Darrielle Fair

I am a Master of Public Policy student at the University of Southern California Sol Price School of Public Policy with experience in media, communications, public policy analysis, and research methods.

Welcome!

My prior professional and academic experiences have provided me exposure to diverse political climates and broad policy perspectives. I have a strong passion for social and media policy, politics, and journalism hoping to utilize a diverse skillset to educate and motivate individuals to be active agents and bring awareness to the issues impacting our communities. I am currently the Political Reporter for WKOW ABC27 News.

    My Latest Works

    WKOW •

    House takes Procedural Vote On Foreign Aid Bills

    MADISON (WKOW) -- On Friday, the House took a procedural vote to advance a crucial foreign aid supplemental, a progressive step towards sending humanitarian aid to Ukraine and Israel. A final vote on the package of proposals is likely to take place as early as Saturday.

    Seven of Wisconsin's eight congressional House members voted in support of the legislation. Republican Representative Tom Tiffany was the only one to vote against it.

    More Democrats than Republicans supported the proposal–165 t
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    SCOWIS considers lawsuit that could alter the state's branches of government

    MADISON (WKOW) -- On Wednesday, the Wisconsin Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a case that could likely alter the state's branches of government by removing certain powers granted through the Wisconsin Constitution to the state legislature to draft legislation and approve state budget expenditures.

    The court is considering a lawsuit filed by Governor Tony Evers last October, arguing Republican lawmakers have continued to "override" his executive power as Governor. The action comes after th
    WKOW •

    Republican Party files integrity complaints against election officials following April primary

    MADISON (WKOW) -- The Dane County Republican Party and Milwaukee County Republican Party filed two complaints with the Wisconsin Elections Commission against election officials in Madison and Milwaukee, arguing they failed to hire a sufficient number of Republican poll workers for the April 2 presidential primary.

    The complaints were filed on Wednesday on behalf of registered voters who were qualified by state statute to work as election inspectors, also known as poll workers, to administer the
    WKOW •

    New report finds educational funding referendums are passing at lower rates in 2024

    MADISON (WKOW) -- Wisconsin is starting to see an uptick in the number of school district referendum questions on the ballot. Still, the number of those referendums that were approved this past election declined.

    A Wisconsin Policy Forum report shows 62 of the 103 school district referendums included on Wisconsin's February primary and April presidential primary ballots were approved.

    The state limits how much municipalities can increase their property taxes each year, but the state also grant
    WKOW •

    Biden visits Wisconsin to announce new student loan debt relief plan

    MADISON (WKOW) -- President Joe Biden spoke at Madison College on Monday, announcing a new plan to revamp his administration's efforts to cancel student loan debt for more than 30 million borrowers.

    "Too many people feel the strain and stress, wondering if they're going to get married, have their first child start a family, because even if they get by, they still have this crushing, crushing debt," Biden said. "It's not just a drag on them. It's a drag on our local economies."

    Vice President K
    WKOW •

    Governor Evers vetoes advanced nursing licensure bill

    MADISON (WKOW) -- On Thursday, Governor Tony Evers vetoed a proposal that would have granted nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, and other nurses with advanced credentials the authority to practice independently.

    Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN) are nurses who have met advanced educational and clinical practice requirements and often provide services in community settings.

    In a statement, Evers said he was vetoing the bill in its entirety because he "objects to the new l
    WKOW •

    'Uninstructed' vote during primary doubles Biden's 2020 margin of victory in Wisconsin

    MADISON (WKOW) -- Nearly 48,000 votes were cast for 'uninstructed delegation' in Wisconsin's April Democratic presidential primary, more than doubling President Joe Biden's margin of victory of 20,600 votes in the state during the 2020 presidential election.

    The Listen to Wisconsin campaign was among a number of coalitions that voted in protest of the Biden administration's handling of the Israel-Hamas war. Similar efforts in states like Michigan and Minnesota received 13 percent and 19 percent
    WKOW •

    Wisconsin voters approve statewide referendums addressing how state's elections are administered

    MADISON (WKOW) -- The Associated Press projected that two referendum questions addressing how Wisconsin's elections are administered will pass following the April 2 presidential primary.

    Republican lawmakers introduced the two referendum questions following the 2020 election when the state received private grants to help administer its elections during the COVID-19 pandemic. The referendums passed through the state legislature twice before they were included on the ballot.

    Republicans and cons
    WKOW •

    New poll shows Republicans and conservative-leaning Independents trust Wisconsin elections

    (WKOW) -- Wisconsin Republicans and conservative-leaning Independents have confidence in how the state's elections are administered, according to a study released by the Secure Elections Project. The data also showed the voters trusted the ability of election officials to conduct election processes and count votes fairly.

    When asked to rank the issues they cared about most in order of preference, voters participating in the poll said their top two priorities were reducing inflation and addressi
    WKOW •

    Capital City Sunday: April primary preview, increasing political polarization in American politics

    MADISON (WKOW) -- On March 19, Listen to Wisconsin announced its campaign in Milwaukee, urging Democrats not to vote for President Joe Biden or former President Donald Trump on the ballot in April. Similar efforts in Michigan and Minnesota have taken place. "Uncommitted" received 19 percent of votes in Minnesota and 101,000 votes in Michigan's Democratic primary on Super Tuesday.

    Organizers for the effort confirmed in a press release last Sunday that more than 20 elected officials in Wisconsin
    WKOW •

    Funding for a Monroe nursing home could be in jeopardy pending an April referendum

    MADISON (WKOW) -- With the April primary on Tuesday, staff and nurses at Pleasant View Nursing Home in Monroe are urging Green County residents to vote "yes" to a referendum question set to continue funding its daily operations. The ballot measure can be accessed through the Green County Clerk's website.

    "QUESTION: Under state law, the increase in the levy of the County of Green for the tax to be imposed for the fiscal year 2025, is limited to 1.124%, which results in a levy of $14,375,715. Sha
    WKOW •

    Newly naturalized citizens likely to shift 2024 election outcomes

    MADISON (WKOW) -- Nearly 47,000 immigrants in Wisconsin are expected to become eligible to apply for naturalization this year. If approved, they can cast their ballot in the state's general election, further closing margins of victory for some of the state's most tightly contested races.

    An immigrant with lawful permanent resident status can apply for naturalization after meeting certain requirements. Naturalized citizens are granted some of the same rights and responsibilities as U.S.-born cit
    WKOW •

    Gov. Tony Evers signs and vetoes legislation addressing elections ahead of April primary

    MADISON (WKOW) -- Democratic Gov. Tony Evers signed off on a series of bipartisan bills expected to ramp up the state's election administration and processes.

    A proposal signed into law on Thursday bars a municipality from closing more than half of its polling locations within 30 days of an election. The bill also requires a governing agency, such as the City Council or Village Board, and the municipal clerk's approval to close a polling place.

    Clerks would need to post a public notice of the
    WKOW •

    Advocates launch campaign to educate minorities on how AI will impact the 2024 election

    MADISON (WKOW) -- Advocates are bridging the gap between artificial intelligence (AI) and voter education for minorities as this year proves to be yet another critical election year.

    As AI continues to evolve, political campaigns have started using the technology to spread information to the public and engage voters. AI-powered technologies can generate text messages, images, videos and speech patterns to create campaign messaging and advertisements. The software is also used to generate campai
    WKOW •

    US Rep. Mike Gallagher announces resignation from Congress

    WASHINGTON, DC (WKOW) -- Wisconsin Republican Congressman Mike Gallagher, who confirmed he would not be seeking re-election last month, announced Friday afternoon plans to resign from Congress early. The Representative is a Green Bay native and has represented Wisconsin's 8th District since 2017.

    "He's in a House in which an awful lot of members are less interested in policy and more interested in being on cable news," said Charles Franklin, a Professor of Law and Director of the Marquette Law
    WKOW •

    House Republicans call for an end to DEI policies in the US military

    MADISON (WKOW) -- Republican lawmakers on Capitol Hill are taking steps to address how Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts are impacting U.S. military retention.

    Wisconsin GOP Congressman Glenn Grothman, who Chairs The House Subcommittee on National Security, the Border, and Foreign Affairs, has held hearings to discuss how DEI initiatives negatively affect the effectiveness and preparation needed for U.S. military operations.

    Grothman says that efforts to increase the representatio
    WKOW •

    Organizers call for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, launch effort to vote uninstructed in April Democratic Presidential Primary

    MADISON (WKOW) -- Members of a Wisconsin advocacy group are calling for the Biden Administration to put an end to the U.S. providing military aid to Israel as the war continues in Gaza. Listen to Wisconsin launched its campaign on Monday in Milwaukee, urging Wisconsinites to vote "uninstructed" instead of choosing a presidential candidate for the April 2 presidential preference primary.

    Advocates were joined by community leaders demanding an immediate and permanent ceasefire, arguing that Presi
    WKOW •

    Wisconsin legislature passes bill to implement Asian American history in public schools

    MADISON (WKOW) -- A new proposal requiring the teaching of Asian American and Hmong American education in Wisconsin schools has passed through the Assembly and Senate. It is now headed to the desk of Governor Tony Evers.

    The bill would amend Wisconsin Act 31, which currently requires public school districts and pre-service education programs to offer instruction on the history and culture of Native Americans, Black Americans, and Hispanics.

    "We need students to understand each other and with t
    WKOW •

    Referendum questions on April primary ballot to impact future elections in Wisconsin

    MADISON (WKOW) -- Wisconsin voters will be asked to respond to two statewide referendum questions on the state's presidential primary ballot on April 2.

    One question addresses the use of private funds to conduct elections and a second question defines whether election officials should be solely responsible for all administrative tasks that play a role in the state's elections. You can access those ballot measures here.

    "QUESTION 1: Use of private funds in election administration. Shall section
    WKOW •

    Bill creating a task force to address violence among Black women and girls stalls in Republican-led Senate

    MADISON (WKOW) -- A bill creating a task force to address the high rates of murder and violence against Black women and girls in Wisconsin has stalled in the state Senate.

    The bipartisan proposal aims to expand the scope of critical data and resources needed to better understand the problem. It has received support from Republican and Democratic lawmakers in both the House and Senate.

    Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes and community advocates have also spoken out in support of the legislation, e
    WKOW •

    Biden announces new funding for infrastructure projects; sets Milwaukee as campaign headquarters

    MILWAUKEE (WKOW) -- President Joe Biden made yet another appearance in Wisconsin on Wednesday, just one day after securing the Democratic presidential nomination. Biden announced his Wisconsin campaign will be headquartered in Milwaukee to engage Black and Latino voters before the November general election.

    "Restoring Black communities in the north and Latino communities in the south to access jobs, schools and entertainment opportunities in the city's central hub," said Biden.

    On Wednesday, B
    WKOW •

    Assembly votes to remove UW Regents Board Members, passes proposal to limit DEI programming

    MADISON (WKOW) -- The Senate adjourned for what will likely be its last day of the legislative session. Republican lawmakers voted to pass a proposal prohibiting the Universities of Wisconsin System and technical colleges across Wisconsin from using institutional or loyalty pledges that can influence how students are admitted to its universities and faculty is hired.

    The bill aims to reinforce eliminating all diversity, equity and inclusion efforts on UW campuses as Republicans have continued t
    WKOW •

    Robin Vos Recall organizers submit signatures in an effort to remove top-ranking WI Republican from office

    MADISON (WKOW) -- After nearly two months of canvassing, a group working to recall Assembly Speaker Robin Vos claims organizers have secured more than 10,000 signatures for their petition. The group submitted the signatures to the Wisconsin Elections Commission (WEC) early Monday morning, but a question that now falls on the WEC is whether those signatures can be verified and what will happen next.

    Far-right conservatives called out the top-ranking Republican for his refusal to impeach WEC Admi
    WKOW •

    Inmate death raises concerns on prison conditions in Wisconsin

    MADISON (WKOW) -- Following the death of an inmate at Waupun Correctional Institution, new developments suggest that current conditions at some of the state's oldest prisons may be getting worse.

    The Wisconsin Department of Corrections (DOC) reported on Tuesday that Donald Maier, 62, died on February 22, making it the 4th death on record that has taken place at the facility in the last eight months.

    Loved ones have detailed stories of limited access to hygiene resources, recreation, and develo
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    The people must know before they can act, and there is no educator to compare with the press."

    Ida B. Wells