Author: Correspondent

Governor Tony Evers announces two phase plan to help Wisconsin families access child care services

Governor Tony Evers and Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF) Secretary Emilie Amundson signaled their intent to submit a plan with the Joint Committee on Finance (JFC) to use the additional Child Care Development Block Grant (CCDBG) award Wisconsin received. Congress allocated additional funds for childcare to states through the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021. Wisconsin received roughly $148.8 million in CCDBG funds to offset the continued impact of the pandemic on costs associated with providing early care and education. The proposed plan will be submitted through the §16.54 process and reviewed by JFC before funds can reach...

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Opposition to I-94 expansion continues as coalition urges support for transit and infrastructure

Governor Tony Evers announced his Executive Budget on February 17, and in the address he emphasized improving infrastructure, addressing climate change and increasing racial justice. Disappointingly, the enumeration of the I-94 East-West expansion project in Milwaukee was included in the Governor’s budget recommendations. “MICAH’s opposition to rebuilding I-94 between the Marquette and Zoo Interchange lanes is longstanding,” stated Rev. Joseph Jackson, President of MICAH. “We joined other community groups in a federal lawsuit in 2017 to stop expansion. Monies were not included in Governor Walker’s budget and the project was dropped. With the inclusion of the expansion in the...

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3.11 Ten Years On: Collection of programs commemorate anniversary of Tohoku earthquake

NHK World-Japan, the English-language international service of NHK – Japan’s sole public broadcaster, will present a collection of premiere and encore programming to mark the 10-year anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake of March 11, 2011, which spurred a tsunami, a meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, and mass destruction along Japan’s east coast. The programming event airs throughout March and April. The collection of viewing serves as a compelling reminder of the unprecedented mega-disaster, and captures the magnitude and emotions surrounding its occurrence and aftermath. The programs depict the ways in which the tragedy has...

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Five Wisconsin cities face demotion from Metropolitan status under new Federal proposal

Under a new Federal proposal, 144 cities face a downgrade from the metropolitan statistical area designation, including five in Wisconsin that could impact how they receive funding and support for economic development. The new guidelines would define a metro area as having a population of at least 100,000 people in its core city. For the past 70 years that threshold has been half, only 50,000. Wisconsin cities affected under the former metro designation include Wausau-Weston (population 74,632), Oshkosh (population 74,495), Fond du Lac (population 54,901), Sheboygan (population 71,313), and Janesville (population 69,658). The Office of Management and Budget received...

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Wisconsin National Guard reflects on a historic year of deployment and public service on its 184th birthday

March 5 marked the Wisconsin National Guard’s 184th birthday, and year 183 was a notable one for the history books. The Wisconsin National Guard’s official birthday is March 5, 1837 – the date on which Wisconsin’s territorial Governor Henry Dodge commissioned Morgan L. Martin of Green Bay, Wisconsin, as a captain and the commander of the Green Bay Rangers volunteer company of mounted riflemen. The creation of the Green Bay Rangers predated Wisconsin statehood by 11 years, and the new civilian supplemented military force had a mission of protecting what was then the Wisconsin Territory. Today, some 184 years...

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County Executive David Crowley outlines measures to heal racial injustices in his State of the County speech

David Crowley presented the 2021 State of the County address on February 24, his first as Milwaukee County Executive. The main topics included investments in transportation, mental health services, and measures needed to resolve racial disparities while enduring the pandemic. This is the text of his speech as written and delivered. Ladies & Gentlemen of Milwaukee County, County Supervisors, Elected Officials, members, and others watching – it is an honor to present the 2021 State of the County address. As we come to an end of a month of celebrating Black History and honoring the accomplishments of those who’ve...

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