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A nonprofit, nonpartisan newsroom working to provide journalism that keeps Wisconsin's communities strong, informed and connected. 👉 Visit us at wisconsinwatch.org 💸 Support us at wisconsinwatch.org/support-wisconsin-watch/
For nearly 30 years, the federal Work Opportunity Tax Credit has rewarded employers that hire people who otherwise might struggle to find work...
Click the link in our bio to read the story.
wisconsinwatch.org/2026/03/wisc...
A bill moving through the state Legislature could make it harder to use the courts to silence people speaking out on matters of public concern.
wisconsinwatch.org/2026/03/wisc...
#freespeech #freepress #firstamendment
Wisconsin is one of only five states that don’t dedicate state funding to career and technical education programs in public schools. Some state leaders tried to change that in the last budget cycle, but their efforts failed.
wisconsinwatch.org/2026/03/wisc...
Seventy-two Wisconsin school districts are going to referendum in April as voters indicate they are less likely to support increased funding for public schools.
Read the full story and subscribe to Forward, Wisconsin Watch’s free weekly politics newsletter. wisconsinwatch.org/2026/03/wisc...
Data centers have generated more than $1 billion in work for Wisconsin businesses. While no hyperscale data centers are operating yet in the state, Wisconsin companies are helping power massive facilities elsewhere by supplying parts and equipment.
wisconsinwatch.org/2026/03/wisc...
Wisconsin wildlife officials are planning the next decade of beaver policy. Among a chorus of opinions, researchers and conservationists are urging the DNR to reconsider long-standing norms that frame beavers as a public nuisance.
wisconsinwatch.org/2026/03/wisc...
#wisconsinwildlife #beaverdams
Air Wisconsin for decades primarily served customers traveling between Midwestern airports. Now it frequently flies between airports near major ICE detention centers.
wisconsinwatch.org/2026/02/air-...
#Wisconsin #Immigration #Aviation
Gov. Tony Evers' final State of the State address Tuesday marked the close of a chapter in state leadership as voters prepare to elect a new governor later this year.
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wisconsinwatch.org/2026/02/as-t...
Photo by Joe Timmerman
Wisconsin Watch
#Wisconsin #StatePolitics
Proposed data centers across Wisconsin continue to draw attention as debates unfold over electricity costs, nondisclosure agreements, legislative proposals and local responses to large-scale developments.
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wisconsinwatch.org/2026/02/wisc...
By Tom Kertscher
Wisconsin Watch
A reader recently asked whether Wisconsin could follow Montana’s lead in trying to limit corporate spending in elections. The answer is complicated.
Read the full reporting from Wisconsin Watch:
wisconsinwatch.org/2026/02/wisc...
By Noe Goldhaber
Wisconsin Watch
#Wisconsin #Elections
Wisconsin Watch reporter Tom Kertscher joined Charlie Berens on Old Fashioned Interview to discuss his recent reporting on data centers and their impact on Wisconsin — from rising utility costs to residents being unaware when projects are proposed in their communities.
At a manufacturing floor in Appleton, a company is creating jobs centered on people recovering from addiction.
Read the full reporting from Wisconsin Watch:
wisconsinwatch.org/2026/02/wisc...
By Miranda Dunlap
Wisconsin Watch
#Wisconsin #Recovery #Workforce #Manufacturing #LocalNews
Democratic lawmakers in Wisconsin are proposing limits on rent increases in manufactured home communities as residents raise concerns about steep hikes and growing corporate ownership.
Read the full report at Wisconsin Watch:
wisconsinwatch.org/2026/02/wisc...
By Addie Costello
Wisconsin Watch
As Wisconsin debates who should pay for the massive energy demands of data centers, another potential billion-dollar project is taking shape in the Driftless Area.
Read the full reporting from Wisconsin Watch:
wisconsinwatch.org/2026/02/wisc...
By Tom Kertscher
Wisconsin Watch
#WisconsinWatch
As data center proposals expand across Wisconsin, attention is turning to the state agency responsible for regulating utilities and power rates and how its decisions shape energy planning.
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wisconsinwatch.org/2026/02/wisc...
By Paul Kiefer
Wisconsin Watch
#DataCenters
George Stanley, who joined Wisconsin Watch in late 2023, will retire after a distinguished career in journalism that helped shape newsrooms across Wisconsin and beyond. At the same time, Wisconsin Watch has named Andy Pennington as its next CEO, effective March 2, 2026.
Wisconsin’s Court of Appeals operates mostly behind the scenes. Its elections are drawing growing attention and money.
Read the full reporting from Wisconsin Watch:
wisconsinwatch.org/2026/02/wisc...
By Larry Sandler for Wisconsin Watch
Photo by Jack Kelly Wisconsin Watch
#Wisconsin #Elections
Looking for a job or considering a career change? Wisconsin’s network of job centers offers free, statewide support designed to help people find work and build new skills
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wisconsinwatch.org/2026/02/wisc...
by Miranda Dunlap
Wisconsin Watch
Photo by Joe Timmerman
Wisconsin and more than 20 other states are challenging a federal agreement that could allow immigration enforcement officials to access certain Medicaid records, raising questions about patient privacy and access to health care.
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wisconsinwatch.org/2026/02/wisc...
#HealthCare
Wisconsin Watch has joined dozens of local and national news organizations in condemning the arrests of journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort following their coverage of a January 18 protest at a church in Minneapolis.
Read the full statement here:
wisconsinwatch.org/2026/02/wisc...
#PressFreedom
Two candidates for the Wisconsin Supreme Court highlighted the same voting rights case when asked to explain why they are best suited for the high court.
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wisconsinwatch.org/2026/02/wisc...
By Brittany Carloni
Wisconsin Watch
Photo by Joe Timmerman
Wisconsin Watch
Wisconsin’s minimum wage has remained at $7.25 since 2009, meaning the state continues to follow the federal minimum while most states have adopted higher standards.
Read the full story here:
wisconsinwatch.org/2026/02/wisc...
By Hongyu Liu
Wisconsin Watch
#Wisconsin #MinimumWage #Economy
A Shorewood judge has ruled that a man who intentionally tested the limits of public access along Lake Michigan’s shoreline trespassed on private property.
Read the full story here:
wisconsinwatch.org/2026/01/wisc...
By Noe Goldhaber
Wisconsin Watch
Joe Timmerman
Wisconsin Watch
Wisconsin Watch is proud to take part in the very first Local News Day, happening nationwide on April 9, 2026.
Let’s show up for the reporting that keeps facts accessible and accountability strong across Wisconsin.
#LocalNewsDay #WisconsinWatch #LocalJournalism #PublicService #Accountability
Two Ukrainian doctors fled war to protect their daughter. Nearly four years later, they’re still working to rebuild their medical careers in Wisconsin.
Read the full story here:
wisconsinwatch.org/2026/01/wisc...
By Natalie Yahr
Wisconsin Watch
Photos by Joe Timmerman
Wisconsin Watch
Student loan debt can feel overwhelming, but experts say it does not have to keep students from pursuing higher education.
Read the full story here:
wisconsinwatch.org/2026/01/wisc...
By Natalie Yahr
Wisconsin Watch
#StudentLoans #HigherEducation #CollegeAccess #Wisconsin #FinancialAid
*LIVE EVENT* - Communities across Wisconsin are facing a growing shortage of 911 dispatchers, a quiet crisis that affects how quickly help arrives when people need it most.
Registration is free and questions can be submitted in advance.
Register HERE to attend:
us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
The Madison suburb of DeForest announced it will not move forward with a proposed $12 billion data center, saying the project is “not feasible.”
Read the full story here:
wisconsinwatch.org/2026/01/defo...
By Tom Kertscher
Wisconsin Watch
#Wisconsin #LocalGovernment #DataCenters #Transparency
Student loan borrowers across Wisconsin are facing a confusing moment, and many are feeling overwhelmed.
Read the full story:
wisconsinwatch.org/2026/01/wisc...
By Natalie Yahr
Wisconsin Watch
#StudentLoans #StudentDebt #HigherEducation #WisconsinNews #CollegeAccess #PublicPolicy
With fewer than 200 days until Wisconsin’s Democratic primary for governor, the race remains wide open, with multiple candidates and no clear front-runner emerging yet.
Read the full story here:
wisconsinwatch.org/2026/01/in-w...
By Brittany Carloni
Wisconsin Watch
Photo by Joe Timmerman