Month: July 2020

A survey by Envision Greater Fond du Lac shows some parallels to a new report from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation assessing the ongoing economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.   Envision president Sadie Parafinuk says like the statewide report found, local manufacturing saw less immediate disruption but anticipate the long-term economic impact.  Parafiniuk says local tourism, retail and service businesses have seen substantial declines in their business.  Parafiniuk says the good news from […]

A retired Ripon College economist questions two demands by President Trump in the next coronavirus relief bill.  The president is demanding that a payroll tax cut be included and funding for testing be reduced or cut completely.  Economist Paul Schoofs says a payroll tax cut is not the right medicine right now for the sickness of the economy.  Schoofs says the presidents’  call for cuts or elimination of funding for  testing isn’t surprising given […]

The body that oversees Wisconsin high school sports is recommending schools conduct fall sports but delay start dates in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletics Association Board of Control voted 8-3 on Thursday to recommend schools start girls golf, tennis and swimming as well as cross-country on Aug. 17. Sports that create a higher risk of infection, including football, volleyball and soccer, should start the week […]

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Racine, Green Bay and Superior have joined Madison and Milwaukee as Wisconsin cities that passed mandates requiring people to wear masks in certain public settings. But Gov. Tony Evers has resisted issuing a statewide order like those in place in many nearby states. More than half of U.S. states now have statewide mask mandates. Minnesota was to become the latest to announce a mandate on Wednesday. […]

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Gov. Tony Evers has ordered $250 million in cuts to state agencies this year, the latest financial hit due to the coronavirus pandemic. The announcement of more cuts Wednesday was widely anticipated given a precipitous drop in state tax collections. Evers previously ordered agencies to cut $70 million in the budget year that ended June 30. Evers did not say which agencies would be cut by […]