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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Milwaukee's new curfew for downtown food trucks is angering business owners, who say the curfew won't curb gun violence and instead punishes small businesses. -
A recent report from the Wisconsin Policy Forum finds that school referendums and the ability to pass them is creating disparities in school district funding. -
LaKeshia Myers wrote an op-ed piece in the "Milwaukee Courier" about teen takeovers at Bayshore Mall and how young people need more third spaces. -
High winds ripped through Milwaukee County Monday afternoon, including high wind gusts at Milwaukee airport, downing trees and wires. Damage to Port Milwaukee reported -
At a town hall Tuesday, Milwaukee Public Schools parents and teachers spoke out against budget cuts that will cost 260 people their current jobs. -
Why did the Universities of Wisconsin fire President Jay Rothman? A State Assembly member and university union leader have some ideas. -
I-43 highway closed in part of Milwaukee, affect traffic from American Family Field as Brewers game ends, Marquette University campus roads flooded. -
We’ve had a rainy week in Milwaukee, and there’s a chance of more wet weather in coming days. All the water can overwhelm the sanitary sewer system, which can cause overflows or basement backups. -
Election results for Wisconsin school district referendums in Whitefish Bay, Lake Country and Glendale-River Hills. What happens next? -
Universities of Wisconsin roll out video series on artificial intelligence and how to use it in 2026. How to get better AI responses and when to use AI are main themes.
