News & Announcements | Page 175 of 382 | Wisconsin Newspaper Association

Former Chilton Times-Journal publisher Louis Brandt dies at 84

Jun. 10, 2021

Louis E. "Lou" Brandt, a former WNA Board member who in the 1970s served as editor and publisher of the Chilton Times-Journal, died Friday, June 4, at his home in Chilton.

Brandt began working at the Times-Journal in 1961 and purchased the newspaper in 1970. He served as editor and publisher until selling the Times-Journal to Gary and Linda Vercauteren in September 1979. Brandt also was a member of the WNA Board of Directors during his time as publisher.

Steve Slack leaves sports writing role at Edgerton Reporter

Jun. 10, 2021

Steve Slack will no longer cover sports for the Edgerton Reporter, as he plans to pursue his law degree. Slack, who began writing for the newspaper in November 2018, will attend UW-Madison Law School in the fall. His last day was Tuesday.

Jeff Brown and Jack McLaughlin will cover sports for the Reporter following Slack’s departure. They have written for the newspaper since December 2018 and July 2015, respectively.

Wisconsin Media Group to acquire Unified Newspaper Group

Jun. 10, 2021

Wisconsin Media Group, an affiliate company of O’Rourke Media Group, announced on Thursday plans to acquire Unified Newspaper Group. The transaction will close on June 30, 2021.

Unified Newspaper Group is composed of four weekly newspapers and digital websites that serve the communities of Oregon, Verona, Fitchburg, and Stoughton.

Brillion News co-owner Darcy Zander-Feinauer retires

Jun. 10, 2021

Darcy Zander-Feinauer, who co-owns The Brillion News with her sisters, has retired from her full-time position after more than 34 years at the family company.

Zander-Feinauer, who served in a variety of roles during her tenure, was most recently the newspaper's layout editor. She will be succeeded by her daughter, Bailey Lindgren — the company’s first full-time fifth-generation employee, following in the footsteps of her mother, who was the first full-time fourth-generation employee. The Brillion News has been in the Zander family since 1899, when it was purchased by Otto Zander.

Brazen tick attacks unmentionables

Jun. 10, 2021

Summer hasn’t even started yet and I’ve already been to the doctor twice for imbedded ticks. The first was on my arm. I also removed several others crawling over my body. This past summer I had Lyme disease, a bacterial infection caused by a tick bite.

A closer look at English learners in Wisconsin

Jun. 10, 2021

After four straight years of growth, the enrollment of students labeled as English Learners (ELs) in Wisconsin public schools has fallen for the second year in a row. This decrease is noteworthy because of the particular needs of this population and the potential impact on funding for EL education under the state formula.

housing shortage, affordable housing, green bay

Northeastern Wisconsin’s critical shortage of affordable housing has deep roots and no easy fixes. Here’s why.

Jun. 9, 2021

There’s a shortage of more than 119,000 rental housing units in Wisconsin, according to data organized by the National Low Income Housing Coalition. Northeast Wisconsin is no exception to that shortage.

Democratic field grows in 2022 U.S. Senate race

Jun. 7, 2021

While Republican Sen. Ron Johnson keeps everybody waiting on his 2022 plans, Democratic activists are eyeing a growing field of declared and potential candidates to take him on next year.

joel patenaude, janesville gazette, milton courier

Joel Patenaude named managing editor of The Gazette

Jun. 4, 2021

Joel Patenaude has been named managing editor of The (Janesville) Gazette, replacing the recently departed Ann Fiore.

Patenaude has served as a Wisconsin-based correspondent since February for the online publications NetZero Insider and RTO Insider. He previously was associate editor of Madison Magazine.

Fiore departed last month following a career with The Gazette dating back to August 1995. During her tenure, Fiore served in several roles, including entertainment editor, chief copy editor and managing editor.

Former Milwaukee Sentinel reporter Mary Jane Spletter dies at 74

Jun. 4, 2021

Mary Jane Spletter, who started her writing career as a reporter for the Milwaukee Sentinel, died Thursday, May 6, at her home in Oakland, Calif. She was 74.

She graduated in 1965 from Appleton’s Xavier High School, where she served as editor of her high school newspaper, before going on to study journalism at UW-Madison, where she was president of the Coranto Sigma Iota professional journalism sorority.

After graduating in 1969, Spletter took a reporter role at the Milwaukee Sentinel, where she worked for four years before moving to Berkeley, Calif., where she went on to a long career in public information and technical writing.