Studying Time: 3 minutes
Yearly Wisconsin Watch produces among the greatest investigative journalism in Wisconsin and this yr was no exception. We uncovered a choose abusing his energy to profit a coworker, revealed how AI helps the state catch unlawful manure spreading, catalogued each guide ban request in all 421 college districts and located state prisons hiring docs with disciplinary histories.
However what made this yr significantly particular was the introduction of the Ahead e-newsletter. Every week the Wisconsin Watch state staff produces shorter tales about what we count on to be the large information and developments within the days, weeks and months forward. It’s one thing our native media companions requested for and our state staff reporters delivered.
Because the yr winds down, we gave every state staff reporter the project of selecting their favourite story written by one other member of the staff (Secret Santa type!). Right here had been their picks:
To some, radio is a supply of leisure and data from a bygone period. They’re mistaken. Hallie Claflin’s deeply reported, authoritative story illustrates the immense and persevering with affect of speak radio — particularly conservative speak radio — in Wisconsin politics. The rise of former Gov. Scott Walker, the toppling of a Democratic mayor in Wausau and the deaths of sure payments within the Legislature can all be tied, not less than partially, to advocacy or opposition from conservative speak radio hosts. Meeting Speaker Robin Vos, the state’s strongest Republican, makes common appearances on broadcasts and described speak radio as being “as highly effective because it’s ever been.” This story is value your time as you stay up for 2025.
— Jack Kelly
Phoebe Petrovic’s profile of militant, anti-abortion Pastor Matthew Trewhella, her first investigation as Wisconsin’s first ProPublica native reporting community fellow, was an enticing learn. However I particularly preferred the companion piece she wrote. It’s a reader service to do this type of story once we do a big takeout on an individual or topic unfamiliar to most readers. It additionally would possibly drive readers to the principle story once they be taught extra about why we did it. It places the readers behind the scenes a bit and has the potential to make readers really feel extra related to Wisconsin Watch.
— Tom Kertscher
Tom Kertscher does a tremendous job with all of his reality briefs, however my favourite needs to be a compilation that fact-checked presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump proper earlier than their September debate. Over the previous few races, presidential campaigns have been stuffed with misinformation. Debates are a significant time to point out the fact of candidates and their beliefs. Tom’s story made certain individuals might precisely choose the claims each candidates had been making. I realized about many new and vital matters throughout occasion traces like Trump’s for-profit faculty, Harris’ declare about monitoring miscarriages and correct deportation statistics.
— Khushboo Rathore
Khushboo Rathore’s DataWatch report detailing that the state’s jail inhabitants was at almost 130% capability stood out as considered one of my favourite items this yr. Not solely did this brief story make clear extreme deficiencies in Wisconsin’s jail system, it additionally offered the findings in a digestible format that helped readers perceive overcrowding in prisons by way of putting knowledge. It’s one factor to report that Wisconsin prisons are overwhelmed, and it’s one other to have the numbers that present it. This piece has the facility to reshape future conversations about statewide jail reform, which is what our work right here at Wisconsin Watch is all about!
— Hallie Claflin
Jack Kelly has among the greatest sourcing this newsroom has ever seen. He’s such an affable, people-person, and it allows him to get espresso with anybody and everybody and construct reputable relationships that lead to wild scoops, like this one. It’s a testomony to his brilliance as a reporter.
— Phoebe Petrovic
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