Wisconsin
Gov. Evers announces Wisconsin reaches highest enrollment ever on HealthCare.gov
MADISON, Wis. (NEWS RELEASE) – Gov. Tony Evers today announced that, according to new enrollment data released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services as of Dec. 23, 2023, 254,482 Wisconsinites have signed up for health insurance on the individual marketplace. This marks the highest enrollment Wisconsin has ever reached. The previous record was attained during the 2017 Open Enrollment Period when 242,863 Wisconsinites signed up for coverage.
”Every Wisconsinite should have access to quality, affordable healthcare, and having a record number of Wisconsinites signed up to access affordable healthcare coverage is a critical achievement in our administration’s efforts to make sure folks and families can access the healthcare they need when they need it,” said Gov. Tony Evers. “This is great news for our state, and we will continue working to ensure Wisconsinites can get covered by encouraging folks to take advantage of the ongoing Open Enrollment period between now and January 16th.”
Through January 16, Wisconsinites are still eligible to sign up for one of the dozens of health plans available on the federal marketplace. Those who already have insurance through the marketplace can also renew, update, or upgrade their health plans.
”By getting insured, you are investing in your health and the health of those around you,” said Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI) Commissioner Nathan Houdek. “Connect with a licensed health insurance agent, broker, or navigator today to understand your options and find the right HealthCare.gov plan for you and your family.”
”We are thankful for OCI and our partners who spread the word about open enrollment to ensure people have health insurance coverage,” said Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) Secretary Kirsten Johnson. “Health insurance allows people to stay healthy and active in their communities. Access to coverage, whether through Medicaid, HealthCare.gov, or an employer, is how we keep Wisconsin a great place to live, work and play.”
In 2020, Gov. Tony Evers’ OCI DHS Health Care Coverage Partnership launched WisCovered.com as an accessible resource for consumers. By visiting WisCovered.com or calling 2-1-1, people can get connected with free, expert help. These experts help Wisconsinites understand their coverage options and determine if they qualify for subsidized health insurance premiums through the marketplace or free coverage through BadgerCare Plus.
The individual health insurance market has expanded substantially statewide, growing eight percent from 2019 to 2021. During the Open Enrollment Period last year, 221,128 Wisconsinites signed up for health insurance. Much of the enrollment increase is tied to the subsidies enhanced by the American Rescue Plan Act and extended by the Inflation Reduction Act. Last year, 89 percent of Wisconsinites who enrolled on HealthCare.gov qualified for these cost savings.
Additionally, the successful Wisconsin Healthcare Stability Plan (WIHSP) has held down rates on the individual marketplace. Without WIHSP, rates on HealthCare.gov would have increased by 18.2 percent for the 2024 plan year, based on a weighted average.
Wisconsin’s individual health insurance market also has the second-most insurers in the nation. Wisconsinites in all 72 counties can choose from at least three different health insurance carriers on HealthCare.gov. An interactive map of health insurers available by county can be found here.
Copyright 2024 WEAU. All rights reserved.
Wisconsin
Better Know A Badger – 2025 four-star lineman Hardy Watts
Better Know A Badger – 2025 four-star lineman Hardy Watts
MADISON, Wis. – It turned out that Luke Fickell had no reason to worry.
The University of Wisconsin head coach was hopeful that the results on the field wouldn’t cause members of his highly ranked third recruiting class to start rethinking their commitment or, worse yet, reopen their decision-making process entirely.
From the time the Badgers’ 2024 season ended without a bowl game for the first time in 23 years to the first day of the early signing period, Wisconsin’s staff only saw one prospect de-commit. Twenty-three kids signed paperwork to join Fickell’s program, a class that ranks 20th in the Rivals.com rankings with 10 four-star recruits from eight different states.
“To see guys not waver,” Fickell said. “That faith and belief that the games and what you see on Saturday isn’t everything. For those guys to hold with us and believe in us … relationships, trust, and belief in this process still win out.”
Adding depth to the offensive line, we look at the signing of Brookline (MA) Dexter’s Hardy Watts and how his addition improves the program.
Stats
Watts worked all over the offensive line during his high school career, but he spent this past season working primarily at right tackle. It was a position that his school needed him to play and the spot where he felt the most comfortable. It benefited him, as Watts earned all-conference recognition.
“I think I improved my chemistry and my ability to work as part of a unit, rather than making plays and flashy blocks,” Watts said. “I was learning the footwork of certain types of blocking and steps. I really refined what was already there and brought it back to working as part of a unit, making sure I am not messing up any assignments, and consistency.”
Recruiting Competition
The 17th commitment in Wisconsin’s 2025 class, Watts committed to the Badgers over a top group that included Clemson and Michigan. Watts also had two dozen offers from Power-Four schools like Alabama, Georgia, Miami, Penn State, Tennessee, and Texas A&M.
“There were a few schools that never stopped pursuing me,” Watts said. “They were some new schools that came forward with an offer, but I just politely declined, explained to them the situation that I was locked in and wasn’t going anywhere.”
Recruiting Story
Wisconsin
Wisconsin Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 results for Dec. 24, 2024
Manuel Franco claims his $768 million Powerball jackpot
Manuel Franco, 24, of West Allis was revealed Tuesday as the winner of the $768.4 million Powerball jackpot.
Mark Hoffman, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
The Wisconsin Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 24, 2024, results for each game:
Winning Mega Millions numbers from Dec. 24 drawing
11-14-38-45-46, Mega Ball: 03, Megaplier: 3
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from Dec. 24 drawing
Midday: 7-9-6
Evening: 2-0-2
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from Dec. 24 drawing
Midday: 9-8-7-5
Evening: 6-3-7-0
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning All or Nothing numbers from Dec. 24 drawing
Midday: 03-04-06-07-09-10-14-16-17-18-19
Evening: 02-05-07-08-12-13-17-18-19-20-21
Check All or Nothing payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Badger 5 numbers from Dec. 24 drawing
05-19-22-23-24
Check Badger 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning SuperCash numbers from Dec. 24 drawing
02-03-06-30-31-34, Doubler: N
Check SuperCash payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
- Prizes up to $599: Can be claimed at any Wisconsin Lottery retailer.
- Prizes from $600 to $199,999: Can be claimed in person at a Lottery Office. By mail, send the signed ticket and a completed claim form available on the Wisconsin Lottery claim page to: Prizes, PO Box 777 Madison, WI 53774.
- Prizes of $200,000 or more: Must be claimed in person at the Madison Lottery office. Call the Lottery office prior to your visit: 608-261-4916.
Can Wisconsin lottery winners remain anonymous?
No, according to the Wisconsin Lottery. Due to the state’s open records laws, the lottery must, upon request, release the name and city of the winner. Other information about the winner is released only with the winner’s consent.
When are the Wisconsin Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10:00 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
- Super Cash: 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
- Pick 3 (Day): 1:30 p.m. CT daily.
- Pick 3 (Evening): 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
- Pick 4 (Day): 1:30 p.m. CT daily.
- Pick 4 (Evening): 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
- All or Nothing (Day): 1:30 p.m. CT daily.
- All or Nothing (Evening): 9 p.m. CT daily.
- Megabucks: 9:00 p.m. CT on Wednesday and Saturday.
- Badger 5: 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
Missed a draw? Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Wisconsin editor. You can send feedback using this form.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin RB enters transfer portal. NCAA waiver gives senior another year of eligibility
An aerial view of Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wis.
An aerial view of Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wis., home of the Wisconsin Badgers.
MADISON – A recent court ruling has opened the door for former junior college players to gain another year of NCAA eligibility.
It appears that Tawee Walker is going to take advantage of the opportunity.
According to On3, Wisconsin’s senior running back will enter the transfer portal in search of a home for next season. The news came one day after the NCAA approved a blanket waiver granting one more year of eligibility to athletes who competed at a non-NCAA school for one or more years and would have otherwise exhausted their eligibility during the 2024-25 school year.
Walker fits the bill. He played the the 2021 season at Palomar College. a junior college in San Marcos, California, before competing for Oklahoma in 2022 and ’23 and Wisconsin this season. The NCAA counts his junior college season towards his four years of college eligibility.
The waiver stems from a case brought forward by Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia. A Tennessee court ruled that counting the two seasons he played at a junior college toward his NCAA eligibility violated the Sherman Antitrust Act.
Walker, a 5-foot-9, 218-pound Las Vegas native, led the Badgers with 864 yards in 190 carries, a 4.5-yard average, and scored 10 touchdowns.
He begin the season sharing the No. 1 tailback role with Chez Mellusi and blossomed after Mellusi took what proved to be a permanent leave Oct. 3.
As Wisconsin’s primary ball carrier Walker ran for 718 yards in 152 carries, a 4.7-yard average, with nine touchdowns.
His best stretch was a three-game run against Purdue, Rutgers and Northwestern when he gained 418 yards in 66 carries, a 6.3-yard average, and scored six times.
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