Month: March 2024

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A federal judge has dismissed two of three claims against a former Wisconsin police officer who killed three people of color in five years. Former Wauwatosa Police Officer Joseph Mensah killed Antonio Gonzales in 2015, Jay Anderson in 2016 and Alvin Cole in 2020. Prosecutors decided not to charge Mensah in any of the deaths but the dead men's families filed civil lawsuits in federal court […]

(MADISON) – More than 300 members of the disability community from all parts of Wisconsin plan to rally on March 20 for the Survival Coalition’s annual Disability Advocacy Day. Grassroots advocates will gather at the Monona Terrace for issue discussions and planning before making the walk to the Capitol to visit their state legislators and share how the issues impact their lives as Wisconsin residents.  This year’s goal is to ensure […]

Governor Tony Evers has signed a kinship care bill into law.  The bill, authored by Republican state senator Joan Ballweg of Markesan expands the state’s kinship care program to include ‘like-kin’.    “I am proud to have this bill signed into law,” said Ballweg. “This legislation will be especially impactful for teens in Wisconsin who are in need of guardianship. Act 119 will also provide clarity for the placement, when necessary, of […]

Fond du Lac will host the 49th Annual National Federation of the Blind of Wisconsin (NFBW) state convention April 5-7 at–the Raddison Hotel and Conference Center.   The theme is “Springing Into Action: Advocating for an Accessible Future!” Room reservations can be made now and Rates start at $98 per night. Convention preregistration costs $20 and meals can be purchased for additional costs.  At the convention blind people will discuss current issues, share […]

MADISON, Wis. – It’s no secret that the agriculture industry is full of a lot of hard work. Our state’s producers, farm workers, and processors work hard year-round, day after day, to supply the food, fuel, and fiber that make up Wisconsin’s $104.8 billion agriculture industry. But there’s another category of small-but-mighty workers that also help keep our agriculture industry thriving: the honey bee.  In 2022, Wisconsin ranked 11th in the […]

Fond du Lac Marian University president Michelle Majewski is retiring.  Majewski is stepping down after 37 years with the university, including  four years as president.   She will remain at the university until a new president is hired.    According to a press release a succession task force of  current and past Board of Trustees, faculty and staff, will search for applicants to fill the position.  "I have relished my time here, supporting students, faculty and staff," Majewski […]

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A ruling by the Wisconsin Supreme Court is raising the bar for religions to show that their charity arms deserve tax exemptions. The state Supreme Court on Thursday rejected a Catholic charitable organization's claim that it doesn't have to pay unemployment taxes because it's a religious operation. The Superior-based Catholic Charities Bureau manages nonprofit organizations that serve older, disabled and poor people. Lawyers for the plaintiffs […]

There is little change in the local unemployment rate.  The Dodge County unemployment rate was 2.5 percent in January, up a tenth of a percent from December.  The Fond du Lac County rate was down a tenth of a percent to 2.3 percent.  The city of Fond du Lac's jobless rate dropped from 2.8 to 2.7 percent in January.    Unemployment rates decreased or stayed the same in all but one of Wisconsin's largest cities […]

A GOP-authored bill  that would guarantee parents the right to determine their children's  pronouns and pull them out of any classes that conflict with  their personal beliefs has died in the senate.  The bill passed the assembly in January but did not get a vote in the senate.   Fond du Lac School District superintendent Dr. Jeff Fleig said he had concerns with the bill.  Dr.  Fleig says he's concerned about the unintended consequences.  […]