Beats Me: What Questions Do You Have For WUWM's Beat Reporters?

Race and ethnicity. Environment. Education. These are the huge topics WUWM's beat reporters tackle every day. These issues are so big, it can be hard to decide what to dig into and where to begin.

So, we want to hear from you — our community.

Beats Me answers your questions about how education, the environment and race impacts life in southeastern Wisconsin.

Put your thinking cap on and submit your questions.

Race & Ethnicity

Race and ethnicity impacts so much. In a place as diverse as metro-Milwaukee, news fails to capture thousands of stories, including the unexpected or positive ones.

You can help WUWM’s Race & Ethnicity Reporter Teran Powell discover and tell those stories by sharing your question below.

» Find Teran's Race & Ethnicity Reporting

Education

Education news is often mired in discussions about big issues — policies, budgets, political fights. WUWM’s Education Reporter Emily Files also wants to tell student’s stories and hear from parents, teachers and others helping kids succeed.

What are you curious about when it comes to education in the Milwaukee area? What do you think is missing from the education conversation in this region?

Help Emily by submitting your question below.

» Find Emily's Education Reporting

Environment

Many of us are environmentally aware — many recycle, some conserve water, you might ride a bike to work. But we do face profound environmental challenges.

Help WUWM’s Environmental Reporter Susan Bence dig deeper into the issues you are most concerned about.

» Find Susan's Environmental Stories

Race / Ethnicity

'Sanctuary City' Doesn't Have A Legal Meaning, But It's Valuable To Some People In Wisconsin

Teran Powell

Hundreds of communities across the United States have designated themselves a "sanctuary" for immigrant families. Some have created policies vowing they…
Education

As Free College Tuition 'Promise' Programs Grow, What About Wisconsin?

Emily Files

Several states have taken steps to make college more affordable by creating free-tuition "promise" programs. Each one is different, but in general, they…
Environment

Are Plastic Bags Really Recycled?

Susan Bence

Plastic is difficult to escape. Many products are wrapped, sealed and mailed in some sort of plastic material.And it can be difficult to know what to do…
Health & Science

5G Wireless Technology May Be Coming To Wisconsin, Amid Praise, Concerns

Chuck Quirmbach

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers has signed a bill that could speed the introduction of faster wireless service known as 5G to the state. The industry promises…
Environment

Making Room For More Waste: Wisconsin’s Largest Landfill Wants To Expand

Susan Bence

Updated on July 9, 2019 It looks like Wisconsin's largest landfill is putting off retirement. The owners of Orchard Ridge are asking the Department of…
Race / Ethnicity

Black Men Aren't Pursuing Careers As Physicians: 'They Don't See Themselves As Doctors'

Teran Powell

The late Dr. Allen L. Herron set the pace for black physicians in Milwaukee, especially black men. He’s believed to be the first African American male…
Education

Balancing School Budgets Via Referendum Has Become Routine. What Happens When Voters Say No?

Emily Files

Chances are good your local school district has gone directly to voters asking for more money to stay afloat. Tight state funding and restrictions on…
Environment

People Love Their Milwaukee County Parks, But Some Worry About Pesticides Being In Them

Susan Bence

Updated on June 11 at 2:12 p.m. CTMilwaukee County is home to more than 15,000 acres of parkland. Keeping those spaces green and healthy is daunting,…
Health & Science

In Return For Some DNA, Program Promises Medicine Eventually 'Tailored To You'

Chuck Quirmbach

A federal program scheduled to spend $60 million in Wisconsin continues to try to get people to share their health and lifestyle information, plus their…
Race / Ethnicity

Using Coded Language Can 'Create A Sense Of Us And Them'

Teran Powell

We're looking at the impact of using "loaded" words, such as labels that describe certain areas of Milwaukee, in our latest Beats Me. For example, "inner…
Education

How Did Milwaukee End Up With So Many Public Montessori Schools?

Emily Files

In many places across the United States, families looking for Montessori education turn to private schools. But Milwaukee is different. There are eight…
Environment

Scientists Are Observing Changes In Birds Migrating In Wisconsin

Susan Bence

It's bird migration season in Wisconsin, and scientists are noticing unsettling changes.Ornithologist Bill Mueller is among them. As the director of the…