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What's Happening: RI Small business shopping village
WPRI 12 News on WPRI.com is Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts' local news, weather, sports, politics, and investigative journalism source.
What’s Happening: RI Small business shopping village
This summer, local entrepreneurs and small businesses will have their work on display at Providence Place.
Sheriff’s office releases body-cam video after viral arrest at Augusta business
The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office has issued a statement after a video has been circulating social media of a woman’s arrest.
Milwaukee County judge weighs in on rising mental health felony cases
Investigative reporting found that mental competency evaluations in felony cases have roughly doubled since 2013, straining resources for the state criminal justice system.
Kenosha schools consider cutting sports, 40 teaching positions to address $17M deficit
The Kenosha Unified School District is weighing several options to reduce its expected $17 million budget deficit if a planned November referendum fails.
Spotlight New England: Remy Creations is a business in bloom
Hosts Ashley Erling and Audrey McClelland discuss Remy Creations on this edition of Spotlight New England.
Work visa issues leave Door County businesses short staffed for summer season
Businesses say they are facing staffing challenges because many of the foreign workers they rely on through the summer tourism season haven’t arrived.
Potawatomi Ventures launches business program for Native entrepreneurs
Bwadwét Innovation Community is offering a new entrepreneurial training program for members of the Forest County Potawatomi, with classes ranging from marketing to legal readiness to financing.
Kraft Group sues Foxboro over excess entertainment license fee
The Kraft Group filed a lawsuit Monday accusing the town of Foxboro of abusing its licensing powers for Gillette Stadium events.
‘What am I going to do?’: Some Brown Health patients face loss of UnitedHealthcare coverage
The announcement follows a similar breakdown in contract negotiations over Brown University Health hospitals last year, which led to those hospitals going out of network with certain UnitedHealthca…
445 birds euthanized after bird flu found at Providence business
Cases of the H5N1 strain of avian influenza were confirmed in some birds at Antonelli Poultry in Providence, according to the Rhode Island departments of Health and Environment Management.
Hundreds of nurses vote to unionize at SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital in Madison
Hundreds of nurses at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison voted to form a union in what the Service Employees International Union is calling "the largest private sector union election in recent Wisconsin history.”
Wisconsin saw small business surge after pandemic, but many have struggled to grow
Wisconsin saw a surge of new small businesses coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic, but many have struggled to grow into larger companies.
After political standoff, Wisconsin closed fish hatcheries. Anglers say it's a huge mistake.
A battle over funding for the state's fish and wildlife account and a lack spending authority forced the closure of Brule and Osceola fish hatcheries and deep cuts to fish stocking statewide.
WHO urges targeted action to strengthen emergency workforce capacities for shared health risks across the Asia-Pacific region
At a time when the world is more interconnected than ever, the World Health Organization (WHO) is disseminating a comprehensive regional analysis of shared health risks across Asia and the Pacific, urging Member States to invest in enhancing workforce capacities regionwide to mitigate these risks and ensure health systems are better prepared to anticipate, tackle and withstand a range of crises and shocks. Over 100 delegates from 49 countries and areas in the Asia-Pacific region reviewed results from the regional risk analysis during the WHO-led Asia Pacific Health Security Action Framework (APHSAF) Stakeholders Meeting in Malaysia. Synthesizing insights from 21 strategic risk assessments and more than 800 multisectoral experts, the regional analysis highlighted an urgent imperative: countries must proactively invest in emergency workforce preparedness to navigate a landscape where climate hazards, disease outbreaks and geophysical events increasingly overlap. These complex converging crises create devastating, compounding impacts on health systems and communities – reiterating the need for investing in a fit-for-purpose regional health workforce and multisectoral action.Key findings: an evolving risk landscape More than half of the participating countries ranked flooding, cyclones, dengue and pandemic-potential respiratory pathogens as being of high or very high risk, while antimicrobial resistance, landslides and gastroenteritis remain widespread concerns as well. “Given that 51% – over half – of these assessed hazards are deeply interconnected, isolated health interventions are no longer sufficient,” said Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific. “Extreme weather events like cyclones and floods directly trigger subsequent disease outbreaks, while environmental degradation – driven by sea-level rise, coastal erosion and saltwater intrusion – fuels health risks across the Pacific. Mitigating these cascading risks requires unified, cross-sectoral action linking environmental, agricultural and public health policies to build true regional resilience.” Priority recommendations for action To address critical vulnerabilities, WHO calls on Member States in the Asia-Pacific region to urgently prioritize the following strategic actions: Bridge workforce capacity gaps. Embed and standardize emergency preparedness within academia to promote regional workforce interoperability. Foster multisectoral coordination. Address ad-hoc taskforce responses and fragmented surge support through formalized contingency plans and standard operating procedures that are frequently updated and tested. Secure sustainable financing for emergencies. Overcome systemic barriers to access dedicated funding for both immediate anticipatory actions and long-term emergency preparedness initiatives. Enable emergency-ready primary health care. Embed emergency management into public health workforce readiness planning. Ensure that emergency planning is inclusive. Establish clear pathways for inclusive emergency planning that actively involves communities most at risk and other vulnerable groups. Optimize communication. Update risk communication and community engagement strategies, aligning them with seasonal risk calendars. Elevating workforce readiness to meet regional health risks While the gaps identified are significant, the Asia-Pacific region possesses solid foundational pillars, including dedicated clinicians, laboratory staff, rapid response teams, emergency medical teams and extensive community networks. However, to adequately address the compounding nature of modern crises, the various components of the emergency workforce must collaborate cohesively. True resilience depends entirely on transforming this currently fragmented workforce into a highly trained, interconnected and rapidly deployable asset. To achieve this, WHO is actively advancing regional workforce capacities through the Global Health Emergency Corps initiative. This initiative – supported by the Gates Foundation and the Institute of Philanthropy – seeks to build a seamless network of emergency workforce across borders and sectors, ensuring that when a crisis strikes, a standardized, well-coordinated and trained workforce is immediately ready to respond. “Scaling up emergency workforce readiness is no longer optional,” said Dr Gina Samaan, Regional Emergency Director for WHO in the Western Pacific. “It is the definitive factor that will determine how effectively the Asia-Pacific region safeguards health and protects lives in an increasingly unpredictable future.” ____________________For more information, or to arrange media interviews, contact: Ara Johannes, WHO Western Pacific Health Emergencies Division: johannesa@who.int WHO Western Pacific Communications: wprocom@who.int
Data: Deadly overdose deaths drop for 3rd consecutive year in RI
Deadly drug overdoses statewide have dropped 50% since 2022, according to new data released by the Rhode Island Department of Health.
UHC Medicare Advantage patients set to lose in-network access to Brown Health physicians
Rhode Islanders insured under UnitedHealthcare’s Medicare Advantage plans may once again have to find new doctors amid contract negotiations between the insurer and Brown University Health.
Future-proofing the Asia-Pacific region: risk mapping exercise yields insights on preparing for future health crises
In this age of seeming permacrisis, how might countries across Asia and the Pacific collectively anticipate, prepare for and respond to public health emergencies – including possible pandemics – that lie ahead? Key answers could be found from the outcomes of a regional mapping exercise launched by the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for the Western Pacific during the WHO-led Asia Pacific Health Security Action Framework (APHSAF) Stakeholders Meeting held on 11 June 2026 in Malaysia. For the exercise, WHO mobilized an extensive network of contributors, synthesizing 228 distinct inputs from 11 Member States - including Australia, Japan, the Philippines and Viet Nam from the Western Pacific Region - alongside leading academic institutions and regional partner organizations, as well as WHO regional and country offices. The exercise identified a diverse range of opportunities to boost regional operational readiness, transitioning the focus on health security investment in individual countries to a unified, interoperable health security collective for the entire Asia-Pacific region.
WHO urges targeted action to strengthen emergency workforce capacities for shared health risks across the Asia-Pacific region
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 11 June 2026 – At a time when the world is more interconnected than ever, the World Health Organization (WHO) is disseminating a comprehensive regional analysis of shared health risks across Asia and the Pacific, urging Member States to invest in enhancing workforce capacities regionwide to mitigate these risks and ensure health systems are better prepared to anticipate, tackle and withstand a range of crises and shocks. Over 100 delegates from 49 countries and areas in the Asia-Pacific region reviewed results from the regional risk analysis during the WHO-led Asia Pacific Health Security Action Framework (APSHAF) Stakeholders Meeting in Malaysia. Synthesizing insights from 21 strategic risk assessments and more than 800 multisectoral experts, the regional analysis highlighted an urgent imperative: countries must proactively invest in emergency workforce preparedness to navigate a landscape where climate hazards, disease outbreaks and geophysical events increasingly overlap. These complex converging crises create devastating, compounding impacts on health systems and communities - reiterating the need for investing in a fit-for-purpose regional health workforce and multisectoral action. Key findings: an evolving risk landscape More than half of the participating countries ranked flooding, cyclones, dengue and pandemic-potential respiratory pathogens as being of high or very high risk, while antimicrobial resistance, landslides and gastroenteritis remain widespread concerns as well. “Given that 51% - over half - of these assessed hazards are deeply interconnected, isolated health interventions are no longer sufficient,” said Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific. “Extreme weather events like cyclones and floods directly trigger subsequent disease outbreaks, while environmental degradation - driven by sea-level rise, coastal erosion and saltwater intrusion - fuels health risks across the Pacific. Mitigating these cascading risks requires unified, cross-sectoral action linking environmental, agricultural and public health policies to build true regional resilience.” Priority recommendations for action To address critical vulnerabilities, WHO calls on Member States in the Asia-Pacific region to urgently prioritize the following strategic actions: Bridge workforce capacity gaps. Embed and standardize emergency preparedness within academia to promote regional workforce interoperability. Foster multisectoral coordination. Address ad-hoc taskforce responses and fragmented surge support through formalized contingency plans and standard operating procedures that are frequently updated and tested. Secure sustainable financing for emergencies. Overcome systemic barriers to access dedicated funding for both immediate anticipatory actions and long-term emergency preparedness initiatives. Enable emergency-ready primary health care. Embed emergency management into public health workforce readiness planning. Ensure that emergency planning is inclusive. Establish clear pathways for inclusive emergency planning that actively involves communities most at risk and other vulnerable groups. Optimize communication. Update risk communication and community engagement strategies, aligning them with seasonal risk calendars. Elevating workforce readiness to meet regional health risks While the gaps identified are significant, the Asia-Pacific region possesses solid foundational pillars, including dedicated clinicians, laboratory staff, rapid response teams, emergency medical teams and extensive community networks. However, to adequately address the compounding nature of modern crises, the various components of the emergency workforce must collaborate cohesively. True resilience depends entirely on transforming this currently fragmented workforce into a highly trained, interconnected and rapidly deployable asset. To achieve this, WHO is actively advancing regional workforce capacities through the Global Health Emergency Corps initiative. This initiative - supported by the Gates Foundation and Institute of Philanthropy - seeks to build a seamless network of emergency workforce across borders and sectors, ensuring that when a crisis strikes, a standardized, well-coordinated and trained workforce is immediately ready to respond. “Scaling up emergency workforce readiness is no longer optional,” said Dr Gina Samaan, Regional Emergency Director for WHO in the Western Pacific. “It is the definitive factor that will determine how effectively the Asia-Pacific region safeguards health and protects lives in an increasingly unpredictable future.” For more information, or to arrange media interviews, contact: Ara Johannes, WHO Western Pacific Health Emergencies Division: johannesa@who.int WHO Western Pacific Communications: wprocom@who.int
Visit Warwick Mall for your shopping, dining, and entertainment fun!
WPRI 12 News on WPRI.com is Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts' local news, weather, sports, politics, and investigative journalism source.
Visit Warwick Mall for your shopping, dining, and entertainment fun!
Whether you are looking for terrific shopping options, a place to eat, or just a fun place to relax, Warwick Mall is just the spot for you and they have some new additions that are ready to welcome…
Lions DC Kelvin Sheppard adding principles from NFL’s top defenses
Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard admitted he watched the top-5 NFL defenses and took inspiration from it.
Police seek suspect in reported assault at Attleboro business
Police said an individual created a disturbance and assaulted an employee at a business on Frank Mossberg Drive on Monday
With new grant, Portage schools hopes to put mental health experts right beside classrooms
A new grant will help the Portage Community School District create an in-house clinic offering mental health support to students at school.
12 Sports Extra: Football OTAs Preview
WPRI 12 News on WPRI.com is Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts' local news, weather, sports, politics, and investigative journalism source.
Report: 1 in 10 Wisconsinites skipped needed health care due to cost
The report, which is conducted by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services every five years, looks at how factors like income, housing and the environment affect health outcomes in the state.
Ad spending starts in crowded Wisconsin Democratic primary for governor
Outside groups are spending money in the Democratic primary for governor, as candidates struggle to stand out in a crowded field.
Mass. pols issue report on possible effects of Haiti TPS termination on local health care
The lawmakers' investigation found that terminating TPS would "exacerbate" shortages in the health care workforce, limit high-quality care, and "endanger patients," the report says.
Children's Wisconsin, UW Health under pressure to resume care for transgender youth
More than 60 advocacy organizations and businesses in Wisconsin are calling on the state's top children's hospitals to resume providing gender-affirming care for transgender youth.
Hundreds of nurses at SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital in Madison working to unionize
Hundreds of nurses at SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital in Madison are working to unionize.
The sugar intake – oral diseases nexus: Leveraging food environments for better population nutrition and health
Across the World Health Organization (WHO) Western Pacific Region, our diets are changing rapidly. Globalization has made processed foods, which often do not align with healthy diets, easier to find, more affordable, and more heavily marketed than ever before. Unfortunately, many of these products are often high in saturated fat, trans-fatty acids, salts and free sugars, contributing to the burden of all forms of malnutrition, including diet-related noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). The impact of these dietary changes is staggering. Sugars, in particular, are empty calories and are often hidden in processed foods and beverages. Over the last 20 years, the health burden linked to sugary drinks has nearly tripled, reaching 52.3 disability-adjusted life years per 100 000 in 2023. Excessive sugar is a leading cause of obesity, diabetes, and—most notably—oral diseases. Today, oral diseases affect over 960 million individuals in the Western Pacific Region. Tooth decay is the most common issue, especially for childre
‘The Middle’ highlights Wisconsin veterans’ experiences, need for mental health support
The nationally syndicated radio show hosted by Jeremy Hobson will be in Kenosha for a live taping on May 12. Two Wisconsin veterans will share their stories of PTSD and how to support veterans as they return to civilian life.
Wisconsin lab tapped to research psychedelic drug as mental health treatment
A Wisconsin-based medical research lab is one of just three organizations nationwide the federal government has tapped to move forward on research into psychedelic medications.
Wisconsin agencies release collaborative plan to improve mental health access
The Governor's Interagency Council on Mental Health released a new statewide action plan Tuesday, identifying both current efforts to improve state programs as well as future goals around increasing access to support.
Rising cost of gas forces local businesses to raise prices
From pizza shops to lawn care companies, local business owners are trying to keep their prices fair while dealing with something that’s out of their control: the price of gas.
These platforms allow users to speculate on sports. So why aren't they illegal in Wisconsin?
Last week, Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul filed a lawsuit against 5 different prediction market platforms alleging that they facilitate illegal sports betting in Wisconsin.
Glocester petting zoo ordered to quarantine animals after reported infections
Health officials are investigating three confirmed and three probable cases of cryptosporidiosis reported after visits to Rusty Buckle Farm.
Wisconsin DOJ sues Kalshi, other prediction markets for illegal online sports betting
Wisconsin is suing Kalshi, Robinhood, Coinbase, Polymarket and Crypto.com for allegedly illegally facilitating sports betting on their prediction market platforms, the state’s Department of Justice announced this week.
Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups: 3 relievers to target going into this weekend, plus more streaming options
@Me with Victoria B: Isabella Atkinson from Bally’s talks entertainment, marketing, Real Housewives
Victoria brings in Isabella Atkinson, Regional Marketing Coordinator for Bally’s Corporation, for a behind-the-scenes look at the world of entertainment marketing.
World Cup last-minute ticket sales phase re-opens 50 days from kick-off
With 50 days remaining until the start of the 2026 World Cup, FIFA's last-minute sales phase re-opens on Wednesday with tickets for all 104 matches available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Wisconsin businesses could recoup millions paid in illegal tariffs
Importers that paid tariffs later struck down by the Supreme Court can now apply for refunds.
Exciting experiments with Mad Science of Southern MA & RI
This morning on “The Rhode Show” we welcomed back our friend Jolting Jonathan from Mad Science of Southern Massachusetts and Rhode Island as he shared fun experiments with Brendan Kirby. To learn m…
Report: Health care costs rising faster than wages in Wisconsin
Ananth Seshadri, director and co-author of a report on health care costs, said increasing costs hurts Wisconsin's economic competitiveness because insurance is often tied to employment.
Pens Points: Waiting Game
Pens Points recaps all the news as we sit and wait for the playoffs to begin.
Sen. Ron Johnson weighs in on Iran war, gas prices, Wisconsin state politics
The Republican senator joined WPR’s "Wisconsin Today" as Congress is back in Washington to tackle big issues.
Wisconsin Department of Health Services releases $31M plan to combat opioid epidemic
The state Department of Health Services is planning to funnel over $30 million to programs and supplies to help combat the opioid epidemic across the state over the next two years.
Evers signs bill to allow sports betting in Wisconsin
Gov. Tony Evers signed a measure into law Thursday that will pave the way for people to place bets online in Wisconsin.
2026 Distinguished Lecture Series in Materials Science and Engineering
The Distinguished Lecture Series in Materials Science and Engineering at Penn State will be held in April and will include two Richard E. Tressler Award Lectures in Materials and the David Ford McFarland Award Lecture for Achievement in Metallurgy.
Microsoft Warns of WhatsApp-Delivered VBS Malware Hijacking Windows via UAC Bypass
WhatsApp VBS campaign began February 2026, abusing AWS and UAC bypass to gain persistent remote access.
'Bridal arms' are trending: This simple 3-move Pilates workout sculpts your shoulders, back and biceps
Here's a short routine with only 3 movements to try
Where do the Oklahoma Sooners land in 2026 SP+ rankings?
Where does OU wind up in ESPN's 2026 SP+ list?
Macomb city officials break down proposed sports complex, residents voice concerns
A crowd of about 100 people gathered at Thursday evening's economic development update.
‘A bad day’: Providence police navigate a record level of mental health calls
There has been a 238 percent increase in mental health incident calls to Providence police in the last decade.
Saros Looks Like Returnal, But Feels Unlike Anything Else Housemarque Has Made
A three-hour hands-on shows that the Helsinki-based studio is poised to deliver another memorable PlayStation 5 exclusive.
How crowd-control agents can affect health
Grieving mother Naomi White walked along Kennywood Boulevard on March 15 with dozens of friends and family members who had gathered to call attention...
Forum on harnessing Artificial Intelligence for health equity
Register to this forumOver the past decade, artificial intelligence (AI) has significantly evolved in complexity, performance, and utility. Its integration across a wide range of industrial sectors has accelerated, with healthcare emerging as one of the most transformative sectors. In this sector, AI has enabled high-impact applications – from enhancing the speed and accuracy of disease diagnosis and supporting clinical decision-making, to strengthening public health initiatives such as disease surveillance and workforce optimization. Moreover, AI holds immense potential to empower individuals, enabling them to take greater control of their personal health and well-being. Yet the central question remains: Who benefits, who is at risk, and do these innovations close or widen health inequities? While the potential of AI-enabled applications is substantial, many countries have approached their adoption with caution. This hesitancy stems from concerns about risks and benefits, including model bias, data breaches, privacy violations, and the erosion of professional skills due to over-reliance on AI. Additional barriers include inadequate data infrastructure and a lack of robust evidence on the most effective forms and interfaces of AI to enhance service delivery and system performance. Moreover, the rapid rise of Generative AI has introduced a heightened urgency for the development of comprehensive governance and ethical frameworks. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) Health Practice Team and Digital Sector, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for the Western Pacific, are convening the Forum on Harnessing AI for Health Equity on 25–26 March at ADB Headquarters. Senior health officials from 16 developing member countries (DMCs), alongside leading researchers, innovators, and policymakers from across Asia and the Pacific, will engage in discussions on how AI can be governed, financed, and scaled to deliver healthier lives for all. The forum is funded through the High-Level Technology Fund with support from the Government of Japan. Objectives The two-day forum aims to:Identify high-impact, evidence-based health AI use cases suitable for resource-constrained settings and map out a pipeline for potential supportIntroduce and validate the WHO's policy guidance on minimum necessary ecosystem for countries and institutions to self-assess readiness for AI adoptionObtain initial commitment from participating stakeholders to join a pilot regional initiative focused on data/model sharing for a priority health challengeEndorse a prioritized set of actionable policy recommendations focusing on governance, regulation, and sustainable financing necessary to scale high-impact health AI use cases in resource-constrained settings Target participants The forum will convene participants from 16 ADB DMCs including Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Cook Islands, Fiji, Indonesia, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Mongolia, Nepal, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Uzbekistan, and Viet Nam. In addition, health system leaders and practitioners, private sector technologists, academic experts, representatives from civil society organizations, development partners, and philanthropic institutions engaged in AI for Health from Australia, the People’s Republic of China, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, and the Republic of Korea will also be invited. SessionsDay 1 (25 March)Session 1: AI Use Cases for the Care Continuum: Improving Access and QualitySession 2: Adopting a risk-based approach for AI use case prioritizationSession 3: Establishing the Minimum Ecosystem for Implementation Risk ManagementSession 4: Future-Ready Health Workforce: Building Competency for Human-AI CollaborationDay 2 (26 March)Session 5: The Political Economy of AI in Health: Understanding Stakeholder Interests and their Impact on EquitySession 6: AI and Health Financing: Supporting Fair Coverage and ProtectionSession 7: AI Regulation and Oversight: Pathways for Different RealitiesSession 8: The Way Forward – Building Alliances and Regional Partnership How to registerThe forum will be held in a hybrid format. In-person attendance is by invitation only, while livestreaming of the forum will be available to the public. To register, please complete this form on or before 24 March 2026.Event organizers / partnersAsian Development Bank (ADB)WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific High-Level Technology Fund (HLTF)ContactAkihito WatabeHealth Specialist, SD3-HSDawatabe@adb.org Jae Kyoun KimHealth Specialist, SD3-HSDjkkim@adb.org
Let the games begin: Foxboro signs off on entertainment license for FIFA
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is officially coming to Gillette Stadium this summer after months of uncertainty.
Blatnik Bridge funding uncertainty rattles Twin Ports business plans
With the $1.8 billion replacement project in limbo, regional leaders say delays could raise costs and complicate years of planning for a five-year construction closure.
Providence sports bar temporarily closed after disturbance
A sports bar in Providence is temporarily closed after an incident happened Saturday evening, according to police.
Algae is a 'little vacuum' for microplastics. Midwest scientists think it could clean up the problem
Tiny shards of plastic called microplastics are all over the environment and even inside human bodies. Researchers have found a type of bioengineered algae that can clean up these pesky particles.
Control Resonant Gameplay Preview: Doing The Unexpected With The Familiar
Remedy shows off how its unexpected gameplay pivot presents new opportunities for Control.
Tribes, gambling companies at odds over bill legalizing online sports betting in Wisconsin
If the bill becomes law, Wisconsin tribes interested in offering online sports betting "would need to renegotiate" their gaming compacts with the state. And those compacts would need to be approved by the federal government.
Regional Director’s return to Samoa centres on science and collaboration for health
The WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific, Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala, returned to Samoa in February 2026 for a three-day visit to discuss science, partnership, and how to strengthen health for all in the Pacific.
Wisconsin high school student addresses lack of 'critical' funding support for youth entrepreneurships
Junior high school student, Sophia Knetter, discusses the common misconceptions about starting a youth-run business, noting the advantages of being young.
Fun with Mad Science of Southern Massachusetts & Rhode Island
The power of science has the ability to educate, empower, and entertain which is why this morning we were thrilled to welcome back to “The Rhode Show” our friend Jolting Jonathan from Mad Science o…
Rosalina closing for good after 13 years in business
A popular Italian restaurant in downtown Providence is closing its doors for good this weekend.
Community Focus: How to stay healthy while watching the Big Game
Dr. Carla Martin from the R.I. Department of Health joined 12 News at 4 Friday to talk about healthier food choices for Sunday.
Lawmakers approve $10M for western Wisconsin mental health and treatment facility
Wisconsin lawmakers have released $10 million to help construct a new mental health and substance abuse treatment center in western Wisconsin.
1,000 lbs of chicken wings. Local businesses prepare for Super Bowl rush
Restaurant owners are preparing for the Super Bowl, including one local owner who bought 1,000 pounds of chicken wings.
Milwaukee County HR director fired following lapse in health insurance contract
Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley announced an "employee" who let the county's health insurance contract with UnitedHealthcare lapse last year has been fired.
Jaguars land 'electric' defender in latest 2026 NFL mock draft
The Jacksonville Jaguars added an 'electric' defender in the second round of a recent 2026 NFL mock draft.
Book Review: “Do Aliens Speak Physics?” asks whether science is truly universal or shaped by the limits of human experience
Andy Warner and Daniel Whiteson have created a witty, illustrated inquiry into what the search …
Lapse of health care contract for Milwaukee County employees angers officials
Milwaukee County officials are calling for an "emergency action" after learning that the contract covering healthcare for thousands of county employees has lapsed.
Wisconsin superintendents ask Legislature to put politics aside and provide more funding
Wisconsin’s five largest public school districts are asking the state Legislature for more funding.
GOP proposal would require DPI to expand mental health services to Wisconsin high schoolers
A Republican proposal would require the Department of Public Instruction to expand access to mental health services for some Wisconsin high school students.
New bug-tracking project aims to help monitor health of Wisconsin waterways
A new project seeks to expand access to a vast collection of aquatic insects that can be used to track the health of waterways across Wisconsin.
Head of Oneida Nation's business group replaced over ICE contracts
The former president and CEO of an Oneida Nation group of small businesses has been ousted following fallout over one company’s contracts with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Thrive Behavioral Health could owe state $1.3M after audit finds billing issues
Rhode Island is demanding corrective action after an audit found suspicious and possible duplicative billing.
Children's Wisconsin, UW Health stop providing gender-affirming treatments for minors
Children’s Wisconsin and UW Health have stopped providing gender-affirming care treatments to minors, citing recent federal policy changes.
Bucks' Feigin committed to community, downtown development, business editor recalls
Feigin's tenure included the financing and construction of Fiserv Forum and the team’s 2021 championship. Now, he’ll be replaced by an executive from the team’s ownership group.
Western Pacific Region achieves milestone: 19 countries complete comprehensive health information system assessments
The Health Information and Digital Health (HID) unit in the WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific has successfully supported 19 countries, covering 99% of the Region’s population, to conduct comprehensive health information system (HIS) assessments, surpassing the regional target of 15 set for 2025 and advancing efforts toward universal health coverage. Using SCORE, a technical package of essential interventions, recommended actions, tool and resources developed by WHO and partners to address challenges in meeting HIS needs, these assessments systematically assess health data availability and quality, enabling countries to monitor trends, identify and respond to emerging health challenges, and improve policies and programmes for healthier families, communities and societies. The first round of SCORE assessments were conducted between 2019-2021 in 14 countries in the Region and over 130 countries globally. The second round of SCORE assessments were conducted between 2024-2025.SCORE assessments are a key priority identified by Member States and WHO at all levels, including within WHO-Country/Multi-Country Cooperation Strategies, the Regional Vision Weaving Health for Families, Communities and Societies in the Western Pacific Region (2025–2029), and the WHO Fourteenth General Programme of Work (GPW 14, 2025–2028). Within the Regional Vision, implementing SCORE assessments is a key action for technology and innovation to advance health equity (strand 5).The SCORE for Health Data technical package is based on five key interventions, represented by the acronym SCORE. Interventions S, C and O focus on strengthening core data sources. Survey (S) covers population-based health surveys, surveillance systems and censuses, including their capacity to monitor health-related SDGs. Count (C) focuses on birth, death and cause of death registration as parts of a functional CRVS system. Optimize (O) addresses routine health service data and key health service inputs such as health financing and health workforce.Interventions R and E focus on data use for action. Review (R) examines regular analytical reviews of health sector progress and performance, together with national analytical capacity. Enable (E) looks at the policy, governance, and digital foundations needed to support effective data use.The Western Pacific Region shows relatively strong performance in the Review (R) and Count (C) interventions. Most countries in the Region demonstrate good analytical reporting and institutional capacity for analysis and learning. More than two-thirds of countries show more mature CRVS systems, driven by improvements in birth and death registration. However, medical certification of cause-of-death remains a key gap, with limited or low coverage in over half of countries in the Region.Performance under the Survey (S) intervention is mixed. While surveillance systems are generally strong, several countries in the Region continue to face challenges in implementing their surveys and censuses. Monitoring health-related SDGs is still a challenge for more than a third of countries in the Region.The greatest challenges are observed in the Optimize (O) and Enable (E) interventions. More than half of countries have lower maturity levels in routine health service and resource systems. Two-thirds of countries also face challenges with effective use of data and evidence for policy and action, largely due to gaps in digital infrastructure, governance and legislation for health data systems, and especially in data and sharing.  As part of the SCORE methodology, multi-stakeholder consultations and validation workshops were conducted in many countries to review findings and plan strategies for HIS strengthening. The HID unit continues to provide targeted support to facilitate dialogue and assist countries in developing HIS improvement plans. These plans guide governments and partners to align investments and coordinate efforts for maximum impact.WHO also assists countries with tailored technical support to address key gaps as requested by countries/national health authorities. SCORE assessments should be conducted periodically to monitor progress in HIS strengthening, although progress across addressing gaps identified in SCORE should be continually tracked as countries implement improvements.Additional countries will be supported to implement SCORE in 2026. The Regional Vision delivery-for-impact target, endorsed by Member States, is for all countries and areas to have implemented SCORE assessments and have an increased SCORE index by 2029 while WHO is aiming for 80% of Member States in the Region to conduct round two assessments. Countries yet to complete assessments are therefore encouraged to contact the HID unit at the WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific for tailored support.The implementation of SCORE HIS assessments in the Western Pacific Region was supported by The Gates Family Foundation.
Wisconsin health leaders balk at new US vaccine recommendations for children
Wisconsin health leaders say they are "greatly concerned" about the new vaccine guidelines released Monday by the federal government.
The Shade Room (@theshaderoom)
In this entertaining video, a TikTok creator turns a routine traffic stop into a fun conversation about content creation and building a brand. The officer hands out a warning, but also offers some valuable advice on how to turn a citation into content. Watch and learn how to take a mundane situation and turn it into a viral video.
2026 state politics preview, History of midwest farming, Best bagels in Wisconsin
We look back at the top stories in state politics from last year and preview what’s to come in 2026. We also learn how the Midwest became the world’s agricultural […]
What Larry Meiller learned connecting with Wisconsin radio listeners
The longtime host of WPR’s “The Larry Meiller Show” will retire in June 2026 after almost 60 years on the air.
Mount Horeb small business launches cream liqueur made with Wisconsin dairy
A small business in Mount Horeb recently launched a new cream liqueur that’s already in more than 50 locations across the state.
Lincoln boys basketball cruises past Cumberland Friday, 58-47
Lincoln remained undefeated Friday with a 58-47 victory against Cumberland in their opening game of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Northern Rhode Island Holiday Tournament.
Top stories in Wisconsin politics in 2025, Wisconsin's 1970s bra flag
From a Supreme Court race to deep cuts to federal government, it's been a big year for Wisconsin politics. Today, our politics team looks back at the stories of the year. we'll hear that discussion of the year in politics. And, from Wisconsin Life, a story about a groundbreaking feminist artist in Wisconsin in the 1970s.
Business owners: No ‘hustle and bustle’ in Providence after Brown University shooting
Thayer Street has been unusually quiet for this time of year, with the capital city still reeling from last weekend’s deadly shooting at Brown University.
As ACA cliff approaches, Wisconsin small business owners, employees struggle to find affordable health care
With the loss of key Affordable Care Act tax credits on the horizon, some Wisconsin small business owners and their employees are scrambling to find health care as the final open enrollment deadline approaches.
Underwood on Mirkovic benching: ‘David was in Serbia today’
Not a great day in State Farm Center.
In Wisconsin, health care costs are overwhelming teacher salaries
A new analysis of teacher pay and benefits by WEA Trust suggests the majority of teachers are one health care crisis away from financial ruin.
Amazon Luna's December lineup includes Hollow Knight, Lego 2K Drive and a few Fallout games
As usual, it's a mix of cloud games and redeemable PC codes.
