Latest news with #Wisconsinites
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Neenah Foundry fire still under investigation for cause, additional details provided on response efforts
NEENAH, Wis. (WFRV) – The fire at is still under investigation by officials; however, additional details are rolling out. The Neenah-Menasha Fire Rescue shared an official release regarding the massive fire, which saw official responses at around 8:23 p.m. on Thursday. Department of Natural Resources warning Wisconsinites over statewide Air Quality Advisory due to Canadian wildfire smoke The first units responded and found heavy smoke and flames from the top of a sand tower, and neighboring fire departments arrived. The fire was extinguished within two hours of the crews' arrival. Engine Companies stayed on the scene for about another hour to observe any possible spots for fires to rekindle and to clean the equipment. The fire's cause is still under active investigation. Initial reports say the sand tower's damage estimates are unavailable at this time, but that it suffered extensive smoke and fire damage. No injuries were reported. Winnebago County Sheriff warning residents over recent PayPal scams Other response crews and officials involved with the fire suppression efforts were: Winnebago County Communication Center Neenah Police Department Neenah Foundry Plant personnel Appleton Fire Department Gold Cross Ambulance Neenah Water Department Neenah Fire Department Oshkosh Fire Department Fox Crossing Fire Department Harrison Fire Department No additional details are available. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Evers raises Pride flag over Wisconsin State Capitol
The Progress Pride Flag flies over the Wisconsin Capitol. (Henry Redman | Wisconsin Examiner) For the seventh time, Gov. Tony Evers ordered the Progress Pride Flag to fly over the Wisconsin State Capitol for LGBTQ Pride Month. This year, Pride Month begins on the 10th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, which gave same-sex couples the right to get married in 2015. But Evers' celebration of LGBTQ pride is occuring as the administration of President Donald Trump attacks the rights of transgender people and a recent Gallup poll found that Republican acceptance of same-sex marriage has fallen to its lowest level in nine years. 'When the Pride Flag flies above the People's House, it sends a clear and unequivocal message that Wisconsin recognizes and celebrates LGBTQ Wisconsinites and Americans,' Evers said in a statement. 'Every day, but especially today and this month, we reaffirm our commitment to striving to be a place where every LGBTQ kid, person, and family can be bold in their truth and be safe, treated with dignity and respect, and welcomed without fear of persecution, judgment, or discrimination. I promised long ago that, as governor, I would always fight to protect LGBTQ Wisconsinites with every tool and every power that I have. I will never stop keeping that promise.' In the executive order Evers signed Friday, he notes that the LGBTQ has been under attack in recent years, including in Wisconsin where Republicans have tried more than once to pass legislation attacking transgender children. 'Despite historic victories, in the last several years, there has been a significant increase in anti-LGBTQ legislation introduced in state Legislatures across the country, including in Wisconsin, that have targeted LGBTQ kids and people and increased dangerous anti-LGBTQ rhetoric, as well as efforts on a state and national level to erase LGBTQ history and stories.' The Progress Pride Flag flying above the Capitol includes the recognizable LGBTQ rainbow colors and a chevron of additional stripes that represent LGBTQ people of color, the transgender community and people with HIV/AIDS. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Officers clear possible pipe bomb threat in southern Wisconsin city, declare area safe
WATERTOWN, Wis. (WFRV) – On Thursday, officers in southern Wisconsin worked to clear the scene of a possible pipe bomb threat, eventually declaring the area safe. Around 8:30 p.m. on May 29, the Watertown Police Department sent out a release warning the public that they had received a report of a possible pipe bomb in the area of South Third Street and Market Street in Watertown. Oshkosh woman changes plea to guilty for bomb threat towards synagogue, sentenced to 2 years of probation Citizens were asked to avoid the area as officers worked to secure the scene and evacuate nearby residents out of precaution. Later that night, Watertown PD declared the area safe, indicating there was no further threat to the public. An updated press release was sent out on Friday morning with more details, including a description of the potential explosive device. Officers say the initial call came in around 7:05 p.m., reporting a suspicious object that had been placed on a residential gas meter. Department of Natural Resources warning Wisconsinites over statewide Air Quality Advisory due to Canadian wildfire smoke The Milwaukee Police Department Hazardous Devices Unit, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and We Energies responded to the scene and assisted with the investigation. Ultimately, the suspicious device was determined not to be explosive. No additional details were provided as the investigation remains active. Local 5 will update this story when more information is released. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
What to know about Canadian wildfire smoke's effect on Wisconsin, Milwaukee air quality
If the sky looks hazy to you, it's because smoke from Canadian wildfires is hitting Wisconsin. The wildfire smoke will likely mean poor air quality conditions for much of the state, according to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Here's what to know, including where the smoke is coming from, how Wisconsin's air quality is expected to be impacted and where to check current air quality conditions: The wildfire smoke will move into southern Wisconsin May 30, mixing toward the surface in the late morning or early afternoon and lingering through the night, according to a post on X from the National Weather Service-Milwaukee. The smoke is coming from Canadian wildfires in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, according to the Wisconsin DNR. Rising heat, winds, and dry air sparked blazes in those Canadian provinces. The fires have burned hundreds of thousands of acres in both provinces and resulted in the evacuation of at least 17,000 people, in what officials are calling "a very serious situation," USA TODAY reported. A statewide Air Quality Advisory is in effect from 6 a.m. May 30 until 6 a.m. May 31, according to the Wisconsin DNR Facebook post. While the advisory is set to expire at 6 a.m. May 31, smoke impacts may continue, which could extend the advisory for some areas. "Air quality has some degradations basically across much of the state," said Aidan Kuroski, meteorologist for the NWS-Milwaukee. "Although, it's definitely going to be more impactful further east." As of 9:30 a.m. May 30, much of the state's air quality was in the "good" to "moderate" range in regards to its Air Quality Index, Kuroski said. But, he expected the air quality to fall to the "moderate" to "unhealthy for sensitive groups" range as the day went on. While it's possible for the air quality to reach "unhealthy" levels, Kuroski didn't expect that to happen in Wisconsin. As of 9:30 a.m. May 30, the air quality was still listed as "good," according to the Air Quality Index at It's OK for Wisconsinites to be active outdoors, but they should take more breaks, the DNR said in a May 29 statement. If symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath arise, they should take a break or move indoors. Wisconsin residents who are a part of sensitive groups — including those with heart disease, lung disease or preexisting respiratory conditions, like asthma — should make outdoor activities shorter and less intense, the DNR and NWS advised. Here are some ways to protect yourself from wildfire smoke, according to the state's DNR: The best way to prevent breathing particles from wildfire smoke is to stay indoors. Close windows and doors. Run A/C on recirculate with a new high-efficiency filter. Keep indoor air clean by: Avoiding activities that increase indoor air pollution, such as vacuuming, burning candles, frying foods or using gas appliances. Reducing airborne dust by using a damp cloth to dust the home and trap the particles rather than a dry cloth or duster that might make them airborne again. Use an indoor air purifier. Cancel outdoor events or move them indoors, especially for children. Create a DIY temporary air filter. Current air quality conditions and air quality forecasts can be found at This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Canadian wildfire smoke hits Wisconsin; air quality alert issued
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Baldwin hears from Medicaid recipients in Superior
May 29—SUPERIOR — The Lake Superior Community Health Center relies on Medicaid reimbursements to fund 60% to 70% of its budget in any given year, according to CEO Lee Homan. The health care facility in East End provided space Thursday, May 29, for U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., to hear from area residents about their concerns after House Republicans advanced a budget bill May 22 that would change Medicaid. Baldwin said the bill includes cuts that could potentially kick 14 million Americans, including 228,000 Wisconsinites, off their health insurance. However, U.S. Rep Tom Tiffany, R-Wisconsin, said "cuts" isn't the right word. It's about reforming the system that was designed to help people with disabilities, pregnant mothers and indigent people, he told the Telegram in a phone call. "We want to save the program, OK, because otherwise it's going to go broke," Tiffany said. Baldwin has a different view of the bill, which is still awaiting a vote in the Senate. "They used tricks in order to mask the cuts that they were making ... like work reporting requirements," she said. "Well, most people on Medicaid work, but these reporting requirements and having them more frequent are meant to trip you up so that you lose your eligibility even though you're eligible. There are all sorts of gimmicks, but most of it is more paperwork, more bureaucracy, and frankly more government to process that red tape." Barbara Sorensen, who has a 43-year-old son on Medicaid, told the congresswoman it takes about five weeks from receiving the first letter to recertification for Medicaid. "I can't imagine doing it twice a year, and who's going to pay for it?" Sorensen said. "It's an unfunded mandate." Her son has relied on Medicaid all of his life after being diagnosed with autism, low muscle tone and sensory integration problems, Sorensen said. She said he didn't walk until he was 34 months old but still managed to graduate from high school and has worked for the city of Ashland picking up litter since 2002. "Those people who are writing these bills don't know that they're already working," Sorensen said of many Medicaid recipients. Carla Becker said Medicaid has been instrumental in allowing her to advocate for her daughter, Willow. Adopted from foster care, Willow remains eligible for the medical portion of Forward Health, which Becker said has allowed her to get the care Willow needs to address multiple medical issues. "It seems like the amount of money being spent on something that's not health care, in my opinion, seems like waste, fraud and abuse," Becker said of the proposed reporting requirements. Brianna Pearson said her autistic son is on a children's waiver through children's long-term care, and she doesn't know what she would do if it was cut. She is also a peer support specialist with indiGO in Superior and talked about the potential impact on the people she serves. "It would not only affect their coverages," Pearson said. "It would affect the supports they get from long-term care like IRIS (Include, Respect, I Self-Direct) and Inclusa, which are a lot of the consumers I work with." Baldwin said understanding Medicaid is a challenge because it goes by so many names, including BadgerCare, Katie Beckett for children, IRIS for adults and Family Care in Wisconsin, and MNCare in Minnesota. Dawn Becerra, 68, said many don't realize the "trickle down" supports provided by Medicaid. She has been caring for her mother with dementia for five years. She said without programs like Endeavors Adult Development Center in Balsam Lake, she and her husband wouldn't be able to get out together because someone has to be with her mother all the time. She said her mother's care at Endeavors is funded through the Aging and Disability Resource Center with Medicare and Medicaid funding. Baldwin noted that health care facilities in rural parts of the state have already been closing, leaving communities with little or no health care readily available. "We know that critical access hospitals that serve rural communities are on the brink," the congresswoman said. "They have very low margins. We know that skilled nursing facilities that serve out seniors, over half of which rely on Medicaid ... are on the brink." If Medicaid cuts do go through, Homan said Lake Superior Community Health Care would continue to provide care irrespective of ability to pay. But an increase in uninsured patients would have a financial impact on the organization, the CEO said. Tiffany said millions of Medicaid recipients are able-bodied adults but choose not to work. People who are in the U.S. illegally are also benefiting from the program, he argues. "There are hundreds of billions of dollars going out in Medicaid benefits to people like that — this is not how the program was originally created," he said.
