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Author: knutson4

Legislature blows past budget deadline despite late-night negotiations with Gov. Tony Evers

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Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

In the end, at around 10:30 p.m., the committee began its meeting but scrapped votes on the most controversial areas of the budget, like the University of Wisconsin System, Medicaid funding, and whether to close the Green Bay Correctional Institution. Those areas are scheduled to be taken up Tuesday, July 1 — a day before the full Legislature is set to vote on the new budget bill.

If ‘big, beautiful bill’ passes, Wisconsin Planned Parenthood clinics could disappear

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Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

According to a June brief from the Collaborative for Reproductive Equity at UW-Madison’s School of Medicine and Public Health, if all federal funding to Planned Parenthood was cut, Wisconsin community health centers would need to increase their contraception case loads by 144%, local health departments by 144% and hospitals by 142% to absorb Planned Parenthood patients — which the collaborative called “unrealistic, if not impossible” given current capacity.

New Wisconsin election observer rule faces backlash from 2020 fake Trump elector

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Badger Herald

Election observation rules are not updated very often in Wisconsin, and these new guidelines are mainly in response to election skeptics who are doubtful about the results of the 2020 election, University of Wisconsin political science professor Barry Burden said.

“It’s taken nearly five years to get a new set of rules to update and make clear some of the things that were bothering people in 2020,” Burden said.

The UW system is losing rural students’ interest. This pilot program aims to reverse course

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Wisconsin State Journal

As part of a pilot program called Wisconsin Rural Scholars, high school students from seven small and rural high schools around the state spent a week at UW-Madison in mid-June aimed at introducing them to the college environment. The program is funded by a U.S. Department of Agriculture grant and was free for students to attend.

Rubin Observatory takes a wide view of universe

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WORT FM

The new Vera C. Rubin telescope in Chile that just started recording images of the night sky has 3.2 billion pixels – that’s billion with a “b” – making it the largest digital camera ever constructed. Interview with Keith Bechtol, an associate professor of physics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and the systems verification and validation scientist for the Vera C. Rubin telescope project.

Here’s how a $200,000 USDA grant aims to boost central Wisconsin farmers’ markets

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Stevens Point Journal

The grant-funded research will also send University of Wisconsin students to farmers’ markets in Marathon, Portage, Wood, Waupaca and Adams counties this summer through summer 2027 to collect data on things like where are people visiting from, how much money do they intend to spend at the market and other area businesses, and what they love about farmers’ markets, Haack said.

 

Henry Vilas Zoo is finally naming its 20 flamingos. Why now?

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The Cap Times

Henry Vilas has a pair of brother badgers named after former University of Wisconsin-Madison basketball players Frank Kaminsky and Sam Dekker. The stars even visited the zoo to meet their namesakes.

“Ten years later, there are still many Madison people who visit them and recognize the names on the sign. And isn’t that cool — that it’s a badger, and they have Badger basketball names?” Peterson said.

Has a Canadian journalist found bombing fugitive Leo Burt?

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Madison Magazine

The bombing, an act of protest against U. S. involvement in the Vietnam War, killed a young researcher, Robert Fassnacht, and injured several others. Three of the four bombing suspects — Karl Armstrong, Dwight Armstrong, and David Fine — were captured and served prison sentences long ago.

Burt, however, has remained at large.

Japanese beetle populations in Wisconsin have been shifting in recent years. Here’s why and what the patterns show

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Green Bay Press-Gazette

Ten or 15 years ago, the destructive insects were mostly a problem in the southern half of the state, but in the past couple of years, that trend has flip-flopped, as their populations shift to more northern parts of Wisconsin, said entomologist PJ Liesch, director of the University of Wisconsin-Madison Insect Diagnostic Lab.

Statistics don’t support UW-Milwaukee shuttering materials engineering program

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Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Materials engineering programs typically have dozens of students, not hundreds.  To put this into perspective, however, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts an average of just 10 job openings per year for neurologists in Wisconsin. Hopefully, no one would suggest that UW-Madison should stop training neurology residents, since most of us recognize that medical specialists are essential to the kind of society we want to have.

From Lainey Wilson to Megan Thee Stallion, best and worst of Summerfest 2025’s Weekend 2

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Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Summerfest’s talent team has been dealing with several cancellations (including from Whiskey Myers, Nessa Barrett, Nettspend, Bone-Thugs-N-Harmony and Milwaukee rap star Chicken P, who was arrested), and finding some solid last-minute replacements, including University of Wisconsin-Madison alum Yung Gravy and Bow Wow.

Trump’s victory in birthright citizenship puts him 1 step closer to being a king

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HuffPost

“Bringing a class action against the government includes incredibly high standards. And they are incredibly expensive as well as time-consuming to do,” said Erin Barbato, the director of the Immigrant Justice Clinic at the University of Wisconsin Law School. “I anticipate there will definitely be more people joining in this or people attempting to be certified and be protected by the injunction, but at this point, it’s hard to see who is going to have the resources to do that,” she said.

She wanted to meet women. Instead, she cemented herself in D.C. history.

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The Washington Post

Although there were other publications focused on Black lesbians, most were geared toward their own cities, according to Emerald Rutledge, a PhD candidate at the University of Wisconsin-Madison whose research interests focus on 20th century Black gay and lesbian literature. Aché (1989-1993) and Onyx (1982-1984) — two Black lesbian-focused outlets — were based in San Francisco; Venus (1995-2007) was originally based in Atlanta but eventually moved to New York.

“You could see [the magazines] as a first encounter for people looking for community who may be closeted or socially isolated,” said Rutledge.

A doctor challenged the opinion of a powerful child abuse specialist. Then he lost his job.

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ProPublica

A series of allegations of overzealous diagnoses of abuse have followed Dr. Barbara Knox from her job leading a child abuse team at the University of Wisconsin to similar positions in Alaska and at the University of Florida.

The child abuse pediatrician community is tightknit. After Knox left Wisconsin, Harper replaced her as an expert witness in some criminal cases. Esernio-Jenssen wrote Harper a nomination letter for a Ray E. Helfer Society award, calling her “an unstoppable force.”

University Research Park and Forward BIOLABS Partner to Power Madison’s Science and Tech Startups

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Madison Magazine

Partnering with Forward BIOLABS — one of the many tenants that call the research park home — URP helped create a new shared coworking lab incubator in Madison. Forward BIOLABS offers turn-key life science labs, fully equipped, maintained and supported with networking, training and other growth services aimed at startups.

“With millions of dollars of shared lab equipment, Forward BIOLABS is an ideal place to get started,” said Aaron Olver, managing director of the University Research Park. “And MERLIN Mentors creates customized volunteer mentor teams to help companies achieve liftoff.”

UW report links housing stress to worsening health in Wisconsin

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The Badger Herald

Housing financial stress has been rising among Wisconsin residents, and it is tied to an increase in negative health outcomes, according to a report from the University of Wisconsin-Extension.

The report found that housing instability is linked to worsened mental and physical health and may cause food insecurity, physical exhaustion, hypertension and lowered fertility. While this stress is more common among renters than homeowners, the consequential health impacts were linked more with older homeowners, co-author of the report and associate professor in the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics Tessa Conroy said.

This Wisconsin-founded group is keeping tabs on global nuclear proliferation

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Wisconsin Public Radio

“Almost 40 years ago, a law professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison named Gary Milhollin, who had worked as a judge on the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, had an idea that more needed to be done to prevent countries from building weapons of mass destruction,” said Valerie Lincy, executive director of the Wisconsin Project on Nuclear Arms Control. “He created the organization with the mission of stopping the spread of these weapons by stopping trade in items that can be used to make them. We’ve been working with that mission ever since.”

Madison’s residency programs support creativity across disciplines

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Madison Magazine

At the University of Wisconsin–Madison, the American Indian and Indigenous Studies Department hosts an elder-in-residence for a week each semester. Writers-in-residence at the Illuminating Discovery Hub, housed within UW–Madison’s Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, can craft anything from play scripts to music with the Institute’s support — so long as the work features or portrays science in some way.

Artists who don’t fit the bill there can consider two options at UW–Madison’s Division of the Arts: the Interdisciplinary Arts Residency Program or the International Visiting Artist Program.

Unpacking the Wisconsin Supreme Court’s rejection of congressional redistricting lawsuits

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Wisconsin Public Radio

University of Wisconsin Law School Professor Robert Yablon, who co-directs the State Democracy Research initiative, told WPR that one can only speculate about why the court didn’t take up the cases. He said it could be that justices felt lower courts are better equipped to handle the factfinding necessary to rule on gerrymandering claims.

Yablon said it’s also possible justices were leery about the U.S. Supreme Court “looking over its shoulder” and potentially overturning any ruling they make on the map guiding elections for federal lawmakers.

Republicans set to restart work on state budget after breakdown in talks

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Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

The state Legislature’s finance committee is scheduled on Friday, June 27, to take votes on the 18 remaining areas of the budget that have yet to be written.

The expected work comes after the committee canceled a planned set of votes on key areas, including funding for the University of Wisconsin System, amid an impasse that materialized between the two Republican caucuses and Evers.

Facing ICE detention, former UW-Milwaukee professor from China skips his sentencing hearing

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Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

A foreign-born former University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee professor who pleaded guilty to defrauding students didn’t appear for his June 12 sentencing hearing, which was a few months after federal immigration agents appeared at one of his hearings, according to federal court records.

Yue Liu, also known as Troy Liu, pleaded guilty to wire fraud and unlawful monetary transaction in 2022 after a university investigation found he netted nearly $1.2 million by swindling students.

Mysterious radio pulses found in Antarctica seem to defy physics, and researchers are trying to trace their origins

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Smithsonian Magazine

“They are expected to arrive from slightly below the horizon, where there is not much Earth for them to be absorbed,” Justin Vandenbroucke, a physicist at the University of Wisconsin–Madison who was not involved in the research but peer-reviewed it, tells CNN’s Ashley Strickland. Models predict these pulses would come in at angles of only one to five degrees below the horizon—these came through the ice at a much sharper 30 degrees, leaving researchers unable to identify their origins.

University of Wisconsin provides nearly $136K to student sex group that gives ethical porn programming

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Fox News

The University of Wisconsin–Madison has reportedly approved doling out $136,000 to fund a group that provides sexual programming, including a 90-minute “Ethical Porn” session for students.

The approved budget for the FY 2026 budget says that the Sex Out Loud club, billed as a “peer to peer sexual health resource,” requested $136,475 for 2025–2026 and was approved to receive $135,706.5

Wisconsin’s 25 Most Influential Asian American Leaders for 2025, part 4

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Madison 365

Tariq Saqqaf is the City of Madison’s Racial Equity and Neighborhood Resource Team Coordinator, where he has been instrumental in revitalizing and leading the city’s Neighborhood Resource Teams (NRTs). Born in Trinidad & Tobago and raised across New Jersey, Madison, and Saudi Arabia, he earned a bachelor’s degree in zoology and began medical school at UW–Madison before transitioning to a career in social services.

Erika Gallagher is a teacher of English at Verona High School and the winner of the 2024-25 Wisconsin Council of Teachers of English Diversity and Inclusion Award. She earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from UW-Madison.

 

Scientists studying suspected Lake Superior meteotsunami that left residents ‘in awe’

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CBC

While rare, it’s important for people to be aware of meteotsunamis because they can be dangerous, said Chin Wu, a professor at University of Wisconsin in Madison who has expertise in meteotsunamis.

“The potential dangers are the water levels fluctuating back and forth, particularly once the water levels go up and go down as I see in the video. Once the water level goes down, they will drag the people out of the beaches and cause drownings.”

LGBTQ community gathers at UW-Madison for picnic celebrating Pride Month

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WMTV - Channel 15

LGBTQ+ community members came together at a pride picnic at the UW-Madison Red Gym on Wednesday. June is recognized as Pride Month, and the picnic, hosted by the UW Madison Gender and Sexuality Campus Center, was a way for the community to celebrate.

“It’s just our way of celebrating Pride Month. Being together as a community, welcoming students, community members, faculty and staff to come together,” said Sanders Weinberg, program coordinator for the Gender and Sexuality Campus Center.

Camp Randall neighborhood bustling ahead of Morgan Wallen performances

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Channel 3000

A trio of trailers emblazoned with Morgan Wallen’s image arrived at Camp Randall Stadium Wednesday morning, bringing loads of sound, stage and lighting equipment for what will be the venue’s first concert in 28 years.

The Grammy-nominated country artist will perform two shows this weekend at the home of “Jump Around,” marking a historic return of live music to the stadium that last hosted a concert when The Rolling Stones performed in 1997.

Immigrants fear being ‘disappeared,’ Wisconsin attorney says

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Wisconsin Public Radio

As an attorney leading a law clinic that helps immigrants facing deportation, Erin Barbato knows her clients often face the bleak prospect of being deported to countries where they are not safe.

Attorneys at the University of Wisconsin Law School’s Immigrant Justice Clinic, which Barbato is the director of, regularly travel to the Dodge County Detention Facility — the only facility in the state serving as immigration detention center — to offer people free consultations and information about their rights.

Marquette poll: Majority of voters say Tony Evers shouldn’t run for third term as governor

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Wisconsin Public Radio

The Marquette survey also found most respondents favor keeping funding for state universities flat or reducing it. Among all registered voters, 49 percent said Universities of Wisconsin funding should be kept the same, 27 percent said it should be increased and 23 percent said funding should be reduced.

While the UW system requested an $855 million increase in state funding in its budget request, Republicans in the Wisconsin Assembly have endorsed cutting it by $87 million over the next two years.

Hockey Hall of Fame elects its 1st Wisconsin women’s hockey member

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Wisconsin State Journal

The hall of fame parade for Brianna Decker continued, and there isn’t a bigger honor in hockey than the one the former University of Wisconsin star received Tuesday.

Decker will be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2025, making her the first player from the Badgers women’s team to be an honored member.

How a new Wisconsin coach sees his sport bringing value in changing college landscape

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Wisconsin State Journal

Jack Brown is starting his first head coaching job at a time when those involved in Olympic sports are taking a closer look at their place in the NCAA ecosystem.

Brown, who’s less than a month into his role leading the combined men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams at the University of Wisconsin, understands that his sport doesn’t bring much revenue to the athletic department. The Badgers are scheduled to host only three meets in the 2025-26 season at the 1,200-seat Soderholm Family Aquatic Center.

Legal pot, special ed funds, no phones in schools: Here’s what purple Wisconsin agrees on

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Wisconsin State Journal

And it appears any increase in state aid for Universities of Wisconsin campuses will be a hard sell. Across the board, 49% support keeping funding steady, with only a slight majority of Democrats favoring increasing state aid.

The UW system and Evers asked for an increase of $856 million for the next budget, but Republicans last week hinted they were considering an $87 million cut. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have said the other sides’ proposals are non-starters for them.

Former Wisconsin football player dies at 20 in South Dakota

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Wisconsin State Journal

Former University of Wisconsin football player Nate White has died.

Details of White’s death have not yet been released. White’s death was confirmed to BadgerExtra by an official at South Dakota State, the program White transferred to in January. White was in Brookings, South Dakota, at the time of his death, the official confirmed.

Former Wisconsin Badgers player, Milwaukee Rufus King standout Nate White has died

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Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Nate White, former Wisconsin Badgers football player and Milwaukee Rufus King graduate, has died. He was 20 years old.

The UW athletic department announced the news in social media posts. Details of the circumstances of White’s death weren’t immediately available. His current program, South Dakota State University, told media outlets that he died in Brookings, South Dakota. No other information was immediately available.

What to know about Morgan Wallen’s Madison concerts at Camp Randall Stadium

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Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Morgan Wallen is days away from creating more Wisconsin history. In 2023, the country music star became the first artist to headline a Wisconsin stadium for two consecutive nights when he kicked off the North American leg of his “One Night at a Time” tour at American Family Field.

Now, he’s going to be the first musical artist to headline a concert at Madison’s Camp Randall Stadium in the 21st century, with the stadium’s last concert coming in 1997.

1840 Brewing owner talks about what led to closure, including wife’s cancer diagnosis

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Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

They announced the closure after learning that Stephanie Vetter was accepted into an experimental trial at the University of Wisconsin-Madison to use T-cells to treat cancer.

“We’re looking forward to the treatment,” Vetter said. “The trial is being used in blood cancer with great success. We’ll see if it will work with solid-state tumors, as well.”

‘Girl dads’ are taking over the internet. Is that a good thing?

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USA Today

A true shift in what parenting means is more likely to come when raising kids isn’t categorized along the lines of “his” and “hers” at all, said Jessica Calarco, professor of sociology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

“Gender is more fluid than we give it credit for,” Calarco said. “Often these tropes become increasingly stereotypical the more they get used.”