All Recent Articles - PBS Wisconsin

A liberal landslide in the 2026 Wisconsin Supreme Court vote

The 2026 state Supreme Court election was a landslide victory for liberal candidate Chris Taylor — Inside Wisconsin Politics considers what it means for the midterm vote and future of the high court.

April 9, 2026

Tony Evers speaks into a microphone mounted to the top of a wood podium while standing in front of a row of U.S. and Wisconsin flags in front of a large painting.

Policy

Evers signs law legalizing tribal run online sports betting in Wisconsin

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers has signed a bill into law that legalizes online sports betting, and requires the state government to negotiate new deals with tribal nations that would operate this type of gaming and allow gamblers to legally place bets.

April 9, 2026

Amy Blumenfeld Bogost speaks while seated at a table and facing multiple mounted microphones and a video camera with a shotgun microphone, with Timothy Nixon seated to her side, in a room with wood trim on the wall and wood double doors with a brass doorknob and glazed glass windows, with a video graphic at bottom including the text Senate Committee on Universities & Technical Colleges, Amy Blumenfeld Bogost and To serve as a Congressional Dist. 2 Rep. on the UW Board of Regents for term ending 5/1/27.

Politics

Universities of Wisconsin regents cite disputes over AI and transparency practices in president’s firing

In a state Senate committee hearing, two members of the board of regents for the Universities of Wisconsin say that the fired president of the system was slow to address pressing issues like AI, limited public board discussions and open records, and feared upsetting policymakers and UW faculty.

April 9, 2026

Elections

Scott Walker on the Wisconsin Legislature elections in 2026

Former Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, a Republican, discusses the party's outlook in the November 2026 midterm election and whether or not control of the Assembly and state Senate may flip to Democrats.

April 9, 2026

Tom Tiffany speaks while standing outside in front of a masonry building with a staircase with a balustrades, with parked vehicles, leafless trees and other buildings on one side in the background.

Elections

Republicans react to Democratic election wins in Wisconsin ahead of the 2026 midterm vote

Republicans are assessing setbacks following victories by Democratic-backed candidates in votes for the Wisconsin Supreme Court and for the mayor's office in the conservative Milwaukee suburb of Waukesha seven months out from the 2026 midterm election.

April 9, 2026

A weathered wood sign with stylized images of hills and trees and the words Welcome Home to Wausau and City Hall stands in a mulched garden bed in front of a multi-story masonry building with large glass windows in front of small grass lawn, a concrete ramp and a flagpole with a U.S. flag, withe light poles, buildings and leafless trees in the background to the side.

Courts

Wausau’s mayor won’t face charges over removing a ballot drop box in 2024

Wausau Mayor Doug Diny posed for photos as he removed a drop box for absentee ballots from outside the city hall in September 2024, and Fond du Lac County District Attorney Eric Toney announced that he was unable to prove criminal wrongdoing in an investigation of the incident.

April 8, 2026

Wisconsin’s wide-open 2026 Democratic primary for governor

Elections

Wisconsin’s wide-open 2026 Democratic primary for governor

Mandela Barnes, Joel Brennan, David Crowley, Francesca Hong, Missy Hughes, Sara Rodriguez and Kelda Roys are running in the 2026 Democratic primary for Wisconsin governor, and polls show a close race.

April 8, 2026

Maria Lazar on her 2026 election loss and judicial politics

Elections

Maria Lazar on her 2026 election loss and judicial politics

Wisconsin Court of Appeals District II Judge Maria Lazar discusses losing the 2026 race for the state Supreme Court, politics in judicial campaigns, and whether she would run again for the high court.

April 8, 2026

Justice-elect Chris Taylor on her 2026 election victory

Elections

Justice-elect Chris Taylor on her 2026 election victory

Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice-elect Chris Taylor discusses her perspective on the role of the judiciary and winning the 2026 race for a seat on the high court in an election night victory speech.

April 8, 2026

Education

Former Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman says he felt ‘blindsided’ by getting fired

Jay Rothman, who was fired as the president of the Universities of Wisconsin in a board of regents vote on April 7, said he has not been given a reason for the action and added he is unlikely to sue over the ouster.

April 8, 2026

Chris Taylor waves with both hands while standing behind a podium with a microphone affixed to its top, while other people stand behind her and facing her with a U.S. flag in the background.

Elections

Taylor wins the 2026 Wisconsin Supreme Court election

Chris Taylor, the Democratic-backed candidate for a Wisconsin Supreme Court seat, defeated the Republican-backed candidate Maria Lazar in the 2026 election, marking the fourth straight victory for liberal court candidates dating back to 2020.

April 7, 2026

Jay Rothman sits and speaks into a microphone in a room with wood chairs with upholstered backs, wood-paneled walls and a closed window shade in the background.

Education

UW Board of Regents votes to fire the system’s president

The board of regents for the Universities of Wisconsin voted unanimously to fire Jay Rothman, who has served as president of the 165,000-student, multicampus system since 2022.

April 7, 2026

Suzanne Morley on why more seniors suffer social isolation

Health

Suzanne Morley on why more seniors suffer social isolation

Wisconsin Institute for Healthy Aging health promotion program coordinator Suzanne Morley considers the problem of loneliness older adults face as they lose contact with friends and family members.

April 7, 2026

A sandwich board sign with an illustration of a U.S. flag and the words Vote Here stands on a concrete sidewalk in front of a building.

Elections

What to expect on the 2026 Spring Election Day in Wisconsin

The Associated Press will provide vote results and declare winners in the 2026 race for the Wisconsin Supreme Court and for mayor of Waukesha.

April 6, 2026

Jay Rothman speaks while seated and facing a mounted microphone, in a room with an out-of-focus wood shelf with the base of a light fixture on its surface, with a video graphic at bottom including the text Jay Rothman and President - Universities of Wisconsin System.

Education

UW Board of Regents to vote on firing the system’s president

The Universities of Wisconsin Board of Regents has scheduled an April 6 vote to consider firing the system's president Jay Rothman, who refused their call to resign and wrote in two letters sent to them that he would not do so without an explanation about the reason.

April 6, 2026

Paula Drew on how young children can learn from older adults

Education

Paula Drew on how young children can learn from older adults

Wisconsin Early Childhood Association Director of Policy and Research Paula Drew considers how activities and interactions with older adults are key to child brain development and ongoing learning.

April 6, 2026

Frederica Freyberg sits at a desk on the Here & Now set and faces a video monitor showing an image of Ann Jacobs.

Politics

‘Here & Now’ Highlights: Ann Jacobs, Anthony Chergosky

Here's what guests on the April 3, 2026 episode said about a Trump executive order on voting and how Wisconsin Supreme Court candidates fared in a debate.

April 6, 2026

A still image shows a group of older adults and young children doing art and seated in the round at tables

Economy

A movement to connect generations takes on a crisis of care

Struggles for families to provide support for both older adults and young children is inspiring several communities in Wisconsin to create intergenerational care programs that benefit both age groups.

April 3, 2026

A still image shows Anthony Chergosky standing in front of a bookshelf, with a graphic at the bottom that reads 'La Crosse,' 'Anthony Chergosky' and 'UW-La Crosse dept. of political science.'

Elections

Anthony Chergosky on the 2026 Wisconsin Supreme Court debate

UW-La Crosse political science professor Anthony Chergosky analyzes the importance and potential impact of the lone debate between 2026 Wisconsin Supreme Court candidates Maria Lazar and Chris Taylor.

April 3, 2026

A still image shows Ann Jacobs seated in front of a desk with plants on it, with a graphic at the bottom that reads 'Milwaukee,' 'Ann Jacobs' and 'Wisconsin Elections Commission Chair.'

Elections

Ann Jacobs on a nationalized voter list and mail-in ballots

Wisconsin Elections Commission Chair Ann Jacobs discusses an executive order from President Donald Trump that seeks to create a national list of eligible voters and restrict use of mail-in ballots.

April 3, 2026

Sunlight reflects off the walls and windows of a tall, multi-story portion of a building standing next to a shorter wing, with leafless trees on one side.

Politics

Fight over UW system president’s job draws heat from Republican state lawmaker

State Rep. David Murphy, a Republican and chair of the Wisconsin Assembly's colleges and universities committee, said he is "troubled" that the board of regents for the Universities of Wisconsin is threatening to fire the system's President Jay Rothman without providing any explanation.

April 3, 2026

Side-by-side images show Chris Taylor and Maria Lazar speaking and gesturing with their hands while seated in a television studio.

Elections

The lone 2026 Wisconsin Supreme Court debate highlights contrasts between the two candidates

Held just days before the 2026 Wisconsin Supreme Court election, the only debate between Judge Maria Lazar and Judge Chris Taylor saw each candidate articulating their judicial philosophies while trying to paint their opponent as extreme.

April 3, 2026

Gerrymandering, mail-in ballots and the 2026 spring election

Inside Wisconsin Politics

Gerrymandering, mail-in ballots and the 2026 spring election

Judges reject a congressional redistricting case, the Trump administration seeks to block mail-in ballots and Wisconsin's 2026 Supreme Court election arrives — Inside Wisconsin Politics examines each.

April 2, 2026

Salah Sarsour poses for a portrait with sunlight illuminating his face while sitting outside on a deck, with a wood railing, building with windows and lawn in the background.

Courts

Elected leaders and clergy seek release of Islamic Society of Milwaukee president detained by ICE agents

Salah Sarsour, a Palestinian-born legal permanent resident of the United States and president of the Islamic Society of Milwaukee, was taken into custody by nearly a dozen federal immigration agents after he left his home on March 30.

April 2, 2026 • Southeast Region

Jay Rothman sits and speaks into a mounted microphone, with an the arm of another person to his side and out-of-focus stackable chairs in the background.

Education

UW Board of Regents looks to oust the system’s president

Jay Rothman, president of the Universities of Wisconsin, says in a letter to the head of the Board of Regents that he won’t step aside from leading the 165,000-student system after being told that he needed to resign or retire or be fired.

April 2, 2026

Economy

A microloan program in Madison inspires a similar effort in Appleton

St. Vincent de Paul-Madison launched a microloan program to offer an alternative people in need can turn to instead of payday lenders, and after hearing about the success of that effort, leaders of the St. Vincent de Paul-St. Thomas More Conference in Appleton created a similar program.

April 2, 2026 • South Central Region

Wisconsin’s 2026 Supreme Court candidates get out the vote

Elections

Wisconsin’s 2026 Supreme Court candidates get out the vote

The 2026 race between Maria Lazar and Chris Taylor for the Wisconsin Supreme Court will not determine its balance of power, but partisan efforts to turn out voters are considering long-term control.

April 1, 2026

Two gamblers stand and one sits in front of two rows of self-service sports betting kiosks in a room with multiple flatscreen televisions mounted to walls, a low-pile carpet and an out-of-focus sign with the title text Sportsbook Rules and other writing in the foreground.

Indigenous

Most Wisconsin tribes want Evers to approve an online gaming bill

A bill that would allow federally recognized tribal nations in Wisconsin to offer online sports betting was passed by the state Legislature but awaits a signature or a veto from Gov. Tony Evers — 8 of the state's 11 tribes support the legislation.

April 1, 2026

Robert Yablon on ideas to change recusal rules for Wisconsin

Courts

Robert Yablon on ideas to change recusal rules for Wisconsin

University of Wisconsin Law School professor Robert Yablon describes how state standards for recusal by judges and justices might be changed in terms of financial support and who makes the decision.

March 31, 2026

A portion of a map shows the outlines of Wisconsin Congressional districts, with labels marking their numbers alongside county names and the locations of some larger municipalities in central and eastern portions of the state.

Courts

A three-judge panel dismisses lawsuit from Democratic voters seeking to redraw Wisconisin’s congressional maps

A panel of three judges has dismissed a lawsuit brought on behalf of a group of Democratic voters to redraw the boundaries of Wisconsin's eight congressional districts ahead of the November 2026 midterm election.

March 31, 2026

Side-by-side images show portraits of Sean Duffy and Michael Alfonso.

Elections

Duffy funneled $1 million to son-in-law’s Republican primary campaign for Congress

With a donation of $1,000,000, U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is trying to help his son-in-law Michael Alfonso win a crowded 2026 Republican primary for the 7th Congressional District seat in northern Wisconsin that he previously held.

March 31, 2026 • Northern Region

Robert Yablon on judge recusal rules and a rise in requests

Courts

Robert Yablon on judge recusal rules and a rise in requests

University of Wisconsin Law School professor Robert Yablon describes standards of recusal for judges and justices as requests for the action increase in response to campaign donations and statements.

March 30, 2026

Sunlight reflects off one side of a metal utility pole with three tiers and electricity transmission lines running through each, with a clear sky in the background.

Economy

Competition intensifies over who builds Wisconsin’s electricity grid as data centers drive demand

The Midcontinent Independent System Operator, which coordinates electricity markets for much of the Midwest and Mississippi River valley, reversed course on a key project in eastern Wisconsin, marking a victory for the state's largest developer of transmission lines.

March 30, 2026

Frederica Freyberg sits at a desk on the Here & Now set and faces a video monitor showing an image of Eric Genrich.

Politics

‘Here & Now’ Highlights: Mayor Eric Genrich, William Casey Crump

Here's what guests on the March 27, 2026 episode said about listing private school costs on property tax bills and how state PFAS funding might be used in one contaminated community.

March 30, 2026

Mayor Eric Genrich on property tax bills and school vouchers

Education

Mayor Eric Genrich on property tax bills and school vouchers

Green Bay Mayor Eric Genrich discusses why the city itemizes the cost of private school vouchers on property tax bills as more districts around Wisconsin hold voter referendums for education funding.

March 27, 2026 • Northeast Region

A still image shows William Casey Crump seated in front of a bookshelf, with a caption at the bottom that reads 'Town of Stella,' 'William Casey Crump' and 'Town of Stella board chair.'

Environment

William Casey Crump on state funds to address PFAS pollution

State Town Board Chairperson William Casey Crump discusses how the northern Wisconsin community seeks to use its share of $125 million in state funding to remediate PFAS-contaminated water supplies.

March 27, 2026 • Northern Region

Why voters should follow Wisconsin’s 2026 Supreme Court race

Inside Wisconsin Politics

Why voters should follow Wisconsin’s 2026 Supreme Court race

The 2026 Wisconsin Supreme Court race has a lower profile than previous contests, but its outcome is still consequential — Inside Wisconsin Politics examines candidates Maria Lazar and Chris Taylor.

March 26, 2026

One worker uses a tape measure while standing next to another worker pointing with their right index finger as both face a metal cabinet in a room with concrete block walls and multiple electrical equipment items.

Economy

What a boom in building and operating data centers means for Wisconsin’s workforce

A trio of professors consider how many jobs and what types of work data centers bring to communities and the broader economic effects of data centers as more of these projects are in the works around Wisconsin.

March 26, 2026

Wisconsin’s 2026 Supreme Court race and the issue of recusal

Elections

Wisconsin’s 2026 Supreme Court race and the issue of recusal

Wisconsin Supreme Court justices are being asked to recuse themselves from cases more often — candidates in the state's 2026 high court race share how they consider this question about court rules.

March 25, 2026

A printed sign with the words Absentee Ballot Processing is attached to the edge of a table with a red-white-and-blue stripes and stars tablecloth, with a banker's box and smaller box on its surface alongside pieces of paper and a pen.

Courts

Racine County man who ordered ballots without consent found guilty of fraud and identity theft

A Racine County jury found Harry Wait guilty of two misdemeanor election fraud charges and one felony identity theft charge, and acquitted him on a second count of identity theft after requesting the ballots of Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and Racine Mayor Cory Mason.

March 25, 2026 • Southeast Region

Emma Carufel stands on a wood floor, with lines of people standing on either side of her, in a room with chairs, tables, a podium with a microphone and a whiteboard in the background along with a larger projector screen on a wall and a ceiling-mounted large dream catcher displayed in a corner.

Indigenous

Reconnecting with Indigenous culture through a jingle dress class in Milwaukee

The Movement is Tradition program at the Gerald L. Ignace Indian Health Center in Milwaukee offers a jingle dress class open to all community members to promote physical activities based in traditionally rooted tasks.

March 24, 2026 • Southeast Region

An aerial photo shows a crossroads in the midst of an expanse of partially snow-covered dirt fields with parked vehicles along construction equipment and materials in different locations, with a large building and multiple construction cranes at the far end, with farm fields and stands of trees extending to the horizon.

Policy

Wisconsin communities face scrutiny over data center secrecy beyond use of NDAs

At least five Wisconsin municipalities have signed nondisclosure agreements with data center developers, including for a project being considered in the town of Beloit, but even in communities without an NDA, there has been pushback against transparency.

March 24, 2026

A desk statue of Lady Justice is displayed in an office at the Waushara County Courthouse on Nov. 14, 2022, in Wautoma. (Credit: PBS Wisconsin)

Budgets

Lawmaker, Wisconsin State Public Defender office disappointed after court staffing bill doesn’t get vote

A proposal before the Wisconsin Legislature would have allowed the state hire more than 100 people to work in the local courts to speed up the application of justice, but the bill was not taken up in the state Senate before the chamber concluded its scheduled 2026 session.

March 23, 2026

In Focus

In Focus with Dr. Tamika L. Johnson: Traumas teachers endure

Murv Seymour talks with teacher, life coach and author Dr. Tamika L. Johnson at Vibe Milwaukee about her book "Teaching Through Trauma" and lessons on loss of life, angry parents and food insecurity.

March 23, 2026

Frederica Freyberg sits at a desk on the Here & Now set and faces a video monitor showing an image of Darin Von Ruden.

Politics

‘Here & Now’ Highlights: Darin Von Ruden, Bridget Krause

Here's what guests on the March 20, 2026 episode said about price increases in fuel and fertilizer for farmers and a shortage of public defenders in Wisconsin.

March 23, 2026

A still image shows Darin Von Ruden seated in front of a window with flower-printed curtains, with a caption at the bottom that reads 'Westby,' 'Darin Von Ruden' and 'Wisconsin Farmers Union.'

Agriculture

Darin Von Ruden on fuel and fertilizer price shocks to farms

Wisconsin Farmers Union President Darin Von Ruden considers how rising prices of fuel and fertilizer imports caused by war in Iran and around the Middle East are affecting the spring planting season.

March 20, 2026

A still image show Bridget Krause seated at her desk in her office, with a caption at the bottom that reads 'Milwaukee,' 'Bridget Krause' and 'Wisconsin State Public Defenders.'

Courts

Bridget Krause on Wisconsin’s public defender staff shortage

Wisconsin Deputy State Public Defender Bridget Krause discusses how the state's shortage of attorneys and support staff is leading to defendants waiting on representation and a criminal case backlog.

March 20, 2026

Abortion laws and Wisconsin’s 2026 candidates for governor

Elections

Abortion laws and Wisconsin’s 2026 candidates for governor

Republican and Democratic candidates in the 2026 race for governor of Wisconsin consider how the state regulates abortion and whether or not they would seek changes to laws concerning access or limits.

March 20, 2026

Elections

Transportation lobbyists have donated thousands to Sean Duffy’s son-in-law as he runs for Congress

Industry money has been pouring into the congressional campaign of Michael Alfonso, a 26-year-old political unknown who is running for Wisconsin's 7th Congressional District seat in the 2026 election — the candidate's father-in-law is U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy.

March 20, 2026 • Northern Region

Inside Wisconsin Politics

Lawmaker retirements, online sports betting and data centers

The state Senate ends a session with lawmakers announcing retirements and weighing bills addressing online sports betting, UW athletes and data centers — Inside Wisconsin Politics breaks it down.

March 19, 2026

Devin LeMahieu holds his left hand's index and middle fingers to the left side of his face while seating at a desk, with a high-backed leather chair to his side and other people seated on either side in a room with marble masonry.

Elections

Republican Wisconsin Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu to retire from office

Wisconsin Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu announced he would not seek a fourth term in the 2026 election, another sign of a seismic shift in politics in the state as the two highest-ranking Republicans in the Legislature are retiring along with the Democratic governor.

March 19, 2026

Brad Schimel speaks into a microphone mounted on a stand while standing in front of an out-of-focus U.S. flag.

Courts

Bondi appoints Schimel to different US attorney title

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has appointed Brad Schimel, a former state attorney general and state Supreme Court candidate, as first assistant U.S. attorney in the Eastern District of Wisconsin as his 120-day term as its U.S. attorney expires.

March 19, 2026

Maria Lazar, Chris Taylor on Wisconsin’s abortion ban ruling

Elections

Maria Lazar, Chris Taylor on Wisconsin’s abortion ban ruling

Wisconsin Supreme Court candidates Maria Lazar and Chris Taylor discuss their perspectives on the high court's 4-3 decision in 2025 that overturned an 1849 state law that had banned abortions.

March 18, 2026

Stephen Webster on white corn cuisine and barters for trade

Indigenous

Stephen Webster on white corn cuisine and barters for trade

Ukwakhwa Director of Farm & Culinary Operations Stephen Webster describes how white corn grown by the project is used to prepare multiple Indigenous recipes and is distributed through a barter system.

March 18, 2026

A screen shows multiple lines for the Pro Football Championship between the Chiefs and Eagles, with an adjacent screen showing a sports broadcast on the FOX network, with the silhouettes of standing people in the foreground.

Policy

Wisconsin lawmakers approve measure to allow tribes to offer online sports betting

The Wisconsin Legislature gave final approval to a bill that would allow tribal gambling casinos to offer online sports betting to people anywhere in the state, but the measure is contingent on the support of Gov. Tony Evers and would take effect only after updated deals with tribal governments.

March 18, 2026

Zara Fakhri on anti-war protests against US strikes on Iran

Politics

Zara Fakhri on anti-war protests against US strikes on Iran

Milwaukee resident Zara Fakhri, who has family in Iran, describes the importance of considering complex feelings among Iranian people over the war between their ruling regime and the United States.

March 17, 2026

State senators sit at wood desks arranged in a semi-circle while other staff sit and stand at a wooden legislative dais, in a room with marble masonry and pillars, large paintings, and a second-story observation gallery.

Policy

Wisconsin Senate passes $133 million package to address PFAS contamination

The Wisconsin Senate has passed a $133 million bipartisan package to combat contamination by PFAS "forever chemicals" after the February passage of corresponding bills in the state Assembly, which will go to Gov. Tony Evers for an expected signature.

March 17, 2026

Stephen Webster on cultivating Ukwakhwa from the ground up

Indigenous

Stephen Webster on cultivating Ukwakhwa from the ground up

Ukwakhwa Director of Farm & Culinary Operations Stephen Webster describes how a program that promotes and serves Indigenous foods in the Oneida Nation was inspired by growing white corn in a garden.

March 17, 2026

Side-by-side images show Maria Lazar and Chris Taylor posing for portraits.

Elections

The fundraising fight in the 2026 Wisconsin Supreme Court race is comparatively calm

The 2026 election matchup between Wisconsin Supreme Court candidates Maria Lazar and Chris Taylor is a quieter affair than the state's high court race in 2025, without the spectacle of Elon Musk's involvement, lower levels of interest from other billionaires, and ideological balance not at stake.

March 17, 2026

Thor Turra points toward a piece of carved wood in the shape of a gear on the surface of a table while standing next to Jill Underly, with other people standing in the background of a room with high-ceilings, exposed HVAC ducts and water pipes and overhead fluorescent lighting.

Education

Nearly every state funds hands-on job training in high schools, but Wisconsin is not one of them

Whether students in Wisconsin have access to career and technical education courses largely depends on if their school district pays for them, and that's because the state is one of just five that doesn't dedicate funding to these programs in public schools.

March 16, 2026

Ali Soltani on military action and resistance groups in Iran

Politics

Ali Soltani on military action and resistance groups in Iran

Mequon resident Ali Soltani, who fled Iran in the 1970s, considers prospects for United States forces to conduct a ground invasion of Iran and notes internal armed groups opposing the Iranian regime.

March 16, 2026 • Southeast Region

Lawmakers sit in multiple rows of wood desks with microphones, telephones, laptop computers and papers on their surfaces, in a room with marble masonry and pillars supporting second-level seating galleries.

Courts

Milwaukee lawmaker pleads no contest to disorderly conduct in Assembly feud

Democratic state Rep. Sylvia Ortiz-Velez has pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct in Milwaukee County Circuit Court in connection with a bitter feud with her caucus over resolutions honoring Hispanic Heritage Month and Hispanic veterans.

March 16, 2026 • Southeast Region

Frederica Freyberg sits at a desk on the Here & Now set and faces a video monitor showing an image of Jim Paine.

Politics

‘Here & Now’ Highlights: Mayor Jim Paine

Here's what guests on the March 13, 2026 episode said about funding for the Blatnik Bridge spanning Wisconsin and Minnesota.

March 16, 2026

A still image shows a chef stirring a large pot.

Indigenous

How Ukwakhwa’s seed-to-table effort celebrates Native food

Reviving Indigenous foodways, fighting health disparities and serving healthy meals is the focus of Ukwakhwa, a program in the Oneida Nation that uses Indigenous foods to support local communities.

March 13, 2026 • Northeast Region

A still image shows a pile of Iranian flag pins inside small plastic bags on a wooden table.

Politics

Iranians in Wisconsin share worries on the Middle East war

U.S. airstrikes on Iran are continuing, and Iranians living in Wisconsin share their perspectives on worrying about their families and friends as well as their hopes for the future of their homeland.

March 13, 2026

Mayor Jim Paine on funds for the Blatnik Bridge in Superior

Budgets

Mayor Jim Paine on funds for the Blatnik Bridge in Superior

Superior Mayor Jim Paine discusses calling for the federal government to release more than $1 billion in funds approved for the reconstruction of the Blatnik Bridge connecting the city with Minnesota.

March 13, 2026 • Northern Region

Maria Lazar, Chris Taylor on Wisconsin’s 2020 vote lawsuit

Elections

Maria Lazar, Chris Taylor on Wisconsin’s 2020 vote lawsuit

Wisconsin Supreme Court candidates Maria Lazar and Chris Taylor discuss the high court's 4-3 decision to reject "Trump v. Biden," a lawsuit to throw out some 220,000 ballots cast in the 2020 election.

March 12, 2026

Light illuminates a plastic hexagonal button with the text PLAY on its surface that is surrounded by illuminated piping on the interface of a slot machine.

Policy

Tribal governments champion Wisconsin proposal to regulate online gaming

The Wisconsin Legislature is considering legislation that would implement a system for 11 federally recognized tribes to control online gambling within the state's borders, addressing a federal regulatory structure that allows prediction markets to skirt state gaming rules.

March 12, 2026

What Wisconsin’s 2026 governor candidates say about mining

Elections

What Wisconsin’s 2026 governor candidates say about mining

Republican and Democratic candidates in the 2026 race for governor of Wisconsin describe their stance on potential changes to state laws that regulate mining as exploratory drilling is conducted.

March 11, 2026

Chris Taylor on issues for Wisconsin Supreme Court justices

Elections

Chris Taylor on issues for Wisconsin Supreme Court justices

Wisconsin Court of Appeals District IV Judge Chris Taylor, a liberal running for the Wisconsin Supreme Court in 2026, discusses campaign donations, recusal and the roles of precedent and standing.

March 10, 2026

Sunlight illuminates and casts shadows on a multi-story Richardsonian Romanesque-style masonry building with multiple turrets, gables and a central tower, with two U.S. flags flying on flagpoles next to leafless trees at its central entrance and with other buildings behind it.

Courts

Federal judges decline to extend appointment for the interim US attorney based in Milwaukee

Federal judges in Milwaukee announced they have declined to extend the appointment of Brad Schimel as the interim chief federal prosecutor for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, and waiting for President Donald Trump and the U.S. Senate to nominate and confirm a full-time U.S. attorney.

March 10, 2026 • Southeast Region

Dave Blouin on the past and present of mining in Wisconsin

Environment

Dave Blouin on the past and present of mining in Wisconsin

Sierra Club Wisconsin Chapter state mining chair Dave Blouin describes differences between how mining was historically conducted in the state and the contemporary practice of metallic sulfide mining.

March 10, 2026

Courts

Wisconsin and other states reject federal antitrust settlement with Live Nation

The U.S. Department of Justice says it's reached a settlement in its antitrust lawsuit against Ticketmaster and its parent company Live Nation Entertainment, but Wisconsin and about two dozen other states aren't joining the deal and say they'll continue pursuing a trial in federal court.

March 10, 2026

Maria Lazar on issues for Wisconsin Supreme Court justices

Elections

Maria Lazar on issues for Wisconsin Supreme Court justices

Wisconsin Court of Appeals District II Judge Maria Lazar, a conservative running for the Wisconsin Supreme Court in 2026, discusses campaign donations, recusal and the roles of precedent and standing.

March 9, 2026

Steve Donohue on the geology of minerals in the Bend Deposit

Science

Steve Donohue on the geology of minerals in the Bend Deposit

GreenLight Metals independent director and mining consultant Steve Donohue describes the geological history of the Bend Deposit in northern Wisconsin and metals being sought in exploratory drilling.

March 9, 2026 • Northern Region

Annette Ziegler listens while sitting in a high-backed leather chair and facing a microphone mounted to a judicial dais with an open binder filled with papers on its surface, with other high-backed wood chairs in the background.

Elections

Ziegler announces she will not run in the 2027 Wisconsin Supreme Court election

Conservative Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Annette Ziegler, who was first elected in 2007, will not seek a third 10-year term in the 2027 election, giving liberals another chance to expand a majority on the high court.

March 9, 2026

Side-by-side images show Frederica Freyberg sitting at a desk on the Here & Now set and facing a video monitor showing images of Tammy Baldwin and Ron Johnson.

Politics

‘Here & Now’ Highlights: US Sen. Tammy Baldwin, US Sen. Ron Johnson

Here's what guests on the March 6, 2026 episode said about a congressional resolution about the war in Iran.

March 9, 2026

Economy

Wisconsin study finds tax credit meant to help workers mostly helps big companies

Federal lawmakers want to expand the Work Opportunity Tax Credit, which for three decades has rewarded companies that hire people with barriers to employment, but research from UW-Madison shows it doesn't increase hiring among people who often struggle to find jobs.

March 6, 2026

Side-by-side images show Tammy Baldwin and Ron Johnson looking into the camera.

Policy

Wisconsin’s US senators split on war powers resolution over further attacks on Iran

Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin voted in favor of a resolution to block further attacks on Iran while Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson voted against the motion — both senators described their stances on the war and the Trump administration's aims in "Here & Now" interviews.

March 6, 2026

A semi-truck drives on a lane between a row of semi-trailers and numerous stacks of shipping containers positioned around multiple cranes.

Courts

Wisconsin and more than 20 other states sue Trump administration over global tariffs imposed after US Supreme Court decision

Wisconsin and more than 20 other states are challenging President Donald Trump's new global tariffs in court, filing a lawsuit over import taxes he imposed after a stinging loss at the U.S. Supreme Court, arguing Trump is overstepping his power with planned 15% tariffs on much of the world.

March 5, 2026

US Sen. Ron Johnson on the war with Iran and its mission

Policy

US Sen. Ron Johnson on the war with Iran and its mission

U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wisconsin, discusses the Trump administration launching strikes on Iran, the powers of Congress in waging war, and the military and political objectives of these actions.

March 5, 2026

US Sen. Tammy Baldwin on the war with Iran and its mission

Policy

US Sen. Tammy Baldwin on the war with Iran and its mission

U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wisconsin, discusses the Trump administration launching strikes on Iran, the powers of Congress in waging war, and the military and political objectives of these actions.

March 5, 2026

Angie From on her enthusiasm for teaching about mathematics

Education

Angie From on her enthusiasm for teaching about mathematics

Notre Dame School of Milwaukee teacher Angie From describes how experiences in teaching at different grade levels and at multiple schools influences her approach to promoting student interest in math.

March 4, 2026 • Southeast Region

Patrick Landry on fundamentals of teaching math in school

Education

Patrick Landry on fundamentals of teaching math in school

Notre Dame School of Milwaukee President Patrick Landry discusses focusing on providing stable environments at school and within classrooms when seeking to effectively teach mathematics to students.

March 4, 2026 • Southeast Region

Erik Thompson stands and holds his right hand up in the air pointed toward a shelf filled with switchboards encased in transparent plastic wrapping, with more wrapped stacks of packaged items in rows behind him and a row of wood crates, in a room with a metal ceiling.

Economy

Data centers have fueled at least $1 billion in growth for Wisconsin-based businesses

Wisconsin companies are doing big business in data centers even though none of the hyperscale facilities are yet operating in the state, but the long-term economic impact of these developments remains unclear.

March 4, 2026

The Bend Deposit and mining prospects for northern Wisconsin

Economy

The Bend Deposit and mining prospects for northern Wisconsin

GreenLight Metals is conducting exploratory drilling in Taylor County to assess whether the levels of copper and other minerals in the Bend Deposit would make mining profitable as global demand grows.

March 3, 2026 • Northern Region

Erika Bullock on considering factors that influence learning

Education

Erika Bullock on considering factors that influence learning

UW-Madison School of Education professor Erika Bullock describes how the daily necessities of life — from family and food to housing and health — can impact how children learn in classroom settings.

March 3, 2026

Mellisa Edwards holds multiple sheets of different colors of tissue paper in both hands over a cardboard box while standing behind a metal bench, with a wood pallet on the top of a metal bench behind her and another person standing next to a piece of industrial equipment in the background, in a room with metal shutters along two walls.

Economy

Work, recovery and second chances on a manufacturing floor in Appleton

Those recovering from addiction have a difficult time finding stable employment and keeping it – Apricity Contract Packaging in Appleton offers "a safe environment" where every person working at the operation is pursuing sobriety.

March 2, 2026 • Northeast Region

Frederica Freyberg and Jeff Wright sit facing each other on the Here & Now set.

Politics

‘Here & Now’ Highlights: Jeff Wright, Charles Franklin

Here's what guests on the Feb. 27, 2026 episode said about 2026 spring and fall elections polling and urgent calls from school districts for relief.

March 2, 2026

Charles Franklin on an early 2026 poll of Wisconsin voters

Elections

Charles Franklin on an early 2026 poll of Wisconsin voters

Marquette Law School Poll Director Charles Franklin describes results of polling voters about the 2026 candidates for Wisconsin Supreme Court and governor along with high-profile issues in the state.

February 27, 2026

A still image shows Jeff Wright seated at the 'Here & Now' set featuring wood paneling, with a graphic at bottom reading 'Jeff Wright' and 'Sauk Prairie Schools Superintendent.'

Education

Jeff Wright on school referendums causing property tax hikes

Sauk Prairie School District Superintendent Jeff Wright discusses how referendums for education funding are causing property taxes to rise and the changes districts are seeking from state government.

February 27, 2026

Everyday life plus constant decisions equals a need for math

Education

Everyday life plus constant decisions equals a need for math

Many Wisconsin students struggle to learn mathematics, as educators emphasize the importance of numeracy in daily life and point to examples of schools and teachers that find success with numbers.

February 26, 2026

A lawmaker stands and speaks into a microphone mounted to a wood podium at the center of a legislative dais, with multiple people seated in high-backed wood and leather chairs beside and behind him on the dais, faced by more people seated in multiple rows of wood desks, in a room with a large painting and taxidermy eagle on the rear wall, an electronic vote register on an adjacent wall, and marble pillars supporting a second-level seating gallery.

Courts

Prosecutors charge Milwaukee lawmaker with misdemeanor after dispute over Assembly resolutions

Milwaukee County prosecutors have charged Democratic state Rep. Sylvia Ortiz-Velez with disorderly conduct in connection with a 2025 feud among lawmakers over proposals for Wisconsin Assembly resolutions to honor Hispanic veterans and observe Hispanic Heritage Month.

February 26, 2026

Environment

After years of legal disputes, Enbridge starts Line 5 reroute around Bad River reservation

Energy company Enbridge began clearing trees to begin construction on a new 41-mile segment of the Line 5 oil and gas pipeline to circumvent the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa reservation in northern Wisconsin following years of litigation in federal court.

February 25, 2026 • Northern Region

Tamara Thomsen on researching Lake Mendota’s ancient canoes

Science

Tamara Thomsen on researching Lake Mendota’s ancient canoes

Wisconsin Historical Society maritime archaeologist Tamara Thomsen details how researchers determined the age of multiple ancient Native canoes found in Lake Mendota and how two are being preserved.

February 25, 2026 • South Central Region

Wisconsin’s 2026 governor candidates consider state prisons

Elections

Wisconsin’s 2026 governor candidates consider state prisons

Democratic and Republican candidates in the 2026 race for governor of Wisconsin respond to a plan by Gov. Tony Evers to overhaul the state's corrections system and how they would approach the issue.

February 25, 2026

The pillars of a dome of a Beaux-Arts-style building are illuminated by lighting at night, with the leafless branches of different trees in silhouette in the foreground.

Courts

A group of schools, teachers, parents and students file lawsuit over how the state of Wisconsin funds education

A coalition of Wisconsin school districts, teachers' unions, advocacy groups, parents, students and others has filed a lawsuit asking the courts to adopt a new education funding system that meets the needs of local districts unless the Legislature and governor enact one "in a timely fashion."

February 24, 2026

Lawrence Plucinski on Lake Mendota’s fleet of ancient canoes

Indigenous

Lawrence Plucinski on Lake Mendota’s fleet of ancient canoes

Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa tribal historic preservation officer Lawrence Plucinski describes how ancient Indigenous peoples made use of the numerous dugout canoes found in Lake Mendota.

February 24, 2026 • South Central Region

A circular seal showing a stylized Lady Justice surrounded by two sets of three five-pointed stars and the words Wisconsin Court of Appeals is displayed on a frosted window in a wood frame.

Courts

A 2026 Wisconsin Appeals Court election was on track to break records until a candidate got kicked off the ballot

Races for state Court of Appeals judges in Wisconsin have gotten more expensive as conservatives and liberals clash in the Milwaukee suburbs, and a spring 2026 race for an open seat in District II was shaping up to exceed previous spending records until one candidate was disqualified.

February 24, 2026 • Southeast Region

Tamara Thomsen on spotting ancient canoes in Lake Mendota

Science

Tamara Thomsen on spotting ancient canoes in Lake Mendota

Wisconsin Historical Society maritime archaeologist Tamara Thomsen explains how more than a dozen ancient Native canoes were identified in Lake Mendota and the possibility there are more to be found.

February 23, 2026 • South Central Region

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