Submitted by WI Dept. of Military Affairs

MADISON, WI – Although tornadoes, fires, floods, and other emergencies can’t be controlled, taking the time to plan and prepare can reduce their impacts. Gov. Tony Evers declared September as Preparedness Month in Wisconsin to emphasize the need for individuals, families, and communities to prepare for disasters and emergencies.

“Wisconsinites can help themselves by taking a few simple preparedness steps, starting right in their own homes,” said Wisconsin Emergency Management Administrator Greg Engle. “Building a base level of preparedness helps families and communities recover faster and become more resilient in the event of an emergency or disaster.”

Preparedness is something to build up to, not something that will happen overnight. Take time this September to start or continue your or your family’s journey towards resilience.

• Develop your blueprints. Know what disasters and potential risks that could happen where you live, work, or go to school. Make sure you have multiple ways to receive alerts. You can receive alerts in several ways, including a trusted weather app, Wireless Emergency Alerts, local news, or a community alert system such as Nixle or Code Red.
• Set your Foundation. Develop a family emergency plan that includes what to do in the event an emergency or disaster forces you to remain at home for several days or you are forced to leave your home. Make sure the plan is practiced.
• Add the Finishing Touches. Create an emergency supply kit. Gather key items to get through an emergency in one location such as a first aid kit, nonperishable food, water, and flashlights. Remember to think about medical needs and don’t forget to include supplies for your pets. Make sure they are in waterproof and portable containers so you can take them with you in case you need to leave your home.
• Plan a Maintenance Timeline. Review your home and vehicle insurance policies to make sure you have adequate coverage during an emergency or disaster. Make sure you have access to your documents, whether they are in a waterproof container or accessible through the cloud. Update files annually or whenever there is a change.

As fall arrives, it is also important to consider mitigation steps you can take to reduce the risks of potential disasters to your home. Seasonal mitigation may include trimming branches, cleaning your gutters of leaves and debris, or scheduling a roof inspection.

“Preparedness Month is our annual reminder that readiness is not just a one-time precaution but an on-going necessity,” said Engle. “Planning for the unexpected may seem overwhelming initially, but the peace of mind from knowing you’re ready can help you weather the storm.”

Preparedness Month is recognized every September across the country as part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Ready campaign. This year’s theme, “Preparedness Starts at Home,” focuses on steps we can all take at home to be more resilient communities in the event of an emergency.

To view Governor Evers’ proclamation, visit evers.wi.gov/Pages/Newsroom/Proclamations.aspx.

For more tips on emergency preparedness, head to readywisconsin.wi.gov. You can also follow ReadyWisconsin on Facebook, X, and Instagram.

ReadyWisconsin is a public service campaign of Wisconsin Emergency Management, a division of the Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs. In alignment with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s national Ready campaign, ReadyWisconsin aims to educate and empower Wisconsinites to prepare for and respond to both natural and human-made emergencies, while engaging the public and boosting basic preparedness statewide. For more emergency preparedness resources, head to readywisconsin.wi.gov or follow ReadyWisconsin on Facebook, X, and Instagram for tips delivered straight to your feed.

Submitted by Amanda Connelly, St. Croix EDC

RIVER FALLS, WI – Join us for a data-driven look at how shifting demographics are reshaping Wisconsin’s economy, especially in our western counties. This session will highlight trends in St. Croix, Polk, Pierce, Barron, and Dunn Counties, and preview new research comparing how Wisconsin counties stack up economically against those in other states.

Forward Analytics is a Wisconsin-based research organization that provides state and local policymakers with nonpartisan analysis of issues affecting the state. The mission of Forward Analytics is to use the best data available to highlight challenges facing the state, and to assist policymakers in understanding that data so they can make informed policy decisions.

Forward Analytics is led by Dale Knapp, Director of Research & Analytics, who brings more than two decades of research experience in economics and public policy. Prior to helping create Forward Analytics, Mr. Knapp spent 18 years with the nonpartisan Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance, with the last 15 as Research Director. Forward Analytics was created in 2018 and is a division of the Wisconsin Counties Association.

Learn more about Forward Analytics before the event: forward-analytics.net/about.

Sweet Stats and Strong Coffee – Wake up to Market Trends will be held on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at the St. Croix Innovation Center, 1091 Sutherland Avenue, River Falls, WI. Description; 8:00 AM – Coffee, light breakfast, and networking. 8:30 to 9:30 AM Presentation by Dale Knapp, Forward Analytics.

Contact us with any questions: amanda@stcroixedc.com.

To Register go to: business.stcroixedc.com/ap/Events/Register/EqFlQEMUgC6C9.

MADISON, WI – Gov. Tony Evers, together with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT), announced that applications are now being accepted for Wisconsin’s Driver Education Grant Program. The program, funded by the 2025-27 biennial budget signed into law by Gov. Evers, provides funding for income-eligible students to take driver education courses with the goal of becoming safe, licensed drivers. The financial assistance available will cover driver education tuition costs for coursework and behind-the-wheel training for eligible students.

“Combatting reckless driving across our state has been a bipartisan priority over the last few years, and teaching our kids the skills they need to be safe drivers is another important step toward cracking down on unsafe driving. Doing what’s best for our kids is what’s best for our state and ensuring the next generation of drivers can make good and safe decisions behind the wheel is critically important to building safer roads and communities for everyone,” said Gov. Evers. “Expanding opportunities for kids to take driver education and learn to drive safely is a no-brainer, and I’m proud the bipartisan, pro-kid state budget I signed into law last month invested $12 million to help do just that. I look forward to seeing this successful program continue to lower costs for working families, promote driver education, and expand pathways for safe driving on our roads.”

The Driver Education Grant Program provides grants to cover driver education tuition costs for 30 hours of classroom coursework, six hours of observation, and six hours of behind-the-wheel training for eligible students on a first-come, first-served basis. Students who qualify for free or reduced lunch through the National School Lunch Program, have not previously held a driver’s license, and who are between 14.5 and 19 years old may apply for the Driver Education Grant Program online at: https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/dmv/teen-driver/teen-sfty/degrant.aspx.

“This program has already helped thousands of students learn to become safe, licensed drivers,” said WisDOT Secretary Kristina Boardman. “We’re proud to continue delivering these critical grants under the leadership of Gov. Evers to reduce driver training barriers for families and work toward our goal of making Wisconsin’s roads safer.”

Originally created by Gov. Evers in the 2023-25 Biennial Budget, the Driver Education Grant Program has provided $6 million in grants to more than 10,000 students since the program was launched in September 2024. After the program’s launch, it quickly reached capacity in just over a month. The 2025-27 Biennial Budget signed by Gov. Evers earlier this summer continued this important program with an investment of $12 million over the next two years that will be dispersed quarterly.

“We are excited to announce that we were successful in making the annual $6 million allocation permanent,” said Brenda McMurtry, board member of Common Ground of Milwaukee, a diverse coalition of partner organizations working to create positive change, and who championed the creation of this program back in 2023. “Now, each year $6 million in grants will be available to help low-income students across Wisconsin learn safe driving practices and get their licenses.”

Enrolled students will receive confirmation of eligibility, which they can take to a driver training school of their choice. WisDOT developed an interactive map to help students locate a program conveniently near them. These students may take the classroom portion and/or the behind-the-wheel training with an authorized driver training school. WisDOT will reimburse the school for the students’ training.

WisDOT will deliver an initial phase of $1.5 million in grants to the first wave of applicants who apply beginning Aug. 25, 2025. Students unable to enroll this quarter and who did not receive funding may sign up to be notified when applications are accepted in the following quarter.