Politics
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Medical debt will no longer appear on credit reports for all Americans
This new rule will erase an estimated $49 billion in unpaid medical bills from the credit reports of roughly 15 million Americans, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The agency estimates that the new federal rule could help boost consumer credit scores by an average of 20 points.
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Governor Tony Evers proposes pathway for citizens to create laws
Under current Wisconsin law, voters don’t have the ability to repeal or place laws on the ballot without legislative approval. Governor Tony Evers announced Monday that he wants to change that by including a pathway for binding referenda and constitutional amendments in his 2025-2027 biennial budget proposal to “enshrine the will of the people.”
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January 6: America’s annual reminder that democracy cannot be taken for granted
Coincidentally, the date is special to UpNorthNews and helps us explain our ongoing mission to defend democracy and build civic engagement.
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The deaths of two former state senators remind us of a less partisan Wisconsin Legislature
Republican George Petak was kicked out of office for supporting a tax that funded a new Brewers stadium. Democrat Tim Cullen crossed the partisan divide when he joined a Republican governor’s cabinet.
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Here’s the $4 billion question for the 2025 Wisconsin Legislature: Is this the year (finally) of the win-win session?
Most people, no matter how much they disagree, would find a way to divide a $4 billion pot in ways to make everyone happy. Political gamesmanship has prevented bipartisan progress in the Assembly and Senate.
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Will Wisconsin see BadgerCare expansion in 2025?
The state’s legislative leaders are outlining their priorities ahead of the next legislative session, but questions remain over Medicaid expansion.
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Why this Wisconsin farmer says tariffs will impact you too
Wondering if Trump’s tariffs will impact your pocketbook? This Wisconsin farmer breaks down how the president-elect’s pledge to impose tariffs on imports will show up in the grocery aisle.
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WI superintendent to state: ‘We can’t continue to pit school districts against taxpayers’
In Wisconsin, the state reimburses public school districts about 31% of the cost for special education services. Meanwhile, the Republican-controlled legislature guarantees a 90% reimbursement rate for private schools.
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Opinion: Celebrating this year’s wins and building momentum for 2025
A Better Wisconsin Together celebrates the victories of 2024—from fair maps to workers’ rights and reproductive freedom—and now they’re gearing up for 2025.
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New study finds that air pollution could be threatening the success of IVF treatment
Researchers looked at the air pollution levels while the donor eggs were developing and the 72 days when the sperm was developing and found a link between an increase in exposure to air pollution and lower embryo quality and egg survival in both cases.
