Dispatch

WFFWi moving forward

For the past few years, we have made an effort to “curate” news, but it is increasingly clear that there is simply too much news out there, and others are doing this far better than we can. Moving forward we plan to focus solely on our monthly meetings, and on events that happen to come across our desk in time to send alerts. And, of course, musical offerings! With that in mind, we share our thoughts on where you may look to follow what’s happening in Wisconsin and beyond. Look for another Dispatch soon, with a focus on upcoming events, including WFFWi’s own meetings. (Preview: John Nichols July 13, off August 10 (the night before the WI primary), and Minnesota’s rock star AG Keith Ellison September 14! Register at https://bit.ly/WFFWiMonthly.)

May we suggest these reads …

You are probably on Wisconsin based mailing lists already, but may we suggest a few sources you could consider using to keep abreast with what is happening in the state:

• Grassroots North Shore Newsletter. Sign up here.

• Oregon Progressives Newsletter. Sign up here.

These two newsletters are published by Nancy Kaplan and Carlene Bechen, respectively, both of whom are on the WFFWi steering committee.

Other impressive newsletters worth considering include:

• Bird on a Wire (LuAnn Bird). LuAnn Bird is working statewide on some matters, and in the MKE area on others. Sign up here.

• Persisters. This MKE area group meets in person and virtually, and does a good job keeping up with action items for Wisconsin and beyond. Sign up here.

• The League of Women Voters of Wisconsin does impressive — and important — work, and has an great newsletter. Sign up here.

• The ACLU of Wisconsin is also critically important to our state. You can sign up to keep informed by scrolling down their home page and filling in the form.

Act local …

Many of you are already very active at the local level. If not, we encourage you to find a local group and get involved:

• There are Indivisible groups all over the state. Check them out.

• The League of Women Voters has chapters throughout the state. Look for a local League chapter.

• Join your county Democratic Party. It’s a great way to stay connected with people who share your values. Find a local party here.

… and beyond

There is something you can do every day! Find that something through your local or statewide community, plus Five Calls, Indivisible, and/or Chop Wood Carry Water.

Support local news …

First, support the local press in your community! It’s a great way to know what’s happening down the block and at city hall. Branching out from that, we enjoy these Wisconsin news sources: The Recombobulation Area, Up North News, Wisconsin Examiner, and Civic Media.

… and national news and commentary

There are many pro-democracy and progressive publications you can consider reading. Some that we have referred to before include The Contrarian (co-founder Norm Eisen has been our guest), Lincoln Square (Stuart Stevens has been our guest), The Bulwark, The Nation (Executive Editor John Nichols will be our guest in July), The New Republic, and Heather Cox Richardson’s Letters from an American.

For straight news we suggest the Associated Press and Reuters.

We are giving you lots of suggestions. No one can do it all. Do what’s right for you.

………………………………………………………………………

Since we began as North Shore Fair Maps in January 2021, we have produced more than 60 “shows”. Our next one features John Nichols (The Nation) on July 13. More about that in the next Dispatch!

Musical Offerings

We bring you two, one a Gilbert & Sullivan parady from the delightful Randy Rainbow, and the other a serious piece from a YouTube channel worth following: The Resistance. Enjoy!