Darrielle Fair

WKOW • 15th September 2023

Wisconsin Assembly passes redistricting bill with limited support from Democrats

MADISON (WKOW) -- In a vote that led into the late hours of Thursday evening, Wisconsin's Republican-led Assembly passed a bill modeling Iowa's nonpartisan redistricting process.

In a 64-32 vote, 1 Democrat, Representative Lakeshia Myers, voted to pass the bill, and Representatives Sylvia Ortiz-Velez and Marisabel Cabrera joined in once additional amendments were made.

During her speech on the floor, Myers called out fellow party members, stating regardless of whether the bill was done with il

WKOW • 14th September 2023

Wisconsin Assembly to vote on Republican Iowa-style redistricting bill

MADISON (WKOW) -- On Tuesday, Speaker Robin Vos held a press conference announcing that Wisconsin's Republican-led Assembly was moving forward with a vote on a bill mimicking Iowa's nonpartisan redistricting model.

The announcement came sometime after Wisconsin Republicans floated threats to impeach Justice Janet Protasiewicz if she chose not to recuse herself from a lawsuit challenging the state's electoral maps, claiming Protasiewicz had a vested interest in the case after calling the maps "r

WKOW • 13th September 2023

Medical illustrator increasing representation in medicine visits Madison College

MADISON (WKOW) -- As a part of his tour, Chidiebere Ibe, the creative artist behind the famous illustration depicting a black fetus, stopped in Madison to talk about the critical role medical representation plays in patient education and healthcare accessibility.

The viral image captured the internet's attention, from what should have been a minor detail, and sparked major conversation.

The drawing of a fetus in the womb was of a darker skin tone, leaving many people shocked as they had never

YouTube • 12th September 2023

GOP Lawmakers introduce nonpartisan redistricting bill

In a press conference, Speaker Robin Vos said he had no plans to impeach Justice Janet Protasiewicz. Republican Lawmakers are set to introduce a new nonparti...

WKOW • 11th September 2023

Senate committee votes to remove WEC administrator Meagan Wolfe: Wisconsin AG Josh Kaul responds

MADISON (WKOW) - The Senate Committee on Shared Revenue, Elections, and Consumer Protection voted to determine whether to reappoint Wisconsin Elections Commission Administrator Meagan Wolfe.

The five senators on the Committee were given until 2:00 p.m. to submit their vote through a paper ballot. Republican Senators Dan Feyen and Romaine Quinn voted against Wolfe's reappointment.

"The Senate Committee held a public hearing on Wolfe's confirmation on August 29, 2023. She was invited to appear b

WKOW • 8th September 2023

Wisconsin lawmakers introduce new bill targeting indoor air quality in public schools

MADISON (WKOW) -- Wisconsin lawmakers are set to introduce a new bill that targets indoor air quality in schools across the state.

The bill aims to revive a previous law passed in 2009, Wisconsin Act 96, which sought to address environmental sustainability by creating an Environmental Quality Task Force and Indoor Environmental Quality Management Plan that provided reports and guidance to school administrators.

In partnership with the Department of Public Instruction, the task force was also r

WKOW • 7th September 2023

4 million borrowers enroll in Biden SAVE plan as student loan repayments resume this fall

MADISON (WKOW) -- September 1 marked the end of the pause on federal student loan repayments, meaning borrowers can expect interest to accrue on their current loan balances for the first time in 3 years. By October 1, borrowers are required to start paying those loans.

With the pause brought on by the COVID-19 Emergency Relief Plan coming to an end, many borrowers are questioning how they will tackle the added financial responsibility.

Before the payment pause, about a third of borrowers natio

WKOW • 6th September 2023

Democrats announce media push to challenge GOP threats to Justice Protasiewicz

MADISON (WKOW) -- On Wednesday, Wisconsin's Democratic lawmakers and the Democratic Party of Wisconsin held a press conference to announce their Defend Justice campaign, a $4 million media blitz to challenge Republican efforts to impeach Justice Janet Protasiewicz.

The campaign focuses on community outreach through various ways to mobilize Wisconsinites in an effort to stop Republican legislators from supporting the decision.

Assembly Minority Leader Greta Neubauer said it's a desperate attemp

WKOW • 4th September 2023

A threat to impeach: why Republicans are calling for newly-elected Justice Protasiewicz's recusal

MADISON (WKOW) -- Liberal-leaning Justice Janet Protasiewicz just entered the first full month of her term. While she has not yet heard any cases, Republican lawmakers are considering impeaching her if she does not recuse herself from a lawsuit challenging Wisconsin's electoral maps.

Republicans argue that because Protasiewicz was vocal on issues like abortion and redistricting during her judicial campaign, it will affect her ability to remain impartial.

However, it has also been argued that J

WKOW • 1st September 2023

A preview of Taste of Madison ahead of Labor Day Weekend

MADISON (WKOW) -- Taste of Madison is making its return to Capitol Square this weekend.

The event will start at 2 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. on Sunday.

Organizers have started setting up on the streets of Capitol Square. The area will be lined with vendors selling many different foods and drinks, among other festivities guests can look forward to this weekend.

Guests will have the opportunity to take advantage of live entertainment. The event will have three stages with performances from va

WKOW • 31st August 2023

First Lady Jill Biden visits Madison as the Administration continues campaign efforts in the Midwest

MADISON (WKOW) -- Dr. Jill Biden arrived in Madison on Thursday, visiting two facilities as part of the Biden Administration's Cancer Moonshot initiative.

The First Lady was joined by Senator Tammy Balwin and Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway as she toured the Exact Sciences Laboratory to learn how it helps everyday patients find a clear path to early detection.

The tour highlighted President Biden's focus on targeting advancements in healthcare technology to reduce cancer deaths and increase

WKOW • 30th August 2023

US House Select China Committee host roundtable to bring conversation on Chinese manufacturing to Wisconsin

STOUGHTON (WKOW) -- The US House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) held a roundtable in Stoughton on Wednesday. Committee Chairman, Wisconsin GOP Representative Mike Gallagher, and Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) lead the discussion on China's current threat to American manufacturing and the need to keep production domestic.

The conversation brought together political figures from across the aisle to address how competition with domestic Chinese manufacturers is ec

WKOW • 29th August 2023

GOP lawmakers in state Assembly introduce a new tax relief plan following Evers' veto of a previous proposal

MADISON (WKOW) -- On Tuesday, GOP lawmakers held a press conference to introduce a new tax relief plan that would provide $2.9 billion in tax cuts if passed.

In a statement from Senator Rachael Cabral-Guevara, lawmakers estimate the tax cut would save taxpayers in Wisconsin more than $750 a year, reducing the state's tax bracket for families earning between $18,420 and $405,550 to 4.4%.

The plan proposes a tax cut in two critical areas for taxpayers in Wisconsin. The first would reduce taxes f

WKOW • 25th August 2023

Biden introduces SAVE plan to lower costs of student loan debt repayment options

MADISON(WKOW) -- The Biden-Harris Administration has announced the launch of the SAVE plan, a program that would create a new income-based student loan repayment option for borrowers.

The program aims to reduce monthly payments and helps bring borrowers closer to debt forgiveness in a shorter period.

The program will also streamline specific administrative processes, including a feature that would automatically move borrowers currently on an income-based repayment plan to the SAVE plan.

"This

WKOW • 24th August 2023

Trump lands in Georgia with plans to surrender to Fulton County Jail

(WKOW) -- Former President Donald Trump announced plans to surrender to the Fulton County authorities on Thursday, following allegations he conspired to overthrow the results of the 2020 presidential election.

Trump faces criminal charges of forgery and conspiracy filed by District Attorney Fani Willis. Willis gave Trump and his 18 co-defendants until Friday at noon to voluntarily surrender.

Thirteen of the 18 co-defendants named in the lawsuit have turned themselves in. Trump's former attorne

WKOW • 23rd August 2023

Democrats strategize to counter RNC's presidential debate coverage in Milwaukee

MADISON (WKOW) -- GOP candidates arrived in Milwaukee early Wednesday, set to take the debate stage for the RNC's first Republican presidential primary debate.

In the hours leading up to the debate, Democrats brought viewers' attention back to what they said were the most critical issues at hand.

The Biden-Harris Administration and the Democratic National Committee held a press conference to address what they consider to be America's most extremist slate of GOP candidates.

"This group support

WKOW • 22nd August 2023

Milwaukee gears up to host the first Republican debate of the 2024 election season

MADISON(WKOW) -- Milwaukee is preparing for thousands to attend the RNC's presidential debate and other events as GOP candidates take the debate stage at 8:00 pm Wednesday.

The debate is the first event the Republican Party is hosting and a formal introduction to the 2024 election season.

"This is going to reverberate throughout the entire country. And the stage where that's happening is right here in the City of Milwaukee, and we're very proud of that." Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson said h

WKOW • 18th August 2023

Arizona attorney general confirms ongoing investigation of GOP fake electors

(WKOW) -- On Wednesday, Democratic Attorney General Kris Mayes confirmed her office is investigating if fake electors tired to falsely claim Trump's won in the state during the 2020 presidential election.

This makes Arizona the next state behind Michigan and Georgia to take action against the potential election fraud.

"We are doing a thorough and professional investigation and we're going to do it on our timetable as justice demands," said Kris Mayes, Arizona Attorney General.

11 alternate el

WKOW • 16th August 2023

Bidens to visit Hawaii on Monday following Maui wildfires

(CNN) — President Joe Biden and first lady Dr. Jill Biden will travel to Hawaii on Monday, the White House announced, as search, rescue and recovery efforts continue following the devastating wildfires there.

“The President and First Lady will travel to Maui on Monday, August 21 to meet with first responders, survivors, as well as federal, state, and local officials, in the wake of deadly wildfires on the island,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement.

The planned

WKOW • 16th August 2023

CDC director visits Wisconsin to educate parents on back-to-school immunizations

MADISON(WKOW) -- On Wednesday, CDC Director Dr. Mandy Cohen visited Madison to tour a Public Health Madison Dane County Clinic and discuss why it's critical for parents to ensure their kids are up-to-date on their immunizations.

Thousands of children across Dane County will return to school in early September, prompting statewide efforts to educate parents on the importance of vaccine schedules and safety measures for preventable diseases.

Wisconsin was Cohen's first stop as the CDC's new dire