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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University of Wisconsin professors need to teach four classes a semester. What does that mean for students, who may be facing tuition hikes? -
We know the winners. But what did the fans at the 2025 Lumberjack World Championships wear to watch the competition and meet other timber sports enthusiasts? -
A second state-ordered audit of Milwaukee Public Schools focuses on how the district teaches its students. It found glaring issues with literacy and teacher training. -
Democratic Gov. Tony Evers proposed $3.3 billion for the state’s public schools. But Republicans who control the budget committee want to spend much less: just $336 million. -
UW-Milwaukee Chancellor Mark Mone has lead the university since 2014. As he returns to teaching, he shared how he thinks students are different in a post-COVID, post-AI world. -
Sheepshead is a card game played throughout Wisconsin. But where did it come from? And what's up with all the different rules? Answers ahead in this episode of "Bubbler Talk." -
Visa revocations and news of ICE raids have sparked anxiety in international students looking at college in the midwest. What do federal crackdowns mean for midwestern colleges? -
Milwaukee Public Schools leader Dr. Brenda Cassellius released her proposed budget, which includes money for lead paint cleanup and changes to how principals can use budgets.
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Head Start provides early childhood care for students living at or below the poverty line. Such services make it possible for their parents to work. -
Two phases of restructuring are angering teachers' union members and concerning parents. While many agree MPS needs radical change, there's not agreement on how to get there.
