
Anya Verkhovskaya on having relatives in Russia and Ukraine
Friends of Be an Angel board chair Anya Verkhovskaya shares the divisions, difficulties and pain that are faced by people who have family and friends on both sides of the Russian and Ukrainian border.
Tuesday March 7, 2023
Taras Khaba on volunteering to send medical aid to Ukraine
Physician Taras Khaba, who escaped Ukraine with his family after Russia's full-out invasion, describes joining the Ukrainian Medical Association of North America to offer support in the midst of war.
Tuesday March 7, 2023
Providing power to Ukraine in the dark and cold of winter
Human rights activists, medical professionals and business community members around Wisconsin have come together to supply generators for Ukraine to keep lights and heat operating in the midst of war.
Thursday March 2, 2023
Rabbi Bonnie Margulis on antisemitism and polarized politics
Wisconsin Faith Voices for Justice Executive Director Rabbi Bonnie Margulis considers growth in antisemitism and other forms of hatred fueled by online echo chambers and heightened political division.
Tuesday February 28, 2023
The chronic scourge of casual antisemitism in a divisive era
Wisconsin has experienced a steep increase in antisemitic acts over recent years, and Jewish community leaders in the state are deploring the pervasiveness of hate as memories of the Holocaust fade.
Thursday February 23, 2023
‘Here & Now’ Highlights: Brian Schimming, Richard Shaw
Here's what guests on the January 13, 2023 episode said about the Republican Party of Wisconsin's plans for 2023 and why a community coalition in Milwaukee opposes the proposed expansion of I-94 in the city.
Tuesday January 17, 2023
‘Here & Now’ Highlights: Gov. Tony Evers, Allison Madison
Here's what guests on the January 6, 2023 episode said about Wisconsin's 2023 budget process and the impacts of road salt use during winter.
Monday January 9, 2023
Shining a light on the growing problem of antisemitism in Wisconsin
Political conflict, the pandemic and the casual malice prevalent in social media are all factors contributing to the rise in statements and acts of bigotry and hatred toward Jewish communities — groups in Milwaukee and Madison are working to emphasize the extent of this trend around the state.
Tuesday December 20, 2022
‘Here & Now’ Highlights: Paul Farrow & Kelda Roys after the 2022 gubernatorial debate
Here's what guests on the October 14, 2022 episode said about a debate between Gov. Tony Evers and Tim Michels.
Monday October 17, 2022
‘Here & Now’ Highlights: McCoshen & Ross after the 2022 US Senate debate
Here's what guests on the October 7, 2022 episode said about a debate between U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson and Lt Gov. Mandela Barnes.
Monday October 10, 2022
‘Here & Now’ Highlights: Jerome Dillard, Dale Knapp, Chad Laibly
Here's what guests on the September 30, 2022 episode said about campaign rhetoric about crime, Wisconsin's projected decline in younger residents and rising energy prices in advance of winter.
Monday October 3, 2022
‘Here & Now’ Highlights: Greg Hartjes, Dr. Amy Domeyer
Here's what guests on the Sept. 9, 2022 episode said about an Appleton school district referendum and a shortage of OB-GYNs in Wisconsin.
Monday September 12, 2022
Close, contrary primary votes illustrate 2022 rifts among Wisconsin Republicans
The close victory for Robin Vos in the Republican primary for the 63rd Assembly District wasn't the only tight race for the party in the state — battles for other legislative districts and statewide seats show the preeminence of the previous election, and former president, for its voters.
Wednesday September 7, 2022
Abortion policy in Wisconsin and divergent outlooks on freedom of religion
Jewish voices in the state are sharing their perspectives on pregnancy and the definition of human life as differences over interpretation of the First Amendment grow more salient.
Thursday August 18, 2022
‘Here & Now’ Highlights: Gracie Skogman, Tanya Atkinson, Charles Franklin, Dr. James Conway
Here's what guests on the June 24, 2022 episode said about the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs v. Jackson, polling the 2022 Wisconsin primaries and authorization of COVID-19 vaccines for younger children.
Monday June 27, 2022
‘Here & Now’ Highlights: Bradley Burmeister, Beth Neary, Chris DeMarco, Susan Urbanski
Here's what guests on the June 17, 2022 episode said about assessing firearm risk for patients with mental health needs, adverse effects of exposure to PFAS, the high risk of energy emergencies in the Midwest grid, and demand for human milk during the baby formula shortage.
Monday June 20, 2022
‘Here & Now’ Highlights: Trisha Kilpin, Tiffany Green
Here's what guests on the June 10, 2022 episode said about what the state does to help ensure safety in schools and maternal health disparities related to abortion.
Monday June 13, 2022
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