Briefing Archives | Wisconsin Newspaper Association

WNA Foundation honors 11 industry leaders during Memorial Pylon ceremony

May. 18, 2023

The WNA Foundation will honor 11 industry leaders during this year’s Memorial Pylon ceremony June 8-9 at the Trees For Tomorrow campus, 519 E. Sheridan St., Eagle River.

The pylon ceremony will begin at 11:30 a.m. Friday, June 9, and will be followed by lunch. Friends, family and members of the public are invited to attend, and are encouraged to attend the WNA steak fry, which will be held in the Press Forest, on Thursday, June 8. The deadline to register is Thursday, June 1.

West Bend wins 2023 Wisconsin Civics Games state finals

May. 12, 2023

Four students from West Bend East & West High Schools have been named champions of the third annual Wisconsin Civics Games, presented by the Wisconsin Newspaper Association Foundation. They were among 62 students from 13 schools across the state who participated in the competition May 12 at the state Capitol in Madison, after advancing from a field of 166 during regional contests held virtually last month.

The winning team, advised by social studies teacher Mark Drake, included Owen Damkot (captain), Danny Zolp, Abby Lockrem and Myah Latour. They comprised one of two teams from their school to make it to the finals. Each will be awarded a $2,000 scholarships to a Wisconsin college or university of their choice.

WNA members urged to contact lawmakers in support of ad tax credit

May. 5, 2023

As the members of the state Joint Finance Committee work on the 2023-25 state budget, they’ve been asked to consider a tax credit that will

Wisconsin Civics Games state finals set for May 12 at state Capitol

May. 5, 2023

Students from 13 high schools across the state will compete in the Wisconsin Civics Games state finals — presented by the Wisconsin Newspaper Association Foundation — on Friday, May 12, in Madison.

The state finals are open to the public, and media outlets are encouraged to attend. Welcoming remarks will begin at 9 a.m. in Room 411 South. Speakers include Gov. Tony Evers, Attorney General Josh Kaul, Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Patience D. Roggensack and UW System President Jay O. Rothman. The Games, which will be broadcast on WisconsinEye, are expected to conclude at approximately 3 p.m.

Bill to fix records problem deserves support

May. 4, 2023

A unanimous voice vote by the Wisconsin Senate on a piece of legislation is a rare occurrence. But that’s what happened on April 19, when state senators approved a bill to undo a decision by the Wisconsin Supreme Court regarding public records.

15 teams advance to Wisconsin Civics Games state finals

Apr. 14, 2023

Sixty-two students from 13 schools across Wisconsin will compete during the 2023 Wisconsin Civics Games State Finals on May 12 at the Wisconsin State Capitol in Madison.

Your Right to Know: End Wisconsin’s secretive ‘pocket veto’

Apr. 3, 2023

Members of the state legislature's powerful budget committee often impede projects or programs they don't like by sidestepping state law in order to exercise a secretive "pocket veto," Wisconsin Watch recently revealed.

In his 2023-25 budget, Gov. Tony Evers is proposing to do away with this process when it comes to conservation and recreational projects paid for by stewardship funds. But GOP lawmakers have already vowed to rip up the document and start over, leaving little chance the Legislature will adopt Evers’ idea, Dee J. Hall writes in the most recent "Your Right to Know" column from the Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council.

WNA president Pat Reilly testifies in support of Senate Bill 117

Mar. 17, 2023

WNA President Pat Reilly on Thursday testified in support of legislation that would allow for the recovery of attorney fees and costs under the state's public records law when an authority voluntarily or unilaterally releases a contested record after an action has been filed in court.

Senate Bill 117, co-sponsored by Republicans Sen. Duey Stroebel and Rep. Todd Novak, rolls back a Wisconsin Supreme Court decision from 2022 that restricted the public’s ability to recover fees when suing for records.

Policy Forum identifies 5 keys to the next state budget

Mar. 15, 2023

As state lawmakers begin deliberations on Gov. Tony Evers’ proposal for the 2023-25 state budget, a record projected surplus of $8.8 billion hands them an historic opportunity to make generational progress on some of the state’s most pressing policy challenges.

In a new state budget brief released by the Wisconsin Policy Forum, the statewide policy research organization identifies five keys it expects will be critical to the state’s future fiscal outlook, its economy, and the quality of life of its citizens.

‘Opees’ honor and chastise

Mar. 8, 2023

For the 17th consecutive year, the Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council has named its annual Openness in Government Awards, or Opees, in honor of national Sunshine Week, March 12-18. Five winners and one loser were selected from among an uncommonly large number of nominations.

Honorees include a group of residents concerned about the impact of a local park redevelopment, a school board member who blew the whistle on his colleagues for being too secretive, and a longtime city official who has made a habit of accessibility.