Impact on well-being: How Wisconsin’s agricultural runoff became an overlooked threat to public health
In Wisconsin, much of the discussions around water quality have been focused on contaminants including lead and PFAS. But George Kraft, UW-Stevens Point emeritus professor and emeritus director of the Center for Watershed Science and Education, says his biggest...
Lost Integrity: An inquiry into leak of draft abortion ruling will not restore Supreme Court’s credibility
John Roberts, the U.S. chief justice, has announced an investigation into a leak showing that the supreme court provisionally voted to overturn the landmark 1973 Roe v Wade case that legalized abortion nationwide. Publication of the draft opinion by the Politico...
An Era of Unrest: Risk of public violence over abortion is growing regardless of what Supreme Court decides
Civil wars do not always begin with gunfire. Sometimes civil wars begin with learned arguments. In April 1861, Confederate forces shot on Fort Sumter, but at the time even Jefferson Davis, the Confederate president, had doubts about whether the event mattered all that...
May Day 2022 March: Wisconsin activists continue fighting for overdue immigrant rights
More than 4,000 people assembled on Sunday for an annual May Day march organized by Voces de la Frontera, the immigrant workers’ rights group based in Milwaukee. The march signaled the start of a two-day series of “Days Without Latinxs & Immigrants” actions in...
Standing Up: Fictional novel by Milwaukee activists explores the long struggle for workers’ rights
“‘Good Lord almighty, what is that? What the hell is that?’ Eve’s screech was loud enough to reach the foremen’s office. She jumped three feet back from the sorting table as the two foremen came hurtling in. ‘That’s human flesh up in there!’ Eve pointed to the jumble...
Seduction of Snake Oil: Foxconn’s tentative existence is far from its “Eighth Wonder of the World” sales pitch
Hoping to build a political legacy, President Donald J. Trump mused in 2018 that the expansive Wisconn Valley Science and Technology Park in Mount Pleasant would be the “Eighth Wonder of the World.” The first phase of the project — while still a substantive investment...
New report reveals an alarming number of products at discount stores contain harmful chemicals
An alarming number of products purchased at dollar stores, including many children’s toys, contain harmful chemicals, according to a report released on April 12. Researchers tested 226 products purchased at five popular retailers for chemicals, including phthalates...
Allergic Reactions: Research finds that pollen season is expanding and intensifying with climate change
By Yingxiao Zhang, Ph.D. Student in Atmospheric Science, University of Michigan; and Allison L. Steiner, Professor of Atmospheric Science, University of Michigan Allergy sufferers should be prepared this year, as new research shows pollen season is going to get a lot...
Dirt, sweat, and tranquility: How the pandemic’s gardening boom became a refuge for public health
By Alessandro Ossola, Assistant Professor, University of California, Davis As lockdowns went into effect in the spring of 2020 to slow the spread of the coronavirus, reports emerged of a global gardening boom, with plants, flowers, vegetables and herbs sprouting in...
Arts and culture organizations in Wisconsin are showing signs of recovery after pandemic disruption
Buoyed by federal relief funding, Wisconsin’s arts and culture organizations are showing signs of recovery from the coronavirus pandemic, according to a new report from the Wisconsin Policy Forum. The report, called State of the Arts, follows a 2020 Policy Forum...
A more perfect peace: Lessons from William Tecumseh Sherman about the inherent cruelty of war
By Mitchell G. Klingenberg, Postdoctoral Fellow and Instructor of Military Strategy, Planning, and Operations, United States Army War College It is doubtful the tragic devastation of the Russia-Ukraine War would surprise William Sherman were he alive today. The iconic...
Fears of an expanding conflict: Why the war in Ukraine could soon spread to Moldova and Transnistria
By Tatsiana Kulakevich, Assistant Professor of Instruction at School of Interdisciplinary Global Studies, Affiliate Professor at the Institute on Russia, University of South Florida There is growing concern that Moldova and Transnistria could be dragged into Russia’s...
