Wisconsin prison bill, Water utility report cards, Improving life for wheelchair users

Air Date:
Heard On Wisconsin Today
Two men in hard hats and neon vests stand in a room filled with pipes.
General manager of Waukesha’s Water Utility Dan Duchniak, left, walks around the facility with Jeff Champion, a construction manager with Black & Veatch, right, on Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2023, in Waukesha, Wis. Angela Major/WPR

We talk to a state legislator who wants to get tough with people on parole or probation who are charged with new crimes. Then, a researcher explains how Wisconsin’s public drinking water systems are graded. And, we talk to a Milwaukee engineer working to improve the experience of wheelchair users.

Featured in this Episode

  • New bill could increase Wisconsin's prison population

    State Rep. Brent Jacobson, a Republican from central Wisconsin, wants the state to take a harder line on convicted felons who are charged with additional crimes. We talk with Jacobson about his proposal and other ideas for criminal justice reform. 

  • Grading Wisconsin's public water utilities

    Wisconsin has more public drinking water systems than any other state — and now, they’re getting a grade. The researcher behind the Wisconsin Waterworks Excellence Project talks about the new report cards and how local governments can improve the public’s trust in their tap water.

  • Wisconsin Life

    We hear a story about a non-alcoholic bottle shop in Wisconsin called Sober Social.

  • Mobility labs works to improve wheelchair experience

    In the U.S., millions of people use manual wheelchairs, rotating the wheels roughly 1,000 times per day. University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee engineering professor Brooke Slavens asks the question: how can we improve that experience?

Episode Credits

  • Rob Ferrett Host
  • Brent Jacobson Guest
  • Manny Teodoro Guest
  • Brooke Slavens Guest
  • Colleen Leahy Producer
  • Richelle Wilson Producer
  • Mackenzie Krumme Producer
  • Tyler Ditter Technical Director
  • Sarah Hopefl Technical Director
  • Dean Knetter Executive Producer
  • Tim Peterson Managing Producer