The race for Wisconsin’s 1st Congressional District seat pits veteran Congressman and former Vice Presidential candidate Paul Ryan against businessman and democrat challenger Rob Zerban. We talk with Zerban about his bid for Congress, and the issues he’s running on (note: an invitation to Congressman Ryan to appear on the program was not accepted). We also hear about a petition from Wisconsin environmental advocacy groups to the EPA over pollution from dairy manure in the state. Then we explore suggestions for new and exciting board games to try out.
Featured in this Show
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Water Contamination In Kewaunee County Linked To Dairy Waste
Wisconsin environmental groups on Tuesday filed a petition with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requesting it investigates a rash of reported groundwater contamination in Kewaunee County that has been linked to dairy farm waste.
As of June 2013, 31 percent of wells tested in the Kewaunee County, located just east of Green Bay, were deemed unsafe due to nitrates or bacteria — elements found in high concentration of cow manure.
Cattle on Wisconsin farms produce each year as much manure as the populations of Tokyo and Mexico City combined, according to the state Department of Natural Resources’ former runoff-control chief. That manure is often liquidized and spread as fertilizer across farmland through irrigation systems.
Elizabeth Wheeler, an attorney for Clean Wisconsin, said there’s a growing body of evidence from local departments that the contaminated groundwater is linked to dairy farms and pose a threat to public health. Wheeler said risks can include things as mild as stomach illness and discomfort, to more possibly deadly disorders like methemoglobinemia, commonly known as blue baby syndrome, which decreases the carrying capacity of oxygen in an infant’s blood stream.
Beyond being afraid to drink and cook with the water, Wheeler said her organization has received letters from mothers who are concerned about infecting their kids when simply cleaning a scraped knee.
The Kewaunee County Board recently unanimously passed an ordinance that’s intended to target the most problematic areas and practices in manure spreading to abate the contamination.
“It doesn’t go nearly far enough,” said Wheeler.
The Dairy Business Association, Wisconsin’s main dairy lobby, isn’t so sure that the nitrate and bacteria contamination is coming from manure waste and stated that the reports could be misleading. Wheeler think it’s a moot point.
“The data is what it is,” she said. “Part of the reason we want the EPA to come in is because it can pinpoint the sources of contamination and to what extent.”
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1st Congressional District Candidate Forum With Democrat Rob Zerban
Central Time hosts a candidate forum with Rob Zerban, the democratic candidate running for Wisconsin’s 1st Congressional District seat.
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Environmental Groups Ask EPA To Investigate Water Pollution From Dairies In Wisconsin
A variety of environmental groups in Wisconsin petitioned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Wednesday to investigate pollution of groundwater caused by dairy manure in the state.
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Share Some Board Games
As the weather cools, it’s time to start looking for some indoor activities–like board games. A Wisconsin game designer shares recommendations for great games for friends and family.
Episode Credits
- Rob Ferrett Host
- Veronica Rueckert Host
- Galen Druke Producer
- Chris Malina Producer
- Rob Ferrett Guest
- Veronica Rueckert Guest
- Rob Zerban Guest
- Elizabeth Wheeler Guest
- John Kovalic Guest
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