We're #1 - DEA Correction has Wisconsin Tops in Spring Drug Take Back Day
MADISON, WI (WTAQ-WRN) -- Wisconsin is number one in Drug Take Back Day. The Wisconsin Department of Justice announcing an update Wisconsin ranking number one in the nation for the most prescription medications collected during the spring 2024 Drug Take Back. A correction to US Drug Enforcement Administration data show...
May 28, 2024
Chinese Communist Party Critic Mike Gallagher Banned from Entering China
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WRN) -- China bans a former Wisconsin congressman from entering the country. Mike Gallagher was a vocal critic of the Chinese Communist government well before leaving Congress prior to the end of his term last month. The Green Bay Republican helped author legislation banning TikTok in the U.S., chai...
May 21, 2024
17-Year Cicadas Emerging in Southern Wisconsin
(WTAQ-WLUK) -- Cicadas are starting to emerge from their 17-year slumber in southern Wisconsin. The DNR confirmed Brood XIII cicadas activity in Lake Geneva. Cicadas are noisy insects that live underground more than 95% of their lives and emerge for about a month, feeding on plants. This feeding generally does not inju...
May 21, 2024
DATCP says Be Aware of Scams Targeting Job Seekers
MADISON, WI (WTAQ-WRN) -- Criminals are targeting people looking for a new job, and those on unemployment. Wisconsin consumer protection director Michelle Reinen says a new scam offers to set up a home office for you, using a check the scammers send. "You don't get any goods that you've purchased. The check they s...
May 20, 2024
Rep. Stubbs Wants Kaul to Act on Missing and Murdered Black Women and Girls Task Force
MADISON, WI (WTAQ-WRN) -- A state lawmaker continues to push for creation of a task force on missing and murdered Black women and girls in Wisconsin. Representative Sheila Stubbs joined other lawmakers, family members of victims and advocates at the Capitol last week. The Madison Democrat wants action from Democratic A...
May 20, 2024
DHS Announces New Vaccination Requirements for Kids
MADISON, WI (WTAQ-WRN) -- New vaccination requirements for kids in Wisconsin schools and child care centers. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services announces updates that include a requirement for meningitis vaccination and that chickenpox infection must be documented by a qualified medical professional. There is ...
May 20, 2024
Wisconsin's Click It or Ticket Campaign Returns for Memorial Day Travel Boost
(WTAQ-WLUK) -- As Wisconsin gears up for near-record travel for Memorial Day weekend, a campaign aims to keep roads safe. The annual WisDOT and Wisconsin State Patrol Click It or Ticket campaign will return May 20 through June 2. Law enforcement agencies and departments throughout the state will increase patrols over M...
May 20, 2024
Legalize Marijuana in Wisconsin; Says Milwaukee Mayor Johnson
MILWAUKEE, WI (WTAQ-WRN) -- The Biden Administration has reclassified marijuana from a Schedule I drug, the most dangerous classification, to a Schedule III drug. Now, Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson would like to see Wisconsin allow legal sales. "Those are dollars that could be taxed, that could be then going to...
May 17, 2024
Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson Talks with Secret Service About Protesting Zone for Milwaukee GOP Convention
MILWAUKEE, WI (WTAQ-WRN) -- Concerns from the nation's capital about protesting at Milwaukee's Republican National Convention. Wisconsin U.S. Senator Ron Johnson discussed those with the head of the Secret Service Tuesday. Johnson says demonstrations for this July's convention will differ from when Milwaukee was slated...
May 15, 2024
Dem Press Conference Slams Senate Veto Override Session
MADISON, WI (WTAQ-WRN) -- At the Capitol on Tuesday, state Senate Republicans overrode several of Governor Tony Evers vetoes - and then called it a day. They were blasted by Democrats in a post session press conference. Minority Leader Diane Hesselbein wanted the chamber to take up bills passed by the Assembly "Th...
May 14, 2024
Wisconsin Gears Up for Near-Record Memorial Day Travel, Second Highest Since 2019
(WTAQ-WLUK) -- Wisconsinites will be hitting the road for the unofficial start of summer. AAA forecasts near-record numbers for this year's Memorial Day weekend with more than 816,000 Wisconsin residents traveling 50 miles or more. That's over 30,000 more holiday travelers than last year, and second only to the all-tim...
May 14, 2024
UW-Madison Professor Says Non-Compete Clause Ban from FTC will Strengthen Economy
MADISON, WI (WTAQ-WRN) -- A ruling by the Federal Trade Commission that would ban non-compete clauses could mean better wages for workers. UW-Madison management professor Martin Ganco says non-competes allow companies to lock employees in place without offering competitive wages. "We know based on research, that i...
May 14, 2024
SCOWIS Hears Drop Boxes Arguments
MADISON, WI (WTAQ-WRN) -- Ballot drop boxes may be back in Wisconsin elections. The 4-3 liberal majority on the Wisconsin Supreme Court appears willing to overturn a ruling restricting their use. That decision was handed down in 2022, when conservative justices held a 4-3 majority on the court. That ruling allowed for ...
May 13, 2024
Evers Sues Legislature to Release Student Literacy Funding
MADISON, WI (WTAQ-WRN) -- Governor Tony Evers is once again suing the Wisconsin State Legislature. The governor is making the move over what he calls a refusal to release a critical investment aimed at improving K-12 student literacy. According to Evers, The move comes as Republican lawmakers on the Republican-controll...
May 13, 2024
Pro-Palestinian UW-Milwaukee Students to Meet with UWM Foundation
MILWAUKEE, WI (WTAQ-WRN) -- Pro-Palestinian protesters at UW Milwaukee expect to meet with the UWM Foundation Tuesday. Student organizers say that meeting is meant to achieve disclosure of UWM investments in, and connections, to Israel. "We're going into this meeting with intentions with full disclosure, and if we...
May 13, 2024
Pro-Palestinian Protesters to Clear Encampment after Reaching Agreement with UW-Madison
MADISON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) -- Nearly two weeks after demonstrations over the Israel-Hamas war began at the University of Wisconsin, a resolution has been reached between campus leaders and protest organizers. On Friday, the university announced details of the agreement that will end the encampment on Library Mall which be...
May 10, 2024
Chrystul Kizer Pleads Guilty to Reduced Charge in 2018 Murder
KENOSHA, WI (WTAQ-WRN) -- A woman reaches a plea deal in the death of a man she claims sex trafficked her. Chrystul Kizer avoids a life sentence after pleading guilty to a charge of second degree reckless homicide in Kenosha County Court Thursday. Four other charges are dismissed. The 23-year-old Milwaukee woman was ch...
May 09, 2024
UW Leaders Meet with Madison Anti-War Protestors
MADISON, WI (WTAQ-WRN) -- UW-Madison Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin and anti-war protestors met once again on Thursday. Administrators say UW has limited ability to divest from certain investments as protestors are requesting but did agree to set up meetings between the protestors and directors of university endowment fun...
May 09, 2024
Names of Fallen Wisconsin Law Enforcement Officers to be Added to National Memorial
WASHINGTON, D.C. (WTAQ-WLUK) -- Five fallen Wisconsin law enforcement officers will be remembered next week. Those officers will be among the 282 names placed on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C. They include Chetek Police officer Emily Breidenbach, Milwaukee police officer Peter Jervin...
May 09, 2024
Study Ranks Wisconsin Worst in Nation for Black Residents
MADISON, WI (WTAQ-WRN) -- A new study again ranks Wisconsin worst in the nation for its Black residents. The study from 24/7 Wall St. analyzed data from the U.S. Census Bureau and other sources. According to the study, the median household income for Black individuals in Wisconsin of just over $38,000 is only 51% of th...
May 08, 2024
Biden Rips Trump, Touts Microsoft Project in Racine Visit
RACINE, WI (WTAQ-WRN) -- President Joe Biden touts Microsoft's $3.3 billion investment to build an AI data center on the Pleasant Prairie campus of the failed Foxconn project. And as expected, Biden's remarks over the noon hour in Racine on Wednesday included digs at his predecessor. "He and his administration pro...
May 08, 2024
Madison City Council Deadlocks on Resolution in Support of UW Protest Encampment
MADISON, WI (WTAQ-WRN) -- A resolution of support for UW protesters fails to pass in Madison Tuesday night. On an 8 - 8 vote, Madison's city council deadlocked on a resolution that called on UW Madison Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin to allow the encampment on Library Mall to continue. So it failed. The UW's stance has bee...
May 08, 2024
Rothman says UW System will Cooperate with DEI Audit
MADISON, WI (WTAQ-WRN) -- An audit of diversity, equity and inclusion practices at state agencies and the UW System will proceed. UW System President Jay Rothman on Tuesday told the Legislature's Joint Finance Committee that he's not clear on what exactly will be audited. "So I'm struggling with what the standards...
May 07, 2024
Biden in Racine Wednesday, Harris to Milwaukee Next Week
RACINE, WI (WTAQ-WRN) -- President Joe Biden returns to Wisconsin Wednesday. Biden is scheduled to deliver remarks at Gateway Technical College in Sturtevant at noon. He's expected to highlight the scaled up Microsoft data center development in Mount Pleasant, and perhaps contrast that with the underperforming Foxconn ...
May 07, 2024
Joint Finance Committee Approves Spending $36 Million on Opioid Settlement Funds
MADISON, WI (WTAQ-WRN) -- The Legislature's Joint Finance Committee on Tuesday approved spending $36 million in opioid settlement funds. Committee co-chair Senator Howard Marklein says that will include money for education and prevention. "Many of us can remember the public service campaigns like just say no. This...
May 07, 2024