MADISON – Today, the Assembly Committee on Mental Health held a public hearing on Assembly Bill 564, which would require the Governor to allocate $100 million of federal American Rescue Plan Act dollars to school mental health programs. The federal ARPA dollars have all been allocated to COVID-19 relief and recovery programs. There currently is $550 million in general purpose revenue available to the state, due to Governor Evers’ partial veto authority with the state budget, that the Governor has stated should be allocated for school funding, including mental health funding, after Republicans in the legislature cut the proposed funding

MADISON, Wis.—University of Wisconsin System President Tommy Thompson announced today that the System has returned to pre-pandemic levels of in-person undergraduate instruction for Fall 2021 while prioritizing the health and safety of the campus community. Systemwide, 85 percent of undergraduate courses are being delivered in person, he said. That exceeds the goal of 75 percent that Thompson set in February amid a 2020-21 academic year in which more classes than usual were delivered remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Thompson also announced that several universities far exceeded the 75 percent threshold, and that 12 of the System’s 13 universities hit

by Vaughn R. Larson MADISON, Wis. — The Wisconsin Air National Guard inducted three outstanding members — retired Col. David Romuald, retired Chief Master Sgt. Gregory Cullen, and retired Col. Christopher Charney — into its Hall of Fame during a formal ceremony Sept. 16 at the 115th Fighter Wing.   The Wisconsin Air National Guard Hall of Fame recognizes those members who served above and beyond what is normally considered outstanding or exemplary. Inductees are recognized for continuous exceptional job performance, implementing innovative programs, enhancing the combat effectiveness of the Wisconsin Air National Guard, and enhancing public support. Being inducted

MADISON, Wis.—University of Wisconsin System President Tommy Thompson announced today that the System has returned to pre-pandemic levels of in-person undergraduate instruction for Fall 2021 while prioritizing the health and safety of the campus community. Systemwide, 85 percent of undergraduate courses are being delivered in person, he said. That exceeds the goal of 75 percent that Thompson set in February amid a 2020-21 academic year in which more classes than usual were delivered remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Thompson also announced that several universities far exceeded the 75 percent threshold, and that 12 of the System’s 13 universities hit

MADISON — State Superintendent Jill Underly today commended eight Wisconsin public schools for receiving National Blue Ribbon School honors from the U.S. Department of Education. “These schools have gone above and beyond in their support for students,” Dr. Underly said. “I applaud the hard work and commitment of both teachers and students at each of these schools, and I am excited to recognize them today as National Blue Ribbon Schools.” Nominated by the state superintendent in February, the public schools completed an application and underwent a national review process. Wisconsin’s 2021 Blue Ribbon Schools are: Robinwood Elementary in the Franklin

This morning during a special ceremony in the Council Chamber at City Hall, we had the high honor of commending the organizers and participants of the nine-day March on Madison for Immigrants’ Rights that took place in June. Organized and coordinated by Voces de la Frontera, the march featured dedicated individuals who walked for nine days from Milwaukee to the State Capitol Building in Madison to call on lawmakers to grant citizenship for the nearly 11 million undocumented immigrants here in the United States. We know all too well that without pathways to citizenship, undocumented immigrants often live in fear and

WASHINGTON — On Tuesday, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, released the following letter from former U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) Chief Rodney Scott, who wrote to members of Congress regarding his concerns for the disaster at our southern border, the risks it poses to U.S. national security, and the Biden administration’s refusal to take any steps to address the humanitarian and security crisis. “The position of Chief, USBP is a career civil service position and not a political appointment,” Chief Rodney Scott writes. “As Chief, I was the most senior official responsible for

Law enforcement leader and lifelong Milwaukee resident Brian Barkow issued the following statement after filing his candidacy for Milwaukee County Sheriff in the August 9, 2022 Democratic primary: “Our community is coming together to reduce violent crime, curb reckless driving, and achieve law enforcement that earns the trust of every resident. The people of Milwaukee County deserve a sheriff with the inclusive vision, progressive values, and bold leadership to turn our shared vision of public safety into reality. Should Sheriff Earnell Lucas take on new challenges, I am ready on Day One to lead the way forward. “For the past

Wisconsin Dells, WI – Attorney General Josh Kaul was endorsed today by the Wisconsin Laborers’ District Council, where the Attorney General was speaking at the Wisconsin delegation meeting for the 2021 Laborers’ International Union of North America’s virtual convention. “The Wisconsin Laborers are proud to endorse Josh Kaul for another term as Wisconsin’s Attorney General,” said John Schmitt, President/Business Manager of the Wisconsin Laborers’ District Council.  “Josh Kaul is a strong advocate for working people by supporting our rights to organize and protecting our democratic norms.  He is committed to holding bad employers accountable when they avoid paying their workers fair

$11,163 Awarded to 10 Projects to Help With Local Environmental Conservation, Restoration, and Education Efforts Today, County Executive Parisi announced the Dane County Environmental Council’s Community Partners and Capital Equipment grant programs will award $11,163 to 10 projects to help with local environmental conservation, restoration, and education efforts. “By partnering together, our community can advance efforts to improve and conserve our outdoor spaces, which have become increasingly important during the pandemic,” said Dane County Executive Joe Parisi. “Congratulations to this year’s grant recipients. We look forward to the positive impact these projects will have on the Dane County community.” Dane

48 Democrats in the Senate and 188 in the House filed a bicameral amicus brief in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization  Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin joined 47 other Democrats in the Senate and 188 in the House in filing a bicameral amicus brief in the case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, urging the Supreme Court to uphold nearly 50 years of precedent in Roe v. Wade and protect the constitutional right to abortion care. After the Court refused to block the dangerous, cruel abortion ban in Texas from going into effect, Dobbs represents yet another case that could undermine nearly 50 years of precedent and potentially overturn Roe. Dobbs is