Contact: Brian Rothgery, Public Information Manager 414-278-4230 or brian.rothgery@milwaukeecountywi.gov Funds would pay for more deputies and legal costs  MILWAUKEE – Milwaukee County will ask the state legislature for $50 million in funding in the 2017-19 Wisconsin state budget to hire new sheriff’s deputies, plus unspecified funds to cover the county’s costs from lawsuits related to the deaths of inmates in the Milwaukee County Jail, according to a resolution adopted at the most recent meeting of the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors.  “Public safety is paramount and we need to provide the Sheriff’s Department with all the resources that are necessary

The Madison chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) will host “Secrets for Success in Science Journalism,” designed to offer journalists, science communicators, and students tips for producing accessible, accurate, and intriguing science stories. The full-day conference will be held Friday, April 21, 2017, on the UW-Madison campus, 2195 Vilas Hall, 821 University Ave., Madison, WI 53706. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m., with seminar sessions starting at 10 a.m.and concluding at 3 p.m. Register online through Eventbrite. Journalists and science communicators from across a broad range of scientific disciplines and professional backgrounds will share their expertise in science reporting and

Contact: Phil Dougherty, (608) 255-8761 (Madison) – Members of the Wisconsin Association of Health Plans have jointly committed to combating opioid abuse and addiction in Wisconsin.  While individual member health plans have already implemented strategies to address the opioid epidemic in the state, effective April 1, Wisconsin’s community-based health plans are collaborating on new initiatives. “Wisconsin’s community-based health plans are committed to helping address opioid abuse and addiction in their communities,” said Nancy Wenzel, Chief Executive Officer of the Wisconsin Association of Health Plans.  “Association members appreciate and support the work of Representative John Nygren (R – Marinette), Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch

Contact: 608-266-0455 KENOSHA – Earlier this morning in a taped interview with “CBS This Morning”, House Speaker Paul Ryan said he doesn’t want to work with Democrats to get health care legislation passed and ‘the worst thing’ would be for President Trump to work with Democrats to find a way to improve our nation’s healthcare system. Representative Tod Ohnstad (D-Kenosha) issued the following response: “Speaker Ryan’s unwillingness to even consider working with Democrats on one of the most important issues facing our community and our nation is outrageous. Perhaps he is embarrassed after failing to get the votes to pass his

Contact: Rep. John Nygren, (888) 534-0089   Madison – On Thursday, State Representative John Nygren (R-Marinette), Assembly Co-Chair of the budget-writing Joint Finance Committee, released the following statement regarding the Wisconsin Health Plans’ commitment to cover treatment for individuals suffering from addiction: “Today, the Wisconsin Association of Health Plans distributed a letter outlining their commitment to expand prevention efforts and cover treatment opportunities for Wisconsin residents who suffer from addiction. The heroin and opioid epidemic has hit every community – both rural and urban – and I applaud the Health Plans’ initiative to expand much-needed access to treatment opportunities across the

Contact: Rep. Crowley, 608.266.5580 MADISON, WI – State Representative David Crowley (D-Milwaukee), Chair of the Milwaukee Legislative Caucus, issued the following statement today, following the unveiling of a bill to reform the use of solitary confinement with inmates with severe mental illnesses. “The United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for Treatment of Prisoners states that the use of solitary confinement should be prohibited in cases of prisoners with mental disabilities. Unfortunately, here in Wisconsin and in much of the United States that is not the case. This bill would be a step in the right direction to ensure that individuals are receiving medical

walesforjudge@gmail.com The Wales Campaign’s rally against bullying is cancelled today due to weather. Plans to hold a rally outside the Milwaukee County War Memorial had to be changed because of rain.

Contact: Brandon Weathersby, brandonw@wisdems.org MADISON – After months of rumors, Kevin Nicholson is making his candidacy for the U.S. Senate real by accepting help from a Texas PAC funded by an Illinois billionaire. First breaking in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel today, billionaire, GOP “mega-donor” Richard Uihlein announced a $2 million donation to a new PAC solely to support Nicholson’s run for U.S. Senate. Richard and his wife Elizabeth completely own Uline Inc., a company valued between $700 million and $2 billion, have a long history of funneling money into Wisconsin elections, including millions to shady far-right groups like Restoration PAC, a

Contact: Steven Chmielewski Email: Steven.chmielewski@ces.uwex.edu                 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: Thursday, March 30, 2017 (WAUKESHA, WI) –  A free Home Improvement Workshop for City of Waukesha residents will be held on April 24, 2017 from 6:30 to 8:30 PM at Waukesha Memorial Hospital in Trieber Rooms C1 & C2. Attendees will learn about strategies and resources to reduce costs and increase the value of their home. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about: ·         Home repair project resources ·         Eligibility for no to low-interest home improvement loan products ·         Incentives and ways to reduce water costs ·        

Media Contact:  Jerad Albracht, Senior Communications Specialist, 608-224-5007 or Bill Cosh, Communications Director, 608-224-5020 Spam Email Screenshot Examples (.jpg files):  #1   #2   #3 MADISON – When someone plays a harmless prank on April Fool’s Day, usually you laugh it off.  After all, it’s safe to assume that the tricks stop by the next morning.  But for email users, every day is another chance to get tricked by a scammer.  Scammers see email as a cheap way to send batches of rip-off attempts (known as “spam”) all over the world with one click.  The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade

Madison- State Representative Janel Brandtjen (R- Menomonee Falls) has joined with State Senator Duey Stroebel (R- Saukville) to prohibit school districts from passing referendums that would permanently raise revenue limits.  The bill would limit the revenue exemption to five years. “Right now we have referendums that raise revenue limits forever, in many cases long after the need for the additional money is gone.  The voters never get the option of lowering the revenue limits, in fact there has never been a referendum that lowers revenue has there? This bill will require that school districts give the voters a chance to