Julian Emerson

Julian Emerson

Reporter, UpNorthNews

A fixture in west central Wisconsin journalism for over a quarter-century, Julian specializes in investigative work, politics, and social justice issues.

Facebook
Politics Firefighting foam is a common source of PFAS pollution. (Shutterstock)
Politics Lawsuit Could Send Wisconsin’s PFAS Protections ‘Back Into the Dark Ages’

Environmental advocates warn of health hazards that could result from a business lobby’s bid to hamstring the DNR.

Julian Emerson Julian Emerson September 17, 2021 4:05 pm CDT
Coronavirus contact tracing wisconsin
Coronavirus ‘It’s Scary’: Health Departments Can’t Keep Up With COVID Contact Tracing Anymore

The pandemic is quickly becoming out of control again as the reality of too many new cases meets the reality of too few health workers.

Julian Emerson Julian Emerson September 16, 2021 4:26 pm CDT
Education (Photo via School District of the Menomonie Area)
Education Menomonie School Board Ends Mandatory COVID Contact Quarantines, Leaves Decision With Parents

The vote comes after the school board voted twice last month against requiring masks amid a nationwide surge of the Delta COVID-19 variant.

Julian Emerson Julian Emerson September 15, 2021 5:54 pm CDT
Coronavirus UW System Interim President Tommy Thompson, right, and UW-Eau Claire Chancellor James Schmidt pose after using a hammer to ring the bell on a “Smash COVID” carnival game during an event at the university Monday to promote students being vaccinated against the virus. (Photo by Julian Emerson)
Coronavirus ‘C’mon, Guys, You Can Do This!’ Former Gov. Thompson Rallies UWEC Students to Smash COVID

UW leader swings a hammer and raises the goal for students to be protected from the coronavirus.

Julian Emerson Julian Emerson September 13, 2021 4:40 pm CDT
Education A COVID-19 outbreak forced Mondovi Middle & High School to close just four days into the new school year. With school having just started, hundreds of students and staff across Wisconsin have been forced to quarantine due to contracting or being exposed to COVID-19. (Photo via Mondovi School District)
Education Most Wisconsin School Districts Aren’t Requiring Masks. There Are Already Outbreaks.

With school barely back in session, hundreds of kids and staff are already COVID-positive or quarantined across Wisconsin.

Julian Emerson Julian Emerson September 10, 2021 2:51 pm CDT

continuing coverage

The children of Emily Shields, Eau Claire, are among tens of millions who benefit from a federal child tax credit that has been expanded and converted into monthly payments through the American Rescue Plan proposed by President Joe Biden and passed with only Democratic votes in Congress. (Photo by Julian Emerson) Economy GOP States Are Getting a Big Chunk of Biden’s Popular Child Tax Credit—Wisconsin Also Above Average
contact tracing wisconsin Coronavirus ‘It’s Scary’: Health Departments Can’t Keep Up With COVID Contact Tracing Anymore
Former Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Michael J. Gableman, pictured here in 2011, has been hired by Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) to investigate baseless concerns over the 2020 election. The investigation is one of many nationwide as Republicans follow the lead of former President Donald Trump and work to undermine faith in the electoral process. (John Hart/Wisconsin State Journal, Pool Photo via AP File) Elections ‘This Isn’t a Real Investigation’: Email Sent by Gableman to Election Clerks Raises Alarm
(Photo via School District of the Menomonie Area) Education Menomonie School Board Ends Mandatory COVID Contact Quarantines, Leaves Decision With Parents
Coronavirus A healthcare worker assists a COVID-19 patient in an intensive care unit. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Coronavirus Northwest, North-Central Wisconsin Hospitals Have Four Total ICU Beds Available as COVID Surges

Available hospital beds are dwindling as COVID cases continue to spike in places like Barron and Wood counties.

Julian Emerson Julian Emerson September 8, 2021 5:02 pm CDT
Local Coverage Jason Jon Anderson, executive director of the Pablo Center at the Confluence in Eau Claire, discusses challenges that arts center and others have faced without operating revenue during the coronavirus pandemic. He called federal relief funding to the Pablo Center and other art and entertainment venues “a vital lifeline” and said many of them may have had to shut down for good without those dollars. (Photo by Julian Emerson)
Local Coverage ‘A Vital Lifeline’: How COVID Relief Saved Local Arts Venues

A federal grant program kept some venues, like the Pablo Center in Eau Claire, from closing permanently.

Julian Emerson Julian Emerson September 3, 2021 4:28 pm CDT