Milwaukee Public Schools is using a nearly $400,000 federal grant to get more children tested for lead over a year after the start of a lead crisis that resulted in the temporary relocation of students at six schools due to lead hazards.
The post Milwaukee Public Schools to use CDC grant to hold free lead screening clinics for students inside schools appeared first on WPR.
Wisconsin had its fair share of athletes representing the United States at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy. Including Jordan Stolz who took home two gold medals and one silver.
The post Athletes with ties to Wisconsin bring home gold at 2026 Winter Olympics appeared first on WPR.
American speedskater Jordan Stolz's bid for a third gold medal at the Milan Cortina Olympics came up short with a loss to China’s Ning Zhongyan in the 1,500 meters on Thursday.
The post Wisconsin native Jordan Stolz takes silver in men’s 1500m speed skating appeared first on WPR.
More first responders in Wisconsin are now using pet microchip scanners to help reunite lost pets with their owners.
The post Wisconsin police departments, fire stations using microchip scanners to reunite pets with owners appeared first on WPR.
A Muskego man has been found not guilty of disorderly conduct after he wrote "Remember Jan. 6" on the sidewalk outside of his local post office last year.
The post Judge finds Muskego man who wrote ‘Jan. 6’ on sidewalk not guilty of disorderly conduct appeared first on WPR.
After eight long years, Justin Vernon's Eaux Claires Festival is set to make its return this summer.
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Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson blamed Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison for the fatal shootings of Alex Pretti and Renee Macklin Good by federal immigration agents during the recent immigration crackdown in Minnesota.
The post Sen. Ron Johnson tells Minnesota elected official ‘you disgust me’ in heated hearing on ICE appeared first on WPR.
Some Milwaukee County Supervisors are seeking more answers around what led to the lapse of a health care contract that left employees and retirees worried about their benefits.
The post Some Milwaukee County Supervisors want answers after lapse of health care contract appeared first on WPR.
Milwaukee County officials have passed an ordinance to prepare for the possible escalation of federal immigration enforcement agents in Wisconsin.
The post Milwaukee County passes ordinance to attempt to limit ICE from staging in county parks appeared first on WPR.
Milwaukee County officials approved a new health care contract for employees and retirees on Thursday, just days after they learned that the old contract had expired at the end of last year.
The post Milwaukee County Board approves new health care contract following lapse appeared first on WPR.
Supporters of the leader of Milwaukee's violence prevention department are angry that a provision in the state's constitution is preventing him from carrying on in the role.
The post Milwaukee’s head of violence prevention department resigns due to past felony conviction appeared first on WPR.
Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley announced an "employee" who let the county's health insurance contract with UnitedHealthcare lapse last year has been fired.
The post Milwaukee County benefits director fired following lapse in health insurance contract appeared first on WPR.
Milwaukee County officials are calling for an "emergency action" after learning that the contract covering healthcare for thousands of county employees has lapsed.
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A Shorewood man is planning to appeal a municipal judge's decision that found him guilty of trespassing in hopes that the case will go to the Wisconsin Supreme Court and decide public versus private beach access in the state.
The post Shorewood trespassing citation could decide future of beach access in Wisconsin appeared first on WPR.
Hundreds of people gathered in Milwaukee on a frigid Wednesday evening to protest the latest fatal shooting by federal immigration agents in Minnesota.
The post Hundreds gather in Milwaukee to protest latest shooting by federal officers in Minnesota appeared first on WPR.
The ordinance states that law enforcement agencies must have prior authorization to use parks or parkways as staging areas.
The post Milwaukee County officials consider ordinance to limit ICE from operating in county parks appeared first on WPR.
Fawn Anderson of Eau Claire says she worked her whole life and never applied for food assistance until five months ago when she relocated after a “violent act through domestic violence” upended her life. She started receiving $263 per month, money she said she could count on during uncertain times.
“One of my only safety nets was to not worry about what I was going to be able to eat,” Anderson told WPR.
Now, Anderson is among more than 700,000 Wisconsinites left wondering whether they’ll get their November federal food assistance benefits amid the ongoing government shutdown.
“It’s been like a roller coaster of ups and downs of feeling hopeful and not knowing how to prepare,” Anderson said.
Anderson volunteers with the Feed My People Food Bank distribution center in Eau Claire. She says she’d gotten multiple calls on Monday from people asking where they can get groceries.
When asked what she’d do if her SNAP benefits don’t come this month, she said she’d “hit the pantries.” Anderson said she’s fed up with politicians arguing when people could go hungry.
“It really shows that they don’t care about us,” said Anderson.
Nationally, 42 million people get federal food assistance through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. In Wisconsin, the program is known as FoodShare.
A note on the USDA’s website Monday said “there will be no benefits issued November 01.” It blamed the disruption on Democrats in the U.S. Senate who have refused to support a stopgap federal funding bill that doesn’t include an extension of enhanced Affordable Care Act tax credits.
On Friday, two federal judges ordered the Trump administration to use contingency funds to keep SNAP benefits moving out the door. On Monday, the administration said partial payments would go to recipients, but didn’t say when.
In Wisconsin, the state Department of Health Services administers food assistance, but a message on the agency’s website Monday noted the benefits are entirely federally funded.
“DHS is fighting to get November FoodShare benefits out to members,” read the DHS website. “However, benefits will continue to be delayed.”
Clay McKee of Eau Claire has been experiencing homelessness for about a year. Just after noon on Monday, he was finishing his lunch at the Community Table, which provides free meals to anyone with no questions asked. He said he gets around $300 per month from FoodShare.
“I don’t know why they would take it away, and abruptly as well,” said McKee. “I think it’s inconsiderate, you know?”
McKee said he’s resourceful and if his food assistance doesn’t come in November, he’ll get by. But he worries about how others will fare.
“What if a pregnant woman needed food for their baby or something? And now all of a sudden … I hope at least those people you know can get their benefits,” McKee said.
McKee described the standoff in Congress as a “bull**** fight,” but said there are a lot of good people in Wisconsin who will step up and help those in need.
“People will make it,” McKee said. “Maybe we’ll go fishing more, or whatever the heck, you know?”
Lillian Santiago is a single mother who provides food for her seven children. Santiago, who lives in Milwaukee County, has used SNAP benefits on and off over the years.
“I’ve had three jobs, and it (SNAP) still wasn’t enough to make ends meet,” Santiago said.
Santiago said the uncertainty around the program is leading her to worry about the coming weeks.
“Paying cash out of pocket for food is — at this time with the economy and things — it’s really expensive,” Santiago said. “And especially when you’re a single parent, doing it on your own, it’s definitely a little struggle.”
Milwaukee resident Donte Jones has been receiving SNAP benefits for years. Monday, he went to three food pantries to stock up on groceries amid the uncertainty surrounding the benefits.
“The economy out here, how they shut everything down and everybody have to worry about food,” Jones said while standing in line at the The House of Peace food pantry. “Thanksgiving coming up, Christmas coming up. It’s like, what’s going on?”
Jones said he usually gets around $250 in SNAP benefits every month. He’s worried about not receiving enough money from the program in November or December.
“That’s the irritating thing,” he said. “Trying to figure out how to keep food in our freezers.”
This story was originally published by WPR.
‘It really shows they don’t care about us’: Wisconsinites uncertain about November food aid is a post from Wisconsin Watch, a non-profit investigative news site covering Wisconsin since 2009. Please consider making a contribution to support our journalism.
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