Wisconsin Today: Morning News

The Army Corps of Engineers may fast-track permits for a contested pipeline project in the Great Lakes and a fossil fuel plant in Superior. The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association updated a policy to now bans transgender students from playing in girls sports. And, there's new state legislation that was introduced that would stop local governments from prohibiting chickens or vegetable gardens on private property.

At a time of massive federal spending cuts, Gov. Tony Evers argued last night that it's time to invest in Wisconsin. A private school advocate will compete against incumbent State Superintendent Jill Underly this April. And, state lawmakers introduced a bill to make a special observance day to honor a local civil rights icon.

Polls are open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. today as Wisconsinites decide who's best equipped to lead the state's department of education. Candidates for Wisconsin's spring Supreme Court election are not committing to recusing from cases involving campaign donors. And, $50 million was set aside to help Wisconsin children learn to read, but it's now going back to the state's massive surplus.

The latest revenue projections show Wisconsin is expected to have a multi-billion-dollar surplus. That means Gov. Tony Evers has options for the state budget. The Bad River tribe is objecting to permitting a pipeline project. And, state wildlife officials have identified avian influenza in wild ducks along Lake Michigan.

Wisconsin manufacturers are expecting higher costs on after President Donald Trump expanded tariffs on steel and aluminum. The Wisconsin Supreme Court is considering whether a man whose criminal record was expunged can legally buy a gun in Wisconsin. And, egg prices are climbing, but organic egg prices seem to be more stable.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court announced two orders around the lawsuit challenging Act 10. In one of them, Justice Janet Protasiewicz said she won't recuse herself. State lawmakers heard testimony about a proposal to expand Medicaid access for low-income moms. And, Wisconsin's Department of Public Instruction has changed the way it measures student achievement on standardized tests. WPR education reporter Corrinne Hess will explain on it all works.

With less than two months to go before Wisconsin's spring election, once race is set to break fundraising records. Tesla is challenging the state over a decision blocking it from opening dealerships here. And, Illinois is delaying a project to block invasive carp from getting into the Great Lakes.

Some Wisconsin farmer groups have been left footing the bill after the Trump administration's freeze on federal climate change funding. Some Milwaukee residents will vote on a vacant seat on the city's Common Council next week. And, a new bill would require local governments to approve solar or wind projects before state regulators.

Federal funding for electric vehicle chargers is being paused. That could cost Wisconsin tens of millions of dollars. The state's top election official can stay in her role after a unanimous Supreme Court decision. And the state has a warning for folks who drive on frozen lakes.

The Milwaukee County Zoo is closing its aviary as a precaution to protect its birds. Two public schools in Milwaukee have dangerous levels of lead. And, two candidates for state superintendent of schools are presenting different visions of how to address low state reading scores.