Saturday, September 5: Union endorsements and Wisconsin jobs data, advocates react as Wisconsin’s prison population sets a record, public pushback against rising utility rates and Flock cameras, PFAS money finally released, Evers’ upbeat back-to-school message versus reality
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“While the median wage has reached an all-time high, surging inflation in 2026 means that wage growth is likely coming to an end.”
– The State of Working Wisconsin 2026 report released Friday by the UW’s High Road Strategy Center
A construction worker on a road project. (Photo courtesy High Road Strategy Center, from the State of Working Wisconsin Report.)
Wisconsin union endorsements and the state of workers
Days before Labor Day, and with just over two months to go ahead of the November election, a coalition of labor unions announced Wednesday they were backing Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley’s campaign for governor. Reporter Henry Redman asks Crowley about his position on data centers, supported by building trade unions that have backed him, and how he will handle the way artificial intelligence technology could disrupt the jobs of thousands of Wisconsin workers, including the teachers, professor and nurses who endorsed him.
Deputy Editor Erik Gunn covers the “The State of Working Wisconsin 2026” report, produced each year by the High Road Strategy Center at the University of Wisconsin. The new report tells a good news-bad news story for Wisconsin’s workforce, with continued wage growth at the bottom end of the pay scale but inflation threatening to dampen that progress.
Record-breaking prison population and the backlash against Flock
According to Wisconsin Department of Corrections statistics, the state’s prison population hit a new record high last week. Isiah Holmes talks to criminal justice reform advocates about the deeper problems driving the numbers and whether and how the state will take steps to address its chronically overcrowded prison problem.
Also for the Examiner’s Criminal Justice Project, Holmes reports on Milwaukee’s decision to tighten restrictions on Flock automatic license plate reader cameras, with elected leaders calling for more oversight and restrictions as investigations into misuse by officers continue.
Utility rate protest, PFAS remediation and back-to-school on a zero budget
Dozens of southeastern Wisconsin residents, community organizers, local leaders and environmental activists voiced their opposition to a proposal from the electric utility We Energies to raise rates during a series of meetings in Milwaukee. Henry Redman covers the objections of local ratepayers and advocates who tied the criticism to the broader fight against climate change and pushing Wisconsin’s energy system to use more renewable energy.
The Wisconsin Joint Finance Committee approved the release of nearly $10 million in PFAS settlement funds to the Department of Natural Resources this week, concluding a years-long process to offer help to residents of Marinette County whose drinking water was contaminated with PFAS chemicals. Baylor Spears has the story.
In a commentary, Editor Ruth Conniff writes about Gov. Tony Evers’ valedictory back-to-school tour and examines his sunny claims to have made historic investments in education in the context of a school finance crisis.
PLUS:
More from Washington:
ICYMI
Yusuf Adama of Walnut Way speaks against We Energies’ proposed rate increase at a rally in Milwaukee Sept. 1, 2026. (Henry Redman/Wisconsin Examiner)
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