Trump Withdraws U.S. From Paris Climate Accord, Wisconsin Music Festivals, Child Development Initiative

This afternoon, President Trump announced his decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement on climate change. We discuss the choice and his statements about negotiating terms for a new agreement. Wisconsin researchers are launching a new initiative to improve the development of children between their pre-natal stage and fifth year. We hear why, in the long run, they say it could help solve problems in the state with poverty and the racial achievement gap. We also preview some of Wisconsin’s most exciting music festivals happening this summer.

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President Trump Abandons Paris Climate Agreement

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President Donald Trump made good on his campaign promise to pull out of the Paris Climate Agreement today. A reporter tells us what abandoning a landmark agreement aimed at fighting climate change could mean for U.S. foreign relations and the environment.
Wisconsin Summer Music Festivals Are Here

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We talk to a music writer about the must-see music festivals happening in our state this summer.
Big Names, Surprises In Store At Upcoming Wisconsin Music Festivals, Writer Says

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Wisconsin plays host to a handful of summer music festivals.

Each brings its own flavor. Some are more eccentric than others.

“Last year, I sat in on a book reading in a mobile hotel room with like three other people,” music writer Piet Levy said of Eaux Claires, the indie music festival started by Justin Vernon of indie band Bon Iver.

Art installations scatter the festival grounds, which will host singer-songwriter Paul Simon and rapper Chance The Rapper June 16 and 17, among an entire spectrum of indie musicians.

That includes Sylvan Esso, the indie duo who, though from North Carolina, originally met at a Milwaukee Cactus Club show in 2010.

“It almost feels like a musical retreat,” Levy said. He writes about music for the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. “It’s very different, but it’s very interesting.”

From indie, to metal, to bluegrass, to rap, there’s a festival for everyone this summer.

Including Appleton’s Mile of Music held Aug. 3-6. The city’s downtown will be packed full of Americana bands playing more than 900 sets.

“A lot of opportunities for discovery here,” Levy said. The best part, he says? It’s all free.

“You can just go to this festival and you don’t have to pay anything to see a lot of good music,” he said.

Those looking forward to the tried and true won’t miss out on Summerfest, Milwaukee’s famous, flagship music festival, set for June 28 through July 9.

Now in its 50th year, the festival knows what works and what doesn’t, but there is still room for the unexpected, Levy said. There are more than 800 bands in total.

Singer-songwriter Bob Dylan is slated as one of several headliners this year, along with Willie Nelson and Sheryl Crow. Levy can imagine a surprise collaboration popping up at the festival.

“I hope so. Bob Dylan is notoriously unpredictable,” he said.

Other big names are slated for festivals throughout the state. Summer Set, northwestern Wisconsin’s hip hop festival runs Aug. 11-13 in Somerset. Levy is especially excited for headliner Run the Jewels, a hip hop supergroup which has garnered critical acclaim.

“It’s really kind of up at the peak of the hip hop crop right now,” he said. “The fact that they’re playing this festival is definitely a really good get.”

Heavy metal giant Ozzy Osbourne, formerly of Black Sabbath, will headline hard rock festival Rock USA July 13-15 in Oshkosh.

And Cadott will host Country Fest for the 31st year, June 22-25, playing host to country superstar Eric Church.

“He’s an incredible live performer,” Levy said.

Editor’s note: Mile of Music is a business sponsor of Wisconsin Public Radio.
How Focusing On A Child's First Five Years Can Lead To Later Achievement

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A summit called “Prenatal to Five” at UW-Madison is bringing experts from around the state together to look at how things like nutrition, housing, education and other factors in the first five years of a child’s life can affect achievement. We talk to one of the leaders of the summit about how nurturing brain development and health in a child’s early years can narrow the state’s achievement gap.