>> 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.

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