Wisconsin Today

13 hours ago | wpr.org | Anya van Wagtendonk

Ben Wikler, the outgoing chair of the Wisconsin Democratic Party, hinted at what might be in his future Thursday, after months of speculation about why he was leaving an organization he's widely credited with transforming. At a lunchtime event in Madison hosted by WisPolitics, Wikler said he's hoping to write a book that will offer lessons from Wisconsin to Democrats across the nation. "I want to try to tell the story of what we've done here and how it's made a difference," he said.

1 day ago | wpr.org | Corrinne Hess

Facing an uncertain financial future, the University of Wisconsin-Parkside is merging its four academic colleges into a single college led by one leadership team. By combining into one school the existing College of Arts and Humanities; College of Business, Economics, and Computing; College of Natural and Health Science; and College of Social Sciences and Professional Studies, UW-Parkside will have one vice provost and one dean for the faculty.

1 day ago | wpr.org | Danielle Kaeding

A Republican lawmaker who has said Wisconsin's land purchase program is on "life support" is floating a bill to keep it going for four more years. But it would provide less funding and require legislation for costly acquisitions under a new program. The bill brought by Rep. Tony Kurtz, R-Wonewoc, and Sen. Patrick Testin, R-Stevens Point, comes as GOP legislative leaders have cast doubt on the future of the state's Knowles-Nelson Stewardship program.

1 day ago | wpr.org | Evan Casey

When Luke Prokop was in the sixth grade, he was asked what he wanted to be when he grew up. His response? A player in the National Hockey League. "It was a goal of mine ever since I was really little," Prokop said. He's still chasing that dream now as a defenseman with the Milwaukee Admirals, the American Hockey League affiliate of the Nashville Predators. And he's already making history off the ice. In 2021, he became the first openly gay player under contract with an NHL team.

2 days ago | wpr.org | Anya van Wagtendonk

Wisconsin Democrats on Wednesday announced legislation aimed at proactively responding to measures out of Washington that they say will hurt Wisconsinites, including potential changes to federal funding for state programs. The package of bills stand little chance of moving forward in a Republican-held Legislature, but Rep. Renuka Mayadev, D-Madison, said the four bills are meant to send a message from the minority party.