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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MPS cancelled school on Wednesday, Sept. 2 — the second day of the school year. Most buildings do not have central air conditioning. -
Milwaukee's first day of school is September 1, 2026. What to know about MPS teacher openings and new renovation projects on the north side. -
How do teachers in Milwaukee recover from 2025 floods that destroyed their classrooms? Inside one class at Riverside High School and how the students and teachers moved on. -
How will the gubernatorial election in Wisconsin between Tom Tiffany and David Crowley impact school funding, voucher program and the legacy of education in Wisconsin politics? -
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.
