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Author: jnweaver

Wisconsin could lose out under Trump term targeting climate, clean energy policies

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Wisconsin Public Radio

Efforts to combat climate change and shift to renewable energy have accelerated under policies and regulations put in place by President Joe Biden’s administration. Even so, it hasn’t been enough to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, according to Greg Nemet, energy expert and public affairs professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. “We’re on track, but we need to really start pushing harder to get the adoption of electric vehicles, solar panels, wind power, heat pumps and all those things at a faster rate,” Nemet said. “I think what we’re looking at now is probably almost definitely slowing down.”

Morgan Edwards, assistant professor of public affairs at UW-Madison, said the slowing of emissions reductions may not be immediately evident in Wisconsin as much as they will in the long run. “We’re locking in long-term climate impacts that we’re going to see for decades to come,” Edwards said. “That’s things like more extreme weather events, warmer winters, more irregular farming seasons, which is a big deal across the country, but (also) in this state where we have a lot of agriculture.”

Report: One-third of Wisconsin hospitals operated in the red last year

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Wisconsin Public Radio

Stuart Craig, assistant professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s School of Business who studies health care spending, said hospital’s operating margins are also “a function of their choices.” He points out that most hospitals are nonprofit entities, so they should be motivated to keep patient costs as low as possible and invest any profit back into their facilities.

“Hospitals will often defend high commercial (insurance) reimbursement rates by saying, ‘Well, we lose money on all these Medicare patients,’” Craig said. “But those are choices that they’re making to set their cost structure. Like, if you looked at hospitals that operate in markets that are mostly Medicare patients, they just set a lower cost structure and stay open.”

Wisconsin Supreme Court hears arguments Monday in abortion lawsuit

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Wisconsin Public Radio

Kaul’s office also argues the pre-Civil War-era law should not be in effect because it contradicts subsequent state laws that were passed to regulate abortion in the wake of Roe v. Wade.

That argument relies on the legal principle of “implied repeal,” said Bryna Godar, a staff attorney with the State Democracy Research Initiative at the University of Wisconsin Law School. “This is something that the Wisconsin Supreme Court has explained in prior cases,” Godar said. “An older law becomes unenforceable if there are newer laws that directly conflict with it.”

Racist texts sent to UW-Madison students, campus police say

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Wisconsin Examiner

University of Wisconsin-Madison campus police made a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Friday regarding racist text messages being sent to students. “UWPD is aware of reports that Black UW-Madison students have received racist text messages as part of a nationwide wave of messages that began on Thursday,” the department posted.

Election results can feel like the end of the world if your candidate loses. You’re not alone.

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Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

“Anxiety is a natural response to uncertainty,” said Richard Davidson, a psychologist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and founder and director of the Center for Healthy Minds. “The most important thing for people to recognize is that whatever anxiety they’re feeling, there’s probably, at least, 150 million other people who are feeling anxiety in a very similar way.”

Social Security advocates call for stronger support to live up to FDR’s vision

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Wisconsin Examiner

Another myth is that Social Security won’t be there for younger workers. J. Michael Collins, a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison La Follette School of Public Affairs and the leader of the UW Retirement and Disability Research Consortium, said he hears that often from his students at UW.

In the worst case scenario, however, the shortfall would cut benefits to 72 cents on the dollar, he said.

Immigrants provide important economic contributions in Wisconsin, report says

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Wisconsin Public Radio

“There’s an undercount in the Latinx population, and, in particular, the undocumented population,” said Armando Ibarra, a Vilas Distinguished Achievement Professor in the University of Wisconsin-Madison School for Workers. “This population of folks is hesitant to interact with folks that represent the federal government or the state government, because of their precarious immigration status.”

The 2020 election upended politics. Here’s what’s changed in Wisconsin, and what hasn’t.

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Wisconsin Public Radio

Attorney Bryna Godar of the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Democracy Research Initiative told WPR the lawsuits are an example of how litigation is focusing more on “those granular issues of election administration.” She said the timing of the suits raises questions about whether attorneys are hoping to preserve legal claims that can be used to challenge Wisconsin’s results depending on who wins.

After string of foodborne illnesses, Wisconsin experts encourage at-home food safety

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Wisconsin Public Radio

While the different outbreaks have come in rapid succession, the number of illnesses being reported isn’t out of the ordinary, according to Kathleen Glass, associate director of the Food Research Institute at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

“It just happens to be the luck of the draw that we’re seeing it in Wisconsin,” Glass said. “They are also very high profile because they have affected a number of people.”

Wisconsin drop boxes; the history, drama behind controversial method

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FOX6

President Donald Trump cast doubt on the integrity of votes cast and returned through drop boxes. It’s a stance that lacks proof, according to University of Wisconsin-Madison Professor Emeritus Howard Schweber.

“There is no evidence that anyone has ever tried to stuff drop boxes with fake ballots or multiple ballots or noncitizens’ ballots, and there’s no evidence that improper ballots that get into drop boxes end up being counted as votes,” Schweber said.

What to expect when you’re expecting election results in Wisconsin

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Wisconsin Public Radio

That election had an unusually high number of absentee ballots because of the COVID-19 pandemic. But Milwaukee’s results came out after midnight in 2018 and 2022, too, said Barry Burden, who directs the Elections Research Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

“So it’s not just tied to COVID — it’s really the process that’s used in our state and in Milwaukee causes that to happen,” he said. “There’s nothing illegal about it. There’s nothing unexpected about it. Actually, we all know this is going to happen, but nonetheless, there are people who are skeptical about it, and in some cases, will intentionally spread disinformation about it, but it’s just part of the process.”

Early in-person voting in Wisconsin surpasses last two presidential elections

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Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Barry Burden, professor of American politics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, said it is difficult to compare the numbers to the past two presidential elections because of the pandemic and the longer period allowed for early in-person voting in 2016. However, he said the interest in early in-person voting appears widespread and that there is “clearly a new desire among Wisconsin voters to cast their ballots in person early this year.”

“It is happening at higher rates in communities of different sizes and with different partisan tendencies,” he said in an email.

With new legislative maps in place, Democrats set their sights on the Assembly

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Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Barry Burden, a political science professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and director of the university’s Elections Research Center, called the spending “astounding.”

“I think the competitiveness of the state legislature this year is the main driver. This is the first time in 14 years that the Assembly has truly been up for grabs between the two parties,” he said. “And there’s no shortage of people who want to give money to try to flip it in their direction.”

Bats may be a scary Halloween symbol, but they benefit humans, and save farmers money

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Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

In 2018, a study out of UW-Madison that analyzed bat poop found that little brown bats in Wisconsin were eating 17 different types of mosquitoes, including nine that carry West Nile virus. The same study found the DNA of 24 different agricultural pests in the poop — lending validity to the estimate that bats save Wisconsin farmers hundreds of millions of dollars per year on pesticides.

Research suggests women farmers may improve local economies

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Wisconsin Public Radio

New research has found that communities with more women-owned or -operated farms have higher rates of business creation, lower poverty rates and a longer average life expectancy.

University of Wisconsin-Madison professor Steven Deller is a co-author of the research first published in January. Deller and colleagues argue that the reduction in rural poverty is particularly important.

VIDEO Trump vs. Harris: Madison voters’ thoughts

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Wisconsin Examiner

With early voting underway and only six days until Election Day, on the streets around the State Capitol and on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus, we asked people who they want to become the next president of the United States and what are the issues that matter to them.

Rising warm temperatures across Southern Wisconsin creating climate change concerns

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NBC-15

According to UW Madison Atmospheric and Oceanic Science Department Professor Jonathan Martin, September to October of 2024 is the second warmest it’s been since 1938. Martin studies the world’s air flow and said climate change is partially caused by warm winds eroding ice in the north and causes warmer temperatures in Wisconsin.

”It’s definitely climate change,” Martin said. ”The problem is you don’t want to keep accumulating these winds all in one direction, that is warmer, warmer and causing problems around the globe. I think we’re in that situation.”

Celebrity endorsements of presidential candidates grow, how it could impact the election

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WKOW-TV 27

“Celebrity endorsements are not likely to literally change somebody’s mind, but they are likely to get people to pause and say, ‘should I pay attention to this person?’ ‘Can I trust this person in the way that I trust and or admire the celebrity that I’m thinking about?’ And that just gives people another opportunity to find a way into political participation,” said UW Professor Mike Wagner.

‘Voter rescue’: Help in Milwaukee for hundreds who show up at wrong place

Posted on
Wisconsin Watch

“This is a really interesting phenomenon,” said Barry Burden, director of the Elections Research Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, adding that he had not heard of such initiatives elsewhere. He noted similar confusion among students at UW-Madison, where the early voting site is not always the same as the Election Day polling place.

Q&A: ‘We’re seven days away from making history’: Actor Adam Brody rallies UW-Madison voters

Posted on
The Daily Cardinal

Actor Adam Brody, known for his role as Seth Cohen on the Fox series “The O.C” and most recently as Noah on “Nobody Wants This,” hosted a student meet-and-greet on behalf of the Harris-Walz campaign in Madison on Sunday, where he spoke about Madison’s pivotal role in what he called “a historical election.”

UW Health: Use Halloween to talk with kids about candy consumption, healthy habits

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WMTV

Experts at UW Health are recommending parents and caregivers use Halloween as an opportunity to talk with kids about sugar intake, healthy eating habits and good balances.

It is not uncommon for kids to come home with a big bag full of candy. Camila Martin, a clinical pediatric nutritionist with UW Health Kids, says to help kids plan to have some balance when eating candy.

Invest in solar and honor pioneering UW scientist, Farrington Daniels | Steve Kokette

Posted on
Wisconsin State Journal

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, UW-Madison was an international leader in the first renewable energy to produce electricity for the public — hydropower. During some of those years, the Wisconsin River was known as the hardest working river in the world because it produced so much electricity.

Could Latino voters decide 2024 election in Wisconsin? It’s possible.

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Wisconsin Public Radio

“If they were registered, Wisconsin would be a no-contest,” said Ben Marquez, a University of Wisconsin-Madison political scientist studying Latino political organization and behavior. “Kamala Harris wouldn’t even have to come here to win. They’d just go out and vote two-to-one for her, and she’d take the state.”

Why are there so many ladybugs and lady beetles around Wisconsin this fall?

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Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Wisconsin sees dozens of species of small beetles this time of year, including ladybugs, but one is particularly prevalent: the multicolored Asian lady beetle, according to P.J. Liesch, director of the UW-Madison Insect Diagnostic Lab.

“The [Asian lady beetles] are the ones that folks are really seeing a lot of at the moment,” Liesch said. “Those particularly beetles are very active, flying around and coming to structures because they’re looking for sheltered wintering spots.”

UW, Madison pursue efforts to make housing market more accessible

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Badger Herald

Each fall, University of Wisconsin students throw themselves into the battle for their next house or apartment. Simultaneously, students on campus contemplate various routes they can take to not only lock down a room but to make living cheaper for themselves.

According to a 2023 Housing Snapshot Report on the City of Madison, demand exceeds supply when it comes to housing, rendering prices unaffordable to the median renter household. Throw tuition into the mix and students who become overwhelmed by finding affording housing may feel the need to get creative. Students may resort to alternative and unfavorable methods to make housing prices more manageable.

Track alums urge UW-Madison athletics to reconsider Shell replacement

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The Cap Times

A group of UW-Madison alumni and other supporters say the university’s track and field and cross country programs shouldn’t be cast aside to bolster the football team, though.

“There’s absolutely no reason that it has to be one over the other,” said Heidi Kalsen, who competed as a long jumper and sprinter at UW-Madison from 1999 to 2003.

UW-Madison study shows gaps in care for Hmong nursing home residents

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Channel 3000

Wisconsin is home to the third largest population of Hmong Americans in the United States. But a new case study from the University of Wisconsin-Madison shows for the aging members of this community, there’s a gap in their quality of life in nursing homes.

“This work is also personal, right?” And for medical anthropologist Mai See Thao, the study conducted with researchers at the University of Minnesota and the University of Iowa was work that felt nostalgic—and not in a good way.

“Growing up in Wisconsin, my grandmother and my aunt went through the nursing home experience,” Thao, who is ethnically Hmong, said. “My aunt was actually doing very poorly because she was restricted to eating only the nursing home food. And so she was starving a lot of the time as well as my grandmother.”

Rapper and UW-Madison alum Yung Gravy leads hundreds of students from a club to the polls in Madison

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Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Spotted Cow in hand, Yung Gravy marched hundreds of students from a club to the polls at his alma mater, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wednesday. The tongue-in-cheek rapper got his start during his time as a student there.

“We’re going to party to the polls, baby,” Gravy — in a red Wisconsin T-shirt with an “I voted” sticker on it — said in a video he shared to his Instagram Story as a crowd cheered behind him.

Legislature could consider spinning off UW-Madison, several other proposals to revamp UW system

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Wisconsin Public Radio

The state Legislature could consider several proposals to revamp the Universities of Wisconsin system, including spinning off the University of Wisconsin-Madison and increasing tuition.

Since July, a legislative committee has been meeting to look at the future of the state’s public university system.

Committee member Robert Venable, a 1986 UW-Madison graduate and CEO of the Chicago-based company Miami Corporation Management, said disruption to the UW system is happening.

“Some of these changes, it feels disruptive, but I think we’re past that point,” Venable said. “We can wish it was the same, but we need to adapt and get in front of this stuff so the state gets the best it can out of our higher ed system and its students.”

Mayor of prominent Republican Wisconsin city says he will vote for Harris

Posted on
Washington Post

“It’s kind of a political joke amongst pundits that it all comes down to Waukesha County, Wisconsin,” Mike Wagner, a professor who focuses on political communication and public opinion at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, previously told the Washington Examiner. “There is some truth to that — the turnout is really important for Republicans there. It’s really a place that they need.”

Wisconsin crop harvest is weeks ahead thanks to dry, warm weather

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Wisconsin Public Radio

Jerry Clark, crops educator for the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Division of Extension, said harvest is at least two weeks ahead of schedule in the western Wisconsin counties of Chippewa, Dunn and Eau Claire where he works.

“Since corn silage started to be harvested in the early part of September right through today, it’s been excellent conditions for getting the crop off,” Clark said on Wednesday.

Issue of health care access hits close to home in western Wisconsin

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Wisconsin Public Radio

Tom Oliver is a professor of population health sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He said it’s not that health care isn’t important to voters, it just doesn’t always make for the best talking points and political ads.

“There’s a lot of health issues out there, just not the things that grab everybody’s attention and that people want to funnel billions of dollars behind into a whole campaign,” he said.

Wisconsin college students and recent grads receiving threatening texts over voting

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Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Without prompt investigation and action, the sender may continue its efforts to frighten eligible young voters into not voting,” they wrote in the Oct. 15 letter.

The letter adds that the sender “targeted young voters aged 18-25,” including young staff members of the League of Women Voters and others who are part of the University of Wisconsin System. At least one Journal Sentinel reporter also received the text.