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andy and dee hall

Wisconsin Watch co-founders, creators of one of the nation’s top nonprofit news outlets, leaving as leadership transition begins

Andy and Dee J. Hall, the investigative journalists who co-founded Wisconsin Watch in their family basement, are leaving after building one of the nation’s most successful nonprofit news and training organizations.

The Wisconsin Watch board of directors announced the planned departures as part of a succession plan that will ensure stable leadership. Four veteran staff leaders will continue to guide the editorial and business operations under interim executive director Barbara Johnson, a longtime journalism executive and Wisconsin Watch volunteer. The board will begin a search for a new CEO immediately.

memorial pylon ceremony

WNA Foundation honors 11 industry leaders during Memorial Pylon ceremony

The WNA Foundation will honor 11 industry leaders during this year’s Memorial Pylon ceremony June 8-9 at the Trees For Tomorrow campus, 519 E. Sheridan St., Eagle River.

The pylon ceremony will begin at 11:30 a.m. Friday, June 9, and will be followed by lunch. Friends, family and members of the public are invited to attend, and are encouraged to attend the WNA steak fry, which will be held in the Press Forest, on Thursday, June 8. The deadline to register is Thursday, June 1

West Bend wins 2023 Wisconsin Civics Games state finals

Four students from West Bend East & West High Schools have been named champions of the third annual Wisconsin Civics Games, presented by the Wisconsin Newspaper Association Foundation. They were among 62 students from 13 schools across the state who participated in the competition May 12 at the state Capitol in Madison, after advancing from a field of 166 during regional contests held virtually last month.

The winning team, advised by social studies teacher Mark Drake, included Owen Damkot (captain), Danny Zolp, Abby Lockrem and Myah Latour. They comprised one of two teams from their school to make it to the finals. Each will be awarded a $2,000 scholarships to a Wisconsin college or university of their choice. 

Wisconsin Civics Games state finals set for May 12 at state Capitol

Students from 13 high schools across the state will compete in the Wisconsin Civics Games state finals — presented by the Wisconsin Newspaper Association Foundation — on Friday, May 12, in Madison.

The state finals are open to the public, and media outlets are encouraged to attend. Welcoming remarks will begin at 9 a.m. in Room 411 South. Speakers include Gov. Tony Evers, Attorney General Josh Kaul, Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Patience D. Roggensack and UW System President Jay O. Rothman. The Games, which will be broadcast on WisconsinEye, are expected to conclude at approximately 3 p.m.

Wisconsin Newspaper Association