state-news - The Daily Cardinal

In dairyland, unsurprisingly, some of the most active and influential political groups in the state are those that represent the agricultural industry.

IN-DEPTH

Money and influence in America’s Dairyland

By Andy Goldsein | Apr. 12, 2018

In dairyland, unsurprisingly, some of the most active and influential political groups in the state are those that represent the agricultural industry. In the last two decades, agriculture lobbyists alone have shelled out about $7 million in political contributions, behind only financial institutions, business and real estate groups in their efforts to influence policy.

Members of Circadian Organics, pose on their farm in Viroqua, Wisconsin.

IN-DEPTH

Young farmers opt to scale back growth for economic, environmental sustainability

By Sydney Widell | Apr. 12, 2018

In January, Matt Kronschnabel, who graduated from UW-Madison in 2016, and three friends signed the deed to a four-acre organic farm in Viroqua, Wis. — in a region that saw the nation’s highest rate of farm bankruptcies last year, according to federal court data.

Across Wisconsin, economic downturn means farms like the Bauman's are shrinking. In 2017, the number of farms in the state shrunk, but their average area increased — indicating that many have consolidated.

IN-DEPTH

Historical struggles deter next generation of farmers

By Sydney Widell | Apr. 12, 2018

Watching her parents grapple with relentless financial insecurity driven by low commodity prices, coupled with ever-increasing costs of input, swayed DeGolyer against following their path.

“Not only do women make great farmers, but they also bring innovation, new ideas and hard work into this industry,” said Association of Women Agriculture Media Relations spokesperson Emily Matzke.

IN-DEPTH

Women agriculturists may be the answer for dwindling farm industry

By Robyn Cawley | Apr. 11, 2018

“Not only do women make great farmers, but they also bring innovation, new ideas and hard work into this industry,” said Association of Women Agriculture Media Relations spokesperson Emily Matzke.

Larger farms have caused large environmental problems for water contamination and soil health, most presently caused by the huge quantity of manure in this state.

IN-DEPTH

As conservation concerns grow, some farmers are taking the lead towards a more sustainable future

By Jessica Lipaz | Apr. 11, 2018

However, this advancement has caused large environmental problems for water contamination and soil health, most presently caused by the huge quantity of manure in this state.

STATE NEWS

House Speaker Paul Ryan will not seek re-election

By Andy Goldstein | Apr. 11, 2018

House Speaker Paul Ryan will not pursue re-election, instead retiring after the end of his current term.

Conservatives celebrate the signing of Gov. Scott Walker’s welfare reforms into law, which increase the work requirements and other eligibility standards required to receive public assistance.

STATE NEWS

‘Dignity of work’ welfare reforms signed into law

By Dylan Ayer | Apr. 10, 2018

Conservatives celebrate the signing of Gov. Scott Walker’s welfare reforms into law, which increase the work requirements and other eligibility standards required to receive public assistance.

Gov. Scott Walker says he would take President Trump’s border militarization “a step further,” while Democrats, like Rep. Mark Pocan, criticize the narrative altogether.

STATE NEWS

Walker supports taking Trump’s border militarization order ‘a step further’

By Colin Durlacher | Apr. 9, 2018

Gov. Scott Walker says he would take President Trump’s border militarization “a step further,” while Democrats criticize the narrative altogether.

While officials around the state try to make headway against the growing opioid crisis, Gov. Scott Walker signed two bills into law in an attempt to tackle different facets of the issue.

STATE NEWS

More opioid reforms to become law, as Wisconsin leads most of the country in deaths

By Andy Goldstein | Apr. 9, 2018

While officials around the state try to make headway against the growing opioid crisis, Gov. Scott Walker signed two bills into law in an attempt to tackle different facets of the issue.

Milwaukee is set to lock up a sex trafficker for nearly 70 years as state officials attempt to tackle growing rates of known trafficking activity around the state.

STATE NEWS

Sex trafficker sentenced to more than 60 years as officials try to navigate a troubling trend

By Andy Goldstein | Apr. 8, 2018

Milwaukee is set to lock up a sex trafficker for nearly 70 years as state officials attempt to tackle growing rates of known trafficking activity around the state.

After multiple wins for Wisconsin Democrats, Gov. Walker expressed concern for a “blue wave” hitting the state.

STATE NEWS

Gov. Walker warns conservatives as Democrats hope to ride “blue wave” into November

By Will Husted | Apr. 5, 2018

Gov. Scott Walker is going on the offensive following loses for Republicans at the polls on Tuesday, taking to Twitter to emphasize his worry about a potential “Blue Wave” in the state and the effects it could have on his conservative base. Walker’s statements come following a string of liberal victories within Wisconsin. Earlier this year, state Sen. Patty Schachtner, D-River Falls, won a seat that was previously under Republican control for 17 years. President Trump previously won the district by 17 points. Walker tweeted at the time that the loss served as a “wakeup call” for conservatives.

After an announcement Monday that the Trump administration plans to roll back environmental standards, Wisconsin politicians are pushing back and demanding tougher regulations.

STATE NEWS

As Trump administration rolls back environmental standards, Madison politicians push back

By Sammy Gibbons | Apr. 5, 2018

The Trump administration announced Monday a plan to roll back environmental standards, but Madison leaders are pushing back on the efforts, which would eliminate greenhouse gas reduction and fuel efficiency standards for American-made cars.

As the system struggles under the weight of a dramatic increase in children entering foster care, Gov. Scott Walker signed into law key pieces of the state’s “Foster Forward” plan.

STATE NEWS

Walker signs “Foster Forward” legislation as addiction crisis strains the system

By Andy Goldstein | Apr. 4, 2018

As the system struggles under the weight of a dramatic increase in children entering foster care, Gov. Scott Walker signed into law key pieces of the state’s “Foster Forward” plan.

Public employees will no longer be able to access abortion through their state healthcare plan under a bill Gov. Scott Walker signed into law Tuesday.

STATE NEWS

Walker nixes abortion coverage for state workers under new law

By Dylan Ayer | Apr. 3, 2018

Public employees will no longer be able to access abortion through their state healthcare plan under a bill Gov. Scott Walker signed into law Tuesday.

Judge Rebecca Dallet handily beat Judge Michael Screnock in Tuesday’s state Supreme Court race, just as Wisconsinites also voted to retain the state treasurer’s office.

STATE NEWS

Dallet soundly defeats Screnock in victory for liberals

By Andy Goldstein | Apr. 3, 2018

Judge Rebecca Dallet handily beat Judge Michael Screnock in Tuesday’s state Supreme Court race, just as Wisconsinites also voted to retain the state treasurer’s office.

A bill named after a late UW-Madison professor intended to streamline research was not considered by the state Senate, even with massive bipartisan support.

STATE NEWS

‘Mark Cook Bill’ doesn’t land a spot on the state Senate calendar

By Michael Bogaards | Apr. 2, 2018

A bill named after a late UW-Madison professor intended to streamline research was not considered by the state Senate, even with massive bipartisan support.

Dr. John McAdams put a teaching assistant in the cross-hairs through his claim that she censored a student.

STATE NEWS

Election day approaches on a race defined by partisan attacks and spending

By Andy Goldstein | Apr. 2, 2018

Judges Rebecca Dallet and Michael Screnock faced off in their final debate leading up to the state Supreme Court election on April 3.

Wisconsin’s pets can now legally be treated for injuries by emergency personnel in rescue situations thanks to a new bill signed into law by Gov. Scott Walker.

STATE NEWS

Pets can receive life-saving emergency treatment under new law

By Andy Goldstein | Apr. 1, 2018

Wisconsin’s pets can now legally be treated for injuries by emergency personnel in rescue situations thanks to a new bill signed into law by Gov. Scott Walker.

After initially challenging a circuit judge’s order to call new special elections, Gov. Scott Walker has complied with the similar ruling of a higher court, and issued an executive order to hold new elections.

STATE NEWS

Walker relents, follows judges’ orders to hold special elections

By Andy Goldstein | Mar. 29, 2018

After initially challenging a circuit judge’s order to call new special elections, Gov. Scott Walker has complied with the similar ruling of a higher court, and issued an executive order to hold new elections.

Republican leaders have announced plans to reconvene the Legislature to pass changes to state election laws after a judge ordered Gov. Scott Walker to hold special elections.

STATE NEWS

GOP leaders call for “extraordinary” session to change special elections law

By Andy Goldstein | Mar. 23, 2018

Republican leaders have announced plans to reconvene the Legislature to pass changes to state election laws after a judge ordered Gov. Scott Walker to hold special elections.

State News