wow the jonas brothers are going on tour again and this is going to be almost as good as the summer when i was basically front row at a concert of theirs
According to
@Madisonpolice
6 protesters were arrested last night. One had a handgun. Police did use chemical agents on protesters once again, as they did earlier this summer
some big news in conservation today:
@GovEvers
announced $4.5 million for five conservation projects previously rejected by the Wis. Legislature, including the Cedar Gorge project
BREAKING: Official from Fort McCoy confirmed today that the base will be accepting refugees from Afghanistan. They do not know when the refugees will arrive, or how many, but the Fort is prepared to house, feed and provide medical services for those who arrive
🚨NEW, thread: Pentagon confirms to me the Department of Defense is preparing to house thousands of Afghan refugees on American military installations, immediately including Fort McCoy in Wisconsin and Fort Bliss in Texas.
#breaking
news out of Wausau today: all 6 of the city's drinking water wells tested positive for PFAS, above the state-recommended standard of 20 parts per trillion
Haven’t made the twitter-verse announcement yet, so here it is! This week is my last full week at the
@wausauherald
. On March 16, I’ll start my new job in the Madison bureau of the
@journalsentinel
covering government agencies, like the DNR!
BREAKING NEWS: The city of La Crosse has filed a lawsuit against a number of PFAS manufacturers in relation to contamination at the city's airport, including Tyco Fire Products and 3M.
BREAKING:
@WisDOJ
files lawsuit against Tyco Fire Products, alleging the company failed to report its PFAS contamination in 2013 when it first began testing soil and groundwater; that company has failed to conduct enough testing in recent years to find extent of contamination
Over the last few days, I've gotten a lot of emails from readers wanting to help the Afghan refugees being brought to Wisconsin. Here's some info on that, from the Wi Dept. of Children and Families:
BREAKING:
@EPA
is recommending maximum contaminant levels in drinking water of 4 ppt for PFOA and PFOS -- the two most well-known and researched compounds in the PFAS family.
That's much, much lower than Wisconsin's current standard of 70 ppt in drinking water.
I’m in Wausau (again!) this morning, for a tour of Wausau’s water treatment plant and to hear
@GovEvers
talk llabout how the new budget will help communities fight PFAS contamination.
BREAKING: A Michigan judge has denied the wetland permit for the Back Forty Project in Michigan.
The permit is one of four that Aquila Resources must obtain before opening a mine. Story to come.
Up this afternoon: Frederick Prehn will be in court today in the Dane County case regarding his refusal to release text messages related to his decision to stay on the Natural Resources Board.
It's just a status hearing, but stay tuned to see if there's any news.
Much of Wisconsin has high fire danger today.
Check conditions in your area and refrain from burning. Be extra careful with any outdoor flames, campfires, ash disposal or equipment use.
BREAKING: The EPA has released new recommended health limits for PFAS in drinking water:
• PFOA = 0.004 parts per trillion (ppt)
• PFOS = 0.02 ppt
• GenX chemicals = 10 ppt
• PFBS = 2,000 ppt
Closing statements:
@TriciaforWI
says she will take on big pharma, provide help for small biz and farmers and expanded broadband. Will advocate for all constituents, will be accountable to the people, not corporate interests.
Up this afternoon: Frederick Prehn will be in court today in the Dane County case regarding his refusal to release text messages related to his decision to stay on the Natural Resources Board.
It's just a status hearing, but stay tuned to see if there's any news.
So so excited to say that my reporting on abusive clergy took first place this year in the investigative division. A lot of time, energy, resources and emotion went into that series, and i am incredibly proud of what we accomplished with the reporting.
Agility level: being able to get a stack four large ian’s pizza boxes through the rotating doors of the Capitol building without dropping or otherwise harming the pizza inside
Evers is talking a lot about the justice system tonight - offering alternatives to incarceration, substance abuse treatments and changes to the ways that the justice system treats youth
The Senate just approved SB787, which would extend the statute of limitations for second degree sexual assault to 20 years -- unanimously on a voice vote.
I'm listening in on the Unemployment Insurance Advisory Council public hearing.
People are breaking down in tears after waiting for months on payments.
"You guys have got to get it together," one woman said. "We're in financial doom."
Hi I have a personal announcement and it is that my cat has decided to sit in my lap after FIVE YEARS of living together.
No questions please, this is a special time.
Turns out the photo I took last night at the election results watch party had a live function, which allows you to see all of the champagne spraying action
NEW: Dane County Judge Frank Remington orders a transcript of a Friday court hearing during which former Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman criticized Remington and an attorney for American Oversight to the Office of Lawyer Regulation for "for appropriate disciplinary action"
Today is my last full day with the Wausau Daily Herald. I'm going on a bit of a holiday next week, and start my job covering state agencies in Madison on March 6.
This is going to be a thread, so hold tight.
All is quiet in the UW Madison encampment this morning. People are sitting around the mall chatting, volunteers seem to be cleaning up between tents as others grab breakfast.
The day after
@repvos
said Michael Gableman was "an embarrassment to the state of Wisconsin," Dems on the Audit Committee are requesting that his investigation be looked at more closely:
Today, my Democratic colleagues on the Audit Committee and I requested a comprehensive audit of the Office of Special Counsel led by Michael Gableman.
Over $1 million in taxpayer dollars have already been spent to perpetuate conspiracy theories and lies about our elections.
Some news out of Fort McCoy today: there are now 7,000 evacuees being housed there, and capacity will be increased to 13,000 by Sunday.
Most arrivals are in need of medical care after the journey, officials said.
Wednesday update on Library Mall encampment: Students and faculty members tied to an illegal campus encampment have elected to end talks with campus leaders, walking out of a meeting this morning.
Full statement:
@GovEvers
has released a statement on Wisconsin receiving refugees fleeing Afghanistan: "We have been in contact with federal partners about resettlement efforts for Afghan people who are seeking refuge at Fort McCoy."
We are pleased to announce the winners of the Kevin Carmody Award for Outstanding Investigative Reporting category (large and small markets) of the 2023
#SEJAwards
. Congrats to all!
Some observers not currently keeping watch over recount workers are watching the Badger football game and keeping other observers and workers up to date on the score. It's the most excited I've seen people here today
I'm out at Fort McCoy today, where we'll be getting a look inside the areas where refugees are being housed. Make sure to keep an eye on
@journalsentinel
for my story later today!
Overheard some Biden observers concerned that Trump observers are crowding around workers and ignoring social distancing. Clerk Scott McDonnel said those issues have occurred but not as often as yesterday.
The wells ranged from 23 parts per trillion to 49 parts per trillion.
A news release said residents aren't being advised at this time to stop drinking the water - but warns that consuming PFAS is dangerous.
Alright followers, I've got a pretty big dump of links to share with you, showcasing the completely badass team of journalists that I have the honor of working alongside.
Here's what you need to read today:
Less than 24 hours after major back surgery and my mom took a little stroll through the hospital hallways this afternoon. In case you were wondering, she's doing great and in good spirits.
She's a strong woman and I look up to her so much.
Breaking this morning: The EPA announced enforceable standards for PFOA and PFOS, set them at 4 ppt.
In addition, the agency is recommending having 0 ppt in drinking water, though to protect human health and prevent cancer.
This year,
@katelynferral
and I received a first honorable mention for our 2022 PFAS reporting series. It's a great honor to see our work mentioned alongside such stellar environmental reporters. Thank you,
@sejorg
Cedar Gorge was objected to by an anonymous member of the Joint Finance Committee last year, which left the Ozaukee Washington Land Trust scrambling to find funding to preserve the slice of land along Lake Michigan
People are delivering water and snacks to those on the ground while people write the bail number on their arms in sharpie. police still remain close by.
Just a reminder that just because you didn't see something on CNN/MSNBC/Fox News doesn't mean the media isn't covering it and you should maybe expand the bubble of news you consume instead of simply saying "this is what the media won't show you"
The purchase will now go before the Joint Finance Committee at an undetermined date, and if approved by JFC, to Gov. Evers' desk.
Park users could potentially be able to access the property as early as next year, if the process moves smoothly.
the other recipients of the funding are Milwaukee Public Schools for an outdoor spaces project, caroline lake in ashland county, land in forest county and sand creek in bayfield county