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Wisconsin nurses, other professionals getting licenses quicker, audit shows

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Wisconsin nurses, other professionals getting licenses quicker, audit shows


MADISON — The average wait to receive professional credentials in Wisconsin dropped significantly last year, with the most dramatic improvement in the health care sector.

That’s according to a new report from the nonpartisan Legislative Audit Bureau, which includes a list of recommendations to further improve the credentialing process within the state Department of Safety and Professional Services.

Republican lawmakers authorized the audit in February, following reports of backlogs that left professionals in limbo for months as they waited to receive the licenses they needed in order to do their jobs.

According to the audit, the average number of days it took the department to issue a credential in the health care industry was 59.1 in fiscal year 2022-23 — down from 122.7 in the previous fiscal year and a high of 125.4 in fiscal year 2020-21.

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In the business sector, the average wait time went down from 47.6 days to 27.9 in the last year, and in the trades it went from 38.4 to 17.2.

The considerable improvement in health care credential processing is in part attributed to the agency switching in May 2022 to an online credentialing system called LicensE. A review of 100 applications submitted through the LicensE system with the longest wait times found that about a quarter of the applications faced lag time due to DSPS reviewing information, while 35% of the time it was attributed to applicants needing to submit additional information. In about 40% of cases, the timing was a result of applicants and the agency simultaneously waiting on each other.

The audit found that, among the 100 health care professional applications facing the longest wait times, the average wait was 189.6 days. Credentials for pharmacists and social workers faced the longest delays, followed by advanced practice nurse prescribers and registered nurses.

Elected officials have steadily increased the amount of funding available to DSPS for credentialing over the last decade, most recently with an $8 million increase in the 2023-25 budget cycle.

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Auditors recommended the agency develop “comprehensive written policies” for administering credentials, along with written policies requiring that application fees be refunded to people who’d used an incorrect application method. The agency should also develop written policies prohibiting staff from requesting that applicants provide any portion of their Social Security numbers via email, the audit bureau recommended.

Other recommendations include regularly reporting information on the agency’s website, regularly assessing the agency’s productivity and using that information to improve practices, as well as to justify any future requests for additional staffing, funding or resources.

The LAB recommended an update from DSPS to the Joint Legislative Audit Committee on its implementation of those recommendations by March 15, 2024.

DSPS was created in 2011 and issues more than 240 unique credentials for occupations ranging from physicians and social workers to barbers and funeral directors. The department also regulates the construction industry, adjudicates complaints against credential holders, and administers more than 75 boards, councils and committees.

Jessie Opoien can be reached at jessie.opoien@jrn.com.

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Wisconsin

Better Know A Badger – 2025 four-star lineman Hardy Watts

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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.

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“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.

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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.

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“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



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Wisconsin Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 results for Dec. 24, 2024

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Wisconsin Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 results for Dec. 24, 2024


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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:

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.



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Wisconsin RB enters transfer portal. NCAA waiver gives senior another year of eligibility

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Wisconsin RB enters transfer portal. NCAA waiver gives senior another year of eligibility


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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.

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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.

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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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