News & Announcements | Page 222 of 381 | Wisconsin Newspaper Association

Ian Stepleton leaves Ripon Commonwealth Press after nearly two decades

Jul. 29, 2020

Just over a month shy of his 20-year anniversary with the newspaper, editor Ian Stepleton announced last week that he was leaving the Ripon Commonwealth Press.

Stepleton joined the newspaper in 2000 as a reporter, moving up to managing editor in 2003. He took over as the Commonwealth‘s top editor in 2006 and has remained in the role ever since.

Jonathan Bailey, a reporter for the newspaper since 2011, will take over Stepleton’s role as editor.

Legal tab for GOP lawmakers’ private attorneys nears $4.8 million

Jul. 28, 2020

The tab for private attorneys hired by Republican lawmakers in Wisconsin has now hit nearly $4.8 million for this legislative session, fueled recently by fights over Gov. Tony Evers’ orders during the COVID-19 pandemic and a string of election lawsuits.

Wisconsin’s child care sector needs care itself

Jul. 28, 2020

COVID-19 health concerns and restrictions have produced considerable turmoil in Wisconsin’s child care sector, which will play a critical role in efforts to fully re-open the state’s economy.

Defund the police? Milwaukee eyes future amid Black Lives Matter protests, coronavirus budget crunch

Jul. 27, 2020

Calls to “defund the police” have grown louder in Milwaukee and other cities after the May 25 police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis fueled nationwide protests against police brutality and systemic racism.

How Wisconsin’s 23,000 rejected absentee ballots could spell trouble for the November election

Jul. 27, 2020

Analysis of voter data from Wisconsin’s April primary shows a far more measurable and consequential effect of mail-in voting — rejected ballots. Slightly more than 23,000 ballots were thrown out, mostly because those voters or their witnesses missed at least one line on a form.

What it takes to be a comedian

Jul. 27, 2020

While a lot of folks can pick up any topic and make fun of it, others have to spend a good amount of time studying and practicing. I read that it takes a good 10 years for an amateur comedian to become a pro

Longtime Waukesha County journalist Laurel Walker dies at 71

Jul. 26, 2020

Laurel Walker, a longtime journalist who covered Waukesha County for more than 35 years, died Friday, July 17, after a two-year battle with cancer. She was 71.

Walker joined The (Waukesha) Freeman in 1976, where she worked as a reporter for nearly 10 years. In 1986, she left The Freeman to take a position as a Waukesha County reporter for the Milwaukee Journal. Walker continued in that role until 1997, when she became a columnist for the Journal Sentinel. She retired from the paper in 2012.

As Gov. Evers calls for $250 million in cuts, Tommy Thompson seeks to limit impact on UW System

Jul. 23, 2020

UW System President Tommy Thompson and a coalition of shared governance groups are seeking to limit cuts to the state’s university system following Gov. Tony Evers’ call for $250 million in state agency budget cuts for the current fiscal year.

polco, coronavirus, voter registration, presidential debates, covid-19

Poll: How should schools handle 2020-21 year amid pandemic?

Jul. 22, 2020

A new poll question from Polco about how schools should handle the 2020-21 year amid the COVID-19 pandemic is now available to be used by WNA members on their websites and other platforms.

Results available for mask-wearing poll

Jul. 22, 2020

Readers visiting WNA member websites and social platforms from July 7 to 21 were asked whether masks should be required in public places. Out of 109 respondents, 49% said yes, masks should be required in all public places, 24% said they should be required only while indoors, and 27% said masks should not be required.