Katherine Kokal
Education ReporterKatherine joined WUWM in 2025 as an education reporter covering both K-12 schools and higher education.
A native of Waukesha, Katherine grew up camping around Wisconsin in the summers and cross-country skiing and sledding in the winters. She attended the University of Missouri School of Journalism and interned for Lake Effect in 2017.
Katherine covered local government, transportation and environmental issues at The Island Packet newspaper in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina before moving to South Florida to cover education for The Palm Beach Post. She is the recipient of the 2023 Lucy Morgan Award for In-Depth Reporting from the Florida Press Club for her investigation into data privacy for student athletes required to submit medical information to the state in order to play high school sports.
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Dr. Brenda Cassellius started her first full school year as superintendent of Milwaukee Public Schools this week. Here's what she thinks the year will bring and what will improve. -
Wisconsin's first name, image and likeness deal (NIL) went to a female lacrosse player at the University School of Milwaukee. Here's what she'll be selling. -
Milwaukee Public Schools spent the summer cleaning lead paint, asbestos and now, dealing with a chemical spill. That didn't dampen the mood outside Browning Elementary Tuesday morning. -
All four of Milwaukee's higher education institutions have gotten new leaders in the last year or are about to change leaders in 2026. What does that mean for students, staff and the future of higher education? -
MATC fired four employees of its multicultural center citing the Department of Education's threat to pull funding from colleges that use race-conscious hiring for positions. -
As students head back to school Sept. 2, parents should check in with their kids on social media use, location tracking and screen time limits, says author of the book "Growing Up in Public." -
Milwaukee Brewers and George Webb fans' dreams came true earlier this month when the Brew Crew hit 12 straight wins and triggered free burgers from the diner chain. -
Milwaukee and the surrounding areas was devastated by massive rainstorms last weekend that flooded basements and washed out roads. Here is how to help those impacted. -
Milwaukee County students fall below the ideal threshold for MMR vaccinations. Here's what that means for our community. -
University of Wisconsin professors need to teach four classes a semester. What does that mean for students, who may be facing tuition hikes?
