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

>> WITH THE CLOCK TICKING TO THE 2022 ELECTION, NEW DISTRICT MAPS ARE BEING DRAWN.

BUT WHAT'S A FAIR MAP?

THAT'S IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER.

AND THE DELTA VARIANT CAUSING IS 123% UPTICK IN CASES SINCE LAST MONTH, SENDING MORE AND MORE WISCONSIN PATIENTS INTO INTENSIVE CARE AND CREATING CONCERNS OVER STAFF BURN-OUT.

>> I'M FREDERICA FREYBERG.

TONIGHT ON "HERE AND NOW," MARISA WOJCIK REPORTS FROM THE MARSHFIELD CLINIC ON THE TOLL THE DELTA VARIANT IS TAKING ON NURSES AND OTHER HOSPITAL STAFF.

ZAC SCHULTZ SEEKS THE ANSWER TO THE QUESTION "WHAT MAKES A FAIR VOTING MAP?"

AND REPUBLICANS LEAD BY FORMER JUSTICE MICHAEL GABLEMAN CONTINUE THEIR QUEST TO RELIVE THE 2020 ELECTION, THOUGH NO SIGN OF WRONGDOING HAS BEEN FOUND.

IT'S "HERE AND NOW" FOR SEPTEMBER 24.>> FUNDING FOR "HERE AND NOW" IS PROVIDED BY THE FOCUS FUND FOR JOURNALISM AND FRIENDS OF PBS WISCONSIN.

>> WE KNOW THAT OUR HOSPITALS AND OUR HOSPITAL SYSTEMS ACROSS THE STATE ARE FEELING THE STRAIN OF THIS INCREASE IN DISEASE ACTIVITY.

ACROSS OUR STATE TODAY, ONLY ABOUT 5% OF BEDS IN OUR INTENSIVE CARE UNITS ARE AVAILABLE, AND 5% OF MEDICAL SURGICAL BEDS ARE AVAILABLE.

AND REPORTS OF PRESSURES ON STAFFING AND STAFF AVAILABILITY ARE COMING IN FROM HOSPITALS AND LONG-TERM CARE PROVIDERS ALL ACROSS WISCONSIN.

>> AMONG THOSE RECENTLY IN INTENSIVE CARE WITH COVID-19, WISCONSIN STATE SENATOR AN DREA JACQUE.

HE WAS RELEASED TO AN INTERMEDIATE CARE FACILITY THIS WEEK.

ALSO THIS WEEK REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR REBECCA KLEEFISCH ANNOUNCED SHE HAD RECENTLY TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID.

THE WISCONSIN HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION REPORTS 1,0 72 PATIENTS HOSPITALS FOR COVID-19 TODAY, INCLUDING 335 IN THE ICU.

"HERE AND NOW" AN WAS INSIDE ONE UNIT TO SEE WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE FROM THE FRONTLINE HEALTH WORKERS.MARISA WOJCIK REPORT S FROM MARSHFIELD.>> THE PANDEMIC WAS LOOKING LIKE IT WAS ESSENTIALLY OVER TWO MONTHS AGO.

WE HAD ZERO TO TWO, MAYBE THREE PATIENTS IN THE HOSPITAL.

>> WILLIAM MELMS IS THE CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER FOR THE MARSH MARSHFIELD CLINIC.

>> THE NUMBER OF NEW PATIENTS CONTINUES TO RISE AND THE NEW PATIENTS PER DAY ARE THE KIND OF LEADING INDICATOR OF WHAT WE CAN EXPECT.

SO WE HAVE GRAVE CONCERNS YET THAT WE'RE NOT NEAR THE END OF THIS SURGE.

>> IN THE COVID ICU, DOCTORS, NURSES AND RESIDENTS ARE BUSY DISCUSSING EACH PATIENT'S TREATMENT PLAN.

PATIENTS ARE HERE FOR WEEKS, USUALLY IN A MEDIALLY-INDUCED COMA.>> THEY DO KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENING AND THAT MAKES THEM EVEN MORE SCARED.>> HE SPECIALIZES IN ADMINISTERING ECMO.

>> WHAT ECMO DOES IS WE'RE ALLOWED TO HAVE THE LUNGS DO BASICALLY NOTHING AS WE OXYGENATE THROUGH THE MACHINE AND KEEP THE PATIENT'S BRAIN AND HEART AND KIDNEYS ALL HEALTHY WITH OXYGEN.

>> IT CAN BE THE LAST TOOL WORKERS HAVE TO SAVE A PATIENT'S LIFE.

BUT ECMO RESOURCES ARE LIMITED AND IN HIGH DEMAND AS THE DELTA SURGE CONTINUES TO WORSEN.

>> THE PATIENTS ARE SICKER THIS.

WE SEE THAT THEY'RE DEER TEAR -- DETERIORATING QUICKER AS WELL AND IT REQUIRES MORE RESOURCES.

>> VICKI VARSHO SAYS THE SYSTEM IS BEING INUNDATED.

>> WE'RE GETTING CALLS FROM CANADA, FROM THE EAST, FROM THE WEST, FROM PEOPLE WE'VE NEVER RECEIVED THEIR PATIENTS FROM BEFORE BECAUSE THEY ARE SO STRAPPED FOR BEDS AND RESOURCES AS WELL.

>> COMPARING IT TO A HURRICANE, LEAVING DESTRUCTION IN ITS WAKE.

>> THERE'S DEFINITELY A DIFFERENT FEELING WHEN WE'RE PUTTING A BREATHING TUBE IN THESE COVID PATIENTS JUST BECAUSE SO OFTEN WE'RE NOT ABLE TO HEAR FROM THEM AGAIN.

AND KNOWING THAT GOING INTO THE BREATHING TUBE IS VERY, VERY DIFFICULT.

>> THEIR STORIES ENDURE AND SO DOES THE TRAUMA.

>> HAVING TO CONVEYOR DO FACETIME WITH THESE PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILY, WE'RE REALLY -- WE'RE THE MIDDLEMAN, HAVING TO SAY HELLO TO THEIR SON WHO'S GOING TO COLLEGE FOR THE FIRST TIME OR PEOPLE ARE GETTING MARRIED AND WATCHING THEM HAVE TO SEE IT THROUGH A TINY CAMERA ON THEIR PHONE WHILE THEY'RE INTUBATED IS VERY TOUGH.

>> STAFFING SHORTAGES WERE A PROBLEM BEFORE 2020.

AND THE PANDEMIC HAS MADE IT WORSE AS MANY HEALTH CARE WORKERS LEAVE THE PROFESSION.

>> BURN-OUT.

TURNS INTO A VICIOUS CYCLE.

THEY LEAVE, ANOTHER PERSON REPLACES THEM AND THE ISSUE ISN'T FIXED SO THEY GET THAT BURN-OUT ALL OVER AGAIN.

>> AND THE EMOTIONAL TOLL IS GREATER NOW, AS THE ISSUE OF THE PANDEMIC ROLLS ON AND THE PATIENTS ARE NOT ONLY SICKER, THEY'RE YOUNGER.

>> WE HAVE HAD PEDIATRIC CASES.

THE YOUNGEST PATIENT WE HAD WAS FOUR MONTHS OLD.

THE DEMOGRAPHIC OF THE PATIENTS WE ADMIT IN OUR FACILITIES ARE CERTAINLY YOUNGER THAN THEY WERE LAST YEAR.

ABSOLUTELY THE CASE.

ABSOLUTELY THE CONCERN.

>> HEALTH OFFICIALS ARE HOPING MORE PEOPLE WILL CHOOSE TO GET VACCINATED AGAINST COVID-19 IN THE WAKE OF THIS LATEST SURGE.

>> EVEN SOME FAMILY MEMBERS WHO WERE VERY AGAINST THE VACCINE, IT'S A LOT DIFFERENT WHEN THEY'RE CRYING OVER THEIR SPOUSE.

EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM HAVE GOTTEN THE VACCINE THAT DAY OF ADMISSION OR THE VERY NEXT DAY.

>> THE FRUSTRATING ASPECT OF THIS PANDEMIC IS THAT WE COULD BE PREVENTING SO MUCH OF THIS AND WE'RE NOT.

>> FOR "HERE AND NOW," I'M MARISA WOJCIK IN MARSHFIELD.

>> THE DIRECTOR OF THE CDC THIS WEEK GAVE THE GREEN LIGHT TO PFIZER BOOSTER SHOTS FOR HEALTH CARE WORKERS, TEACHERS AND OTHER FRONTLINE WORKERS.

NOW TO STATE POLITICS.

THE FIGHT OVER VOTING MAPS YET TO BE DRAWN IN WISCONSIN RATCHETED UP THIS WEEK ON A CONSERVATIVE MAJORITY VOTE, THE STATE SUPREME COURT AGREED TO CONSIDER A LAWSUIT FROM CONSERVATIVES RATHER THAN HAVING IT START IN LOWER COURTS.

JUST A DAY EARLIER, A FEDERAL COURT SET A JANUARY TRIAL DATE FOR TWO REDISTRICTING LAWSUITS BROUGHT BY DEMOCRATS WHO WANT FEDERAL COURTS TO STEP IN SOONER RATHER THAN LATER AS THE REPUBLICAN LEGISLATURE AND DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR TONY EVERS ARE UNLIKELY TO REACH AGREEMENT ON A REDRAW.

WE'LL HEAR MORE ABOUT THE COURT-SIDE WRANGLING, BUT FIRST SENIOR POLITICAL REPORTER ZAC SCHULTZ SETS THE TABLE WITH THE QUESTION "WHAT IS A FAIR MAP?"

>> I BELIEVE AND WISCONSINITES DO THAT PEOPLE SHOULD GET TO CHOOSE THEIR ELECTED OFFICIALS, NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND.

>> IN JANUARY OF 2020 GOVERNOR EVERS ISSUED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER CRAITDING THE PEOPLE'S MAPS COMMISSION TO DRAW FAIR, IMPARTIAL MAPS TO BE USED IN STATE ELECTIONS FOR THE NEXT DECADE.

WHEN ANNEMARIE MCCLELLAN VOLUNTEERED TO SERVE AS A COMMISSIONER, SHE WASN'T EXPECTING THE PANDEMIC TO DELAY THE CENSUS AND STRETCH THEIR PROCESS OUT TO THE END OF 2021.

>> A LOT OF US FELT THAT, YOU KNOW, BY END OF APRIL, EARLY MAY WE WOULD BE DONE, WE COULD GET ON WITH OUR LIVES.

BUT THAT'S NOT THE CASE.

WE'VE GONE THIS FAR.

WE HAVE TO SEE IT OUT TO ITS END.>> THE CENSUS DATA IS HE RE.

THE COMMISSION TOOK VIRTUAL AND WRITTEN TESTIMONY FROM THOUSANDS OF CITIZENS AND EXPERTS.

AND PEOPLE ACROSS THE STATE ON USING ONLINE SOFTWARE TO CREATE THEIR OWN MAPS AND PROPOSE THEM TO BOTH THE LEGISLATURE AND THE MAPS COMMISSION.

BUT STILL, NO ONE CAN ANSWER THE DEFINING QUESTION SURROUNDING REDISTRICTING: "WHAT MAKES A MAP FAIR?"

>> WHEN PEOPLE THINK OF FAIRNESS, FOR THE PUBLIC IT'S LIKE DOES THIS REPRESENT THE GREATER WILL OF THE MASS OF THE PUBLIC?>> FAIR IS IN THE EY ES OF THE BEHOLDER.>> JOE HANDRICK IS A FORMER REPUBLICAN ASSEMBLY REPRESENTATIVE, BUT KNOWN ON WORK FOR REDISTRICTING FOR REPUBLICANS.

HE SAYS THE LAW DEMANDS WE TRY TO KEEP COMMUNITIES TOGETHER AND FOLLOW THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT.

>> THERE'S OTHER PEOPLE WHO DEFINE FAIR MAPS AS WHAT'S THE POLITICAL OUTCOME?

ARE THE DEMOCRATS OR THE REPUBLICANS GETTING ENOUGH SEATS?

BUT THAT'S NOT DEFINED OR EXPECTED ANYWHERE IN THE STATUTES OR IN THE CONSTITUTION.

>> THE VERY WORD "FAIR" THERE'S SOME QUESTION OF PHILOSOPHY AND ETHICS AND LAW.

>> JORDAN ELLENBERG IS A PROFESSOR OF MAPS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN.

HE SAYS WHEN IT COMES TO WHAT IS A FAIR MAP, WE MIGHT BE ASKING THE WRONG QUESTION.

>> THERE IS NOT REALLY A GOOD ANSWER TO WHAT IS FAIR.

SO THEN YOU MAY SAY, WELL, WHAT ARE WE EVEN DOING, ARE AM I HERE TALKING ABOUT IT?

BECAUSE THERE IS A GOOD ANSWER TO WHAT IS UNFAIR.

THAT'S A DIFFERENT QUESTION.

>> HE SAYS THE BEST EXAMPLE OF UNFAIR MAPS ARE THE CURRENT WISCONSIN MAPS FOR CONGRESS, STATE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY, DRAWN BY REPUBLICANS A DECADE AGO.

>> I THINK IN MY PROFESSIONAL OPINION THE CURRENT MAP WE HAVE IS ONE OF THOSE WHERE IT'S VERY CLEAR BY ANY METRIC YOU WOULD USE THAT THAT MAP HAS BEEN COOKED TO THE BENEFIT OF ONE PARTY.>> IF THE MAPS WERE CO OKED, JOE HANDRICK WAS ONE OF THE CHEFS.

IN 2011, HANDRICK WORKED FOR THE PRIVATE LAW FIRM REPUBLICANS HIRED TO DRAW THE CURRENT MAPS.

BUT HANDRICK SAYS THAT WASN'T A GERRYMANDER.>> DID WE CREATE A MAP FOR REPUBLICAN MAJORITIES?

NO.

THE VOTERS CREATES THE REPUBLICAN MAJORITY.

>> THIS IS THE POINT WHERE THEY AGREE.

IN A STATEWIDE ELECTION, WISCONSIN IS EVENLY DIVIDED BETWEEN REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS.

ELLENBERG SAYS HE CAN CREATE THOUSANDS OF COMPUTER-GENERATED MAPS TO TEST WHAT THE AVERAGE NUMBER OF WINS SHOULD BE FOR EACH PARTY IN THE ASSEMBLY.

>> UNDER THOSE CONDITIONS, HOW MANY REPUBLICANS WOULD THERE BE IN THE STATE ASSEMBLY?

SPOILER.

I'M GOING TO TELL YOU THE ANSWER.

PROBABLY ABOUT 55.

>> A LOT OF DEMOCRATS ARE CONCENTRATED IN THE CITIES, SO WHILE THEY CAN RACK UP VOTES IN ASSEMBLY RACES, REPUBLICANS GET THEIR MAJORITY IN DISTRICTS CRAFTED TO GIVE THEM 60% OF THE VOTE.

THE RANGE OF WINS FOR REPUBLICANS SHOULD BE IN THE MID 50s, NOT THE 61 SEATS THEY CURRENTLY HOLD.

>> THERE'S NOT A SINGLE ANSWER, BUT THERE IS LIKE A REASONABLE RANGE, AND, YOU KNOW, 62, 63 IS NOT IN THAT RANGE.

IT'S LIKE WAY OUT THERE.

THAT BASICALLY LIKE NEVER HAPPENS UNLESS YOU BUILD IN A BIG ADVANTAGE.

>> HANDRICK SAYS CREDIT SHOULD GO TO QUALITY REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES, NOT JUST THE MAPS.

>> REPUBLICANS HAVE WON A COUPLE SEATS THAT ARE DEMOCRATIC SEATS ON TOP OF THAT.

SO THAT'S 57, 58.

THE MAP PROBABLY ACCOUNTS TORE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THAT AND THE SEATS THEY'RE AT.

>> ANNEMARIE MCCLELLAN SAYS THE NUMBER ONE PRIORITY FOR THE COMMISSION ISN'T WHICH PARTY WINS, BUT KEEPING COMMUNITIES OF INTEREST INTACT.

UNFORTUNATELY, THERE ISN'T ONE DEFINITION FOR A COMMUNITY OF INTEREST.

OFTEN IT'S INTERPRETED TO MEAN KEEPING COUNTIES, CITIES AND VILLAGES IN THE SAME DISTRICT.

>> IT MIGHT BE SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

THAT'S ONE THING THAT WE HEARD A LOT OF PEOPLE SAY, THAT I WANT TO KEEP IT INTACT, BECAUSE SOMETIMES SCHOOL DISTRICTS CROSS MUNICIPALITIES OR COUNTY LINES.

>> THE COMMISSION WON'T IGNORE THE PARTISAN OUTCOME, SINCE SO MANY PEOPLE CONSIDER THAT THE ULTIMATE TEST OF FAIRNESS.

>> AND LAST OF ALL MEASURES OF PARTISAN FAIRNESS, EVERYTHING ELSE BEING EQUAL, IF ONE MAP SHOWS THAT IT'S MORE FAIR PARTISAN-WISE, WE WOULD GO WITH THAT.>> HANDRICK SAYS ANY M AP PRODUCED BY THE COMMISSION SHOULD BE VIEWED AS A DEMOCRATIC MAP.>> IT'S NOT A NONPARTISA N COMMISSION.

IT'S NOT A BIPARTISAN COMMISSION.

IT'S A PARTISAN COMMISSION TO ADVANCE THE INTEREST OF DEMOCRATS.

THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT, BUT I WISH THEY COULD JUST CALL IT THAT.

>> ELLENBERG SAYS ANY MAP PRODUCED BY THE COMMISSION SHOULD BE LOOKED AT THROUGH THE SAME LENS YOU WOULD LOOK AT MAPS CREATED BY THE REPUBLICANS.

BUT THE WAY EACH GROUP WENT ABOUT CREATING THEM SHOULD BE JUDGED.>> THE OUTCOME HAS T O BE JUDGED, BUT THE PROCESS IS MUCH BETTER.

>> WHAT DOES IT MEAN THAT THE STATE SUPREME COURT TOOK THE REDISTRICTING LAWSUIT OVER LOWER COURTS?

AND WHERE DOES THAT LEAVE FEDERAL COURT ACTION?

ZAC SCHULTZ JOINS US NOW FROM THE STATE CAPITOL.

HEY, ZAC.

>> HELLO, FRED.

>> SO THE CONSERVATIVE MAJORITY ON THE STATE SUPREME COURT VOTED TO TAKE THE CASE WITH LIBERAL JUSTICES DISSENTING.

WHAT'S THE IMPLICATION OF THIS CASE GOING TO THE HIGH COURT?

>> THE FIRST IMPLICATION IS THEY'RE SKIPPING THE LOWER LEVELS OF THE COURT.

USUALLY WHEN YOU GO TO LOCAL COURT FIRST, THAT'S THE RECORD.

THERE'S A TRIAL THAT BRINGS IN ALL THE EVIDENCE THAT DETERMINES EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENS AFTER THAT.

THEN THERE WOULD BE AN APPELLATE LEVEL.

SO IT WILL BE UP TO THE SUPREME COURT JUSTICES IN A COUPLE HOURS TO GATHER ALL THE FACTS IN ORDER TO RULE ON WHETHER THEY'RE GOING TO DRAW THESE MAPS.

>> ISN'T ALSO THE IMPLICATION THAT IT'S A FRIENDLY COURT?

>> WELL, REPUBLICANS CERTAINLY HOPE SO.

THEY THINK THEIR 4-3 CONSERVATIVE COURT, IN THIS CASE HE RULED WITH THE CONSERVATIVES TO BRING THIS CASE TO THE COURT IN THE FIRST PLACE.

>> WHAT'S HAPPENING RIGHT NOW WITH THE FEDERAL LAWSUIT?

>> WELL, THAT'S ONGOING AS WELL AND THAT'S THE COURT WHERE DEMOCRATS WANT TO PLAY AND THINK THEY'RE GOING TO GET A BETTER OUTCOME.

THAT'S WHO'S DRAWN THE MAPS THE LAST FEW TIMES IT WASN'T DRAWN BY REPUBLICANS.

THE THREE PANEL JUDGES HAVE ALREADY SET A TRIAL DATE FOR JANUARY SAYING THEY WANT TO MOVE THIS ALONG.

IN PART, THEIR DECISION TO SET THAT TRIAL SAID WE HAVEN'T HEARD MUCH FROM THE STATE AND WHETHER THE STATE WILL ACTUALLY HAVE THIS ARGUMENT DONE IN THEIR COURTS AND THAT'S WHAT PROMPTED THE STATE SUPREME COURT TO STEP IN AND SAY WE CAN MOVE FORWARD AS WELL.

SO YOU MIGHT HAVE TWO PLAYING OUT AT THE SAME TIME.

THE FEDERAL COURT MIGHT GET PUT ON HOLD.

IT'S UNCLEAR AT THIS POINT.

>.

>> MEANWHILE, THE REPUBLICANS HAVE ASKED THE U.S. SUPREME COURT TO THROW OUT THE FEDERAL COURT WORK ON THIS IN WISCONSIN.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

THEY ABSOLUTELY -- REPUBLICANS WANT TO SEE THIS DONE IN THE WISCONSIN SUPREME COURT.

THEY'RE HOPING THE U.S. SUPREME COURT WILL DISMISS THAT CASE SO THE ONLY CASE THAT REMAINS IS WITH THE WISCONSIN SUPREME COURT FORCING THEM TO DECIDE OR DRAW THE MAPS.

>> CERTAINLY PLAYING HARDBALL HERE.

THE UNDERLYING IDEA IS THAT EVERYONE KNOWS THAT THE REPUBLICAN-CONTROLLEDLEGIS ATURE IS NOT GOING TO DRAW NEW MAPS THAT GOVERNOR EVERS WOULD APPROVE.

I DON'T THINK THAT'S PUTTING IT TOO BLUNTLY.

BUT NOW REPUBLICANS EXPECT TO PASS A RESOLUTION TUESDAY TO KEEP THE MAPS PRETTY MUCH AS IS.

WHAT'S THE REACTION TO THIS?

>> WELL, THE IDEA IS THAT THEY ALREADY HAVE MAPS THAT THEY ENJOY.

THE LAST DECADE HAVE SHOWN US THEY WIN BIG MAJORITIES.

DEMOCRATS SAY THAT'S BECAUSE THEY'RE GERRYMANDERED.

SO ONLY SLIGHT ADJUSTMENTS NEEDED FOR POPULATION WILL LIKELY GIVE REPUBLICANS MAJORITIES FOR THE NEXT DECADE.

SO THEY TO WANT PLAY OFF THE MAPS THEY WROTE TEN YEARS AGO.

DEMOCRATS OF COURSE WOULD LIKE TO SEE MUCH LARGER ADJUSTMENTS AND THE IDEA OF PARTISAN FAIRNESS TO HOPEFULLY EVEN OUT THE SCORE SO THAT EVEN IN A WAVE YEAR MAYBE DEMOCRATS COULD COME CLOSER TO WINNING A MAJORITY.

>> IS THERE SOME PRECEDENT FOR THIS?

WE'VE HAD THESE MAPS FOR TEN YEARS.

WE DON'T NEED TO CHANGE THEM MUCH.

IS THIS SOMETHING PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING THROUGH REDISTRICTING DO?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

IT'S ONE OF THE ARGUMENTS.

BUT THE WHOLE THING ABOUT MAPS IS THAT THERE REALLY AREN'T TOO MANY HARD-SET LIMITS IN LAW.

YOU CAN MAKE THE ARGUMENT THAT YOU SHOULD ONLY MAKE MINOR ADJUSTMENTS.

BUT TEN YEARS AGO REPUBLICANS COMPLETELY RE DID THE MAPS TO GIVE THEM A MAJORITY.

DEMOCRATS WILL SAY IT'S HYPOCRISY.

REPUBLICANS SAY WE WANT TO BE CONSISTENT.>> WE WILL WATCH HOW ALL THIS WORKS OUT.

THIS IS CERTAINLY ON THE FAST TRACK.

YOU'VE REPORTED ON LOCAL VOTING BOUNDARY MAPS.

WHERE DOES THIS LEAVE THOSE AND WHAT'S HAPPENING THERE?

>> WELL, THE COUNTIES, VILLAGES, CITIES ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF THEIR REDISTRICTING PROCESS, SEPARATE FROM WHAT THE STATE ASSEMBLY AND CONGRESSIONAL MAPS ARE.

I KNOW A LOT OF THE COUNTIES HAVE JUST FINISHED UP THEIR VERSIONS AND ARE SENDING THEM UP TO THE LOCAL DISTRICTS.

IT'S UNCLEAR IF THOSE MAPS WILL BE INCORPORATED INTO THE LARGER ARGUMENTS, FEDERAL OR STATE SUPREME COURT, OR IF THEY'LL HAVE TO ADJUST THE MAPS ONCE WE HAVE THE MAPS SET FOR CONGRESS AND THE STATE LEGISLATURE.

>> I KNOW AS YOU REPORTED IN YOUR STORY JUST A FEW MINUTES AGO, THESE LOCAL BOUNDARIES ARE REALLY IMPORTANT TO PEOPLE, INCLUDING THINGS LIKE SCHOOL DISTRICTS?>> ABSOLUTELY.

THERE'S A WIDE DEFINITION OF WHAT IS A COMMUNITY OF INTEREST.

WATERSHED SCHOOL DISTRICTS, COUNTY LINES, CITY LINES.

IT'S WIDE OPEN, FRED.

>> ALL RIGHT.

ZAC SCHULTZ, THANKS VERY MUCH FOR YOUR WORK ON THIS.

>> THANK YOU.

>> FORMER CONSERVATIVE SUPREME COURT JUSTICE MICHAEL GABLEMAN TOOK TO YOUTUBE THIS WEEK RELEASING A SIX-MINUTE-LONG VIDEO STATEMENT ABOUT HIS INVESTIGATION INTO THE 2020 WISCONSIN ELECTION.

IT CAME FOLLOWING CONFUSION ON THE PART OF ELECTION CLERKS OVER AN EMAIL FROM HIS OFFICE THAT WAS FLAGGED AS A POSSIBLE CYBERSECURITY RISK.

THE STATE ASSEMBLY LAST WEEK APPROVED AT LEAST $680,000 IN TAXPAYER MONEY FOR THE GABLEMAN PROBE.

THIS, DESPITE THE FACT THAT AFTER RECOUNTS, COURT CHALLENGES AND OFFICIAL RESULTS AW AUDITS,O WIDESPREAD FRAUD WAS FOUND.

YESTERDAY THE FOURTH WISCONSIN VOTER OUT OF 3 MILLION VOTES WERE CHARGED WITH ELECTION FRAUD.

HERE'S AN EXCERPT OF GABLEMAN'S VIDEO STATEMENT.

>> THIS IS NOT AN ELECTION CONTEST.WE ARE NOT CHALLENGI NG THE RESULTS OF THE 2020 ELECTION.

RATHER, WE ARE HOLDING GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ACCOUNTABLE TO THE PUBLIC FOR THEIR ACTIONS SURROUNDING THE ELECTIONS.

AS THE OFFICIALS DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR ADMINISTERING ELECTIONS, WISCONSIN'S COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL CLERKS HAVE A DUTY TO BE FORTHCOMING IN THIS INVESTIGATION.IT IS MY SINCE RE HOPE THAT WISCONSIN ELECTION OFFICIALS WILL LIVE UP TO THAT DUTY.

BUT IF THEY DO NOT, WE WILL USE THE POWER AFFORDED TO THE OFFICE OF SPECIAL COUNSEL TO COMPEL ANSWERS TO THESE QUESTIONS.

THIS INVESTIGATION WILL BE GUIDED BY A SEARCH FOR THE TRUTH AND NOT BY POLITICAL PRIORITIES OR POLITICAL TIME TABLES.

SOME EVIDENCE HAS BEEN PRODUCED PREVIOUSLY THAT SHOWS SOME ELECTION OFFICIALS ACTED IEWN LATLY IN DECIDING NOT TO FOLLOW ESTABLISHED STATE LAW.

WE WILL REQUEST FROM THOSE OFFICIALS AND OTHERS WITH POTENTIAL KNOWLEDGE OF UNLAWFUL ACTIONS AND WILL COMPEL THEM, IF NECESSARY, TO PRODUCE DOCUMENTS AND TESTIMONY THAT WILL ALLOW THE PUBLIC TO GAIN A COMPREHENSIVE UNDERSTANDING OF HOW THEIR ELECTIONS WERE MANAGED.>> THE TOP ELECTION OFFICIAL IN WISCONSIN, MEGAN WOLFE, SAYS SHE DOES NOT KNOW WHAT POSSIBLE UNLAWFUL ACTIONS GABLEMAN IS TALKING ABOUT.

WOLFE HAS REPEATEDLY DEFENDED THE INTEGRITY OF WISCONSIN'S 2020 ELECTIONS.

MARISA WOJCIK SAT DOWN WITH UW-MADISON ELECTION EXPERT BARRY BURDEN AND ASKED HIM HIS REACTION TO THE GABLEMAN YOUTUBE STATEMENT.>> WHAT IS YOUR TA KE ON THAT?

THIS IS AN INVESTIGATION THATúSN LOOKING FOR FRAUD.

IS THIS JUST CREATING MORE CONFUSION?

CERTAINLY WE HAVEN'T SEEN SOMETHING LIKE THIS BEFORE.

>> WELL, I HAVE A COUPLE WORRIES ABOUT THIS.

ONE IS THAT GABLEMAN INVESTIGATION SEEMS TO HAVE A MOVING TARGET IN MIND, THE KINDS OF THINGS THAT HIS TEAM IS INTERESTED IN HAVE SHIFTED OVER TIME.

HE'S TRAVELED TO ARIZONA TO SEE THE RECOUNTS AUDIT BUSINESS THAT WAS HAPPENING THERE IN MARICOPA COUNTY.

HE'S TRAVELED TO A SEMINAR THAT MIKE LINDELL, THE MY PILLOW CEO PUT ON IN SOUTH DAKOTA AND CONSULTED WITH OTHER FOLKS IN THE INDUSTRY OF RAISING QUESTIONS ABOUT THE ELECTION.

HIS MOST RECENT VIDEO IS NOW TALKING ABOUT CLERKS NOT FOLLOWING THE LAW.

TO ME THAT SEEMS LIKE A VERY DIFFERENT SET OF CONCERNS.

IF THAT WERE HAPPENING, I THINK THE LEGISLATURE WOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO HOLD HEARINGS TO LOOK INTO THAT AND THEY'VE ALREADY DONE SOME OF THAT.

THERE COULD BE COURT CASES FILED.

SOMEONE COULD FILE SUIT CLAIMING THAT CLERKS OR ELECTION OFFICIALS WERE NOT FOLLOWING THE LAW.

VIEWERS WILL REMEMBER THAT THERE WERE SEVEN OR EIGHT OF THOSE SUITS FILED IN STATE AND FEDERAL COURT CLAIMING THAT LAWS WERE NOT BEING FOLLOWED, THAT THE COLLECTION OF BALAN BALLOTS IN Y PARKS SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED.

ALL OF THOSE SUITS ESSENTIALLY WERE TOSSED OUT, NOT SEEN AS HAVING ANY MERIT AND THEY DIDN'T MAKE ANY CHANGES TO THE ELECTION AS A RESULT.

NOW, THASES THAT'S NOT TO SAY E SHOULDN'T DO SOME IMPROVEMENTS AFTER EACH ELECTION.

IT'S A HUMAN PROCESS.

WE WENT THROUGH A DIFFERENT KIND OF ELECTION THAN EVER BEFORE AND I THINK THE SYSTEM ADAPTED, BUT IT WASN'T DESIGNED TO DEAL WITH THE KINDS OF CHALLENGES WE FACED IN 2020.

SO SOME CHANGES TO THE ELECTION LAW ARE PROBABLY RIGHT.

BUT I DON'T THINK DOING IT THROUGH A SOMEWHAT SECRETIVE INVESTIGATION THAT'S NOT DONE IN FULL PUBLIC VIEW AND WITH MOVING TARGETS IS REALLY PROBLEMATIC.

>> ON A DIFFERENT FRONT, BIDEN ADMINISTRATION BRASS TRAVELED THROUGH WISCONSIN THIS WEEK.

>> ARE YOU GOING TO HAVE A GREAT YEAR?>> YEAH.

>> THE U.S. SECRETARY OF EDUCATION, MIGUEL CARDONA, ROLLED OUT HIS RETURN TO SCHOOL ROAD TRIP WITH SEVERAL STOPS IN THE STATE.

THE TOUR, DESIGNED TO HIGHLIGHT STUDENTS SAFELY RETURNING TO IN-PERSON LEARNING.

THE WISCONSIN STOPS INCLUDED EAU CLAIRE.

THAT'S WHERE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS THAT ARE PART OF THE "NEWSHOUR" STUDENT REPORTING LABS GOT A PERSONAL AUDIENCE WITH THE SECRETARY.

CARDONA SAT DOWN WITH 17-YEAR-OLD KAYLEE SWENO FROM BLACK RIVER FALLS HIGH SCHOOL FOR AN INTERVIEW.

>> BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC, OBVIOUSLY A LOT OF US ARE BEHIND IN THE LEARNING PROCESS.

HOW DO YOU PLAN TO CATCH THESE STUDENTS UP AFTER MISSING A YEAR OF SCHOOL?

>> EVERY STUDENT I TALK TO, THEY'RE JUST HAPPY TO BE WITH THEIR FRIENDS, THAT SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL PIECE.

THE RELATIONSHIP DIVIDE IS SOMETHING WE HAVE TO FOCUS ON.

SO MAKING SURE THAT YOU HAVE ACCESS TO FUN ACTIVITIES AT SCHOOL AND SPORTS OR EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES IS JUST AS IMPORTANT AS THE ACADEMIC ACCELERATION.

WELL KWE KNOW STUDENTS LOST CON.

$130 MILLION WAS ALLOCATED TO HELP AND GET TUTORS FOR STUDENTS THAT NEED IT, ADDITIONAL TEACHERS, ADDITIONAL SCHOOL COUNSELORS.

SO THE MONEY IS THERE FOR EXTRA SUPPORT.

I THINK IN THE NEXT YEAR OR TWO YOU'RE GOING TO SEE A LOT MORE SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS WHO ARE FEELING BEHIND EITHER ACADEMICALLY OR NEED ACCESS TO SEACIAL/EMOTIONAL SUPPORT.

WE ALL WENT THROUGH THIS TRAUMA THAT TOGETHER.

>> CARDONA ALSO TRAVELED TO UW-MADISON, WHERE HE MET WITH STUDENTS IN THE SCHOOL OF SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAM, THE CHANCELLOR AND GOVERNOR.

AMID COVID OUTBREAKS IN SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES, CARDONA EMPHASIZED INDOOR MASK REQUIREMENTS TO KEEP STUDENTS OPEN.>> SECRETARY CARDONA A LSO SAID THIS WEEK THAT HE ENDORSES MAKING COVID VACCINES MANDATORY FOR ELIGIBLE STUDENTS.

WE WANT TO THANK BLACK RIVER FALLS HIGH SCHOOL JOURNALISTS WITH THE "NEWSHOUR" STUDENT REPORTING LAB FOR SHARING THEIR WORK WITH US.

TONIGHT, THE RETURN OF AN ICON TO THE CAPITOL SQUARE.

MISS FORWARD, THE STATUTE THAT WAS TORN DOWN DURING DEMONSTRATIONS LAST SUMMER, WAS RETURNED TO HER POST THIS WEEK.

ANOTHER PIECE, THE SCULPTURE OF HANS CHRISTIAN HEG, WAS ALSO RETURNED TO ITS ORIGINAL PEDESTAL ON THE CAPITOL GROUND.

FOR THE LATEST COVID CONDITION REPORTING, GO TO pbswisconsin.org AND THEN CLICK ON THE NEWS PAGE.

THAT IS ALL FOR TONIGHT'S PROGRAM.

NEXT WEEK, MURV SEYMOUR WITH THE STORY OF A MAN GRANTED A GOVERNOR'S PARDON.

I'M FREDERICA FREYBERG.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

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