>> THE FOLLOWING PROGRAM IS A
PBS WISCONSIN ORIGINAL
PRODUCTION.
>> EVER SINCE I WAS A KID I
ALWAYS WANTED TO OWN THE MARSH
FOR MYSELF AND RUN IT MYSELF.
>> THE DRAW OF RURAL WISCONSIN
COMMUNITIES TO RETAIN YOUNG
PEOPLE.
THE UNDUE BURDEN OF BANNING
ABORTION FOR PEOPLE OF COLOR
AND HOW TO KEEP SCHOOLS SAFE AS
PARENTS OF CHILDREN IN THE
UVALDE MASSACRE SPEAK OUT ON
GUN CONTROL.
I'M ZAC SCHULTZ FILLING IN FOR
FREDERICA FREYBERG.
TONIGHT ON "HERE AND NOW" WE
HEAR FROM THE STATE'S OFFICE OF
SCHOOL SAFETY TO PREPARE FOR
THE WORST AND AN ECONOMIST AND
A LOOK AT WHY YOUNG PEOPLE FROM
RURAL WISCONSIN DECIDE TO STAY
IN THEIR HOMETOWN.
"HERE AND NOW" FOR JUNE 10th.
>> FUNDING FOR "HERE AND NOW"
IS PROVIDED BY THE FOCUS FUND
FOR JOURNALISM AND FRIENDS OF
PBS WISCONSIN.
>> WE TOLD HER WE LEFT HER AND
PICK HER UP AFTER SCHOOL.
I CAN SEE HER WALKING WITH US
TOWARD THE EXIT.
IN THE WILL THAT KEEPS
SCROLLING ACROSS MY MEMORY SHE
SMILES BACK AT US TO
ACKNOWLEDGE MY PROMISE AND THEN
WE LEFT.
I LEFT MY DAUGHTER AT THAT
SCHOOL AND THAT DECISION WILL
HAUNT ME FOR THE REST OF MY
LIFE.
>> PARENTS OF CHILDREN KILLED
IN UVALDE, TEXAS, 19 CHILDREN M
TOTAL, TESTIFIED BEFORE
CONGRESS THIS WEEK IN THE WAKE
OF THE SECOND MOST DEADLY
SCHOOL SHOOTING IN THE NATION'S
HISTORY, LAWMAKERS IN
WASHINGTON ARE BEING PRESSED TO
ACT.
EARLIER THIS WEEK DEMOCRATS IN
THE HOUSE PASSED GUN CONTROL
LEGISLATION INCLUDING
INCREASING THE AGE REQUIREMENT
FOR PURCHASING SEMI AUTOMATIC
RIFLES.
IN THE SENATE THERE IS A
BIPARTISAN GROUP FOCUSING ON A
SMALLER PACKAGE OF CHANGES.
ENHANCING SCHOOL SECURITY AND
MORE BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR
YOUNG ADULTS.
WE'RE JOINED BY TRISH KILPIN
THE DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF
SCHOOL SAFETY IN THE DEPARTMENT
OF JUSTICE.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.
LET'S START WITH WHAT MESSAGE
DID YOU SEND OUT TO WISCONSIN
SCHOOLS IN THE IMMEDIATE
AFTERMATH OF THE UVALDE
SHOOTING?
>> WE HAVE CONSISTENTLY BEEN
SENDING MESSAGES TO WISCONSIN
SCHOOLS TO HELP THEM ENGAGE IN
BEST PRACTICES FOR SCHOOL
SAFETY.
SCHOOL SAFETY IS BEST
UNDERSTOOD AS A COMPREHENSIVE
SAFETY MODEL AND THAT INCLUDES
HELPING TO INSURE THAT KIDS
FEEL BOTH PHYSICALLY SAFE IN
THEIR BUILDING.
THEY KNOW THE DOORS ARE LOCKED
AND THEY KNOW THAT THEY WILL BE
SAFE FROM HARM.
AND THEN PSYCHOLOGICALLY SAFE
AS WELL WHERE THEY FEEL A SENSE
OF CONNECTION AND BELONGING IN
THEIR BUILDINGS AND THEY KNOW
THAT WHEN PROBLEMS ARISE THE
STAFF WILL HELP AND SUPPORT
THEM AND PROTECT THEM.
WE CONTINUE TO WORK TO LET
SCHOOLS KNOW ABOUT WHAT SOME OF
THOSE MODEL PRACTICES ARE AND
HOW TO MAKE SURE WE WERE
HITTING ALL MISSION AREAS OF
PROTECTION WHICH WOULD INCLUDE
PREVENTING VIOLENCE, PROTECTING
KIDS FROM HARM, MITIGATING THE
TRAUMA EFFECTS IF SOMETHING
DOES OCCUR AND THEN OUR
RESPONSE AND RECOVERY EFFORTS.
>> WE INTERVIEWED A FORMER
TEACHER WHO NOW WORKS FOR THE
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC
INSTRUCTION LAST WEEK ON "HERE
AND NOW" AND TOLD US ACTIVE
SHOOTING DRILLS CAN BE
TERRIFYING FOR STUDENTS AND
TEACHERS.
HOW DO YOU BALANCE THAT WITH
THE PSYCHOLOGICAL DAMAGE IT CAN
INFLICT?
>> WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IF
AN INCIDENT OCCURS THAT WE'RE
ABLE TO RESPOND NOT -- THOUGHT
THROUGH OUR RESPONSE SO IT'S
NOT FOR THE FIRST TIME WHAT
PEOPLE ARE THINKING HOW TO KEEP
THEMSELVES SAFE.
THAT SAID, IT IS SUPER
IMPORTANT THAT OUR DRILL OR NO
DRAMA, NO TRAUMA.
WE KNOW THERE ARE THINGS WE CAN
DO TO PRACTICE THE DRILLS SUCH
AS A LOCKDOWN, THE LOCKDOWN IS
THE BASIS FOR MOST DRILLS AND
IT MEANS LOCK THE DOOR, TURN
OFF THE LIGHTS AND STAY QUIET
OR SIT IN AN AREA OF THE ROOM
QUIETLY AND MOST IMPORTANTLY,
LISTEN TO YOUR TEACHER.
SO THAT STAFF CAN GIVE
INSTRUCTIONS TO KIDS ABOUT WHAT
TO DO NEXT.
THE TYPES OF DRILLS THAT ARE
DONE IN SCHOOL SHOULD BE
PROGRESSIVE AND THERE IS GREAT
VALUE FROM DRILLS SUCH AS
TABLETOP DRILLS IS WHAT WE CALL
THEM.
THEY ARE TALKING THROUGH IF
THIS WOULD HAPPEN WHAT WOULD WE
DO.
FOR YOUNGEST CHILDREN IT WOULD
BE WHEN DRILLS.
IF THAT WOULD HAPPEN, WHAT
WOULD WE DO NEXT AND PRACTICING.
>> CONGRESS IS CURRENTLY
DEBATING A SERIES OF PROPOSALS
THAT COULD INCLUDE ADDITIONAL
FUNDING FOR SCHOOL SECURITY.
WHAT WOULD IT MEAN FOR
WISCONSIN SCHOOLS?
HOW SHOULD THEY USE THAT MONEY
IF IT DOES ARRIVE?
>> MOST OF THE FUNDING I'M
HEARING ABOUT WOULD BE IN THE
FORM OF GRANTS.
WE'RE ABLE TO USE SOME OF THOSE
GRANTS AND WE HAVE BEEN SO FAR.
HERE IN WISCONSIN WE'RE HOPING
THAT WE ARE ABLE TO GET STABLE
AND PREDICTABLE STATE FUNDS FOR
OUR OFFICE.
OUR OFFICE IS SMALL.
WE HAVE SEVERAL PROJECTS GOING
ON WITH FEDERAL GRANTS SUCH AS
A CRITICAL INCIDENT RESPONSE
GRANT RIGHT NOW TRAINING TEAMS
TO BE ENGAGING IN BEST
PRACTICES IF THINGS WERE TO
OCCUR THAT WERE TRAUMATIC FOR
OUR STUDENTS AND WE ALSO HAVE A
THREAT ASSESSMENT GRANT.
THEY'RE FEDERAL GRANTS.
WE'D WELCOME MORE OPPORTUNITIES
FOR FEDERAL DOLLARS AND LIKE
STATE DOLLARS IN ORDER TO
CONTINUE OUR WORK.
>> WHEN PEOPLE HEAR ABOUT
SCHOOL SAFETY GRANTS THEY THINK
ABOUT HARDENING A SCHOOL LIKE
BULLET PROOFING FOR LOCKING
DOWN DOORS OR MORE SECURITY.
WOULD THAT BE INVOLVED IN THIS
AS WELL?
>> THAT'S IMPORTANT TO MAKE
SURE THAT WE HAVE SECURE
ENTRANCES.
EQUALLY IMPORTANT IS TO THINK
ABOUT WHAT WE CALL PREVENTION
OR UPSTREAM PREVENTION WHERE
WE'RE BUILDING SCHOOL CULTURES
WHERE KIDS FEEL A SENSE OF
BELONGING AND THEY FEEL THAT
THEY LIKE THEIR SCHOOL TO BE
SAFE.
THEY FEEL SAFE AT SCHOOL AND
THEN BUILDING THAT CULTURE OF
HELP SEEKING SO IF PROBLEMS
EMERGE, KIDS ARE LIKELY TO TELL
AN ADULT OR TRUSTED PERSON SO
WE CAN INTERVENE AND GET THE
CHILD DEMONSTRATING THOSE TYPES
OF CONCERNS THE HELP THEY NEED
AND DESERVE.
>> SOME REPUBLICANS HAVE
PROPOSED ARMING TEACHERS.
DOES YOUR OFFICE HAVE A
POSITION ON THIS IDEA?
>> I BELIEVE THAT COMPREHENSIVE
SCHOOL SAFETY MUST INCLUDE ALL
ASPECTS I MENTIONED BEFORE
MAKING KIDS PSYCHOLOGICALLY AND
PHYSICALLY SAFE.
BEING A TEACHER IS A VERY
COMPLEX AND DIFFICULT JOB AND I
WOULD SUPPORT MAKING SURE THAT
WE LOOK AT ALL ASPECTS OF
SCHOOL SAFETY BEFORE WE
CONSIDER ARMING TEACHERS.
>> WE ONLY HAVE A FEW SECONDS
LEFT.
WHAT ABOUT SCHOOL RESOURCE
OFFICERS?
THERE IS CONTROVERSY WHETHER
THEY HELP IN THE HOLISTIC SENSE
OR THE VALUE OF THEM IN THE
THREAT OF AN ACTIVE SHOOTER.
>> SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS,
WHEN THEY HAVE A RELATIONSHIP
WITH THE SCHOOL THAT'S CLEARLY
DEFINED.
THEY HAVE A MEMORANDUM OF
UNDERSTANDING THAT DIRECTS
THEIR ACTIONS AND HOW THEY
WOULD RESPOND AND WHEN THEY
WOULD INTERVENE CAN BE HIGHLY
EFFECTIVE IN SCHOOLS AND I
WOULD HOPE THAT WE WOULDN'T
STOP HAVING SCHOOL RESOURCE
OFFICERS BUT INVEST IN THE TYPE
OF TRAINING AND SUPPORT WE NEED
IN SCHOOLS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT
IN ORDER TO COLLABORATE AND
FUNCTION WELL.
>> TRISH, THANKS FOR YOUR TIME
TODAY.
>> THANK YOU.
>> ALSO IN WASHINGTON A HOUSE
COMMITTEE BEGAN BROADCASTING
ITS FINDINGS OF THE YEAR LONG
INVESTIGATION INTO THE JANUARY
6th ATTACKS ON THE U.S. CAPITOL.
THE 90 MINUTE HEARING INCLUDED
BIPARTISAN STATEMENTS FROM
COMMITTEE MEMBERS, TIMELINE OF
EVENTS, NEVER BEFORE SEEN
FOOTAGE FROM THE VIOLENCE OF
THAT DAY AND TESTIMONY FROM THE
HUNDREDS OF WITNESSES THE
COMMITTEE HAS INTERVIEWED.
>> YOU CAN'T LIVE IN A WORLD
WHERE THE INCUMBENT
ADMINISTRATION STAYS IN POWER
BASED ON ITS VIEW UNSUPPORTED
BY SPECIFIC EVIDENCE THAT THE
ELECTION -- THAT THERE WAS
FRAUD IN THE ELECTION.
>> THERE IS NO ROOM FOR DEBATE.
THOSE WHO INVADED OUR CAPITOL
AND BATTLED LAW ENFORCEMENT FOR
HOURS WERE MOTIVATED BY WHAT
PRESIDENT TRUMP HAD TOLD THEM.
THAT THE ELECTION WAS STOLEN
AND THAT HE WAS THE RIGHTFUL
PRESIDENT.
PRESIDENT TRUMP SUMMONED AND
AASSEMBLED THE MOB AND LIT THE
FLAME OF THIS ATTACK.
>> BACK IN WISCONSIN DONALD
TRUMP'S BASELESS ALLEGATIONS OF
VOTER FRAUD LED ASSEMBLY
SPEAKER ROB-IN VOSS TO CREATE
THE OFFICE OF THE SPECIAL
COUNCIL TO INVESTIGATION THE
SPECIAL COLLECTION.
THE HEAD OF THE OFFICE WAS
HEALED IN CONTEMPT OF COURT.
FORMER SUPREME COURT JUSTICE IS
BEING SUED BY HAVING HIS OFFICE
DESTROY PUBLIC RECORDS.
HE WAS ORDERED TO TAKE THE
STAND TODAY BUT ACCUSED THE
JUDGE OF BEING PARTISAN AND
REFUSED TO ANSWER QUESTIONS.
>> ALL OF A SUDDEN I SOMEHOW
THINK THAT MY PERSONAL RIGHTS
ARE AT STAKE, TOO.
>> YES, JUDGE REMINGTON.
>> YOU HAVE HAD A LONG AND
STORIED CAREER SERVING THE
PUBLIC.
LET ME FINISH.
>> IF YOU'LL LET ME FINISH.
>> IN IS MY COURTROOM.
YOU HAD A COURTROOM IN BURNETT
COUNTY AND A COURTROOM IN THE
EAST WING OF THE STATE CAPITOL.
I DON'T NEED TO TELL YOU WHAT
-- HOW I EXPECT YOU TO CONTROL
YOURSELF AND THE BEHAVIOR THAT
I EXPECT OF A WITNESS ON THIS
STAND.
>> YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO CONDUCT
AND CONTROL YOUR COURTROOM,
JUDGE BUT YOU DON'T HAVE A
RIGHT TO ACT AS AN ADVOCATE FOR
ONE PARTY OVER THE OTHER.
I WANT A PERSONAL COUNSEL.
IF YOU ARE PUTTING JAIL ON THE
TABLE, I WANT A PERSONAL -- I
WANT AN ATTORNEY TO REPRESENT
ME PERSONALLY.
LY NOT ANSWER ANY MORE
QUESTIONS.
I SEE YOU HAVE A JAIL OFFICER
HERE.
YOU WANT TO PUT ME IN JAIL,
JUDGE REMINGTON, I'M NOT GOING
TO BE RAILROADED.
>> A MONTH AGO NEWS LEAKED THE
U.S. SUPREME COURT WAS PLANNING
TO OVERTURN ROE V. WADE ENDING
THE CONSTITUTIONAL PROTECTION
OF A WOMAN'S RIGHT TO ABORTION.
THAT FINAL DECISION IS EXPECTED
TO BE RELEASED SOMETIME THIS
MONTH AND ABORTION ADVOCATES
AND EXPERTS ARE PREPARING FOR A
POST ROWE LANDSCAPE.
TIFFANY GREEN, ASSISTANT
PROFESSOR FROM THE POPULATION
OF HEALTH SCIENCES AT
UW-MADISON.
WE DON'T GET THIS ADVANCE
NOTICE ON SUCH A MONUMENTAL
RULING FROM THE COURT.
HOW HAVE SPORTERS AND
RESEARCHERS BEEN USING THE LAST
MONTH?
>> I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO
GROUND THE CONVERSATION IN THE
IDEA THAT MANY OF US WHO
RESEARCH THIS TOPIC AND THOSE
WHO ARE ABORTION ADVOCATES AND
REPRODUCTIVE SUPPORTERS KNEW
THIS DAY WAS COMING A LONG TIME
AGO WHEN WE SAW THE COMPOSITION
OF THE COURT CHANGE AND THE
FACT THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE IN
THE UNITED STATES THAT HAVE
BEEN LIVING IN A POST REAL
WORLD FOR A VERY LONG TIME.
STATES HAVE BEEN CHIPPING AWAY
AT ABORTION ACCESS, INCLUDING
TRAP LAWS WHICH IMPOSE
DIFFERENT KINDS OF STANDARDS ON
PROVIDERS FOR ABORTIONS THAT
WOULD BE PROVIDED FOR THOSE
WITH A SIMILAR MEDICAL
PROCEDURE.
WE HAVE MANDATORY WAITING
PERIODS WHICH IMPOSE 24, 48 AND
SOMETIMES 72 HOUR WAITING
PERIODS FOR ABORTIONS MAKING
PEOPLE GO FOR MORE THAN ONE
VISIT.
ALL THOSE THINGS HAVE ERODED
ACCESS TO ABORTION, IN ADDITION
TO MANY CLINICS CLOSING.
ALTHOUGH THE RULE WOULD BE
DEVASTATING MANY PEOPLE IN THE
UNITED STATES HAVE BEEN LIVING
IN A POST ROW WORLD FOR A VERY
LONG TIME.
>> YOU HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO
RESEARCH.
IF WISCONSIN'S CLINICS ARE
FORCED TO GO AND WE GO BACK TO
THE 1849 LAW ON THE BOOK THAT
WOULD ELIMINATE ALL ABORTION IN
WISCONSIN, MINNESOTA AND
ILLINOIS WOULD STILL HAVE
CLINICS.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR PEOPLE
WHO NEED TO TRAVEL FURTHER TO
OBTAIN THAT HEALTHCARE?
>> SURE.
THERE HAVE BEEN A NUMBER OF
SCHOLARS INCLUDING THOSE AT
WISCONSIN, FORMER GRADUATE
STUDENT AND PROFESSOR WHO HAVE
DONE WORK IN THE SERIES SHOWING
DISTANCE IS A KEY INDICATOR OF
HOW PEOPLE'S ACCESS THE
ABORTION.
IT MAKES IT HARDER TO GET
ABORTIONS.
SO WHAT WILL PEOPLE DO?
ONE, PEOPLE IN THE NORTH OF OUR
STATE HAVE ALWAYS HAD A
CHALLENGE GETTING ABORTIONS.
MOST OF THE CLINICS ARE IN OUR
NECK OF THE WOODS IN MADISON
AND MILWAUKEE.
THAT'S ALWAYS BEEN A PROBLEM.
I THINK SOME PEOPLE WILL GO TO
ILLINOIS WHERE THE LAWS ARE
VERY DIFFERENT GOVERNING ACCESS
TO ABORTION.
FOR PEOPLE THAT ARE UNABLE TO
CROSS THE BORDER OR PEOPLE THAT
ARE UNABLE TO GET TO OTHER
STATES, I THINK IT IS GOING TO
BE A REAL CHALLENGE TO GET AN
ABORTION GIVEN THAT WE ALSO
HAVE A NUMBER OF SYSTEMS THAT
PROVIDE HEALTHCARE FOR PEOPLE
WITH THE CAPACITY TO GET
PREGNANT AND THEY DON'T PROVIDE
THAT VITAL SERVICE.
SO I THINK IT IS A PROBLEM NOW
AND IT WILL CONTINUE TO BE A
CHALLENGE AFTER THE FALL OF ROE.
>> WE USE THE BROAD TERM OF
WOMAN BUT THERE IS A LOT OF
SUBGROUPS WITHIN THAT CATEGORY.
ECONOMIC, RACIAL, ALL OTHER
CATEGORIES.
WHO IS AFFECTED THE MOST?
>> I WANT TO BE CLEAR THAT THEY
RECOGNIZE NOT JUST SIS MEN AND
THEY HAVE HARDER ACCESS TO THIS
SERVICE.
I WANT TO SAY THAT.
BUT ESSENTIALLY PEOPLE THAT
HAVE RESOURCES ARE GOING TO
LIKELY BE ABLE TO GET ABORTIONS.
NOT TO SAY THEY NEVER HAVE
CHALLENGES.
THE PEOPLE THAT WILL NEED AND
MOST AFFECTED ARE THOSE THAT
ARE POOR AND ESSENTIAL WORKERS,
THOSE THAT HAVE TOUGH WORK
SCHEDULES THAT AREN'T ABLE TO
GET OUT OF IT.
THOSE WHO DON'T HAVE RESOURCES.
YOU KNOW, AND THEY ARE BECAUSE
OF THE WAY OUR SOCIETY IS
STRUCTURED THOSE PEOPLE WILL
BEING BLACK, BROWN, INDIGENOUS
AND THOSE DISPARITIES WILL BE
EXACERBATED.
>> WHAT IT DOES TO A WOMAN'S
ABILITY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE
WORKFORCE, GET AN EDUCATION AND
GET OUT OF POVERTY.
IS THAT LOST IN WHAT WE HEAR AT
THE CONGRESSIONAL LEVEL?
>> WHAT WE GET CAUGHT UP IS
TRYING TO PARSE PEOPLE'S
REASONS FOR HAVING ABORTIONS.
I THINK AS A RESEARCHER, I CAN
KIND OF STEP BACK AND SAY OKAY,
REGARDLESS OF HOW YOU FEEL
ABOUT ABORTION ON A MORAL
LEVEL, WE HAVE VERY CLEAR
EVIDENCE THAT LIMITING ACCESS
TO ABORTION IMPACTS PREGNANT
PEOPLE'S HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
AND THEIR ECONOMIC OUTCOME.
THIS IS JUST A FACT, RIGHT?
THAT'S -- WE CAN DEBATE ABOUT
THE MORALITY OF ABORTION, BUT
THE EFFECTS OF ABORTION OR
LIMITING ACCESS HAVE BEEN VERY
WELL ESTABLISHED AND AS WE SAID
THEY CAN LEAD TO ADVERSE
FINANCIAL OUTCOMES, THEY CAN
LEAD TO POOR PREGNANCY-RELATED
OUTCOMES.
THOSE OUTCOMES ARE EXACERBATED
AMONG BLACK AND INDIGENOUS
PEOPLE SO THERE HAVE BEEN
STUDIES THAT SHOW THAT LAWS
THAT LIMIT ACCESS TO ABORTION
CAN INCREASE LEVELS OF PRE-TERM
BIRTHS, DEBT FROM CONGENITAL
ABNORMALITIES AMONG BLACK
INFANTS AND BLACK WOMEN.
SO THIS -- THAT'S NOT DEBATABLE.
THE SCIENCE IS ALWAYS EVOLVING
AND GROWING BUT THE FACT THAT
WE HAVE A VERY ROBUST BODY OF
EVIDENCE THAT SHOWS THERE ARE
NEGATIVE IMPLICATIONS TO
RESTRICTING ABORTION IS NOT
NEWLY DEBATABLE.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR
TIME TODAY.
>> YOU'RE VERY WELCOME.
>> GOVERNOR IS CALLING THE
LEGISLATURE IN FOR A SPECIAL
SESSION LATER THIS MONTH FOR
THE PURPOSE OF REPEALING THE
1849 WISCONSIN LAW
CRIMINALIZING ABORTION.
REPUBLICAN SENATE MAJORITY
LEADER ALREADY STATED THE
CHAMBER WILL GAVEL OUT OF THAT
SESSION WITHOUT ACTION ON THE
BILL.
ASSEMBLY SPEAKER ROBIN VOS
APPOINTED ATTORNEY DONE MILLIS
TO BE THE NEWEST MEMBER OF THE
WISCONSIN ELECTIONS COMMISSION
REPLACING DEAN KNUDSEN.
NOW WE TURN TO A REPORTING
PROJECT FUNDED IN PART BY THE
OTTO BREMER TRUST WHERE WE'VE
BEEN WORKING TO EXAMINE A MIX
OF RURAL ISSUES.
AS PART OF THIS PROJECT WE HAVE
GOTTEN HELP FROM THE STUDENTS
FROM THE PBS NEWS HOUR STUDENT
REPORTING LAB AT BLACK RIVER
FALLS HIGH SCHOOL.
ONE OF THE ISSUES WE'RE
INVESTIGATING IS THE POPULATION
DECLINE IN WISCONSIN'S RURAL
COUNTIES.
LAST WEEK WE HEARD FROM FIVE
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS DECIDING
WHETHER THEY WANTED TO STAY IN
RURAL WISCONSIN AFTER HIGH
SCHOOL.
TONIGHT WE HAVE THE STORY OF
YOUNG ADULTS WHO FACED A
SIMILAR CHOICE.
>> CRANBERRY VINE IS SUPER
RESILIENT.
>> JACKSON COUNTY IS CRANBERRY
COUNTRY AND JACK WAS BORN INTO
THE BUSINESS.
>> IT GOES BACK TO MY GREAT
GRANDPA.
EVER SINCE I WAS A KID I ALWAYS
WANTED TO OWN THE MARSH FOR
MYSELF AND RUN IT MYSELF AND DO
ALL THE THINGS THAT MY DAD GOT
TO DO.
I THOUGHT THEY WERE THE COOLEST
THINGS EVER.
>> GROWING UP OUT IN THE
COUNTRY IT TOOK A WHILE FOR
JACK TO REALIZE THE NEARBY CITY
OF BLACK RIVER FALLS WAS STILL
A SMALL TOWN.
>> I THOUGHT BLACK RIVER WAS A
BIG CITY.
EAU CLAIRE WAS GUY MOREOUS
ABOUT THE SIZE OF NEW YORK AND
WHOA.
>> HE MADE IT TO NEW YORK CITY
AND IMMEDIATELY MISSED THE
OPENNESS OF THE MARSH.
>> I WENT ON A NEW YORK TRIP IN
HIGH SCHOOL AND I ABSOLUTELY
HATED IT.
I THOUGHT THERE WERE WAY TOO
MANY PEOPLE AROUND.
>> JACK'S FIRST STOP AFTER HIGH
SCHOOL WAS TO MOVE TO APPLETON
TO ATTEND FOX VALLEY TECHNICAL
COLLEGE AND HE LIKES IT.
>> I REALLY LIKE THE APPLETON
AREA.
THERE IS ENOUGH PEOPLE TO GET
ENOUGH BUSINESSES WHERE YOU
DON'T HAVE TO TRAVEL, YOU KNOW,
YOU WANT TO GO SHOPPING YOU
DON'T HAVE TO DRIVE 45 MINUTES
TO A MALL.
BUT EVERYONE GOES TO BED AROUND
9:00.
>> JACK HAS NO PLANS TO MOVE TO
THE CITY FULL-TIME.
HE IS LEARNING TO BE AN
ELECTRICIAN AS BOTH A BACKUP
CAREER AND A USEFUL SKILL ON
THE FARM.
>> IF THE MARSH GOES DOWN I
STILL HAVE SOMETHING.
ALSO ON THE MARSH WE DO A LOT
OF STUFF.
>> JACK SAYS A MEMORY FROM FIVE
YEARS AGO CEMENTED HIS FAITH IN
RURAL WISCONSIN.
ONE NOVEMBER MORNING HIS SCHOOL
BUS ROLLED OVER.
>> EVERYBODY WHO WAS ON THE
HIGHWAY STOPPED, PULLED OVER,
MADE SURE ALL THE KIDS WERE
OKAY.
DO YOU WANT TO GET IN OUR CARS
AND WARM UP?
IT WAS COLD.
I THINK THAT'S A BIG THING
ABOUT THAT YOU WON'T FIND IN A
BIG CITY.
THAT'S A BIG PART OF RURAL,
BLACK RIVER FALLS EVERYONE IS
LIKE LET'S HELP EACH OTHER.
>> I WAS ON THE LEFT SIDE OF
THE BUS AND IT FLIPPED TO THE
RIGHT SIDE.
WHEN I LIFTED UP MY HEAD I WAS
ON THE WINDOWS ON THE GROUND.
>> JENNA WAS ON THE BUS THAT
MORNING BUT THE CRASH MADE A
DIFFERENT IMPRESSION ON HER.
>> I WAS STILL CALM.
I DIDN'T CRY.
I JUST HEARD LIKE THE YOUNGER
CHILDREN WERE CRYING AND I
HELPED THEM GET OFF THE BUS.
>> SHE SAYS THE CRASH CHANGED
HER LIFE.
>> I REALIZED AFTER THAT I
REALLY LIKED HELPING PEOPLE.
>> SOON AFTER SHE STARTED
TAKING CLASSES TO BE AN
EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN
AND FOUND HERSELF WORKING FOR
THE BLACK RIVER FALLS FIRE
DEPARTMENT.
>> IT WAS EXCITING.
YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO
HAPPEN.
YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT CALL WILL
BE A BIG CALL.
I'M GOING TO TELL YOU GUYS THAT
YOU ARE DISPATCHED TO A PATIENT
WHO HAS OVERDOSED ON AN UNKNOWN
MEDICATION.
>> HAVE YOU EVER HAD THIS
HAPPEN TO YOU BEFORE?
>> FOR THE MOMENT SHE HAS AN
APARTMENT IN LA CROSSE WHILE
SHE ATTENDS WESTERN TECHNICAL
COLLEGE TO BECOME A PARAMEDIC.
CITY LIFE IS AN ADJUSTMENT
COMPARED TO GROWING UP IN THE
WOODS.
>> I LIKE RURAL WISCONSIN
BECAUSE I LIKE TO BE ABLE TO
HAVE MY WINDOWS OPEN AND NOT
FEEL LIKE PEOPLE ARE LOOKING IN.
LA CROSSE, I CLOSE THE BLINDS
AT NIGHT BUT HERE I LIKE HAVING
SPACE.
>> SHE SAYS EMERGENCY CALLS IN
HER HOMETOWN ACTUALLY FEEL
DIFFERENT.
>> I THINK IN A CITY IT'S MORE
FAST PACED.
EVERYONE IS TRYING TO MOVE
REALLY FAST AND I'M SURE IF YOU
HAVE CALLS BACKED UP YOU WILL
TRY TO MOVE THROUGH THINGS
FASTER BUT HERE WE CAN KIND OF
TAKE OUR TIME.
IT IS ALMOST MORE HOMEY IN A
WAY.
I DON'T KNOW HOW ELSE TO
EXPLAIN IT.
BUT JUST PEOPLE FEEL MORE
HEARTFELT.
>> DID YOU GRADUATE?
>> I LOVE BEING PART OF A SMALL
TOWN BECAUSE I KNOW A LOT OF
PEOPLE AND A LOT OF PEOPLE KNOW
ME.
>> KELLY IS ON A FIRST NAME
BASIS WITH A LOT OF PEOPLE IN
BLACK RIVER FALLS.
>> SHE HAS TWO LITTLE BOYS,
RIGHT SF HOW OLD ARE THEY NOW?
>> 10 MONTHS.
>> AS THE OWNER OF STUDIO 107
SHE GETS EVERYONE LOOKING THEIR
BEST.
>> I LIKE PEOPLE WALKING IN THE
DOOR AND HI CAROL, BYE, SUE,
HAVE A GOOD DAY.
>> AFTER HIGH SCHOOL SHE MOVED
TO EAU CLAIRE FOR COLLEGE BUT
SOON SWITCHED TO COST
MONTHTOLOGY SCHOOL TO GET BACK
HOME A COUPLE YEARS EARLIER.
>> I NEVER WANTED TO GO
ANYWHERE ELSE.
I WANTED TO GET MY EDUCATION
AND COME BACK HERE AND WORK AND
LIVE LIFE IN BLACK RIVER.
>> NOW SHE OWNS THE SALON WHERE
SHE STARTED AS A RECEPTIONIST.
IF SHE EVER THINKS BLACK RIVER
DOESN'T OFFER ENOUGH THE DRIVE
TO MINNEAPOLIS WILL CHANGE HER
MIND.
>> EVERY YEAR THAT I GO THERE,
I GET NERVOUS DRIVING.
SWEATY PALMS, GRIPPING THE
STEERING WHEEL HOPING THE SIX
LANES OF TRAFFIC YOU CAN HANDLE.
BUT I HAVE NO DESIRE TO MOVE TO
A BIG CITY.
>> SHE SAYS THE DRAW OF FAMILY
ALWAYS PULLED HER BACK TO BLACK
RIVER.
>> MY ROOTS ARE DEEP HERE.
>> ONCE IN A WHILE KELLY SEES
AN EMPTY STORE FRONT IN EAU
CLAIRE AND THINKS WHAT IF?
>> I THINK ABOUT THAT SOMETIMES
LIKE HOW MY LIFE MIGHT HAVE
BEEN DIFFERENTLY.
AND I DON'T KNOW WHERE IT WOULD
HAVE TAKEN ME, YOU KNOW, IF I
COULDN'T GET A JOB IN BLACK
RIVER RIGHT AWAY AND LIVING IN
EAU CLAIRE FOR FOUR YEARS MAYBE
I WOULD HAVE DECIDED I LIKED
EAU CLAIRE AND STAYED THERE.
I'M NOT SURE.
IT'S NOT WHAT HAPPENED.
>> YOU DON'T WANT TO LIVE LIFE
SECOND GUESSING OR ALWAYS
SAYING WHAT IFS.
>> MAX HART ALMOST DIDN'T COME
BACK HOME.
>> MY DAD DIDN'T WANT ME TO
FARM.
IF HE KNEW WHAT I WAS DOING HE
MIGHT NOT BE HAPPY.
>> HE GREW UP ON A SMALL DAIRY
FARM.
HIS PARENTS PUSHED HIM TO GO TO
COLLEGE.
>> I'M THE FIRST GENERATION IN
MY FAMILY TO GO TO COLLEGE AND
MY DAD, HE INSTILLED IN ME THAT
YOU CAN ALWAYS COME HOME AND
FARM BUT WANTED ME TO GO TO
COLLEGE.
>> AT THE END OF HIS JUNIOR
YEAR OF COLLEGE MAX'S DAD DIED
IN A MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT.
>> IT WAS A TOUGH SUMMER
MILKING COWS.
>> THAT FALL HE WENT BACK TO
SCHOOL AND THE COWS WENT TO
MARKET.
>> TOUGH TO SEE THE LIVELIHOOD
OF MY PARENTS' FARM GO DOWN THE
ROAD IN A COUPLE OF CATTLE
TRAILERS.
I WENT BACK TO SCHOOL AND I
NEVER DREAMED I WOULD BE COMING
BACK HERE.
>> EVENTUALLY MAX AND HIS
MOTHER BOUGHT SOME CATTLE.
THERE WAS NO MILKING BUT THE
FARM WAS ALIVE AGAIN.
>> I FELT PRIDE.
>> HE GOT A JOB AS AN
AGRICULTURAL LOAN OFFICER AT A
BANK AND LIVES JUST DOWN THE
ROAD FROM HIS MOM.
>> I LIVE HALFWAY BETWEEN THE
TWO HOUSES I GREW UP IN.
I HAVEN'T MOVED VERY FAR.
>> MAX IS CARRYING ON ANOTHER
FAMILY TRADITION BY SERVING ON
THE COUNTY BOARD.
>> PUBLIC SERVICE HAS BEEN
INGRAINED IN MY FAMILY FOR A
LONG TIME.
MY DAD WAS A TOWN CHAIRMAN AND
SOOUFER VICEOR AND MY MOM A
CLERK AND TREASURER.
MY SISTER IS A TREASURER IN HER
TOWNSHIP.
>> HE REPRESENTS THE LOCALS WHO
DECIDE TO STAY IN RURAL
WISCONSIN.
HE HAS TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO
KEEP MORE PEOPLE FROM MOVING
AWAY.
>> A LOT OF MY FRIENDS WENT TO
COLLEGE AND NEVER COME BACK
HOME.
>> JACK SAYS HE KNEW EARLY ON A
LOT OF HIS FRIENDS FROM HIGH
SCHOOL WOULDN'T BE STICKING
AROUND.
>> I WILL SEE YOU WHEN I COME
HOME TO VISIT MY PARENTS.
>> JENNA SAID CAREER CHOICES
LED MANY OF HER CLASSMATES TO
THE CITIES.
>> THEY THINK KNEE NEED TO MOVE
TO A BIGGER CITY.
>> HALF OF HER GRADUATING CLASS
LEFT TOWN.
>> 50, 50.
I FEEL LIKE HALF OF OUR CLASS
ISN'T HERE AND HALF OF THEM ARE
HERE.
>> THIS IS EASY TO MOVE TO THE
CITIES.
IT IS CONVENIENT.
5 TO 10 MINUTES AT A LOCAL
GROCERY STORE AND SO MANY
AMENITIES IN THE URBAN AREAS.
SO WHAT BRINGS THEM BACK TO THE
RURAL?
>> THE ANSWER FOR EACH HAS TO
DO WITH FAMILY.
>> IT'S MORE MY FAMILY HERE.
I LOVE THEM SO MUCH.
I GET TO VISIT THEM ALL THE
TIME.
IT DRAWS ME BACK TO HERE.
>> A LOT OF FACTORS ABOUT
PEOPLE LEAVING AND IF THEY COME
BACK OR NOT.
MINE WAS THE MARSH.
THAT'S THE REASON I'M COMING
BACK.
>> ONE THING LIVING AND GROWING
UP AND LIVING AROUND HERE YOU
HAVE ALL THE RESOURCES AND
CONTACTS.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO LEARN NEW
PEOPLE OR PLACES OR NEW TRAITS.
SO IT'S CONVENIENT.
NOT SAYING I WOULDN'T WANT TO
LIVE ANYWHERE ELSE BUT I REALLY
ENJOY LIVING AROUND HERE AND I
REALLY ENJOY THE FARM.
>> WHEN I THINK OF THE PEOPLE
THAT ARE HERE IT'S MORE OF A
CHOICE, THE ONES I KNOW AND
INTERACT WITH, ANYWAY.
I'M PRETTY SURE THEY FEEL
SIMILAR TO ME.
THEIR FAMILY IS HERE AND THEY
LIKE IT HERE AND SO THEY STAY
HERE.
>> I'M ZAC SCHULTZ FOR "HERE
AND NOW."
>> FOR MORE ON THIS AND OTHER
ISSUES FACING WISCONSIN, VISIT
OUR WEBSITE AT wpt.org AND THEN
LICK ON THE NEWS TAB.
THAT IS OUR PROGRAM FOR TONIGHT.
FRY
FREDERICA FREYBERG WILL BE BACK
NEXT WEEKEND.
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.
>> FUNDING FOR "HERE AND NOW"
IS PROVIDED BY THE FOCUS FUND
FOR JOURNALISM AND FRIENDS OF
PBS WISCONSIN.