food, pigs, meat

Choosing more local foods

One silver lining in the COVID-19 pandemic storm cloud that caused massive disruptions to the nation’s meat supply is the awareness it created about where our food comes from.

Ian Stepleton

Ian Stepleton leaves Ripon Commonwealth Press after nearly two decades

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.

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Wisconsin’s child care sector needs care itself

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.

Peter Kwong

What it takes to be a comedian

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

laurel walker

Longtime Waukesha County journalist Laurel Walker dies at 71

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.

Wisconsin Newspaper Association