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Upcoming Budget Finds Madison School District at Fiscal Crossroads

Its upcoming budget finds Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) at a fiscal crossroads, with district leaders facing a projected shortfall of $39 million — and asking voters to approve two property tax referenda that are unprecedented in size and scope in district history.

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The Future of Milwaukee’s Transportation Fund

The durability of changes to travel patterns during and after the COVID-19 pandemic have left the city of Milwaukee’s transportation fund at a crossroads, a new Wisconsin Policy Forum report finds.

This August's primary is spurring an unusual summer debate over two constitutional amendments backed by Republicans.

More higher education dominos fall

The higher education landscape in Wisconsin is rapidly changing. Two more higher ed dominos have recently fallen at private and public institutions — and there’s probably more to come because of declining enrollments and other issues.

Oshkosh Herald publisher Karen Schneider named among E&P’s 15 over 50

Karen Schneider, owner and publisher of the Oshkosh Herald, has been named as one of Editor & Publisher's "15 over 50." The honor highlights news media professionals over 50 with strong leadership skills, transformational mindsets, a commitment to journalistic and publishing excellence and the ability to lead during challenging times.

At a time when many people are looking at retirement, Schneider has launched two weekly newspapers — the Oshkosh Herald in January 2018 and the Neenah News in February 2022.

Paul Salsini

Milwaukee author, journalist Paul Salsini dies at 88

Paul Salsini, a longtime Milwaukee journalist and educator, died on June 5 in Milwaukee, after a long illness. He was 88.

A journalism graduate of Marquette University, Salsini worked at the former Milwaukee Journal for 37 years as a reporter, editor and staff development director. He also taught journalism courses and the history of musical theater at Marquette University. In 1985, he founded the quarterly magazine The Sondheim Review and was its editor for 10 years. 

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Changing Communications Landscape Raises Taxing Questions

Revenue from the state tax on telephone company property sank last year to its lowest level since the 1970s, a reflection of tax changes and a shifting telecommunications landscape. A newly adopted state law will nearly eliminate the tax, which is collected in lieu of local property taxes on telephone companies.

The ride of a lifetime

One experience that I will never forget was when I flew with the Navy Blue Angels in 2000. The Blue Angels are in La Crosse for this year’s air show, so I am sharing a first-person story I wrote about my 2000 flight.

This August's primary is spurring an unusual summer debate over two constitutional amendments backed by Republicans.

Spring 2025 State Supreme Court race gets early kickoff

Let the spring 2025 state Supreme Court race begin! You may be a bit confused, given that we’re still in the midst of the big 2024 election season that will decide the races for president, the U.S. Senate, the House, and more than 100 seats in the state Legislature.

Former Milwaukee journalist Stephen Byers dies at 81

Former Milwaukee journalist and educator Stephen R. Byers died on June 2, at the age of 81.

Byers earned a bachelor's degree from Indiana State University before going on to earn a master's degree in journalism from Northwestern University and a doctorate in Urban Studies from UW-Milwaukee. He worked for the Milwaukee Journal for more than three decades, serving as a columnist, reporter and section editor. In 2004, he became an assistant professor of journalism and student media adviser at Marquette University.

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