Author: Syndicated

Since being paralyzed almost three decades ago, Dean Juntunen has competed in more than 90 wheelchair marathons, continued snowmobiling and four-wheeling, and taken up kayaking. Now, Juntunen is taking another significant step. And then another step. And then another. “Just standing talking to you is interesting,” Juntunen said. “I had not gone from a sitting position to a standing position in 27 years. I got injured in ’91, so just that in itself is fun. I like just standing up and moving around.” The medically retired Air Force captain is walking with the aid of a wearable exoskeleton robotic...

Milwaukee-native Mandela Barnes was sworn in as Lieutenant Governor on January 7 in Madison. The event marked the first time in 40 years that an African-American has been elected to statewide office in Wisconsin. Lt. Governor Barns says his upbringing in Milwaukee has a lot to do with his current politics. He says high poverty is also connected to low levels of education for people of color in Milwaukee and the problem of crime. “Knowing what the city of Milwaukee can be. Knowing what we have the ability to produce but also realizing the barriers that do exist. We...

Former Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker released statements recently about his plans after leaving office, one of which would be to move from the governor’s mansion in Madison to downtown Milwaukee. When Walker was first elected in 2010 he opted to remain living in his Wauwatosa home, while his two sons finished school. In 2016, he moved to the governor’s mansion located along the shores of Lake Mendota. He and his wife, Tonette, are currently looking for a downtown Milwaukee condo. The irony, as noted across social media, was that Walker made Milwaukee his political punching bag, repeatedly denigrating the...

Going back 37 years ago, “Blade Runner” offered a bold vision of the future. Ridley Scott’s beloved sci-fi movie, loosely based on a Philip K. Dick novel, tried to predict what life would be like on Earth in 2019. It presented a dystopian, industrial version of Los Angeles with dreary weather, humanlike robots and people living in outer space colonies. In other words, not quite accurate. But the movie is specifically set in November 2019, so a lot could still change in 11 months. Here is what the original 1982 ”Blade Runner” thought our society would be like in...

Four months after Waukesha County jail officers were certified to assist in immigration enforcement, immigrant rights advocates say the move has induced fear — but has also strengthened their movement. Earlier this year, Waukesha County jail officers became the first local officials in Wisconsin authorized to enforce immigration laws by entering into an agreement with the federal government. The move prompted sharp criticism and massive protests, but the department has proceeded as planned, and officers completed training and certification in July. Four months in, local immigrant advocates say the fear is palpable, but so is the resistance. In May...

Before surviving a 13-month deployment to Iraq, my holidays were all about presents and joy and family and food and fun. Today, the season means enduring chronic pain as well as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). This time of year is riddled with landmines of depression, weather that can set pain levels off the charts, and triggers that leave me exhausted, stressed, and unable to get out of bed. Some days I am barely able to function. Despite their good hearts, my family often has no idea how to support me. Facing another rough holiday...