Madison – This Thursday, March 2nd, the Legislative Bi-Partisan Trails Caucus will host an informational hearing featuring speakers highlighting regional partnerships for trail development happening on opposite ends of the state. The hearing will take place Thursday, March 2nd at 11:00 a.m. in 328 NW at the State Capitol.A presentation by Kim Biedermann, Principal Transportation Planner and Regional Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator at East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission, will highlight the High Cliff Trail Connection. Identified as a priority through a number of community planning efforts, this trail would connect Loop the Little Lake Trail, the City of Menasha, the

Gov. Evers and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) have awarded $1 million in grants to increase access to mental health and substance use care for underserved communities. Ten organizations will each receive $100,000 to develop projects that build on the ability of behavioral health professionals to support people with diverse values and beliefs. “The past few years have been especially difficult for folks across our state, including exacerbating behavioral and mental health challenges. I declared 2023 the Year of Mental Health because failing to address this issue head-on could have devastating consequences for generations,” said Gov. Evers. “The

MADISON, Wis. — New reporting today detailed the deep relationship between Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate Dan Kelly and some of the state’s leading anti-abortion special interest groups. Kelly’s allies include Pro-Life Wisconsin, an extremist group which has endorsed Kelly and opposes abortion in every circumstance — even to protect the life of the mother. Kelly has also been endorsed by Wisconsin Right to Life. Kelly has in the past provided legal counsel for Wisconsin Right to Life, but neither Kelly nor the organization is willing to say what guidance he gave to the group. Wisconsin Right to Life opposes abortion in

MADISON – Department of Workforce Development Secretary-designee Amy Pechacek has appointed Jeremy Simon as assistant deputy secretary and Arielle Exner as legislative liaison for DWD, strengthening the department’s leadership on legislative and policy matters. “As we work to efficiently deliver effective and inclusive services to meet Wisconsin’s diverse workforce needs, we are excited to welcome Jeremy and Arielle to our team,” Pechacek said. “While our economy has posted record-breaking results over the past year, our efforts to connect employers with job seekers, remove barriers to employment, and build in-demand workforce skills has never been more important. Jeremy and Arielle will

Contact: Jim Flaherty, Communications DirectorOffice 608/ 286-6308 – Cell 608/ 698-0928, jflaherty@aarp.org CUMBERLAND, WI – A proposal to double or possibly even triple the size of a small native plant garden exhibit on the grounds of the Thomas St. Angelo Public Library, 1305 2 nd Ave., has been selected to receive an AARP Wisconsin “Small Dollar, Big Impact” grant. AARP Wisconsin is awarding grants each month throughout 2023 to projects across the state that are designed to improve communities and make them better places for everyone to live, work and play as they age. Judges selected this project for a

Madison – Representative Dave Considine (D-Baraboo) will hold additional State Budget Listening Sessions in the 81st Assembly District throughout March and April. As previously announced, Rep. Considine will also be holding listening sessions on March 4th in Sauk City and Baraboo with Sen. Dianne Hesselbein.  “I encourage all to come and speak their voice about the state budget and their priorities this session. Hearing your thoughts on important issues inform me of what our priorities need to be in Madison,” said Rep. Considine. “I will be visiting all corners of the district to hear from constituents. I hope to see you there.” Merrimac

Twenty-two years ago my husband and I learned at birth that one of our children had a rare genetic condition. We were shocked at this rare disease diagnosis – overwhelmed with sadness, helplessness in what this would mean for our child’s life, our family’s, the treatments and care, costs and so much more. For families who have faced this same reality, they know that crushing feeling filled with tears and desperation. We felt alone and afraid. It was heartbreaking. But in the weeks, months and now years since, we received help and direction. It has never been easy, and the

MIDDLETON, Wis. — The 55th Annual Wisconsin Governor’s Conference on Emergency Management & Homeland Security will take place Feb. 28 – Mar. 1 at the Madison Marriott West located in Middleton. The conference, hosted by Wisconsin Emergency Management, will focus on the evolving challenges and risks everyone faces while serving their communities.  More than 400 people from emergency management, public health, fire, law enforcement, and other first responder agencies are expected to attend this year’s conference. The 2023 conference theme is “On Track for the Future Together.”  Speakers at the conference include Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez and FEMA Region V

WASHINGTON, D.C.– Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI), a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, today released the following statement on reports that the U.S. Department of Energy believes a lab leak was the likely origin of the COVID-19 pandemic. “For over a year, anyone who suggested that COVID-19 may have leaked from a lab was labeled as a conspiracy theorist.  “As evidence clearly mounts in favor of the lab-leak hypothesis, the American people deserve complete transparency from the federal government on the origins of COVID-19. That means this administration must declassify all the relevant intelligence – protecting for sources

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) announces online resources to help local communities compete for federal grants under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). WisDOT’s new Summary Guide of Discretionary Grants, Letter of Support request form, and other items help guide local governments through the grant application process so they can take full advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to improve infrastructure across Wisconsin through federal funding. “Grants are available to fund everything from building safer streets to reducing traffic congestion to improving school bus fleets to recycling electric vehicle batteries,” WisDOT Secretary Craig Thompson said. “These grants cover a wide range

MADISON, Wis. – During Weights and Measures Week from March 1–7, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) celebrates the important work of DATCP’s Bureau of Weights and Measures. Their work guarantees that Wisconsin consumers can be confident they are receiving the full and true value of their purchases. DATCP’s weights and measures inspectors, lab teams, and office staff are responsible for monitoring the accuracy of motor vehicle fuel pumps, commercial scales, price scanners, milk tanks, package weights, and other measuring instruments used by businesses across Wisconsin. In 2022, DATCP’s weights and measures team conducted 307,927 inspections

The Richard Dilley Tax Center is now offering free tax preparation help via appointment through Dane County UW Extension, Dane County Executive Parisi announced today. The site exists as a place for Dane County residents to clear up any confusion they may have as they prepare to file their taxes and electronically file their tax returns for free. The Richard Dilley Tax Center is located at the UW South Madison Partnership, 2238 S. Park Street, Madison, WI 53713, and will be available through April 15. This free tax help service is a function of Dane County’s UW Extension office, made

People who are on Medicare Advantage are disproportionately Black and Latino. The insurance industry is using this data point to suggest seniors of color will be disproportionately harmed by HHS’s proposed 2024 rate increase of $4 billion for Medicare Advantage plans. In reality, insurers are not doing enough to address the quality of Medicare Advantage plan offerings to these communities and are trying to hold onto their record profits. Research Shows Plans Offered to Dual-Eligible Seniors are Among the Most Profitable. Medicare Advantage Plans are the most profitable part of the health insurance business by a factor of nearly two.