Wisconsin Life

Corey Jaskolski grew up in and around Milwaukee and loved visiting the Milwaukee Public Museum as a child. The exhibits inspired him to dive into a carreer centered on technology and exploration. Now, he’s been named “National Geographic’s” 2020 Explorer of the Year.

Charles Sheppard of Milwaukee found his calling in helping fellow veterans. Tragically, he died from COVID-19 in June. He’s one of the 4000+ Wisconsinites who have died from the virus. This week, as we approach the end of the year, WPR News and “Wisconsin Life” are profiling some of the people we lost. Megan Hart tells more about Sheppard.

The COVID pandemic has claimed the lives of more than 4,000 people in Wisconsin. This week, as we approach the end of the year, WPR News and “Wisconsin Life” are profiling some of the people we lost. Today, Bram Sable-Smith tells us about Duane Bark who died in October. He was a Markesan educator and football aficionado, who was helping his community navigate the pandemic when he contracted the virus.

Early in the pandemic, six nuns contracted COVID-19 at a Greenfield convent and died. These women spent their lives as educators and caretakers, artists and musicians. As 2020 comes to a close, WPR News and “Wisconsin Life” are teaming up to remember some of the 4000+ people who lost their lives during the pandemic. “Wisconsin Life’s” Maureen McCollum brings us the story of the sisters.

The COVID-19 pandemic has claimed the lives of more than 4,000 people in Wisconsin. This week, as we approach the end of the year, WPR News and “Wisconsin Life” are profiling some of the people we lost. Today Bridgit Bowden tells us about beloved mother and grandmother Rosemary Kraemer of Milwaukee, who died in October.

Edward Anderson was a dairy farmer, a father, and a veteran of World War II. He died in November from COVID-19. He was 97 years old. This week, as we approach the end of 2020, WPR News and “Wisconsin Life” are teaming up to profile some of the people we lost to the pandemic. Rob Mentzer has this remembrance.

Cheryl Pawelski says she was born “hardwired” to love music because of her family growing up in Milwaukee. She found an even deeper connection by collecting records, purchasing her first 45s on a trip to Gimbels Department Store. Pawelski is now a Grammy Award-winning producer and one of the founders of Omnivore Recordings, which focuses on reissues and historical recordings. Andy Turner recently talked with the industry veteran about her musical journey.

The pandemic presents unique challenges and changes for band ensembles. University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee musicians are adjusting to safety precautions so they can rehearse together in person. Jessica Gatzow has the story.

The connection between a grandmother and her granddaughter — and mother and daughter — is special, especially when it’s bound by braids. Writer Araceli Esparza tells us more about it in the story, “Braided Life.”

WHYsconsin received a question from a listener, Antoinette, who asked: “Why doesn’t Wisconsin have a song? There isn’t a single song that I hear and think, ‘Good ole Wisconsin.'”

This question left our heads spinning. Is there a song that represents or unifies our state’s diverse music fans? Is it ‘On, Wisconsin!’? Bon Iver? Liberace? We got music journalists and historians to weigh in.