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May 4, 2026

Higher Education/System

Closures Contributed to Deep Cuts in April

Posted on
Inside HigherEd

Officials at the public flagship said in a recent court filing that the university may have to lay off up to 160 employees if it doesn’t get clarity on federal funding in the near future, The Cap Times reported.

At issue is an effort by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to impose conditions on financial disbursements. USDA has asked states to agree to conditions to continue receiving funding, including ensuring federal money won’t be used to “promote gender ideology” or diversity, equity and inclusion practices. In March, 21 states sued the USDA over the preconditions; though UW Madison is not a plaintiff, the state of Wisconsin is.

Maria Woldt named director of Dairy Innovation Hub

Posted on
WTAQ
On June 1, Maria Woldt will become the third director of the Dairy Innovation Hub, a state-funded initiative that brings together scientists, farmers, businesses, and educators to explore new ideas to ensure Wisconsin’s $52.8 billion dairy sector remains globally competitive while advancing economic, environmental, and social sustainability.

UW-Madison plans pay raises for 548 faculty in high-demand fields By Becky Jacobs

Posted on
The Cap Times

Nearly 550 faculty members at the University of Wisconsin-Madison are set to receive pay raises this month as part of efforts to attract and retain faculty in high-demand fields of study.

State lawmakers provided $27 million annually and created an annual appropriation to the UW system in the current state budget for the compensation. Over 2,300 faculty members across the state’s 13 public universities are receiving raises through the funding, said Mark Pitsch, a UW system spokesperson.

Opinion: How to fill 3 big university jobs in Madison | Our View

Posted on
Wisconsin State Journal

The chancellor is leaving.

The president got fired.

The athletic director jumped before he could be pushed.

That’s a lot of turnover at the top for UW-Madison and the 13-campus Universities of Wisconsin. It’s also an opportunity to reset priorities for higher education in Madison and across the state. The Regents and others who will help fill these jobs need to get this right.

Extension

No Mow May, is letting your grass grow in May worth it to help pollinators?

Posted on
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Mid-May is the perfect time to start a pollinator garden in Wisconsin. But could someone just not mow their lawn for an entire month and reap similar benefits? That depends.

No Mow May is pitched as a way to let yards grow out and help pollinators. Manicured lawns provide little food or resting spots for bees, butterflies and other insects. These pollinators need vegetation to feed on and find a safe spot to nest.

Health

UW MedFlight to conduct training landing at Iowa County Sheriff’s Office

Posted on
Channel 3000

UW MedFlight is scheduled to land at the Iowa County Sheriff’s Office Wednesday evening as part of a training event.

The sheriff’s office said the training will occur at approximately 7 p.m.

Iowa County Emergency Services will be training with the UW MedFlight team on landing zone safety.

“For everyone’s safety, anyone wishing to watch should not park in our parking lot or along the roadway. Please use adjacent parking lots and remain a safe distance away,” Sheriff Michael Peterson said in a statement.

UW Experts in the News

Is global warming impacting bird migration?

Posted on
Wisconsin State Journal

Question: Is global warming impacting bird migration?

Answer: Global warming refers to the rise in global temperatures due to the increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. One impact is that northern latitudes are experiencing warmer mean annual temperatures and experiencing earlier springs, milder winters and delayed falls.