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Community Marches for LGBT Equality in Wausau

June 24, 2013 - 11:05am

Hundreds of people turned out this weekend for a "March For Equality" organized by Wausau's gay community, but the event almost didn't take place.

The march was originally scheduled as a gay pride event by a California man who spends time in Wausau. But soon, members of Wausau's own gay community...

USDA Rural Development Program Faces Cuts, Despite Strong Demand

June 21, 2013 - 5:34pm

Tighter credit has meant more business for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development program, which guarantees loans for rural homebuyers.

However, even as demand goes up, the program faces cuts.

Across the country, those who lost their homes to foreclosure tried to rent. The market was tight,...

Wisconsin Will Get $9 Million In AmeriCorps Grants

June 18, 2013 - 5:21pm

Despite cuts to AmeriCorps due to federal sequestration, Wisconsin will get over $9 million to help nonprofit organizations.

AmeriCorps is a domestic community service program that was started by former President Bill Clinton. It is sometimes compared to the Peace Corps.

U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wisc, says because of federal...

Milwaukee Group Helps Past Offenders 'Clean Slate,' Seek Jobs

June 18, 2013 - 11:55am

Finding work isn't easy for the more than 60 million people in the country with a past conviction. A Milwaukee-based organization is offering to help ex-offenders get their foot in the door by making it easier for them to clear their criminal records.

A criminal record, be it a misdemeanor or...

Foundations Donate $1.8M To Fight Wisconsin Poverty

June 18, 2013 - 11:40am

In northeastern Wisconsin, 80 nonprofits are getting nearly $1.8 million in grants to combat poverty. It's part of a collaborative project between two private foundations and three community foundations.

Half the grant money was raised in an annual golf tournament sponsored by U.S. Venture, and the other...

Bill Requiring Ultrasounds Before Abortions Passes Assembly

June 15, 2013 - 12:30am

Republicans in the Assembly passed three abortion-related bills Thursday, including one requiring ultrasounds for women seeking abortions.

The bill that earlier this week provoked shouting in the Senate stirred emotional stories from many women serving the state Assembly, particularly from Democrats. Republicans said they were pushing the...

State Supreme Court Will Hear Challenges To Act 10, Same-Sex Partnership Law

June 14, 2013 - 7:36pm

The Wisconsin Supreme Court has agreed to consider two controversial cases today.

One challenges the constitutionality of the union bargaining rights law Act 10, and the other challenges a law granting domestic partnership benefits to same-sex couples.

The bargaining rights case was brought by the Madison teacher's union...

Black Coalition Asks Sen. Johnson To Support Immigration Reform

June 14, 2013 - 5:58pm

A coalition of African-Americans asked Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wisc, to support an immigration bill today, in a multi-racial push for immigration reform.

Members of Milwaukee Inner-City Congregations Allied for Hope, the African-American Roundtable and other groups rallied outside Sen. Johnson's Milwaukee office. They delivered about 150 cards signed by...

Gun Control Advocates Mobilize On 6-Month Anniversary Of Newtown Shooting

June 14, 2013 - 5:20pm

On the six-month anniversary of the mass shooting in Newtown, Conn., gun control advocates are pushing for new background check legislation.

Gun control advocates say it's important to keep Sandy Hook fresh in the public mind if significant gun control laws are going to have any chance of passage....

Women In Assembly Give Emotional Testimony In Opposition To Abortion Bill

June 14, 2013 - 4:04pm

Women in the state Assembly gave emotional speeches Thursday night on how a bill requiring ultrasounds before abortions might affect their daughters.

The debate included a revelation from a Democratic lawmaker that she was raped as a child.

Rep. Mandy Wright, D-Wausau, started her speech by apologizing to...

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Social Issues

Community Marches for LGBT Equality in Wausau

USDA Rural Development Program Faces Cuts, Despite Strong Demand

Wisconsin Will Get $9 Million In AmeriCorps Grants

Milwaukee Group Helps Past Offenders 'Clean Slate,' Seek Jobs

Foundations Donate $1.8M To Fight Wisconsin Poverty

Bill Requiring Ultrasounds Before Abortions Passes Assembly

State Supreme Court Will Hear Challenges To Act 10, Same-Sex Partnership Law

Black Coalition Asks Sen. Johnson To Support Immigration Reform

Gun Control Advocates Mobilize On 6-Month Anniversary Of Newtown Shooting

Women In Assembly Give Emotional Testimony In Opposition To Abortion Bill

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