Yahara House is a community mental health program focused on building relationships and job opportunities. The clubhouse model reduces hospitalizations and boosts employment in adults with serious mental illnesses, experts and advocates say.
The man in charge of overseeing facilities amid the lead crisis at Milwaukee Public Schools is being reprimanded by the state for misrepresenting himself after he didn't renew his architect license.
“Demographics are a giant problem in this state,” said Mark O'Connell, executive director of the Wisconsin Counties Association. “The last time we had as few births as we have today was in 1943. We are not creating enough young people. We don’t attract them, we don’t grow them, we don’t keep them.”
The refreshed electric sedan includes a thoroughly revised front fascia.
Hyundai has added an N Line trim to the Ioniq 6 family for 2026.
The Model 3 Performance-rivalling Ioniq 6 N should pack around 641 hp.
The Hyundai Ioniq 6 is a brilliant EV, but its design has always been a little controversial. Now, the brand has launched a facelifted version of the Ioniq 6, and it certainly looks a lot sleeker while retaining the streamlined shape of the model we’re all familiar with.
This new Ioniq 6 has been unveiled at the Seoul Mobility Show, although no clear images of the revised rear-end have been published. Fortunately, we have been provided with a good look at the overhauled front fascia. Not only does it look more refined than the old model, but it’s also more aggressive, particularly in N Line guise.
One of the more peculiar parts of the outgoing model was the headlights. Just like Hyundai did with the Sonata, the carmaker has ditched these weird lights in favor of split lights, consisting of thin LED daytime running lights and separate headlamps positioned lower in the bumper. It makes a world of difference to the EV’s design.
Those who want something a little more aggressive would be wise to opt for the new Ioniq 6 N Line. It opens up the front fascia, and much like the Elantra N, includes a gaping wide grille and air intakes. Hyundai is also promising a new rear bumper that incorporates more black parts, and has showcased the N Line with distinctive silver and black wheels.
The rear of the new Ioniq 6 retains the LED light bar of the outgoing model, but now includes a large ducktail lip spoiler. It’s also ditched the odd second spoiler that was positioned at the base of the rear window, and it looks much better because of it.
“IONIQ 6 has evolved from a single Electrified Streamliner into a lineup, each model expressing its own character while staying true to one refined vision,” the head of Hyundai Design Center, Simon Loasby said of the new model. “Under the evolved design concept of ‘Pure Flow, Refined’, we’ve enhanced every line and detail to make IONIQ 6 simpler and more progressive.”
Some minor tweaks have been made to the cabin of the new Ioniq 6, too. For example, there’s a different three-spoke steering wheel, the window switches have been repositioned, and there are new USB ports. No technical details about the new model have been announced.
Hyundai Ioniq 6 N
Perhaps the most exciting titbit from these images is our first proper teaser of the long-awaited Hyundai Ioniq 6 N. It’s inspired by the RN22e concept from a few years ago and has been showcased with a bespoke rear fascia, a large fixed rear wing, and new LED taillights. There’s no word on its power, but it should have the same basic dual-motor system as the Ioniq 5 N, producing the same 641 hp and also featuring synthetic exhaust sounds and a simulated eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. It will be unveiled in July.
Faraday Future has teased the upcoming Super One, ahead of its debut in June.
The model sports a massive illuminated grille and is billed as an AI-MPV.
Faraday recently posted a $355 million loss, raising questions about their survival.
Faraday Future has released a revealing teaser image of their upcoming Super One minivan. It’s slated to go into production later this year and become the first member of the value-focused Faraday X lineup.
Scheduled to debut in June, the van has a massive grille that would make Lexus blush. It appears to be slightly recessed and sport a fully enclosed design with illuminated accents.
Additional details are hard to make out, but we can see slender headlights, a sculpted hood, and pronounced wheel arches. Previous teasers have also revealed a generic minivan shape as well as an expansive greenhouse.
Faraday hasn’t said much of substance about the van, but they’ve billed it as an “AI-MPV” that will “meet the dynamic and diverse needs of visionaries and their families.” The model is also slated to deliver “twice the performance at half the price.”
The Faraday X lineup is designed to compete in the $20,000 – $80,000 price range and previous reports have suggested the van will come with two rows of leather seats. Second-row passengers take priority and they’ll reportedly be greeted by a small fridge as well as heated and massaging seats with integrated footrests.
Little else is known about the van at this point, but the company has previously suggested there could be electric and range-extended powertrains. Faraday has also hinted at taking refundable reservations in the second quarter of this year.
However, everything’s still up in the air as Faraday Future recently said the FX family is “contingent on securing appropriate funding and finalizing necessary agreements.” That’s not reassuring when the automaker has a terrible track record and posted a $355.8 (£273.9 / €328.5) million loss last year.
The Polestar 2 gains Snapdragon chip boosting infotainment speed and connectivity.
Optional Bowers & Wilkins 14-speaker system adds 1,350 Watts of premium audio clarity.
New CATL-sourced 70 kWh battery increases WLTP range of base model to 344 miles.
The Polestar 2 is the longest-serving member of the lineup, having debuted in 2019. Despite its age, the Swedish brand has kept it up to date with a 2023 facelift and a steady stream of model year updates. For 2026, the fully electric liftback gets a tech-focused refresh that includes a new infotainment processor, an optional Bowers & Wilkins audio system, and expanded personalization options.
Starting with the exterior, the Polestar 2 is now available in a Dune shade, a sandy hue with a smooth mica finish that replaces the Jupiter color. In addition, the optional Performance Pack also features updated 20-inch forged alloy wheels with a fresh five-spoke design.
Moving inside, the EV gains a more advanced Qualcomm Snapdragon processor chip, bringing it closer to the rest of the Polestar lineup in terms of computing power. The upgraded chip boosts download speeds, improves responsiveness, and enhances the overall performance of the infotainment system.
An interesting addition to the optional equipment is the Bowers & Wilkins audio system with 14 speakers and a total output of 1,350 Watts. Furthermore, the optional Plus Pack adds a new bio-attributed MicroTech upholstery finished in Charcoal with a quilting design, and Black Ash inserts. Finally, the new Prime Pack bundles together the Pilot, Plus, and Climate packs alongside privacy glass on the rear side windows and rear glass.
There are no mechanical changes for 2026, but the CATL-sourced 70 kWh battery option that was introduced last year will be made available in more markets, replacing the older 69 kWh battery supplied by LG Chem. This results in a slight increase to the WLTP figure of the Standard Range Single Motor variant, from 546 km (339 miles) to 554 km (344 miles).
The Polestar 2 is compatible with the Plug & Charge technology introduced by the Polestar 3, which allows drivers to simply plug in the cable to a public charger and let the vehicle initiate and authenticate the process.
The 2026 Polestar 2 is already available to order in Europe, with other markets, including the US, set to follow later this year.
Jeep has released new pictures of the 2026 Compass, ahead of its debut this spring.
The model rides on the STLA Medium platform and will be offered with three different powertrains.
Italian production begins later this year, although a U.S. launch could be delayed due to tariffs.
The teaser campaign for the redesigned Jeep Compass is kicking into high gear as the company has tapped photographer Alessandro Dobici to do a shoot at the Melfi plant, where the crossover will be built. The resulting images are a fashionable black and white blur.
While Jeep isn’t saying much, they promised the Compass will retain a seven-slot grille and trapezoidal wheel arches. The teasers also show a Recon-like front fascia with slender headlights as well as lenses that feature a grille motif.
Speaking of the grille, it appears to incorporate some illuminated accents. Elsewhere, we can see a pronounced rear spoiler and what appears to be wheels with another grille motif.
The interior pictures don’t reveal much, but we can see familiar “Since 1941” wording. We also get a glimpse of contrast stitching and “Jeep” embroidery.
The automaker was coy on specifics, but said the Compass will play a “crucial role” in their electrification strategy. Jeep went on to say customers can expect an “expanded engine range with e-Hybrid, e-Hybrid plug-in, and fully electric options.”
Jeep kicked off the teaser campaign last October, when they revealed a sketch of the model and some initial details. At the time, they said the Compass would be based on the STLA Medium platform and go into production in Italy in 2025. They later confirmed a European debut for this spring.
A North American launch was originally slated for 2026, but reports have suggested the model is on hold as it was supposed to be built at Brampton Assembly in Canada. With a 25% tariff on imports, the model’s U.S. prospects look grim so Stellantis is said to be rethinking its product strategy.
Lotus is gearing up to launch the latest versions of the Eletre and Emeya this summer.
The updated models have new 600 and 900 variants as well as established trim levels.
The Emeya 900 has a dual-motor all-wheel drive system with a combined output of 905 hp.
Lotus is gearing up to launch the 2026 Eletre and Emeya this summer, and the company has announced a handful of welcome changes. While the updates aren’t too dramatic, they better communicate power and equipment.
As part of the change, there are new “600” and “900” monikers. The former has a dual-motor all-wheel drive system with 603 hp (450 kW / 612 PS), while the latter boasts 905 hp (675 kW / 918 PS).
That isn’t the only revision as Lotus has established six “clearly defined trim levels” called the 600, 600 GT, 600 GT SE, 600 Sport SE, 900 Sport, and 900 Sport Carbon. While the availability of these trims varies by market, they help to establish a hierarchy.
The entry-level Eletre 600 comes equipped with LED lighting units, 20-inch wheels, and an active air suspension. They’re joined by a 29-inch head-up display, a 15-speaker audio system, and a four-zone climate control system. Customers will also find a Jasper interior with LotusWear Performance Fabric seats.
The 600 GT adds larger 22-inch wheels, six-piston brake calipers, highway assist, and a parking package. The 600 GT SE goes even further with an electrochromic glass roof, illuminated side sills, adjustable ambient lighting, and an upgraded 23-speaker audio system. The 600 Sport SE takes things in a more dynamic direction thanks to a handling package, an active rear spoiler, soft-close doors, and upgraded front seats featuring ventilation and massage functions.
The Eletre 900 Sport is essentially a high-performance and decontented version of the Sport SE, while the 900 Sport Carbon adds interior and exterior carbon fiber trim, a composite hood, soft-close doors, and the aforementioned front seats.
The Emeya trims are largely identical, but the model has a larger 51-inch head-up display as well as different wheels that appear to max out at 21-inches.
Aside from the new names and trims, the Eletre features a revised color palette. It now includes Akoya White and Zenith White.
In terms of performance, the Emeya 600 accelerates from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 4.15 seconds before hitting a top speed of 155 mph (250 km/h). Likewise, the Eletre 600 hits 62 mph (100 km/h) in 4.5 seconds and can eventually top out at 159 mph (256 km/h).
The 900 variants have the same top speeds, but the Emeya 900 hits 62 mph (100 km/h) in a mere 2.78 seconds. The Eletre 900 accomplishes the task shortly thereafter at 2.95 seconds.
The Emeya has a 102 kWh battery pack that allows for a WLTP range of up to 379 miles (610 km). The Eletre’s 112 kWh unit allows for a slightly less impressive range of 373 miles (600 km).
Both models are currently available to order and UK pricing starts at £84,990 for both the Eletre and Emeya.
Xiaomi SU7 crashed into a barrier after failing to avoid a closed construction lane.
The electric sedan was driving on NOA at 116 km/h just before the fatal impact.
Three college students died after the EV burst into flames following the highway crash.
Xiaomi’s team has been showered with praise in recent months and has probably become used to reading nothing but positive headlines. However, the Chinese carmaker is now hitting the headlines for all the wrong reasons, after the first major accident involving the SU7 sedan resulted in three fatalities. The incident has cast a shadow over the tech giant’s automotive ambitions and raised tough questions about the safety and reliability of advanced driver-assistance systems.
On March 29, a Xiaomi SU7 was traveling in China with three passengers onboard. The vehicle was driving along the Dezhou–Shangrao Expressway in Anhui Province with its Navigate on Autopilot (NOA) system engaged, maintaining a steady speed of 116 km/h (72 mph). As it approached a construction zone and a lane closed off with barriers, the SU7 struck a concrete divider at 97 km/h (60 mph), sparking a fire that ultimately engulfed the car.
Shortly after the crash, Xiaomi released a timeline detailing the moments leading up to the collision. At 10:44:24 p.m., the SU7’s Navigate on Autopilot system issued a warning—“Obstacle ahead”—and began braking. One second later, the driver took control, steering left by 22.06 degrees and applying 31% brake pressure. Another second later, they adjusted slightly to the right by 1.06 degrees and increased braking to 38%. Despite these apparent efforts to avoid the crash, the vehicle struck the concrete barrier.
The impact immediately triggered the eCall emergency system. Within 20 seconds, the registered owner of the SU7 was contacted and confirmed he was not the driver. An ambulance was dispatched and arrived around 11 p.m., but tragically, all three occupants had already died.
The Xiaomi SU7 vehicle in China was driving at 116km/h in NOA on the highway, with the last speed reported to be 97km/h just before the collision with the guardrail.
A fire broke out after the collision, killing all three female college students in the vehicle.
Xiaomi says it is fully cooperating with local investigators to determine the cause of the crash. According to Reuters, which cited reporting from the Chinese newspaper Economic Observer, the father of one of the victims was told by local police that the car key failed to unlock the doors after the impact. In a statement, Xiaomi said it has not yet been able to confirm whether the doors could be opened at the time of the accident.
Shares in the Chinese technology giant fell 5% after word of the crash became public. Company boss Lei Jun has vowed to “respond to the concerns of families and society,” while investigating the crash.
Tesla delivered 336,681 vehicles in Q1 2025, down 13 percent from last year.
Production slumped to 362,615 vehicles, with Model 3 and Y making up the bulk.
Global backlash fueled by Elon Musk’s politics may have significantly hurt its sales.
Tesla’s Q1 2025 results are in, and let’s just say, the shine appears to be wearing off. The once-dominant EV leader is starting to show cracks, with numbers that point to deeper issues than just a temporary slowdown.
The company reported 336,681 deliveries for the first quarter, a sharp 13 percent drop compared to the same period last year, when it moved 386,810 vehicles. Production figures didn’t look much better: Tesla built 362,615 vehicles in Q1 2025, down from 433,371 a year ago. Overall, it’s a significantly weaker performance than most investors had anticipated, with expectations generally falling between 360,000 and 380,000 deliveries.
Tesla doesn’t break out its numbers by model or region, but it did confirm that 345,454 of those produced were its core breadwinners—the Model 3 and Model Y. Of those, 323,800 made it into customer hands between January and March. That leaves just 12,881 deliveries accounted for by the Cybertruck, Model X, and Model S combined.
Part of the drop could be circumstantial. Over the quarter, Tesla faced mounting protests, boycotts, and acts of vandalism targeting showrooms, vehicles, and charging stations around the world, from 80 EVs set on fire in Canada to widespread defacement of Cybertrucks across the USA.
The common denominator? CEO Elon Musk’s political antics and headline-grabbing behavior, including his involvement with DOGE, ties to the Trump administration, and a widely criticized gesture perceived as a Nazi salute, which continue to fuel controversy and alienate broad segments of the market.
On the product side, there’s also the Model Y handoff to blame. Tesla is in the process of phasing out the current version of its best-seller in favor of the facelifted Juniper model. The refreshed version went on sale in China in late January and began reaching markets like Australia and Europe by late February. But the rollout has been piecemeal, as non-limited editions haven’t even made it to North America yet. Worse, Tesla has been out of stock of the old Model Y here in the States for a few weeks now, so that undoubtedly hurt its sales figures.
Stock Drops After Weak Q1 Performance
These lackluster delivery numbers follow a punishing stretch for Tesla’s stock. The company just posted its worst quarterly performance since 2022, shedding 31 percent of its value since the start of the year.
The stock had been riding high on Musk’s alignment with Trump, peaking at $428 on January 15, just days before Trump’s inauguration on January 20. But that momentum evaporated quickly. Following the quarterly results announcement, Tesla shares briefly dropped 13 percent to $256.58 before rebounding slightly to $263 at the time of publishing, down from about $268 the previous day.
Mazda’s upcoming CX-6e has been spied testing for the first time.
The compact electric SUV is being developed alongside the 6e sedan.
It’s a reskin of the Deepal S07 from Chinese automaker Changan.
Mazda’s attempt at electrification hasn’t been great so far. The MX-30 BEV was criticized for its tiny driving range, and the CX-60 PHEV we ran for six months was as refined as crude oil. But Mazda could become a serious contender for EV buyers when the CX-6e arrives in the next 18 months to take on the Tesla Model Y.
These spy shots show the compact electric SUV, which Mazda teased last week, on test for the first time, and from what we can see, it looks very close to the Arata concept Mazda debuted in 2024. It’s got the same deep bumper design with an almost Cadillac-like grille treatment and a two-deck lighting arrangement, in which ultra-slim DRLs peak menacingly from beneath the leading edge of the hood.
The rising waistline and relatively low roofline create shallow windows, which won’t be much fun for kids trying to see out but, together with the aggressively sloped rear window, do give the CX-6e an almost coupe-like appearance, particularly with the supercar-style openings in the C-pillar.
With the heavy disguise in place, there’s no way to see if this prototype has illuminated ‘Mazda’ lettering across its tail as the concept did, but since Porsche, VW, and others are already lighting up their brand marks, we doubt Mazda will want to miss out. Whether the production SUV also gets the concept’s illuminated lettering in the door sills remains to be seen. But the show car’s camera-based door mirrors have definitely made the cut, even if the street versions are a little chunkier.
Mazda can take credit for the way the CX-6e and its 6e sedan brother look, but not large portions of what’s going on under the skin. The duo has been developed around the EPA1 platform from China’s Changan, the same hardware already used by machines like the Deepal S07, a sporty SUV that went on sale in its home market in 2023.
If the CX’s dimensions match up with the S07’s, Mazda’s Model Y fighter will come in around 4,750 mm (187 inches) long and ride on a 2,900 mm (114.2-inch) wheelbase. Based on the S07’s spec, it could be offered with 68.8 kWh and 80 kWh battery options and a single, rear-mounted electric motor producing between 215-255 hp (160-190 kW / 218-255 PS). We’ll have to wait to see exactly what outputs and range Mazda’s version delivers.
Mazda has never revealed any interior images of the Atara but it’s safe to assume it will borrow heavily from the 6e sedan, which has already been unveiled in production form and features a high-quality cabin with a big 14.6-inch central touchscreen.
The CX-6e will be offered in Europe by 2027 and could cause more trouble for Tesla’s Model Y, whose moment in the spotlight appears to be over. But the fact that it’s made in China means this stylish electric SUV will be off limits to US buyers, who’ll have to wait for the electric SUV Mazda is developing by itself.
Major declines in sales were reported in France, Sweden, Denmark, and Holland.
However, Tesla sales have rebounded in countries like Norway, Spain, Portugal, and Italy.
The EV leader is facing increased competition from Chinese brands in Europe.
Tesla will release its first-quarter sales figures later today, but before that happens, we already have some key sales data from several countries across Europe. It does not paint a pretty picture for the electric automaker that’s been struggling since Elon Musk became President Donald Trump’s right-hand man in the Oval Office.
According to the latest data, Tesla sold 3,157 new vehicles in France this March, a sharp 36.83% drop compared to the same time last year. It’s even worse in Sweden, where sales plummeted by 63.9% to just 911 units. Denmark saw a 65.5% decline (down to 595 cars), while the Netherlands reported a 61% drop, with 1,536 Teslas sold.
These figures are important because the all-new Model Y has been available in most European markets since February 21, but it doesn’t appear to have reversed Tesla’s fortunes, at least not yet. Sales may start to climb once the public becomes more familiar with the new Model Y and get the opportunity to see it in the flesh.
Tesla is doing a little better in Norway. While the 2,211 models sold locally in March was down 1% from March last year, it was up significantly from January and February, when 1,606 Teslas found new homes. The Model Y was easily Norway’s best-selling new car in March, shifting 1,822 units, compared to the Nissan Ariya in second with 569 units sold.
Similarly, Tesla’s fortunes are also changing for the better in Spain, Portugal, and Italy, with sales climbing by 34.3%, 2.1%, and 51.3%, respectively, as reported by Reuters. Despite these gains, weak figures from January and February still mean quarterly sales are down in all three markets from Q1 2024.
Of course, it’s not just Musk’s involvement in US and European politics that has diminished the sentiment in the brand among some shoppers. In Europe, a growing number of Chinese car manufacturers are entering the market with competitively priced vehicles, despite tariffs placed against them.
Dodge sold more discontinued Chargers and Challengers than its new Charger EV in Q1
Charger Daytona EV averaged just 22 sales a day across the entire United States.
Dodge’s total sales dropped 49% in Q1, with every model posting significant declines.
Turns out Americans still like their muscle cars loud, angry, and slightly outdated. While Dodge is trying to nudge its performance lineup into the electric era, the early numbers show many buyers are in no rush to give up their V8s—or even their V6s. In the first quarter, more people bought the long-discontinued Challengers and Chargers over the shiny new Daytona EV, which says a lot about where Dodge buyers’ heads are.
From January through March, Dodge sold 1,947 units of the Charger Daytona EV. That might sound decent until you realize they moved 1,052 of the last-generation ICE Charger and 922 Challengers in the same period. Combined, that’s 1,974 old-school muscle cars—just edging out the Daytona EV.
To be fair, that’s two body styles against one, but the comparison still stings considering these vehicles are museum pieces at this point. The Charger traces its roots back to 2005 and the Challenger to 2008, and both were officially discontinued at the end of 2023.
It’s not just that the Charger Daytona EV was outsold by the old duo, it’s also that 1,947 units nationwide in three months works out to just 22 cars per day. Compare that to Ford, which moved 9,377 Mustangs in the same period, even while facing a 32% drop in sales year-over-year. If that’s not painful enough, we’ll remind you that Dodge sold 9,737 Challengers in Q1 2024. That’s more than five times the sales of the new EV this year.
Inventory Hangover
Speaking of discontinued, Dodge is still sitting on a surprising number of 2023 Chargers and Challengers. An inventory check shows 657 Chargers and 691 Challengers still listed for sale across the country. The fact that these cars are still clogging up lots 15 months after production ended suggests that while nostalgia sells, it might not sell fast.
Dodge is banking on new additions to the Charger Daytona lineup to help turn things around. The upcoming four-door version, along with new internal combustion variants powered by an inline-six, could give the brand more traction with traditional muscle car buyers. But for now, the numbers aren’t encouraging.
A Disastrous Quarter All Around
Overall, it was a rough quarter for Dodge. The brand’s total sales nosedived from 42,948 units in Q1 2024 to just 21,731 this quarter marking a 49% drop. Every model in the lineup took a hit. The Hornet was down 45%, totaling 4,108 units, while the aging Durango saw a 9% dip, settling at 13,701 units.
A crash involving a Mars Area School District school bus in Pennsylvania that sent eight children to the hospital later resulted in the death of their driver.
The crash occurred in Butler County around 8:30 a.m. on March 7, when the bus transporting 20 students crashed into a tree. Two students were transported from the scene and eight were treated at the hospital along with the driver, identified as William “Bob” Miller.
All of the students were released after being treated, but Miller remained hospitalized at Allegheny General Hospital.
The district released a statement confirming that Miller, who had been a bus driver for 10 years, had died. It is unclear what caused the crash and if Miller’s death was due to injuries suffered during the crash, another medical condition that contributed to the crash, or both.
According to local news reporters, one of the children who was supposed to be on the school bus that day was the son of Kelley Baumgartel. As they were waiting for the bus to get to the stop, Baumgartel said she saw it swerve off the road and hit the tree. After calling 911, she ran to the bus and found some of the children on board had begun to open the emergency door.
Baumgartel said she was unable to get to Miller but told reporters that something seemed to be wrong.
Rachel Lane joined Student Transportation of America in 2022 and has since been instrumental in driving the company’s green fleet initiative.
Lane, the school bus contractor’s vice president of electrification and sustainability, earned her degree in electrical engineering from Lehigh University in Pennsylvania. Soon after, she joined the U.S. Air Force to follow in her family’s military tradition, serving as a chief engineer and flight commander.
During this time, she designed essential communication networks and supported special operation missions in South America and the Middle East. She focused on implementing tactical communications, satellite links and air traffic control systems at various air force bases, as well as leading and motivating over 150 enlisted troops and junior officers.
Rachel Lane, vice president of electrification and sustainability for Student Transportation of America.
Lane entered civilian life in 2004 and joined defense contractor Northrop Grumman. For over five years, she worked in various roles such as a field service engineer, deputy program manager and systems engineer, and a systems test and integration lead.
She went on to work with several other companies. Prior to joining STA, she worked for electric utility PSEG Long Island in New York, where she served as a project manager for large capital construction projects.
Her LinkedIn profile states she was responsible for the performance and operations of PSEGLI’s Electric Vehicle Program and supporting New York’s nation-leading greenhouse gas reduction goals by increasing EV adoption on Long Island from 20,000 vehicles in 2021 to 178,000 vehicles this year.
“I animated the EV charging infrastructure on [Long Island], partnering with developers and internal teams, by managing the program to fund customer-side infrastructure costs and execute the utility-side build-out to the charging station,” she told School Transportation News in March for Women’s History Month. “I also improved system efficiency by managing our customer programs to encourage installation of residential chargers and charging during off-peak hours and presenting data detailing EV impacts on the electric grid.”
In September 2022, STA hired Lane for her current role.
“It was a great opportunity for several reasons, and I’ve been here for about two and half years,” she said. “Since joining the company, my scope has expanded as we’ve added more electric buses to our fleet. I’ve also taken on our carbon accounting program and other efforts to encourage sustainable practices across the business.”
Lane shared that her day-to-day responsibilities vary. From working with sites on a new electric school bus delivery to answering questions to troubleshooting an issue.
“I work with our sites and infrastructure partner on progressing construction at our locations installing chargers,” she said. “I also work with our grant team to apply for new funding or follow up on compliance items, or I could be working with our bus OEM partners on a training item or a new feature that’s coming down the line. I also have my hand in anything that has a marketing or advocacy aspect for electrification.”
However, serving in a variety of different roles is her favorite part of the job.
“The days are never dull, especially with electrification being a relatively new space for the industry,” Lane said. “And I work with great colleagues. The team at STA has been outstanding in providing me the background on transportation operations, while allowing me to bring my contributions.”
Lane noted that something she’s most proud of is when drivers at a location come to love their electric school buses. She said that sometimes a location can be hesitant to make the change to EVs, but STA has learned so much from each delivery and continues to improve the process.
“My advice is the same to both men and women. Ask a lot of questions,” she said. “But also share your perspective, too. Don’t be afraid to make a change. You might have to take a lateral move to get more skills or go to a new company to get that promotion. Know your boundaries and what you and your family can—and cannot accept—for your work and your life in relation to your work. You have to advocate for yourself.”
Lane concluded by sharing she’s proud to be part of an industry that provides essential service for the nation’s children and families.
“Getting students to school safety and reliably is a mission that resonates with everyone,” she said.
Minutes later Tuesday night, the conservative-backed Brad Schimel took the stage at his watch party to acknowledge the loss. Angry yells broke out. One woman began to chant about his opponent: “Cheater.”
Schimel didn’t hesitate. “No,” he responded. “You’ve got to accept the results.” Later, he returned to the stage with his classic rock cover band to jam on his bass.
In any other American era, Schimel’s concession wouldn’t be considered unusual – except maybe the guitar part. But it stands out at a time when the nation’s politics have opened a fissure between those who trust election results and those who don’t.
“It shouldn’t be super laudable,” said Jeff Mandell, general counsel of the Madison-based liberal law firm Law Forward. “But given where we are and given what we’ve seen over the past few years nationwide and in Wisconsin, it is laudable.”
Schimel’s concession of that very same court to a liberal majority, though in line with what generations of candidates have done in the past, was not a given in today’s divisive atmosphere.
Onstage, as his supporters yelled, Schimel shook his head and left no uncertainty he’d lost — a result that would become even clearer later in the night as Crawford’s lead grew to around 10 percentage points.
“The numbers aren’t going to — aren’t going to turn around,” he told the crowd. “They’re too bad, and we’re not going to pull this off.”
By acknowledging his loss quickly, Schimel curtailed the kind of explanation-seeking and digital digging that erupted online after Trump, a Republican, lost the 2020 presidential election, with citizen journalists falsely accusing innocent election workers and voters of fraud.
Schimel also avoided the impulses to which many in his party have defaulted in recent elections across the country, as they’ve dragged their feet to avoid accepting defeat.
Last fall, Wisconsin Republican Eric Hovde spent days sowing doubt in the results after he lost a Senate race to Democrat Tammy Baldwin. He conceded nearly two weeks after Election Day, saying he did not want to “add to political strife through a contentious recount” even as he raised debunked election conspiracies.
In a 2024 state Supreme Court race in North Carolina, two recounts have affirmed Democrat Allison Riggs narrowly won the election, but her Republican opponent, Jefferson Griffin, is still seeking to reverse the outcome by having ballots thrown out.
Trump also has continued to falsely claim he won the 2020 presidential election, even though there was no evidence of widespread fraud and the results were confirmed through multiple recounts, reviews and audits. His close adviser, billionaire Elon Musk, has also spread a flurry of unfounded claims about voter fraud involving noncitizens.
Musk and his affiliated groups sank at least $21 million into the Wisconsin Supreme Court race, and he personally paid three voters $1 million each for signing a petition to boost turnout. He had said the race was central to the “future of America and Western civilization.”
But after the results came in, he said he “expected to lose” and touted the successful passage of a voter ID amendment in Wisconsin’s Constitution. Trump, who had endorsed Schimel, didn’t post about the loss but used his Truth Social platform to celebrate the voter ID win.
An assessment: ‘That’s democracy’
Not all Republicans watching the race were in a magnanimous mood as they processed the results. Peter Bernegger, the head of an election integrity organization who has brought numerous lawsuits against Wisconsin election clerks and offices, raised the specter that an “algorithm” was behind Crawford’s win. InfoWars founder and conspiracy theorist Alex Jones reacted to the results on X, saying, “Election fraud should be investigated.”
But at Schimel’s watch party, several supporters applauded his high road.
“He was all class,” said Russell Jones, a 51-year-old attorney. “That’s how you lose.”
Adam Manka, of the La Crosse County Republican Party, said he worries about how a liberal court could redraw the state’s congressional districts. “But you can’t exactly change it,” Manka said, calling Schimel “very graceful” in his defeat. “This is democracy.”
Crawford, in an interview Wednesday, said Schimel’s phone call was “the way elections should conclude” and said she would have done the same thing if she had lost.
The moment is a good example for future candidates, said Ari Mittleman, executive director of the Wisconsin-based nonprofit Keep Our Republic, which aims to rebuild trust and confidence in elections. He compared elections to a Green Bay Packers football game: “We know who won, we know who lost.” He said he thinks Schimel, a lifelong Wisconsin resident, understands that.
“It’s transparent, and we accept the final score,” Mittleman said. “That’s democracy.”
Schimel and his band, performing for a thinning crowd Tuesday night, took the loss in stride.
“Can you ask them at the bar to get me a Coors Light please?” Schimel said between songs. “Put it on my tab.”
Wisconsin Watch is a nonprofit and nonpartisan newsroom. Subscribe to our newsletters to get our investigative stories and Friday news roundup.This story is published in partnership with The Associated Press.
At issue is a six-year-old state law which gives the Legislature's Joint Committee on Finance the final say about whether to approval settlements in civil lawsuits prosecuted by state's attorney general.
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