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Wisconsin Public Radio has a broadcast and online news staff of more than 20 journalists and web professionals located in seven regions. There are over 20,000 news stories available online.

Why Blood Donations Usually Slump In The Summer

June 20, 2013 - 6:22pm

The two major blood donation centers in Wisconsin are expecting a slight dip in blood donations this summer.

Summertime is typically thought of as a slower time for blood donations, but those with the BloodCenter of Wisconsin and the Badger-Hawkeye region of the American Red Cross say the...

Senate President Receives 25,000 Signatures In Favor Of Medicaid Expansion

June 20, 2013 - 6:05pm

Twenty-five thousand signatures were delivered to Senate President Mike Ellis, R-Neenah, today requesting Medicaid coverage expansion.

BadgerCare advocates are putting pressure on the state Senate to take federal money to keep 85,000 people in the program. Yesterday, the Assembly stuck by Governor Scott Walker's plan to deny federal funds for Medicaid....

Ashland County Passes Ordinance To Shield Itself From Costs Of Mine

June 20, 2013 - 4:49pm

Ashland County approved a mining ordinance this morning that supporters say will protect them from problems or costs from mining the Penokee Range.

The vote was 18-1 in favor of the mining ordinance. County Board Chairman Pete Russo says Gogebic Taconite (GTAC) was there, and didn't like it.

Russo: "If
...

FBI, Law Enforcement To Recognize LGBT Community

June 20, 2013 - 1:06pm

The FBI and U.S. Justice Department will give special recognition to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community during a gathering Thursday night at the federal courthouse in Milwaukee.

The meeting comes as the U.S. Supreme Court is nearing key rulings on marriage equality.

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder has ordered...

Why Wisconsin Sand Miners Like Illinois Fracking

June 20, 2013 - 12:49pm

Hydraulic fracturing for oil and gas is getting a green light in Illinois: That's good news for Wisconsin frac sand producers.

Hydrofracking is a process where large amounts of water, sand and chemicals are forced into rock, breaking it up and releasing oil trapped inside. This week, Illinois lawmakers passed a...

With Passage Nearly Certain, Senate Takes Up Budget

June 20, 2013 - 12:37pm

The Wisconsin Senate is set to debate the state budget today after it sailed through the state Assembly yesterday with only minor changes.

During the unusually short session of the state Assembly, Democrats offered no amendments to change the budget, with Minority Leader Peter Barca saying it was "beyond repair." All...

Director's Cut Radio: A Movie About Looting Your Way Through College

June 20, 2013 - 6:00am

"The Smart Ones" is an independent comedy shot in and around Milwaukee, and released last year. The film is about a group of graduate students who rob houses and sell the loot online to pay for tuition.

Kyle Probst and Travis Torok made "The Smart Ones" while grad...

When Does Protest Become Harassment? It's A Question The State Supreme Court Will Address

June 20, 2013 - 6:00am

The Wisconsin Supreme Court will review a harassment case brought by the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents against a former UW student.

The key issue in the case is where the court should draw the line between legitimate political protest and illegal harassment.

For the past several years, former...

Assembly Passes Budget; Next Stop: Senate

June 20, 2013 - 12:53am

The Assembly approved a state budget today that expands school vouchers statewide, rejects Medicaid funds, and cuts taxes for all income brackets.

The measure passed with highly unusual theatrics. Normally when the legislature takes up the state budget, members of the minority party speak for...

GTAC Files Intent To Mine With DNR

June 19, 2013 - 6:25pm

Gogebic Taconite (GTAC) has filed an intent to mine with the state, the first formal step towards an open pit mine in the Penokee Hills.

It's necessary to send an intent-to-mine notification before GTAC can apply for an actual mining permit. That would be at least a year away, probably...

Outgoing UW-Madison Interim Chancellor Questions Tuition Freeze

June 19, 2013 - 5:59pm

Outgoing University of Wisconsin-Madison Interim Chancellor David Ward says that a legislature-mandated tuition freeze without any larger debate is wrong.

The Assembly today passed the state budget that includes a tuition freeze for the university system for the next two years. The budget now heads to the state...

Juvenile Incarceration Rates Have Been Dropping In Wisconsin

June 19, 2013 - 5:31pm

A report from the National Juvenile Justice Network gives Wisconsin high marks for reducing the number of juveniles it locks up each year.

The report lists Wisconsin in the top nine states that have made substantial positive reforms in the way it treats juvenile offenders. Titled the Comeback...

When Highway 41 Becomes An Interstate, What Will Happen To Its Weight Limits?

June 19, 2013 - 4:11pm

Highway 41, Northeastern Wisconsin's main north-south highway, is poised to become an interstate as early as next year.

Two area congressmen, Rep. Tom Petri, R-Wisc., and Rep. Reid Ribble, R-Wisc., are asking the federal government to keep current weight limits on Highway 41 when the change comes.

Highway 41 runs...

Madison Democrat Hulsey Considers Independence

June 19, 2013 - 12:37pm

Debate on the Wisconsin state budget got off to an awkward start Tuesday as Democratic Rep. Brett Hulsey of Madison reportedly discussed leaving his caucus to become an independent.

While legislators waited around for Republican leaders to hammer out their final changes to the budget, rumors swirled that Hulsey might part...

GOP Considers, Declines $5M Voucher Expansion In Racine

June 19, 2013 - 12:14pm

Updated 9:12 a.m.: Assembly Speaker Robin Vos's office confirms the Racine voucher expansion is now off the table.

Assembly Republicans considered but ultimately did not grow Racine's new school voucher program by expanding it to students already enrolled in private schools.

When vouchers were expanded to Racine last session, they were limited...

Anti-Hate Group Asks For One Hour Volunteers

June 19, 2013 - 9:07am

A Wisconsin group's campaign called Hours Against Hate is asking people to volunteer a single hour to try to reduce bigotry and hatred.

The pledge asks that you pledge one hour or more to do something for someone who "doesn't look like you, pray like you, love like you...

Asian Ethnic Groups And People Who Are Biracial Are On The Rise In Wisconsin

June 19, 2013 - 7:00am

U.S. Census Bureau numbers show that Asian ethnic groups and people of two or more races are the fastest-growing racial groups in Wisconsin.

Wisconsin's population grew by almost 37,000 people from July 2010 to July 2012. While white people still make up the overwhelming majority of the state, that population...

Republicans Consider Banning Protestors From GTAC Drill Site

June 19, 2013 - 7:00am

An emergency rule may be used to keep protesters away from exploratory drill sites in the Penokee Range.

About 15 masked people raided the Iron County drill site June 11 for about 15 minutes, allegedly causing $2,000 in damage. Now legislators are considering banning protesters from the drill site.

Assembly...

What Assembly Republicans Plan To Change In The State Budget

June 19, 2013 - 12:07am

Assembly Republicans are planning several changes to the state budget that's up for debate today.

Those changes include the reinstatement of a property tax credit for veterans and a delay of a plan that would make it easier to permit high-capacity wells.

The Joint Finance Committee wanted to...

Senate Passes Venture Capital Bill

June 18, 2013 - 6:35pm

The state Senate has passed a $25-million venture capital bill, but even its supporters say more should be done to help foster new businesses.

The Republican author of the bill, Sen. Alberta Darling, R-River Hills, says she would have liked to put more money in the new venture...

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Why Blood Donations Usually Slump In The Summer

Senate President Receives 25,000 Signatures In Favor Of Medicaid Expansion

Ashland County Passes Ordinance To Shield Itself From Costs Of Mine

FBI, Law Enforcement To Recognize LGBT Community

Why Wisconsin Sand Miners Like Illinois Fracking

With Passage Nearly Certain, Senate Takes Up Budget

Director's Cut Radio: A Movie About Looting Your Way Through College

When Does Protest Become Harassment? It's A Question The State Supreme Court Will Address

Assembly Passes Budget; Next Stop: Senate

GTAC Files Intent To Mine With DNR

Outgoing UW-Madison Interim Chancellor Questions Tuition Freeze

Juvenile Incarceration Rates Have Been Dropping In Wisconsin

When Highway 41 Becomes An Interstate, What Will Happen To Its Weight Limits?

Madison Democrat Hulsey Considers Independence

GOP Considers, Declines $5M Voucher Expansion In Racine

Anti-Hate Group Asks For One Hour Volunteers

Asian Ethnic Groups And People Who Are Biracial Are On The Rise In Wisconsin

Republicans Consider Banning Protestors From GTAC Drill Site

What Assembly Republicans Plan To Change In The State Budget

Senate Passes Venture Capital Bill

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