WRN Deep Dive

Previous Deep Dives

Milwaukee TV station alleges open meetings violation by school district

Milwaukee TV station WTMJ is pursing legal action against the School District of St. Francis over an open meetings law violation. It happened Monday, June 2, when Superintendent Deborah Kerr prevented a reporter and photographer from attending an open board meeting – and threatened to call police. Bob Hague spoke with Bill Lueders, President of the Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council.

Grocers have concerns about federal cuts to SNAP/FoodShare

Wisconsin grocers have concerns about the future of the federally funded FoodShare program, the state’s version of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program  The House passed budget reconciliation bill makes deep cuts. Bob Hague spoke with Mike Semmann, President of the Wisconsin Grocers Association.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services reports FoodShare benefits 700,000 residents. Semmann says that makes it financially viable to keep stores open in some communities

Disability advocates have concerns about Medicaid reforms

Advocates for people with disabilities have concerns about changes to Medicaid Beth Swedeen is Executive Director of the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities. Swedeen says many optional Medicaid programs could be eliminated under the provisions of President Donald Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill Act which was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives. She spoke with WRN’s Bob Hague.

 

Spring is wildfire season in Wisconsin — danger is elevated statewide this week

Spring is wildfire season in Wisconsin, and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources advises residents that fire danger is elevated statewide this week. DNR Wildfire Prevention Specialist Catherine Koele says there the dangers of “crown fires” are high in the pine woods of northern Wisconsin

“In these really dry, sandy soil areas, the fires tend to creep up into the trees and then move into the the crowns of the trees,” she tells WRN. “The pine trees and those can be very difficult and challenging to suppress.”

Koele suggests residents in those areas put off any burning for now. “So until things become really green and lush, we’re going to be in it. And we anticipate that we’re going to have this kind of dry stretch over the next week and no significant precipitation in the in the near forecast over the next week.”

So far in 2025, 658 wildfires have burned 2,220 acres of land. It’s important to know fire conditions and burning permit restrictions in your area. Check the DNR website for current fire danger, wildfire reports and burning restrictions.

Follow these simple tips to prevent wildfires from getting out of control:

  • Avoid outdoor burning until conditions improve. 
  • Operate equipment (chainsaws, off-road vehicles, lawnmowers, etc.) early in the morning or late in the day to avoid sparks at peak burn hours.
  • Secure dragging trailer chains.
  • Report fires early and call 911.

 

Trump administration cuts mean uncertainty for Head Start in Wisconsin

Wisconsin Head Start providers face uncertainty. Earlier this month, the Trump administration shut down the Head Start regional office in Chicago and fired its employees. Family Forum, Inc. provides Head Start for over 300 families in Ashland, Bayfield, Douglas, Iron, and Price Counties. Executive Director Jeanne Myer says there’s uncertainty about who will review their next grant application, due September 1st. “It’s also still uncertain if it will be accepted and funded. We haven’t had any clear communication on that.”

The programs Meyer oversees are currently funded through November of this year. “I’m still having high hopes that everything is going to be fully funded and will continue to survive.”

U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin and 40 other Senators are demanding that the Department of Health and Human Services immediately release Head Start funding and reverse the mass firing of Head Start staff.

Highlighting 2025 Milwaukee Brewers’ Season Events with Chief Operating Officer Marti Wronski

WRN morning anchor and reporter Ted Ehlen talks with Milwaukee Brewers Chief Operating Officer Marti Wronski.  Topics included in the discussion include Marti being the first female COO of a Major League Baseball team, remembering the late and legendary Brewers broadcaster and entertainer Bob Uecker, how the team will salute Ueck during the 2025 season, and what fans can look forward to when they head to American Family Field this year.

UW Madison’s ‘Weather Guys’ concerned about layoffs at NOAA and NWS

Trump administration layoffs at the National Weather Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration have experts concerned. WRN’s Bob Hague spoke with “The Weather Guys,” UW Madison meteorology professors Jonathan Martin and Steve Ackerman. There are NWS offices in La Crosse, Green Bay and Milwaukee Sullivan, and offices in the Twin Cities and Duluth serving western Wisconsin. The number of employees to be let go at the Weather Service and NOAA remain unclear.

Unpacking the Wisconsin Supreme Court race

WRN’s Bob Hague spoke with John Johnson, a research fellow at the Lubar Center for Public Policy Research and Civic Education at Marquette University Law School, about the race for Wisconsin Supreme Court. Dane County Court Judge Susan Crawford, and former Wisconsin Attorney General and current Waukesha County Court Judge Brad Schimel are running for the seat being vacated by Justice Ann Walsh Bradley.

Pfaff bill would give farmers “right to repair” equipment

A state lawmaker proposes legislation giving Wisconsin farmers the “right to repair” their equipment. State Senator Brad Pfaff (D-Onalaska) says farmers are currently prohibited from making repairs or having local shops do the work on tractors and combines they purchase. He’s seeking bipartisan sponsors for the bill. Pfaff says it allows the owner of that farm equipment to be able to repair that farm equipment while also protecting the intellectual property of manufacturers.

Report: state’s elder care industry will need to add beds

A new report finds huge challenges looming for Wisconsin’s elder care industry. The number of Wisconsinites 75 and older is expected to increase by by nearly 75% over the next 20 years, according to the study by Forward Analytics, the research arm of the Wisconsin Counties Association. Bob Hague spoke with Forward Analytics researcher Kevin Dospoy about the report, titled “On The Brink: Probing the Coming Senior Care Challenges.”

Republican lawmaker urges ‘yes’ vote on Constitutional Amendments

Wisconsin voters will have two referendum questions on the statewide ballot Tuesday, August 13. Both measures would allow for legislative oversight of how Wisconsin governors may allocate federal funding. Both are opposed by Democrats including Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers. WRN’s Bob Hague spoke with state Representative Tony Kurz (R-Wonewoc), one of the amendment authors.

 

Statue at Capitol honors Civil Rights pioneer Vel R. Phillips

A statue of groundbreaking civil rights leader Vel R. Phillips unveiled at the Capitol in Madison on Saturday. Her son, attorney Micheal Phillips, said his mom was “tough” and a “fighter.” He also told the crowd gathered at the Capitol that “between now and November, we have got some fighting to do,” and that if Phillips were here, “she would be right on that.” The statue honors the first Black woman elected to the Common Council in Milwaukee, where she led the fight for fair housing. Phillips was also the first Black person elected to statewide office and was the state’s first Black judge.

‘We did our jobs that day’ – J6 officers campaign for Biden, warn against second Trump term

At stops in Madison, Green Bay, Milwaukee, Wausau, and Eau Claire earlier this month, two police officers who defended the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021 campaigned for President Biden and Vice President Harris. D.C. Metro Office Daniel Hodges and former U.S. Capitol Police Officer Harry Dunn called on voters to hold Donald Trump accountable for his threats to democracy and embrace of political violence. Audio of their remarks at the Capitol in Madison on Wednesday, June 12.

Wisconsin Umpires Association training director discusses the state of umpiring in Wisconsin

WRN morning anchor and reporter Ted Ehlen talks with the Director of Training for the Wisconsin Umpires Association, David Furru, about the state of baseball and softball umpiring in Wisconsin, the personal qualities that it takes to become an effective umpire, and the non-profit association that provides training and support for umpires around the state.

Recovering substance addict plans walk from Superior to Cudahy to raise addiction recovery awareness

WRN morning anchor and reporter Ted Ehlen talks with Greg Studzinski…a recovering substance abuse addict who learned that long daily walks aid in his recovery.  After finishing a 2022 fundraising walk from Green Bay to Cudahy in what he called the “Packer 2 Packer 120”, Greg will next be on a trek of nearly 500 miles, walking from Superior to Cudahy this August to raise funds for substance abuse recovery efforts during his “Lake 2 Lake 500.”  Greg talks about planning and preparing for the long walk, and how walking has contributed to his recovery from addiction.

Special Elephant Bobblehead heralds Milwaukee’s hosting of Republican National Convention

WRN morning anchor and reporter Ted Ehlen talks with the co-founder and CEO of Milwaukee’s National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum, Phil Sklar, about the special Elephant Bobblehead that his organization has created in observance of Milwaukee’s hosting of the 2024 Republican National Convention.  Phil talks about the evolution of the special bobblehead (as well as a special Donkey Bobblehead for August’s 2024 Democratic National Convention down the road in Chicago), the museum itself, how he became so involved with bobbleheads, and why these nodding statuettes have become such a desired collectible worldwide.