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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The Trump administration is proposing changes to Head Start, which it calls deregulation of the childcare program. An English-only requirement could hurt immigrant families. -
After an April executive order by the Trump administration, the Department of Education has taken the stance that considering race in school discipline violates the Civil Rights Act. -
One year after devastating flooding in Milwaukee, are schools safer or more prepared for intense storms? -
Can Hunger Task Force's free summer meal program help solve childhood hunger in Milwaukee? Free meals are served at parks, churches and schools. -
Primary voters chose moderate Democrat and Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley to take on Republican U.S. Congressman Tom Tiffany in general election. -
The fire that destroyed Lincoln Avenue School in Milwaukee was caused by cleaning rags that ignited in plastic trash can, according to the fire chief. -
Lincoln Avenue School students are still recovering from hearing their school was destroyed by fire. Now, students will be at Pulaski High School in fall 2026. -
Hunger in Milwaukee kids when school is out and they need summer meals in order to eat. How hunger impacts children's ability to learn and grow. -
Heavy Metal Summer Experience camp in Wisconsin helps introduce high school students to the skilled trades through projects and weeklong camps at local metal shops. -
Lincoln Avenue Elementary School was total loss after a fire in Milwaukee in June 2026. The school didn't have sprinkler systems. Is that normal?
