Latest news with #HopeKarnopp
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Get to know Hope Karnopp, trending politics reporter at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
As the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's trending politics reporter, Hope Karnopp is often trying to help people understand what's going on in government and elections through stories and social media video. But in a story about the history of Wisconsin's first capital, in Belmont, she explains how state government got started — and got to where it is. It's all part of the job for Karnopp, who joined the Journal Sentinel in late 2023 after covering politics in Madison as a Journal Sentinel intern. The Green Bay native graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and, since joining the Milwaukee newsroom, has covered presidential campaigns, both national conventions and legislation in the state Capitol. Here, you can get to know her a little more: Question: You recently did a story on Belmont, which was the capital of Wisconsin before Madison. What's your favorite detail from that story? Answer: My favorite detail by far was Historical Society staff getting calls from people who think they're contacting the First Capitol salvage yard. Apparently, they keep the correct phone number handy on a Post-it note. Sometimes during an interview, I'll hear a perfect quote or anecdote, and it's like a lightbulb goes on in my brain. That was one of them. It seems like there was a lot of corruption in the story of relocating the capital. Is there a sliding-door scenario where Belmont is still the capital today? The decision came down to only a few votes, so it's certainly possible. I was surprised Mineral Point wasn't selected, because that was really the booming city at the time. It's amazing that one person, James Doty, is responsible for how Madison looks today. It's hard to picture it as anything else now. Do you find that your role lends itself to documenting the history of Wisconsin's political landscape, or was this an outlier? What is the central mission of the trending politics reporter? This might be the only history-centric story I've taken on at the Journal Sentinel, but I find myself looking back in time quite a bit. When I wrote about Wisconsin's referendum process, for example, I dug into the Blue Book and found some fascinating historical details that shaped the story. That's one part of my trending role — analyzing what's changed or stayed the same throughout Wisconsin politics, like rules for returning absentee ballots. My job is a new addition to our newsroom and means a lot of different things, including fact-checking claims that go viral online. Often, I'm explaining what's going on behind our traditional politics headlines. When I voted in my first election at 18, I had no idea who or what would be on the ballot. I aim to provide that essential information to readers. You get to write about a lot of fun stuff on the politics beat, like a or lawmakers wanting to make the . Do you find it difficult to thread the needle of finding engaging stories while still recognizing how big a role politics can have on the lives of everyday citizens? My philosophy behind these fun stories is to explain something serious about politics that readers didn't know before. A panda ad is bound to draw attention, but it also shows how candidates have to reach voters differently in the digital age. Or, why lawmakers worry about upsetting the beer or cheese lobby when they pick a new state symbol. Even my stories about specialized license plates go deeper. How do citizens interact with bureaucracy through state DMVs? Where does the money come from to improve the roads we drive on every day? I try to find stories with wide appeal, even to non-political junkies, and share how state government works in the process. What was your path to journalism? I loved creative writing as a kid and filled many notebooks with the first chapters of books I never finished. I thought about being a teacher like my mom. I enjoyed my social studies classes in high school, where we connected current events to history. Journalism seemed like a combination of all those things. I went into college not knowing exactly what it would entail, but I wandered over to the state news desk at the Daily Cardinal student newspaper, and the rest was history. You're from Green Bay, went to school in Madison and now live and work in Milwaukee. So, which of the state's three biggest cities is really the best? Bonus points for saying something nice about the Big Appleton. Don't make me choose! I love the pride Green Bay has in our Packers. Madison is the quintessential college town and the Terrace is one of my favorite places, but I love the upgrade to Lake Michigan. Milwaukee's restaurant scene has absolutely blown me away. The people encouraging you to move to Milwaukee are correct. Appleton is underrated. Great mall, College Avenue rocks, beautiful riverfront. That's three things. Politics right now: Complicated! To say the least! Is this stressful? Dismaying? What do you tell people who want to know what the job is like? It was a whirlwind in 2024. I covered both conventions and countless rallies. Election seasons are stressful, but I find it important to provide useful information when votes matter so much in Wisconsin. That responsibility can feel like a lot, but our amazing, supportive politics team sticks together. Something I tell people is that politics is — for the most part — civil and cooperative at the state level. Rep. Todd Novak got that point across in the First Capitol story. I try to highlight examples of bipartisanship, which I think most voters want but seldom see in headlines. Name three things important to you that have nothing to do with work. A cup of freshly brewed, medium-roast coffee in the morning, framed posters from indie rock concerts I've been to and visiting Door County with my family. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Get to know Journal Sentinel trending politics reporter Hope Karnopp
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
When is the tax deadline in Wisconsin? Here's what happens if you file late
Millions of Americans are expected to file their federal and state tax returns by the April 15 deadline, according to the IRS. However, if you're running late, you can still file an extension to avoid late fees from the federal government. Here's what you need to know about filing your taxes in Wisconsin, plus how to check the status of your refund. The deadline to file your state and federal income tax return is April 15, 2025. If you're unable to file your tax return by the April 15 deadline, you can apply for an extension. Here's how to file an extension, according to the IRS: You can electronically request an automatic tax-filling extension through IRS Free File by filing Form 4868, Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return. Make an electronic payment using Direct Pay, debit card, credit card or digital wallet and specify the payment is for an extension. Mail Form 4868 by the tax deadline. If you don't file your tax return by the due date, including extensions, you will receive a penalty from the IRS, according to its website. The IRS will send you a notice or letter if you owe the penalty. The amount depends of the type of tax return you file. For individuals and most business tax returns, the penalty is 5% of the tax due for each month or partial month the return is late. The penalty accrues up to a maximum of 25%. You have several options to file your state return, some of which won't cost you. WisTax is the state's free software for filing state income taxes. It uses your My Tax Account profile. If you opt for the IRS' Direct File program, federal form information will transfer into WisTax. You also won't need to attach forms like W-2s, 1099s or your federal return to state taxes. The Department of Revenue recommends waiting until your federal return is accepted before beginning your Wisconsin return. If your federal return gets rejected, you might have to update your state return, which can't be done through WisTax. In this case, you'd need to use third-party software, a paper form or find a tax professional. Those who don't qualify for Direct File might still be eligible to use WisTax. You can view eligibility information on its website. If you filed state taxes electronically in Wisconsin, then you should receive your refund in less than three weeks, according to the Wisconsin Department of Revenue. Paper tax returns, meanwhile, can take longer to process. The DOR says its safeguards against fraud and errors could delay paper refunds for up to 12 weeks. You can check the status of your Wisconsin state tax refund online on the state's portal. RELATED: Where's my tax refund? Is my deposit delayed? How to check federal, state refund status in Wisconsin Hope Karnopp contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: What time are taxes due on April 15? What happens if you file late?
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
When is Tax Day 2025? What to know in Wisconsin
Have you filed your taxes yet? If not, you probably want to start them soon since Tax Day is in exactly one week. While you still have time, you should know that the deadline is also the last day you can file for an extension. Here's what to know: Tax Day is on Tuesday, April 15. More: Why is tax day on April 15? Here's what to know about the history of the day State taxes are due on Tuesday, April 15, according to Wisconsin's Department of Revenue. Federal taxes are also due on that day. If you need more time to do your 2024 taxes, Tax Day is also the last day you can file for an extension, the Internal Revenue Service says. More: Tax deadline coming soon: What to know about filing for an extension You have several options to file your state return, some of which won't cost you. WisTax is the state's free software for filing state income taxes. It uses your My Tax Account profile. If you opt for the IRS' Direct File program, federal form information will transfer into WisTax. You also won't need to attach forms like W-2s, 1099s or your federal return to state taxes. The Department of Revenue recommends waiting until your federal return is accepted before beginning your Wisconsin return. If your federal return gets rejected, you might have to update your state return, which can't be done through WisTax. In this case, you'd need to use third-party software, a paper form or find a tax professional. Those who don't qualify for Direct File might still be eligible to use WisTax. You can view eligibility information on its website. More: Tax season starts Monday. Here's how to file federal and state taxes for free in Wisconsin If you filed state taxes electronically, you should receive your refund in less than three weeks, according to the Wisconsin Department of Revenue. Paper tax returns, meanwhile, could take longer to process. The DOR says its safeguards against fraud and errors, which could delay paper refunds for up to 12 weeks. You can check the status of your Wisconsin state tax refund online on the state's portal. Most federal refunds are issued within three weeks of electronic filing, according to the IRS. Refunds can take anywhere from six to eight weeks from the date the IRS gets a paper return. You can check your federal tax refund online using the IRS' "Where's My Refund?" tool. Hope Karnopp, Alex Groth and Maia Pandey contributed to this report. More: Where's my tax refund? Is my deposit delayed? How to check federal, state refund status in Wisconsin This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: When are taxes due in Wisconsin?
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
How many people voted in the 2025 Wisconsin Supreme Court election?
Voter turnout in Wisconsin's hotly contested state Supreme Court election was so high Tuesday that some polling locations in Milwaukee ran out of ballots altogether. There was "historic turnout in the spring election, which has never occurred here in the city," Milwaukee Election Commission Executive Director Paulina Gutiérrez said Tuesday evening as officials worked to replenish ballot shortages. Beyond Milwaukee, voting surged statewide compared to the 2023 spring election, which also had a nationally watched Wisconsin Supreme Court race on the ballot. Here's what we know so far about voter turnout levels in Tuesday's election: With more than 95% of precincts reporting, 2,364,327 people cast ballots in the statewide Supreme Court election, according to Decision Desk HQ as of April 2. Slightly fewer people voted in the state superintendent election and on the voter ID referendum. About 2.2 million and 2.3 million Wisconsinites voted in each, respectively, according to Decision Desk HQ. Under 500,000 people statewide voted in the February primary for the April election, which did not include the Supreme Court race because only two candidates were running. Though WEC does not typically report an official voter turnout number, it does estimate voter turnout as a percentage of the state's population of people over age 18 that are eligible to vote. WEC estimates the voting age population was 4,676,183 as of 2022. Using this number, voter turnout in the state Supreme Court election would be nearly 51%. Using the number of active registered voters in Wisconsin as of April 1 — 3,833,452 — Tuesday's voter turnout would be almost 62%. But this only represents the percentage of registered voters, not all eligible voters in Wisconsin. It also doesn't include people who registered at the polls on Election Day. Meanwhile, turnout in the 2023 spring election was nearly 40%. About 675,000 Wisconsinites voted ahead of time in the spring election, either using a mail-in ballot or early voting location, according to data reported by the Wisconsin Elections Commission as of Tuesday. That's compared to around 435,000 absentee votes reported on Election Day in Wisconsin's 2023 Supreme Court election. In Milwaukee, nearly 110,000 people voted early. Other counties that led the state in early voting were Dane, Waukesha, Brown and Washington. Hope Karnopp contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin election turnout: How many voted in 2025 Supreme Court race?
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
What is the Milwaukee weather forecast for the Brewers home opener against Kansas City?
The first Brewers home game of 2025 is finally here. Here's your game day weather forecast as you head to the stadium, set up your tailgate and get ready to watch the first inning: According to the National Weather Service, Milwaukee will see a high of around 44 degrees. Cloudy skies will gradually become sunny by the afternoon, and no rain is in the forecast. North-northwest winds will make temperatures feel like the upper 20s in the morning and the mid-to-upper 30s in the afternoon. According to the Brewers, stadium parking lots open for tailgating three hours before first pitch ― around 10:10 a.m. on Monday. At that time, it is expected to be 35 degrees (but feel like 26) and partly cloudy. The Brewers will face the Kansas City Royals at 1:10 p.m. By then, temperatures will reach 40 degrees (and feel like 33), and skies will be a little sunnier. The typical Major League Baseball game is between 2.5 hours and a little over 3 hours, meaning Monday's matchup will end at around 4 p.m. The day will reach its warmest point, around 43 degrees (feeling like 37), with sunny skies, according to the NWS forecast. The Brewers typically close the roof of American Family Field if the temperature is below 63 degrees, but fans can call the roof hotline at 414-902-4636 to check its status. Last year, tailgaters stuck it out during cold temperatures, rain and a chance of snow during the home opener. Although Milwaukee isn't expected to see rain during this year's home opener, precipitation is in the forecast later this week on Tuesday night and throughout the day on Wednesday. More: Check out the Milwaukee Brewers bobbleheads and other free 2025 season giveaways More: Kopp's Frozen Custard marks Milwaukee Brewers' home opener with flavor honoring Bob Uecker Journal Sentinel reporter Hope Karnopp contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee weather forecast for Brewers home opener vs. Kansas City
