>> THE FOLLOWING PROGRAM IS A PBS WISCONSIN ORIGINAL PRODUCTION.

>> YOU'RE WATCHING HEAR AND NOW 2024 ELECTION COVERAGE.

DEADLINES LOOM AS PARTIES RUSH TO SUBMIT THEIR PROPOSED VOTING MAPS TO THE WISCONSIN SUPREME COURT.

AND THE STATE MEDICAL MARIJUANA PROPOSAL USHERS IN A NEW LEGISLATIVE SEASON.

I'M FREDERICA FREYBERG.

TONIGHT ON "HERE AND NOW," WE HAR THE LATEST ON EXPECTED REMEDIAL VOTING MAPS AND HOW TO GET THEM IN PLACE IN TIME FOR THE 2024 ELECTIONS.

PLUS, PREDICTIONS FOR THE UPCOMING ELECTION SEASON WITH OUR POLITICAL PANELIST, BILL McCOSHEN AND SCOTT ROSS.

A REPORT ON SOLUTIONS FOR SURVIVING IN TODAY'S DAIRY FARMING INDUSTRY AND REMEMBERING HERB KOHL.

IT'S "HERE AND NOW" FOR JANUARY 12.

>> FUNDING FOR "HERE AND NOW" IS PROVIDED BY THE FOCUS FUND FOR JOURNALISM AND FRIENDS OF PBS WI SCONSIN.

>> THE WISCONSIN SUPREME COURT ORDERED BOTH PARTIES IN THE ORDERED BOTH PARTIES IN THE LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS CASE SUBMIT THEIR OWN REMEDIAL MAPS BY TODAY, ALONG WITH EVIDENCE TO BACK WHY THEIRSELF COMPORTS WITH THE OPINION RULED ON BY THE COURT LAST MONTH.

THE LIBERAL SIDE WHICH BROUGHT THE CASE BEFORE THE COURT CALLED IT A FANTASTIC DECISION, WHILE THE SIDE DEFENDING THE STATE'S G.O.P.-DRAWN MAPS CALLED THE CASE PREDECIDED.

THE STATE'S HIGH COURT RULED WISCONSIN'S LEGISLATIVE MAPS ARE UNCONSTITUTIONAL BECAUSE HALF OF ALL DISTRICTS ARE NOT CONTIGUOUS, HAVING ISLANDS OF TERRITORY NESTLED INSIDE AN ADJACENT DISTRICT.

IN A MOTION TO RECONSIDER, THE PARTIES BACKING THE REPUBLICAN-DRAWN MAPS SAID THE ACCELERATED TIME LINE NEEDED TO HAVE NEW REMEDIAL MAPS IN PLACE, QUOTE, FAILED TO GIVE THE LEGISLATURE A REASONABLE OPPORTUNITY TO REDISTRICT AND APPLY THE COURT'S NEWFOUND CONTIGUITY RULES AND LEAVES INSUFFICIENT TIME BEFORE THE 2024 ELECTION DEADLINES COMMENCE.

THEY ALSO ACCUSE T HE COURT OF BEING LARGELY QUIET ON RESPOND DENT'S ARGUMENTS AND NOT GIVING THEM' FULL AND FAIR OPPORTUNITY TO LITIGATE THIS CASE OR BE HEARD ON PROPOSED REMEDIES.

MARK GABER, ATTORNEY FOR THE CAMPAIGN LEGAL CENTER, THE LEADING GROUP BRINGING THIS LAWSUIT, PUSHES BACK ON THESE ARGUMENTS.

>> STATES ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY HAVE THESE ANNEXATIONS THE SAME WAY THAT WISCONSIN DOES AND THEY DON'T HAVE ANY PROBLEM HAVING THAT ARE FULLY CONTIGUOUS.

THE WISCONSIN SUPREME COURT IS NOT ORDERING A QUICKER SCHEDULE THAN WHAT WE SEE IN A NORMAL REDISTRICTING CASE.

THIS IS JUST THE WAY THEY ALL ARE AND CERTAINLY THE PARTIES ARE HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO BRIEF ISSUES AND HAVE ARGUMENT AND SUBMIT MAPS.

THERE'S A PROCESS WITH INDEPENDENT EXPERTS AND SO IT'S REALLY A ROBUST PROCESS THAT THE COURT PUTS IN PLACE.

THE WISCONSIN SUPREME COURT HAS DONE IS ADHERED TO THE LETTER OF THE LAW AND SAID THAT WHEN IT IMPOSES A PLAN, A NEW MAP, IT'S GOING TO BE DONE IN A WAY THAT DOES NOT PUT A THUMB ON THE SCALE IN FAVOR OF CERTAIN WISCONSINITES OVER OTHER WISCONSINITES.

>> THE WISCONSIN SUPREME COURT JUST REJECTED THE MOTION FOR RECONSIDERATION.

FOR MORE ON THE PROCESS MOVING FORWARD, WE TURN TO BARRY BURDEN, PROFESSOR OF POLITICAL SCIENCE AT UW-MADISON AND DIRECTOR OF THE ELECTIONS RESEARCH CENTER.

THANKS VERY MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

>> GLAD TO BE WITH YOU.

>> SO, AS WE'VE MENTIONED, THE DEADLINE FORCE SUBMITTING NEW MAPS WAS TODAY.

THERE ARE THE LEGISLATURE'S MAPS AND THE GOVERNOR'S MAPS.

WHAT HAPPENS NOW?

>> WELL, PARTIES WILL HAVE SUBMITTED THE MAPS AND THEN THOSE PARTIES CAN OFFER RESPONSES TO THE MAPS FROM THE OTHER SIDE OVER THE NEXT WEEK, SO THOSE REPLY BRIEFS WILL COME IN IN THE NEXT SEVEN DAYS AND THEN ESSENTIALLY ALL OF THAT MATERIAL GETS HANDED TO THE TWO CONSULTANTS THAT THE COURT DECIDED WOULD EVALUATE THE MATERIAL AND THEY HAVE UNTIL FEBRUARY 1 TO DO THEIR WORK.

>> SO AT WHAT POINT WOULD THE GOVERNOR, FOR EXAMPLE, HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO VETO THE LEGISLATURE'S MAPS?

>> YEAH, THAT'S A LITTLE UNCLEAR TO ME.

THE PARTIES IN THE CASE MAY SUBMIT PROPOSALS TODAY, BUT IT SEEMS VERY UNLIKELY THAT THERE WOULD BE A FULL LEGISLATIVE PROCESS.

SO I THINK WE'LL JUS T HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE WHAT GETS SUBMITTED.

MY GUESS IS THAT THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH AND THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH WILL HAVE DIFFERENT IDEAS AND WILL SUBMIT MAPS ESSENTIALLY SEPARATELY WITHOUT BOTHERING WITHOUT MUCH OF THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS.

>> AND YET THIS IS ON A MAJOR FAST TRACK.

>> IT IS MOVING VERY QUICKLY.

THE DECISION CAME DOWN ON DECEMBER 2nd JUST BEFORE THE CHRISTMAS WEEKEND.

THE COURT HOPES AND THE WISCONSIN ELECTIONS COMMISSION HOPES TO HAVE EVERYTHING DONE BY MID-MARCH SO THAT MAPS ARE IN PLACE BEFORE THE AUGUST PRIMARIES LATER IN THE SUMMER.

SO IT IS MOVING AT A GOOD CLIP.

>> IS IT EXPECTED, IN YOUR MINDS, THAT THE COURT'S CONSULTANTS WILL ACTUALLY DRAW THESE VOTING MAPS FROM SCRATCH IN THE END HERE?

>> I THINK THAT'S LIKELY, BUT THERE IS A LOT OF AMBIGUITY IN THE COURT'S ORDER.

IT SAID THAT THE CONSULTANTS SHOULD EVALUATE THE MAPS THAT ARE PROPOSED BY THE PARTIES IN TERMS OF WHETHER THEY MEET ALL OF THE TRADITIONAL CRITERIA PLUS THE ADDITIONAL CRITERIA OF HAVING NO PARTISAN IMPACT.

THE COURT HAS NOT DEFINED WHAT THEY MEAN BY THAT.

I THINK THAT CONSULTANTS HAVE SOME GOOD CONCEPTS TO RELY ON FROM WORK THEY'VE DONE IN OTHER STATES AND ACADEMIC WORK ON MEASURING THE BIAS IN MAPS, BUT THEY WILL HAVE TO COME UP WITH STANDARDS ESSENTIALLY TO EVALUATE WHETHER THOSE CRITERIA ARE MET.

IT SEEMS UNLIKELY THAT ANY ONE MAP WOULD MEET ALL OF THE CRITERIA IN A CLEAR BLACK AND WHITE WAY AND SO THE CONSULTANTS WILL PROBABLY BE LED TO PRODUCE SOME KIND OF MAPS OF THEIR OWN.

>> SO AS TO THE CRITERIA, WHAT WILL THE MAPS HAVE TO LOOK LIKE FOR THE COURT'S APPROVAL HERE?

>> WELL, THEY WILL MEET THE CRITERIA THAT THE MAPS HAVE MET IN THE PAST.

FOR EXAMPLE, HAVING EQUAL POPULATIONS IN EACH DISTRICT COMPLYING WITH THE FEDERAL VOTING RIGHTS ACT TO ENSURE THE VOTING RIGHTS OF RACIAL AND ETHNIC MINORITIES, TRYING NOT TO SPLIT COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES UNNECESSARILY.

THIS TIME AROUND, IT WILL ALSO HAVE TO MAKE SURE THERE AREN'T ANY SEPARATED PIECES OF TERRITORY.

ALL THE DISTRICTS NEED TO BE CONTIGUOUS IN A KIND OF LITERAL FASHION ON THE MAP AND THEN THIS ADDITIONAL CRITERIA THEY'VE ADDED OF NO PARTISAN IMPACT, MEANING THE MAN LOOKS SORT OF NEUTRAL OR THE WAY AN UNINTERESTED PARTY WOULD HAVE PRODUCED THE MAPS.

SO MY GUESS IS THE DISTRICTS WILL LOOK SOMEWHAT DIFFERENT THAN THE ONES WE HAVE TODAY.

THEY WILL CERTAINLY SHAKE UP WHERE INCUMBENTS END UP BECAUSE THAT'S NOT PART OF THE CONSIDERATION FOR THE MAP-MAKERS.

>> SO THROWN OUT WAS THIS REQUIREMENT OF LEAST CHANGE FROM THE LAST GO-AROUND.

>> YEAH FELT THAT WAS A MAJOR STATEMENT IN THE COURT'S OPINION THAT THEY DIDN'T WANT TO ESSENTIALLY REAFFIRM THE EXISTING BIASES IN THE MAP AND THEY DEMANDED THAT THE MAPS BE DRAWN FROM SCRATCH IN A WAY THAT IS POLITICALLY NEUTRAL, SO NOT ADVANTAGING ONE SIDE OR THE OTHER AND ADOPTING A LEAST CHANGED APPROACH THEY VIEWED AS ESSENTIALLY LOCKING IN EXISTING BIASES IN FAVOR OF REPUBLICANS.

>> WHAT IS THE EXPECTATION THAT THE REMEDIAL VOTING MAPS WILL, IN FACT BE IN PLACE IN TIME FOR THIS YEAR'S ELECTIONS?

>> I THINK IT CAN HAPPEN.

THIS IS A NEW PROCESS FOR THE STATE SUPREME COURT.

THEY'VE NOT PRODUCED MAPS IN THIS WAY BEFORE.

IT'S AN ACCELERATED TIME SCHEDULE SO IT NEEDS TO TO BE DONE WITHIN THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY TO HAVE EVERYTHING IN PLACE IN EARLY MARCH.

I THINK IT'S VERY POSSIBLE FOR CONSULTANCE TO DO THAT.

I THINK IS THAT QUESTION OF HOW FAST THE COURT CAN ACT WHEN IT GETS THE MAPS FROM CONSULTANTS, BUT GIVEN THE TECHNOLOGY AND THE FAMILIARITY WITH ALL OF THE INTERESTED PARTIES HERE, I THINK MAPS CAN COME TOGETHER PRETTY QUICKLY.

>> IN THE END, HOW M IGHT REMEDIAL MAPS CHANGE THE POLITICAL LANDSCAPE IN WISCONSIN?

>> I THINK THE NUM BER ONE EFFECT WILL BE SHAKING UP INCUMBENTS.

DISTRICTS TODAY ARE DRAWN WITH INCUMBENTS IN MIND.

THEY ARE PLAYERS IN THE PROCESS AND THE STATE LEGISLATURE -- IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE SO THEY HAVE THEIR OWN INTEREST IN MIND.

THERE ARE SOME PARTS OF THE STATE WHERE ADDRESSES ARE VERY CLOSE TO ONE ANOTHER AND YET THE DISTRICTS HAVE BEEN DRAWN TO ENSURE THAT THEY'RE IN DIFFERENT DISTRICTS, SO WE SHOULD EXPECT OFTS PLACES WHERE INCUMBENTS GET THROWN INTO TOGETHER TO THE SAME DISTRICTS OR FORCED TO MAKE HARD DECISIONS.

I THINK THE BAD IMPACT WILL BE BIGGER THAN THE PARTISAN IMPACTS WHICH WILL BENEFIT DEMOCRATS, BUT PROBABLY NOT PUT BOTH CHAMBERS IMMEDIATELY UP FOR GRABS FOR BOTH PARTIES.

>> ALL RIGHT.

BARRY BURDEN, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR EXPERTISE.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND THEN THERE WERE TWO CANDIDATES LEFT TO GO UP AGAINST DONALD TRUMP IN THE REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY, AS NIKKI HALEY AND RON DeSANTIS DEBATED THIS WEEK AND TRUMP HELD HIS OWN TOWN HALL.

FOR SOME 2024 ELECTION SEASON PREDICTIONS, WE TURN TO OUR POLITICAL PANEL, REPUBLICAN BILL McCOSHEN AND DEMOCRAT SCOTT ROSS.

THANK YOU FOR BEING WI TH US, BOTH.

>> GREAT TO BE HERE.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

>> BILL, I'M GOING TO START WITH YOU AND ASK ABOUT DONALD TRUMP.

HE CONTINUES TO DOMINATE.

WHAT IS THAT ALLURE ON THE PART OF DONALD TRUMP EVEN AS HE FACES SO MANY CRIMINAL CHARGES?

>> HONESTLY, I THINK THE CRIMINAL CHARGES HAVE HELPED HIM WITH HIS OWN BASE OVER THE COURSE OF 2023, HE GOT STRONGER, NOT WEAKER.

12 MONTHS AGO, RON DeSANTIS WAS WITHIN STRIKING DISTANCE OF THEM AND TODAY, TRUMP IS UP BY 20 OR 30 POINTS, DEPENDING ON THE POLL YOU'RE LOOKING AT.

SO WHAT I'M LOOKING FOR ON MONDAY NIGHT, FRED, IS EXPECTATION.

SO TRUMP IS UP O N THE DES MOINES REGISTER POLL BY OVER 20 POINTS.

HE RELEASED HIS OWN POLL THIS WEEK THAT HAS HIM UP BY 30.

I'M NOT SURE I WOULD HAVE DONE THAT IF I WERE HIM BECAUSE IF HE COMES IN LESS THAN THAT, HE DOESN'T MEET EXPECTATIONS.

DESCENDADeSANTIS HAS TO WIN IOWO EXCEED EXPECTATIONS.

COMING IN A CLOSE SECOND IS OKAY, BUT IT'S TOUGH TO FIGURE OUT THE CHESS BOARD FOR HIM WHAT HIS NEXT MOVE IS AFTER THAT.

FOR HAYLEY TO GET MOMENTUM, IF SHE BEATS DeSANTIS AND TAKES SECOND, SHE MIGHT POTENTIALLY WIN NEW HAMPSHIRE.

>> SCOTT, WHAT DO YOU THINK DONALD TRUMP'S ALLURE IS?

>> HE IS UNSTOPPABLE WITHIN THE REPUBLICANS.

HE'S UP 50% OVER ALL THE CHALLENGERS AND SO WHAT I THINK IS IT IS HE IS HOLDING THE PARTY HOSTAGE.

THEY HAVE READILY AC CEPTED THAT.

STOCKHOLM SYNDROME.

THAT CAN WIN HIM A PRIMARY, BUT IT AIN'T GOING TO WIN HIM IN NOVEMBER BECAUSE DEMOCRATS AND INDEPENDENTS HAVE REJECTED HIM TIME AND TIME AGAIN, PARTICULARLY IN THE BATTLEGROUND STATE OF WISCONSIN.

>> DO YOU THINK, BILL, THAT DONALD TRUMP WILL CARRY WISCONSIN IN THE PRIMARY?

>> IT'S HARD TO SAY.

HE DIDN'T WIN THE PRIMARY HERE IN' 16.

TED CRUZ DID.

HE WON THE GENERAL BUT LOST HERE IN 20.

I DON'T KNOW THAT HE'S DONE ENOUGH IN THE SUBURBAN AREAS TO BRING SUBURBAN WOMEN BACK TO HIS COALITION.

THERE'S WOK TO BE DONE.

PART OF THAT MIGHT BE WHO HE PICKS AS HIS RUNNING MATE IF HE'S STILL THE NOMINEE.

IF IT'S STILL A COMPETITIVE RACE WHEN HE GETS TO WISCONSIN, MY MONEY WOULD BE ON HIS OPPONENT.

>> SCOTT, DO YOU FEEL THAT YOUNGER DEMS ARE DISENCHANTED WITH JOE BIDEN?

>> ABSOLUTELY NOT.

THEY KNOW WHAT HAS HAPPENED WITH TRUMP BEING IN CHARGE OF THE GOVERNMENT.

ABORTION RIGHTS ARE GONE.

THERE'S AN ATTACK OVER AND OVER AGAIN ON LGBTQ PEOPLE.

PRESIDENT BIDEN IS THE ONLY PRESIDENT WHO HAS TRIED TO REALLY DO SOMETHING ABOUT STUDENT LOAN DEBT.

THEY ALSO APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT THEY HAVE ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE AS A RESULT OF JOE BIDEN.

SO, NO, I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANY SORT OF -- I DON'T THINK -- THE ALTERNATIVE IS SO FAR WORSE AND I THINK THAT STUDENTS ARE SMART ENOUGH TO KNOW THAT AND I THINK IN PARTICULAR WE'RE GOING TO SEE THAT IN THE THIRD C.D.

WHERE THEY'VE GOT SIX CAMPUSES, A BUNCH OF TWO-YEAR CAMPUSES.

I THINK THAT'S GOING TO BE THE THING THAT TAKES NOT ONLY DERRICK VAN ORDEN DOWN, BUT ALSO DONALD TRUMP.

>> WHY DO YOU THINK, BILL, YOUNG VOTERS STAND BETWEEN DONALD TRUMP AND JOE BIDEN?

>> I THINK THE WAR IN ISRAEL IS DIVIDING THEM.

RIGHT?

YOU'VE GOT LAODICEA A LOT OF PRO-PALESTINIAN VOTERS WHO WOULD SHOWING UP AT TAMMY BALDWIN EVENTS, SHOWING UP AT OTHER EVENTS AND SHOWING UP AT JOE BIDEN EVENTS.

THAT'S GOING TO BE PROBLEMATIC FOR HIM.

I'M NOT SURE THERE WILL BE AS MUCH ENERGY WITH YOUNG VOTERS IN NOVEMBER OF THIS YEAR AS THERE HAS BEEN IN AT LEAST LAST NOVEMBER'S ELECTION.

WE'LL SEE, BUT THEY'RE DISENFRANCHISED WITH WHERE THIS ADMINISTRATION IS HEADING, WHICH COULD BE GOOD NEWS FOR REPUBLICANS IF WE HAVE THE RIGHT MESSAGE TO ATTRACT THEM.

>> SCOTT, IS DEMOCRATIC SENATOR TAMMY BALDWIN UNBEATABLE?

>> WOW.

WELL, SHE HAS BEEN SO FAR, THAT'S FOR SURE, AND THERE ISN'T A REAL CHALLENGER TO HER YET.

IT'S BECAUSE OF HER RECORD.

IT'S HER RECORD OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS, BIPARTISAN AGREEMENTS ON THINGS LIKE, YOU KNOW, MANUFACTURING, BUY IN AMERICA.

SHE IS A LEADER ON R EPRODUCTIVE FREEDOMS, WHICH IS GOING TO BE HUGE FOR HER IN A SENATE RACE, ESPECIALLY WHEN SHE'S PAIRED AGAINST POSSIBLY THE MOST ANTICHOICE CANDIDATE THAT WE'LL EVER SEE IF WE GOT HOVDE OR CLARK.

REPUBLICANS ARE IN DISARRAY BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE ANYBODY TO GO UP AGAINST A SITTING SENATOR.

>> DO YOU THINK THAT TAMMY BALDWIN IS FORMIDABLE, BILL?

>> NO QUESTION HE'S FORMIDABLE.

SHE'S TOUGH.

ANYONE WHO THINKS OTHERWISE ON OUR SIDE ISN'T LOOKING AT HER ELECTORAL HISTORY.

SHE WORKS HARD, SHE DOES PHENOMENAL ON CONSTITUENT SERVICES.

I THINK HE HAS TWO VULNERABILITIES.

NUMBER ONE IS JOE BIDEN AT THE TOP OF THE TICKET.

IS SHE RUN AHEAD OF JOE BIDEN IF SHE NEEDS TO?

MAYBE.

RON JOHNSON RAN UP AHEAD OF TRUMP IN 2016, BUT IT'S RARE FOR A U.S. SENATE CANDIDATE TO RUN AHEAD OF TOP THEIR TICKET.

SHE MAY NEED TO DO THAT IN ORDER TO WIN.

SECONDLY, I THINK THE BORDER IS A REAL ISSUE FOR DEMOCRATS AT LARGE.

IF THEY DON'T SOLVE TH AT BETWEEN NOW AND OCTOBER, FOR EXAMPLE, I THINK THAT'S GOING TO BE A STRONG VULNERABILITY FOR HER.

>> WHAT ABOUT THAT ISSUE OF IMMIGRATION?

>> I THINK THAT IT IS A RED HERRING THAT'S DESIGNED TO DIVIDE PEOPLE, WHITE PEOPLE AGAINST PEOPLE OF COLOR.

IT'S SOMETHING THE REPUBLICANS HAVE DONE FOR DECADES AND DECADES.

WHILE I DO AGREE WITH WHAT BILL SAID, SENATOR BALDWIN HAS BEEN AT THE TOP OF THE TICKET BEFORE, SHE WON BY 11 POINTS IN 2018 AND GOVERNOR EVERS HAD WON BY JUST ONE POINT, SO I THINK SHE HAS AN ENTIRE POSSIBILITY OF BEING THE LEAD OF THE TICKET.

THE PROBLEM IS THAT -- THE THING WE HAVE TO DO IS REMEMBER WHAT HAPPENED IN 2016.

HILLARY CLINTON'S CAMPAIGN GAVE UP IN WISCONSIN, THEY GAVE UP ON MICHIGAN, THEY DID A HALF-HEARTED JOB IN PENNSYLVANIA.

THAT AIN'T EVE R GOING TO HAPPEN AGAIN.

DEMOCRATS ARE GOING TO HAVE THE RESOURCES AND I THINK IT WILL BE A GOOD DEMOCRATIC VICTORY IN NOVEMBER.

>> SO I WANT TO -- >> WELL, THE THING TO REMEMBER IS ONLY ONE INCUMBENT IN AMERICA BOSSE IN 2020, THE GOVERNOR OF NEVADA.

LEADING A STATEWIDE INCUMBENT -- BEATING THEM IS VERY DIFFICULT, REGARDLESS OF PARTY.

>> I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE RECALL EFFORT AGAINST ROBIN VOS LAUNCHED THIS WEEK FOR HIS OPPOSITION OF DONALD TRUMP AND FAILING TO IMPEACH MEAGAN WOLFE.

WHAT DOES THIS SAY ABOUT THE SCHISM IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IN THIS STATE?

>> I THINK IT'S A SMALL FACTION IN THE 63rd ACCEPTABLE ASSEMBLYS DISTRICT WHO DISLIKED THE SPEAKER FOR ONE REASON OR ANOTHER.

IT'S DESTRUCTIVE.

ANYONE WHO IS WATCHING THIS PROGRAM WHO LIVES IN THAT DISTRICT SHOULD NOT SIGN THOSE RECALL PAPERS.

REPUBLICANS SHOULDN'T BE FIGHTING REPUBLICANS.

THEY SHOULD HAVE THEIR AIM FOCUSED AT DEMOCRATS.

THEY'RE GOING TO BE RUNNING ON NEW MAPS THIS FALL.

THERE'S A PRESIDENTIAL RACE.

IT WILL BE COMPETITIVE CONGRESSIONAL RACE.

WE DON'T NEED TO BE WASTING RESOURCES FIGHTING OUR OWN TEAM BEFORE THEN.

>> SCOTT, 30 SECONDS LEFT.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE VOS RECALL EFFORT?

>> I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY WOULD REJECT A THRICE MARRIED REAL ESTATE GUY WHO IS IN COURT ALL THE TIME.

SO IT'S SHOCKING TO ME.

IT'S TERRIBLE FOR DEMOCRACY.

VOS HASN'T DONE ANYTHING THAT'S RECALLABLE AND THE CHALLENGE WILL BE SWATTED AWAY LIKE BILL SAYS.

BUT, AGAIN, DIVISION ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE LEAVE IT THERE.

THANKS VERY MUCH, BILL McCOSHEN, SCOTT ROSS.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> IN AGRICULTURE NEWS, A SMALL BUT GROWING NUMBER OF WISCONSIN DAIRY FARMERS ARE EMBRACING ROBOTIC MILKERS AMID DIFFICULTIES MAIN TAKING A WORKFORCE, ONGOING MARKET SWINGS AND UNCERTAINTIES OVER AN UPDATED FARM BILL.

"HERE AND NOW" REPORTER ADITI DEBNATH HAS MORE ON WHAT THIS TECHNOLOGY MEANS FOR THE FUTURE OF WISCONSIN DAIRY FARMS.

>> IT HAS BEEN LIFE-CHANGING EVER SINCE.

>> THIS DECEMBER MARKED FIVE YEARS SINCE THE HINCHLEY FAMILY MOVED THEIR HERD OF NEARLY 300 COWS TO A NEW BARN WITH ROBOTIC MILKING MACHINES.

>> SO IT'S BEEN LIFE-CHANGING BECAUSE BEING ABLE TO GO IN AND JUST CHECK ON WHAT COWS WE NEED TO FOCUS ON AND NOT HAVE TO FOCUS ON EVERY SINGLE COW HAS BEEN SO BENEFICIAL TO MY PHYSICAL HEALTH, BUT ALSO MY MENTAL HEALTH.

>> IN ADDITION TO A FEW PART-TIME STUDENT EMPLOYEES, THE HINCHLEYS HAVE JUST ONE FULL-TIME STAFFER SINCE AUTOMATING PROCESSES LIKE MILKING AND FEEDING.

>> TYPICALLY, WE END UP WITH HIGH SCHOOL OR COLLEGE STUDENTS BECAUSE WE ARE CLOSE ENOUGH TO MADISON, BUT THERE HAS BEEN TIMES WHEN IT'S BEEN DIFFICULT.

>> HOPEFULLY, SHE'S GOING TO BE AN AMAZING MILK GIRL.

>> NO LONGER TIED TO MILKING COWS TWICE A DAY HERSELF, BOTH SHE AND HER COWS ARE HAPPIER WITH THE ROBOTIC MILKERS OPERATING 24 HOURS A DAY.

>> IT'S NOT NECESSARILY SOMETHING YOU WOULD HAVE TO DO IN ORDER TO STAY IN THE DAIRY BUSINESS.

>> MADISON PROFE SSOR OF ANIMAL AND DAIRY SCIENCES, CHUCK NICHOLSON, SAYS ONLY ABOUT 8% OF WISCONSIN'S DAIRY FARMERS HAVE IMPLEMENTED THE NEW TECHNOLOGY.

TYPICALLY FAMILY FARMS THAT WANT TO SAVE ON LABOR COSTS.

>> THE LABOR SHORTAGE IS DEFINITELY A KEY MOTIVATING FACTOR.

>> THE HIGH TECH COLLARS FITTED TO EACH COW SEND ABOUT 130 DIFFERENT DATA POINTS ABOUT EACH ANIMAL DIRECTLY TO HINCHLEY'S SMART PHONE.

>> THERE ARE OTHER BENEFITS THAT FARMS GET FROM ADOPTING THESE ROBOTIC MILKING SYSTEMS, BETTER MILK PRODUCTION, BETTER ANIMAL HEALTH, IMPROVED MILK QUALITY.

>> Reporter: WHILE MANY WISCONSIN FARMERS ARE CONSIDERING THE IMPACT A.I.

MAY HAVE ON THEIR DAIRY PRODUCTION, NICHOLSON SAYS 75% OF WISCONSIN FARMERS SAID THEY HAVE NOT AND WILL NOT IMPLEMENT ROBOTICS ON THEIR FARM.

>> I TOLD THE PEOPLE THAT WERE DESIGNING IT AND STUFF THAT I DON'T WANT ANY MOVING PARTS.

YOU'RE ALWAYS HERE THIS TIME OF YEAR.

YOU KNOW THAT?

>> Reporter: JOHN ROSENOW MANAGES A 600-COW HERD.

>> IT'S OUR KITCHEN WINDOW.

WHEN WE WERE HIRING PEOPLE, I HAD TO SEE THE PARKING LOT, AND SEE WHO WOULDN'T SHOW UP AND THEN I HAD TO COVER FOR HIM.

>> HE HIRED HIS FIRST IMMIGRANT EMPLOYEE NEARLY 25 YEARS AGO.

>> SINCE WE'VE HIRED MEXICANS, I NEVER HAVE TO DO THAT ANYMORE.

I COULD LIVE IN TOWN, BECAUSE THEY ALWAYS COME ON TIME AND THEY'RE HERE ON TIME.

>> Reporter: ROSENOW FOUNDED THE NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION PUENTES WHICH BRIDGES THE GAP BETWEEN FARMERS AND THEIR IMMIGRANT EMPLOYEES BY SENDING THEM BOTH TO MEET THE EMPLOYEES' FAMILIES IN MEXICO.

HE SAYS HE'S NEVER CONSIDERED ROBOTICS BECAUSE OF HIS COMMITMENT TO HIS HUMAN RESOURCES.

>> I LIKE SEEING -- IN MEXICO, THE DIFFERENT HOMES AND STUFF THAT THEY'VE BUILT AND THEY'VE EDUCATED THEIR CHILDREN, THEY'RE GETTING HEALTHCARE, THINGS THAT THEY WEREN'T ABLE TO GET BEFORE.

WHEN I LOOK AT BOTH SIDES, THE BUSINESS SIDE AND THE HUMANITARIAN SIDE, IT LEANS REAL STRONGLY TO THE HUMAN SIDE OF IT.

>> Reporter: ROSENOW T HAT SAYS THE SALESMAN THAT HAVE PITCHED HIM THEIR TECHNOLOGY ARE CLEVER.

THEY CAPITALIZE ON OLD FARMERS AND CONVINCE THEM THAT THEY'RE OUT OF TOUCH.

>> A LOT OF IT IS, WHEN THIS FIRST STARTED, I WOULD FEEL BAD, AM I AN OLD FUDDY DUDDY?

YOU QUESTION YOURSELF.

>> Reporter: ROSENOW'S HERD WOULD REQUIRE ABOUT EIGHT AUTOMATED MILKERS AT ABOUT A HALF MILLION DOLLARS A PIECE AS WELL AS A NEW BARN.

HE SAYS MODERN FARM EQUIPMENT ALSO REQUIRES MORE EXPENSIVE AND SPECIALIZED LABOR TO DO THE REPAIRS.

>> DOESN'T MATTER IF IT'S NEW OR OLD OR WHATEVER.

IT'S GOING TO BREAK.

>> Reporter: AND WITH THE VOLATILE NATURE OF THE DAIRY ECONOMY, HE SAYS OLD EQUIPMENT THAT YOU CAN FIX IS BETTER THAN NEW EQUIPMENT YOU CAN'T, LIKE THIS FRONT END LOADER.

>> IT ONLY COST YOU ARE $25,000 40 YEARS AGO AND SIMILAR TO THAT NOW, I'D BE LOOKING AT 200,000 AND THEN WE WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO FIX IT.

WE'D HAVE TO HAVE THE DEALER FIX IT.

>> NICHOLSON SAYS THAT FOR THE PAST NINE MONTHS IN PARTICULAR, ALL DAIRY FARMERS HAVE BEEN LOSING MONEY.

>> THE CIRCUMSTANCES WE'RE IN ARE REALLY UNUSUAL RIGHT NOW.

>> Reporter: THAT'S BECAUSE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MORE THAN 20 YEARS, THE U.S.D.A.

IS HEARING PROPOSALS TO AMEND THE SYSTEM THAT DETERMINES HOW MILK IS PRICED.

NICHOLSON SAYS THE SYSTEM, CALLED THE FEDERAL MILK MARKETING ORDERS, DOESN'T HAVE A MECHANISM TO ADAPT TO ECONOMIC OR TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGES OVER TIME.

>> THERE IS A LENGTHY AND SOMETIMES EXCRUCIATING PROCESS TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN.

>> Reporter: ON WISCONSIN FARMS, HOWEVER, PRODUCERS CAN'T AFFORD TO FOLLOW THE LENGTHY DISCUSSIONS TAKING PLACE IN WASHINGTON.

>> WE DON'T KNOW WHAT WE'RE GOING TO GET.

WE HAVE NO IDEA WITH COMMODITIES THAT WE ARE PRODUCING, WE'RE IN A GLOBAL SCALE.

WE DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON WITH CHINA UNTIL IT HAPPENS.

WE DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH BRAZIL IS PRODUCING.

ALL OF THAT AFFECTS OUR BOTTOM LINE.

>> Reporter: AND SO WHETHER BY MACHINE OR BY HAND, WISCONSIN FARMERS PRESS ON MILKING THEIR HERDS.

FOR "HERE AND NOW," I'M ADITI DEBNATH.

>> TODAY, PEOPLE PACKED THE FISERV FORUM ARENA IN MILWAUKEE TO CELEBRATE THE LIFE AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF FORMER U.S.

SENATOR AND PHILANTHROPY PITTS HERB KOHL WHO PASSED AWAY TWO DAYS AFTER CHRISTMAS.

SPECIAL PROJECTS JOURNALIST MURV SEYMORE HAS MORE.

>> SINCE HIS PASSING, THE FLAG AT THE STATE CAPITOL AND OTHER BUILDINGS FLY AT HALF-STAFF IN MEMORY OF HERB KOHL.

>> THE BUCKS SUGGESTED HONORING HER W STATUE OUTSIDE THE ARENA.

MY UNCLE DECLINED SAYING I'M JUST NOT A STATUE KIND OF GUY.

>> FROM INSIDE THE ARENA HE HELPED FUND, ENTER THE STREET THAT SHARES HIS NAME, HIS MEMORIAL SERVICE.

>> SAYING GOOD-BYE TO HERB AFTER MORE THAN 80 YEARS OF SAYING HELLO AND SO MANY MORE WELCOMING AND POSITIVE WORDS WAS REALLY DIFFICULT.

>> IT'S FITTING THE TRIBUTE TO COALE IS OPEN TO ALL OF MILWAUKEE AND WISCONSIN, THE CITY WHERE HE GREW UP AND THE STATE HE SERVED.

PEOPLE PROUDLY REMEMBER THE FOUR-TIME U.S.

SENATOR WITH THE LEGENDARY SLOGAN, NOBODY'S SENATOR BUT YOURS.

FOLLOWING HIS FATHER'S FOOTSTEPS IN THE 1970s, COALE AND HIS BROTHER LED THE BOOMING GROWTH OF COALE'S GROCERY STORES WHICH BEGAN IN MILWAUKEE AND GREW INTO A BRAND OF OVER 1,100 DEPARTMENT STORES IN EVERY STATE BUT HAWAII.

HE'S BEEN A FAMILI AR FACE HERE ON OUR POLITICAL PROGRAMMING.

>> TONIGHT, WE'LL INTERVIEW SUSAN ENGELEITER AND HERB KOHL.

>> NEVER HEARD AND WITH NO KIDS, THE FORMER LEADER OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF WISCONSIN NEVER LOST AN ELECTION, NEVER TOOK CONTRIBUTIONS FROM POLITICAL COMMITTEES OR SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS.

>> I SPENT MY ENTIRE LIFE HELPING TO ENHANCE THE ECONOMY OF WISCONSIN.

>> ONE OF HIS BIGGEST INTERESTS, BUYING AND SAVING THE MILWAUKEE BUCKS IN IS THE 85 WORTH AT THE TIME AN UNHEARD OF $18 MILLION.

HE SOLD THE PEOPLE IN 2014 FOR $550 MILLION, DONATING $100 MILLION OF IT TOWARD BUILDING A NEW ARENA TO HELP ONCE AGAIN KEEP THE TEAM FROM EVER LEAVING HIS HOMETOWN.

>> YOU DID IT WITHOUT THE TENS AND ONES.

>> HIS SPIRIT TO GIVE LIVES ON.

HIS TIME, HIS EFFORTS, HIS MILLIONS OF TOWARD FUNDING TEACHERS, STUDENTS, AND VARIOUS AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS AT PLACES LIKE THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB.

HE PUT HIS FOOT DOWN AND FORCED MORE FUNDING FOR ENFORCEMENT TO FIGHT DRUG TRAFFICKERS AND JUVENILE JUSTICE.

HE LED BIPARTISAN SUPPORT FORCING SAFETY LOCKS TO BE SOLD WITH GUNS.

HE HELPED LOWER THE PRICE OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS AND PASSED LAWS FOR BETTER BACKGROUND CHECKS AT NURSING HOMES TO BETTER PROTECT SENIORS.

IN WASHINGTON, HE PROUDLY FOUGHT FOR FARMERS, ESPECIALLY WISCONSIN FARMERS.

>> HAVING SAFETY NETS THAT GO TO PRODUCERS SO THAT WHEN TIMES REALLY GET BAD, THROUGH NO FAULT OF THEIR OWN, THEY'RE NOT ALL FORCED TO GO UNDER.

>> AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN IN MADISON, HIS ALMA MATER, COALE'S $25 MILLION DONATION HELPED BUILD THE 76-MILLION-DOLLAR KOHL CENTER, AND THE LARGEST DONATION EVER, HERB KOHL SMILES DOING WHAT HE MIGHT HAVE LO LOVED DOING MOST: GIVING.

REPORTING FOR HEAR AND NOW, I'M MURV SEYMORE.

>> HERB KOHL WAS 88.

FOR MORE ON THIS AND OTHER ISSUES FACING WISCONSIN, VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT PBSWISCONSIN.ORG AND THEN CLICK ON THE NEWS TAB.

THAT'S OUR PROGRAM FOR TONIGHT.

I'M FREDERICA FREYBERG.

HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND.

>> FUNDING FOR "HERE AND NOW" IS PROVIDED BY THE FOCUS FUND FOR JOURNALISM AND FRIENDS OF PBS WI SCONSIN.