STEVENS POINT, Wisc., March 29, 2022 — United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the Department is extending to May 11, 2022, the application deadline for the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP), which provides funding to expand meat and poultry processing capacity. The decision to extend the deadline comes after Rural Development heard directly from applicants about challenges with System for Award Management (SAM) registration, which must be completed prior to filing an application. Background: MPPEP USDA Rural Development is making $150 million of American Rescue Plan Act funding available through the MPPEP. USDA is offering grants of up to $25

MADISON, Wis. – A couple of years after the Walker-Kleefisch administration’s storied $800 million cuts from K-12 education in 2011, they decided it was time to slash funding for the University of Wisconsin System.   Rebecca Kleefisch supported the 2015 budget that cut funding from the UW System by $250 million. This reduction in funding led to professors losing their jobs, cuts in student employment hours, and insufficient mentoring through advisors for students.   This cut is only slightly smaller than the original budget proposal that even Republican lawmakers thought went too far.   The UW System plays a critical role

The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point will develop their online programs in freshwater science with $460,125 in support from the Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin. The funding is part of a statewide initiative, backed by the Wisconsin State Legislature and Gov. Tony Evers, to tackle 10 grand water challenges and support curriculum development, undergraduate research opportunities, career development and field training experiences for students interested in studying water-related fields at the 13 UWs. UW-Stevens Point’s program, beginning in the fall of 2022, provides UW System students water resource opportunities, including core required courses and a series of electives. Students may earn a certificate

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today signed Executive Order #160 authorizing Fond du Lac County to lower the flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin to half-staff as a mark of respect for Fond du Lac County Executive Allen J. Buechel, who passed away on March 27, 2022, at the age of 74. “County Executive Buechel was one of the longest serving executives in our state, which just underscores his commitment to public service, dedicating nearly three decades as county executive and nearly a half century in total as a leader in the Fond du Lac community,” said Gov.

It’s been almost a year since Congress passed the American Rescue Plan, investing $1.9 trillion, which is equivalent to 9 percent of our Gross Domestic Product.   Wisconsin’s allocation from the state recovery fund is $2.5 billion. We received half of this amount in May 2021 and will receive the other half in early summer of this year.   The amount of money we receive is based on Wisconsin’s pandemic-related revenue loss of around $1 billion in 2020. Under the federal law, Wisconsin can use at least that amount for providing government services through 2024. Government services include maintenance or

WISCONSIN RAPIDS — Gov. Tony Evers today signed Senate Bill 507, now 2021 Wisconsin Act 211, designating the bridge on State Highway 13 and County Highway A over U.S. Highway 10 in Wood County as the Deputy LaVonne Zenner Memorial Bridge. “Deputy Zenner was an active member of her community committed to serving her friends and neighbors, and it is an honor to designate this bridge in her memory,” said Gov. Evers. “It’s people like Deputy Zenner who truly embody what it means to be a Wisconsinite and make our state and communities better places to live. So, I want to thank the

MOUNT PLEASANT, WI  MARCH 29, 2022 – On Monday night, the Mount Pleasant Village Board of Trustees were poised to confirm the certification of a referendum petition on a charter ordinance designed to extend village officials terms in office from two to three years starting in 2023, and forcing the measure to a referendum vote by village residents first.   Dozens of volunteers circulated the petition and collected nearly 1300 signatures in just two weeks. On Friday, March 25, 2022, the Village Clerk certified that enough valid signatures had been collected to trigger a referendum vote which then required the

On September 1, 2021, the City of Madison launched its Community Alternative Response for  Emergency Services (CARES) Team to respond to nonviolent 911 calls for mental health  emergencies. The City announced that CARES Teams, made up of community paramedics and  crisis workers, would spend a year learning and innovating before expanding the program in future budgets.   “As we mark six months of discovery and innovation with this important alternative response  team, I am pleased to announce that the CARES Team is now responding to mental health  emergencies on a City-wide basis,” said Mayor Rhodes-Conway. “We will continue to evaluate  the

[Balsam Lake, Wis.] – Today, Adam Jarchow proudly announced the endorsement from the Milwaukee Professional Firefighters Association – IAFF Local 215. The organization, comprised of over 600 brave first responders, is the driving force in providing a voice for the brave men and women who protect our communities each day. As part of the announcement, the campaign launched a new web ad featuring Adam and MPFA President Eric Daun. Click here to watch the ad, which will run on digital platforms statewide. “As a volunteer firefighter with the Apple River Fire Department, this endorsement means the world to me. I have

Madison – A bill that will help keep student-athletes safe is now law in Wisconsin. Schools will now distribute information to parents informing them of the dangers of sudden cardiac arrest. Senator Darling says parents and students will now receive information regarding the risks of sudden cardiac arrest, and how to request an electrocardiogram. “High school athletes can pass traditional physicals without knowing they have a potentially fatal issue with their heart,” Darling said, “This new law alerts parents and can help save lives.” The legislation was called the Kai 11 bill. Kai was a three-sport athlete at Waukesha North

WAUKESHA — Gov. Tony Evers today signed Assembly Bill 82, now 2021 Wisconsin Act 210, which requires the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) to work with the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) and two pediatric cardiologists to develop and distribute information on the nature and risks of sudden cardiac arrest at school athletic events. Assembly Bill 82 was introduced in honor of Kai Lermer, a 16-year-old student athlete at Waukesha North High School, who tragically passed away in 2019 after going into cardiac arrest while playing basketball due to an undiagnosed heart condition. The governor signed the bill today at Waukesha North High School where he was joined by