Update on Wisconsin National Guard role throughout the pandemic

Today’s Midday podcast covers a variety of roles Wisconsin National Guard soldiers filled throughout the pandemic. From administering more COVID-19 tests than any other National Guard unit to fighting forest fires in California, thousands of troops helped the nation recover.

U.S. Senate candidates take aim at Ron Johnson’s seat

Today’s Midday podcast covers Democratic U.S. Senate candidates who want to take control of Johnson’s seat as he nears the end of his second term. At least five Dems have announced bids for the seat, but Johnson hasn’t said whether

WEDC CEO Missy Hughes says workforce shortage is a complex issue

Today’s Midday podcast covers Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. Secretary and CEO Missy Hughes acknowledging that some businesses are having a hard time finding help but said numbers don’t support the idea that extra unemployment benefits are keeping people out of

GOP lawmakers push to ban transgender girls from competing in girl sports

Assembly and Senate committees heard several mostly-Republican backed bills that would ban transgender girls from competing in girl sports in K-12 and collegiate competitions. Supporters say they would protect women athletes while opponents say they would hurt transgender kids. wispolitics

Republicans and business leaders push to end extended UI payments

Today’s Midday podcast covers Senate Republicans and business owners arguing a bill that would end a federal boost to unemployment benefits would help address the state’s worker shortage. Dems say the workforce shortage was apparent even before the $300 extra

Lawmaker travel saw sharp drop amid pandemic

Today’s Midday podcast covers only 15 state legislators, who last year reported attending conferences or speaking at seminars, a sharp drop from 2019 numbers. The decline in lawmaker travel during the pandemic year was detailed in the 2020 economic interest

Congressional delegates divided on fighting in Israel and Palestine

Today’s Midday podcast covers Wisconsin’s congressional delegation divisions on the escalating fighting in Israel and Palestine as U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin calls for a ceasefire. GOP U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson says Israel has a right to defend itself from Hamas.

New CDC COVID-19 guidelines and vaccination effort updates

Today’s Midday podcast covers new mask-wearing CDC guidelines for vaccinated and unvaccinated people and what the future of the state’s effort looks like as some mass vaccination clinics close. wispolitics · New CDC COVID-19 guidelines and vaccination effort updates

Former Wisconsin congressman joins possible split from GOP

Today’s Midday podcast covers former 8th Congressional District Representative Reid Ribble announcing he will join a group of about 100 former and current elected officials if they create an official breakaway party. They say the new group aims to bring

Bills advance through Assembly and Senate floor sessions

Today’s Midday podcast covers a sampling of bills making their way through the Legislature. The Senate advanced a series of police reform bills and the Assembly passed bills to make publicly funded sports venues play the national anthem before games

State begins local targeting of COVID-19 vaccinations

Today’s Midday podcast covers vaccinations starting to slow and local county health departments beginning “hand-to-hand combat” to reach herd immunity. For more of the most relevant news on the coronavirus outbreak, reports on groundbreaking health research in Wisconsin and links

Tourism industry faces labor shortage

Today’s Midday podcast covers Wisconsin’s tourism hubs, which are expecting a flood of visitors to enjoy the state’s recreation, food and event offerings. But businesses fear they won’t have the staff to accommodate them. wispolitics · Tourism industry faces labor

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