Weekend Roundup: Amazon Apologizes To Pocan For ‘Own-Goal’ Tweet

Amazon has apologized to U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan after a series of tweets concerning the well-being of Amazon employees, particularly whether or not workers have to “urinate in water bottles.”

Last week, Pocan called out an Amazon executive for calling the company a “progressive workplace.” Responding to Pocan, Amazon tweeted “You don’t really believe the peeing in bottles thing, do you? If that were true, nobody would work for us.”

On Friday, Amazon posted a statement saying its tweet was “incorrect” for not considering the conditions of company drivers.

Paying workers $15/hr doesn’t make you a “progressive workplace” when you union-bust & make workers urinate in water bottles. https://t.co/CnFTtTKA9q

— Rep. Mark Pocan (@repmarkpocan) March 25, 2021

Wisconsin’s Vaccine Rollout

All Wisconsinites ages 16 and up will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine starting Monday.

Efforts have been underway throughout the state to reach homebound people who want to be vaccinated. These are people who might rely on equipment, struggle with pain management or need help to leave the house.

As of Sunday, 1,922,804 Wisconsinites have received one dose of the vaccine, and 1,170,042 have received both doses.

State Supreme Court Shuts Down Mask Mandate

This past Wednesday morning, the Wisconsin Supreme Court announced its ruling against Gov. Tony Evers, striking down the governor’s ability to issue repeated emergency declarations related to the COVID-19 pandemic and ending the statewide mask mandate.

“The question in this case is not whether the Governor acted wisely; it is whether he acted lawfully,” conservative justice Brian Hagedorn wrote in the court’s majority opinion. “We conclude he did not.”

But some areas throughout Wisconsin have reinstated their own guidelines.

Weekend Weather Conditions Mean Fire Risk In Southern Wisconsin

Due to an increase in temperature, a decrease in humidity and expected winds, southern Wisconsin will experience elevated fire weather conditions this weekend, according to the National Weather Service.

There were multiple brushfires in Menomenee Falls on Friday afternoon. Police said homeowners could return to their houses around 9 p.m.

“Any fire could quickly start and spread in these conditions,” the Weather Service said. “Check with your location authorities for any burning restrictions. Outdoor enthusiasts should use caution with off-road vehicles or equipment that can create a spark and start a fire. Extinguish and dispose of cigarettes properly.”

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is asking people not to burn their debris piles, the largest cause of wildfires in the state. Campfires for warming or cooking are allowed but not recommended, officials said.

Brewers Victorious On Opening Day

In extra innings on Thursday, the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Minnesota Twins 6-5. It was an exciting game for fans, who enjoyed more than four hours of baseball — marking the first time American Family Field has hosted fans since 2019.

The Brewers hosted the Twins on Saturday and Sunday.

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Dozens Of Shorewood Women Share Their Abuse, Assault Experiences

Shorewood, a small Wisconsin village, has seen a serious pattern of abuse and sexual assault in recent years, reports the Daily Cardinal.

Dozens of women in the village have continued to share their experiences. Many have come out with stories that involve interactions with former high school athletes and the children of influential families within the small community.

DNR Classifies Jumping Worms As Invasive Species

Tis the season for jumping worms. The invasive pests can wreak havoc on plants and gardens.

Jumping worms were first found in Wisconsin at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum in 2013. Now in 2021, they have been reported all across the state.

“Identifying jumping worms is not too difficult. Often gardeners may first notice their presence indirectly by noting a change in the appearance of their garden soils. Soils infested with jumping worms often are coarser than typical soils, with a granular appearance that looks similar to coffee grounds,” Will Cushman reports for PBS Wisconsin.

Biden Sees Gun Control Proposals As ‘A Matter Of Timing’

President Joe Biden has spent much of his political career advocating for gun control.

“Yet 73 days into his presidency, with five mass shootings and more than 10,000 gun violence deaths having already occurred this year, Mr. Biden is approaching the issue with far less urgency,” writes Lisa Lerer for the New York Times.