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PBS Wisconsin's weekly news and public affairs program provides reporting on civic and political issues around the state.

A blurred pickup truck drives on a snow-covered road past a metal-sided building with an door at an entry vestibule, two garage doors and other doors along with a wood sign reading Stella Town Hall and a Smokey the Bear fire danger sign standing in snow-covered ground, with another tuck and trees in the background under an overcast sky.

Environment

A crisis emerges across the US as PFAS 'forever chemicals' quietly contaminate drinking water wells

The roughly 40 million Americans who get drinking water from wells are at particular risk when harmful PFAS "forever chemicals" contaminate the supply — when a well is found to be tainted, it can take years to find a new source of clean water.

Recent News

A sign with the title Advisory and lines reading This Water Contains PFAS, Keep Water Out of Mouth, Choose Lower Exposure Activities, Wash Skin and Follow Fish Consumption Advisories along with graphics, additional text and QR codes is attached to a post in a split-rail fence, with fallen leaves on the ground a building obscured by thick growth of trees in the background.

Environment

Takeaways from the AP's reporting on PFAS pollution in private drinking water wells

Frederica Freyberg and Howard Schweber sit facing each other on the Here & Now set.

Politics

'Here & Now' Highlights: Howard Schweber

Marble pillars with Composite order capitals frame a doorway in a marble masonry wall with a carved sign reading Supreme Court above a metal filigree door, with additional doors on either side, a pediment above, and an illuminated brass pillar electric light fixture in the foreground.

Elections

Lazar and Taylor differ on role of state courts when it comes to federal agents

A stapled set of paperwork with a tribal nation logo and the title Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians along with the text Motor Vehicle Department and an address in North Dakota includes text about a fee and spaces to fill in personal information.

Indigenous

Fearing ICE, Native Americans rush to acquire tribal IDs and prove their right to belong in the US

A still image shows a bridge over the St. Croix river, which forms the border between Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Social Issues

Witnessing — and fearing — ICE actions in St. Croix County

Howard Schweber on protesting ICE and constitutional rights

Politics

Howard Schweber on protesting ICE and constitutional rights

A still image shows a a portrait of Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson next to a statement he made regarding calls to defund ICE.

Budgets

Baldwin, Johnson react to Homeland Security funding fight

A still image shows an elementary school math book opened on a desk and in front of the desk are children sitting in a classroom.

Elections

Wisconsin's 2026 governor candidates consider school funding

A letter sign reading Milwaukee County Courthouse is affixed to the façade of a building with granite masonry, exterior metal light fixtures, and a door and metal-framed windows set with in arches, with a street light with no parking signs on a sidewalk in front of the entrance.

Courts

Jury finds Milwaukee man guilty after forging threats against Trump to get immigrant witness deported

Wisconsin’s 2026 Supreme Court candidates on ICE and the law

Courts

Wisconsin's 2026 Supreme Court candidates on ICE and the law

Two men wearing neck gaiters covering the lower half of their faces and carrying long guns stand on a sidewalk, with other out-of-focus people standing among park benches, light poles and buildings in the background.

Policy

What are Wisconsin's laws on open and concealed carry of guns in public spaces?

Wisconsin’s 2026 governor candidates consider state prisons

Elections

Wisconsin's 2026 governor candidates consider state prisons

A sign with the title Advisory and lines reading This Water Contains PFAS, Keep Water Out of Mouth, Choose Lower Exposure Activities, Wash Skin and Follow Fish Consumption Advisories along with graphics, additional text and QR codes is attached to a post in a split-rail fence, with fallen leaves on the ground a building obscured by thick growth of trees in the background.

Environment

Takeaways from the AP's reporting on PFAS pollution in private drinking water wells

Frederica Freyberg and Howard Schweber sit facing each other on the Here & Now set.

Politics

'Here & Now' Highlights: Howard Schweber

Marble pillars with Composite order capitals frame a doorway in a marble masonry wall with a carved sign reading Supreme Court above a metal filigree door, with additional doors on either side, a pediment above, and an illuminated brass pillar electric light fixture in the foreground.

Elections

Lazar and Taylor differ on role of state courts when it comes to federal agents

A stapled set of paperwork with a tribal nation logo and the title Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians along with the text Motor Vehicle Department and an address in North Dakota includes text about a fee and spaces to fill in personal information.

Indigenous

Fearing ICE, Native Americans rush to acquire tribal IDs and prove their right to belong in the US

A still image shows a bridge over the St. Croix river, which forms the border between Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Social Issues

Witnessing — and fearing — ICE actions in St. Croix County

Howard Schweber on protesting ICE and constitutional rights

Politics

Howard Schweber on protesting ICE and constitutional rights

A still image shows a a portrait of Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson next to a statement he made regarding calls to defund ICE.

Budgets

Baldwin, Johnson react to Homeland Security funding fight

A still image shows an elementary school math book opened on a desk and in front of the desk are children sitting in a classroom.

Elections

Wisconsin's 2026 governor candidates consider school funding

A letter sign reading Milwaukee County Courthouse is affixed to the façade of a building with granite masonry, exterior metal light fixtures, and a door and metal-framed windows set with in arches, with a street light with no parking signs on a sidewalk in front of the entrance.

Courts

Jury finds Milwaukee man guilty after forging threats against Trump to get immigrant witness deported

Wisconsin’s 2026 Supreme Court candidates on ICE and the law

Courts

Wisconsin's 2026 Supreme Court candidates on ICE and the law

Two men wearing neck gaiters covering the lower half of their faces and carrying long guns stand on a sidewalk, with other out-of-focus people standing among park benches, light poles and buildings in the background.

Policy

What are Wisconsin's laws on open and concealed carry of guns in public spaces?

Wisconsin’s 2026 governor candidates consider state prisons

Elections

Wisconsin's 2026 governor candidates consider state prisons

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Wisconsin Vote

During election season, Wisconsin Vote provides voters with information about candidates and races, election results, and election resources for educators.

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Here & Now Shorts

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Recent Here & Now Video

Chris McIntosh on transparency in the NCAA’s policy for NIL

Economy

Chris McIntosh on transparency in the NCAA's policy for NIL

South Central Region

Chris McIntosh, Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin on NCAA transfer

Education

Chris McIntosh, Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin on NCAA transfer

South Central Region

Chris McIntosh on lower ticket sales for Wisconsin football

Education

Chris McIntosh on lower ticket sales for Wisconsin football

South Central Region

Darryl Morin on anticipating ICE operations in Wisconsin

Politics

Darryl Morin on anticipating ICE operations in Wisconsin

Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin, Chris McIntosh on UW football

Education

Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin, Chris McIntosh on UW football

South Central Region

A still image shows a pier jeering out onto a frozen lake that is covered in snow.

Environment

Weather warnings issued as Wisconsin's temperatures plummet

How Wisconsin’s 2026 governor candidates view bipartisanship

Elections

How Wisconsin's 2026 governor candidates view bipartisanship

What Wisconsin’s 2026 governor hopefuls want to pursue first

Elections

What Wisconsin's 2026 governor hopefuls want to pursue first

A still image shows Tony Evers in front of American and Wisconsin flags, with a graphic at the bottom that reads 'state Capitol,' 'Gov. Tony Evers' and '(D) Wisconsin.'

Politics

Evers calls for property tax cut as his term comes to an end

US Sen. Tammy Baldwin on issues Congress faces as 2026 opens

Politics

US Sen. Tammy Baldwin on issues Congress faces as 2026 opens

US Sen. Ron Johnson on issues Congress faces as 2026 opens

Politics

US Sen. Ron Johnson on issues Congress faces as 2026 opens

Joel Brennan on issues in Wisconsin’s 2026 governor’s race

Elections

Joel Brennan on issues in Wisconsin's 2026 governor's race

Joel Brennan on issues in Wisconsin’s 2026 governor’s race

Elections

Joel Brennan on issues in Wisconsin's 2026 governor's race

Indigenous

A stapled set of paperwork with a tribal nation logo and the title Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians along with the text Motor Vehicle Department and an address in North Dakota includes text about a fee and spaces to fill in personal information.

Fearing ICE, Native Americans rush to acquire tribal IDs and prove their right to belong in the US

John Johnson sits on folding chair at a folding table covered with a tablecloth set up on an asphalt driveway and signs a sheet of paper while seated next to Sue Ernster, who is seated next to Larry Turner in front of a building with log siding, a door and two windows, with trees and a body of water in the background.

Return of Vilas County land by Catholic nuns to Lac du Flambeau breaks new ground

Brittany Koteles on the market value of land and its meaning

Brittany Koteles on the market value of land and its meaning

Local Wisconsin News

Southeast Region

Mary Roberts on discriminatory language in racial covenants

History

Mary Roberts on discriminatory language in racial covenants

Social Issues

Derek Handley on racial covenants harming Black Milwaukeeans

History

Anne Bonds on covenants and Milwaukee's racial segregation

History

Mapping a history of covenants and segregation in Milwaukee

Southeast RegionSoutheast Region News

Northeast Region

A student wearing a welding mask uses a welding torch to work on a piece of metal on top of a welding table in a large room with other manufacturing equipment on tables and in cases on walls, with other students standing and working on different projects in different locations.

Education

Appleton Technical Academy prepares students for skilled trades — it's not easy

Social Issues

Alex Pretti, shot and killed by federal agents in Minneapolis, grew up in Green Bay

Politics

Kewaunee County town staves off plan for a land purchase by a data center developer

History

Green Bay podcasters dig up long-buried tales in the city's Astor neighborhood

Northeast RegionNortheast Region News

South Central Region

Chris McIntosh on transparency in the NCAA’s policy for NIL

Economy

Chris McIntosh on transparency in the NCAA's policy for NIL

Education

Chris McIntosh, Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin on NCAA transfer

Education

Chris McIntosh on lower ticket sales for Wisconsin football

Education

Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin, Chris McIntosh on UW football

South Central RegionSouth Central Region News

Northern Region

John Johnson sits on folding chair at a folding table covered with a tablecloth set up on an asphalt driveway and signs a sheet of paper while seated next to Sue Ernster, who is seated next to Larry Turner in front of a building with log siding, a door and two windows, with trees and a body of water in the background.

Indigenous

Return of Vilas County land by Catholic nuns to Lac du Flambeau breaks new ground

Indigenous

Why Catholic sisters sold land back to the Lac du Flambeau

Indigenous

A prescribed burn in Superior provides pride and healing

History

Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald in Lake Superior still resonates 50 years later

Northern RegionNorthern Region News

West Central Region

A still image shows a bridge over the St. Croix river, which forms the border between Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Social Issues

Witnessing — and fearing — ICE actions in St. Croix County

Economy

John Rosenow on dairy workers and immigration enforcement

Education

Joe Green on combining courses through school consolidation

Education

Chris Lindner and Joe Green on sharing school district costs

West Central RegionWest Central Region News

Southwest Region

The center and one side span of riveted cantilever metal bridge splash on the surface of a river with clouds of dust rising into the air, with another span to the side still standing along with multiple concrete support structures, with ice downriver and along the edges of the shore and with wooded bluffs in the background.

Economy

Implosion takes down the nearly century-old Black Hawk Bridge over the Mississippi River

Economy

Amid rising house prices, Richland Center residents decry development on parkland

Economy

Tawny Hardyman on losing staff during a government shutdown

Social Issues

Tawny Hardyman on closure of Head Start classes in Wisconsin

Southwest RegionSouthwest Region News

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