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

>> THE CONTEST TO ELECT A NEW REPRESENTATIVE IN WISCONSIN'S THIRD CONGRESSIONAL PITS NATIONAL POLITICS AGAINST THE LOCALS.

SCHOOL BUDGETS ARE ON THE BALLOT THIS FALL ASKING VOTERS FOR HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS IN REFERENDUM FUNDS.

AND THE NATIONAL SHORTAGE OF OB-GYNS HITS CLOSE TO HOME ENDANGERING HEALTHCARE'S CAPACITY TO DELIVER.

>> I'M ZAC SCHULTZ FILLING IN FOR FREDERICA FREYBERG.

TONIGHT ON "HERE AND NOW" A LOOK AT THE RACE IN WISCONSIN'S HIGHLY COMPETITIVE THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

SUPERINTENDENT DISCUSSES THE NEED TO RELY ON REFERENDUMS AND OB-GYN ON THE IMPACTS THE SHORTAGE HAS HAD ON PREGNANT PATIENT.

"HERE AND NOW" FOR SEPTEMBER 9th.

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

>> WE TURN FIRST TO WESTERN WISCONSIN AND THE THIRD CONGRESSIONAL.

THE INCUMBENT DEMOCRAT RON KIND IS RETIRING LEAVING AN OPEN SEAT.

RECENT POLL FOUND THE REPUBLICAN IN THE RACE HOLDS A FIVE-POINT LEAD BUT THAT THE MAJORITY OF VOTERS HAVEN'T HEARD ENOUGH ABOUT EITHER CANDIDATE.

"HERE AND NOW" REPORTER NATHAN DENZIN TRAVELED TO LA CROSSE AND HAS OUR STORY.

>> THE RACE TO REPRESENT WISCONSIN'S THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT IN THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IS HEATING UP AS ELECTION DAY APPROACHES.

DEMOCRAT BRAD PFAFF IS GOING UP AGAINST PUBLIC DERRICK VAN ORDEN IN TWO VERY DIFFERENT CAMPAIGN STRATEGIES.

>> IT'S HARD TO IMAGINE TWO CANDIDATES WITH TWO DIFFERENT STYLES.

PFAFF LOW-KEY GUY FOCUSES ON HIS FAMILY BACKGROUND FROM WESTERN WISCONSIN.

VAN ORDEN WANTS TO BRAND HIMSELF AS AN OUTSIDER IN POLITICS.

>> I WILL PRY THAT DEVIL -- GAVEL OUT OF NANCY PELOSI'S HAND.

>> HE WILL GET IN THE ARENA AND FIGHT THE CULTURAL BATTLE ESSENTIAL AND REALLY SHOW HIS SUPPORT FOR DONALD TRUMP.

HE SAYS THIS RACE IS GARNERING NATIONAL ATTENTION DUE TO THE RETIREMENT OF LONG-TIME REPRESENTATIVE RON KIND IN THE DISTRICT'S HIGHLY COMPETITIVE NATURE.

KIND WAS ONE OF THE FEW DEMOCRATS ELECTED TO CONGRESS IN A DISTRICT THAT VOTED FOR DONALD TRUMP IN 2020.

THE CHALLENGE FOR BOTH CANDIDATES, HOW TO RELATE TO A LARGE GEOGRAPHICALLY DIVERSE DISTRICT THAT INCLUDES SIX UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN CAMPUSES AND A LARGE FARMING POPULATION?

>> THERE ARE REALLY KEY AND SIGNIFICANT RURAL ELEMENTS OF THIS DISTRICT.

AND WE KNOW HOW WELL REPUBLICANS ARE DOING IN RURAL PARTS OF WISCONSIN.

WE KNOW HOW WELL THEY'RE DOING IN RURAL PARTS OF AMERICA.

THIS IS NO DIFFERENT.

>> SO FAR IN THE RACE VAN ORDEN HAS NATIONALIZED HIS POLITICS AND BASHING JOE BIDEN FOR FEDERAL POLICIES AND COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS AND SCHOOLS.

STOPPING TAX HIKES AND LEADING WITH INTEGRITY AS HIS TOP THREE ISSUES GOING INTO THE ELECTION.

>> DERRICK VAN ORDEN, U.S. NAVY SEAL.

>> HE DID NOT RESPOND TO REQUESTS TO INTERVIEW FOR THIS REPORT.

HE HAS FOUND HIMSELF IN NUMEROUS CONTROVERSIES INCLUDING REPORTS HE WAS AT THE U.S. CAPITOL ON JANUARY 6 DURING THE INSURRECTION AND AN INCIDENT WHERE HE REPORTEDLY MADE LIBRARY STAFF IN PRAIRIE DU CHIEN FEEL THREATENED OVER A PRIDE DISPLAY >> I'M DERRICK VAN ORDEN.

RETIRED NAVY SEAL AND NOMINEE FOR WISCONSIN'S THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

>> THE REPUBLICAN SPOKE AT PRESIDENT TRUMP'S RALLY IN WAUKESHA ON AUGUST 5th, A CITY ABOUT 100 MILES FROM THE CLOSEST POINT IN THE THIRD DISTRICT.

>> I WANT TO THANK PRESIDENT TRUMP FOR HAVING ME HERE TODAY AND FOR CONTINUING TO FIGHT FOR AMERICA.

IT IS IRREFUSEABLE THIS NATION WAS BETTER UNDER HIS LEADERSHIP.

NOT A PARTISAN STATEMENT, IT'S REALITY.

>> AT THE RALLY VAN ORDEN BASHED JOE BIDEN ON RISING INFLATION AND FENTANYL OVERDOSES.

ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION AND THE REMOVAL OF TROOPS FROM AFGHANISTAN.

>> THE ONE THING THAT ALL THESE THINGS HAD IN COMMON, NONE OF THEM, NONE OF THEM HAPPENED UNDER DONALD TRUMP.

>> A FACT CHECK HERE.

DESPITE VAN ORDEN'S CLAIM NONE OF THESE ISSUES WERE PREVALENT DURING TRUMP'S TIME IN OFFICE FENTANYL OVERDOSES HAVE BEEN STEADY ARISING IN AMERICA SINCE 2014.

THE NUMBER OF APPREHENSIONS AT THE BORDER THE LAST 12 MONTHS ARE 336% HIGHER THAN TRUMP'S LAST YEAR IN OFFICE AND TRUMP SUPPORTED THE REMOVAL OF ALL TROOPS FROM AFGHANISTAN.

>> LIFE WAS A LITTLE DIFFERENT WHEN I GREW UP ON THE FARM.

>> HIS COMPETITION, BRAD PFAFF, HAS TAKEN A DIFFERENT APPROACH TO HIS CAMPAIGN FOCUSING HIS ATTENTION ON LOCAL ISSUES.

>> NEED TO MAKE SURE ANY TYPE OF PUBLIC POLICY WE PUT IN PLACE UNDERSTANDS THE PEOPLE'S NEEDS AND WHAT IS HAPPENING OUT HERE IN THE COUNTRYSIDE.

>> HE SAYS HE CAN RELATE TO VOTERS IN WESTERN WISCONSIN BECAUSE HE HAS LIVED AND SERVED HIS WHOLE LIFE HERE.

THE DEMOCRAT WAS A STAFFER FOR RON KIND FOR MORE THAN 12 YEESHS REPRESENTING THE DISTRICT BEFORE TAKING POSITIONS IN PRESIDENTIAL OBAMA AND GOVERNOR EVEER'S ADD MINISTRATIONS.

>> RURAL POLICY FOR CONGRESSMAN RON KIND AND SPEND EIGHT YEARS AT THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE IN THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION AND THE DREAM OF A LIFETIME TO SERVE AS OUR STATE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE.

>> PROVIDING TAX INCENTIVES FOR MANUFACTURERS MOVING BACK TO AMERICA FROM OVERSEAS.

INVESTING IN TRADE SCHOOLS AND APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS AND PROTECTING WISCONSIN WORKERS THROUGH LEGISLATION THAT AIMS TO RESTORE FAIR EXCHANGE RATES FOR EXPORTED PRODUCTS.

>> HERE IN WISCONSIN PARTICULARLY HERE IN WESTERN WISCONSIN, WE KNOW HOW TO BUILD THINGS.

WE KNOW HOW TO INNOVATE.

WE KNOW HOW TO ENGINEER.

AND WE HAVE SOME OF THE BEST WORKERS AROUND THE WORLD.

THE THING IS, THEY JUST NEED AN OPPORTUNITY IN ORDER TO APPLY THEIR TRADE.

>> PFAFF ALSO CRITICIZED VAN ORDEN SAYING HIS TEMERMENT ANIMAL DENTISTRY AND ORAL SURGERY SPECIALISTS AND ATTITUDES DON'T MATCH THE DISTRICT.

>> MY OPPONENT IN THIS FALL ELECTION IS NOT FROM HERE.

HE DOES NOT KNOW THE PEOPLE OR THE COMMUNITIES OF THIS DISTRICT.

HE DOESN'T SHARE OUR VALUES.

THE THING IS THAT WE'RE HARD WORKING, GOD-FEARING PATRIOTIC PEOPLE OUT HERE.

WHAT DERRICK VAN ORDEN'S TEMPERAMENT, JUDGMENT AND CHARACTER DOES NOT REFLECT THE PEOPLE OF THIS DISTRICT.

>> THE BIG QUESTION, WHICH STYLE OF CAMPAIGN WILL TURN OUT ENOUGH VOTES TO WIN THE ELECTION IN NOVEMBER.

WHETHER IT IS THROUGH NATIONALIZED POLITICS.

>> VAN ORDEN LEARNED HE CAN LOCK DOWN REPUBLICAN SUPPORTERS BY EMPHASIZING HOW MUCH HE BACKS DONALD TRUMP.

>> OR IF THE PATH TO VICTORY IS THROUGH LOCAL EFFORTS.

>> AND SO BRAD PFAFF IS REALLY, I THINK, GOING TO TRY TO MODEL HIS CAMPAIGN AFTER RON KIND AND TRY TO SHOW WAYS WHERE HE IS DISTINCT FROM JOE BIDEN AND NANCY PELOSI AND WASHINGTON REPUBLICANS.

>> FOR "HERE AND NOW" I'M IN LA CROSSE.

>> PUBLIC EDUCATION IS A BIG ISSUE NOT JUST IN TERMS OF CANDIDATES.

ACCORDING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION 58 DIFFERENT SCHOOL DISTRICTS HAVE REFERENDUMS ON THE NOVEMBER BALLOTS ASKING VOTERS TO APPROVE NEW BUILDINGS AND EXCEEDING THE LEVY LIMIT TO FUND OPERATIONS.

APPLETON IS ONE OF THOSE DISTRICTS AND WE'RE JOINED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT THERE.

THANKS FOR BEING HERE.

>> MY PLEASURE, THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME HERE.

YOU ASK VOTERS TWO QUESTIONS.

FIRST $129 MILLION FOR A NEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND OTHER UPGRADES BUT ALSO ASKING FOR 5 MILLION A YEAR ABOVE THE LEVY LIMIT.

WHAT WILL IT GET YOU IN TERMS OF STAFFING?

>> SO THERE ARE THREE PARTS TO THE 5 MILLION.

2.2 MILLION FOR ADDITIONAL STAFFING AT THE KINDERGARTEN, FIRST AND SECOND GRADE LEVEL.

THAT CAME OUT OF THE PANDEMIC.

WHAT HAPPENED IN THE FALL OF 2020 IS WE WERE LOOKING TO KEEP STUDENTS IN PERSON BUT SAFELY DISTANCED WITHIN CLASSROOMS.

WE COULDN'T DO THAT WITH OUR NORMAL STAFFING WHERE WE HAD 25 TO 1.

AND SO WE REDUCED CLASS SIZES TO 21.

WHAT OUR TEACHERS AND PRINCIPALS FOUND OUT THEY WERE ABLE TO MEET THE NEEDS OF STUDENTS MUCH BETTER, AS YOU CAN IMAGINE, WITH 20 STUDENTS IN A CLASSROOM, ESPECIALLY AROUND THOSE GRADES WHERE WE'RE TEACHING EARLY READING AND WRITING SKILLS.

AND SO CAME OUT OF THE PANDEMIC WITH SMALL CLASS SIZES WE'RE ASKING OUR COMMUNITIES TO SUPPORT PAIRED DOWN 1 AND 2 GRADE CLASSES STEMMED DOWN.

STEM STAFFING.

WE NEED TO MODERNIZE OUR CURRICULUM AROUND THAT.

WE'VE FALLEN BEHIND AND WE WANT TO ADD ACTUAL STEM CLASSES AT THE ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE LEVEL.

THE FINAL PIECE TO THAT 1.6 MILLION IS TO OPERATE OUR NEW SPACES.

IF WE PASS THE CAPITAL PROJECT PART WE'RE LOOKING AT COSTS AROUND HEATING, COOLING, UTILITIES, MAINTENANCE AND CLEANING AND THEN A LITTLE BIT OF STAFFING THAT WILL GO WITH MOVING SIXTH GRADERS TO THE MIDDLE SCHOOL.

PUT IT TOGETHER IN A $5 MILLION QUESTION.

>> FOR THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS REPUBLICANS HAVE NOT INCREASED THE AMOUNT OF MONEY GOING TO SCHOOLS THROUGH THE BUDGET SAYING THAT THE FEDERAL ESSER FUNDS SHOULD BE ENOUGH TO HE LEAVE YAT THAT.

IF THERE WAS AN INCREASE WOULD YOU STILL NEED THE $5 MILLION OR A DIRECT RESPONSE TO THE SHORTFALL FROM THE STATE?

>> THEY PLAY TOGETHER.

HAD WE GOTTEN THAT INCREASE, THAT WOULD HAVE GONE TOWARDS MORE OF OUR OPERATIONS.

AND SO THIS IS OPERATIONAL.

SO SOME OF THAT MAY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO OFFSET THE $5 MILLION.

OUR REALITY IS WE HAVE INNRAISH NEAR INCREASES.

BUSING COSTS AND HEALTH INSURANCE INCREASES WANTING TO BE ABLE TO GIVE A 2% COMPENSATION INCREASE TO OUR EMPLOYEES, WE PUT ALL OF THAT TOGETHER AND WE NEED 4 TO 5 MILLION IN NEW REVENUE EVERY YEAR JUST TO COVER OUR OPERATIONAL INCREASES AND INFLATION COSTS.

WE DIDN'T HAVE THAT LAST YEAR AND NOT HAVING IT THIS YEAR.

CHALLENGING FOR US TO MEET THE OPERATIONAL INCREASES THAT ALL BUSINESSES OR EMPLOYERS IN GENERAL SEE.

SO YEAH, A CHALLENGE FOR US.

>> ON THE NOVEMBER BALLOT ALONG WITH THE REFERENDA WILL BE THE RACE FOR GOVERNOR WITH TWO DIFFERENT VISIONS FOR A FUTURE OF PUBLIC EDUCATION.

GOVERNOR EVERS WANTS TO PUT MORE MONEY INTO EDUCATION AND TIM MICHELS WANTS SCHOOL CHOICE.

>> WHAT WE WANTED TO DO IS PUT OUR REFERENDA ON A BALLOT SO THE NOVEMBER ELECTION, WHEN A LARGE NUMBER OF OUR COMMUNITY WOULD TURN OUT FOR THE ELECTION.

WE FELT IT WAS THE MOST TRANSPARENT WAY TO GO ABOUT A REFERENDUM.

WE COULD HAVE GONE HERE IN AUGUST OR FEBRUARY.

THOSE ARE NOT LARGE ELECTIONS.

WE WANT TO PUT IT ON THE BIGGEST ELECTION THIS YEAR JUST TO GET THE MOST COMMUNITY MEMBERS OUT AND BE ABLE TO VOTE WHETHER THEY VOTE YES OR NO, WE WANT THEM TO BE INFORMED AND MAKE THE BEST DECISION FOR THEMSELVES AND THINK HAVING THAT BIG ELECTION FOR THE GOVERNOR RACE IS GOING TO HAPPEN.

>> HOW MUCH DO YOU THINK THE TWO DIFFERENT PHILOSOPHY OF THE CANDIDATES WILL IMPACT VOTERS?

WILL THEY SEE THE DISCREPANCIES AND MAKE A DECISION ON ALL THESE QUESTIONS TOGETHER?

>> YOU KNOW, THAT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

CERTAINLY THE APPLETON COMMUNITY HAS SUPPORTED PUBLIC EDUCATION FOR GENERATIONS AND WE'RE HOPING THAT THAT CONTINUES.

AND WE FEEL LIKE THE COST OF OUR REFERENDUM IS VERY REASONABLE.

IT WILL BE AROUND $20 ON $120,000 OF PROPERTY ANNUALLY.

THAT'S BEING REASONABLE AND SO WE HOPE THAT EVEN IF THEY ARE LOOKING AT PROPERTY TAXES AND CONCERNS ABOUT THOSE TAXES, YOU FEEL LIKE IT'S WORTH THAT INVESTMENT INTO OUR EDUCATION.

SO WE THINK THAT WE MAY GET VOTERS FROM BOTH DEMOCRAT AND REPUBLICAN SIDES THAT SUPPORT OUR REFERENDUM.

>> ALL RIGHT.

SUPERINTENDENT GREG HARTJES.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.

>> ABSOLUTELY, ENJOYED IT.

>> IN OTHER ELECTION NEWS A WAUKESHA COUNTY JUDGE RULED THAT ELECTION CLERKS CAN'T FILL IN MISSING WITNESS ADDRESSES.

ONLY THE VOTER OR WITNESS MAY CORRECT MISSING INFORMATION.

THE WISCONSIN ELECTIONS COMMISSION ADOPTED NEW GUIDANCE FOR CLERKS.

THIS COMES AFTER A FEDERAL JUDGE RULED LAST WEEK THAT VOTERS WITH DISABILITIES MUST BE INSURED THE RIGHT TO GET ASSISTANCE RETURNING AN ABSENTEE BALLOT.

THE COMMISSION ARGUED WHETHER THE VOTER OR ASSISTANT MUST PROVIDE THEIR ADDRESS OR CERTIFICATION.

THE COMMISSION VOTED 4-2 THAT NEITHER SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO FILL OUT ADDITIONAL PAPERWORK.

>> THE FEDERAL COURTS ORDER WAS THAT WE ISSUE GUIDANCE CONSISTENT WITH THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT.

HOW CAN WE CREATE A HURDLE?

AREN'T WE POKING THE FEDERAL JUDGE?

I MEAN, HOW DO WE CHANGE THE RULE FOR DISABLED VOTERS IN 2022 WHEN THEY'VE NEVER HAD TO DO THIS IN 2016, 2018 OR 2020?

>> THE RACE FOR WISCONSIN ATTORNEY GENERAL DOESN'T RECEIVE AS MUCH ATTENTION AS RACES FOR GOVERNOR AND U.S. SENATE BUT IT SHOULD.

THIS FALL REPUBLICAN ERIC TONEY IS TAKING ON THE INCUMBENT DEMOCRAT JOSH KAUL.

TONY IS TRYING TO MAKE PUBLIC SAFETY AND CRIME IN MILWAUKEE A KEY ISSUE.

>> POLICIES THAT WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE MUST START AT THE TOP.

>> HE HELD A PRESS CONFERENCE IN MILWAUKEE EARLIER THIS WEEK TAUTING HIS ENDORSEMENT FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT AND WANTS TO PROSECUTE MORE CRIMES IN MILWAUKEE.

>> IF WE PROTECT MILWAUKEE, WE'LL PROTECT ALL OF WISCONSIN.

THAT'S WHY I HAVE ADVOCATED FOR GRANTING OUR ATTORNEY GENERAL ORIGINAL PROSECUTION AUTHORITY HERE IN MILWAUKEE SO WE CAN TAKE ON THE CRIME THAT THEY ARE UNABLE OR UNWILLING TO PROSECUTE.

>> THE A.G. AND DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE CAN ONLY PROSECUTE CERTAIN CRIMES.

THE CHANGE WOULD REQUIRE THE LEGISLATURE TO PASS A LAW GIVING THE A.G. THAT AUTHORITY.

DEMOCRAT JOSH KAUL DOESN'T DISAGREE WITH EXPANDED POWERS BUT SAYS IT SHOULDN'T BE LIMITED TO ONE COUNTY.

>> MR. TONEY IS TARGETING MILWAUKEE COUNTY.

THE AUTHORITY SHOULD BE CONSISTENT THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF WISCONSIN.

SO IT'S MY VIEW THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE SHOULD BE PROSECUTING CASES AND HAVING STATEWIDE ORIGINAL PROSECUTION AUTHORITY I'M SUPPORTIVE OF FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.

BUT WHAT WE REALLY NEED IN OUR COMMUNITIES IS RESOURCES IN OUR COMMUNITIES TO FIGHT THESE CRIMES.

>> KAUL SAYS LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENTS AND PROSECUTORS ARE UNDERFUNDED BECAUSE THE REPUBLICAN CONTROLLED LEGISLATURE HASN'T INCREASED SHARE REVENUE IN YEARS.

>> HE IS SAYING THAT, HE WAS SILENT WHEN THE LEGISLATURE ATTACKED THE D.O.J.

BUDGET IN SESSION.

HE HAS BEEN SILENT AS THE LEGISLATURE HAS CONSISTENTLY DECLINED TO PROVIDE FUNDING TO SUPPORT MILWAUKEE IN PARTICULAR.

>> HE SAYS HE WILL WORK WITH REPUBLICANS IN NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET.

IN THE MEANTIME DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR TONY EVERS SHOULD TAKE ARPA FUNDS AND DISTRIBUTE THEM TO LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENTS TO FIGHT CRIME.

>> WE HAVE A BUDGET SURPLUS.

AN ISSUE THE LEGISLATURE WILL HAVE TO ADDRESS AND WORK WITH THEM IN MAKE SURE MILWAUKEE HAS THE RESOURCES.

THAT CAN'T HAPPEN UNTIL NEXT YEAR.

THE GOVERNOR HAS THE ABILITY RIGHT NOW WITH THOSE ARPA FUNDS TO HELP DEPLOY AND PUT MONEY INTO MILWAUKEE TO KEEP MILWAUKEE AND ALL OF WISCONSIN SAFE.

>> THIS WEEK THE LEGISLATURE'S JOINT FINANCE COMMITTEE APPROVED THE ALLOCATION OF 31 MILLION DOLLARS IN OPIOID SETTLEMENT FUNDS AWARDED TO THE STATE OF WISCONSIN.

THE ACTION COMES AFTER REPUBLICANS REJECTED THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES PROPOSAL LAST MONTH.

OVERALL THE FUNDING WILL GO TOWARD THE DISTRIBUTION OF NARCAN AND FENTANYL TESTING STRIPS.

MEDICATION ASSISTED TREATMENT, TRIBAL NATIONS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT TRAINING.

GOP COMMITTEE MEMBERS SAID THEY AGREED WITH 85% OF THE ORIGINAL PLAN BUT AMENDED IT TO PRIORITIZE FUNDS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT OVER FAMILY SUPPORT PROGRAMS.

>> UNFORTUNATELY, JOSH KAUL AND TONY EVERS CONTINUE TO TURN THEIR BACK ON LAW ENFORCEMENT AND DON'T WANT TO WORK WITH PEOPLE IN PUBLIC SAFETY IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

THAT'S AN IMPORTANT PART OF TODAY'S PLAN.

>> I THINK IT'S NEGLIGENT IN THIS SITUATION IF WE DON'T SPEAK WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT.

I CALLED THE SHERIFF OF ST. CROIX AND PIERCE COUNTY AND EVERY LAW ENFORCEMENT LEADER I KNEW IN MY DISTRICT ASKING THEM WHAT IS HAPPENING.

>> FAMILY CENTERS THE MONEY WAS CUT AND THAT MOVED OVER TO THE LAW ENFORCEMENT SIDE OF THINGS.

I CAN TELL YOU, THE AMOUNT OF QUESTIONS OUR FAMILY HAS WHEN SOMEBODY IS GOING THROUGH THE STRUGGLES OF ADDICTION.

IT DOESN'T MATTER IF IT'S ALCOHOLISM OR OPIOIDS OR WHATEVER THE CASE MAY BE.

THERE ARE A MILLION PLACES TO TURN TO BUT THERE AREN'T ANY TO TURN TO.

FAMILIES DON'T KNOW WHERE TO GO.

THE MORE RURAL YOU ARE IN THIS STATE, THE TOUGHER IT IS TO GET ANSWERS.

SO THESE ARE REALLY IMPORTANT.

THESE WILL HELP THE STABILITY OF THE FAMILY UNIT.

THESE WILL HELP THE FAMILY MEMBERS DEAL AND BETTER UNDERSTAND THE ADDICTION.

>> TURNING TO HEALTHCARE, A NATIONWIDE SHORTAGE OF OB-GYN WILL FORCE SOME PREGNANT WOMEN IN NORTHERN WISCONSIN TO TRAVEL EVEN FARTHER TO GIVE BIRTH.

EARLIER THIS WEEK MAYO CLINIC ANNOUNCED THEY WOULD NO LONGER PROVIDE DELIVERY SERVICES IN THEIR FACILITY IN BARRON DOUNT COUNTY AND SHUT DOWN MENOMONIE AT THE END OF THE YEAR.

PATIENTS HAVE TO TRAVEL TO EAU CLAIRE TO GIVE BIRTH.

AMY DOMEYER IS A PRACTICING OB-GYN.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU.

>> IN THEIR ANNOUNCEMENT MAYO CLINIC SAID THEY SPENT TWO YEARS AGGRESSIVELY RECRUITING FOR SEVERAL OPEN POSITIONS.

HOW BAD IS THE SHORTAGE?

>> SO, YOU KNOW, WE KNOW THAT ACCESS TO OB-GYN CARE IN RURAL COUNTIES IS DECLINING.

AND PART OF THAT IS WITH SOME OF THESE HOSPITAL SHORTAGES AND SHUTTERING OF OB UNITS.

LESS THAN HALF OF RURAL WOMEN LIVE WITHIN A 30-MINUTE DRIVE TO THE NEAREST HOSPITAL.

SO THAT CAN LEAD TO REALLY SIGNIFICANT DISPARITIES IN CARE AND THEN REALLY SIGNIFICANT CHANGES IN TERMS OF OUTCOMES AS PEOPLE AREN'T ALWAYS ABLE TO ACCESS A DOCTOR EARLY ENOUGH IN THEIR PRENATAL CARE OR A BIRTH CENTER IN A TIMELY FASHION WHEN IT IS TIME FOR THEM TO DELIVER THEIR BABY.

>> WHAT'S LEADING TO THE SHORTAGE?

ARE THERE JUST NOT ENOUGH OB-GYNS PERIOD, NOT BEING OFFERED ENOUGH IN PAY TO LIVE IN A RURAL AREA?

>> THERE ARE MANY FACTORS THAT ARE INVOLVED IN THE SHORTAGE OF OB-GYNS.

IT IS CHALLENGING IN THAT MATERNITY CARE IS UNDERVALUED COMPARED TO OTHER HEALTH SERVICES AND IT CAN IMPACT DECISIONS FOR PEOPLE GOING INTO OB-GYN AND HOSPITALS CONTINUING OB-GYN SERVICES BECAUSE IT DOES REQUIRE A COMPLEX TEAM OF SYSTEM OF FOLKS TO INSURE WE'RE PROVIDING SAFE ACCESS TO CARE.

I WOULD SAY, YOU KNOW, CERTAINLY THERE ARE INCENTIVES FOR FOLKS TO TRY TO GET PEOPLE TO THESE RURAL AREAS AND I THINK THE INSTITUTIONS IN WISCONSIN ARE -- HAVE AN EYE TO THAT.

SPECIFICALLY THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN HAS A RURAL TRACK FOR THEIR OB-GYN RESIDENTS, ONE OF THOSE UNIQUE THINGS IN THE COUNTRY.

SO -- BUT I THINK WE'RE FEELING IN GENERAL HEALTHCARE SHORTAGE WITH RESPECT TO A LOT OF THE THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING MORE RECENTLY WITH THE COVID PANDEMIC, WITH RECENT LEGISLATIVE INTERFERENCE INTO OB-GYN PRACTICE THAT ARE FURTHER EXACERBATING SOME OF THE CHALLENGES THAT LIKELY MAYO HAS BEEN SEEING FOR A WHILE.

>> YOU TALKED ABOUT LEGISLATIVE INTERFERENCE.

WHAT ABOUT THE SUPREME COURT DECISION TO OVERTURN ROE V. WADE.

HOW HAS THAT AFFECTED YOUR INDUSTRY?

>> YEAH.

I WOULD SAY IN GENERAL I THINK THIS IS UNIQUE IN TERMS OF RIGHT NOW IN WISCONSIN THERE IS SOME DEBATE OVER WHICH LAW CAN BE ENFORCED OR WHICH LAW IS THE LAW OF THE LAND WITH RESPECT TO ABORTION CARE.

BUT BECAUSE OF AN 1849 LAW THAT WOULD BAN ABORTION CARE, THAT WOULD MAKE PEOPLE WHO ARE PRACTICING OB-GYN CARE, IF THEY NEEDED TO PROVIDE ABORTION SERVICES, A FELON AND SO YOU CAN KIND OF SEE THAT IF A SPECIALTY HAS -- IS FACED WITH A LAW THAT COULD POTENTIALLY MAKE THEM A FELON, HOW THAT WOULD BE SCARY FOR SOMEONE WHO MAYBE WANTS TO COME TO WISCONSIN TO PRACTICE OB-GYN OR PROVIDES ABORTION AS PART OF THEIR PRACTICE MIGHT NOT BE INTERESTED IN COMING HERE, AS WELL AS RECRUITING STUDENTS AND RESIDENTS TO JOIN OUR FIELD.

I DON'T KNOW OF OTHER SPECIALTIES THAT ARE FACED WITH SUCH CRIMINAL PENALTIES, SO OBVIOUSLY AS THIS SITUATION IN OUR STATE AND IN OTHERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY SINCE THAT DECISION WAS MADE.

>> THERE HAVE BEEN SOME STORIES NATIONALLY EVEN FROM WISCONSIN, HORROR STORIES OF WOMEN WHO NEEDED TO DECLINE IN HEALTH MORE TO MEET THE EXCEPTION FOR THE LIFE OF THE MOTHER.

WHAT KIND OF SITUATIONS ARE YOU SEEING IN TERMS OF WHAT QUALIFIES FOR A WOMAN'S HEALTH AND HOW MUCH LEGISLATIVE CLARITY DO WE NEED ON THIS ISSUE?

>> YEAH.

THE HEALTH OF THE MOTHER EXCEPTION IS VERY, VERY BROAD.

I GUESS I SHOULD SAY IT'S NOT THE HEALTH OF THE MOTHER BUT THE LIFE OF THE MOTHER EXCEPTION IS VERY BROAD.

WE DON'T REALLY KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS FROM A CRIMINAL STANDPOINT BECAUSE THESE CASES HAVE NOT BEEN, YOU KNOW, THIS LAW HAS NOT BEEN ENFORCED IN A VERY LONG TIME.

SO, YOU KNOW, IN GENERAL PHYSICIAN GROUPS ARE COMING TOGETHER TO TRY TO COME TOGETHER AND BUILD A CONSENSUS WHAT THEY THINK THAT MEANS.

THAT CAN BE DIFFICULT BECAUSE DIFFERENT PHYSICIANS MAY BE COMFORTABLE WITH A DIFFERENT LEVEL OF RISK AND THAT THEN LEADS TO DIFFERENCES IN TERMS OF PATIENT CARE.

SO CERTAINLY THINGS LIKE HEMORRHAGE, BLEEDING EXCESSIVELY WOULD BE ONE OF THOSE THINGS.

PROBLEMS WITH SIGNIFICANTLY HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE.

ALL KINDS OF THINGS THAT COULD WARRANT THOSE SERVICES.

DOCTORS AND THE PUBLIC AND LAWYERS, LAWYERS FOR HOSPITAL SYSTEMS ARE ASKING HOW SICK IS SICK ENOUGH?

AND FACING THOSE SORTS OF LEGAL CHALLENGES, THE IDEA THAT ONE COULD BE A FELON WHO IS JUST TRYING TO DO THEIR JOB, AND TAKE CARE -- THE BEST CARE THEY CAN OF THE PATIENT IN FRONT OF THEM.

THAT CAN BE SCARY FOR FOLKS EITHER ENTERING THE FIELD OR ENTERING WISCONSIN.

>> DR. AMY DOMEYER.

THANKS FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> AS WE SHIFT FROM SUMMER TO FALL AND PEOPLE SPEND MORE TIME INDOORS, HEALTH OFFICIALS ARE URGING WISCONSINITES TO GET AN OMICRON SPECIFIC BOOSTER.

THE VACCINE IS COMING TO THE STATE THROUGH FEDERAL ALLOCATIONS AND PRIVATE PHARMACIES AND SAID TO BETTER PROTECT AGAINST THE NEWEST STRAINS OF THE VIRUS.

MODERNA BOOSTER IS APPROVED FOR 1 AND OLDER.

PFIZER FOR 12 AND OLDER.

>> IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS SINCE SCHOOL HAS STARTED WE'VE SEEN A JUMP OF ABOUT 14% IN THE CASES OF CHILDREN WITH COVID-19.

SO ABOUT 90,000 CASES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

RECOGNIZE THIS MIGHT BE ACTUALLY UNDERREPORTED SINCE A LOT OF CHILDREN ARE RECEIVING HOME TESTS AND THEY AREN'T ALWAYS REPORTED.

I THINK IT'S AN IMPORTANT DATA POINT BECAUSE IT REMINDS US THAT COVID-19 IS STILL VERY MUCH PRESENT IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

AND AS WE GO INTO THE WINTER SEASON, WE LEARN ABOUT OTHER VIRAL ENTITIES THAT THE END TO HAVE A HIGHER INSTANCE DURING THE WINTER, PARTICULARLY INFLUENZA.

SO THE ABILITY TO RECEIVE THE BOOSTER SPECIFICALLY TARGETED TOWARDS THE OMICRON VARIANT BA5 REALLY HELPS US TO KEEP OUR CHILDREN SAFE.

>> FOR MORE ON THIS AND OTHER ISSUES FACING WISCONSIN VISIT OUR WEBSITE wpt.org AND CLICK ON THE NEWS TAB.

NEXT WEEK WE'LL HAVE A REPORT ON TURNOUT IN SOUTHEAST WISCONSIN AND HOW IT COULD DETERMINE THE OUTCOME OF THE ELECTION.

WE HAVE MORE ON THE RACES FOR U.S. SENATE, GOVERNOR AND ATTORNEY GENERAL.

THAT'S OUR PROGRAM TONIGHT.

I'M ZAC SCHULTZ.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

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