Author: Wisconsin Public Radio

Lt. Governor-elect Mandela Barnes says he sees his upcoming job as a chance to fix issues plaguing the entire state of Wisconsin. Barnes said one of the reasons the role of lieutenant governor appealed to him was because of its few constitutional responsibilities. The position is flexible and presents an opportunity to make a difference statewide. “I want to focus on equity and sustainability,” said Barnes, who represented Milwaukee in the State Assembly from 2013 to 2017. “We have a duty here in Wisconsin that has been unfulfilled for a very, very long time. We have some of the...

Two new reports produced for Senate investigators say that Russian influence efforts infected every major social media platform, extensively targeted African-Americans and amounted to what researchers called a “propaganda war against American citizens.” The reports, which were drawn up by private cybersecurity firms on behalf of the Senate intelligence committee, offer the most comprehensive look yet at Russia’s online influence operations. They are based on information provided by the panel and the social media companies themselves. The reports confirm the U.S. spy agencies’ overarching conclusions that Russia’s efforts ahead of the 2016 election aimed to sow discord, hurt Hillary...

Once a grand mansion, bustling train terminal and chapel built by one of Milwaukee’s premier architects, three historic buildings now sit vacant on the campus of the Clement J. Zablocki Veterans Affairs Medical Center. But they could soon have a new purpose. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a developer for the buildings, all constructed in the late 1800s. The project is part of an ongoing program the VA has been working on to restore historic buildings on its hospital campuses, said Gary Kunich, a spokesman for the Milwaukee VA. “We always wanted to see these buildings...

Scott Walker, Wisconsin’s outgoing Governor, signed a sweeping package of Republican-written legislation on December 14 that restricts early voting and weakens the incoming Democratic governor and attorney general, brushing aside complaints that he is enabling a brazen power grab and ignoring the will of voters. Walker signed the bills just 24 days before he leaves office during an event at a state office building in Green Bay. He was urged by Democrats and Republicans, including Democratic Governor-elect Tony Evers and former Republican Governor Scott McCallum, to reject the legislation. Walker, who was defeated by Evers for a third term,...

Black Americans living in Milwaukee and Racine are making half of the median income of their white counterparts and are nearly 12 times more likely to be imprisoned than white residents. Based on those outcomes, Milwaukee and Racine have been ranked second and third, respectively, as the worst cities for black people to live in by 24/7 Wall St., a Delaware-based financial company. 24/7 Wall St. looked at eight measures to assess race-based gaps in socioeconomic outcomes in each of the country’s metropolitan areas. “Disparities in socioeconomic measures exist to some degree nationwide,” the report states. “However, in certain...

Democratic state lawmakers pushed back on November 9 against efforts from Republican leaders to limit the power of Democratic Governor-elect Tony Evers before his inauguration. Republican Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, of Juneau, said earlier in the week GOP leaders are considering changes to state laws in a lame duck session. Those proposals include bills that would limit Evers’ ability to appoint people to certain state boards or make changes to rules related to Wisconsin’s voter ID law. Democrats say that isn’t acceptable. Speaking to reporters in Madison, Sen. Jon Erpenbach, D-Middleton, said it’s lawmakers job to work with...