CF veterans homeless shelter to close
The two-floor, 30,400-square-foot Klein Hall increased its capacity from 40 homeless Veterans to 48 in 2020. Veterans have generally been allowed to stay in the transitional housing program for two years, with a few exceptions. The program seeks to provide homeless Veterans with the job training, education, counseling and rehabilitative services they need to help them find steady employment, affordable housing and the skills to sustain a productive lifestyle.
Evers, a Democrat, sent out a press release announcing the closure of the Veterans campus in Chippewa Falls and another one in Green Bay.
In the press release, Evers blamed the Republican-led Legislature for 'failing to approve his full biennial budget request to support Wisconsin's Veterans, which is now causing housing location closures.'
Evers continued: 'Republican lawmakers who control the state's budget committee, the Joint Committee on Finance, refused to approve the governor's funding request, which included $1.9 million for the Veteran Housing and Recovery Program (VHRP).
'As the Legislature was deliberating the 2025-27 Biennial Budget, the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau noted for Republicans on the Joint Committee on Finance that, without additional funding, the Department [of Veterans Affairs] would not have sufficient resources to maintain the program's three sites,' the press release reads. 'Nevertheless, Republican lawmakers ultimately rejected Gov. Evers' request, instead approving $0 in new funding for the program, which will now cause two of the three VHRP locations to close. VHRP, overseen by the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA), provides housing and supportive services to military Veterans who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless to help them obtain permanent housing.'
Monday was the last day that applications were reviewed at the Chippewa Falls and Green Bay locations. Applications will continue to be accepted for the Union Grove location, which will remain open, Evers announced.
'We make a promise to our Veterans that when they return home to their civilian life, we will support and serve them just as they have supported and served us,' Evers said in the press release. 'Our Veterans should not have to worry about being able to afford to keep a roof over their heads. Period. I want to personally thank the wonderful folks at Lutheran Social Services who staff these locations for their tireless work on behalf of the Veterans who reside there. The bottom line is that there will now be fewer options for homeless Veterans as a result of the Legislature's irresponsible decision to reject the investments that I proposed. To our Wisconsin Veterans, make no mistake—we will not stop fighting for you. When the Legislature comes back to work this fall, providing more support for our Veterans must be a top priority. I will continue to urge Republican lawmakers to make the investments our Veterans deserve that they should have approved in our state budget.'
Veterans currently residing at the Chippewa Falls and Green Bay facilities will be offered alternative placement options and will continue to receive assistance through supportive services.
'We have a duty to support Veterans, especially in their darkest times,' said WDVA Secretary James Bond. 'Even with these closures, we remain committed to assisting Veterans and connecting them to resources. VHRP has been integral in helping Veterans find stability and succeed in their communities, and along with our partners on the ground, we intend to still carry out that mission to the best of our ability.'
Klein Hall opened on the campus of the Northern Wisconsin Center for the Developmentally Disabled in December 2007 in the Oak Grove building, 2820 E. Park Ave., which was officially renamed Klein Hall in honor of Bill Klein, who started the shelters for homeless Veterans. Klein died in 2003.
In December 2006, the State Building Commission approved using the empty Oak Grove building for the Veterans campus. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs awarded a $116,000 grant in November 2006 to help the state open the shelter.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Johnson criticizes Paxton's handling of DREAM Act, calls redistricting ‘un-American'
AUSTIN (Nexstar)— State Sen. Nathan Johnson, D-Dallas, accused Attorney General Ken Paxton of colluding with the federal government to eliminate a state program that helps longtime Texas residents attend college at in-state tuition rates. Johnson, D-Dallas, who announced his candidacy for attorney general, called Paxton's decision not to defend the Texas DREAM Act 'an outright act of collusion' and 'a subversion of democracy.' 'Ken Paxton went in there, colluded with the federal government, Donald Trump, obviously, to get rid of a program that was signed by a Republican governor and passed by a Republican legislature 24 years ago,' Johnson said. The DREAM Act allows certain undocumented immigrants who have lived in Texas for at least three years and graduated from a Texas high school to pay in-state tuition at public colleges and universities. A federal judge struck down the program in January after the attorney general's office declined to defend it in court. In a statement after the decision, the Office of Attorney General sent a news release crediting Paxton for striking down the law. In the release, Paxton said the law 'unconstitutionally and unlawfully gave benefits to illegal aliens that were not available to American citizens.' 'Ending this discriminatory and un-American provision is a major victory for Texas,' Paxton added in the release. Johnson argued the program benefits Texas economically and has been consistently supported by Republican-controlled legislatures. 'These are kids who've been here mostly their whole lives. They've gotten good grades, they qualified to go into college. They want to become educated participants in our society, and we've paid to educate them already,' he said. The Democratic candidate criticized Gov. Greg Abbott's decision to call the current special session, particularly the inclusion of redistricting on the agenda. 'What's completely, completely illegitimate is this redistricting garbage. I find that offensive. I find it un-American, anti-democratic,' Johnson said. 'It's really just a way for them to insulate themselves from the wrath of the voters for having done a bad job.' Johnson acknowledged the challenges facing Democrats in statewide races but pointed to his 2018 Senate victory as evidence that change remains possible. 'When I ran to be a state senator in 2018 no one had won that no Democrat had won that seat in over 30 years, and people thought it was absolutely nuts to try. Well, we won it by eight points,' he said. The senator outlined his priorities for the attorney general's office, emphasizing traditional functions over high-profile litigation. 'I would be tackling things that people should be counting whether the Attorney General should be doing,' Johnson said, citing child support collection, protecting consumers from scams and market abuse and addressing political corruption. Johnson was the sole dissenting vote on a property tax relief measure for residents 65 and older, calling it a redistribution of wealth from working families to retirees. 'You're literally redistributing money. You're taking money from low income, working families struggling to pay their rent, and giving it, in many cases, two thirds of the cases, to retirees who have expensive homes,' he said. The Democratic primary for attorney general will be held March 3, 2026. Johnson will face former Galveston mayor Joe Jaworski, who announced his candidacy earlier this month. Whoever wins the primary will face an uphill battle in the general election against one of three Republicans seeking the nomination: Sens. Joan Huffman, R-Houston, and Mayes Middleton, R-Galveston, as well as former Department of Justice attorney Aaron Reitz. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Yahoo
McDonald's to test new beverage lineup in select US markets
McDonald's has announced plans to test a new beverage lineup from 2 September 2025 across 500 store locations in the states of Wisconsin and Colorado, and surrounding US markets. The initiative aims to explore premium beverage options, drawing on insights gained from its spinoff brand, CosMc. The test lineup will feature options such as vanilla cold brew, strawberry watermelon refresher, toasted vanilla frappé, Sprite lunar splash and popping tropic refresher. McDonald's beverage category lead Charlie Newberger stated: 'We're not just adding drinks to the menu – we're advancing our global beverage platform that fits naturally with how people already enjoy McDonald's. 'We've got the structure, the tools and the team to move fast and scale what works. This first test in the US market is a big step in our global direction.' The test is designed to assess operational effectiveness and customer engagement in the US market. McDonald's highlighted the importance of restaurant teams and owner/operators in this process, noting that their experiences will be crucial in refining aspects such as equipment and execution to enhance the overall beverage experience for customers. McDonald's USA chief customer experience and marketing officer Alyssa Buetikofer stated: 'We're seeing real momentum in beverages, with more people – especially our Gen Z fans – turning to cold, flavourful drinks as a go-to treat. 'It's a great opportunity for us to meet our US customers' evolving tastes and show up in new moments, like afternoon refreshment or snack breaks.' In May 2025, McDonald's announced its plan to shut its standalone beverage concept, CosMc's. "McDonald's to test new beverage lineup in select US markets" was originally created and published by Verdict Food Service, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Yahoo
Swing states and big names set the stage for explosive 2026 governor races
The fate of President Trump's agenda could hinge on whether his allies or his opponents win critical state-level races in the midterms. Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers announced Thursday that he will not run for another term, throwing a new wrinkle into what is already shaping up to be a high-stakes — and hotly contested — set of governors' races in next year's midterm elections. In a video announcing his decision, Evers, who has been governor of the Badger State since 2019, expressed confidence that he could earn another term if he pursued it but said it was time to step aside so he can spend more time with his family. 'Would I win if I ran … no question about it,' he said. Governors have always been important, of course, but a state's leadership has taken on even more significance since President Trump returned to the White House. Democratic governors across the country have gone to great lengths to try to prevent Trump from carrying out his agenda, while Republicans have largely been happy to see his goals fulfilled in their states. Only two governorships are on the line this year, in New Jersey and Virginia. Although there are plenty of reason to watch those contests closely, the real fireworks will come in 2026. That's when the top job in 36 states will be up for grabs. Here's an early breakdown of next year's most pivotal governor races and what might be at stake depending on how they are ultimately decided. Swing state showdowns Just like in presidential election years, most of the attention in next year's midterms will be paid to closely contested swing states. Six of the seven swing states from the 2024 presidential race, all of which went for Trump, will vote for governor next year. Four are currently controlled by Democrats. Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro are both eligible to run again, though neither of them has officially announced that they're seeking another term. The races in the two other Democratic-led swing states are wide open. With Evers not running and no obvious successor waiting in the wings, Wisconsin Democrats will now need to select a new candidate who will try to keep the state, which has flipped in each of the past three presidential elections, under their party's control. Democrats will also need to find a replacement for one of their party's recent breakout stars, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who can't run again because of term limits. Four candidates, including Michigan's current secretary of state and its lieutenant governor, have already announced that they're running in what will likely be a heated Democratic primary. Several Republicans have also thrown their hats into the ring at this early stage, including the state's former attorney general and former House speaker. Republicans will also be defending the governorship in two of their own swing states. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, who became a foil for Trump after he refused to go along with the president's scheme to overturn the results of the 2020 election, is term-limited. Kemp comfortably defeated Democrat Stacy Abrams in both 2018 and 2022. But Georgia has been gradually becoming more purple, and the GOP could face some risk if it selects a more divisive MAGA Republican as its nominee. That's especially true if it ends up being controversial Trump ally Marjorie Taylor Greene, who has expressed interest in running. Abrams also hasn't ruled out a third bid for governor. Four other Democrats have already declared, including former Atlanta mayor and Biden administration official Keisha Lance Bottoms. The Democratic Party's best opportunity to flip control of a governor's mansion will likely come in Nevada. Current Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo is running for a second term after narrowly defeating incumbent Democrat Steve Sisolak in 2022. Two high-profile Democrats in the state, current Attorney General Aaron Ford and Washoe County Commissioner Alexis Hill, have announced that they're running to unseat Lombardo. Sisolak has said he's considering joining the race as well. What's in play if there's a blue wave Things tend to go poorly for whichever party controls the White House during the first midterm elections of a new presidency. They typically take a beating up and down the ballot as the public turns against the party in charge. That includes governor's races. The combination of that long-term trend and the particularly stark decline in public opinion of Trump since he returned to office could mean that what would normally be considered safe governorships could be at risk for the GOP. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis can't seek another term. Trump may have already sealed the GOP primary for that state when he endorsed Rep. Byron Donalds in February. So far only one Democrat, former Republican House member David Jolly, has formally entered the race. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, both Republicans, also won't be on the ballot, which could help put those states in reach for Democrats if there's a major blue wave in the midterms. Ohio could be particularly interesting, with Trump ally and former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy running on the Republican side and former Sen. Sherrod Brown reportedly considering a bid for the Democratic nomination. Democrats have been eyeing Texas as a potential game changer for their party for over a decade and have made some noteworthy gains in what has historically been a deep-red state. Even in a blue wave scenario, ousting Gov. Greg Abbott — who is seeking a fourth term — is likely a long shot. Abbott has won each of his three previous races by double digits, and at the moment, none of the high-profile Democrats in Texas politics has stepped up to challenge him. GOP long shots Given how things usually go in the midterms, the odds of Republicans gaining enough ground to put safe Democratic governorships in play could be slim. But the GOP is still likely to put forth serious challenges in a few states to give themselves a puncher's chance if the national mood shifts in their favor. Five Republicans have already joined the race to unseat former vice presidential candidate Gov. Tim Walz in Minnesota, assuming Walz doesn't decide to run for president instead. Maine Gov. Janet Mills is term-limited, which could create vulnerabilities for Democrats in a state that hasn't elected consecutive governors from the same party since the 1950s. The outliers Two states with leaders who don't belong to the party that otherwise dominates state politics will vote for governors next year. In Kansas, where Trump defeated former Vice President Kamala Harris by 16 points in 2024, Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly is term-limited. Eight Republicans, including former Kansas Gov. Jeff Colyer, have joined the race. Two noteworthy candidates, both state senators, have announced their bids on the Democratic side. New Hampshire isn't as blue as Kansas is red, but the state's current Republican governor, Kelly Ayotte, could face a tough reelection bid if a serious Democratic challenger joins the race — though no one has stepped up so far. The primary battles Most of the states electing governors next year aren't really at risk of changing party control, which makes the party primaries the real source of drama. The contest to replace California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who is term-limited, will have especially high stakes. Whoever leads the Golden State instantly becomes one of the stars in the Democratic Party and inevitably invites speculation about a future presidential run. Some of the biggest names in California politics have joined the Democratic primary race, including former Rep. Katie Porter, ex-Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, former Health Secretary Xavier Becerra and current state Senate leader Toni Atkins. A true bombshell could still be coming, though. Harris is reportedly giving 'a serious look' at jumping into the race. Democrats will also need to select a replacement for Colorado Gov. Jared Polis. Michael Bennet, who has represented Colorado in the Senate since 2009, would appear to be the strong frontrunner for the Democratic nomination. He could face a tougher challenge than expected if Ken Salazar, another former senator who left the job to become interior secretary under Barack Obama, steps into the race. Republicans face similar circumstances in Alabama, where Gov. Kay Ivey is term-limited. Former college football coach and current U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville is currently the only significant candidate for the GOP primary there.
