WMC launches new peer network for Wisconsin executives

Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce has launched a new peer network for business leaders, with a focus on executive leadership and growth strategies.  The group yesterday announced the Wisconsin Executive Forum, which will initially have three cohorts in Madison, Milwaukee and

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Visual effects executive calls for guardrails on AI

A visual effects executive says “there needs to be guardrails” on AI as the technology becomes increasingly skilled at producing high-quality images and animation. Scott Ross, who co-founded the Academy Award-winning studio Digital Domain Inc., discussed this topic during last

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Bill aims to ban local ‘rights of nature’ ordinances

Legislation being circulated by Republican authors would prevent local municipalities from enacting “rights of nature” ordinances that provide certain legal rights to natural resources.  That includes the right to exist, to be protected against pollution or to maintain a healthy

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Lawmakers plan to reintroduce No Patient Left Alone Act

Republican lawmakers are circulating legislation from last session that would allow patients in Wisconsin health care facilities to receive visitors during public health emergencies, with various restrictions in place.  Sen. André Jacque, R-New Franken, and Rep. Chuck Wichgers, R-Muskego, recently

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Economic experts bemoan Trump tariffs, ask for more stability and transparency from administration

Economic experts say the Trump administration’s tariffs have led to unpredictability, uncertainty and will likely lead to increased costs in Wisconsin. A panel during yesterday’s WisPolitics-State Affairs and Wisconsin Tech Council luncheon said Wisconsin’s manufacturing, construction and agriculture industries so far have largely weathered the storm of tariffs. Businesses have

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UW computing expert says state ‘very well-positioned’ to lead on AI

The head of UW-Madison’s School of Computer, Data & Information Sciences says Wisconsin is “very well-positioned to be a leader” in AI development.  Remzi Arpaci-Dusseau, a professor in the university’s Computer Sciences Department and a special advisor to the Provost on computing, spoke yesterday during a meeting of the Madison

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WMC launches new peer network for Wisconsin executives

Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce has launched a new peer network for business leaders, with a focus on executive leadership and growth strategies.  The group yesterday announced the Wisconsin Executive Forum, which will initially have three cohorts in Madison, Milwaukee and the Green Bay-Fox Cities area. The experience will include monthly

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Appleton Dem holds briefing on pesticides causing harm to pollinators

Widely used agricultural pesticides nicknamed “neonics” are posing a threat to pollinators and the crops they support, experts said during a briefing at the State Capitol.  Rep. Lee Snodgrass, D-Appleton, yesterday hosted the information session with members of environmental advocacy group Clean Wisconsin and specialists from UW-Madison. She circulated a

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Coalition urges lawmakers to establish $20 per hour minimum wage

A coalition of progressive political groups and workers is calling on state lawmakers to establish a $20 per hour minimum wage, along with other proposed policy changes around wages in Wisconsin.  The Living Wage Coalition was officially launched Tuesday, the day after Labor Day, according to a release. It sent

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Council urges Legislature to do more to address nitrate contamination

The state’s Groundwater Coordinating Council is urging lawmakers to do more to address nitrate contamination in groundwater, calling it one of Wisconsin’s top water contamination concerns.  The council at the end of August submitted its latest annual report to the Legislature, providing an overview of groundwater quality and quantity in

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Boldt Co. aims to play active role in state’s data center development

The Boldt Company aims to play an active role in data center development in Wisconsin as the state attracts attention from developers and more of these projects arise.  Dale Lewis, the Appleton-based company’s recently appointed director of data centers, yesterday discussed the path ahead for Boldt’s new division focused on

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Visual effects executive calls for guardrails on AI

A visual effects executive says “there needs to be guardrails” on AI as the technology becomes increasingly skilled at producing high-quality images and animation. Scott Ross, who co-founded the Academy Award-winning studio Digital Domain Inc., discussed this topic during last week’s Forward Fest in Madison. Ross led Lucasfilm’s Industrial Light

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WRA report shows home sales ‘relatively flat’ in July

Statewide home sales in July dipped 0.3% over the year as home prices and total listings increased over the same period, the Wisconsin Realtors Association reports.  The group’s July report shows 6,820 homes were sold in Wisconsin last month, down slightly from 6,843 in July 2024. At the same time,

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Strudel wins Pressure Chamber pitch competition in Madison

A Madison-based startup called Strudel has won this year’s Pressure Chamber pitch competition with its AI-based tech support platform.  The contest was held yesterday afternoon at The Sylvee music venue in Madison as part of Forward Fest, an annual event series focused on entrepreneurship and technology.  Strudel’s co-founder and CEO,

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Bill aims to ban local ‘rights of nature’ ordinances

Legislation being circulated by Republican authors would prevent local municipalities from enacting “rights of nature” ordinances that provide certain legal rights to natural resources.  That includes the right to exist, to be protected against pollution or to maintain a healthy ecosystem, according to analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau. Sen.

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Sentry Equipment plans to lean more on AI to support future growth

Sentry Equipment plans to lean more on AI to support further growth, as the technology is expected to help address the company’s skilled labor concerns.  That’s according to Marcease Warren, vice president of manufacturing for the Oconomowoc-based industrial machinery company. It makes equipment for portable filtration, sample automation, coolant recycling

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Lawmakers plan to reintroduce No Patient Left Alone Act

Republican lawmakers are circulating legislation from last session that would allow patients in Wisconsin health care facilities to receive visitors during public health emergencies, with various restrictions in place.  Sen. André Jacque, R-New Franken, and Rep. Chuck Wichgers, R-Muskego, recently sent out a cosponsorship memo for LRB 4368/1 and 0049/1,

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Rockwell Automation survey sheds light on tech in global manufacturing

A recent global survey of manufacturers from Milwaukee’s Rockwell Automation finds integrating new technology has become the top internal obstacle.  The company yesterday released its 10th annual State of Smart Manufacturing Report, which includes survey results from 1,560 respondents across 17 of the top countries for manufacturing. The online survey

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