Milwaukee Journal SentinelView CommentsWisconsin's health department reported 464 more positive coronavirus tests on Thursday, as confirmed cases continue to tick slightly upward despite leveled-off testing.Thursday's positivity rate — 4.1% of all tests — still pales in comparison with early May's double-digit totals. But epidemiologists consider the percent positive number to be a key indicator of changes in the disease's spread, and it has recently increased throughout much of the U.S.On Wednesday, Department of Health Services officials and on Thursday,  —...…Milwaukee Journal SentinelView CommentsWisconsin's health department reported 464 more positive coronavirus tests on Thursday, as confirmed cases continue to tick slightly upward despite leveled-off testing.Thursday's positivity rate — 4.1% of all tests — still pales in comparison with early May's double-digit totals. But epidemiologists consider the percent positive number to be a key indicator of changes in the disease's spread, and it has recently increased throughout much of the U.S.On Wednesday, Department of Health Services officials and on Thursday,  —...WW…

Milwaukee Journal SentinelAt least 100 law enforcement agencies have withdrawn agreements to send personnel to next month's Democratic National Convention, some of them citing orders to Milwaukee's police chief to cease the use of tear gas and pepper spray during demonstrations.The withdrawals cast doubt on a program to bring about 1,000 police officers from outside agencies to help shore up security for the event, scheduled for the week of Aug 17.  Among the agencies confirmed to have withdrawn are police departments in Fond du Lac, Franklin, Greendale and West Allis.Asked...…Milwaukee Journal SentinelAt least 100 law enforcement agencies have withdrawn agreements to send personnel to next month's Democratic National Convention, some of them citing orders to Milwaukee's police chief to cease the use of tear gas and pepper spray during demonstrations.The withdrawals cast doubt on a program to bring about 1,000 police officers from outside agencies to help shore up security for the event, scheduled for the week of Aug 17.  Among the agencies confirmed to have withdrawn are police departments in Fond du Lac, Franklin, Greendale and West Allis.Asked...WW…

Milwaukee Journal SentinelThe home of the Milwaukee Brewers may serve as a drive-through early voting site for Milwaukee residents.The City of Milwaukee plans to open 15 early voting sites for the 2020 election and Miller Park could be an additional location focused on drive-through voting, Claire Woodall-Vogg said in an Election Commission memo about voting, equity and inclusion."I have been working with the Milwaukee Brewers to create a drive-through in-person absentee voting experience at Miller Park. The Election Commission would continue to offer curbside voting at all...…Milwaukee Journal SentinelThe home of the Milwaukee Brewers may serve as a drive-through early voting site for Milwaukee residents.The City of Milwaukee plans to open 15 early voting sites for the 2020 election and Miller Park could be an additional location focused on drive-through voting, Claire Woodall-Vogg said in an Election Commission memo about voting, equity and inclusion."I have been working with the Milwaukee Brewers to create a drive-through in-person absentee voting experience at Miller Park. The Election Commission would continue to offer curbside voting at all...WW…

Milwaukee Journal SentinelWisconsin Republican lawmakers and top GOP aides have been facing a coronavirus outbreak in recent weeks following a series of in-person events, including a retirement party for a longtime Capitol staffer, a dozen sources told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.  But Republican leaders would not disclose how many or which lawmakers have contracted COVID-19, nor would they answer questions about contact tracing efforts — including whether anyone worked at the state Capitol after they were exposed to the virus.Those affected by the...…Milwaukee Journal SentinelWisconsin Republican lawmakers and top GOP aides have been facing a coronavirus outbreak in recent weeks following a series of in-person events, including a retirement party for a longtime Capitol staffer, a dozen sources told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.  But Republican leaders would not disclose how many or which lawmakers have contracted COVID-19, nor would they answer questions about contact tracing efforts — including whether anyone worked at the state Capitol after they were exposed to the virus.Those affected by the...WW…

Milwaukee Journal SentinelMADISON - Wisconsin lags nearly all of its Midwest counterparts in getting its health care workers and first responders vaccinated against COVID-19 and has received fewer doses than other states of its size. The state is 10th lowest out of 12 states in the Midwest in getting a first dose of the vaccine to its residents on a per capita basis, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And Wisconsin is 10th lowest in terms of how much vaccine has been distributed, per capita.At 1,150 doses given per...…Milwaukee Journal SentinelMADISON - Wisconsin lags nearly all of its Midwest counterparts in getting its health care workers and first responders vaccinated against COVID-19 and has received fewer doses than other states of its size. The state is 10th lowest out of 12 states in the Midwest in getting a first dose of the vaccine to its residents on a per capita basis, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And Wisconsin is 10th lowest in terms of how much vaccine has been distributed, per capita.At 1,150 doses given per...WW…

Milwaukee Journal SentinelDoctors are criticizing a hearing held this week by U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wisconsin, about controversial treatments for COVID-19, including hydroxychloroquine — a and when treating the disease.During the hearing, Johnson pushed a baseless theory that the medical community was working to deny patients drugs such as hydroxychloroquine because they were cheaper than other treatments.The U.S. Food and Drug Administration for hydroxychloroquine in June because of its lack of effectiveness and cited its potential for serious cardiac adverse events and...…Milwaukee Journal SentinelDoctors are criticizing a hearing held this week by U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wisconsin, about controversial treatments for COVID-19, including hydroxychloroquine — a and when treating the disease.During the hearing, Johnson pushed a baseless theory that the medical community was working to deny patients drugs such as hydroxychloroquine because they were cheaper than other treatments.The U.S. Food and Drug Administration for hydroxychloroquine in June because of its lack of effectiveness and cited its potential for serious cardiac adverse events and...WW…

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel The second day of moved staggeringly slowly Saturday, especially in Milwaukee County — where observers representing President Donald Trump's campaign objected, objected and objected some more.One Trump observer, according to a Brown Deer election official, said the campaign was objecting to all absentee ballots because they were folded — even though they must be folded to fit into envelopes.Other Trump observers objected to the number of piles workers were placing ballots in, according to officials from Cudahy and the City of...…Milwaukee Journal Sentinel The second day of moved staggeringly slowly Saturday, especially in Milwaukee County — where observers representing President Donald Trump's campaign objected, objected and objected some more.One Trump observer, according to a Brown Deer election official, said the campaign was objecting to all absentee ballots because they were folded — even though they must be folded to fit into envelopes.Other Trump observers objected to the number of piles workers were placing ballots in, according to officials from Cudahy and the City of...WW…

Milwaukee Journal SentinelA Republican Party of Wisconsin subcontractor who was fired last week is accused of not paying workers he hired to go door-to-door to encourage people to vote for President Donald Trump.  The subcontractor, John J. Bush, did not respond to requests for an interview. But Will Oliver, who replaced Bush, said some canvassers were committing fraud by claiming pay for doors they never knocked on.  Oliver on Saturday fired more than a dozen canvassers and threatened some of them with arrest. The canvassers called that unjust,...…Milwaukee Journal SentinelA Republican Party of Wisconsin subcontractor who was fired last week is accused of not paying workers he hired to go door-to-door to encourage people to vote for President Donald Trump.  The subcontractor, John J. Bush, did not respond to requests for an interview. But Will Oliver, who replaced Bush, said some canvassers were committing fraud by claiming pay for doors they never knocked on.  Oliver on Saturday fired more than a dozen canvassers and threatened some of them with arrest. The canvassers called that unjust,...WW…

Milwaukee Journal SentinelWisconsin Democrats needed a fundraising boost. And the message from the original cast of "The Princess Bride" and their guests?"As you wish."More than 110,000 people donated at least $1 each to tune into , making the online event an inconceivable fundraising win for Democrats here."Tonight's once-in-a-lifetime Princess Bride reunion changes the odds on who wins Wisconsin," said Ben Wikler, chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. "This is by a mile the biggest grassroots fundraiser that we have ever had."Wikler added that "chipping in to register for...…Milwaukee Journal SentinelWisconsin Democrats needed a fundraising boost. And the message from the original cast of "The Princess Bride" and their guests?"As you wish."More than 110,000 people donated at least $1 each to tune into , making the online event an inconceivable fundraising win for Democrats here."Tonight's once-in-a-lifetime Princess Bride reunion changes the odds on who wins Wisconsin," said Ben Wikler, chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. "This is by a mile the biggest grassroots fundraiser that we have ever had."Wikler added that "chipping in to register for...WW…

Milwaukee Journal SentinelThe president of Epic Systems has been accused of singling out employees of color working at the Wisconsin-based health records software company in an email warning against plans for a "virtual walkout" aimed at supporting the Black Lives Matter movement."The approach of threats and demands to disrupt our work and our customers is not consistent with our culture, mission, or policies," Epic President Carl Dvorak wrote in a June 5 email obtained by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "This approach is not right and we expect you to avoid such...…Milwaukee Journal SentinelThe president of Epic Systems has been accused of singling out employees of color working at the Wisconsin-based health records software company in an email warning against plans for a "virtual walkout" aimed at supporting the Black Lives Matter movement."The approach of threats and demands to disrupt our work and our customers is not consistent with our culture, mission, or policies," Epic President Carl Dvorak wrote in a June 5 email obtained by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "This approach is not right and we expect you to avoid such...WW…