One of the documents enclosed in the materials used by Madison Public Schools in the 2019-2020 school year is an Action Planner for Black Lives Matter at schools week. On Wednesday, the theme is “Queer Affirming, Transgender Affirming, and Collective Value.”    This information was obtained through an open records request by my office which was prompted by a constituent inquiry. The materials have been produced by several organizations, and are distributed by the National Education Association (NEA).   Impossible to miss among the teaching materials is the provided artwork, which you can view below. Prominently featured in each of the posters is the

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) hosted a virtual roundtable with Wisconsinites to discuss what’s at stake for women’s health, children’s health, young adult coverage and guaranteed protections for people with pre-existing conditions if President Trump and Senate Republicans force through their nominee for the Supreme Court. On November 10, 2020, the Supreme Court will hear arguments in a lawsuit supported by President Trump to overturn the Affordable Care Act completely. If confirmed, Trump’s nominee Judge Amy Coney Barrett could participate in the court’s decision.   Baldwin was joined by Wisconsin State Representative Jimmy Anderson (D-Fitchburg), Wisconsin

Today, the Department of Health Services (DHS) released a new data dashboard that displays COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths by race and ethnicity. This new visualization helps illustrate some of the unequal health impacts of COVID-19 in our communities, particularly among people of color. The race and ethnicity dashboard is part of an ongoing effort to close health disparities throughout the state by promoting tools and resources centered on health equity. “COVID-19 reminds us of the fact that every person’s health is intertwined with the health of their neighbors in our communities,” said Governor Tony Evers. “Our Black neighbors, Tribal Nations, Latinx

Yesterday, Senator Kamala Harris celebrated her birthday with a virtual stop in Milwaukee, where she participated in a rally with Senator Tammy Baldwin, Congresswoman Gwen Moore, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, and Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley to kick off the first day of in-person early voting in Wisconsin. Senator Harris spoke about the stakes of this election, and encouraged Wisconsinites to make their plan to vote early  for the Biden-Harris ticket. Wisconsinites can visit iwillvote.com/WI for more information on how to cast their ballot. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Kamala Harris in virtual Milwaukee event charges Trump with botched response to pandemic Democratic vice-presidential candidate

MADISON —​ Gov. Tony Evers announced today the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is reporting the highest single-day COVID-19 death count with an additional 48 Wisconsin lives lost an the first patient has been admitted to the Alternate Care Facility (ACF) at Wisconsin State Fair Park, which serves as the overflow facility for hospitals across the state. “We are thankful to have this facility available to Wisconsinites and our hospitals, but also saddened that this is where Wisconsin is at today,” said Gov. Evers. “Folks, please stay home. Help us protect our communities from this highly-contagious virus and avoid further strain on our hospitals.”

(WISCONSIN) — Today, Democratic Party of Wisconsin spokesperson Philip Shulman released the following statement in response to the new BLS numbers: “The bottom line is that hardworking Wisconsin families are continuing to suffer because of Trump’s failed COVID-19 response. Now, when Wisconsinites need the most help, Trump has completely thrown in the towel in addressing the pandemic, and the Badger state is paying the price for his ineffective leadership. We deserve real leaders who are going to fight for us each and every day and take on the tough challenges — that’s clearly not Trump, and it’s why Wisconsinites are so

Howie Hawkins, the Green Party candidate for President, has filed a formal complaint under the Communications Act seeking equal time on the syndicated radio show of Rush Limbaugh. Rush Limbaugh conducted a 2-hour “radio rally” for Republican Party presidential nominee Donald Trump on The Rush Limbaugh Show. Hawkins had previously contact Mr. Limbaugh seeking equal time but has not received a response. Hawkins said he wants equal time to speak to Limbaugh listeners because many live in media markets where the only news/talk commercial radio station features arch-conservative programming 24 hours a day. “Limbaugh’s audience deserves to understand that it is

MILWAUKEE — Former Sen. Russ Feingold will be the featured guest for an upcoming virtual “On the Issues with Mike Gousha,” Thursday, Oct. 22. The video will be available at 12:15 p.m. on the Marquette University Law School website. This will be the first of two conversations featuring different perspectives on the role the Supreme Court, the United States justice system and the rule of law are playing in this year’s election cycle. Sen. Feingold is the president of the American Constitution Society. The organization describes itself as the leading progressive legal network in the country, with 200 student and lawyer

Madison- The following is an excerpt from Hal Roesch’s acceptance speech after being installed as the 112th National Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars: “We are at a major turning point in our nation’s history. All across our country, men and women are demonstrating and making their voices heard in an effort to end racial injustice. It’s imperative that the VFW answer this call and stand alongside these agents of change. To our African American members, veterans and communities—black lives do matter! The VFW stands shoulder to shoulder with you. Your VFW is here for you, but most importantly,

MADISON, Wis.—Dr. Thomas Gibson, who served as Vice President for Student Affairs and Vice Provost at Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio, has been named the 15th Chancellor of the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point, which has campus locations in Stevens Point, Wausau, and Marshfield. The University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents today unanimously approved Gibson’s appointment, following a recommendation made by a selection committee. Gibson will assume the leadership post on January 11, 2021. Gibson was hired as Vice President for Student Affairs and Vice Provost at Bowling Green State in July 2016. In that role, he served

MADISON—The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) is offering virtual food safety training to help produce farmers comply with the Produce Safety Rule (PSR). In-person training was suspended earlier this year to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Farms covered by the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) PSR are required to have at least one person attend an approved food safety class. DATCP, in cooperation with the Produce Safety Alliance, is offering two eight-hour, two-day online courses that meet FSMA and PSR requirements. The courses will be held on: Nov. 17-18, 2020, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, sent a letter Tuesday to United States Secret Service Director James Murray highlighting references to Hunter Biden’s travel from recently published emails that appear to align with Secret Service records previously produced to the committees. The chairmen have also requested records to verify whether the Secret Service traveled with Hunter Biden after he apparently discontinued his protective detail.   “USSS records indicate that Hunter Biden’s first scheduled trip as a Secret Service protectee was

MADISON – The Department of Workforce Development (DWD) announced today its Wisconsin Fast Forward (WFF) grant opportunities for employers who can demonstrate a critical need for skilled workers and are seeking WFF training grants for developing and implementing an employer-led skills training program. WFF training programs are designed to provide sustainable, short- and medium-term training solutions that will place workers in positions that offer long-term professional growth and economic opportunity. This training will assist with adding new individuals into the workforce and increasing wages for the trainees. Growth in both areas will allow workers to have greater purchasing power, making them better