Olivia Herken

What if citizens — not lawmakers — drew Wisconsin's legislative maps? The Wisconsin Fair Maps Coalition is pushing to create an independent redistricting commission before legislative maps are redrawn following the 2030 census.

Before Wisconsin needs new legislative maps, the Wisconsin Fair Maps Coalition is pushing to establish an independent redistricting commission that would put the job in the hands of residents, not lawmakers.

But what would that commission look like?

Here are the details:

22.10.2025 14:19 — 👍 1    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0

Madison-area food pantries say they'll miss federal hunger report Dane County pantries like Second Harvest Food Bank used a now-canceled annual USDA report to track national trends in food insecurity.

Madison-area food banks will have one less way to forecast future changes in food insecurity while they deal with an increasing need among community members, their leaders say.

14.10.2025 14:21 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0

How Trump could deploy Wisconsin's National Guard, explained As President Donald Trump threatens to send National Guard troops into Democratic-led cities, here's what to know about who controls Wisconsin's military.

As Trump attempts to deploy National Guard troops into Democratic-led cities, including nearby Chicago, Wisconsinites may wonder if any of their cities could be next.

Here's an explainer on who controls Wisconsin's National Guard:

10.10.2025 13:40 — 👍 1    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0

How cherries became part of Door County’s identity While tourists visit Door County for many reasons, from its rocky shores and lighthouses to its picturesque towns and wineries, the county’s rich cherry industry is just, well, the cherry on top.

Here's the story! 🍒

04.08.2025 14:40 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0

I spent a day in Door County cherry orchards last week to learn more about the area's history with the fruit.

And while the industry has changed a lot over the years, family farms & dedicated visitors are keeping cherries part of Door County's identity.

(link to story below!)

04.08.2025 14:40 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0

Child care received funding in WI state budget, but providers say it’s still not enough 'I don’t know of a single program that’s not raising rates, and many are doing between $20 and $50 a week across the state. That’s not lowering out-of-pocket costs for families,' said one provider.

A leading advocate for state child care funding is closing her in-home child care center after 18 years. She and other providers say the funding in the state budget is not enough.

"I don’t know of a single program that’s not raising rates," she said.

30.07.2025 13:15 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0

Nutrition education program cut by Trump was creating ‘magic’ in Wisconsin SNAP-Ed, a federally funded nutrition education program that accompanied SNAP benefits, was eliminated in President Donald Trump’s budget law.

SNAP-Ed, a federal nutrition education program, was creating 'magic' in Wisconsin: introducing kids to new fruits and veggies, helping families save on groceries, and encouraging more physical activity in residents old and young.

But that program has now been cut by Trump.

More here from me:

16.07.2025 13:17 — 👍 2    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0

WI Rep. Van Orden spreads misinformation online following Minnesota shootings In social media posts, Rep. Derrick Van Orden said the man who allegedly shot and killed a Minnesota lawmaker and her husband on June 14 was a liberal, despite reports to the contrary.

WI Rep. Van Orden spreads misinformation online following Minnesota shootings

17.06.2025 20:57 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0

Wisconsin mom says SNAP is more than a benefit; it’s also a need President Donald Trump’s federal spending bill would make cuts to food assistance programs.

I interviewed a Wisconsin mom who relies on SNAP and WIC to hear what it would mean for her if those programs were cut under Trump's spending bill.

She said they are more than just a benefit, but something she needs to survive.

More here:

10.06.2025 16:35 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0

Trump’s cuts to fresh food grants leave Wisconsin farmers, communities hanging The Wisconsin Local Food Purchase Assistance Program was helping to provide locally grown food to food banks across the state.

Every spring, Wisconsin farmers are busy preparing for the summer harvesting months ahead. But after Trump cut funding for a program that connected local farmers with WI food pantries, they've spent this spring being advocates as well.

more here from me!

03.06.2025 17:47 — 👍 1    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0

Sen. Ron Johnson calls Medicaid ‘money laundering’ and ‘fraud’ Johnson said the cuts to Medicaid in President Donald Trump's budget bill don't go far enough.

As Sen. Ron Johnson calls for more federal spending cuts, he said on a conservative radio talk show last week that Medicaid was "money laundering" and "fraud."

02.06.2025 14:08 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0

Wisconsinites exhausted over back-and-forth in PFAS fight Advocates are exhausted and determined as state Republicans and the Trump Administration stymie efforts to fight the 'forever chemicals.'

Wisconsinites on the front lines of the PFAS crisis are exhausted and determined as state Republicans and the Trump Administration stymie efforts to fight the "forever chemicals."

More here from me:

27.05.2025 17:14 — 👍 0    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0

Madison community unites to mourn victims of Abundant Life Christian School shooting Three people died, including the shooter, and another six were injured in Wisconsin's deadliest school shooting on record.

This week, students at Abundant Life Christian School were supposed to have basketball games and an ugly Christmas sweater spirit day before winter break.

But a school shooting that left 3 dead and 6 injured has thrust the community into mourning.

18.12.2024 20:31 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0

Scenes from a candlelight vigil held tonight at the Wisconsin State Capitol following the Abundant Life school shooting.

18.12.2024 03:48 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0

Swans on Lake Monona!!!! 🦢⭐️🤍❄️

06.12.2024 01:10 — 👍 2    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0

‘It’s about time:’ Wisconsin teachers celebrate judge’s Act 10 ruling The controversial legislation was passed more than a decade ago and stripped public workers in Wisconsin of most collective bargaining rights.

"My reaction was: It's about time."

After a Dane County Judge ruled parts of Act 10 unconstitutional on Monday, educators and teachers' unions are celebrating with cautious optimism.

More here from me:

05.12.2024 20:55 — 👍 1    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0