Wisconsin Watch

More than 800 Afghan nationals have been resettled in Wisconsin — many of whom are highly skilled and educated but need to overcome barriers related to transportation, child care and language. Wisconsin Watch reporter Zhen Wang profiles one Green Bay-area man who has stepped up to help eight Afghan evacuees obtain their driver’s licenses, enroll in English classes and connect with job specialists....

Dakota Black and Joshua Gehde are in prison for homicide after former UW Dr. Barbara Knox accused them of inflicting abusive head trauma on children. They both insist they are innocent. In the latest installment of our series "Flawed Forensics," Wisconsin Watch reporter Brenda Wintrode investigates Knox's findings of "abusive head trauma" — a controversial diagnosis which one New Jersey judge rece...

In this investigation by reporter Matt Mencarini, Wisconsin Watch examines the unofficial — but central — role played by the nonprofit Thomas More Society law firm and its attorney, Erick Kaardal, in the state investigation into Wisconsin’s 2020 presidential election. Narration by Wesley Lethem for Wisconsin Watch.

In this story by reporter Mario Koran, Wisconsin Watch takes a look at how Wisconsin tribes are contemplating a future beyond gaming after the pandemic showed a risk of overreliance on casinos. This story is part of a collaborative series, “At the Crossroads," from the Institute for Nonprofit News, Indian Country Today, Wisconsin Watch and eight other news partners, examining the state of the econ...

In this latest installment of our series "Living with Lyme" Wisconsin Watch reporter Zhen Wang explores Wisconsin’s key role in the discovery and ongoing research into Lyme disease. Narrated by Wesley Lethem for Wisconsin Watch

In this story, Wisconsin Watch reporter Zhen Wang profiles Maria Freitas, a woman who for years has suffered from joint pain, brain fog, fever and other maladies. Freitas attributes the symptoms to Lyme disease. But mainstream physicians insist she has rheumatoid arthritis — a diagnosis that she said does not explain many of her symptoms. It's part of Wisconsin Watch's series: "Living with Lyme."...

In this story, Wisconsin Watch reporter Zhen Wang profiles an Afghan evacuee family who was resettled in separate states after a months-long stay at Wisconsin’s Fort McCoy — illustrating major challenges within resettlement agencies to help evacuees start their new lives. The story follows the Nabizada family as they seek housing, jobs and food — while applying for permanent residency. Reported by...

Wisconsin Watch brings you the latest news about former University of Wisconsin pediatrician, Dr. Barbara Knox. On Jan. 27th, Knox resigned from her position leading Alaska’s forensic child abuse clinic — days after Wisconsin Watch and the Anchorage Daily News reported on a couple who lost custody of their two young children after Knox wrongly diagnosed their 3-week-old baby as being abused. Repor...

In our latest installment from our series "Flawed Forensics," we feature a Fairbanks, Alaska, couple accused of abusing their 3-week-old daughter, prompting authorities to remove baby Izabel and her 18-month-old brother Ezekiel from their parents. Experts hired by Emilly and Justin Acker found former University of Wisconsin child abuse pediatrician Dr. Barbara Knox’s diagnosis of abusive head trau...

Wisconsin Watch brings you a story about a revived debate surrounding cash bail after Darrell E. Brooks was released from jail while facing charges related to domestic violence — just days before he allegedly drove through a Christmas parade in Waukesha, Wisconsin, killing six people and injuring dozens. Somewhat lost in the debate involving the rights of the accused and protecting the public, Rep...

Wisconsin Watch reporter Mario Koran explores how Milwaukee Area Technical College offers free tuition, debt forgiveness and early credit to make college more affordable and more available to a diverse student population. Narration by Wesley Lethem for Wisconsin Watch. Originally published Dec. 15, 2021 on wwww.wisconsinwatch.org

Wisconsin Watch reports on how Senator Kathleen Bernier, the majority caucus vice chair, urged members of her own party to halt their attempts to discredit the bipartisan Wisconsin Elections Commission they created, while also calling on former Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman to finish his partisan review of the election soon. Reporting by Brenda Wintrode and Jim Malewitz / Wiscon...

In the third installment from Wisconsin Watch's series "Imperiled Shores," reporter Mario Koran explores a fundamental question facing the state Department of Natural Resources: Preserve parkland affected by rising lake levels or let nature take its course? Reported by Mario Koran / Wisconsin Watch & WPR. Narrated by Wesley Lethem for Wisconsin Watch. Originally published on wisconsinwatch.org...

In this report, Wisconsin Watch presents a story about a Mauston, Wisconsin child care provider who was subjected to a lengthy and expensive ordeal to clear her name after she was wrongfully accused of child abuse by Dr. Barbara Knox. The story is the latest installment of our investigation into the former University of Wisconsin pediatrician whose controversial diagnoses of child abuse continue t...

In this episode of our "Flawed Forensics" series, Wisconsin Watch explores how the criminal justice system has repeatedly rebuffed the medical opinions of the former University of Wisconsin child abuse pediatrician Dr. Barbara Knox, and tells the stories of families who were affected by her misdiagnosis of child abuse. Reporting by Brenda Wintrode / Wisconsin Watch. Narration by Wesley Lethem. Ori...

In the latest installment of our "Flawed Forensics" series, Wisconsin Watch tells the story of seven Wisconsin families that faced child abuse investigations triggered by University of Wisconsin child abuse pediatrician Dr. Barbara Knox — suspicions later rejected by other doctors, police and child welfare officials. Reporting by Brenda Wintrode / Wisconsin Watch. Narration by Wesley Lethem for Wi...

In this addition to our series "Flawed Forensics," Wisconsin Watch tells more of the story of Dr. Barbara Knox. Two years after leaving the University of Wisconsin amid allegations of workplace bullying, the former top child abuse pediatrician is drawing similar scrutiny at her new job in Alaska. Reporting by Brenda Wintrode / Wisconsin Watch and Michelle Theriault Boots / Anchorage Daily News. Na...

Wisconsin Watch brings you a story exploring how a declaration of ‘obvious child abuse’ leveled at a child care provider by a former University of Wisconsin pediatrician fell apart after a five-day trial that centered on the controversial diagnosis of abusive head trauma. The story focuses on Dr. Barbara Knox, who left Wisconsin in 2019 under a cloud of controversy. It is part of our series "Flawe...

Wisconsin Watch brings you a story exploring how Great Lakes shorelines have seen a surge in barriers built to slow lakefront erosion. But such structures are temporary and may harm downstream beaches. This story is part of the series Imperiled Shores and was reported by Wisconsin Watch's Mario Koran. It was originally published Nov. 4, 2021. Narration by Wesley Lethem.

Wisconsin has the shameful distinction of locking up 1 in every 36 Black adults in the state, the highest rate in the country. A Sentencing Project report confirms the state’s deep racial disparities in incarceration, which one advocate calls ‘a slap in the face.’ Reporting by Clare Amari / Wisconsin Watch. Originally published on Oct 13. 2021. Narration by Wesley Lethem.

Great Lakes shorelines have seen a surge in barriers built to slow lakefront erosion. But such structures are temporary and may harm downstream beaches. This story is part of the series "Imperiled Shores." Reporting by Mario Koran. Originally published Oct. 30, 2021. Narration by Wesley Lethem.

Wisconsin Watch brings you a story that examines the latest contaminants of concern in a local waterway in Madison, Wisconsin: PFAS -- hazardous chemicals which are being flagged across Wisconsin for their properties as "forever chemicals." Original reporting by Isaac Wasserman / Wisconsin Watch. Story originally published Oct. 7, 2021.

Replacing all Milwaukee lead service lines would take 70 years at current pace. Meanwhile, Wisconsin home lead investigations rarely test water amid focus on paint. Reporting by Diana Butsko / Wisconsin Watch. Originally published Sept. 9, 2021.

Evanston, Illinois is compensating victims of housing discrimination. Big questions remain about whether and how reparations should be handled. Reporting by Molly Carmichael and Martha Daniels / Wisconsin Watch. Originally published on Oct. 2, 2021.

Wisconsin Watch brings you a story that examines how school officials refer thousands of children to the police each year. And in Wisconsin, children with disabilities or who are Black, Latino or Native bear the brunt of it. Reporting by Corey Mitchell, Joe Yerardi and Susan Ferriss / Center for Public Integrity, Clare Amari / Wisconsin Watch, Angelica Euseary and Robert Chappell / Madison365.