GRAYLING, Michigan – Round after round hits the impact zone at Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver Training Center. Some of the rounds, air bursts with simulated white phosphorus, detonated seconds before impacting the frigid terrain. Forward observers with 1st Battalion, 120th Field Artillery Regiment, Wisconsin National Guard, used binoculars to survey the area, observing targets such as retired tanks and other military vehicles which served as targets for field artillery guns positioned upwards of six kilometers away. The unit could conduct this type of training at any point throughout the year; however, a winter exercise offers a unique and challenging opportunity

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) invites food security and local food system organizations to attend a virtual strategic planning discussion regarding the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Local Food Purchasing Cooperative Agreement Program (LFPA) on February 15, 2022, 1-2:30 p.m. The webinar will include program information, a question and answer session with USDA staff, and an open discussion on the following questions: What current barriers do you see in developing local supply chains to serve food security efforts? What current projects do you have that are attempting to address these issues? How can we shape

MADISON, WI… Ignoring the growing concern of parents over materials being taught in their children’s schools, Gov. Evers today vetoed legislation that would prevent the teaching of racist and sexist propaganda such as Critical Race Theory (CRT) which push a false narrative and promote racist indoctrination that does not belong in our classrooms. State Sen. André Jacque (R-De Pere), co-author of the proposal (Assembly Bill 411) with Rep. Chuck Wichgers (R-Muskego), said a growing number of school districts are teaching material that employ racism and sexism.  Parents from across the state have expressed concern that these lessons are causing psychological distress in students, teaching

Milwaukee, WI – The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Local 494 announces its endorsement of Cavalier Johnson for Mayor. “The working men and women of IBEW 494 are proud to endorse Cavalier Johnson to continue as the Mayor of Milwaukee,” said Dean A. Warsh, Business Manager for IBEW Local 494. “We share the Mayor’s commitment to sustainable, progressive change for Milwaukee, and we know that he will be a champion for working families and our issues. “Mayor Johnson is the only candidate in this race who has laid out a comprehensive plan to grow Milwaukee’s economy, raise wages, expand apprenticeships,

Madison- Today, Governor Evers vetoed Senate Bill 332 (SB 332) authored by Sen. Mary Felzkowski and Rep. Amy Loudenbeck (R-Clinton). SB 332 would have extended the allowable work hours for 14 and 15 year olds to between 6:00 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. on a day preceding a school day, and between 6:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. on a day preceding a non-school day, as long as the employer and employee are not covered by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act. “I’m really disappointed in the Governor’s action on Senate Bill 332. This bill was intended to help our smallest, local mom

Appleton, Wis. – Outagamie County Executive and populist pro-labor candidate Tom Nelson on Friday called for the state-funded Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) to withhold further tax credits from Oshkosh Corp. if it completes its move to South Carolina for production of a new line of U.S. Postal Service electric vehicles. “Wisconsin taxpayers should not be subsidizing classic corporate union-busting,” Nelson wrote in a letter sent to WEDC today. “WEDC is charged with looking after our tax dollars and our workforce. If Oshkosh Corp. wants our largesse, it needs to stop its union-busting move to South Carolina. If they won’t

MADISON, Wis. — Recent national and state news reports identified Wisconsin attorney Jim Troupis as one of the people at ground zero of Donald Trump’s losing 2020 campaign fraudulent elector plot. Troupis may be an unfamiliar name to many, but he’s been in Republicans’ smoke filled back rooms for decades, scheming to rig the rules for right wing partisan advantage. “While Jim Troupis might be a new name to some, him showing up as a central figure in the fraudulent elector plot is totally in character for this long time right wing fixer,” commented A Better Wisconsin Together Executive Director Chris

MADISON – State Representative Timothy Ramthun (R-Campbellsport) released the following  statement regarding requested feedback from Rep. Steineke:   “On January 28th, an open letter was sent to Rep. Steineke, Chair of the Assembly Rules Committee,  requesting qualified data supporting his assertion that my proposed resolution, AJR120, is ‘illegal’ and  ‘unconstitutional’. I sought feedback by end-of-day February 2nd, which arrived via inter-office memo  that day containing a hardcopy of the original Legislative Council memo from November, 2021”.   “My purpose in asking was for him to review the four Constitutional attorney and three Constitutional  expert memos I had provided him, all of whom

MADISON, WI… Sen. André Jacque’s (R-De Pere) initiative to increase access to mental health services is becoming law, as Gov. Evers today signed legislation designed to address a devastating shortage of mental health professionals across Wisconsin. State Sen. André Jacque (R- De Pere), along with State Rep. Paul Tittl (R-Manitowoc), co-authored the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT).  This bi-partisan legislation ratifies and enters Wisconsin into an agreement that will allow a psychologist to practice more easily in other compact states. “Under current law, psychologists are hampered by a web of legal restrictions which diminish access to care for those in need,” Sen. Jacque said.  “This

Madison… Senator Joan Ballweg (R-Markesan) and Representative Nancy VanderMeer (R-Tomah) introduced a bill that authorizes Wisconsin to join the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact. This legislation was signed into law as 2021 Wisconsin Act 123. Wisconsin is the 10th state to ratify and enter into this compact, therefore activating and allowing it to establish rules and systems to begin issuing compact privileges. Interstate compacts provide flexibility and enhanced mobility to practitioners by providing uniform regulation and standards of practice. They also provide for greater access and continuity of care for patients. Under this legislation occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants from one member

(Milwaukee, WI) – Hundreds of years of legacy pollution in area rivers will have a new permanent home thanks to Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers and both houses of the legislature that unanimously approved a change in state law to make it all happen.  “Restoring our waterways, erasing a history of pollution and neglect, takes committed partnerships.  I am so pleased the Governor and legislators have joined on in such a positive way.  Not only will the region now have a safe location to deposit dredge material, decades ahead city leaders can determine the best public use for the large swath

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (Feb. 4, 2022) — In honor of Heart Health Month, Hy-Vee’s registered dietitians will host events focused on heart health and adopting heart healthy behaviors throughout February. The dietitian team will host educational events, including virtual cooking and nutrition classes, as well as free, in-person cholesterol screenings at select locations. February is also Black History Month and this year’s theme is “Black Health and Wellness”. According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), African-American individuals are 30 percent more likely to die from heart disease than non-Hispanic white individuals. Hy-Vee is committed to supporting

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is hiring for its 2023 class of conservation wardens, a fulfilling and exciting public service career dedicated to protecting Wisconsin’s natural resources and the people who use them. The application period is Feb. 14 – March 6, 2022. DNR conservation wardens are credentialed law enforcement officers who serve rural and urban communities statewide. Wardens enforce laws that protect fish and wildlife, the environment, state parks and forests, and outdoor recreation enthusiasts. “We have a great in-house training program to help newly hired staff find success in this unique career and hire people

MADISON, Wis. – This Black History Month, we are celebrating the contributions of Black Wisconsinites while recognizing the constant inequities and systemic racism that Black Americans overcome every day.   Black Wisconsinites have innovated and blazed trails in communities across the state, and Wisconsin Democrats are committed to supporting our Black elected officials and all those fighting for policies that reflect and acknowledge the systemic inequities that challenge us. Read more about how the Biden-Harris administration and Democrats in Congress are delivering for Black Wisconsinites: Reversing Decades of Disinvestment: For far too long, neglect of our country’s infrastructure has disproportionately impacted