"This was not an anomaly," says the Governor. "We must see the trauma, fear, and exhaustion of being Black in our state and our country."

MADISON — On Friday, Gov. Tony Evers released the following statement on the death of George Floyd:

“Earlier this week, another Black life was extinguished before our eyes. His name was George Floyd. He was 46. His life matters and his family deserves justice.

There was no empathy or humanity in his death. This was not an anomaly. We hear the echo of the words of Eric Garner. We relive the pain of the death of Black Wisconsinites like Dontre Hamilton, Ernest Lacy, and Sylville Smith. Frustration and anger about systemic injustices are always justified.

Folks in Wisconsin should be able to protest peacefully and to report on these events without the fear of being unsafe or arrested. And if you’re exercising that right, please wear your masks and keep social distance as best as you can.

We must see the trauma, fear, and exhaustion of being Black in our state and our country. We must offer our empathy, we must offer our support, but most of all we must offer our action. The solution isn’t in one person, it’s in all of us, together. We must confront our comfortability with racism. We must reestablish trust with communities of color. We must be willing to listen, we must be willing to be uncomfortable, we must be willing to do the work.”

WEA Trust Gift Will Help Club Kids Cope with New Challenges of Pandemic.

Madison, WI — Boys and Girls from across the state will benefit from a $20,000 donation made by the WEA Trust and intended to combat learning loss from school closings, provide more access to online learning and address youth mental health issues related to COVID-19.  The WEA Trust, which provides group health insurance to public schools and employees throughout Wisconsin, made the donation in connection with its annual Trustee election.  By pledging a per vote donation to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Wisconsin, the WEA Trust experienced its highest ever vote total in its 50 year history.  

“We are proud to partner with clubs to help children across Wisconsin when they need it most,” said Mike Quist, President & CEO of WEA Trust. “We know clubs have continued to serve the community during the pandemic, and we are here side by side to support them in our local communities.” Clubs work with 144,800 youth across 154 sites in 58 Wisconsin cities, more than any organization outside of our public school system. They also serve two million meals and snacks to youth every year at no cost.  

In areas including Appleton, Oshkosh and Berlin, local clubs stepped up to offer childcare for medical staff and first responders. In dozens of locations, from Madison and Milwaukee to Baraboo and Door County, staff distributed food to local families. "Our clubs are dependent upon generous contributions from organizations like WEA Trust," said Andy Gussert, State Alliance Director. "We've had to cancel over a dozen fundraising events across the state this spring, and will postpone more this summer. This leaves a financial gap of millions dollars across our organizations. We appreciate WEA Trust stepping up to fill that gap."

Wisconsin clubs serve more youth per person than any other state in the country. Seven out of every ten kids are from a racial or ethnic minority, two of every five are from a single parent household, and two of every three are on reduced school lunch programs. "These are the kids who most need us most during the pandemic," said Gussert.

The WEA Trust provides group health insurance and administrative services to public employers throughout Wisconsin. The not-for-profit WEA Trust was created in 1970 to serve Wisconsin school district employees. Today, the WEA Trust offers its top-rated service and quality benefits to all state, county, and municipal groups. Learn more by visiting www.WEAtrust.com/AboutUs

Over half of Wisconsin Boys & Girls Club sites will reopen in June. They started a statewide COVID-19 Relief Fund at www.bgcwisconsin.org that will be directed towards purchasing food, acquiring supplies, paying staff, and addressing needs directly related to the coronavirus pandemic.

Former Minneapolis police officer involved in the death of George Floyd has been charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter.

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - A former Minneapolis police officer involved in the death of George Floyd has been arrested and taken into custody, local authorities announced Friday.

Fired officer Derek Chauvin's arrest was announced by Public Safety Commissioner John Harrington, according to local reports.

Read the developing story here

https://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/wisc-dairy-farm-s5.jpgGovernor Tony Evers hopes you’ll join him in celebrating America’s Dairyland this June, and that’s one thing COVID-19 won’t change.

A distance-based enrichment and engagement initiative for students and support for professional creatives across Milwaukee.

Milwaukee - In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 Greater Together is taking a virtual approach to their Greater Equity 2030 Initiative. An initiative that sets a goal of making Milwaukee’s creative economy into a truly diverse, equitable, and inclusive industry, and so challenges industry leaders to create 1600 new jobs for diverse and minority talent by 2030.

We see that this is a moment to jumpstart, not postpone, the connections between Milwaukee’s youth and its professional creative community.

This is why we're announcing the launch of the Greater Together Creative Challenge with our partners the Greater Milwaukee Foundation, BVK, and Milwaukee Film.

As part of the challenge, professional creatives within the Greater Milwaukee area are invited to serve as Creative Advisors to Emerging Creatives, sharing their expertise with weekly support from Greater Together. Chosen Creative Advisors who have been affected by the COVID-19 crisis will be able to request a $400.00 honorarium for their time and expertise.

The Challenge will follow an 8-week program that will run from June 22nd to August 15th. The call for entries closes on June 15th, with applications reviewed on a rolling basis. The program will help develop students’ voices and creative talents by supporting the production of personal narrative short films alongside community-centered mentorship.

Greater Together, a nonprofit organization that promotes diversity, equity and inclusion in Milwaukee's creative occupations.

Bevin Christie, Greater Equity 2030's Program Director said, "I’m confident Milwaukee’s young people have a story to tell and I’m excited to provide them the opportunity to showcase their talent. In turn, we will provide mentoring, "real world" learning opportunities, and exposure to careers and professionals in Milwaukee's creative industry. It's a win-win!"

To be considered, Emerging Creatives, ages 16 plus with parent or guardian permission, are encouraged to pitch their story and professional interests. The Greater Together Creative Challenge process will consist of the creation of short films that capture their personal narratives from Milwaukee in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020.

All entries will be judged by a panel of influential celebrities with ties to the Greater Milwaukee area and shown as part of a public showcase in the fall of 2020 during the Milwaukee Film Festival.

Visit the Greater Together website at www.greatertogether.me for more information on the Greater Together Creative Challenge and to submit your entry for consideration.

Greater Together previously launched the Greater Together Challenge, a successful competition focused on generating and advancing ideas that addressed structural racism in Milwaukee. The group also facilitated the process that led to the establishment of the popular Milwaukee People’s Flag. Proceeds from the Milwaukee People’s Flag help support Greater Equity 2030.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/covid19-protest-stay-at-home-mi-s5.pngPresident Trump has fueled division, as the coronavirus response has become mired in the bog of partisanship.

State Unemployment Woes Were Created by Republicans Long Before the Pandemic.

MADISON – As friends and neighbors continue to grapple with the economic fallout of COVID-19 trauma, Republicans continue to hold themselves unaccountable. The lack of urgency from Republicans to act this spring cost the state $25 million in federal funds for unemployment benefits. When Senate Republicans finally held a public hearing, they offered no solutions and tried to hide the fact that for years they enacted policies to limit and restrict access to unemployment.

“Wisconsin residents shouldn’t be fooled by Republicans hypocritical outrage,” said Senate Democratic Leader Janet Bewley (D-Mason). “This pandemic is revealing how challenges within the Wisconsin unemployment system were caused by Republican policies and further exasperated by their inaction. No matter how hard they try to rewrite their own history, the fact remains that Republicans have spent years tightening and restricting access to unemployment benefits.”

A memo from the nonpartisan Legislative Council highlights the various bills Republicans enacted over the last eight years to limit and restrict access to unemployment, including instituting a one-week waiting period before claimants can receive payment. As part of the lame-duck session, Republicans also restricted the Governor’s discretion to ease access to unemployment insurance.

“Wisconsin residents deserve better than the disingenuous and misleading accusations from Republicans,” added Bewley. “Whether in Madison or Milwaukee, or closer to home in Ashland or Rice Lake, people are feeling the brunt of Republican politicians that prioritize political power over the well-being of Wisconsin residents. It’s time Republicans acknowledge the fault in their policies and take meaningful corrective action to help Wisconsin residents.”

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/eviction-notice-s5.jpgEviction moratoriums end, and people still have no jobs and no money.

Funds made available with support from City of De Pere, donations from Schnieder foundation, more, announced to aid re-opening and begin recovery.

De Pere, WI  – The De Pere Area Chamber of Commerce, with support from the City of De Pere, announces COVID-19 Business Transition Grant that will assist small businesses located within De Pere while they move into re-opening and begin the stages of recovering from the state wide shutdown of non-essential businesses mandated on March 17, 2020.

“The De Pere Area Chamber is continuously searching for opportunities that benefit our business community,” says Amber Thiel, President/CEO of the De Pere Area Chamber of Commerce, “we are appreciative to have the ability and resources to step up during this time and assist small businesses in re-opening and moving forward through this undoubtably challenging period.”

Eligible applicants must own and operate a local business within the City of De Pere. Full-time equivalent employees may not exceed 25. Businesses within the Main Street District are eligible however, are only eligible for a grant up to $2,500 which includes any funds they may have received through Definitely De Pere’s COVID-19 Business Relief Grant Fund. Businesses may not exceed a grant of $2,500 between the two programs. Other criteria are considered, applications will be scored by a committee and awards will be granted by Wednesday, June 3, 2020 based on need.

Individuals, businesses, and/or corporations who are interested in donating to the COVID-19 Business Transition Grant Fund should contact the De Pere Area Chamber of Commerce via email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Applications can be submitted as soon as Thursday, May 21, 2020 for consideration and must be received by no later than Friday, May 29, 2020 to be considered. Maximum grant request is $2,500.

The De Pere Area Chamber of Commerce is a 501(c)(6) non-profit. We are a member-owned organization built up of staff, interns, and volunteers. Our Mission is to advance the interests of member businesses through business development and community involvement to stimulate economic growth in the De Pere area. Our Vision is to make De Pere a destination for living, travel, and business.

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Click Here to access the application

Trump's groundless claim that Scarborough was involved in the death of a staffer in 2001 extremely inappropriate say Republicans.

WASHINGTON, DC - President Trump’s willingness to ratchet up his attacks on MSNBC host Joe Scarborough is causing unease even among people in the president’s orbit.

Read the full story here