Weekend Roundup: State Sturgeon Biologist Resigns Following Investigation

Wisconsin’s former top sturgeon biologist has resigned after he was accused of lying to investigators looking into the illegal processing of sturgeon eggs into caviar.

Ryan Koenigs earlier pleaded no contest to resisting a conservation warden in Calumet County. He was fined $500 in court Thursday.

Koenigs resigned from the Department of Natural Resources Thursday morning, according to his attorney.

According to a criminal complaint, Koenigs allegedly allowed a co-worker to take the sturgeon eggs from spearers and have them processed, then shared some of the caviar with DNR employees.

Wisconsin DHS: COVID-19 Weekly Recap

From July 18-23, there were 1,695 new cases of COVID-19 reported by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, bringing the total number of cases since the start of the pandemic to 612,506. Wisconsin has lost 7,398 total lives to the disease.

Forty-nine percent of Wisconsinites are fully vaccinated — 81.6 percent of people age 65 and older and 27.8 percent of children age 12-15.

Last week, the Rock County Public Health Department announced its testing site at Blackhawk Technical College would be open for its last day July 22. However, the department said Tuesday the site will remain open from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays and from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Thursdays.

Pre-registration is available at vaccinate.wi.gov or by calling 844-684-1064. The site also accepts walk-ins.

Bucks In Six: Milwaukee ‘Needed This’

Tuesday night, the Milwaukee Bucks won the NBA Finals for the first time since 1971, beating the Phoenix Suns 105-98 in Game 6.

Two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo proved his commitment to the team with 50 points, 14 rebounds and five blocked shots.

“We needed this,” said Bucks fan Yoshi Hamilton, of Milwaukee. “Maybe this will make everything else that’s been happening terrible for us, make it a good thing.”

Here are some moments of celebration:

• The city of Milwaukee hosted a parade and party for the team Thursday.
• Gov. Tony Evers declared Thursday, July 22, 2021 as “Bucks in Six” Day.
• WPR photographer Angela Major captured fans’ reactions Tuesday night in the Deer District in a series of photos.

Medical Schools Address Health Disparities In Wisconsin

Wisconsin’s two medical schools are collaborating on a study addressing health disparities in the state. The University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health and the Medical College of Wisconsin will use $3 million in endowment money to measure and recommend solutions for health inequities, which have been underscored by the coronavirus pandemic.

The Wisconsin Collaborative for Healthcare Quality is a consortium of state health systems and hospitals. The collaborative in 2020 found low rates of colon cancer screening and HPV vaccination in some rural areas, and low rates of childhood vaccinations and depression screening in some urban neighborhoods.

Madisonian Uses 3D Printer To Create ‘Mini WIs’

Ken Fager, featured in the Wisconsin State Journal’s “Know Your Madisonian,” invested in a 3D printer earlier in the pandemic and has been using it to produce miniature replicas of the state Capitol. He calls them “Mini WIs” and has distributed them around the city.

Coalition Of Progressive Groups Targets Ron Johnson In $800K Ad Campaign

A coalition of progressive groups and unions, called Democracy for All 2021 Action, has launched an ad campaign against Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson in response to his remarks about the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol in January, as well as his opposition to voting rights legislation.

The coalition consists of the NAACAP, the Planned Parenthood Action Fund, The Working Families Party, the Sierra Club and the National Education Association labor union NBC reports. There are more than 20 groups total in the coalition.

They’re spending $800,000 on the campaign, which includes a 30-second television spot and a print ad.

Wisconsin Priest Resigns From US Conference Of Catholic Bishops Following Allegations

Monsignor Jeffrey D. Burrill, from Marshfield, has resigned as the General Secretary of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops due to “impending media reports alleging possible improper behavior,” according to the organization.

The details of the misconduct were not shared, but Conference of Bishops President Jose Gomez told the Stevens Point Journal that Burrill resigned in order to keep his actions from diverting attention from the conference.

Academy Of Pediatrics: Everyone Ages 2 And Older Should Wear Masks In Schools

On Monday, the American Academy of Pediatrics released its guidance for schools. It recommends that anyone over the age of 2 — students, staff and all — wear masks, even if they’ve been vaccinated against COVID-19.

Editor’s note: The Associated Press contributed to this report.