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MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin health officials say an uptick in COVID-19 cases in the state this week is likely connected to the more contagious Delta variant of the coronavirus and reinforces the need for unvaccinated residents to get inoculated. Nearly 51% of people statewide have received at least one dose of the vaccine and about 48% statewide are fully vaccinated, which officials say provides good protection against the Delta […]

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A Wisconsin bishop has taken the unusual step of removing a defiant priest from the ministry after he made a series of divisive remarks about politics and the pandemic. The Diocese of La Crosse said Friday that Bishop William Patrick Callahan has removed the Rev. James Altman as pastor of St. James the Less, effective immediately. Altman rose to prominence before the 2020 election with a […]

From suicidal crises to mental fatigue, many U.S. kids are facing challenges navigating reentry after more than a year of living in a pandemic. A surge in suicidal crises among children led a Colorado hospital to declare a state of  emergency. Other children's hospitals are grappling with similar  issues.  Mental health specialists say many children and teens are worn down and struggling to handle usual stresses and re-adjusting to a more normal life.  Fond du […]

A retired Ripon College economist says the latest jobs numbers are a sign that the reopening of the economy is propelling a rebound from the pandemic recession.   America’s employers added 850,000 jobs in June, well above the average of the previous three months.  Economist Paul Schoofs says it’s a sign that companies may be having an easier time finding enough workers to fill open jobs.  Schoofs says we can expect to see […]

SSM Health is joining numerous health systems across the country in making the COVID-19 vaccine mandatory for it’s employees.  Vice President of Pharmacy Services with SSM Health Wisconsin Region Mo Kharbat tells WFDL news  SSM Health will require all of it’s employees, providers and volunteers to be fully vaccinated by the end of September, ahead of the cold/influenza season.  Kharbat says SSM Health needs to "lead by example."  Kharbat says in addition, […]

The Fond du Lac School Board is holding a special meeting this week to discuss  mask optional policy.   Interim superintendent Sharon Simon says if the board were to adopt the policy they could always change it if COVID-19 conditions change.  Fond du Lac County Public Health Officer Kim Mueller says her department would provide school districts that choose to have a mask optional policy with guidance.  Mueller says if masks […]

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin’s tourism and entertainment businesses, hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic, are getting some financial help to recover. Gov. Tony Evers said Thursday more than $140 million in federal grant money will be available for the lodging industry, movie theaters, live event venues, minor league sports and other entertainment and tourism businesses. The grants from the federal economic stimulus bill passed by Congress earlier this year […]

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin health officials have a launched a new program to test school children for COVID-19 this fall. The state Department of Health Services announced Tuesday that the state will work to connect schools with labs the state uses to confirm COVID-19 tests. Schools that choose to participate in the program can submit tests to the labs free of charge. The labs also will send teams out […]

A retired Ripon College economist says the latest negotiations on a federal infrastructure package is a confusing mix with all of the changes that are being made.   Congressional Democrats are eyeing a $6 trillion package that goes far beyond roads and bridges, while a bipartisan senators’ group is working on a $1 trillion compromise.   Retired Ripon College economist Paul Schoofs points out the total amount in the bipartisan proposal is way […]