Wisconsin courts turn to livestreaming to keep courts open, accessible

MADISON -- An increasing number of Wisconsin courts are taking advantage of online videoconferencing and live streaming services to keep courts operating and accessible to litigants and the public during the COVID-19 pandemic.The court system has issued Zoom online videoconferencing accounts to each of the state’s 249 circuit court branches and is encouraging judges to live stream their proceedings, according to Director of State Courts Randy R.

'2 different cities:' Milwaukee had 5 polling sites during COVID-19 election; Madison had 60+

MILWAUKEE -- The head of elections in Milwaukee is seeking a U.S. Postal Service Investigation into what happened to missing absentee ballots that did not make it to voters before the election Tuesday, April 7 -- as Wisconsin’s forging ahead with that election in the middle of a pandemic has public health officials, and those who showed up at the polls, worried.Milwaukee Election Commission Executive Director Neil Albrecht said Wednesday that he wants the investigation to focus on ballots that were issued and mailed around March 22 and March 23.Many voters who showed up Tuesday said they were forced to come out after absentee ballots they requested never arrived.

Waiting for an absentee ballot? Election officials say 'only option is to go to your voting center'

MILWAUKEE -- Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and Milwaukee Election Commissioner Neil Albrecht spoke out Monday, April 6 -- concerned about the thousands of absentee ballots that must be postmarked by Tuesday, April 7 in order to count.Voters in Wisconsin will face a choice Tuesday of participating in a presidential primary election or heeding warnings from public health officials to stay away from large crowds during the coronavirus pandemic.Hours after Democratic Gov.

Gov. Evers issues emergency orders regarding health care licenses, nursing home residents

MADISON -- Governor Tony Evers on Monday, April 6 signed emergency orders suspending some administrative rules for the Wisconsin Department of Health Services -- intended to maximize the state's health care workforce amid the coronavirus pandemic.The number of deaths attributed to the coronavirus in Wisconsin is up to 77 as of Monday, the state Department of Health Services reported.

Milwaukee leaders moving forward with plans for alternative COVID-19 care facilities

MILWAUKEE -- As the number of cases and deaths continues to rise, Milwaukee leaders worked through the weekend preparing for what to do in the event that hospitals run out of space for COVID-19 patients.Staff at Milwaukee-area hospitals say more and more medical professionals are having to switch from the jobs they normally do, to help treat patients with COVID-19.

Waukesha County suspends some public transit routes until 'Safer at Home' order lifted

WAUKESHA -- Waukesha County Executive Paul Farrow signed on Thursday, April 2 an emergency declaration which suspends some public transit route trips in the county.Officials say the order was issued to protect the health of transit employees and riders, to prevent community spread of COVID-19, and to comply with the "Safer at Home Order" issued by Gov.

'It's been positive:' Police in 5 cities respond to complaints of nonessential businesses still open

GERMANTOWN -- Craft stores and CBD shops joined the list of nonessential businesses in Wisconsin, with the Wisconsin Economic Development Commission clarifying which businesses are considered "essential," and therefore, permitted to remain open during Governor Tony Evers' "Safer at Home" order that took effect on March 25, and order police are enforcing. "Everybody that comes in says, 'Gosh, we are so glad that you're open,'" said Aleksander Gerasyuta, owner of Beyond Full Spectrum.