Winnebago, Wis. – Michael Blake walked away from the minimum security Winnebago Correctional Center in Winnebago this afternoon. The incident has been reported to local authorities. Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of this individual should immediately contact law enforcement. Name: Michael Blake Year of Birth: 1979 Gender: M Race: White Height: 5’7” Weight 170 lbs. Eye Color: Hazel Hair Color: Bald County of Conviction: Outagamie Offense information is available on the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access website.

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) confirms that an unvaccinated yearling Standardbred gelding in Trempealeau County has tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV). It is the state’s first confirmed case of WNV in a horse this year. Symptoms of WNV in horses include fever, incoordination, hind-end weakness, depression, loss of appetite, muscle tremors, teeth grinding, inability to swallow, head pressing, excessive sweating, and going down with an inability to rise. The disease can cause brain inflammation in horses and people, and it is fatal in 30% to 40% of horses showing signs

MADISON — Today, Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes, Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate, hosted a meet and greet with Milwaukee seniors for the launch of the new grassroots coalition: “Seniors for Mandela.” Mandela met with “Seniors for Mandela” members to hear about the issues most important to the group, including the protection of Social Security and Medicare, in light of Sen. Ron Johnson’s threats to the programs. Mandela is committed to protecting the hundreds of thousands of Wisconsin retirees who are at risk of losing their livelihoods and the benefits they have paid into throughout their lives. Seniors for Mandela is just

Madison, WI — There have been several news articles across the state of Wisconsin addressing the issue of professional licensure delays. The delays themselves have run across many employment sectors, but the backlog of those seeking to join the medical field is the most significant. “With the backlog of licensures on full display, many may not understand the devastating impact this may have on citizens across the 41st District and the rest of the State. We are all well aware of the workforce shortage that is impacting every sector of our economy and these delays are adding yet another hurdle to getting

MADISON, WI – On Wednesday, August 24th, UW-Health nurses voted in favor of a three-day strike from September 13th-16th if UW-Health’s administration refuses to recognize their union. On this, Representative Stubbs (D-Madison), whose district contains University Hospital, released the following statement: “UW-Health is one of the primer healthcare institutions in our state. Hundreds of thousands of Wisconsinites walk into UW-Health clinics every year and receive the top-of-the-line care that they deserve. As a healthcare institution, much of UW-Health’s work rests on the nurses that administer frontline care each and every day.” “UW-Health has a responsibility, as a pillar in our community,

MADISON, Wis. — Following today’s announcement that President Biden will travel to Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Labor Day, Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Ben Wikler released the following statement welcoming the president to the state: “Joe Biden is the most pro-worker, pro-union, and pro-job president of our lifetime. From the American Rescue Plan and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to the recently-enacted Inflation Reduction Act, President Biden has worked alongside Democrats in Washington and Madison to create thousands of good-paying jobs across the Badger State—all while Wisconsin Republicans try to block that progress. “While extremists like Tim Michels and Ron Johnson turn their back on Main Street

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced its 2022 wild rice season shows another year of a varied outlook for harvesters. Based on ground and aerial surveys, this year’s manoomin (wild rice) crops appear to be relatively average across the northern part of the state. “While most lakes, flowages and rivers that have historically produced wild rice are likely not going to produce enough to make harvesting efforts worthwhile, there are a few regions showing promise for good harvest,” said Jason Fleener, DNR Wetland Habitat Specialist. Wild rice harvesting offers the opportunity to explore Wisconsin by water, collect

WASHINGTON, DC – Last week, Congressman Tom Tiffany (WI-07) sent a letter to President Biden’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan urging him to support the Nemadji Trail Energy Center (NTEC) in Superior. Last month, the EPA said a Supplemental Environmental Assessment for the proposed NTEC failed to properly account for the project’s impact on climate change and emissions. However, when the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Rural Utilities Service (RUS) conducted the first environmental assessment last year, they found the plant would have no significant environmental impact. Due to the EPA’s latest federal overreach, NTEC is now awaiting direction

MADISON, Wis – Last week, UW Health nurses voted to authorize a strike in response to the UW Hospitals and Clinics Authority’s (UWHCA) choice not to recognize the UW Health nurses’ union. Representative Greta Neubauer (D-Racine) released the following statement in response: “I’m proud to support UW Health nurses and their call to strike unless their union is recognized. Workers everywhere deserve fair pay, safe working conditions, fair work rules, and the ability to retire with dignity. Our healthcare heroes have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic to care for our loved ones and protect our communities – it’s time for

MADISON, Wis. – As the result of an August 24th announcement, the pause on federal student loan repayment has been extended through December 31, 2022. Several changes have also been made to Department of Education policy, including debt forgiveness, income-driven repayment plans, and the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. In light of this announcement, student loan borrowers across Wisconsin and the U.S. are eager to secure the best possible deal on their repayment plan. Scammers know this and target student loan borrowers with appealing, but illegitimate, offers. These ‘student loan debt relief companies’ claim they can help borrowers achieve debt

WHAT:  Voting issues go far beyond wheelchair accessibility at polling places. Join “Empowering the Disability Vote: Civic Engagement for the Disability Community and Their Allies” for a virtual conversation on the barriers people with disabilities face when voting. Panelists will discuss ways to help people of all abilities exercise their civil rights. “Citizens of all abilities have a right to participate in their democracy through voting and other forms of civic engagement,” said Peggy Creer, president of the League of Women Voters of Milwaukee. “And they have a right to expect accommodations to allow them to exercise their civil rights.” This public issues forum is co-hosted

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection’s (DATCP) Bureau of Land and Water Resource Management has released the 2021 Wisconsin Report on Soil and Water Conservation, which demonstrates the extensive state and local efforts to protect Wisconsin’s soil and water resources. According to DATCP’s analysis, Wisconsin harnessed nearly $80 million in state, federal, and other funds in 2021 to advance and support conservation efforts such as cover crops, managed grazing, groundwater monitoring, farmland preservation, and farmer-led initiatives. To assess and address needs, local conservation staff completed more than 7,500 site visits, including visits to determine compliance

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers, together with the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD), today announced eleven Wisconsin school districts will receive more than $414,000 in grant funding to increase the number of students in career and technical education programs. Funded through the Wisconsin Fast Forward Program, the grants will help prepare more than 1,400 students for a wide range of high-wage, high-skill, and high-demand careers. “We are committed to helping Wisconsin’s young people get the kind of high-demand, high-skill job training they need to be prepared to join our state’s workforce,” said Gov. Evers. “This is exactly the kind of collaboration and initiative we strive for in our relationships