WisDOT announces more funding for EV charging stations (UNDATED)
More electric vehicle charging stations in Wisconsin. Wisconsin D O T announced the state reached a milestone of having electric stations at least every 50 miles across state highways and interstates, which lets Wisconsin qualify for more federal funding for E V expansion. The next round of 25 million dollars in grants will establish 42 more stations, including several in Tribal lands.
Milwaukee County supervisor wants sheriff to drop Flock Safety (MILWAUKEE)
A Milwaukee County supervisor wants the sheriff’s department to drop Flock Safety. Supervisor Justin Bielinski wants the department to stop using the automated camera system entirely. Numerous Wisconsin police and sheriffs’ departments have dropped the company in the past several weeks after finding out their community’s data was being accessed in bulk information requests. Bielinski tells WISN-TV “we’re not against technology, we’re against the misuse of technology.” County Executive and Democratic candidate for Governor David Crowley introduced a “transparency portal” for Flock Safety information last week.
More boat crashes on Wisconsin waters this year, says DNR (UNDATED)
Wardens warn of increased boat crashes this summer. A report from the Department of Natural Resources shows 22 boat crashes so far this year, up 45 percent from last year. In most cases, at least one person involved in the crashes was not wearing a life vest. A drought statewide has caused water levels to drop on many lakes and rivers, making it more likely for boats to ground or hit debris in the water. Wardens also remind boaters to stay sober while driving, and to keep clear of other people on the water.
More calls to pest control after yellowjacket boom in southern Wisconsin (UNDATED)
It’s peak season for some bothersome insects in southern Wisconsin. We can blame a mild winter in addition to an early, dry spring for a population boom. Pest control operators have been seeing a surge in calls for yellowjackets and hornets, which belong to the same family but are different. Yellowjackets are smaller, about a half an inch, while hornets can be an inch and a half. Yellowjackets will go after your food and drink and are quite aggressive about it. Hornets, grumpy pests themselves, are less likely to stalk us humans. And unlike honeybees, hornets and yellowjackets don’t die after stinging. They do die from insecticides, of course or consecutive, hard frosts.