Articles by Rob Mentzer

Series: The Novel Coronavirus, COVID-19 And Wisconsin: April 2020
Series: Policing Practices And Accountability In Wisconsin

Police Shutdown Of West Bend Church Service A 'Misunderstanding'

Audio: 
Rob Mentzer
Wisconsin Public Radio
Friday, April 10, 2020 - 6:10am
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Police shut down a Wisconsin church service after a neighbor reported the church was violating the state's stay-home order. It wasn't, but the incident reveals that some friction still exists as religious communities seek to adapt to new restrictions.
Series: The Novel Coronavirus, COVID-19 And Wisconsin: April 2020

Stevens Point Nonprofit's 3D Printers Now Make Protective Gear For Health Workers

Audio: 
Rob Mentzer
Wisconsin Public Radio
Monday, April 6, 2020 - 6:30am
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A Stevens Point-based nonprofit has nearly two dozen 3D printers creating personal protective equipment for central Wisconsin hospitals. They're also sharing the locally produced designs worldwide.
Series: The Novel Coronavirus, COVID-19 And Wisconsin: April 2020

Wisconsin GOP Leaders Take No Action On Election Changes, Seek To Block Absentee Balloting Extension

Rob Mentzer
Wisconsin Public Radio
Saturday, April 4, 2020 - 6:05pm
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Republican legislative leaders immediately adjourned a special session called by Gov. Tony Evers to consider a plan to conduct the spring election by mail, and they’re planning to appeal other election changes to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Series: The Novel Coronavirus, COVID-19 And Wisconsin: March 2020

Wisconsinites In Limbo As State Unemployment System Overwhelmed

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Rob Mentzer
Wisconsin Public Radio
Tuesday, March 31, 2020 - 2:00pm
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Phone lines are overloaded as Wisconsin's unemployment insurance system struggles under a surge of new claims in the wake of the state's response to COVID-19.
Series: The Novel Coronavirus, COVID-19 And Wisconsin: March 2020

Virtual Meetings Are A Lifeline For People Struggling With Addiction

Audio: 
Rob Mentzer
Wisconsin Public Radio
Monday, March 30, 2020 - 6:15am
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People in recovery from substance abuse are at risk of relapse amid the stress of isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Recovery communities across the state are responding with virtual meetings and plenty of check-ins.
Series: The Novel Coronavirus, COVID-19 And Wisconsin: March 2020

As Xenophobic Attacks Increase In Wisconsin, Officials And Advocates Respond

Audio: 
Rob Mentzer
Wisconsin Public Radio
Miranda Suarez
Wisconsin Public Radio
Thursday, March 26, 2020 - 6:15pm
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Hate crimes and incidents of aggression against Asian Americans have increased amid pandemic fears. Some Wisconsinites of Asian descent say they feel like they have to be on alert when they go out in public.
Series: The Novel Coronavirus, COVID-19 And Wisconsin: March 2020

What's An 'Essential Business'? In Wisconsin, Many Workplaces Qualify

Audio: 
Rob Mentzer
Wisconsin Public Radio
Wednesday, March 25, 2020 - 4:45pm
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The governor's order that all nonessential businesses should close has created uncertainty about what exactly counts as an essential business. But with broad exemptions, a surprising number of businesses in Wisconsin are finding ways to stay open.
Series: The Novel Coronavirus, COVID-19 And Wisconsin: March 2020

Amid Uncertainty, Wisconsinites Find Fault With Political Response To COVID-19

Audio: 
Rob Mentzer
Wisconsin Public Radio
Tuesday, March 24, 2020 - 6:20am
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Coronavirus has turned life upside down in Wisconsin. But the state still has an April 7 election coming up, with a presidential primary, state Supreme Court race and hundreds of local races. Their pandemic experiences could shape future politics.
Series: The Novel Coronavirus, COVID-19 And Wisconsin: March 2020

With Schools Closed, Library Parking Lots Are Some Families' Only Place For Internet

Audio: 
Rob Mentzer
Wisconsin Public Radio
Monday, March 23, 2020 - 6:15am
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With schools shut down across the state, students are doing e-learning lessons at home. For some rural families who lack high-speed internet access, that's not so easy.
Series: The Novel Coronavirus, COVID-19 And Wisconsin: March 2020

Facing Bare Shelves, Wisconsinites Ready Themselves For Isolation Period

Audio: 
Rob Mentzer
Wisconsin Public Radio
Tuesday, March 17, 2020 - 5:05am
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Grocery shelves were depleted across the state as people stocked up in anticipation of a period of weeks when schools, public gatherings and many workplaces in Wisconsin were to be shut down.