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New 3-digit suicide lifeline ‘988′ is live, Wisconsin DHS says

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New 3-digit suicide lifeline ‘988′ is live, Wisconsin DHS says


MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) – Whether or not they’re ideas of suicide or points with substance use, 988 are actually the digits to know in occasions of want.

The brand new Suicide and Disaster Lifeline is up and operating as of Friday, forward of the official launch on Saturday, in keeping with Karen Timberlake, secretary-designee of the Wisconsin Division of Well being Companies (DHS).

“We have to assist these in psychological well being crises. We have to stop dying by suicide by breaking down obstacles and bettering assets and companies which are out there and making them very simply accessible,” U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) stated Friday. She launched the laws that grew to become regulation in 2020, creating the 988 lifeline.

The workplace of Governor Tony Evers stated final 12 months, the Nationwide Suicide Prevention Lifeline answered about 29,000 calls from Wisconsin.

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The transition from the 10-digit lifeline (800-273-8255) would make the quantity for assist simpler to recollect. Nonetheless, officers say the previous quantity will nonetheless be out there if dialed.

Folks can name or textual content 988 without cost, confidential service from skilled disaster counselors 24/7. They will additionally chat at 988lifeline.org.

In Wisconsin, 988 callers will likely be routed to the Wisconsin Lifeline, funded by the DHS and operated on the Household Companies of Northeast Wisconsin, based mostly in Inexperienced Bay.

“More often than not persons are supplied that instant counseling and de-escalation help and repair,” Timberlake stated. “Typically they’re supplied a follow-up name. Typically in a extra acute emergency, there could also be a necessity to succeed in out to other forms of assets. However the backside line is step one is to make that decision.”

That decision is important, as Tanya Kraege says. She is commonly on the “different finish of the road” in her job at a Madison-area disaster middle. She can also be a crew supervisor at Protected Communities, a nonprofit tackling points like drug poisoning and suicide prevention.

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“They’re oftentimes extra more likely to attain out to a stranger, to someone that they don’t know and say, ‘Right here’s what’s occurring,’” Kraege stated. “Then that individual on the opposite finish of the road can remind them that they’re worthy.”

Kraege additionally misplaced her brother to suicide 18 years in the past, she stated.

“I firmly imagine that if my brother had shared that he was struggling, that possibly issues might have turned out otherwise for him,” she stated.

The lifeline took 3.6 million calls, chats and texts from People final 12 months, in keeping with the Federal Communications Fee (FCC).

That quantity is predicted to at the very least double within the subsequent 12 months as soon as 988 takes impact, the FCC stated.

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Sen. Baldwin stated causes for the anticipated enhance in use embody publicity and family members having the ability to name on behalf of those that need assistance.

“Actually all of us hope and pray and count on that it will save lives,” she stated.

Veterans may also have the choice to name 988 then press 1 to entry the Veterans Disaster Line.

Copyright 2022 WMTV. All rights reserved.



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Wisconsin

Hands on Wisconsin: Wisconsin’s climate ain’t what it used to be

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Hands on Wisconsin: Wisconsin’s climate ain’t what it used to be


Whether it’s devastating tornadoes, frequent thunderstorms, destructive flooding or searing heat waves, it’s clear Wisconsin’s climate ain’t what it used to be. 



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Wisconsin

Wisconsin Dells man arrested following child pornography investigation, deputies say

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Wisconsin Dells man arrested following child pornography investigation, deputies say


MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) – A 31-year-old Wisconsin Dells man was arrested following an internet crime investigation, Adams County Wisconsin Sheriff’s Office reported on Tuesday.

According to a sheriff’s office Facebook post, the investigation started after the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children sent in a cybertip. The tip reported about 65 suspected child pornography images being shared or uploaded with other users.

Investigators also learned that the suspect was also being investigated by the El Paso Police Department in Illinois for allegedly sending child pornography videos or images along with communicating with who the suspect believed was a 15-year-old girl.

On June 21, the Wisconsin Department of Justice-Division of Criminal Investigations executed a search warrant at the suspect’s residence on the 3600 block of STH 13 in Wisconsin Dells.

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The man was taken into custody on active warrant through the state of Illinois for ten counts of distributing child pornography, one count of indecent solicitation of a minor and one count of grooming.

Wisconsin Department of Justice was among several agencies that helped the Adams County Sheriff’s Office with this investigation.

Authorities are continuing to investigate this case.

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Who can work Wisconsin's elections? New restrictions won't affect much, attorney general says

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Who can work Wisconsin's elections? New restrictions won't affect much, attorney general says


MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A new constitutional amendment restricting who can work on Wisconsin elections should have little practical effect, according to a legal opinion issued by Democratic Attorney General Josh Kaul on Tuesday.

Wisconsin voters approved a constitutional amendment in April that says only lawfully designated election officials can perform any work on primaries, elections and referendums.

It’s unclear how the amendment might change current practices beyond placing definitions about election officials, which are already in state law, into the constitution.

Dane County Corporation Counsel Carlos Pabellon asked Kaul weeks after the amendment was approved for a legal opinion on the definition of a lawful election official. Pabellon pointed out that parts of state law define them as special deputies who help nursing home residents vote, election inspectors and tabulators while other sections say they’re anyone charged with any duties relating to an election.

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He questioned whether county and municipal clerks and their staffs remain election officials under the amendment. He also asked whether third-party vendors such as ballot printers could work with election officials since the amendment states only lawfully-designated election officials can do any election work.

Kaul wrote that the amendment doesn’t change the definition of a lawfully designated election official so the multiple definitions in state law remain viable. The amendment also doesn’t negate state laws empowering clerks and other election officials to run elections, he said.

What to know about the 2024 Election

The attorney general went on to say that the amendment doesn’t require election work to be performed only by election officials. Essentially, the amendment mandates that only lawfully designated election officials can control election administration, he wrote.

Kaul noted that Republican lawmakers drafted the amendment in reaction to grant money that came into Wisconsin in 2020 from the Center for Tech and Civic Life, a liberal group that promotes voter access. That year the group received a $300 million donation from Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and his wife to help election officials buy supplies and run elections at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic

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Wisconsin’s five largest cities, which President Joe Biden went on to win, received $8.8 million, sparking outrage from Republicans. They accused Green Bay Mayor Eric Genrich of ceding authority for running the election to a paid consultant who had worked on Democratic campaigns in the past. Green Bay city attorneys said the claims lacked merit.





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