Judith Ruiz-Branch

Chicago

Freelance Writer at Freelance

#Journalist: @PNS_News Then: @QuePasaMidwest @chicagotribune @CrainsChicago @WGNNews @WBEZ @RivetRadio Covering WI Tips: [email protected]

Articles

Local group empowers women to restore prairies, pollinators

4 days ago | publicnewsservice.org | Judith Ruiz-Branch

June is National Pollinator Month and a local agricultural group which aims to empower women in conservation is bringing awareness to how prairie restoration can aid the declining population of bees, butterflies and other pollinators. Through its Wisconsin Women in Conservation program, the Michael Fields Agriculture Institute is showing how reintroducing native plant species, among other practices, can reestablish endangered habitats supporting an entire ecosystem.
AARP grant funds help enhance Wisconsin communities

5 days ago | wxpr.org | Judith Ruiz-Branch

Eight Wisconsin cities, including four rural communities, will receive improvements to help make their communities more livable. Eleven grantees collectively received more than $100,000 in funds to implement quick-action projects this year through AARP Wisconsin's Community Challenge. Jennifer Stephany, executive director with Creative Downtown Appleton Inc., is a past recipient that used the funds to install a seasonal "parklet" - or mobile patio - in an area that lacked these amenities.
EPA proposed rollbacks on pollution rules could come at high cost

5 days ago | publicnewsservice.org | Judith Ruiz-Branch

One proposal would repeal a Biden-era rule regulating greenhouse gas emissions from power plants. The Environmental Protection Agency previously found the rule would save thousands of lives and provide $20 billion per year in public health and environmental benefits. Brian Lynk, senior attorney for the Environmental Law and Policy Center, emphasized regulation provides benefits on multiple levels.
'Dr. Beetle': Local biology teacher uses art to pique curiosity about bugs

1 week ago | publicnewsservice.org | Judith Ruiz-Branch

By Jonathan Feakins for Arts Midwest. Broadcast version by Judith Ruiz-Branch for Illinois News Connection reporting for the Arts Midwest-Public News Service Collaboration"It's a bit of a grandma-core hobby," Tierney Brosius admits.
AARP grant funds help enhance WI communities

1 week ago | publicnewsservice.org | Judith Ruiz-Branch

Eight Wisconsin cities, including four rural communities, will receive improvements to help make their communities more livable. Eleven grantees collectively received more than $100,000 in funds to implement quick-action projects this year through AARP Wisconsin's Community Challenge. Jennifer Stephany, executive director with Creative Downtown Appleton Inc., is a past recipient that used the funds to install a seasonal "parklet" - or mobile patio - in an area that lacked these amenities.
WI farmer education collab helps save money, environment

1 week ago | publicnewsservice.org | Judith Ruiz-Branch

A new effort is helping Wisconsin farmers protect water quality in their communities by learning more about how to prevent manure and fertilizer spills and runoff. "Nutrient Management Farmer Education" is a collaboration across six counties in northern Wisconsin, with partners from the University of Wisconsin, technical colleges and the Department of Agriculture. It helps farmers properly manage manure and fertilizer applications to optimize crop growth while protecting water sources.
Manure spill in Monroe County kills hundreds of fish

1 week ago | wxpr.org | Judith Ruiz-Branch

At least eight miles of a Southwest-Wisconsin stream were polluted by a manure spill earlier this month. The spill killed hundreds of fish, including many wild brown trout. The affected waterways — Spring Valley Creek, Moore Creek and the Kickapoo River — have long been remarkable for their healthy water quality, healthy enough to sustain naturally-reproducing trout populations.
Chicago Jewish group leads hunger strike for Gaza

1 week ago | kiowacountypress.net | Judith Ruiz-Branch

Click play to listen to this article. Local Jewish advocates for Palestinians are joining forces to draw attention to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. They are calling on the U.S. to stop arming the Israeli military and to end the widespread starvation in the region. Monday, members of Jewish Voice for Peace Chicago began a hunger strike. Elected officials and a variety of city and statewide groups gathered at a rally today in Federal Plaza to start the demonstration.
Potential Medicaid, SNAP cuts could derail IL education system

1 week ago | publicnewsservice.org | Judith Ruiz-Branch

As Congress considers federal cuts to Medicaid and SNAP food assistance, groups advocating for Illinois schools are speaking out on how it would affect students across the state and the education system at large. They said budget cuts would have both direct and indirect effects, from student eligibility to school reimbursements for things like meals and health screenings, and straining the state budget as well.
Wisconsin leads nation in racial disparities, but ranks high in child well-being report

1 week ago | wxpr.org | Judith Ruiz-Branch

A national report found Wisconsin continues to lead the nation in racial disparities affecting children's well-being across the state. Wisconsin ranked 11th in the 2025 Kids Count Data Book, which uses 16 key indicators to assess the overall well-being of children nationwide. Emily Miota, communications director for the advocacy group Kids Forward, said the ranking does not tell the full story. She noted for six of the indicators, Wisconsin has some of the largest racial disparities in the country.