The Wisconsin Independent
@thewiindependent.tainews.com
The Wisconsin Independent is a project of American Independent Media, a 501(c)(4) organization whose mission is to use journalism to educate the public, giving them the information they need about local and federal issues.
Rural hospitals in WI could face more closures as health care costs are expected to rise after the enhanced subsidies for the Affordable Care Act expire on Jan. 1.
With ACA subsidies set to expire, the entire health care economy could free-fall
Health care experts say rural hospitals could take a significant hit after consumers begin dropping their health insurance coverage due to high costs.
wisconsinindependent.com
December 26, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Rural hospitals in WI could face more closures as health care costs are expected to rise after the enhanced subsidies for the Affordable Care Act expire on Jan. 1.
The U.S. Department of Education announced on Nov. 6 that it concluded rulemaking negotiations to make a host of substantial changes to student aid that were required by provisions in President Donald Trump’s budget law, known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.”
Nursing no longer a professional degree under Trump’s Education Department
The department introduced a host of proposed changes, including reclassifying nursing degrees, eliminating the Grad PLUS loan, and creating a new repayment program.
wisconsinindependent.com
December 18, 2025 at 9:00 PM
The U.S. Department of Education announced on Nov. 6 that it concluded rulemaking negotiations to make a host of substantial changes to student aid that were required by provisions in President Donald Trump’s budget law, known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.”
In spite of the challenges, Jensen Trees is making it through another holiday season. The family business carries on, balancing the preservation of tradition with changes that must be made.
wisconsinindependent.com/economy/wisc...
wisconsinindependent.com/economy/wisc...
Wisconsin Christmas tree farm is feeling the burden of rising costs
Family-run business of nearly 60 years is seeing fewer add-on sales as customers balance pocketbooks, owner tells Wisconsin Democrats on affordability tour.
wisconsinindependent.com
December 18, 2025 at 7:00 PM
In spite of the challenges, Jensen Trees is making it through another holiday season. The family business carries on, balancing the preservation of tradition with changes that must be made.
wisconsinindependent.com/economy/wisc...
wisconsinindependent.com/economy/wisc...
The Republican majority in the U.S. Senate blocked a Democratic bill that would have extended an expiring tax credit that helps 22 million Americans afford their health insurance premiums.
Wisconsin Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin voted for the proposal. Republican Sen. Ron Johnson voted no.
Wisconsin Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin voted for the proposal. Republican Sen. Ron Johnson voted no.
Senate Republicans block bill to renew health insurance subsidies
Americans who purchase health insurance through the Affordable Care Act marketplace will pay higher premiums due to the expiration of the enhanced premium tax credits at the end of 2025.
wisconsinindependent.com
December 12, 2025 at 11:00 AM
The Republican majority in the U.S. Senate blocked a Democratic bill that would have extended an expiring tax credit that helps 22 million Americans afford their health insurance premiums.
Wisconsin Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin voted for the proposal. Republican Sen. Ron Johnson voted no.
Wisconsin Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin voted for the proposal. Republican Sen. Ron Johnson voted no.
Abortion may be legal in Wisconsin, but the hurdles still involved forced mom Gracie Ladd, 33, to flee the state anyway. She shared her story with Bonnie Fuller.
This story was originally published by @@upnorthnewswi.bsky.social
wisconsinindependent.com/features/wis...
This story was originally published by @@upnorthnewswi.bsky.social
wisconsinindependent.com/features/wis...
Wisconsin mom exposes painful reality of abortion laws after tragic pregnancy loss
Abortion may be legal in Wisconsin, but the hurdles still involved forced mom Gracie Ladd, 33, to flee the state anyway. She shared her story with Bonnie Fuller.
wisconsinindependent.com
December 11, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Abortion may be legal in Wisconsin, but the hurdles still involved forced mom Gracie Ladd, 33, to flee the state anyway. She shared her story with Bonnie Fuller.
This story was originally published by @@upnorthnewswi.bsky.social
wisconsinindependent.com/features/wis...
This story was originally published by @@upnorthnewswi.bsky.social
wisconsinindependent.com/features/wis...
The second-place winner of this year's recipe contest was this delicious and delightful Spaghetti Squash Casserole...
tainews.com/recipe/spagh...
tainews.com/recipe/spagh...
Spaghetti Squash Casserole
Courtesy of Valerie White
tainews.com
December 11, 2025 at 3:02 PM
The second-place winner of this year's recipe contest was this delicious and delightful Spaghetti Squash Casserole...
tainews.com/recipe/spagh...
tainews.com/recipe/spagh...
As a legal appeal to force factory farms to disclose hazardous emissions continues to play out, environmental advocates are calling attention to a new Trump administration rule that could limit reporting on those same farms...
Trump EPA ends program that required reporting on hazardous factory farm emissions
The move reduces even further federal oversight of pollutants such as ammonia and hydrogen sulfide, advocates say.
wisconsinindependent.com
December 11, 2025 at 1:00 PM
As a legal appeal to force factory farms to disclose hazardous emissions continues to play out, environmental advocates are calling attention to a new Trump administration rule that could limit reporting on those same farms...
More than a dozen dairy processors across Wisconsin will earn up to $50,000 each in grant funding next year from the state’s agriculture department, Democratic Gov. Tony Evers announced last week.
Wisconsin dairy processors receive $50,000 grants for innovation, adaptation
Gov. Tony Evers says money will help businesses in the wake of tariffs and ‘reckless trade wars’ from the Trump administration.
wisconsinindependent.com
December 10, 2025 at 10:00 PM
More than a dozen dairy processors across Wisconsin will earn up to $50,000 each in grant funding next year from the state’s agriculture department, Democratic Gov. Tony Evers announced last week.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is proposing changes experts said would weaken reporting and monitoring rules for toxic “forever chemicals” known as PFAS.
wisconsinindependent.com/politics/exp...
wisconsinindependent.com/politics/exp...
Experts: EPA’s proposal to weaken PFAS rules is bad for environment
According to the Environmental Working Group, nearly 70 million acres of farmland across the U.S. could be contaminated by PFAS.
wisconsinindependent.com
December 10, 2025 at 6:00 PM
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is proposing changes experts said would weaken reporting and monitoring rules for toxic “forever chemicals” known as PFAS.
wisconsinindependent.com/politics/exp...
wisconsinindependent.com/politics/exp...
Legislation recently proposed by three Wisconsin Republican lawmakers would require that doctors who prescribe medication abortion pills to patients also provide “catch kits,” containers designed to collect medical or infectious waste, and medical waste bags.
WI Republicans’ bill would force patients to collect medical waste after at-home abortion
'This is just a mean-spirited bill that's aimed to prevent women from seeking safe, legal services,' said state Sen. LaTonya Johnson.
wisconsinindependent.com
December 4, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Legislation recently proposed by three Wisconsin Republican lawmakers would require that doctors who prescribe medication abortion pills to patients also provide “catch kits,” containers designed to collect medical or infectious waste, and medical waste bags.
Reposted by The Wisconsin Independent
Officials from 21 states, including Wisconsin, file suit over HUD policy that would put more people into homelessness. Via our colleagues at @rhodeislandcurrent.com & @statesnewsroom.com
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buff.ly/21lkcjq
Officials from 21 states file suit over HUD policy that would put more people into homelessness • Wisconsin Examiner
Nineteen attorneys general and two governors filed suit in Rhode Island on Tuesday to stop the Trump administration from shifting nearly $4 billion in housing grants, a policy change they say could…
wisconsinexaminer.com
November 26, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Officials from 21 states, including Wisconsin, file suit over HUD policy that would put more people into homelessness. Via our colleagues at @rhodeislandcurrent.com & @statesnewsroom.com
buff.ly/21lkcjq
buff.ly/21lkcjq
Reposted by The Wisconsin Independent
Students deserve opportunity, not exploitation. Our legislative package holds predatory for-profit colleges accountable and protects students from abuse. Grateful for Rep. Clancy, Rep. DeSmidt, and Sen. Larson for their leadership.
November 26, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Students deserve opportunity, not exploitation. Our legislative package holds predatory for-profit colleges accountable and protects students from abuse. Grateful for Rep. Clancy, Rep. DeSmidt, and Sen. Larson for their leadership.
Reposted by The Wisconsin Independent
Wisconsin Supreme Court says 3-judge panels will decide redistricting cases. Via @henry-redman.bsky.social
Wisconsin Supreme Court says 3-judge panels will decide redistricting cases • Wisconsin Examiner
The Wisconsin Supreme Court appointed two three judge panels to decide challenges against the state's congressional maps.
buff.ly
November 26, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Wisconsin Supreme Court says 3-judge panels will decide redistricting cases. Via @henry-redman.bsky.social
“Oftentimes, people absolutely love the work that they do but they cannot afford to keep this job because they have bills to pay,” Komorowski pointed out. “And unfortunately, when you’re being paid poverty wages, you’ve got to make some decisions.”
Wisconsin educators strive to support most vulnerable students
Of the more than 3 million education support professionals working in public education, 75% work in K–12 schools and 25% work at higher education institutions.
wisconsinindependent.com
November 20, 2025 at 7:01 PM
“Oftentimes, people absolutely love the work that they do but they cannot afford to keep this job because they have bills to pay,” Komorowski pointed out. “And unfortunately, when you’re being paid poverty wages, you’ve got to make some decisions.”
If Congress does not act, some 22 million Americans will see sharp increases in the cost of their health insurance...
Anti-abortion lobbying plays role in GOP opposition to ACA premium credit extension
‘This attempt is from a really strong lobbying push from the anti-abortion movement to even further restrict plans,’ said Anna Bernstein of the Guttmacher Institute.
wisconsinindependent.com
November 20, 2025 at 3:00 PM
If Congress does not act, some 22 million Americans will see sharp increases in the cost of their health insurance...
From a Jingle Bus tour of Milwaukee to a walk-through lights display at Janesville’s Rotary Botanical Gardens, there are many festive ways to get into the holiday spirit.
Here are some of the highlights:
Here are some of the highlights:
Where to see holiday lights in Wisconsin this winter
Communities across the state will be decorated with dazzling lights in the coming weeks.
wisconsinindependent.com
November 19, 2025 at 3:00 PM
From a Jingle Bus tour of Milwaukee to a walk-through lights display at Janesville’s Rotary Botanical Gardens, there are many festive ways to get into the holiday spirit.
Here are some of the highlights:
Here are some of the highlights:
Wisconsin Court of Appeals Judge Maria Lazar, the conservative candidate running in the 2026 Wisconsin Supreme Court election, has in recent interviews praised the 2022 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade.
Abortion rights at issue in Wisconsin Supreme Court election
Judge Maria Lazar will face Judge Chris Taylor in an April 7 election to replace retiring conservative Justice Rebecca Bradley.
wisconsinindependent.com
November 14, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Wisconsin Court of Appeals Judge Maria Lazar, the conservative candidate running in the 2026 Wisconsin Supreme Court election, has in recent interviews praised the 2022 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade.
Megan Lowe says that without Medicaid, she and her husband, Josh, would likely go into debt to pay for their daughter Norah’s care.
wisconsinindependent.com/health-care/...
wisconsinindependent.com/health-care/...
Wisconsin mom of daughter with disabilities fears impact of expected Medicaid cuts
‘We're just stockpiling everything because we don't know when the rug is going to be pulled out,’ says Megan Lowe, co-owner of a farm in Merrimac.
wisconsinindependent.com
November 13, 2025 at 9:24 PM
Megan Lowe says that without Medicaid, she and her husband, Josh, would likely go into debt to pay for their daughter Norah’s care.
wisconsinindependent.com/health-care/...
wisconsinindependent.com/health-care/...
President Donald Trump’s administration announced on Nov. 3 that it was canceling the IRS Direct File program for the 2026 tax filing season, according to an ABC News report.
wisconsinindependent.com/economy/trum...
wisconsinindependent.com/economy/trum...
Trump administration kills popular free tax return program, raising costs for taxpayers
The IRS Direct File program was expected to save American taxpayers $11 billion annually, but was opposed by tax preparation companies.
wisconsinindependent.com
November 7, 2025 at 7:00 PM
President Donald Trump’s administration announced on Nov. 3 that it was canceling the IRS Direct File program for the 2026 tax filing season, according to an ABC News report.
wisconsinindependent.com/economy/trum...
wisconsinindependent.com/economy/trum...
Reposted by The Wisconsin Independent
Milwaukee's official Christmas tree, a 38-foot Colorado Blue Spruce, was harvested from a family's yard and transported downtown to Fiserv Forum for decoration Wednesday morning.
November 6, 2025 at 2:28 AM
Milwaukee's official Christmas tree, a 38-foot Colorado Blue Spruce, was harvested from a family's yard and transported downtown to Fiserv Forum for decoration Wednesday morning.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. directed the FDA to review the safety of the abortion drug, following the publication of a report titled “The Abortion Pill Harms Women,” penned by EPPC, a right-wing think tank and adviser in the creation of Project 2025.
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. tells FDA to review safety of mifepristone
Years of scientific evidence from rigorous studies have overwhelmingly established the safety and effectiveness of the abortion pill.
wisconsinindependent.com
November 5, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. directed the FDA to review the safety of the abortion drug, following the publication of a report titled “The Abortion Pill Harms Women,” penned by EPPC, a right-wing think tank and adviser in the creation of Project 2025.
Nearly a month after announcing a pause on abortion services in the state, Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin announced on Oct. 27 that it will resume abortion care for patients.
Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin to resume abortion care
The organization halted abortion services on Oct. 1 due to a provision of President Donald Trump's budget law.
wisconsinindependent.com
November 3, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Nearly a month after announcing a pause on abortion services in the state, Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin announced on Oct. 27 that it will resume abortion care for patients.
Food banks across Wisconsin are struggling to meet increasing need...
Surge in demand at Wisconsin food banks as SNAP funding poised to run out on Nov. 1
‘Empty cupboards and stomachs are not abstract outcomes,' Gov. Tony Evers said in a letter to the Department of Agriculture.
wisconsinindependent.com
October 30, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Food banks across Wisconsin are struggling to meet increasing need...
The winner of our recipe contest was the Aunt Patty's Lobster Bisque! Check out the recipe here:
wisconsinindependent.com/recipe/aunt-...
wisconsinindependent.com/recipe/aunt-...
October 29, 2025 at 7:00 PM
The winner of our recipe contest was the Aunt Patty's Lobster Bisque! Check out the recipe here:
wisconsinindependent.com/recipe/aunt-...
wisconsinindependent.com/recipe/aunt-...
All but one of its 50 or so employees had lost access to their work email accounts...
wisconsinindependent.com/reproductive...
wisconsinindependent.com/reproductive...
Trump administration lays off staff of HHS Office of Population Affairs
‘People will lose access to the quality, subsidized care that they rely on from the providers that they trust,' said a former Biden administration employee.
wisconsinindependent.com
October 21, 2025 at 2:01 PM
All but one of its 50 or so employees had lost access to their work email accounts...
wisconsinindependent.com/reproductive...
wisconsinindependent.com/reproductive...