Author: Wisconsin Public Radio

Thousands of Wisconsin voters could be disenfranchised this November if a federal judge does not step in to temporarily change some Wisconsin election laws, a coalition of lawyers for the state and national Democratic Party and several nonprofit groups argued on August 5 before a federal judge. The legal challenge combines four unique lawsuits that contend several Wisconsin voting laws shouldn’t be allowed to stand during the COVID-19 pandemic because they make it too difficult for people to vote as the virus spreads. Two of the lawsuits were filed before the April 7 presidential primary and have been extended...

As the nation enters its fifth month of the new coronavirus pandemic, societal inequities continue to surface. One issue in Milwaukee is accessible, reliable and affordable broadband internet. The city’s Finance and Personnel Committee began looking at ways to expand high-speed internet access for residents. “What once was an amenity, I think now has become a utility, and a necessity for many people in their daily lives,” said Alderwoman Milele Coggs, who introduced the discussion. Residential broadband access is available from Spectrum and AT&T, but some areas of the city are underserved. Spectrum’s list price starts at $70 per...

Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul is warning residents about potential scammers posing as contact tracers in order to steal personal information. Contact tracing phone calls from state and local health officials help identify people who have recently been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. But according to Kaul, it is a situation that scammers can try to take advantage of. “There’s significant uncertainty where people may be looking for information about potential cures or about how they can get help, and scammers try to take advantage of that uncertainty and use it to try...

Potawatomi Hotel & Casino will permanently layoff 1,600 employees next month as the tourism industry continues to struggle during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Potawatomi had 2,600 employees before shutting down in March. About 1,000 people were brought back to work for the casino’s reopening in June. The remaining employees received layoff notices on July 17 that will take effect August 15. Rodney Ferguson, CEO and general manager of Potawatomi Hotel & Casino, said the decision was not made lightly. “The coronavirus pandemic has forced Potawatomi Hotel & Casino to scale down operations substantially and place a cap on guest...