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Wisconsin Residents Head To Illinois To Buy Legal Weed - WPR
Corri Hess
January 2, 2020
Any changes to Wisconsin’s current marijuana policy appear unlikely, with state lawmakers recently saying they won’t consider a proposal to allow medical use. But that isn’t stopping state residents from going to Illinois to buy legal weed.
On Wednesday, more than $3 million in marijuana was reportedly sold on the first day of legal sales of recreational pot in Illinois.
Trent Yager, of Kenosha, waited outside of RiSE in Mundelein, Illinois, on Thursday with his father. It’s the closest dispensary to Wisconsin. Yager said he planned on buying a few plants.
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“I’m not a regular user, I just wanted to try it out and see if I liked it,” Yager said.
Tara, who didn’t want to give her last name, said she has never used drugs before. But she drove to RiSE to see what a dispensary was like and buy some edibles.
“It’s exciting,” Tara said. “Obviously, yesterday was probably insane, but it is part of history.”
While hundreds of Wisconsin residents are headed south to purchase legal marijuana, it’s still illegal in Wisconsin to possess the drug.
Brendan Blume, vice president of store development at RiSE, said the amount people can buy depends on if they are Illinois residents or live out of state.
“Thirty grams to 15 grams in state, it’s about half for out of state,” Blume said. “If people buy it in the state of Illinois, they have to consume it here.”
The Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department said it will continue to operate as normal enforcing state and local laws and ordinances.
Kenosha County Sgt. Chris Hannah said there are no plans to increase patrol. Hannah said no marijuana arrests or citations have been issued since New Year’s Day.
In addition to joining a growing list of states to legalize recreational cannabis, Illinois Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker pardoned more than 11,000 low-level marijuana convictions this week.
Meanwhile, in Wisconsin, state lawmakers haven’t moved forward on a bill to legalize medical marijuana.
Democratic Gov. Tony Evers’ state budget would have eliminated civil and criminal penalties for possession of up to 25 grams of marijuana and legalized medical marijuana. Republicans stripped those provisions from the budget, saying Evers’ plan was really about decriminalization.
Last month, Republicans introduced a medical marijuana bill, however, Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald has voiced his opposition, saying there aren’t enough votes to pass it.
Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, a Democrat, took to Twitter Wednesday to criticize Wisconsin’s lack of movement on making marijuana legal.
It is January 1, 2020. Marijuana, in some form, is legal along most of our border. It’s like they’re all pointing and laughing at us. The mockery is earned.
Wisconsin Public Radio, © Copyright 2024, Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System and Wisconsin Educational Communications Board.

created: January 2, 2020


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Wisconsin's Infant Mortality For African-Americans Highest In Nation - WPR
Shamane Mills
January 5, 2018
African-American babies born in Wisconsin die before age 1 at a higher rate than any other state in the nation, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Nearly all states have racial disparities when it comes to infant mortality, but Wisconsin has the nation’s highest gap between white and black babies. According to infant mortality data compiled by the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics, the rate of infant deaths for black babies in Wisconsin is nearly three times as high as white babies.
“Plenty of states are twice as high and some are less than twice as high, so the picture there with the statistics is just not great. And that rate for Wisconsin is the highest we reported in the nation,” said NCHS demographer T.J. Mathews.
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Wisconsin boasted the highest infant mortality rate for infants born to non-Hispanic black women in the nation between 2013 and 2015 at 14.3 deaths per 1,000 babies. The national average for that same group was 11.1.
Infant mortality rates for infants of non-Hispanic black woman, by state: United States, 2015-2015. CDC NCHS, National Vital Statistics System
“We do reports like this to bring public health issues to the attention of Americans,” said Mathews. “This is an important public health measurement and Wisconsin’s got some work to do.”
Those trying to improve the health of pregnant women and babies in Wisconsin say they are working on a number of fronts to address the issue.
“I want to give hope to the communities that when they see the statistics, that yes the numbers are very alarming, we are being proactive though to address this issue in our communities,” said Gina Green-Harris, director of the Lifecourse Initiative for Healthy Families which operates in southeast Wisconsin.
The Lifecourse Initiative looks at how the stress of daily life can impact pregnant women who don’t have adequate housing, employment and health care.
“While we focus on healthy babies and moms, we also know it’s not just the result of nine months of pregnancy, but the entire lifespan leading up to her pregnancy and what does that look like,” Green-Harris added.
Each city served by the Lifecourse Initiative has a priority. For instance Kenosha focuses on the mental health of African-American mothers and prenatal care at home.
“And then there are some follow up visits after delivery to check in with mom, check in with baby to make sure goings are going well,” Green-Harris said.
Milwaukee focuses on how to prevent premature births. Racine focuses on breastfeeding. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding because a mother’s milk contains disease-fighting substances that protect babies from illnesses.
In addition to providing support for African-American women and their families, the Lifecourse Initiative also works to combat the negative effects of racism.
A recent NPR story indicates that even if an African-American mother has a good home and job, racism can have deadly effects.
While the state’s infant mortality rate is high for African-Americans, Wisconsin’s overall rate is on par with the national rate. Wisconsin’s rate of infant mortality per 1,000 live birth from 2013-15 was 5.92; the national rate was 5.89.
Wisconsin Public Radio, © Copyright 2024, Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System and Wisconsin Educational Communications Board.

source: news-milwaukeenns

created: January 5, 2018

license: Creative Commons - Attribution - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

author: Shamane Mills


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Wrongfully-Convicted Man Returns To Wisconsin As An Attorney - WPR
Elizabeth Dohms-Harter
January 23, 2020
A man who was wrongfully convicted of a crime for which he served 10 years in prison and was later exonerated, is returning to Wisconsin as an attorney, inspired to change the stigmas surrounding the state’s incarcerated populations.
On Wednesday, Jarrett Adams was admitted to the Wisconsin State Bar in a ceremony at the Wisconsin State Capitol. Joining Adams was Keith Findley, co-founder of and now senior advisor to the Wisconsin Innocence Project, in which legal experts lead University of Wisconsin-Madison law students in efforts to overturn wrongful convictions.
“It was a moment that I most certainly wanted to share with him, as well,” Adams said about being sworn in by Findley, who argued Adams’ case and helped in overturning his conviction.
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After his exoneration, Adams attended Loyola University Chicago School of Law where he earned a law degree. He was initially admitted to the New York State Bar four years ago, after which he served on the Innocence Project there.
Adams was wrongfully convicted of sexual assault when he was 17 years old. He was given a 28-year sentence at a maximum security prison and ended up serving about 10 years of that sentence before being exonerated in 2007.
He said that his experience with the justice system was evidence of the impact that having a low income has on a person’s chances of getting incarcerated.
“Guilt or innocence shouldn’t be decided on how much you can afford,” he said. “In my case, it most certainly was.”
Adams explained he was given a panel attorney, which is someone appointed to handle cases that public defenders offices can’t take, for example due to conflicts of interest. Panel attorneys also have agreements with the courts to handle cases where the defendants can’t afford an attorney.
“I didn’t get a great attorney and it had a direct bearing on the outcome of my case,” he said.
According to the Innocence Project, perjury or false accusations are contributing factors in nearly 60 percent of the 1,861 recorded exonerations across the nation. The Innocence Project lists this and inadequate legal defense as factors leading to Adams’ incarceration.
Adams said being incarcerated put him in an environment where he heard stories from other men and came to realize that “the person isn’t born at the point of their accusation.” He said it became clear that for many men, their stories started in the communities where they lived, where they were impacted by stressors that they never got a chance to heal from. In some cases, that led to mental health issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder that remained unaddressed.
Adams said he was interested in returning to Wisconsin, particularly because of the state’s bloated prison population.
“I really want to live a life as an example of what can happen when people are given the opportunities and the tools to reintegrate successfully back into our society,” he said. “We can’t repair what is going on in our impoverished areas in the state of Wisconsin by locking everyone up.”
Wisconsin Public Radio, © Copyright 2024, Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System and Wisconsin Educational Communications Board.

created: January 23, 2020

author: Elizabeth Dohms-Harter


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Church Commemorates Homeless Man Murdered In Milwaukee | WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR
Barbara Miner
Published March 27, 2020 at 6:01 PM CDT

created: Published March 27, 2020 at 6:01 PM CDT

author: Barbara Miner


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Coronavirus: South Side Milwaukee ZIP Code Has Disproportionate Number Of Cases | WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR
WUWM 89.7 FM |
Published April 16, 2020 at 3:14 PM CDT

created: Published April 16, 2020 at 3:14 PM CDT

author: WUWM 89.7 FM |


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'Diego Y Frida' Latino Arts Exhibit Pairs Historical Photos With New Artwork | WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR
Bonnie North
Published January 25, 2019 at 12:48 PM CST

author: Bonnie North


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Hispanic Workforce In Milwaukee Faces Wage Challenges | WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR

Published May 2, 2019 at 4:47 PM CDT

created: Published May 2, 2019 at 4:47 PM CDT


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Homelessness Persists In Milwaukee Despite Fewer People Trying To Survive On The Streets | WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR

Published March 15, 2019 at 12:12 PM CDT


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Housing As A Prescription For Children's Health Care | WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR
Joy Powers
Published April 10, 2019 at 3:44 PM CDT

created: Published April 10, 2019 at 3:44 PM CDT

author: Joy Powers


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How To Talk To Your Kids About Racism, Protests & Inequality | WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR
Audrey Nowakowski
Published June 18, 2020 at 1:54 PM CDT

created: Published June 18, 2020 at 1:54 PM CDT

author: Audrey Nowakowski


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Is It A New Era At Milwaukee's Century City Business Park? | WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR
WUWM 89.7 FM |
Published September 13, 2019 at 9:01 AM CDT


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Lead Threat In Milwaukee’s Water Causes Clash Between Community Advocates & City Leaders | WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR
WUWM 89.7 FM |
Published February 15, 2019 at 1:29 PM CST


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M-cubed Partnership Enters Its Fifth Year With High Hopes For Milwaukee Students | WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR

Published March 5, 2019 at 11:58 AM CST

created: Published March 5, 2019 at 11:58 AM CST


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Marley Dias Inspires, Strives & Collects Way More Than #1000BlackGirlBooks | WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR
Maayan Silver
Published March 20, 2019 at 12:48 PM CDT

author: Maayan Silver


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Measles Shots Aren't Just For Kids: Many Adults Could Use A Booster Too | WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR
Allison Aubrey
Published April 29, 2019 at 4:09 AM CDT

created: Published April 29, 2019 at 4:09 AM CDT

author: Allison Aubrey


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Milwaukee Activists Aim For 'Circle Of Support' Around Sex Trafficking Survivors | WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR
WUWM 89.7 FM |
Published April 18, 2019 at 5:00 AM CDT

created: Published April 18, 2019 at 5:00 AM CDT


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Milwaukee Issues Order To Demolish Most Of Former Northridge Mall | WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR
WUWM 89.7 FM |
Published April 11, 2019 at 2:14 PM CDT

created: Published April 11, 2019 at 2:14 PM CDT


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Milwaukee's Eviction Defense Project Provides Representation To Tenants In Poverty | WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR
WUWM 89.7 FM |
Published November 20, 2019 at 5:00 AM CST


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MPS Faces Criticism Over Handling Of Remote Learning During Shutdown | WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR
WUWM 89.7 FM |
Published April 24, 2020 at 3:48 PM CDT

created: Published April 24, 2020 at 3:48 PM CDT


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MPS Wants Community Input On How To Improve Schools | WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR
WUWM 89.7 FM |
Published August 23, 2019 at 4:30 AM CDT


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Native American Artists Honor & Provide A Contemporary Take On Their Traditions | WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR
Bonnie North
Published March 6, 2019 at 12:48 PM CST

created: Published March 6, 2019 at 12:48 PM CST


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Ojibwe Language Classes Hope To Help Revitalize Native Languages In Wisconsin | WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR
WUWM 89.7 FM |
Published April 2, 2019 at 12:06 PM CDT

created: Published April 2, 2019 at 12:06 PM CDT


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Questions Loom Over Milwaukee Police Department's Public Surveillance Cameras | WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR
WUWM 89.7 FM |
Published March 13, 2019 at 11:55 AM CDT


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Research And Resources Are Needed For Latinos And African-Americans Suffering From Alzheimer's | WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR
WUWM 89.7 FM |
Published February 21, 2019 at 3:24 PM CST


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As School Year Begins, Evers Says Education Funding 'Headed In Right Direction' | WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR
WUWM 89.7 FM |
Published September 3, 2019 at 4:36 PM CDT


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Sex Trafficking In Milwaukee: 'A Crime That Doesn’t Discriminate' | WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR
WUWM 89.7 FM |
Published April 16, 2019 at 5:00 AM CDT

created: Published April 16, 2019 at 5:00 AM CDT


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Summit on Black Male Youth In Its Sixth Year: 'They Just Need To See Us' | WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR
WUWM 89.7 FM |
Published March 20, 2019 at 1:17 PM CDT

created: Published March 20, 2019 at 1:17 PM CDT


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UpStart Kitchen Hopes To Boost Milwaukee Food Entrepreneurs | WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR
WUWM 89.7 FM |
Published August 6, 2019 at 5:00 AM CDT

created: Published August 6, 2019 at 5:00 AM CDT


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'We Should Never Make Peace With Trauma': Efforts To Reduce Milwaukee's Homicide Rate | WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR
WUWM 89.7 FM |
Published September 10, 2019 at 5:00 AM CDT


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What Milwaukee's Lead Problem Means For Children | WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR
WUWM 89.7 FM |
Published May 7, 2019 at 5:00 AM CDT

created: Published May 7, 2019 at 5:00 AM CDT


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Wisconsin's 'Alarming' English Learner Achievement Gap | WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR
WUWM 89.7 FM
Published March 21, 2019 at 4:30 AM CDT

created: Published March 21, 2019 at 4:30 AM CDT

author: WUWM 89.7 FM