A shuttered northeast Wisconsin anti-poverty nonprofit filed for bankruptcy this month, as Gov. Tony Evers urges the federal government to transfer its housing grants to other agencies.
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An exhibit at the Douglas County Historical Society, "Frame It," showcases artists' multi-genre work.
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New research out of Ohio State University found the rate of bird decline was quicker in areas with more intense agricultural practices.
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Recent storms that have ripped through Wisconsin have closed schools and damaged classrooms and athletic fields across the state.
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After a 20-year restoration effort, a male lake sturgeon was detected 20 river miles upstream of Lake Michigan. This is a promising sign that this ancient North American freshwater fish could start spawning in the Milwaukee River again, restoring a once thriving population.
The post For the first time in a century, lake sturgeon spotted in Ozaukee County appeared first on WPR.
On Wednesday students at Morse Middle School in Milwaukee played Earth Day-inspired bingo and helped clean up around their school's campus. Now a creative greenspace, the area was once four city blocks of concrete before staff applied for Morse to become one of the City of Milwaukee's Green Schools.
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WPR Music's Stephanie Elkins shares some of her favorite pieces blending classical and folk music.
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The Supreme Court on Wednesday sided with Michigan in ruling that the state's lawsuit seeking to shut down a section of an aging pipeline beneath a Great Lakes channel will stay in state court.
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Want to experience the thrill of the migration? Anyone can be a birder, said Matt Reetz, executive director of the Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance. He suggests listening for their songs or letting the birds come to you.
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WASHINGTON, D.C.—Growth Energy, the nation’s largest biofuel trade association, welcomed three new producer plant members this week: POET Bioprocessing – Obion, Hereford Ethanol Partners LP, and PureField Ingredients LLC. Growth Energy’s total plant membership now sits at 98, and the organization continues to represent more than half of all U.S. bioethanol production capacity.
“Growth Energy’s membership is defined by its commitment to innovation, and to our shared belief that American biofuels are a solution to some of our nation’s most-pressing challenges. Our three newest plant producer members—POET – Obion, Hereford Ethanol, and PureField—perfectly embody these values,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “Each of them produces millions of gallons of ethanol every year—ethanol that saves consumers money, generates income for American farmers, and delivers more high-value coproducts like animal feed and biogenic CO2. We are thrilled to welcome them to Growth Energy and look forward to connecting them with our unmatched network of biofuel producers, supporters, and solutions providers.”
POET, the world’s largest producer of biofuels, has added its newest facility—POET Bioprocessing – Obion (pictured above)—to the Growth Energy membership roster. The company acquired the Tennessee-based Obion facility in 2025, increasing POET’s total production capacity by 120 million gallons and improving its access to southeastern markets. The plant provides high-performance fuel as well as premium, high-quality livestock feed solutions for regional, national, and international markets.
“POET has been with Growth Energy from the beginning,” said Joshua Shields, POET Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs. “No other organization can match this team’s political savvy, innovative spirit, and deep commitment to American farmers and biofuel producers. Together, we will continue to usher in a new era of growth for U.S. agriculture and homegrown energy.”
Hereford Ethanol Partners LP is a family-owned facility based in Hereford, Texas. It has a current annual capacity of 100 million gallons—a number that will grow with new improvements underway in 2026. It also supplies wet distillers grain to Friona Industries—Hereford’s sister company and the second-largest cattle feeder in North America.
“We’re excited to work alongside our new partners at Growth Energy to advocate for farmers and producers across the nation,” said Don Gales, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Friona Industries. “The team at Growth Energy has a proven track record of unlocking new opportunities for America’s biofuel sector, and Hereford Ethanol Partners is proud to be a part of those conversations.”
Finally, PureField Ingredients LLC operates a 52 million-gallon integrated food and biofuels facility in Russell, Kansas, converting locally grown wheat into high-value food ingredients while utilizing residual starch to produce ethanol. The company recently began operating its carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) system—one of the first Class VI wells permitted in the United States. The CCS capability makes PureField one of the lowest carbon fuel producers in the world, and reinforces long-term demand for approximately 20 million bushels of Kansas wheat and sorghum.
“PureField sits at the intersection of food and fuel—maximizing the value of every bushel while strengthening domestic food and energy production,” said Aaron Buettner, CEO of PureField. “The addition of carbon capture provides a foundation for future growth of both food ingredient and biofuel production. We are excited to partner with Growth Energy to ensure policies continue to support U.S. producers and farmers and enable the next phase of growth in advanced biofuels.”
The post Growth Energy Welcomes New Members—POET – Obion, Hereford Ethanol, and PureField appeared first on Growth Energy.
CONCORD, N.C. — School bus aides are often under-recognized for the roles they serve in student transportation, particularly for children with disabilities, but they provide much-needed assistance to school bus drivers regardless of the route being driven, industry leaders said during a session at STN EXPO East.
Panelists at the conference last month emphasized that school bus aides — often referred to as attendants, monitors or, in New York City, matrons — are responsible for far more than child supervision. Their duties include supporting students’ social and emotional needs, managing behavior, assisting with medical situations, and ensuring safe transportation from stop to stop. School bus routes operated for children from birth to kindergarten are required by federal Head Start regulations.
“We aid and support those students … regardless [of] what disability,” said Stephanie Walker, a transportation leader and certified instructor from Habershaw County Schools in Georgia. “Our goal is to have a safe and positive ride.”
The panelists highlighted a shift in terminology, reflecting the evolving role. Many districts have moved away from bus monitor or attendant, which suggests passive observation, toward bus aide, a title that better captures the hands-on responsibilities required.
Training and clear expectations are critical, said Teena Mitchell, special needs transportation coordinator for Greenville County Schools in South Carolina and past-president of the National Association for Pupil Transportation. She stressed that detailed job descriptions help prevent confusion and improve safety outcomes.
“The safety of these kids depends on what they know they have to do and what the expectations of them are,” Mitchell said.
School bus aides are expected to perform tasks such as securing wheelchairs, assisting with emergency medications, monitoring student behavior and helping students safely board and exit the bus. Panelists said aides should be actively engaged, including greeting students and ensuring proper seating at every stop.
The discussion also underscored the importance of proactively staffing buses based on student needs, not just legal requirements. Mitchell referenced a South Carolina case in which a district faced a multimillion-dollar settlement after a student was harmed on a bus without an aide.
“You need to know who’s on your bus,” she said, urging transportation departments to collaborate more closely with special education teams.
Comprehensive training programs are essential, the panelists agreed. Some districts require several days of instruction covering disability awareness, equipment securement, emergency response and de-escalation strategies. Ongoing evaluations, including written and physical tests, help ensure aides can perform under pressure.
Emergency preparedness was a major focus. Panelists cited demonstrations showing how quickly a bus fire can escalate, emphasizing the need for regular evacuation drills.
“If you can’t evacuate them in one minute and 16 seconds, they’re going to die,” Mitchell said.
Beyond safety, school bus aides also contribute to students’ emotional well-being. Building trust through consistent, respectful interaction can improve behavior and communication, particularly for students with special needs.
“If you’re not pouring into that child, that child’s not going to build that bridge with you,” Walker said.
Panelists encouraged districts to leverage resources such as school nurses, behavioral specialists, and classroom aides to provide consistent support across all settings. They also highlighted the importance of ongoing oversight, including reviewing bus video footage and conducting spot checks to ensure aides are following procedures.
Despite the critical nature of the role, staffing and compensation remain ongoing challenges. Many districts struggle to recruit and retain qualified aides, in part due to lower pay compared to other positions.
Mitchell said some districts have improved wages by classifying aides as “safety-sensitive” employees, helping to elevate the role’s importance.
Speakers also urged transportation leaders to collect and share data demonstrating the value of aides, including reductions in behavioral incidents, improved student attendance and increased rider confidence.
“We do a lot that we do not sell,” said session moderator Launi Schmutz Harden. “You guys are the ones that can speak the story.”
As schools face increasing mental health needs and tighter budgets, panelists agreed that investing in trained school bus aides is essential to maintaining safe, supportive transportation systems.
Written with assistance from AI.
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An Ohio veteran known for a simple daily gesture has brightened the lives of generations of schoolchildren. He received an unforgettable tribute for his 95th birthday, reported WLWT 5.
According to the news report, residents organized a school bus parade to pass by the home of Bob Jones, who for nearly two decades has made a habit of standing outside and waving as buses drive past. The surprise celebration turned the tables on Jones, whose friendly routine has long brought smiles to students and drivers alike.
As the line of buses rolled by last week, many children waved back enthusiastically, some opening windows to call out greetings to the man they know as “Mr. Bob.”
“I wave at the kids and bus drivers, and they wave back,” Jones told local news reporters. “A lot of people in the cars wave, and the kids roll the windows down and then holler, ‘Mr. Bob.’ Some of them say, ‘I love you.’”
Neighbors said the outpouring of affection reflects the impact Jones has had on the community. What began as a simple act of kindness has grown into a daily tradition that connects him with multiple generations of local families.
Shelly Tipton, a nearby resident, reportedly said her sister drives a school bus along the route and has witnessed firsthand how students respond to Jones. “This is the second or third generation of students that are coming by, and that we’ll say hi to him as they go past,” Tipton said.
She described Jones as a role model whose consistency and warmth have made a lasting impression on young people.
The birthday school bus parade was organized by community members who wanted to show appreciation for Jones’ years of positivity and service, both as a veteran and as a neighbor. For many, the event was a chance to give back to someone who has quietly given so much.
As the buses passed and horns sounded, Jones stood smiling and waving, just as he had for years. Only this time, the celebration was all for him.
Written with assistance from AI.
Related: Celebrating the Unsung Heroes: California’s Top School Bus Drivers Honored
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Related: Texas Grandmother Receives Birthday Greetings from School Bus Riders
Related: Brother and Sister Help Save School Bus Driver During Medical Emergency in Ohio
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Police in central Oregon arrested a school bus driver on suspicion of driving under the influence for a blood-alcohol concentration four times the legal limit for a commercial driver.
The school driver, identified as 67-year-old Martha Ann Gerlicher, reportedly completed one route for Bend La-Pine Schools April 3 and was preparing to begin another when a school district employee observed the alleged impairment.
According to a statement released by the City of Bend Police Department, the Bend-La Pine Schools transportation employee called authorities after suspecting Gerlicher was intoxicated. Earlier, Gerlicher had contacted the transportation office to report brake problems on her bus after finishing a route for Pine Ridge Elementary School. She was at High Desert Middle School to begin another route when the other transportation employee arrived around 3:15 p.m.
The employee reportedly found no mechanical issues with the bus but detected signs Gerlicher might be under the influence. Gerlicher was removed from the vehicle and taken to a private testing facility, where she reportedly showed high levels of alcohol.
Police were then contacted and took Gerlicher into custody. Later testing administered at the Bend Police Department around 11 p.m., roughly seven hours after the alleged drunk driving and initial screening, indicated a bloodalcohol concentration of 0.16 percent. The legal limit for all commercial driver’s license holders nationwide is 0.04 percent, half of the 0.08 legal limit for other motorists in Oregon.
Gerlicher was booked into the Deschutes County Jail on suspicion of driving under the influence of intoxicants and reckless endangerment. As of April 7, court records indicated no formal charges had been filed. No students were reportedly harmed during the alleged drunk driving incident.
In a statement to local news reporters, Bend-La Pine School District said that student safety remains its top priority and confirmed that Gerlicher was placed on leave pending further action.
Related: South Carolina School Bus Driver Charged with DUI While Transporting Students
Related: Georgia School Bus Driver Arrested for DUI With Students on Board
Related: West Virginia School Bus Driver Faces Sentence After DUI Crash
Related: West Virginia School Bus Driver Accused of DUI, Accepts Guilty Plea
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