http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/trump-ques-covid19-cnn-s5.pngTravel band has holes, critics like New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo saw lack of test kits for coronavirus as contributing factors to the virus’s spread.

Declaration allows local governments affected by the storms that occurred Jan. 10-12, 2020, to apply for assistance, which will help them recover some of the costs incurred through emergency protective measures, repairing infrastructure, and removing debris.

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers announced Wednesday that a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) major disaster declaration has been granted for three Wisconsin counties. The declaration for Milwaukee, Kenosha, and Racine counties comes in response to severe winter storms that affected areas along the Lake Michigan shoreline on Jan. 10-12 of this year, causing extensive damage to public infrastructure throughout the region.

“I would like to thank the federal government for approving assistance for communities affected by these damaging storms,” said Gov. Evers. “The large waves and shoreline flooding that hit the region earlier this year resulted in significant damage to public infrastructure from Milwaukee to Kenosha. Without the support of FEMA, these communities would face a heavy financial burden.”

Today’s declaration allows local governments affected by the storms that occurred Jan. 10-12, 2020, to apply for assistance, which will help them recover some of the costs incurred through emergency protective measures, repairing infrastructure, and removing debris.

“The state will work closely with communities included in the declaration and FEMA to ensure they receive federal assistance as quickly as possible,” said Dr. Darrell L. Williams, Wisconsin Emergency Management administrator. “We appreciate FEMA moving swiftly to ensure this valuable help is available.”

Beginning on Jan. 10 of this year, a winter storm system that included high winds caused shoreline flooding along Lake Michigan. The flooding resulted in damage to infrastructure to ports, breakwaters, public trails, and other public infrastructure at multiple locations along the shoreline.

The major disaster declaration covers assistance to public entities, and will cover eligible projects submitted by counties, cities, townships, and certain private, not-for-profit organizations. The Public Assistance program is not for businesses or homeowners, as the level of damage in these areas does not currently meet requirements for federal relief. Local governments in the declared counties are now eligible for federal assistance and should contact county emergency management directors for further information. Under the program, FEMA provides 75 percent of eligible costs, while state and local agencies share the remaining 25 percent.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/medicaid-coverage-wisc-s5.pngOver the past thirty years, Wisconsin has fallen 16 spots in national healthcare outcomes to 23rd. It’s beyond time to give Wisconsinites the care they deserve by expanding Medicaid.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/flooding-east-river-gb-wbay-s5.jpgWith spring floods approaching, the time for action and preparation is now.

https://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/wisconsin_farm_windmill_s5.jpgToolkit is a guide to energy policy options in Wisconsin designed to help communities of varying sizes and with differing resources as they consider, craft, and implement clean energy policies.

Group is charged with providing policy recommendations to Gov. Evers in August of 2020.

MADISON - Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes will host on Tues., March 10, 2020, at 10 a.m. the second member meeting of the Governor's Task Force on Climate Change at the UW-Stevens Point campus.

Through Executive Order 52, Gov. Tony Evers created the Climate Change Task Force under the Office of Sustainability and Clean Energy, naming Lt. Gov. Barnes as the chairman.

The task force is comprised of individuals from across the state representing various industries, including agriculture, small business, utilities, and Indigenous communities. They are charged with providing policy recommendations to Gov. Evers in August of 2020.

Lt. Gov. Barnes will be available to speak with the press about the task force at 12:45 p.m. Other members can be made available upon request.

WHO: Lt. Gov. Barnes

WHAT: Climate Change Task Force Member Meeting

WHEN: Tues., March 10, 2020, at 10 a.m.

WHERE: UW-Stevens Point
Dreyfus University Center Alumni Room
1015 Reserve St.
Stevens Point, WI 54481

Antigo Native, Air Force Academy graduate with 681 combat hours, and 262 combat sorties takes over command of the 10,000 Soldiers and Airmen of the Wisconsin Army and Air National Guard on Thursday.

MADISON  Gov. Tony Evers swore in Wisconsin's new adjutant general into the Wisconsin National Guard on Thursday. Maj. Gen. was officially promoted to the rank of major general, by the governor, who is the commander-in-chief of the Wisconsin National Guard, during a ceremony in the governor's office with members of his family present as he assumed the duties of the adjutant general.

As adjutant general, Knapp is the commander of the 10,000 Soldiers and Airmen of the Wisconsin Army and Air National Guard. He is also responsible for Wisconsin Emergency Management, Wisconsin's Office of Emergency Communications, and serves as Wisconsin's Homeland Security Advisor.

“It was an honor to preside over Brig. Gen. Knapp’s promotion to major general, and it was an honor to welcome him to his new role,” Gov. Evers said. “Maj. Gen. Knapp is a proven leader who I am thrilled to have leading the National Guard and the Department of Military Affairs at this critical time.”

“I am humbled and honored by Gov. Evers’ confidence in me, and I am grateful to have the opportunity to lead the Soldiers and Airmen of the Wisconsin National Guard as well as the men and women of the Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs, Wisconsin Emergency Management, and the Office of Emergency Communications,” Knapp said. “It is a great privilege, and I look forward to serving the agency, our National Guard, and most importantly, the people of Wisconsin.”

Knapp is a 1992 U.S. Air Force Academy graduate, where he earned a bachelor of science. He also holds a master of science degree from the University of Maryland. He is a native of Antigo, Wisconsin, and currently lives in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin with his wife, Dr. Renee Knapp, and their two children.

After commissioning as an active duty Air Force officer in 1992, Knapp served as a Special Agent for the Air Force Office of Special Investigations prior to attending navigator training. He served two operational tours as an F-15E Strike Eagle weapon systems officer and one as an air liaison officer to the U.S. Army in South Korea. He separated from active duty in August 2003 and joined the 95th Airlift Squadron of the 440th Airlift Wing, General Mitchell Air Reserve Station, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, flying the C-130H Hercules. Brig. Gen. Knapp has served as an Instructor, Evaluator, Flight Commander, Squadron Commander, Deputy Operations Group Commander and Vice Wing Commander. He has over 3,000 flying hours, including 681 combat hours, and 262 combat sorties supporting operations Allied Force, Northern Watch, Southern Watch, Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom and Joint Task Force Horn of Africa.

Knapp succeeds Brig. Gen. Joane Mathews and Brig. Gen. Gary Ebben who both took turns serving as interim adjutants general since the beginning of the year. Ebben, who previously served as the deputy adjutant general for Air, has since retired, while Mathews will revert to her position as the deputy adjutant general for Army.

With the ceremony, Knapp officially began his tenure as Wisconsin’s adjutant general, which marks the beginning of a five-year term in the position. The Wisconsin National Guard is planning a formal assumption of command ceremony and will announce those details at a later time.

The figure substantially exceeds the $2.5 billion in emergency funding that the White House initially proposed last week.

WASHINGTON, DC - President Trump on Friday signed a bill providing $8.3 billion in emergency funding to combat the coronavirus outbreak.

Read the developing story here

President and CEO of Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan and former head of the Milwaukee County Department of Health and Human Services will fill vacancy created by the resignation of Gerald Whitburn.

MADISON - Gov. Tony Evers today appointed Héctor Colón on Thursday to the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents. This appointment is effectively immediately, filling a vacancy created by the resignation of Gerald Whitburn on Jan. 23, 2020.

“The UW Board of Regents plays a critical role in not only the success of the UW System, but the success of each of our students,” said Gov. Evers. “I believe Héctor's experience turning around budgets, advocating on behalf of some of Wisconsin's most vulnerable residents, and visionary leadership style will serve the Board well.”

“Throughout my career, I have focused on addressing complex issues impacting people and communities, while improving budgets and organizational efficiency,” said Colón. “I look forward to bringing that experience to the UW Board of Regents and I want to thank Governor Evers for this appointment.”

Colón has served as the president and CEO of Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan (LSS) since 2017. Since his time with LSS, the organization has seen multi-million dollar surpluses after years of budget shortfalls. He also served as the executive director of the Milwaukee County Department of Health and Human Services where he ended a 30-year waitlist for disability services and led countywide initiatives on ending chronic homelessness, reforming juvenile justice, and transforming mental healthcare. In 2019, Colón was named the Nonprofit Executive of the Year by BizTimes Media and Hispanic Man of the Year by UMOS.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/justice-statue-s5.jpgLargest addition in over two decades to justice system should make it more efficient.